Christ Church Will Celebrate the 175th Anniversary of its September 15, 1843 Consecration This Sunday

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "The Haunted History of Pelham, New York"
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

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:       175^th 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 175^th 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.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "The Haunted History of Pelham, New York"
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Additional Obituaries of Horace Dutton Taft, Founder of the Taft School for Boys in Pelham Manor

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Many in Pelham Manor drive by the two lovely homes that stand at 952 Pelhamdale Avenue and 964 Pelhamdale Avenue every day without giving either a second thought.  The two homes, however, once formed the school buildings of The Taft School for Boys founded in Pelham Manor in 1890 and, today, one of the nation's premier preparatory schools.  Today the school is located in Watertown, Connecticut.  (Interestingly, the Taft School for Boys took over the two homes from Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls who also used them as school buildings the prior year before moving the girls' school to buildings constructed on Esplanade at Boston Post Road.)

964 Pelhamdale Avenue, Once the Main School Building of

the Taft School for Boys in the Early 1890s.  Source:  Google

Maps.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

952 Pelhamdale Avenue, One of Two Adjacent Residences that Once Were

Part of The Taft School for Boys That Operated in Pelham Manor 1890 - 1893.

Photograph Taken in 2005 by the Author.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Horace Dutton Taft founded the Taft School for Boys in Pelham Manor. Taft was a brother of William Howard Taft who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and, in 1909, became the nation’s 27th President. 

Horace D. Taft had no training in school administration. Indeed, his only exposure to the teaching world reportedly involved tutoring Latin for three years at Yale, his alma mater. Horace Taft was, however, a friend of a prominent Pelham Manor resident – Mrs. Robert C. (Mary G. Witherbee) Black. Mrs. Black was the wife of a member of the internationally renowned jewelry firm of Black, Starr & Frost. The Blacks owned large tracts of land in Pelham Manor and had a palatial home known as “Dogwood” located almost directly across Pelhamdale Avenue from 952 and 964 Pelhamdale Avenue. The home faced the Esplanade on plots where homes located between 955 and 999 Pelhamdale Avenue stand today. 

Robert and Mary Black had two sons: R. Clifford Black, Jr. and Witherbee Black. Mrs. Black reportedly contacted family friend Horace Taft seeking a tutor for her boys. She convinced Taft to open a boarding school for boys in Pelham Manor. Mrs. Black reportedly named the new school “Mr. Taft’s School” although it quickly became known as The Taft School for Boys. 

The home that stands today at 964 Pelhamdale Avenue reportedly served as the main building for Mr. Taft’s School. According to a letter prepared in 1936 by one of the students who attended the school during its first year of operation, DeWitt Clinton Noyes, there were two homes that served as the grounds of the school when it opened in 1890 for the 1890/91 school year (see newspaper announcement of upcoming opening of the school transcribed below). The letter stated: “The main house belonged to Mrs. Robert C. Black and was directly behind her own on Pelhamdale Avenue. The second house was smaller and next door to the West.” The house that stands today “next door to the West” of 964 Pelhamdale is the home located at 952 Pelhamdale. After only three school years in Pelham Manor, Mr. Taft’s School moved to Watertown, Connecticut where it is located today. 

Another of Horace D. Taft's brothers was a New York City attorney who lived for many years in Pelham Manor. His name was Henry Waters Taft, an important early Pelham Manor resident. 

Horace Dutton Taft operated the Taft School for Boys as a for-profit boys' preparatory school for most of the years he served as its headmaster.  In 1926, Taft donated his majority ownership interest in the school to the Board of Trustees of the institution for them to run as a non-profit institution.  The Board reportedly "promptly elected him president of the board of trustees and headmaster."  He served in those roles until the late 1930s when he became headmaster emeritus.  He died on January 28, 1943 at the age of 81.  His death was reported in newspapers all over the country.

I have transcribed a few such obituaries before.  See Wed., Feb. 04, 2015:  Obituaries of Horace Dutton Taft, Founder of the Taft School for Boys in Pelham Manor.  Today's Historic Pelham article transcribes additional such obituaries (and a brief newspaper announcement of the planned opening of the school in 1890) immediately below.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

Horace Dutton Taft in an Undated Portrait.
NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"PERSONAL AND POLITICAL. . . . 

-- Mr. Horace D. Taft, son of Judge Alphonso Taft, will open a boarding and day school for boys next September at Pelham Manor, Westchester county, New York.  The announcement says that, while the object is to prepare boys for college, nothing will be sacrificed for the sake of gaining time."

Source:  PERSONAL AND POLITICAL, The Buffalo Commercial [Buffalo, NY], May 23, 1890, p. 4, col. 4 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"HORACE D. TAFT SUCCUMBS AT 81
-----
Brother of Late President Founded Taft School
-----

Watertown, Conn., Jan. 28 (AP). -- Horace D. Taft, 81, brother of the late President William Howard Taft, and founder and for many years headmaster of the Taft School for Boys at Watertown, died at his home tonight.

Starting out to be a lawyer, Taft changed his mind after a year's practice.  He spent three years as Latin tutor at Yale, and then started his own school in Pelham Manor with 10 pupils.  For the rest of his life he was its headmaster.

In later years, after it moved to Watertown, it grew to be one of the leading preparatory schools of the country.  And in 1926, he gave his majority holdings to the trustees for them to run as a non-profit institution.

They promptly elected him president of the board of trustees and headmaster, a post which he relinquished several years ago to become headmaster emeritus.

Born in Cincinnati, he was the son of Alphonso Taft, judge of the Ohio Supreme Court, who served in several administrations as the Secretary of War, as Attorney General and as U.S. Minister to Austria and Russia."

Source:  HORACE D. TAFT SUCCUMBS AT 81 -- Brother of Late President Founded Taft School, The Wilkes-Barre Record [Wilkes-Barre, PA], Jan. 29, 1943, p. 6, col. 1 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"Horace D. Taft Died.

WATERTOWN, Conn., Jan. 28 (AP) -- Horace D. Taft, 81, brother of the late President William Howard Taft, and founder and for many years headmaster of the Taft School for Boys at Watertown, died at his home tonight.

Starting out to be a lawyer, Taft changed his mind after a year's practice.  He spent three years as Latin tutor at Yale, and then started on his own school in Pelham Manor with ten pupils.  For the rest of the his life he was its headmaster.

In later years, after it moved to Watertown, it grew to be one of the leading preparatory schools of the country.  And in 1926, he gave his majority holdings to the trustees for them to run as a non-profit institution."

Source:  Horace D. Taft Died, Standard Sentinel [Hazleton, PA], Jan. 29, 1943, Vol. 77, No. 23,670, p. 1, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

*          *          *          *           *

I have written on numerous occasions about the Taft School for Boys as well as Horace Dutton Taft and his brother, Henry Waters Taft, who lived in Pelham Manor.  For a few examples, see:  

Mon., Apr. 24, 2017:  More on the World Famous Taft School for Boys that Began in Pelham Manor in 1890.

Wed., Feb. 04, 2015:  Obituaries of Horace Dutton Taft, Founder of the Taft School for Boys in Pelham Manor.

Mon., Jan. 15, 2007:  Brief Biographies of Henry Waters Taft and Horace Dutton Taft of Pelham Manor (and Other Family Members).

Tue., May 30, 2006:  A Biography Published in 1906 on the Life of Horace Dutton Taft, Founder of the Taft School for Boys in Pelham Manor.

Wed., Nov. 14, 2007:  1890 Advertisement for Taft's School for Boys in Pelham Manor.

Mon., Aug. 15, 2005:  952 Pelhamdale Served as a 19th Century School for Girls, Then a School for Boys.

Bell, Blake A., The Taft School in Pelham Manor, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 23, Jun. 4, 2004, p. 12, col. 1.

Fri., Mar. 14, 2014:  “Life and Practice" of a Country Lawyer Living in Pelham Manor in the 1880s.

Tue., Feb. 14, 2006:  An Account of the Blizzard of 1888 by Pelham Manor Resident Henry W. Taft.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Broadway Composer Harry Tierney and Broadway Lyricist Joseph McCarthy, Both of Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Rodgers and Hammerstein! Kander and Ebb! Rodgers and Hart!  These are a few of the most successful musical theater partnerships of composers and lyricists of all time.  Add to that list Tierney and McCarthy of Pelham.  

Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy of Pelham, New York, collaborated for a string of successful Broadway musicals during the 1920s.  The most famous and most successful one was "Rio Rita" produced by Florenz Ziegfeld.  It premiered on Broadway on February 2, 1927 and ran for 494 performances, a surprisingly long run for those days.

Harry Tierney wrote the music.  Joseph McCarthy authored the lyrics.  The show subsequently hit the road and ran in Sydney, Australia and on London's West End.  According to one source:  

"Rio Rita may be said to be one of the last, great, "light musical comedies" or "Follies-based" type of musical. With the introduction of Show Boat, later in 1927—as well as the subsequent introduction of George Gershwin's musicals that year and thought the early 30's -- the American musical became much more a dramatically cohesive "musical play". This form reached its maturity in the Rodgers and Hammerstein productions, beginning with Oklahoma! and culminating with South Pacific."

Source:  "Rio Rita (Musical)" in Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Sep. 23, 2017).

With the tremendous success of "Rio Rita" on stage, the musical was taken to the silver screen in 1929 where it likewise became a tremendous hit.  Produced by William LeBaron and Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, the film was 141 minutes long.  It cost $678,000 to make and earned $2,400,000 at the box office.  It became known as RKO Radio Pictures' "Picture of the Century."  As a consequence, the careers of Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy as movie songwriters took off.  Indeed, the pair repeatedly traveled cross-country to Hollywood to work on the musical scores of a number of hit Hollywood movies.  

Lobby Card for the 1929 Movie "Rio Rita."

Tierney and McCarthy had a number of notable Broadway successes as composer and lyricist, respectively.  One such success was "Kid Boots" which opened at the Earl Carroll Theatre on December 31, 1923.  It had a run of 489 performances.  It starred Eddie Cantor and Mary Eaton, and featured George Olsen and his orchestra.  

Produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, the show was advertised as "A Musical Comedy of Palm Beach and Golf."  The show was such a success that, like its later cousin "Rio Rita," it was turned into a successful Hollywood movie released in 1926.  

Poster Advertising 1923 Broadway Musical

"Kid Boots."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Harry Tierney was a successful and famous composer when he bought a home on Boulevard at Monterey Avenue during the summer of 1923.  He was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on May 21, 1890 and died March 22, 1965.  His first major success was the Broadway musical "Irene" that was the longest-running show of its era with 620 performances.  The most active part of his career was between about 1910 and 1930.  During the 1920s, he often collaborated a composer with lyricist Joseph McCarthy.

Joseph McCarthy lived in Pelham during the 1920s.  Due to his fame, he was a friend and acquaintance of many stars of the day including John J. McGraw, Manager of the New York Giants baseball team (who lived in Pelham), Florenz Ziegfeld, and many stars of the stage and screen.  He was known as a local philanthropist and liked to tell the story of how he and his Pelham pal, Harry Tierney, once helped Florenz Ziegfeld.

It seems that Ziegfeld was producing a show in Philadelphia and needed a song for the show opening on a Monday night.  Ziegfeld contacted the pair and set them to work.  On Sunday morning, the day before the show opened, Tierney and McCarthy wrote the music and lyrics for the song and telephoned the music and words to the orchestra conductor in Philadelphia later that day.  The pair then traveled the next day to Philadelphia, attended the show, and enjoyed their own creation that later was described as follows:  "It's daintiness and musical beauty was a reflection of [McCarthy's] own courtly engaging personality."

Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy wrote a memorable song that virtually became a Pelham anthem mentioned in countless local newspaper articles for a decade or longer as a tune known by every Pelhamite and beloved by all.  It was entitled "Alice Blue Gown."  Indeed, in 1943, The Pelham Sun wrote that the song would "survive the centuries."  The newspaper may have been right.  To hear a recording of Joni James singing the beautiful song, click on the YouTube video below.

Joseph McCarthy died on Saturday, December 18, 1943. 

"HARRY TIERNEY AND SON HARRY JR.  Mr. Tierney who

makes his home on the Boulevard, Pelham Heights, is a well

known composer of popular music.  Mr. Tierney wrote the 

musical scores of 'Rio Rita,' 'Irene,' and many other musical

comedies and motion pictures."  Source:  HARRY TIERNEY

AND SON HARRY JR., The Pelham Sun, Apr. 24, 1936,

Vol. 27, No. 3, Second Section, p. 9, cols. 3-4.  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *         *          *

"Famous Song Writer Comes to Pelham
-----

Harry Tierney, composer of the music of 'Irene,' 'Up She Goes,' and 'The Follies,' has purchased from David S. Crater a new house at Monterey Avenue and the Boulevard.  The property was held at $75,000 and the sale was negotiated by the local office of Fish & Marvin."

Source:  Famous Song Writer Comes to Pelham, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 6, 1923, p. 3, col. 7.  

"HARRY TIERNEY BUYS ANOTHER PLOT IN PELHAM

Fish & Marvin, through their Pelham office, have sold for the Witherbee Real Estate & Improvement Company an acre plot in the Mt. Tom section of Pelham Manor to John Smith.  The property was held at $20,000.00.

Fish & Marvin, through their Pelham office, have sold for Dr. A. C. Bechtold a plot of land on Elderwood avenue, Pelham Heights, to Mr. Harry Tierney, well known composer of Pelham.  The property was held at $14,000.00."

Source:  HARRY TIERNEY BUYS ANOTHER PLOT IN PELHAM, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 6, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 36, p. 11, col. 1.  

"McCarthy and Tierney At Work on Ziegfeld Show
-----

Melody continues to flow in Pelham Heights where the pennant winning song writing team of Joseph McCarthy and Harry Tierney are busily engaged preparing the music and lyrics for Florenz Ziegfeld's [sic] new production 'Rio Rita,' which will be the curtain raising vehicle in t he new Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, November 1.  Tierney and McCarthy were responsible for the tuneful melodies of many New York successes including several editions of the Follies and Kid Boots."

Source:  McCarthy and Tierney At Work on Ziegfeld Show, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 27, 1926, p. 10, col. 4.  

"PELHAM SONGWRITERS SCORE WITH NEW PRODUCTION
-----

Joseph McCarthy and Harry Tierney scored again with 'Rio Rita' which opened the new Ziegfield Theatre in New York city Wednesday night.  The tuneful melodies prepared by the two Pelhamites are credited by metropolitan critics as the season's best and Rio Rita assured a long run in New York.  Ada May heads the cast."

Source:  PELHAM SONGWRITERS SCORE WITH NEW PRODUCTION, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 4, 1927, Vol. 17, No. 49, p. 1, col. 3.  

"Tierney and McCarthy To Join Pelhamites In Motion Pictures
-----
Songwriters Preparing To Leave For Hollywood To Write For Talking Pictures
-----

With a large delegation of Pelham's theatrical folk already in Hollywood doing motion picture work, two more of this famous group are preparing to embark for the coast.  They are Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy, songwriters extraordinary.  The success of 'Rio Rita' on the screen has assured Tierney and McCarthy a prominent position among motion picture songsters.  We can expect a new crop of theme songs from these twain in an early series of motion pictures.  

Tierney and McCarthy will be remembered for the songs and lyrics of Ziegfeld productions of 'Rio Rita' and 'Kid Boots.'

Edgar J. MacGregor, stage director, John Hunter Booth, author and Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar, songwriters, all of Pelham, are now on the coast doing motion picture work."

Source:  Tierney and McCarthy To Join Pelhamites In Motion Pictures -- Songwriters Preparing To Leave For Hollywood To Write For Talking Pictures, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 11, 1929, p. 20, col. 4.  

"'DIXIANA' MUSIC WAS WRITTEN BY HARRY TIERNEY
-----
Pelham Composer Responsible For Tunes in Motion Picture at Proctor's.
-----

Bebe Daniels and Everett Marshall.  Music by Harry Tierney.

Never has there been a greater singing combination than this youthful, romantic pair, featured in 'Dixiana', coming to Proctor's New Rochelle Theatre tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday.

Miss Daniels surpasses even her phenomenal success in 'Rio Rita.'  Marshall certainly proves his right to the title, the 'Metropolitan Opera's most popular baritone.'

Together they sing a half dozen songs, lilting catchy love lyrics.  They sign solos.  And the songs fit perfectly into the continuity of the vitally interesting romance of that romantic place and time -- New Orleans in 1840.  Due credit for this must be given to Luther Reed, the director and adaptor [sic].

In Radio Pictures' first original music drama, William Le Baron has outdone any previous effort in point of magnificence, story, cast, setting and musical appeal.

Again the inimitable pair of comics, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, score heavily in the art of funmaking.  Others in the cast who give excellent performances are Joseph Cawthorn, Jobyna Howland, Dorothy Lee, Ralf Harolde, Edward Chandler, George Herman, and Bill Robinson.

Hall's Negro Chorus furnishes choral music throughout the film -- Negro spirituals and songs of the old South.  They score particularly in 'Mr. and Mrs. Ippi.'

To say that Harry Tierney's music and Anne Caldwell's book and lyrics are above criticism, is really superfluous.  The songs are intoxicating.  'Dixiana,' the principal song, is the kind one whistles on the way out of the theater."

Source:  "DIXIANA" MUSIC WAS WRITTEN BY HARRY TIERNEY -- Pelham Composer Responsible For Tunes in Motion Picture at Proctor's, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 26, 1930, Vol. 21, No. 26, p. 3, col. 1.  

"JOS. McCARTHY COMPOSES SONG FOR LIONS CLUB
-----
Pelham Lions Are Singing New Song Written for Them by Noted Composer; Resident of Pelham Heights.
-----

'Roar, Lions Roar,
For More, More, More'

If you hear any prominent local merchant humming those words to a catchy tune you can thank Joseph McCarthy, noted songwriter, for that's what the members of the Lions Club of the Pelhams are doing these days.  The catchy little tune was composed by Mr. McCarthy especially for the Lions Club, and the members of the club are losing no time in putting the number across.

The entire song is as follows:

'Roar, Lions roar
For More, More, More
If you've got a little business,
     you should advertise
Boost that business 'fore the darn 
     thing dies.
Roar, Lions roar
For you shop, your place, your
     store,
Show P-E-L we're up to 'L' H-A-M
And we mean all of them; 
We want More, 
So Roar, Lions Roar.

The club received a surprise on Monday when Mr. McCarthy arrived as the guest of William McNulty toward the close of the program.  The song was quickly distributed and it was but a few minutes before the melody was learned by every member.

Mr. McCarthy, who lives on the Boulevard, is well know as a songwriter, having been responsible for the songs in many Broadway successes and motion pictures.  With Harry Tierney he wrote the music for 'Rio Rita,' 'Up She Goes' and several others.  He is at the present time engaged in preparing the words and music for a new Ziegfeld production.  In this enterprise he is associated with Walter Donaldson."

Source:  JOS. McCARTHY COMPOSES SONG FOR LIONS CLUB -- Pelham Lions Are Singing New Song Written for Them by Noted Composer; Resident of Pelham Heights, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 30, 1931, p. 13, col. 3.

"ASCAP Oddities.

Note to Joseph McCarthy who is back in Pelham for a short stay:  Haven't heard 'Alice Blue Gown' for nearly a week.  That song will live as long as harmony endures.  It was, we think, the greatest hit ever written by the Pelham composer Harry Tierney and lyricist, Joseph McCarthy.  We did hear 'Where Did You Get That Hat,' which is known to all over 80.  A vague idea for a cartoon:  The verger of a church tiptoeing to the organist with an awed warning:  'We're on the air and that's ASCAP you're playing.'"

Source:  ASCAP Oddities, The Pelham Sun. Jan. 10, 1941, p. 2, col. 3.  

"They Pass Into the Night

More than twenty years ago Tom Sheehan a Pelham Heights policeman was found badly injured in New Rochelle.  He died a few days later leaving destitute a widow and a large family.  There was no police protection fund in Pelham at that time.  A letter was sent to a random list of residents of the town.  Among those who came to a meeting was one who quietly gave a check for $50 to start the fund.  Later to stage a baseball game, he used his acquaintanceship with John J. McGraw, of the New York Giants and aided in bringing about a game between the New York Giants and the New York Athletic Club.  A fine handsome man, few knew that the resident of the Boulevard was one of America's great songwriters -- Joseph McCarthy, who died on Saturday.  He was one of the most ardent supporters of his friend, Joseph McCormick when the latter won the election as Supervisor in 1931.  One weekend for Flo Zeigfeld [sic], he and his collaborator Harry Tierney wrote a song in Pelham telephoned the words and music to the orchestra conductor in Philadelphia Sunday morning and then went to the Quaker City to see the song in production on Monday night, an unusual feat.  His 'Alice Blue Gown' will survive the centuries.  It's daintiness and musical beauty was a reflection of his own courtly engaging personality."

Source:  They Pass Into the Night,  The Pelham Sun, Dec. 22, 1943, p. 2, cols. 3-4.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."