The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-04-26
By RICHARD H. kemp

and Vestrymen of Saint Paul's
Church, Key West, the pioneer re-
ligious organization Of Key West
The first election of Wardens
and Vestrymen was held April s,
1888.
Preceding grant of charter, the
first service was held on Christ
mas Day, 1882, by Reverend San
Son X. Brunot, of Pittsburgh,
Penn, who had been called to
the rectorship. The condition of
Reverend Brupot's health caused
him to resign in May, 1888.
Reverend Brunot was succeed
ed by Reverend Alva Bennett, of
Troy, New York, who was sent to
Saint Paul,s by the Missionary So
ciety of New York, on application
of the vestrymen. He arrived
in October, 1884, and resigned in
April, 1885. 1t was during his
rectorship that there was a cele-
bration OF, the Holy Communion
at Saint PauPs for the first time,
on November 16, 1884.
Reverend Bennett was succeeds
ed by Reverend Robert Dyce, IA
miliarly called "ParsOn Dyce", who
arrived in September, 1886, and
resigned in February, 1889. In
the year following his arrival he
left Key West to solicit funds for
the erection of a church building,
and he returned soon after with
a collection of $4,000. In the
year 1888 erection Of the first
building was commenced, a tract
of land having already been dona-
ted for the purpose in May of
that year by Mrs. John William
Charles Fleming, being the same
lot on which the present building
is located. The building was near
completion in May, 1845. 1t was
constructed of stone blocks quar-
ried on the island of Key West.
It's dimensions were: length, 46
feet, width, SO feet, height, %
feet, with a seating capacity of
So pews and a gallery in the rear.
It's total cost was $4,000. 1t was
located on the same corner of the
lot on which the present building
stands. Up to this time the
church services were held in Coun-
ty of Monroe courthouse. Rev
erend Dyce also conducted par
ish school during his rectorship.
Reverend Dyce was succeeded
BY Reverend A. +. Ford, who re-
signed in the year 1912.
Reverend Ford was succeeded
by Reverend ]. A. Hanson, who re-
signed in May, 1845.
Reverend Hanson was succeeded
by Reverend C. C. Adams, who
resigned in April, 1855. On his
way to Key West to assume charge
Reverend Adams learned that the
church building had been in the
meantime destroyed, by the hur-
ricane of October, 1916. There
fore, soon after his arrival, he
left Key West in January, 1847
for the purpose of soliciting funds
for the erection of new build
ing. He returned in December
of the same year with a collect
ion of $4,000. A wooden build
ing was then erected, fronting on
Eaton street, midway of the lot.
The first service was held in this
second building on July 80, 1S4S,
and It was conseerated by Bishop
G. E., Gladsden, of South Caro-
line, january 4, 1851. During the
rectorship Of Reverend Adams,
Saint Paul's became self support
ing, and severed its connection
with the Missionary Society jan
nary 5, 1854.
Reverend Adams was succeeded
by Reverend Osgoed E. Herrick.
in December, 1856. who resigned
in January. 1870. It was dur
ing his rectorship that the present
rectory was built in the year 1857,
and the church building enlarged
in the year 1860.
Reverend Herrick was succeed.
ed by Reverend w. T. Saunders in
July, 1870. who resigned in June,
1872.
Reverend Saunders was succeed
ed by Reverend J.. S. J. Higgs, in
December. 1872. who resigned in
january. 1873.
Reverend Riggs was succeeded
BY Reverend John Reuther in
March. 1879, who resigned in the
year 1874.
Reverend John Reuther was
succeeded By Reverend ]. u. Steele
in 1874. who died October Is,
1878, and was buried in Key
West. Reverend Steeie's wife had
died in the previous year. and was
also buried in Key West. A
short time prior 10 his death Rev
erend Steele also conducted q par
ish school for boys.
Reverend Steele was succeeded
BY Reverend Charles A. Gilbert,