Evening star., 1945-02-13
ST. Stephen S Rector
Quits Under Pressure
After Parish Conflict

AWhsS OuuOOt IVSS0u ~
After Parish Conflict
The Rev. Charles Flint Kellogg,
has resigned under pressure, as
rector of the Episcopal Church OF
st. Stephen and the Incarnation,
1927 Newton street NV, follow
Ing a controversy in the parish
1t was learned today.
The controversy was taken up to
the Right Rev, Angus Dun, Bishop
of Washington, who heard at
length both from those who wanted
the rector's resignation and those
who sought to keep him in the post,
Acting under canonical law Of the
Episcopal Church, the Bishop, it
was reported decided that differ
ences between the conflicting fac
tions in the parish had become so
acute that it would be to the best
interests of both the parish and
the rector himself to discontinue
their relationship.
No parties involved were willing
to. comment on the case for publica-
ton with the use of their names.
But the issues were said by several
persons close to the matter to
involve clashes Of personalities,
differences over the form of observ-
ing the Episcopal Church ritual,
the rector's program concerning
young people, and certain "intangi-
bles" and emotional conflicts be-
tween people.
1t was emphasized on all sides,
however, that there was no reflec-
ton whatever on the rector's moral
integrity or honesty in financial af-
fairs.
Until the church vestry can de-
eide on and call new rector, the
Rev. DR.. Albert Hawley Lucas, a
canon of Washington Cathedral,
and headmaster of st. Adams
School for Boys, has taken charge"
temporarily at st. Stephens. He
preached there last Sunday morning.
Sermon on "Brotherly Love-"
That Sunday morning service was
one of tension. it was reported by
parishioners. The preacher talked
on brotherly love. Those who had
defended the former rector unsuc-
cessfully also went to church, but
were considerably upset. Some
women cried, it was said.
Mr.. Kellogg has been out of the
city for several days, and could not
be reached for comment.
One of the issues, that concern
ing the method of observing church
ritual, was known to have been a
source of difference in the congre-
CATION over almost the entire period
of Mr. Kellogg's ministry - less
than two years. The rector, who
leaned toward the so-called high
church" method OF conducting
and liked to be called
Father" kellogg, aroused opposi-1
tion among those of his parishion-
ers who liked somewhat differ
ent form of worship.
Defenders of Mr.. kellogg were
more free in praising him than
his opponents were in criticising
nim.
So far as could be learned a ma
iority of the vestry wanted his res
ignation. But there were at least
more-in the vestry |
who fought for his retention The |
vestry consists of nine men and one
woman. sw#
A committee Of his defenders
went to Bishop Dun to make q
strong plea on behalf of the rector,
according to one of that delegation.
The rector, said to be about "a
or IS years old, was praised by this
group as having the support OF by
far the majority of the parishioners.
A spokesman complained that the
vestry had not taken the members
Of the congregation sufficiently into
its confidence before taking dis
missal steps.
Church Membership Rose.
The rector was said by one of
his friends to have increased the
membership of the parish not only
among the adults. but especially
among young people, in whom he
was particularly interested. He
sponsored adult = supervised pro-
grams for recreation in the parish
hall, where an automatic phono-
graph machine furnished music for
dancing. He was said to have raised
substantial funds to help pay of
the church debt.
On the other hand, a spokesman
for the vestry indicated there were
sufficient grounds for the action of
the vestry, but they hoped it would
not inture the future of the young
rector. He declined to go into any
details, and requested that nothing |
be published. The vestry's case,
however, it was learned, had been
fully presented to the bishop.
The Rev. Mr.. Kellogg was born |
IN Pitts1eld, Mass, graduated from
Serales High School, from Bard
College with the degree Of Bachelor
Of Arts, from Harvard University
with the degree of Master of Arts
and from General Theological Sem
inady with a Bachelor of Divinity
degree in 1896. He was rector of
the Church of the Mediator in New
York City when called to st. Steph-
ems In 1943.
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