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

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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:       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.

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The Battle Between Christ Church and Grace Church Chapel 1923 - 1925

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The histories of Christ Church in Pelham Manor and Grace Episcopal Church on City Island have been intertwined since Grace Church was first developed as a mission of Christ Church beginning in 1849.  That year, Adele Bolton, a daughter of Rev. Robert Bolton of Christ Church, urged one of her brothers, the Reverend Cornelius Bolton, to offer a Sunday afternoon service every other Sunday for the benefit of the 800 residents of City Island.  The services were held in Union Chapel at the intersection of Tier Street and City Island Avenue. 

With no bridge to City Island from the mainland during this era, Adele Bolton and Cornelius Bolton rowed to the island to oversee the Sunday services until Rev. Cornelius Bolton was called to serve in a parish in Maryland.  Adele Bolton and her sister, Nanette Bolton, continued to minister to the residents of City Island until Cornelius Bolton returned in 1855 to become rector of Christ Church, the church founded by his father in Pelham Manor.  

During Rev. Cornelius Bolton's absence from the area, the tiny little Union Chapel became a Methodist Church.  Rev. Bolton and his sisters, Adele and Nanette, pushed for the construction of a new Episcopal church building on the island and enlisted the services of the students of the Pelham Priory School for Girls to raise money in support of the endeavor. 

Noted City Island resident George W. Horton, Jr. donated land for the church and construction began in 1862.  Construction was completed by 1863.  The church was constructed by ship carpenters from the nearby shipyard founded by David Carll who became a member of the church.  The Church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes a stunning stained glass altar window depicting "The Trial of Christ" that was crafted by John Bolton, another son of Rev. Robert Bolton (the founder of Christ Church).  

Grace Episcopal Church in an Undated Photograph Believed to

Have Been Taken in About 1904.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

For more on the history of Grace Episcopal Church and its relationship with Christ Church, see, e.g.:  Thu., Oct. 02, 2014:  Brief History of Grace Church on City Island in the Town of Pelham Published in 1886.

As one might expect, the two churches were very close.  Christ Church nurtured its new mission.  For decades, the vestrymen of Grace Church voted with the Christ Church vestry.  Christ Church purchased real estate for the benefit of Grace Church.  Indeed, for decades Christ Church in Pelham Manor lovingly supported its mission of Grace Church.

Then, New York City annexed City Island and the surrounding region in 1895.  The futures of the two churches began to diverge.  It all seems to have come to an explosive conclusion during the Roaring Twenties.  

In October, 1922, the vestrymen of Christ Church in Pelham Manor authorized a contract to install Rev. Thomas A. F. Collet as the pastor of Grace Episcopal Church on City Island for a term of one year.  At the time, the Rector of Christ Church was J. McVickar Haight. 

During that year, Rev. Collet became beloved by City Island residents and his new congregation.  There seems, however, to have been an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with Rev. Collet among the leaders of Christ Church in Pelham Manor.  Perhaps, we might speculate, Rev. Collet was steering his new congregation on a course of greater independence from Christ Church and its vestrymen.

The following year, in October 1923, the vestrymen of Christ Church in Pelham Manor decided not to renew Rev. Collett's one-year contract, effective October 15, 1923.  Rev. Collett and his congregation were outraged.

Rev. Collett took the position that his contract extended for another year and that it provided that services must be held "without interruption."  The parishioners of Grace Episcopal Church believed their church was an "independent corporation" not subject to the control of Christ Church in Pelham Manor.  Tensions ran high.  

Rev. Collett showed up at Grace Church for the following service which was a service of holy communion.  He found the church padlocked.  He returned for the regular 11 o'clock service and found that, by then, "the lock had disappeared."  He entered the church. laid his cossack on the altar and his vest on the Bible, and sat in the rear pew of the church.

Christ Church of Pelham Manor had hired a temporary caretaker to keep an eye on the church.  The caretaker had been instructed to call the police and have Rev. Collett arrested if he entered the church.  Within a short time, the caretaker showed up with three policemen.  One of the policemen showed Mr. Collett a letter signed by Rev. J. McVickar Haight of Christ Church "authorizing the arrest of any one who entered the church to attend a service that day, particularly the priest in charge."

Rev. Collett pleaded his case to the police and, in effect, urged them to stay out of the mess.  They diplomatically demurred, indicated that they needed to take up the matter with their Captain, and departed. 

By then, parishioners had begun to gather for a service.  At 11:00 a.m., Rev. Collett arose and told the congregation that he had promised the Bishop that he would not officiate a service and he would keep his promise.  He noted, however, that the service nevertheless "would proceed."  The congregation got the hint.  A woman began to play the organ.  The entire congregation sang hymns.

When the service ended, Rev. Collett refused to leave the church.  Indeed, he planned to handle the evening service the same way.  He even had his wife come to the church and pass him food through an open window so he would not have to depart the building before the evening service which he apparently handled the same way. 

The following Sunday, Christ Church posted a notice that no service would be held at Grace Church and padlocked the church.  This time, Rev. Collett "broke the lock, tore down the notice" and conducted services "as usual."

The battle was begun.  Now it was time for lawyers.  Attorneys for Christ Church promptly obtained a temporary injunction against Rev. Collett to keep him from entering Grace Church and conducting services.

Christ Church sought an injunction against Rev. Collett.  At a hearing held in New York Supreme Court in White Plains on November 2, 1923, counsel for Rev. Collett argued that Grace Episcopal Church was not a mission or chapel of Christ Church but, instead, was an independent church that could decide its own destiny.  Attorneys for Christ Church, of course, argued the contrary and sought a permanent injunction against Rev. Collett entering the church and conducting services.  Justice Morschauser of the Court asked for briefs and allowed the temporary injunction to continue while it considered the matter.  

The Court continued the injunction and set the matter for a prompt trial held on November 27, 1923.  At trial, attorneys for Christ Church were able to demonstrate that the longstanding relationship between the two churches had never changed and that the vestrymen of Grace Church voted with the Christ Church vestry "which gave the latter control."  The Court entered a permanent injunction against Rev. Collett.  

Now the appeal began.  It took more than a year, but in early March, 1925, the New York Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed entry of the permanent injunction "barring the Rev. Thomas A. F. Collett from acting as vicar of Grace church chapel at City Island, a branch of Christ Church of Pelham Manor."

*          *          *           *          *

"PASTOR IS OUSTED; PARISH STIRRED UP
-----
Protest Meeting to Be Held Friday on City Island -- Attorneys Engaged.
-----
FOUND CHURCH PADLOCKED
-----
Sat With Congregation and Took Part In Service Without Vestments.
-----

A meeting of the parishioners of Grace Episcopal Church, City Island, has been called for Friday night in the Masonic Hall to protest against the dismissal of the Rev. Thomas A. F. Collett, who has been in charge for the last year.  Mr. Collett was dismissed, effective Oct. 15, last, by the vestry of Christ Church, Pelham Manor, of which the Rev. J. McVickar Haight is the rector.  The meeting is also called to reorganize the vestry and to determine where the temporalities are.'

Both sides have retained counsel, and Mr. Collett has secured George Gordon Battle as his personal counsel.

The vestry of the Pelham Manor Church claims that the City Island Church is a part of the parish of the former, and that it had the right to dismiss Mr. Collett.  Many parishioners of the City Island Church claim it is an independent corporation.  Mr. Haight on Saturday pasted a sign on the City Island church stating no services would be held there the next day.

When Mr. Collett arrived at Grace Church last Thursday morning in time for the service of holy communion he found a padlock on the door, for which he had been given no key.

Mr. Collett came back in time for the regular 11 o'clock worship.  By then the lock had disappeared.  He entered the church and having previously promised Bishop Herbert Shipman that he would obey the instructions of Bishop Manning and not officiate as priest, he laid his cossack on the altar and his vest on the Bible.

The priest then sat down in the last pew in his shirtsleeves.  He had been there only a short time when three policemen walked in accompanied by the temporary caretaker of the church who had been placed there by the Pelham Manor Church authorities.  One policeman showed Mr. Collett a letter signed by Mr. Haight authorizing the arrest of any one who entered the church to attend a service that day, particularly the priest in charge.

Mr. Collett asked permission to go to the rectory and produce a paper.  He returned with a document which was the Church's contract that 'services must be maintained without interruption.'  He showed this to the police and they seemed to think after reading it that they had no cause for arresting him.  They asked to take it to their Captain.  This Mr. Collett granted.

By then parishioners had begun to gather.  At eleven o'clock Mr. Collett arose in the pew and told his people he had promised the Bishop not to officiate and he must keep his promise, but that the service would proceed.  A woman played the organ and the congregation sang hymns."

Source:  PASTOR IS OUSTED; PARISH STIRRED UP -- Protest Meeting to Be Held Friday on City Island -- Attorneys Engaged -- FOUND CHURCH PADLOCKED -- Sat With Congregation and Took Part In Service Without Vestments, N.Y. Times, Oct. 30, 1923, p. 21, col. 5.  

"Reserve Decision In Pelham Church's Injunction Case Against Rev. Collett
-----

White Plains, Nov. 3 (I. N. S.) -- Decision was reserved yesterday by Supreme Court Justice Morschauser here on the motion of Albert Ritchie, counsel for Christ Protestant Episcopal church, Pelham, for an injunction restraining the Rev. Thomas Collett, former assistant pastor, from holding services of any nature in the parish house of the church.  The rector is the Rev. McVicker [sic] Haight.

It was alleged that the Rev. Mr. Collett has insisted on holding services at the parish house of Christ church on City Island, known as Grace church, although his affiliation with Christ church parish to conduct services at the City Island parish house expired October 1, last.

Through counsel, James Crosby, of Scarsdale, Mr. Collett stated he was appointed to serve at Grace church by the bishop of the diocese and that Christ church, Pelham, and Grace church, City Island, are in no way connected.  According to Ritchie, Mr. Collett insisted on conducting the morning service at Grace church October 21.

'You can understand the disgraceful scene that this created,' said Ritchie.  'The defendant even refused to leave the church when the service was completed, and stayed all day, and had his wife bring him his dinner, passing it to him through a window, so that he could conduct the evening service.'

The next Sunday, according to Ritchie, Christ church closed and padlocked City Island church, but the Rev. Mr. Collett broke the lock, tore down the notice which had been posted that the only service would be held at Pelham and conducted as usual.

Counsel for the defendant contended that the City Island church was not a mission or chapel of the Pelham Manor parish but was an independent church and that only a question of law was involved in the suit.

Justice Morschauser directed briefs be submitted and pending his decision he ordered that the injunction against the defendant assistant rector be continued."

Source:  Reserve Decision In Pelham Church's Injunction Case Against Rev. Collett, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 7, 1923, p. 11, col. 2.  

"RECTOR SAYS VICAR VIOLATED ORDERS
-----
Held Service in City Island Church After Being Ousted, He Tells Court.
-----
AUTHORITY IS QUESTIONED
-----
Plea to Dissolve Injunction Heard in White Plains -- Decision Is Reserved.
-----
Special to The New York Times.

WHITE PLAINS, N. Y., Nov. 27. -- Trial of the action brought by Christ Church Vestry of Pelham Manor and its rector, the Rev. J. McVickars [sic] Haight to oust permanently the Rev. Thomas A. Collett as vicar of Grace Episcopal Church at City Island, and for complete control of the pastorate, came up today before Supreme Court Justice Morschauser.

Resolutions were submitted by Albert Ritchie, in behalf of the Pelham Manor Parish, to show that the latter parish purchased the real estate of the City Island church, and that its vestrymen voted with the Pelham Manor vestry, which gave the latter control.  Harry S. Abbott of Pelham Manor, warden and clerk of the Christ Church Vestry, testified that a resolution was adopted electing Mr. Collett as vicar for one year from Oct. 15, 1922.

On June 19, 1923, the minutes showed that the rector of Christ Church, who had charge of City Island Parish, reported dissatisfaction, and the vestry decided not to renew the contract with Mr. Collett after the expiration of the term.

William C. Prime, who represented Mr. Collett, insisted that Christ Church had no control over Grace Church because it was a separate parish.

The Rev. Mr. Haight testified that after the Sunday following Oct. 18 he went to City Island to hold services and that Mr. Collett met him outside the church.  'Mr. Collette [sic],' he said, 'came to me and said:  'As assistant rector I demand that I take charge of the services in this church.'  I told him he could take no part in the services.

'I went into the vestry room to put on my vestments when I heard a noise in the church.  I saw Mr. Collett come through the communion rail and place his hat on the altar and he began the communion service.  I let him proceed.'

This, the witness said, was in violation of the order of Bishop Manning.  

Attorney Prime raised the point that Grace Church Parish was incorporated in 1880, and that the corporation had not been dissolved.

Mr. Collett denied that he had placed his hat on the altar, and insisted that he had been engaged for the position of vicar by the rector and vestry of the parish as well as by the Bishop of the diocese.

So many intricate questions of law were involved in the suit that Justice Morschauser reserved decision and directed that briefs be filed."

Source:  RECTOR SAYS VICAR VIOLATED ORDERS -- Held Service in City Island Church After Being Ousted, He Tells Court -- AUTHORITY IS QUESTIONED -- Plea to Dissolve Injunction Heard in White Plains -- Decision Is Reserved, N.Y. Times, Nov. 28, 1923, p. 18, cols. 2-3.  

"Collett Barred From Vicarage Of City Island Chapel
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Court of Appeals Upholds Supreme Court Decision That Christ Church Pelham Manor Has Ecclesiastical Authority
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The Court of Appeals, this week, unanimously confirmed the decision of Justice Morschauser, of the Supreme Court in barring the Rev. Thomas A. F. Collett from acting as vicar of Grace church chapel at City Island, a branch of Christ Church of Pelham Manor.

Collett had a contract dating from October 15, 1922 for a period of one year, which was not renewed at expiration.  When his contract expired he defied church officials and forced the issue into the courts.  Claiming that contract covered period of two years.

The church officials claimed that Collett broke into the church on October 28, 1923 and held services.  An injunction to restrain Collett from entering the church premises was obtained from Justice Morschauser about one year ago."

Source:  Collett Barred From Vicarage Of City Island Chapel -- Court of Appeals Upholds Supreme Court Decision That Christ Church Pelham Manor Has Ecclesiastical Authority, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 6, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 1, p. 6, col. 3.

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