The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-04-10
Rev. DIR. John N. Lewis
Dies Early This A. M.
Continued From Page u

'IOlu EdSC ~
DR.. Lewis was born in Annandale,
Duchess county, New York, January
10, 1869, the son Of John Nelner and
Christina (Nelson) Lewis. He was
married to Miss Mary Newell Stone
June S, 1894. They were parents of
two daughters, Carolyn Hamlin and
Jane Nelson, both Of whom died in
their infancies.
DR.. Lewis prepared for college in
public schools and was graduated
from Williams college in June, 1889,
thus securing the literary learning
which served as broad foundation
on which to build the superstruc-
ture Of his professional training.
Doctors Degree
The degree of doctor of divinity
was conferred upon him by Williams
college June Is, 1917. In June of
1892 he was graduated from the
Berkeley Divinity school at Yale and
was ordained deacon June 8, 1892,
by Bishop Williams who also Off
ciated at his ordination in June OF
of the following year.
During his seminary course he
acted as assistant to the Rev. w. w.
Newton, D. D., of st. Stephens
church, Pittsfield, Mass, and was
also lay-reader in st. Georges
church in Lee, Mass, and in st.
Johns church at Pine Meadow,
Conn. After being made deacon he
served as assistant minister at st.
Georges church in New York under
DR.. Rainsford until June of 1894
when he was appointed rector Of
Grace church at Honesdale, Pa,
where he remained until May of 1897.
During that year he accepted a
call to become dean of Christ church
Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky,
where he remained until September
of 1900, after which he became as
sociate rector Of st. Johns Episco-
pal church here in August Of 1901.
1t was during this year he was ele-
waited to the pastorate.
Since then he has been identified
with this church, doing splendid
work in the fulfillment of its pur-
pose. The work of the church is
thoroughly organized in its various
departments and his earnestneSs,
zeal and eloquence were effective
forces in the upkeep of the cause.
C. N. G. Chaplain
While in Kentucky, DR.. Lewis
served as chaplain of the Second
Infantry of the Kentucky national
guard and since coming to this state
had been chaplain of the Second
Infantry of the Connecticut national
guard. He was also chaplain of the
Fifth Regiment, Connecticut home
guard.
For 10 years, during the admins
tration of the late Mayor William
B. Hotchkiss he was one of the COM
missioners of public charities here.
He established the Visiting Nurses
association here and held the post OF
managing director of that organlza-
ton for a great many years.
He had a wide and favorable &C
uuaintance in this city outside OF his
parish and his interest in those
things which had to do with the pub
lie welfare of the city indicated the
breadth of his sympathy, while the
universally of his friendships indl-
Gated his intellectual breadth.
Around the year 1925 when he cele-
brated his 25th anniversary of his
pastorate at st. Johns church, DR..
Lewis was made recipient of check
for $1,000 from his local admirers.
He was always interested in various
local charities, particularly the
American Red Cross. Broad IN splr-
it's, his fellowship with members OF
the Roman Catholic priesthood was
cherished highly.
DR.. Lewis was always referred to
as the moving spirit in the Water
bury Council of Churches, an Or
ganization he served faithfully since
its inception. He was generally the
delegate of the diocese to the annual
national convention of the Episco-
pal church.
Children's Favorite
DR.. Lewis was great favorite with
countless children. For years and
years he conducted the Vacation
House at Lake Quassapaug in Middle
bury for poor children of the city.
During the depression he converted
the old parish house in the rear OF
St. Johns church into barracks
for homeless men.
The deceased rector was mem
Der of the board of directors of the
Cheshire Reformatory and was a
newly member of the local
public welfare board being appoint
ed by Mayor Vincent A. Scully. He
was also police and fire chaplain, a
member of Liberty lodge of Masons,
Rotary club and Sigma Phi frater-
nifty and Sigma Phi chapter of Will
liams college in Massachusetts,. Dr..
Lewis was chaplain at Westover
school, Middlebury, and was also
chaplain of old st. Margarets school.
No review of DR.. Lewis life
would be complete without refer
ence to the fact that during the
World War he went overseas and
served as a chaplain. Aie Witnessed
the great sacrifices of American
youth, consoled many of them in
their dying moments and brought
back to loved ones, cherished mas
sages His interest in eX-service-
men never waned. His home, st.
Johns rectory or parish hall was
always open to the World War vet
eran. Scores could testify to his
kindness and hospitality.
MAYOR SCULLY
7 have just learned that Rev. John
N. Lewis has passed away. DR.. Lewis
spent many years in Waterbury and
we are all deeply indebted to him
for his substantial contributions to
the moral growth of our city. All
who knew him had very great re-
spect for him. His democratic and
brotherly feeling for those whom
he came in contact with endeared