Laying of the Cornerstone of the Parish House at Christ Church on June 10, 1928

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On Sunday, June 10, 1928, more than two hundred Pelhamites gathered for an historic event.  They gathered to lay the cornerstone of the Parish House of Christ Church.  As the local newspaper reported, "Another page of Pelham's history will be turned Sunday with the laying of the corner stone of the new parish house of Christ's Church at Pelham."  

Beyond the magnificent excitement of the laying of the cornerstone for such an important structure, there also was excitement for the installation of a bronze box "time capsule" inside that cornerstone to document a little of the history of the Town of Pelham's oldest church.  The ceremonies that included the installation of that time capsule were impressive and well documented.  Today's article describes a little of those ceremonies.  

The late spring day was picture perfect.  The foliage was bright green and the sky was a rich, deep blue.  Immediately following the morning service, everyone present formed into a procession.  First came the Cross.  Behind it were the girls', boys' and men's choirs.  Behind the choirs, came the church banner.  Next were the graduates of the program to train Sunday School teachers -- the "teacher graduates."  Alumni of the Sunday School followed next with the flag, followed by the master of ceremonies, the superintendent of the Sunday School, the church wardens, the vestrymen, and the donor of the land (Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, owner of the Priory adjacent to Christ Church).  Behind Mrs. Allen were members of the Young People's Service League, the Woman's Auxiliary, the Women's Guild and the Guild of the Nazarene.  Directly in the rear of the procession came the remainder of the congregation.

A platform had been built near the site of the cornerstone laying.  The procession reached the site and gathered round.  Rev. J. McVickar Haight, of course, first led the gathering in prayer.  Then, the Senior Warden of the Church, Albert Ritchie, delivered brief words of welcome.  Rev. McVickar followed with the day's address in which "he outlined the work of the various committees and all those taking part in the campaign" to erect the Parish House.  Rev. Haight closed his remarks saying the new Parish Hall "shall ever be a symbol of faith, especially dedicated to youth."

The cornerstone ceremony ended with two important events.  First, the Reverend B. J. Mortlock read an important poem written by William Jay Bolton, one of the sons of Christ Church founder Robert Bolton.  The poem was entitled "The Foundation Stone."  It is believed that the same poem was read at the laying of the foundation stone of Christ's Church in 1843.  Second, a list of the items to be deposited within the bronze box time capsule embedded within the cornerstone was read.  The ceremonies ended with a prayer and a blessing by Reverend J. McVickar Haight.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the simple Parish House cornerstone ceremony attended by so many Pelhamites near the intersection of Shore Road and Pelhamdale Avenue on June 10, 1928 is how similar the ceremony was to so many others in our town -- from the laying of the Christ Church cornerstone on April 28, 1843 through the laying of so many school cornerstones and other cornerstones throughout our town during the last 150 years.

"AS THE CHRIST'S CHURCH GROUP WILL LOOK AFTER

CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARISH HOUSE

The new building, the Corner Stone of which will be laid Sunday

is at the left of the picture.  The present Church structure is at

the right with the Nanette Bolton Memorial Building in the center."

Source:  Cornerstone of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday --

Rev. J. McVickar Haight Will Officiate at Ceremonies After

Commencement Exercises At Christ's Church -- Members Of

Sunday School Will Assist In Program.  Building to Be Erected on

Property Donated By Mrs. Allen, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 8, 1928,

p. 1, cols. 1-5 & p. 8, col. 4.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Cornerstone of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday
-----
Rev. J. McVickar Haight Will Officiate at Ceremonies After Commencement Exercises At Christ's Church
-----
Members Of Sunday School Will Assist In Program.  Building to Be Erected on Property Donated By Mrs. Allen.
-----

Another page of Pelham's history will be turned Sunday with the laying of the corner stone of the new parish house of Christ's Church at Pelham.  The Rev. J. McVickar Haight, rector of the church, will officiate.  He will be assisted by members of the Building Committee who raised the funds to build the parish house and members of the Sunday School, for whose interests the new building is being constructed.  The ceremonies will be well attended, as there are many who are interested in the Church.

The history of the Pelhams is most intelligently read in the history of its churches.  Christ's Church, established by the Rev. Dr. Bolton in 1840, has been termed the cradle of Pelham's history.  Its tradition is entwined in the history of the town, and those responsible for its progress were largely responsible for the progress of the Pelhams also.

The laying of the cornerstone will follow immediately after the Commencement exercises of the Sunday School.  There are eleven teacher graduates who will receive diplomas.  They are George Campbell, Marjorie Chittenden, Mary Knowles Higgins, Phyllis McV. Haight, Marion Lewis, Ruth Mortlock, Howard Mahler, Margaret Stobie, Ann Stobie, Gertrude White and Edward Pearson.  Gertrude Dyer is honor student.  She will be succeeded by Ann Elizabeth Dauchy.  Donald Mortlock will be Master of Ceremonies.

The property on which the new building is to be erected was donated by Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, of Bolton Priory, in memory of her mother, Adele Livingston Sampson and her daughter, Mary Dorothy Allen.

A bronze box will be placed in the cornerstone.  It will contain the following:  The name of the donor of the land; the names of the Building Fund Committee; rector, warden, vestrymen, curate, Sunday School Superin-
(Continued on page 8)

Corner Stone Of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday
-----
(Continued from page 1)

tendent, officers of Women's Auxiliary, Women's Guild, Young People's Service League, active members of the Guild of the Nazarene; Sexton, contributors to the Building Fund, officers, teachers and scholars of the Sunday School, and children who contributed to the Building Fund, copies of The Pelham Sun and New Rochelle Standard Star; a short history of Christ's Church; a short history of the Woman's Auxiliary; names of organist and senior choir together with picture; names of members of junior choir with picture; copy of order of service of laying of cornerstone; names of teacher graduates of Sunday School who received their diplomas at the exercises; copy of poem, 'The Foundation Stone,' written by the Rev. Robert Bolton and read at the laying of the foundation stone of Christ's Church in 1843, also read on this occasion by the Rev. B. J. Mortlock; names of the architect and contractor of the building."

Source:  Cornerstone of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday -- Rev. J. McVickar Haight Will Officiate at Ceremonies After Commencement Exercises At Christ's Church -- Members Of Sunday School Will Assist In Program.  Building to Be Erected on Property Donated By Mrs. Allen, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 8, 1928, p. 1, cols. 1-5 & p. 8, col. 4.  

"HISTORIC CHRIST'S CHURCH PASSES ANOTHER MILESTONE WITH LAYING OF CORNER STONE OF NEW PARISH HOUSE
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Impressive Ceremonies Of Dedicating Foundation Stone Follow Sunday School Commencement.  Rev. J. McVickar Haight Sets Stone In Place -- Sunday School and Congregation Assist in Program
-----

In a beautiful setting of Nature's handiwork, combined with the dignified robes of the choir and clergy, the cornerstone of the new Parish Hall of Christ's Church was laid on Sunday afternoon.  The blue of a perfect June sky, the green foliage and grass, the girls' choir in gray, the boys' and men's choir in white and black, and the black and blue regalia of the teacher graduates made a very colorful picture which was set off to advantage by the weatherbeaten walls of the old Church.  Over two hundred people were present to witness the ceremonies, which marked the passing of another milestone in the history of Pelham's oldest church.

At the Sunday School ceremonies in the church before the laying of the cornerstone, diplomas were awarded to the following teacher graduates:  Geo. Campbell, Marjorie Chittenden, Mary Knowles Higgins, Phillis Haight, Marion Lewis, Ruth Mortlock, Howard Mahler, Margaret Stobie, Ann Stobie, Gertrude and Edward Pearson.

First prizes for attendance for the year were awarded to the following members of the Sunday School for perfect attendance:  Marey Knowles Higgins, Genevieve Platt, Elmore Higgins, Roberta Higgins and Jean Costello.  Six children received second prizes for records of only one absence for the year:  they were Howard Mahler, Pomeroy Thurber, Frank White, Judson Lodwick, James Walker and Margaret Chenery.  Third prizes won by the following boys and girls:  Jack Costello, Helen Chenery, Willard Mahler, William B. Moore, Ruth Mortlock, Henry Reis, Richard H. Pratt, Millicent Platt, Robert Walker and John Douglas Walker.  Third prize was awarded for records with only two absences.  

After the service in the church, a procession formed which moved slowly and reverently behind the cross to the appointed spot.  Following the Cross were the girls' choir, the boys' and men's choire, the banner, the teacher graduates, the alumni of the Sunday School, the flag, the master of ceremonies, Donald Mortlock, the superintendent of the Sunday School, the wardens and vestrymen, the donor of the land, Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, the campaign committee, the building committee, the architect and contractor, the Young People's Service League, the Woman's Auxiliary, the Women's Guild and the Guild of the Nazarene.  Directly in the rear of the procession came the congregation.  

When the assemblage had reached the platform, Mr. Haight led gathering in prayer.  Albert Ritchie, the Senior Warden of the Church, spoke a few words of welcome, following which the Reverend J. McVickar Haight made the address, in which he outlined the work of the various committees and all those taking part in the campaign.

In closing, Mr. Haight said that the new Parish Hall shall ever be a symbol of faith, especially dedicated to youth.

Reverend B. J. Mortlock then read a poem, 'The Foundation Stone,' which was written by the Reverend Robert Bolton, the first rector of Christ's Church and read at the laying of the foundation stone of Christ's Church in 1843.  A list of the articles to be deposited in the stone was then read.  The ceremonies were closed with a prayer and blessing by Reverend J. McVickar Haight.

The younger members of Christ's Church will use the new Parish Hall almost exclusively.  Besides the office of the Rev. Mr. Haight, the new building will contain an auditorium and well equipped kitchen on one floor and a large assembly room, a choir room and a storage roomm on the other floor.  This hall will be connected to the Annette [sic] Bolton Memorial Building and is being constructed of native stone in the same type of architecture as that originally chosen by the Reverend Robert Bolton."

Source:  HISTORIC CHRIST'S CHURCH PASSES ANOTHER MILESTONE WITH LAYING OF CORNER STONE OF NEW PARISH HOUSE -- Impressive Ceremonies Of Dedicating Foundation Stone Follow Sunday School Commencement.  Rev. J. McVickar Haight Sets Stone In Place -- Sunday School and Congregation Assist in Program, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 15, 1928, p. 10, cols. 1-2.  

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I have written about the history of Christ Church on numerous occasions.  Below are a few of the many articles on the topic.

Thu., Nov. 12, 2015:  Charles Higbee, Eighth Rector of Christ Church in Pelham Manor, 1871-1893.

Tue., Oct. 20, 2015:  Address Delivered by Reverend Robert Bolton on April 28, 1843 at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of Christ Church.

Thu., Oct. 15, 2015:  The Creation of Christ Church and its Consecration on September 15, 1843.  

Tue., Sep. 29, 2015:  Christ Church's 80th Anniversary Sermon by Rev. J. McVickar Haight on November 18, 1923.

Fri., Nov. 21, 2014:  Another Advertisement for Fair Held in 1842 to Fund Construction of Christ Church.

Fri., Aug. 29, 2014:  Announcement of Two-Day Fair in Pelham in 1842 to Raise Money to Build Christ Church.

Fri., Feb. 28, 2014:  Brief History of the Role Churches Played in the Growth of the Pelhams Published in 1926.

Fri., Dec. 25, 2009:  1906 Christmas Day Celebration at Christ Church in Pelham.

Fri., Aug. 14, 2009:  The Consecration of the Nanette Bolton Memorial Chapel at Christ Church in Pelham Manor on April 28, 1887.  

I also have written extensively about members of the Bolton Family and the home they built known as the Priory, Bolton Priory, and Pelham Priory.  See, e.g.:  

Fri., Mar. 20, 2015:  Fire in 1932 Devastated the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.

Thu., Oct. 02, 2014:  Brief History of Grace Church on City Island in the Town of Pelham Published in 1886.

Wed., Sep. 24, 2014:  Where Was the Bolton Family Cottage Where Stained Glass Windows Were Created?

Thu., Sep. 04, 2014:  The Closing of the Pelham Priory School for Girls in 1882 and the Departure of Head Mistress Nanette Bolton for Europe.

Fri., Aug. 29, 2014:  Announcement of Two-Day Fair in Pelham in 1842 to Raise Money to Build Christ Church.

Wed., May 14, 2014:  Noted American Novelist Margaret Deland Attended Bolton Priory School in Pelham Manor. 

Thu., Sep. 03, 2009:  Advertisement for the Pelham Priory School Published in 1881. 

Thu., Aug. 13, 2009:  History of Bolton Priory Published in 1910.

Tue., Jan. 20, 2009:  An Account of the Rev. J. L. Ver Mehr Regarding His Brief Stint as an Instructor of French and Italian at Pelham Priory in 1843. 

Fri., Mar. 2, 2007:  A Brief Account by American Author Margaret Deland of Her Education at Pelham Priory in the 19th Century.

Thu., Dec. 14, 2006:  Items from Bolton Priory in the Collections of The Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture, The New-York Historical Society.

Thu., Nov. 16, 2006:  Robert Bolton, Jr.'s Inscription to His Father Inside Book He Authored That Was Published in 1855.

Fri., Jul. 28, 2006: Image of Bolton Priory in the Town of Pelham Published in an 1859 Treatise on Landscape Gardening.

Wed., Jul. 26, 2006:  A Brief Account of Visits to Bolton Priory in the Early 1880s.

Wed., July 5, 2006: Bricks Laid by Washington Irving and Ivy from Kenilworth Castle at the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor

Wed., March 15, 2006: A Biography of Cornelius W. Bolton Published in 1899

Wed., March 1, 2006: 1909 Real Estate Advertisement Showing Bolton Priory

Wed., Feb. 22, 2006: Doll Depicting Nanette Bolton in the Collection of The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham

Wed., Dec. 7, 2005: The Sale and Subdivision of the Bolton Priory Estate in the 1950s

Tue., Nov. 29, 2005: An Early, Interesting Photograph of Bolton Priory in the Village of Pelham Manor

Wed., Sep. 21, 2005: The Nanette Bolton Memorial Chapel Building at Christ Church in Pelham Manor

Tue., Aug. 23, 2005: Society Scandal: The "Strange" Story of Mrs. Adele Livingston Stevens Who Acquired the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor

Wed., Jul. 13, 2005: 11 Priory Lane: The Rose Cottage

Fri., Jun. 10, 2005: Pelham's Most Magnificent Wedding Gift: The Bolton Priory

Tue., May 3, 2005: Colonel Frederick Hobbes Allen, An Owner of Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor

Thu., Apr. 7, 2005: Another Volume of William Jay Bolton's Sketches and Ruminations Located?

Mon., Apr. 4, 2005: Art and Poetry of William Jay Bolton of Bolton Priory in Pelham

See also Bell, Blake A., A Brief History of Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No., 16, Apr. 16, 2004, p. 8, col. 2,

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January 1882 Account of the 1881 Christmas Festival Held at the Union Sabbath School in Pelhamville

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A quaint January 1882 newspaper account of a Christmas Festival held for the entertainment of young students at the Union Sabbath School at Pelhamville appeared in an issue of the Mount Vernon [New York] Chronicle.  The account, contained in a letter to the editor of the newspaper, is transcribed below.

"Pelhamville.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRONICLE

Dear Sir--Last Friday evening, the Union Sabbath school at Pelhamville were indebted to the Mt. Vernonites for a very pleasant Christmas festival. 

We wish the generous donors had been present to have enjoyed it.  One of your large hearted men is doing much for this interest.

Gifts were made to all the members of the school, also a large orange and a box of candies.  A few ladies furnished cake and lemonade for the audience.  About forty persons from Mt. Vernon, including some young minces from the Baptist Church, under the care of Miss J. Andrews, furnished a spirited entertainment, with Mr. Hill, for Santa Claus, and Mrs. Hill as organist.  Whenever you want the humorous and ridiculous to come in, just call on the master of the public school at Pelhamville.

This little meeting in the chapel is now greatly in need of steady permanent help.  We are very thankful to those who have assisted us, but there ought to be a reading or temperance gathering at least one evening every week.  There are no resorts for simple amusements in this place, and no one to lead them.

There are at least twenty five or thirty boys, perhaps more, at that critical age which often staggers even the best and most devoted of parents as to what shall be done to interest and 'save my son.'

Now, are there not gentlemen and ladies, both young and old, willing to work in this part of God's vineyard.

The Sunday school meets at 3:30 P.M., every Sunday, and a prayer or praise meeting is held in the evening. 

We are less than two miles from your depot.  A beautiful and invigorating walk on the rail road track, no danger of being run over on the Sabbath. 

An English man or woman would think nothing of walking twice this distance, so do not spend money for carriage hire, but for the love of Christ, and in His name 'come and help us.'"

Source:  Pelham Manor Protective Club, Mount Vernon [New York] Chronicle, Jan. ?, 1882, p. ?, col. 5 (the date of the issue and, possibly, the page number, have been obscured by tape applied to the paper near the upper left corner before the image of the page was created; copy in the possession of this author).

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