The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-02-19
THE NEW RECTOR OF
ST. marks CHURCH
"Is Not Afraid to Hit the
Nail on Head when
Necessary.

The Palatka News of last week, st.
Marks Episcopal church of this city
has called Rev. John T. Lewis of
Monticello to the rectorship.
On Thursday last word was re-
ceived from Mr.. Lewis accepting the
call, and fixing on March 18th as the
date for beginning his duties. The
new rector, who is a comparatively
Young man, is married and has one
little girl. He comes to Palatka very
highly endorsed, both as to his spirit
uality and learning.
Archdeacon William Wyllie, who
was in the city last week, not only
spoke in glowing terms Of the new
rector of St. Marks, but furnished
The News with the following sketch
concerning his ministerial career:
"Rev. John Timothy Lewis, M. A.,
is a Welchman by birth. He was ed
ucated at Oxford University, England,
where he took the M. A. degree. His
Theological education was completed
at St. David's College, Lampeter,
Wales, and at St. Philips College,
where he succeeded in obtaining the
Burton Exhibit" prize in 1900. He
was ordained deacon by the Lord
Bishop of Bangor in 1901, and raised
to the priesthood by the Lord Bishop
of St. Asapa in 1902. He served
some wears as curate in North Wales,
and afterwards as missionary in Can
ada. He came to the United States
in 1907 and served at Guilford, N:
Y. until 1910, when on account OF
the health of his wife he came to
Florida and was installed as rector OF
Christ church, Monticello, where he
has served continuously since"
Among the visitors this winter at
Monticello, is Mr.. J. R. Roosevelt, a
cousin of ex-President Roosevelt
During his stay in the Florida city
Mr.. Roosevelt, who also had the pleas
ure of an acquaintance with Mi
Lewis formed in New York, has at
tended upon the services of Christ
|church. Mr.Roosevelt is warmly at
Itached to the new rector OF st
Marks, as will appear from the fol
lowing letter written to Mr.. j. II
Haughton, one of the vestrymen:
"Monticello, Feb. I'd, 1915.
'Mr. J. H. Haughton,
"Palatka, Fla.
"My dear SIR
"I understand that the name OF
Rev. Mr.. Lewis of this place is be-
ing considered by the vestrry OF your
parish as rector. Though only a
winter visitor here, | have the high
est opinion of Mr.. Lewis as a man
and a clergyman. He has endeared
himself to every member of his con-
gregation here, and they will be very
10th to part with him. He is eX-
tremely well educated and well read
and a good, straightforward preach
er, not afraid to hit the nail on the
head when necessary In my opinion
he is very far above the average OF
the clergy of today, and | would con-
slider any parish fortunate in secur-
Ing him as rector. Mrs. Lewis, / may
add, is a very charming person.
"Very truly, yours,
~. Roosevelt Roosevelt.
"Trrstee Cathedral st. John the
Divine, New York"
Mr.. William E. Evans, prominent
worker in the church at Monticello
saws regarding the call to Mr.. Lewis;
"Mr. Lewis has been with us sew
eral years, during which time he has
become so sustaining to us, in SO very
many ways, and has so endeared him.
self to all of this parish that | real
ly do not see how we can possibly &c
without him. At the same time mos
unusual conditions have recently arls
en-, affecting largely our tinancia
, status and there being but little prom
Use of Substantial Improvement in tn
near future, it really seems as if thu
church must be dormant-must, O
necessity, rest for awhile in its en-
deavors, and for this reason | an
taking the liberty of writing 20,
mentioning at this time the condi
tions here existing and to say tha
should Mr.. Lewis be called to Pa
latka your gain would be great; ou
loss almost irreparable. At the sam
time it seems to me the suggestet
connection would be most admirable
Mr.. Lewis will be here to take II
the work of St. Marks church on tn
14th of next month, when he will holt
his FIRST service.