Heroes & History
The Vestry of 1857
After Reverend Tiffany’s departure and a brief interlude with Reverend Hollingsworth, a new minister was summoned. Reverend Rolla Oscar Page was called to officiate at Saint Paul’s beginning Christmas Eve, 1856. Mr. Page was a Harvard and Hobart graduate, and had been admitted to the Priesthood in 1851.
By June of the following year, Vestry minutes describe poor finances resulting in an increase in pew rental to cover expenses, followed months later by a reduction in the Rector’s salary from $550 to $300 per annum.
By the next April, the Vestry minutes reflect:
"Whereas the Parish is losing in strength and prosperity, for the reason that its present rector is unpopular among the congregation and the community generally, he has ceased to be of usefulness among us.
And whereas we consider that an immediate change in the Rectorship is urgently needed in order to restore the peace and promote the prosperity of the Parish.
Therefore resolved that the Reverend Rolla O. Page be and is hereby respectfully requested to resign the charge of the Parish, his resignation to take effect on the first Monday of July next."
The discussion did not end there. Reverend Page initially refused to resign, charges were filed against him with the Bishop and a conditional resignation was declined by the Vestry. He did eventually leave the Church, moving out of the Rectory that November.
The Vestry members who dedicated themselves to future of the Parish are remembered as heroes. The names include Robert Johnson and Franklin Guion as Wardens, and vestry members Lawrence Van Buren, Henry Snyder, David Van Schaack, Chester Harris, Smith T. Van Buren, Ralph Bigelow, Charles Beale and Francis Silvester.
These brave gentlemen, most of who had been with the church from its inception, recognized the need for change and acted decisively to ensure the continuation, welfare and success of the Parish.
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2011 by Sue Brignull, RN
After Reverend Tiffany’s departure and a brief interlude with Reverend Hollingsworth, a new minister was summoned. Reverend Rolla Oscar Page was called to officiate at Saint Paul’s beginning Christmas Eve, 1856. Mr. Page was a Harvard and Hobart graduate, and had been admitted to the Priesthood in 1851.
By June of the following year, Vestry minutes describe poor finances resulting in an increase in pew rental to cover expenses, followed months later by a reduction in the Rector’s salary from $550 to $300 per annum.
By the next April, the Vestry minutes reflect:
"Whereas the Parish is losing in strength and prosperity, for the reason that its present rector is unpopular among the congregation and the community generally, he has ceased to be of usefulness among us.
And whereas we consider that an immediate change in the Rectorship is urgently needed in order to restore the peace and promote the prosperity of the Parish.
Therefore resolved that the Reverend Rolla O. Page be and is hereby respectfully requested to resign the charge of the Parish, his resignation to take effect on the first Monday of July next."
The discussion did not end there. Reverend Page initially refused to resign, charges were filed against him with the Bishop and a conditional resignation was declined by the Vestry. He did eventually leave the Church, moving out of the Rectory that November.
The Vestry members who dedicated themselves to future of the Parish are remembered as heroes. The names include Robert Johnson and Franklin Guion as Wardens, and vestry members Lawrence Van Buren, Henry Snyder, David Van Schaack, Chester Harris, Smith T. Van Buren, Ralph Bigelow, Charles Beale and Francis Silvester.
These brave gentlemen, most of who had been with the church from its inception, recognized the need for change and acted decisively to ensure the continuation, welfare and success of the Parish.
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2011 by Sue Brignull, RN