History of St. Chrysostom's Would Be Complete Without Paying Tribute to Frederick Spalding

Home , Adlai Stevenson I, Almon Abbott, Clark Street (Chicago), Edelweiss (train), Floyd Lawrence Begin, Francis Cocks

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 1

Thaddeus A. Snively: First Years of the Parish, 1893-1907

Sunday, January 15, 1893. "CROWDED AND COLD. Marked Characteristics of Nearly All Street-Cars," read the lead story in that day's Chicago Tribune. "TRIALS OF WEST-SIDERS. The Early Morning Service Declared To Be Wretched. NORTH SIDE NO BETTER OFF. Even the South Side Lines Are Said To Be Falling from Grace." The poor service must have been a particular hardship during the previous days; a cold spell had gripped the city and the entire eastern third of the country for most of the preceding week, with Chicago temperatures reaching -12 by midnight on the 14th (they would drop to -16 for several hours early Sunday morning before moderating later in the day). Chicagoans suffering from the extreme weather could plan to purchase on the following day, according to their budgets, real mink capes at $25.00, astrakhan fur reefers at $20.00 or military ulsters at $7.50 from Schlesinger and Mayer's at the southeast corner of State and Madison Streets; men's winter underwear at $1.25 and 49c could be bought at the Hub on the northwest corner of State and Jackson. (Those persons preferring to shop at Marshall Field's would have had to wait a day to see what was available, since Field's did not at that time advertise on Sundays.)

Much news space was devoted to the forthcoming World's Columbian Exposition: a gang of French crooks with plans to "work the Fair" had just been arrested, and an article by Caroline S. Corbin discussed the question of Sunday opening: "If the directors ... will stop all machinery ... and will set apart a building for religious meetings, where eminent divines may discourse upon the spiritual needs and opportunities of the hour ... it will be such an expression of an impressive and beautiful Christian Sabbath as the world has never before seen." A patent dispute on the incandescent light had been settled in favor of Thomas Edison, with implications for Chicago electrical service. The romantically minded could read the account of the elopement of Marion Ewing, whose cousin Adlai Stevenson I would be inaugurated as vice- president under Grover Cleveland on March 4.

Only a small announcement among the listings of religious services on an inside page records: "All Saints Church. No. 757 North Clark Street. Services at 11 a.m. by the Rev. E.R. Bishop, Archdeacon of the diocese, and the Rev. T.A. Snively, Troy, N.Y."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

All Saints' Mission, as it was more properly known, had experienced a checkered history. By the mid-1880s, as more Chicagoans were moving to the city's north side, residents felt a need for another Episcopal church in the area in addition to St. James Church (not then the cathedral of the diocese) on Huron Street and Cass Street (now Wabash Avenue), and the Church of Our Saviour on Fullerton Avenue. (The Church of the Ascension on LaSalle Avenue, because of its Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, may not have been considered as an alternative by some of the newcomers to the area.) In late 1885, under the auspices of St. James Church, a store at 633 (later 1522) North Clark Street was rented, and St. James Mission, as it was known, began services on December 27 with the Reverend Montgomery N. Throop in charge. By June 1886 the mission had attracted so many people from St. James Church that it was deemed advisable to move to a site as far north of St. James as possible. The location at 757 (later 1752) North Clark Street was rented, and the congregation adopted the name of All Saints' Mission.

An unidentified newspaper clipping in parish archives, probably dating from early 1889, is titled: "A Bartender Sues A Church." There appears to have been some dispute as to whether the mission's finance committee or Mr. Throop was responsible for payment of the rent on the 633 North Clark Street site for the period remaining on the lease after the congregation moved north. Joseph Cole, a bartender at the Palmer House and owner of the site, understandably became impatient and took legal action when after more than two years he had not received his rent. The matter was settled amicably, the finance committee and Mr. Throop each paying half the costs.

Mr. Throop must have been in poor health, for according to this account he left the city in 1886 due to illness. The Reverend Joseph G.H. Barry succeeded him for a short time. (In view of St. Chrysostom's later reputation as a Low Church parish, it is interesting to note that Fr. Barry would afterwards serve as dean of the High Church seminary Nashotah House and rector of the well-known New York City Anglo-Catholic parish St. Mary the Virgin.) After Father Barry's departure, the Reverend James Foster was briefly in charge. Attendance had declined by early 1888, and Bishop William McLaren asked Mr. Throop, whose health had presumably improved, to return as priest in charge. By 1889, the congregation numbered 153.

Maude Stein Snyder, for many years a St. Chrysostom's parishioner, attended All Saints' Sunday school in 1892 and preserved in a scrapbook an Easter card sent to her in that year. She wrote beside the card that "Mr. Locke was Supt. of Church School, he came to the Church from N.Y. Miss Booge was my teacher's name. Both had lived at the Plaza Hotel, Clark and North Ave." (Mr. Locke is probably the J.M. Locke who served on St. Chrysostom's vestry in 1898 and 1899.) Although the Sunday school must

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church have been active at that time, All Saints' itself fell on hard times and closed by the end of 1892, leaving debts of $250. Those persons who braved the cold to attend the service of January 15, 1893 at the reorganized mission must surely have hoped that the new priest in charge would have greater success than his predecessors in establishing a church in the area.

The Reverend Thaddeus Alexander Snively was, at this time, not quite forty-two years old; he was born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, a small town just north of the Maryland border, on February 1, 1851. He was the eighth and probably the youngest child of Daniel Snively, a merchant, and his wife Mary Ann; the Snivelys seem to have been well-to-do, as 1850 census records show that the household included four servants and that Daniel Snively owned property worth $7400, a substantial sum for that time. At least one other of the Snivelys' sons became a priest; their oldest child William, seventeen years older than Thaddeus, served in a number of parishes in the eastern United States, was the author of several books, and for some years was a member of the standing committee of the diocese of Louisiana. Another son may also have been a clergyman; the Reverend Summerfield Snively, who was rector of the American Church at Nice at the time of his death in February 1914, is possibly the three-year-old "Somerton Snively" listed in the 1850 census records. There were three other brothers and two sisters; one brother, whose name is not known to us, fought (according to family tradition) on the Confederate side in the Civil War and was killed in battle in Texas.

Thaddeus Snively attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, the latter presumably for his theological studies. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1872 and to the priesthood in 1875; his first post was as curate to his brother William, at that time rector of Christ Church, Albany, New York. Later he served at the American Episcopal Church in Geneva, Switzerland and at Christ Church, Quincy, Massachusetts, before becoming rector of St. John's Church in Troy, New York in 1881, where he remained until 1892. For a short time before he came to Chicago he had been at the American Episcopal Church in Florence, Italy.

Mr. Snively would appear to have been considerably overqualified for his new position. It seems at first surprising that a man of his age and experience should choose to come to a struggling mission church in an area where he apparently had no previous ties. Almost certainly the reason lies in his personal life. He had married Eliza Crosby, probably by early 1880, since their first son Alexander was born in March 1881; a second son, Schuyler, was born to the couple in 1884. However, according to a 1987 letter to Robert Howell from Mr. Snively's grandson Murray, his grandparents'

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church marriage had been an arranged one and had not been happy. The couple separated and were later divorced; Eliza Snively remarried and moved to Canada with her second husband and her sons. Although the exact date of the separation and divorce is not known, it is very likely that Thaddeus Snively's departure from Troy may have been occasioned by the failure of his marriage. In an age when divorce in general was frowned upon and, for the clergy, almost unheard of, the choice of positions available to a divorced clergyman must have been severely limited; Mr. Snively, too, may have wished to make a fresh start and to accept the challenge of establishing a new congregation in an area unfamiliar to him.

Joanna Zander, in her seventy-fifth anniversary book The Story of St. Chrysostom's Church, written at a time when a few parishioners still survived who remembered Mr. Snively, wrote that he never failed to remember the birth dates of children in his congregation: a poignant note, since he seems to have seen relatively little of his own sons following his divorce and move to Chicago. John Henry Hopkins commented in The Great Forty Years in the Diocese of Chicago, a history covering the years 1893 to 1933, that Mr. Snively was "popular in every best sense," with "possibly the most extensive social entree within the reach of any Chicago priest, then or now." He adds: "One can almost hear him even yet, pleading with someone, 'Oh, DON'T say St. ChrySOStom's!' with the accent strongly on SOS."

The adoption of the name of St. Chrysostom's instead of All Saints' was Mr. Snively's first official act as priest in charge. On January 20, five days after the first service, Bishop William E. McLaren wrote:

The name of the organized mission heretofore known as All Saints', is hereby changed to

S. Chrysostom's.

The reasons for Mr. Snively's selection of St. John Chrysostom as the patron saint of the mission are not known to us and can only be guessed at. It was almost certainly necessary to make some change of name to distinguish the mission from All Saints' Church in Ravenswood, an area which had only a short time previously been incorporated into the city of Chicago; Mr. Snively may also have wished to dissociate his new congregation from the unsuccessful former mission. St. John Chrysostom was the author of the final prayer used at Morning and Evening Prayer services, and was famous during his lifetime for his excellence as a preacher (the name Chrysostom, "golden mouthed", refers to this characteristic); from this point of view the choice would prove appropriate, since the parish has throughout its history maintained the Evangelical emphasis on preaching

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church and successive rectors have been known for the excellence of their sermons. It is also possible that Mr. Snively chose a saint whose feast day, January 27 in the Western Church, was close to the date of the reorganization of the mission.

The Diocesan Board of Missions paid $90 of the $250 debt remaining from the former All Saints' Mission; St. Chrysostom's took responsibility for the remaining $160. To enable the debt to be paid off as soon as possible, Mr. Snively served without compensation until Easter Day, April 2. By the following week the debt was paid and the mission's finance committee held its first meeting. Its members were John R. Adams, an importer; Albert Blanchard, a contractor; Joseph T. Bowen, a banker (whose wife Louise DeKoven Bowen would in later years become well known for her work at Hull House and other social service organizations); Henry Durkee, president of an iron ore firm; Otto J. Weidner, listed as "manager" in the 1893 Chicago city directory; and Harry T. Pardee and his brother-in-law Henry N. Cooper, employed in real estate. (Mr. Cooper was married to Harry Pardee's sister Julia; another sister, Emily, was the wife of St. Chrysostom's parishioner William Street, and their brother Luther, an Episcopal priest, was at this time secretary of the diocese. The Pardees' father Theron was listed in the first directory of Chicago residents, published in 1844.) The committee agreed to pay Mr. Snively a salary of $1800 a year; he expressed his willingness to accept $1500 if the mission could not afford the larger amount.

A milestone occurred on the evening of Ascension Day, May 18, 1893, when Bishop McLaren made his first visitation to St. Chrysostom's, confirming a class of eight. One of the members of this class would play an important role in the life of the parish in the years to come. Frederick Chase Spalding, nineteen years old, had already been working for five years in the newspaper business and for most of his life would be a proofreader for the Chicago Daily News. The Spalding family (parents Oliver and Katie, Frederick, and five other children) had been members of the former All Saints Mission and continued at St. Chrysostom's. Frederick Spalding would serve as Sunday school teacher and superintendent, lay reader, Scoutmaster, camp director and vestry member during his forty-six years in the parish, devoting much of his time, talents and treasure to the church.

As 1893 passed, plans were under way to find a permanent home for the church. Henry Cooper and Henry Durkee were appointed to examine possible sites on Dearborn Avenue (as the street was then called) and State Street. Two alternatives were considered: a location adjoining the "Harz property," a stable at 502 (later 1332) Dearborn Avenue, and a 75-foot lot at 544 (later 1424) Dearborn Avenue between Schiller Street and Burton Place. Although at first the site near the Harz stable was preferred, tax

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church considerations led to the selection of the property further north. On February 7, 1894, lawyer Percival Fuller was appointed to head a committee for purchase of the property; by the fifteenth of the month, pledges of over $13,000 toward the purchase price of $28,000 had been received. The committee visited the Ladies' Society before sponsoring a parish-wide meeting on February 21 at which a total of $28,662.50 ($5200 of which was in cash) was pledged; Mr. Fuller and Edward Martyn, vice-president of Philip Armour's Union Stock Yards and Traction Company, were the largest donors with $2500 each. The visit to the Ladies' Society was apparently a fruitful one, as seven women including a dressmaker and a stenographer were among those making contributions at the meeting. A committee of the rector, three men and three women was appointed to raise additional subscriptions. One of its members was Fannie Parsons Warren, whose husband William would briefly serve on the vestry in 1896; their son L. Parsons Warren was a vestry member and Sunday school superintendent from the mid-1920s until he retired and left the city in 1952.

On Easter Monday, March 26, 1894, St. Chrysostom's became incorporated as a parish. Henry Durkee was elected the first senior warden and Joseph Bowen the junior warden. John Adams and Harry Pardee from the finance committee continued as members of the vestry. Other vestry included two doctors: John H. Chew, successor to Fernand Henrotin as head of Henrotin Hospital and the Chicago Policlinic, and H. Newberry Hall, clerk of the vestry (a direct descendant of Miles Standish) who, interestingly enough in view of future Crane connections with the parish, served as Crane Company physician in addition to his private practice. The two principal contributors toward purchase of the land, Percival Fuller and Edward Martyn, were, not surprisingly, named to the vestry. Insurance company president John Rand (who, with his family, lived at the Plaza Hotel, where Mr. Snively resided throughout his ministry at St. Chrysostom's); William D.C. Street, banker and manager of the Chicago Clearing House; and Samuel Clifford Payson and Winfield H. Scott, whose occupations are not known to us, were the remaining members of the group. (Mr. Scott was, as far as we can tell, not related to the general of that name.)

The vestry's first official action was to extend a call to Mr. Snively to serve as rector at a salary of $2400 a year. His letter of acceptance reads:

I ... herewith accept the honour and privilege of acting as your leader in the important work before us with sincere thanks and a grateful heart. I feel sure that the interest and enthusiasm which have marked the incipient stages of our movement will grow and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

spread in the future. I would face the responsibility with great uncertainty, were it not for the many proofs we have already had of the great need of a New Parish here, and of the deep sympathy with which our efforts have thus far been welcomed. Back of all this I see most clearly God's direction and guidance and the assurance of His blessing in the future.

In his annual address to the 1894 diocesan convention Bishop McLaren made reference to "the feeble mission, formerly known as All Saints', in Lincoln Park," which had "grown to large proportions under the ministry of the Rev. T.A. Snively." According to the Reverend John Henry Hopkins as quoted in Massey Shepherd's centennial History of St. James' Church, 1834- 1934, at least some of the growth in St. Chrysostom's membership may have come from former St. James parishioners who disliked the strong low church views of their rector, the Reverend Floyd W. Tomkins, and found the services at St. Chrysostom's more to their taste. Parish archives contain no material to confirm or deny this statement, which may indicate Mr. Tomkins' extremely low churchmanship rather than any extremes by St. Chrysostom's in the other direction; however, it has been suggested that the choice of a patron saint whose feast day was not included in the Prayer Book calendar may indicate some degree of high churchmanship on the part of Mr. Snively.

On May 15, plans by architect Clinton J. Warren for the new church were approved; ground was broken on July 24. By November the church was completed, and the first service on the present site was held on Sunday, November 4. Vestry minutes list a number of donations to the new building, some still in use nearly a hundred years later. The largest of the brass processional crosses presently in use in the parish was given by vestry member Samuel Clifford Payson in the name of his two small sons. The large silver alms basin was a memorial to Clarence Hopkins Dyer, a coal merchant whose father had been mayor of Chicago in 1856. The baptismal font, a gift of manufacturer C.F. Quincy and his wife Etta, commemorates "Dorothy Quincy, 1882," possibly a deceased child of the couple. The small silver bread box was the gift of Elizabeth Pardee, the mother of Harry Pardee, Henry Cooper's wife Julia and William Street's wife Emily. The silver stand for the altar service book was presented by Nannie K. Beckwith, an active member of the Women's Guild in the early years of the parish, in memory of her husband Franklin, a salesman who had died in 1889. No information has been found on Henry Trevor Cook, in whose memory the hymn boards were given (though a Mrs. H.T. Cook lived on Rush Street south of the church at this period), nor is information available on John Leverett Rogers, whose wife donated in his memory the large brass cross with the Lamb of God at its center, originally used on the main altar and presently on the chapel altar. (The seven-branch candelabra now in the Guild Room, given by vestry

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church member Newberry Hall in honor of his two small sons, were also originally on the main altar.) The congregation at this time reportedly numbered twenty-two families. Not long after the first services, on December 5, the Northeastern Deanery held its winter meeting in the new church.

A contract was signed in November 1894 for an $1100 Kimball organ, and Paolo F. Campiglio engaged as organist for two years at a salary of $600 a year. A concert program in Maude Snyder's collection states that "Signor Campiglio, late of Chickering Hall, New York City, is also organist and choirmaster at St. Chrysostom's Church, where he has a large choir of boys and men." (A handwritten comment by Mrs. Snyder adds that he was known in later years as "the great Campanino" and that he died while on tour in Chicago.) The Tribune of April 14, 1895 listed the music and hymns to be used at that day's Easter service at St. Chrysostom's; the service opened with Braga's "Meditation" for organ, violin and horn, the hymns included the traditional Easter favorite "Jesus Christ is Risen Today," while among the anthems performed by the choir were Tours' Te Deum in F preceding the Collect, Sir George Elvey's anthem, "Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more," and the Agnus Dei from Gounod's Messe Solenelle. Signor Campiglio's own "Festival March" concluded the service.

On November 30, 1894, a parish-wide meeting was scheduled in the church, "where, under the direction of the Committee on Pews, arrangements will be made for the rental of all Pews for the coming year." Pews 1 and 2 were reserved for the bishop and the rector, respectively; other pews were assigned by lot in each price range (from $20 a year for shorter pews in the back of the church to $200 a year for the six longest pews). Attendance following the construction of the new building must have been good, since on December 30 the vestry discussed extending the church west as far as the alley, adding ten rows of pews and enlarging the chancel, at a cost of approximately $7000, though no further action was taken on the proposal. Pew rental income totaled nearly $2800 in 1894/95, St. Chrysostom's first year of existence as a parish; a further $1450 was received in plate offerings and $2400 in pledges (made in response to appeals at Christmas and Easter rather than paid by weekly envelopes, which were probably not introduced until early in Norman Hutton's tenure as rector). By Easter Monday, 1895, finances had improved enough to allow Mr. Snively's salary to be raised to $3600 a year.

Parish records unfortunately do not contain copies of sermons or other material written by Mr. Snively. Occasional brief notes in the Tribune shed some light on his sermons and other activities. On Sunday, November 21, 1898, when announcing the time of the Thanksgiving services later in the week, Mr. Snively "paid his respects to football in the following language:

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

'These services are arranged at this hour so that the convenience of all may be considered. It is the one day when the church is recognized by the state. We are summoned by the civil authorities of both State and nation. It seems a better form of observance than the modern ordinance of football. There are some of our younger Americans who seem to think that Thanksgiving day was set apart for the special use of this game of questionable benefit. It is probably a noble form of athletics carried to an extreme. But the propriety and duty of religious observance of this day none can question." A year later, on November 22, 1899, Mr. Snively was the preacher at the north side Chicago Diocesan Choir Association Thanksgiving festival service at St. James Church.

On May 30, 1899, Mr. Snively's sermon at the annual diocesan convention touched on two issues of concern to the church. Questions of Biblical interpretation and criticism were frequently raised at this period, and shortly before the convention the Reverend Edward Larrabee of the Church of the Ascension had introduced in his parish "Prayers at Mass," a book of prayers described in the May 22 Tribune as having "no parallel in the United States outside of Roman Catholic churches." As described in the Tribune of May 31, Mr. Snively's convention sermon "made a moving plea for a new book of common prayer and alluded to the book recently adopted by Father Larrabee"; unfortunately, the sentences quoted in that feature do not enlighten the present-day reader as to Mr. Snively's opinions on either topic. "The revelation and all that is involved in the incarnation is a trust that is reposed in God's church and her ministry. A profound struggle concerning the meaning of the holy scriptures has been seen in our age, but no greater than at any other time. There must be no assumption of theories, but a careful guarding of facts. The church is the keeper and guardian of the faith. The word of God contains mysteries that we must guard as stewards. We need to guard, too, the formalities of worship."

Little information on parish activities is available for the early years. Services were held at 8:00 and 11:00 a.m., with Holy Communion celebrated at 8:00 and at the 11:00 service on the first Sunday of the month, a pattern that would be maintained for over ninety-five years. During the fall, winter and spring an evening service was scheduled, the time of which seems to have varied between 4 or 4:30 p.m. and 7:45 or 8 p.m. Sunday School met at 9:40 a.m.; a children's festival service was scheduled on Easter Sunday afternoon, at which Sunday School awards and choir medals were presented. A piano was purchased for the school in 1897, and a vacation Bible school was held on at least one occasion (vestry minutes of October 1898 record that an "entertainment" raised over $500 for the school). Newberry Hall was the leader of an active Brotherhood of St. Andrew chapter, which was responsible for ushering at the early service and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in the evening. (This men's group, founded at Chicago's St. James Church, sought to follow the example of the apostle Andrew in bringing new members to the church and welcoming visitors.)

St. Chrysostom's services often appeared in the Tribune listings of Christmas and Easter religious services and music in the 1890s. From this source we learn that on April 5, 1896, William Snively was the guest preacher at Easter services in his brother's parish. The following day's Tribune marks the first occasion on which the parish was mentioned in the Easter society news: "St. Chrysostom's Church, although plainly decorated, was fair to see. The font was filled with palms and lilies." Though "Easter costumes were conspicuous by their absence in many cases," the outfits of twelve women present (including Mrs. John R. Adams, Mrs. Franklin Beckwith, Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, Mrs. H.R. Durkee, Mrs. Percy Fuller and Mrs. William Street) were described in detail. Nine years later, on April 24, 1905, the Tribune referred to St. James Church as "the objective point of many of the processions in the fashionable quarter" for the previous day's Easter observances, but continued, "Dividing the honors were St. Chrysostom's Church, where the Rev. Thaddeus Snively preached, and the Fourth Presbyterian."

A Ladies' Society existed by February 1894, since the building fund committee made a presentation before the group. The December 1, 1895 Tribune described the "fashionable bazaar" to take place three days later "from 3 to 10 o'clock at the residence of Mrs. Edward H. Valentine, No. 449 North State street, by the Women's Guild of St. Chrysostom's Church for the building fund of the church ... The previous bazaars given by the Women's Guild have been uniformly attractive and the coming one promises to equal, if not surpass, its predecessors." At the vestry meeting of December 20, Mr. Snively indicated that he planned a written expression of his gratitude for the group's "valuable help"; according to the parish's financial report, the bazaar made a profit of $1131, and in the following year a holiday fair at the home of Mrs. William Walker, 40 Banks Street, raised $750 for the church. As described in Tribune society page coverage, the bazaars adopted a color scheme -- red, green, blue, yellow, pink, lavender -- for many of the tables; other booths included baby and doll tables, a grab bag, a paper table, "utility" and "visiting" tables, and food -- candy, cake and frappé. There was also entertainment; in 1895 the Misses Irene and Louise Hibbard gave whistling and recitations, and the 1896 bazaar featured "the first appearance in Chicago of the boy tenor, Master Walter Peabody of Detroit, who sang several solos."

The December 3, 1899 Tribune contained a lengthy feature on "one of the social events of the season as well as one of the prettiest sales of the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church year," to be held four days later at the home of Mrs. Thomas R. Lyon at 72 Astor Street. "The bazaar is being organized for the benefit of the church, with the expectation that its proceeds will assist materially in wiping out the church debt. A large number of the best known women on the North Side are interested in it and are assisting in person at the tables as well as giving the ten articles to which each woman in the parish is pledged." The color scheme plan of previous bazaars was to be followed, and other "attractive features" would include "an Oriental tearoom, with all the women in Japanese costume, a palmist, a grab bag, and an electric theater for the entertainment of the children."

Among the women taking active part in the bazaars were wives and daughters of several vestry members of the period B Mrs. Henry Durkee, Mrs. Joseph Bowen, Mrs. J.H. Chew and Miss Chew, Mrs. W.D.C. Street, Mrs. John Russell Adams and Miss Adams, Mrs. E.J. Martyn and Miss Hazel Martyn, Mrs. William Warren, Miss Kasson. Nannie Beckwith, manager of the 1899 bazaar, had given the silver stand for the service book, while Martha Deane, secretary of that year's bazaar, would in 1934 describe her memories of early Guild activity in the special issue of the diocesan magazine commemorating the parish's fortieth anniversary. Other women whose names appear in early parish records are Etta Quincy, who with her husband had contributed the baptismal font; Aurelia Senn, who donated a new organ to the church in 1897; Della Conover, in whose memory part of the cloister was later given; and Bertha Duppler (later Bertha Baur), who remained an active parishioner at St. Chrysostom's for over sixty years.

Perhaps the Kimball organ was inadequate, or a salary of $600 a year insufficient for "the great Campanino"; in January 1896 the vestry approved purchase of a $1265 Hook and Hastings organ and hired S. Wesley Martin as organist at a salary of $1000 a year. This organ too seems to have proved unsatisfactory. An 1897 vestry meeting approved authorization for estimates for "a large organ motor if necessary, also to remedy the noise which the present one makes"; on September 14 Aurelia Senn (wife of the physician Nicholas Senn for whom Senn High School is named) wrote to the vestry's music committee stating that she had "for some time been desirous of showing in a practical way my interest in the welfare of your Church" and had "decided to present you with a new Organ ... contracted on my own personal account with the W.W. Kimball Company ... costing $6000." She had considered a "Chime of Bells," but "being assured that the Edifice was in no shape to receive ... an addition," opted instead for the organ. (Nearly thirty years later, a much more elaborate "Chime of Bells" would be installed when Richard T. Crane, Jr. donated the 43-bell carillon.) The organ, after a major renovation in 1922, remained in use until 1953; John Redmond, at a

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

1952 vestry meeting discussing replacement of the organ, stated that it had originally been built for the 1893 World's Fair.

After discussion at the March and April 1896 meetings, the vestry concluded that "a system of rotation in office in the Vestry is expedient and desirable and that definite action toward that end be recommended for the coming year." This is the first reference to an issue which would be raised again at intervals over the next sixty years, although no further action was taken at the time. Norman Hutton proposed a rotating vestry in the early 1920s, and in late 1931 and early 1932 the vestry themselves drafted a rotation plan; Dudley Stark, favoring continuity of leadership in the parish, took no action on their proposal. Robert Hall on coming to the parish in 1958 specified in his contract that a rotating vestry would be introduced in the parish, and a rotation plan was approved at the 1960 annual meeting, sixty- four years after it had first been suggested.

One of the earliest extant records of a service at St. Chrysostom's is that of the "Sunday School Xmas Tree Service" on Wednesday, December 30, 1896, at 7:30 p.m. Three of the hymns sung at that service are still in use nearly a century later: "Once in Royal David's City," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and "As with Gladness Men of Old." The service included an address by the rector followed by "presentation of gifts of the Sunday School children," presumably gifts brought by them to give to children in need. "After this," reads the bulletin, "the candy will be given out. There is to be perfect order in the distribution, followed by singing Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow."

The years 1896 and 1897 saw the untimely deaths of three active members of the parish. Clerk of the vestry H. Newberry Hall died of appendicitis in February 1896 at the age of only thirty-two, leaving a widow and two small sons. The resolution adopted by the vestry after his death makes clear the loss which must have been felt: Dr. Hall is described as "ever seeking to make the stranger and the acquaintance welcome in God's House ... always ready to give sympathy and interest to the young men of our congregation. We have lost a brother, a wise counsellor and a prudent advisor."

In November of the same year thirty-nine-year-old Percival Fuller died unexpectedly of pneumonia. "In the time when we were trying our strength to decide whether we could enter upon the life of a full-time Parish, he contributed sympathy, help, wisdom and courage," read the vestry resolution. "The names of Percival Fuller and of his family are among those, to whom this Church owes its start, when such aid was real sacrifice ... His death came to us with tremendous suddenness. Just as a new life -- a son,

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church who is to bear the same honored name -- brought joy to the household and to the hearts of his friends, his earthly work was ended and he was called to rest. The house of gladness was transformed into the house of mourning." The death of Mr. Fuller's mother only a few days later added to the sadness.

A few months later, in April 1897, vestry member Edward J. Martyn died of kidney disease at the age of fifty-one, survived by his wife and two daughters. The vestry praised "the remarkable part, which he had in the organization of our Parish and in making possible the present place and growth of our Church. Under the Providence of God, it was his brilliant genius that devised the plan by which a beginning seemingly of almost hopeless difficulty was made and a movement thus begun which has been crowned with exceptional success ... With a judgment most wise and a foresight most keen, was combined an enthusiasm very contagious and a courteous consideration for the opinions of others ... The qualities that gave him prominence and power in large commercial undertakings were consecrated ... to the development of our small Mission work into a metropolitan Parish."

The deaths of these men were a financial as well as a personal loss to the parish, since in case of the death of a contributor to the building fund the heirs were not held liable for the remaining part of the pledge. Messrs. Fuller and Martyn had been the largest contributors to the fund, and Dr. Hall's contribution, though smaller, would surely still have been missed. (Persons moving out of the city were still responsible for pledge payments; a comment at the March 1896 vestry meeting indicates that it was necessary to remind an unidentified person who had left Chicago that pledge obligations were not canceled under such circumstances.)

The church building suffered some damage in a fire on Sunday, December 19, 1898; financial data from the 1899 annual meeting give the cost of repairs at $7324, but parish archives indicate that damage was not serious. On Christmas night, a considerably more extensive fire occurred at the Church of the Ascension. A December 27 Tribune feature, "CHURCH FIRES A MYSTERY," raised the possibility of arson in the Ascension and St. Chrysostom's fires and an earlier fire at Fourth Presbyterian Church on October 29: "There are no electric wires [at St. Chrysostom's] and no furnace where the fire started. The sole gas jet in the room, which was lighted, was found intact. The fire, after burning the wooden partition and floor of the auditorium, caused a gas meter to explode. The cause was first assigned to 'spontaneous combustion,' but as the room was empty save for a work bench and a few tools, that theory has been rejected. The members of the church have set the origin down as one of the mysteries. D.R. [sic] Durkee of St. Chrysostom's vestry said, while he did not believe in the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church theory of incendiarism, it was hard to see how the fire could have started in any other way." The interior of the Church of the Ascension was severely damaged and for some time the church could not be used for services; Ascension accepted the invitation of St. Chrysostom's to hold its 7 a.m. Mass there until its building was repaired.

Several gifts were made to the parish in the late 1890s. Vestry minutes of October 25, 1897 record the gift of a "handsome Alter [sic] Cloth" by "Mrs. Catherwood of Philadelphia" (possibly the white altar frontal which has been used in recent years at Christmas and Easter services). In 1899 Mrs. John Alden Spoor presented the parish with a silver Communion set including the very large silver ewer (first used in 1899) and the red glass cruet and small silver cruet for wine and water, first used on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1900. (Both cruets were originally in glass; the original clear glass broke in the late 1960s and was replaced by silver. Two silver patens which were part of the gift, though not currently in use, remain in the church's possession; the matching chalices were probably those stolen in a 1932 burglary.)

Though no information exists of the exact date of its installation, the pulpit, designed by the Gorham Company and given in memory of George Walker Meeker, was probably first used at about this time. Mr. Meeker, forty-one years old, died on April 20, 1899, after a three-week illness identified as "catarrh of the stomach, which developed into a complication of illnesses." His father Arthur was the founder of the wholesale coal dealers A.B. Meeker and Company, and George Meeker was at the time of his death employed by that firm's successor, E.L. Hedstrom Company. A Chicago native and an 1879 graduate of Yale University, he was described in an April 21 Chicago Times-Herald obituary as "prominent in social and business circles ... an enthusiastic university man ... universally esteemed." He had been proposed as a member of the vestry in early 1899 but had refused election to that body. He was survived by his widow, Louise Ackerman Meeker, and two children, seven-year-old Margaret and five-year-old Lawrence, who remained active members of the parish; Lawrence Meeker served on the vestry in the early years of Norman Hutton's tenure as rector, and Margaret Meeker was married at St. Chrysostom's in 1914.

The lectern, a memorial to Joseph Kirkbride Milnor (a salesman who died in 1892) was also given at this period. According to an article in the February 1904 issue of the Diocese of Chicago magazine, the lectern, also manufactured by Gorham, had been exhibited by that company at the World's Fair of 1893. (The lectern which it replaced was donated to Christ Church, Woodlawn.)

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

For reasons now unknown, Joseph Bowen resigned as junior warden in 1898, probably transferring his membership back to St. James, where the family had worshipped prior to the founding of St. Chrysostom's. John Chew was elected as his successor. In 1901 when Henry Durkee (again for reasons unknown) resigned as senior warden, Dr. Chew became senior warden and William Street was chosen junior warden. The two men would continue in their positions for a record length of time, Dr. Chew serving as senior warden for twenty-three years until his death in 1924 and Mr. Street as junior warden for seventeen years until his death in 1918; these records will almost certainly never be surpassed, since canon law now places four-year limits on the terms of wardens.

Stained glass windows in each man's memory were dedicated on April 17, 1927. Dr. Chew is commemorated by the window in the south aisle representing St. Mark. The day's bulletin described him as "eminent for his piety and devotion to the cause of Christ; a gentleman, a crusader in every worthy cause and a citizen of high repute." The small representation of the Judgment of Solomon in this window is said to typify his character, and almost certainly alludes to some of the difficult decisions he faced in his twenty-three years as senior warden. A contemporary cartoon in a book published early in the century depicting well-known Chicagoans shows him listening to a harried father at the other end of a telephone wire: "Come quickly 'Doc', baby's sick."

The St. John the Baptist window in the south aisle was given in memory of Mr. Street, "a founder of the Parish ... conspicuous for his sound business judgment and standing in the forefront of the Banking profession," whose "Christian life was held in high esteem by his contemporaries." The small stag in the window symbolizes his kindness and gentleness; the altar, his dedication to the church, while the angel with a model of the church refers to his activity as founder of the parish. The window contains a representation of the seal of the diocese, appropriate for a member of a family well known for two generations in the Episcopal church in the diocese of Chicago. William Street and his brother Charles were the sons of a priest who had emigrated from Canada to Iowa before the Civil War; both men later came to Chicago. Charles Street, for many years a vestry member and warden at St. James Church, had served on the finance committee of the original St. James Mission. His second wife Rosalind was a sister of Edward Larrabee, for many years rector of the Church of the Ascension. Their son Charles Larrabee Street was elected suffragan bishop of the diocese in 1949; Robert Howell recalled Bishop Street's comment that he particularly enjoyed his visitations to St. Chrysostom's because of his family's ties to the parish. William Street's wife Emily also belonged to a family of some note in the diocese; she was the sister of Harry Pardee of St. Chrysostom's 1893 finance

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church committee and of the Reverend Luther Pardee, for many years a priest in the diocese.

S. Wesley Martin resigned as organist and choirmaster in 1902 and was replaced by Charles E. Allum. (Mr. Allum and his brother George were later elected to the vestry; George Allum served for a short period as its clerk.) A few records of parish activities exist from this period. The 1903 Sunday school library catalogue survives; it included not only strictly religious literature, but Alice in Wonderland, the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, and books by Louisa May Alcott and Horatio Alger. Ben Hur, Vanity Fair and Richard III are marked with an asterisk as "suitable for older readers." It is noted that "a large number of the volumes are not suitable for Sunday reading."

By 1903, after nearly ten years of service, the church building was apparently in need of repair. A hardwood floor was installed in the basement, which was completely redecorated in time for fall activities, the costs being met with money raised by the Girls' Friendly Society, the Young Men's Club and the teachers in the Ministering Children's League; at this time the basement included a guild room also used by the Sunday School, and space for the infant school, choir and Women's Auxiliary. The Diocese of Chicago for February 1904 describes work done in the church itself later in 1903:

Christmas Day was exceptionally bright for the Rev. Thaddeus A. Snively, rector of S. Chrysostom's, Chicago, on account of the beautiful Christmas gift made to him by the active and generous planning of some of the congregation. It was due to the energy of two of the ladies of the congregation, though many responded to their appeal. Nine years of use had left the carpet of the church, and also the walls looking rather shabby and worn, and the plan was to give the rector a Christmas surprise by having a new carpet laid and the walls decorated before Christmas. It was necessary to consult him officially, and also thoughtfully to learn his preferences, and thus the surprise was for him ten days before Christmas when he was told that the work was to be done at once, and thoroughly, and without any burden of anxiety as to the ways and means for the rector or the vestry. And it was well carried out. The work began December 16, and completed on Christmas Eve in time for the Christmas decorations. When it is remembered that this was accomplished

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

in seven working days, that it included the cleaning of all the walls, their treatment ... and the laying on of the rich color, and that every seat had to be moved three times (and some carried out of the church) for the taking up of the old carpet, the cleaning of the floor and finally the laying of the new carpet, it will appear to everyone as an unusual exhibition of energy applied to things ecclesiastical. The nave ... is carpeted in a red ingrain, while in the chancel and the broad aisle of the choir there is a red velvet carpet. All the kneeling pads of the church were re-covered in a plush of a color in harmony with the rich tint of the walls. It seems scarcely possible that so small a change as color properly applied (though only in one tone) could make such a great improvement ... At the same time the vestry room was re- colored ... and a beautiful Wilton rug placed there. The total expenditure was more than $1,000.

The redecoration of the church must have been welcomed by Edward Martyn's older daughter Hazel, whose wedding to New York doctor Edward Trudeau (son of the founder of the tuberculosis sanitarium at Saranac Lake, N.Y.) took place at St. Chrysostom's on the twenty-eighth of the month. Chicago newspapers devoted considerable space to the wedding and its attendant festivities. Hazel Martyn was artistically talented; the newspapers recorded that her husband's gift to her was an etching press and that the couple's apartment in New York was fitted out with a studio for her work. The younger Martyn daughter Dorothy, still in her early teens, was maid of honor at the ceremony. Newspaper accounts of the decoration of the church make the first known reference to the large wooden crosses topped with candles, still used at the ends of the pews at Christmastide and for weddings. Two days later, on December 30, the entire city was shocked by the Iroquois Theater tragedy. Over six hundred persons were killed during a matinee when a fire in the scenery spread rapidly through the building; no exits were marked, a number of the doors were locked, and many persons were either trampled to death or died of smoke inhalation. Among the deceased was sixty-year-old St. Chrysostom's parishioner Fanny Guthrie Meriam, who had been attending the theater with forty-year-old Mrs. Elizabeth Duvall and Mrs. Duvall's daughter Sarah (possibly Mrs. Meriam's daughter and granddaughter) who also died in the fire. "DEATH ENDS A USEFUL LIFE," read her obituary in the January 3, 1904 Tribune, the day after her funeral at St. Chrysostom's.

Mrs. Henry Howard Meriam ... was an active worker in church and club circles. She was prominent in the parishes of the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Church of Our Saviour and St. Chrysostom's, and belonged to societies in both. She was vice president of the Illinois State Federation of Women's Clubs, president of the Alternate Club, member of the Lake View Woman's Club, chairman of the board of directors of the Home for the Aged ... in all of which she made herself valuable because of her executive abilities. She had won success as a lecturer, and her final public appearance was at St. James' parish house on Dec. 10 in a stereopticon lecture on 'Famous Bell Towers' for the benefit of the Home for the Aged of the Episcopal church ... She was a woman of high intellectual ability and rare social attainments, and her loss will be felt by a large circle of friends.

1903 was probably the year of the first of a series of annual fairs sponsored by the Young Men's Club ("all Young Men of good character are cordially invited to come down and meet the boys") and the Girls' Friendly Society (which welcomed "all Young Ladies of respectable character"). Though no information on the 1903 fair survives, parish archives contain programs from the second and third annual fairs of 1904 and 1905. The fairs were held on three evenings and included a raffle and a variety of entertainment: monologues, recitations and musical numbers (the Day Dream Orchestra performed in 1904; we do not know if this was a parish group or hired for the occasion). The major feature was a comic one-act play performed by members of the parish. The 1905 production, Who Is Who, or, All in a Fog, had a plot hinging on the confusion between a man hired as a "gentleman's gentleman" by the father of the house and a suitor calling upon the daughter. These fairs mark the first recorded instances of dramatic and musical entertainment at St. Chrysostom's; through the years plays, play reading groups and musical programs have remained popular parish activities.

An invitation to the "3rd Annual Minstrel and Social," (admission charge, twenty-five cents), held February 5, 1907, also survives in the archives. Minstrel shows with their blackface performers would not be acceptable today, but in those years were a popular form of entertainment. (A sample joke from a minstrel show at the Church of the Epiphany, quoted in John Henry Hopkins' history, may be cited: "'Mr. Bones': What did the rector say when he fell off his bicycle in front of Epiphany Church? 'End- man': I don't know, what? 'Mr. Bones': Here endeth the second lesson.")

The February 1904 Diocese of Chicago article quoted earlier contained an optimistic assessment of parish finances: all debt had been paid but the present $5,000 mortgage, and "as the property and gifts represent a value of $5,000, the congregation which is not large nor wealthy has every reason

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church for feeling that Christmas, 1903, was not only a very bright day for the rector but also for every member of the congregation." These comments would be proved inaccurate in the ensuing years. Although the annual meeting of 1902 had reported that nearly $6000 in pew rents had been received during the year, mention had also been made of a decline in revenues. The following year's annual meeting lists under "liabilities" in the budget "five months salary to rector." Vestry minutes of the period allude continually to financial problems; committees were frequently appointed to investigate the situation and reports received, but there are no indications of action which may have been taken. (It is possible that the vestry disagreed on possible courses of action, since at this time and shortly afterward there seems to have been some dissension among the group.)

By June 1905 the parish had borrowed $5000, probably using part of the sum to pay the salary still owing Mr. Snively, and in April 1906 the vestry was unwillingly forced to accept the rector's recommendation that his salary be reduced from $3600 to $2400 a year. At this meeting the wardens agreed to meet with Bishop Charles P. Anderson to discuss the church's problems and "find ways to increase interest and attendance"; a letter was also sent to the parishioners (unfortunately, no information on either the bishop's recommendations or the letter and possible response from parishioners survives). By 1907 the situation was so bad that the parish budget could not cover the $225 due on the mortgage; the Young Men's Club and the Girls' Friendly Society (possibly using the proceeds from another annual fair) were fortunately willing and able to make the payment.

Mr. Snively, in the circumstances, had apparently become discouraged. Now fifty-six years old, he had lived through difficult situations in both church and personal life, and may have felt unready to begin the process of rebuilding the church he had helped to establish some fourteen years earlier. On April 11, 1907, he submitted in writing his resignation to the vestry.

After long and serious thought, I have decided that the time has come for my laying down the honor of the rectorship of this Parish. The Lent and Easter just past, brought to a close my fifteenth winter in this work. In that time, since I began the mission service, many blessings and many sorrows have come to me, and there are manifold close bonds of affection and gratitude binding me in memory to this dear Parish. To take this step is for me one of the most severe decisions of life.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

He pointed out that the parish remained free of floating debt through Easter and that the insurance was paid through December 1907, and expressed his gratitude for the offer of the Young Men's Club and the Girls' Friendly Society to make the mortgage payment. His original plan was to resign as of May 1, but he indicated that he would remain until July 1 if necessary and did in fact stay on until that date; the vestry, however, refused to accept his request that his salary be reduced to $100 a month for the remainder of his time at St. Chrysostom's. According to a Chicago Tribune story of April 16, 1907, "many of the parishioners believe the growth and prosperity of the church to have been the direct results of Mr. Snively's untiring zeal and labor," and a number of older parishioners urged him to reconsider his decision.

An unidentified newspaper clipping from Maude Snyder's collection gives a somewhat different account of the resignation, and seems to indicate a state of mind which in the 1990s might be described as "burnout."

QUITS HIS PULPIT IN DISGUST.

The Rev. T.A. Snively Says Sunday Golf and Autos Thin Flock.

The Rev. Thaddeus A. Snively, disgusted because society people appear to him to be more fond of automobiling, golf and country outings on Sunday than attendance at church services, has resigned the rectorship of St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church, 544 Dearborn avenue. His church being one of the most fashionable in the city, a falling off in attendance from these causes is said by him to have been marked. Mr. Snively built up St. Chrysostom's Church from an abandoned mission ... to a flourishing parish ... The religious enthusiasm of the pastor and his charm and personality, with the aid of devoted church workers, had begun to accomplish wonders when the attraction of beautiful suburbs and outdoor recreations caused a halt in the plans. Now Mr. Snively ... declares he wants to give way to a younger man. "It seems the whole world is going pleasure mad," Mr. Snively is quoted as having said last night. "First it was the bicycle fad, then golf, and now it is automobiling, golf and Sunday house parties. Whether my parish has been harder hit by these fads than other parishes or districts is more than I can say, but I am inclined to think so. However, fifteen years in one pastorate is a long time and I need a rest."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Dr. John H. Chew ... a warden of St. Chrysostom's church, does not subscribe to the theory that spiritual welfare is being neglected by the rich more than before the advent of automobiles. "Former members of the congregation who have left us to live along the beautiful north shore I am sure are not neglected spiritually ... Notwithstanding the attractions of outdoor and country life for the rich, it must not be inferred that religious worship is forgotten."

The news story is one of the earliest references to St. Chrysostom's image as a fashionable parish: an oversimplification both then and now. Although a number of members of the congregation have through the years been known for their civic and social activities, there have also been many who have not come from a "society" background (Frederick Spalding, who began work at fourteen, is a case in point), and parishioners such as wardens John Chew and William Street were apparently known as much for their activity in good causes and for their Christian lives as for their social status.

Another recurring theme is the loss of parishioners to the suburbs, probably motivated less by the pleasures of "automobiling, golf and Sunday house parties" than by the desire of young families to bring up their children in a suburban environment. Fortunately during the history of the parish there have always been families who have remained in the city and been active at St. Chrysostom's; frequently, too, suburban residents moving to the city after their children have grown have become members of the parish. The parish has also throughout its history been home to many people not part of traditional families who have put their talents to use in its service, so that it has remained strong and active despite the loss of some members to the suburbs over the years.

The stained glass window in the chapel given in Mr. Snively's memory some twenty years after his departure took for its subject the prophet Job. (Its donor, Henry Bannard, president of a brewery in the early years of the century, made a special point of recording not only his religion but also his membership at St. Chrysostom's in his biography in the 1905 edition of The Book of Chicagoans.) The bulletin on the date of its dedication (November 29, 1928) states that the yellow tunic, blue mantle and touches of red in Job's garments symbolize suffering, loyalty and self-sacrifice. "Above him is the Heavenly Crown of Stars; beneath, a Tiger intersected by the rays of a Star. These two symbols in conjunction suggest Faith overcoming Pain ... The entire composition of these windows intends to symbolize one who displayed courage, patience, fortitude and a devoted Christian manhood throughout a life of affliction."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 2

Robert M. Kemp: A Time of Crisis, 1907-1908

By mid-June 1907 the vestry had narrowed its search for a new rector to three candidates, and late in the month the group selected the Reverend Robert Morris Kemp as its new rector, at a salary of $2400 a year. Like Mr. Snively, Mr. Kemp had ties to the city of Troy, New York. The Kemps may well have been known to Mr. Snively at least by reputation. Mr. Kemp's father William was a well-known Troy business leader, described in contemporary histories of the city as "among the most intelligent and sagacious of the business men of Troy" and "an inspiring example to the youth of our land." A self-made man who had left school at the age of nine, he became president of a brass foundry and a bank, served as mayor of the city from 1873 to 1875, was active in the Republican party, and served as trustee of a number of institutions in the city and senior warden of Christ Episcopal Church. Robert Kemp himself was unmarried, and at this time probably in his mid-forties; he was a graduate of Williams College (there is no information on the seminary which he attended) and had served for seventeen years as curate of St. Paul's Church, New York City, until December 1906. (St. Paul's was a chapel of Trinity Church in lower Manhattan; its building dated from colonial days, and George Washington is said to have worshiped there.) His selection as rector may not have satisfied all the members of the vestry; some members including Frederick Spalding resigned following the choice, possibly because Mr. Kemp's churchmanship was higher than that of his predecessor.

At first, matters appeared to be going well under the new rector. In November 1907, the vestry discussed the possibility of purchasing a parish house for the church, and by early 1908 had bought a building at 508 (later 1344) Dearborn Avenue to serve as parish house and rectory. Plans for use of the building were discussed; the Women's Guild presented the vestry with its views, and the development of an "institutional mission" seems to have been under consideration. The confirmation class of spring 1908 numbered 26, considerably more than in the later years of Mr. Snively's tenure.

The Tribune of May 3 contained a lengthy feature describing the parish's forthcoming bazaar to raise funds for furnishing the new building.

To those who remember the late Dr. Christopher and his work for and among children, it seems a natural sequence of

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

events that his old home at 508 Dearborn Avenue should be converted into a center for church settlement work -- an institution wherein the child plays so important a part. St. Chrysostom's church, up on Dearborn Avenue, has purchased the home and, under the leadership of the new rector, the Rev. Robert Morris Kemp, is to enlarge its plans for the church settlement work. With the furnishing and equipment of this new parish house as an object, the parishioners have arranged a bazaar, which ... will include the sale of both useful and fancy articles, and ... is to be given in the new house in the nature of a housewarming on the afternoon and evening of May 7 and 8. A table d'hôte supper will be served May 8 from 6 until 8 o'clock, and there will be numerous sideshows in the way of continuous vaudeville, a silhouette artist, and all the various booths and tables which constitute a bazaar.

Martha Deane, who had taken an active part in the bazaars of the 1890s, was "chairman" of this event: other workers from earlier years who participated in the 1908 bazaar included Della Conover, Alice Chew and her daughter Elizabeth Forbes. Also in charge of tables included Alice Norcross, whose husband Frederic had been elected to the vestry three years earlier; Mrs. J.H. Crampton, whose daughter Julia later married John Redmond, a member of the vestry from 1909 to 1959; Mrs. D. Mark Cummings, for many years active in the parish Mothers' Club; and "Miss Allum," in charge of the choir booth, probably a sister or daughter of choir director Charles Allum.

But problems arose a short time later. Toward the end of May Mr. Kemp left the city and returned east "much broken in health." Newspaper stories in July indicated that charges of alcohol abuse and other behavior unacceptable by present standards as well as by those of 1908 had been raised; the charges were put before Bishop Anderson, but no action could be taken immediately since the bishop was vacationing in Europe. Mr. Kemp resigned, ostensibly due to "ill health," on July 7. Some members of the vestry hoped that the situation had ended and that the parish could put the events behind it; others did not wish to select a new rector immediately, feeling that Mr. Kemp would be cleared on investigation and would be able to return to St. Chrysostom's. A three-man committee appointed by the bishop to inquire into the charges did not issue its findings until early December. The two clerical members of the committee found Mr. Kemp innocent but the lay member, a judge and senior warden of a parish in the diocese, submitted a report expressing his disagreement with the majority findings. Under the circumstances, Mr. Kemp refused to return.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The matter did not end there; the case seems to have aroused considerable controversy among St. Chrysostom's vestry and throughout the parish. A Tribune account in late December indicates that dissension on the vestry was so great that both wardens absented themselves from regularly scheduled meetings for several months in late 1908 to prevent any action being taken by the group. (We cannot confirm the accuracy of this story, but it is a matter of record that the vestry did not meet officially between July 1908 and early 1909.) Several vestry resigned, including George Allum, treasurer and clerk of the vestry, and his brother Charles, who also gave up his position as organist; Frederick Spalding stepped down as Sunday school superintendent. The problems of the church and of Mr. Kemp remained in the news for some time afterward; Mr. Kemp was indicted on several charges and, after some delay, was tried and acquitted in March 1910.

It appears that Mr. Kemp never returned to the active ministry; as his trial was postponed on at least one occasion because of the state of his health, his physical condition may have prevented his return to parish work. His obituary in the July 17, 1940 New York Times made mention only of his service at St. Paul's Church and did not refer to his brief tenure at St. Chrysostom's. He returned to New York City after leaving St. Chrysostom's, and in later years was active in the Masons as grand chaplain of their New York State Lodge; his Masonic funeral was held at a funeral home rather than a church.

Endnotes

The present street numbering system in Chicago was adopted September 1, 1909. Street numbers, names and designations (Street, Avenue, etc.) for the early years of the church's history are those in use at the time, with present equivalents given where necessary.

A considerably less flattering portrait of a clergyman said to be modeled on Mr. Snively appeared in Margaret Horton Potter's 1899 novel, A Social Lion. The novel created a sensation since many of its characters bore some resemblance to Chicagoans of the time; the Reverend Titus Emollitus Snippington, "the darling pastor of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, the saintliest lady's clergyman in the city, the most despicable man in his parish," is represented as the father of a son by a ballet dancer. The pastor loses his position when this fact is revealed to the bishop.

Two biographies of John Chrysostom taken from parish bulletins appear in appendix 1.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

By 1909 the Hermon Baptist Church, a predominantly African-American congregation, had moved to St. Chrysostom's former site on Clark Street.

The original main altar, cross and candlesticks were moved to the chapel after the dedication of the present main altar in 1926; after completion of the present Crane altar and reredos in the chapel in 1948, the altar and cross were used by the Church School in the old children's chapel (located in what is now the nursery). After construction of the present children's chapel in 1959-60, the cross was not regularly used until the early 1990s when it was moved to the Crane altar.

We may hope that worshipers were not inconvenienced by the error in the service announcement which gave the church's former Clark Street address.

Some of the practices which disturbed the author of the Tribune article are now noncontroversial, such as the use of the Kyrie eleison and elevation of the Host; others, including the service of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, have not become widely used in the Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Deane's husband Ruthven was the president of the Illinois Audubon Society. Their son Charles served on the vestry from 1913 to 1917.

George Meeker's nephew Arthur Meeker was a novelist best known for his book Prairie Avenue, a fictionalized account of life among the Chicago residents of that street in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

At some time after her husband's death in 1911 Louise DeKoven Bowen returned to St. Chrysostom's and remained a member until her death at 94 on November 9, 1953.

It is not known whether the setting of the Sanctus by "Allum," used occasionally at services in the 1930s and 1940s, was Charles Allum's composition.

Norman Hutton's recollections of the church at the time of his arrival indicate that the "rich color" was a dark red.

Later events in the lives of the families are of some interest. Edward Trudeau died unexpectedly in May 1904, after which Hazel Martyn pursued her artistic career in Europe; in 1909 she married the English portrait painter Sir William Lavery. "The beautiful Lady Lavery" was the model for the female figure on the currency designed by her husband for the state of Ireland after its independence in 1922. Dorothy Martyn's life was a sadder one. After

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church the death of her mother and grandmother she had no fixed residence but passed her time making long visits to friends and relatives, became attracted by the fad of "fasting" (anorexia) and died of malnutrition in October 1911 at the age of 23. A present-day descendant of the Trudeau family (though not a direct descendant of Hazel and Edward Trudeau) is cartoonist Garry Trudeau, creator of the comic strip Doonesbury.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 3

Norman Hutton: Reviving the "Shell of a Parish," 1909-1917

The events associated with Mr. Kemp's tenure as rector and the period which immediately followed it left the parish in desperate straits. The last months of 1908 and the beginning of 1909 were certainly the low point in St. Chrysostom's history. A 1928 mailing recalled this troubled time: "We had but the shell of a parish ... we were few in number, discouraged, and almost disbanded." However, by early 1909 the vestry had begun the process of selecting a new rector; in contrast to present practice, the candidates visited St. Chrysostom's and preached before the congregation. In late February the first man chosen immediately refused the call. This was almost certainly providential. Nothing further is known of the vestry's original choice, while the Reverend Norman Hutton, elected two weeks later on March 5, 1909, would prove to be the man who, more than any one person, is responsible for the parish as we know it today.

Mr. Hutton was born in Baltimore on June 20, 1876; he was a graduate of Hobart College and General Theological Seminary. In 1905, the year of his seminary graduation, he married Anne Butler; the couple had two children, Norman, Jr. and Nancy, at the time they came to Chicago (a third child, Edward Butler, was born in March 1914). Before coming to St. Chrysostom's Norman Hutton had served parishes on Long Island — two years at the Church of the Nativity, Mineola, and two years as rector of Trinity Church, Roslyn.

Nearly twenty-five years later, in the January 1934 issue of the Diocese (the diocesan magazine of the period) commemorating St. Chrysostom's fortieth anniversary, Norman Hutton recalled the parish at the time of his arrival in May 1909. "Together with a parish mortgage and about four thousand of unpaid bills, St. Chrysostom's presented a challenge. Most people thought it was hopeless. I, too, would have felt this had I not met the handful of devoted souls who had stood by in the hour of trial. These few, some twenty-five families, had gone through trying days but were determined that the parish should survive." The new rector's two previous parishes had not made sufficient use of his talents: "I — at 33 — wished for challenge and hard work. I accepted the rectorship and events proved that I found all that I was seeking ... From the first day my people gave me unqualified support." According to the 1928 mailing, at the time of his arrival "income was so small that outsiders had to guarantee the rector's salary" (then $3000 a year) but, "within a year, our parish activities had already

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church made such progress, under the influence of his lovable personality and cheery enthusiasm, that recourse to the salary guarantee was never required." Bishop Anderson had apparently spoken to the new rector at the beginning of his tenure, indicating that success in his ministry at St. Chrysostom's would only be obtained "on your knees"; a few years later, Norman Hutton would write to the bishop that his successes had come when he remembered this principle, and that his failures had occurred when he had gone ahead without prayerful consideration.

Dr. Hutton recalled in 1934 that the 1909 church building had "a charm, restfulness and spiritual appeal that has always been its characteristic. Somehow, in entering the old Church one felt it was 'a place where God dwelt.'" Yet the physical condition of the building must have been discouraging: "There were places in the roof with holes that let in the light; rains had discolored the red calcimined walls. The iron gas pipes were coiled around wooden nave pipes and were at all angles. Gas was the only means of illumination. The Sanctuary was supported by four piles that had gradually sunk and the weight hung upon two sturdy props. At the first vestry meeting one of the members [whose identity is not known to us] advanced enough money to repair the roof, remove the red calcimine, replace it with a pleasing gray, and make other immediately necessary repairs."

The departure of many parishioners had left vacancies in positions of leadership. John Astley-Cock replaced Charles Allum as organist in February 1909; although his appointment was at first temporary, he continued in the position for six years and remained an active member of the parish in various capacities until the 1930s. Several new vestry were chosen in early 1909. Of these, John Redmond would prove to be the most distinguished. Still in his mid-twenties when elected, he would continue on the vestry for fifty years until his death in 1959; since a rotating vestry with four-year terms was introduced in 1960, his record of service will almost certainly never be surpassed. He was named to the property committee, a position which involved considerable responsibility given the condition of the buildings and the many plans for repair and expansion introduced in succeeding years. In addition he served for many years as an usher, and was active in the Men's Club in the early years of Mr. Hutton's rectorship.

In 1910 he married parishioner Julia Crampton, whose mother Jane had been active in the parish since its earliest days. Mrs. Hutton was godmother to the Redmonds' daughter Elizabeth, who has carried on the family tradition of service as member and president of the Altar Guild and the Women of St. Chrysostom's, church school teacher and lector, and has herself served two four-year terms on the vestry. Betty Redmond recalls that her birthday fell on the same date as Mr. Hutton's, and that on several

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church occasions when the rest of his family had left on vacation Norman Hutton would join the Redmonds for a joint birthday celebration.

Other relatives and connections of the Redmond and Crampton families have played important parts in the life of St. Chrysostom's, including Julia Crampton's sister Pauline Crampton Warren, Pauline Warren's sister-in- law Gladys Warren Wells, Mrs. Wells' husband John and their children John and Margaret. The younger John Wells married Martha Mullen in 1960; a choir member for many years, Martha Wells also served as summer substitute organist and carillonneur and as member and president of the Altar Guild, as well as being a member of the Women's Guild and Lectors' Guild. Their daughter Susan continued the family connection with the parish into yet another generation, serving as a lector in the 1980s.

At Mr. Hutton's first vestry meeting in May, the group voted to contribute $200 for missions at the forthcoming annual diocesan convention; the parish delegation at the convention increased the amount to $300, a notable example of stewardship from a parish which had not been able to guarantee its new rector's salary earlier in the year. Treasurer Perry Shepard, elected to the vestry that spring, estimated in October 1909 that income from pew rental for the year would total $2705, with $1292.20 received in pledges, an average pledge of $ .53 per person; pledge income seems to have come mainly from contributions at Christmas and Easter rather than weekly envelopes (envelope income was estimated at $508.25 for the year, with $338.78 in plate offerings). In the spring of 1910 the parish arranged for a $2500 loan to help pay off its indebtedness; a number of parishioners loaned $100 or $200 each to the church with repayment at staggered intervals over a period of several years.

At about this time the parish began to put out a monthly publication, St. Chrysostom's Herald; the surviving copies of this magazine are an invaluable source of information on parish activities. The August 1909 issue included organist John Astley-Cock's description of the choirboys' two-week encampment at Lake Nagowicka, Wisconsin in late June and early July. The group traveled by lake steamer to Milwaukee, then by interurban through "extremely picturesque scenery" to Nagowicka, where the rector, who had arrived by train earlier in the day, met the party in late afternoon. The campers rowed to their island campsite, where they put up the tents that would accommodate them for their stay. As might be expected, swimming was the most popular activity; there was also fishing (though the catch was reported to be poor), ball playing and occasional trips to the mainland for supplies. Mrs. Belle Dunn, the choir mother, was part of the group and appears to have been particularly helpful in entertaining the younger

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church campers at the end of the day when they tended to become restless and perhaps a little homesick.

On Sunday the choir sang at the parish church in Delafield (coincidentally, dedicated to St. John Chrysostom); "Fr. Healey of the Nashotah Mission," preacher at the service, commented: "This is the best behaved boy choir I have ever seen; they usually arrive with a whoop and a yell!" (Mr. Astley-Cock hoped he would "not be taxed with undue pride" in quoting Fr. Healey, but commented that "the general behavior during camp was particularly gratifying to those in charge.") One afternoon the boys hiked to the Nashotah Mission, where the Reverend Edward Larrabee (newly installed as dean of Nashotah House seminary after some years as rector of Chicago's Church of the Ascension) gave the group a tour. On another evening the campers attended a carnival in town; the rector treated the boys to unlimited ice cream at that day's evening meal, perhaps to discourage their consumption of carnival food. While the boys "enjoyed the possibilities of bucolic side-shows" the rector and choirmaster visited with Dr. Smythe, headmaster of St. John's Military Academy, who had given the camp two tents and a canoe.

All the campers reportedly gained weight, not surprising when the "bill of fare" for one week of the encampment is examined: a typical day's meals included oatmeal, sirloin steak and coffee for breakfast, roast prime ribs of beef, mashed potatoes, green peas and purina custard at noonday dinner, and a supper of roast beef hash, green peppers, Boston baked beans, French toast and cocoa.

The entire cost of the excursion for the twenty-one campers totaled $316.00; choir concerts served to raise part of the money for the trip. In 1910 Maunder's "Penitence, Pardon and Peace," with baritone soloist Lionel M. Parker and boy soprano soloist Harry M. Brauns, was performed on Good Friday, March 25, while the same soloists with tenor George Bainbridge sang with the choir on April 28 in Henry Ware Shelley's "The Soul Triumphant." On this occasion the choir was "assisted by an Auxiliary Choir of Ladies."

As membership had declined so drastically, copies of a flyer to attract new members were distributed in the neighborhood in the fall of 1909, informing residents that the church had been "entirely renovated and the structure placed in better condition than ever before. Mr. Hutton has come to us from ... Roslyn, L.I., and his vigor and forcefulness impress favorably all who have attended our services ... If you are interested in the Episcopal Church and its work in Chicago, we cordially invite you to attend St. Chrysostom's and join us in our endeavors to build up a parish which shall be widely and permanently useful to the community in which we live."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

A more dramatic announcement to area residents, probably dating from three or four years later, was designed to attract parishioners to the evening service, which at many periods in parish history was plagued with poor attendance: "How do you spend Sunday evening? Come to the People's Church, St. Chrysostom's, 1424 Dearborn Avenue (between Schiller Street and Burton Place). JOIN IN THE STIRRING MUSIC! HEAR THE GREAT BOY SOLOIST MASTER ELDEN DAY. The Sermons are Illustrated with Colored Stereopticon Pictures. POPULAR HYMNS. A PEOPLE'S SERVICE. 7:30 P.M. Start the Week Right!"

Each year at Christmas Mr. Hutton sent his parishioners a greeting card with a message. His 1909 card read:

This is my Christmas greeting and wish for you. It has no value in the market and no great art in its making. But if you will let it mean to your heart what it means to mine at this glad season, there will be in it a worth above money value and a beauty that art alone never gives. I earnestly wish that every good brought into life by the Christmas Christ may be yours. That you may have a heart of cheer, a spirit of hope, a hand of help, a life of love for every day in all the year. This is my Christmas wish for you.

At Easter 1910 the rector's message stated that "if church attendance is a sign, we may feel that we have advanced, as there has been a steady increase at all services." He noted too that "guilds and clubs" had grown to "splendid proportions": the Women's Guild had 30 members, the Men's Club 50, the Boys' Club 35 and the Girls' Club 12.

The January 1934 issue of the Diocese contained reminiscences by Martha Deane, who had been active in the Women's Guild in the parish's early years. The group met in the church basement and, "in spite of a small membership and many drawbacks, the work went vigorously on, and, besides the sewing, we often gave parish suppers and other social affairs, even entertaining in our time the Diocesan Women's Auxiliary."

A newspaper clipping in parish archives describes the 1910 bazaar. Mrs. Deane was in charge of the management committee; Mrs. John Crampton (whose daughter Julia had recently married John Redmond) was responsible for the supper. Mrs. William Street and Miss Florence Hutton (the rector's sister) presided at the fancy table "laden with fluffy opera caps and such wares." The art department, headed by Mrs. Hutton, Mrs. Perry

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Shepard and Mrs. John Chew, featured brocade covered dictionaries and butterfly dinner cards. Alice Wrenn Norcross, wife of vestry member Frederic Norcross, was in charge of the toy department, whose wares included "Parisian millinery for dolls" and Russian toys — swans, woolly toys and emerald beetles. A gypsy tent, tulip bed, French pastry table (staffed by Miss Margaret Conover, who would remain an active parishioner until her death in 1973) and a Christmas tree with Mrs. Santa Claus were also featured; an unusual department was the table under the direction of Mrs. Henry Tifft and Mrs. John Manierre, with 1,242 pieces of wire hardware! The variety of merchandise made a profit of $700.

By 1911, men began to take part in the bazaar. Norman Hutton and John Astley-Cock appealed for men to donate articles that might be useful for "the rector's table" or to make a cash contribution to the cause, a tradition which continued for twenty years. In February 1911, the Women's Guild held a rummage sale at Mozart Hall on Sedgwick Street; profits of over $100 were given to the Sunday School building fund.

The meeting of the diocesan Women's Auxiliary referred to by Mrs. Deane took place in 1916, when the church facilities were in better shape to handle a large group. A considerable effort must have been required, since between 600 and 700 women attended the May 25 meeting, a morning service at which the "United Offering" (now the United Thank Offering) was received, followed by lunch at a cost of $ .75.

The Men's Club met in the evenings; a smoker was scheduled on November 18, 1909, while a little over a year later, on February 15, 1911, a municipal judge with the distinctive name of Fred L. Fake spoke to the group. It is to be hoped that his topic had no personal allusion to any of the members: a Tribune story next day quotes the judge as saying, "Few persons can appreciate the sufferings of bank presidents who are compelled to serve prison terms ... Frequently men of good instincts get the impetus for a criminal career from their first term in jail." On Election Day, April 4, 1911, when a speech by a Spanish-American War correspondent formed part of the program, vestry member Angus Hibbard, president of the Chicago Telephone Company, arranged for the group to receive the election results by telephone. Mr. Hibbard was an amateur musician and composer; the evening ended with a performance of the "Chicago Songs" composed by him. Announcements of club programs often concluded with the words: "Bring Your Pipe."

By spring 1910 two Boys' Club groups met in the church; an afternoon group known as the Sir Galahad Club, and an evening group (which apparently had no distinctive name) for boys who worked during the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church daytime. Both took as their theme chivalry and the knightly orders of knight, squire and page, a popular choice for boys' activities at that time; the Women's Guild made "distinctive regalia" for the members.

The Girls' Friendly Society (whose members were in their teens and preteens) met under the direction of Gertrude Gamble Shepard, whose husband Perry served on the vestry and as parish treasurer from 1909 to 1917. Parish programs sponsored by the group included an entertainment on October 25, 1911 at which most of the features were provided by children, and a strawberry social in June 1914. Mrs. Shepard must have been highly gifted in working with the group; after her untimely death at the age of 30 in January 1912, the Herald paid tribute to her "good judgment, keen intellect, powers of expression and tactfulness." Later that year the Herald recorded a change in the starting time of the GFS meetings from 8 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the convenience of "business girls"; dinner was followed by work on sewing projects, and meetings ended promptly at 9:30. Another girls' group, the St. Mary's Guild, met in the afternoons to dress dolls for the bazaar and to sew and make scrapbooks for hospitals, and held monthly "Social Afternoons" with refreshments.

After two years at which the choirboys' annual encampment was held at sites in Wisconsin, Mr. Hutton and Mr. Astley-Cock decided that the parish should acquire a permanent campsite to avoid the problem of finding a suitable location each year. Land on Lake Chapin, three miles from Berrien Springs, Michigan, was purchased; transportation costs from Chicago would be reasonable, and the site was close enough to Berrien Springs that supplies could be brought without too much difficulty but far enough that "the attractions of a town" would, it was hoped, not "prove too alluring" to the campers. Lake Chapin, formed by damming the St. Joseph River at Berrien Springs, had facilities suitable for both beginning and advanced swimmers.

In a Herald article, John Astley-Cock described the 1911 camping season. The rector and five older boys arrived a day ahead of the rest of the group, traveling to the site by lake steamer, interurban and motor boat. Justin Langille, piloting the motor boat, "at Berrien bridge ... mistook the stability of a canoe for that of a scow, with the result that the Rector practised total immersion. He emerged with but a dry face — to his watch! Grabbing his presentation time-piece as the canoe tipped he held it aloft, while from the deeper water pellucidly bubbled up the words 'Hora novissima, tempora pessima sunt, vigilemus!'" [The hour is late, the times are evil, let us keep watch! — words from a medieval Latin hymn.]

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

As the site had been purchased only a few weeks before the camping season, the campers had considerable work to do: one hour a day was spent building a bungalow, driving a well and constructing steps from the bluffside site down to the lake. "Camps, no more than Rome, are constructed in a day," commented Mr. Astley-Cock. Afterward there was time for other activities: swimming, fishing, hiking, picking fruit. The "long four-mile walk" to Berrien Springs "considerably discounted the appeal of the insidious ice- cream and the enticing marsh-mallow." The camp followed the practice of a "safe and sane Fourth of July" without fireworks, the day being observed by a track meet which ended with a game of indoor baseball. "Roland Harz captured many a brilliant 'fly' ... Even little Bobbie Hall was known to make first occasionally." Mr. Gunnard Olsen's umpiring received high praise: "In the language of the Fan he exhibited an 'imperturbable Angora' ... Not even with one-all in the second of the ninth, two out and the bases full would he get rattled."

Some of the men from the choir and one or two other parishioners made short visits; John Astley-Cock urged others to do so the following year to learn that the choirboys were not only "kids-kids-kids" and "a corporate nuisance" but "lovable human entities." His final words set forth a goal which would be achieved some years later: "It is our earnest prayer that this Summer Camp may reach beyond the special needs of our Choir into the limitless realm of institutional activity."

Although the parish house at 1344 North Dearborn was still owned by the church and used for some activities, the Sunday School as well as the Women's Guild met in the church basement. In spring 1912 treasurer Perry Shepard reported that the basement had been "greatly improved with new paint, electric light, and lockers in the choir rehearsal room; most of the works ... had been done by the Women's Guild, choir and Boys' Club at no cost to the church." (Presumably the installation of electric light was done professionally and the assistance of the parish groups in this particular part of the work was financial only.) The lighting was installed in time for the Women's Guild bazaar of December 5, 1911, which was held in the basement rather than, as in previous years, at the parish house, which was "too small to accommodate the Booths and allow easy access and circulation."

The Junior Forward Movement, the boys' group referred to by Mr. Shepard, was described by Mr. Hutton in the February 1912 Herald as "the most interesting and remarkable movement that the rector can recall since the assumption of his present incumbency." The group had begun as a Sunday School class under Theodore Morrison and "became not only interested in their work, but, under the genius of their leader, imbued with

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church an esprit de corps"; at a time when parish finances were in shaky condition, their work in the basement — painting woodwork, oiling the floor, repairing and constructing furniture — must have been of special value. On February 7, 1912 the group put on a special program for the Men's Club, with a speaker from Hull House discussing that organization's work with boys and an exhibition boxing match by member Justin Langille and an instructor from the University of Wisconsin. Later that spring the group performed a play, The Toastmaster: a College Comedy, with proceeds given to the Sunday School fund.

Most of the members of the group did not come from the wealthier neighborhoods of State or Astor Streets. City directory listings indicate that the boys' fathers included a carpenter, a chef and an electrician; most lived in an area to the west of the church within two or three blocks on either side of Division Street. Although the group's founder Theodore Morrison left shortly after this to go into business in Iowa, many of its members remained active in the parish for some years, and the organization was one of which he and Mr. Hutton could well be proud.

The schedule of services at St. Chrysostom's for Lent 1911 is still extant. Holy Communion was celebrated at 8 a.m. on Ash Wednesday and on every Wednesday during Lent; the Litany was read on Fridays at 10 a.m., and there was daily Evensong at 5 p.m., which according to the Herald was well-attended. The confirmation classes of the years 1906 through 1910 made corporate communions at the 8:00 service on Sundays during Lent; the Sunday School teachers, Women's Guild and other groups provided breakfast after the service. The message accompanying the schedule recommended some ways to observe the season: "What is your besetting sin? Search your heart prayerfully until you find it, then strive by the help of God to overcome it. Read again the sacred Passion history. Learn anew how the Master suffered and shed His precious blood to wash away the guilt of thy sin. It will help you to abandon the sin itself." Persons familiar with St. Chrysostom's in the 1940s and 1950s, when its reputation as a militant low church parish was at its height, would have been surprised to read in this message: "Countless thousands of souls have found in Sacramental Confession the joy of restored Christian fellowship."

Parishioners were encouraged to make their Easter communions at one of the two early services (7 and 8 a.m.) and return at 11 a.m. for the music; the 11 a.m. service on Easter Day must have been crowded, since tickets were required for admission. This was apparently not uncommon at the period; the Church of the Ascension also required tickets for admission to its Easter High Mass. St. Chrysostom's seems to have discontinued the use of tickets not long afterward, but revived the practice at the time of the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church dedication of the carillon in 1927 and continued it until 1965. It was a diocesan or national church requirement that communicants return a form indicating that they had received the sacrament at a service during Easter week; parishioners were reminded to bring their forms to the service.

The fall 1911 issues of the Herald document the organization of Troop 40, one of the earliest Boy Scout troops in the city, under the direction of the rector and of scoutmaster Justin Langille. Not long afterward, Frederick Spalding became the scoutmaster. Under his leadership the Scouts thrived; by 1917 Troops 40, 41 and 43 were based at St. Chrysostom's, as well as a group of about forty junior scouts including Norman Hutton, Jr.

Parish scouting activities were frequently recorded in newspaper stories. A Tribune paragraph mentions a hike from Waukegan to Grays Lake in May 1915, while in the following year the Daily News "Wide Awake Club" children's page gave an account of Troop 40's two weeks at the choir camp after the departure of the choirboys (the first such camping trip for the Scouts took place in 1913). On January 27, 1917, the same section featured Frederick Spalding's tribute to former Junior Forward Movement member Jack Geddeis, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 41, who had been appointed chairman of the Scouts' district life saving commission. Mr. Spalding described an incident at the camp in 1914 "when the senior scout fell in the motor boat, receiving a severe cut on the knee from broken glass. Then a first aid kit used with first aid knowledge undoubtedly saved a life. 'Jack' was there and he was able to apply what was needed promptly ... Whatever the job is he is ready for it ... He believed that smoking might keep him from his best and, believing that his best was always expected of him, he dropped smoking, though not the esteem of the fellows who found pleasure in the habit ... This young man, not yet 19 years old, has made a beginning full of promise, and he is pressing on."

Frederick Spalding regularly wrote poems to friends on their birthdays, none of which now survive; but a copy of his 1913 poem to the scouts' chaplain Norman Hutton is in parish archives.

THE SCOUT'S BURDEN.

To serve for Him who gave us life

Alone is to be free.

We bring our youth and dedicate

Its glory, Lord, to Thee.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Its hope, its power, its faith are His,

To use in His vast plan,

To help us reach in His own time

The stature of the Man.

Nor can the task have any weight

Which He on us shall lay;

The yoke is easy, borne for Him,

The burden light alway.

Nor can the journey be too far,

Though He shall send us forth Past storm and flood and mountain height To conquer all the earth.

To serve in hope, in power, in faith Alone is to be free. We come with that which Thou hast given And yield it back to Thee.

O take, great Master of us all,

The hearts and wills we bring,

And make the burden that we bear

Our holiest offering.

— Frederick C. Spalding, April 14, 1913.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In October 1911 Mr. Hutton began to take the evening services at St. John's Mission. This mission, originally founded by the Church of the Ascension, was located in what was then a predominantly Italian area at Clybourn Avenue and Rees Street (now part of the Cabrini-Green housing project); it was not intended to attract practicing Roman Catholics but to reach persons "lapsed from their faith." On November 1, Mr. Hutton was appointed priest in charge of the mission. St. John's parishioners made their communions at St. Chrysostom's; Frederick Spalding read Morning Prayer at the mission each Sunday, and the "splendid" St. John's choir combined with the St. Chrysostom's choir, singing at St. Chrysostom's in the morning and at St. John's in the evening. On Christmas Day, Holy Communion was celebrated at St. John's: "at the 7:00 Mass [sic] 48 received, a showing for which the priest in charge felt we were to be congratulated."

The increased work at the mission, together with the improvement in parish finances, enabled Norman Hutton to add a deaconess to the parish staff, a step which he had had in mind since coming to St. Chrysostom's but which had not been financially possible earlier. Deaconess Amelia M. Propper came to St. Chrysostom's in February 1912 from the Church of the Epiphany in Independence, Kansas, to supervise the work with girls and young women at St. Chrysostom's and St. John's. Not long afterward the Reverend Joseph Anastasi became Mr. Hutton's assistant with responsibility for St. John's, celebrating the Eucharist in Italian weekly at the church. He, his wife and their "four beautiful children" lived at 1362 North Park Avenue, just south of Schiller Street, in the Italian neighborhood served by the mission. In the summer of 1912 Frederick Spalding took a group of boys from St. John's to the camp after the choirboys' annual trip, and Deaconess Propper went with a group of St. John's girls at another period; the Anastasis were also able to take advantage of the campsite for a family vacation. Later in the year the diocese took responsibility for St. John's; Fr. Anastasi was named diocesan representative for Italian work and continued at the mission independently of St. Chrysostom's.

An article in the February 1912 Herald touched on a topic of concern to the parish throughout its history: "How can we best produce an atmosphere of cordiality and welcome at St. Chrysostom's Church? ... The rector himself feels that people are cordial and well-disposed but that they do not always show it. In Chicago we are forced by wide-spread wickedness and deceit to look upon strangers with doubt and distrust ... yet there is a large field where friendliness can be displayed without danger ... Those who have attended our services for some time should be known and greeted, they should be welcomed to our pews, books should be offered them and any little courtesy ... shown as an earnest that our parishioners welcome the transient and the stranger." The parish chapter of the Brotherhood of St.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Andrew continued its ministry to strangers; its membership included many of the young men active in the Junior Forward Movement and as acolytes.

Probably early in Mr. Hutton's tenure an innovation in finance was introduced in the parish. A flyer dating from this period describes the use of double envelopes for weekly offerings, noting that parishioners might prefer to give weekly rather than making larger donations at Christmas and Easter; the double envelopes permitted parishioners to designate part of their offering for parish expenses and part for missions. The November 1911 Herald discussed finances in more detail:

Our Parish is supported by pew rents and offerings placed in the Alms bason [sic] on Sundays ... We know exactly what sum will be paid each quarter from pew rents and we can plan for its expenditure. The offerings on Sundays are of two kinds. One from the loose money placed in the Plates, which varies much with each Sunday, the other from the envelopes and is a fixed amount. We need a larger income to meet our expenses ... about an extra thousand dollars a year. In this article we make an appeal ... [to parishioners] who are not giving in a systematic way [to] enroll themselves on the envelope system. We welcome a pledge for ten cents a week as well as a larger one. If you are a regular subscriber though not a pew holder you are as much a supporter as the person who pays pew rent. Will you not be one of the fifty people we must have to give us this increased amount of income annually? The following table will show suggested amounts:

10 subscribers @ $ 1.00 per Sunday

10 " @ $ .50 " "

10 " @ $ .25 " "

10 " @ $ .10 " "

10 " @ $ .05 " " ______

50 subscribers @ $19.00 per Sunday

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The appeal must have met with success, since by February 1912 the Herald announced that one thousand dollars had recently been paid off on the church debt, "taken from the regular income and not the result of any special effort"; the debt was being reduced at the rate of about $100 a month. The 1912 Easter letter urged all parishioners to increase their pledges by fifty percent "to clear away the incubus of debt"; if this were done there would be enough money to pay off all outstanding bills. An offering of over $2800, largest in the history of the parish, was received in response to this appeal, and Perry Shepard's treasurer's report at the annual meeting on May 7 makes happy reading: "All bills of every kind and description have been paid in full to May 1 and probably for the first time the church is free from current indebtedness." This meeting was historic in another way; it was the first in which women were allowed to vote for wardens and vestry, following passage of a canon to that effect at the previous year's diocesan convention. (Not for sixty years, however, would a woman be elected to St. Chrysostom's vestry.)

When Mr. Hutton came to St. Chrysostom's in 1909 the Sunday School registration had numbered only 24 (ranking 154th among the 162 parishes in the diocese); the school had now grown considerably and needed more space than the church basement provided. Issues of the Herald in 1911 describe the children's sale of construction paper "bricks" at ten cents each to help earn money for a new building, and, as indicated earlier, proceeds of the women's rummage sale were given to the fund. In the fall of 1912 the vestry began fund raising for a new parish house in back of the church, planning to convert the house at 1344 North Dearborn for use as a rectory. The brochure describing the project states that the building would not only provide additional space for parish activities, but would make possible programs for neighborhood residents:

In the district bounded by Chicago Avenue, Lincoln Park, the lake and Wells Street, there are many of the finest residences and apartments in Chicago. There exists, side by side with this comfort and luxury, a large population of self- respecting but poor people, and not a few who are on the verge of poverty. Yet in such a large district as this, there is no Community House or settlement. The saloons and dance halls are left in undisputed control of the field so far as the social work of the churches is concerned. Thus far our social program — merely to warn our youth to keep away from such places — has not been effective. Some substitute must be found for them.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The original plans called for a "swimming tank" for boys in the basement and an auditorium and stage for girls on the first floor. Space would also be available for the Sunday School:

On Sundays we have urgent need for such a building. The Sunday School has grown in the past year from an enrollment of about 30 to something over 130 children, and indications point to a steady and continued enlargement. Following the latest ideas of making a Sunday School attractive as well as efficient, we use a stereopticon to give the pupils, through truth-telling pictures, vivid impressions of the subject studied. The basement of the church, our present room, is inadequate for this purpose because of the low ceiling and obstructing posts, and unsuited because of the ventilation. In the proposed building, we plan that every class shall have its own room and thus be free from interruption. The building of the Community House or Parish Hall should carry with it some alteration in the church, and we have in view a new front, that the whole may be a unity in architecture. It is estimated that the hall will cost $20,000 and the new front of the church $5,000.

The final plan underwent some modifications; the "swimming tank" and auditorium were not built as originally planned, and neither the new front nor a third story for Sunday School classrooms included in the original plan was constructed. The architectural firm of Brown and Walcott was selected for the project. Over 100 contributors are listed, some of whom were not parishioners but who lived in the neighborhood and probably supported the church's planned program for boys and girls. Among these was the utility magnate (and Congregationalist) Samuel Insull, who contributed $500, the same amount given by the Sunday School children. Several of the young men in the Junior Forward Movement made gifts of $7.00, $5.00 and $3.00, almost certainly representing far more sacrificial giving than Mr. Insull's $500 donation. A number of activities were scheduled to raise money for the project, including the appearance of a performing dog.

At the time of Mr. Snively's retirement in 1907, he had indicated that he did not intend to accept another parish position for at least a year. In fact it appears that he never returned to the parish ministry. He lived in New York but made occasional visits to Chicago; on one such visit in the fall of 1912, he became ill (probably suffering a stroke) and was hospitalized at St. Luke's Hospital. At Mr. Hutton's request the vestry elected him rector emeritus, sending a resolution to him to that effect. He died on December 5,

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

1912, and was buried from St. Chrysostom's two days later, with Bishop Anderson officiating at the funeral; he is buried in Graceland Cemetery.

The first order of business at the vestry meeting following Mr. Snively's death was a proposal to name the new parish house after him. The decision, unanimously accepted, was reached before two other announcements were made; Thomas and Elizabeth Hinde's offer to make a substantial increase in their gift if the parish house were named for the former rector, and Mr. Snively's bequest of $2000 to St. Chrysostom's to be used to pay existing parish debts. (The bequest must have been welcome; although the parish was now free from current debt, there was still money owing on both the land at 1424 North Dearborn and the parish house at 1344 North Dearborn.) A resolution sent to Mr. Snively's family expressed the loss and bereavement felt at his death and the parish's gratitude for his long and devoted service.

Construction of the parish house was under way in the summer of 1913. An article in the evening American of August 26 carried the alarming headline, "4 BURIED ALIVE BENEATH BRICKS." As described in the story itself, the accident on the site, though still unfortunate, appears less serious than the headline implies. A brick wall of the new building had collapsed, and although one workman suffered internal injuries, all four men were able to be taken home in the contractor's automobile after treatment in a nearby doctor's office on Clark Street.

Vestry minutes of February 14, 1913 stated that "the Women's Guild, desiring to make permanent improvements in the Church, submitted to the meeting a plan for wiring and lighting the Church [using proceeds from the Christmas sale of 1912]. The Vestry heartily concurred in this plan; and the Rector appointed Mr. Redmond to act as a committee to pass upon the specifications." The construction of the new parish house required tearing down the old sanctuary; improvements needed for the new sanctuary including electric lights in the arch, a tile floor and marble steps, were also funded by the Women's Guild at a cost of $569.55. Given the importance of the women's contributions toward construction and repair of the parish house and church during this period, it seems only fitting that the formal opening of the new

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church building should have taken place at the Guild's Christmas sale on December 4, 1913.

Only two months after the opening of the parish house, the church suffered what must at first have appeared to be a severe blow. Sunday, February 8, 1914 was a day of near-zero cold and the furnace had been heated as much as possible to make the building comfortable for services. Fire broke out shortly after the 8:00 service ended; there may have been either a vestry corporate communion or a scheduled meeting of the group after the service, since vestry members Lawrence Meeker, Frederic Norcross, George Ranney, John Redmond and Harold Smith were still in the building and helped Mr. Hutton remove the altar fixtures and other valuables to the parish house. The Reverend John Timothy Stone, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, was taking a morning constitutional in the neighborhood; seeing the flames, he too joined in the rescue efforts and before he left gave Mr. Hutton a check for one hundred dollars toward a new building.

Upon their arrival the firemen worked in the extreme cold to extinguish the blaze. James B. Forgan, president of the First National Bank, who lived across the street at 1415 North Dearborn, was concerned for the men and, according to the next day's Tribune, "invited the firemen to his residence and supplied them with food and hot coffee. When he thought one of the firemen was bashful about accepting breakfast, Mr. Forgan served him personally." Sunday School was canceled for the day, but the 11:00 service was held in the assembly room of the new parish house. According to the Tribune story, damages were at first estimated at $25,000; the church was insured for only $22,000.

At a parish meeting that evening, vestry member George Ranney announced plans to raise $50,000 "to refurnish the church with a view to future needs." The estimate of damage given at this meeting was $7000, considerably less than that quoted in the Tribune. Not only John Timothy Stone, but the rectors of St. James, Ascension and several other Episcopal churches had sent contributions toward a new building and had offered St. Chrysostom's the use of their facilities if necessary. The money was returned with thanks, since the construction of a new building would not be necessary; the offers of space were refused as well and the congregation worshipped in the parish house (using a piano instead of an organ for musical accompaniment) until the church was repaired. After reading the newspaper account of the heroic efforts of the firemen in the cold, it is sad to record that most of the damage to the church was caused by "firemen chopping at the floor, wainscoting, etc."! On Easter Sunday, April 12, the congregation was able to return to the church for worship.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

We cannot be certain, but it is tempting to suppose that the vestry gathered at the church on that Sunday were considering a plan which would be discussed at a formal vestry meeting later in the week. Trinity Church at 26th Street and Michigan Avenue was in financial difficulties and planned to close on March 31. This parish, founded in 1842 and one of the oldest in the diocese, had been hard hit by the movement of population from the South Side north; its neighborhood had become primarily industrial and a large number of its parishioners now lived within an eight-block radius of St. Chrysostom's. Trinity was attempting to establish an endowment fund, but it appeared that the parish would not be able to raise sufficient money to secure its future. The Reverend John McGann, rector of Trinity, and Mr. Hutton agreed to a plan to consolidate the parishes. The newly consolidated church would remain at the Dearborn Street location; Mr. Hutton would serve as rector and Mr. McGann as associate rector, with Mr. McGann's $6000 annual salary paid from the endowment funds already raised by Trinity. The Trinity property at 26th and Michigan would be transferred to St. Chrysostom's as endowment. The nine present members of St. Chrysostom's vestry plus three men from the Trinity vestry would serve on the vestry of the combined parish, which within six months to a year would adopt the name of Trinity Church.

The vestry approved the proposal on February 13; later in the month the plan was put before the congregation. "The Vestry realizes that many of the parishioners will regret to see the Church change its name," read the presentation to the group. "On the other hand, in nearly every large city in this country Trinity Church means the representative parish, and, taking everything into consideration, the Vestry, with the possible exception of one or two members, recommend this change to your favorable consideration. Mr. Hutton and Mr. McGann are warm personal friends, and both look forward to working together in this Parish with the keenest interest, and a confident feeling that their relations will be friendly and harmonious ... The field presented for Church work is sufficiently large and important to fully occupy the time and attention of two such active men." Parishioners in attendance approved the vestry resolution by a vote of 98-2, emphasizing that Mr. McGann's "incumbency shall in no way result in the resignation or withdrawal of the Reverend Norman O. Hutton."

The publicity surrounding the proposed closure of Trinity Church aroused much concern and brought in a number of additional gifts to Trinity's endowment fund. By early March the Trinity vestry had reconsidered its plans and voted to remain in existence. In response, George Ranney, clerk of St. Chrysostom's vestry, wrote on March 4 expressing "the sincere hope that your efforts may meet with success and that Trinity Church may continue for many years to come in its present location" and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church that "the consolidation ... tentatively agreed upon between our two parishes, may not prove an embarrassment to you in considering the future of your Parish in its present location."

Since Mr. Hutton's salary still remained at the $3000 agreed upon in 1909 — only half the amount paid to Mr. McGann at Trinity — it is not surprising that he told the vestry he felt it "impossible to continue at the present rate of salary." He accepted an increase to $4000, noting that the use of the former parish house at 1344 North Dearborn, now remodeled as a rectory, was worth an additional $1000 to $1200 a year to him.

Suffragan Bishop William E. Toll's confirmation visitation took place on Sunday, March 15, while repairs to the church were still under way. The seventeen members of this class deserve special mention, since they presented as a gift to the parish a brass processional cross, still in use at some services today. Most of the class members were in their early or middle teens. As in the case of the Junior Forward Movement, membership of this class did not come exclusively from the wealthier residents of the area. Three young women were employed as clerks or telephone operators; parents of other class members included a banker, an insurance company official, a bookbinder, a milkman, a woman renting furnished rooms on North State Street and the woman proprietor of the Hotel du Nord on Astor Street. Class member Vernon Walther would in the 1920s serve as the parish's head acolyte and would be present at both morning services nearly every Sunday. The gift of the 1915 confirmation class was also notable, a monetary gift establishing an endowment fund. Subsequent classes continued this tradition for many years; as late as 1949, individual confirmands were urged to mark the occasion of their confirmation with a donation to the fund.

The growth of the parish and its activities led to the need for additional clergy on the staff. Deaconess Propper appears to have remained at St. Chrysostom's only one year; "Sister Dora" (probably Dora Dawson, who had formerly headed the Trained Christian Helpers, a Brooklyn nursing group, and who was described in the Diocese of June 1916 as "a deaconess of rare qualities") succeeded her. Gardner MacWhorter, a senior at Western Seminary, came to St. Chrysostom's as lay reader, director of boys' work, and assistant in the Sunday School in the fall of 1913. After his graduation and ordination to the diaconate in June 1914 he joined the parish as curate, replacing Sister Dora on the staff. He was ordained to the priesthood a year later in a service at which his younger brother Hugh was ordained a deacon; Hugh MacWhorter (who became assistant at the Church of the Atonement) assisted at his brother's first celebration of Holy Communion at St. Chrysostom's the following day. As St. Chrysostom's then had no

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church accommodation in the parish for an assistant, Gardner and Hugh MacWhorter, their mother and a younger brother shared a North Side apartment roughly midway between the two parishes.

The new assistant was placed in charge of the Sunday School, which by November 1914 reached an enrollment of 199. New pupils that month included Rensselaer Cox, Jr. and his brother William, who a few years later were among the first members of the Junior Scouts. Twenty-five years later, in November 1939, William Cox was elected to St. Chrysostom's vestry; he would later serve as both junior and senior warden.

The Norcross family had been active at St. Chrysostom's for a number of years. Frederic Norcross, a lawyer, was elected to the vestry in 1905; his wife Alice was active in parish bazaars and had served as head of the Women's Guild. Both were generous contributors to the church, each giving $500 toward the new parish house in 1913. Alice Norcross' sudden death on June 27, 1914 (the day after the couple's fifteenth anniversary and their younger daughter's birthday) must have been a shock to the entire parish as well as a great grief to her husband and the couple's two daughters, thirteen-year-old Phoebe and nine-year-old Catherine. (In 1928, a vestry letter at the time of Norman Hutton's departure stated that "those of us who were afflicted with grief and sickness in our families will always remember with gratitude his ready and understanding sympathy"; it is probable that Frederic Norcross, by then senior warden, was recalling this time in his life.) The present Guild Room, given by the Norcross family, memorializes Alice Norcross' contributions to the parish. The issue of the Tribune containing her obituary devoted considerable space to another death whose implications were not yet fully understood — the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria at Sarajevo.

The outbreak of war in Europe appears to have had little immediate impact on St. Chrysostom's (though a special service with prayers for peace in Europe was held on Sunday, October 4). The choirboys left on June 29 for their annual camping trip, accompanied as usual by John Astley-Cock. The list of supplies for the 1914 campers survives: "Travel in your better Suit. Wear nothing but old clothes at Camp. One suit of under-wear. Two pairs of stockings. Pocket-handkerchiefs. 3 collars. One bowl for soup or breakfast food. One mug or cup and saucer. One large plate. One small plate. Knife, fork and spoon ... Mosquito netting 3 yards x 2." The group made the first part of the trip on the steamer Eastland, which would become notorious a little over a year later when it overturned in the Chicago River, resulting in the deaths of over 800 people.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Following the camping trip, Mr. Astley-Cock had planned a two months' trip to England to study church music, probably motivated by a desire to improve the quality of music in the parish. We do not know if his trip could be completed as planned, but vestry minutes for the fall of 1914 indicate some dissatisfaction with the music, and he resigned as organist and choirmaster as of February 1, 1915. The resignation was apparently amicable; he was paid until April 1, the vestry expressed its appreciation for his "valuable services," and though no longer organist and choirmaster he remained active in the parish, serving as its executive secretary from 1924 to 1933. Emory Gallup, the new organist, came to St. Chrysostom's from St. Alban's Episcopal Church at 41st and Prairie Avenue; under his direction the choir performed John Stainer's Crucifixion during Holy Week of 1915.

At about this period the time of the evening service was changed from 7:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and a mailing was sent out to area residents noting that the service was to be "distinctly a Neighborhood service. If you are already a regular attendant at any other church, accept our good will and pardon the intrusion." During these years, also, November was designated "Go to Church Month" with special mailings encouraging attendance at services; it appears that some of the wealthier parishioners who spent their summers on the North Shore needed reminders to reestablish the habit of churchgoing upon their return to the city in the fall.

The early years of the decade had seen the introduction of new dances which became popular among young people. Some religious groups disapproved of the tango and other dances; St. Chrysostom's was not among them, as in 1913 or 1914 a dancing class was scheduled at the church. This led to an activity attractively described by the Reverend W.B. Norton, religion editor of the Chicago Tribune, on December 29, 1914:

CHURCH TO HAVE CABARET.

St. Chrysostom's to Have Girls, Tango

and Frappe on New Year's Eve.

CHAPERONES ON GUARD.

Here's an invitation to a church cabaret on New Year's Eve:

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

You may tango if you like. When you are tired with dancing you may sit at a round table and sip frappe out of a glass. A stringed orchestra will set the pulses throbbing. There will be girls and girls and more girls. Once in a while the orchestra will stop and someone will sing. Then everyone will sing. The glasses with the frappe in them will clink together. The orchestra will play a two-step, and the silk slippers will again tap over the waxed floor. This is the plan by which the young people of St. Chrysostom's Church, 1424 North Dearborn Street, will be kept from going downtown New Year's eve, where cabarets, said to be of a demoralizing character, will be in operation. Assurance is given by the rector, the Rev. Norman H. [sic] Hutton, that everything about the dance will be proper, and the young people will be carefully chaperoned. The dance will be held in the parish house ... All the people of the church, young and old, are invited to attend.

It appears that the dance was as pleasant as the description implies, for New Year's Eve dances were held again at the parish house in 1915 and 1916.

The dance was sponsored by the Knights of Washington, a parish young men's club, whose goal was to provide fellowship similar to that provided by college fraternities. Mr. MacWhorter may have been responsible for the establishment of the St. Chrysostom's company, since the parish group was founded shortly after his arrival and he was actively involved with it. The Knights were a nationwide organization, originating in the east; by 1917 there were over twenty companies in the Chicago area, and in 1919 several members of the St. Chrysostom's group went to New Haven as delegates to the national convention. In addition to the New Year's dances, the group's activities included "smokers," pool and card parties; the Knights provided for the Sunday morning breakfasts after the early Communion service and on at least one occasion gave a basket to a poor family at Christmas. The annual Washington's Birthday assembly was a major event for the group, in 1917 attracting over 150 people.

Another activity for young men was indoor baseball, at this period a popular sport; under the name of the Dearborn Athletic Club St. Chrysostom's fielded a team in a league of several north side Episcopal church teams. An early 1915 Herald story, "St. Chrysostom's Wins Another," records a victory over All Saints, Ravenswood, 25-22; however, a letter to club members announcing the next scheduled game expressed the hope that it would be better played than the All Saints' game, in which St.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Chrysostom's had made six errors. Later, basketball superseded indoor baseball as the favored sport for boys and young men. The church suffered from the lack of a gymnasium; the Knights of Washington helped out by renting the Francis W. Parker School gym to be used by the boys of the parish.

Two new groups on the schedule of activities were the Brent Club and the Mothers' Club. The Brent Club, like the Junior Forward Movement, was the offshoot of a boys' Sunday School class; the group, led by Frederick Spalding, was active enough to produce a newspaper, the Bee-Hive, which poked good-natured fun at its rival, the established Herald. The Mothers' Club sewed for institutions and the Red Cross; some of those in attendance brought their children to the meetings. Another ministry of the group, undoubtedly important at a time when illness and death among mothers and children was greater than it is today, was the Flower Fund; members' contributions paid for flowers to be sent to the sick and bereaved. An active member of this group was Rachel Jagoe, whose daughter Jennie would remain a member of the parish until her death in 1970.

A financial innovation took place at St. Chrysostom's in late 1915. On October 7 the vestry passed a resolution "that Mr. Shepard be requested to secure, through Mr. Sterling, the services of Mr. Patton to conduct an exhibition 'Every Member Canvas' [sic] in Chicago using St. Chrysostom's Church as a field." The Reverend William H. Sterling and the Reverend Robert W. Patton, nationally known for their mission work, conducted a campaign in December sponsored by six north side Episcopal churches, emphasizing missionary support as well as annual pledging. At the vestry meeting of January 3, 1916, it was announced that $3336.40 had been pledged for missions and $3244.80 for the parish; subscribers to the envelope system practically doubled, with no effect on open plate offerings. A feature on the canvass in the January 1916 Diocese stated that "the moral and spiritual results" of the campaign in the participating parishes "were more striking than the financial results."

It was anticipated that the increased number of pledges would require additional office work. Vestry minutes at this time indicate that office operations and clerical work were becoming more time-consuming; Mr. MacWhorter's responsibilities included approving purchases of equipment, and a typewriter had recently been bought for the office. Because clerical work was "encroaching on the time of the rector and the assistant," Miss Josephine Schnitzler (a parishioner since the time of All Saints' Mission, who was pursuing a musical career and probably in need of part-time employment) had been hired a short time before, at what seems even by 1915 standards to be the exceedingly low salary of $5 a month, to work two

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church or three hours a week on parish records. In 1916 the vestry raised her salary to $65 a month for six mornings work a week and made her responsible for office operations; when work expanded further, Miss Schnitzler continued as "envelope treasurer" and Miss Anne Caryll was added to the staff as parish secretary at $1000 a year.

Emory Gallup's work as organist and choirmaster had been satisfactory, but he was having a problem recruiting choirboys. (If the rehearsal schedule was similar to that of 1910 under John Astley-Cock, this is not surprising: at that time the full group of boys rehearsed on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, while the junior boys had additional rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and the entire choir including the men rehearsed on Friday evenings.) The vestry made suggestions, such as awarding prizes, which they hoped would attract more boys to the group; however, on January 3, 1916 the music committee stated that "the Choir Master was no longer able to obtain material for a boy choir" and asked authorization to hire a mixed choir; salaries paid to the group were to total $3000. The vestry approved the request with some reluctance, asking Mr. Gallup to continue to try to find boys' voices and to return, if possible, to a boys' choir; in October he indicated that this was not feasible, and the vestry (with two negative votes and one abstention) authorized a permanent adult choir, with a children's choir of boys and girls for the Sunday School services.

The program for the choir's first "annual concert" on Monday, May 8, 1916, survives in parish archives. It consisted of lighter music than the usual Sunday selections; Mendelssohn's "Spring Song," Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Old Black Joe," Cowen's "The Bee and the Dove" and Smart's "Stars of the Summer Night" were among the numbers, three choir members sang solos, and the concert concluded with the choir's rendition of Haydn's "The Heavens are Telling" and the "Star Spangled Banner" sung by all persons present.

In 1916, perhaps as a result of the missionary emphasis of the previous year's canvass, Mr. Hutton appointed a Missionary Committee from among the parishioners. Its members included both men and women; Frederick West, an insurance official active with the Y.M.C.A. and other civic groups who would be elected to the vestry the following year, chaired the group. Its goal was to "coordinate the work of activities and guilds" in the parish and act as a clearinghouse for missionary activity, investigating the need for missions and providing information to the congregation; the minutes of a meeting in late 1916 approved aid to Western Seminary and discussed the possibility of support for St. Mary's Home and Cathedral Shelter. At this meeting Mr. Hutton proposed dividing the territory of the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church parish into districts, in which lay persons would canvass for new members and encourage families to adopt the envelope system of giving.

Also in late 1916, Mr. Hutton put forward a planned change in the manner of receiving Communion. His proposal for administration by intinction is described in the Missionary Committee minutes of December 12, which state that he "desired to add this method of administering the Communion to the established custom in our church provided that it meets with the approval of a satisfactory number of parishioners. To the Rector and Assistant Rector there appear urgent reasons for administering Communion by intinction to those preferring thus to receive it. Mr. Hutton explained that ... by the modern method, a small portion of the wafer is dipped in the Chalice by the clergyman and the Communicant thus receives both elements together." Fourteen of the seventeen committee members present were in favor; three were personally opposed but willing to see the experiment made, and the practice was adopted shortly afterward. As adopted at St. Chrysostom's, a divided chalice holding both wine and wafers was used for intinction, which preceded administration of the sacrament by the traditional method. Despite the strong opposition of diocesan Bishop Wallace Conkling in the early 1950s, this procedure continued in the parish for thirty-five years.

The much-needed additional space furnished by the parish house had begun to be outgrown. By 1915 the church made a new appeal for $5000, of which $2000 would be used to pay off existing debt on the parish house and the remainder to fund an addition for the Sunday School, possibly including a "game room for basketball"; in November 1915 the Sunday School's current goal was described as "improvement in administration ... rather than increased enrollment ... on account of the overtaxing of present accommodations."

While funds were being raised, the house directly south of the church at 1420 North Dearborn came on the market. Mr. Hutton and some vestry favored purchase of the building, but a majority felt it unwise to take on the additional financial burden at that time. However, Frederic Norcross and Edward P. Russell, with the assistance of "a small loan from the church treasurer," purchased the property and at the vestry meeting of April 27, 1916, indicated their readiness to convey title to the church. The vestry agreed to obtain a note for $16,000, using $6000 to pay off current indebtedness and applying the balance to the purchase price of the building; their action was approved at the parish annual meeting on May 2. A large part of the loan was paid back from the sale of the rectory at 1344 North Dearborn in the following year. Following the sale, the Huttons moved to a house at 1349 North Dearborn not owned by the church; in compensation

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church for the loss of the rectory, the vestry raised Norman Hutton's salary $1200 a year. The Sunday School addition was now unnecessary, and the funds raised for it were put to use for needed repairs and renovations to the building at 1420 North Dearborn. Besides Sunday School facilities, the building included a guild room and a study for the rector, the latter paid for by the Women's Guild; Mr. Hutton commented that he had wished for a study at the church since his arrival, but that "other needs seemed more urgent."

The purchase of the house at 1420 North Dearborn provided adequate space for parish activities; the vestry felt that it was now time to consider constructing a new front for the church. There was some difference of opinion on architectural style; Frederic Norcross, inspired by the church of St. Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, favored a Colonial building, while Angus Hibbard strongly preferred Gothic. A number of architects (including parishioner Gregory Vigeant) were to be asked to submit drawings for the new front, and by early 1917 plans for fund-raising were under way.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 4

Norman Hutton: World War I and Its Aftermath, 1917-1920

In February 1917 the national church began a campaign to raise money for the newly established Church Pension Fund for retired clergy. Vestry member Angus Hibbard was active in the Diocese of Chicago's work for the fund; on February 18, he and parishioners Charles Folds and George Higginson spoke on the fund at the 11 a.m. service. The vestry generously agreed to postpone fund-raising for the church front "in order to throw ourselves into the Pension Fund campaign with real enthusiasm." On March 1, after raising $20,000 (one-tenth of the diocesan goal of $200,000) the group again took up the remodeling plans. It was hoped to raise $25,000 for the project, and within a month $10,000 had been given or pledged.

The 1917 Lenten schedule was a full one. The Holy Communion was celebrated on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., and the Litany read on Fridays at the same hour. There were daily services of Evening Prayer at 5 p.m. with an address by parish clergy or guest preachers; the Wednesday evening services, sponsored by the Knights of Washington, included recitals by guest organists. The choir performed Mendelssohn's Elijah on four successive Sundays at the afternoon service, while the junior choir sang "Onward Christian Soldiers" and "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" at a Church Club noonday Lenten service in the Loop in early March. The Sunday School hoped to collect $200 for its Lenten mite box missionary offering, to be turned in at the children's service on Easter afternoon. At this service the primary and junior groups were to recite, while the seniors would perform a pageant, The Witnesses, whose characters included Jerusalem, Antioch of Pisidia, Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, To the Philippians, and To the Colossians. Holy Week services included a Maundy Thursday evening preparation for Easter Holy Communion conducted by Bishop Frederick Kinsman of Delaware.

The Easter observances must have evoked mixed emotions, since Good Friday, April 6, saw the United States' entry into World War I. Ten days later, the vestry unanimously agreed to postpone work on the new front. Pledges were canceled and money already collected was returned, though an offering of $3000 for necessary repairs to the building and parish house was requested. In a spirit of patriotism, John Redmond transferred the parish insurance from Prussian to American companies, and the vestry approved a proposal to erect a flagpole in front of the church. Later in 1917 the endowment fund was invested in Liberty Bonds.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Parishioners began to leave the city for war service. In July 1917 Perry Shepard resigned from the vestry as he left for military service in France, while the January 1918 Herald contained an appeal for new Sunday School teachers to replace Lawrence Meeker and Douglas Clinch, now in service. Letters from parishioners in military camps were printed in the Herald; Arthur Hurlock, son of a former sexton of the parish, wrote to Norman Hutton from Camp Logan, Texas, in late 1917 describing the kindness shown to the soldiers by a local Congregational minister. "It brings back the story of the Good Samaritan which I learned at St. Chrysostom's Sunday-school a long time ago. I know you will be pleased to know that the kindnesses you have shown others are now being shown to one of yours." John H. Cairns, also at Camp Logan, wrote in February 1918: "A fellow doesn't realize how much a prayer will do him until he is away from his home and friends."

By the end of the war the "Roll of Honor" in each issue of the Herald numbered one hundred and thirty-five parishioners, of whom seventy had seen from three to eighteen months service overseas "while the remainder, through no fault of their own have had to be content with serving their Country and the Great Cause in the United States." Not all of those on the honor roll were in the armed forces. Eleven women were overseas as nurses in military hospitals or working with organizations such as the YMCA, the Red Cross or the American Fund for the French Wounded. Several older men were also serving in the war effort. Angus Hibbard, in his late fifties, with the rank of captain, used organizational skills developed in his years with the telephone company to reorganize the Red Cross administration in Paris. Forty-one-year-old Albert Sprague of Sprague-Warner & Company (later elected to the vestry) was commissioned in the army in November 1917 and went to France the following summer. A contemporary cartoon shows two "doughboys" commenting favorably on his enlistment in the regular army: "There's Col. Sprague." "Yes! He's a 'regular', too, if you know what I mean!" A verse in the cartoon referred to his fondness for hunting in Canada:

In Canada every big game herd

Is glad to hear of what's occurred;

"We can say good-by

To Sprague," they cry,

"Since he's chief of staff of the 33rd."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Benjamin Carpenter, Jr., a recent Harvard graduate who because of a "leaky heart valve" had been rejected for service by both Army and Navy, went to France as the driver of an ambulance sent by the University Club, but on arrival he deserted to drive a French ammunition truck. Later he enrolled in the French army artillery school and after graduation began active service with a French regiment; the Tribune of October 3, 1918 reported that he had been awarded the Croix de Guerre. Parishioners Susan Ryerson Patterson, who had worked in French hospitals near the front, and her husband George, with the French artillery, were also recipients of the Croix de Guerre.

Two parishioners were killed in the war. The December 1918 Herald announced the death on October 1 of Albert Adams Sercomb, thirty-eight years old, who was survived by a widow and a brother. Captain Sercomb had in civilian life been department manager of the International Silver Company, and had been an instructor of officers before being ordered to France in May of 1918; he had married only a short time before his departure. A memorial service was held on Sunday, November 10, "when the Church was filled with friends from all walks of life, business, social, military, club and church, of the fine young officer who has made the 'supreme sacrifice' for his country. Doctor Arthur Rogers of Evanston made the Memorial address, the Rector read the service, while the Parish choir gave a beautiful musical service." George Alexander McKinlock, Jr., was at that time listed as missing in action; later it was learned that he had been killed at the battle of Soissons on July 21, 1918.

Throughout 1918 a large part of the Herald was devoted to news from parishioners overseas. Alice Morier, a nurse at a base hospital, wrote from "Somewhere in France" on October 20:

Whenever I have written, I have always tried to put the pleasant side foremost ... Of course, down underneath it all you must know that life, while we are working is a serious affair even if we do joke and laugh with the boys while we are taking care of them ... You can imagine how busy we are just now with the big allied smash going on. Trains coming in three and four times daily. There is a special bugle call for the arrival of a hospital train. I have gotten so that it fairly nauseates me to hear of it for I know what it means. Stretcher after stretcher — hundreds of them all with groaning, moaning boys ...... I am on night duty now and the other morning at 4 a.m. a train arrived. I got some very bad cases. One a splendid great big fellow from somewhere in Idaho. His record shows that while

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

under heavy steel fire he carried his wounded lieutenant on his back for miles, when just before reaching the first aid station a H.E. (high explosive) burst near him. He was not hit, but the shock paralyzed him and from his chest down, he "was gone" — but so brave and plucky and anxious to get well. I worked over him for a long time and when I stroked his head he said that was what his sweet little sister used to do for him when he had a headache. He was in a great deal of pain. The next night he was much worse, but talked of getting well and did not want me to leave him. I sat by him every moment that I was not busy. He talked of his mother and father and sister, never complained, but was so grateful for every little attention. He was a gentleman and a brave soldier and should have had a D.S.C. if anyone should, but towards morning he slipped quietly away to the great unknown and the world will just read his name with all the others in the casualty list. His case is just one of many, many, many and I tell you it makes me think. I go to bed every morning with my little Bible — and every one else does the same. I have never seen so many Bibles. All the boys have them and read them ... I am afraid I am writing too much about my work, but tonight my heart is full and I will try not to do it again. By the papers I feel sure that peace is coming soon, perhaps by the time this letter reaches you.

A few months later the Herald reprinted a letter sent to Miss Morier by the mother of a deceased soldier (spelling, punctuation and grammar are reproduced as in the original):

My dear Miss Alice: Your letter received and we are so glad to know that you was with my dear boy when he died and nurse him. I have long to know who his nurse was but never could find out and so aprisite your writing to us ... I have worried so much about Edwards death it has nearly kill me but I trust he is safe in a better world where no tears are shed ... He wrote me his last letter October 11 telling me he was wounded ... but ... for me not to be uneasi for the nurses was real good to him. I will always love you as a true friend.

Shorter messages were received from other parishioners. Corporal Jack Geddeis, who had distinguished himself in Scouting activities before entering the service, wrote that "life thus far in the Anti-Aircraft outfit has brought back thoughts of getting up early in the morning (that is Sundays)

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church to go to Church, and believe me those were the happy days." "Cards from England," read another item, "bring relief to anxious friends in the Parish of Harry T. Remke [head acolyte for some years before the war], not heard from in six weeks or more." In his letter from "Sunny France" on May 22, Bryan Dryden, a member of the Knights of Washington, wrote: "I wish I could tell you the names of the places I have been ... and what we are doing, but I don't want to get in wrong with Mr. Censor ... We get ... one- paged papers [which] contain baseball news so that's pretty good ... The YMCA over here is certainly a dandy, piano and everything. American tobacco and candy a great deal cheaper here than back home." The July 1918 Herald reprinted a Daily News article on Bryan's younger brother Robert, who had celebrated his twenty-first birthday in service: "'Oh, boy! It's great to be a man! Gee, it's great to be a nonsificient ossifer. Just think, two stripes on the sleeve of my right arm. Say, and I'm even going to have them tattooed on my arm.' ... Thus wrote Corporal ('not private any more!') Robert Dryden ... The letter telling of ... his first promotion ... assures his mother that it will not be the last."

Richard Henry Little's "Society Notes from Paris" column, appearing in the Tribune of February 16, 1919, described the activities of several Chicago young women, including three St. Chrysostom's parishioners, in the war effort in France:

The society girls over in France don't travel on their looks and their place in the social register. They are the hardest workers in France; they have to be, probably, to live down the terrible charge of having been "prominent socially" ... One scoffer from Chicago said last week ... "Supposing they do work hard, it's just play for them, they are having the time of their lives." To which the answer is that anyhow it's a fine thing to be so adjusted that a person's good times consist in working for others. Over at the ... American Fund for the French Wounded ... there is quite a north side colony ... [A] plucky girl of the American fund is Eleanor Ogden West [daughter of missionary committee chairman Frederick West] who is the Floyd Gibbons of our war work girls over here, only the boche hit Eleanor in the right eye and Mr. Gibbons in the left. Miss West is more fortunate than Mr. Gibbons in a more important respect because her good right eye has been saved and is as pretty and bright as the left one, which is saying a good deal. Miss West, who hails from Schiller Street in our village ... was driving a motor near Luneville in September when she was

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

hurt. There was a bad stretch of road outside the town which the amiable Jerries had thoroughly mined before giving it up. It was known that it was all a fellow's life was worth to drive a machine over that particular bit of scenery, but a call had come to Miss West's station for hospital supplies "toot sweet", as Mr. R. Lardner would say, and there was nobody to drive the car but Miss West, so away she went. A mine in the road let go and a piece of the projectile cut across Miss West's cheek, laying it open and cutting her eyelids. Blinded with blood, she had the nerve to pick up what supplies she could find in the wrecked machine and walk on two miles to where the things were needed. Considering she was a society girl, Miss West did quite well. Elizabeth Hinde is another of the Chicago girls with the American Fund for French Wounded. She is out now somewhere in a dreary little town, so small that nobody can think of the name of it, working night and day giving clothing and food to the people returning to the ruins of their homes ... Many Chicago girls are at the Palais de Glas, which is now operated as a canteen and theater by the "Y." Drop in there some evening and you will see an endless line of soldier boys passing by a counter buying hot dog sandwiches and coffee. Behind the counter deftly engaged in coaxing reluctant hot dogs onto slices of white bread you will see ... Margaret Conover ... Those who have seen ... Miss Conover only in the annual show of the Junior league or dancing at the Casino or the Saddle and Cycle club would be surprised to see [her] patiently waiting on the table at luncheon or dinner ... So if you don't like society persons don't say anything about it to the boys when they come home. If you do you will sure be out of luck.

Parish activities on the home front were also affected by the war. The choir took part in a wartime intercession service at Trinity Church on May 28, 1917, using a form of service developed by the Very Reverend Henry Pryor Almon Abbott, dean of the Episcopal cathedral in Cleveland. The church had paid for altar flowers in previous years; now there were no flowers on the altar except when donated by parishioners. Beginning in October, daily services of intercession for those in the war were held in the church at 9:30 on weekdays (Morning Prayer on Mondays and Saturdays, Holy Communion on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the Litany on Wednesdays and Fridays). The rector commented, "A chapel would be a more suitable place. Some time I hope that we will have a church building that will be adapted to a city work and our own needs." The Girls' Friendly Society

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church sponsored a surgical bandage class; a Red Cross knitting class was scheduled one afternoon a week. In a number of weddings at this period, the groom or other male attendants were military officers. More unusual was the wedding of Lloyda Smith and Lieutenant George W. Shaw in summer 1918, when maid of honor Marion Marston, in service in New York as a yeoman censoring mail, wore her white uniform and stiff sailor hat in the bridal party.

As might be expected, several acolytes and a considerable number of the Knights of Washington left for military service; the latter group was forced to abandon its regular meetings during the summer of 1917 as so few members remained in the parish. The New Year's Eve dances held in previous years were also abandoned, but on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1917, a dancing party with refreshments for 75 "Jackies" from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center was held at the parish house; Angus Hibbard and his wife Lucile were responsible for the idea and provided the music and refreshments, and Elizabeth Hinde secured "more than seventy-five of the nicest girls on the North Side as partners for the sailor boys." Chaplain Charles W. Moore of Great Lakes wrote a letter of appreciation to the parish for its hospitality.

The Girls' Friendly also worked for the "Jackies," sending packages of fruit and nuts to be distributed to young men at Great Lakes who could not return home for Thanksgiving; the group also joined in the Midwest Province's fund-raising toward the purchase of an ambulance for use in Italy, made surgical dressings, and knit socks, sweaters and wristlets for soldiers.

The 1917 bazaar on December 5 was "carried through in a war-time spirit, with economy and usefulness in view." The tables included "Comforts for Soldiers and Sailors," and the candy table was "greatly missed ... though necessarily eliminated on account of food conservation." However, food conservation seems to have had its limits; a chocolate cake was sold before it could be put on the table, "Mrs. Temple's doughnuts" were "quickly bought up," and the turkey dinner was pronounced highly successful.

Norman Hutton's 1917 Christmas message reflects the times:

I extend to you a Greeting for a Happy Christmas. In times like these, when the world is symbolized by a drawn sword, quiet faith and surety of hope are of value in steadying our outlook. Christ is waiting for Peace as eagerly as we. It is still the glory of humanity that He came, as it is still the shame of humanity that He finds no room. In spite of the cosmic chaos I hope you will

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

hold fast your faith in the ultimate victory of right. That in your own life you will find strength to endure unrequited love, sacrifices that are unnoticed, high ambitions that cannot be fulfilled, hopes that may never be realized, and prayers that may never be answered. May you smile amid anxieties, and with outward cheer belie the heavy heart within. May God continue a member of your household, and sustain you in every trial.

By January 1918 it was necessary to take a number of fuel conservation measures. The church building was heated only on Sundays and the evening service eliminated "for the duration," while the parish house was heated on Tuesdays and Fridays and all parish activities scheduled on those days. Only one weekly Lenten service was held, a Tuesday evening service of Evening Prayer with guest preachers and special music, but the rector noted that attendance was good and commented on the advantage of having one well-attended service rather than a large number of services to which few people came. Among the preachers at this service were evangelists Ted Mercer and Tom Farmer. Ted Mercer, a member of "one of the best families," became "a drunkard" and "dropped to the bottom of the social scale" until he "discovered the Power that makes men out of derelicts"; Tom Farmer "started life as a street arab," by the age of twelve was an accomplished thief and "took many degrees in the School of Crime." While serving a fifteen-year prison sentence he "made the Great Discovery at age 46 and is now a real man." The two men must have been well received, as they returned in Lent of 1919 for a week-long mission.

In other areas parish activity continued. In April 1917 parishioner Alfred Bannister graduated from the Moody Bible Institute and volunteered for an interdenominational mission in the Sudan. The Herald stated that it was "very proud to make mention of this incident in the life of our Parish" but "not proud that the Episcopal Church does not seem to have a place in its ministry or missionary work for such a conscientious, devoted Christian man ... [who] did not miss a single early service during the two years he was here excepting while out of town, and ... has the distinction of being the first member of this Parish to volunteer for the foreign mission field." A happy announcement in the June 1917 Herald was the news that Norman Hutton's alma mater Hobart College had awarded him an honorary S.T.D. degree. Although that year's graduation ceremony was canceled due to the war and he did not formally receive his degree until the following year, the vestry presented him with a doctor's hood in the fall.

The May 1917 annual meeting approved an increase in the number of vestry to the present number of twelve. On November 11, the clergy and thirty-nine parishioners including Norman Hutton, Jr., Frederick Spalding,

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Frederic Norcross, Angus Hibbard and Jennie Jagoe called on members of the congregation in an Every Member Canvass, raising a total of $6300 for the parish and $3700 for missions. "It is not a question of the amount," wrote the rector in the October 1917 Herald; "it is one of willingness to give something and to be a sharer in a common obligation." During the winter of 1917/18 the Reverend Thomas Parker, a former Methodist minister, served as a second assistant before his ordination as a deacon in the Episcopal Church in June 1918.

The camp had its own problems in 1917. For the first time, it had been scheduled to be open for most of the summer, expanding to serve groups both within and outside the parish; these plans were threatened by the destruction of the buildings in May. (The cause is no longer known to us; a fire or storm may have been responsible.) "As soon as war was a certainty the Church was affected by a curtailment of income," wrote Dr. Hutton in the June 1917 Herald; "we found that we could not get enough money to rebuild and to run the Camp." Five "new shacks, each of which hold eight bunks," had been constructed, but there was not enough money on hand to keep the camp open until September as had been hoped; however, the rector stated that "we feel sure the sum will be subscribed and are going ahead with our plans." Parishioners Joseph Thompson and John Astley-Cock went to the camp and worked so successfully that Dr. Hutton could state in the summer, "Never before have the grounds looked so well or the equipment in such good shape," though additional construction work formed part of the boys' activity.

The rector and Frederick Spalding supervised the camp for the early weeks, when for the first time the Junior Scouts were in attendance. "Although the camp is made up of boys younger than any others who ever before came on such a trip, and in spite of the fact that the contrast in environment between home and camp is more marked than ever, there has been contentment, happiness, good cheer, and no hint of homesickness," wrote Mr. Spalding. In July, with Mr. Spalding in sole charge, various groups of boys spent time at the camp. During this summer the camp received the name by which it would be known for the rest of its existence: Camp Oronoko, "after an old Indian chief whose name is remembered here."

In August a girls' group attended the camp for two weeks; this was the fourth year that girls had attended, but the first for which records survive. Activities included military drill: "one could soon see that boys make the best soldiers," wrote parishioner John Lehr, in attendance with the group, "but the girls improved somewhat before two weeks were up." He also commented that "it took longer for a girl to dress than for a boy." Mrs. Temple, the cook, though advised to "stay away from the stove" by her

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church doctor, baked during this period "119 three-pound loaves of bread, 204 rolls, 126 biscuits, 32 cakes, 38 gingerbreads, 427 doughnuts, 15 pies, 4 raisin breads and 4 prune cakes"! Short hikes and swimming were regular activities, and "the row-boats were always in use." An amusing indication of the change in camping apparel over eighty years is the story of the last night at camp, when "the girls decided Mr. Spalding needed a bath and so some one pushed him off the pier, clothes and all, but in a short time he looked the same as ever, for he was fortunate enough to have two suits."

The Sunday School continued to thrive. The enrollment was by now large enough that Dr. Hutton, with vestry approval, hired Hannah Brown Bishop, one of the first women to serve as a full-time paid Sunday School leader, who had worked for some years at Christ Church, Winnetka. Her first message in the Herald addressed the parents: "Give us your constructive criticism — we need it ... It is being required of the pupils to do a certain amount of home work. This the teachers cannot do for them and the children will not do it without help. Please show the same interest in their spiritual education, which you do in their physical and intellectual." In addition to the lessons, "missionary activities" formed an important part of the curriculum.

A regular feature at this period and for many years afterward was the Sunday School's annual collection of canned goods for St. Mary's Home for Children at 2822 West Jackson; on Sunday afternoon, November 25, 1917, "fifteen motor cars loaded with children and a motor truck loaded with provisions" were driven to the home and the group "had a fine time." At Christmas 1918 the children gave gifts to children at County Hospital. "I wish you and the children could have been with us to see all the pleasure that their Christmas gift brought to the hospital," wrote Deaconess Helen M. Fuller.

A sad event unrelated to the war came on May 25, 1918, when junior warden William Street died of pneumonia and a heart condition. He had served continually on the vestry since the incorporation of St. Chrysostom's as a parish in March of 1894, and had for seventeen years been its junior warden during the near collapse of the parish in the early years of the century and its revival under Norman Hutton. The June 1918 Herald paid tribute to him:

The Parish of St. Chrysostom has lost a devoted and loyal friend in the death of William D.C. Street. He had been Rector's Warden for many years and as such was a wise counselor and strong friend. For several years he was in poor health but seldom missed the early services. At all times he was a

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

steadying force in the life of the Parish and contributed liberally of time, means and interest. Much of the present success and prosperity of the Parish is due to his unflagging service and constant presence at its services and meetings. He was a well- informed Churchman, being familiar with the Church's practice and theory to a degree unusual among laymen. A fine Christian character has gone to his rest, his splendid gifts and memory are still our rich possession. We are grateful to him for a quiet strength and deep faith which we believe have influenced the congregation in a marked degree.

Frederic Norcross, who had served for thirteen years on the vestry and had contributed generously both in time and money to the parish, was chosen as his successor.

During the late summer and fall of 1918 the Herald, like the newspapers, gave most of its space to war news and mentioned little about the influenza epidemic which was beginning to spread through the United States. In late September the first cases were reported in the Chicago area; on October 1, parish clergy conducted a service at a nearby funeral home for influenza victim Magdalene Greenfelder. Four other deaths from influenza or pneumonia followed in the parish within a little over two weeks, and from November 1918 through January 1919 eight more influenza-related deaths are listed in the register. Contemporary accounts indicate that a large proportion of the victims were young or middle-aged; St. Chrysostom's register bears witness to this. Funerals conducted by the clergy in November included those of thirteen-year-old Louis Lohrer, who had been confirmed the previous spring, and eighteen-year-old Wesley Dempster, at school in Arizona at the time of his death; in addition, former Boy Scout William Calvin Hunt, seventeen, died of pneumonia in November on a troop ship en route to France. None of the deceased whose ages are given were older than the early forties.

With both the epidemic and the war in mind, the Women's Guild canceled its bazaar for 1918; the members agreed to try to raise through contributions the amount of money that might have been raised by a bazaar. "This plan was carried out and brought to a most successful conclusion," according to the group's annual report; approximately $1610 was raised, enough to fulfill the Guild's annual pledge and to make contributions to several charities outside the parish.

"With the signing of the Armistice has come a feeling of immense relief," wrote Dr. Hutton in the December 1918 Herald. "The long tension

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church has been broken and in its place a furtive anxiety to get the full casualty list, and to be assured of the well-being of our boys ... On Sunday, November 10th, at 11 o'clock the service was one of Thanksgiving for Victory, the armistice not yet being signed we could not officially celebrate the cessation of hostilities. On Sunday, November 17th we were able to continue our Thanksgiving. Both days were marked by good congregations and fine spirit. On Thanksgiving Day I have asked for the gift of Liberty Bonds as a Thank Offering for Peace and to commemorate the sacrifice of our men and women in the Government service. I hope there will be a Bond for every one of the 135 stars on our Service Flag. This will constitute our Victory Endowment Fund, for our Parish ... Savings Stamps or cash will be gratefully received."

A letter from Harry Remke, written "in France, by candlelight," described the armistice there: "Really they surely celebrated here — all houses adorned with Allied colors — our bands play constantly — and the French are kissing each other and etc." (The Herald added an editorial comment: "What do you mean Harry, 'and etc.'?") Two parishioners had returned home by December; Captain Angus Hibbard had finished his work with the French Red Cross, and Captain Joseph Medill Patterson, co-editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, was back in the city after over a year of service with the 149th Field Artillery. (Not long afterward he left Chicago to found the New York Daily News.)

Dr. Hutton's 1918 Christmas message again reflects the spirit of the time:

I wish you a happy Christmas. In some families this message will go to those whose burden of sorrow is very heavy. Let us, whose lot is happier, not forget the sweet fellowship of sympathy for those who need strength to "carry on." Let our joy be humbly constrained as we are in the midst of a world of sadness and travail. In any case I hope you will have done with the inertia of self-satisfaction — that you will be a pioneer in sturdy sacrifice — that you will not try to get from life more than you put into it. That you will not be content with comfort and respectability, but strive to serve and be willing to leave the crowd when it drifts into superficial ways. I wish you an earnest spirit this coming year for the world needs you to end its confusion. I wish you enough work to keep you at your best, enough leisure to keep you cheerful and enough rest to give you poise. I would not have you free from cares, for they deepen life, but I would have you find power to carry your burdens bravely,

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

sweetly, smilingly. I would have you re-discover Jesus at Bethlehem and know the simple faith that transfigures life.

On December 11 vestry minutes record "an informal meeting of the vestry of St. Chrysostom's Church, held at the home of Frederic F. Norcross, 1500 Astor Street," a dinner honoring senior warden John Chew, "one of the organizers of the church, in appreciation of his long and devoted service to the Parish ... All present had a very delightful time." The historian cannot but regret that the minutes do not give more detail, as the guests "listened with great interest to remarks by Dr. Chew and by Mr. Norcross, as to the various experiences through which the Parish had passed since its inception." The discussion touched not only on the parish's past but its future: "the rapid growth of the Church and the question of continuing at the present location or of moving to some other site, in connection with the acquisition of the 60 feet of property south of the church was earnestly advocated, and other sites in that immediate neighborhood were mentioned and considered." Clerk of the vestry M. Paul Noyes ended his minutes with the comment, "Any record of this meeting would be incomplete without reference to the quality of the dinner itself, which was eminently satisfactory."

Treasurer N. Reynolds Brooks' report at the January 1919 vestry meeting contained happy news: the year ending December 31, 1918 showed "for the first time in the history of the parish a surplus [emphasis in original], albeit small." (The amount is given in the balance sheet as $150.46.)

At the annual meeting of the congregation on January 20, Mr. MacWhorter announced plans for the celebration of Dr. Hutton's tenth anniversary at St. Chrysostom's, to be held during the week of May 11. A committee of Mr. MacWhorter and the two wardens would plan daily activities "without the knowledge or connivance of the Rector." Frederic Norcross reminded the group that March 1919 would mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of St. Chrysostom's (the date of its organization as a parish rather than that of the first service in 1893 was taken as a starting point) and suggested that the two events might be celebrated together.

Though few plans for the celebration survive, the Northeastern Deanery of the diocese held its annual meeting at St. Chrysostom's on May 12, recorded in the June issue of the Diocese. The luncheon, prepared by St. Chrysostom's Women's Guild, was described as "particularly happy, being an informal celebration of the tenth anniversary of the rectorship of the Rev. N.O. Hutton ... [who] came to a parish which had been in a weak and listless

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church state for some time, and under his able leadership ... has become one of the strongest in the city." The dean of the deanery, the Reverend John Edwards of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, and the Reverend Frederick Budlong of St. Peter's Church (who had known Norman Hutton when both were students at Hobart), "testified to the splendid leadership of Dr. Hutton and to his peculiar ability for making friends. The rector made a very modest reply to all these congratulations, saying that any success that had come to him and to his exceptionally kind people, was due to the strength that comes from the altar and constant prayer and services."

With parishioners returning to the city from war service and wartime restrictions ended, activities began to resume their prewar pattern. Evening services were reinstated in January 1919, with special organ music planned in the hopes of increasing attendance. The annual assembly of the Knights of Washington on February 26 included many newly returned servicemen; the "festive repast" for the group must have been a happy contrast to military "chow." However, this is one of the last recorded references to the Knights of Washington; Gardner MacWhorter's departure from St. Chrysostom's in spring 1920 may have been partly responsible, but almost certainly postwar young men parishioners preferred coeducational to all-male activities.

The Junior Choir provided music at the Church School Lenten services each Wednesday and Friday, while programs on the Church School's relation to the parish, the diocese, domestic and foreign missions were presented on four successive Sundays during Lent. Lady Catechism and the Child, the Easter 1919 pageant of the Church School, covered the services and parts of the Prayer Book. "Two Little Pilgrims," one of whom was played by Norman Hutton, Jr., met representations of the services of the church: Matins, Evensong, the Litany, Baptism, Lady Catechism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, the Psalter, Holy Matrimony, Visitation of the Sick, Requiem, Maris Stella, Visitation of Prisoners, and Harvest Home. The Herald described the pageant as "one of the most beautiful ever held in Saint Chrysostom's Church." Other elaborate presentations by young people are recorded in 1919 issues of the Herald. A Girls' Friendly Society tableau on February 17 included "slackers ... in light and frivolous occupations" and Red Cross nurses, while the junior choir made an appearance in the role of "Thrift Stamps." In November the Church School performed a pageant in support of the Episcopal Church's "Nation-Wide Campaign" encouraging regular pledging, with a cast including Complacency, Average Goodness, Half- Selfishness, the Spirit of the Nation-Wide Campaign, Glad-Consecration, and Venture-for-God.

Gardner MacWhorter gave an account of the summer season at Camp Oronoko in the July 1919 Herald. "Any boy can go for a small fee depending

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church on circumstances," he wrote, telling the story of two brothers who had saved for camp but had to use their savings to pay the city tax for their dog; when an unidentified person paid the tax, the boys were able to make the trip. (We do not know the identity of the benefactor, but it is highly likely that Frederick Spalding, always generous, was responsible.) Among the boys in attendance were "a deaf mute, a crippled boy, one who had lost his feet in an accident, and a weak-heart boy from County Hospital," as well as a group of "undernourished boys"; the choir of men and boys from the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul on the west side were at the camp for the last two weeks of the season. Some of the boys worked at nearby berry fields or farms to earn money.

Camp buildings now included a bungalow for camp director Spalding, seven frame dormitories, a kitchen and a boathouse. Parishioner Joseph H. Thompson continued his responsibility for the physical plant and, when he could not find a builder to construct the bungalow, built it himself. Forty boys could be handled comfortably; however, at some times during the summer as many as sixty-five were present. "There is always room for one more at Camp Oronoko," wrote Frederick Spalding in the annual report of the camp to the January 1920 parish meeting. "If he is a regular fellow ... the visitor will find a place not only in the bunkhouse and around the camp fire but in the hearts of the campers. P.S. — Every one who comes to camp is a regular fellow, including the girls and ladies." A feature of the camp, which continued for most of its history, was the awarding of an honor pennant to one of the campers each day. The parish paid $1500 of the costs of the camp, whose expenses totaled nearly $2500; much of the difference was made up by "well wishers of the project who have no connection with St. Chrysostom's Church ... If there are many people who, while not of our parish, are for it, a number of them love it because of its service to childhood through this fresh-air camp ... Camp Oronoko is the creation and should be the pride of this Parish."

During the following summer, a number of mothers and children recommended by the Central Free Dispensary attended the camp for two weeks; a letter from one of the group addressed to "Kind Mr. Spalding" reads: "We arrived safe in Chicago. When the hours went by on Sunday we told the folks what we would be doing if we were where you were. I am very thankful to you for the good treatment you gave us. Gustaf and Joseph miss you very much. Gustaf remembers you in his prayers at night. He says he sends his love to you. So does Joseph." Another woman wrote, "I can never forget how good and kind you were to us and loving to the children ... You can tell we had enough to eat, for my baby gained 1 1/2 pounds."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In 1916 Norman Hutton had conducted a Lenten class on personal religion which discussed the role of religion in dealing with "nervousness, sleeplessness, irritability, morbidness, timidity and kindred topics." Three and a half years later he pursued his interest in spiritual healing; in October 1919 James Hickson, an Episcopal layman, conducted a healing mission at St. Peter's Church on Belmont Avenue, in which Dr. Hutton and St. Peter's rector Frederick Budlong took part. The mission aroused considerable controversy; newspaper accounts indicate both strong support and strong opposition to Mr. Hickson's ministry (the Reverend John T. McLaughlan of the Church of Our Saviour described it as "immoral superstition").

Although some of the coverage seems to place emphasis on Mr. Hickson himself rather than on the Lord's work in healing, the "healing service" adopted at St. Chrysostom's shortly afterward seems, by present standards at least, noncontroversial. The services, held twice a week (Tuesday at 11 a.m. and Thursday at 8 p.m.), were "not confined to those with physical disabilities," but were also directed at persons facing "business or family perplexities," those wishing God's blessing on a new work they were about to begin, or those in need of "spiritual help and guidance, and strength against temptation," and were "not to take the place of the physician, but to help him [sic] in his work of recovery." Possibly this did not stop all criticism, for although the services continued for some time their name was changed from "healing service" to "religion and health."

Gardner MacWhorter had served the parish as assistant for five years, and by late 1919 felt ready to move on. He notified the vestry of his intention to resign as of May 1, 1920, although he had not yet secured another position; by the time of his departure he had been appointed priest in charge of the mission at St. Lawrence, Libertyville, with responsibility for churches in Antioch and Grays Lake. Mr. MacWhorter had taken an active part in many parish activities; his service of nearly six years as assistant exceeded in length that of three rectors of the parish and all but one other assistant or associate in the church's history. He had edited the Herald throughout his tenure at St. Chrysostom's; not long after his departure, in late 1920, the Herald ceased publication and information formerly included in it was printed in the parish's weekly bulletins. It is possible that no one could be found to replace him as editor; however, since the Herald apparently lost money through most of its history, it may have been discontinued for reasons of cost.

Emory Gallup's work as organist and choirmaster was a source of satisfaction to both vestry and congregation. In early 1919 his annual report described the choir's activity during the previous "banner year"; its size had been reduced from 35 to 24, "much of the average type of music" had been

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

"junked" and "nothing but the best, from both a spiritual and musical point of view" was to be used. New anthems representing the "best modern music," by composers such as César Franck, had been added to the repertoire. Mr. Gallup had become known outside the parish as well. In 1918 he refused the position of music director at St. Paul's Church on the south side at an increase in salary. In early 1920 St. Luke's Church, Evanston, offered him a salary of $3000 a year (his salary at St. Chrysostom's was $1800) and entire responsibility for supervising the construction of a new organ costing not less than $30,000. He told Dr. Hutton of the offer and indicated his willingness to stay on at a somewhat lower salary than that offered by St. Luke's. The vestry raised his salary to $2500 a year, increased the $6000 annual music budget by a proportionate amount, and committed themselves, as part of any renovation project for the church, to a complete overhaul and reconstruction under Mr. Gallup's direction of the organ given by Aurelia Senn in 1897.

Though the choir's work was satisfactory, congregational participation in the singing was poor. The Herald frequently referred to the problem; on at least one occasion congregational singing was scheduled before the service in an effort to correct the situation. Mr. Gallup took another approach. In the summer of 1919 he attended a workshop conducted by Canon Winfred Douglas and Peter C. Lutkin, dean of the Northwestern University music school, on the "New Hymnal" of 1916, now completed and ready to be introduced in the church. At first "strongly prejudiced against the new book, the Choirmaster was led to see the genuine excellence of the book before many days had passed." Many of its improvements would make for better congregational singing, including changes in pointing of the canticles, and the addition of plainsong melodies "peculiarly adapted to congregational participation"; Mr. Gallup also praised the inclusion of the great chorales, many with harmonies by "John Sebastian Bach." He concluded: "For the first time in the history of the Episcopal Church the Hymnal, with music, is to be found in every pew! ... In orders of one hundred or more the cost is but $1.05. There should be a book for each person attending the services if we are to make this a singing Parish. Our opportunity is at hand for better participation in the service on the part of the congregation; the means for that participation is within the covers of the new Hymnal. Let us as a Parish stand solidly back of the new Hymnal, the best book ever given to the Church!" In response to this stirring endorsement, the vestry soon afterwards voted to adopt the 1916 Hymnal and purchase books for all attending the services. The new book was first used at services on December 14, 1919; at the service of February 29, 1920, Dean Lutkin spoke on the Hymnal and some of the new hymns were sung.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The junior choir joined with the senior choir at services three or four times a year and provided the music at the 11:00 service during part of the time when the senior choir was on summer vacation. By fall 1920 the Church School worship service had been enlarged to include four hymns by the junior choir and a short address; it could be attended by parents bringing their children, or as an alternative service for parishioners unable to be present at 11:00. Students were encouraged to join in a "service league" and to serve as acolytes or members of the Junior Altar Guild. In 1920, for the first time, four students completed the full Church School program and were honored at a special graduation service in May.

That fall the Reverend Robert Kimber, who had succeeded Mr. MacWhorter as assistant, took over responsibility for the Church School when Hannah Bishop opened the Bishop Book Shop in the parish house for the sale of Sunday School curriculum materials, religious books and cards. The shop was successful enough to move to larger quarters in the diocesan headquarters building at 180 N. Wabash soon afterward. Mrs. Bishop died on February 20, 1925, and was buried from Christ Church, Winnetka; the February 1925 Diocese stated that her "influence and spirit will long be felt in the work of religious education in which she was a pioneer" and described her as possessing "the courageous determination of the pioneer and the simple faith of a child."

In the early years of the parish, the principal Christmas service was a celebration of the Holy Communion on Christmas morning, with music; the service was repeated at 11 a.m. on the following Sunday for those persons unable to attend on the day itself. For probably the first time in parish history, a midnight Eucharist (so called in the service schedule) was held on Christmas Eve, 1920. The service began at 11:30 p.m. and was scheduled to last not quite an hour; there were hymns and carols but no sermon. It was obviously a popular addition, since (with the addition of a sermon) it has remained part of the service schedule ever since.

A wedding of some interest took place during the late summer of 1920. Eleanor Ogden West, one of the "society girls" described in R.H. Little's 1919 Tribune article, was married on September 18 to former parish treasurer Perry Shepard, whose first wife had died so tragically in 1912. The wedding took place not at St. Chrysostom's but at St. Stephen's Church at the Wests' summer home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Dr. Hutton, still in the east on his vacation, performed the service, assisted by St. Stephen's rector, the Reverend Stephen E. Keeler. Not long after their marriage, the Shepards left the city when Perry Shepard's business took him to Indianapolis.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Attendance at Sunday evening services, held only during the fall, winter and spring, remained low. During early 1919 the evening service had been held only once a month in the hope that this would increase attendance. Musical programs and other special services were frequently scheduled to attract worshipers; ten men led a 1920 campaign "mainly among nonchurchgoers" hoping to reach an attendance of two hundred at the evening service on December 19. In the first activity of its kind which appears in parish records, some of the women were on hand after the evening service to "welcome any coming up for a social hour"; tea (instead of coffee) was the beverage served on these occasions. The clergy did not take part in the receptions but were available in the rector's study "to meet the men informally and socially" (it is not clear why only men were included in the invitation).

Though the evening service was not well attended, the Sunday 11 a.m. service attracted so many worshipers that shortage of space was now the parish's major concern. As early as November 1916 it had become necessary to ask pewholders if they would allow unused space in their pews to be rented to others. This had solved the problem for a while, but in the April 1918 Herald Dr. Hutton wrote: "This method has now been exhausted and we still find a waiting list. We can only throw ourselves on the good-will and gracious hospitality of our people and ask them to be eager to offer space in their pews for strangers and parishioners and endeavor to further develop a spirit of whole-souled welcome and affability. Ours is a small family Church, and our great asset is our friendly spirit ... I hope each will try to contribute to this spirit by offering a warm welcome to those who are our guests. If you come late and find your pew occupied, please be glad, and quietly find room for yourself in some unoccupied space. Be glad we can minister to so many people." The expansion of the church and parish house to provide adequate space at services and provide facilities for ministry within and beyond its borders would be a major concern in the coming years.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 5

Norman Hutton: The New Parish House and Church, 1920-1928

At the dinner honoring John Chew in December 1918 the vestry had made mention of the lack of space in the church on Sunday mornings. The group discussed the question formally at its January 1919 meeting, agreeing that "in view of the present prohibitive cost of building" the time was not right to begin raising funds for expansion of the church. However, a resolution was passed:

RESOLVED, that it is the sense of this meeting that the Church continue in its present location, and that in view of its possibilities of growth, immediate efforts be made looking to the purchase by the Church of the 60 feet frontage ... south and adjoining the present frontage of 105 feet owned by the Church, giving a total frontage of 165 feet, which ... will afford the Church ample room for all purposes for many years to come, and ... enable it to retain in working condition for present and future use property of the value of at least $75,000, the greater part of which would be lost in the event of removal to another site.

Frederic Norcross, John Redmond, Edward Russell and J. Lewis Cochran were appointed to a real estate committee to contract for the purchase of the 60 feet south of the church. On February 1, John Redmond signed a contract to purchase 1416 North Dearborn Street for $18,000; $1000 was paid as earnest money, $7000 would be paid in cash on the date of delivery of the deed, and the remaining $10,000 was to be paid in five years with interest at six per cent per year.

Though the vestry had acquired the site and received proposals from architects, they were unwilling to commit the parish to an expansion program. The congregation was doubtful as well. According to results of a parish questionnaire reported in the February 1920 Herald, 57 persons were in favor of a new building, 92 opposed; 74 favored a new building when costs might be less prohibitive, but 95 were opposed. However, the vote was 74 to 51 against remaining permanently in the present building, and a large majority (98 to 26) favored use of the house south of the church or some other property to "enlarge the possibilities of parish work." The final choice, to "continue as is and hope conditions become more normal," was favored 92 to 45.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In February 1920 Norman Hutton told the vestry that he had spoken to architect Bertram Goodhue of the New York firm of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson about a remodeling plan; although the rector recommended commissioning Mr. Goodhue and beginning fund-raising, the vestry voted against his proposal. Dr. Hutton felt that it was time to move ahead; on Sunday, April 18, apparently without the previous knowledge of the vestry, he told the congregation that he would make an important address on the following Sunday. Minutes of a special meeting held that afternoon at the home of Angus Hibbard describe the vestry's response.

The Senior Warden, Dr. Chew, occupied the chair and stated that the Vestry had assembled informally ... to discuss the announcement made by the Rector ... that on the following Sunday, April 25, he would address the parish on a subject of vital importance to him and to the parish, it being the understanding of the Vestry that his announcement undoubtedly had reference to the proposed establishment of a building fund. After a thorough discussion ... it was decided to invite the Rector to attend the meeting and state fully his plans regarding his proposed announcement ... as well as his plans and desires generally with reference to work in the parish ... The Rector stated that his announcement ... referred to the proposed establishment of a building fund ... and also dealt quite fully with his ambitions and desires, not only as to that, but as to the work of the parish generally, and what it could accomplish under changed conditions. Among other things the Rector stated that while he had been very happy in his work in the parish ... and had no desire to go elsewhere, he frankly did not feel that he could go on under the existing conditions in the present church building, and that unless he could have the definite assurance of the Vestry that these conditions would be remedied as soon as the situation in the building trade should warrant ... he really felt it would be better for the parish if he were to step aside now and allow the Vestry to select a successor. Mr. Smith and Mr. Ranney then voiced the sentiment of the Vestry in stating that from its standpoint the Vestry would be very unwise to undertake the collection of a building fund, or subsequently enter upon building operations, except upon the definite understanding that the Rector would continue with the parish and lend his own enthusiastic aid and support during the period (estimated from three to five years) which would be required to secure the necessary funds and complete the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

building; whereupon the Rector assured the Vestry that it would be his pleasure with the approval and active support by the Vestry of the building project to remain with the parish and devote his best efforts to the successful consummation of this project.

After this forthright discussion the vestry voted its approval of the fund, appointing George Ranney to make a statement the following Sunday in support of the project.

A letter dated April 25, 1920 (possibly reproducing the text of the rector's speech) described Dr. Hutton's hopes for changing "the present church building into an adequate and beautiful structure." Parish house activities would be moved to the recently purchased site south of the church. Construction would begin "at such time in the future — say five years — when building and economic conditions warrant." The importance of the project was again stressed: "No expedient can solve the problem of the condition of the buildings ... The Rector feels new leadership must be secured if the parish cannot follow through."

The fund had made considerable progress by fall. According to the November 7 bulletin, $62,175 had been received from 66 people in amounts from $10,000 to $5. "This is not a desire for a finer church — a luxury. It is a necessity born of growth ... We will work to keep the charm of our present church, adding only those features that will make it beautiful and dignified." The bulletin for November 28 included a "Prayer for the New Parish Church":

O God, who didst bless Solomon in the building of the temple; look graciously upon all endeavors to restore the outer fabrics of thy Church, and to create new places for thine honor and worship. As Thou hast put it into our minds to build Thee a holy and beautiful house, so give us courage and strength to finish the work which we have undertaken. Open our hearts and hands that we may gladly give Thee of Thine own. Hasten the time when this building completed, and free from every debt, shall be consecrated to Thy service forever. Make this church an abiding place of Thine honor, a bond of unity and peace to Thy people, and a gate of heaven. As Thy servants build and give to Thee, so build Thou in them Thy spiritual temple and fill it with Thy presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A February 27, 1921 progress report stated that $111,745 had been raised, but that more was needed. Norman Hutton was concerned lest

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church parishioners who could not make large contributions feel that their gifts were not welcome.

There are over 500 people in the parish ... who are able to give $250.00, $100.00 or $50.00, dividing it into five annual payments or twenty quarterly payments. The church cannot be built without the aid of the smaller subscribers. Five hundred subscriptions of $200.00 are $100,000, and the subscriber can pay $40.00 a year for five years, or $10.00 a quarter, or $3.33 a month. There are many of our people who want to help, but who feel their ability is too small to count. There are easily five hundred persons who can give $3.33 a month toward what we will call THE POPULAR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR FUND.

Lists of contributions to the fund, regularly published in the bulletins, after this time begin to include figures of $3.33; gifts surely as important as the larger and more highly publicized donations received from Richard T. Crane, Jr., William Wrigley, Jr. and others during the course of the campaign.

As part of the 1921 Holy Week service schedule, Dr. Hutton scheduled a prayer vigil in the church on Maundy Thursday, March 24. Beginning with the 7:30 a.m. service of Holy Communion, at least one person would remain in the church in prayer until the preparation service for Easter Holy Communion at 8 p.m.; prayers would be offered for a new church building, a new power in spiritual life and a deeper awareness of the meaning of Calvary and the Resurrection. Dr. Hutton later described the Holy Week and Easter observance as "the greatest week in the history of the parish"; 226 people, many of them men, took part in the vigil, attendance at the Three Hours service on Good Friday was larger than usual, and 468 persons of a total of 556 communicant members made their communions on Easter Sunday. For a number of years afterward, a Maundy Thursday prayer vigil remained part of the parish Holy Week observance.

Bertram Goodhue's plans for the church and parish house had been received by the fall of 1920. Some modifications were suggested at a vestry meeting in September; the group felt that other designs should be considered as well. A Building Committee headed by George Ranney, with Frederic Norcross, George Higginson, John Redmond, J. Lewis Cochran and Fletcher Durbin as members, held its first meeting in July 1921. Chicago architect John Pridmore had submitted "elaborate drawings and plans" on his own initiative; the committee noted that "as no competition of architects had been invited, it was the opinion of the members ... [that his] work could not be recognized." Plans by Goodhue and by Holabird & Roche were

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church pronounced "unsatisfactory"; though some members thought that Holabird & Roche, "notwithstanding their efforts to this time, could produce better and more acceptable plans," one "doubted if this firm had the feeling and background necessary." Architect and St. Chrysostom's parishioner William E. Parsons of the firm of Bennett and Parsons, who had volunteered his professional services instead of making a monetary contribution to the building fund, worked with assistant rector Robert Kimber to develop an interior arrangement for the new buildings. It was suggested that Mr. Parsons make floor plans which could be purchased by the architects, or be associated in some way with the architects who were chosen to do the work; again, to "avoid the appearance of a competition," it was agreed that he should not go further with his work.

The vestry discussed architectural plans at its October 1921 meeting. An offer of $30,000 for the building immediately north of the church had been refused, and since it was uncertain how much land would be needed for the new buildings, the offer was not followed up. Dr. Hutton suggested that construction be done in stages, beginning with the parish house; later the church interior could be remodeled. However, the vestry were unable to agree on the designs, with five members in favor of the Holabird & Roche plan, two for the Goodhue plan and two supporting the Pridmore plan.

Two weeks later, on November 6, building committee president George Ranney put forward a proposal based on Mr. Parsons' design. The house at 1414 North Dearborn directly south of the church property would be purchased, permitting the remodeling of 1414 and 1416 North Dearborn into one house for use as a rectory and "other parish purposes." The parish office would be located on the first floor of the combined building, and the upper floors would house the rector and other parish staff (assistant clergy, the sexton, the organist, the Church School superintendent, and parish office employees have resided there at various periods). The house at 1420 would be torn down and the space used as a courtyard. An outdoor pulpit with access from the office area would face the new courtyard, and a cloister and gymnasium would link the offices and rectory to the church and the 1913 parish house. A new and larger church building would be constructed on the existing site, incorporating many of the features of the original church; its entrance would be moved from the back of the church to the south side facing the courtyard. The plan met with the "hearty approval" of the rector and vestry; two weeks later J. Lewis Cochran was authorized to proceed with the purchase of 1414 North Dearborn at $16,500 ($11,500 in cash and the remaining $5000 by assumption of an existing mortgage).

The building committee voted on November 30 to employ the firm of Walcott and Clark to prepare plans, with William Parsons' firm of Bennett

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church and Parsons as consulting architects. Chester Walcott had been a member of the firm of Brown and Walcott in 1912 and 1913 when the first parish house had been constructed. His work at St. Chrysostom's added considerably to his reputation; both parish house and church won awards as "best remodeled building" on the near north side in an annual competition sponsored by the Lake Shore Bank and judged by architectural society representatives.

Following Norman Hutton's recommendation, work began first on the parish house; the parish bulletin acknowledged head acolyte Vernon Walther's "valuable service" in preparing measured drawings and blueprints of the existing buildings. In the final plan, a stage was included in the gymnasium, making the room usable for theatrical productions as well as athletics; the gymnasium could also be used for large parish meetings and the annual bazaar. The new space on the second floor was mainly devoted to a room extending over both gymnasium and cloister. Given as a memorial to Alice Wrenn Norcross and designed as a meeting place for guilds and other parish organizations, it would become known as the Guild Room. On the south end of the second floor, Dr. Hutton's former study from the 1420 North Dearborn building was remodeled as a chapel for the kindergarten and primary classes. The enlarged basement was devoted to Church School classes, providing much needed space since at this period enrollment was increasing rapidly. (There were 235 pupils in January 1921; enrollment that fall exceeded 300.) The first floor room of the 1913 parish house, previously referred to as the Assembly Room, became known as the North Room after completion of the new structure.

Other parish activities continued as work on the building progressed. In the spring of 1921 a Social Service Committee was established, with Myra Parsons, wife of architect William Parsons, as its head; the clergy, Margaret Conover and Frederick Spalding were among its members. At first its mission seems to have been the provision of help to individuals. According to the committee's 1921/22 annual report, it had provided six families with financial aid for rent and food, made efforts to find better jobs for working mothers and fathers and to arrange for child care, and supplied clothes and medical aid where needed. In 1922 the committee paid the expenses of four campers at Camp Oronoko.

The 1922 camp season broke all records. It extended over a longer period than ever before and served over 375 campers, who stayed for differing lengths of time, with usually about seventy in attendance on an average week. Frieda Hicks, the camp cook, learned to cope with the unceasing activity: "Whenever I see a car drive into the grounds, I add five more places." Mrs. Hicks and her sons Elmer and Orville were active in the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church parish for many years. Mrs. Hicks served as parish cook until her retirement in 1955, preparing breakfasts, Women's Guild luncheons and many other meals including the annual turkey dinner, while Elmer and Orville Hicks were regular attendants at Church School and continued as active members into adult life. Ruth Wilkinson in later years recalled Frieda Hicks: "She always made it clear that it was her kitchen."

In the fall of 1922 the camp received a generous gift. Former Church School student and Boy Scout Rensselaer Cox, Jr. had died at sixteen in September 1921 in a tragic accident at the family's summer home in Lake Forest, when his pony threw him after being startled by a speeding car. His mother Louise made a gift of eleven acres of land adjoining the campsite in his memory. Rensselaer Cox's name was given to the camp dining hall built in the following year, and the Cox family continued their support of the camp throughout its existence. By 1923 camp attendance reached 468, attracting all age groups "short of senility."

Treasurer Benjamin Taylor's report to the 1921 annual meeting described changes in bookkeeping procedures instituted in response to recent growth in income. Parish income over the past six years had grown from $11,000 to $30,000, while "missionary" giving for work outside the parish had risen even more dramatically, from $2000 to $14,000. The report also discussed another financial issue:

The pew renting system, while offensive to some people, is a source of positive and dependable revenue and it is hoped that no one will stay away from church because they have no pew. As a matter of fact, if there are those who would like to have a pew and can afford to pay no rent, we have spaces for them and can assign regular sittings. We have a schedule of rates probably cheaper than any other church of corresponding prominence but they are flexible and the Treasurer will always be glad to consult those who desire sittings.

Further information on the parish budget appeared in a March 1921 letter promoting pledging and the "Nation-Wide Campaign." In 1920 pew rents had brought in one-fifth of the church's income, slightly under $10,000; pledge income to the parish totaled over $14,000, while pledges for mission work were over $13,000. The remainder of the income of just over $50,000 came from plate offerings and Christmas, Easter and special gifts. (Though not stated in the letter, an examination of financial data for previous years indicates that this was the first year in which pledge income exceeded the amount received in pew rents.) Dr. Hutton's salary had been

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church raised to $5400 a year in 1919; the parish's 1920 budget for salaries, including clergy, organist, sexton and office staff, totaled slightly over $13,600.

In 1896, Mr. Snively had suggested a rotating vestry; no action on the proposal had been taken. Shortly before the United States' entry into World War I, Norman Hutton had made a similar suggestion. Again (probably because of the outbreak of war) the vestry had not acted. In January 1922 Dr. Hutton revived the plan, to take effect at the end of that year; although meeting with some opposition, it passed, and the vestry drew lots to determine when each member's term should end. However, at the end of 1922, "owing to the pendency of building operations and other matters vitally affecting the interests of the Parish," the plan was postponed for a year, and in late 1923 it was voted "inoperative."

As work progressed on the parish house, the promised renovation of the organ was also under way. On October 29, 1922, an announcement appeared in the bulletin:

The installation of the organ is nearing completion, and it is hoped it will be possible to use it at the service this morning ... The arch leading from the organ chamber into the north aisle of the church has been walled up and an additional opening ... has been made in the chancel directly over the display pipes ... The mechanism of the instrument is, with the exception of the chests, entirely new; the reeds are, for the most part, also new ... The console ... will be placed in a "well" at the south side of the chancel behind the pulpit. The arrangement will greatly facilitate the handling of the choir. The pipes — over 3,000 in all — have been cleaned, completely revoiced and re-tuned, and are as good as the day they were made. Mr. George E. La Marche ... has had charge of the work, and it is with pleasure that we acknowledge the painstaking care that has brought to a satisfactory completion the organ which for twenty-five years has served this Parish.

The announcement was overoptimistic, since the instrument was not ready for use until Sunday, December 10. The organ was dedicated on the afternoon of December 17; on the following evening the Illinois chapter of

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church the American Guild of Organists sponsored an inaugural recital by Chandler Goldthwaite, city organist of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Just as the 1913 parish house had been inaugurated at the Women's Guild bazaar, so the Guild's annual sale on December 7, 1922 was the first activity to be held in the new parish house; construction, though not completed, had progressed far enough to allow the sale to be held there. Newspaper stories named a number of the women involved. Alice Cochran, wife of building committee and vestry member J. Lewis Cochran, was "general chairman" of the event; Cornelia Ranney, another vestry wife, headed the toy booth. Mrs. D. Mark Cummings, an active member of the Mothers' Club, had charge of fancy goods, while other merchandise included books, toys, infants' wear, a "boudoir table" under the direction of Mrs. Charles Garfield King, and a "utility table." A food table featured "homemade candies, cakes, etc.," preserved fruits and plum pudding. Mrs. Hutton and Mary Noyes, whose husband Paul was at that time clerk of the vestry, were responsible for a grab bag and Christmas tree for children; Mrs. George A. McKinlock, mother of one of the parishioners killed in World War I, was in charge of the dinner. Many reservations had been received for the meal, including one from Mrs. Chester Dawes, a member of the 1894 committee raising money to construct the original building. A new feature was the dance which ended the evening, with music by the University Club jazz band; Mrs. King's daughter Ginevra Mitchell was among the younger group assisting with the dance. Receipts from the sale reached a record high of over $5000, over $2100 of which was given to the Social Service Committee; Dr. Hutton described the bazaar as "in many respects the greatest event in the history of the parish." Two days later, Frederic Norcross' older daughter Phoebe married Richard Bentley in the church. The following day, the use of the renovated organ for the first time at a Sunday service formed a happy conclusion to the week.

The bazaar dance was almost certainly inspired by the activities of an organization new to the parish that fall. John Astley-Cock (describing himself as "Considens sed non Praesidens" of the group) described it in florid fashion in the bulletin of November 12, 1922.

"Why were you absent Tuesday evening?" — to some this is patent, to others cryptic; read and be enlightened! There exists in connection with this church an organization called — well that's just the point meritorious, it isn't really an organization for it has no constitution, and it isn't called anything because it is nameless. It is inchoate yet potent, anonymous yet vital, amorphous yet definite!

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

One friend calls it the "Wochlichdienstagabendessenverein" [weekly Tuesday evening dinner meeting], which is gross but true, for we do meet weekly every Tuesday evening for supper: another friend calls it "Le cercle des jeunes esprits" [club for the young in spirit], which is subtle but not wholly true, for though merriment abounds there is no limit in years: yet another designates it the "Society for Endoparochial Sociability," which is cumbrous but a fact, for we do practice what Dr. Hutton has so often thundered ex cathedra — "Extend the glad hand to thy neighbour!" Quintessentially, it is best encompassed by the word Coenaculum, or in plain English, a congenial symposium of kindred hedonists. A true Agape, not according to medieval ecclesiasticism but in the pristine usage of the Attic community: and Mr. Douglas Street is master of ceremonies. A millennium since an Arab sage remarked: My Friend, know well that in unhappiness, All tempering comfort must be found within; Without, is naught but utter loneliness; No country, hospitality, nor kin!

But we would not have it so in this adelphic age. To the unhappy would we extend comfort, to the homeless offer hospitality, to the lonely present companionship: these people are our people and them we entreat. In the quaint Jacobean parlance "our conversation is toward the stranger within our gates," and the day will come when somebody, within or without the church, will say to you, "What about Tuesday evening?" and, if you are of the illuminati, you will smile and reply "I'm with you!" but if his question is met by interrogative bewilderment he will divine your lack and forthwith proffer counsel.

The group was at first listed in bulletins as the Young People's Social Club, but became known as the Tuesday Nighters because of the date of its meetings and remained active for over ten years. "The club was originally formed to reach into the neighborhood for those whose environment is apt to be lonely — the man living in the rooming-house, the girl in business, the out of town student attending business in the city," stated a brochure published shortly after completion of the parish house. "The main idea is a general 'get-together' so that strangers may become acquainted and those who already know one another may make other friendships."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In addition to the dinner meetings, at which attendance normally numbered about fifty, dances were often scheduled. Stephen Hord, a young banker who joined the parish in the early 1920s and was elected to the vestry in 1924, was an active member of the group who often took part in planning the dances; another Tuesday Nighter and dance committee member was Frederic Norcross' younger daughter Catherine. In an event which, we may imagine, gave much pleasure to the group, Catherine Norcross was married to Stephen Hord at St. Chrysostom's on October 9, 1926.

Dances were not the Tuesday Nighters' only activity. On February 7 and 8, 1923, the parish house auditorium was inaugurated with the presentation of a musical, The Springtime Girl, by the organization. It seems to have been highly successful. Later that year parishioner Gloria Chandler directed a program of one-act plays by the group, and productions by the "Cloister Mummers" under her direction continued for several years; at one point the Tuesday Nighters found it necessary to discuss other activities for persons not wishing to take part in dramatics. A little over a month after the inauguration of the auditorium, the gymnasium was completed, and the bulletin of March 18 reported the forthcoming move of the parish office to its new quarters.

As building continued, Dr. Hutton, in a February 18, 1923 bulletin message using the image of the streetcar, stressed the importance of looking beyond the physical fabric of the church. "He would be a foolish motorman ... who essayed to dispense with power as the car grinds up the grade ... Our church is on the up-grade. For thirty years this parochial unit has been climbing. She is far up the slope, but the journey's end is not nigh. It will not come in our day. For all of us there is but one course — up. But we cannot climb without power, and we cannot have power unless we apply it. It is there — there on the altar of the Eternal Presence, within the grasp of all, it is in the response to every prayer that goes from sincere hearts to the throne of grace. To all is that throne accessible; to all is given the privilege of prayer."

The new parish house was dedicated at a service in the courtyard at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 29. In case of rain the service was to be held in the church; however, the weather cooperated, with sunshine and temperatures in the fifties. The program for the day included an essay by Frederick Spalding.

THE GATE OF HEAVEN

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In his work on "The Ruined Abbeys of Great Britain," Ralph Adams Cram produced a sketch of a lonely facade, all that was left of a once stately building, dedicated to the glory of God, and inscribed it, "The Ghost of Greatness." Victim of prejudice, bigotry, and vandalism, it ... stands, in forlorn testimony to the survival of unlovely traits in human character. We turn to the graceful fabric ... that represents the effort of a devoted people to minister in their day ... to ... needs, both spiritual and temporal ... It is about to be dedicated to the high purpose for which it was intended and in the spirit of which it was conceived. The ordained servants who will be its human administrators are appointed and chosen. After today its gates will spring open to welcome those who may claim inheritance as its children by birth, by adoption, by grace. What is the great ideal of those set apart for ministry and service here and now? Not, first of all, to show curiosity seekers the marvels of artistry and convenience which these buildings reveal. They who come here are the needy, hoping that their wants may be supplied. We do not mean the poor alone. There is none that is without need. Heartache is common to all. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" — here at the hands of those who have an unchangeable priesthood in succession to the Man of Sorrows who first spoke the beatitudes. "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Blessed are they who wander about as sheep having no shepherd, for here shall one be found. Blessed are they who seek an open door at the end of a toilsome way, for here, verily, is the Kingdom of Heaven. Shall we not, indeed, make it so? Shall we not so administer this magnificent trust that from far and near strangers and pilgrims shall come ... to pay tribute to our fidelity in the fulfillment of a great duty? Shall we not so set forth the life and teaching of the Son of Man that all who come may find in us only lesser reflections of Him ... ? We shall fail if we make not our practice to conform to the life and practice of Him in whose name these walls were built and for whose sake these works are done. To all that there is here, and for pilgrims on the journey once for all gone over, we open the gate of the buildings and those of our hearts, ready to serve to the uttermost all who have need, all who would taste the wider life that makes each one reverent in the deeper knowledge of the wonder of God's creation and of the part of His children in their immeasurably rich inheritance.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The procession (to the hymn "Onward, Christian Soldiers") included trumpeters, the junior and senior choir, the Junior Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as two crucifers, several banner-bearers, the architects, the wardens and vestry, and clergy (not only those taking part in the service but, among others, the Right Reverend Archimandrite Mardary of the Serbian Diocese of the Eastern Orthodox Church, in gold cloth vestments).

Not one but three addresses were given from the outdoor pulpit which formed part of the new structure. John Timothy Stone of Fourth Presbyterian Church (who may have recalled the day of the 1914 fire when he had helped to remove the altar furnishings from the building) was the first speaker; following the hymn "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," Horace Bridges of the Chicago Ethical Culture Society spoke. The hymn "Come, thou Almighty King" preceded the address of the principal speaker, Bishop Charles P. Anderson. His speech was extensively quoted in the next day's Tribune.

This church is in a peculiar position. It is between the rich who probably have too much and the poor who certainly have too little ... There is more wealth and intelligence in this parish than in any other of the 130 in my diocese. Your modesty may prevent you from acknowledging this compliment, but I know all the churches better than any of you do, and I know the truth of what I am saying. Wealth and intelligence mean obligation. I hope this parish house will not become an ecclesiastical club where you come together simply for your own comfort, but will be a place where will be produced workers for the political and civil leadership of Chicago and where young men and women, some of them persons of wealth, will go to non-Christian lands as doctors, nurses and missionaries.

A prayer of dedication followed the bishop's address; the Hallelujah Chorus and the hymn "The Church's One Foundation" ended a notable day in parish history.

Vestry member J. Lewis Cochran, employed in real estate and largely responsible for the development of the Edgewater community on the north side of Chicago, had played an important part on the building committee. By 1923 his health had declined and he was confined for the most part to a wheelchair; on September 25 he died in a fall from a window. The vestry paid tribute to "his kindly courtesy, his wise counsel and constructive judgment, his strong Christian character and constant devotion to duty,"

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church adding that "his advice and generosity were responsible in large measure for the decision ... to erect ... a new Parish House and Rectory."

The health of senior warden John Chew had also begun to fail. Dr. Chew, now over eighty years old, had been ill for an extended period in 1922; though present at the vestry meeting of January 21, 1923, he was unable to attend the parish annual meeting the next day and the rector expressed his concern. Dr. Chew never again attended a vestry meeting, although his obituary indicates that he was able to continue some activity until shortly before his death from cancer on August 14, 1924. The September 1924 Diocese described his death: "Conscious for a few hours before the last, [he] received the Sacrament of the Church and smilingly passed into the hand of his Maker." A resolution passed by the vestry expressed the "heartfelt sense of loss and sorrow" felt on his decease.

Dr. Chew's service to St. Chrysostom's Church and Parish and to the Diocese of Chicago was long and faithful ... For many years he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, also lending his intelligence and energy to its work in various other capacities. He was truly a Christian gentleman, a devout follower of the Master, exemplifying in all his life and acts the beauty of the religion of Jesus; and in the community, as in the church, he endeared himself to all who knew him by his spirit of helpfulness and his inspiring attitude of confidence in the progress of the world toward better living.

Frederic Norcross was elected senior warden to succeed Dr. Chew, while building committee chairman George Ranney became the new junior warden. Two vestry vacancies were filled at the annual meeting the following January. Frederick Spalding, after many years of active service to the parish, was one of those elected; his work at Camp Oronoko and his many other contributions to the parish made him a logical choice for the position. Albert Sprague, the second new member of the vestry, could be said to typify the "civil leadership of Chicago" to which Bishop Anderson referred in his address at the dedication of the parish house. Besides his work as chairman of Sprague-Warner & Company, Mr. Sprague was at this time city commissioner of public works; he was also a trustee of the Field Museum, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the John Crerar Library, the Shedd Aquarium and Children's Memorial Hospital, and his World War I service has been described earlier. In 1924 he was a candidate for United States senator; on April 6 Dr. Hutton wrote in the bulletin that he was "not hesitating to influence votes in behalf of Colonel Sprague" on the Democratic

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church ticket in the primary election. (Though victorious in the primary, he was defeated at the general election in November.) Later he would head the Chicago Plan Commission. Chicago and its Makers, a 1929 biographical compilation, stated, "Albert Arnold Sprague has wrought much for the city beautiful and has helped to leave for the Chicagoans of tomorrow a city of educational and artistic opportunities ... An Episcopalian, he is quietly active in his church ... a charming and popular figure in society and a substantial aid in the cultural circles of Chicago."

Bulletins and brochures from late 1923 and 1924 describe church activities after completion of the parish house. The Women's Guild, as well as "taking a leading part in the Annual Parish Bazaar," in 1922-23 sent a missionary box to North Dakota and supported many diocesan organizations including St. Luke's Hospital and St. Mary's Home for Children; in addition, it was responsible for "the burden of the parish's large measure of entertainment, such as providing for Deanery functions and the Diocesan Woman's Auxiliary." The Mothers' Club met on Wednesday afternoons: "about two hours are devoted to sewing while the [presiding officer] reads a book aloud or interestingly summarizes current events. Afternoon Tea is served immediately before adjournment. The Club takes orders for aprons and linen sets for Luncheons, work also is carried out for the Annual Parish Bazaar." The group's flower fund remained in existence.

The Girls' Friendly Society continued its weekly evening meetings, raising funds through social activities for contributions to the parish building fund and other charities —St. Luke's Hospital, the City Missions, Lawrence Hall, and a variety of diocesan G.F.S. activities including a "Holiday House" near South Haven, Michigan providing accommodation for vacationing members. The organization regularly hosted a Christmas party for children from St. Mary's Home for Children; G.F.S. candidates, some of whom also sang in the junior choir, met in the afternoons for sewing, and at Christmas sent stockings filled with "candy and other small articles" to missions. The Boy Scouts remained active under the supervision of Frederick Spalding; a Girl Scout troop had also been organized.

A letter from Presiding Bishop Daniel Tuttle in the February 25, 1923 bulletin encouraged children to contribute to the Lenten mite boxes. "Soldiers in the Church Army you all are ... You don't shoot round bullets of lead ... but flat pieces of nickel and silvery dimes. You don't shoot to kill men ... but you bring down and then send out live missionaries over all the world ... FORWARD! MARCH!" Church School enrollment that fall was so large that some classes had three or even four sections. The children's chapel, which had been decorated by the Altar Guild, was now in use; under the "able supervision" of Eleanor East, superintendent of the kindergarten and primary

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church department, a worship service for the younger children was held there each Sunday, and the nine members of the Altar Guild met there for corporate communion on October 18.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, as well as a Junior Brotherhood for boys of fifteen and over directed by Frederick Spalding, sponsored a weekly men's Bible study group and continued to welcome visitors to the church and to work for the spread of the Kingdom beyond parish bounds. Efforts to revive a Men's Club in late 1923 and early 1924 met with little success, as only two meetings are listed in the parish schedule. In summer 1924 an innovation took place when parishioner George B. Foster made arrangements with Commonwealth Edison Company for broadcast of the 11:00 service on the radio.

The 1923 Christmas services made use of the new facilities. The junior choir sang carols in the neighborhood from 7 to 9 p.m., concluding in the new courtyard. (Weather permitting, the choir planned to wear their robes for caroling; this may have been possible, as the temperature that year was exceptionally mild.) Later, trumpeters played from the outdoor pulpit and the senior choir sang carols in the cloister before the midnight service at 11:30. After the installation of the carillon, a carillon recital replaced the trumpeters, but carol singing in the cloister continued throughout Dr. Simonds' years as organist. The junior choir sang at the 11 a.m. service on Christmas Day.

The parish had taken to heart Bishop Anderson's admonition that its new buildings not be used solely as an "ecclesiastical club." In early 1924 the Social Service Committee, using funds provided by the Women's Guild, paid a social worker to develop a program of community activities. After a month, over 100 persons had enrolled in a variety of classes; sewing, ladies' gym, "Rickety-Dink" and "Sunshine" girls' groups, and play hours for children 5 to 7 and 7 to 12. By the following year a Community Center had been established in the parish. Its programs included team games and manual training for boys, little theatre for girls, a doll club and play store for younger girls, and gym classes and dramatics for adults; later, domestic science and "pianoforte instruction" were added.

The 1924 camp season extended from the end of May to the end of September; campers came from as far away as Columbus, Ohio and Kansas City, Kansas. According to the camp brochure, activities included general scouting, map drawing, hiking with occasional overnight trips, "tree, bird, butterfly and moth study," track and field, swimming, baseball and boxing, with "camp order, personal hygiene, setting up, drill, courtesy and service" each day. Among the institutions represented at the camp in the middle and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church late 1920s were St. Alban's School in Sycamore, Ill., Lawrence Hall, the Chicago Nursery and Half Orphan Asylum, United Charities, St. Luke's Hospital, the Children's Hospital and the Institute for Juvenile Research; in 1928 Frederick Spalding, then president of the diocesan Junior Brotherhood of St. Andrew, arranged for that group to hold its spring assembly at the camp in early June. In the camp's tenth full-summer season in 1926, attendance was 560 compared to 120 in 1917; expenses had risen from $1233.50 to $12,713.43.

Several new buildings (often paid for by small gifts from a large number of campers) were constructed in the 1920s; some were named for deceased former campers or other children who had died at an early age. Joseph Thompson continued to have charge of physical maintenance of the site: "the parish has no conception of what the camp and the parish owe to this efficient and tireless worker," wrote Mr. Spalding. Rollin Hunt, a camper at about this period, recalls that "Indians in the area visited the camp and we would learn about their customs; once a year there would be a day when we would dress as Indians." Parishioner Angus Hibbard used his amateur musical skills to write a song for the camp.

Oronoko, Oronoko, camp of happy days,

Every girl and every boy is singing in your praise.

Oronoko, you are calling when the summer comes,

Bidding us a welcome from St. Chrysostom's.

St. Chrysostom's had been able to retain Emory Gallup as organist and choirmaster when he had been offered positions by two area churches. In 1924 he received an offer which the parish could not match. He resigned as of June 15 to take a position at the Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a large liberal Baptist church which was expanding its musical program; a story in Music News of February 20, 1925 states that he was given "a free hand, a salary to make most organists gasp ... a gorgeous organ [and] money for a choir of fifty mixed voices, backed with support and sage advice." The vestry expressed "their gratitude for his long and faithful service, their appreciation of the results he has accomplished in his work, and their regret at his decision to leave the parish," and paid his salary through July 31; the Music Committee was given authority to choose a successor.

Parish bulletins and vestry minutes give little information on the appointment of the new organist and choirmaster, Harold Simonds, who

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church began service November 7. However, the Simonds family preserved a letter from Norman Hutton in late June 1925, noting Dr. Hutton's "appreciation of what you have done with the music. You have made it devotional and reverent and restful. You have also made a place for yourself in the hearts of the people and I hope the relationship will be a very happy one as time goes on." His wish was to be fulfilled; Harold Simonds remained at St. Chrysostom's under six rectors until his retirement in 1961 — the longest tenure of any person employed by the parish.

Mr. Simonds had begun his musical career as a boy soprano in Marlboro, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1910 from the New England Conservatory of Music; he taught at the Pomfret School in Connecticut, studied in London and Brussels, and during World War I was organist of a church in Newport, Rhode Island. In the early 1920s he came to Chicago, where he was organist at St. Paul's Church on the south side from 1920 to 1922 and head of the Austin Conservatory of Music on the west side (which his son David recalled as "a rather unhappy enterprise"); he taught church music at Presbyterian (later McCormick) Seminary from 1923 to 1958, retiring with the rank of associate professor.

Harold Simonds devoted considerable time to the church's musical programs, working with both senior and junior choirs and taking part in Cloister Mummers productions. The entire family became involved in parish activities; Harold Simonds' wife Lucille sang in the choir and the Simonds children David and Katherine attended Church School and were members of the junior choir. Though at first the family lived on the west side they later moved to the parish house, where Harold Simonds continued to live until his retirement.

McCormick professor Paul Davies, in a tribute to Dr. Simonds on his retirement from the seminary in 1958, described him as follows: "Everything Harold Simonds touches is in good taste. In his home he is the perfect host. His game of golf qualifies him to shoot the course in good company. Few people know his skill as a gardener: the soil is always well mulched, his tomatoes and cantaloupe ripen to perfection. His taste in clothes, his personal bearing, even his cars betray the man of distinction!" Richard Paul Graebel, a 1936 seminary graduate, wrote that "Dr. Simonds impressed every student who ever came into his class as a Christian gentleman in the highest meaning of that term. His personal discipline, so necessary for a singer and a musician, was obvious. His good breeding produced a gentleness of conduct, masculine in approach and always kindly. In personal conversation, his wit is delightful and his good taste enviable ... Dr. Simonds was the premier carillonneur of Chicago. I saw my first set of true bells in St. Chrysostom's Crane Carillon. (He taught the Chicago boys how to do it!)"

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

James G. Macdonell, a current seminary student, cited Harold Simonds' "patient sensitivity which has instilled in many young men and women an appreciation of the best in sacred music." The present author can confirm Paul Davies' testimony to Dr. Simonds' taste in clothes and skills as a host, and recalls that many parishioners considered the phrase "Christian gentleman" to be an apt description of him.

Now that the parish house had been completed, "the next step," according to the 1923 brochure, would "be the beautifying of the Church structure itself, which, it is hoped, conditions will permit of not being long delayed." In late 1923 the bulletin announced the creation of a building fund.

There has been created by resolution of the Vestry a new Building Fund to complete the front of the church and to make such changes and addition to the building as to bring it into harmony with the Parish House and Church House ... There is to be no campaign for money, but it is hoped that as our people see the beauty and usefulness already created, that sums of money will be given to augment the present amount until enough is in hand to finish the next stage ... It may take years to accomplish what we have in mind, but unless we know what can be done we shall never arrive at the goal. While we are unable at this time to estimate any fixed amount, it is likely that we shall need one hundred thousand dollars. How soon will it come?

By early 1924 over $13,000 had been contributed. At the June 1924 vestry meeting, a $10,000 gift from Chauncey Keep was announced; another $10,000 was pledged by chewing gum manufacturer and Chicago Cubs president William Wrigley contingent on the congregation's obtaining an additional $90,000 in gifts and pledges. (Mr. Wrigley, though not a member of the congregation, on occasion attended services at St. Chrysostom's; his son Philip had been on the parish honor roll in World War I.) A still larger gift was made in December, when Crane Company president Richard T. Crane, Jr. donated $50,000 for the church tower. Bulletin announcements continued to emphasize the value of small as well as large contributions; donations of $2, $5 and $10 as well as larger gifts were regularly listed. The Church School children were encouraged to make contributions to the best of their ability; a goal of $500 was set, to be used for the cross on the new front. The children had hoped to preserve some of the ivy which covered the walls of the old church and replant it for the new building, but this did not prove feasible.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

On March 2, 1925, building committee chairman George Ranney announced to the vestry that $135,700 (excluding pledges for memorial windows) was in hand in the fund; interest was expected to add about $2000 to the total. The bulletin for the next Sunday stated that construction had begun, but that about $25,000 more would be desirable, or "some beautiful details must perforce be omitted."

Several generations of worshipers have had cause to be grateful for the choice of Charles Connick as designer of the parish's stained glass windows. An article by Nathaniel W. Pierce, "Artist in Light and Color," which appeared in The Living Church of February 1, 1987, describes Connick and his work.

Connick was born in 1875 into a large poor family near Pittsburgh, Pa. His mother had always liked to draw and she taught her son. When the financial needs of the family grew large, Connick dropped out of school and took a job as an illustrator for a local paper. Then by chance he visited a stained- glass studio one night ... and in the light of the gas jets ... saw the beauty of the colored glass as he had never seen it before. It was his "road-to-Damascus" experience; it changed his life forever. ... "Confusion" is a word often used to describe the style of stained-glass windows in the 19th century. Artists worked with glass as if they were painting on a canvas. The opalescent era, personified by the Tiffany windows, reigned supreme. Yet, the artists of the period were not sensitive to the difference between reflected light (as in a painting) and light which passed through glass ... The light on a painting in a museum is constant from one day to the next. The light for a stained-glass window is constantly changing ... A great window will look magnificent in every kind of light. This is one of the qualities which separates the average artist from the gifted one. The early part of the 20th century was a time of change and artistic ferment ... Connick ... was determined to pursue his vision, which in the summer of 1910 he saw more fully expressed in the windows of Chartres Cathedral in France than anywhere else in the world ... He was determined to recover the art as it had once been practiced, to stand against the opalescent style which had so little spiritual depth. ... Connick not only emphasized the importance of the medieval style but also the interrelationship between architecture and glass, thereby helping artists to accept their

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

craft as a part of architecture and not as a branch of painting ... To him, a Gothic church was a song in stone, and Connick wanted his windows to sing in harmony with the building, creating walls of singing color. ... In the 1931 Springfield Art Museum Exhibition Catalogue [Connick] wrote: "If churches are made radiant and beautiful places of worship, we can have a spiritual regeneration without anyone knowing what is going on. Beauty can preach as very few men with bundles of words can preach. I want to make beautiful interiors for both churches and souls. I want men to hear my windows singing; to hear them singing of God; I want men to know that God is at the core of their own souls."

The Connick archives in the Boston Public Library provide valuable information on the parish's contacts with the firm. The earliest correspondence from St. Chrysostom's is Norman Hutton's letter of February 4, 1923, apparently soon after Henry and Elizabeth Chapin had offered to donate a stained glass window for the new building. Mr. Chapin, born in Niles, Michigan, had moved to Chicago in the early years of the twentieth century and was involved in his family's varied business interests of real estate, mining, paper making and public utilities; the Chapins had three sons, Henry, Jr., Chester and Charles. We do not know when Dr. Hutton became acquainted with Connick's work (perhaps during the Huttons' summer vacations in Massachusetts), but he wrote that Mrs. Chapin approved of the choice, since Connick had designed a memorial window for the Chapin family at the Presbyterian church in Niles.

Sketches of windows were presented at a vestry meeting in late 1923, and on December 3 Dr. Hutton wrote anticipating Connick's forthcoming visit to Chicago when he would tour the church and meet with the architects. On December 16, 1925, Norman Hutton wrote Connick in strong support of the artist's views of stained glass design. "Strange to say, Mr. Felton [Samuel Felton, who had offered to give a window in memory of his wife Dorothea] wants to put in one of those awful Tiffany things. Of course, I won't listen to any such proposal and if I have to lose the window I will be glad to do it rather than spoil the church."

The last service in the old building took place on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1925; services were held in the gymnasium for the next several months. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on Sunday, May 24; on All Saints' Day, November 1, the new church was used for the first time. The bulletin celebrated the occasion.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

"Venite, exultemus Domino"

Today we resume our worship in the Church. We have used the gymnasium since the Sunday after Easter and, to many, this has been a most satisfactory makeshift. The happiness we all feel on this occasion is fittingly expressed by the service of the Holy Eucharist or Thanksgiving. The formal dedication will take place upon the completion of the Carillon Tower when the Memorial Screens and other details of the complete plan, not yet ready, will have been installed. This Building completes our construction project and we must now press forward to larger efforts by making our Parish life helpful and strong. No greater loyalty can be shown than by constant and regular attendance at Services. Let us, therefore, show our gratitude for these beautiful buildings by evincing a larger devotion.

On that day the triple lancet window of St. Luke in the south aisle was dedicated as a memorial to Henry and Elizabeth Chapin's second son, Chester Crandall Chapin, who had died on September 13, 1923 at the age of fourteen; the dedication date was the Sunday nearest to October 30, Chester Chapin's birthday. Small designs of a sailboat, a horse, a cottage, and St. Francis accompanied by animals are said to be "significant of personal characteristics" of Chester Chapin; the figure of St. Nicholas in mitre blessing children may make reference to the boy's confirmation the spring before his death. Elizabeth Chapin later wrote movingly to Charles Connick: "Chester's window is wonderful and has given us great pleasure and satisfaction ... I am sure it will encourage others to remember some dear one in such a lasting manner. The blue of the window is perfectly beautiful and lends a light throughout the church which is quite impressive ... I have always felt that if I went into a church, I came into close communion with my precious boy and will feel even more so as I sit under his wonderful window with his personal character ever before me."

Gifts of other windows did indeed follow. The Easter Day 1927 service at which the carillon was first played also saw the dedication of the windows of St. Mark and St. John the Baptist in the south aisle memorializing long- time wardens John Chew and William Street; other windows were dedicated in 1927 and 1928. The single lancet window in the south aisle representing an angel of praise was the gift of Thomas and Elizabeth Hinde; the deer, or hind, in the window, is an allusion to the family name. The Hindes were members of the parish and generous contributors to it from its earliest days: they had contributed to the first building fund in 1894 and to the first parish

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church house fund in 1912, and in 1923 donated the portion of the cloister leading to the church. Thomas Hinde was born in Kentucky in 1857; his grandparents had emigrated there from Virginia by wagon. He had left home in the early 1870s at the age of fourteen to work on the Mississippi River steamboats; he later became part owner of a distillery in Frankfort, and in 1886 married Elizabeth Macklin, descendant of another Kentucky pioneer family. The Hindes moved to Chicago the following year, where he was at first the representative of a Kentucky distillery and later in business for himself. Their daughters Helen, Elizabeth and Sarah were baptized at St. Chrysostom's; Helen and Elizabeth Hinde were married there in 1917 and 1924. The senior Hindes were exceptionally long-lived; Elizabeth Hinde died in 1951, while Thomas Hinde died at 95 on December 7, 1952.

Norman Hutton was able to convince Samuel Felton to accept a Connick window rather than "one of those awful Tiffany things." Evelyn Cannon of the Boston Public Library, in a letter to the author dated March 29, 1993, wrote that original sketches for the Felton memorial window employed male saints — St. James, then St. Stephen, but "the Feltons came to insist on a female figure. The resolution was the selection of 'a saintly woman of the Apostolic Era,' the final choice being the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose symbolism was also appropriate for the window's location over the font." Dorothea Felton, who died in May 1923, was originally a Philadelphian; she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames, symbols of which are depicted in the window. Figures of a mother and child suggest her devotion to home, family and children, while a representation of the Good Samaritan is said to represent her kindness to those in distress. We may feel certain that Mr. Felton did not regret the loss of a Tiffany window; the representation of the Virgin and Child is among the most beautiful of the church's windows and has been reproduced on several occasions on parish Christmas cards and bulletins.

It is possible that the choice of female saints for the remaining windows in the north aisle was influenced both by the selection of the Virgin Mary as subject for the Felton window and by the fact that most of the windows were given as memorials to women. The St. Elizabeth window commemorating Henry and Laura Dibblee was given by the Dibblees' daughters and their husbands, Frances and Albert Sprague and Bertha and John King. A March 4, 1906 Tribune story on Chicago's wealthiest citizens described Mr. Dibblee; a successful businessman involved in a variety of enterprises, he was portrayed as a man fond of telling humorous stories who lived a quiet life and enjoyed spending evenings in the company of his family, "usually smoking one cigar after dinner." His wife Laura was a sister of Marshall Field I. The Dibblees lived for many years on the near south side when it was the leading residential area of the city; at some time after her

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church husband's death in 1907 Mrs. Dibblee moved to the north side and became a member of St. Chrysostom's until her death in 1921. Small figures of a boat and of St. Christopher, patron of travelers, refer to the Dibblees' interest in travel, while a child with a crutch and a representation of St. Luke symbolize Laura Dibblee's work on behalf of children's hospitals.

The windows representing St. Mary of Bethany (also represented as St. Mary Magdalene) and St. Martha of Bethany were the gift of William V. Kelley and his wife Lilian in memory of their mothers, Susan P. Taylor Kelley and Jerusha Lewis Phelps. William Kelley, born in the small town of Gratis, Ohio, put himself through commercial college by working in a hardware store in Springfield, Ohio; he rose to become president of American Steel Foundries, from which he resigned in 1912 to become president of Miehle Printing Press and Manufacturing Company. He married Lilian Phelps in 1894; the Kelleys and their four children were for many years on the parish rolls. Little is known about Susan Kelley, who probably spent her life in Ohio; Jerusha (Ruth) Phelps, a Chicagoan, attended St. Chrysostom's and was buried from the church in 1916. Unlike many of the other windows, the small figures depict symbols associated with the subjects of the windows rather than the persons memorialized.

The Archangel Gabriel window above the chancel was given as a memorial to Jacob Baur by his wife Bertha and daughter Rosemary. Jacob Baur was born in Louisville of Swiss parents in 1856; he began work as a pharmacist and chemist and rose to become president of Liquid Carbonic Corporation before his death in July 1912. Bertha Duppler Baur's career is even more noteworthy. Born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin on October 14, 1870, her later life was described in the book Chicago and its Makers as "a story that O. Henry would have loved."

Bertha Duppler, as a very young girl, left her Wisconsin home to fight her own battles in Chicago. ... By studious application, she transformed the high school graduate country girl to a skilled worker with hand and brain. Earning her own way at the age of seventeen, she nevertheless won her graduation from ... business college ... Entering the business world by the first door that was opened she soon had won a position of semi- political power as secretary to the Postmaster of Chicago. Here we see the true woman emerging, having won in man's battle field of business, she gave up none of her femininity ... Many are the stories ... that indicate this period of her life was a time of high diplomacy rather than secretaryship. She was the possessor

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

of true business tact and the helper of many in need, by the placement of the right word at the right time.

She served as secretary to four postmasters, and was on one occasion acting postmaster when her superior was hospitalized for an extended period. Later she took up the study of law; a Tribune article of October 13, 1908, quoted her as saying, "I am providing myself with something upon which to fall when the political winds change their direction and I find myself out of a job." In the same article, Postmaster D.A. Campbell announced his secretary's engagement to Jacob Baur. The wedding was scheduled for Monday, November 23; on November 19, the Tribune commented with some surprise that the bride-to-be planned to work until the end of the week before the ceremony. Although Miss Duppler was a member of the parish during Mr. Snively's years as rector, the wedding took place at Trinity Church in Highland Park; a chartered railroad car brought the postmaster and other Chicago friends of the couple to the service. Again quoting from Chicago and Its Makers:

When [Jacob Baur's] death [in July 1912] ended their short but happy married life, Mrs. Baur was equal to the emergency. Continuing with scrupulous care to guide the life of her little daughter [Rosemary, born in May 1911] she again stepped into the business arena, this time as a director in the destinies of the company her husband had raised from humble beginnings with $75,000 to a $9,000,000 concern. The same energy with which she had attacked earlier problems, characterized Mrs. Baur's onset upon the world of finance. The company flourished and she became a financial authority, teaching other women what she had gained by experience.

Newspaper stories in the fall of 1920 describe the financial classes for women which Bertha Baur taught at that time. It is not surprising that she was active in the women's suffrage movement, serving as the last president of the Chicago Equal Suffrage Association. In addition, she served on St. Chrysostom's Missionary Committee in 1916, was active in fund-raising for the Chicago Opera, served as a trustee of the Century of Progress World's Fair in 1933-34, was for many years Republican committeewoman for the state of Illinois, and ran twice for Congress on the Republican ticket. The Archangel Gabriel window includes a small edelweiss, a tribute to Jacob Baur's Swiss ancestry, and a butterfly symbolizing the Resurrection and undoubtedly also reflecting Mrs. Baur's fondness for butterfly "collectibles" dating as far back as her years in the post office.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1927, the Te Deum Laudamus window at the east end of the church was dedicated, the gift of William and Joan Chalmers in memory of their children. William Chalmers founded the firm which later became Allis-Chalmers Company; his wife was the daughter of Allan Pinkerton, founder of the Secret Service. The Chalmers children died in their early forties. Joan Chalmers Williams, if descriptions of her in society columns of the day are accurate, was a woman of great charm and wit; a popular debutante, her marriage to manufacturer Norman Williams at Fourth Presbyterian Church on December 3, 1902 was a highlight of that winter's social season. She devoted much time outside of family responsibilities to charitable work for "crippled children" (as they were then described) and headed a World War I Red Cross chapter. Though he was not a member of St. Chrysostom's, Norman Williams contributed to its 1913 parish house fund drive, and with his two children gave a boathouse to Camp Oronoko in his wife's memory in 1925. Thomas Chalmers, slightly over a year younger than his sister, was unmarried; a mining engineer, he served in World War I both in a technical capacity and in active service, and according to the bulletin for the dedication service "expended ... his interest and means ... in the cause of crippled children." He died of nephritis on March 27, 1923; Norman Hutton conducted the funeral. Joan Williams and her family moved to the south of France in 1920, returned to Woodstock, Vermont in 1922 and came to Chicago in December for the holidays; she entered St. Luke's Hospital in early 1923 and died there on April 4, only eight days after her brother's death. The senior Chalmers, though never confirmed in the Episcopal Church, attended St. Chrysostom's in their later years and were buried from the parish.

After the first part of the communion service, when acolytes, choir and rector processed to Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" to the back of the church for the dedication of the window; flags of the World War I Allied nations were carried in the procession. Healey Willan's setting of the Te Deum Laudamus followed, the bulletin pointing out the sections of the window representing various parts of the text; the hymn "For All the Saints" and an address by Dr. Hutton preceded the celebration of Holy Communion.

Stained glass windows were not the only memorials dedicated in the late 1920s. On November 14, 1926, a dedication service was held for the new high altar, given by Chauncey and Mary Keep in memory of their son, Capt. Henry Blair Keep, who had been killed in World War I on October 5, 1918. Though the Keeps were not parishioners of St. Chrysostom's during the war, they later affiliated with the parish. Mr. Keep is described in the 1911 Book of Chicagoans as a "capitalist ... identified with numerous large interests"; the Tribune obituary following his death in August 1929 noted

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church that the Keeps were among the last of the old families to move north from the once fashionable Prairie Avenue district.

The dedication date was not only the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day but that nearest to the feast day of St. John Chrysostom (November 13) in the Orthodox Church calendar, and marks the parish's first recorded commemoration of the feast day of its patron saint. The bulletin described the altar in some detail:

This memorial is an exquisite and unique work of art entirely hand-carved. The Table proper and the Canopy are, architecturally, in Perpendicular Gothic, the Reredos is a Triptych, the center panel of which has for its subject the Crucifixion: the left panel represents the Nativity: the right panel the Ascension ... The Altar and Reredos are of oak: the panels of limewood, the material being procured in this country. The high lights of the panels are natural colour, the relievo being finished in old ivory colour somewhat darkened to harmonize with the oak which frames them. The pictorial design of the panels is not wholly the creation of a single brain. After the original model was set up ... other artists studied and worked over it until perfection was attained. The actual carving of the panels occupied six months. It is executed on laminated strips, afterwards brought together, and its extremest relief reaches two and three-fourths inches.

The processional hymn was, appropriately, "Onward, Christian Soldiers"; the Harold J. Taylor American Legion post took part in the service and its drum and bugle corps played Taps after the benediction. An address by Lieut. C. Wayland Brooks (who later served as U.S. senator from Illinois) was followed by the sermon by assistant rector W. Taylor Willis, a chaplain in World War I. The bulletin appealed for a new altar rail to eliminate "a lack of harmony in the adjutory woodwork," a gift made soon afterward by parishioner Henry Bannard in memory of his wife Alice. The former altar and candlesticks were moved to the chapel (called the "Lady Chapel" in bulletins of the period) and remained there until the present altar and reredos were installed in 1948.

On Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, Mrs. Keep's gift of an altar cloth for the new altar was dedicated. The following day's Tribune stated that the altar cloth was "made largely of rare old lace belonging to Mrs. Keep and her mother, Mrs. Mary Blair ... designed and put together by Miss Eloise Zallio,

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

New York artist. It has been stated that the cloth is a replica of the famous one on the altar of the Church of St. John the Divine in New York, but Mrs. Keep emphasizes that there is no similarity between the two, except that the same artist designed them."

Although Richard T. Crane, Jr.'s generous donation had made possible the construction of a tower for the church, no chimes or bells had been installed at the time of the first services in the remodeled church. The vestry discussed the question on October 25, 1925, wondering if the new tower could properly be called a carillon tower; "although opinion was not unanimous, it was understood that it would be called a Carillon Tower if the Rector thought it desirable to do so. Further discussion was had as to the choice of chimes or bells, and the question was left for decision at another time after the Rector had considered some possible donations." The question was settled by November 22, when Dr. Hutton announced to the vestry "Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Crane's offer to install a Chime of Bells in the new Carillon Tower." Richard Teller Crane, Jr., president of the Crane Plumbing Company, was a generous contributor to charitable causes; he had given money to build a hospital at his summer home in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and had frequently made gifts of company stock to employees in his firm. On December 22 the Tribune carried a story on the gift.

CRANE JR. GIVES CHURCH A TOWER WITH CARILLON

When R.T. Crane Jr., wealthy Chicagoan, saw some time ago that his church — St. Chrysostom's Episcopal ... was without a tower he said: "That is no way for a church to be," and he ordered a tower to be built and the bill, in a manner of speaking, to be sent to him. And when Mr. Crane later saw that the tower was under way and would be finished soon, and Christmas approaching, he bethought himself that all church towers have church bells, and so — Next Christmastide there will be a great pealing of bells from the steeple of St. Chrysostom's such as all Chicago and few other American cities have never [sic] heard before. For Mr. Crane has ordered from Gillette [sic] Johnson ... the great bell maker, the finest carillon to adorn and ring forth from any church spire in the country; and yesterday the Rev. Norman Hutton, pastor of the church, announced both the wealthy parishioner's gifts.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

It was such a gift ... that John D. Rockefeller some time ago gave to the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church of New York, such as but a few churches in the country have ... Mr. Crane's gifts of tower and carillon are estimated at something like $150,000. The Rev. Mr. Hutton in making them public said: "They are great and unusual gifts, especially the latter — a rare gift by a man to his church. St. Chrysostom's is fortunate indeed to have such a man as Mr. Crane among its congregation."

The donation aroused great interest; the first carillon to be installed west of the eastern seaboard, it was a source of considerable civic pride. Many articles on carillons in general and St. Chrysostom's carillon in particular are preserved in a scrapbook in parish archives; they range from information on the operations of a carillon to descriptions of other carillons and the effect of the sound in an area of high buildings. Alice McKinstry struck a more discordant note in the January 15, 1926 "Pillar to Post" column of the Chicago Evening Post.

MONEY

... Yeh, I can make this hat do,

If only he hadn't

Seen me in it so many times!

I'll have to sort of twist up the brim, so ...

(Gee ... that wide one with the

Pink roses in Mandel's window!)

... Hush, lamb, hush. It's only mother.

Does 'im's throat hurt so?

Ah, don't cough, honey, don't!

(Seventy-five dollars, the doctor said.)

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Sh'h ... dear ... sh'h!

... Uh huh, I'm tired of doing this

Commercial stuff,

But nobody buys your other work

Unless you've been to Europe.

Paris! Say, stop kidding.

How long? ... six months, maybe.

Munich? Vienna? Aw, shut up.

It hurts to talk about it.

A gaunt gray church stands

On the angle of a green street

Facing a square.

J.U. Squillub

(The gas and oil Squillub — you know)

Who spends three months a year

In the residence on the corner

Hs given it a new and costly

Carillon of bells.

Two days later, a response by A.S. Loose appeared in the same column.

Alice and the Carillon

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Sir: The poem, "Money," by Alice McKinstry, made my heart bleed, but the lady does not go far enough. Why the church, in the first place, when the cost thereof might have been applied to buying new hats for flappers and cough medicine for children? And if it is considered quite the thing to build churches, why not put belfries on them and bells, and, if possible, soak old Squillub for the cost? By the way, this particular Squillub, who inhabits the stone house on the corner once in a while, gave away about $5,000,000 last month to some 4,000 workingmen, to help them buy hats with pink roses, pay doctor's bills and go to Munich. Tell Alice this and she will not feel so badly about the Carillon.

The installation of the carillon was not completed by Christmas 1926. On January 18, 1927, the Tuesday Nighters sponsored a speech by William Gorham Rice of New York, "the eminent authority on Carillons"; "the opportunity ... to hear this distinguished author ... is not one lightly to be disregarded." "London Hears Bells Soon to Be in Chicago," read the headline of a January 28 Tribune story; one hundred persons were present at the Gillett & Johnson foundry in Croydon when a carillonneur from Malines cathedral tested the bells by playing religious melodies and "The Star- Spangled Banner."

On March 2, 1927, the Daily News recorded a crisis.

BELL EXPERT LOST, SO CHURCH IS SILENT

Carillon Here, but If It Is to Be Heard Easter Wandering Bellnan Must Be Found.

Ring out, wild bells! Peal, clarion bells! Arouse the countryside to a search for the master carillon installation man who for a fortnight has been lost in Pennsylvania, and whose loss, mayhap, will interfere with the joyous Easter playing of the great carillon that is to be set in the carillon tower of St. Chrysostom's Church ... From London came A.H. Townsend, sent by Gillett & Johnson, world-famous casters of bells in the famed foundry at Croydon, Surrey, England, to set up the carillon. He got to Philadelphia and he sent a letter to Chicago, saying that he had arrived in the United States and, pending the arrival of the 47,240 pounds of bells, would "look around a bit."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Bells are Here. To-day the bells, forty-three of them, covering three and a half octaves from tenor C, are being unloaded. Instead of being taken to St. Chrysostom's they are being drawn in their crates into a warehouse, where they will remain until Mr. Townsend's whereabouts become more definitely known for no one else — in Chicago or all America, it is said, can install the magnificent carillon ... Sitting at his mahogany desk on the fourteenth floor of the Bank of the Republic building, John T. Redmond, vestryman upon whose shoulders has been shunted the task of seeing that all is well with the bells, was near distraction when he learned of the arrival of the carillon, and set wires and radio and telepathy at work to find Mr. Townsend. Failing, he gave orders to insure the bells for $25,000 and store them until Townsend arrived ... Even yet, there is time for the installation to be made so that all may be in readiness for Easter morn — but Mr. Townsend must be found, quickly.

A day later the Daily News had a happier story.

BELL HANGER FOUND; CARILLON TO RING

Missing Londoner Puts in Appearance at St. Chrysostom's Church.

The bellhanger from London has been found. St. Chrysostom's carillon will gladden the welkin Easter morn. Into the office of John T. Redmond, vestryman, walked A.H. Townsend, shortly before noon to-day, a bit nonchalantly, and related how he had been in this and that town ... just looking about a bit — tinkering here and there with chime or carillon. But Mr. Townsend was ready for work. Under his arm he carried a large, square envelope in which were incased [sic] the voluminous plans and specifications pertaining to the hanging of the forty-three great bells ... Mr. Redmond was more than glad to see the British bellhanger.

Gets Hearty Welcome.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

"Welcome and welcome," said he joyously. "I have been juggling bells with both hands and feet for two days or more. Now you can do it." The first step, according to the master carillon man, will be the construction of ranks for the bells. While that is in progress the bells will remain in the warehouse ... A group of four or five workmen under Mr. Townsend's supervision is all that is required, and Mr. Townsend was confident ... that he could have the carillon done within four weeks — five at the very latest ... Mr. Townsend ... has hung all of the carillons that are in the United States ... The one for St. Chrysostom's is the fourth in the United States and the only one west of the Atlantic seaboard.

The installation proceeded smoothly after this crisis, and the carillon was ready for use on Easter Sunday, April 17. The Daily News proudly reported that its radio station WMAQ would broadcast the first performance. Dr. Hutton and the vestry were concerned that the publicity would attract so many visitors at the 11:00 service that regular parishioners would be unable to be admitted. To assure space for parishioners, a ticket system was adopted; pewholders received blue priority tickets admitting them to reserved seats before 10:45 a.m., while others on the mailing list were sent white tickets for admission after 10:45. Visitors would be admitted only if space remained after all ticket holders had been seated. The use of tickets on Easter Sunday continued for nearly forty years until it was eliminated during Robert Hall's rectorship.

The first performance of the carillon was featured in both the religious and society columns of the Tribune. The Reverend W.B. Norton, religion editor, wrote: "The playing of the new $50,000 carillon this morning at 10:30 at St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church ... will be the most interesting Easter event of which we know and the one most thoroughly typical of the gladness expressed by the faith of Christendom in the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

The society feature took a different approach, all too familiar to parishioners over the years. "Many a swelling anthem will be lifted today in hundreds of churches to tell the glory of Easter, but chiming over them all will be the chorus from the bronze throats of the 43 bells that make up the new carillon installed at St. Chrysostom's Church as the gift of Richard T. Crane ... Harold B. Simonds, organist of the church on North Dearborn Parkway, will play. A large congregation drawn from Chicago's most fashionable circles is expected to attend."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

On the following day Tribune society columnist Mildred Jacklon referred to "St. Chrysostom's smart gray stone edifice" and commented that "few of those who were listening to the limpid pealing were aware when Mr. and Mrs. Crane made their way unostentatiously into the church." A detailed description of the attire of Mrs. Crane and a number of other worshippers followed. We may be certain that the ticket holders included many persons who may or may not have been members of "Chicago's most fashionable circles," but whose contributions to the parish were warmly welcomed without regard to wardrobe or social status.

The weather cooperated for the occasion (Mildred Jacklon described it as "like a rare day in June"). The carillon program began with the Easter hymn "The Strife Is O'er" and continued with "The Church's One Foundation" and "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name." After the service Mr. Simonds returned to the carillon to play "America," the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the hymns "Jesus Shall Reign" and "Nearer, My God, to Thee." He had spent some time studying under Mercersburg (Pa.) Academy carillonneur Anton Brees; Mr. Brees came to Chicago later that week for a month-long series of recitals ending with the formal dedication of the carillon on May 15 at 3:30 p.m., an occasion reserved for Crane family members and long-time Crane employees. The day's program included a composition by Mr. Brees and arrangements of songs, hymns and classical pieces, concluding with the Belgian national anthem "La Brabançonne" and the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Parish activities were not neglected during the construction period. A letter from a Canadian who attended St. Chrysostom's on March 22, 1925, gives an interesting picture of the impression made by the service on a visitor:

March 24, 1925 Canadian Bank of Commerce

Toronto

My Dear Mr. Rector:

Perhaps you will pardon a stranger writing to you but as one of three Canadians who attended your service on Sunday last in the morning, I would just like to express to you on their behalf our appreciation of your splendid service and the fine straightforward sermon which you gave. It is a great pleasure to one who moves about much to be able to attend the service of the fine old Church especially when

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

it is conducted in such a churchlike and dignified manner. We also appreciated the warm welcome that was given to us by the sidesmen as we entered the church. It may interest you to know that one of the gentlemen accompanying me was Sir Joseph Flavelle, Bart., of Toronto and another was J.A. Machray, K.C., of Winnipeg, Chancellor of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert's Land. With best wishes to you and to your project which you have in hand, which one takes it is to complete the structure on the same lines as the Church House and vestry, and if so it will be a magnificent building,

Yours very sincerely, C.W. Rowley

On November 1, 1925, the first day of services in the new church, the bulletin paid tribute to retiring senior acolyte Vernon Walther, who was soon to marry parishioner Myrtle Wendt and who had been honored at a dinner given by the Altar Guild at which Frederick Spalding, on behalf of the rector and vestry, had presented him with an engraved silver tray. The Altar Guild's gift to the couple was a silver meat tray; the acolytes' gift, an electric heater.

Students home from college and boarding school for Christmas were honored at the 11:00 service on December 20 and listed by name in the bulletin, a practice which continued for some years; by 1927 the roll of names numbered over one hundred. The Lenten services of 1926 followed a similar schedule to those of previous years (Evening Prayer on Tuesday and Wednesday, Holy Communion on Thursday mornings at 7:30) but reflected contemporary themes. Addresses on "Prophetic Voices in Modern Drama" were delivered at the Wednesday evening services; the modern tone continued on Palm Sunday, when a guest preacher, the Reverend Edwin W. Todd, took as his sermon topic "Judas Iscariot, a Psychoanalytic Study."

Harold Simonds' annual reports (printed in the bulletins) give information on the musical program in his first years as organist and choirmaster. In January 1926 the choir sang at a festival service at St. Luke's Church, Evanston, and on Good Friday evening, 1927, performed Gaul's "Passion Music." The choir gave an annual concert of sacred music at the Lower North Community Council at 1120 North Clark Street; vestry member Frederick West was actively involved with this organization, which sponsored lectures and other activities for area residents. "In the selection of music great care has been used to secure only the best church music," wrote Mr. Simonds in his report for 1926. "To this end Anthems and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Canticles by composers from various countries were chosen." There followed a list of the nationalities of the composers; American, English, French, Russian, German, Austrian, Scandinavian and Italian.

Mr. Simonds' title was changed from "organist and choirmaster" to "organist, choirmaster and carillonneur" after the installation of the new carillon, and $1500 of his $2300 salary was paid from the Crane endowment fund. "On account of the fact that there is so little music published for the carillon, it is necessary for every carillonneur to arrange his own scores," commented Mr. Simonds in his report for 1927; by the end of the year he had increased his repertoire from eight numbers loaned by Anton Brees to 129 numbers — hymns, folk songs, opera, classical and modern compositions, and popular songs.

The Church School continued to thrive. In 1924 an honors system was introduced; pupils with perfect attendance were awarded a pin and a book, those with absence qualified by a valid excuse received a pin only. (Illness and absence from the city were the only excuses accepted; the latter required attendance at another church school. Students absent because of quarantine for a contagious disease received honorable mention.) In 1926 one of the honor students was Louise Neff, who became head of the Community Center in 1933 and continued as an active member of the parish after her marriage to William Collins; the couple's three daughters attended Sunday School at St. Chrysostom's, and Louise Collins served as head of the Altar Guild from 1961 to 1964.

Other familiar names in the 1926 honors list included the Redmond children, the Huttons' younger son Butler (the older Hutton children were now away at school) and Orville Hicks. On one occasion Orville's attendance record was in jeopardy; a 1925 Church School newspaper tells of "an SOS call ... from 352 Locust Street, residence of Orville Hicks, there immured and unable to reach the chapel for the 9:30 service" since his older brother Elmer was already at church for a Brotherhood of St. Andrew function. "Message conveyed to John Lehr. Buick under way at once southbound. Orville back in time for service and looking very happy." The system was effective in maintaining attendance; in the 1927-28 school year the average attendance was 228 of 258 pupils enrolled. A Church School table at the 1927 bazaar brought in $155.00.

The children continued to collect canned goods for St. Mary's Home for Children at Thanksgiving; in 1927 over 400 items were taken to the home, while at Christmas the Church School sent a box of 160 gifts for children to a mountain parish in Virginia. (In 1925 they had made a Christmas donation of cigarettes to the Seamen's Church Institute.) Gloria Chandler directed the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church children's Easter and Christmas pageants; the primary children too young to participate in the pageant sang carols at the services. During the summers of 1926 and 1927 an informal Sunday program for children was held, following the "visual method of religious education"; motion pictures on Biblical themes were shown in the gymnasium.

The junior choir (now made up exclusively of girls) had a membership of between 35 and 40; it sang at the Church School worship service and weekday Lenten services, at the 11:00 service during July when the senior choir was on vacation, and "in conjunction with the Senior Choir at sundry occasional Offices and high Feasts during the year." Each year the Altar Guild honored the group at a luncheon, and choir members spent two weeks each summer at Camp Oronoko.

The list of Church School teachers in the late 1920s included two persons who would serve for many years in this capacity and who would have an impact on generations of parishioners. L. Parsons Warren was the speaker at the school's award service on May 31, 1925. His parents had been members of St. Chrysostom's in its earliest days; Fannie Warren had been one of the members of the 1894 committee to raise funds for the Dearborn Avenue building, and William Warren served briefly on the vestry in 1896 before the family moved north and transferred its membership to St. Peter's Church. Pat Warren (as he was always known) and his wife Elizabeth returned to St. Chrysostom's in the mid-1920s. Elizabeth Warren died in 1927; three years later Mr. Warren married Nancy Galbraith, and the couple had a son Parsons, Jr. Henrietta Newton recalled Mr. Warren's work with the Church School. "He always showed such love and concern for the children. He had a special watch — I believe it showed the time zones of the world — and the children loved to look at it."

Mrs. Newton (then Henrietta Raschke), an elementary school teacher, began teaching second grade at St. Chrysostom's but shortly afterward transferred to the kindergarten. Church School students from the late 1920s until the mid-1960s, including the present author, began their religious education under her instruction; her teaching skills, firm faith and loving concern provided a strong foundation for the Christian life of uncounted numbers of children.

In the fall of 1926 an adult Bible class taught by assistant rector Taylor Willis was added to the church's religious education program. "Ignorance of the Bible was the outstanding characteristic of each side in the Biblical debate known as the 'Scopes Trial,'" read a bulletin announcement on October 10. "On the one side the Bible was misquoted. On the other it was misinterpreted. The result was ludicrous to the scoffer and pathetic to the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church enlightened." A later announcement noted that "the text used is the Bible itself ... and the assignments are for daily reading of selected passages of scripture by members of the class. The method of instruction is by lecture, with an opportunity for discussion of topics bearing on modern conditions of life."

The Girls' Friendly Society had added basketball to its list of activities; by the spring of 1927 two junior teams were formed under the auspices of the group. An Episcopal Athletic League basketball team, composed of past and present members of Lawrence Hall for Boys and sponsored by the Men's Club, played every Tuesday evening in the gymnasium.

The Men's Club was successfully reestablished in 1927. Men eighteen and over were invited to a meeting on Sunday evening, January 8, at which a former president of the Men's Club of St. Luke's Church, Evanston, described the work of that 300-member group. Angus Hibbard, a member of the Men's Club of fifteen years earlier and for many years actively involved in the diocese's all-male Church Club, was elected president, Pat Warren vice-president, John Astley-Cock secretary-treasurer, and the directors included Stephen Hord, Harry Remke, Frederick Spalding and Joseph Thompson. The group's plans, according to a February 20 bulletin notice, included "inviting neighbours to attend church services and making widely known all week-day activities arising out of clubs and the Community Center." Both men and women were invited to the club's final meeting of the season in May, at which Capt. Raymond N. Larsen spoke on "Communism and the Red Movement," a subject "of vital importance to the economic life of the country."

The Cloister Mummers' performances were no longer confined to the parish. In the summer of 1924 400 campers and residents attended the group's performance at Camp Oronoko, and the trip became for some years an annual event. The Mummers also performed at hospitals, clubs and other institutions. A letter from Maude Sayer of the Hines Hospital staff praised the group's performance there in early 1927: "Plays may come and plays may go, but Dulcy will, for some time to come, hold a green spot in the memory of a large number of patients ... The audience as one man declares the evening one of the most enjoyable we have had. Is it too much to ask that you number the Edward Hines Junior Memorial Hospital among the groups you are going to favour in the future?" In the spring of 1928 the group entered a "Tournament of Plays" arranged by the Drama League of Chicago; Harold Simonds, playing the role of John Redford in The Pipes of Pan, was awarded a gold wristwatch as winner of the first individual prize for Voice and Diction. The Women's Guild used part of the proceeds from its 1925 Christmas bazaar to fund a new stage and theater equipment; the Guild also

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church financed the purchase of a "Panatrope" to supply music at the Tuesday Nighters' informal dances.

After the completion of the new church building, there must have been an increase in the number of large weddings scheduled at St. Chrysostom's. The April 25, 1926 bulletin commented:

Some people ... demand so much service and time that ... charges must be made otherwise the schedule of the Parish cannot be maintained. An elaborate wedding demands full time of both vergers for the day of the ceremony, and another half day to clean up; frequently extra help must be hired for overtime. The Church must be heated and lighted for both rehearsal and wedding. New candles must be used every time and special holders for these installed. If ... an elaborate ceremony is preferred, the charges made are those sufficient only to cover the cost; in the case of a simple wedding absolutely no charge is made.

Full choir 125.00

Organist's fee 30.00

Verger's fee 10.00

Assistant verger's fee 5.00

Candles 15.00

Light/heat 15.00

Although no charge was made for the use of the church, it was hoped that the family would make a donation to the endowment fund to mark the occasion.

The Social Service Committee remained in existence. According to the group's annual report for 1927, it sought "to help families with several children so that by assuming all or part of the deficit in their budget for a period of from three to twenty-four months ... these families work into a more hopeful situation and are kept together while this is being

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church accomplished." The group also provided assistance with child care, help to the unemployed seeking jobs, and donations of clothing where needed; half of its budget of $3500 was used for the Community Center.

The Center's own activities continued to expand. The 1928 closing exercises extended over a three-day period. On Friday, May 25, the work of the manual training and sewing groups was displayed, the dramatic class presented two short plays, the Boy Scouts demonstrated First Aid and the Girl Scouts gave a short sketch; an all-day hike to the Forest Preserve was planned for Saturday and the season ended with a party on Monday afternoon, May 28.

Josephine Schnitzler, who had recently resigned as parish secretary, was honored at the 1927 annual meeting. Norman Hutton spoke of her devotion to the interest of the parish and to him personally during his eighteen years at St. Chrysostom's; in addition, she received a farewell gift of two months' salary — $300.00.

A change which made surprisingly little impact on the parish was the introduction of the 1928 Prayer Book. The November 6, 1927 bulletin listed changes in the revised Holy Communion service; a shorter form of the Ten Commandments, the use of "The Lord be with you" and the response "And with thy spirit" before the words "Let us pray," introduction of Proper Prefaces for several additional holy days, changes in the position of the Prayer of Humble Access and the Lord's Prayer, and variations in the wording of certain prayers and canticles. General Convention had authorized the use of the changes before the new book came into use, and St. Chrysostom's had begun to adopt them. Except for the announcement of the gift of a new service book during Stephen Keeler's rectorship, no other mention is made of the change, a considerable contrast to the circumstances surrounding the adoption of the 1979 Prayer Book fifty years later.

Through most of the 1920s, assistants at St. Chrysostom's generally remained only for short periods, leaving for other parishes after a year or two. Often during Dr. Hutton's three-month summer vacation it had been necessary to arrange for a supply priest. The Reverend W. Taylor Willis, the 1925 summer supply, made a good impression on the congregation; later that fall he returned as guest preacher and in early 1926 was named assistant rector. Mr. Willis was the first of a number of clergy in the history of the parish with ties to the diocese and state of Virginia. A 1905 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, he had taught at private schools and at his alma mater before attending Virginia Theological Seminary; after his ordination he had served at parishes in Virginia and West Virginia, and had been a military chaplain in the 1916 border dispute with Mexico and from 1917 to 1919 in

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

France. After the war, as rector of Christ Church, Mount Pleasant, West Virginia, he had been involved in community service, founding a Kiwanis Club organization and working with the Boy Scouts. He remained active in veterans' affairs with the American Legion and as chaplain of the National Guard, in which he held the rank of major. In 1927 his title was changed to associate rector, probably reflecting his assumption of additional responsibilities in the parish.

The choice of such an experienced man as assistant was almost certainly influenced by the state of the rector's health. Bulletins and vestry minutes of the 1920s record parish growth but do not note the health problems affecting Dr. Hutton and his family during these years. In November 1926 Dr. Hutton presented a letter to the vestry:

On May 1st, 1927, I shall have served this parish as Rector for eighteen years. Unblessed by any unusual gifts, I have worked hard and given all I had of strength and love to the work. In this, I have been happy beyond my power of expression ... For the past three years, I have been ill, or indisposed much of the time, and the Vestry has been most considerate in granting me long periods of rest — only so could I have accomplished as much as I have. Returning to the Parish now, after a long rest, I feel unable to put into its task the same energy I have been accustomed to expend, and I feel I must take a longer respite from work. I, therefore, beg to submit my resignation as Rector of St. Chrysostom's parish ... I do so with deep regret, but confident I am taking the wisest course for the Parish and myself ... My love is here in this work, and my life — I think — is here. I am grateful to a great Vestry and a loving people for my many happy years of service.

The vestry did not accept his resignation. Instead, it voted him a six months' leave of absence "in grateful recognition of [his] faithful and devoted leadership" with the hope that it would restore his health. The Huttons began their leave just after Easter, 1927, but returned in May for the dedication of the carillon before departing on an extended European trip.

Before Dr. Hutton's departure, parishioners had expressed to him their desire to see the church consecrated. According to canon law at the time, this could only take place if the church were free of debt. Although the parish house and church had been consecrated without exceeding the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church amount contributed, there was still debt owing on the land which would need to be paid off before the consecration could take place. An announcement appeared in the bulletin of March 6, 1927:

An Adventure for God

There has lately developed among the Parishioners an earnest desire to have our Church building consecrated. This probably has arisen from the general satisfaction that the building is so beautiful ... that it ought to be set apart for all time as a consecrated edifice.

No Church can be consecrated so long as it has a debt. The mortgage on our property is $60,000, the annual interest on which is $3,600.

This is a real burden to us. Twelve people ... have voluntarily ... given $8,750 to pay off this debt. Encouraged by this spontaneous action, the Vestry has authorized a movement to collect $100,000 to extinguish the debt ... and place ... $40,000 in the Endowment Fund, which now amounts to $25,000. This will, humanly speaking, place the Parish on such a solid foundation that it will be able to endure the vicissitudes of an urban population which shifts with every returning season. No Parish of downtown location can long endure unless it have an endowment. We are building for the future, and an effort like this is the best assurance that the money we have put in the present buildings will be preserved and perpetuated. This is an adventure for God: a real opportunity to have a permanent memorial of earnest work and devoted love by a Parish which has seen a great vision and wishes to leave to the future greatness of Chicago a centre of human service and helpfulness.

Bulletins of early 1928 touched on changing neighborhood conditions which made an endowment fund necessary.

The imperative need of Endowments in a city parish is the outgrowth of conditions which have brought us huge hotels and apartments instead of houses. The clientele of a city Parish is far less dependable now than ten years ago. People are away longer periods and much more frequently. We must insure the future by adequate provision against adverse neighborhood conditions.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

There will never be fewer people to minister to in our neighborhood, but many more — but the support of those who dwell in apartments and hotels is always less than those who own their own homes, and the house holder is rapidly vanishing. So let us build for the future and be prepared for the greater Chicago that is to be.

By March 13, 1927 twenty-two subscriptions totaling $11,500 had been received for the "$100,000 Fund." Considerable effort was devoted to fund-raising in late 1927 and early 1928; as in previous fund drives, contributions of any amount were welcomed and it was hoped that as many parishioners as possible would take part. The goal was reached in March 1928.

The list of contributors to the $100,000 Fund appeared in the March 25 bulletin and is preserved in a hand-lettered list in parish archives. The first name is that of Mrs. J. Russell Adams, whose late husband had been a member of the mission's Finance Committee in 1893 and of the parish's first vestry in 1894. Thomas and Elizabeth Hinde had contributed to the fund for the 1894 building and to the 1913 parish house, while Bertha Baur, Margaret Conover, Frederic Norcross, the George Ranneys, Frederick Spalding and the Albert Spragues were others who had contributed to the 1913 parish house appeal. Well-known names such as Chauncey Keep, William Wrigley, Jr., and John Crerar appeared alongside those of parishioners who were less socially and financially prominent. Rachel Jagoe, long active in the Mothers' Club, had made a contribution to the fund before her death in late 1927; her daughter Jennie was also a contributor, as were chief acolyte Elmer Tengberg, a clerk with Commonwealth Edison, and Edith MacPherson, a children's nurse employed by the James E. Montgomery family (one of the Montgomery children, James Winchester, would later become the ninth bishop of Chicago). Contributors to the Church School Children's Birthday Endowment Fund, listed in a separate section, included Betty Vilas (later Betty Hedblom), who served on the vestry from 1983 to 1987 and whose children attended St. Chrysostom's Sunday School.

Harold and Lucille Simonds and their children David and Katherine were listed as contributors, as were a number of members of the choir. Soprano Myrtle Peplow (later Myrtle Steele), a contributor who had been a participant in the 1914 New Year's Eve dance, was profiled in the May 1970 issue of the parish newspaper the Bee-Hive by her fellow choir member Anne Shumate. "Each new choir member ... is told to report to Mrs. Steele who assigns him a robe ... Every month, she gathers up ... the white cottas to be sent out for cleaning and ... does any mending necessary. It is hardly less than astounding that Mrs. Steele has performed this duty since she was

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church taken out of her Sunday School class to do so when she was only fourteen years old. [She] is one of those rare parishioners ... christened, confirmed and married at St. Chrysostom's. Because she has been singing with the choir for the same amount of time that she has been wardrobe mistress, she is undoubtedly its senior member ... a talented and capable artist [who] has worked in several major art studios doing wood painting, wood antiquing, gold etching on china and china painting." Other choir contributors to the fund included soprano and church school teacher Charlotte Howard, a member of the parish until her death in 1991; contralto Helen Eldred, who had been baptized by Mr. Snively in 1898 and remained at St. Chrysostom's into the 1970s; tenors Elden Day (the "noted boy soprano" of the early Hutton years) and Harry Brauns (the soprano soloist at the Good Friday evening concert of 1910, who had attended the choir camp and contributed $3.00 to the 1913 parish house fund drive), and baritone Robert Betty, a member of the choir for fifty years at the time of his retirement in 1967.

The extended leave granted to Dr. Hutton had unfortunately not sufficed to restore his health. On September 1, 1928, he wrote again to the vestry:

After serving for almost twenty years as Rector of St. Chrysostom's Parish, it is with deep regret that I find it no longer possible to continue, and hereby send to the Vestry my resignation to take effect not later than January 1st, 1929. In making the decision, I am deeply conscious of the action of the Vestry for the last two years in giving me a leave of absence for half of each year, in the hope that I might work out my problems and remain as Rector. This hope I have been unable to accomplish, and the reasons for my resignation are as follows: 1. For the past three years, I have found it increasingly difficult to meet the heavy demands of the Parish as Pastor, Preacher and Organizer, due to impaired health, which while temporary, will yield to complete restoration by a year of rest. This I propose to take. 2. Mrs. Hutton has, as you know, been a semi-invalid for several years. The doctors say a prolonged rest in a warm outdoor climate will greatly benefit her. 3. My son, Butler, who is fourteen years old, has developed a bad heart, which will keep him out of school at least a year. He, too, must live out of doors in the sun, so we propose spending the winter either in Florida or California.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In severing my relations as Pastor of St. Chrysostom's I do so with the consciousness that it is my only course, and with a deep sense of many years of gracious companionship and love with the Vestry and people. For the joy and profound happiness of my long Rectorship I am grateful! It has really been and always will be my only love.

Taylor Willis also offered his resignation, which was accepted with regret; Mr. Willis left on October 14, having received a call to Christ Church, Roanoke, Virginia (described in the bulletin as "a Parish second in importance in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia").

The vestry sent a letter in early November appealing for contributions for a farewell purse for the rector. "Dr. Hutton will be leaving us shortly after Thanksgiving Day. It is hard for him to go and sad for us all because of our great love for him." After a description of the state of the parish at his arrival and a tribute to his care for those in sickness or grief, the letter summarized his accomplishments: the establishment of the Boy Scouts, the Social Service Committee and Camp Oronoko; the construction of the new parish house and church building; the $100,000 Fund. "These results might well have represented the work of a life time instead of only nineteen years. To Dr. Hutton — and to him alone — we owe the vision and its splendid realization. Now, as he leaves us, it is most fitting and appropriate that we present to him a worthy token of our lasting affection for him and our sincere gratitude for his unselfish devotion to our Parish and to us personally in our times of grief and sorrow, as well as in our days of joy and happiness." George Ranney hosted a farewell dinner for Dr. Hutton and the vestry on November 21, when the retiring rector was presented with a purse of $6000 and a silver platter.

Dr. Hutton's hope that the church could be consecrated before his departure was not to be fulfilled. Although the debt had been paid off, other legal requirements had not been met; a letter from the rector dated November 1 stated that "we cannot comply with the Canons within the few days remaining, nor can we make proper legal safeguard for our property without mature thought and study ... I prefer ... to take no steps at the close of my Rectorship that might be too hasty or insufficiently considered." (Parish records do not make clear the precise considerations involved.) Although the church could not be consecrated, a special service was held on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, at which the chapel, the remaining stained glass windows, and other features of the building were dedicated. A short history of the church appeared in the bulletin, describing the rectorships of Mr. Snively and Dr. Hutton (but not that of Mr. Kemp) and the church buildings. The final paragraph read:

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Thus has the physical fabric of the Parish progressively come into being. Buildings and memorials, dedicated to the glory of God, and devoted to the service of man, stood at last as monuments to forty-two years of unswerving endeavour, but the property was still encumbered with a mortgage. Consequently, February 1, 1927, a financial campaign was started for the extinguishing of the indebtedness and the enhancement of the Endowment Fund, which ended successfully the week before Easter, 1928, and at the conclusion of Dr. Hutton's administration Saint Chrysostom's Church remains for posterity a symbol of the past and a vision for the future.

The Reverend Henry Pryor Almon Abbott, rector of Grace and St. Peter's Church in Baltimore, had accepted a call in September and would come to Chicago in early December. It was planned that Dr. Hutton and Dr. Abbott would both take part in the service of December 2 and be present at the bazaar on December 6, when the retiring rector would introduce parishioners to his successor.

Dr. Hutton's final message to the congregation appeared in the bulletin for Sunday, November 25.

"Valediction"

This is my last message to you as your Rector and I send it with a glad heart, though a mixture of joy and sorrow; joy that I am to have a rest, and be able to give my entire care to my family until they can be well again; sorrow that I must sever the daily contact with those I love as I do you. For twenty years I have lived among you and you have made me happy beyond words by your devotion, loyalty and cooperation. Few men have had so wonderful and loving devotion as I; for it all I am devoutly grateful. I shall never forget you. Always, you will be in the secret recesses of my heart. In leaving this Parish, I commend to you but one thing: that you sustain my successor with the same loyalty, that you support his work with the same enthusiasm, that you extend to him the same devotion which you have afforded me through twenty years, so that the Lord may prosper His handiwork, and that this Parish may continue to grow in the abundant grace of Jesus Christ.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Dr. Hutton's farewell message to his successor is also worth quoting: "I have tried to build the Parish on the principles of allegiance and loyalty to our Christ, rather than to myself, and I realize the test is now coming. I do hope that you will find that it was built on Christ, and not on myself. If in all honesty you could ever tell me that, it would make me happier than anything else in the world."

At various times the vestry and parish discussed the possibility of a suitable memorial to Norman Hutton but never determined on one, feeling that the buildings themselves were his memorial. In a very real sense not only the buildings but the entire subsequent history of the church serve to memorialize Dr. Hutton and to confirm his hope that the parish had been built on Christ. Norman Hutton's willingness to accept the challenge of revitalizing a "discouraged and almost disbanded" parish may well have preserved the life of St. Chrysostom's; under his guidance the church grew into a position of leadership, ministering effectively to its own members and reaching out to serve many persons beyond its borders in the community. All who have been associated with St. Chrysostom's since that time may give thanks to God for Norman Hutton's ministry.

In future years, historians of the parish would ignore this period and would not count Mr. Kemp as one of the official list of rectors; fortieth, fiftieth and seventy-fifth anniversary materials perhaps understandably made no mention of him.

A son (also named Edward Butler) born to the Huttons in the summer of 1909 died shortly after birth.

By 1914 Mr. Astley-Cock used this form of his name; in earlier years he is referred to as Lucius A. Cock. To avoid confusion I have referred to him as John Astley-Cock throughout this history.

Elizabeth Redmond is one of five "second generation" vestry members in parish history. Others are William S. and L. Parsons Warren; William Cox and William Cox, Jr.; William and Cynthia Caples; and Bennet Harvey and Bennet Harvey, Jr.

Summer encampments for the choirboys are mentioned in vestry minutes as early as 1895.

In 1913 the vestry paid $43.95 "expenses in connection with the services of Elmer [sic] Day, soprano solo." He continued in the choir well beyond his

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church years as a boy soprano; he contributed to "$100,000 Fund" of 1927-28 and sang as tenor in the choir at Bishop Keeler's consecration in June 1931.

"Little Bobbie Hall"'s full name was Robert Howell Hall, incorporating the names of two priests who would later become rectors of the parish.

The group apparently had no connection with the Forward Movement devotional readings which originated some years later.

After Fr. Anastasi left St. John's in the early 1920s the mission continued for a short time under the auspices of the Church of the Ascension. It had closed by 1924.

This structure forms the north part of the present parish house; the "assembly room" is the present Harding Room.

Mr. Forgan was a member of Dr. Stone's congregation at Fourth Presbyterian Church. His son James Jr. had married Lawrence Meeker's sister Margaret at St. Chrysostom's in January.

Western Seminary, then on Chicago's West Side, moved to Evanston in the late 1920s. It adopted the name Seabury-Western after merging with Minnesota's Seabury Seminary in 1932.

Until his death, Frederic Norcross gave flowers in his wife's memory on the last Sunday in June, a tradition continued by their daughter Catherine until her death in 1949. Two other gifts to the parish honor members of the family. The vestibule is a memorial to Alice Norcross' sister Ethel Wrenn, and the drinking fountain in the cloister to A. Manvel Wrenn (1900-1920).

Then, as now, altar flowers were taken to sick or shut-in parishioners.

Choir salaries are recorded in vestry minutes as early as 1894/95, when "choir allowances and salaries" totaled $83.30. In 1912 salaries totaled $1200 a year.

It is uncertain how long the group remained in existence. A minute book in parish archives records 1916 meetings.

Elizabeth Redmond suggests that there may have been some fear of contracting tuberculosis from the common cup.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Mr. Vigeant had been a soprano soloist at the Easter service of March 30, 1902 and was confirmed in 1915. He had died by the time the building project was resumed in 1920.

Frederick Spalding and Virginia Tabb had previously given the parish a flag in memory of their deceased brother Vincent (Virginia Tabb's twin), who had died of typhoid fever on May 30, 1896 (Memorial Day). The flag was dedicated on Memorial Day 1915.

The word "regular" alluded both to Mr. Sprague's service in the regular army and to the common phrase of approval, "a regular fellow."

Gibbons, a Tribune war correspondent, lost an eye at the battle of Chateau-Thierry in 1918.

She is probably the "Mrs. Temple" whose doughnuts sold so rapidly at the 1917 bazaar.

Hannah and William Bishop came to Winnetka from Duluth in 1908 and were in charge of Christ Church's Sunday School. After her husband's death in 1913 Mrs. Bishop became the first woman director of religious education there.

Brochures from the camp seasons of 1924 and 1930 with lists of contributors survive in parish archives. The "well wishers ... with no connection to the parish" included both former campers and well known business and professional people, as well as Daily News employees ranging from publisher Victor Lawson to office boy Harold Bergander.

The parish resumed this practice in 1998.

The ushers included Prescott Bush of Columbus, Ohio, whose son and grandson would later serve as president of the United States.

Catherine Norcross' wedding party, like that of her sister's, included an usher with presidential ties; W. Sheffield Cowles, nephew of Theodore Roosevelt.

The Ethical Culture Society, according to the 1949 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, had as its object "to assert the supreme importance of the ethical factor in all relations of life ... apart from any theological ... considerations," stressing morality, intellectual development, and the use of income not needed for genuine personal needs for "the elevation of the working classes." It is uncertain why a representative of this group was

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church asked to take part in the service, but possibly Dr. Bridges expressed his support for St. Chrysostom's ministry to persons in need beyond its membership.

Early reports suggested the possibility of suicide; later stories indicate that his death may have been accidental.

Mr. Spalding had served briefly on the vestry at the end of Mr. Snively's tenure but had resigned after the appointment of Mr. Kemp as rector.

Charles Connick personally designed all the stained glass except the north vestibule window and the clerestory windows in the center aisle, which were designed and installed after his death.

A detailed description of the parish's stained glass appears in Joanna Zander's excellent seventy-fifth anniversary volume, The Story of St. Chrysostom's.

The original correspondence with Connick concerning the Chapin gift dates from several months before Chester Chapin's death in September 1923. Possibly the window was originally intended as a memorial to other family members.

It is not known when the font was moved from its location by the Virgin Mary window to the back of the church. In the late 1960s the font was again moved near the Virgin Mary window, but was returned to the back of the church in the late 1970s.

John and Bertha King were residents of New York City and do not appear to have been affiliated with St. Chrysostom's.

As the couple had become acquainted when spending summers in Highland Park, their choice of a church was probably made for sentiment's sake. However, the state of St. Chrysostom's at that time (shortly after Robert Kemp's departure) may also have influenced them.

James Mackay, in his biography, Allan Pinkerton: the first private eye (John Wiley & Sons, 1997) recounts Pinkerton's opposition to his daughter's marriage to William Chalmers; though at last consenting to the marriage, Pinkerton "went to his grave convinced that [William Chalmers] would never amount to more than a clerk in his father's counting-house." Mackay states that William and Joan Chalmers were, in later years, "the undisputed leaders of Chicago society," adding that Joan Chalmers "ruled her own family with an iron fist" but had a "surprisingly flippant side to her nature; one

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church newspaper in the 1930s reported how the octogenarian socialite could unbend, by dancing a cakewalk."

Mrs. Chalmers' obituary in the January 26, 1940 Tribune states that her sister Isabelle Pinkerton had been "crippled." In 1911 the Chalmers family made a gift of a home for "crippled children" near Wheaton.

Elizabeth Redmond cites a rumor, current at the time though never confirmed, that the altar had been originally designed for a church which later underwent financial problems and was unable to afford the purchase.

The Cranes were not in fact members of the parish, but lived at 1550 Lake Shore Drive and attended services at St. Chrysostom's when in the city.

In 1924, when a total of 492 persons received Communion at the Easter Sunday services, it had been necessary to turn away people at the 11:00 service. 607 people received Holy Communion at the 1927 services.

Mrs. Jacklon's coverage tended to be florid. In her society column the previous Easter she had written, "St. Chrysostom's itself was all in new Easter toggery of Gothic design, the former quaint little ivy covered church having given way since last Easter to an imposing array of gray stone buildings."

According to a researcher studying the life and career of architect R. Buckminster Fuller who contacted the author in the mid-1990s, Fuller attended, and was strongly influenced by, Mr. Willis’ lectures on the church and modern society (perhaps those on the Scopes trial or similar topics).

Parish records indicate that Myrtle Peplow had in fact been baptized in the Lutheran church. She was confirmed in 1910 and married Raymond Steele at St. Chrysostom's on December 6, 1936 in a ceremony conducted by Dudley Stark.

No information has been found concerning the portrait of Norman Hutton which now hangs in the Harding Room; parishioners from Dr. Hutton's time have been unable to supply information on it.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 6

Henry Pryor Almon Abbott: A Brief Tenure, 1928-1929

In 1908 and 1909, when St. Chrysostom's had last been without a rector, the parish was on the verge of collapse and the first man chosen had refused the call. Twenty years later the situation was very different. The Reverend Henry Pryor Almon Abbott was one of the most distinguished priests in the church. He had been born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 11, 1881, the son of the Reverend John and Ella Almon Abbott. The Almons were descended from the 17th century Massachusetts Puritan divine Increase Mather. A great-grandson, the Reverend Mather Byles, converted to the Church of England and emigrated to Canada after the Revolutionary War; the Dictionary of Canadian Biography includes biographical sketches of several members of the Byles and Almon families. The new rector's older brother Mather was headmaster of Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.

Henry Pryor Almon Abbott was a graduate of King's College in Windsor, Nova Scotia, and had studied in England at St. Stephen's House, Oxford. After short periods as assistant at St. Luke's Cathedral, Halifax, and St. James the Apostle Church, Montreal, he had been appointed rector and dean of the cathedral at Hamilton, Ontario while still in his twenties. In 1914 he became dean of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, and five years later was named rector of Grace and St. Peter's Church in Baltimore. Dr. Abbott and his wife Rachel were the parents of five children: Paul, Rachel, Osler, Faith and Nancy.

He had preached at least once at St. Chrysostom's (at a Wednesday evening Lenten service on March 14, 1917), and had on several occasions been the preacher at noonday midweek Lenten services in the Loop. Former parishioners of Trinity Church who had moved north and affiliated with St. Chrysostom's may well have remembered him; newspaper stories state that in 1910 he was seriously considered for the rectorship of Trinity. Dr. Abbott was the author of several books, and before his fortieth birthday was listed in Who's Who in America. He had in the recent past refused calls to several well-known churches in the United States and Canada and had on four occasions been nominated for bishop; the parish felt a measure of pride that such a notable priest had accepted the call to St. Chrysostom's. Betty Redmond recalls him as distinguished in appearance, with a slight English or Canadian accent.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Dr. Abbott's first Sunday in full charge of the parish was December 9, 1928. His message to the congregation in that day's bulletin conveyed a pleasant note: "I greet many of you this morning, my dear friends, as my new Parishioners. I know that your hearts are sad to see a stranger in the pulpit; but for Dr. Hutton's dear sake, and for charity's sweet sake, you are going to give me welcome, and cooperate with me to the utmost of your individual and corporate ability. I am new to you, and you are new to me, and so we are going to meet on the grounds of mutual loneliness and comfort and encourage one another."

Dr. Abbott immediately introduced changes in the service schedule, adding celebrations of Holy Communion on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. "I shall begin these ... in faith, and continue them, I hope, with increasing numbers present. I cannot bear the thought of this lovely Church being vacant of Church Services, save on Saints' Days, and from Sunday to Sunday. I need the Blessed Sacrament several times a week myself, and I hope that there are members of the Congregation who will come to feel the same way about it." Since that date, midweek services have remained on the parish calendar almost continuously; the Tuesday service, scheduled on the day of the Women's Guild weekly meeting, formed an important addition to that group's program. Although Dr. Abbott's hope that "we may eventually work up to a daily Celebration" has not been realized in the ensuing sixty-five years, midweek services have been an important part of parish worship, and their benefit can surely not be measured by attendance numbers alone.

The new rector, though planning to call on every family in the parish, also made it a point to attend meetings of parish organizations; he was a guest of the Tuesday Nighters and of the Men's Club in his first week at St. Chrysostom's. His letter to the congregation not long after the Men's Club meeting described changes in ushering practices designed to reduce the amount of time that unoccupied rented pews were held for pewholders at the start of the service. (They apparently did not prove a complete solution to the problem, since the topic was frequently discussed at vestry meetings in ensuing years.)

The Altar Guild had in previous years been small in number; nine members attended the group's corporate communion in the children's chapel in 1923, and the size of the group seems to have remained relatively steady during Norman Hutton's years as rector. The addition of midweek services to the schedule may have influenced Dr. Abbott to reorganize the group and broaden its membership. Now known as the Altar Society, the group had two classes of membership; communicants "willing to take part in the regular work of the Society" were eligible for active membership, while others could

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church express their interest by becoming associate members. Dues for both groups were $2 per year, and active members were expected to join the sanctuary, floral decoration, clergy vestments, choir curators or church care and order committees according to their interest. (The constitution as quoted in the January 27, 1929 bulletin does not indicate that membership was restricted to women; however, the description of the society states that Dr. Abbott was "most anxious that every woman communicant ... should become a member of the Altar Society.")

He began a weekly group as part of the Women's Guild which would roll bandages for Chicago hospitals and institutions: "We want to give our young women who are doing such worthwhile things outside the church the opportunity of doing worthwhile things within the church ... The meetings will be in the mornings or afternoons, in accordance with the convenience of the greatest number, and, if held in the afternoons ... will finish with Afternoon Tea."

Dr. Abbott maintained his predecessor's tradition of having a service at Christmastime honoring students home from school for the holidays, a practice he was probably happy to continue since his two sons were among those in this group; Paul was a student at Princeton, while Osler attended Lawrenceville School where his uncle was headmaster. On New Year's Day the new rector wrote a letter to the congregation: he was continuing an annual resolution to take special care in the preparation of his sermons and hoped that the more than twelve hundred parishioners on the membership list would resolve to attend church every Sunday morning when "unhindered by illness and present in the city." His letter apparently had some effect; at the new rector's first vestry meeting on January 13 senior warden Frederic Norcross "emphasize[d] the noticeable increase of attendance at the Sunday services." At this meeting Dr. Abbott presented a resolution (which passed unanimously) naming Dr. Hutton rector emeritus of the parish.

A series of "advertising 'dodgers'" delivered weekly during January at homes and apartments in the vicinity of the church provide insight into Dr. Abbott's sermon topics and his approach to attracting nonchurchgoers.

If you are not a member of any church will you not attend some of our Services and give us an opportunity to persuade you to become a member of our church? We are anxious to serve our neighborhood and to make our parish "a praise in the community." To that end, we want to have you with us.

The sermon topic for Sunday, January 6, was "The Art of Happiness"; for the following Sunday, "The World View of Christianity." On January 20, when the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church sermon was on "Doubt," the circular touched on reasons for attending church:

(1) Because Jesus Christ went to church ... Surely, it should be a case of "like Master, like disciple." (2) Because we go to church to worship God ... We go to church primarily not to GET, but to GIVE ... (3) And negatively: Because the objections to churchgoing are unworthy of the intelligence of thinking people. "The services are so dull," "I prefer to worship God in the country or at home." ... I imagine that the synagogue service in the time of Jesus was often dull ... but He attended the services regularly ... As for worshipping God in the country or at home — candidly, do you? Personally, I have never seen anyone kneeling in the woods, or assuming an attitude of prayer on the golf links.

The circular for January 27, reflecting the widespread concern with business and financial issues during the late twenties, began with a quotation from the Parable of the Talents.

"Thou oughtest therefore to have given my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest." We do that every day, so far as our secular possessions are concerned; for Chicagoans are "long" on business and well- up on rates of interest; but do we do that sort of thing in relation to our spiritual possessions? ... The suggestion is: Use your talent for Religion. If you use it, it will multiply a hundred-fold ... Take the talent ... and throw it into the service of Christ's Church ... If you do that, then you will be at home in the things of Religion, even as you are at home in the things of Commerce, and you will appreciate the significance of the words, "I am come that ye might have life, and have it more abundantly." Come to Saint Chrysostom's Church ... and hear a sermon on "The Talent of Prayer." You will find that Prayer bears its interest, and the rate is HIGH.

The new rector seemed to be making a promising start; the future appeared bright. Then, on Wednesday, January 30, came word from the diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, that Dr. Abbott had, on the eighth ballot, been elected its bishop. Two days later, he informed the diocese of his acceptance of election.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

"A Word from the Rector" in the bulletin of February 10, 1929 stated:

I have accepted my election as Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky. It is sad to have to leave you so soon after knowing you so short a time, but I have felt the unmistakable urge to accept a work that is crying out for leadership, and at much personal sacrifice. I know that you will wish me well. You have all been extraordinarily good to me and mine and, when the time comes to say "Good-bye" I shall part from you with real regret. In the meanwhile, for the next two months and more, let us work unitedly and enthusiastically to make Saint Chrysostom's a bigger and a better Church, something immeasurably worthwhile to hand on to my successor.

The specialized ministry of the diocese included an area of the Kentucky mountains where there was considerable poverty and need. The "personal sacrifice" mentioned in his message may refer to the considerably lower salary he would receive as Bishop of Lexington than as rector of St. Chrysostom's Church, as well as to the fact that he would be working in an area lacking the cultural amenities of the larger cities where he had previously lived. (Elizabeth Redmond recalls that Dr. Abbott appeared more likely to become bishop of a large metropolitan area than of a Kentucky mountain diocese.) John Henry Hopkins, in his book The Great Forty Years in the Diocese of Chicago, states that Dr. Abbott "was rector of St. Chrysostom's Church scarcely long enough to unpack his books"; a statement which may be literally true. The vestry accepted his resignation effective April 30 "with heartfelt regret and keen disappointment ... consoled by the fact that our Rector leaves to accept election as Bishop of Kentucky [sic], to which field the Vestry's best wishes follow him with hopes and prayers for success."

During the remaining period of Dr. Abbott's ministry, which included Lent and Easter, he indicated his intention to put himself "as heartily into the work as if I were to remain with you indefinitely." Dismayed by the "slackness of attendance" at services during previous Lents, he scheduled one weekly service on Wednesday evenings and urged everyone to attend if not ill or out of town. He also expressed his concern at the small attendance at the 8:00 service on Sundays: "with some thirteen hundred persons affiliated with Saint Chrysostom's Church, there is something infinitely pathetic in the handful of people who present themselves at the Altar at Eight o'clock on Sunday mornings."

On April 21 a bulletin notice invited parishioners to be present at the bishop-elect's consecration at Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington, on

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Wednesday, May 11. On what Dr. Abbott termed "the greatest and most solemn day of my life," he hoped that "just as many of my friends and well wishers as possible" would attend the service. He continued:

I would take this opportunity of expressing my warmest thanks to those members of the Parish who have presented me with a set of Bishop's Robes ... The robes are exquisite — the very best that may be procured. It is extraordinarily kind of the donors to give me such a handsome gift after my short stay among you of only five months. Words are feeble; but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You may be interested to know that my former parish, Grace and St. Peter's, Baltimore, is presenting me with another set of robes; that a dear friend of mine in Baltimore is giving me my Bishop's Ring and that the Pectoral Cross is being sent to me by friends in my last Canadian Parish, Christ Church Cathedral, Hamilton, Ontario. I am a very much spoiled middle aged man!

Pat Warren, who had been elected to the vestry in January, arranged for train reservations for parishioners wishing to attend the service (at a cost of $26.80 round trip plus $9.00 for a lower berth or $7.20 for an upper berth). The overnight trip on the Big Four Railroad left Chicago at 10:10 p.m.; we may hope that the train was on time, as it was scheduled to arrive in Lexington at 9:40 a.m., less than an hour before the service began at 10:30.

Dr. Abbott's farewell message to the congregation appeared in the bulletin of April 28.

I have been with you for five months. The time has been short; but I do not look on it as wasted time. ... I shall always look back with joy upon my residence among you, and I shall ever "thank my God upon every remembrance of you." ... I know that you will rally around my successor ... and give to him the same loyalty and cooperation that you have given to me and my distinguished predecessor. A great future lies before this Parish, a future, as yet, undreamed of by many, and you are going to have your part, each and every one of you, in making that future all that it ought to be. Leave my name and the name of Dr. Hutton out of your vocabulary and concentrate in thought and fact upon the personality of the man who is to be chosen to be your leader ... God is with you, and tomorrow is in

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

your keeping, and the things that have been will be as nothing compared to the things that are to be.

An unidentified newspaper account in parish archives, presumably from a Lexington paper, describes the consecration. Presiding Bishop John Gardner Murray was the consecrator; retired Bishop of Lexington Lewis Burton (who had served thirty-three years in the diocese) and Bishop Charles Goodcock of Kentucky were the co-consecrators. It appears that most of the clergy in attendance were known to Dr. Abbott from his days in Cleveland and Baltimore, though "Bishop Griswell" (Sheldon Griswold, the suffragan bishop of Chicago) was present. Music included an anthem, "Lord, Who Dwelleth on High" (described as "to the 'Largo' music") and Semper's "short communion service." Ewing Bonn, a Johns Hopkins graduate student who had been Dr. Abbott's acolyte in Baltimore, served as acolyte at the service. Not all the Abbott children were able to attend; Paul, Osler and Faith Abbott were at school and unable to come to Lexington for the occasion.

Although the vestry and congregation felt proud that a rector from St. Chrysostom's had been elected bishop, there must also have been feelings of loss at the departure of the new rector only a few months after his arrival. (We may share Dr. Abbott's view that the parish's gift of a set of bishop's robes was generous under the circumstances.) After his consecration, Bishop Abbott continued to preach with some regularity at midweek noonday Lenten services in the Loop and nearly always visited St. Chrysostom's on these occasions. Friendships made by Dr. Abbott among the members of the congregation in his months as rector continued throughout his life, while his institution of midweek services of Holy Communion had an influence on the parish far outlasting his tenure there.

The locum tenens (interim rector) named to serve until a permanent successor to Dr. Abbott was appointed was to have a distinguished career in his own right. The Reverend John Crippen Evans had earlier that spring been appointed religion editor of the Chicago Tribune. His past career had been varied. The son of an Iowa Methodist minister, he had attended Cornell College in that state and Wesleyan University in Connecticut and had worked as a lay missionary, a school principal, a newspaper editorial writer and a lecturer on the "Chautauqua and Lyceum circuits." He joined the Episcopal Church in adulthood and became lay missionary in charge of a small church in Montana; from 1922 to 1924 he attended Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven, after which he served for two years as rector of St. Mark's Church, Havre, Montana. He came to Chicago from St. Stephen's Church, Escanaba, Michigan, where five young men of the congregation had become candidates for the ministry during his rectorship. John Evans, his wife Belva and their

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church twelve-year-old daughter Irma moved into the parish house, at first occupying the Simonds apartment during the family's absence from the city.

Mr. Evans' sermons (whose titles were included in parish bulletins) covered a wide range of topics and were apparently well received by the congregation: they included "Sources of Christian Dynamic" (on Whitsunday), "How to Read a Newspaper," "Christ and the Growing World," "Prophets and Profits," "The Prophet Amos and the Voice of Labour" (on the day before Labor Day) and "Problems of Religious Education" (on the opening Sunday of the Church School year). Vestry minutes record his work to develop a plan for "coordinating the social efforts of the parish," presumably the work of the Social Service Committee and the Community Center.

On becoming acquainted with the parish's work at Camp Oronoko, Mr. Evans recognized story material for the Tribune: the July 28, 1929 issue contained his feature on the camp.

There they go! Sixty of them! Splash! Sixty splashes merge into one. The waters of the sleepy St. Joe River become greatly troubled, but sixty boys from Camp Oronoko are not. The hour for the 4 o'clock swim has come ... But all of the boys ... are not permitted to swim. Several watch from the bank. They are not envious of the swimmers. Not a bit. Furthermore, they are having a grand time — watching the others. It is great fun ... especially after having been cooped up for weeks, or months with heart disease as wards of the Chicago Heart society. One of the boys sitting there is permitted to take only 50 steps and then he must sit down and rest. Of course he came down to see the fun — 50 paces at a time. ... In a letter to Frederick C. Spalding, camp director, Mrs. Gertrude Howe Britton, the head of the Heart society, related the gratitude the boys are unable to express for themselves. "Until you did give us this opportunity at Camp Oronoko," Mrs. Britton's letter stated, "there was no place we could send boys 14 years of age and over."

Mr. Evans described the history of the camp and its service to the choirboys and Boy Scouts before the parish adopted an adult choir, at which time "the director planned a fresh air camp with a slogan, 'A camp for children of all ages and creeds.'" He continued:

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Camp Oronoko activities are under the direction of Robert E. Pegel, assistant football coach of Lane Technical High School. While splendid discipline is constantly maintained, yet there is little of the "institutional" atmosphere about the place ... From the rising call at 6 every morning until taps at 9:20 each night, there is something doing every minute. ... Approximately seven weeks will be given to boys and three to girls. More than 500 boys and girls will be provided with a summer outing at Oronoko. The maintenance of Camp Oronoko is a major activity of St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Church ... Frederick C. Spalding has given fifteen years to the development of the camp as well as constant summer supervision during those years, without compensation.

By the time the Tribune article had appeared, the vestry had already voted to call a new rector; the Reverend Stephen E. Keeler of St. Paul's Church, Akron, Ohio, had been chosen in late June, but his official acceptance was not received until September.

Stephen E. Keeler: From Prosperity to Depression, 1929-1931

Vestry member Frederick West was probably in part responsible for the selection of the Reverend Stephen Edwards Keeler as the parish's new rector. Mr. Keeler had served for over eight years as rector of St. Stephen's Church in Pittsfield, Mass., where the West family had a summer home, and had officiated with Norman Hutton at the wedding of the Wests' daughter Eleanor to Perry Shepard in Pittsfield in 1920. Born in New Canaan, Connecticut, on April 16, 1887, Stephen Keeler had been educated at Hoosac School and Yale University. At Yale, where he won awards as an intercollegiate debater, he studied under the noted professor William Lyon Phelps, who tried to persuade him to become a writer; though his parents hoped he would make a career in business, he felt a call to the ordained ministry and worked for a year before entering General Theological Seminary as well as during his studies there to earn money for his tuition. Following his graduation from seminary in 1913 he served for two years as curate at St. Paul's Church, Cleveland, before accepting the call to Pittsfield; in 1923 he became rector of St. Paul's Church in Akron. Mr. Keeler and his wife Eunice had one son, Stephen, Jr.

Not long after the Keelers' arrival at St. Chrysostom's, the Reverend James E. Wolfe of West Congregational Church in Akron wrote to the vestry:

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

At a recent meeting of the Executive Board of the Akron Council of Churches, I was asked to write you of our high regard for the Rev. Mr. Stephen E. Keeler, now your Rector ... The Rev. Mr. Keeler greatly endeared himself to all Akron, both by his gracious qualities as a Christian gentleman and by his unusual ability as a leader ... While doing an outstanding piece of work within his own Parish, he was able also to render an outstanding service to the entire City. ... Embodying in himself what a Preacher, Minister, Pastor and Friend can be and ought to be, he changed the spirit and method of many a minister's life and work. Having in his own Parish the wide stretches from poverty to great wealth, from unlearned to learned, he was friend and shepherd to all alike. It is interesting to muse over the number and sort of people who sought his friendship and counsel. The poor fellow whipped by life sought his advice. The leader of the colored community work leaned much upon him. Social Service Agencies counted on him. Ministers of other Churches sought his sympathy and guidance. Foreign-born, now in a strange land, shared his sympathy. Politicians, both good and bad sought the weight of his influence. The former often, and the latter only once.

Although vestry minutes indicated that the Keelers would occupy the parish house apartment used by the Huttons and the Abbotts, the new rector preferred not to live in the parish house and the Keelers moved into an apartment at 1235 Astor Street. This apartment served as the rectory for nearly fifty years, housing five rectors of the parish and their families.

Mr. Keeler's first message to the congregation appeared in the bulletin of November 24, 1929.

It is my earnest purpose and desire to build upon foundations wisely and well laid by your beloved Dr. Hutton, and fostered by Dr. Abbott. In a real sense I am entering into their labours with mutual enthusiasm for those common tasks which the Rector and Parish will carry into that new and greater day whither the Parish, under God's blessing, is destined.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Before his arrival at St. Chrysostom's, Mr. Keeler had met with Mr. Evans in September; his impression was obviously favorable.

The Reverend John Crippen Evans has been such a faithful friend and worker since he came to you ... that I find the Parish well-organized and doing splendidly. Mr. Evans and I are fellow- workers; side by side we would, to the highest degree possible, live up to the ideals of our priesthood.

Although Mr. Evans had earlier informed the vestry that he planned to resign at a time to be agreed upon after the arrival of the new rector, he remained as associate at St. Chrysostom's throughout Stephen Keeler's tenure as rector.

Weekday celebrations of Holy Communion, eliminated during the interim period, were reinstituted:

From now on there will be ... Celebrations of the Holy Communion on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. ... Engagements are such that the privilege of attending weekday Services falls only to a few; however, I do believe that there are some who will welcome the chance of building our spiritual life by increased loyalty to the Holy Communion.

The new rector hoped to become quickly acquainted with his parishioners, and planned to be in his office every day from eleven till noon "affording opportunity for parishioners to meet him somewhat more quickly than by the usual method, to be followed in due course, of calling at the home." "Just as fast as engagements permit," he wrote in the December 1 bulletin, two weeks after his arrival, "I am making parish calls and taking pleasure in doing so, for I am old-fashioned enough still to believe that 'a house-going parson makes a church-going people.'" That day's bulletin also included a Thanksgiving message of welcome by Dr. Hutton from his new parish, St. Andrew's, Wellesley, Massachusetts. "I am thankful today that the old Parish I love so dearly has you to lead it on to greater usefulness. May the day be one of real joy. If opportunity arises present my love and felicitations to the congregation. I shall remember you all at the Altar."

Stephen Keeler made it a point to attend meetings of all the parish organizations and wrote of his pleasure at becoming acquainted with the groups and their members, but took a special interest in the Church School. The teachers had for some time been holding monthly meetings; in

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church announcing the December 9 meeting Mr. Keeler wrote, "Saint Chrysostom's has a rich field for the development of ideals of religious education. I intend to be actively engaged in it, and want to give of my best to it. Consequently I anticipate with great interest the next meeting of the faculty ... Put it on your calendar, and be there without excuse!" Early in 1930 he instituted the "rector's catechism" program in which Church School students were to memorize the answers to weekly questions; Prayer Books were presented to those successfully completing the program. A Sunday morning adult Bible class under John Evans was added as part of the Christian education program. Mr. Evans was apparently well qualified to teach the class; more than one of his Tribune articles at that time discussed current approaches to Bible study.

An innovation in the 1929 Christmas schedule was the hour of carols sung by the junior choir preceding the 11 a.m. service on Christmas Day; probably thanks to Mr. Evans' connections, their performance was broadcast on Tribune radio station WGN. A New Year's Eve Watch Night service also formed part of the holiday schedule, but apparently was not popular as it was not continued the following year. Mr. Keeler maintained the practice of a special service honoring students home for vacation, though students' names were no longer listed in the bulletin. The Girls' Friendly Society, as was its custom, invited children from an orphanage to a Christmas party at the church; Eliza Littler, supervisor of the Home for the Friendless at 5059 Vincennes Avenue, wrote to thank the group for "the lovely party ... We appreciate your furnishing the transportation as it was such a stormy night. Upon their return the girls told us of the wonderful time they had."

The present-day reader examining parish documents from this period looks in vain for any immediate impact of the stock market crash of late October. Mr. Evans' sermon titles at that time do not indicate any reference to the crash, and Mr. Keeler's optimistic vision of "that new and greater day" seems to reflect the confidence of the late 1920s rather than the troubled times of the next decade. The first possible reference to problems ahead appears in the December 1929 vestry minutes, which included "a careful discussion of the financial situation." The bulletin of January 5, 1930 noted that 31 families had been helped during the Christmas season just past, while the rector's New Year message in the same bulletin sounded a considerably more somber note than his first message six weeks earlier. "We stand, dear friends, on the threshold of the unknown. Immediately before us is the doorway of the new year, and we are entering in to possess it. Who can tell what we shall find? ... But here is a comforting, cheering, gladdening message from the Heavenly Father: 'The Lord thy God careth for thee' and 'in quiet and confidence shall be your strength.'" The March 9 bulletin requested gifts of men's clothing: "The suffering this winter, I am told ... has

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church been worse than ever before. We need ... especially suits that men may wear, as they seek for employment."

The early months of Stephen Keeler's ministry at St. Chrysostom's were marked not only by the worsening financial situation but by sad events in the parish. In December 1929 George Edwards, who had served as sexton since 1916, was forced to retire due to ill health. "Mr. Edwards has seen the remarkable growth of this parish," wrote the rector in the bulletin of December 1. "Increased work and responsibility ... have been cheerfully and faithfully met by Mr. Edwards. His work will always remain a factor in the fabric of St. Chrysostom's." The vestry voted to retire Mr. Edwards on half pay; he and his wife left the city for Moscow, Pennsylvania, where he died on November 1, 1930. A tribute to him appeared in the November 9 bulletin: "Kindly and courteous and untiring in his efforts for the good of this parish, Mr. Edwards will always be remembered most gratefully." Mrs. Belle Dunn, who had been the choir mother in the days of the boys' choir and had participated in the early choir camps, died on February 2, 1930 after a long illness and was memorialized in the following week's bulletin. "She is still spoken of with affectionate interest by many who remember her as choir mother ... a woman of a very sweet and gentle nature who always brought out the best in every character that touched hers." Samuel Felton, chairman of the Chicago Great Western Railroad and donor of the Virgin Mary window, died on March 11. The Tribune of March 12 contained a lengthy front-page feature story on Felton’s distinguished career. As director general of military railways in World War I, he had been responsible for the transportation of railway forces and supplies to France and the transportation of troops to the Atlantic seaboard. At the end of the war he was awarded the French Legion of Honor and was the first civilian to receive the American Distinguished Service medal. His father Samuel, also a railroad official, had arranged secret rail transportation for president-elect Abraham Lincoln to Washington to avoid an assassination plot. On the day of Samuel Felton’s funeral at St. Chrysostom's on March 13, the C.G.W. trains were stopped for one minute in his memory.

The March 30 bulletin reported the death of Joseph Thompson.

Joseph Henry Thompson, parishioner for twenty years, member of the choir, superintendent of construction and maintenance at Camp Oronoko, former president of the Tuesday Nighters, passed away Tuesday morning and was laid to rest on Friday ... His outstanding work was in connection with the fresh air camp, where he planned the building operations ... crowned last summer with the erection of the recreation hall. In this building Mr. Thompson expected to continue this work, making it

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

his week-end summer home. His identification with this enterprise ... was so complete, and his devotion to it so self- effacing, that the campus ... becomes at once his impressive monument and his fitting memorial.

Outside the parish, Bishop Charles P. Anderson's death on January 30 must have grieved Episcopalians throughout the diocese (and beyond it, since Bishop Anderson had been elected presiding bishop a few months before his death). The election of a new presiding bishop took place in Chicago on March 26; a memorial service for Bishop Anderson was scheduled at St. James Church the previous evening, conflicting with St. Chrysostom's Tuesday evening Lenten service. Bishop Abbott, who had been scheduled to return to his former parish for the first time as preacher that night, asked that the service be canceled so that he and any parishioners who might wish could attend the memorial service, adding that he preferred to make his first return visit to St. Chrysostom's on a happier occasion.

Not all the news at this period was sad. The vestry meeting of January 12 made reference to a happy anniversary.

The Rector ... called attention to the fact that Sunday, January 12, 1930 marked the thirty-seventh anniversary of the day [Frederick Spalding] first became connected with St. Chrysostom's Parish, whereupon the individual members of the Vestry present expressed to Mr. Spalding and to the Rector ... the esteem and affectionate regard in which Mr. Spalding is held ... [and] VOTED to commemorate the event in the minutes of the meeting and to express to Mr. Spalding the grateful thanks and appreciation of the Parish and the Vestry for his continuous, constant and untiring effort for the welfare of the parish and particularly his splendid and successful management of the Summer Camp.

Later in January, the annual meeting voted its appreciation for John Evans' "splendid service" as locum tenens.

Vestry minutes for April 13, 1930 record a milestone in parish history, when the group signed the petitions of Clyde Daniel Wilson and George Albert Wilson, the first candidates from the parish for the ordained ministry. (We do not know if the two were related.) Mr. Evans' encouragement must have helped to influence their decisions, as both had been members of his parish in Escanaba and had transferred to St. Chrysostom's the previous

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church year. No information on George Wilson's later career has been found, but Clyde Wilson, after serving at parishes in DeKalb, Illinois and in Connecticut and Ohio, became rector of Grace Church, Oak Park, in the late 1950s. During the search process he came to St. Chrysostom's as guest preacher, allowing Grace Church members to hear his sermon. John Evans regularly assisted at Grace Church after Clyde Wilson became its rector.

Sunday afternoon services, not scheduled since Dr. Hutton's time, were resumed in January. A carillon recital preceded the services, music was provided by the senior choir, and there was a ten-minute address, normally given by Mr. Evans. The Tribune expressed interest in broadcasting the service; cost to the parish was estimated at $50 a month and vestry member Benjamin Taylor offered to assume the first month's costs. Letters from listeners came from as far away as Peoria, Illinois and Des Moines, Iowa. The Des Moines listener wrote, "Thinking you might be interested to know that you had some appreciative listeners to the Vesper Service which I and my family have just heard on WGN, I drop you a few lines to that effect. As an Episcopalian, I think that the radio is a splendid medium in educating the American people to the value, quiet beauty and dignity of our services." Stephen Keeler was "convinced that the interest in our service of Evensong" would "grow both in the city and among our radio listeners"; however, the broadcasts lasted for only a few weeks, as WGN chose to broadcast a nondenominational service from its studio instead.

In 1907 Mr. Snively had deplored the ill effects of "automobiling" on the parish. Although his worst fears had not been realized, an automobile- related problem was discussed at the vestry meeting of February 2, 1930. "Statement was made that parking of automobiles in front of the church prevented the safe and convenient arrival and departure of other members, whereby Mr. Redmond volunteered to have 'No Parking' signs suitably erected by order of the City Council." At the same meeting the vestry discussed the purchase of an adding machine, referring the matter to a committee for final decision.

During Lent, Mr. Keeler conducted a preaching mission in Ohio which he had originally scheduled for the previous Advent but postponed in order not to leave his new parish immediately after his arrival. (When out of the city on preaching missions he took care to announce his absence in the bulletin, and regularly expressed his gratitude to the parish for allowing him to fulfill his engagements.) The Holy Week schedule included a Maundy Thursday prayer vigil as in previous years. Among the Church School students taking part in the pageant on Easter afternoon were Stephen Keeler, Jr., Orville Hicks and David Simonds; David Simonds was among

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church those confirmed the following month when Bishop Sheldon Griswold made his visitation to St. Chrysostom's.

That spring saw the last recorded performance of the Cloister Mummers. Their director Gloria Chandler left the city for an extended period in late 1930. On her return she resumed responsibility for the Church School pageant, but, perhaps because at a time of financial hardship interest in amateur dramatics had waned, the Cloister Mummers did not resume their productions.

Sheldon Griswold, the former suffragan bishop of the diocese, had been elected diocesan immediately after Bishop Anderson's death. He was older than his predecessor and in poor health, and called for the election of a coadjutor in May 1930. Though Stephen Keeler had only been in the diocese for a few months, at a preliminary vote taken the day before the official election he received twelve clergy votes and seven and one-half lay votes. The great majority of votes were given to the Reverend George Craig Stewart, rector of St. Luke's Church, Evanston; Mr. Keeler and Dr. George Thomas of St. Paul's Church on the south side (who had received twenty-two votes) immediately withdrew in favor of Dr. Stewart. Although Bishop Stewart came from a high church parish whose traditions differed from St. Chrysostom's, his relationship with St. Chrysostom's was a warm one; he often expressed his gratitude for the strong support given him by the parish and its members, and during his episcopate two St. Chrysostom's parishioners received his Distinguished Service Cross award.

June 1930 brought happy news to Stephen Keeler and to the parish when he was awarded an honorary D.D. degree by Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, probably at least in part for his work in 1928 and 1929 as president of the Gambier Summer School and Conference for Clergy and Church Workers. On June 29, Norman Hutton made his first visit to St. Chrysostom's since his resignation, officiating at a special evening service for Crane Company employees commemorating the firm's seventy-fifth anniversary and preaching at the 11:00 service. Visiting American Bar Association delegates and British lawyers in Chicago for the ABA convention were honored on August 24; as Dr. Keeler was on vacation, Mr. Evans preached, taking as his topic "The Commandments and the Law."

By the fall of 1930 Dr. Keeler was ready to make some changes in parish activities and staff. Ida Lehr, who had served as parish visitor for fourteen years, resigned when her request for a salary increase was refused; the bulletin of October 19 paid tribute to her. Malcolm Langley, a senior at Western Seminary (one of the five members of John Evans' Escanaba parish

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church who had gone on to study for the ministry), joined the parish as lay assistant in the Church School.

For the winter season of 1930/31, Stephen Keeler planned a series of "Church Nights," described as "rally nights for the entire parish." At the first of these, on October 22, Bishop Stewart was the speaker — his first official appearance at St. Chrysostom's. According to the next week's bulletin, the evening was "very successful"; the bishop's address on "What It Means to Believe in God" was said to be "one of the most inspiring ever made" in the parish, and the Boy Scouts did such a good job waiting on table that the rector donated a flag to the troop. St. Chrysostom's commemorated the feast day of its patron saint (observing the Eastern Church date of November 13) on November 16; Dr. Keeler commented in the day's bulletin that "were he alive today and living in Chicago, he would doubtless attack much of the evil and graft in municipal politics and government. Injustice, selfishness and greed never failed to rouse in him eloquent opposition. We who love him as our Patron Saint ought to reflect his devoted zeal ... on behalf of church and state."

The Christmas bazaar was resumed in 1930 after a year's hiatus. After the women informed Stephen Keeler of the tradition of the "rector's table," he wrote to the men of the congregation: "Chicago is full of hold-up men and I have never desired particularly to belong to their number. However, in this special interest I am helpless, for the ladies in charge of the Parish Bazaar, on Thursday, December 4, say there has to be a Rector's Table." Receipts from the bazaar totaled over $8500, over half of which supported the work of other parish groups, principally the Community Center and Camp Oronoko.

Robert Pegel and his wife Eva now directed the Community Center. Mr. Pegel, assistant football coach at Lane Technical High School, had been confirmed at St. Chrysostom's in 1918; formerly a member of the parish Boy Scout program, he had attended Camp Oronoko as both camper and counselor. The Center's activities that year included gym, cooking and handicraft classes for boys and girls, sewing classes and "home management" for girls, manual training for boys, and dramatics; archery was added to the program a short time later.

The Church School continued its long-standing tradition of collecting canned goods for St. Mary's Home on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and sent a Christmas box to "St. Christopher's Colored Sunday School" in Atlanta and a gift of $10 to St. Andrew's Industrial School in St. Andrew's, Tennessee, recently destroyed by fire. Two Girls' Friendly Society groups

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church continued their activities; younger members made scrapbooks and an older group sewed for the Church Mission of Help, a diocesan charity.

January 10, 1931, was a date "of special interest to the entire Parish"; Malcolm Langley's ordination to the diaconate, the first ordination held at St. Chrysostom's. "The Church should be filled," read the previous week's bulletin, pointing out that the occasion was also the first time Bishop Stewart would officiate at a service at St. Chrysostom's. John Evans was the preacher and Stephen Keeler the presenter at the service. Mr. Langley had grown up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, missing only two Sundays in seven years at Sunday School; he had served in the Navy and been in business before entering seminary. He remained on the parish staff for the rest of the school year.

These events took place against a worsening financial situation in the parish as well as in the city and nation. Coupon books issued by the Chicago Christian Industrial League enabling donors to give to persons on the street "without indiscriminate giving away of money" were available from parish executive secretary John Astley-Cock; the coupons were good for food and lodging for a night at League headquarters, and streetcar tokens for transportation to the headquarters could also be purchased. (Ninety percent of the coupons, according to the bulletin, were used for their intended purpose.) An appeal was made for suits for boys from fifteen to eighteen. The Endowment Fund income was used to meet delinquent payments from the parish's mission account; money was taken from the carillon fund to pay for music at the Sunday afternoon services. Despite these measures, in October 1930 it was necessary for the vestry to borrow $6000 from the Northern Trust Company, with the possibility of adding an additional $1500 to the amount before the end of the year; a canvass headed by the rector, John Astley-Cock and vestry member Joseph King was scheduled later that fall.

By early 1931 the parish financial situation had worsened considerably. According to a letter from the vestry in March, the deficit for 1930 had been approximately $6000 and a $10,000 deficit was projected for 1931. "Substantial reductions have been made in the salaries of the members of our staff, including the rector ... The sacrifices ... have been made cheerfully and willingly by every one affected. The amount of saving so effected is inadequate, and our revenue must be substantially increased. Are you not willing, in order that we may avoid a curtailment of staff, music, and useful work, to increase your support of this Parish? This may be done by an immediate increase in your weekly pledge, or by your acceptance of an increase of 20% in rental, if you are a pewholder, or by voluntary and prompt pledge of an amount of additional money to be paid during the year

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church as a special contribution. If you have no pledge ... will you not make one at this time and so add to the regular income of the Parish?" On March 22, "in the interest of economy in parish administration," the bulletin was reduced considerably in size.

Dr. Keeler led the children's Friday afternoon Lenten services, using the theme "Adventuring with Christ"; children were urged to think of themselves as modern Crusaders. In addition, he conducted both the youth and adult confirmation classes in preparation for Bishop Stewart's visitation on May 3, and gave meditations on "Three Scenes in the Life of Mary Magdalene" at a quiet day on March 19 sponsored by the Daughters of the King and the diocesan Women's Auxiliary. At the evening service on Palm Sunday, March 29, the choir performed Maunder's "Penitence, Pardon and Peace," which had been sung twenty-one years earlier by the boys' choir directed by John Astley-Cock; on Good Friday, in addition to the traditional Three Hours service, the choir sang Stainer's "Crucifixion" at 8 p.m. The children's Easter service featured The Pathway, an Easter Pageant, in which David Simonds played the part of a Wise Man and Virginia Elwood an "American child"; Virginia Elwood Franche in later years regularly attended the 8:00 service and served for some years as president of the Women of St. Chrysostom's.

The results of the election of a bishop coadjutor of the diocese of Minnesota on April 15 came as a surprise to both Dr. Keeler and the parish. In an election for which no nominations had been made in advance, Stephen Keeler was elected unanimously on the first ballot. The following day's Tribune described the election as "practically unique in the history of the American Episcopal Church," adding that Stephen Keeler's "rise in the church has been considered sensationally rapid." According to the vestry minutes of April 20,

Dr. Keeler stated that this election was made without consultation with him and without assurance of his acceptance. He further stated that the fact his election was unanimous, on the first ballot, impressed him deeply and he felt himself obliged to give the election earnest consideration — that he had reached no decision as yet and that, inasmuch as the cities and towns of the diocese were unfamiliar, he intended to pay a visit there before making his decision. ... The Junior warden congratulated Dr. Keeler on the very great honor that had been conferred on him and on St. Chrysostom's parish and expressed the hope ... [he] would reach his decision solely on the point of his own feeling of greatest opportunity and usefulness in the service of the church, and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

expressed ... the loyalty of ... the Vestry in whatever decision he might reach. The rector expressed the hope that he might not be confused or embarrassed by too much discussion of the question ... The Clerk of the Vestry [Fletcher Durbin, a vestry member since 1924] feels these minutes would fail to be a complete record ... if they did not record the mixed feelings of the Vestry of pride in their Rector and of distress at the thought he might leave the parish at this time.

On April 30 Dr. Keeler notified the vestry of his acceptance; the circumstances of his election, the fact that Minnesota was the second largest diocese west of the Mississippi, and his substantial responsibilities as coadjutor (he would have charge of all work outside the Twin Cities) were factors in his decision. The vestry's offer of St. Chrysostom's as a site for the consecration service was accepted immediately.

Bishop Keeler was consecrated on 10:30 a.m. June 24 (St. John the Baptist's Day). Betty Redmond, in attendance on the occasion, recalls that the church was exceptionally hot, a memory confirmed by the Tribune comment that "several persons were overcome by the heat and were forced to leave the church." Since two hundred clergy from Chicago and Minnesota were present, space for parishioners was at a premium and attendance was, as at the 11:00 service on Easter Sunday, by ticket only; the service was amplified so that it could be heard in the parish house and cloister. John Evans was master of ceremonies for the occasion.

Besides the clergy from Chicago and Minnesota and other Episcopal clergy participating in the service, the Reverend Harrison Ray Anderson of Fourth Presbyterian Church, the Reverend John Timothy Stone, former pastor of Fourth Presbyterian and now president of Presbyterian Theological Seminary, the president of the Chicago Church Federation, and bishops from the Serbian, Russian and Greek Orthodox churches marched in the procession to the hymns "Ancient of Days" and "From All Thy Saints in Warfare," the latter chosen to commemorate the feast of St. John the Baptist. Presiding Bishop James DeWolf Perry of Rhode Island was the consecrator, Bishops Frank McElwain of Minnesota (under whom the new bishop would serve) and George Craig Stewart of Chicago were co- consecrators; Bishop Abbott returned to his former parish to read the Epistle. Sixteen acolytes took part in the service, including the bishop-elect's son Stephen Keeler, Jr., senior acolyte Elmer Tengberg, vestry member John Redmond's sons John and Norman, Orville Hicks and David Simonds. The sermon hymn "God of the Prophets" and a sermon by Ohio Bishop Warren Rogers preceded the consecration; the offertory, Mendelssohn's "How Lovely

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Are the Messengers," had also been sung at Malcolm Langley's ordination. The setting of the Sanctus was by Allum (perhaps the parish's former choirmaster Charles Allum). As was the custom at ordinations and consecrations at the time, the congregation were requested not to make their communions at the service. Following the recessional hymn, "I Heard the Sound of Voices," a luncheon was held at the Ambassador East Hotel for the visiting clergy, at which junior warden George Ranney acted as toastmaster.

Stephen Keeler remained in charge of St. Chrysostom's for the rest of the summer, not leaving for Minnesota until September; John Evans was again named locum tenens until a new rector was chosen. Ironically, Frederick West, Stephen Keeler's parishioner in Pittsfield and Chicago, died in late September, shortly after the bishop's departure. "His high integrity, loyalty and kindliness endeared him to all his associates in the work of the church," read a resolution passed at the annual meeting the following January.

Dr. Evans' second period as interim rector was considerably more difficult than his first. The financial situation continued to worsen; in October printed bulletins were abandoned altogether as a cost-cutting measure and replaced by a monthly mimeographed letter. Dr. Evans' November letter quoted from a recent sermon: "The present economic situation offers a magnificent opportunity for Christians to be Christian, for Churches to proclaim the religion of Jesus." He went on to discuss the Community Center: "More than 200 boys and girls were in our Parish House during the afternoons and some of the evenings of last week ... removed from the tension of homes where the next meal, perhaps, is a bit of guess-work." Deacon assistant Malcolm Langley had by now left for a parish in Bishop Keeler's diocese.

Norman Hutton returned to the parish on the weekend of November 7 and 8 to officiate at the wedding of Bertha Baur's daughter Rosemary to Bartle Bull and to preach at the Sunday service. The wedding was a large one with a number of attendants; passers-by filled the courtyard, and the Tribune wrote that invited guests had some difficulty getting into the church. The weekend, undoubtedly eagerly awaited by members of the parish, was not altogether joyful, for Richard T. Crane, Jr. died in a hospital in New York on his fifty-eighth birthday, November 7. Mr. Crane's heart had been bad for some time; according to news stories his condition was worsened by concern for his company, and the necessity of dismissing some workers preyed on his mind and was said to have hastened his death. Dr. Hutton remained in the city for the funeral, which took place at St. Chrysostom's the following Thursday. "Though not a member of this Parish," read a resolution passed at

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church the 1932 annual meeting, "Mr. Crane not only contributed generously to ... [the] Building Fund, but erected, installed and maintained the Tower and Carillon as a memorial to his parents ... His high integrity and keen sense of honor made him an outstanding character in his business and social life."

Another nonparishioner who had been a generous contributor to the building fund died on January 26, 1932. William Wrigley, Jr. was buried in Pasadena, California, but memorial services were held at St. Chrysostom's; baseball figures present included Cubs manager Rogers Hornsby and catcher Gabby Hartnett, Louis Comiskey and Harry Grabiner of the White Sox front office, and the presidents of the National and American League. John Evans' eulogy praised Mr. Wrigley as "a man who lived completely ... Although he passed the scriptural three score years and ten, old age was unable to lay hold on him ... It is in that sort of attainment that the Christian pulpit is primarily interested, because the message ... is wholly concerned with life ... that will not die." William V. Kelley, who with his wife Lilian had given the Mary and Martha of Bethany windows in the church, had died a few days earlier on January 21; though too ill to attend his son Gordon's wedding to Hortense Henry at St. Chrysostom's on January 16, he had insisted that the service continue as planned.

The parish financial situation continued to worsen. Another loan of $12,000 was arranged from the Northern Trust, and Dr. Evans recommended that a formal canvass be scheduled after the parish annual meeting. The vestry were obviously feeling some stress; a committee headed by John Redmond recommended the institution of a rotating vestry, though no action was taken on its report. Bishop Stewart expressed concern in late 1931 that no replacement had as yet been selected for Dr. Keeler; the vestry assured him that a committee "had matters in hand."

By the end of January 1932 a candidate had been chosen. On January 22, Bishop Stewart wrote that the Reverend Dudley Scott Stark of the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City had made a favorable impression on him; on January 27th, St. Chrysostom's Day in the western calendar, Mr. Stark was called (at a salary of $7500 a year plus the use of the Astor Street apartment).

John Evans' contribution to the parish was an important one. We may share the vestry's "personal appreciation ... for his faithful and devoted service during his incumbency" as recorded on February 2, 1932, and can appreciate the "rising vote of thanks" given to him at the annual meeting of January 17. When in April he "accepted temporarily pastoral duty elsewhere in the Diocese of Chicago," the vestry appealed by letter for contributions to a purse for him.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

He came to us in May 1929, assuming full charge of our Parish after Dr. Abbott left until the election of Dr. Keeler as Rector ... Continuing on as Assistant until Dr. Keeler's consecration ... he again assumed full charge until March, 1932. ... During this trying period of changes in the history of the Parish ... Dr. Evans endeared himself to us all by his unfailing tact, his prompt and faithful ministrations, and his thought- inspiring sermons. We of the Vestry acknowledge this devoted record of service with gratitude: and we think, as we wish him farewell, that his numerous friends should be afforded an opportunity of joining with us in giving him some tangible evidence of appreciation for his splendid ministry.

The congregation responded with a gift of $500, a generous donation for a period of hard times.

Mather Abbott had previously taught at Groton School, where Franklin Delano Roosevelt and three of the sons of Theodore Roosevelt were among his pupils.

Sheldon Griswold was not related to Frank T. Griswold III, tenth bishop of the diocese of Chicago and later Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

These developed from a summer Bible study and Sunday School teacher training program in Chautauqua, N.Y., and from "lyceums" providing cultural programs and current events discussions; they included a wide range of lectures and entertainment for "circuits" covering a geographic area.

The friendship between the two priests extended to their families. Eunice Keeler was godmother to the Evans' daughter Emily Jane, baptized at St. Chrysostom's on January 4, 1931.

According to former parishioner Rollin Hunt, James F. Justice, who succeeded Mr. Edwards later in the year, was the first African American employed by the parish.

At that time the Presiding Bishop did not resign from his diocesan position upon election.

Parish archives do not record this event, but the author, then in college, recalls receiving letters from her parents describing Fr. Wilson's visit.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Lay votes were recorded by parishes and not individuals; parishes received one vote and organized missions one-half vote.

At this time it was not uncommon for a bishop to be consecrated in his parish rather than in his new diocese. In later years Bishop Keeler took considerable pride in noting that his was the only consecration to take place at St. Chrysostom's. Although a deacon was ordained and a bishop consecrated at St. Chrysostom's in 1931, the first ordination of a priest there did not take place until Donald Nickson was ordained in 1952.

John Evans had received an honorary D.D. degree from his alma mater Cornell College in June 1931.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 7

Dudley S. Stark: Depression Years, 1932-1940

The Reverend Dudley Scott Stark was born in Waverly, New York, on November 19, 1894; his family later moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania. Many years afterward his father Rodney recalled an incident at the church in Waverly: "One day I was singing in the choir ... Dudley came to church late — he was a little boy then — and when he came in and saw me in the choir loft, he came running right up to sit with me. I guess he got to like the idea of looking down at the congregation right then and decided to become a minister." Dudley Stark was a Phi Beta Kappa student at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, from which he graduated in 1917; he attended the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and during the war year of 1918 also took a naval reserve officers' training course at Harvard. Shortly after graduating from seminary in 1920 he married Mary Leith; the couple had four children, identical twins Rosalind and Mary and sons Gregory and Dudley, Jr. (Parishioners from the Stark years recall that the twins, in their teens and twenties, would sometimes impersonate each other when teaching church school classes or going on dates.) Mr. Stark served as curate and later as rector of St. Mark's Church, Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, before becoming vicar of the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City (then a mission of St. James Church) in 1926. "In his five years the mission grew so that its active membership is far larger than that of St. Chrysostom's," stated the letter from the vestry announcing the new rector's arrival. "We are confident that Mr. Stark will bring to us inspiring spiritual leadership, and persuasive pulpit eloquence — but he must have your loyal support and sympathetic co-operation if he is to ... develop our Parish so that it may have that wider influence for good in the community which it deserves ... Please don't wait for him to call upon you, — go to see him at his office ... and help the members of the Vestry make him and Mrs. Stark feel at home here." Mr. Stark's "persuasive pulpit eloquence" is testified to by long-time members of the parish, who cite his sermons as among the best in a church noted throughout its history for the quality of its preaching. Former choir member Juanita Hunt recalls his infectious laughter: "Once he telephoned me and during the course of the conversation got to laughing so hard that he had to hang up and call me back."

Dudley Stark did not retain John Evans on the staff, preferring to have a full-time curate as his assistant. Though Dr. Evans moved on to other supply work shortly after Mr. Stark's arrival, the vestry allowed the Evans family to remain in the parish house until their new apartment on Division

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Street was available in June; John Evans often returned to the parish on special occasions, and his wife Belva regularly attended services and Women's Guild meetings at St. Chrysostom's until she left the city in the late 1960s. The Reverend Eugene R. Shannon, a recent seminary graduate, joined St. Chrysostom's in the summer on a part-time basis and began full- time work in September with responsibility for the Sunday afternoon services and the Sunday School. A Sunday School Council of representatives from the sixteen classes in the senior and junior departments met with him twice a month "for the administration of ... extra-curricular affairs." In the fall and winter of 1932/33 the older classes held an attendance contest in which "two boats, Red and Blue, were to race around Lake Michigan"; the losing Blue team hosted the Red team at a party in February. Children were at this period asked to collect special Lenten mite box offerings; at Mr. Shannon's request, Rollin Hunt constructed a giant mite box to receive the offerings at the Easter Sunday children's service.

In spite of the parish's financial problems, the elimination of the bulletin as an economy move had been reconsidered, and weekly bulletins were resumed at the beginning of 1932. At Mr. Stark's first vestry meeting the group discussed the possibility of saving money by cutbacks on insurance, referring the decision to the property committee, which maintained the insurance at its current level; however, after the theft of three chalices from the church in August, fire insurance on the building was cut back to pay for theft insurance. At a vestry meeting later in the year, Mr. Stark "stated that he expected soon to receive the gift of a new chalice, which should be insured for its value." This chalice, engraved "D.S.S. 1932," was dedicated at the Christmas Eve service that year and continues to be used at nearly every parish celebration of Holy Communion.

Attendance at the Community Center had dramatically increased; registrations grew from 193 in 1930/31 to 435 in 1931/32. However, the Center faced a funding shortage and was almost forced to close in April 1932. An open house on April 15, "to give the parish and our friends in the neighborhood opportunity to observe the work that is being carried on," was probably planned to bring in additional contributions and must have been successful, since the program continued until its originally scheduled closing date in late May. The bulletin of April 10 described the Center as "an agency for good for the children of the neighborhood in which there is no other Community Center. Its service is character building. Its usefulness, in this recent year of poverty, idle hours and curtailed recreational facilities such as closed playgrounds and the lack of usual after school activities, has more than doubled ... It is hoped that a great many parishioners and friends will ... see what St. Chrysostom's is doing for the youngsters of the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church neighborhood who might otherwise be driven to the unwholesome influence of street play and street gangs."

In the fall of 1932, Center programs were cut back to two days a week (though later in the year a third day was added to the schedule). The parish could no longer afford to pay the Pegels to supervise the Center; as Robert Pegel also worked as a coach at Lane Technical High School, the couple were able to accept the vestry's offer of free housing in the parish house in exchange for their services, but at the end of the season gave up their work at the Center. After their departure the Center operated "with a skeleton budget" and "an almost entirely hundred per cent volunteer staff"; supervisor Louise Neff, a member of the parish since childhood, appealed for more help in the November 19, 1933 bulletin. "At present there is but one teacher for forty girls, between the ages of nine and sixteen, who want to learn to sew ... If this wholesome activity is to continue, we must have more teachers." She also requested a sewing machine, and asked for donations of magazine subscriptions such as St. Nicholas, Boys' Life and National Geographic for the library. Nine women came forward as sewing teachers, while other volunteers taught boys' drawing, gymnasium, manual training and tap dancing and supervised the kindergarten and the library.

The sewing and woodwork groups at the Community Center produced costumes and sets for the 1933 Sunday School Christmas pageant. In this pageant, the role of "A Girl" was played by Frances Amberg (later Frances Spence); a friend and classmate of the Stark twins at Girls' Latin School, she was later married at St. Chrysostom's in a ceremony performed by Dudley Stark. Returning to the parish in the 1970s after some years out of the city, she became active as an Altar Guild member and president of that organization, was elected to the vestry in 1986 and served on the rector search committee of 1991-1993. In the Good News of December 1991, she recalled the 1933 pageant: "I remember standing on the chancel steps, participating in the Sunday School Christmas program and feeling so very happy."

Camp Oronoko too was financially troubled. On Frederick Spalding's recommendation, the vestry voted not to open the camp in 1932 until sufficient cash was available to pay for expenses, and to continue the season only so long as it could be operated without running a deficit or increasing indebtedness remaining from former seasons. The camp remained open for eleven weeks, six for boys and five for girls, with 550 children in attendance; much of the money for its operation was obtained from weekend paying guests, and the season ended without an increase in the existing deficit. "Members ... listened with much pleasure to the report of so successful a season, in such difficult times," read the vestry minutes of October 2. Camp

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church operation in succeeding summers continued on the same basis, with attendance at a comparable level. A late 1936 parish bulletin called attention to a camper who had recently been in the news. Fifteen-year-old Betty Jaynes, who received much local publicity when she sang the role of Mimi in a Chicago City Opera production of La Bohème, had spent part of her vacation at Camp Oronoko, where she "entertained her fellow campers by her singing."

Further economies in parish operations were necessary. In October 1932 the vestry voted to reduce the salaries of lay employees Harold Simonds, John Astley-Cock, sexton James Justice and assistant sexton John Fett, saving over $1000 a year. The rector and vestry, hoping to increase pledge support, planned an every member canvass that fall. Under parish treasurer Benjamin Taylor and vestry member Fletcher Durbin, ten or twelve groups of five people with a captain made 550 visits or calls on Sunday afternoon, December 4, resulting in an increase of $1553 in pledges for 1933. However, this was not sufficient to support the parish staff even at the reduced rate of pay, and John Astley-Cock resigned from his position as executive secretary as an economy measure. His letter to the vestry dated "March 1933" describes a situation which must have been all too common at that period: "I had hoped to leave at the end of last month but plans previously made came to naught on February 5th; nor have I anything definite at this moment; since, however, the figure for salaries in the 1933 budget includes mine only until the end of March, I wish to finish on that date." Sadly, there is no indication of his later employment; however, in consideration of his "long and devoted service" the vestry voted to pay half his salary for the months of April and May. In one of the few items of business that spring which did not relate to the prevailing financial difficulties, the vestry unanimously voted on May 14, 1933 to name Norman Hutton "rector honorarius."

In 1893, news of the forthcoming World's Columbian Exposition had appeared in the Tribune on the day of the parish's first service; the present lectern and the organ used in the parish from 1897 to 1953 were originally designed for display at the fair. Forty years later, an exhibit by the Episcopal diocese formed part of the 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exposition, and John Redmond prepared copy on the church for an advertising piece to be placed in hotels for fair visitors; 394 people signed the parish visitors' book during the fair's five-month duration in 1933.

Mr. Stark resumed the midweek celebrations of Holy Communion which had been suspended after Dr. Keeler's departure, and followed the Tuesday 10 a.m. service with a class in "personal religion" devoted to the Bible and to such religious classics as Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Dudley Stark's concern for his parishioners' personal religious life was also shown during Lent, when he recommended a list of books for Lenten reading and devotion; his selections included Albert Schweitzer's Out of My Life and Thought as well as works by such well-known religious authors of the time as the English priest W.R. Inge and the American Methodist missionary E. Stanley Jones. In later years Mr. Stark often conducted Lenten study programs focusing on spiritual readings.

The Men's Club had by this time been discontinued; interest in a men's social group had very likely declined at a time of business difficulties. The Women's Guild remained active, but did not schedule a bazaar in 1932; following the practice of the war year of 1918, parishioners were asked to contribute to the Guild what they might have spent at a bazaar, the funds to be used for the support of parish social service work and Camp Oronoko as well as for the Guild's own work. The group for younger women founded by Dr. Abbott to make bandages for hospitals, now called the St. Agnes Guild, met weekly to make garments for church institutions, but did not survive beyond the early years of Dudley Stark's rectorship. Though the Mothers' Club still presented reports at parish annual meetings, by the end of the decade its only recorded activity was the contribution of altar flowers on Mother's Day. The Tuesday Nighters' program substituted quieter activities — chamber music and recitals, a bridge tournament — for the dances and plays which had been so popular in the 1920s; the winter of 1933/34 was the group's last. A Tuesday evening class in personal religion conducted by the rector took its place on the schedule the following winter. (On February 12, 1935, in response to requests from parishioners, the topic — undoubtedly all too relevant — was "The Parable of the Unemployed.") Delta Kappa Phi, an organization for young people from 16 to 21 (apparently the branch of a diocesan group), began in late 1933 under Mr. Shannon's direction. "The organization has two aims, fellowship and service; and already ... has assisted the rector on two occasions ... The regular meetings are held at half-past seven o'clock on Sunday evenings ... The organization has 35 members to date, and others in the parish who are interested are urged to attend." Delta Kappa Phi regularly sponsored a Christmas dance, using proceeds from admission fees to purchase Christmas baskets for the needy.

Although the Tuesday Nighters no longer performed plays and musicals, dramatic activity was not absent from the parish program. The Community Center's "Peppy Teens Club" presented Let's Go Somewhere, a "comedy-drama of today," on Friday, February 24, 1933; four days later, on Shrove Tuesday, the Girls' Friendly Society staged a minstrel show in the gymnasium with Gloria Chandler directing and Harold Simonds in charge of the music. Profits from the 50c admission would be used for the GFS'

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church contributions to Camp Oronoko and diocesan institutions. In April 1934 Delta Kappa Phi performed Booth Tarkington's three-act comedy Seventeen for the benefit of the rector's discretionary fund, the first of several comedies staged by that group during the remaining years of the decade.

The 1931 proposal for rotating vestry terms indicates that the financial problems of the time had taken their toll. Many vestry had served for a considerable length of time; Frederic Norcross had been a member since 1905, John Redmond since 1909 and George Ranney since 1911, and Paul Noyes, on the vestry since 1915, had to be talked out of resigning in early 1933. Mr. Stark stressed the importance of continuity of leadership at this troubled period, and no action was taken on the proposal for rotating terms. In his remarks at the 1934 annual meeting, Frederic Norcross paid tribute to the rector's accomplishment of "unity and well-directed purpose" which had "inspired" the vestry; though "many members ... had wished to retire and had felt it would be in the interest of the Parish for others to take their place, all had agreed to serve another year at the request of the rector."

Harold Simonds at this period seems to have made a special study of Russian Orthodox liturgy and music, as several bulletins for early 1933 include detailed information on Russian anthems sung by the choir. "Many anthems are selected from composers of the Russian School most of whom have derived inspiration from one of the three great Liturgies of which that compiled by our Patron Saint, Saint John Chrysostom, is the richest," read the bulletin for February 12. The following week Mr. Simonds described the anthem "O Gladsome Light" by Alexander Dmitrievitch Kastalsky: "This particular anthem is one of great beauty. Chiefly in eight parts, the leading of the voices while of considerable complexity is no mere dexterous display. The rapturous subjectivity of the divine sentiment, much of which is regretfully lost in translation, has inspired a setting no less spiritually acceptable than liturgically dignified." In the 1930s and early 1940s the choir took part in the annual performances of the Chicago Choir Guild composed of the mixed choirs of four parishes: St. Chrysostom's, St. James, St. Luke's, Evanston and Holy Spirit, Lake Forest.

The children's Friday afternoon Lenten services for 1933 centered on missions; among the speakers were Miss Mabel Holgate, a former St. Chrysostom's Sunday School teacher working with Bishop Peter Rowe at the Tanana Valley Mission in Alaska, Mr. Wai On Shim, a Honolulu resident studying at Northwestern University, and the Reverend Robert T. Dickerson of Liberia. In addition to their annual Thanksgiving collection of canned goods for St. Mary's Home, the children had sent Christmas presents to Miss Holgate's mission the previous December, and now collected books for Mr. Dickerson's school in Liberia. Bishop Stewart's annual confirmation visitation

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church that year took place on the Sunday after Easter, a date which remained fixed under succeeding rectors and bishops until 1960.

That fall the vestry agreed to hold a canvass on a modified plan by which "regular and established members of the parish ... would be solicited ... either by casual meeting, letter or telephone call ... Other persons and families on the parish list would be called upon either by members of the Vestry or others selected to do so." Part of junior warden George Ranney's address to the congregation at the eleven o'clock service on November 26 survives.

Considering the hard times of the past four years, the parish has come through in comparatively good shape. It has, of course, run behind but we can see our way clear to meet all operating deficits accruing prior to this year. This was accomplished by borrowing ... from the bank and paying the loan off ... with the interest received from the Endowment Fund of the parish. The expenses of the parish have been sharply reduced ... This unpleasant task has been made easier by the fine spirit of co-operation exhibited by every member of the church staff. Without exception, we have all felt the effects of these hard times ... Income from investments and contents of pay envelopes have been reduced, and, in many cases, have stopped entirely. Business has been stagnant; the life of the country hard hit. But hard times cannot be permitted to put religion or man's faith in the hands of a receiver or sold on the auction block. The life of the Church at home and abroad must continue with its full ministrations ... It cannot be permitted to fail in meeting every demand even if temporal or worldly affairs fail around it. That is why our parish has carried on and is carrying on. That is why the year 1933 will result in a deficit of about $2300. That is why this deficit should be paid before entering another year. That is why the vestry ask not only your continued support but an increased support if it is in your power to give it. If you are approached in person or by mail, remember that it is probably as hard and unpleasant for the approacher as for you, the approachee.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The vestry promises no waste or extravagance ... but ... must fulfill its trusteeship to carry on the work intrusted to its care.

Though the canvass results are not recorded, we may hope that Mr. Ranney's speech succeeded in raising additional funds for 1934.

January 1933 had marked the fortieth anniversary of the parish's first services. The date was not commemorated, either because Mr. Stark had been in the parish a relatively short time or because the anniversary of St. Chrysostom's organization as a parish was seen as more important than that of its first service. In June 1933 the vestry authorized Mr. Stark to select a committee to plan an annual Founder's Day or Patron's Day program; in September he proposed "that the Parish should celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding by special services, pageant and banquet at some appropriate time, suggesting St. Chrysostom's Day in 1934, whereupon it was VOTED to hold such a celebration on Sunday, January 28." A committee of the rector, wardens, and vestry members John Redmond, Harold Smith and Albert Sprague was appointed to plan the events, and the following month John Redmond presented a progress report. The anniversary would be celebrated on the weekend of January 26-28, 1934, with Bishop Stewart preaching at the first service on Friday evening; a pageant and service for children and a dinner were planned for Saturday. On Sunday, Dr. Hutton was invited to return to his former parish and to preach at the eleven o'clock service; an afternoon reception for the Huttons would conclude the weekend.

Bishop Stewart paid tribute to the parish in the Diocese of January 1934.

Congratulations: To Saint Chrysostom's Parish which is about to celebrate its fortieth anniversary. Within a generation it has developed from a struggling mission in a tiny wooden chapel to one of the great American parishes, wielding an enormous influence upon the life of Chicago. It has been my own good fortune to know personally all its Rectors ... The Diocese can never forget Norman Hutton, that gracious, gentle, brotherly man who for years made his spiritual life effective in building up ... both parish and diocese; Bishop Abbott, the flaming apostle and evangelist whose stay among us was too brief; nor Bishop Keeler, another brother beloved snatched by the episcopate just when his strength of leadership was manifesting itself in our midst ... And now we have learned to admire and respect and love Dudley Stark, who quietly and efficiently has taken up the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

work and is bringing this fine parish into new records of growth and of deepening, widening influence.

Bishop Stewart also included a brief biographical sketch of the parish's patron saint John Chrysostom, "a great patron ... for a metropolitan church in the heart of Chicago's near north side, where the Gospel must still be proclaimed with fearlessness and friendliness, with incisiveness and love. And, after forty years, increasingly carries on." Norman Hutton shared memories of his years in the parish, touching on the difficult situation he faced on his arrival and the contributions of many dedicated parishioners to St. Chrysostom's growth.

I came early to the conclusion that the rich and the poor are in great need of the religion of Jesus, and that the church alone can satisfy their needs ... All alike need Jesus' way of life. St. Chrysostom's in a very real sense ministered alike to all conditions of people. At its altar all found peace and quiet strength. In its services all found reality. In its family life as a parish there was a sweet reasonableness and charity ... In all the twenty years I never had to settle a parish quarrel or to deal with a recalcitrant group. St. Chrysostom's had poor and rich, saints and sinners, and between — all were dear to my heart. I knew I was no preacher, yet what I said in the pulpit came from deep convictions and pastoral experience. I really loved and knew my people and they showered me with appreciation and kindness ... St. Chrysostom's ministers to a great population — some of its labors are for those who are forgotten and neglected. This is as it should be. It is like a rock in the desert with a well of water for those who are thirsty for the waters of life.

Dudley Stark described the church's present situation.

Saint Chrysostom's is fortunate in its patron saint ... Said he, "There is nothing more powerful than prayer and there is nothing to be compared to it." His faith was real. It went to work. For him and for the parish that bears his name the appropriate emblem is the bee-hive ... The church edifice is homelike and beautiful. To worshippers its furnishings give the impression of simple dignity, spiritual suggestion without ostentation. The atmosphere of worship is ably aided by a loyal competent choir under the direction of Mr. Harold B. Simonds ...

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The largest church service that the members ... give is outside parish organizations. I wish space would permit me to name scores, of both men and women, who are conspicuous for their leadership in the maintenance of Christian ethics in business and in the professions ... Busy as they are, I have yet to find the time when they refuse to give counsel or cooperation for St. Chrysostom's.

After describing current parish activities, he paid tribute to his predecessor Norman Hutton: "his chief monuments are in the hearts of hundreds whom I have met, to whom he brought solace in trouble and joy in gladness — a rector honorarius indeed!" and concluded:

To all seeking a household of faith, we bid you welcome. We believe that in a strategic place, in a strategic time, this Parish has remarkable opportunities. Let us go forward. Let St. John Chrysostom's last utterance continually define our goal: "In all things God be praised."

Long-time St. Chrysostom's parishioner and former vestry member Angus Hibbard, retired after a distinguished career with the telephone company, made his own contribution to the celebration. He had played an important part in the development of long distance telephone service, and had originated the busy signal as well as designing the original "blue Bell" telephone company logo; he was one of the first business executives to make use of a company organizational chart. (A grandiose idea of Mr. Hibbard's which was never adopted was his proposal to pave over the Chicago River in the downtown area.) In retirement he was active in diocesan affairs; for his work in reorganizing the diocesan magazine and his activities in support of the "Bishop's Pence" program (in which Episcopalians contributed small coins to a "pence can" when saying grace at meals) he was among the first recipients of Bishop Stewart's Distinguished Service Cross. His fondness for music and composition has been noted in connection with the Men's Club meetings in earlier years, when the group performed his "Chicago Songs"; he now composed a parish hymn, "The Bells of Saint Chrysostom's," to mark the anniversary.

Bells of Saint Chrysostom's

Ringing in the air

Welcoming all to come

To this house of prayer;

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Saint Chrysostom's, Saint Chrysostom's,

Hear them sounding on

Ringing singing, ringing singing,

Calls the Carillon.

Hear us O Lord we pray,

As these bells resound:

Grant we may find the way

Of this Saint renowned.

Saint Chrysostom's, Saint Chrysostom's,

Calling everyone,

Ringing singing, ringing singing,

Hear its Carillon.

Saint of the ancient days

Fearlessly his word

Sounded in prayer and praise

Of his Christ and Lord;

Saint Chrysostom's, Saint Chrysostom's,

May we follow on

Ringing singing, ringing singing,

With our Carillon.

Dudley Stark, a supporter of "home-grown talent" among his parishioners, used the hymn at every St. Chrysostom's Day service; Cuthbert Pratt continued the practice, while Harold Simonds in the remaining

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church years of his tenure as organist and carillonneur played the hymn on the carillon each Sunday before the eleven o'clock service. Although "The Bells of Saint Chrysostom's" would almost certainly not be ranked high in terms of either words or music by an unbiased observer (when Robert Lodine eliminated it from the parish repertoire in 1961, there were no protests from the congregation), it is possible to look back at the hymn with some degree of fondness and nostalgia and appreciate both Angus Hibbard's motivation in composing it and its use for many years in the parish.

The Tribune of January 26, 1934 carried an anniversary feature on the parish by society writer Ruth De Young.

Once "Richest Church" Will Have Birthday

St. Chrysostom's No Longer "Society" Project.

Is there a "society" church today? ... As to St. Chrysostom's, the question is answered by an official of that parish: "This is no longer a wealthy parish. That day is past. St. Chrysostom's is a hard working ordinary type of parish with a well balanced program embracing every stratum of society." ... Members who had thought of the church only in terms of an 11:00 Sunday morning prayer, a bridal veil, and a corsage of Easter orchids are rediscovering it in terms of its vital part in community life and its ministrations to rich and poor alike. "Mention St. Chrysostom's by way of fashion or society to a goodly number of its faithful members and you immediately start an argument," remarks ... an intimate observer. "The depression has mellowed the congregation into a hard working and sympathetic whole." Especially is this apparent in the community center sponsored by the church and now directed by Miss Louise Neff through Mrs. William Parsons, chairman of the ... social service committee. Three hundred children from back of Clark Street come to the church four afternoons a week to learn gymnastics ... to study in the little library ... to play games and solve puzzles ... And it is well known that [the] postdebutante teachers anticipate the sessions just as much as if not more than their Greek, Italian and Polish pupils.

Bishop Stewart was unable to attend the Friday evening service on January 26; Bishop Herman Page of Michigan, a former rector of St. Paul's Church on Chicago's south side, was the preacher on the occasion. The

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church bulletin contained messages from Presiding Bishop James De Wolf Perry, Bishop Stewart, and the Reverend Duncan Browne of St. James Church, as well as greetings from clergy of other denominations: pastor emeritus of Fourth Presbyterian Church John Timothy Stone and his successor Harrison Ray Anderson, Theodore Hume of the New England Congregational Church, and Norman Barr of Olivet Institute. On Saturday morning there were celebrations of Holy Communion at 7:30 and 10 a.m., with former assistant John Evans the celebrant at the later service. Later that day the Sunday School celebrated at a party with birthday cake, at which Dr. Hutton and three former curates of the parish were present.

The eleven o'clock service on Sunday, January 28, was the crowning event of the weekend. Two processional hymns, "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken" and "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation," opened the service. Healey Willan's setting of the Te Deum Laudamus and prayers from the service for the Consecration of a Church were followed by the Ante- Communion Service and the sermon hymn, "The Church's One Foundation." Parishioners from Dr. Hutton's time must surely have rejoiced to see their former rector and to hear him once again in the pulpit. The change in economic conditions since he had left St. Chrysostom's must have been in his mind as he prepared his sermon, which (according to the next day's Tribune) touched on some of the good results of the depression: happier homes, greater appreciation by children of their parents, greater consciousness of religion. "You cannot guarantee the security of your children with wealth. Leave them moderately poor if you would do well by them. Bring them up to appreciate the finer things of life. Let them live simply. These are the best guarantees you can give them ... I am not decrying money. I have had more than my share of good things. Yet I have also seen what can result from the simpler ways of living." "Blest Be the Tie that Binds" and the Prayer of Saint Chrysostom followed the offertory; the service concluded with "Onward Christian Soldiers" as recessional. Though Harold Simonds was responsible for the service music, former organist Emory Gallup returned for the day and played the postlude. The afternoon reception honoring the Huttons concluded the anniversary celebration.

At a time when conditions both in the nation and the parish were difficult, the weekend must have been a time of special joy. Dudley Stark continued a "Festival Founder's Day Service" through the remaining years of his rectorship, using an order of service similar to that of the fortieth anniversary service; in 1935 Bishop Keeler returned to preach on the occasion.

The Women's Guild welcomed Mrs. Abbott back to the parish as a guest speaker in Lent of 1934; her topic was "Missions of the Kentucky

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Mountains," with special emphasis on the Kitts Mission for which the Guild had "done considerable ... work" during the year. The Girls' Friendly Society that spring made a special study of the Episcopal Church's work in Japan. A committee of three women came to a meeting at St. Chrysostom's on April 19 and awarded a prize to the best report on the topic; a committee member who had recently visited Japan described her experiences and exhibited "curios ... secured during the trip."

Mary Stark was the originator of a new plan for the 1934 bazaar. For two years, probably because at a time of financial hardship parishioners were unlikely to buy the usual assortment of handmade gifts, no parish bazaar or sale had been planned. "Christmas Windows," a two-day sale headed by Women's Guild members Mrs. Harold Eldridge and Mrs. D. Mark Cummings, contained displays of goods from area stores: the gymnasium, transformed into "a glittering wintery midway," provided "an unlimited opportunity for buying almost anything with the least possible effort." Bulletins and newspaper accounts of the sales indicate the wide variety of items for sale; children's toys and games, men's and women's apparel, china, linen, art works, perfumes, antiques, hardware, electrical goods, and on one occasion a refrigerator. The Women's Guild sold its "famous aprons" and home-baked goods, and merchandise benefiting other charities was sometimes available. Tribune society writer Eleanor Page described the 1934 sale as combining "a stroll down Michigan Avenue (or the Rue de la Paix, or Bond Street), with portrait painting, fortune telling, a food sale, a lingerie and linen sale, restaurant service, and a theater. The beauty of the electric blue display hall with tall silver columns and ... curtained display booths, will fairly take the sightseer's breath away." A turkey dinner, with young women parishioners waiting on tables and parishioner I. Newton Perry as maître d'hotel, was served upstairs "at long tables covered with gold cloth and lighted with orange candles." A performance of the melodrama Under the Gaslight — or Virtue Is Its Own Reward, followed; although a snowstorm had fallen by mistake in a drawing room scene in one of the rehearsals, the actual performance seems to have gone off without incident. "Cousin Eve," another Tribune society writer, wrote on the following Sunday that a New York man had come to Chicago to see how the sale was planned and operated. It was extremely successful, making a profit of approximately $3450; proceeds supported Guild activities, the Community Center, Camp Oronoko and the rector's discretionary fund.

"Christmas Windows" formed a major part of the parish's social calendar in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The location of what the bulletin described as the "far-famed turkey dinner" was moved, in later years, to what Eleanor Page described as "the crypt downstairs — the stylish word for basement." A variety of entertainment was scheduled following the dinner:

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church travel films, speakers, a gypsy orchestra, theatrical productions, and a Berkeley Divinity School professor doubling as a magician who demonstrated "French and German techniques of legerdemain." Among the most amusing programs must have been that of 1935. "Living Pictures," directed by Mrs. John R. Winterbotham, Jr., was a takeoff on the typical art lecture: William Van Nortwick played the part of "Prof. Shuttlecock," and parishioners took part in tableaux parodying twelve famous pictures, among them Harold Simonds in Grant Wood's American Gothic. Shortly before her death in November 1990, Catherine Brooder, who had joined St. Chrysostom's in the mid-1930s and was actively involved with the Guild for many years, shared with the present author her happy memories of Guild activities at this time: Mary Stark and "Christmas Windows," the turkey dinner as a highlight of the parish year, weekly meetings with lunches prepared by Frieda Hicks, friendship and cooperation among the members of the group.

Dudley Stark's encouragement of parish talent appeared once again at the 1934 Sunday School Christmas service, at which the younger children sang a carol, "How to Be Happy," with words by Eleanor East and music by Pat Warren of the Sunday School; Mr. Stark's sons Gregory and Dudley played two of the three kings in the pageant. The Delta Kappa Phi young people's group presented the Easter pageant of 1935, in which the part of St. John was played by Rollin Hunt, who had attended Camp Oronoko and would remain an active choir member and parishioner for over thirty years. On the following Sunday, Rosalind and Mary Stark were among the members of the class confirmed by Bishop Stewart. A sad loss to the parish came that summer, when chief acolyte Elmer Tengberg and three other Commonwealth Edison employees were killed on July 27, 1935 in a light plane crash en route to a weekend at Mackinac Island. Though still in his twenties, Mr. Tengberg had been active for a number of years in the parish and, according to Rollin Hunt, had played an important part in revitalizing its acolyte program.

Dr. Hutton's health problems had been largely responsible for his resignation as rector of St. Chrysostom's in 1928. Although he returned to Chicago in 1934 for the parish's fortieth anniversary celebration, he resigned as rector of St. Andrew's Church in Wellesley, Massachusetts later that year; the vestry sent a message in October expressing their happiness to learn of his recovery from a serious illness. His 1934 Christmas message was printed in the December 23 bulletin.

This is a message born of the Christmas Spirit. It carries to you the good wishes of my heart, which I ask you to receive as a simple token of the season's unselfish love. It bespeaks for you as much grace as you may need in the taking of every friendly

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

gift, and as well a large portion of that sweet blessedness begotten of true giving. And be assured that it is now my earnest prayer that the holy love of Jesus may be a new, fresh thing in your life, and that the peace and joy of the sky-song may live, sweet and real, in you through every day of the whole year.

This was the last message received by the parish from its beloved "rector honorarius." Norman Hutton died on September 25, 1935, at the age of fifty-nine. Dudley Stark traveled to Wellesley for the funeral service on the 27th; the bishops of Connecticut and Massachusetts, the rector of Trinity Church, New York, and Dr. Hutton's successor at St. Andrew's Church also took part in the service. On Sunday, October 6, St. Chrysostom's eleven o'clock service commemorated Dr. Hutton. Mr. Stark's sermon on that occasion was long remembered by those who heard it; at the vestry's request it was printed and distributed to the congregation.

"He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. He goeth before them and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. Jesus spake this parable unto them. I am the good shepherd." Words from the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John. In love we remember and thank God for him who for a score of years in this parish gave full proof of his ministry. If a Christian minister have the gift of able administration, he is fortunate. If he be a mighty preacher of the Word, he also is fortunate. If he have both these gifts, but be not a true pastor, ere long he will fail. Norman Hutton stood highest in what matters most. He was a great shepherd of souls. So rich and manifold was his personality that adequate appraisal is not possible, and sufficient praise cannot be spoken. The words of the text, however, help summarize and explain, in a rising scale of importance, his ministry and his life. "He leadeth them out. He goeth before them." The Christian pastor must be a leader. He must have vision, knowing whither to lead. He must have the sacrificial spirit that attracts others to follow. In a very high degree those qualities were Norman Hutton's. He was no indefinite religionist. He knew where the pastures were green and the waters still. When people came to him for help, he helped them. He could lead others to the more abundant life because he had it in himself. He was here not to take but to give. These were his last written words to Dr. Abbott, his immediate successor: "I have tried to build the parish on the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

principles of allegiance and loyalty to our Christ, rather than to myself, and I realize the test is now coming. I do hope that you will find that it was built on Christ and not on myself. If, in all honesty you could ever tell me that, it would make me happier than anything else in the world." In all honesty we can say, he so built. Moreover, he saw so clearly that people could only be helped by helping others. So this parish in its corporate life became under his leadership a fellowship for bringing succor to those in need. Witness, Camp Oronoko now completing a quarter of a century of fine usefulness. Witness, the Community Center stretching out a neighborly hand and mothering arms to all, irrespective of creed or condition. But this wise leader also knew that larger personalities come ultimately only through spiritual resources. A major aim of his, therefore, was to have a beautiful House of the Lord, safeguarded by an endowment against changes in neighborhood and fortune, so that men, women and children in every condition might come here and be fed with the Bread of Life. Perhaps too seldom we remember Norman Hutton's leadership. Attesting his leadership is the fact established by the contrast between the condition of the parish when he came to it and the condition of this parish when he left it. His friend was right who has just now written to me: "In a sense, the lovely group of buildings that go to make up St. Chrysostom's Church are his memorial, but he would be the last to take any credit for it." An appropriate and generous memorial should be offered in thanksgiving for him and yet, if you wish to see his monument, look around. "He calleth his own sheep by name; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." The true pastor is a sympathetic, loving friend. The shepherd has a name, a nickname, a name of endearment for every single one of his flock. Norman Hutton cared for each and every one. He served here long and constructively because he had a most profound, sensitive affection — I must not say for this congregation — for this family. Will you ever forget it, the sympathetic cadences and nuances of that voice, the rare word aptly spoken? Can we forget the ready, responding smile with the steady, forthright, shining eyes? There he was, there his spirit remains: a great understanding, sympathetic man, able to help and heal those in trouble, able to encourage and steady those in success, for his was a sympathy sprung from a strong, genuine character. He belonged to the Apostolic Succession, following St. Paul, by

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

divine grace and the right of character. "Who is weak and I am not weak? Who is offended and I burn not?" Norman Hutton never made one feel inferior. He would not accept patronage. Snobbery in any form repelled him. He was a friend and trusted counsellor of bishops, of rectors of large parishes, and of missionary priests, of Christian communicants, and of people who professed no religious allegiance, of rich and of poor, of saints and of sinners. They returned his love. He is mourned in the homes of the rich and of the poor throughout this city. I have tried to understand his rare gift of helpfulness. I judge it lies here. He saw people as they were and loved them. He did not try to improve people and afterwards love them. He loved them first and became their benediction, and so they became more lovable. Does it not lie in his own words, which he so beautifully exemplified? "Let us appraise others at their best and thus draw from them their sublime possibilities." "Jesus spake this parable unto them. I am the Good Shepherd." Jesus spake unto Norman Hutton, "I am the Good Shepherd." And Norman Hutton heard those words and that voice. He was, as one of you put it to me the other day, one of God's men. That is the explanation of his life. His life was hid with Christ in God. He was a real man because he had a real faith in God. The most significant and beautiful part of his life we do not know, but can rejoice in its fruits — his life of prayer. He was a good churchman. Like every good churchman, he was nurtured and aided but he was not "cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in" by church formularies or ordinances. He was a truly catholic churchman. The churchmanship of this parish with him could not be labeled, and, please God, it never shall be except with the Cross of Christ, our Glory. He was a high churchman, with veneration for the Church, the Body of Christ, and with appreciation for liturgical and worshipful beauty. He was a low churchman, with an evangelical intensity for the individual soul, remembering always, "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold." He was a broad churchman, steadfast for the glorious liberty of the children of God to grow, and having faith that ever there is more light yet to break. Man of great faith, he knew the unsearchable riches of Christ were far too large and many for any one party or any one church. Holding that faith obediently and humbly he led courageously. He did not flinch, for he had that kind of faith that courageously projects itself forward, sure of finding the truth. Through that faith he loved people. For a kind of instinct was given to him to see the Christ in each human soul.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

That faith assured him of the life hereafter. I must tell you, nobody has ever spoken to me in terms of such assurance of immortality as he. His future life was hid with Christ in God. What I have said must remain insufficient and incomplete. Better are the feelings and resolves which come to us as we remember him. Best of all, that we shall live in accord with those sublime feelings in Christlike deeds. Then we may hope to be with him, a good shepherd, and with many another, praising and serving Christ our Lord, his Good Shepherd and ours.

After three and a half years at St. Chrysostom's, Eugene Shannon left in February 1936 to become rector of Grace Church, Freeport, Illinois. The months immediately following his departure saw changes in parish programs and staff. Walter Schroeder, the new assistant, who had experience in youth work in his former parish in Michigan City, Indiana, took charge of the Community Center. (Programs at the Center that fall included a cooking class for boys as well as for girls.) The financial situation by early 1936 allowed the vestry to raise Dudley Stark's salary from $7500 to $8500 and to give a $200 a year raise to Harold Simonds; parish finances must have continued to improve during the year, for in the fall Sidney T. Cooke, a priest formerly on the staff of St. James Church in New York and "a friend of many years' standing" of Dudley Stark, joined the staff with responsibility for the development of a program for young adults, a group for which there had been no activities since the discontinuance of the Tuesday Nighters. The Sunday evening service, "designed especially for young people of the near north side," was moved from late afternoon to 8 p.m. and enlarged to include four hymns and a short sermon. The November 1936 Diocese cited the service as "one of the first expansion programs among churches of the city in several years ... Sunday evening services among Chicago churches have in recent years become a difficult problem. Many churches have discontinued such and the action of St. Chrysostom's in undertaking the new program is looked upon with considerable interest."

Pat Warren conducted a Bible study group before the service and directed an evening volunteer choir of young people. At first the Lane String Quartet provided the accompaniment, but later Harold Simonds played the organ at the service, though Mr. Warren continued to act as the group's choirmaster; soloists in the early years included Nancy Warren and David Simonds. The vesper choir would form an important part of parish activities for over twenty years. Ten years later Pat Warren described it in the February 17, 1946 bulletin: "On its roster are about forty fine amateur singers, ranging in experience from a very few to a great many years. It is a volunteer organization, recruiting its membership from those who have a definite interest in the finer things of life. Official connection with our church

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church is not one of the qualifications, with the salutary result that we have representatives from many denominations in our ranks ... Many come from great distances to sing with us ... The choir has given several performances away from the church where it has done full justice to the good name of our parish." Wellington Allaway, a parishioner of Grace Church, Oak Park, recalled for the present author an occasion in the 1940s when he called to see Mr. Warren on business. After the business was completed, Pat Warren turned to his caller. "You're an Episcopalian, right? — And I bet you sing in your choir, right? — Bass? — You must come and join us at St. Chrysostom's next Sunday evening" (when a special performance by the vesper choir was scheduled); Mr. Allaway agreed to join the group for the occasion.

Mr. Cooke's activities were not confined to the Sunday evening service. He conducted a Sunday morning Bible class, and appears to have had considerable interest in music. On March 7, 1937, the choir performed an anthem, "The Prayer of St. Richard," with words by Mr. Cooke, and in 1938 he gave a series of Wednesday evening Lenten addresses on the subject "Spiritual Treatment Through Hymns," touching on Composition, Rhyme, Rhythm, Metre, Melody, Unison and Harmony as applying both to music and the Christian life.

The year 1936 saw a change in the parish's Thanksgiving Day worship. In previous years there had been celebrations of Holy Communion at eight and eleven o'clock; now Dudley Stark and three of the clergy who had sent best wishes to St. Chrysostom's on its fortieth anniversary — Duncan Browne of St. James Church, Harrison Ray Anderson of Fourth Presbyterian Church, and Theodore Hume of the New England Congregational Church at Dearborn Street and Delaware Place — scheduled a union Thanksgiving service at eleven o'clock. Morning Prayer (or the regular morning worship service of the non-Episcopal churches) was used, the sermon was preached by a guest preacher rather than one of the pastors of the parishes, and the offering was given to a cause acceptable to all the participating churches. The service continued for over thirty years, though the New England Congregational Church closed after a fire in the late 1930s and St. James withdrew from the service after it became the cathedral of the diocese in 1955 and felt obligated to have a service in its own building each year. The first service was held at Fourth Presbyterian Church; two years later, St. Chrysostom's was the host parish and John Timothy Stone, Fourth Presbyterian Church's pastor emeritus (who had helped rescue valuables at the time of St. Chrysostom's 1914 fire and had spoken at the parish house dedication in 1923) was the preacher. In 1938 the four parishes scheduled joint noonday services at Fourth Presbyterian Church for the first four days of Holy Week, with a sermon by each minister on the topic "The Vision of Christ."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The Cox family had been generous contributors to Camp Oronoko since the death of Rensselaer Cox, Jr. in 1921; the November 29, 1936 bulletin announced Louise Cox's gift of two hundred and fifty hymnals to the parish in memory of her recently deceased mother Mrs. William Deshler. "This is a fitting and lovely memorial of her, for she dearly treasured the ministry of praise. Nearing the close of a long and beautiful life ... when she was told by one setting out to go to church, 'Mother, I am going to church, and I'll pray for you,' she replied, 'Yes, and sing for me.'" Although the 1930s were a period of financial difficulty when many persons found it difficult to give substantially to charitable causes, several gifts to the physical fabric of the church were made during the decade. In 1936 Mary Keep, who with her husband had given the main altar ten years earlier, donated the pavement candlesticks which stand on either side of the altar, and on her death later that year left the parish a sum of money to be used for altar linens. The chalice incorporating the diamond in its base, a memorial to John Virgin Robbins, Anastasia Robbins and Cora Robbins dated "All Saints 1937," must have been given to the parish at this time; however, vestry minutes and bulletins give no information on the gift and the Robbins family are not listed in the parish register or in other sources of information on Chicago families. The bulletin board at the front of the church was given by Joseph King in 1937 in memory of his deceased brother Russell; the board with its inscription, "In loving memory of Russell Lowell King, who as a Christian and a soldier served his God and his country's navy, 1891-1936," was designed by Joseph King's architect son John.

A still more generous gift was made by parishioner Dorothy Eckhart Williams as a memorial to her father Bernard Eckhart, president of the Eckhart Milling Company and a Chicago Sanitary District trustee and park commissioner for whom Eckhart Park on the near west side was named. Charles Connick's panel at the head of the north aisle was dedicated on November 7, 1937; the subject of the Ascension was selected because Mr. Eckhart had died on Ascension Day, May 11, 1931. Connick described the panel appeared in the bulletin: "The base quotation is from Saint Luke, 'And it came to pass while He blessed them He was parted from them and carried up into heaven, and they worshipped him.' ... Aspiration and worship may be said to dominate the entire design." The spiritual significance of the colors was noted: red for divine love, sacrifice and martyrdom, blue for divine wisdom, loyalty and truth, green for hope, springtime and victory, white for faith and peace, gold representing achievement and treasures in heaven, purple symbolizing both justice and mystery.

As early as the fall of 1933 Frederick Spalding had stated that, because of his age and health, he would be willing to retire as camp director if someone else could be found to take the responsibility. By 1937 his health

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church had further worsened and he resigned his position to Walter Schroeder; a parish committee chaired by William Cox and made up primarily of younger men was appointed to oversee the camp's finance, budget, property and purchasing. In consideration of Mr. Spalding's long and faithful service, the vestry voted him the title of Camp Director Honorarius. "It has been a hard grind for Frederick C. Spalding who directed the camp through difficult times. Without his personal sacrifices it is doubtful that Camp Oronoko could have sustained successful operation," stated the bulletin of April 25, 1937. Results from the committee's appeal were "most gratifying," according to the May 23 bulletin; donations included Angus and Lucille Hibbard's gift of an outdoor altar and a bunkhouse. Attendance that season was 225 (110 boys and 115 girls), with thirteen social agencies represented.

Parish bulletins in the mid-1930s occasionally carried announcements of meetings of the evening branch of the diocesan Women's Auxiliary at various churches in the city. In the fall of 1937 St. Chrysostom's formed its own organization for women who worked during the day. The Business and Professional Women's Guild held its first meeting on October 28; according to the following Sunday's bulletin, "the Rector addressed the group whose membership now is fifty women." Dinner was served at a cost of fifty cents, followed by a program; topics of the monthly meetings in 1937/38 included an illustrated lecture, "Eyes Around the World," by Dorothy Eckhart Williams' brother Percy Eckhart, a talk by Bishop Stewart on Scottish poetry during which he recited a number of poems, Mrs. Robert B. Gregory's presentation on "Religion and International Affairs," a Lenten meditation by Bishop Robert Nelson Spencer of Western Missouri, and a spring party on May 23. The group continued its activities for over twenty years.

At Bishop Stewart's 1937 visitation to St. Chrysostom's Gregory and Dudley Stark, aged thirteen and twelve, were among those confirmed. Frances Spence recalls that the boys had chosen their careers at an early date; Dudley planned to be a soldier, while Gregory intended to be a priest like his father. Two of the adults in that year's confirmation class were Alice Flemming (always known as Lynn), who had become parish secretary the previous September, and her brother William. Lynn Flemming would remain as secretary for over thirty years under four rectors until her retirement in 1968, a period of service exceeded only by Harold Simonds.

The year 1937 saw another significant addition to St. Chrysostom's parish staff when John Wilkinson was appointed sexton in March. Born in Ballintoy, Northern Ireland, Jack Wilkinson emigrated to the United States as a young man; he and his two daughters now moved into the parish house. In the bulletin of December 11, 1938 following the "Christmas Windows" sale, Dudley Stark wrote, "We ... remember gratefully the many hours of

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church service, above ... required time, that our Sexton, Mr. John Wilkinson ... spent in constructing and placing booths." Throughout his twenty-nine years of service Mr. Wilkinson would give uncounted "hours of service, above required time" to maintain the buildings in the best possible physical condition and to provide service at bazaars, rummage sales and many other parish activities; he performed many duties which would now be considered the responsibility of the Altar Guild, including setting up for midweek Holy Communion services and preparing for weddings. Some present-day parishioners remain who recall his warm welcome to all entering the church on Sunday mornings.

George Ranney's financial report at the 1938 annual meeting was optimistic; in 1937 the parish had operated within its income, pledges had increased from 190 to 225, and the parish's diocesan missions quota had been raised from $6000 to $6600. At the January 1938 vestry meeting Dudley Stark expressed his hope that the church could be consecrated. According to the minutes of the February meeting, the vestry had "some doubts ... as to conditions imposed by consecration under the Canons of the Diocese of Chicago and as to the future status of our Church property after consecration," probably relating to the effect that the severe financial difficulties of the diocese (at that time facing the possibility of bankruptcy) might have on the parish. Frederic Norcross consulted his brother John, chancellor of the diocese, who gave his opinion that "consecration would in no way ... lessen or limit the full, complete and sole authority and ownership now ... vested in the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen" and would "in no wise ... impair title to the property should the Corporation Sole ... become insolvent or bankrupt." With these assurances, the vestry voted unanimously to request Bishop Stewart to officiate at the consecration of the church on November 6, 1938, or at another date convenient to him, resolving that the offering on that occasion should be used toward paying interest on the diocesan debt. The bishop responded, "I shall be most happy to reserve Sunday, November 6, 1938, for the service of consecration of your beautiful Church ... May I ask you to convey to your Vestry my grateful appreciation of their proposal to give the offering that morning to the Bishop as Corporation Sole? And, may I offer to you my special thanks for your proposal to ... make that thank offering a generous one? By this action you and your Vestry have only reiterated in a very beautiful way those assurances of loyal co-operation which I have repeatedly felt during my entire Episcopate."

Senior warden Frederic Norcross, who had contributed so heavily to the parish in time, talent and treasure during his thirty-three years on the vestry, must surely have rejoiced over the consecration plans; his sudden death on March 13 must have added a bittersweet note to the planning. A

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church regular attendant at services, serving on the vestry under every rector of the parish, he had seen St. Chrysostom's grow from the troubled early years of the century to become one of the strongest parishes in the diocese and had himself played a considerable part in that growth. The resolution adopted by the vestry following his death paid tribute to his work.

He loved Saint Chrysostom's Church. To his duties he brought accuracy of thought, practical wisdom, and a consecrated spirit. He was the familiar friend and trusted guide of rectors and vestrymen. Good works, cultural, social and educational adorned his character. His gifts of humor and friendliness endeared him to the young and old. He was obedient to heavenly visions. His life bore fruits of the Spirit.

George Ranney, who had made the eloquent appeal for the canvass in the depression year of 1933, was elected to succeed Frederic Norcross as senior warden. Mr. Ranney was one of the last of the generation of "self- made men" to rise to positions of business leadership; his formal education in the Chicago public schools had ended with grammar school. He had worked for the Bank of Montreal and served as vice-president of International Harvester; following the resignation of Samuel Insull, Jr. in 1933, he was appointed vice-chairman of three energy companies, Commonwealth Edison, Peoples Gas and Public Service of Northern Illinois. Bruce Borland, a self-employed mechanical engineer and member of an old Chicago family, was named junior warden; Mr. Borland had served on the vestry since 1920 and was an active member of the board of trustees of the Glenwood School for Boys serving children from broken homes.

Plans for the consecration of the church were indefinitely postponed after Bishop Stewart suffered a severe heart attack in early June; he was hospitalized for a considerable length of time and was unable to return to work until late fall. Though bishops from neighboring dioceses officiated at confirmations and other services in Chicago during his absence, St. Chrysostom's vestry voted to postpone the consecration until Bishop Stewart could perform the ceremony. He never made a full recovery, dying of another heart attack on May 2, 1940; plans for consecration of the church were not discussed again for many years.

Mr. Stark had inspired the members of the vestry to continue their work in difficult times, stressing the importance of continuity in leadership. However, Frederic Norcross was only one of several men lost to the vestry by death in the 1930s. Benjamin Taylor, for some years treasurer of the parish, died on May 13, 1935 after eighteen years of vestry service, and Harold Cornelius Smith died of pneumonia at the relatively young age of 54

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church on September 29, 1936; he had been confirmed at St. Chrysostom's shortly before his election to the vestry in 1913. LeRoy Kramer, who had been active in fund-raising for the 1935 diocesan Centenary Fund, was elected to succeed Mr. Taylor; Charles Y. Freeman, general counsel for Commonwealth Edison, replaced Mr. Smith, and John Allen, vice-president of Brink's and for many years president of the diocesan Church Club for men, filled the vacancy caused by Frederick Norcross' death. Mr. Allen's first wife Mae had died the previous year; the annual Church Club party for needy children in December 1937 memorialized her, and John Allen gave the decorations to the church at Christmas and Easter in her memory until his death in 1964. The new vestry were, on an average, older than those taking office in earlier years; from the late 1930s to the early 1960s the vestry was primarily made up of men in their fifties and older.

Although the increased age among the vestry probably indicates a desire for experienced, stable leadership, it almost certainly also reflects changes in the composition and demographics of the area near the church. In 1907 Mr. Snively had noted the departure of parishioners for the suburbs. By the 1920s (as the growth in Church School attendance and the active program of the Tuesday Nighters group indicate) St. Chrysostom's membership included many young families and single persons, and society column accounts of Easter church attendance state that while many older Episcopalians remained faithful to St. James' Church, a sizeable number of the "young married set" had become members of St. Chrysostom's. More young families were now choosing suburban rather than city living; Sunday School enrollment dropped from over 300 in the 1920s to 176 in the fall of 1938. In appealing for contributions to the $100,000 Fund, Norman Hutton had noted a greater number of apartments and hotels and fewer single family homes in the neighborhood of the church. Ten years later, many former single-family homes on Dearborn and State Parkway were now in use as inexpensive rooming houses, and the Plaza Hotel, where Mr. Snively had lived in the 1890s and early 1900s, housed primarily persons with limited incomes.

The area west of the church had also seen changes. Twenty years earlier many members of the Junior Forward Movement, the Boy Scouts, and confirmation classes had lived in this area; their fathers held occupations such as clerk, electrician or milkman. Now much of the neighborhood was deteriorating, and in 1936 Dudley Stark proposed an "extension of missionary work nearby," probably considering how best the church might serve the residents of this area. In an attempt to stem the decline of the neighborhood, the Marshall Field Estate had in the late 1920s constructed a moderate-income housing complex a few blocks west of the church, with over 600 apartments, stores, and a school from kindergarten through third

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church grade. Many residents of the Marshall Field Garden Apartments were families with young children, and Mr. Stark proposed establishing a Sunday School in the complex. Although the project was never carried through, the parish sent a car to the building each Sunday to transport children to St. Chrysostom's for Sunday School. The present author was among the Field Apartments children driven to St. Chrysostom's in the early 1940s; at least one and sometimes two carloads of children were brought to the church each Sunday.

In the spring of 1938 Dudley Stark established the All Saints' Memorial Fund for contributions in memory of the departed, the income to be used for those in need. An early contributor was Maude Stein Snyder, who after some years in the suburbs had moved into the Field Apartments and returned to her former parish in the 1930s. Mr. Stark gratefully acknowledged her $50 donation in memory of Kathryn Schau and Caroline Schau Stein, parishioners of the former All Saints' Mission.

You will be pleased to know that the Fund, though but recently established, has now reached the sum of Two Hundred Sixty Dollars. Your generous contributions added very materially, and being in memory of those who were connected with All Saints Church or Mission, have an added and beautiful significance.

By that fall Walter Schroeder and Sidney Cooke had left the parish, and an acting assistant, the Reverend W. Alfred Cave, was appointed; George Blacktopp was named director of the Community Center, assisted by a group of trained volunteers led by parishioner Louise Chandler. For the Easter Day services on April 9, 1939, amplifiers were installed in the auditorium of the parish house, permitting two hundred more worshippers to attend. Later that spring Dudley Stark was honored with an honorary LL.D. degree from Chicago Medical College.

Following his heart attack, Bishop Stewart called a special diocesan convention on May 31, 1939 to elect a suffragan bishop. John Evans discussed the election and the candidates in a Tribune article on May 26. Would the diocese elect an older man who would not be considered as Bishop Stewart's eventual successor, or a younger man who might succeed him as diocesan bishop? If an older priest were elected, sixty-nine-year-old Edwin Randall, for seventeen years executive secretary of the diocese, was the likely choice; Dr. Randall was strongly supported by the Catholic Club of the diocese. "Leading laity, however, insist on the election of a vigorous

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church young man who can assist actively in liquidating diocesan indebtedness of $500,000," wrote Dr. Evans. "In view of the confusion, many veteran observers ... now feel that a dark horse with strong leadership qualities and youth will finally be elected ... One member of this group who is the rector of a strong suburban parish said: 'Our votes on every ballot will go to the Rev. Dr. Dudley S. Stark.'" Dr. Randall was elected five days later, though the election was not without controversy. Dr. Evans' assessment that "leading laity" favored a "vigorous young man" was borne out by the fact that the lay delegates, who could not vote themselves but had veto power over the clergy's choice, came within one-half vote of rejecting Dr. Randall. The Reverend Carlton Story of the Church of the Mediator on the far south side was a strong candidate, receiving over 40 votes; among other nominees who (according to Dr. Evans) "showed strength during the balloting" was Dudley Stark, who received nine votes on the second ballot.

Mr. Cave had not been hired as a permanent assistant; Dudley Stark wished to make a thorough search for a suitable person to fill the position. The Reverend John H. Hauser, a graduate of Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut, joined the parish staff in the summer of 1939. Married and with small children, he provided strong leadership to the church school and was given responsibility for the Sunday evening service and associated activities for young people.

Frederick Spalding's failing health had forced his resignation as camp director in 1937; that summer he was hospitalized for an extended period, and on his sixty-fourth birthday on July 13 the vestry passed a resolution extending greetings to their "friend and fellow member," hoping that his health would "so continue to improve" that he would be "up and about again in a short time." This hope was not to be fulfilled; Mr. Spalding's health continued to deteriorate and he died on May 24, 1939. An obituary in the Daily News, where he had worked since 1908, described him as the dean of the paper's proofreaders (who had specialized in recent years in proofreading editorials) and mentioned his "active interest in youth's camp activities" at Camp Oronoko. "Always loyal to his friends, Mr. Spalding never forgot them. Each year on their birthday anniversaries he would send them a birthday card, usually inscribed with a poem of his own composition." Thirty years later parishioner Mary Faust commented to Joanna Zander, "No history of St. Chrysostom's would be complete without paying tribute to Frederick Spalding. He was a proofreader on the Chicago Daily News and spent practically all of his salary doing kind things for the youth of St. Chrysostom's. To the time of his death I always received a beautiful birthday poem composed by F.S., as did hundreds of others on their birthdays." Henrietta Newton recalls him as nearly always present at the church: "He always donated the flowers for the children's chapel, and was especially fond

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church of red roses." Fifty-three years after Mr. Spalding's death, Rollin Hunt commented to the present author, "You must be sure to include Fred Spalding in your history," describing him as a man of considerable intelligence who took time off without pay each summer for his camp work and as a result sacrificed the possibility of advancement with the Daily News. The vestry's 1937 resolution praised his "long and loyal interest in the affairs of the Parish and particularly his unfailing interest and help in the development and growth of Camp Oronoko." The memorial prepared after his death (which unfortunately does not survive) must certainly have referred to his many years of work for the camp; we may hope that it also made mention of his deep love for his Lord and his church, obvious even through the somewhat impersonal medium of printed records over half a century after his death.

Although many of the vestry serving in the 1930s were in their fifties and sixties, the man selected to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Spalding's death was considerably younger. William D. Cox, in his early thirties, whose family had given generously to Camp Oronoko and whose own parish ties dated back to his enrollment in 1914 as a Sunday School student, was elected to the vestry in December 1939. He had taken an active interest in camp activities, serving on fund-raising committees after Frederick Spalding could no longer do so for reasons of health. (In later years, according to Betty Redmond, Mr. Cox recalled that he was at that time the only younger man on the vestry and was very conscious of the age difference between himself and the other members of the group.) Bill Cox's wife Helen was for many years a member of the Women's Guild and the Altar Guild; the three Cox boys, like their father, attended St. Chrysostom's Sunday School, and William Cox, Jr. followed in his father's footsteps by serving on the vestry from 1968 to 1972.

George Blacktopp reported in early 1940 on the work of the Community Center during the previous year. 642 persons were registered in its programs, most of whom were not members of the parish; attendance at all activities totaled nearly 29,000 (an average of 157 per day). A year- round program was now in operation, including Camp Oronoko and a summer playground program at Delaware and Dearborn Streets. Camp Oronoko's 1939 summer season included for the first time younger children age 3 to 8: "One child was heard to say, 'Let's stay at camp and miss Christmas.'" Some of the more popular Center activities were the play groups for kindergarten and primary children, arts and crafts and shop sessions (where each child made two articles, one to keep and one to sell to defray expenses of the program), athletics, cooking and sewing, folk and ballroom dancing, and dramatics; Boy Scout and Campfire Girl activities were now administered by the Center. A mothers' group, whose activities

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church included makeover sewing, dramatics and gym work, met twice a week. Several government agencies including the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Art Project supplied instructors to the Center. Mr. Blacktopp described some individuals whom the Center had helped. "Miss X" was a young churchwoman with a master's degree and experience as a primary teacher whose "affairs had somehow gone awry" and who was "penniless, homeless, discouraged and ill." Though relief agencies had found her a home and supplied assistance, "the amount of aid ... was not adequate to rebuild a life, so additional help was found for Miss X. Most important of all, an opportunity was given her to make her own contribution by taking over a class of small children at the Center ... Several months later she ... was ready to tackle life on her own." Children from another family were sent to Camp Oronoko for the summer and placed in good foster homes while their mother was treated for tuberculosis at the Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium, and a "maladjusted and anti-social boy" at the camp said after six weeks, "I have found some friends — some real guys ... The world seems better out here and sometimes it makes you think of God."

Lynn Flemming's work in the office had given satisfaction; the vestry voted to increase her salary to $140 a month. Office equipment now included a mimeograph machine donated by Charles Freeman. Two parish staff received honorary degrees in 1940. Dudley Stark was awarded a D.D. from Kenyon College, while Harold Simonds was the recipient of a Mus.D. degree from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, which had an active program of choral music and whose choir sang at least once at St. Chrysostom's Sunday evening service.

At the June 17, 1940, vestry meeting, Dr. Stark announced that he had received "an offer of $500" to apply to the cost of installing an elevator in the parish house; the walk to the second floor was a long one, and many parishioners found it difficult. However, on December 5 John Redmond, on behalf of the property committee, reported that "his investigations ... had convinced him of the futility of such a move," and though the matter was raised again on occasion and gifts offered to cover part or all of the cost, it would be nearly twenty years until an elevator was constructed.

In fall 1940, as the regular schedule of activities resumed, many parishioners must have been aware that the election of a successor to Bishop Stewart on September 24 could have important implications for the parish as well as the diocese. A Daily News story of September 23 cited "at least five men [who] have strong support for the post ... Suffragan Bishop Edwin G. Randall; the Rev. Harold L. Bowen, rector of St. Mark's, Evanston; the Rev. Dudley Scott Stark, rector of St. Chrysostom's; the Rev. Ray Everett Carr, rector of St. Peter's [Chicago]; and the Rev. George Carlton

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Story, rector of the Church of the Mediator, Morgan Park. All five are from parishes within the diocese and the selection of one would carry out the practice of choosing the bishop from the diocese, which has been adhered to for the last 35 years. It was also considered within the possibilities that a bishop might be chosen from outside the diocese."

After seventeen ballots, no election had been made. According to Daily News writer William P. M'Dermott, a "dark horse" candidate had emerged: the Rt. Rev. Spence Burton, suffragan bishop of Haiti and father superior of the Episcopal monastic order of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, supported by the high church party in the diocese. (Bishop Burton had preached on at least one occasion at the Loop midweek noonday Lenten services.) The events were described by John Evans in the September 26 Tribune: "The voting throughout the day was filled with surprises. Not the least of these was ... the strong support given to Dr. Dudley Scott Stark ... who led the first ballot and raced Bishop Burton for eight ballots when the bishop's support broke." Later "the tide turned strongly toward Suffragan Bishop Edwin J. Randall ... The Rev. Dr. Harold Bowen ... gained support on the eighth ballot and continued through the 15th, when only 10 additional votes would have assured him of election ... Dr. Stark's support was released on the 14th ballot to vote either for Dr. Bowen or Bishop Randall, but neither ... gained on the subsequent ballot. When it appeared unlikely that ... Dr. Bowen or Bishop Randall could be elected, the support which had been released by leaders favoring Bishop Burton's cause began returning and Dr. Stark's support also gave strong evidence of reviving ... Contrary to general practices throughout the Episcopal Church, the clergy of the Chicago diocese elects with the laity given veto power. Many observers point out that if clergy and laity voted concurrently ... the clergy deadlock would have been avoided." The Living Church commented on October 2, 1940: "It is difficult for the Holy Spirit to exercise effective guidance in the choice of a bishop when the clergy play politics instead of listening for His voice."

On November 27 a second election was held. According to John Evans, three candidates now led the field: the Reverend Wallace E. Conkling of St. Luke's Church, Germantown, Pa., the Very Reverend Noble C. Powell, dean of Washington Cathedral, and Dudley Stark. Wallace Conkling was elected on the second ballot, receiving 54 votes to Noble Powell's 30 and Dudley Stark's 21; Dr. Stark moved to make the vote unanimous, and the laity confirmed the clergy's choice. According to John Evans, "the Germantown church in one of Philadelphia's more exclusive suburbs is ... one of the largest in Pennsylvania. The Rev. Mr. Conkling is known as a scholarly type of clergyman ... an exceptional preacher ... a leader in social and welfare projects. He is the author of several religious books and has headed many important departments and commissions in the diocese of Pennsylvania."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Bishop Conkling's tenure was highly successful in one very important area. He came to a diocese which was on the verge of insolvency and restored it to a strong financial position. In other areas his legacy was mixed. George Craig Stewart, though himself a high churchman, had a good relationship with St. Chrysostom's, a low church parish, and praised the parish and its members for their strong cooperation in diocesan activities. Like his predecessor, Bishop Conkling was a strong high churchman; unlike Bishop Stewart, his relationships with parishes whose churchmanship did not conform to his own were at times difficult, and as time passed St. Chrysostom's became considerably less active in diocesan affairs. Almost certainly the parish was not totally blameless in the situation, and in later years (particularly after Bishop Conkling's retirement) did not take advantage of opportunities to improve the relationship. Not until Robert Hall became rector of St. Chrysostom's in 1958 would this unhappy situation change.

Dudley S. Stark: World War II and Postwar, 1941-1950

By the late 1930s some reflection of the worsening world situation had begun to appear in parish bulletins. At first concern centered on the fighting between Japan and China. The offering at the 1937 union Thanksgiving service at St. James Church was "by unanimous agreement of the ministers ... devoted to the relief of our Christian brethren in the Shanghai area." A guest preacher from China, Dr. Francis C.M. Wei, came to St. Chrysostom's on January 2, 1938, and on the following Sunday the parish contributed $261.06 to a diocesan offering for Chinese church hospitals and schools. "Deaconess Putman of Shanghai" spoke on "the church's precarious work in China" at a Business and Professional Women's Guild meeting on October 25, 1939. Red Cross groups met weekly at the church, and November 12, 1939 was designated "Red Cross Sunday." "Christmas Windows" also reflected the times. The entertainment in 1939 was provided by Cornelius Vanderbilt, lecturing on "The Twelve Most Interesting Personalities I Have Met"; a strange choice of title, since his subjects included Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin. At the following year's sale, the tea room was, according to the bulletin, "decorated in a manner well calculated to stir our patriotic fervor." By mid-December 1940, women were asked to spend part of each Thursday sewing and knitting at British War Relief headquarters, while the American Women's Voluntary Services appealed for funds to provide Christmas treats to children in bombed areas in and near London.

At this time a St. Chrysostom's parishioner was actively participating in the national government. Charles S. Dewey was elected Congressman

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church from the ninth district in 1940 and served two terms before being defeated in the 1944 election. A Chicago native and a cousin of Spanish-American War hero Admiral George Dewey, he had been Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Coolidge administration, with responsibility for the reduction in the size of paper money which took place at that time, and from 1927 to 1931 was a financial advisor to the Polish government. He returned to Chicago in the 1930s as Colgate-Palmolive Company vice-president for finance and became active in the Republican party. After World War II he settled permanently in Washington and remained in public affairs, playing a major part in the administration of Marshall Plan aid to Europe; he lived an exceptionally long life, dying on December 25, 1980 a few weeks after his hundredth birthday. His wife Suzette (well known in her own right for her volunteer work with the Red Cross and her writings on food and wine) spoke to the Women's Guild in October 1942 on "The Church in Wartime Washington." Early in 1941, the Deweys donated an Episcopal Church flag to the parish.

Other parish activities continued regardless of world problems. A group known as the Anglican Guild was established in early 1939, sponsoring a men's and boys' choir (under the direction of "Madam Rugby") which made its first and only public appearance at the evening service on April 30. By the next year the group's focus had changed to discussions of theological issues; former assistant minister Gardner MacWhorter led a session on the Creed on May 11. Mrs. William Pearce was honored on All Saints' Day, 1939, for her twenty years as head of the Altar Guild. Later that month, in addition to the now well-established union Thanksgiving service, Dr. Stark participated in another cooperative venture; on November 19, accompanied by Harold Simonds and the St. Chrysostom's choir, he exchanged pulpits with the Reverend F.C. Benson Belliss, rector of St. Paul's Church on the south side, and his organist and boys' choir. St. Paul's choir was especially well received by the St. Chrysostom's congregation, and the exchange was repeated on February 15, 1942.

An unusual activity on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941, was the Easter hat parade broadcast from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m. on radio station WGN. "Tipped off by fashion experts that Easter hats will be wilder and woolier than ever," Tribune society editor India Moffett and fashion editor Rea Seeger were to "post themselves near St. Chrysostom's Church on the near north side and ... describe the styles, particularly in hats, they see as the people emerge from the church," with announcer Charles Victor on hand to "express the masculine point of view."

The Church School program received diocesan awards in 1938 and 1940. Awards of pins and bars were made to students with perfect

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church attendance over one or more years; Saturday morning make-up sessions were scheduled to increase the number of eligible children. In February 1940, students with three months perfect attendance received gold crosses, with a Bible or Prayer Book presented to the student in each class who had brought in the greatest number of new members. Attendance was taken at the children's midweek Lenten services, and a "Rector's Honor Roll" of those with perfect attendance or one absence appeared in the bulletin shortly after Easter. In Advent and Lent the children continued to collect money in mite boxes; Advent offerings supported diocesan agencies, while the Lenten contributions were used for world mission. During Lent 1940, the children sold copies of the national church magazine Forth to members of the congregation, who were urged to "further the proceeds (which go into the Lenten mite boxes) by not showing too much sales resistance." That fall 252 children were registered in the church school; on November 24, 187 children were present, the largest attendance in five years. A junior acolytes' guild had been established; boys in the group served at the 9:30 church school services and were promoted as openings occurred among the senior acolytes. In addition to the annual Thanksgiving offering of canned goods to St. Mary's Home, the church school gave over 100 gifts at Christmas 1940 to an Indian mission in Orleans, California.

The Sunday evening service (whose time had been changed to 5 p.m.) continued to attract young people. Twenty-four people attended Pat Warren's Bible class before the service, Delta Kappa Phi meetings followed the service, and a young married couples' club was planned (though there is no indication that such a group was actually established).

The evening choir expanded its activities, in late 1940 announcing plans to perform Flotow's opera Martha under the direction of Robert Heger- Goetzl, formerly of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. According to Rollin and Juanita Hunt, after considering the number of tenor parts required for that work, the choir (which had two tenors available) changed its plans, performing instead Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience on February 17 and 18, 1941 at Foresters' Hall at 1016 North Dearborn Street, with John and Ruth Hauser among the chorus members.

The program included short biographical sketches of the cast. Orville Hicks, in the part of Bunthorne, "probably needs no introduction for he has grown up with all of us," Rollin Hunt (the Colonel) "has been with the young people all his life, both as an instructor ... at the summer camp and as a partaker of all the young people's activities," and Juanita Crunk (Patience) "has undoubtedly impressed you, both with her fine quality of voice and ease upon the stage ... a rather recently made friend of the young people ... [who] first became associated with us through her work in the afternoon

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church choir." Miss Crunk, who had come to Chicago to study music and art, lived at the Three Arts Club just south of the church, and, like many music students at the club at that period, was recruited to join the Sunday evening choir; she married Rollin Hunt, the author of the flattering program sketch, at St. Chrysostom's not quite a year later, on January 17, 1942. The poor condition of the gymnasium floor probably prevented use of the parish house for the production, since the $135.77 raised by the event was used toward a new floor. (The "Marbelite" floor installed later that year proved satisfactory; however, the vestry went on record as disapproving use of the gym for roller skating.)

Parish bulletins for 1941 and 1942 include the names of three persons whose later careers in or beyond the parish were noteworthy. Ann Cornelisen, who was confirmed in 1941, achieved considerable fame as a writer. In the mid-1950s she moved to Italy where she worked with the Save the Children Federation; her book Torregreca, based on this experience, was a popular and critical success and has been followed by several other highly praised books with Italy as their subject. Her mother Ydoine worked to recruit hostesses for the parish Servicemen's Center and was a member of the Women's Guild and the Altar Guild, heading the latter group from 1956 to 1958.

The list of church school teachers in the November 2, 1941 bulletin marks the first printed reference to a parishioner who would make a major contribution to St. Chrysostom's over the next forty years; Mrs. Albert Ramm, assisting Henrietta Newton in the kindergarten. Dorothy Sugden Ramm transferred her membership from Grace Church, Oak Park, to St. Chrysostom's after her marriage to Albert Ramm and move to Chicago in 1935. Midway through the 1940/41 school year she volunteered as a teacher; accompanying her daughter (the present author) to Sunday School, Mrs. Ramm characteristically wished to be of service rather than waiting idly for the sessions to end. She continued to teach until the early 1960s, resigning when her first students' children began to enter the Church School because she "did not want to teach two generations." After her daughter left Chicago for college in 1954, Mrs. Ramm was active in the Women's Guild and Altar Guild (serving as head of both organizations) and in 1972 became the first woman elected to the vestry.

Bertha Mandelkow was one of the adult members of the 1942 confirmation class. Few if any persons in the history of the parish have equalled her record of stewardship. In her earlier years as a parishioner she lived in rooming houses near the church, later moving to a one-room apartment a few blocks south of St. Chrysostom's with a view of the back wall of an adjacent building; employed in a low-salaried position at an

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church insurance company and living on Social Security and a small pension after her retirement, she never failed to give a tithe of her income to the parish. When she received gifts of money from friends, a tenth was put aside for her tithe; Robert Howell recalls that she would give him these sums to be used "for the poor." She attended both morning services and the evening service on Sunday, and was a member of the adult Bible class. Mary Ellen Christy, in her 1991 lay stewardship sermon, cited Bertha Mandelkow as an example to the congregation, recalling her tithing and her membership (at the age of seventy plus) in the Young Adult group of the early and mid-1970s.

In May 1941 the first of the needlepoint pieces in the church was dedicated; the small cushions at the main altar with a carnation motif, worked by parishioner Grace Scott as a memorial to her husband Charles. Mrs. Scott headed the Needlework and Textile Guild in the city; soon after completing the cushions, she became a member of the Altar Guild, and for many years did much of its embroidery and fine sewing. The May 11 bulletin highlighted Camp Oronoko: "with the approach of warm weather and vacation-time the thoughts of young and old turn to the great outdoors." Under Community Center director Margaret Pembroke, Francis Parker School faculty member Bernard Negronida and "thirty other trained workers, most of them university students interested in camping," a four-week period for boys was scheduled on June 28, followed by four weeks for girls; the $14 charge for two weeks did not cover all expenses, and parishioners were asked to make donations to the camp budget.

Fall 1941 saw the resumption of a full round of activities. The church school and Community Center began their season, the Woman's Guild and Auxiliary staged another successful "Christmas Windows" bazaar, St. Chrysostom's hosted the union Thanksgiving service with Bishop Conkling as preacher, and the evening choir performed Maunder's "Song of Thanksgiving" on Sunday, November 23. On the second Sunday in Advent, December 7, the bulletin called attention to several scheduled events, among them the Business and Professional Women's Guild meeting on December 9 at which actress Colleen Moore would speak on "Hollywood and My Doll House," and a December 10 lecture at Orchestra Hall, "What Gives Britain Courage to Endure," by the Reverend Michael Coleman of All Hallows, London. A new dramatic group, the St. Chrysostom's Players, directed by radio actor and parishioner Harry Candale, planned to present two one-act plays, "The Christmas Carol" adapted from Dickens and "The Bishop's Candlesticks" adapted from Hugo's Les Miserables, on December 17. Parishioners were urged to make contributions toward the purchase of Christmas baskets for the needy, an annual custom since the early 1930s. The Sunday evening choir was to make its radio debut, broadcasting a half- hour program of Christmas music on Saturday, December 20 on station

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

WGN; after the service the following evening, the group would carol at hospitals and at homes of parishioners.

The Gospel appointed in the 1928 Prayer Book for the second Sunday in Advent (Luke 21:25-31) appears all too pertinent in the light of the attack on Pearl Harbor, news of which must have reached the city not long after the conclusion of the eleven o'clock service: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; ... men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth ..."

Two of the hymns at that day's service also seem sadly appropriate:

God the All-Terrible! King, who ordainest

Thunder thy clarion, the lightning Thy sword;

Show forth thy pity on high where Thou reignest;

Give to us peace in our time, O Lord.

(Hymn 435, 1916 Hymnal)

The morning light is breaking ...

Each breeze that sweeps the ocean

Brings tidings from afar

Of nations in commotion,

Prepared for Sion's war.

(Hymn 479, 1916 Hymnal)

St. Chrysostom's archives from World War II, a time when the church did not issue a newsletter, contain little information about parishioners' war service. Contrary to the practice in World War I, when the parish magazine included an "honor roll," the church did not list in its bulletin the names of its members in the armed forces, but did maintain a list of parishioners in service. The Anglican Guild planned to send them "news of parochial activities" as well as cookies, candy and cigarettes; the Hunts recall that Bertha Mandelkow spent many hours in the Guild Room writing long and newsy letters to servicemen, which were received with much appreciation.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

(A feature in the November 1945 issue of the diocesan magazine Advance stated that 150 St. Chrysostom's parishioners had served in the military.) Bulletins provide more detail about St. Chrysostom's "home front" activity. Evening Red Cross programs sponsored by the Girls' Friendly Society and the Business and Professional Women's Guild were added to the daytime Red Cross groups which had for some time been meeting at the church. At the request of the diocese, an all-day prayer service was held one Wednesday a month beginning with Holy Communion at 7:30 a.m. and continuing till 6 p.m.; parishioners were asked to sign up for a half-hour period of intercession during the day. In the fall of 1942 under assistant E. Paul Parker, services of Morning Prayer on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, the Litany on Wednesday morning, and Evening Prayer on Friday were added to the schedule, providing additional opportunities for intercession.

On many occasions the bulletin publicized the work of the church's Army and Navy Commission which funded chaplains for the armed forces. These were no doubt of special interest to long-time members of the parish, since former assistant minister Eugene Shannon had by Christmas 1942 become a Navy chaplain in San Juan, Puerto Rico — the first non-Roman Catholic chaplain to serve in the Caribbean. Mr. Shannon's letter to Bishop Randall was printed in Advance for May 1943. "Just like parish work, there are no hours. My office is on the second deck of the recreation building, where the canteen, movies, bowling alleys and the pool are located and you can readily see how strategically I am situated. Conducting the services has been a great joy. It is an inspiration to conduct worship where seating space is at a premium ... Until recently I had no equipment for celebrating the Eucharist; therefore I could not make up a regular schedule, for it was not always convenient or easy to borrow from the Cathedral staff. Now I have from the Army and Navy Commission one of their kits. They are perfect."

Much war-related business was discussed at vestry meetings. In early 1942 the group voted to install a flagpole on the tower. Because the church's oil burners, installed in 1923, were "very nearly obsolete" and the nation had been urged to conserve oil, John Redmond reported on October 8 that one burner had been converted to coal; a short time later the Department of the Interior wrote the church "asking for just such a change in the interest of oil conservation." The national anthem was now sung at all worship services following the Doxology. Paul Noyes called attention to the "timely words" of the last verse of the anthem; the vestry agreed that it should be substituted for the more familiar first verse.

A February 14, 1942 feature in the Daily News photogravure section described "A Cosmopolitan Congregation Which Has Grown in Prestige and Maintained a Place of Christian Worship Through Fifty Challenging Years."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Photographs captioned "My House Shall Be Called a House of Prayer," "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord" and "Go Your Way ... Into His Courts with Praise," showed the congregation at worship, Dudley Stark at the lectern, and the senior choir, while Harold Simonds was portrayed "At Keyboard of the Mighty Carillon" and John Hauser and seven vestry members were shown "Supervising Temporal Affairs." Wartime activities were illustrated by the picture of a parish Red Cross chapter; photographs of the Community Center showed "little housewives of the neighborhood enjoy[ing] the cooking classes," "future homemakers in the sewing classes," and boys taking part in "machine shop practice, home handcraft and various forms of manual training" and participating in "gymn [sic] night at the social center." The article concluded with a brief reference to the church's camp program.

News from the campsite that year was unhappy. Lake Chapin, fed by the St. Joseph River, had become polluted with sewage from Niles, Michigan, making swimming impossible, and the vestry voted not to open the camp in 1942; however, they agreed to maintain the buildings in the hope that the pollution problem could be corrected and the camp reopened in the future.

At the end of May 1942 John Hauser resigned to accept a call to a parish in Rahway, New Jersey. His later ministry was distinguished; he served at churches in Springfield, Illinois, Chester, Pennsylvania, Laguna Beach and Coronado, California, was twice a delegate to General Convention, and was president of the finance committee of the Diocese of San Diego before retiring as rector of Christ Church, Coronado, in 1978. The Reverend E. Paul Parker, a recent Seabury-Western Seminary graduate, joined the parish that fall as assistant, and at the October 8 vestry meeting Dr. Stark announced another addition to the parish staff; using money from the 1941 "Christmas Windows" sale originally earmarked for Camp Oronoko, he had hired George Kubitz to direct the Community Center. For the rest of his life Mr. Kubitz remained actively associated with St. Chrysostom's; he had previously been employed at diocesan headquarters and was known to many in the parish for his work with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and as director of the Brotherhood's Camp Houghteling in Michigan. Inasmuch as war priorities made it nearly impossible to purchase athletic equipment, Mr. Kubitz asked parishioners to contribute equipment and table games for the Center as well as volunteering their services.

The minutes of this meeting make the first reference to a program which was to form an important part of St. Chrysostom's wartime activities. "The Parish had been approached on the idea of using the premises for a Service Men's Center, whereupon it was suggested that contact be established with the Personnel Officer at the Navy Pier ... Disposition of the matter was left in the hands of Dr. Stark and the two Wardens, with power

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church to act." In late October St. Chrysostom's Servicemen's Center opened for three weeks on a trial basis; the need for the program was obvious, and the Center continued in existence until mid-1946. Advance featured the Center in its May 1943 issue: "When the Rev. Dr. Dudley Stark started the project last fall he knew he had the full support of the Woman's Guild and the parish. He wasn't so sure about the enthusiasm of the servicemen. But now, after five months, the hundreds of letters of appreciation he is receiving from the men who visited St. Chrysostom's during their stay in Chicago assure him of their enthusiasm." On Wednesday through Sunday nights, from seven to eleven o'clock, "the young men make full use of the badminton courts, chess boards and ping-pong tables, and enjoy numerous table games as well," according to the parish bulletin of December 6, 1942. "Besides these activities the Center provides a well organized program of social dancing, group games and entertainment." George Kubitz took charge of the day-to-day operation of the Servicemen's Center as well as the Community Center; many parishioners volunteered their services in some capacity. Hostesses were recruited from young women of the parish, the Girls' Friendly Lodge, the Three Arts Club and their friends; they were required to submit references and recommendations and to be in attendance at the Center at least eight evenings a month. The Woman's Guild provided the coffee, soft drinks and cake which were served at the end of the evening. Servicemen in attendance came from officers' training schools at Navy Pier, Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Fort Sheridan, and air force training centers in the former Congress and Stevens Hotels; guests were given cards advertising the center, and (according to Advance) "few men [left] ... without returning another evening with one or two friends." Some of them became associated with the church in other capacities; the bulletin of December 13, 1942, commented that "more and more of the men ... have been coming to the 5:00 service and have joined with the young people who meet afterwards for supper and a social hour," in some cases becoming acolytes or choir members. (The supper after the service, for which there was a nominal charge, was served free to servicemen.)

"The next best thing to home. That's how servicemen describe the servicemen's center at St. Chrysostom's Church," read the opening lines of a photo feature in the September 28, 1945 Chicago Herald-American. "... The servicemen haven't had to worry about plenty of recreation. The gymnasium provides basketball, archery, softball and badminton. The basement offers ping pong and shuffleboard. Dancing and movies are held every evening, with cards, reading, and community singing to round out the program ... Mrs. Marie Plimmer, known as 'Mom' to the boys, has been in charge of the [hostesses] since the center opened. A group of servicemen wrote her from the South Pacific: 'If we could, we'd put up a bronze plaque in every city in the world for you. We never met anyone with so much kindness and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church understanding. No one else ever did so much for their country.' Mom's rules are rigid regarding ... hostesses, requiring them to obtain recommendations from the pastor of their church and from some business associate."

John Wilkinson and his daughters had particularly happy associations with the Servicemen's Center. Dorothy Wilkinson was pictured in the April 1944 Advance receiving a bracelet awarded by Dudley Stark to the hostess with the best attendance record, Irene Wilkinson met her husband Bill Gledhill through the Center, and John Wilkinson, whose first marriage had ended in divorce some years previously, married a hostess at the Center. Ruth Wilkinson shared her memories of the program in a September 1990 letter to the author: "One of the interesting things you'll undoubtedly report on will be the Servicemen's Center. That was what brought me to St. Chrys. and met Jack. Many romances were started there — and blessed there! This is just a small part of what St. Chrys. means to me."

The decision to open the Servicemen's Center was probably not the only parish business transacted outside official vestry meetings in the World War II years. Several months now often passed between meetings; in addition, formal canvasses were scheduled infrequently if at all, though individuals were on occasiony contacted and urged to increase their pledges. Financial needs seem often to have been met by contributions of vestry members rather than by appeals to the congregation as a whole; John Allen's 1944 gift covering most of the cost of the newly published 1940 Hymnal is a case in point.

An action difficult to defend by current standards is the change in time and place of the annual meetings. Attendance at annual parish meetings in the Guild Room on Sunday afternoons in the 1930s and early 1940s was small; however, the change of time in 1943 from Sunday to a weekday afternoon, and the change of place to the rector's study the following year, meant that the meetings were in practice closed to all but the rector, wardens and vestry. Grace Woodman, who transferred to St. Chrysostom's in late 1949 from a church outside the Chicago area where the annual meeting was extremely well attended, recalled the vestry's surprise when she came to the meeting on her first year in the city — the only non-vestry member in attendance. At this period, when Sunday bulletins were printed early in the previous week and vestry membership changed only upon the death or retirement of one of the members, the list of newly elected vestry in the bulletin on the Sunday following the meeting must often have been printed before the election took place.

"Christmas Windows" was a war casualty. Dudley Stark reported to the vestry that "general conditions and a certain amount of indifference on the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church part of those who had exhibited before" made it inadvisable to hold the sale in 1942, not surprising in a time of shortages and rationing; women were almost certainly devoting their time to war work and could not produce handmade items for a traditional bazaar. Other fund-raising activities were substituted. A card party and tea, with prizes including an add-a-pearl necklace, war bonds, twelve dinner plates and a fifty-pound keg of soap chips, was scheduled on February 24, 1943; score pads with the Guild crest were designed for the occasion. In 1944 and 1945 the women sponsored a spring fashion show and tea to benefit the Servicemen's Center and other charities, and revived the turkey dinner as a separate parish event in December.

In November 1943 the Guild scheduled a rummage sale under the direction of Mrs. Fred Gerlach and Miss Alice Barler, perhaps the first such sale held by the group since the early years of Norman Hutton's rectorship (though the Community Center had on several occasions held rummage sales as fund-raisers). It made a profit of over $1300 and became for many years a feature of the parish calendar. Isabel Gerlach (in whose memory the parish's silver tea service was given) was a leader in many Guild activities of the period; her husband Fred was a patent attorney, and their daughter Mildred Gerlach Jacklon, a Tribune society writer in the late 1920s, had written the Easter 1927 feature describing attendance at St. Chrysostom's on the day of the first performance of the carillon.

Alice Barler continued to head rummage sales for over twenty years. Her name first appears in parish listings in 1933 as a volunteer teaching sewing at the Community Center; she was confirmed in 1935. The daughter of Augustus Condon Barler, who made a substantial fortune from his invention of the Barler oil heater, she lived a lifestyle which was in many ways not in keeping with her income. Stories of Miss Barler may seem exaggerated to persons who did not know her, but can be vouched for by the present author and others who knew her personally. Climbing the stairs in her four-story house at 436 Arlington Place could be hazardous, since she reduced electric bills by using bulbs of the lowest available wattage. Albert and Dorothy Sugden Ramm were Miss Barler's dinner guests in 1956; the first course consisted of soup made from water in which the remainder of the dinner (two boiled chicken wings per person and a large quantity of onions) had been cooked, and the Ramms on their return home supplemented the meal with sandwiches. (Miss Barler's cousin Jessie Wellington was sometimes served an alternative menu, a large meat loaf made with an ample number of onions, a substantial quantity of bread crumbs and half a pound of ground beef.) Alice Barler's sugar bowl was filled with packets of sugar from restaurants; her gifts to friends were usually salvaged from rummage sale contributions or purchased at sales. One Christmas Day she

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church called Dorothy Sugden Ramm in dismay; she had sharpened what she thought to be a rummage sale lipstick and given it as a Christmas gift, had discovered that she had given away her own lipstick, and was about to call the recipient to ask for its return!

At a time soon after the outbreak of war, Dr. Stark's tenth anniversary as rector provided an occasion for rejoicing. The hymns at the 11:00 service on March 8, 1942, "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," "O God Our Help in Ages Past," and "Blest Be the Tie That Binds," and more elaborate service music than was customary for Lent indicate that rector and parish looked back with gratitude on the past ten years. At the evening service, the sermon was delivered by Dr. Stark's close friend the Reverend Floyd E. Bernard of All Saints Church, Ravenswood.

Later in 1942, a committee of the rector, wardens and vestry members Fletcher Durbin, Charles Freeman and Albert Sprague was formed to consider "suitable ways of recognizing the occasion" of the parish's fiftieth anniversary the following January. Because of the war, no such elaborate observance as that of the fortieth anniversary was planned, but festival services on Sunday, January 17, with Bishop Conkling as preacher, and a Sunday afternoon tea were scheduled. The parish's living former rectors sent good wishes:

I rejoice to hear that on January 17th you are to commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of Saint Chrysostom's. My heartiest congratulations to Rector, Vestry and Congregation! Your anniversary comes at a time of world crisis. I pray that God may so inspire you with wisdom and power, through His Blessed Spirit, that you may be enabled to make a real contribution to the needs of humanity at this present hour. Also I pray that God may help you to make the coming fifty years of your history as a parish of signal service in the carrying out of His loving purpose toward mankind. The Church in the United States has come to expect great things for you, and I am persuaded, even as you are persuaded,that the glory of the latter house shall exceed the glory of the former.

With cordial regards and best wishes,

H.P. ALMON ABBOTT,

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Bishop of Lexington.

To the members of St. Chrysostom's Church:

My very dear Friends: Although unable to be present in person, nevertheless my thoughts are with you in the celebration on January 17th which marks the fiftieth anniversary of St. Chrysostom's Church. I have always believed in celebrations. They teach us to look well to the "Rock of Faith from which we are hewn." Many of the things we most enjoy in life have been handed on to us through the devoted interest and unselfish loyalty of those who have gone before. There is so much of someone else's vision and loyalty in the present strength of St. Chrysostom's that I am sure all of those who know it in the present are thankful to them. My rectorate in St. Chrysostom's was one of the happiest experiences of life. I frequently think of it and of all that was done by many friends to make Mrs. Keeler and me so happy in it. I think I have one unique distinction in connection with my memory of St. Chrysostom's. I believe that my consecration as Bishop was the only service of that sort so far held in St. Chrysostom's. I have watched with so much interest the growth of the parish under the ministry of your distinguished rector. May there be many happy years of service and fellowship yet in store for you and for him. My best wishes are with every member of the parish for the year 1943. It bids fair to be a year of destiny for all of us. We shall be making one of our strongest efforts on behalf of our country in this emergency if we continue to keep very deep and vital our spiritual motive and purpose. Again with my best congratulations, in which Mrs. Keeler joins me, I am,

Ever cordially yours,

STEPHEN E. KEELER,

Bishop Coadjutor of Minnesota.

The service followed the traditional "Founder's Day" pattern begun nine years before at the observance of the parish's fortieth anniversary, with most of the hymns and service music duplicating those used in 1934. The bulletin quoted Bishop McLaren's message authorizing the adoption of the name St. Chrysostom's Church and listed the wardens and vestry of 1894

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church and 1943; a short note referred to "the longer Rectorships" of Thaddeus Snively and Norman Hutton. At the evening service Harrison Ray Anderson of Fourth Presbyterian Church and Duncan Browne of St. James Church presented greetings in lieu of a sermon.

A new service added to the schedule that January remained on the calendar for nearly twenty years. The first Festival Service of Lights took place on Sunday evening, January 31; in later years it was usually scheduled on the first Sunday after Epiphany. The sermon, normally given by a guest preacher, was followed by Lehmann's anthem "No Candle Was There," with Nancy Warren as soprano soloist. Acolytes representing the apostles lit candles held by members of the congregation, and with other lights in the church extinguished, all present rose to affirm allegiance to "the faith of Christ crucified," processing out with their candles to the hymns "Onward Christian Soldiers" and "Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow."

Weekly services of Evening Prayer with a sermon by one of the parish clergy or a guest preacher formed the parish's usual Lenten observance in the war years. The 1944 program by retired Bishop Frank McElwain of Minnesota (who had recently been succeeded by his coadjutor Stephen Keeler) was considered worthy of special mention. Bishop McElwain, now dean of Seabury-Western Seminary, took as his subject the prophets of the Old Testament; his presentations (according to the bulletin of February 6) would "combine the order and direct instruction of the Seminary classroom with the personal, religious approach of ... a Priest and Bishop of the Church. It would be difficult to evaluate your loss should you be unable to take advantage of this special Lenten instruction."

The Servicemen's Center continued to thrive. Parish bulletins regularly included news of Center activities; three to five hundred servicemen were present during an average week. Special party nights — the annual anniversary dance marking the founding of the Center, nationality parties commemorating the Allied nations, a "Sadie Hawkins" girl-ask-boy dance inspired by Al Capp's popular comic strip Li'l Abner, Christmas parties, the New Year's weekend formal dance — were regularly scheduled, but, as a bulletin put it, "you are likely to have just as happy a time even on a more ordinary evening. The directors would like to have you drop in."

In the summer of 1943 the parish received an unusual gift. Parishioner Stanley Pargellis, librarian of the Newberry Library, presented the church with (as Advance described it) a "monumental edition of the works of St. John Chrysostom, published by Eton College in 1613 ... to form the nucleus of a collection of rare books for the parish library. The eight volumes, written in Greek ... were the great labor of Sir Henry Savile ... Stanley Pargellis ...

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church writes: 'The story is told that Savile worked himself so ill over the editing that his wife threatened, "If Harry dies I'll have that Chrysostom burned," but changed her mind when it was pointed out to her that Chrysostom was the sweetest of preachers since the Apostles.'" Although the "collection of rare books" never became a reality, the eight-volume work remains in the rector's study.

Paul Parker as head of the church school made few major changes in its program, although for the first time in some years a vacation Bible school was scheduled in July 1943. Fewer families with children now lived in the area of the church, and though no statistics are available for the period there was almost certainly a decline in enrollment. Former teacher Eleanor East returned in 1944 to take charge of the kindergarten when Henrietta Newton's husband Clifford entered the service and the couple left the city. Ten years earlier Miss East had collaborated with Pat Warren to compose a hymn for the children's Christmas service; she now wrote both the words and music of hymns which the kindergarten and primary children sang at the Christmas and Easter services (which at this time did not include a pageant). "Miss East's hymns" remained on the program for some years after Mrs. Newton's return; although they were not literarily or musically distinguished, Dudley Stark's enthusiasm for them was an endearing feature of the services. He made a special point of announcing that they had been composed by a parishioner, and after the performance would exclaim: "That was splendid! Now let's see if we can do as well as they did!" urging the congregation to join him in singing the final verse.

The church school chapel altar as well as the altars in the church was regularly decorated with flowers. Responsibility for the chapel flowers belonged to parishioner Elizabeth Bedingfield. Miss Bedingfield might have stepped from the pages of an English novel. A British citizen trained as a nanny, she had also worked as a "Universal Aunt," providing activities for children visiting London whose parents were engaged in other sightseeing. She had been nanny to the Robert Tafts at the family's summer home at Murray Bay, Quebec; according to Juanita Hunt, Miss Bedingfield was traveling in the United States when World War II began and was unable to return to England, but through Senator Taft's influence was able to remain in the States. Dudley Stark was particularly fond of her and referred to her as "Saint Elizabeth." Though Cuthbert Pratt did not continue to call her by that name, he made a point of sending her postcards of the British royal family from his frequent vacations in Canada. The summer of 1959, when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Chicago, was a happy time for Miss Bedingfield. In early summer a fellow parishioner expressed concern over a teenage family member who did not plan either to take a job or attend

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church summer school. Elizabeth Bedingfield sympathized in the only way she could: "Oh, dear — and is she not even interested in the Queen's visit?"

Teas sponsored by various parish groups were held before the evening service on the first Sunday of the month; on May 7, 1944 the Girls' Friendly Society hosted diocesan GFS chapters at tea before a special service for the organization. This is the last recorded Girls' Friendly Society meeting in the parish; by 1948, when a regular calendar of activities again appeared in the bulletin, the group was no longer active at the church. The Business and Professional Women's Guild merged with the Anglican Guild in early 1943; because of the Servicemen's Center it was difficult to schedule weeknight meetings of the businesswomen's group, and its members were urged to volunteer at the Center "for the duration." The Anglican Guild devoted much of its time to a study of proposals for church unity. It took part in joint Episcopal and Presbyterian services held during the Epiphany season in city churches, and speakers from other Christian denominations often appeared at its meetings.

The group's studies were probably influenced by the actions of General Convention in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1937 the Episcopal Church had voted to "take immediate steps toward the forming of plans whereby union with the Presbyterian Church may be achieved"; the Presbyterian Church had accepted the invitation. The issue of organic union with the Presbyterian Church was an important item on the agenda of the 1943 General Convention in Cleveland. Diocesan bishops Conkling and Randall expressed strong opposition. Bishop Randall commented in the July 1943 Advance that "the proposals would set back the cause of real Church unity for a long time to come, and would estop the present hopeful efforts towards a better understanding between the great historic branches of the Catholic Church — Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Roman." Eight clergy of the diocese including Dudley Stark had signed a letter in the June issue giving a differing view.

We have been urged, in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral "to enter into brotherly conference with any or all Christian bodies seeking the restoration of the organic unity of the church." The various proposals, as put forth by our commission, have been completely in accord with those mandates. In spite of that fact, every proposal has met with studied and unfriendly resistance by obstructionists within the Episcopal Church. It has become evident that as far as they are concerned, the price of unity must be the unconditional

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

surrender of any Christian body that might desire to unite with us and the acceptance in its entirety of the theological and ecclesiastical position occupied traditionally by our church. Such an attitude cannot fail not only to impede every movement toward unity but also to give great and scandalous offense to our fellow-Christians of other churches ... It is disheartening and humiliating that every time specific action is proposed there are those within the church who resist and repudiate what is suggested. We believe that the time has come when we should either act in spite of the opposition or else stop proclaiming our desire for unity.

The 1943 convention tabled both majority and minority reports on organic union with the Presbyterians, referring them to the church for study. The proposal was raised again but not adopted at the General Convention of 1946, which instead agreed to develop a broader basis for consideration of all proposals of church unity based on the four points of the Chicago- Lambeth Quadrilateral; Holy Scripture, the creeds, the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the historic episcopate.

Though probably a majority of the diocesan clergy shared the bishops' views on the issue of unity with the Presbyterians, Dudley Stark's leadership was still recognized. At the 1944 diocesan convention he was elected a member of the Bishop and Trustees; in January 1945 he became dean of the Chicago-North Deanery, and for some years he held the chairmanship of the Committee on the State of the Church. However, the issue highlighted the growing polarization of the diocese; parishes such as St. Chrysostom's, who on this and other issues maintained a "low church" position, increasingly felt that their views were not welcomed by diocesan leadership and that they were under some pressure to conform to majority views in doctrine and worship. As time passed, relationships with the diocese, which had been good through nearly all of St. Chrysostom's history, entered a period of extreme difficulty. Rima Schultz's history of St. James Cathedral, The Church and the City, highlights Bishop Conkling's contributions to the diocese but notes that he was "often at odds with those not in his camp"; St. Chrysostom's Church, whose traditions and worship did not conform to those favored by the bishop, was certainly in this category.

As long-time parishioners who had been heavily involved in diocesan programs died, parish activity on the diocesan level decreased. Lucinda Kretschmer, who had received Bishop Stewart's distinguished service award for her work as head of the diocesan Altar Guild, died on April 26, 1942. Her husband Herman had her award mounted on a chalice, which was dedicated by Bishop Conkling at his annual visitation on April 8, 1945 and which

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church remains in occasional use in the parish. Angus Hibbard, long active in parish and diocesan affairs, broke his hip in 1944 and was from then on confined to the hospital. He died on October 21, 1945: a tribute to him appeared in the December Advance.

ANGUS S. HIBBARD: Venerable and dear to all of us, past president and director of the Church Club of Chicago for nearly 50 years. The Church Club was one of the means Mr. Hibbard used to express himself in church work. As most of us know, he was active in his own parish as well as in the diocesan council. For years and years he was chairman of the publicity committee of the diocese and editor of the diocesan magazine Advance. It was through Mr. Hibbard's untiring efforts that the magazine rose in stature from a mere trifling news sheet to the outstanding magazine of the Episcopal Church in America.

It has not been possible through parish archives or other sources fully to reconstruct data on the six men with ties to St. Chrysostom's who were killed during World War II. Joseph Otis III was a third-generation parishioner confirmed at St. Chrysostom's in 1935. His death was the second war- related death in two generations in the Otis family; Joseph Otis' uncle George died of appendicitis in a military camp shortly after the end of World War I. Donald Freeman (also confirmed in 1935), the youngest son of vestry member Charles Freeman, was killed in Germany on April 12, 1945, the day of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death. Roland Newfield, a member of the 1940 confirmation class, died at some time during the war; details of his death are not known to us.

Charles and Suzette Dewey's younger son Peter had been a foreign correspondent in Paris when war broke out. He enlisted in the Polish army, with which he served until the fall of France; escaping through Spain, he was interred in Portugal before returning home and was subsequently decorated by both the French and Polish governments. After a short period as a civilian in Washington he enlisted in the American army in 1942. As a member of a paratroop unit in the Office of Strategic Services, he parachuted into France shortly before the invasion of southern France, organizing a French Maquis detachment which captured 384 German soldiers and a Nazi tank and destroyed two other tanks; for this feat he received the Legion of Merit. In July 1945 he volunteered for special duty with the OSS in Saigon, and was killed on September 26 (after World War II had officially ended) when his jeep was attacked by Annamite rebels.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Former St. Chrysostom's assistant Eugene Shannon was the first priest of the diocese to die in service. Shortly after Christmas 1944 he wrote Bishop Randall from his station on the aircraft carrier Bismarck Sea in the Pacific, enclosing a photograph of himself baptizing an airman on Christmas Day and suggesting that, if printed in Advance, it should be titled, "With the Sign of the Cross." He continued, "I'd had charge of all the ship's festivities at that season; this was one of my final duties, or much better put, opportunities. The services went well; men standing all over the place, many of them perched up on airplanes on the hangar deck where we held the services." On February 21, 1945, the carrier was hit by Japanese torpedoes in the Coral Sea. Chaplain Shannon had offered a prayer at the vessel's commissioning the previous April: "Remember with Thy great kindness those who from this ship shall soar off into the great spaces of the sky; return them safely as birds to their nest. We do not ask, Heavenly Father, for an easy task, but rather we implore Thee for courage and strength to do whatever job lies before us. These requests we make in Thy name into whose protecting arms we commit our ship and ourselves, now and forever, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen." A survivor related that before the carrier was downed, a plane from the craft dropped a bag on the deck of the flagship of the group containing a message from the skipper and a prayer from the chaplain. Later, Mr. Shannon's former parish in Freeport dedicated a tablet in his memory which quoted his prayer and described him as "a faithful pastor in peace as in war."

Gregory Stark had since childhood expressed his desire to become a priest. However, after his graduation from Boys' Latin School in 1942 he joined the Army, and in January 1945 was serving as a private in the combat engineers in Luxembourg. The month of January was always a busy one at St. Chrysostom's, with the Service of Lights, the Founder's Day service and the annual meeting on the schedule; in addition, Bishop Keeler was to return to his former parish as guest preacher on January 28. The period must have been exceptionally difficult for the Starks, who had just received the news that their son was missing. The Tribune of January 24 carried a short announcement: "Pvt. Gregory Stark, 20, ... son of the Rev. and Mrs. Dudley Scott Stark, has been missing in action ... since Jan. 6, his parents were advised yesterday." By this time or soon afterwards, the Starks must have been officially notified of his death. A nonmember of St. Chrysostom's recalled attending a service there on the Sunday after she received the news of her brother's death in battle and hearing Dudley Stark's announcement of his own son's death. (Ironically, Dudley Stark, Jr., who made his career in the army, was at West Point and did not see active service in the war.)

A number of parishioners remembered Gregory Stark by gifts to the All Saints' Fund or contributions of memorial flowers at the Easter service on

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

April 1; the gift by the hostesses of the Servicemen's Center must have been especially meaningful to the family. A special evening service on January 13, 1946 honored the memory of the six persons connected with the parish who had died during the war. The Starks gave memorial flowers on the occasion, and the vesper choir provided special music.

In 1949 Dr. Stark told the youth confirmation class a story almost certainly inspired by the loss of his son. A small boy prayed every night for a pony for Christmas; his parents, unable to afford the purchase, worried that their son would lose his faith when he did not receive the pony. On Christmas night they asked him, "How do you feel about God's not answering your prayer?" The boy responded, "But He did answer. He said no." Nearly twenty-five years after Gregory Stark's death, when his parents visited St. Chrysostom's in 1969, they made a special point of going to the "rector's pew," remembering the years when Gregory had sat there with the family.

Two non-war deaths affecting the congregation occurred in the spring of 1945. Former rector Bishop Henry Pryor Almon Abbott died on April 4 at the age of sixty-three, some weeks after he had suffered a heart attack at a service in a Lexington church. John Evans' obituary described the bishop as "a noted pulpit orator" and quoted Dudley Stark's gratitude for his predecessor's "splendid prophetic ministry and missionary zeal." Though Bishop Abbott's tenure at St. Chrysostom's had been short, he looked back to it with pleasure and maintained friendships with former parishioners; John Redmond on one occasion received a photograph of the bishop on a donkey in the Kentucky mountains.

Louise Cox, who had contributed so liberally to the parish, especially to Camp Oronoko, died on May 12. She remembered St. Chrysostom's generously in her will, leaving $10,000 to establish the Rensselaer D. Cox Jr. Memorial Fund for Camp Oronoko or other parish work with children and $10,000 for the Cox Memorial Fund for "general parochial purposes." In 1946 William Cox made an even more generous gift in his mother's memory, donating $50,000 to create the Louise Deshler Cox Memorial Fund, whose income would be administered by a committee of the vestry and used for general parish needs. It was unhappily not possible to use the Rensselaer Cox fund for Camp Oronoko; water pollution problems on the site could not be corrected, and the vestry agreed in late 1945 to sell the land. The property was put on the market the following year; probably because of the water difficulties, it was not sold until January 1948, and the $15,000 proceeds were added to the Cox Memorial Fund. (Parish bulletins list other special endowment funds in existence in the late 1940s; Richard T. Crane, Jr.'s gift of $50,000 for maintenance of the carillon and bell tower, Mary Blair

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Keep's Memorial Altar Fund of $10,000 for linens and care of the altar, and the Katie L. Eckhart Fund of $5000 for general parish purposes given by her daughter Dorothy Eckhart Williams in 1947.)

In the fall of 1945, after three years at St. Chrysostom's, Paul Parker accepted a call to St. John's Church, Naperville: in early October Dr. Stark announced his choice of a successor. The Reverend Cuthbert Pratt was older and with more experience than most of Dr. Stark's previous assistants. Twenty-nine years old, he had been born in England; he had been assistant at St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, and rector of St. John's Church in Fall River, Massachusetts, a parish of five hundred communicants, resigning to study for an advanced degree at the University of Chicago divinity school. He would play an important part in the life of the parish in the years to come and would become Dudley Stark's close personal friend as well as his assistant, a friendship continuing long after both had left the parish.

Like Dr. Stark's other assistants, Mr. Pratt was given responsibility for the church school. On his first Sunday a disturbance arose during the worship service; he paused in the prayers, walked from the chancel to the pew where the disturbance was taking place, and continued the prayers from there. Though Mr. Pratt maintained overall supervision of the Sunday School, Gertrude Brisbane was hired in the fall of 1946 as the parish's director of religious education. At a period when the quality of the church school program had become uneven, her contribution was valuable; the present author recalls her sixth grade "Christian Living" course with its many thoughtful discussions on the application of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes to the daily lives and activities of eleven- and twelve-year-olds. During 1947/48, music student Carol Thrumston, a member of the Service League, assisted Harold Simonds as organist and supervised the junior choir. Under her leadership the junior choir learned new hymns and settings of the canticles and sang anthems at the Christmas and Easter children's services: the Westminster and Coventry Carols at Christmas, and "Awake, thou wintry earth" at Easter, added a somewhat higher level of music to the services than that represented by "Miss East's hymns." (Unfortunately, both women left St. Chrysostom's after 1947/48, and the changes instituted by them did not long survive their departure.) For the convenience of parents attending the eleven o'clock service, a church school program at that hour (taught by Henrietta Newton) was added to the schedule.

On February 17, 1946, under Cuthbert Pratt's direction, a meeting was held after the evening service to reestablish a young people's group. At first known as the Young People's Club, it later adopted the name of the Service League. Mr. Pratt's interests almost certainly influenced the choice of topics for the bi-weekly programs, which often related to religion and world affairs

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in the postwar world. Many speakers were affiliated with the University of Chicago theological school, and some of the subjects appear abstruse for a group of this type — notably the address on April 7 of "His Beatitude Eshi Mar Shimun XXIII, Patriarch of the East and of the Assyrian (Nestorian) Church," who spoke on the history of the Assyrian people and his experiences in the war years and read selections in Aramaic! Other guests reflected Cuthbert Pratt's English background: the Reverend Philip B. "Tubby" Clayton, an English priest well known in his own country as founder of the interdenominational social service organization Toc H and chaplain to the king of England, was the preacher at the evening service on February 29, 1948.

Not all the programs were given by outside speakers. Lenten programs often consisted of members' reviews of religious books. Travel films, a graphologist, musical programs by members, and readings from Leonard Q. Ross' humorous volume, The Education of Hyman Kaplan, provided lighter entertainment, and the group held regular midweek bowling sessions; the vestry discussed installing a bowling alley in the church basement, but took no action on the proposal. Service League programs were popular and well- attended, though some may seem esoteric to the present-day reader; many members of the group became involved in other parish activities, and some have continued at St. Chrysostom's until the present day. Chester Hand, treasurer of the group in 1948, soon afterward began studies at Seabury- Western Seminary — the third St. Chrysostom's parishioner to enter the ordained ministry.

Some of the young women in the Service League expressed an interest in becoming members of the Altar Guild. Records of this group's activities in the earlier years of the parish are scant, but it appears that in the Hutton years it did not number more than eight or ten women; Dr. Abbott planned to reorganize the group and increase its membership, but probably left too soon to put his plans into effect. During the early years of Dudley Stark's rectorship, the Altar Guild remained small in number and its members were for the most part older, long-time members of the parish. At its annual meeting in June 1948, the women agreed to Dr. Stark's proposal that some Service League members be invited to join the group; two of those who joined at this time, Elizabeth Redmond and Martha Mullen Wells, later served as presidents of the Altar Guild. (Nearly thirty-five years later, Martha Wells recalled that the junior members were "only permitted to care for the acolytes' robes and clergy vestments and to dust and change linens.") Then and for some years afterward, the head of the group annually held a luncheon for the members at a club to which she belonged.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In late 1945 and early 1946 there was a substantial turnover in the senior choir; Harold Simonds paid tribute to the group's new members in the bulletin of February 10, 1946. "We have always sought to avail ourselves of the best in worshipful church music. In working toward this end the choirmaster has enjoyed the warmest cooperation of all in the choir and wishes at this time publicly to express his grateful appreciation." That year on Good Friday the choir performed for the first time Gabriel Fauré's Requiem. Worship services continued for the most part in the pattern of the previous years. A midweek evening service with an address remained a regular Lenten feature; in 1947 Cuthbert Pratt presented programs on "American Episcopal Church Leaders," preceded by a supper at 6:45. In some years an additional early Communion service was scheduled on Fridays during Lent. Dr. Abbott had established an early service of Holy Communion on Thursday mornings; in the fall of 1947, perhaps because of Cuthbert Pratt's class schedule at the University of Chicago, the service was moved to Wednesday and has continued on that day ever since. At the 1948 union Thanksgiving service at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Dudley Stark read a prayer from Walter Rauschenbusch's Prayers of the Social Awakening which anticipated the environmental concerns of the later years of the century:

We remember with shame that in the past we have exercised the high dominion of man with ruthless cruelty, so that the voice of the Earth, which should have gone up to Thee in song, has been a groan of travail ... When our use of this world is over and we make room for others, may we not leave anything ravaged by our own greed or by our ignorance, but may we hand on our common heritage ... undiminished in fertility and joy, that so our bodies may return in peace to the great mother who nourished them and our spirits may round the circle of a perfect life in Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Community Center's enrollment increased by thirty-five percent in 1946. Besides the regularly scheduled activities of cooking, sewing, dramatics, handicrafts, wood shop, sports and games, a high school boys' "International Club" incorporating representatives of ten nationality groups met one evening a week as an offshoot of the Center; the latter group had been founded by the boys themselves. "At a time when juvenile delinquency is an outstanding national problem it is well to keep in mind the constructive work which is being done within the parish through the Community Center," read the bulletin of May 4, 1947. That year a summer play program was scheduled with trips to beaches, parks, playgrounds, museums, and the forest preserve. In 1945 the parish Boy Scout troops received the "General

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Eisenhower Award" for collecting over 55,000 pounds of paper, and the following year Boy Scout Troop 40, one of the first in the city, marked its thirty-fifth anniversary; Frank Faulhaber, a seven-palm Eagle Scout, directed the program, which also included Cub Scout and Explorer Scout troops. A Girl Scout program was reestablished at the church in 1947 and continued through the early 1950s.

Though many Chicago activities for military men had closed at war's end, servicemen were still stationed in the city, and the Servicemen's Center continued through mid-1946, filling a special need for younger men beginning service; navy men made up the majority of those in attendance. On June 17 a grand closing dinner was held for all servicemen and hostesses who could attend; George Kubitz noted that 63,409 servicemen and 363 hostesses had attended the Center during the slightly over three and a half years of its existence. Pleasant memories of the Center remained for many years. In late 1977, World War II veteran Burtt Bliss of Kingston, New Jersey, was inspired to write to St. Chrysostom's after watching a TV program on the war: "[The program] brought back memories ... [of] the war-time relationships I had with ... the Servicemen's Center at your church ... The center that your church provided in those troubled times was a home away from home for myself and many others. I will never forget what the people and the church did and they will always occupy a warm spot in my heart. Please convey my love, gratitude and appreciation to all the members of your church — they contributed to making my life so much happpier during my stay in Chicago." In 1990, a visitor to the Dearborn Garden Walk told the author that he had last been in the church in 1945, when he had danced to the jukebox at the Center.

In 1946 the Women's Guild turkey dinner also included a few items of handwork for sale. Though in 1947 no bazaar or dinner was scheduled, 1948 saw a full-scale resumption of the Christmas bazaar, returning to the tradition of handmade items rather than to the pre-World War II "Christmas Windows." Margaret Conover, who had been among the workers at the 1910 bazaar, headed the book table, while Dorothy Eckhart Williams was in charge of plants and Christmas table decorations; toys, Christmas cards, aprons, linens and "a host of other beautiful and useful things" were for sale, Mary Stark directed the ever-popular turkey dinner, and tea was served during the afternoon. The rummage sale continued under Alice Barler's direction, normally in late winter or early spring. By 1947 the Business and Professional Women's Guild had resumed its activities under its new president Mary Stops, and in December sponsored an unusual Christmas program for all members of the parish: "The Nativity," a marionette program for adults presented by Olga and Martin Stevens.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The late 1940s saw the deaths of several longtime members of the vestry. Albert Sprague, who had served on the vestry since 1925, "a faithful public servant, leader in many an educational cultural and philanthropic enterprise ... a valiant spirit," died on April 7, 1946, while lawyer Paul Noyes, "vestryman of this Church from May 10, 1915 to the day of his death, serving with unswerving loyalty and devotion," died on September 6. Two men in their forties, lawyer Marshall Sampsell and H. Stuart Stone, vice-president of Ditto, Inc., were chosen to fill the vacancies, reversing the trend toward older vestry which had been so marked in previous years.

A still greater loss came the following year. After a period of ill health, senior warden George Ranney went to the Homestead Hotel in Hot Springs, Virginia in July 1947 for treatment for a heart ailment, and died there on August 15. The vestry praised his contributions in "time, means and mind to the growth of St. Chrysostom's and to its present position ... His confidence and courage, his wise counsel and foresight, his generous consideration completely won the enduring affection and admiration of his associates on the vestry." In the September 1947 issue of Advance, Edward L. Ryerson, senior vice-president of the Bishop and Trustees, wrote: "Mr. Ranney was more responsible than anyone else for the establishment of the Bishop and Trustees — the means by which the entire financial structure of the Diocese of Chicago was reorganized and the liquidation of the diocesan debt eventually made possible. Because of his meticulous method of dealing with the problem of the debt and his thorough study of the figures, it was possible to work out a plan through which the debt could be handled." Bruce Borland succeeded George Ranney as senior warden, while manufacturer Fletcher Durbin, a vestry member since 1920, was elected junior warden; urologist Herman Kretschmer, who had in 1945 donated the chalice in memory of his wife Lucinda, was elected to fill the remaining vestry vacancy.

The immediate postwar years saw a considerable number of memorials and gifts to the physical fabric of the church — more than at any time since the construction of the building in the 1920s. Minutes of a December 2, 1945 meeting record the vestry's pleasure at Charles Connick's design for the stained glass window given by the Starks in their son's memory, while the Freemans' gift of a credence cabinet for the main altar in memory of their son was also warmly welcomed. Another proposed memorial was received with less enthusiasm. On December 13, Edward A. Pool's offer to present a memorial plaque to Major A. Peter Dewey was considered: the vestry, commenting that "it has been the policy of the Parish to reject any gifts which might seem inconsistent with the architecture and general atmosphere of the Church plant," requested clerk Pat Warren to "advise Mr. Pool, in as tactful a way as possible, to this effect."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

On December 15, 1946, the credence cabinet with its representation of Christ as Good Shepherd was dedicated. "Baptized in this church Nov. 1, 1921 and confirmed April 28, 1935, [Donald Freeman] exemplified the spirit and leadership of the Good Shepherd," read the day's bulletin. Stephen Keeler returned to the parish as guest preacher on Rogation Sunday, May 13, 1947, for the dedication of the south vestibule stained glass window in Gregory Stark's memory. According to the bulletin,

The basis ... is found in the Revelation of St. John the Divine 12:7-9: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Charles J. Connick designed the window ... [and] wrote, "You will note the color is quite clearly symbolical — white for purity and faith, red for divine love, self-sacrifice, courage; blue for wisdom and fidelity; the small figures underneath you will recognize as Angels of Praise and Prayer. The growing form with a suggestion of the fleur-de-lys and stars and clouds complete the composition."

On March 7, 1948, altar vases given by Bruce and Dorothy Borland in memory of Dorothy Borland's parents LeRoy and Mary Fuller and brother William were dedicated; the bulletin noted the "fitting beauty" of the brown vases, especially designed by Charles Connick to harmonize with the main altar. A few weeks later, on April 25, the wooden missal stand and an altar service book were dedicated as a memorial to Albert Sprague. A lectern Bible given by Lucy Dallas in memory of her husband Andrew and her son Walford was dedicated on Saturday, October 15, 1949. Its type and pages were designed by noted typographer Bruce Rogers of Fairfield, Connecticut; the hand binding by R.H. Donnelley was designed to conform to the church's architecture. Described as the "finest and most outstanding example of printing and make-up that has been produced in our day," the volume would, with proper care, last for seven hundred years. Ironically, the use of the King James version of the Bible in the parish did not continue that long; by the 1970s most Scripture readings were taken from the Revised Standard Version or other modern translations, and Mrs. Dallas' Bible was no longer regularly used.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The most generous donation came, once again, from the Crane family. Richard Crane, Jr.'s widow Florence had learned about the work of the Byzantine Institute in restoring and making exact reproductions of mosaics in Orthodox churches in Turkey which the Muslims had covered with paint or plaster. As a memorial to her husband she donated the chapel reredos (an exact copy of the tenth century mosaic of St. John Chrysostom from Santa Sophia Church in Istanbul) as well as the black marble altar and the white marble cross and candlesticks for the chapel, both designed by David Adler. The chapel was blocked off while work on the project was under way in the fall and early winter of 1947/48; at the 11:00 service on February 15, 1948, the birthday of Richard Crane, Jr.'s mother Mary Prentice Crane, the altar and reredos were dedicated. Florence Crane (who had sold her Chicago home and now spent nearly all her time at the family's summer home in Ipswich, Mass.) and her children Cornelius and Florence returned to Chicago for the occasion. A representative of the Byzantine Institute gave a brief address, probably describing the technique of reproducing the mosaic; Dudley Stark also preached a short sermon whose text survives.

We are about to dedicate ... an altar and its reredos, a portrait of St. Chrysostom. Near the portrait are the Greek words "Iohannos o Chrysostomos" — John of the golden mouth, John Chrysostom. He came so to be known because of his oratory and preaching ... Out of the golden mouth and out of a heart of pure gold he spoke words of spirit and of life. Guided by God, wise in the Scriptures, apt and alert in imagination, he spoke with grace to the hearts and minds of his hearers, and he moved them. He moved them because he was moved by God ... Primarily a reformer of Christian morals, John Chrysostom speaks to our age and directly to us. To those passing by on the street he says, "Come in, rest and pray. Depart from the highway and transplant thyself in some enclosed place for it is hard for a tree that stands by the wayside to keep its fruit until it be ripe." To the rich he says, "Your riches are called possessions. See to it then that you possess them and they do not possess you." To the poor and downtrodden he says, "Weep, yea, weep with me, not for yourselves but for your plunderers, who are more unfortunate than you." To those who shall be married in this place he says, "Keep faith. Fidelity is neither masculine nor feminine, it is divine." To those who shall pray before this altar he says, "Pray in faith. There is nothing more powerful than prayer and there is nothing to be compared to it." Today is the anniversary of the birth of Mary Prentice Crane. In her memory her son, Richard Teller Crane, Jr., gave the tower of this Church, and in memory of his father he gave

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

the magnificent Carillon, and amply provided for the maintenance of each gift. And now in loving memory of him, Mrs. Crane gives this Altar and Reredos ... We are most grateful to her for this beautiful gift and for the beautiful spirit in which it is given. How different were these two men, St. John Chrysostom and Richard Teller Crane, Jr. ... It is tolerably easy, however, to discern between these two men fundamental virtues and unities. Like John Chrysostom [Crane] was a just man in the field of corporate ownership and management. He was a pioneer in labor relations, for he loved justice and his fellow workers who were his friends ... His benefactions are too many to be enumerated. It is interesting to note, however, that like John Chrysostom he founded many hospitals. And like John Chrysostom he was a truly humble man. Most of his benefactions could not be enumerated simply because he never told about them ... As Saint Chrysostom said, "Humility is the root, mother, nurse, foundation and bond of all virtue." Such men are truly great, humble men, men of faith, men without fear ... Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

A happy family event for the Starks occurred in late 1947 when their daughter Rosalind became engaged to Samuel Bush III, a Harvard student who had interrupted his education to enter military service in World War II. The wedding took place on June 12, 1948, at Trinity Church in York Harbor, Maine (the Starks' summer home), with Dudley Stark officiating. On Christmas Day, 1949, Dr. Stark baptized his first grandchild, Rosalind Scott Bush, at St. Chrysostom's; among the godparents was the baby's grandmother Mary Stark.

For nearly twenty years the vestry had rented the apartment at 1235 Astor Street occupied by the rector and his family. In early 1948 the building became a cooperative, and the parish was offered the opportunity to purchase the apartment at a cost of $13,500. After some discussion John Allen offered to pay $1350 of the purchase price; William Cox donated an additional $1000, and the remainder of the cost was taken from parish funds.

Dudley Stark had been a candidate for the episcopate on several occasions since the election of 1940; he had been under consideration when the diocese of Long Island elected a bishop in 1941, and had been among the candidates for bishop of Pittsburgh in 1943. When the diocese of Chicago

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church chose a suffragan bishop in the fall of 1949 to succeed Bishop Randall, churchmanship in the diocese had changed enough that Dr. Stark, a leading candidate in the 1940 election, now received only a scattering of votes on an early ballot. However, the new bishop had ties to St. Chrysostom's; the Reverend Charles Larrabee Street was the nephew of the parish's long-time junior warden William Street.

At the January 18, 1950 vestry meeting, Fletcher Durbin proposed that the church install a plaque listing its rectors. The timing of his suggestion was almost certainly influenced by the forthcoming election of a bishop in Rochester, New York, in which Dudley Stark was one of the candidates to succeed recently deceased Bishop Bartel Reinheimer. Dr. Stark was elected on the fourth ballot on January 26, almost exactly eighteen years after he had accepted the call to St. Chrysostom's; on February 1, after a visit to the diocese, he announced his intention to accept the election, though stating that he would not submit his formal resignation until the House of Bishops and the diocesan standing committees had given the necessary consents. The vestry expressed its "pleasure and satisfaction that Doctor Stark had been chosen; and that Saint Chrysostom's Parish with his election has given the third of its Rectors to the Episcopate," adding that he "would leave the parish in more satisfactory condition than at previous similar separation, that under the Rector's leadership the parish was prosperous and in sound circumstances; and that its activities had been continually increased and were well organized. All of which should be a source of satisfaction to Doctor Stark as he leaves, and the Vestry has a comfortable sense that parish affairs are in order for the coming of a new Rector." In a meeting in late February at which Dudley Stark was not present, the vestry voted to present him with a check for $1500, and named Cuthbert Pratt locum tenens until a new rector was appointed.

A little less than a month later the consents had been received; minutes of Dr. Stark's last vestry meeting on March 8 indicate the sadness felt on the occasion. The clerk, Parsons Warren, recorded that "all members were present, a circumstance which had happened very rarely in the history of that body." Dr. Stark presented his formal resignation to take effect March 17:

Firmly in mind and heart are thoughts of loving gratitude to all of you. You have been cooperators with wisdom and cheerfulness. You have been, each one of you, a steadfast friend. You have sustained me in my joys and sorrows. Most every clergyman comes through the years to realize that

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

however many parishes he has served, one is preeminent in his affections and hopes. This is mine. Equally grateful am I to those of this Corporation whom we steadfastly believe are now in Paradise. In their memory and with sure confidence in you, I shall leave, believing that this great Parish will endure and increase in the spirit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

"There was nothing but to accept such resignation," wrote Pat Warren, "although it was done with a feeling of greatest and most profound regret."

On March 11, Daily News society columnist Mildred Bolger described Mary Stark's plans for the move; she had received blueprints of their new home a mile from diocesan headquarters, and had "gone over [them] so carefully ... that when her furniture arrives there she'll know exactly where to set each piece." The following day's services were Dudley Stark's last as rector. Though a radio address by Presiding Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill to all churches in the United States took the place of the day's sermon, Dr. Stark gave a brief farewell to the congregation.

My dear Brethren and Friends in Christ Jesus Our Lord: After serving you for eighteen years as your Rector and Pastor, I perceive more clearly that the words of our God through His Son shall stand forever, including His exceedingly precious promises to His holy ministers. These promises are past the ability of human calculation to enumerate; they are far above the power of human imagination to envision. As the Word was from Christ to His first ministers so shall it be to the end of time to His ministers. They shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions. This imagery, not to be taken literally, attests the wonderful mercies of God not despite many troubles which come, but because of them; because we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. To be trusted, to be sought for as a counsellor, to be regarded as a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, to be given a large share of feeling and thought in joy and sorrow, all of these personal privileges and obligations as well as the inestimable privilege of preaching the Word of God and administering His Sacraments have been mine among you these many years to an overflowing measure. I am grateful to you, and the exceedingly happy memory of gratitude shall neither waiver nor decrease. Well do I know

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

that however much I have given, — more have I received from you.

After repeating his farewell message to the vestry, Dr. Stark continued:

The Wardens and Vestrymen have resolved that the policies now established shall be continued. As it seems to me, those policies are in the main these: First. The conduct of public worship shall be with loyalty con amore to the Book of Common Prayer in simplicity and dignity and in keeping with the majority of use throughout this land. Second. Since the chief emphasis must and should be spiritual and therefore of necessity personal; the methods and organizations of the Parish shall ever seek to observe perspective in placing first, personal ministries and objectives. Third. The field of the parochial service is local, the field also is the world. Fourth. The Parish must neither stand still, nor come to a standstill. New occasions teach new duties. Wisdom and adventure must be kept, for our tradition is a living one, one that has not been afraid to dare. I am confident that the Wardens and Vestrymen will select a leader fully qualified by experience and spirit to carry forward the aims and life of the Parish. Three things I would have you do: Pray that those who are charged with the duty of securing a new Rector may be guided to make a right and proper choice, and be patient with them. Furthermore, that every man, woman and child stay at his post. Should anyone leave, should anyone's interest slacken because of, or with my leaving, my service to such a one will have been in vain. Be loyal. All be loyal. And furthermore, I beg you to remember my family and myself in your dear thoughts and prayers as we shall recall you in our minds, our prayers and praises. For this is our common faith and our common love and already something known more than in small part by us all.

'Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Jesus' love.

The fellowship of Christian minds is like to that above.'"

In keeping with Dudley Stark's enthusiasm for home-grown talent, Angus Hibbard's "Bells of St. Chrysostom's" was sung before the blessing. The

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Women's Guild gave a farewell tea for the Starks before the evening service, at which the vesper choir performed special anthems and Cuthbert Pratt preached; the lesson (and probably the sermon text) was Paul's farewell to the church at Ephesus from the twentieth chapter of the book of Acts.

A number of parishioners traveled by train to Rochester for Dudley Stark's consecration, among them a group of Service League members led by Cuthbert Pratt, who served as one of Dr. Stark's attending presbyters. Since some of the group had limited incomes, and Mr. Pratt (who had worked his way through seminary) was throughout his life careful in money management, the party opted to travel by all-night day coach; both he and Bertha Mandelkow in later years recalled the trip as less than restful. Senior warden Bruce Borland and other parishioners who made the trip undoubtedly traveled in more comfort in Pullman accommodations.

A detailed account of the consecration from a Rochester newspaper remains in parish archives. "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," obviously a favorite hymn of Dudley Stark's (it had been used at Founder's Day services and at his tenth anniversary at St. Chrysostom's), was the processional. Presiding Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill officiated; Bishop Henry Hobson of Southern Ohio (who had participated in the consecration of Dr. Stark's predecessor Bishop Reinheimer) and Bishop Keeler were the co- consecrators, and Bishops Conkling and Randall of Chicago presented Dr. Stark to the Presiding Bishop. The Reverend Floyd Bernard of All Saints' Church served with Cuthbert Pratt as attending presbyter to the bishop- elect. Bishop Norman Nash of Massachusetts, a professor at Episcopal Theological School in Dudley Stark's seminary days, was the preacher; his sermon on the text I Corinthians 4:1, "Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God," compared the church to a fleet of ships and its bishops to navigating officers. Bishop Nash charged the new bishop to "be a true bishop ... Christ's laboring oarsman and faithful administrator of God's mysteries. There will come all kinds of weather. Together with your officers and your crew you will have foes to fight. May the songs of a happy ship be the sign of faithful stewardship."

Dudley Stark's sister and father were present for the ceremony; eighty-year-old Rodney Stark commented, "I never expected my boy Dudley to come to this day. When he was a boy, I thought he wanted to be a lawyer ... It's a proud day for all of us. He always was a good boy and I shouldn't say I'm surprised he turned into a Bishop. I guess I'll have to be awfully good myself from now on to live up to him." The Daily News had described Mary Stark's packing for the move; a Rochester news story quoted her account of the unpacking. "I developed a sort of routine. Unpack a box, hear the doorbell, wash my hands, talk to someone. Hang a curtain, hear the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church doorbell, wash my hands, and so on." Already, wrote Rochester reporter Frances Palmer, the Starks' house had "a comfortable, lived in air that spells 'home'"; she remarked on Mary Stark's "friendly dignity ... [with] no touch of formality" and "quiet humor ... as spontaneous as it is kindly." Eastman Kodak technicians filmed the ceremony from the organ loft; one of the photographers, who climbed to the loft by ladder, was forgotten after the service and remained there for over an hour till his call for help brought someone to rescue him. A luncheon in honor of the new bishop, at which Cuthbert Pratt and Bruce Borland were among the speakers, followed the service.

The text of a vestry resolution mailed to the congregation indicates the esteem in which the departing rector was held. Dr. Stark's warmth and understanding, his ministry of comfort and consolation to those in trouble or sorrow, his efficient administration of the parish and his "influence in Parish activities, resulting in an increase of such, of which the Community Social Service has been most conspicuously successful," were cited; the vestry expressed its thanks and expressed its "hope for a long, happy and useful Episcopate." Though not all the actions taken during his tenure as rector seem appropriate from the standpoint of the 1990s, under his leadership the parish remained on course during severe economic difficulties, continued the Community Center, provided a much-needed ministry to servicemen during World War II, and despite pressure from the diocese had maintained the type of service preferred by the majority of parishioners. For many years after his departure, Dudley Stark remained in the minds of many parishioners the standard by which succeeding clergy would be judged.

"The Vestry has the business of choosing a new Rector well in hand," read the letter containing the text of the resolution passed on Dr. Stark's departure. A committee to select a successor was appointed: Stuart Stone, Joseph King, William Cox and Fletcher Durbin, with senior warden Bruce Borland as chair. Though Bishop Conkling probably felt unable to take action to change the parish's churchmanship while Dudley Stark remained as rector, his disapproval of St. Chrysostom's form of worship seems to have been well known; Dr. Stark's statement that "the conduct of public worship shall be with loyalty con amore to the Book of Common Prayer in simplicity and dignity and in keeping with the majority of use throughout this land" was almost certainly written with the bishop in mind. Now, while the parish did not have a permanent rector, Bishop Conkling took action, in late May sending a message to the vestry opposing administration of Holy Communion by intinction "in the form used in St. Chrysostom's for a great many years and ask[ing] that the practice be entirely discontinued." Cuthbert Pratt, accompanied by wardens Bruce Borland and Fletcher Durbin, scheduled a meeting with the bishop to discuss the issue.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The meeting did not only cover the practice of intinction. On June 6, "after a careful discussion," Bruce Borland "moved the nomination of the Rev. Cuthbert Pratt" as rector, which was "passed unanimously and enthusiastically." This enthusiasm was not shared by Bishop Conkling, who gave only conditional approval to the choice. A resolution passed at the time of Fletcher Durbin's retirement from the vestry in 1958 described the meeting; Mr. Durbin "did the talking" and spoke forcefully enough so that Bishop Conkling good-humoredly withdrew his objections.

Endnotes

In the early 1950s Mr. Astley-Cock was employed by the Chicago Tribune religion department (then headed by John Evans) writing the "Religious News Notes" and other features.

It appears that the dinner did not take place, as it is not mentioned in bulletins and newspaper accounts of the celebration.

Then and for many years afterward, celebrations of the Holy Communion at 11:00 were restricted to the first Sunday of the month, Easter and Christmas; even the commemoration of the parish's fortieth anniversary did not break this tradition. The choice of the term "Founder's Day" was perhaps made to avoid any possible "high church" connotations of the term "patron saint" or "patronal festival."

In 1940 the Reverend Harold Belshaw provided entertainment at the 1940 sale and preached the next Sunday. Assistant minister John Hauser, a recent Berkeley graduate, was probably responsible for bringing Dr. Belshaw to the parish on this occasion.

The Delta Kappa Phi group, for young people 16 to 21, served a somewhat younger group than the Tuesday Nighters.

Dr. Hume continued his ecumenical activities after leaving Chicago. He died in 1943 on a visit to Europe for the World Council of Churches when his plane was bombed by the Germans.

At least one former member of the group, Lorna Penny, remains active at St. Chrysostom's as of 1998.

Mr. Allen was an exceptionally generous contributor to St. Chrysostom's. A proposed donation, never carried out, was a chapel with stained glass windows to be built at the south end of the second floor of the building in

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church what was then the children's chapel (now the nursery); we do not know why the project was abandoned.

The Plaza Hotel was torn down in 1967; the site is now occupied by the Chicago Latin School.

This was almost certainly due to Dr. Randall's age, since his career was distinguished; priest in charge and rector of St. Barnabas Church, executive secretary of the diocese, and superintendent of Chicago city missions.

He was not the first parishioner to serve in Congress. Lynden Evans, a contributor to the fund for the first church building in 1894, was the Democratic congressman from the district from 1911 to 1913.

The 1942 honor roll included the two older Cox boys William and Nicholas, John Hauser's daughter Virginia, Martha Webster (in later years a member of the choir) and the present author.

According to Ernst and Johanna Lehner's Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees (New York: Tudor, 1960) the carnation is said to have sprung from the tears shed by Mary on the way to Calvary.

The name "Servicemen's Center," which may appear objectionable to the present-day reader, appears to have been accurate. Attendance seems to have been exclusively male.

Lucy Dallas was one of the longest-lived parishioners in the history of St. Chrysostom's, dying at 105 in March 1960. Her daughter Ada was head of the Altar Guild from 1942 to 1954 and remained active in the parish until her death at 95 in 1972.

Florence Crane had married William Robinson, an explorer and adventure traveler, in 1932, shortly before her mother left the family home on Lake Shore Drive and North Avenue. After her divorce from Mr. Robinson she married Russian emigré Prince Serge Belosselsky-Belozirsky in 1943.

His opposition was based on churchmanship rather than on Cuthbert Pratt's position as assistant and locum tenens. Though it was unusual for an assistant or an acting rector to succeed as rector, the practice was not at that time officially ruled out.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

HISTORY OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM’S CHURCH

CHAPTER 8

Cuthbert Pratt: Maintaining Parish Traditions, 1950-1958

Cuthbert Pratt was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, on May 28, 1916; his family later emigrated to the United States. He was a 1937 graduate of Lafayette University in Easton, Pennsylvania, and like his predecessor Dudley Stark, a graduate of the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Massachusetts; while at seminary, he had also taken courses at Harvard Divinity School. Before coming to Chicago in 1945 he had served as deacon in charge of St. John's Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, curate of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, New York, and rector of St. John's Church, Fall River, Massachusetts. In his four-and-a-half years as assistant at St. Chrysostom's the congregation had come to appreciate his sermons, which reflected both his high intellectual level and dry British sense of humor and which might include quotations from Ogden Nash as well as from theological writings; he had begun the Service League program for young adults and had been given responsibility for the church school. At a time when the parish was feeling pressure from the diocese to change its churchmanship and form of worship, the new rector's strongly low-church orientation was welcome.

After Cuthbert Pratt's death in 1979, long-time parishioner Martha Mullen Wells paid tribute to him: "An eloquent and highly articulate preacher, Dr. Pratt always gave his listeners something to take home: a moral to live by, or an ideal to ponder. He had a tremendous sense of humor, and an extremely quick — though never barbed — wit. He thoroughly enjoyed indulging in clever repartee with friends who were able to keep up with him. Not many were."

A glimpse of Cuthbert Pratt in a pastoral situation is given in a Tribune story of December 9, 1949, six months before he became rector of the parish. Reporter Norma Lee Browning, investigating the question "How well do Chicago's churches practice what they preach?" visited several churches, "dressed as a poor, shabby woman of the streets, to see whether Christianity is merely lip service and to record her experiences as a derelict."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Her first stop was "St. Chrysostom's, lovely carilloned church on the near north side":

Looking wan in a wrinkled babushka and frayed coat, the reporter trudged up the stairs to the parish office of the Rev. Cuthbert Pratt.

Pastor Proffers Help

The young Episcopal pastor looked at her with mixed curiosity and pity, and offered her a chair. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"That's what I want to know," she said. "What can people like you do for people like me?"

She sighed and gazed out the window. The pastor studied his vagabond visitor.

"Why did you come here?" he asked.

"Because it's a pretty church," she replied vaguely.

"How did you happen to be stranded in the city?" The stranger merely shrugged. "Any friends here?" No. "Any references with you?" No. "Do you have a social security card?" No. "Haven't you ever — worked?" he asked hesitantly. The visitor refused to meet his eyes. It was obvious he thought her a strumpet.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

"Are You Fleeing Police?"

"Tell me," he said sternly, "are you trying to escape from something?"

"Of course," she agreed, "but do we have to go into that?"

"Look here, young lady, are you wanted by the police?" She convinced him she wasn't and he switched to a more philosophical mood. "I know what it's like to be up against it," he said. "I worked my way through theological school and sometimes it was tough going. Maybe you'd be better off in a small town. Chicago is not the most charitable place in the world, you know."

Nevertheless, he thumbed through the pages of a telephone directory. "Our church has no shelter for women. We have the Cathedral Shelter but that's for men only. I believe your best bet is the Salvation Army."

He reached for the telephone. Having been deposited at the Salvation Army's emergency rescue shelter only the day before by another pastor, the reporter hurriedly exclaimed, "Don't bother to call. I can find it myself."

The pastor insisted on being helpful.

"Are you willing to work?" he asked. She assured him she was but what could she do without experience. He debated gloomily, then said perhaps she could get on somewhere as a waitress. He suggested the Thompson restaurant offices and gave her detailed instructions on how to get there. He also advised her to avoid agencies that charge high fees for finding jobs.

"You won't be much ahead if you have to pay out your first month's salary to someone to find you a job. I'm sure the Salvation Army will give you food and shelter until you find a job. If not, come back and we'll see what else we can do. Good luck and let me know how you make out."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The vestry issued its call to Cuthbert Pratt on June 6, offering him a salary of $7500 a year plus the use of the Astor Street rectory. In his formal letter of acceptance a few days later, he wrote, "It is an honor to have been considered and an even greater honor to have been elected; but it is a spiritual responsibility to feel led — as indeed I do — to accept the election ... I look forward to a future of great service for the cause of Christ and His Kingdom in this Parish." Considerable care was taken in handling the release of the announcement to the newspapers. On June 21, the Tribune carried a story by John Evans announcing the vestry's choice, which commented that Mr. Pratt, at thirty-four, was the youngest man to become rector of the parish since 1909 (when thirty-three-year-old Norman Hutton had been called to St. Chrysostom's). Five days later Dr. Evans described Mr. Pratt's first sermon as rector:

A 34 year old churchman stepped into the pulpit of one of the 20 most influential Episcopal churches in the country yesterday morning to take over as rector. Three bishops were previously rectors of the church. In a communion noted for three doctrinal parties — high, low and broad — he added a new dimension — deep churchmanship."

He is the Rev. Cuthbert Pratt and he became rector of the notable near north side parish of St. Chrysostom's, 1424 N. Dearborn Parkway, which he served as assistant minister under Bishop Dudley Scott Stark for four and one-half years ... Election of an assistant minister to the rectorate of an Episcopal church is unusual.

Speaks with Confidence

The new rector spoke with youthful confidence and mature humility. He said he would carry on the church's tradition consolidated by Bishop Stark's 18 year rectorate ...

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Tells Social Service Need

The Rev. Mr. Pratt emphasized the "front door" and "back door" responsibilities of the parish, with the front door looking on a changing Gold Coast and the back door opening to social service responsibilities west of Clark st., which have been expanded to reach youth and other persons without regard to race or religion. He said each is a person and never a "case."

"The purpose of the church," the new rector declared, "is to evangelize the world. Whenever the tables are turned and the world proceeds to evangelize the church, then we are in a bad way. Our common concern must be this — that we all may be found worthy to merit the definition of deep churchmanship."

Mr. Pratt was not married at the time of his call, but his long-standing engagement to Ethel Lang of Brooklyn was known to many in the congregation. In late summer, parishioners received invitations to the couple's wedding at Trinity Church, New York City, on September 21, 1950 (St. Matthew's Day); the ceremony was performed by Dudley Stark. After a short wedding trip the Pratts returned to Chicago in early October and were welcomed by the congregation at a Sunday afternoon tea in the Guild Room.

The first days of Cuthbert Pratt's rectorship had been marked by the beginning of fighting in Korea. By November 5 a significant number of parishioners must have been in military service, as the bulletin asked that servicemen's names be supplied to the office so that they could be given a cross and Prayer Book and receive parish mailings. Some years later, a January 23, 1956 Chicago Sun-Times feature story by Dolores McCaskill described the rector's campaign during the Korean war "against 'ghouls' who were writing to bereaved families in the cold-water section, charging debts to slain servicemen or otherwise trying to get money from distressed relatives. His campaign ... started when he asked the church members to tell him of any family, whether the parishioner knew them well or slightly, whom he might comfort in a case of bereavement."

As might have been expected from a rector who had served St. Chrysostom's as assistant for some years, there were few major changes in

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church the parish's activities or service schedule in the winter of 1950/51. The 1950 union Thanksgiving service took place at St. Chrysostom's; former rector Stephen Keeler returned as guest preacher on that occasion. Following Dudley Stark's practice, Cuthbert Pratt continued the observance of Founder's Day on the Sunday nearest to St. Chrysostom's Day (January 27), presenting an annual report to the parish in lieu of a sermon; the title of his first report, "Saint Chrysostom's in a Year of Crisis," almost certainly alluded both to the change in rectors and to Bishop Conkling's attempt to modify the parish's style of worship. (Vestry minutes of November 30, 1950 recorded that "the position of the Parish [concerning intinction] ... had been made perfectly clear to the Bishop, and ... there had been no further formal objections from him.")

Mr. Pratt urged parishioners to observe Lent through additional service, and regularly in his early years included in the Lenten bulletins a full calendar of parish activities with names and telephone numbers of contact persons. Maude Snyder's scrapbook preserves his Lenten meditation from a series appearing in the Daily News food section (the date of which is not recorded):

All who have come to this country and all those who have been born in this land have loved the good earth.

To call it "God's Country" means a great deal -- it DOES belong to Him!

Because this is so true it ought to be one of our main thoughts during Lent.

God's only Son denied Himself the bounty of His Father's world for our sake.

Our best effort to do likewise is small by comparison; but whenever we do deny ourselves for the sake of others we do what He would have us do.

Whatever helps to make real the power of God in the world of Men is important.

Our own sacrifices — when they are real — have His blessing and help to show forth His power.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Community Center activities during the winter of 1950/51 included basketball, volleyball, indoor baseball, singing, art, cooking, sewing and needle arts. A letter probably dating from this period, reproduced in a Community Center fund-raising brochure, indicates that its programs continued to fill a need:

Dear Mr. Kubitz:

For some time my children have been going to St. Chrysostom's Community Center, The Saints, as they call it, and I want to thank you and the Center for providing a place for my children after school hours ... [It] has filled their leisure hours in instruction in cooking, sewing, dancing, and other useful pastimes.

... I am also most thankful for the clothing, shoes and toys you provided ... and the chairs and food we needed so badly after we moved to Chicago for [sic] Kentucky.

Boy Scout, Girl Scout, Cub Scout and Explorer Scout groups contiuned to meet at the church. At a district meeting on April 17, 1951, Norman Dengler received an Eagle Scout award and Frank Faulhaber, Jr. the "God and Country" award, while the parish troops took second prize in the district first aid contest.

Among the year's Business and Professional Women's Guild programs were Helene Boeing's presentation, "Shooting the Rapids of the Colorado River," and a program on "CHAPEAU-ology" by a millinery designer skilled in creating new hats from old on the spur of the moment, a topic which must have been appealing in an era when women in Episcopal churches were expected to wear hats to services. Ethel Pratt recalls a Business and Professional Women's Guild meeting just after her arrival in the city, at which Bertha Baur questioned her closely about her work experience outside the home and did not welcome her to the group until she learned that Mrs. Pratt had worked before her marriage. The Reverend William S. Morris, an English clergyman and fellow student of Cuthbert Pratt's at the University of Chicago, spoke on "Representative Poets and the New Poetry" at the first Service League meeting in October.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The Church School (with an enrollment of 160 in 1950) also saw few major changes during Cuthbert Pratt's early years as rector, though Eleanor East's hymns were gradually dropped from the Christmas and Easter services, probably to no one's regret. Two adult Bible study groups were conducted by parishioners; Robert Ryan led a Sunday evening group, and Sarah Leavitt's class met between the Sunday morning services. A commercial artist, Mrs. Leavitt devoted a substantial amount of her time to reading and study of the Scriptures; as a result, her Biblical knowledge exceeded that of most clergy and nearly all lay persons. (A Service League Bible quiz in April 1956 with a panel of the clergy and Mrs. Leavitt may well have been intended to showcase her abilities.) She enrolled on two occasions in a Bible study program for lay leaders offered by Seabury- Western Seminary, wishing to take advantage of the knowledge of both groups of instructors. Among the persons attending her Sunday class were some of the more difficult parishioners of the period; Sarah Leavitt, a person of strong opinions who could not be said to "suffer fools gladly," expressed herself vigorously when discussing members of the group with others but showed considerable restraint in dealing with them in class. On occasion she also registered well-informed though forceful disagreement with the parish's prevailing practices of worship. Her mother Ethel Murray, an active member of the Women's Guild, for many years headed the apron booth at the parish bazaar.

Mrs. Leavitt's daughter Harriet shared her mother's artistic gifts, winning first prize in 1951 in the senior group of the Bishop's Pence poster competition; however, her principal gifts were musical. Harriet Leavitt Mueller earned a doctor's degree in music, performing her solo recital on the St. Chrysostom's organ in the fall of 1979; she served on the diocesan music commission and was one of the compilers of Cantate Domino, a collection of contemporary hymns issued by the diocese in the early 1980s as a supplement to the 1940 Hymnal.

During Cuthbert Pratt's first year as rector he did not have a full-time assistant. Though clergy affiliated with the University of Chicago divinity school assisted at the 11 a.m. services of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month, Mr. Pratt had entire responsibility for the parish's busy schedule of activities; at the end of one year he had performed 265 services of Holy Communion, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, preached 110 sermons, celebrated 18 private services of Holy Communion and performed

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

132 other services, and was almost certainly present at a large majority of the meetings of parish organizations.

This heavy burden understandably caused the vestry some concern. When the issue was raised at the group's meeting on February 16, 1951 Mr. Pratt replied that since his election he "had been using all the avenues available to man" without success because "the amount of money previously offered to an Assistant Minister was no longer sufficient to attract the kind of man we would want." "After individual expressions of opinion as to the limit to which we might go financially," the vestry told the rector to use his judgment as to salary, and at its next meeting in May approved hiring the Reverend William S. Morris, the speaker at the first Service League meeting the previous October, who had assisted at several services during the winter. Mr. Morris remained on the parish staff for only a short time, resigning in November 1951 when he found himself unable both to continue his studies and hold a full-time position; several distinguished guest preachers during the winter of 1951/52 helped to fill the gap. These included Bishop Richard Watson of Utah; the Reverend Bernard Iddings Bell, Episcopal chaplain at the University of Chicago; the Very Reverend Jesse Appel, dean of the Episcopal cathedral in Porto Alegre, Brazil; and Paul Rusch, a layman who served as a missionary in Japan before World War II, worked in United States military intelligence during the war and later returned to Japan to found KEEP, the Kiyosato Educational Experiment Project.

Suggestions from Dudley Stark and other bishops outside the diocese proved fruitless in securing an assistant; the rector interviewed several students at his alma mater Episcopal Theological Seminary only to discover that all were committed to return to their home dioceses after graduation. (The parish seems to have made no attempt to ask for help from the diocese of Chicago, almost certainly fearing that a clergyman recommended by the diocese would attempt to change the parish's churchmanship.) Though these sources proved unsuccessful, the Reverend Donald M. Nickson, a native of Buffalo, New York soon to graduate from General Theological Seminary, was hired in the spring of 1952 and arrived in Chicago in mid-June.

For the first time since John Hauser's departure ten years before, the parish had a priest on the staff with a family of small children; Mr. Nickson and his wife Billie were the parents of three-year-old Nancy and one-and-

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church one-half year old twins Wayne and Malcolm. In 1953 a third son, James, was born to the Nicksons; Service League members Martha Mullen, Walter Ryan and James Krehemker were godparents at his baptism. Nancy Nickson enjoyed church school and her teachers recalled her as an active participant in classes; a charming photograph, "The Voice of Easter," in the April 17, 1954 Daily News showed her standing with folded hands in front of a window in the cloister. The twins were lively and difficult to control; at this period the parish did not have a nursery for children too young to attend church school, and in later years both Ethel Pratt and Henrietta Newton remembered the Sunday when one of the twins, escaping from his mother's watchful eye, was spotted on the roof after he crawled out the window of the Nicksons' third floor apartment!

Donald Nickson, a friendly and unpretentious man, reached out easily to many members of the congregation who did not fit the traditional misconception of St. Chrysostom's as a "society church." Among them was a family living on North Avenue with several small children (some close in age to the Nickson children) who suffered a personal tragedy in July 1954 when their year-old baby daughter drowned in a bathtub. Mr. Nickson learned that the parents were unable to pay the funeral costs; he described the situation in a sermon without naming names, and on his own initiative placed offering plates at the back of the church to receive contributions for the family.

On more than one occasion in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Business and Professional Women's Guild programs had included performances by actress and dramatics teacher Kate Pentzer Stokes when her tours in one-woman shows or with a Shakespeare company brought her to the city. A resident of Washington, D.C., she was director of religious education at St. John's Church there; her students founded Phi Sigma Alpha, a dramatic sorority which gave plays and other performances for charitable causes. After her death in 1952 the sorority held a memorial service at St. Chrysostom's on October 4. The service bulletin included a tribute by sorority member Frances Weege: "Under her guidance the members of the Sorority moved onward and upward, not only in dramatic endeavors, but in spiritual qualities ... [She] had the happy faculty of making us feel glad, for she firmly believed in the Bible quotation, 'A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance.'" The Business and Professional Women's Guild donated a lectern in her memory for use in the parish house.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Donald Nickson had been ordained to the diaconate in the diocese of Western New York before coming to St. Chrysostom's. As a recent seminary graduate with a wife who did not work outside the home and three small children, he probably found it financially impossible to return to his home diocese for his ordination to the priesthood, and he was ordained at St. Chrysostom's at the 11:00 service on Sunday, December 14, 1952. Though a deacon had been ordained and a bishop consecrated at St. Chrysostom's in 1931, this was the first ordination of a priest at the church.

Bishop Lauriston L. Scaife of Western New York came to Chicago for the service; Archdeacon Samuel Baxter of that diocese was the preacher, Cuthbert Pratt presented Mr. Nickson for ordination, former St. Chrysostom's assistant William Morris read the Epistle, and in one of the few contacts of that period between St. Chrysostom's and its neighbor the Church of the Ascension, Ascension curate Russell Nakata read the Gospel. (An account of the ordination in the present writer's diary comments that the service was "impressive but long" and also describes Bishop Scaife as "impressive.") After the service, the Service League sponsored a reception with coffee and light refreshments to honor the newly ordained priest and the visiting clergy in the Guild Room — perhaps the first occasion in parish history at which a social activity with coffee was scheduled after the 11:00 service.

Parishioners continued to express their concern at the lack of an elevator to the second floor of the parish house. At the vestry meeting of February 19, 1952 senior warden Bruce Borland estimated that an elevator could be installed for between $8500 and $10,000. John Redmond urged caution, noting the difficulty of meeting city permit requirements, but other members of the vestry reacted positively; "Mr. Allen, with his usual enthusiasm, offered to start the ball rolling toward procuring the $10,000 needed." As several members of the Women's Guild were especially interested in the project, it was agreed to ask the Guild to be responsible for a substantial portion of the costs; Bruce Borland promised to obtain further information on the feasibility of the elevator and report back to the vestry. However, the Guild indicated that its reserves were not sufficient to make a contribution of the size required, and Mr. Borland's research probably served to confirm John Redmond's estimation of the difficulties of the plan, since no follow-up report or other discussion of the issue is recorded for some years.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Another physical improvement undoubtedly seemed more urgent to the vestry. As early as 1944, Harold Simonds had indicated that the organ given to the parish by Aurelia Senn in 1897 and extensively renovated in 1922 was giving problems. John Redmond reported in late 1952 that "future piecemeal repairs would be inadequate to prevent eventual breakdowns" and suggested that the organ should be thoroughly rebuilt; Austin Organs of Hartford, Connecticut, provided an estimate of $33,000, which could be reduced to $30,000 by the elimination of "certain unnecessary stops" and which would "have the effect of providing the Church with what could be considered a new organ." John Allen, always eager to lead efforts for fund- raising, commented that it would be easier to raise money for an entirely new organ than for the renovation of the existing instrument, and a committee of the rector, John Redmond, John Allen and LeRoy Kramer was appointed to investigate possibilities.

On February 27, 1953, the committee made its report. Bids for a new Aeolian-Skinner organ at $41,000, for renovation of the existing organ by Austin Organs at $35,310, and for a new organ from the Canadian firm Casavant Brothers at $30,800 were considered. The group voted to accept the Casavant bid after learning that Dr. Simonds considered it "satisfactory"; the time differential as well as the lower cost (the Casavant organ could be installed in nine months as against eighteen months for the other two bids) probably had some influence on the choice. Fundraising began soon afterward, and an electric organ was rented for use until the new instrument would be installed. By October over $37,000 had been raised, and on November 8 Dr. Simonds inaugurated the new organ with a recital following the service, though the formal dedication was postponed until the Founder's Day service the following January.

Harold Simonds was the subject of a Tribune article by reporter William Pilkenton on April 2, 1953 (Maundy Thursday).

CHICAGO CHURCH BELLS TO CHIME; EASTER NEARS

Since the 18th century, with its Bachs and Handels, music has become as much a part of Easter as the lily ... If Bach and Handel contributed much to Easter music, so, too, have many others. For instance, Gillett and Johnston, English bell founders,

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

make one of the world's finest carillons, and the Simonds family of Boston has produced one of America's best carillonneurs.

Mr. Pilkenton gave an account of the donation of the carillon and Dr. Simonds' training under Anton Brees, and described the operations of the instrument:

Simonds, when he is playing, wears a pair of cut-down gloves, covering only the little fingers and outsides of his hands. The keys are struck with the clenched fist.

"One of the more difficult things to accustom oneself to," said Simonds, "is attainment of varying dynamics. As in the piano or organ, of course, this is accomplished by the force with which keys are struck. But the problem arises from the fact that the keys are struck with the fist instead of the more sensitive fingers. Very little music is published for the carillon ... Most carillonneurs do their own arranging. There is a practice clavier here, in another part of the church, where I do mine. It is modeled after the real console, but not connected with the bells."

Harold Simonds' place in the hearts of parishioners is shown by the fact that several copies of this story were preserved and in later years found their way to parish archives.

Dr. Simonds' wife Lucille had died of cancer only a short time after the Pratts' marriage in the fall of 1950. In a tribute published at the time of Dr. Simonds' retirement from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1958, Paul Davies of the seminary recalled her as "a person of intelligence, grace and charm," a description confirmed by present-day parishioners who remember her. On June 29, 1953, in St. Chrysostom's chapel, Harold Simonds was married to choir member Maxine McCormick, coordinator of public health at Presbyterian Hospital, who had been confirmed at St. Chrysostom's the previous year. "A woman of vigorous mind and gay spirit, she ... has already won a place of warmest regard in the Seminary circle," wrote Paul Davies; parishioners of the period attest to this estimation and recall that Dr. Simonds' second marriage, like his first one, was exceptionally happy. In the

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church following year the vestry marked his thirty years of service to the parish, presenting him with a gold watch on November 7, 1954.

The early years of Cuthbert Pratt's rectorship saw some changes in vestry membership. Herman Kretschmer died on September 23, 1951; the vestry's tribute cited his "devotion to the church ... not only within this Parish ... but also in the leadership and assistance which he gave in the establishment of the Bishop Anderson House and the Chicago Medical Center ... His contributions ... in the field of Medicine ... were without peer." Ferrel Bean, an insurance executive, was chosen to replace Dr. Kretschmer the following January.

A departure felt by the entire parish came in the spring of 1952 when Pat and Nancy Warren left the city to live at their second home near Traverse City, Michigan. At a gathering in the rectory on May 15, the vestry made a farewell presentation (the exact nature of which is not recorded) for which Mr. Warren wrote a letter of thanks to Bruce Borland: "Just why I should be ... honored is beyond me to tell as I am sure, beyond all doubt, that the years at St. Chrysostom's have brought me much more spiritually and materially than it would be possible for one person to give. I am humbly thankful to all of you for the beautiful remembrances which came my way." Three days later, the Warrens were honored at a tea followed by a service of Evening Prayer with special music by the vesper choir. After their departure, Harold Simonds took responsibility for the evening as well as the morning choir.

After six years as senior warden Bruce Borland chose to retire from that position in 1953, though remaining on the vestry; Fletcher Durbin succeeded him as senior warden and Stuart Stone was named junior warden. Mr. Stone was active in parish and diocesan affairs; his wife Elizabeth was a member of the Women's Guild, president of the board of the Episcopal diocesan social agency Youth Guidance and a volunteer for the This'n'That thrift shop supporting several Episcopal charities. His tenure as junior warden was short; he resigned in February 1954 after being appointed president of R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Company in Wallingford, Connecticut. On April 14, Daily News society writer Athlyn Deshais, in a feature headlined "Mrs. H. Stuart Stone Gives Up High Styles for Gingham Dresses," described the Stones' purchase of an old home three miles from Wallingford, commenting that "the departure of the very urban Stones (who

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church never have lived close to the soil) will mean quite a void in Chicago's social, charitable and civic circles" and quoting Elizabeth Stone's comment, "You'll never see me in slacks!"

A matter of concern to the vestry at this period was the status of the parish's invested funds. Minutes of the 1951 and 1952 meetings contain much discussion of the rate of return on several funds given to the parish over a period of years. William Cox was appointed to head a committee to consider disposition of funds, which on November 30, 1952 recommended the creation of a merged funds account, a proposal approved at the vestry's next meeting. Mr. Cox' work in setting up the fund as well as his long record of service to the parish made him a logical choice to succeed Stuart Stone as junior warden. Members of the congregation recall him with fondness; a long-time parishioner and member of a distinguished Chicago family, he freely showed his appreciation for the work of anyone who was active in the parish and warmly welcomed all, regardless of social status.

Cuthbert Pratt's 1953 Lenten appeal for service within and beyond the parish apparently did not receive as good a response as he wished. Shortly after Easter he preached an eloquent sermon on Isaiah 6:8: "Then said I: Here am I, send me," citing the need for more committed service to the Lord by parishioners. Influenced by this sermon, a few weeks later Service League member Arthur Peacock left the city to become a missionary in Jesse Appel's diocese of Southern Brazil, thus helping to fulfill Bishop Anderson's hope, expressed at the dedication of the parish house thirty years earlier, that St. Chrysostom's would send some of its members to foreign mission fields.

In July 1953 Wallace Conkling resigned as diocesan bishop for reasons of health. Three months later Gerald Francis Burrill, suffragan bishop of Dallas, was chosen as his successor. The election was marked (according to John Evans' story in the October 21 Tribune) by "parliamentary snarls due to efforts of a number of clergymen and laymen to obtain the election of a more middle-of-the-road bishop. Bishop Burrill is known as a 'Catholic' or so- called 'high' churchman." St. Chrysostom's representatives may well have been among those taking part in the "parliamentary snarls," since the events of Bishop Conkling's episcopate had left their mark on the parish, resulting in deep distrust of diocesan leadership. The newly elected bishop, though a high churchman, was considerably more conciliatory to other forms of

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church worship than his predecessor had been. It is unfortunate though perhaps understandable that St. Chrysostom's did not take advantage of the opportunity to improve its relationship with the diocese; the rift would remain until after the departure of Cuthbert Pratt and nearly all the vestry who had served in 1950.

A long-time parishioner was buried from St. Chrysostom's on November 11, 1953. On February 26, Louise DeKoven Bowen had observed her ninety-fourth birthday, and was featured in a column by the Tribune's Ruth Moss which described her work for Hull House and other civic activities and quoted her views on contemporary social work: "More heart than theory would be an improvement indeed." Mrs. Bowen had donated flags of the Allied nations to the parish during World War I, which were used at many major services including the dedication service for the Te Deum Laudamus window, and in the 1920s had made arrangements with her financial administrators for a regular annual contribution to the parish.

Athlyn Deshais of the Daily News wrote on November 12, "The dreary weather matched the somber mood at St. Chrysostom's Wednesday afternoon. At funeral services for Chicago's first lady, Mrs. Joseph Tilton Bowen, a tribute was paid by Chicago's first families and by her friends from all walks of life. It was only two years ago that the beloved dowager ... entertained me at luncheon ... and confided that she still wasn't through with the crusading that had motivated her life since she was 16. An aristocrat to her fingertips and born to walk with kings and queens, she accepted her social responsibility graciously, but never did she let it interfere with her work for the underprivileged. She will go down in history as one of the greatest humanitarians of her age."

When St. Chrysostom's, St. James, Fourth Presbyterian Church and the New England Congregational Church had established the union Thanksgiving service in 1936, it was agreed that the sermon should be preached by a guest preacher rather than a clergyman affiliated with one of the participating parishes. Cuthbert Pratt took considerable pleasure in announcing that the preacher at the 1953 service at St. Chrysostom's would, for the first time, be one of the founders of the service; Dudley Stark had accepted the invitation to return to Chicago to preach on the occasion. A full congregation was in attendance to greet the bishop on his return to Chicago.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

In the spring of 1954, vestry member LeRoy Kramer wrote the Easter letter sent to parishioners with the schedule of services and cards of admission for the 11:00 service: "Many centuries have passed since the first Easter. Many, many millions of Christians have carried the Church's banner through the years. We in Saint Chrysostom's Church ... hope that we can gather others into our fold for mutual benefit. Now is a wonderful time for them to join reverently in celebrating Easter in honor of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of His victory over death. We will also welcome your material help in ... aiding our ... activities for the young and the old, the sick and the needy. Much joy would be our portion if we could see what our help brings to others." Mr. Kramer died on April 10, shortly after his letter had been mailed. "Active in many business and civic interests, he put the interests of his Church first," read the vestry's tribute to him, which praised his "concern and devotion" both to St. Chrysostom's and to the Episcopal chapel at his summer home. A week earlier, long-time parishioner and Bible class member Clifford Newton, whose wife Henrietta taught the church school kindergarten class for many years, had died at the age of forty-six; on Palm Sunday, April 11, Mr. Pratt prefaced his sermon with a tribute to both men. His announcement concluded on a happier note: early that morning his wife had given birth to a son, Christopher Bennett Jethro Pratt.

One of the most faithful parishioners during Dudley Stark's and Cuthbert Pratt's years at St. Chrysostom's was Wallace Owen, for many years an acolyte and an active member of the Service League. He and his wife Marjorie were close in age to Cuthbert and Ethel Pratt and the couples were warm personal friends; Cuthbert Pratt was godfather to the Owens' daughter Pamela. Mr. Owen was employed in the Chicago office of British Overseas Airways Corporation, and on several occasions provided British travel films for parish programs. When BOAC began transatlantic air service from Chicago to London in mid-May 1954, he arranged for Cuthbert Pratt to receive a complimentary ticket on the first flight and to convey a letter of greeting from Chicago Episcopalians to the bishop of London (who, in pre- revolutionary days, had jurisdiction over the church in the British colonies). The trip was Mr. Pratt's first visit to the land of his birth since he had moved to America.

The sermon which he preached on his return remains in the present author's mind as a standard by which future sermons would be measured. Taking as his text Matthew 10:29-31, "Are not two sparrows sold for a

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows," he combined a description of the events of his ten-day visit with his emotions on his return to the country of his birth, his reunion with surviving family members and his memories of those who had gone on to closer fellowship with the Lord. The English farthing coin (with a sparrow on one side) had recently been eliminated as legal tender; Mr. Pratt brought back a bag of farthings which were distributed to members of the congregation that day, as well as a container of water from the river Thames for use at his son's baptism later in the year.

On May 30, 1954 an announcement titled "A Parish History" appeared in the bulletin. "Four years from now in 1958 Saint Chrysostom's will have been in existence as a parish for 65 years. Thus far such histories as we have are fragmentary in nature. If you have any old programs, newspaper clippings, etc. which might have some historic value or which might help in compiling records please send or bring them to the Parish Office." Though there is no direct indication of the response to this appeal, it is likely that at least some of the scrapbooks and other material in the archives which provide valuable records of the parish's early history were donated to the church as a result.

An important religious conference was scheduled in the Chicago area that summer. The second assembly of the World Council of Churches, which drew religious leaders from many denominations and all parts of the world, was held at Northwestern University in Evanston from August 15-31; tickets for some sessions could be purchased through the parish office. Mr. Pratt, who normally took his two months' vacation in July and August, returned to Evanston to attend the meetings. In later years he recalled eating with Archbishop of Canterbury Geoffrey Fisher and his wife at an Evanston restaurant popular with Northwestern students, and Mrs. Fisher's considerable surprise at the purple and white football-shaped menus.

Many visitors were expected at St. Chrysostom's on Sunday, August 15, the opening day of both the conference and the American Bar Association convention in the city; Bishop Burrill was the guest preacher at the 11 a.m. service, and the bulletin extended "a very cordial welcome" to the bishop and other visitors. "Following the service, a Coffee Hour will be held in the Dining Room of the Parish Hall under the auspices of St.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Chrysostom's Service League. It is hoped that many will be able to attend this informal gathering, to greet our bishop ... and to visit with our guests."

This is the first recorded occurrence of a coffee hour at St. Chrysostom's. Although breakfast after the 8:00 service dates back at least to the early years of Norman Hutton's rectorship, and tea was served in conjunction with the evening service on a number of occasions beginning in the early 1920s, the 11:00 service had seldom been followed by any type of social gathering. The following Sunday's bulletin indicates that the innovation was successful: "The table setting was beautifully done and many compliments were received from our guests and our own members as regards this splendid social function."

In the next three years, the Service League and its successor organizations the Theophilus Club and the Workshop scheduled coffee hours on a number of occasions, including Bishop Street's confirmation visitation in April 1955, Arthur Peacock's return from Brazil in September 1956, Founder's Day 1956 (when "an exhibit of pictures, newspaper clippings and other items of interest showing the history of Saint Chrysostom's Church from the time of its founding to the present" was featured), and Good Shepherd Sunday, May 5, 1957 (at which representatives from several diocesan social agencies made presentations). Locations for the coffee hours varied; the gymnasium, the Guild Room and the North Room as well as the dining room were used.

Although for over ten years the Service League had been the parish organization for young adults, the group's membership and interests had begun to change, and the League's formal programs with speakers seemingly no longer met members' needs. A bulletin announcement of January 20, 1957 described a new group: "Now a new opportunity and a new name come before us. A cordial invitation is extended to be present at the opening meeting of the THEOPHILUS CLUB. You might like to begin the evening by attending the Service of Evening Prayer at five o'clock. That is the ideal way in which to begin! We will then ... proceed ... to dinner ... The Theophilus Club (the name Theophilus you will find in the New Testament in St. Luke 1:3 and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles 1:4) seeks within four major areas of interest to be of service to you. Photography, Music-Drama, Bible study and Science."

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The choice of music and drama as an area of activity reflected the interests of assistant minister Charles Summers and his wife Lorraine. Mr. Summers, a recent graduate of the Philadelphia Divinity School, joined the parish staff in summer 1955 after Donald Nickson accepted a call to a parish in Norwood, Ohio. Lorraine Summers had a degree in music; she was a choir member, and the couple shared an enthusiasm for Gilbert and Sullivan. The Service League sponsored a highly successful performance of The Pirates of Penzance on February 8, 1956, following in the footsteps of the Vesper Choir performance of Patience sixteen years earlier. Lorraine Summers directed the production, Charles Summers played the Major General, Rollin Hunt the Pirate King, and Juanita Hunt Mabel, while Cuthbert Pratt was among the members of the chorus.

On April 29 a bulletin announcement called attention to "ST. CHRYSOSTOM'S WORKSHOP," formed "to continue the type of activity begun with the production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. This year the group is planning to produce Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado." Collaboration and good feeling among members of the group existed in areas beyond its dramatic productions; in June, assistant director Eileen Hilborn married long-time Service League and Workshop member James Krehemker.

The group's activities were not confined to its dramatic presentations. Many of its members were also affiliated with the Service League and, later, the Theophilus Club, and were aware that the occasional coffee hours sponsored by these groups filled a real need in the parish. On November 17, 1957, an announcement by the Workshop appeared in the bulletin: "Coffee hours will be held every Sunday immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service ... in the North Room." "The purpose of these coffee hours," according to the next week's bulletin, "is to promote Christian fellowship within the parish and to welcome new members. All donations are purely voluntary and are used to meet the expenses of the Workshop's current production, Iolanthe." Visitors and parishioners for over thirty-five years have had reason to be grateful to the Workshop for the inauguration of this activity; with only a few exceptions, coffee hours have remained on the parish schedule since that date.

Two parishioners who, though not members of the Workshop, played an important part in the success of the coffee hours were Gerhardt and Hilda

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Meyne. The present author recalls that in the early 1950s, though ushers welcomed parishioners at the services, many members of the congregation made little attempt to introduce themselves to newcomers or persons sitting nearby; after three years of reasonably regular attendance, she knew the names of scarcely any of those in the congregation. The Meynes were among the first to break away from this unfortunate tradition. On the Sunday of Harold Simonds' first performance on the new organ in 1953, the Meynes expressed their appreciation for Dr. Simonds' work and remarked that after seeing the Ramms in church for some time, it was time to learn their names and become acquainted with them. New members of the parish were warmly welcomed by the Meynes; after the establishment of regular coffee hours, the couple made a point of bringing newcomers to coffee and introducing them to other members of the congregation.

Gerhardt Meyne, then in his seventies, was still active in business as the head of the Gerhardt F. Meyne construction firm. The 1929 biographical volume Chicago and Its Makers described the "aesthetic taste which has characterized him throughout his life," his fondness for music, and his "quiet but unvarying support for certain civic undertakings in attempting to solve the problems the city has been confronted with ... Successful himself, he has been generous with his charitable donations and is a strict believer in and practicer of the doctrine that prohibits the left hand from knowing what the right hand does ... His support may always be relied upon for anything that makes for civic betterment."

The Meynes' "aesthetic taste" and love for music were reflected in their appreciation for Dr. Simonds' work and their regular attendance at musical events in the city. When Hilda Meyne entered a nursing home in the early 1960s, her husband continued to purchase two subscriptions to the symphony and the opera and invited parishioners who might not otherwise be able to attend the programs to use the second ticket. On one such occasion the author accompanied him to the symphony. During the first number, Mr. Meyne's eyes closed and his head drooped but at the end of the piece he opened his eyes hastily: "Very relaxing! I heard every note!" An excerpt from a Wagner opera was greeted with the murmured comment, "I heard this in Brussels when they rode horses on stage to it," accompanied by riding motions. The concert continued with a selection from Tannhäuser. "The parable of the publican: 'Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner'," he remarked, repeating his comment to Bishop Burrill during the intermission

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church and again to the author at the end of the evening. "'Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner,' very apt; I think the bishop thought so too." Hilda Meyne was an active member of the Women's Guild as long as her health permitted. On one occasion she paid tribute to a fellow member who had spent a long day working with her on a project: "And during all that time she didn't swear once!"

Another group whose activities continue to the present day was formed in early 1955. At the January 20 vestry meeting, vestry member S. Graham Nelson presented a proposal for an Ushers' Guild to be headed by parishioner Charles Melby; its officers would also include a clerk and four team captains. The vestry approved the plan, authorizing $3 a week for flowers for the group and $100 for an annual luncheon for its members. Later in the month, Mr. Melby and Matthew McCullough were elected to the vestry to fill the vacancies caused by LeRoy Kramer's death and Stuart Stone's departure from the city. Matthew McCullough, like many persons elected to the vestry in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, belonged to the church's older generation (he was seventy-six at the time of his election); however, Charles Melby, in his thirties, was the youngest man to serve on the vestry since William Cox's election in 1939.

Two other long-time vestry members retired in 1955. Charles Freeman resigned on August 22 after eighteen years of service, and Joseph King, whose vestry service dated back to the Hutton years, asked not to be renominated at the 1956 annual meeting. Vestry minutes of January 20, 1956, indicate that the nomination process was not at this time an open one. After the group approved the appointment of a nominating committee, "Mr. Pratt stated that Messrs. William C. Leff and Charles R. Sturges had indicated their willingness to serve on the Vestry," and at the annual meeting ten days later, the two were elected without opposition. Though the manner of their selection might not have been all that could be desired, both would play important parts in the parish. William Leff became junior warden in 1958 and senior warden in 1966; Charles Sturges headed the committee which selected Robert Hall as Cuthbert Pratt's successor, and though no longer resident in the city was consulted in 1966 and 1967 by the vestry committee seeking a successor to Robert Hall.

Cuthbert Pratt instituted a change in the Holy Week service schedule in 1955. For the first time, an evening service of Holy Communion was

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church scheduled on Maundy Thursday at 8 p.m.; the service, though now held at an earlier time, has remained on the schedule until the present day. The 1955 union Thanksgiving service at St. James Cathedral was the last in which that church participated. Earlier that year it had been designated the cathedral of the diocese, and felt obligated to schedule its own Thanksgiving Day service each year; though hosting the service that fall, it would be unable to participate in future services at St. Chrysostom's or Fourth Presbyterian. The year 1955 also saw several improvements to the property: landscaping changes including Fletcher Durbin's gift of three elm trees to be planted along the street, repainting the interior of the church, and modification of exterior lighting.

Among the most active organizations during Cuthbert Pratt's years as rector was the Women's Guild. The group's two major annual projects formed a major part of parish activities in the 1950s. After the end of World War II, the format of "Christmas Windows" was not resumed, the Guild instead returning to the traditional bazaar with handmade goods for sale. Work on bazaar items continued over a large part of the year; though the Guild did not meet formally in the summer, many members regularly gathered on Tuesdays to work, and those not in the city continued handwork projects at their summer homes. Handmade aprons had been sold at parish bazaars even during the days of "Christmas Windows," when many of the sales were made to families with resident maids; now, though there were still a few sales of maids' aprons, the bulk of the apron booth's merchandise consisted of brightly colored aprons used by women cooking for their families. There was some (generally good-humored) rivalry between the practical workers at the apron booth and the gift booth workers who created more glamorous items such as decorated boxes and wastebaskets, sequined headscarves, rhinestone-decorated scuffs, and (in 1957) gold-painted bricks "to hand your husband when he presents you with a mink coat or other trifle at Christmas."

Christmas decorations and ornaments were always popular among bazaargoers. Wreaths decorated with hard candy were for sale on one occasion; small felt animals made by Katherine Schuyler were for several years a favorite purchase, and many probably still adorn Christmas trees today. The children's booth featured toys and knit goods, and one year included surprise balls which, when unwound, revealed a multitude of small gifts. In 1955 paté de foie gras from France was among the featured food

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church items, and baked goods and other homemade foods always sold well; however, a Guild cookbook was less successful, requiring considerable time and cost and not making sufficient profit to compensate for the work involved.

Newspaper accounts of the bazaar often focused on the flower booth headed by long-time parishioner Mary Faust, who was an enthusiastic gardener at her summer home at Glen Lake, Michigan, and grew many of the items sold at the booth. Her lunaria (or "silver dollar plants") were a traditional favorite; everlasting flowers, herbs and spices, and driftwood from the Glen Lake shore were also for sale, and on at least two occasions in the early 1950s small orchids flown in from Hawaii were sold at fifty cents each. Alice Barler decorated boxes for a Christmas box booth, and flea market items were available at a white elephant booth (appropriately chaired in 1955 by Republican committeewoman Bertha Baur). Former parishioner Nancy Warren did not forget St. Chrysostom's after her move to Michigan in 1952; her donations were featured at a special "Michigan Arts and Crafts" booth at that year's bazaar.

The bazaar usually took place over two days, with a sit-down lunch on one day and less formal food service (a snack bar or tea) on the other. The turkey dinner, still the major social event of the parish ("for which," according to bulletins, "our church now enjoys city-wide fame") was scheduled on one evening, and in the early 1950s was followed by entertainment. A Tribune story noted the unusual program at the 1950 bazaar; two young men whom Mrs. Charles Garfield King, in charge of that year's entertainment, had met at a pig auction! (The exact nature of the program is not described; presumably it did not include the auction of a pig.) The following year, films by time-lapse photographer John Nash Ott were featured.

Though the "rector's table" of Norman Hutton's and Stephen Keeler's day was no more, the Tribune of November 14, 1951 recorded that four men including Carroll Harding and Gerhardt Meyne had "donated their talents" to the bazaar's table setting department, and vestry nearly always carved the turkeys at the dinner. High school students not away at boarding school were often recruited as waiters and waitresses for tea or dinner; Athlyn Deshais of the Daily News wrote in 1954, "Perhaps one of the few occasions in sub-debs' growing up years when they're interested in wearing aprons is

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church for the special privilege of serving at St. Chrysostom's women's guild's bazaar tea." An accompanying photograph showed Patricia Brooder and Sybil Schuyler, whose mothers were active in the Guild, sewing Christmas cocktail aprons.

In her feature on the 1956 bazaar, "Starring Christmas," Athlyn Deshais quoted from the year's rhymed invitations, "Sparkling with things for tots to teens, Our gifts would dazzle any queen," but did not identify their creator, Dorothy Sugden Ramm. Mrs. Ramm became actively involved in the Women's Guild when her daughter (the present author) went away to college in 1954; her skill in handwork was immediately recognized by the group, and in 1955 she headed the bazaar's children's booth. After the 1956 bazaar, the bulletin of November 18 extended "a special note of thanks ... to Mrs. Albert Ramm, General Chairman ... for her fine work in this enterprise," and she continued in that position in 1957. The Guild also recognized her abilities in other areas; she was elected recording secretary in spring 1955 and two years later became president, a position which she held through December 1959.

Alice Barler continued to direct the parish rummage sale, held in the late winter or early spring. In her May 13, 1952 Tribune column "Front Views and Profiles," Lucy Key Miller (a parishioner who later married vestry member Charles Sturges) indicated that the elephant doorstop at the following day's sale might be of interest to parishioner Bertha Baur; porch furniture and a Gay 90s striped bathing suit were also for sale that year, while a red plush chair in "early Gen. Grant" style and an electric muscle stimulator were among the noteworthy items at the 1954 sale. More valuable items were sold in the treasure room, which in 1955 featured a blue satin evening dress donated by Elizabeth Stone which she apparently felt would not be suitable to her "gingham dress" lifestyle in Connecticut. "They Were There," a pictorial feature of the Tribune women's section, om March 9, 1957 highlighted the forthcoming sale, with photographs of Alice Barler and Dorothy Sugden Ramm nailing in place a sign announcing the sale, and other members including Gladys Warren Wells, Dorothy Eckhart Williams and Ethel Pratt bringing donations, sorting and pricing the goods. Rummage sale proceeds supported the Community Center; a 1957 appeal for merchandise recorded that the previous year's sale had raised a little over $4000.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The Women's Guild provided support for other work within and outside the church. Their contributions paid for the installation of acoustical tile in the upstairs dining room in 1953 and amplifiers in the gymnasium in 1955, and in May 1955 the Guild informed the vestry that it would pay half of the $12,000 needed for improvements in the kitchen if the vestry would meet the remaining costs. This was authorized; work was completed by October 30, when the Guild hosted a coffee hour to exhibit the completed kitchen. On September 28 the vestry expressed its appreciation to the women, citing in particular the work of "Mrs. Stanley Lawton, chairman of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Carroll R. Harding, chairman of the Housekeeping Committee," and parish secretary Lynn Flemming. At the same meeting the vestry honored retiring parish cook Frieda Hicks.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Frieda Hicks has over a period of more than 30 years rendered service of great value to various organizations and activities conducted by or under the auspices of Saint Chrysostom's Church:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen ... do hereby record their sincere appreciation of the love and devotion which Mrs. Hicks has shown in her service to the Church.

Helga Harding, honored for her work in planning the new kitchen, was one of several vestry wives who played active parts in the Women's Guild in the 1950s; she headed several bazaar committees during the period, and was the group's vice-president in 1955 and 1956. An even more active Guild member was Dick Bean (always known by her nickname rather than her given name of Irene), whose husband Ferrel served on the vestry from 1952 to 1961. Mrs. Bean was Guild president from 1955 to 1957, and not only took part in many activities but recognized and fostered the gifts of other parishioners; she encouraged Dorothy Sugden Ramm to become involved in diocesan women's activities, and supported parishioner Elizabeth Main as she pursued her vocation for the permanent diaconate in the early 1960s. Helen Cox, wife of junior warden William Cox, was a regular worker at bazaars and rummage sales and in 1956 co-hosted a spring luncheon for Guild members; the present author owns a pair of Christmas candles

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church decorated by Mrs. Cox in the late 1950s which remain attractive nearly forty years later.

Part of the income of the Women's Guild was used for an annual donation to the Altar Guild. This group had begun to grow in numbers during Dudley Stark's later years as rector; during Cuthbert Pratt's tenure, membership continued to rise, totaling forty by 1958. At this time Altar Guild members did a larger amount of sewing than is the case today; during the 1950s chalice veils, surplices and a new altar cloth were made by parishioners. Scheduling practices appear to have been informal; not until 1954 do minutes record the institution of a formal schedule. During Cuthbert Pratt's tenure as rector, several pieces of the needlepoint now in use in the church were completed. Kneelers for the clergy in the chancel, made by Grace Scott and Dorothy Borland according to a design from the architecture of Exeter Cathedral, were dedicated in the fall of 1953, while the cushions at the main altar rail were completed in 1957.

The 1956 Democratic Party convention was held in Chicago in mid- August. Though official activity had not yet begun on Sunday, August 12, many politicians and delegates had arrived in the city and at least some attended church. The present author's diary describes two visitors at St. Chrysostom's. As the Ramms arrived for the 11:00 service, a pastel convertible (a color favored in the 1950s) labeled with signs "Be Happy, Vote Happy," with "police escort and photogs. all round," pulled up and Governor Albert (Happy) Chandler of Kentucky and his wife entered the church. (Persons acquainted with the governor recalled him as a sincere and active Episcopalian whose attendance at the service would not have been politically motivated.) The author judged that Mrs. Chandler "wasn't very pleased by the convertible I guess — she looked unhappy," perhaps because the ride in an open car had disarranged her hat and hairstyle, an important consideration when women did not come to church bareheaded. An inexperienced usher seated the Chandlers in Republican stalwart Bertha Baur's pew; fortunately, Mrs. Baur was en route to the Republican convention in San Francisco and probably never knew who had occupied the pew in her absence. As Cuthbert Pratt was on vacation, the sermon was preached by Charles Summers, who took as his topic "Humility." (The governor, a dark horse candidate, may have found the sermon helpful later in the week, when he received only thirty-six and a half votes in the balloting.) The Chandlers had chosen St. Chrysostom's rather than St. James

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Cathedral because the cathedral did not have music at the 11:00 service that day, so we may hope they shared the author's appreciation for the "lovely" offertory anthem, Bach's "Come, Dearest Lord." As no coffee hour was scheduled, the governor and his wife were unable to meet members of the congregation, but photographers were again in action as the couple shook hands with Charles Summers on leaving the church.

Stephen Keeler's career as bishop of Minnesota was highly distinguished. In addition to his work in the diocese, he had responsibility for American Episcopalians in Europe and made regular semiannual visitations to overseas congregations. On one such visit, in May 1955, he became seriously ill with heart strain and was hospitalized for two months in Rome before returning to the United States. Though after his illness he made plans to retire in 1959, his health improved enough for him to resume his duties; St. Chrysostom's vestry sent its good wishes in June 1956 on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration. Three months later, on his fall visit to Europe, Bishop Keeler died at U.S. Army headquarters in Frankfurt on September 25. The New York Times recorded that he had reunited the dioceses of Minnesota and Duluth, moved the cathedral from Faribault to Minneapolis, and hosted the World Anglican Congress in Minneapolis in 1954; at a memorial service on September 30 in St. Paul's American Episcopal Church in Rome, Canon Charles Shreve said that the bishop "laid down his life in the service of our Lord in as true a sense as an early Christian martyr." St. Chrysostom's scheduled a memorial service for its former rector on the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, September 29.

The "baby boom" years of the 1950s saw a nationwide growth in Church School enrollment and a greater emphasis on Christian education in the Episcopal Church, with the development of the Seabury Series curriculum calling for more active parental involvement in children's religious education. St. Chrysostom's as an urban parish did not share in the growth in enrollment (Church School membership seems to have been slightly over 100 during the middle and late 1950s), but planned to adopt the new lessons in the fall of 1956. A meeting to introduce the curriculum was scheduled that spring; however, according to a letter from the rector dated June 11, only three teachers and no parents were present and it was necessary to postpone the meeting until fall. Canon Charles Leech, diocesan director of religious education, met with parents and teachers on the evening of November 29, while mothers unable to attend the meeting were

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church encouraged to be present at a tea on the afternoon of November 21. Changes in the lessons were accompanied by an expanded "Church School family service" at 9:15 instead of 9:30 a.m., with Holy Communion celebrated on one Sunday each month. Frequent mailings were sent to parents, and regular parent-teacher meetings were held, though relatively few parents seem to have been present at the sessions.

Church school attendance awards continued. Children honored in the middle and late 1950s included the Wilkinsons' son John, who received his ninth year award in 1957; Jan and Rollin Hunt's daughter Susan, who later achieved considerable fame as printmaker Susan Hunt-Wulkowicz; Carol Larsen, who supplied the author with valuable material on parish history from her mother Dorothy Larsen's and grandmother Maude Snyder's collections; and Cynthia Caples, elected to the vestry in 1983. Church school choir members were recognized as well, and in 1956 the bulletin cited ten- year-old Travis Aiken, who had won second prize for her age group in the Bishop's Pence annual poster contest.

In 1957, for the first time in many years, pageants were scheduled at the children's Easter and Christmas services. The Easter pageant, "The Cross of Light," had a cast including Carol Larsen and Susan Hunt as readers and John Wilkinson, Jr. in the part of Peter. "All the Children of the World," the Christmas production, was even more elaborate. The kindergarten and first grade sang carols in German and Spanish, while older children dramatized the Christmas customs of Czechoslovakia, Mexico, Denmark, Greece and Italy and recited all or part of the Lord's Prayer in Czech and in Japanese; the service concluded with the singing of "Joy to the World" by all present.

Mr. Pratt began to issue a four-page publication, Parish News and Notes, to the congregation in the fall of 1956. It normally consisted of brief notes, often highlighting bulletin information which might have been missed by persons absent from church on a given Sunday. The new publication and the bulletins highlighted a number of activities. Plans were made to revive a Brotherhood of St. Andrew chapter for men and boys of the parish; retired Army general F.C. Lee visited St. Chrysostom's in October to discuss the work of the Brotherhood, and the chapter held an organizational meeting in December. St. Chrysostom's hosted the union Thanksgiving service, at which the Reverend H. Ralph Higgins of St. Mark's Church, Evanston, was the preacher. The Business and Professional Women's Guild programs included a

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church speech by Mrs. Ralph Obenschain of Famous Features Syndicates, "Confessions of an Amateur Recipe Clipper." For the first time since the early 1930s, college and preparatory school students at home for the holidays were honored; a reception for them was scheduled following the evening service on December 30. However, attendance was small, probably because the number of parishioners in this age group was considerably smaller than it had been in the 1920s and 1930s, and it was not repeated the following year.

A number of Lenten programs were scheduled in 1957. The rector, Bishop Burrill and other clergy gave addresses on missions to the Women's Guild, while Business and Professional Women's Guild activities included an illustrated talk on the Middle East by a McCormick Theological Seminary professor and book reviews by the parish clergy, and the Theophilus Club's programs focused on Lenten themes. There was a full Lenten worship schedule as well. Five Ash Wednesday services were scheduled (Holy Communion at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 noon, Evening Prayer at 5:45, and the Litany with a sermon by the rector at 8 p.m.); services of Holy Communion on Mondays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 7:30 a.m., and Evening Prayer on Thursdays at 5:45 p.m., were added to the regular midweek Holy Communion services on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 12 noon and Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.

The publication of Parish News and Notes undoubtedly reflected the growing desire for more information on parish activities and administration. Though many active organizations flourished in the parish from the 1930s through the early 1950s, the rector, wardens and vestry made nearly all the major parish administrative decisions, and little discontent with this state of affairs is recorded. Cuthbert Pratt made an attempt to increase attendance at the 1951 annual meeting by moving its location to the Guild Room; this does not seem to have been successful, as the meeting returned to the rector's study for the next four years. By 1956 the situation had begun to change. Although that year's annual meeting was scheduled in the study, more persons were present than could comfortably be seated there and the session was moved to the North Room. Minutes record a number of comments by members of the congregation; Mrs. Reuben Gaines, the mother of a school-age daughter, "rose to speak on the matter of getting such information as had been brought to the attention of the Meeting before the members of the Parish — especially the mothers of younger children who

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church neither heard nor read of such matters at any time in the course of the year," while Margaret Hirst of the Business and Professional Women's Guild expressed "concern that the Parish Meeting might be held at a later time in the evening when more members of the congregation would find it possible to be in attendance." Fletcher Durbin and Cuthbert Pratt responded to Miss Hirst's comment, apparently stating that the time change was not feasible; however, the issue was again raised at the 1957 meeting.

Because of his parish responsibilities, Cuthbert Pratt had been unable to continue his doctoral studies at the University of Chicago; however, during 1957 he received not one but two honorary doctorates. In the spring Seabury-Western Seminary awarded him a Doctor of Divinity degree, while on November 9 Hobart College named him a Doctor of Sacred Theology. The congregation rejoiced that its rector had received well-deserved recognition for his accomplishments; at a time when relatively few lay people addressed clergy by their first names, and when at St. Chrysostom's the use of the title "Father" was considered a sign of extreme high churchmanship, there was also probably some relief in being able to use "Dr." rather than "Mr." in addressing the rector of the parish.

When he came to St. Chrysostom's in mid-1955, Charles Summers had agreed to stay for three years; on December 4, 1957, the vestry authorized Dr. Pratt to invite a Virginia Theological Seminary student to be interviewed as Mr. Summers' replacement. At the same meeting senior warden Fletcher Durbin "serv[ed] notice of his intention to withdraw from membership in the Vestry at the close of the meeting next before the annual Parish Meeting," and Dr. Pratt "reported that a small delegation from the Parish called upon him in his office recently to discuss the forthcoming annual parish meeting, making certain suggestions pertinent thereto."

The suggestions probably related both to the scheduling of the meeting at a time when more parishioners were able to attend and to the desirability of greater openness in the nominating process, leading to the election of men from a wider spectrum of the parish membership; two non- vestry members, Altar Guild head Ydoine Cornelison and Gerhardt Meyne, served on that year's nominating committee chaired by Carroll Harding. For the first time in many years (possibly the first time in parish history) there was the possibility of a contested vestry election, and parishioners from this era recall an atmosphere of tension as the annual meeting approached.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

The vestry honored retiring senior warden Fletcher Durbin at its January 28, 1958 meeting. Carroll Harding paid tribute to him:

The Master welcomes as his followers all sorts and conditions of men and he needs powerful leaders to keep his church going. Fletcher Durbin is one of the great ones, having been a leader in this parish for 37 years, a leader at the diocesan level, a leader in religious education, a leader in the business community in Chicago, and a leader in many charitable projects.

Following a description of the 1950 meeting at which Mr. Durbin had registered his strong opposition to Bishop Conkling's actions against the parish's practice of intinction and its choice of Cuthbert Pratt as rector, "a good example of the kind of protection for our parish that the successors to Mr. Durbin might well follow," Mr. Harding presented the retiring warden with a silver tray signed by the rector, wardens and vestry, and the nominating committee's report was presented: William Cox was named senior warden, William Leff junior warden, and the vestry vacancy would be filled by contractor (and nominating committee member) Gerhardt Meyne, who had been recommended by a number of parishioners and who seemed an appropriate choice at a time when considerable work was needed on the church's physical plant.

The meeting concluded with a development which seems to have come as a surprise. Cuthbert Pratt presented a letter announcing his intention of accepting a call as rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, New York. Though indicating that he was willing to be guided by the vestry's "advice and counsel," he stated that he "felt led of God to respond in the affirmative ... for personal reasons," chiefly the fact that he wanted to be nearer to his own and his wife's family in the east. He agreed to remain at St. Chrysostom's until after Easter, setting April 20 (two weeks after Easter) as his resignation date. The news was not announced at the annual meeting two days later, when despite some opposition the nominating committee's slate was elected; the formal announcement of Dr. Pratt's resignation on the following Sunday came as a shock to many parishioners. Cuthbert Pratt was the first (and, thus far, the only) rector to resign from St. Chrysostom's after accepting a call from another parish.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

Though his family ties in the east were certainly the major reason for Cuthbert Pratt's decision to accept the call, the events of the period preceding the annual meeting may have had some effect; Dr. Pratt's long and emotional final sermon, and occasional comments in vestry minutes after his departure, indicate that the parting may not have been altogether smooth. Two farewell messages by the rector reflect his continuing love for his parishioners and the mixed feelings with which he left the city. His letter to the vestry dated April 2 stated, "This is a difficult letter to direct, inasmuch as you all occupy a very deep place in my interest and affection, and I am thoroughly convinced that we have worked effectively together for the cause of Christ and for the wellbeing of this parish ... I do hope it will be possible for me to render further service to the Parish and to individual members ... from time to time." On April 19 Dr. Pratt wrote "To the Members and Friends of Saint Chrysostom's Church."

As the time comes to bid you all farewell I wish it were possible for Mrs. Pratt and for myself to come personally to your homes and both commend you to God's loving care and also to thank you for your many kindnesses to us over the years which are past. Because this is not possible we take this opportunity of saying Goodbye. Saint Chrysostom's and her people will always loom large in our hearts.

... My own Rectorate is to begin at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 316 East 88th Street, New York City--28--New York on Monday, April 21st. A personal concern for service to both them and to you has once again ruled out the possibility of a holiday in between one work and the next. Remember us at the Lord's Altar wherever you may be as we in turn shall ever remember you ...

In New York City as here in Chicago our door and our hearts are ever open to you--come and see us as and when you can. May the Blessing and Peace of God be ever yours.

Thirty-three years later, in July 1991, Christopher Pratt (a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada) preached from his father's pulpit, commenting that his father had become part of the history of its parish and of many of its

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church members. Many stories testify to Cuthbert Pratt's warm pastoral relationships with his congregation. In conversation with the author, Betty Redmond recalled the Easter Sunday when her mother suffered a stroke early in the morning; though he had three services scheduled later in the day, Cuthbert Pratt met the Redmonds at the hospital. Henrietta Newton stated that she and her husband thought of Cuthbert Pratt as "a member of the family," and recollected his special kindness at the time of her husband's death. Dr. Pratt's eight years as rector of St. Chrysostom's coincided with the present author's years in high school and college; he was always ready to write references for college, summer employment and graduate school applications, showed unfeigned interest in her choice of studies and career, and sent warm congratulations from his new parish in New York at the time of her college graduation.

Persons not conforming to the inaccurate image of the church as a "society congregation" were often on exceptionally close terms with him. Bertha Mandelkow for the rest of her life looked back with particular fondness on his ministry at St. Chrysostom's. Henri Naumann, a long-time choir member, was also a close personal friend. He had come to the United States and to St. Chrysostom's after leaving his native Germany, where during the Hitler years he had been imprisoned in a concentration camp. Convalescing after a major operation, he was unable to clean his apartment himself and could not afford to hire a housekeeper, and Dr. Pratt came to the apartment himself to do the job. Cuthbert Pratt's sermon of June 10, 1956 on the text, "For who hath despised the day of small things?" (Zech. 4:10 KJV), in which he cited "small things" which could have an impact far beyond their size — small congregations at midweek services, the small items made by the Women's Guild for bazaars which raised considerable sums of money for projects within and beyond the parish — may serve as an apt description of his own ministry, which included many such acts.

The citation accompanying Dr. Pratt's Hobart degree was read into the vestry minutes by Carroll Harding, who described it as "in all respects accurate," a comment which many who remember Cuthbert Pratt would confirm.

The Christian ministry makes two demands upon its members — that they live both in time and in eternity. That they cling to things unchangeable while they preach and teach and

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

minister in terms understood by the generation to which God has sent them.

Such a man was John of the Golden Mouth. He knew the things which appertained to eternity and applied them to the temporal. Commissioned in heaven, he contrived for heavenly purposes in cities made with hands.

It is meet that we should honor one who, serving in Chrysostom's parish, follows his patronal forebear. Brother Cuthbert, you, too, have found the heavenly your source, but the earthy your ministry. You preach the eternal Word with success, you shelter God's poor. You seek out the sick, and give leadership to the young. Your priesthood is informed and well- formed, and well do you serve your calling.

As Charles Summers had already left the parish to become rector of St. Andrew's Church, Plainfield, New Jersey, it was necessary to appoint a locum tenens from outside the parish during the interim period; weekday services, the 9:15 a.m. family service and the Sunday evening service were discontinued during the interim. The Reverend Kendig Brubaker Cully, a professor at Seabury-Western Seminary, was named interim rector until the end of June. For the next six weeks, the Reverend George F. Packard of St. Mary's Church, Baltimore (who was attending a summer course at Northwestern University) served as interim rector and continued the healing process, while diocesan clergy officiated at the remaining Sunday services until the new rector's arrival.

During these months two long-time vestry members resigned from their positions. Bruce Borland wrote a letter of resignation to Bill Cox on August 13: "Last Spring I should have done what I am doing now, namely sending in my resignation from the Vestry ... At present I have gotten so deaf ... I have a hard time hearing what is said in the vestry meetings, and as for hearing the services, I am lost. You know that a younger man could do good work for the church and that is what I would like my successor to do as I am very interested in the future of St. Chrysostom's Church."

Carroll and Helga Harding left Chicago for Easton, Maryland, in May after his retirement from the Pullman Company. "It is a great honor to serve on the Vestry at Saint Chrysostom's Church ... not to be taken lightly," he

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church wrote in his letter of resignation later that year. "The time has come when my place should be filled. In giving up this position, I have the feeling that it was one of the greatest blessings that ever came my way." One of Mr. Harding's final acts on the vestry had been his active part in the renovation of the North Room to make it more suitable as a site for the coffee hour. There were at that time no kitchen facilities on the first floor of the parish house, and coffee had to be brought down from the kitchen on the second floor; the only chairs in the room were long rows of uncomfortable wooden folding chairs whose veneer had cracked over the years, making them hazardous to women's stockings. Carroll Harding donated to the parish chairs and sofas no longer in use in the Pullman headquarters office, and a kitchenette was installed at the south end of the room, west of the door leading into the gymnasium. The Women's Guild suggested that the name of the room be changed to the Harding Room to honor the Hardings' work in its renovation and their many other contributions to the parish. The vestry gladly agreed, and on May 3 (the Hardings' last Sunday in Chicago) a dedication ceremony and reception was held to honor the couple and a plaque was installed identifying the room by its new name.

The vestry worked rapidly to select a new rector. A search committee chaired by Charles Sturges, with the wardens and Carroll Harding as members, was appointed immediately after Cuthbert Pratt's resignation; a short time later Ferrel Bean was added to the committee. According to the committee's April 1 report to the vestry, fifty-six names were submitted by "friends of the parish" and by six bishops; fifteen were personally interviewed and five recommended to the vestry. On Cuthbert Pratt's last Sunday at St. Chrysostom's, the Reverend Robert Bruce Hall of Trinity Church, Huntington, West Virginia, was in Chicago to meet the vestry; on May 20 the vestry issued a call to Mr. Hall, which he accepted one week later. The new rector planned to arrive in Chicago about September 1.

ENDNOTES

According to St. Chrysostom's present organist Richard Hoskins, either the purchase of the Aeolian-Skinner organ or the renovation of the old organ would have been a better choice. Sufficient funds were raised to pay for the cost of renovation; it might not have been difficult to raise the additional sum needed for the Aeolian-Skinner instrument.

The History of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church

James Krehemker later became a priest. He visited his former parish in 1992, at which time he was rector of Trinity Church, Kansas City, Missouri.

Though its formal name at this time was the Women's Guild and Auxiliary, it was generally known as the Women's Guild, and the term "auxiliary," which seemed to indicate that women held a subordinate position in the parish, was later dropped.

Parish records do not give the names of the persons responsible, but members of the Altar Guild from this period believe that they were made by Dorothy Borland or Jean Caples.

Although the 1958 nominating committee included a woman, women were not at this time considered for vestry service.

Cuthbert Pratt's action in this case was notable, as he was not known as a "clean desk man."

The citation may well have been written by Dudley Stark, at that time chancellor of Hobart College as well as bishop of Rochester.

Many parishioners recall the exceptionally heavy furniture, which remained in use until 1986; designed for use on Pullman sleeping cars, it would obviously remain in place on trains traveling on rough roadbeds or around sharp curves.