Historical Records

These notes appear in a 71/2" x 5" slim, brown notebook with sewn binding. The notebook had been used for St. Mark’s Sunday School attendance records but only 81/2 sheets had been used. The Thrifty and practical Mr. Harvey turned the notebook upside down and he had many unused beginning pages for Chapel Committee minutes and service records. Parenthetical expressions are those of John Ineson, who also made minor punctuation changes to enhance clarity, and who omitted adding Mr. Harvey’s name at the end of each date’s report.

A meeting of the Chapel Committee (of St. Mark’s Church) was held at Mr. Bridges, May 1st, 1892, to complete organization of the Chapel Committee.

Members of the Committee are: Miss Pauline Bridge, The Rev. Walker Gwynne, Mr. J. H. Parsons and Frank A. Harvey; Rev. Mr. Gwynne was elected President, Mr. James Bridge, Treasurer (former, or then present Senior Warden of St. Mark’s, 87 years old at the time), and Frank A. Harvey, Secretary.

#1 Resolved: that all money be deposited in the First National Bank and that all bills be paid by checque that amount plus $5.00 over.

#2 Resolved: that the Rector prepare a contract for the moving of the building and present it at the next meeting.

#3 Resolved: that the offer of the trustees of St. Catherine’s Hall be accepted, to sell the chapel for $500 including all fixtures, and that the Treasurer of this committee be authorized to complete the sale.

Resolved: that the treasurer be authorized to complete the contract with Mr. L. L. Wellman for the moving of the chapel for the sum of $300.

Resolved: that Frank A. Harvey be a committee to start the laying of the foundation of the chapel.

Resolved: that Mr. James Bridge be a committee to make a contract for the laying of the foundation.

Resolved: that Mr. Gwynne be authorized to collect all subscriptions of less than $25.00.

The above meeting was held at Mr. Bridge’s; Mr. Gwynne, Mr. Harvey, and Mr. Bridge being present.

Chapel meeting was held at Mr. Bridge’s with a full attendance. Not much business was done at this meeting. The principle topic was: should the vestry room (sacristy) be enlarged or no, how should it be placed, and on what kind of a foundation? Mr. Gwynne introduced the following: that a stone wall be placed for the vestry room to rest on; that the base of the wall be three feet higher than the wall running East and West on the North side of the cellar; that the end wall be made 12 feet long, if found practicable, to lengthen the vestry room.

Chapel Committee meeting at Mr. Bridge’s. Present: Miss Bridge, Mr. James Bridge, The Rev. Walker Gwynne, and Frank A. Harvey. Resolved: To request Mr. Wyman to lay a good soft wood floor, planed on one side, in the hall of the church. To ______ the gable roof addition on the North side of the chapel to be used as a vestry room. To make the windows one large square of glaze with six small squares above, using cathedral glass. Not to put any staircase to the basement at present. To instruct Mr. Noble to insure the chapel for $1,000; Mr. Tarra(?) has the other $1,000. Resolved: that Mr. Frank A. Harvey be instructed to look up the cost of electric lights. Mr. Fred Harvey was made Warden and Frank Harvey, Clerk and Treasurer.

The first service was held in the chapel at 4:30 P.M. on Sunday, July 17, 1892 on Mr. Bridge’s 88th birthday. Rev. Mr. Gwynne and Deacon Livingston, to be made Minister in Charge in October, took charge of the service. Chapel crowded and had a most beautiful service. Professor Hyde, of St. Mark’s, has charge of the choir and his services are gratefully received and, I am sure, gratefully given. Money taken by Mr. Gwynne for the building fund. Rev. Gwynne being Treasurer of the building fund.

Second regular service held at 4:30. Number present 68. Sunday School organized at 3:45. Number present 24, a most auspicious beginning. The offertory: $2.36

The choir is, at present, made up of about 12 young ladies and four faithful boys. Those who attend are: Mary Harvey, Gracie Ware, Lucie Leighton, Nellie Ray, Lillian Kimpton, Isibell Harvey, Miss Williams, Minnie Small, Asia(?) Small, Ger. Woods, Sadie Woods, Chap Wing, Fred Harvey, Frank Harvey, Herbert Ware, Tom Nicholas, Wallace Bean, Chas. Wing, Mr. Mal Wight

Third regular meeting. Number present 60; Offertory 2.42.

Four small boys in the choir seats.

Everybody much pleased with Mr. Livingston.

An entertainment was held. Attendance about 150. They say they made about $30.00 to $35.00.