05/18/2024
Elmira Star Gazette - May 18, 1964 - page 7 - First Fund Drive by Church - Congregation at Tioga Seeks to Raise $15,000
Tioga - The parish of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church plans to launch a $15,000 capital fund drive June 1 to finance a major building restoration project which involves the church building and the vicarage.
Chairman of the drive is Paul H. Gaige. Assisting are Mrs. Ronald S. Kayzer, Mrs. Allen W. Howland and M. Frank Ward.
Church officials said that this is the first time in the history of St Andrew’s a problem of restoration has necessitated a fund drive.
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The vestry has met in special sessions recently to discuss modernization of the 136 year old vicarage and the structurally unsound condition of the 90 year old bell tower on the church.
The vicarage, long in need of many repairs and more adequate space, is being renovated inside and will be completed by June 15. On that date the new vicar and his family are expected to arrive here.
George Edmund Booth of York, Pa., will be graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary, Cambridge, Mass., on June 4. Following his ordination to the deaconate at his parish church at York, he will be transferred here to serve both St. Andrew’s and St John’s at Lawrenceville.
Booth will fill the pulpit vacated in February by the Rev. Paul A. Miller who was transferred to Montoursville. Mr. Miller served the parish since April, 1962, when he was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood here.
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The vicarage, which was given to the church in 1907 by the heirs of the Bigelow family, was built about 1828 by Hobart Graves. It was owned for a time by the Derringer family of pistol fame, of Philadelphia. Later it was purchased by A.C. Bush for the Bigelow family and was known as “the cottage house.”
The congregation unanimously adopted the plans for both projects when details of the fund drive were presented at a parish meeting.
Restoration of the church tower is imminent although the cost is not known. Engineers have appraise the situation and have advised removal of the spire. Their recommendation is to enclose the bell tower with field stone to match the church. This plan is considered architecturally sound.
If the spire should be retained, it would have to be re-roofed with slate and the bell tower would still have to be restored.
Built in 1872, the church on Rt. 15 is of Gothic design; an impressive and attractive church edifice, together with the vicarage with its stately pillars and Jeffersonian windows.
Church history dates back to 1840. A frame church was destroyed by fire in 1871 and the present stone-faced church was started the following year. Completed and free of indebtedness, the church was consecrated in 1874. It was built at a cost of over $12,000. Church buildings and contents today are valued over $75,000.
An aided parish of the Diocese of Harrisburg, the congregation at present has 110 communicants and a growing church school. Active organizations include the Churchwomen, Altar Guild, Young Churchmen, St Vincent’s Acolytes, the choir and the Parish Council.
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The vestry is comprised of William T. Cuneo, senior warden; Theodore Miller, junior warden; Joseph K. LaVancher, treasurer; Robert C. Dewey, H. Paul Gaige, Herbert H. Hatch, C. Frederick LaVancher and M. Frank War. Honorary vestrymen are Ernest H. Engler and Ronald S. Kayzer.
The building committee includes Theodore R. Miller, chairman; Robert C. Dewey, Allen W. Howland, Mrs. Theodore Miller and Mrs. Harry O. Cole.
