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This Sunday, October 6, 2018, the Parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843. The Town Board of the Town of Pelham, and many others, have extended to Christ Church and its Parishioners heartfelt congratulations and thanks for all the church, its clergy and staff, and its members have done for the benefit of the Town during the last 175 years. The Town has issued a Proclamation (image and text below) designating Sunday as "Christ Church Day" and has forwarded a letter (text below) for inclusion in the program for the event.
Today's Historic Pelham article addresses the consecration of the Church on September 15, 1843 and documents the invitation issued by Christ Church to its celebration as well as the Town of Pelham's Proclamation and letter of congratulations directed to the Parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer.
I have written extensively about the founding of Christ Church as well as its consecration on September 15, 1843. See, e.g., Thu., Oct. 15, 2015: The Creation of Christ Church and its Consecration on September 15, 1843. See also Tue., Oct. 20, 2015: Address Delivered by Reverend Robert Bolton on April 28, 1843 at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of Christ Church.
The original sanctuary structure of Christ Church was built between April 28, 1843, when its cornerstone was laid, and September 15, 1843 when the completed church building was consecrated. Immediately below is an image of the Church as it first appeared shortly after its construction.
Christ Church, Shortly After It Was Constructed, as Depicted
in the 1848 First Edition of Bolton's History of Westchester County,
Volume 1. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
On Friday, September 15, 1843, a divine service was held in the newly-completed Christ Church. During that service, The Rev. Robert Bolton's "Instrument of Donation" donating the land on which the new church sat was read to those gathered to worship by order of Bishop Benjamin Tredwell Onderdonk. The consecration of the new church followed immediately. See: Bolton, Jr., Robert, History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the County of Westchester, From Its Foundation, A.D. 1693, to A.D. 1853, pp. 695-696 (NY, NY: Stanford & Swords, 1855).
A brief account of the consecration of the new church that day appeared in the September 23, 1843 issue of The Churchman. The account provides a fascinating glimpse of that day 175 years ago. It stated:
"Episcopal Acts
Friday, Sept. 15, consecrated Christ Church, Pelham, an edifice erected on his own premises by the Rev. Robert Bolton, Rector of St. Paul's Church, East Chester. The instrument of Donation and Request for Consecration by the Rev. Robert Bolton were presented by him to the Bishop, and read by the Rev. Thomas W. Colt D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, New Rochelle.
The sentence of consecration was read by the Rev. Thomas Harris; and the Morning Prayer by the Rev. James Milner, D. D., Rector of St. George's Church New York, assisted by the Rev. William Powell, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, who read the Lessons.
The sermon was preached by the Bishop who administered Holy Communion. Eight of the Clergy were present."
Seventy-five years ago on October 31, 1843, Christ Church celebrated the centennial of this consecration. An account of that centennial celebration appeared in the November 4, 1943 issue of The Pelham Sun and is quoted in its entirety at the close of this article (with a citation and link to its source).
"Christ Church" by William Rickarby Miller (1818-1893).
Watercolor on Paper, Ca. 1856. Note the Addition of the
Covered Front Entrance. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
The Town Board of Pelham, on behalf of the citizens of the Town, has joined with many others to congratulate Christ Church on its 175th anniversary. Town Supervisor Peter M. DiPaola, Jr. sent the following letter for inclusion in the program for the joyous event:
"September 26, 2018
The Parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer
Christ Church
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, New York 10803
Re: 175th Anniversary of the Consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843
On behalf of the Town Board and residents of the Town of Pelham, I wish to extend hearty and heart-felt congratulations to the parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer on the 175th anniversary of the consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843. All of Pelham has great pride in the central role Christ Church, its founders, and its parishioners have played in the success of the Town during the last 175 years.
Founder and first Rector of Christ Church, The Rev. Robert Bolton, and his family had a profoundly positive influence on our town. That influence began even before the Boltons moved to Pelham in about 1837 to live in the home known as the “Rose Cottage” that still stands at 11 Priory Lane before before they built Bolton Priory (beginning the following year) and Christ Church (in 1843). Indeed, in about 1836, when the Bolton Family lived on the Pond Field Farm in the settlement of East Chester, no church stood within Pelham’s borders. Town residents flocked to The Rev. Robert Bolton when he served as Rector of St. Paul’s Church in East Chester before he and his family built Christ Church with their own hands, hewing local native stones, felling trees, carving furnishings and embellishments and, in the case of artisan brothers John Jay and William Bolton, hand-casting heavenly-glorious stained glass windows for the new Church.
While at East Chester, Rev. Bolton learned how residents of the Town of Pelham hungered for a place of worship. He and his family satiated that hunger with a glorious church that remains among the most beautiful in the nation and that quickly became part of the fabric of Pelham.
The Reverend Robert Bolton’s words spoken over the cornerstone of Christ Church as it was laid on April 28, 1843 have rung true for more than 175 years:
“we can earnestly implore & can fervently hope for the divine blessing on our undertaking & we can & do entreat your prayers for us that the word of the Lord may here have free course & be glorified & that so there may ever be 'glory to God in the highest, on earth peace & good will toward men.’”
May those words ring just as true, and continue to inspire pride such as that all of Pelham feels today for Christ Church and The Parish of Christ The Redeemer, 175 years from now on September 15, 2193 A.D. Congratulations, with thanks for all the Church has done for Pelham.
Sincerely,
___________________
Peter D. DiPaola, Jr.
Town Supervisor, Pelham, New York"
Additionally, the Town Board of Pelham has issued a Proclamation designating Sunday, October 6, 2018 as "Christ Church Day." An image of the Proclamation as well as a transcription of its text (to facilitate search) appear immediately below.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
"TOWN OF PELHAM, N. Y.
Proclamation
WHEREAS Founder and first Rector of Christ Church the Rev. Robert, and his family had a profoundly positive influence on our Town. That influence began even before the Boltons moved to Pelham in about 1837 to live in the home known as 'Rose Cottage' that still stands at 11 Priory Lane before they built Bolton Priory; and
WHEREAS No church stood within the Pelham borders so Town residents flocked to the Rev. Robert Bolton when he served as Rector of St. Paul's Church in East Chester. While there Rev. Bolton learned how residents of the Town of Pelham hungered for a place to worship so he and his family built the Christ Church with their own hands; and
WHEREAS The Bolton Family built a glorious church that remains among the most beautiful in the nation and that quickly became part of the fabric of Pelham; and
THEREFORE Town Supervisor Peter DiPaola; Deputy Town Supervisor Daniel McLaughlin, Councilwoman Rae Szymanski, Councilman Blake Bell and Councilman Timothy Case congratulate the parishioners of The Parish of Christ of Christ the Redeemer on the 175th anniversary of the consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843 and do hereby proclaim October 6, 2018
Christ Church Day
Given Under My Hand and Seal the Sixth Day of October 2018
Peter M. DiPaola, Jr."
Christ Church prepared a lovely invitation to its celebration for distribution to Parishioners and others. The various pages of the invitation, the front and back of the RSVP card and the front of the RSVP envelope appear immediately below. Following all the invitation images, a transcription of the text appears merely to facilitate search.
Invitation, Page 01.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Invitation, Page 02.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Invitation, Page 03.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Invitation, Page 04.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
RSVP Card, Obverse.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
RSVP Card, Reverse.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
RSVP Envelope, Obverse.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Invitation, Page 01:
[Image of Parish of Christ the Redeemer Banner]
"-----
PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER
PELHAM, NY
-----
175TH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
-----"
Invitation, Page 02:
[Image of "Christ Church" Painting by William Rickarby Miller]
Built in 1843 of native granite, Christ Church was the culmination of the dedicated efforts of its first rector, The Rev. Robert Bolton. Two of the Bolton sons, William and John, became the premier stained glass artisans of their time and created many of the stained glass windows in the church, including The Adoration of the Magi, which is the first figured stained glass window made in America.
Two of the Bolton daughters established missions that became Grace Church, City Island, and the Church of the Redeemer in North Pelham. The Rev. Cornelius Bolton, fourth son of the Rev. Robert Bolton, served as the Rector of the Church of the Redeemer for twenty-five years, starting in 1881. In 1972, after prayerful consideration by both congregations and both vestries, a decision was made to become the united Parish of Christ the Redeemer Christ Church was selected as the house of worship and the property of the Church of the Redeemer was turned over to the Town of Pelham to be used for a municipal hall, a center for senior citizens and a child care facility.
Banner Photo Credit: Lily Moureaux Somssen"
Invitation, Page 03:
"The Rector & Vestry of The Parish of Christ the Redeemer
Invite you to Celebrate 175 Years with Dinner & Dancing
Saturday, October 6, 2018 6:30 pm
New York Athletic Club
Travers Island
Pelham Manor, NY 10803
RSVP by September 28
Cocktail Attire"
Invitation, Page 04:
"175th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
Claire Allen & Cherrie Greenhalgh
CO-CHAIRS
Jennifer Alleyne
Cathie Arquilla
Angela Barone
Kari Black
Allison Bodenmann
Jeff Bodenmann
Rosemarie Carver
Marie Dumas
Michael Fawcett
John Felicetti
Charlette Finch
Etta Cumbs
John Hastings
Margo Hastings
Jeffrey Hoffman
Carol Ipsen
Erik Ipsen
Missy Kisob
Courtney McGrory
Michael Moynihan
Sandra Rivera
Melissa Roddy
Janet Salvatore
Siggy Sessa
Lily Moureaux Somssen
Ann Sorice
Ann Swanson
Kristin Van Ogtrop
Margaret Young
Barbara Zambelli
THE PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER
The Rev. Matthew Hoxsie Mead
RECTOR
The Rev. Canon Susan Harriss
PRIEST ASSOCIATE
The Rev. Deacon Katie Lawrence
DEACON
Jeffrey Hoffman
ORGANIST & CHOIRMASTER
Marie Main
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
Walter Roberts
VERGER & SEXTON
Ed Blue
SEXTON
VESTRY
Jeff Bodenmann SENIOR WARDEN
Carol Ispen [sic] JUNIOR WARDEN
Anne Calder TREASURER
Jackie Vigil CLERK
Angela Barone
Curtis Chase
Alice Dean
John Fox
Etta Cumbs
Amy Heese
Jack Kaufmann
Gavin Leckie
Colette Phipps
HOULIHAN LAWRENCE
ARTHUR L. SCINTA
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE INVITATION FOR THE EVENT"
RSVP CARD, Obverse.
"PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER
175th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
10.6.2018
TICKETS (Deadline for Journal listing is September 21)
Table for 10 $5000/Table (Journal Listing)
Bolton Benefactor $500/Ticket (Journal Listing)
Divine Duo $275 for Two Tickets
Stylish Single $150 for One Ticket
For more information, please call 914.738.5515 or email marie@christchurchpelham.org
JOURNAL OPPORTUNITIES (Closing date for Journal ads is September 21)
Full-page color Ad 6"w x 9"h $750
Full page B/W Ad 6"w x 9"h $500
Half-page B/W Ad 6"w x 4.5"h $250
Quarter Page B/W Ad (business card size) $100
For more information on the Journal, please e-mail Missy Kisob at kisob@msn.com
All net proceeds from the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the Parish of Christ the Redeemer will be directed to the 175th Anniversary Capital Campaign."
RSVP Card, Reverse.
"PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER
RSVP by September 28
175th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
10.6.2018
PLEASE COMPLETE ALL FIELDS
Name (as you would like it in all printed materials)
Company (optional)
Address
City/State/Zip
Phone
email
Donation - I / We cannot attend, but would like to donate $___
Enclosed is my check in the amount of $___ (payable to Christ Church)
Contributions & Journal ads are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
$125 per ticket and $1250 table is non-deductible."
RSVP Envelope, Obverse:
"CHRIST CHURCH
THE PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER
1415 Pelhamdale Avenue
Pelham, NY 10803"
* * * * *
"100th Anniversary Was Observed At Christ Church, Sunday, Oct. 31
-----
Rev. H. Bonnell Spencer O. H. C., Preached Sermon at Service Marking Centennial of Completion of Church and its Consecration in 1843.
-----
The 100th Anniversary of the completion of Christ Church Pelham Manor, and its formal consecration in 1843, was observed by the parish on the dedication festival of Christ, the King, Sunday, Oct. 31st. Rev. Thomas Taggard and the Rev. Joseph Barnes Williams are the clergy of the church.
The choral celebration of the Holy Eucharist marked a solemn and joyful thanksgiving offered by the whole parish for the blessings of the century of its life just completed, and a humble re-dedication of effort to carry on the fine application of Christian ideals and life which were exemplified in the lives of the founder of the parish, the Rev. Robert Bolton and his family.
The anniversary sermon on this occasion was delivered by the Rev. H. Bonnell Spencer, Order of the Holy Cross. Father Spencer is well known in Pelham because of the ten-day preaching mission which he conducted at Christ Church in December, 1940, in association with the Rev. Alan Whittemore, Superior of the Order of the Holy Cross.
On Oct. 31st, there were the usual 8:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, with parish breakfast and Church School. At 11:15 a.m. the combined choirs led the procession.
A century-old account of the consecration of the church has been found in 'The Churchman' of Sept. 23, 1843 under the heading 'Episcopal Acts' as follows:
'Friday, Sept. 15, consecrated Christ Church, Pelham, an edifice erected on his own premises by the Rev. Robert Bolton, Rector of St. Paul's Church, East Chester. The instrument of Donation and Request for Consecration by the Rev. Robert Bolton were presented by him to the Bishop, and read by the Rev. Thomas W. Colt D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, New Rochelle.
'The sentence of consecration was read by the Rev. Thomas Harris; and the Morning Prayer by the Rev. James Milner, D. D., Rector of St. George's Church New York, assisted by the Rev. William Powell, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, who read the Lessons.
'The sermon was preached by the Bishop who administered Holy Communion. Eight of the Clergy were present.'
The bishop of the diocese at that time was the Right Reverend Treadwell Onderdonk.
In connection with the centennial celebration a Parish History has been compiled by a committee of laymen of the parish, under the leadership of Edward F. Hudson, James Edgar Morris and Edwin O. Perrin. The book is profusely illustrated and is dedicated to Miss Arabella Jay Bolton who is now, and has been all her life, an active member of the parish. Copies of the History may be secured from Mrs. William N. Hurlbut or at the church office.
Services this week have included a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Monday Nov. 1 which was All Saints Day."
Source: 100th Anniversary Was Observed At Christ Church, Sunday, Oct. 31 -- Rev. H. Bonnell Spencer O. H. C., Preached Sermon at Service Marking Centennial of Completion of Church and its Consecration in 1843, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 4, 1943, Vol. 33, No. 31, p. 7, cols. 1-2.
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