by Laurel | January 17th, 2014
17 January
475 Appleton St., Holyoke
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Rectory
(Henry H. Morrill House)
From the MACRIS database
Above is a photo of the H. H. Morrill house or more commonly known as the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Rectory, 475 Appleton Street, Holyoke. Henry H. Morrill and his family resided in this residence for some time when he served as Pastor to the church. The house was a single family dwelling constructed in 1906 in the English Revival Style. Below is a current image of the Church grounds and this house via a bird’s eye view through Bing maps. More about Henry Hurlbut Morrill follows, in his obituary.
475 Appleton St., Holyoke
Aerial View of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church & Rectory
26 Jun 1920
Rev. Henry Hurlbut Morrill
Henry Hurlbut Morrill Died Suddenly
Had Been Pastor of St. Paul’s Church in Holyoke — Taught in This City
Rev. Henry Hurlbut Morrill died last night at the house of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore R. Ramage of 88 Marengo Park, Springfield. though he had been in poor health over the past few months, the end came suddenly.
Rev. Mr. Morrill was born in Durham, Maine on January 6, 1860, the son of William Francis Morrill and Sarah Newell Morrill. He attended the schools of Cambridge and entered Harvard in 1878. He was graduated with honors in 1882 and returned for a three-year post graduate course in music and languages. He was married to Miss Caroline Emily Barrington of Cambrige, November 16, 1881. A year later he and his wife left for Topeka, Kansas, where Rev. Mr. Morrill spent two years at the Bethany College as a professor of languages.
He then entered the ministry under Bishop Nathaniel Thomas and Bishop Vail. He held pastorates at Springfield, Mo., Elgin, Ill., and Clinton, Iowa. At Clinton he founded St. John’s Church. In 1900 he returned to the East and accepted the pastorate, which was proffered to him by a unanimous vote, of St. Paul’s Church in Holyoke. Under his guidance the present St. Paul’s Church, Parish House and Rectory were erected. He resigned this pastorate in 1911 and moved to Springfield where he had made his home with his daughter and son-in-law. He held a position as instructor in English for a little over a year in the Technical High School in Springfield.
Rev. Mr. Morrill was a direct descendant of Robert Cushman, who was one of the men who negotiated for the purchase of the Mayflower. Many of his ancestors fought in the Revolution and the civil wars. His father was a sergeant in the latter war and was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg Rev. Mr. Morrill’s grandfather, Samuel Newell, was a colonel during the civil war and died at New Orleans.
In literary circles, Rev. Mr. Morrill was well known as a poet and a man of literary ability. He spoke eight languages and was also skilled in music. He was a member of the Knights Templars, being a prelate emeritus, a high priest of the shrine of Melha temple and a 32d degree Mason. He was also a charter member of the William Whiting Lodge of Masons in Holyoke, the Connecticut Valley Theological Club, and the Poetry Society of Springfield.
Announcement of the funeral arrangements will be made later.
He is survived by his widow, Caroline A., of Springfield; one brother, Frank P. of Monson; one daughter Elizabeth L., wife of Theodore R. Ramage of Springfield, and a granddaughter, Virginia Ramage. The funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Adapted From The Springfield Republican.
