Stained glass windows, on the north and south sides of the church, and one large one at the east end, afforded ample light. The transepts were shallow, and contained only a few pews. The vestry room was near the north transept.

On July 2d, 1850, the vestry of Grace Church granted the request of its special committee, and directed that the title to the property in Madison Avenue be vested in the corporation of Grace Church; also, on motion of Mr. Austen, the sum of $6,000 for the purpose of finishing and completing the chapel, and paying outstanding demands, was to be obtained by a mortgage on the property.

On November 25th, 1850, the Rev. Edwin Harwood, rector of St. James' Church, Hamilton Square, New York, was elected assistant minister of Grace Church, without salary, and to him was committed the spiritual care of the congregation worshipping in the chapel.

A

CHAPTER II

THE HARWOOD PERIOD

1852-1854

S the work continued to prosper under the ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Harwood, sustained financially by many church people in the neighborhood, the congregation took steps to become an independent body.

A communication was therefore sent by them to the vestry of Grace Church, asking whether it would be agreeable to that corporation to allow a separation of the mission from the mother church; and to ascertain upon what terms they could organize as a separate congregation. This communication was referred to the rector and Mr. Bradish, as a committee with power, to confer with a committee representing the mission congregation.

The mission committee having received permission to form a separate organization, a meeting of those worshipping at the chapel was held on Monday, April 19th, 1852, for the purpose of forming a new parish. The following is the certificate of incorporation:

To all whom these presents may concern: We, whose names are affixed to this instrument, do hereby certify that on the 19th day of April in the year 1852, the male persons of full age worshipping in the Chapel of Grace in the City and State of New York, in which congregation divine worship is celebrated according to the rites of the Protestant Episcopal Church in

the State of New York, and not already incorporated, met at the place of worship aforesaid for the purpose of incorporating themselves as a religious society, under the Act of Legislature of the State of New York, and in pursuance of notice duly given to the said congregation in the time of morning service, on two Sundays previous to such meeting, that the male persons of full age belonging to said congregation would meet at the time and place aforesaid, for the purpose of incorporating themselves and of choosing two Church wardens and eight vestrymen. And we further certify that the Rev. Edwin Harwood, being officiating minister of said congregation, presided at the said meeting; and we further certify that at the said meeting Murray Hoffman and Christopher S. Bourne were duly elected Church wardens of said congregation and church, and that John Davenport, W. C. Dayton, A. G. Thorp, H. B. Cook, C. H. Smith, Samuel Sparks, F. W. Tomkins, and Joseph Tucker were duly elected vestrymen.

That Tuesday in Easter week was by the said meeting fixed on as the day on which the said offices of Church warden and vestryman should annually thereafter cease, and their successors in office be chosen, and that the said meeting determined and declared that the said church and congregation should be known in law by the name of "the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the Church of the Incarnation of and in the City and County of New York."

In testimony whereof we the said Edwin Harwood who presided at the election aforesaid of Wardens and Vestrymen, and W. A. Ellery and F. W. Tomkins who were present and witnessed the proceedings aforesaid, have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our seals this 19th day of April, A. D. 1852.