Gallaudet University Archives 
Processed by Kevin D. Corbitt  8/11/1989
MSS 78
 

  
 

St. Ann's Church for the Deaf

HISTORICAL SKETCH

1852   

 

Thomas Gallaudet, son of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and elder brother of Edward Miner Gallaudet, establishes St. Ann's Church  for the Deaf in the chapel of New York University on the first Sunday in October.
1852-1902  Thomas Gallaudet serves as vicar of St. Ann's
1854

St. Ann's is legally incorporated in September
1859  St. Ann's moves into its own church building in July
1872 Thomas Gallaudet organizes "The Church Mission to Deaf-Mutes"
1876

First home for aged and infirm deaf people established in New York City 
1887  Gallaudet Home moved to property along the Hudson River near Poughkeesie, New York.
1895  Original church building sold; services held at St. John the Evangelist Church
1897 
 

St. Ann's Church for the Deaf merges with St. Matthew's Church amid acrimonious debate; St. Matthew's assumes responsibility for St. Ann's
1898 New church building consecrated by Bishop Potter on 26 December
1900 Gallaudet Home burns
1902 Thomas Gallaudet dies on 27 August
1902-1921   John Chamberlain serves as vicar
1903       Gallaudet home rebuilt
1912 St. Ann's Guild House dedicated on 12 December
1921  John Chamberlain dies
1921-late 1920s John H. Kent serves as vicar
late 1920s-1940s  Guilbert C. Braddock serves as vicar
1930s-late 1940s Controversy flares about the relationship of St. Ann's and St. Mattew's
Mid 1940s-1949 Edward Nies serves St. Ann's prior to ordination
1948   Ties severed between St. Ann's and St. Matthew's
1948                 Church building sold
1949-1960  Services held at St. Mark's-in-the-Bouwerie Church
1949-1964       Edward Nies serves as vicar
1960-1963  Services held at St. Michael's Church
1963-1966  Services held at All Angel's Church
1964-1970 Eric J. Whiting serves as vicar
1970-1976 Jay Croft serves as vicar
1976-1984 Columba Gilliss serves as vicar
1984-?      Steven Hagar serves as vicar

SCOPE AND CONTENT

The St. Ann's Church for the Deaf Papers consists largely of printed religious matter, the records of church organizations, correspondence to and from various vicars, and a number of clippings from various sources related to the deaf.

The collection, which consists of approximately 1500 items, dates from 1853-1984. The bulk of the collection consists of material related to St. Ann's. This includes materials printed by St. Ann's, articles about St. Ann's, and correspondence from several vicars. Vicars whose correspondence is included in the papers are: Thomas Gallaudet, John Chamberlain, John H. Kent, and Guilbert C. Braddock. Generally, the letters written and received by the vicars reflect the mission work of St. Ann's. Most prevalent is correspondence concerning Gallaudet Home. parish organizations left a considerable printed and manuscript records. These include report books, expenditure and statements, printed material such as by-laws and invitations, and letters received by the organizations.

FOLDER LIST

Box Folder Title of Folder Date
1 1 By-Laws and Related material       1929-1936
1 2 Special Liturgies; 25th Anniversary Sermon, Prayer for the Parish  1877-1966
1 3 Statements Respecting St. Ann's Church for Deaf Mutes  1853
1 4 St. Ann's History  
1 5 St. Ann's-St. Matthew's Controversy, Correspondence 1937-1944
1 6 St. Ann's-St. Matthew's Controversy, photostats of incorporations and newspaper articles 1854-1922
1 7 Report of Rev. Guilbert C. Braddock; memberships lists 1888-1945
1 8 Inventory of Objects (2 copies)      n.d.
1 9 Financial Papers and Statements 1904-1970
1 10 Diocesan correspondence and Circulars     1921-1932
1 11 Letters from parents and guardians of children to be confirmed: cards with confirmation or baptismal information 1931-1943 
1 12 Correspondence to and from John E. Hasler  1927
1 13 Miscellaneous Correspondence   1922-1984
1 14 Articles about the church and vicar's who served the parish   1897-1977
1 15 Building Fund; Men's Club (Miscellaneous manuscript and printed materials) 1920-1979
1 16 St. Ann's Choir, Script for "We, the People" (National Broadcasting Company Script #N-419) 1950
2 1 Virginia Butler Gallaudet Association, Address Book, Secretary's Report Book, Correspondence, Circulars, Banners 1918-1948
2 2 Woman's Parish Aid Society, Letters 1931-1947
2 3 Woman's Parish Aid Society, President's Book, By-Laws, Reports, Circulars 1941-1945
2 4 Anniversary Celebrations, Programs and Cards 1912-1977
2 5 Annual Meetings   1964-1969
2 6 Dedication Programs, Virginia Butler Gallaudet Memorial Reredos and New Church and Center     1935-1966
2 7 Newsletter    1919-1982
2 8 Printed Event Announcements; Printed Social Calendars 1914-1966
2 9 Printed Orders of Service  1921-1960
2 10 St. Ann's Publications   1913-1938
2 11 Gallaudet, Rev. Thomas: Correspondence, Photographs of Rev. Gallaudet, 25th Anniversary Sermon 1877
3 1 Gallaudet, Rev. Thomas: Record of Marriages, Baptisms and Funeral Services Performed by Rev. Gallaudet 1850-1902
3 2 Gallaudet, Rev. Thomas: Printed Pamphlets about Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, manuscript Memorial from Church Mission to Deaf-Mutes 1895-1909
3 3 Correspondence to and from Rev. John Chamberlain 1901-1913
3 4 Correspondence to and from Rev. John H. Kent     1924-1929
3 5 Correspondence to and from Rev. Guilbert C. Braddock  1924-1944
3 6 Articles on Deaf People and Deafness: Religion 1914-1979
3 7 Church Mission to Deaf-Mutes: Constitution and By-Laws, Correspondence, Reports, Printed Material 1888-1985
3 8 Church Work for the Deaf: Various Printed Reports 1881-1919
3 9 Diocesan Bulletin: The Bulletin       1931-1961
4 1 Episcopal Conference of the Deaf: Conference Materials, Correspondence, paper on Evangelism 1975-1980
4 2 Gallaudet Home (New York): Admissions and Residents   1923-1960
4 3 Gallaudet Home (New York): Bills, Financial Appeals, Proposed Sale 1890-1954
4 4 Gallaudet Home (New York): Gallaudet Home News   1948-1964
4 5 Gallaudet Home (New York): Miscellaneous Correspondence and Printed Material 1888-1982
4 6 Orders of Service: Various Churches; A Plea for an Institutional Church for the Deaf in Chicago: All Soul's Church...Fiftieth Year 1912-1945
4 7 St. Mark's-in-the-Bouwerie: Various Printed Memorabilia 1951-1958
4 8 Silent Churchman: The Silent Missionary: The Deaf Churchman: The Deaf Episcopalian 1906-1979
4 9 Various Missions   1922-1927
4 10 Various printed Religious Materials: General  n.d.
5 1 Application: New York Institution for Deaf and Dumb 1873
5 2 Conference of Deaf Instructors: Paper and Proposed Agenda   n.d.
5 3 Gallaudet Day: New York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Report 1904-1946
5 4 Information Kit, "Christian Education and Hearing Impaired Children;" Printed Materials on Deaf Education 1966-1975
5 5 Articles on Deaf People and Deafness: General  1912-1977
5 6 Publications by English Deaf Benevolent Organizations 1921-1934
5 7 Publications by American Deaf Organizations 1951-1974
5 8 Silent Worker: Clippings 1921-1929
5 9 Anniversary programs: Various Deaf-Related Organizations 1937-1960
5 10 Unidentified Manuscript Fragments n.d.
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