Marison Byllesby

28 May 1863

The committee on the division of the diocese reports on the survey that they have done of the 42 parishes and 30 clergy in the western part of the state.  Thirteen parishes and five clergy did not respond.  Of those that did, 18 parishes and 16 clergy supported division unconditionally.  Two more parishes and four additional clergy supported division should there be adequate funds.  There were 17 self-supporting parishes and two more that soon would fit that category. Three members of the committee: Hill Burgwin (lay – St. Peters, Pgh.), the Rev. C. E. Swope (Trinity, Pgh), and the Rev. Marison Byllesby (Christ Church, Meadville) recommended division.

The Rev. George Slattery of St. James Church, Pittsburgh, gave a minority report opposing the division of the diocese since a majority of parishes had either not responded or opposed division and the diocese needed their support to succeed.

29 May 1863

The motion to divide the diocese comes before the convention.  A substitute is offered to refer the whole matter back to a committee of 7 drawn from all parts of the diocese which will report back at the next convention.  The substitute includes a statement supporting "early" division.  Attempts to strike this phrase fail. An effort to enlarge the committee to 15 also fails,  The substitute motion passes.  Once again division is put off.

29 May 1863

In the closing moments of the convention, St. Peter's Church, Pittsburgh is designated as the site for the 1864 diocesan convention, and for the first time, attempts to amend that motion to put the convention in Philadelphia fail.  The 80th convention of the diocese will be the first held in the western part of the diocese.