CSSS

In 1907 the Market Street Subway and Elevated was finished out to 69th St. One day Dr. McGarvey and one of the Companions made a tour of inspection of the new addition to the city's transportation system. From this point they walked along City Line Road towards Overbrook. Passing St. Charles Seminary, Dr. McGarvey remarked, "I wonder whether we will ever be behind those walls?" to which he received the reply, "Well, there might be worse places in which to spend our lives."

The action of the bishops at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church on the marriage canon and the open pulpit led Mr. McGarvey to remark that this was a reflection on their part of the revealed Truth of Jesus Christ.

As time went on, this group gradually, with their success in the establishment of their fine congregation, together with their new practices, became completely out of touch with the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

The Break with the Church

When the General Convention of 1907 passed the open pulpit canon, this group, already virtual aliens to the Episcopal Church, saw an opportunity to withdraw. They seceded from the Church as a body and went to Rome. There were, however, those few who remained loyal to the Church and the Companions. The dissatisfied group, we are told, said a mass in St. Elizabeth's in the morning, and in the afternoon they went to St. Charles Seminary in Overbrook and made their submission to Rome before formal procedures were made.

Immediately, the daily press took the news and great publicity was given to the event. Many unfortunate reports went out concerning this move. The parish was split in half and never recovered from this mishap.

Father O'Dell, then Rector of a sister parish in the Catholic Movement, stated in a sermon that the group that left were as "rats deserting a sinking ship." It is said that one priest committed suicide.

The Congregation suffered greatly. Public disgust was meted on all sides. The faithful few persevered under great difficulties. Father Ward, the only Companion left at St. Elisabeth's, remained there until his death.

The appointment of Webb as President of Nashotah House brought the influence of St. Elisabeth's to bear on the western seminary, and from 1892 to 1907 the connection between Nashotah and the Companions of the Holy Savior was constant and intimate. The Rev. Charles Bowles, one of the Companions, became the favorite confessor at Nashotah. Another, the Rev. Sigourney Fey, clever, unstable, and incompetent as a teacher, succeeded Webb as Professor of Dogmatic Theology, On the other hand, Nashotah men regularly went to St. Elisabeth's as curates.