Herbert J. Tily, 1914-1916

Despite Gilchrist’s many accomplishments, he suffered from depression and in 1913 took a leave of absence from Mendelssohn Club. He was never to return, dying of a heart attack in 1916. During the interim, Mendelssohn Club was conducted by Dr. Herbert Tily. Tily was also president of Strawbridge’s and conductor of the Strawbridge Company Chorus, a highly regarded ensemble which continued to exist well into the 1930’s and served as a sort of cultural counterpoint to the Wanamaker organ.