A.    Sidney Dealey 1878-1879

In May 1877 a call was extended to the Reverend A. Sidney Dealey of Round Lake, New York at $1,000 per annum. 

Mr. Dealey wrote the following in the Parish Register upon his arrival at Saint John’s:  July 9, 1877.  On entering my Rectorship of the Parish of St. John’s, Passaic, I desire to state distinctly that I do not endorse the above inserted paper. [refers to vestry resolution passed following the Rev’d Marshall B. Smith’s resignation]  I object to it, first, on the grounds of the unscriptural spirit of party of which it seems to be the expression; and, secondly, because as a Presbyter of the Church I am bound by the vows which she required of me at my ordination; and I recognise no right whatever in any Vestry to impose special and additional obligations or Articles of Faith and Practice beside those which the general body of the Church in this Country rightly imposes on her clergy. (signed) A. Sidney Dealey

The parish at this time seemed to be going through a very difficult period due to finances.  There may have been other conflicts, since the records indicate that the rector at the annual meeting of 1878 called for parishioners to “[lay] aside all party lines and prejudices and unite for the welfare of the church.”  On October 18, 1879, A. Sidney Dealey resigned as rector of Saint John’s to take the rectorship of Christ Church, Buffalo, New York.