^HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES, ALL DENOMINATIONS. CITY OF NEW YORE, / FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE YEAR 1846. ttt JONATHAN gREENLEAF, PASTOR OF THE WALLABOUT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BROOKLYN. JXem fork: E. FRENCH, 136 NASSAU STREET, _. PORTLAND : HYDE, LORD & DUREN. 1846. Entered according to the Act of Congress, iu the year 1846, by JONATHAN GREENLEAF, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New Yerk. S. W. BENEDICT, St*r. and Print., 16 Spruce Street. PREFACE, IT is not pretended that the following pages present all the facts pertaining to the ecclesiastical affairs of the city of New York ; still, it is believed that the most material are here embodied. It is also believed that the facts here stated, and the dales given, may both be relied on, as no pains have been spared to render them accurate. In relation to these, as well as to the numbers in the several Churches reference may be had to the minutes of the General Synod of the Re- formed Dutch Church ; the journals of the Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church ; the minutes of the General As- sembly of the Presbyterian Church, together with the minutes of the Synod of New York and New Jersey ; the minutes of the New York and Hudson River Baptist Associa- tions ; and the minutes of the Methodist IV PREFACE. Annual Conference. These sources of in- formation have been carefully examined. In relation to the various branches from these denominations, as well as the other denomi- nations in the city, whether composed of a single Church, or of several associated, their annual publications have been examined, if they have made any, or information has been sought from intelligent men among them ; and then to ensure, if possible, per- fect accuracy, the sketch of each denomina- tion, when written, has been exhibited to some leading minister in that denomination, for examination and correction. Chronological order is observed through- out, as far as it was practicable. In recording similar facts in so many in- stances, much variety of expression cannot be expected. No .attempt of the kind has been made, and as far as style is concerned, all that has been aimed at, has been to pre- sent the information in a concise and in- telligible manner. With these explanations the book is sub- mitted to the judgment of the public. CONTENTS. Page. ABYSSINIAN, BAP. CHH. 240 Advent, Epis. Chh. of- -108 African Meth. Bethel Chh 325 Page. Broadway Pres. Chh- 180 " Tabernacle Cong. 362 Broome St. Bap. Chh- 253 Cong. Chh. 356 " Dutch Chh. 42 Calvary Epis. Chh 101 " " near Pm-loare' WnnV. . . . SO African Meth. Union Chh 328 Allen street Meth. Chh. 287 Pres. Chh. 151 All Saints Epis. Chh- 85 Amity St. Bap. Chh- -258 Annunciation, Episcopal Chh. of 86 Canal St. Pres. Chh- - 140 Cannon St. Bap. Chh. 252 Carmine St. Pres. Chh. 169 Cedar St. Pres. Chh . 136 Central Bap. Chh- -260 " Pres. Chh.. . 164 Chelsea Pres. Chh.. . 162 Christian Bap. Chh. - 273 Christian Chhs., sketch O f 378 Arminian Bap. Chh. . . .233 Asbury col'd Meth. Chh, 323 Meth. Chh... 297 Ascension, Epis. Chh. of 104 Associate Pres. Chhs., sketch of. 212 Associate Ref. Pres. Chhs., sketch of 203 Baptist Chhs., sketch of 223 Bedford St. Meth. Chh. 288 Berean Bap Chh 267 Christ's Chh., Epis... 65 " " in City Mission Epis 90 Pres 145 Beriah Ban Chh 241 Collegiate Dutch Chh. 1217 Colored Bap. Chhs. 240, 259 " Cong. Chh..... 367 " Epis. Chhs-.. 79, 97, 98 " Meth. Chhs- 320 " Pres. Chh 152 Cong. Chhs., sketch of 352 Crucifixion, Epis. Chh. nf . . 10S Bethel Bap Chh 232 Bethesda Bap. Chh 230 BleeckerSt. Pres, Chh. 156 " Univ. Chh. 349 Bloomingdale Bap. Chh. 264 " Dutch Chh. 33 " Pres. Chh. 201 Bowery Bap. Chh 260 " Pres. Chh 154 Brainerd Pres. Chh 187 Brick Pres. Chh. 130135 Broadway Cong. Chh. 355 Mr. Finney's 179 Disciples, Chh. of !i57 Downing St. Friends 118 Duane St. Meth. Chh. 285 VI CONTENTS. Duane St. Pres. Chh.- 136 East Bap. Chh 253 Ebenezer Bap. Chh- 249 Eighteenth street. Meth. 289 Eighth Av. Pres. Chh- -189 Eighth Pres. Chh. 158 Eighth St. Pres. Chh. 209 Eleventh Pres. Chh- 198 Eleventh St. Bap. Chh. 271 Elizabeth St. Bap. Chh. 256 " Pres. Chh. 144 " Univ. Chh. 350 Emmanuel Epis. Chh. 98 " Epis. Free Chh. 107 Emmaus Bap. Chh.-.- 258 Epiphany, Epis. Chh. of 92 Episcopal Chh., sketch of 60 Fifteenth St. Pres. Chh. 200 Fifth Cong. Chh 366 Fifth Ward Cong. Miss. Chh 361 First Bap. Chh 225 " Cong. Chh 352 " Pres. Chh 12ti Floating Chap., Epis.. 106 Meth. 301 Forsyth St. Meth. Chh. 284 Forty-first street Meth. 294 Forty-fourth St. Meth. Chh 293 Forty-second St. Pres. 202 Fourteenth Pres. Chh. 167 Fourth Cong. Chh 365 Fourth St. Bap. Chh.. 270 Univ. Chh. 351 Franklin St. Dutch Chh. 35 Free Pres. Chhs 171 French Epis. Chh. Du St. Esprit 71 French Epis. Chh. Du St. Sauveur 106 French Cong. Chh 368 Friends' meetings, sketch of 112 Garden St. Dutch Chh. 19 German Evan. Meth. 316 German Evan. Mission Chh. Dutch 47 German Lutheran Chhs., sketch of 52 German Mission Meth. 297 German Pres. Chh 193 " Re formed Dutch 24 German Reformed Lu- theran 57 Good Shepherd, Epis. 108 Grace Church, Epis. . . 78 Greene St. Dutch Chh. 41 " Meth. Chh. 290 Greenwich Dutch Chh. 29 Hammond St. Pres. Chh. 201 Harlem Bap. Chh 272 " Dutch Chh--- 21 " Meth. Chh- -..294 " Mission Chh.- 291 Pres. Chh 200 Hester St. Friends 117 Holy Apostles, Epis. . . 107 Holy Communion, Epis. Chh. of 108 Holy Evangelists, Epis. 90 Chh. of Home Mission Meth... 303 Houston St. Pres. Chh. 175 Independent Cong. Chh. 354 Jane St. Meth. Chh... 304 " Pres. Chh 199 Jews, sketch of 119 John St. Meth. Chh... 283 Lafayette Place Dutch Chh 17 Laight St. Bap. Chh. 245 Pres. Chh-. 142 Laurens St. Bap. Chh- 257 Lutheran Chhs., sketch of 52 Madison Av. Pres. Chh. 202 Madison St. Meth. Chh. 300 " Pres. Chh. 196 CONTENTS. Vll Manhattan Dutch Chh. 46 Manhattan Island Pres. 191 Market St. Dutch Chh. 39 Mariners' Chh 302 Mariners' Meth. Chh- -300 Mercer St. Pres. Chh. 194 Messiah, Epis. Chh. of 96 " Prot. Epis. Chh. of 98 Methodist Chhs., sketch of 281 Methodist Primitive Chh 314 Methodist Prot. Chhs., sketch of 308 Methodist Soc'y, sketch of 305 Methodist Welsh Chh. 311 " Wesleyan Chhs. 317 Middle Dutch Chh.... 12 Mission Bap. Chh 252 " Epis. Chhs-.. 90 Moravian Chh., sketch 275 Mount Zion Bap. Chh. 270 Mulberry St. Bap. Chh. 243 Meth. Chh. 295 Murray St. Pres. Chh- 207 Nativity, Cath. Chh. of 341 Epis. Chh. of 99 New Jerusalem, Chhs., 370 New York Cong. Chh. 369 Ninth Pres. Chh 197 Ninth St. Dutch Chh- 16 Norfolk.St. Bap. Chh.. 249 North Bap. Chh 251 " Dutch Chh 14 " Pres. Chh 169 Northwest Dutch Chh. 35 Old Lutheran Chh 59 Oliver St. Bap. Chh 235 Orchard St. Dutch Chh. 43 " Friends ...118 " Univ. Chh. 348 Particular Bap. Chh- 269 Pearl St. Pres. Chh 206 Presbyterian Churches, sketch of 125 Providence Bap. Chh-. 272 " Chapel Cong. 356 Chh Provost St. Bap. Chh. 250 " Pres. Chh. 167 Puritans, Cong. Chh. of 367 Redeemer, Cath. Chh. of 340 Redemption, Epis. Chh. of 103 Redemption, Free Epis. Chh. of 95 Ref. Dutch Chhs.,sketch of 9 Ref. Pres. Chhs., sketch of 216 Robinson Cong. Chh. -366 Roman Catholic Chhs., sketch of 331 Rose St. Friends meet'g 117 Rutgers St. Pres. Chh. 132, 135 Salem Bap. Chh 265 Saviour, Epis. Chh. of 106 Scotch Bap. Chh 237 " Pres. Chh 129 Seamen's Bethel Bap. 269 Second Av. Pres. Chh. 182 Second Bap. Chh 230 Second St. Meth. Chh. 290 Seventh Pres. Chh 148 Seventh St. Meth. Chh. 285 Sixteenth St. Bap. Chh. 262 Sixth Av. Pres. Chh- 195 Sixth St. Bap. Chh----267 " Pres. Chh.-. 182 South Bap. Chh 246 " Dutch Chh 19 Spring St. Pres. Chh-. 167 St. Andrew's Cath. Chh. 341 Epis. Chh. 87 St. Ann's Epis. Chh--- 74 Stanton St. Bap. Chh 247 " Dutch Chh. 49 Vlll CONTENTS. St. Augustine's Epis. 98 St. Bartholomew's Epis. Chh 100 St. Clement's Epis. Chh. 88 St. Columbae's Cath. . . 342 St. Francis' Cath. Chh. 340 St. George's Epis. Chh. 63 " the martyr, Epis. Chh. of 107 St James' Cath. Chh.. 337 " Epis. Chh-- 74 " Lutheran Chh. 55 St. John the Bap. Cath. Chh 340 St. John Evan. Cath. 341 St. John's Chapel Epis 62 St Josephs Cath. Chh. 339 St. Jude's Free Epis. Chh 105 St. Luke's Epis. Chh- 83 St. Mark's Epis. Chh- 67 St. Mary's Cath. Chh- 336 " Epis. Chh-- 74 St. Matthew Epis. Chh. 94 Epis. col'd 97 St Matthew Lutheran Chh 55 St. Michael's Epis. Chh. 74 St. Patrick's Cath. Chh. 335 St. Paul's Cath. Chh- 340 Epis. Chapel 61 St. Peter's Cath. Chh- - 33' Epis. Chh-- 89 St. Philip's Epis. Chh- 79 St. Simon's Epis. Chh. 109 St. Stephen's Epis. Chh. 73 St. Thomas' Epis. Chh. 84 St. Timothy's Epis. Chh. 105 St. Vincent de Paul, Cath. Chh 341 Suffolk St. Christian Chh 37 Sullivan St. Meth. Chh. 29 Swamp Chh Tabernacle Bap. Chh- 244 abernacle Cong. Chh. 362 " in Catharine St. 192 " Pres. Chh. 179 " Village Chh. 166 'enth Pres. Chh 197 'hird Cong. Chh 359 transfiguration, Cath. Chh. of 337 ^rinity, Epis. Chh- 60 True Ref. Dutch Chh. 49 Twenty-first St. Dutch 31 Twenty-fourth St. Meth. Chh 296 Twenty-seventh street Meth. Chh 293 JnionPres. Chh--.-.. 168 Jnitarian Chhs., sketch of 373 Cfniversalist Churches., sketch of 344 University Pres. Chh- 195 ' place Pres. Chh. 139 VandewaterSt. Cg.Chh. " Dutch Chh. 45 " Epis. Chh. 90 " Pres. Chh. 163 Univ. Chh. 345 Vestry St. Meth. Chh- - 294 Village Pres. Chh. 166, 186 Wall St. Pres. Chh--.- 133 Washington Sq. Dutch 21 Welsh Bap. Chh--239, 261 Cong. Chh 358 Meth. Chh 311 Pres. Chh 185 West Bap. Chh 266 West 20th St. Pres. Chh. 189 Willet St Meth. Chh. . 288 Yorkville Meth. Chh- 292 " Pres. Chh.. 202 Zoar Bap. Chh 246 Zion Bap. Chh 259 " Epis. Chh 81 " Meth. Chh--.... 321 " Little, Meth. Chh. 322 TESTIMONIALS. To insure to the " History of the Churches in New York" as much accuracy as possible, the sketch of each denomination was exhibited, when written, to some intelligent man in that denomination, that the errors, if any were found, might be corrected.'' The following testimonials have been cheerfully given : From the Rev. Dr. De Witt of the Reformed Dutch Church. " I have perused that part of the proposed pub- lication of a volume prepared by the Rev. Jona- than Greenleaf, giving the history of the Reform- ed Dutch Churches in this city, and am pleased with the accuracy which characterizes it. I cor- dially commend it for publication, and the pa- tronage of our religious community." THOMAS DEWITT, One of the Ministers of the Collegiate R. D. Church. NKW YORK, January 27, 1846. 1 2 TESTIMONIALS. From the Rev. Mr. Stohlmann of the Lutheran Church. " I hereby certify that the Rev. J. Greenleaf has exhibited to me a sketch of the history of the Lutheran Church in this city, and as far as I have any knowledge of the facts stated, I believe them to be accurate." CHARLES FRED. E. STOHLMANN, Pastor of St. Matthew's Ckurch in Walker street. From the, Rev. Dr. Anthon of the Episcopal Church. " Rev. J. Greenleaf, Dear Sir : You were pleased, a short time since, to read to me in manuscript, a sketch which you had prepared of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the city of New York. I am happy to be able to say that I listened to it with much interest for the valua- ble information contained in it, and which gave ample proof, in my judgment, of your accuracy, faithfulness, and diligence. A work of this kind is much wanted for reference, and the plan and details of your volume will, I believe, ensure its extensive circulation." I am respectfully, your ob't serv't, HENRY ANTHON, Rector of St. Mark's Church. NEW YOKK, May 19, 1846. TESTIMONIALS. O From the Rev. Dr. Krebs, of the Presbyterian Church. " The Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf has submitted to me his history of the Presbyterian Churches in this city, which I believe to be very accurate, and hope to see published." JOHN M. KREBS, Minister of the Rutgers Street Church. NEW YOEK, January 26, 1846. From the Rev. Dr. Pat ton of the Presbyterian Church. " The Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf has read over to me that portion of his sketch of the history of the churches of this city, which particularly re- lates to the Presbyterian interest. It affords me pleasure to say that as far as I am conversant with the facts, he has embodied them with great accuracy and impartiality ; and that as put forth by him they will furnish many instructive les- sons." WM. PATTON, Pastor of the Spring Street Church; NEW YOKK, May 18, 1846. ..i/3 From the Rev. Mr. McLaren of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. " The Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf has read to me his history of the Associate Reformed Churches TESTIMONIALS. in the city of New York, and I believe it to b very accurate." WILLIAM MCLAREN, Pastor of the Associate Ref. Church, Franklin $treet. Nsw YOBK, February 9, 1846. From the Rev. Dr. Stark, of the Associate Pres- byterian Church. " The Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf has read to me the account he has drawn up of the Associate Presbyterian Churches in this city, and I believe it to be perfectly correct." ANDREW STARK, Minister of the Associate Presbytaian Church, Grand street. NEW_ YORK, 9th February, 1846. From fhe Rev. Dr. McLeod, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. " The Rev. Mr. Greenleaf, the compiler of the Sketches of the History of the Churches in this city, having submitted to me the history of the Reformed Presbyterian Church which is to appear in that publication, I hereby certify to the accuracy of the substantial facts which it pre- sents." JOHN N. McLEOD, Pastor of the Ref. Pres. Church, Prince Strett, New York. NKW YORK, May 20, 1846. TESTIMONIALS. O From the Rev. Dr. Williams, of the Baptist Church. " The Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf having read to me his manuscript account of the Baptist Churches of this city, I take pleasure in certify- ing to the research it has evidently cost him, and to its substantial accuracy, as far as I have knowledge of the facts." WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, Pastor of the dmity Street Baptist Church. NEW YORK, February 25, 1846. From the Rev. Mr. Eigler, of the Moravian Church. " This is to certify that the Rev. Mr. Green- leaf communicated to me the short historical sketch of the United Brethren or Moravian church in this city ; and that so far as I am able to judge it is correct." DAVID BIGLER, Pastor of the Moravian Church, New York. N*w YORK, March 4, 1846. From the Rev. P. P. Sandford, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. " The Rev. Mr. Greenleaf having read to me his sketch of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 6 TESTIMONIALS. this city, I hereby certify that the same is sub- tantially correct, as far as I hare knowledge of the facts." P. P. SANDFORD, Presiding Elder of the New York Dittrict. NEW YORK, March 17, 1846. From the Rev. Mr. Stillwell, of the Methodist Society. " The Rev. J. Greenleaf has read to me his history of the rise and present condition of the Methodist Society in New York, together with that of the Methodist Protestant Church, which 1 consider correct." W. M. STILLWELL, Minister of the Meth. Soc., New York. NEW YORK, February 9, 1846. From the Rt. Rev. Bishop McCloskey, of the Roman Catholic Church. " This is to certify that the Rev. Mr. Green- leaf has exhibited to me the brief historical and statistical sketch which he has prepared of the different Catholic Churches of this city. His statements, I believe, are all sufficiently accu- rate." JOHN McCLOSKEY, Bp. Coadjutor of New York. NEW YORK, March 5, 1846. TESTIMONIALS. 7 From the Rev. Mr. Balch, of the Universalist Church. "This certifies that I have heard the Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf read a brief sketch of the rise, progress, and present condition of the Uni- versalist Churches in this city, and that I believe his relation to be correct." WM. S. BALCH, Pastor of the Bleecker Street Universalist Society. NEW YORK, May 18, 1846. From the Rev. Mr. Harrison) of the Congrega- tional Church. " This may certify that the Rev. Mr. Green- leaf has read to me his sketch of the History of the Congregational Churches in this city, and I believe it to be correct." JOSEPH HARRISON, Pastor of the Providence Chapel, Thompson Street, N. Y. NEW YORK, May 16, 1846. The information respecting the Jews, the Friends, the New Jerusalem Church, the Uni- tarian Church, and tke Christian Church, was furnished to a considerable extent by leading men in those denominations, and hence it was con- sidered unnecessary to obtain any certificates to the accuracy of the sketches of tuose bodies. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH, 1626. THE city of New York being originally set- tled by the Dutch, it was very natural that the Reformed Dutch Church should have the precedency among the people. And so it was. There were members of that church in New York as early as the year 1620, and it is believed that, in 1626, a church organi- zation was effected. From 1639, there are i j regular records. The Dutch having obtained permission of the natives, built a fort on Manhattan Island in 1623. This fort stood on what is called " the Battery," not far, as is said, from the "Bowling Green." It was a large square, containing several houses, and in 1642, a church edifice was erected in the south-east corner of the fort, which stood 2 10 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. nearly one hundred years, and was finally burnt down in 1741, and not again rebuilt. The building of this first church is thus related in " Watson's Olden Time." " The Dutch Reformed Church was erected within the fort by Gov. Keift, in 1642, being a stone structure, with split oaken shingles, then called 'wooden slate.' The cause and manner of its establishment has been curiously related by DeVries, saying, ' As I was every day with Commander Keift, I told him, that as he had now made a fine tavern, the Stadt-herberg, at Coenties slip, that we also wanted very badly a church ; for until then we had nothing but a mean barn (in appearance) for our worship ; whereas in New England, their first concern was a fine church, and we ought to do the same. Wherefore I told him I would con- tribute a hundred guilders, and he, as Gov- ernor, should precede me. Whereupon we agreed, and chose J. P. Kuyter, I. C. Damen, with ourselves, as four Kerch Mees- ters, to superintend the building. John and Richard Ogden contracted to build the same of stone for 2,500 guilders, say 416. It was to be seventy-feet by fifty-two, and six- REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 11 teen feet high.' Before another house of worship was erected, the city had begun to be settled a little further out, so that in 1695 there was about 850 families found here, divided in six denominations, viz. Dutch families within the fort, 90; Dutch Cal- vinists, 450 ; Dutch Lutherans, 30 ; French, 200 ; Jews, 20 ; English dissenters, 40 ; and about 20 families of Dutch Calvinists at Harlem. Rev. Dr. Henricus Selyns, or So- linus, as he is sometimes called, preached to the Dutch Calvinists in the city proper, and at Harlem ; Dr. Perot was the French minis- ter ; and Saul Brown was the minister of the Jews. The Lutheran congregation was very small, and it is not known whether they had any stated minister. As the people began to stretch themselves abroad, another church was projected, and was built in 1693, in what was then called ' Garden Alley,' but afterwards ' Garden Street,' and now ' Ex- change Place,' running in the rear of the Merchants' Exchange, and thence into Broad street. The ground here had been laid out and cultivated with much taste, and hence, probably, the name ' Garden Alley' was given to the street passing by it. The 12 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. location of a church here was objected to by some as being ' too far out of town,' but was finally carried. ' A rare demur,' says the writer of the account, ' in our modern views of distance.' This was afterwards called ' The South Church.' " The building was eight square, with a tower or steeple in the centre of the roof. In 1776, the edifice was enlarged and repaired. The last sermon ever preached in it was delivered to fourteen hearers. It was closed for some time, and in 1807, was rebuilt of stone, sixty-six feet long, and fifty wide, and a large congregation continued to assemble there until, in 1813, it was separated from the Collegiate Church; and became a distinct charge. MIDDLE DUTCH CHURCH. The increasing population of the city made it necessary for the Dutch Church to erect another house of worship not many years after the erection of the South, or Garden Street Church. This was built on Nassau street, between Cedar and Liberty streets. Until the erection of a third build- ing this was called " The New Church," but REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 13 has been known for many years as " The Middle Dutch Church." This was opened in 1729. It is a most substantial stone building, 100 feet long, and 70 feet wide, with a good steeple and bell. When first built it had no gallery, and the ceiling was one entire arch without pillars. The pulpit was on the eastern side. It remained in this form for more than thirty years, but in 1764, the pulpit was removed to the north end of the house, a gallery was erected on the three other sides, and large pillars put up to support the roof. During the Revolu- tionary war it was closed as a place of wor- ship, and used by the British as a prison and a riding-school, while the pews and other wood-work were torn up and used as fuel. After the war it was repaired, and continued as a place of worship, becoming, as is believed, the birth-place of many souls, until the year 1844, when the business of the city having increased so much around it, that almost every family for a considerable distance had removed, and two commodious houses of worship belonging to the collegiate church having been previously built in the upper part of the city, it was thought expe- 2* 14 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. dient to relinquish public worship in the Middle Church. A farewell meeting was held in the church on Sabbath evening, August 11, 1844, when the Rev. Dr. Knox, the senior pastor, preached from John iv. 20 24, showing that God required spiritual worship, but that the place where it was of- fered was immaterial ; and the Rev. Dr. De Witt, one of the colleague pastors, presented an outline of the history of the Church, and pronounced the benediction in the Dutch language. It was then leased to the govern- ment for the city Post Office, the exterior of the building being not materially altered, and the cemetery around it remaining un- touched. NORTH DUTCH CHURCH. The Dutch congregation, finding their two churches in Garden Street and Nassau street, would not accommodate the people, projected the building of another, on Wil- liam street, corner of Fulton street, and it was erected on ground given to the church by John Harpending, Esq; the corner- stone of the building was laid July 2d, 1767, and the house was completed and opened REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 15 for public worship May 2oth, 1769. It was called " The North Dutch Church." It is a fine stone building, measuring 100 feet by 70, with a lofty steeple, and was built at a cost of 11,948 9s. 4d. In 1842, the inte- rior of the building was remodelled, and somewhat modernized^ but the exterior pre- serves the stately, venerable, and imposing appearance of ancient times. Until a few years before the erection of the North Church, all the public religious services had been held in the Dutch language. But the increase of the English language among the people, and the proportionate decline of the Dutch, became too apparent to escape the notice of observing men ; and it became more and more evident to reflecting minds that unless the English language was introduc- ed, the younger people would attach them- selves to churches where that language was used, and the Dutch churches would dwin- dle away. Long discussions were held on this subject, and no little excitement was produced by the resolution which was final- ly adopted by the Consistory of the Colle- giate Church to call a minister who should officiate in the English language, while the 16 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. Dutch was still to be continued for a part of each Sabbath. The Rev. Dr. Laidlie was the person called, and he preached his first sermon in English in the Middle Dutch Church, on the afternoon of the last Sabbath in March, 1764, from 2 Cor. v., 11, " Know- ing therefore the terror of the Lord, we per- suade men" All the services were con- ducted in English except the singing, which was performed in Dutch, led by Jacobus Van Antwerp, " the fore singer," as the con- gregation were unacquainted with English psalmody. The house was densely crowd- ed, the aisles were filled, many climbed up in the windows, and many of the most re- spectable people stood through the whole exercise.* NINTH STREET CHURCH. This is a plain though a substantial brick building, without a spire, 94 feet long, and 64 wide, erected in the year 1837, on the north side of Ninth street, between Broad- way and the Bowery. It is found a very convenient location for a large portion of the Collegiate Church who have removed to that section of the city. * See " Olden Time in New York," pages 17, 18. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 17 CHURCH ON LAFAYETTE PLACE. This is an elegant modern built granite edifice erected by the Collegiate Church in 1839. It measures 110 feet by 75, and will comfortably accommodate nearly 1500 per- sons. It stands on the corner of Lafayette place and Fourth street, near Broadway. These three Churches, viz., " The North Church," now, however, Ihe most southern of all the Dutch Churches, the Ninth Street Church, and the Church on Lafayette place, are now the places of worship for the " Col- legiate Dutch Church," and are under but one ecclesiastical jurisdiction. At the last report, in June, 1845, the Collegiate Church contained 490 families, and 1376 members in communion. There are now in the Church four stated pastors. The following list exhibits the names of the pastors of the Collegiate Church, with the dates of their installation, and dismis- sion or death, so far as it is known : Rev. Everanius Bogardus, died 1517. f brothers and col- T, T u ,, 1-1 leagues in 1619, the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, I ,^ named & physi . Rev. Samuel Megapolensis, f c j an Lj tt i e is known (. of either. 18 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. Rev. Samuel Drissius, was settled as colleague with Samuel Megapolensis who survived his brother, both were dead in 1669. Rev. Wilhelmus Van Nieuenhuysen, D.D., called from Holland in 1671, removed to Brooklyn in 1676, but officiated some in New York till his death in 1680. Rev. Henricus Solyns, called from Holland to Brook- lyn in 1660, and officiated there and at Gov. Stuy- vesant's Chapel at the Bouwerie, for about a year, when he returned to Holland. Recalled to the Collegiate Church in 1682, and died 1700. Rev. Gualterus Dubbis, installed 1699, died 1756. Rev. Henricus Boel, settled as colleague with Mr. Dubois 1713, and died 1754. Rev. Johannes Ritzema, settled as colleague with the two preceding in 1744, left the city at the com- mencement of the war in 1776, and died at Kinder- hook in 1796. Rev. Lambertus de Ronde, settled in 1751, the three preceding being then living, and died at Schagti- coke in 1795. Rev. Archibald Laidlie, D.D., called to preach in Eng- lish in 1764, died of consumption at Redhook, 1778, aged 51. Rev. John H. Livingston, D.D., settled in 1770, re- signed his charge, having been appointed Professor of Theology in the Seminary at New Brunswick, in 1810, where he died Jan. 20, 1825, aged 79. Rev. William Linn, settled in 1785, dismissed on ac- count of ill health in 1805, died at Albany, Jan., 1808. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 19 Rev. Gerardus A. Kuypers, installed May, 1789, died June 28, 1833. Rev. John N. Abeel, installed in 1795, died Jan. 19, 1812, after a lingering sickness of seven years. Rev. John Schureman, settled 1809, dismissed in 1811, having been elected a professor in the Col- lege at New Brunswick. Rev. Jacob Brodhead, D.D., installed Dec., 1809, re- signed the charge 1813. Rev. Philip Milledoler, D.D., settled Feb., 1813, re- signed the charge Feb., 1825. Rev. John Knox, D.D., ordained and installed July 14, 1816, still living. Rev. Paschal N. Strong, ordained and installed July 14, 1816, died at St. Croix, W. I., April 7, 1825. Rev. Wm. C. Brownlee, D.D., installed June 17, 1826, still living. Rev. Thomas De Witt, D.D., installed Sept. 16, 1827, still living. Rev. Thomas E. Vermilye, D.D., installed Nov., 1839, still living. GARDEN STREET, OR SOUTH CHURCH. As before stated, the Garden Street, or South Church was originally a part of the collegiate charge, and in this relation it re- mained until the year 1813, when it was separated, and the Rev. James M. Mathews was installed its pastor. Rev. Dr. Mathews remained sole pastor of the church until 1834, 20 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. when the Rev. Mancius S. Hulton was installed as colleague pastor; Dr. Mathews being then Chancellor of the University of New York. At the great fire in New York, on the l6th of December, 1835, the church edifice in Garden street was burnt, although the walls were left standing. But it was thought best not to repair or rebuild on that spot, as almost every family had re- moved from that vicinity, and stores and large warehouses occupied the place of dwellings. After due consideration a site was selected for a church edifice on Murray street, corner of Church street, and preparations made to erect a building. A part of the people, how- ever, had a preference for the upper part of the city, and a new building was projected to stand on "Wooster street, fronting Wash- ington square, and a new church was organized, called the " Reformed Dutch Church on Washington Square." Both pastors resigned the charge of the " South Church," and became colleague pastors of the new church. The church edifice on Murray street was completed and opened toward the close of the year 1837, and in April, 1838, the Rev. John M. Macauley was REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. ordained and installed pastor of the " South Dutch Church," which office he still sustains. The church numbers 261 in communion. CHURCH ON WASHINGTON SQUARE. This church was organized in April, 1837, and consisted of 49 original members. Rev. Dr. Mathews and Rev. Mr. Hutton became pastors of the church, and com- menced preaching in the chapel of the University, until the new edifice was com- pleted in 1840. In 1842 Dr. Mathews re- signed his charge, and Rev. Dr. Hutton remains sole pastor. The church numbers 243 in communion. CHURCH AT HARLEM. It is difficult, if nojt quite impossible, to ascertain with precision when a church organization was effected at Harlem. Dutch settlers were there very early, but whether they were in connection with the Collegiate Church, or whether they were formed into a distinct church, there are no records to show. It is stated in the old Dutch Records of Harlem, that on September 30, 1686, the Rev. 3 22 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. Henricus Solyns preached the first sermon in a new church then built, and administered the Lord's Supper. Hence, there was then a church and a house of worship. The want of records prevent* also any definite information concerning the names of the ministers who may have officiated here, for nearly 100 years after this. The first minister of whom we have any definite ac- count was the Rev. Marlinus Schoonmaker, who held the pastoral office at Harlem pre- vious to the year 1785, officiating there and at Gravesend ; but he left in that year, and become pastor of the Dutch Church in Flatbush, where he died May 20, 1824, at the advanced age of 87 years. It is not known precisely how long he had preached at Harlem. Up to this time it is supposed that the services at Harlem had been con- ducted in the Dutch language, but it is doubtful whether preaching in that language was continued after this.^ After the dis- mission of Mr. Schoonmaker, the church at * The supposition that the public services at Harlem had been performed in Dutch is grounded on the fact that Mr. Schoonmaker always preached in Dutch at Flatbush, never having; attempted it in English but once. See Prime's History of Long Island, page 328. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 23 Harlem remained destitute of a stated pastor for the space of nearly six years, but in September, 1791, a call was presented to the Rev. John F. Jackson, which he accepted. Mr. Jackson remained pastor of the church more than thirteen years, and resigned the charge in April, 1805. Immediately after this -the church called the Rev. Philip Mille- doler, which he declined. The next pastor of this church was the Rev. Jeremiah Romeyn, who was settled here in April, 1806. After about seven years some difficulties arose, and at the meeting of classis in November, 1813, Mr. Romeyn requested to be dismissed, the church consenting thereto. But the classis declined to comply with the request. In January following this request was renewed and granted. But the troubles in the church did not erld with the dismis- sion of the minister, and in October, 1814, the classis appointed a committee of investi- gation, and after about eighteen months, the congregation united in presenting a call to Mr. Cornelius C. Vermule, which he accept- ed. This took place in September, 1816. Rev. Dr. Vermule continued his labors at Harlem acceptably and usefully for the term 24 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. of twenty years, when his health becoming impaired, he resigned his charge in October, 1836, and after a vacancy of something over a year, the present pastor of the church, the Rev. Richard L. Schoonmaker, was ordained in March, 1838. GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH. Among the very early inhabitants of New York were some Germans, both Lutherans and Calvinists, and, as might of course be expected, they had some church order here in the " olden time." But of their very early movements little or no record remains. We have some few traces of the Lutheran Church, but nothing very distinct of the Cal- vinistic part, generally known as the " Ger- man Reformed," until about the year 1758. Before this the German emigrants to New York, who were in sentiment Calvinists, and who understood the Low Dutch language, attached themselves to the Reformed Dutch Church, while those who could speak Ger- man only were constrained to attend the Lutheran Church, where the service was in German. But about the year 1758, the number having considerably increased, a REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 25 meeting was established of the members of the true German Reformed Church. A sub- scription was made to support a minister, and a building, formerly used as a theatre, was purchased for $1250, and fitted up as a place of worship. It stood on Nassau street, between John street and Maiden Lane. The first minister employed was the Rev. Mr. Rozencrantz, who had been preaching lo a small congregation of Germans on the Mohawk river, and was driven off by the Indians. He officiated in the German Church in New York for about a year- Two others, whose names are unknown, succeeded, but neither remained long. After this the Church wrote to the Consistory of Heidelburgh, requesting them to send over a suitable man for their minister, and accord- ingly the Rev. J. M. Kern was sent, and arrived in New York in Sept., 1763, and took charge of the congregation. By his advice the church adopted the name of the " German Reformed Congregation in New York," attaching themselves to the Classis of Am- sterdam and Synod of North Holland. This brought them at once into connection with the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church in 26 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. this city ; and when a regular call of the German Church was made out for Mr. Kern to take the pastoral office, the Rev. Mr. De Ronde, of the Collegiate Church, presided at the meeting, and Mr. Kern was installed by the ministers of the Collegiate Church on January 27, 1764. The congregation had not occupied their house of worship for a year, when, being already an old and decay- ed building, they found it necessary to take it down and rebuild it. This was done in the year 1765, the corner-stone being laid on the 8th of March in that year, by the Rev. Mr. Kern and the consistory of the church, each one placing a stone of the foundation. Mr. Kern continued with the church but a few years after this, and was succeeded, in 1772, by Rev. C. F. Foering, who was installed in May in that year by the ministers of the Collegiate Church, as his predecessor had been. Mr. Foering was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Gebhard, who was pastor in 1776, when the British took possession of the city. He then went to Claverack, a town back of Hudson, where he preached till his death. Soon after the close of the war, in Dec., 1783, the church obtained as a pastor the REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 27 Rev. J. D. Gross, and after him, in May, 1795, the Rev. Philip Milledoler was called, and continued pastor of the church for about ten years. About this time very trying con- troversies arose in the church, and parties were arrayed against each other. They still had preaching. Rev. Mr. Runkle, Rev. Mr. Dryer, and Rev. Mr. Smith successively ministered to the congregation from 1805 to 1814, although the regularity of their several settlements was called in question by parties among themselves. In the year 1804, the Rev. Mr. Labagh was called, with the appro- bation of the Classis, and continued as pas- tor, in a state of tolerable quiet, until the year 1822, when he resigned his charge. At this time the congregation thought it best to dispose of their house of worship in Nassau street, and erect a new church edifice in Forsyth street, which was accordingly done. The old building was sold. It is still stand- ing on Nassau street, near Maiden Lane, and is converted into an eating-house, known as " Gosling's Dining Saloon." It bears the street numbers of 64 and 66. The first minister in the new house was the Rev. Charles Knouse, who officiated 28 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. there until the year 1827. Rev. George Mills succeeded him in 1828, and continued to officiate for five years, leaving in 1833. In the next year the Lutheran party, who had been struggling in the church for many years, obtained possession, and, under their auspices, the Rev. Lewis Smith officiated three years, from 1834 to 1837, when he died. The question of right to the church edifice had been before the State Court of Chancery for some time, and was undecided at the time of Mr. Smith's death. After this event took place, in the early part of 1838, Rev. John S. Ebaugh commenced preaching in the church for the " German Reformed," but before the close of the year the Lutheran party were put in possession of the property by a deci- sion of the Vice Chancellor. Thus matters remained until the spring of 1844, when the Chancellor reversed the decision before given, and gave back the house to the German Re- formed Church, and the Lutherans retired to a hall on Grand street, making a final appeal to the " Court of Errors." In Jan., 1846, this court reversed the decision of the Chancellor, and the Lutherans again took possession of the house of worship. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 29 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH AT GREENWICH. At a meeting of the classis of New York, in November, 1803, a request was made in behalf of a number of members of the Re- formed Dutch Church, residing at Green- wich, " to be constituted and. organized into a congregation in connection with, and under the jurisdiction of, the classis." This request was granted, and on the 9th of December following, the church was duly organized. The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan, who was ordained and installed in December, 1807, and continued his labors until August, 1819, when some difficulties arising between him and the consistory, the pastoral connection was dis- solved, and a portion of the congregation leaving with him, they organized what was called " The Eighth Presbyterian Church," and erected a house of worship on Christo- pher street, formerly called " Skinner road." Rev. Charles Hardenburgh succeeded Mr. Rowan in the Dutch Church, being in- stalled in May, 1820, but was removed by death in September of the next year. The next pastor of the church was the Rev 30 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. Nicholas I. Marselus, who commenced his labors in April, 1822. The old church edifice which was built in 1802, and enlarged in 1807, and in which the congregation then worshipped, was a wooden building, standing midway between Amos and Charles streets. This was found to be too small for the accommodation of the increasing congregation, and in 1826 it was sold to a society of Reformed Presbyterians, and removed entire to Waverley Place, near Grove street, where it now stands. " The removal of a church entire, with a spire, containing a public clock, and in motion during the time, was regarded as a very novel sight, and the novelty was heightened by the fact that while it was under way through Charles street to Fourth street, a congregation was assembled within its walls, to whom a sermon was delivered from the pulpit by a clergyman who had been engaged by the mover for this purpose."* In the place of the building thus sold, a very substantial and commodious brick edifice was erected in Bleecker street, corner of Amos street, and opened that year. * Rev. Dr. Marselus' Anniversary Sermon, page 33. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. The labors of the Rev. Dr. Marselus, who continues pastor of the church, have been very successful, and notwithstanding the formation of many churches around, the communicants in that church were 525 at their last annual report, and the number of families in the congregation 300, a larger church and congregation than any other Dutch Church in the city, with the single exception of the Collegiate Church, which has four ministers, and three places of wor- ship. CHURCH ON TWENTY-FIRST STREET. This church was a branch of the Reform- ed Dutch Church at Greenwich, and though very recent in its date, is very properly in- troduced here. Many of those who attend- ed the church at Greenwich resided far above the location of that church, and the ultimate establishment of another Dutch Church in that section of the city had been for a long time an object of deep solicitude with many persons. Several years before it took place, the late Rev. John F. Jackson communicated his intention to give freely a 32 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. sufficient plot of ground for church pur- poses, whenever a Dutch Church should be organized in that region ; and when it was found that a sufficient number of families and church members were collected to war- rant the undertaking, measures were taken to organize a church, secure the ground, and erect a suitable building. Before this took place, Mr. Jackson had departed to his rest, but his widow and children promptly and cheerfully carried out his design. The Church was organized in the Green- wich Church, March 20, 1836, and here they continued to worship for nearly three years, until a house of worship was prepared for their reception. This was accomplished in 1838, when a convenient building of brick was erected on Twenty-First street, near Fifth Avenue, fifty-six feet long, and thirty- four feet wide. Soon after this, the Rev. Edward H. May was installed pastor of the church, in which office he still continues. Forty families were reported in the congre- gation in June last, and sixty-seven mem- bers in communion. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. BLOOMINGDALE DUTCH CHURCH. About five miles from the City Hall, near the North river, there was very early a little village called " Harsenville," from the name of some of the first settlers. That name is nearly lost at this day, the whole district around being known as " Bloomingdale." The Dutch people there, who were religious, were generally connected with the Collegiate Church, but, being at an inconvenient dis- tance from the place of public worship, in the early part of the year 1805, Mr. Jacob Harsen erected on his own land a small wooden building for a house of worship, and it was publicly dedicated as such by the Rev. Dr. Livingston, on the last Sabbath in June, 1805. On the 9th of September, in the same year, a church of four members was organized by Dr. Livingston in the house of Mr. Harsen, and called " The Har- senville Church," but now known as the Bloomingdale Dutch Church. To this church another member was soon added, and the officers were duly installed, October 20th, and the house of worship was conveyed to the church by Mr. Harsen. 4 34 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. Alexander Gunn, who was called May 21st, 1808. The church, being few in number, struggled along under many embarrassments for about six years, when, in the midst of pecuniary difficulties, they resolved to erect a better church edifice. A successful effort was accordingly made, and a substantial building of stone was erected, at a cost of $16,000. It stands on 68th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues, and measures 65 feet by 55, and, what is worthy of special remark, the efforts of the people were so successful that when the house was finished they were less in debt than when they began, evincing how a kind Providence favors those who seek the promotion of his glory in the exten- sion of the Redeemer's kingdom. The old house of worship continued to be used for evening services and meetings on week days until 1832, when it was consumed by fire. Dr. Gunn continued pastor of the church until his death, which took place October 1st, 1828, in the 44th year of his age, and the 20th year of his ministry. Rev. Francis M. Kip was the second pas- tor of the church. He was called July 8th, REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 35 1830, and resigned his charge September 27th, 1831. The church was then supplied for six months by Rev. Isaac P. Labagh, and after- wards, for two years and a half, by Rev. John Alburtis. The third and present pas- tor of the church is the Rev. Enoch Van Aken, who was called to the pastoral charge May 26th, 1835. The present number of members in the church is 82. THE NORTH-WEST DUTCH CHURCH. About the year 1807, it was thought proper to attempt the establishment of an- other Reformed Dutch Church. Accordingly a site was selected for a building by the Consistory of the Collegiate Church, on Franklin street, between Church and Chapel streets, now "West Broadway; and in the course of that year the organization was effected, and though organized as a branch of the Collegiate Church, yet when they be- gan to act it was in an independent manner } and so they have continued. It was incor- porated under the statute as " The. North- 36 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. west Dutch Church," though it is generally known among the people as the " Franklin Street Church." The first pastor of this church was the Rev. Christian Bork, who was called here from Schodac, near Albany, in the spring of 1808, and continued his ministry until his death, in September, 1823. The history of Mr. Bork is interesting. He was born in the city of Berlin, in Prussia, about the year 1756. His early education was rather limited, but he improved well what advan- tages he had, joining therewith a very reten- tive memory, a large share of excellent com- mon sense, and a remarkably enterprising spirit. When he was about 18 years of age the Revolutionary war commenced, and some Hessian troops being about to be sent from Germany to assist the British in the reduc- tion of the Colonies, he enlisted as a common soldier in one of those companies, designing in this way to see the New World. Soon after landing, his company was attached to the northern army, under General Burgoyne, and he was captured with him near Saratoga, on October 17th, 1777. A large portion of the Hessian soldiers remained-in the country, REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 37 adopting it finally as their own. Thus did Mr. Bork. Directing his steps towards Albany, he offered himself as a teacher, and, as he spoke both High and Low Dutch fluently, he was well received by the Diutch people in that region. In the course of a few years he married into a respectable Dutch family, and now considering himself a citizen, before the close of the war, he en- listed in the American army, in what was termed the " nine months service," served out the time, and obtained an honorable dis- charge. After leaving the army Mr. Bork resum- ed the business of teaching. Until this time he had lead a careless life ; but now it was ordered in Providence that the Rev. Dr. Liv- ingston should visit that region of country? in order to carry the gospel to the scattered population. As there were few houses of worship, he was at one time holding a meet- ing in a barn, and there Mr. Bork heard the word unto his salvation, and with his cha- racteristic promptness, he embraced the offer of eternal life ; and though many obstacles lay in his path, he resolved to encounter them all, and make his way into the min- 4* 38 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. istry. He was encouraged in this effort by the Kev. Mr. Bassett, pastor of the Dutch Church in Albany, under whose direction he pursued his studies, until he was licensed to preach the gospel. He preached to good acceptance for several years in the vicinity of Albany ; and was pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church at.Schodac, when he was called to New York. His ministry in Frank- lin street, which lasted about fifteen years, was productive of much good. His public ministrations were plain, scriptural and faith- ful, and his preaching will be long remem- bered by those who were privileged to hear it. Mr. Bork died greatly lamented, as before stated, in September, 1823, and was suc- ceeded in the following spring, by the Rev. George Dubois. After some years the health of Mr. Dubois became impaired, and finding the large charge of the church in Franklin street more than he could sustain, he resign- ed it in the summer of 1837, and was after- wards settled in the Dutch Church in Tar- rytown, where he died. The next pastor of the church was the Rev. Christopher Hunt, who was installed in November, 1837. The REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 39 ministry of Mr. Hunt was very brief. In a little more than a year after his settlement he was taken sick, and he died May 7th, 1839, aged 38. After the death of Mr. Hunt, the Rev. James Harkness was hired for a year, and a strong desire was manifested by apart of the people to call him as permanent pas- tor ; others thought differently, and the result was a separation. Nearly the whole of the consistory, with nearly half of the members of the church, left, and with Mr. Harkness as the preacher, established separate worship in a Hall, on the corner of Broadway and Leo- nard street. They afterwards united with the Laight Street Presbyterian Church. In No- vember, 1840, the Rev. James B. Harden- bergh, D.D., was installed pastor of the Franklin Street Church. Divine Providence has again smiled upon them ; their desola- tions are repaired ; their house of worship is well filled ; and they reported in June last, 300 members in communion. Dr. Harden- bergh is still their pastor.- MARKET STREET CHURCH. After the establishment of the Franklin Street Church, in 1807, no farther attempt 40 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. was made by the Dutch Church to extend their borders, for about twelve years, and then three churches were added in quick succession, viz: Market Street, Houston Street, and Broome Street. The " Market Street Church" was orga- nized in September, 1819, by Rev. Drs. Mil- ledoler and Kuypers, then the pastors of the Collegiate Church, when thirty-one members were enrolled. The house of worship now standing on Market street, at the corner of Henry street, was erected during that sum- mer, and occupied immediately by the newly constituted body. They were not long with- out a pastor, as the Rev. William McMurray was ordained, and installed as such, in the following year. Dr. McMurray remained in the pastoral office in this church for 15 years, and was removed by death in the au- tumn of 1835. The church was vacant for nearly one year, when the Rev. Isaac Ferris, D.D., then pastor of the First Dutch Church in Albany, accepted this call, and was in- stalled in the summer of 1836, he is still pastor. A large congregation assembles there, and the church reported, in June last, four hundred and forty-four members. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 41 HOUSTON STREET CHURCH. In ihe year 1822, an effort of a missionary character was made to provide the means of grace for some destitute portions of the popu- lation, and the Rev. Stephen Ostrander was employed as a preacher. A large room in the Watch house, at the corner of Prince and Wooster streets, was procured, and a meet- ing for worship was held here for several months, the people having in view the estab- lishment of a Reformed Dutch Church, somewhere in that region. As the matter ripened for an effort to build, there was a diversity of sentiment as to the place, which resulted in a separation, amicably accom- plished, but of course demanding a great struggle in both sections. The church, now worshipping on Green street, corner of Houston street, and known as the " Houston Street Dutch Church," was first formed. A consistory of three elders, and three deacons, was organized on the 15th of April, 1823, and at the communion in June following, other members had been added, making the whole number at that time eighteen. Arrangements were made 42 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. for the erection of a house of worship, which was accomplished, and the house was open- ed toward the close of the year 1825. Soon after this, the Rev. Eli Baldwin was ordain- ed, and installed pastor of the church. After some years the health of Dr. Baldwin de- clined, and he resigned the charge of the church in the spring of 1839. At this time the congregation had become .very small, and the people were greatly disheartened ; they however called as pastor, the Rev. I. S. Demund, then pastor of a church in New Jersey, which he accepted, and was installed in July, 1839, he is still pastor. The la- bors of Mr. Demund in this church have been much blessed ; the congregation has been gradually increasing ; many have been added to the church, which now enrols one hundred and eighty-five members. BROOME STREET DUTCH CHURCH. When the division stated above took place, a site was selected for a church edifice on Broome street, corner of Greene street, and preparations made to build. Before the house of worship was finished, it was thought expedient to organize the church, which was REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 43 accomplished on the second Wednesday in December, 1823. The meeting-house was finished, and opened in the beginning of the next year, and in April, 1824, the Rev. Robert McLean was called as pastor. Mr. McLean remained but two years, when he resigned his charge, and was succeeded in April, 1826, by the Rev. Jacob Brodhead. The ministry of Dr. Brodhead continued over eleven years. He resigned in October, 1837 ; and was succeeded, in December following, by the Rev. Samuel A. Van Vranken. Dr. Van Vranken held the pas- toral office for four years, being dismissed in October, 1841, having been- elected Professor of Theology in the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, New Jersey. The present pastor of the church, Rev. George H. Fisher, D.D., was called in December, 1841. This church has been generally in a flourishing condition since its establishment. The con- gregation is large, and they report 217 mem- bers in communion. ORCHARD STREET CHURCH. In the year 1826, the Rev. James H. Teller, a young minister of the Reformed Dutch 44 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. Church, commenced preaching in a school- room in Ludlow street, with a view of gathering a church. The enterprise was quite successful, and a church of 34 mem- bers was organized, December 27lh, 1826. Arrangements were made to erect a church building, and a very substantial edifice was erected on Orchard street, between Broome and Delancy streets. A very considerable congregation was collected here, and for a time the affairs of the church looked en- couraging. But in the summer of 1829, the health of Mr. Teller failed, and when he was constrained to leave the people, the Rev. James B. Hardenbergh was obtained as pastor, in the autumn of that year. The church at this time had increased to 150 members, and had their house of worship been free of debt, a flourishing church and congregation might have been collected. But was not so, and the people became dis- couraged, and Mr. Hardenbergh resigned his charge in July, 1830. Still for a time they struggled onward. The Rev. Dr. Jane- way very generously gave the church one year's service, and they employed the Rev. Mr. Labagh for six months more. But the REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 45 congregation could not sustain themselves. The house of worship was sold under fore- closure of mortgage, and the church, then consisting of one hundred and sixty mem- bers, scattered into other churches. COLORED REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. About the year 1826, a church of a few members of colored people was organized by the Classis of New York, and Mr. Mark Jordan, a colored man, was licensed as their preacher. Their meetings were held in a school-room in Duane street, near Hudson street, and for a short time the prospect was encouraging ; arrangements were made for building a house of worship, and a founda- tion was laid in Wooster street, near Canal street. But the thing did not succeed. Af- ter about two years the license of Mr. Jordan was withdrawn, and the church became ex- tinct. VANDEWATER STREET CHURCH. In the spring of 1829, the Presbyterian Church in Vandewater street ceased opera- tions ; during that year the use of that house 5 46 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. of worship was procured ; a Reformed Dutch Church of a few members was orga- nized, and the Rev. Richard Varick Dey became pastor. His ministry, however, was terminated within a year, and the church was disbanded. MANHATTAN DUTCH CHURCH. This church owes its origin to efforts put forth by the Young Men's Missionary So- ciety of the Dutch Church in the north- eastern part of the city, near the Dry Dock. On Third street, near Avenue D, there stands a house of worship, a frame building with a brick front, now occupied by the " Asbury African Methodist Church." This house was built about the year 1826, by a society of Congregationalists, having the Rev. John Dick as their minister. But this society very soon came to an end, and the building being sold for its debts, came at length into the possession of the Rev. Charles Knouse, and, in 1833, it was pur- chased by the Collegiate Dutch Church. Here a church was organized in the year 1833, consisting of eight males and thirteen REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 47 females. For several years it was known as " The Young Men's Mission Church," though now as " The Reformed Dutch Church of Manhattan." The Rev. Richard D. VanKleek was the first minister, but he officiated only about six months. Rev. Aaron A. Marcellus succeeded him, and re- mained a year and a half. On May 1, 1836, the Rev. Frederick F. Cornell became stated pastor of this church, and continues to the present time. The circumstances of this church and congregation have greatly improved. A new and substantial brick edifice was erected and opened in 1843, at a cost of about $7,000. It is situated on Avenue B, corner of Fifth street, and here a very considerable congregation is assembled from Sabbath to Sabbath. One hundred and seventy-three members are enrolled in communion. GERMAN EVANGELICAL MISSION CHURCH. This church was collected by the labors of the Rev. John Rudy, a native of Germany, who commenced his ministry among the German population in New York in the 48 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. autumn of 1835. He commenced preach- ing in the German language in his own house, on the corner of Sixth street and Avenue D, and continued his meeting there until the following spring, when he removed his congregation to a schoolroom on Allen street. Here a church was organized by the Classis of New York, and some time after, the congregation having become considera- bly enlarged, a small house of worship was procured standing near the corner of Hous- ton and Forsyth streets. The labors of Mr. Rudy were very successful, a large congre- gation was gathered under his ministry, and when he was removed by death, on February 9, 1842, no less than three hundred members had been gathered into the church by his in- strumentality. A new and commodious house of worship had been built mainly through his labors, and about $10,000 col- lected towards its payment. It stands on Houston street near Forsyth. After the death of Mr. Rudy, the Rev. John C. Guldin was settled in this church, in May, 1842, and continues to this time, preaching in the German language only. The present number of communicants is three hundred and seventy-five. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 49 STANTON STREET DUTCH CHURCH. This church was gathered by the labors of the Rev. John Lillie. It was organized with 77 members, March 29, 1843, and Mr. Lillie installed pastor in May of the same year. Meetings were held for a time in the chapel of the New York University, and then re- moved to Concert Hall on Broadway, and thence to a schoolroom in Allen street, near Broome street. A church edifice is now in progress of erection on Stanton street, corner of Forsyth. " TRUE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH." Such is the style of the Dutch Church in King street. It appears that, in 1823, a dif- ficulty arose in the Dutch Church, and several ministers and churches, principally in the eastern part of New Jersey, separated from the body, charging those they left with a departure from the standards of doctrine in the Dutch Church. The breach has never been healed, and to this day they have no fellowship with the main body. A church of this description was organized in this .city 5* 50 REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. on September 1, 1823, consisting of forty- five members, and at the same time the Rev. Cornelius T. Demarest was installed its pas- tor. In the course of the following year a good house of worship was erected on King street, and here a devout and serious congre- gation continue to assemble. Mr. Demarest resigned his charge in October, 1839, and was succeeded in December following by the present pastor, the Rev. Samuel D. Wes- tervelt. The present number of members in the church is about one hundred and seventy. REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 51 DATES OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCHES IN NEW YORK, WITH THE NUMBER OF COMMUNICANTS IN JUNE, 1845. Date. Com. Collegiate Church, 1626 1376 Harlem Church, 1686 126 German Reformed, 1758 135 Greenwich Church, 1803 525 Bloomingdale Church, 1 805 82 Franklin Street Church, 1807 300 South Church, Murray Street, 1813 261 Market Street Church, 1819 444 Houston Street Church, 1823 185 True Reformed Dutch Church, 1823 170 Broome Street Church, 1823 217 Manhattan Church, 1833 173 Twenty-first Street Church 1S36 67 German Mission Church, 1836 375 Church on Washington Square, 1837 243 Stanton Street Church, 1843 94 4773 CHURCHES WHICH HAVE BECOME EXTINCT. Orchard Street Church, 1826 Colored Reformed Dutch Church 1826 Vande water Street Church 1829 *< LUTHERAN CHURCH. 1063. SOME of the early settlers in New York City were German and Dutch Lutherans, and they had an old church edifice near the " Fort," at the Battery, in very early days, though we have but a few fragments of their history. In the Dutch records of the Secretary of State, it is stated that a Church of the Augsburg confession was established in New York, and also a Lutheran Church, in the year 1663, but we have no further in- formation on the subject. In the same re- cords it is stated that the Rev. Jacob Fabri- cus, a Lutheran minister at New York, was twice fined for misdemeanors, once in the year 1663, and again in 1674. It is not known what these misdemeanors were, but, in 1675, he was forbidden to preach any more in the province. The Rev. Barnardus LUTHERAN CHURCH. OO Arentius succeeded Mr. Fabricus, but it is not known how long he remained, nor who succeeded him. In 1702, a small stone building was erected on the corner of Rector street and Broadway, and was continued as a Lutheran Church until tne Revolutionary war, about which time, there being more Germans than Hollanders belonging to the congregation, one-half of the services were performed in German, and one half in Low Dutch. The names of the several ministers who offi- ciated cannot now be ascertained. At the great fire in New York, in Sept., 1776, this Church edifice was burnt, and not rebuilt by the Lutherans. The ground remained un- occupied until 1805, when it was sold to the Episcopalians, and " Grace Church" erected on the spot. Some years previous to the burning of the old church, in the year 1751, another Lu- theran Congregation was formed, and a small building erected in the northerly ter- mination of Cliff Street, then called " Skin- ner Street," not far from the place now oc- cupied by Mr. Hull, as a soap manufactory. Here they remained six years, and then, in 54 LUTHERAN CHURCH. 1767, put up a very substantial stone build- ing, on the corner of Frankfort and Wil- liam street, known as the " Swamp Church." This building is still standing, the oldest church edifice in the city, and is now occu- pied by the colored Presbyterians. After the peace, when order was 'restored to the city, in 1784, the remnant of the old church in Rector street united themselves and their property with the " Swamp Church," and the Rev. John Christopher Kunze, D.D., became the stated pastor. Dr. Kunze con- tinued his labors usefully and acceptably, preaching in the German language only, until his death, which took place July 24th, 1807, at the age of 63, having sustained the pastoral office in New York, for twenty three years. The Rev. F. W. Geissenhai- ner, D.D., succeeded Dr. Kunze, officiating in the German language entirely, until 1814. At this time some dispute arose respecting the introduction of the English language, and Dr. Geissenhainer removed to Pennsyl- vania, and the Rev. F. C. Schaeffer was call- ed to officiate in German in the morning, and in English in the afternoon and even- ing, and this arrangement continued for LUTHERAN CHURCH. 55 about seven years, when he left the old church, and formed an independent English congregation in Walker street. When this took place Dr. Geissenhainer was recalled, and continued to officiate in German in the " Swamp Church," as before, until the build- ing was sold to the colored Presbyterians, and after that he preached in Walker street until his death, in 1838. Mr. Schaeffer, as stated above, removed to St. Matthew's Church in Walker street, near Broadway, in 1821, preaching in Eng- lish only ; but in a few years the congrega- tion became so involved in debt that they sold the church at auction, in 1826, and re- moved to St. James' Church in Orange street, near Hester street, where Mr. Schaeffer shortly after died. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Mr. Strobel, and he in the autumn of 1841, by the Rev. Charles Mar- tin, the present minister. Soon after Mr. Martin was settled, the congregation aban- doned the old place of worship, which was taken down, and one of the public school- houses erected on the spot. The Church retired to the " Coliseum Hall," on Broad- way, and immediately commenced the erec- 56 LUTHERAN CHURCH. tion of a substantial brick edifice, measuring 75 feet by 60, at a cost of $11,000. It stands on Mulberry street, between Grand and Broome streets. It is nearly completed. The style of the Church is the " English Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. James." When St. Matthew's Church was sold in 1826, as before stated, it was purchased by an individual, who sold it in a few days after to the German congregation of the " Swamp Church." Having thus two houses of worship, an attempt was made to form an English Lutheran congregation in St. Mat- thew's Church, while preaching in the Ger- man language was continued in the Swamp Church ; and, to effect this, the Rev. F. W. Geissenhainer, Jr., was called to officiate in the English language in St. Matthew's Church his father remaining with the German con- gregation in the " Swamp Church." But the experiment did not succeed well, and after about four years the Swamp Church was sold, as before stated, and the German congregation removed to St. Matthew's Church, the service being conducted inter- changeably in German and English. This arrangement continued a few years, when, LUTHERAN CHURCH. 57 the English congregation dwindling away, the service in German was introduced entire. On the death of Dr. Geissenhainer, in 1838, the Rev. C. F. E. Stohlman was elected as his successor, to officiate in the German lan- guage, and has continued to labor with in- creasing success to the present day. In 1842, Mr. Geissenhainer, Jr., resigned his charge in St. Matthew's Church, and commenced a new enterprise in the Sixth Avenue. A house of worship was erected at the corner of Fifteenth street, and a congre- gation gathered there; New York, with some others, but finding it dangerous to remain there, they left without much delay. In 1672, George Fox, the founder of the sect, travelled over Long Is- land, and passed by water over to Rhode Island ; but he seems to have avoided New York, for he came across by water, from Middletown, in New Jersey, to Gravesend, and returned by the same route.* As far as can now be ascertained, the first stated meetings for worship in this city were *See Prime's History of Long Island, page 338. 116 FRIENDS. established about the commencement of the last century, and were connected with a monthly 'meeting held at Flushing, which was connected with the yearly meeting held on Long Island, which was established as early as 1670. The first Friends' Meeting- House in New York city was erected not far from the commencement of the last cen- tury. Some have placed its dale in the year 1696 ; others in 1703, and others in 1706. It was a small frame building, standing on Little Green street, running from Maiden lane to Liberty street, which was then called " Crown street ;" and this continued as the sole place of public worship for the Friends in this city for about seventy years. In the year 1775, a substantial meeting- house, of brick, was erected on Pearl street, between Franklin square and Oak street, which was taken down in 1824, and its place supplied by stores and dwellings. In the year 1794, the old meeting-house on Little Green street having become very much decayed, a new building was put up adjoining it, but fronting on Liberty street, which was used for about seven years as a school-house, and a place of public worship. In 1802, the FRIEND'S. 117 school-house and the old meeting-house were both removed, and a new house of worship built. It was a brick building, measuring 60 feet by 40. This was occu- pied as a meeting-house until 1826, when it was thought best to remove the meeting from that location, and in October of that year, it was sold to Mr. Grant Th orb urn, who occu- pied it as a seed store for nearly ten years, when it was taken down, and large brick stores were erected in its place. In 1819, another meeting was opened, and a large house of worship built of brick, on Hester street, between Elizabeth street and the Bowery; and about the same time a meeting was opened at Manhattanville, where a small frame building was erected. This meeting has since been discontinued. When the meeting-house on Pearl street was taken down, in 1824, as previously re- lated, a very spacious building was erected on Rose street, near Pearl street, and to this the congregation repaired, who had formerly assembled in Pearl street. Such was the state of things in the year 1827, when the great schism in the denomination took place. At that time the Orthodox Friends, as they 11 118 FRIENDS. are styled, separated and built a house of worship on Henry street, between Catharine and Market streets ; which, having occupied for about twelve years, they sold to the Jew- ish Synagogue " Anshi Chesed," in the year 1840, and erected a large and very substan- tial building of brick, on Orchard street, near Walker, where they still remain ; the meet- ings in Rose street, and Hester street being attached to the other division of the church ', and a third meeting has been added to these since, viz. ; a small assembly who meet in Downing street, near Bleecker, where they have a brick edifice, erected in the year 1832, 40 by 46 feet in dimensions. THE MEETINGS OF FRIENDS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, WITH THE DATE OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT. Date, Rose street, formerly in Little Green street, Liberty street, and Pearl street 1 703 Hester street 1819 Orchard street, formerly in Henry street 1828 Downing street .1832 Manhattan ville, opened in 1819, but soon discontinued. JEWS. 1706. AMONG the early settlers of the city of New York, there were some families of Jews. That was not a day of free toleration, for although the seed of Abraham were not persecuted here as in some other countries, yet when they respectfully petitioned for leave to establish public worship, and main- tain it according to their own faith, they were refused by the city authorities. This took place in 1685. But this state of things did not long continue, for some evidence re- mains that before the close of that century the Jews did assemble for worship according to their own forms. A piece of ground for a burying place was procured very early, a large portion of which was the gift of a few gentlemen. It is situated on the west side of Oliver street, nearly opposite the Baptist 120 JEWS. meeting-house, and is now entirely hemmed in with buildings. Monuments are still stand- ing there, bearing the date of 1672. A grant for the same purpose was afterwards made to the Jews by the City Council, but the gift does not appear to have been realized. It may be difficult to date with precision, the establishment of the first Jewish congre- gation in New York. The first minutes which can now be found, are written in Spanish and English, and are dated in 1729, but reference is made to other minutes dated in 1706, at which time, if not before, it is altogether probable that a congregation ex- isted in an orderly manner. About this time a small frame building was erected for a Synagogue, standing on Mill street, so called, from a mill built on a run of water, in which it was said the Jewish females performed their ablutions. In a few years the congre- gation increased considerably, and in 1729, finding their place of worship inconvenient, they erected a neat stone edifice, measuring thirty-six feet by fifty-eight. This also stood on Mill street, on the site of their first build- ing. Here the congregation continued to worship for almost a century, and while the JEWS. 121 fathers went down to the grave, the children rose up in their places. In the year 1818, the synagogue in Mill street, which had be- come decayed, was rebuilt, and in a few years more, the increasing business of the city drove the families away from the vicinity of the synagogue, and constrained the Jew- ish congregation, like other churches, to change their location. Accordingly, they disposed of their property in Mill street, and in the year 1833, erected a spacious and elegant synagogue, with houses for the minister and sexton, on Crosby street, near Spring street, where they now remain. The names of the earliest ministers of this con- gregation have not been ascertained. The earliest name which the writer has obtained is that of the Rev. Joseph Isaac Jeshurun Pinto, who died in the year 1766, but it is not known how long he officiated. He was succeeded in the same year, by the Rev. Gershom Mendes Seixas, who officiated fifty years, and died much lamented, in 1816. The Rev. Moses L. M. Peixotto succeeded Mr. Seixas, and officiated until his death, in the year 1827. The Rev. Isaac B. Seixas a nephew of the former minister, succeeded, 11* ]22 JEWS. and served until his death, which took place in August, 1839. The Rev. Jaques J. Lyons succeeded Mr. Seixas, October 15, 1839, and still sustains the pastoral office. About the year 1824, a second synagogue was established, principally of German and Polish Jews, who separated from the congre- gation in Crosby street. The difference be- tween them and the Spanish and Portuguese Jews, who assemble at Crosby street, related to a difference of dialect in reading the He- brew, and some forms of worship, though, of course, nothing essential in the framework of their religion. They met for a time in a Hall in the Dispensary, on the corner of White and Centre streets, but in 1826 they purchased a church edifice standing on Elm street, near Canal, which was built by the colored Presbyterians two years before, and altering it to suit their own worship, re- moved there. The Rev. Mr. Hart was their first minister. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Myers, and he, in the autumn of 1839, by the Rev. S. M. Isaacs. About the year 1844, a secession took place in this con- gregation which led to the establishment of another, which assembles at the present time JEWS. 123 in Franklin street, with Mr. Isaacs as their minister. The congregation in Elm street have been destitute of a stated pastor since that time, but are now expecting the services of the Rev. Mr. Leo. Soon after the Jewish congregation, now in Elm street, took possession of that build- ing, measures were taken for collecting a third congregation, and a meeting was open- ed in the Hall of the Dispensary in White street, under the charge of the Rev. S. Sam- uelson, and worship was continued here for several years. At length a house of worship built by the Friends, on Henry street, being offered for sale, it was purchased by this con- gregation, and they removed there in 1840. The Rev. Jonas Hecht is their present minister. In 1841 a fourth synagogue was built on Attorney street, near Rivington, of which the Rev. Joseph Lewin is minister. In the following year of 1842, a fifth syn- agogue was built in Attorney street, near Houston, of which the Rev. L. Heitner is minister. In the early part of 1846, the two congregations in Attorney street, and the one in Henry street, elected as Chief Rabbi, the 124 JEWS. Rev. Dr. Lilienthal, who was recently em- ployed in the Department of Education in the Russian government. He officiates at each of them in turn. The other synagogues in the city are independent bodies. Four other Jewish congregations are com- menced in this city, which, as yet, have erected no buildings, viz. in the Dispensary in White street, where the Rev. S. Samuelson offi- ciates ; in Grand street, under the minis- try of Rev. S. M. Cohen ; in Leonard street, under the ministry of the Rev. S. M. Salin- ger ; and in Franklin street, under the minis- try of the Rev. S. M. Isaacs. It is understood that this last named congregation are about erecting a building on Wooster street, near Prince street. Each of the synagogues adopts some sig- nificant Hebrew title. The following are un- derstood to be their titles : Crosby street Shf.areth Israel. (The remnant of Israel.) Elm street Benai Jeshutim. (Sons of Jehurun.) Henry street dnshi Chesed. (The men of benevolence.) 1st in Attorney street Shaary Shomaim. (The gates of heaven.) 2d in Attorney street Rodof Shalom. (The pursuers of peace.) Whi te street Shaary Tsadeck. (The gates of righteousness.) Grand street Immanuel. (God with us.) Leonard street Beth Israel. (The house of Israel.) Franklin street The Franklin Association. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 1716. About the year 1706, a very few individuals from New Elngland, then living in the city of New York, who were Presbyterians in sentiment, were in the practice of meeting together in private houses for social worship. In the month of January, 1707, the Rev. Francis McKemie, and the Rev. John Hampton, two Presbyterian ministers, who had been sent to America by a respectable body of dissenters in the city of London, and who had been preaching in different parts of Virginia and Maryland, came to New York, and having made known their cha- racter, and produced their credentials, leave was obtained for Mr. M'Kemie to preach in the Dutch Church in Garden street, while Mr. Hampton went over to Newtown on Long Island. But this coming to the ears 126 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. of Lord Cornbury, the royal governor, he prohibited his preaching in that church. However, Mr. William Jackson invited him into his house at the lower end of Pearl street, where he preached to a small audience and baptized a child.* He then went over to Newtown, where he was arrested by the sheriff of Queen's county, by virtue of a warrant from Lord Cornbury, and thrown into prison. He was, however, acquitted on trial, though the costs of prosecution were most wickedly extorted from him.f These persecutions did not altogether dis- courage the few Presbyterians in New York, who continued to meet together for worship as best they could, until the year 1716, when they resolved to form themselves into a regular church, and, if possible, to obtain a minister. This was accomplished ; a church was organized and connected with the Pres- bytery of Philadelphia, and the Rev. James Anderson, a native of Scotland, became their minister. For about three years, wor- ship was held in the City Hall, and in 1719, the first Presbyterian church building ever * Miller's Life of Rodgers, pp. 8791. t Miller. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 127 erected in this city, was put up. It stood on Wall street, near Broadway. Mr. Anderson remained pastor of the church until the summer of 1726, when he was dismissed in order to take charge of a church in New Donegal, Pa. About four years prior to the dismission of Mr. Anderson, some difficulties having arisen in the church, a party drew off, and formed a distinct society, holding worship in a room on William street, near Liberty street. But no church organization seems to have been effected. This new society invited Mr. Jonathan Edwards, who was afterwards the celebrated minister of North- ampton, then a candidate of about 19 years of age, to preach to them, which he did for the space of eight months, but declined to remain permanently, and after a while the separate organization was given up, and the members of it principally returned to the old church. Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton was the second pastor of the church, and was ordain- ed for this purpose, in Boston, August 4, 1727. The ministry of Mr. Pemberton con- tinued twenty-six years, and was very suc- cessful, and the church was much en- 128 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, larged. After the first visit of Mr. White- field to America, in the year 1740, the con- gregation became so large that it was found necessary to enlarge the place of worship. This was done in 1748. Two years after this it was thought advisable to settle a col- league with Mr. Pemberton to meet the wants of an increasing congregation, and in October, 1750, the Rev. Alexander Gumming was ordained as such. In about three years after this, very serious dissensions arose in the church respecting the psalmody, and some other matters, which induced both pastors to resign their charge. In October, 1753, they were both dismissed, though with the most ample testimonials of Christia-n character and ministerial ability. Soon after this, a call was presented to the Rev. Joseph Bellamy, then pastor of the Congregational church in Bethlem, Conn., which he declined. It was repeated, and urged with great zeal, but he still declined. The church then invited the Rev. John Rodgers of St. George's in Delaware, to become their pastor, and he declined ; and they then called the Rev. David McGregor, of Londonderry, N. H., and again received a PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 129 negative. Thus nearly two years were con- sumed, till at length, in July, 1755, they called the Rev. David Bostwick, then pastor of the Presbyterian church, Jamaica, L. I. After long consultations and discussions respecting the difficulties in the church, especially upon the subject of psalmody, Mr. Bostwick was prevailed upon to accept the call, and he took the pastoral charge of the church in the early part of 1756. The settlement of Mr. Bostwick did not entirely heal the division in the church. A few were still dissatisfied, particularly on the subject of psalmody, and ultimately withdrew, and formed what is now the " Scotch Presbyte- rian Church" in Grand street. This took place in the autumn of 1756. The sketch of this church, and those which have sprung from it, will be given in its proper place. In October, 1762, the Rev. Joseph Treat became colleague pastor of the church, and in November of the next year, Mr. Bost- wick was removed by death. In the spring of 1764, the church presented a call to the Rev. John Murray, then recently from Ire- land, to become colleague pastor with Mr. Treat, but he declined, and was afterwards 12 * 130 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. settled in Newburyport, Mass. In January following, the church made out a call for the Rev. John Rodgers, of St. George's, in Delaware, whom they had called ten years before. This application was successful, and Mr. Rodgers was installed colleague pastor of the church, Sept. 4th, 1765. Up to this time the congregation had had but one place of worship, but the increasing numbers, and the gradual extension of the city, led to the belief that a second place of worship was necessary. Accordingly ground was obtained by a grant from the corporation, on the corner of Beekman and Nassau streets, then "in the fields," quite " out of town," and here the present " Brick Church " was erected, and opened for wor- ship Jan. 1, 1768. A large congregation soon assembled here. The church was considered as one body with that worship- ping in Wall street. They had one board of trustees, one eldership, and one minis- try. The war of the Revolution, which fol- lowed not long after this, scattered most of the congregations in New York. Wall Street Church was converted into barracks for the soldiers, and the Brick Church into PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 131 a hospital. The ministers left the city. Mr. Treat never returned, and the pastoral relation between him and the church was dissolved Oct. 2, 1785. Rev. Dr. Rodgers returned to his charge in the fall of 1783, and delivered a sermon on that occasion in St. George's Chapel, in Beekman street, the use of that building and of St. Paul's hav- ing been generously offered to the congre- gation by the vestry of Trinity Church, until their buildings should be repaired an instance of true liberality of feeling, which, it is much to be wished, could have con- tinued to this day. It was at once seen that, with two places of worship, the church must be provided with more than one min- ister, and accordingly Mr. James Wilson was called as colleague with Dr. Rodgers, and was ordained and installed as such, Aug. 10, 1785. Mr. Wilson remained but a little over two years, and in Jan., 1788, was dismissed at his own request, his health requiring, as he supposed, a more southern climate, and an opening then pre- senting for ministerial labors in Charleston, S. C. After more than a year spent in inef- 132 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. fectual attempts to obtain a colleague pastor, the Rev. John McKnight was installed in this office, on Dec. 2, 1789. The congregations were constantly enlarging, and the labors of the ministers incessant, and on June 5th, 1793, Rev. Samuel Miller was ordained and installed collegiate pastor with Drs. Rodgers and McKnight. The city was now spreading out, espe- cially in the northeastern section, and it be- came apparent that a Presbyterian church was needed there. When this fact began to engage attention, Henry Rutgers, Esq., presented a lot of ground to the First Pres- byterian Church, lying on the corner of Rutgers and Henry streets, on which it was proposed to erect the contemplated edifice. This was accomplished during the summer of 1797, when the " Rutgers Street Church," a spacious frame building, measur- ing eighty-six feet by sixty-four, was erected. It was first opened for worship, May 13, 1798. Although the three churches now gathered were a collegiate charge, yet it was supposed the time was not far distant when each should stand alone; and when the Rev. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 133 Philip Milledoler, D.D., was installed as a colleague with Drs. Rodgers, McKnight, and Miller, in November, 1805, it was with a view to taking the church in Rutgers street under his more particular care, and being considered its sole pastor, when a separation of the churches should take place.* In the month of April, 1809, the three churches were separated in an orderly manner by the Presbytery ; Dr. Rodgers, then bending un- der the weight of years, continuing his pas- toral relation both to the Wall street and Brick Churches ; Dr. McKnight, with the consent of Presbytery, resigned his charge ; Dr. Miller being collegiate pastor of Wall Street Church only, and Dr. Milledoler being sole pastor of Rutgers Street Church. WALL STREET, OR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The origin and progress of this church is sketched above, down to April, 1S09, Rev. Drs. Rodgers and Miller being colleague pastors. Dr. Rodgers died May 7, 1811, aged eighty-four. Dr. Miller was elected a Professor in the Theological Seminary at * Rev. Dr. Miller. 12* 134 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Princeton, in the year 1813, and resigned his charge. The Rev. Philip Melancthon Whelpley succeeded Dr. Miller in April, 1815, and died in the 30th year of his age, July 17, 1824. For more than a year the church was without a pastor. At length they called the Rev. William W. Phillips, who was then pastor of the Pearl Street Church, and he was installed pastor of the Wall Street Church, on January 19, 1826. The ministry of Dr. Phillips with this church still continues. The house of worship in Wall street, which was enlarged in 1748, as before stated, remained as then built until the year 1810, when it was rebuilt on an en- larged plan, ninety-seven feet long, and sixty- eight feet wide, with a handsome spire. This building was burnt out in 1834, and rebuilt with the same walls the following year. Thus it stood until the year 1844, when it was sold for $3,000 to the Presbyterian Church in Jersey city, and taken down and removed to that place. During the following year a new and elegant building, one hundred and nineteen feet long, and eighty feet wide, was erected for the accommodation of the church and congregation in the upper part of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 135 city, on the Fifth avenue, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, at a cost of about $55,000. It was opened for worship January 1 1, 1846. BRICK CHURCH. After the dissolution of the collegiate connection, as related above, the infirmities of Dr. Rodgers led the members of the Brick Church, of which he was then sole pastor, to seek some farther ministerial aid. Accordingly, in the month of May, 1810, they gave a unanimous call to Mr. Gardiner Spring, who was ordained and installed collegiate pastor with Dr. Rodgers, on the 8th of August following. Rev. Dr. Spring continues sole pastor of the Brick Church, now, with one exception, the oldest in the pastoral relation of any one in the city. RUTGERS STREET CHURCH. Rev. Dr. Milledoler, D.D., was the first pastor of this church, when the collegiate relation was dissolved in April, 1809. Four years from that time, Dr. Milledoler resigned the charge of this church, and became co- pastor of the collegiate Dutch Church in this city, and subsequently President of 136 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Rutgers College. The church was without a pastor until October 17, 1815, when Mr. Alexander McClelland was ordained and installed pastor. Rev. Dr. McClelland hav- ing been elected a professor in Dickinson college, was succeeded in the pastoral office in Rutgers Street Church, by Rev. Thomas McAuly, D.D., in August, 1822, and he by the present pastor, the Rev. John M. Krebs, D.D., who was installed November 12, 1830. In 1841, the present elegant house of wor- ship was built on the site of the old one, which was then taken down. It was opened April 21, 1842. DUANE STREET CHURCH. In the year 1808, it was thought expedient to attempt the establishment of a new Presbyterian church in New York, uncon- nected with the three collegiate churches then in the city ; and on November 9 of that year, a church of twenty-eight members was organized, who occupied a house of wor- ship which had been erected in the year preceding, situated on Cedar street, between William and Nassau streets. On the day of the organization of the church, the Rev. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 137 John B. Romeyn, D.D., was installed its pastor. This church, from its location, was called the " Cedar Street Church." Here a large congregation was gathered, and Dr. Romeyn continued his labors until his death, which took place February 22, 1825, in the forty -eighth year of his age. After a vacancy of nearly two years, during which the Rev. Dr. Payson, of Portland, and Rev. Dr. Sprague of Albany, were both called and declined, the Rev. Cyrus Mason was ordained pastor in December, 1826. Dr. Mason resigned his charge in June, 1835, and is now a professor in the University of New York. During the ministry of Dr. Mason it was thought expedient to remove the place of worship, inasmuch as the vicinity of the church-building was crowded with stores and warehouses, and the families had nearly all removed. It was sold with the lots for about $75,000, and taken down in 1834. The congregation were temporarily accommodated in the lecture room of the Brick Church, near the Park ; and in 1835, an elegant house of worship was built on Duane street, corner of Church street, at a cost of about $40,000, exclusive of the lot 138 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. on which it stands. To this building the congregation removed on the first Sabbath in January, 1836, and the name of the church was changed from Cedar Street to " Duane Street Church." In May of that year, the Rev. George Potts was installed pastor of the church. The congregation was soon considerably enlarged, and after a few years of successful ministry, it was suggested that inasmuch as many of the congregation had removed into the upper part of the city, a new church might be formed by those living at a distance from Duane street, and their places supplied by others residing in the lower part of the city, and thus the cause of evangelical truth would be promoted. To accomplish this Dr. Potts resigned the charge of Duane Street Church, in April, 1844, and shortly after commenced preaching in the chapel of the New York University, thus laying a foundation for a congregation, while a house of worship was building. He was succeeded in Duane Street Church by the Rev. James W. Alexander, D.D., who was installed in October, 1844, and is the present minister. The prospects of the congregation are very PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 139 encouraging, their large house of worship is well filled on the Sabbath, and four hundred and forty-four members in communion were reported in May last. CHURCH ON UNIVERSITY PLACE. During the spring and summer of 1845, an elegant building was erected on Univer- sity place, corner of Tenth street, at a cost of $56,000 dollars, and was opened for public worship in June, 1845. To this building the congregation repaired which had been gath- ered by the labors of the Rev. Dr. Potts, in the Chapel of the New York University, after his dismission from Duane street. On the evening of October 26th, 1845, a church was organized here by a Committee of the Presbytery of New York, consisting of one hundred and fifty-eight members, about eighty of whom were dismissed for that pur- pose from the Duane Street Church, and on the 26th of November following, Dr. Potts was installed pastor. 140 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. CANAL STREET CHURCH. This church was formed in the year 1809. The church edifice was first located in Orange street, near Grand street, on the spot now occupied by one of the public school- houses. The corner-stone of the building was laid by the Rev. Dr. Rodgers. It was commonly called the " Irish Presbyterian Church" from the fact that the original members were principally Irish Presbyteri- ans. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. John McNeice, who held the pastoral office until the year 1815, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Henry Blatchford, who remained in the pastoral office four years. He resigned the charge in November, 1818, and was succeeded by the Rev. John Albur- tis. The ministry of Mr. Alburtis continued but two years, being succeeded by the Rev. Robert McCartee, D.D., in April, 1822. During the ministry of Dr. McCartee, the circumstances of the church were greatly improved. The location of their house of worship was very unfavorable, and the build- ing, though not old, had been slightly built, and was going to decay. The congregation PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 141 resolved to remove, and having disposed of their old building, they erected a large and substantial one of brick, on the corner of Green and Canal streets, to which they re- paired in the year 1825, and the church from that time has been known as the " Canal Street Church." A large congregation soon assembled here; the labors of Dr. McCar- tee were greatly blessed, so that at one time the church numbered seven hundred com- municants. In 1836 Dr. McCartee resigned his charge, and subsequently became pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Goshen, Orange county. : In the following year, the Rev. John An- derson became pastor of the Canal Street Church, but his ministry was terminated by his resignation, in 1839. In 1840, Rev. Richard W. Dickinson, formerly of Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, and more recently pastor of the Bowery Church, was installed pastor ; in which office he remained about four years, when he also resigned the charge of the church. After several ineffectual attempts to secure a pastor, Mr. Hugh Smith Carpenter accepted the call of the congre- gation, and was ordained, and installed 13 142 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. pastor of the church, in October, 1845. Thus in the space of thirty-six years, the Canal Street Church has had seven pastors, not one of whom has died with them. LAIGHT STREET CHURCH. In the month of April, 1810, a house of wor- ship was commenced in Spring street, near Varick street. The venerable Dr. Rodgers, then in his eighty-third year, was present, and offered a short prayer, which is believed to have been his last public service. In April, 1811, a church was organized here, and the Rev. Matthew La Rue Perrine was installed its pastor in October of that year. Dr. Perrine continued in the pastoral office nearly nine years ; being dismissed at his own request in July, 1820. He was subsequently appointed a professor in the Auburn Theological Semi- nary. Rev. Samuel H. Cox succeeded Dr. Perrine, being installed pastor, Dec. 25, 1820. In 1825, the congregation erected a new house of worship on the corner of Laight street and Varick street, fronting on St. John's park, to which they removed in that year, changing their name from the Spring Street to the " Laight Street Church." Ten years PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 143 after this, Dr. Cox was elected professor of Sacred Rhetoric and Pastoral Theology in the Theological Seminary at Auburn ; and, on Oct. 22, 1835, the Rev. Flavel S. Mines was installed as his successor in Laight street. Mr. Mines resigned the charge of this church in Oct., 1840. At this time the people were very much disheartened ; heavy debts were pressing on them, and they had been borne down by trials of various kinds. About this time a difficulty occurred in the Reformed Dutch Church in Franklin street, when a large number of members withdrew, and had established a separate meeting in a hall on Broadway, under the ministry of the Rev. James Harkness, who had preached in Franklin street for a year or more previous, and it was in prospect to organize a Presby- terian Church, of which Mr. Harkness should be pastor. It was suggested that a union might be effected between this branch of the Dutch Church and the Laight Street Church, to the advantage of both. After some nego- tiation, this was effected, and on Dec. 29, 1840, Mr. Harkness was installed pastor of the Laight Street Church. But pecuniary difficulties still pressed hard upon the con- 144 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. gregation, and in December, 1842, Mr. Hark- ness resigned his pastorship in the Laight Street Church, and accepted a call to the church in Matteawan, near Fishkill landing I and the congregation sold their house to a Baptist Church, then newly constituted by a colony from the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mulberry street. On October 10, 1843, the Laight Street Church was dissolved by Presbytery. ELIZABETH STREET CHURCH A little previous to the year 1811, a reli- gious meeting under a Congregational or In- dependent form, was established in Elizabeth street, connected with the " West Chester Association." In the month of April, in the year 1811, this body was re-organized as a Presbyterian Church, and received to the Presbytery of New York : thirty-seven com- municants were at that time enrolled. The Rev. Henry P. Strong was installed pas- tor of this church, September 4th, in the same year. But the church was always fee- ble, and the congregation small, and in less than two years Mr. Strong resigned his PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 145 charge, and in October, 1813, the church was regularly dissolved by Presbytery. CITY MISSIONARY OPERATIONS. For several years following the year 1816, there were in operation in this city three so- cieties, having for their object the advance- ment of religion among the more destitute population of the city, as well as missionary operations in the country. These were the " Young Men's Missionary Society," " The New York Evangelical Society of Young Men," and " The Female Missionary Society for the Poor." The first of these societies had, as missionaries in the city, at different times, Messrs. W. W. Phillips, John E. Mil- ler, Robert Steel, and Abraham O. Stanbury ; the second employed Messrs. Samuel C. Aiken, Elihu W. Baldwin, Samuel E. Cor- nish, Samuel H. Cox, and Matthias Bruen ; while Messrs. Ward Stafford and Samuel J. Mills labored for the third society. There was a rivalry between some of these societies, and occasionally they came in each other's way, as they were laboring on very nearly the same ground. We state the fact merely for historical accuracy, and there leave it, as 13* 146 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. the tales of former times. The labors of these missionaries were blest, and have result- ed in the gathering of five churches, viz. the Seventh Presbyterian, in Broome St., where Mr. Baldwin became pastor ; the Allen Street Church, afterwards supplied by Mr. Gray; the Bowery Church, where Mr. Stafford be- came pastor; the colored Presbyterian Church, where Mr. Cornish became pastor, and the Bleecker Street Church, where Mr. Bruen became pastor. The exertions of these mis- sionaries were directed mainly to the north- eastern section of the city, stretching from Peck Slip to the Dry Dock. There were, at that time, four little villages or clusters of houses within these limits, known as " Cor- laer's Hook," " Grand Street Market," " Stag- town," and " Manhattan Island," the latter be- ing about half a mile to the north of Cor- laer's Hook, and approached by a bridge, rendered necessary at high water.* In all these places stated services were held, on the Sabbath, and at other times, as rooms could be procured. In the summer of 1818, the building, known as the " Mission House," was erected on Broome street, between Lewis * Hatfield's Life of Baldwin, page 183. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 147 and Cannon streets, and opened for worship on October 14th, of that year. The Seventh Presbyterian Church had very recently been formed, and were locating themselves in the same neighborhood, and it was soon thought best to dispose of the Mission House. It was accordingly leased during the next year, and afterwards sold to a society of Metho- dists, who had recently been gathered in a school-room in Broome street, then just va- cated by Mr. Baldwin's congregation, and who afterwards became the " Willet Street Methodist Church." This took place in May, 1819, and the Mission House continued to be occupied by the Methodists for six years, when it formed the place of gathering of the Cannon Street Baptist Church, by whom it was occupied until the spring of 1841, when it was converted into dwelling-houses.* From this time the sketch of the several churches, gathered by these missionary ope- rations, will best exhibit them. The first of these was the * Hatfield's Life of Baldwin, pages 227-228. 148 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SEVENTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCFI. The Rev. Elihu W. Baldwin commenced his labors in New Vork as a city missionary in the autumn of the year 1816. He labored, as has already been stated, mainly in the neighborhood of Corlaer's Hook, the Grand street market, Stag Town, and Manhattan Island, preaching the gospel from house to house, and gathering the people together in little assemblies, as opportunity offered. These means, humble as they seemed, re- ceived the blessing of God. There was an evident desire by many to hear the Word, and several hopeful conversions occurred. In the early part of the year 1818, the ques- tion of the formation of a church was referred to a Committee of the Missionary Board, tinder whose patronage Mr. Baldwin was laboring, who reported favorably, and a church was organized. The organization took place March 27th, 1818, in a private room in a house in Grand street, near Lewis street, then occupied by the family of Mr. William Badeau. Rev. Mr. Stafford and Rev. Mr. Perrine assisted Mr. Baldwin on this occasion. Eleven individuals were en- PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 149 rolled at that time ; eight dismissed for this purpose from the Rutgers Street Church, one from Laight Street Church, then called Spring Street Church, one from the Presby- terian Church in Catskill, and one from the Congregational Church in New London. Five of them were from one family, and but four were males. The church having been thus organized, nine others, all females but one, were added on profession of their faith. Not one of the members brought to the en- terprise either wealth or extensive influence. It was truly with them the day of small things.* In the course of a few months arrangements were made for the erection of a house of worship. It stood on Sheriff street, between Broome and Delancy streets. The corner-stone was laid on the 10th of August, and the house was opened for wor- ship on the 18th of June of the following year. On December 25th, 1820, Mr. Baldwin was installed as pastor of the church. The activity and devout earnestness of Mr. Bald- win received signal blessing, and in a few years it was discovered that their house of * Memoir of Baldwin, page 200. 150 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. worship would not accommodate the multi- tudes who were thronging around him to hear the gospel from his lips. The house was accordingly sold to the Roman Catholics, and a larger one erected on the corner of Broome and Ridge streets. This building was finished, and opened for public worship, May 6th, 1827. It was a substantial brick building, 80 feet by 64, more than twice as large as the former house. This building was burnt on the night of February 26th, 1831, and the 20th of November following found the congregation in a new house of worship, erected on the same spot. The labors of Mr. Baldwin were not only abun- dant, but always judicious and acceptable, and scarce any man has ever labored in New York with more permanent success. 880 persons were gathered into the church during his ministry, 539 of whom were on profession; and when he resigned his charge, in the early part of 1835, in order to accept the Presidency of Wabash College, Indiana, it was with the most sincere regret that his people parted with him. Mr. Baldwin was succeeded in the ministry by the Rev. Edwin F. Hatfield, the present pastor of the church, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 151 who entered on his labors as soon as Mr. Baldwin left. This church continues to be one of the most flourishing in the city. The ministry of Mr. Hatfield has been very suc- cessful ; several seasons of marked revival have been enjoyed ; many have been gather- ed into the church ; and, while they have dis- missed several colonies to aid in the forma- tion of other churches around them, they have more than one thousand members in communion still on their roll. ALLEN STREET CHURCH. This was the second church which arose from the city missionary operations. It was in the summer of 1816, that the Rev. Ward ^ ^tafford and the Rev. Samuel J. Mills ex- plored a large, and at that time a very forbid- ding district of the city, having for its centre the corner of Catharine and Madison streets, then called k ' Bancker street." These labors were blessed : a small congregation was gathered, and a house of worship was erected on Bancker street soon after. On May 28th, 1819, a church of twenty -five members was organized here, and the Rev. William Grey 152 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. supplied it as a city missionary. In 1823, the building in Bancker street was taken down and removed to Allen street, and since that, in 1832, the present brick building has been erected, at a cost of $16,000. Mr. Gray continued to supply the Allen Street Church from its formation, in 1819, to the year 1827. Two years after this the church ceased to be a " Mission Church," and assumed the re- sponsibility of calling their own pastor. Since that time this church has had for pastors, viz. : Hev. Henry White, D.D., installed in May, 1829, and dismissed to accept the Professorship of Theology in the New York Union Theological Seminary, May 9th, 1837. Rev. William Bradley, installed December 3d, 1837, and dismissed April 3d, 1839. Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D., installed October 10th, 1839, and dismissed April 24th, 1844 ; and Rev. David B. Coe, the present pastor, who was in-- stalled October 14th, 1844. COLORED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This was the third of the Mission churches, and was organized January 13th, 1822, with twenty-four members. Mr. Samuel E. Cor- nish, a colored preacher, had commenced his PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 153 labors with the colored population in the city, in the autumn of the previous year, and occupied a small house of worship on Rose street. The church was taken under the care of the presbytery of New York, and Mr. Cornish became its pastor. Encouraged by many around them, an effort was made by this church to erect a house of worship, and in 1824, a brick building, 62 feet long and 50 wide, was erected on Elm street near Canal street, at a cost of about $14,000. But little of the money was actually paid, and the congregation soon found themselves with an incurnbrance which they could not bear, and they relinquished the house within a year, which was sold under foreclosure of mortgage, and is now the Jewish Synagogue, " Benai Jeshurun." The church retired to a room in Sullivan street, where they continued for two or three years, aided by Mr. Cornish, and other sup- plies. But Mr. Cornish's health failing, he was dismissed in April, 1828. In September following, Mr. Theodore S. Wright, a licentiate, educated at the Theo- logical Seminary at Princeton, commenced his labors with this church, and in March, 14 154 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 1829, he was ordained by the presbytery of Albany, to which he then belonged. A large school-room was obtained near the junction of Duane and Hudson streets, and in this place the church continued for nearly three years. In the year 1831, the congregation purchased the old German Lutheran Church building, formerly known as the " Swamp Church," situated at the corner of Frankfort and William streets, for the sum of $13,000, and here they have remained. Rev. Mr. Wright is still pastor of the church ; his labors have been much blest ; several very interesting revivals of religion have taken place, and more than four hundred members are now enrolled in communion. BOWERY CHURCH. The fourth Mission Church was located at the Bowery, and arose chiefly through the labors of the Rev. Ward Stafford, who was employed as a missionary in the city for several years. The building known as the "Bowery Church," was completed in the year 1822, and on April 17th of that year, a church was there organized by the presby- tery of New York, consisting of sixteen PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 155 members, and in October of the next year, Mr. Stafford was installed its pastor. The Bowery Church being but a feeble band, Mr. Stafford was sustained in part by the City Mission Society, for a few years. la the spring of 1827, some serious difficulties occurred in the Bowery Church, and in the following year, Mr. Stafford resigned his charge. In February, 1827, the church in- vited the Rev. Joel Hawes, of Hartford, to become their pastor, but he declined. In October of the same year the Rev. Joseph S. Christmas was installed pastor. Mr. Christmas was a young man of great pro- mise, and the church and people were high in their hopes ; but these hopes were soon blasted by the sudden death of their minis- ter, in less than five months. He died March 7th, 1830, aged 27. The next pastor of this church was the Rev. John Woodbridge, D.D., formerly of Hadley, Massachusetts, who was installed October 1, 1830, and dismissed at his own request February 29, 1836. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Richard "W. Dickinson, formerly of Lancaster, Pa., who was installed November 2, 1836, but resigned the charge in April following. 156 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. At this time the congregation had become much disheartened, for although a consider- able assembly attended public worship, and about one hundred and fifty members were enrolled in the church, yet a heavy load of debt lay upon the building, which they saw little prospect of discharging without great personal sacrifices, and after struggling for a while, the building was sold and the church disbanded. BLEECKER STREET CHURCH. This was the fifth church which was es- tablished in a great measure through mis- sionary labors. The first city missionaries, from the year 1816, and onward, bestowed some labor on the then scattered population in the upper end of Elizabeth, Mott, and Mul- berry streets, and after the settlement of Mr. Baldwin in Broome street, and Mr. Stafford at the Bowery, a city mission was established by the Presbytery of New York, in the spring of the year 1823, and the Rev. Samuel Nott, jun., and the Rev. William S. Heyer, were employed as missionaries. Mr. Heyer soon left, on account of ill health, and Mr. Nott PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 157 remained alone. He had a preaching station, at what was then called " Bowery Hill," near what is now " Union Square." He after- wards removed to a room in Elizabeth street, near Bleecker. He was succeeded in his missionary work by the Rev. Matthias Bruen, who labored gratuitously for several years. In April, 1825, a church of a few mem- bers, was organized by Mr. Bruen, and at- tached to the presbytery of New York, and in June following he was installed its pas- tor. In the year 1826, a handsome stone edifice was completed on Bleecker street, near Broadway, the corner-stone of which had been laid April 26, 1825, and to this, the church removed. The life of Mr. Bruen was short. He died much lamented, SepL 6, 1829. After calling and receiving a negative answer from the Rev. Dr. Beecher, then of Boston, the Rev. Erskine Mason succeeded Mr. Bruen, being installed Sept. 10, 1830. A large and intelligent congregation is now gathered at Bleecker street. The house of worship has been enlarged and repaired in far better style than before, and a church of nearly four 14* 158 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. hundred members collected. Rev. Dr. Mason continues pastor of the church. Such is the result of the city missionary operations, which were commenced in 1816. One of the churches formed has ceased to exist, but four of them are living and flour- ishing, and embody at the present time, more than two thousand three hundred members. THE EIGHTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In the commencement of the year 1819, there were seven Presbyterian churches in this city, viz., Wall Street, Brick Church, Rutgers Street, Cedar Street, now Duane Street, Canal Street, Laight Street, and the seventh church in Broome street, near the East River. The Scotch Church, now in Grand street, the Pearl Street Church, and the Murray Street Church, were also in operation ; but being at that time in another ecclesiastical connection, they were not reckoned ; and hence the new church, next formed, was numbered the eighth. This church originated in a division which took place in the summer of 1819, in the Reform- ed Dutch Church in " Greenwich village," as it was then called, of which, at that time, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 159 the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan was pastor. In consequence of this, Mr. Rowan resigned the pastoral office in the Dutch Church. On the 26th of August, 1819, a meeting for con- sultation was held in the " Free School Room" corner of Hudson and Christopher streets, attended by fourteen men. Ar- rangements were made for the orderly forma- tion of a Presbyterian Church, and for the establishment of public worship. The first meeting for worship was attended in a room in the " Eagle Factory," on Sabbath morn- ing, August 29th, when the Rev. Alexander McClelland, then the pastor of Rutgers Street Church, officiated. The church was duly organized on the 9th of September follow- ing, Rev. Dr. McClelland presiding ; thirty- five male members were enrolled, and short- ly after twenty-six more, mostly females, were admitted on certificate, nearly the whole having been members in the Reform- ed Dutch Church. On the llth of October following, a call was given to the Rev. Mr. Rowan to become pastor of the church, which he accepted, and was installed ac- cordingly. About two years after this, a house of 160 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. worship was erected on Christopher street. In the summer of 1828, Dr. Rowan was appointed an agent for the Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews, and his congregation consented to release him for twelve months. During this time the pulpit was supplied by Rev. David S. Bo- gert, Rev. Ebenezer Mason, and Rev. Sam- uel A. Burnstead. Dr. Rowan returned and resumed his ministry at the end of the year, but in May, 1830, he resigned his charge, having accepted the office of general agent of the society for whom he had labored, with a view to permanency. Soon after the dismission of Dr. Rowan, the Rev. Denny Ray Thorn ason, from England, was engaged as a stated supply, and in December follow- ing, rather informally, elected pastor, but in April, 1831, he was released at his own re- quest ; and in June of that year, a call was given to -the Rev, Henry Hunter, who was installed pastor on the 29th of that month. Mr. Hunter continued to discharge the duties of the ministry usefully, and very acceptably, until his death, which took place suddenly, August 27, 1834. In March, of PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 161 the following year, a call was given to the Rev. William Chester, which he declined. In July following, a unanimous call was made out for the Rev. Edward Dunlap Smith, and he was installed pastor of this church on the fourteenth of the same month. In the space of a few years, while the affairs of the church were going on with ordinary prosperity, pecuniary difficulties began to press very hard upon the congrega- tion. Their house of worship had never been paid for, and a great debt was con- suming them. Thus they struggled on till the close of the year 1841, when an oppor- tunity presenting, the house of worship was sold to the free Episcopal Church, styled " St. Matthew's," for about $14,000. The embarrassments of the congregation were thus relieved, and they retired to the Chapel of the New York University. Here the church continued to meet for about a year, when, in October, 1842, Mr. Smith resigned his charge. The church continued to meet together for about a month longer, when they resolved to disband, many of the num- ber expecting to unite with a new church then gathering in the upper part of the city. 162 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. CHELSEA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. As the population had increased, and was fast increasing in the upper section of the city, on the North River side, it was judged important to provide the means of grace there in greater abundance, and several members of Presbyterian churches living at Chelsea, as it is called, established a prayer- meeting in the spring of 1842. During that summer, arrangements were made, principally through the liberality of an in- dividual, to erect a house of worship, and in the summer of 1843, a substantial brick building was finished on Twenty-second street, near the Ninth avenue, on what is termed " Lennox Place." On October 22, 1843, soon after the house of worship was opened, a church of sixty-five members was organized by the Presbytery of New York, a large portion of whom had been members of the " Eighth Presbyterian Church," which, as related above, having no pastor, and no house of worship, and being in a broken state, had judged it expedient to scatter into other churches. In November following, the Rev. Edward PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 163 D. Smith, who had been the last pastor of the Eighth Church, was installed pastor of the " Chelsea Church," where he now re- mains. The church and congregation are in a flourishing condition. The present number of communicants is about one hun- dred. VANDEWATER STREET CHURCH. The Presbyterian Church which once ex- isted in Vandewater street, was originally or- ganized as an independent or Congrega- tional Church, and was under the ministry of the Rev. J. S. C. F. Frey, a converted Jew. On the 12th of December, 1820, Mr. Frey and his congregation applied to the Presbytery of New York to be received under its care, as a Presbyterian Church, which union was effected in October of the follow- ing year. At that time the church contained 96 members ; but difficulties existed between them, and in September, 1822, Mr. Frey re- signed his charge, and shortly after the church withdrew from the Presbytery, and stood, for a time, independently. During this time their pulpit was supplied by several persons, principally by the Rev. Hooper 164 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Gumming, though they do not appear to have had any staled pastor. Towards the close of the year 1825, Mr. Thomas E. Vermilye, a licentiate, was engaged as a supply, and the people were desirous of re- taining him as pastor, and, to effect this in an orderly manner, they applied to the Pres- bytery to be again taken under their care. After some little demur on the part of the Presby- tery, the church was again received, and Mr. Vermilye was ordained and installed pastor on January 16th, 1826. The ministry of Mr. Vermilye was acceptable and useful in this church ; but the house of worship had not been paid for, and the congregation were pressed with pecuniary embarrassments, and at length, in June, 1829, Mr. Vermilye re- signed his charge, and the church shortly after disposed of their house of worship, and disbanded. CENTRAL CHURCH. This church was originally collected by the persevering labors of the Rev. William Patton. He commenced preaching on the first Sabbath in March, 1820, to a mere handful of people, in a schoolroom in Mul- PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 165 berry street, just below Grand street, which he hired on his own responsibility ; and here, on January 8th, 1821, a church was or- ganized, consisting of four persons only. Mr. Fatten continued preaching, and that gratuitously, for more than two years ; divine influences were afforded ; the church was in- creased ; and, in 1822, Mr. Patton was in- stalled its pastor. A convenient house of worship was erected on Broome street, near Centre street, 75 feet long and 60 wide ; the corner-stone was laid in September, 1821, and it was opened for worship May 7th, 1822. Here a large congregation was soon collected. Dr. Patton remained pastor of the church for about fourteen years, when, in September, 1834, he resigned the charge, having been elected Corresponding Secretary of the " Central American Education Society." The ministry of Dr. Patton in this church was very successful. He began, as we have seen, with four persons only, and but one male among them. He was unaided, and sustained himself for several years. But when he left, the " little one" had literally " become a thousand," as about that num- ber of names had been enrolled on the 15 166 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. church register, the largest proportion of whom had been received by profession. He was succeeded by the Rev. William Adams, DJX, who was installed November 13th, 1834, and is the present pastor. VILLAGE CHURCH. A little previous to the year 1822, a church of a few members was formed under the above name, in the westerly part of the city, near the North River. When they applied to Presbytery to be received under its care, some objection arose from a supposed inter- ference with some other congregations, but they were at length admitted under the con- dition of locating south of Leroy street, and their name was at this time changed to that of the " Tabernacle Church." In November } 1828, the Rev. Alexander G. Frazer became pastor of this church, at which time more than sixty members were enrolled in com- munion, and for a short time it seemed pro- bable that it might have grown up and lived among the churches of the city. But the ministry of Mr. Frazer was terminated by his resignation in the summer of 1830, aud after this the church became extinct. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 167 " PROVOST STREET," OR " 14TH CHURCH." Toward the close of the year 1822, the Rev. James G. Ogilvie commenced preach- ing in the westerly part of the city, near Franklin street, then called Provost street, and in January 10, 1823, a Presbyterian church of more than thirty members was organized, and on the 13th of the same month Mr. Ogilvie was installed its pastor. In the course of lhat year a house of wor- ship, now standing on Franklin street, was built and occupied by the church and con- gregation, and for a year or more the pros- pects of the congregation were encouraging. But, like many other church-edjnces, the house was built on credit, and soon the debt began to press hard on the people, and after some severe but ineffectual struggles, Mr. Ogilvie solicited his dismission, the house was sold, and the church was regu- larly dissolved by Presbytery, in October, 1825. SPRING STREET CHURCH. When the Laight Street Church removed to their new building in the summer of 1825, 168 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. a part of the members found it more con- venient to remain behind, and accordingly on the 9th of December, in that year, a new church of forty-three members was orga- nized, in Spring street, continuing to hold worship in the old church building, which was purchased of the Laight Street Church. The Rev. Henry G. Ludlow was the first pastor of this church, being ordained and in- stalled, December 25th, 1828. Mr. Ludlow remained here until April, 1837, when he was dismissed at his own request, and settled in New Haven ; and in October of the same year, he was succeeded by the Rev. William Patton, D.D., who is the present minister. In the year 1835, the old house of worship was taken down, and a new one erected, much larger, and more convenient. Here there is now a church of nearly eight hun- dred members ; a very large and flourishing congregation, and a Sabbath school of about one thousand children. UNION CHURCH. This church was organized on October 13th, 1829, with about twenty original mem- bers. A house of worship, situated on PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 169 the corner of Prince and Marion streets, which had been built by a Universalist Society, about five years previous, was purchased, and on October 22d, 1830, the Rev. Herman Nor- ton was installed pastor. At this time the church had increased to about one hundred members. For a time things looked pros- perously, and the congregation were encou- raged. But the house of worship was encum- bered with a heavy debt, and at length, to relieve these embarrassments, the house was sold in 1835, for $20,000, and the debts paid. The church with its pastor retired to a hall, resolving to keep on, but after struggling for a year, Mr. Norton resigned his charge in April, 1835. The church, though weakened by dismissions, still kept together, supplying themselves as best they could, until April, 1838, when they were dissolved by Presbytery. NORTH CHURCH, AND CARMINE STREET CHURCH. The history of these churches is mingled. On November 1st, 1829, a church was orga- nized called the " North Church," and met for worship in the Sixth avenue, near Amity 15* 170 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. street. Before this church enjoyed the labors of a stated pastor, a division look place, and eighteen members removing to Carmine street, were called the " West Church." This colony took with them the church organization, the North Church re- maining the legal corporate body. This was in 1831, and in June of that year, a new church was organized as the " North Church," and on July 5th, of the same year, the Rev. Ebenezer Mason was installed its pastor. The ministry of Mr. Mason in this church continued less than two years, being termi- nated by his resignation in February, 1833. After this the church was scattered, and soon became extinct. The " West Church " made an immediate effort to build a house of worship on Car- mine street, which was finished, and opened in May, 1832, two months previous to which the Rev. David R. Downer was installed pas- tor. The church was then but a feeble band, consisting of only thirty-two members, but the ministry of Mr. Downer was very suc- cessful; and although he might not have been a very learned man, nor yet what the world calls a very eloquent preacher, nor yet PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 171 a man of brilliant talents, yet he was a pious, devoted minister, and was instrumental in gathering into the church more than four hundred members. He died of consumption November 28th, 1841. The Rev. Edwin Holt was the next pas- tor. He was installed March 23d, 1842, and after sustaining the pastoral office about four years, was dismissed at his own request, in April, 1846. The church is now vacant. FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. In the month of May, 1830, a meeting of a few gentlemen was held to consult on the best method of extending church privileges to the poorer classes of the community, and more especially to those who, on account of high pew rents, and other causes, were al- most excluded from the Reformed Dutch and Presbyterian Churches. The result of this consultation was a pledge on the part of five individuals to take measures for the establishment of a free church. The Rev. Joel Parker, then pastor of a church in Rochester, N. Y., being in the city at the time, was present, by invitation, at that meeting, and gave encouragement that if 172 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. his church and presbytery would consent, he would embark in this enterprise. This consent was obtained, and Mr. Parker com- menced his ministry in New York, June 27, 1830, when public worship was com- menced in a room in Thames street, former- ly used as a lecture room by Rev. Dr. Ro- meyn. The first meeting was attended by about forty persons, but soon increased until the room was filled by nearly four hundred. On the 22d of September following, a church of 16 members was organized by the Presbytery of New York, and styled " The First Free Presbyterian Church of New York." Of this church Mr. Parker became the pastor. The congregation continued in Thames street until Feb. 20, 1831, when they removed to the Masonic Hall, on Broadway, near Pearl street. Arrange- ments were immediately made, however, for the erection .of a permanent house of worship, which was accomplished during that year. The building was situated on Dey street, corner of Washington street. The ground floor was thrown into stores, the second floor making a large house of worship, capable of accommodating from PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 173 eight hundred to one thousand persons. The cost was about $7,000. The seats were all free, and the necessary current expenses raised by voluntary subscription and contri- bution. This house was opened for wor- ship, Oct. 16, 1831. A numerous congre- gation assembled here, and the church was greatly enlarged. Nearly seven hun- dred members were admitted during the ministry of Mr. Parker. In Oct., 1833, Mr. Parker resigned the charge of this church, being about to take charge of a church in New Orleans. He was succeeded in the church in Dey street, by the Rev. Ephraim P. Barrows, who was installed July 28th, 1835. In the year 1837, Mr. Barrows was appointed to a professorship in the Western Reserve College, and was succeeded in the Dey Street Church by the Rev. Jacob Helffeinstein. In February, 1838, the Dey Street Church, taking their pastor with them, united with the " Tabernacle Church," re- linquishing their own name, so that neither the " First Free Church," nor the " Dey Street Church," are any longer to be found. 174 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SECOND FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. On the 14th of February, 1832, a colony of thirty-six members and three elders was dismissed from the First Free Church, and organized under the title of the " Second Free Presbyterian Church of New York." They met in " Broadway Hall," until the following May, with the Rev. E. P. Barrows as their stated supply. At this time the " Chatham Street Chapel," which had been an old Theatre, had been fitted up as a place of worship, and the Rev. Charles G. Finney had been invited to occupy it. The Second Free Church thereupon removed to the Chatham Street Chapel, and Mr. Finney be- came its pastor September 28, 1832. Mr. Finney continued his labors here until April, 1836, when he became pastor of the church then formed at the " Tabernacle" on Broadway. The Rev. John Ingersoll had been associated with Mr. Finney at Chatham Street Chapel, in 1834, as co-pastor, and was dismissed about the same time. Immediately after Mr. Finney left the Chatham Street Chapel, the Rev. J. H. Martyn was called as pastor of this church, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 175 and continued his labors for about two years, when he was dismissed at his own request, in May, 1838. During the next three years this church had no pastor. They had oc- casional supplies of preaching, but were in a scattered and broken state. In the month of June, 1841, the Rev. Mr. Martyn, their former pastor, was recalled, and the church by vote changed their form to Congrega- tional, and the " Second Free Church" is no more to be found. THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This also was a colony of thirty-five per- sons, dismissed from the First Free Church, and organized under the above title, by the Third Presbytery of New York, on Decem- ber 9, 1832. They assembled for worship at the Masonic Hall, on Broadway, being* supplied by the Rev. D. C. Lansing, D.D., of Utica, who was installed pastor of the church, February 10th, 1833. In the course of that year a house of worship was erected on the corner of Thompson and Houston streets, at a cost of about $11,000. Here the congregation first assembled December 29, 1833. On July 23, 1835, Dr. Lansing 176 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. was dismissed at his own request, and was succeeded in August following, by the Rev. Nathaniel E. Johnson, who remained be- tween two and three years, and was dismiss- ed in April, 1838. After remaining vacant for more, than a year, the present pastor of the church, the Rev. Samuel D. Burchard, was installed on the 1st of May, 1839. This church has relinquished the free system, and now rents its seats, and consequently is no longer known as the " Third Free Church," but is called the " Houston Street Church." FOURTH FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. On the 5th of January, 1834, a colony of thirty-five members was dismissed from the Second Free Church, and organized as the ' Fourth Free Presbyterian Church." They first met in a hall on the corner of Hester street and the Bowery, and the Rev. Arthur Granger was a stated supply for several months. During the summer the meeting was removed to the " Millitary Hall" on the Bowery, opposite to Spring street, and in the month? of October of that year, the Rev. Isaac N. Sprague was installed pastor PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 177 of the church. Shortly after this, a large building on Catharine street, near Madison street, formerly used as a brewery, but which had been fitted up for a place of worship, was purchased, and hither the church re- moved. A large congregation assembled here, a considerable revival of religion took place, and many were added to the church. The place of worship, always considered temporary, was now found to be altogether too strait for the increasing assembly ; and during the year 1835, it was taken down, and a brick building sixty-eight feet by fifty-eight, was erected on the corner of Catharine and Madison streets, having a line of stores in the basement story on Catharine street. This building cost about $13,000, and was opened for public worship on the first Sab- bath in January, 1836. The health of Mr. Sprague soon failed, and in April of that year, he found it necessary to resign his charge. Rev. Joel Mann was the second pastor of this church. He was installed January 18, 1837, and dismissed at his own request, June 11, 1838. The Rev. James I. Ostrom succeeded Mr. Mann, being in- stalled in October, 1838. 16 178 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The ministry of Mr. Ostrom continued a little short of two years, he resigning the charge June 1, 1840. After Mr. Ostrom left, the Rev. William Whitaker became a stated supply, in this church, for about a year and nine months, the Presbytery de- clining to instal him, and the church there- upon becoming independent. But the so- ciety had now become weakened, many had removed to other congregations, a load of debt for the building lay heavily on the peo- ple, and it was thought impracticable any longer to sustain the church ; and it was finally agreed by those who remained, to sell the house of worship, pay the debts of the concern, and disband. This was accom- plished in the summer of 1842. A Metho- dist Society bought the house, and the " Fourth Free Church" is no more. About the commencement of the year 1835, some incipient movements were made for the for- mation of a Fifth and a Sixth Free Presby- terian Churches, but no other organization in this form has ever been accomplished here. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 179 TABERNACLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Connected with the foregoing account of the Free Presbyterian Churches, it seems pro- per to bring into view the church first organ- ized in the " Tabernacle" on Broadway. The building well known as " The Ta- bernacle," was erected in the year 1835, and first opened for worship in April, 1836. The chief design of its founders was the exten- sion of the free church plan, then in its most successful operation in this city. Rev. Charles G. Finney, then pastor of the Se- cond Free Church in the Chatham street Chapel, was engaged to occupy the Taber- nacle. A church was formed of 120 mem- bers, about 80 of which were dismissed for this purpose, from the Second Free Church, and on April 10, 1836, Mr. Finney became its pastor. This church had some very pecu- liar features. It was called a congregational church, and yet the business of the church, both spiritual and temporal, was committed to seven deacons, who were to be chosen annually, and styled " The Session." This was a sort of Congregationalism which the New England Churches would not have 180 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. acknowledged, and a sort of Presbyterianism which could not have been acknowledged by any Presbytery here. Such, however, was the Tabernacle Church. The ministry of Mr. Finney at the Tabernacle was termi- nated by his resignation in about one year ; and in June, 1837, he was succeeded by the Rev. George Duffield, who supplied the pul- pit, acting as pastor, but without regular in- stallation. The pecuniary strength of the congrega- tion being found inadequate to meet the ex- penses of so large an establishment, a union was very harmoniously effected between this church, and the " First Free Church," in Dey Street, probably to the advantage of both. The Dey Street Church presented one condition to which the Tabernacle Church assented, viz., that the united church should be Presbyterian. The Dey street Church brought with them their pastor, the Rev. Mr. Helffeinstein. This took place in Feb., 1838. Not many months after this, both the pastors retired, and in the autumn of the same year, the Rev. Joel Parker be- came pastor of the united church. At this time the free church plan was, by mutual PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 181 consent, partially relinquished, and the pews rented as in other churches. For several months after Mr. Parker's settlement, the church was harmonious and prosperous, but some matters of discipline led to a dissatisfaction ; a sharp controversy arose, and at length the proprietor of the building, which had never been paid for, prosecuted his mortgage to foreclosure, and in July, 1840, it was sold at auction, and purchased by Mr. David Hale for $34,250. At this time, the church consisted of be- tween five and six hundred members, and at a very fu41 meeting of the church, held im- mediately after the sale of the house, it was proposed to form a Congregational Church after the model of the New England Churches. The officers of the church, and a majority of the members, were unfavora- ble to this measure, and having no house of worship, they scattered into other congrega- tions. Dr. Parker, for a short time, preach- ed a part of each Sabbath in the Pearl street Church, where a large portion of his people attended, but at length they all scattered, and " The Tabernacle Presbyterian Church" is no more. 182 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. SIXTH STREET CHURCH. In the month of November, 1830, Mr. John A. Murray, a licentiate preacher, commenced a religious meeting in a school-room on the corner of Stanton and Essex streets, with a small congregation of people, many of whom had been members of the Presbyterian Con- gregation in Broome street,, then under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Dr. Patton. On January 8th, 1831, eleven persons were there organized as a church, by a committee of the third Presbytery, all of whom were dismissed for that purpose, from the " Central Church " (Dr. Patton's) ; and being a colony from that church, it was styled " The Branch Presby- terian Church," and the Central Church paid the salary of their minister for a considerable length of time. The congregation continued to enlarge, additions were made to the church, and everything looked encouraging. A spacious house of worship was erected on the Second avenue, near Third street, the church was legally incorporated, and called the " Second Avenue Church," and on June 22d, 1832, Mr. Murray was ordained and installed its pastor. But like many other PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 183 congregations, they were heavily burdened with debt for the erection of their house of worship, and a hard struggle was necessary to enable them to keep along, yet with com- mendable perseverance they kept on. In the summer of 1834, Mr. Murray was appointed a secretary of the Home Mission- ary Society, to reside at Geneva, New York, and was accordingly dismissed in October of that year. A call was immediately pre- sented by the church to the Rev. Ansel D. Eddy of Canandaigua, to become their pastor, which he declined ; and in the April following, a call was given to the Rev. Charles S. Porter, of Gloucester, Massachu- setts, which he accepted, and was installed June 14th, 1835. Mr. Porter continued pas- tor of this church about five years and a half. A considerable congregation were generally in attendance, and many were added to the church ; but a load of debt was pressing hard upon the people, and they became disheart- ened. On November 15th, 1841, Mr. Por- ter was dismissed at his own request, and shortly after the house of worship was sold at auction for about $13,000, and purchased by a church of Roman Catholics. 184 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A large portion of ihe church and congre- gation now scattered into other churches, and mingled with them, while a few chose to remain together still, and having rented a Hall on the Bowery, obtained occasional supplies. Mr. Horace Eaton, then a stu- dent in the Union Theological Seminary of New York, conducted their meetings for a considerable season. Though reduced to a mere handful in number, yet after a time the spirit of that few began to revive, and ar- rangements were made to procure a house of worship. Ground was purchased on Sixth street, near Second avenue, and a neat brick building measuring 60 feet by 40, was erected and paid for, and when this new building was first opened, on June 18, 1843, Mr. Eaton was ordained to the pas- toral office in the church, the name of which is now changed to that of the street on which the building stands. The condition of this church will be un- derstood, when it is stated that in April, 1841, just previous to the dismission of Mr. Porter, the church reported 264 members in communion, but at the ordination of Mr. Eaton, in June, 1843, no more than 75 could PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 185 be found. But a far more healthy state of things now exists. A good congregation is gradually collecting, to whom Mr. Eaton continues to minister with increasing use- fulness, and 155 members are now enrolled in communion. WELSH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A congregational church had been formed in the year 1824, or 1825, which met in Mul- berry street, a considerable portion of whom were Welsh, and the services were conduct- ed for a part of the time in that language. In July, 1833, they thought it expedient to change their form of government, and were organized as a Presbyterian Church, with 52 members, and attached to the third Pres- bytery. The Rev. Jenkin Jenkins was their minister at that time, and remained with them for about two years after, when he re- signed the charge of the church, and left the city. He was succeeded by the Rev. Jona- than J. Jones, who was installed July 1, 1836, and remains in charge of the church at the present time. Their place of worship is in Broome street near the Bowery, and the services are conducted altogether in the 186 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Welsh language. [The prospects of the congregation are on the whole encouraging. [See sketch of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church on a subsequent page.] VILLAGE CHURCH. We have already given a sketch of a church by this name, called also the " Taber- nacle Church," formed in the year 1822, and which became extinct in about eight years after. The field of operations of that church was in the westerly part of the city, and toward the Greenwich village, and although that church had failed, it still seem- ed desirable to maintain a Presbyterian church on that ground. Hence arose another church, called also the " Village Church.'' It was organized by the third Presbytery, December 29, 1833, most of the original members being dismissed for that purpose from the Carmine Street Church. They met for a time in a building on the east side of Abingdon Square, which had been erected for a bank several years before, during the prevalence of the yellow fever in the city. Arrangements were, however, made for building a house of worship, which PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 187 was accomplished in the year 1836. It is situated on Jane street This church continued in operation about seven years, and was under the charge of three successive pastors, viz., Rev. William Page, installed June 22, 1834, and dismissed October 7, 1835 ; Rev. Daniel Clark, jun., installed March 23, 1836, and dismissed April 4, 1838 ; and Rev. Daniel Brown, installed November 10, 1840, and dismissed October 6, 1S4L Very soon after this the house of worship was sold, the congregation scattered, and the church became extinct. BRAINERD CHURCH. This church owes its existence, under God, mainly to the labors of the Rev. Charles Hall, one of the secretaries of the Home Missionary Society. The north- eastern section of the city had been extend- ing, and had become quite populous, yet with a lamentable dearth of the ordinary means of grace, when on the first Sab- bath in January, 1833, Mr. Hall commenced preaching in an inconvenient " upper room," on the corner of Stanton and Essex streets. The assemblies at first were small, but the %&*#' 188 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. constant preaching of the Gospel, with its auxiliaries, the prayer-meeting, and the Sab- bath school, accompanied as they usually are, when faithfully used, by divine influ- ences, soon produced a marked effect. The people of- God who attended on these ser- vices were enlivened, and some few persons were hopefully converted. In about a year from the time the meeting was opened, it was thought expedient to organize a church, which was accordingly done by the Third Presbytery, on February 9, 1834. About thirty members were first enrolled, and they assumed the name of the "Brainerd Church." During the following summer the Rev. Asa D. Smith was engaged to preach, and in November, 1834, he was ordained and installed as pastor. A substantial house of worship was built on Rivington street, near Ludlow street, which was completed in the following year, at a cost of about $20,000, including the ground. Mr. Smith is still its pastor. His labors have been much blest, and a numerous assembly is found there. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 189 EIGHTH AVENUE CHURCH. Such is the corporate name of a Presby- terian church, now situated in West Twen- tieth street, between the Sixth and Seventh avenues. The Presbytery of New York having directed their attention to the wants of that section of the city lying on the Eighth avenue, and its vicinity, authorized their missionary committee to engage a man to labor in that field, and in November, 1833, Mr. James C. Edwards, a licentiate preacher, was appointed to that service. Meetings were first held in private houses until the last of December, when the people assem- bled in a building prepared for their recep- tion, on the west side of the Eighth avenue,, above Nineteenth street, and on January 5, 1834. it was formally opened as a house of worship. On the 9th of February follow- ing, a church of thirteen members was organized, and its officers installed ; Rev. Mr. Carroll of Brooklyn, and Rev. Dr. Phillips of New York, officiated on that oc- casion. Mr. Edwards continued to labor in this congregation until the spring of 1835, when 17 190 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. he left, having accepted a call from the church in Smithtown, Long Island. The Eighth Avenue Church was not long destitute, for, on April 25th, 1835, the Rev. Henry A. Riley was installed pastor, and continued in that office until January, 1839, when he re- signed his charge. Mr. Riley was succeeded, in April follow- ing, by the Rev. R. C. Brisbin, who remained pastor of the church about two years. In the autumn of 1839, during the ministry of Mr. Brisbin, the congregation sold the small house of worship they had occupied, and hired and fitted up a hall on Eighteenth street, east of the Eighth avenue, and here they remained until May, 1843. After the dismission of Mr. Brisbin, in April, 1841, the Rev. James I. Ostrom, their present pas- tor, was engaged as a supply, but was finally installed in June, 1843, at which time the new house of worship, which they now occupy, on Twentieth street, was dedicated. It is a substantial brick building, and cost about $10,000. This church is now con- nected with the Fourth Presbytery of New York. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 191 MANHATTAN ISLAND CHURCH. The settlements around the " Dry Dock," known formerly as " Manhattan Island," became the scene of some interesting labors of the early city missionaries. During the summer of 1816, Mr. Stafford preached there often, at the ship-yards, in a room kindly furnished by the Messrs. Brown, who were then extensively engaged in ship-building in that neighborhood. Here large assemblies were often collected.* The labors of Mr. Baldwin and other city missionaries were also occasionally directed to this spot. But nothing permanent was effected for many years. In the early part of the year 1834, the Rev. John J. Slocum commenced preaching in that part of the city, with the view of collect- ing a congregation. A building had been erected on what is now Fourth street, having a schoolroom on the first floor, and a place fitted up for public worship on the second, and often called at that day " the church in the Swamp," as it was a low and marshy place all around. Here Mr. Slocum held * Stafford's " New Missionary Field," page 4. 192 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. his meetings. A considerable congregation attended, and on June 9th, 1834, a church of a few members was duly organized by the Third Presbytery, and, on the 15th of the same month, Mr. Slocum was installed its pastor. He continued in this office a little more than two years, but with small success, and finally resigned his charge in October, 1836. The church still kept together, and con- tinued to meet for worship with such sup- plies as they could obtain, and in February, 1838, they made out a call for the Rev. Elihu W. Baldwin, formerly a city missionary on that ground, but at that time President of Wabash College. But failing in this appli- cation, they gave up, and scattered, and the few members that remained, united with the Eleventh Chmrch, when that was organized, in the following year. TABERNACLE CHURCH (Catharine street) In the autumn of 1832, or the early part of 1833, the Rev. Alonzo Welton commenced a meeting in a room, formerly a brewery, on Catharine street, near Madison street ; and in June, 1833, application was made to the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 193 Third Presbytery, by about thirty persons, to be organized as a church, with a view to be placed under the ministry of Mr. Welton. After some little delay, and hearing the re- port of a committee of investigation, the Presbytery declined acting. But the meet- ing was continued, and, in February of the following year, application was made to the ' First Presbytery to organize the church, the proposed members of which presented, at the same time, a call for Mr. Welton to be- come their pastor. The Presbytery orga- nized the church by the name of the " Taber- nacle Church," but the church did not prose- cute their call. Mr. Welton ceased preach- ing there after a few months, and, disposing of their building to the Fourth Free Church, the Tabernacle Church scattered, and became extinct GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The same year of 1834 was signalized by the formation of a Presbyterian Church, for the benefit of the German population. It was but a small and feeble band. They met in Houston street, towards the East river, having for their minister the Rev. 17* 194 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. George Mills, who was installed as pastor on November 16th, 1834. In about three years after, finding themselves pressed with pecu- niary difficulties, both minister and church were induced to withdraw from the Presby- terian connection, and unite with the Epis- copal Church. MERCER STREET CHURCH. In the summer of 1834, an elegant house of worship was completed, situated on Mer- cer street, near Waverley place. On the 8th of October of that year, a church of twenty- four members was organized by the Third Presbytery, more than half of whom were from the Laight Street Church, from which congregation also many of the leading mem- bers of the Mercer street congregation had removed. On Nov. llth, 1835, the Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, D.D., was installed pastor of this church, and continues in that office to the present time. The congregation is large and wealthy, and the church now numbers more than five hundred members. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 195 SIXTH AVENUE CHURCH. This church was organized by the Pres- bytery of New York, in the summer of 1835. Its beginning was rather encourag- ing. They occupied a small house of wor- ship in Sixth avenue, opposite Amity street, being on the same ground occupied a few years previous by the North Church, and in all probability embracing a considerable portion of the same people. The Rev. David Long- more became their stated supply. In two years the church had increased to one hun- dred and forty-seven members in commu- nion, but in October, 1838, the whole enter- prise was abandoned, and the church was dissolved by Presbytery. UNIVERSITY CHURCH. This was a small band organized as a church, by the Presbytery of New York, on April 19th, 1836. They assembled for worship in the chapel of the New York University, under the ministry of Rev. John Woodbridge, D.D., then recently dismissed from the Bowery Church. But Dr. Wood- bridge leaving the city after a few months, 196 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. the church ceased operations, and was soon after dissolved by presbytery. MADISON STREET CHURCH. This church was organized by the Third Presbytery, with seventy-seven members, mostly from the Seventh Presbyterian Church, on Aug. 12th, 1836, and on Nov. 4th, of the same year, the Rev. James W. McLane was ordained and installed pastor. In August, of the following year, the con- gregation completed a very neat and com- modious house of worship on Madison street, corner of Governeur street, at a cost, for house and land, of about $30,000. The ministry of Mr. McLane was useful and successful among this people. He was in- strumental in gathering many into the church, and the circumstances of the con- gregation were very materially improved dur- ing his continuance. He, however, resigned his charge in April, 1844, and was succeeded, in April of the following year, by the Rev. D. Taylor Bagg, the present pastor. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 197 NINTH CHURCH. A church by this name was constituted by the Presbytery of New York, Oct. 16thf 1836. They met for worship in a hall on the corner of Canal and Varick streets, and were supplied for several months by Mr. Robert Birch, a licentiate. Some little suc- cess attended his preaching, and the church increased within a year to nearly sixty mem- bers. In September, 1837, Mr. Birch be- came pastor, but in less than a year he re- signed this charge, having accepted a call from the church in New Brunswick, and the Ninth Church was soon dissolved. ROSE-HILL, OR TENTH CHURCH. A Presbyterian church of a few members was organized by the Third Presbytery in June, 1837, near what was formerly called " Rose- Hill," near the junction of Twenty- second street and Third avenue. Mr. S. G. Specs, a licentiate, was obtained as a supply, and continuing acceptably with the people, he was ordained and installed pastor of the church, May 13, 1838. In the follow- ing year a comfortable brick edifice was 198 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. erected on Twenty-second street, where Mr. Specs continued to minister until De- cember 21, 1840, when he was dismissed at his own request. The church was vacant for nearly a year, when, on November 15, 1841, the Rev. Charles P. Bush was or- dained and installed. The ministry of Mr. Bush was terminated by his resignation in October, 1845. The present pastor of the church, the Rev. James Knox, commenced his ministry very soon after the dismission of Mr. Bush. He was installed January 28, 1846. ELEVENTH CHURCH. The Manhattan Island Church ceased operations, as has already been related, in 1838, but it was still thought desirable to maintain a Presbyterian church on that ground ; and on May 13, 1839, a new church was organized by the Third Presbytery, con- sisting of eighty-nine members, being a colony from the Seventh Presbyterian Church, with a few who remained of the Manhattan Island Church. In the following month, the Rev. Mason Noble was unanimously invited to become PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 199 their pastor; he entered on his labors in July, and was installed on the 14th of Oc- tober in the same year. For more than three years the congregation occupied the place of worship which had been occupied by the Manhattan Island Church in Fourth street ; but in October, 1842, they completed and dedicated a new house of worship at the corner of Fourth street and Avenue C. Mr. Noble is still their pastor. The circum- stances of this church are very encouraging. Many have been added to the communion, and an increasing congregation is usually in attendance. 'i* ' ' JANE STREET CHURCH. This church was organized by the Second Presbytery in the year 1842. They occu- pied a house of worship built by the Vil- lage Church, in Jane street, near Abing- don Square, a church which had ceased operations but a few months previous. The Rev. John Johnston was installed pastor of this church about the beginning of 1843, and continued his ministrations there but little more than a year, he being dismissed in the spring of 1844, having accepted a 200 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. call to the Presbyterian church in Jersey City. Soon after this, the church disbanded, most of the members uniting with the Fifth Associate Reformed Church, which^ very soon after occupied the building. FIFTEENTH STREET CHURCH. With a most laudable desire to extend the privileges of the gospel to the more des- titute parts of the city, as well as to occupy seasonably the vacant ground, private and individual munificence had secured the erection of a very commodious church edifice on Fifteenth street, near the Third avenue, in the year 1843. In the early part of 1844, the Rev. William D. Snodgrass, D.D., commenced preaching there. On September 18th of that year, a church of twenty-seven members was organized by the Presbytery of New York, and on March 15, 1846, Dr. Snodgrass was installed as pastor. HARLEM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This is a small band of less than twenty members which was organized by the Third PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 201 Presbytery, on June 29, 1844. A small but very neat house of worship was built during that summer, and on the 16th of April, 1S45, the present pastor of the church, the Rev. Ezra H. Gillett, was ordained and installed. BLOOMINGDALE CHURCH. This is a small church of twelve mem- bers, constituted by the third Presbytery, oh March 17, 1845. They meet for worship in a Hall on Fiftieth street, near the Eighth avenue, but have as yet no stated pastor. During the winter of 1845-6, Mr. John Cromwell, a licentiate, supplied this church. A most signal blessing attended his labors, for the assembly, though small, was. evident- ly favored with the effusions of the Divine Spirit, and the church was more than doubled by the admission of recent hopeful converts. HAMMOND STREET CHURCH. This church was constituted by the Pres- bytery of New York, on July 26, 1845. They had twenty-one original members, and ten more have since been added. They 18 202 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. have built a lecture-room on the corner of Hammond and Factory streets, which they now occupy. Rev. William E. Schenck is their stated supply. YORKVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Rev. Joshua Butts commenced preaching in a school-room on the Third avenue, at Yorkville, in the autumn of 1845, and a church of eighteen members was organized there by the Presbytery of New York, on the 16th of April, 1846. No pastor has yet been installed. MADISON AVENUE CHURCH, AND FORTY- SECOND STREET CHURCH. The same active beneficence which pro- vided a place of worship for the Chelsea Church, and the Fifteenth Street Church, led to the erection of two other convenient and substantial houses of worship, one situ- ated on Madison avenue, opened in 1844, and the other on the corner of Forty-second street and Eighth avenue, opened in Sep- tember, 1845. Mr. John D. Wells, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, is supplying the Madison Avenue Church, and Ihe Rev. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 203 John C. Lowrie, that on Forty-second street. Church organizations have not been accom- plished in either. In the month of April, 1846, preaching was commenced in the Manhattan Hall, No. 63 Houston street, by Mr. B. T. Phillips, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, with a view to the ultimate gathering of a church, and a considerable congregation is already assembling there. ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. It falls not in with the plan of these sketches to detail the theological questions which ha've rent into parties any of the reli- gious denominations, but simply to state, in as intelligible a manner as possible, the facts which illustrate the history of each. The Associate Reformed Church is a union of two bodies, which originated in secessions from the Established Church of Scotland. Five churches of this denomination have been formed in the city of New York. The first church of this character was formed about the year 1757. There had, for some time, existed a difficulty in the 204 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Wall Street Church on the subject of psal- mody, and when, at the settlement of Mr. Bostwick in the spring of 1756, those dissen- sions were in a measure dropped, a minority were still dissatisfied, and preferred to with- draw quietly, and establish a new church, which was accordingly done. The church took the name of the " Scotch Presbyterian Church," and put itself under the care of the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania. In the month of June, 1761, the Rev. John Ma- son, of Scotland, arrived in New York, and became pastor of this church, and it was greatly owing to his influence that the union was effected between .the Associate and Re- formed Churches. After this union, the church of which he was pastor was called " The First Associate Reformed Church in New York." In 1768, this church erected a substantial house of worship, of stone, 65 feet by 54, standing on Cedar street, near Broadway. The minister of this church, the Rev. Dr. Mason, was a man of eminence, an accom- plished scholar, and a most devoted pastor. It was not strange that the church and con- gregation increased under his ministry ; nor PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 205 that he should be greatly lamented, as he was, at his death, which took place in the year 1792. On the death of Dr. Mason, his son, Mr. John M. Mason, who was then pursuing the study of theology at Edinburgh, was in- vited by the church to succeed his father in the pastoral office, which invitation he ac- cepted. The Rev. Dr. John M. Mason re- mained pastor of this church until the year 1810, when he resigned this charge to become the first pastor of the church in Murray street. Not long after the resigna- tion of Dr. Mason, the church presented a call to the Rev. Robert B. C. McLeod, which he accepted and remained pastor of the church about twelve years, when he re- signed the charge, and was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph "McElroy, who was installed, May 26th, 1824. The increase of business in the lower part of the city, and the consequent removal of the families from the vicinity of the place of worship, led this church, like many others, to change their location. Ground was there- fore purchased in Grand street near Broad- way, and a large and most substantial build- 18* 206 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. I ing was erected in the year 1836, and to this the church removed. Dr. McElroy is still pastor. PEARL STREET CHURCH. This was the second Associate Reformed Church. The congregation was organized in the year 1797, and a house of worship built on Pearl street, then called " Magazine Street," between Elm street and Broadway. It was a substantial building of stone, 66 feet long, and 56 wide. For a few years it formed a collegiate charge with the Scotch Church in Cedar Street, but in the year 1804 they were separated. The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Robert Forrest, a native of Dunbar, Scotland, who was installed in the spring of 1804. He labored in this congregation with ability and faithfulness for about seven years, and was succeeded in 1811,* by the Rev. John X. Clark. After a ministry of nearly seven years, Mr. Clark resigned the charge. Rev. William W. Phillips suc- ceeded Mr. Clark, being installed in the * Mr. [Forrest died in Stamford, Delaware Co., N. Y., March 17, 1846, aged 78. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 207 spring of 1818, and in the summer of 1826, he was dismissed, in order to take charge of the Wall Street Church, to which he had been called. Rev. Walter Monteith suc- ceeded Dr. Phillips, being installed Aug. 23, 1826. His ministry continued about three years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Ben- jamin H. Rice, who was installed Dec. 3, 1829. Dr. Rice resigned his charge in 1833, and on April 17, 1834, Rev. Henry A. Row- land was installed. Three years after this, the church edifice was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt on the same site in the following year. In 1843, Mr. Rowland resigned his charge, and the Rev. Charles H. Read, the present pastor, was installed Dec. 13, 1843. The present number of members in the church, is 350. MURRAY STREET CHURCH. This was the third Associate Reformed Church. It was composed principally of persons who had belonged to the " Scotch Church" in Cedar street while the Rev. Dr. John M. Mason was minister there, and who left with him, when in the year 1810 he re- signed the pastorship of that church. For a 208 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. term of time they met for worship in Dr. Romeyn's church in Cedar street, at such hours as the house was not occupied by the ordinary congregation. They were subse- quently organized as a church, and Dr. Ma- son became their pastor. In 1812, an ele- gant stone building was completed, situated on Murray street, opposite to Columbia College, the site of which is now occupied by large dwelling-houses. Here Dr. Mason continued to officiate, with a large and in- creasing congregation around him, until Sept., 1821, when he was elected Professor of Theology in the college at Carlisle, Pa. His health having become somewhat im- paired by the continued exercise of the min- istry, he was induced to accept the appoint- ment ; but after two years, his health utterly failed, and he returned to New York, where he died in 1829. He was succeeded in Murray street by the Rev. William D. Snodgrass, who was installed, Sept. 22, 1823, and remained pas- tor of the church until Sept. 22, 1832, when he resigned his charge, and removed to the Second Street Church in Troy. Dr Snodgrass was succeeded by the Rev. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 209 Thomas McAuley, D.D., then of Philadel- phia, but formerly pastor of the Rutgers Street Church, who was installed January ^ 31, 1833. A heavy debt had long lain upon the church for its original cost, and many changes in the congregation having taken place, after about eight years of Dr. McAu- ley's ministry, it was judged best by the congregation to sell the ground on Murray street, which had become very valuable, and remove the house to another location. A very desirable site was accordingly procured on Eighth street, fronting Lafayette place, a part of the street called " Astor place," and the edifice was taken down and built on that spot. It was completed in 1842. In No- vember, 1845, Rev. Dr. McAuley resigned the pastoral office, and the church is now vacant. It is generally known in the city as the " Eighth Street Church," and sometimes as " The Church on Astor place," though its corporate name has never been changed from the " Third Associate Reformed Church." In May, 1822, the three churches above named, with nine others belonging to the same Synod, united with the General As- 210 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. sembly of the Presbyterian Church. Several years passed, and there was no church of this denomination in the city ; but in the year 1831, the Associate Reformed Synod of New York sent the Rev. William Mc- Auley to this city for the purpose of collect- ing and organizing a congregation ; and his labors resulted in the formation of " THE FOURTH ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH." The first meeting was held in Rutgers Medical College in Duane street, on the first Sabbath in October, 1831. The assemblies were small at the beginning, but gradually increased, and on the fourth Sabbath of that month a church was duly organized. The church was constantly supplied with preach- ing, and continued to increase in numbers and influence. In March, 1832, they re- moved from the medical college to a house of worship on Franklin street, at the foot of Varick street, which they hired ; and here they held their first communion, on April 15, 1832. The church then contained but twenty-six members. This church has had two pastors. The first was the Rev. James PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 211 Lillie, who was installed August 22, 1833. He labored with much acceptance until De- cember, 1835, when the pastoral connection was dissolved in consequence of his accept- ing a call from a church in Salem, in this State. The present pastor is the Rev. Wil- liam McLaren, who was ordained and in- stalled pastor on September 1, 1836. In the following spring the congregation purchased the house of worship which they occupied for $16,000, and they are now in a flourish- ing state. The church numbers in commu- nion three hundred and ten members. FIFTH ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH. This church, which was organized in November, 1838, was gathered principally by the labors of the Rev. James Mairs, who preached in a schoolroom at No. 131 Allen street for about three months, and after that in the Lecture-room of the Medical College in Crosby street, until his death, which took place in September, 1840. The Rev. Peter Gordon soon succeeded Mr. Mairs, and was installed pastor of the church in December of that year. Soon after this the congregation removed 212 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. to the " Society Library" on Broadway, where they remained nearly two years. After this, for a short time, they occupied the " Broadway Hall," near Grand street, and at length they hired, with a view to permanency, a house of worship on Jane street, near Abingdon Square, -commencing worship here on May 1, 1844. The congregation is now assuming a more settled character, and they have purchased the house of worship which they occupy for $12,000. Mr. Gor- don is still pastor, and they have 120 mem- bers in communion. ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The first church of this name in the city of New York, was formed in the spring of 1785, by the Rev. Thomas Beveridge. Mr. Beveridge remained with this church for a while, but does not appear to have had the pastoral charge. He was afterwards settled in Cambridge in this state, and died sudden- ly at Barnet, in Vermont, July 23, 1798. A house of worship was erected on Nas- sau street, in 1787, and here the first pastor of the church, the Rev. John Cree, was ordained and installed, October 12, 1792. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. * 213 Mr. Cree remained but two years when he resigned his charge, and removed to Penn- sylvania. For eight years the church re- mained without a pastor, but in the year 1802, the Rev. Thomas Hamilton was in- stalled, and continued pastor of the church until his death, in August, 1818. For about two years after this the church had occa- sional supplies. In the early part of 1821, the Rev. Andrew Stark was appointed by the Presbytery to supply this church. After hearing him for a time the church gave him a call, and in May, 1822, he was installed their pastor. Two years after this, the con- gregation sold their house of worship in Nassau street to the South Baptist Church, and erected another on Grand street, corner of Mercer street, to which they removed in August, 1824. Dr. Stark is still their minister. SECOND ASSOCIATE CHURCH. This church was formed of members be- longing to the first church of the same name, in the year 1830. There were at first between thirty and forty communicants. They met for worship in the Dispensary in White 19 214 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. street, and the Rev. Duncan Stalker was their preacher for about six months. The Rev. James Irving was the first pastor of this church. He was installed in 1831, and continued in the pastoral office until his death, which took place in the fall of 1835. During the ministry of Mr. Irving a con- venient church edifice was erected on the corner of Thompson and Prince streets, at a cost of about $16,000 for house and land, and was opened for worship in 1833. A heavy debt lay upon the building, but still the prospects of the congregation were, on the whole, encouraging. After the death of Mr. Irving, the Rev. Hugh H. Blair became his successor in the pastoral office. But difficulties soon arose of various kinds. The congregation was embarrassed on account of their debts, and finally the house of worship was sold under foreclosure of mortgage, and the church and congregation retired to the lecture-room of' the medical college in Crosby street. But their troubles were not at an end. Dissen- sions existed among themselves, which, in the spring of 1838, ended in a separation, and the body now known in the city as PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 215 the " Second Associate Church," worshipped for about a year in the " National Hall" in Canal street, and thence removing several times to other places, remaining without a pastor, being supplied by the Presbytery until the spring of the year 1843, when the Rev. William J. Cleland, their present pastor, was installed. About that time they purchased a small house of worship stand- ing on the corner of Houston and Forsyth streets, where they still remain. The num- ber of communicants is about one hundred and thirty-five. THIRD, OR CHARLES STRIET ASSOCIATE CHURCH. When the separation took place in the Second Associate Church, as just related, that portion of the people who adhered to Mr. Blair continued for a time to maintain worship in the Medical College, and then a small church building standing on the Sixth avenue, opposite Amity street, was pur- chased and occupied for several years, but in October, 1844, the congregation took possession of a substantial brick edifice, which they had erected on Charles street, 216 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. where they still remain, with an increasing assembly. Mr. Blair continues in the pas- toral office, and they now enrol nearly four hundred members in communion. REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Reformed Presbyterian Church in the city of New York was organized in the year 1797. The members of the original session were Messrs John Currie, Andrew Gifford, David Clark, John Agne w, and James Nelson ; the three former from Scotland, and the latter from the north of Ireland. All of these are now deceased, except Mr. Gifford, who still survives, in very advanced years, an eminent example of Christian consistency. In the year 1800, the congregation called to the pastoral office, the late Rev. Alexander McLeod, D.D., who had then but recently been licensed to preach the gospel. At that time the church contained about thirty communicants, and they met for worship in a small room in Cedar street In the following year a site was procured on Chambers street, east of Broadway, and a small neat frame building was erected. In PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 217 this house Dr. McLeod continued to min- ister until 1819, when a larger and more com- modious edifice of brick was erected on the same spot. This place was well known to the Christian inhabitants of New York of all denominations, who were often attracted to it by the commanding talents of the pastor. In the year 1826, a few spirited individu- als of the congregation purchased a house of worship which had been formerly used by by the Reformed Dutch Church in Greenwich village, and removed it to Sixth street, now Waverley place. The original design of the movement was to establish a collegiate charge, both branches of which should be under the pastoral care of Dr. McLeod, with an assistant minister. This design, however, failed of accomplishment, and a distinct and independent congregation was organized, to worship in Waverley place. At that time the whole number of commu- nicants in the Reformed Church was about three hundred and thirty, and of these about one hundred received certificates to form the new church. The Presbytery then submit- ted the choice of the two congregations to 19* 218 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Dr. McLeod, and he decided to remain with the mother church in Chambers street. In the beginning of the year 1833, the congregation called the Rev. John N. Mc- Leod, and he was installed as colleague pastor with his father. Dr. McLeod sur- vived this event but a few weeks, departing this life on February 17th, 1833, in the 58th year of his age, and 34th year of his min- istry. The Rev. Dr. John N. McLeod con- tinues to the present time sole pastor of the church. In the year 1835, the congregation considered it expedient to remove from Chambers street, and having disposed of their house of worship, they purchased a larger and more commodious building which had been occupied by the Union Presbyte- rian Church, situated on Prince street, corner of Marion street, where they still remain, a flourishing congregation. They number three hundred and thirty-six on their roll of communicants. SECOND REFORMED CHURCH. This is the organization referred to above, who, in number about one hundred, were de- tached from the old Reformed Church in PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 219 Chambers street, in the year 1830, and form- ed into a separate church, worshipping in "Waverley place. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. Robert Gibson, who was installed pastor of the church, May 18th, 1831, remaining in charge until his death, which took place, December 23d, 1837. He was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. Andrew Stevenson, who was installed November 14th, 1839, This congregation is in a flourishing state, and three hundred and nineteen were reported in communion in May, 1845. REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHUICH IK SULLIVAN STREET. This church was formed January 21st, 1833. It arose out of some difficulties in the Rev. Dr. McLeod's congregation in Chambers street, to which the original mem- bers belonged. The congregation worship- ped for some time in the lecture room of the Reformed Dutch Church in Franklin street, but in the year 1839, they purchased a house of worship on Sullivan street, near Spring street, which had been built and occupied by the Protestant Methodists, where they still 220 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. remain. The church has had but one pas- tor, the Rev. James Chrystie, who was in- stalled, November 16th, 1836, and remains with them. They have one hundred and eighty members in communion. DATB OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES IN g THE CITY OF NEW YORK. \TITH THB HCMBJER OF COMMUNICANTS IN EACH (1845). Date. Com. First Church 1716 288 Scotch Church 1756 675 1st Associate Church 1785 300 Reformed Church (Prince 8t.) 1797 336 Pearl Street Church 1804 350 Duane Street Church 1808 444 Brick Church 1809 719 Rutgers' Street Church 1 809 869 Canal Street Church 1809 250 Eighth Street Church 1812 404 Seventh Church 1818 1073 Allen StreetChurch 1819 447 Central Church 1821 549 Colortd Presbyterian 1822 413 Spring Street Church 1825 773 Bleecker Street Church 1825 399 Carmine Street Church 1 829 637 Reformed Church (Waverley Place) 1830 319 2d Associate Church : 1830 135 Sixth StreetChurch 1831 155 4th Associate Reformed Church 1831 310 Houston Street Church 1832 723 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 221 Welsh Church 1833 Reformed Church (Sullivan st.) 1833 Brainerd Church 1834 West Twentieth Street Church 1834 Mercer Street Church 1835 Madison Street Church 1836 5th Associate Reformed Church 1837 Tenth Church 1837 3d Associate Church 1838 Eleventh Church 1839 Chelsea Church 1842 Fifteenth Street Church 1844 Harlem Church 1844 Bloomingdale Church 1845 Church on University Place 1845 Hammond Street Church 1 84.5 Yorkville Church 184 have the lines parcelled out as sung, but a large majority being in favor of a different mode, a difficulty arose, and at length four- teen members took their dismissions, and, on June 5th of that year, were constituted as a distinct church, under the name of the BAPTIST CHURCH. 231 "Second Baptist Church in New York." The first pastor of this church was the Rev. John Dodge, a native of Long Island, and bred a physician. He became a Baptist in Baltimore, and united with the Second Church in New York as their pastor on January 14th, 1771. It is not now known how long Mr. Dodge remained pastor of this church, nor is anything known of his minis- try. The war of the Revolution soon came on, and doubtless this church was scattered with all the others in the city. But a year or two after the peace, we find it again in operation. About the year 1790, some diffi- culties again occurred in the First Baptist Church, then under the ministry of Dr. Foster, and eighteen members were dis- missed to the Second Church. But the Second Church was not happy in itself. Difficulties arose here, and, by the beginning of 1791, the church was divided into two parties, both claiming the name of the " Second Church," and practically, if not really, excommunicating each other. But friends interfered, and at length they were both persuaded, and very wisely too, to re- linquish the name for which they had very 232 BAPTIST CHURCH. foolishly quarrelled, one part remaining on the minutes of the Association under the original date of 1770, and now to be called " The Bethel Church," and the other section, taking the date of the year when the transac- tion took place, 1791, was styled " The Baptist Church in Fayette street." So the " Second Baptist Church in New York" is no longer known by that name. BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH. When the division took place in the Second Baptist Church, just referred to, that church was occupying a house of worship then standing on Rose street, nearly oppo- site the present Friends' Meeting-House. After the division, the " Bethel Church" re- mained in the same place, and the name " Second Church" was still applied to it for several years. It was a small body of only thirty-seven members in 1793. The Rev. Adam Hamilton was their pastor, who re- mained until 1795, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Charles Lahatt, who remained about seven years. In 1803, the Rev. Daniel Hall became pastor of this church, and continued to officiate in that office for BAPTIST CHURCH. 233 nearly fourteen years, being succeeded in 1817 by the' Rev. Johnson Chase. In the early part of the ministry of Mr. Hall, about the year 1806, a small wooden building was erected on the south side of Broome street, near the Bowery, and to this the church re- moved. But it was a small assembly, and when Mr. Chase commenced his labors, the church numbered in communion about one hundred members. But after this their circumstances were more prosperous. A large congregation was soon collected, and it became necessary to enlarge the place of worship. In 1820, more than four hundred members were reported in communion, and everything went on prosperously. The Bethel Church continuing to enlarge, in the year 1819 they erected a large brick edifice, measuring eighty-five feet by sixty-five, on the corner of Delancy and Christie streets. Here they continued in ordinary prosperity until the year 1830, when difficulties arose, and the church was split into parties. In the following year, the party opposed to Mr. Chase claimed to be the true Bethel Church. They were joined by the members of the Elizabeth Street Church, and their pastor>the 234 BAPTIST CHURCH. Rev. William G. Miller, and the conflicting parties each came with the usual letter to the Association, one party claiming Mr. Chase as pastor, and the other claiming Mr. Miller. The matter was warmly contested, and post- poned for a year, till finally, the Association deciding in favor of Mr. Miller, Mr. Chase and those who adhered to him withdrew from that body, stating their reasons in writing, and Mr. Miller, and those who ad- hered to him, were acknowledged as the true Bethel Church. Both, however, still claimed the house of worship, and in their struggles to retain it, much of very unchristian con- duct was exhibited, and some of the most disgraceful scenes enacted. But Mr. Miller and his party prevailed, and Mr. Chase and his party were driven out, and afterwards worshipped by themselves, first in Mott street, and since that in various places, having not been able as yet to procure for themselves a house of worship. They are now reduced to a small band, meeting in a hall in Christie street, below Grand street. Mr. Chase is still their minister, having neither resigned his charge nor been dismissed by his church. Mr. Miller and the party adhering to him, BAPTIST CHURCH. 235 held possession of the meeting-house on Delancy street, where he continued to preach for a time, when the building being encumbered with debt, was abandoned. The church retired to a hall on the Bowery, and afterwards to Sixth street. Mr. Miller re- signed his charge about the close of 1838. The church was continued on the minutes of the Association until the year 1840, when it was reported vacant, with about ninety members, one hundred and seventy-six hav- ing just then been dismissed to form the Sixth Street Baptist Church." The name of the Bethel Church is thence- forth dropped from the minutes. The meet- ing-house in Delancy street, about which there was such unholy contention, has been sold, and is now a public stable. OLIVER STREET CHURCH. The street now called Oliver street was formerly called " Fayette street," and it was here that a portion of the Second Baptist Church established public worship, when a separation took place in that church in the year 1791. Both parties had claimed the original name, but at length both relinquish- 236 BAPTIST CHURCH. ed it, that being called the " Bethel Church," and this, the " Church in Fayette street," and they continued to be known by that name until the name of the street was changed in 1821, and since that they 'have been known as the " Oliver Street Church." In 1795 this congregation erected a house of worship on the corner of Oliver and Henry streets, which being a small and inconvenient structure, was rebuilt in five years after. It was again rebuilt more permanently in 1819, and being destroyed by fire in 1843, it was rebuilt as it now stands, in the following year. This church has been highly favored with a regular and permanent ministry, and it is doubtless owing to this, in a great mea- sure, that its course has been " upward and onward," from its earliest dates. It has enjoyed the labors of three pastors. The Rev. John Williams was sole pastor of this church from 1793 to 1822, a period of nearly thirty years. On May 22, 1825, he was removed by death, at the age of 58. In the year 1823 the Rev. Spencer H. Cone became his colleague. Dr. Cone remained pastor until July 1, 1841, when he became pastor BAPTIST CHURCH. 237 of the First Baptist Church in this city, and was succeeded in October following, by the Rev. Elisha Tucker, the present pastor. SCOTCH BAPTIST CHURCH. This is perhaps the most convenient title by which to designate a small body of pro- fessing Christians still in existence in this city, although but little known. Some time in the autumn of 1802, Mr. John Inglesby, a member of the Fayette Street Baptist Church, was licensed by that church to preach the gospel, and not long after a building formerly used as a museum, standing on Greenwich street, was fitted up as a place of worship, and opened as such on January 7, 1803, and Mr. Inglesby estab- lished a meeting there ; at first an evening service only, but afterwards a regular Sab- bath service was attended. The conduct of Mr. Inglesby was not approved by the church, as being in their view disorderly, and they, moreover, objected to some of his doctrines as savoring of Antinomianism. But those who heard him constantly saw no such difficulties, and they proceeded to organize themselves as a church under his 21 238 BAPTIST CHURCH. ministry. This took place on June 11, 1805 ; Rev. Messrs. Parkinson of New York, Layatt of Newark, and Bryant of Lyon's Farms, being present on the occasion. This church styled themselves the " Ebenezer Bap- tist Church," and Mr. Inglesby became their pastor. When they applied to be received into the Association, objections were made, and they have remained independent to this day. In the course of the next year (1806) the congregation purchased two lots of ground, and built a house of worship on Anthony street, near West Broadway. After a few years Mr. Inglesby resigned his charge, and the church disposed of their house of wor- ship, and for several years occupied as a place of worship, a small frame building in York street, which is a short street running east from the rear of St. John's Church to West Broadway. At this time they were generally called the " York Street Church," and have not been known since by their original name, which is now appropriated to another church. About the year 1825, this church was revived. Elder William Ovington became their pastor, and they met for a time in a BAPTIST CHURCH. 239 school-room on the corner of Broadway and Reade street. After a few years they re- moved to a Hall on Canal street, near Varick, and thence to Houston street, and finally to a Hall on Broadway, near Bleecker street, where they still remain. Mr. Ovington retained the pastoral charge of this church until his death, which took place about the year 1834. He was suc- ceeded by Elder McBrier, who remained about four years. The church then elected Elder Thomas Hogg, who has the pastoral charge at the present time. The congrega- tion is quite small, and about thirty mem- bers are enrolled in communion. WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH. In the year 1807, a Baptist church was formed in this city, principally of Welsh people. They numbered seventy-six mem- bers in communion when they began. The Rev. John Stephens was pastor. The con- gregation met in Mott street, and kept to- gether about six years. Mr. Stephens re- signed his charge in 1811, and in 1813, being reduced to forty members, the church was dissolved, the members removing to 240 BAPTIST CHURCH. other churches. [See sketch of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church.] ABYSSINIAN CHURCH. This church was a colony of colored members from the First Baptist Church, then meeting in Gold street. It was con- stituted July 5, 1809. It was a small band at the commencement of only eighteen members, and for several years they had no settled pastor. A. house of worship was procured on Anthony street, near West Broadway, which had been erected by the Ebenezer, or York Street Church, and the church was regularly supplied with preach- ing by the Rev. Jonathan Van Velsen and the Rev. Drake Wilson for several years, until, in 1824, the Rev. Benjamin Paul became stated pastor. Mr. Paul remained with this church for about six years, when he left, and was succeeded in 1832 by the Rev. James Hayborn, who remained three years and was removed by death. The Rev. William I. Loomis was the next minister, and after him Rev. William Moore officiated. In 1841, the Rev. Sampson White was recog- nized as pastor of this church, and remains BAPTIST CHURCH. 241 to the present time. The Abyssinian church has passed through many scenes of trial and difficulty, especially on account of pecuniary embarrassments, their house of worship having once been sold at auction over their heads. But they have survived these troubles, and their prospects are now far brighter. In spiritual things the Lord has smiled upon them, and they now num- ber more than four hundred and fifty mem- bers in -communion. NORTH BERIAH CHURCH. This church was a colony of about thirty members from the First Baptist Church, formed November 13, 1809. They met for worship in Vandam street, then called Bud street. It was originally known as the " North Church," and continued to be called by this name until 1818, when the name " Beriah " was added. Not long after the formation of this church a frame building was erected on the north side of Vandam street, between Varick and Hudson, and continued to be the place of worship for this church, until the year 1819, when it was de- stroyed by fire. In the following year a brick 21* 242 BAPTIST CHURCH. building, large and commodious, was erected on McDougal street, near Vandam, and is the present place of worship for this church. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. C. P. Wyckoff, who commenced his labors in 1812, and continued in the pastoral office until 1821, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Amasa Smith. The church was still rather feeble, having but seventy- five members, although they had been in operation more than ten years. Mr.' Smith remained with the Beriah Church less than three years, and was succeeded, in 1825, by the Rev. Aaron Perkins. Mr. Perkins remained in the pastoral office here about four years, and was succeeded in 1829 by the Rev. Duncan Dunbar. Mr. Dunbar has been stated pastor of the Beriah Church ever since, with the exception of about two years, viz. : in 1 833, he was away, and the Rev. Nathaniel Norton supplied ; and in 1844, he was again away, and the pulpit was sup- plied by the Rev. Thomas Davies, John Blower, and Silas C. James. The history of the Beriah Church is somewhat peculiar. Their beginning was very feeble, and for several years they remained so, yet a very BAPTIST CHURCH. 243 large number of members have eventually been gathered into that church. Three churches have arisen from this, viz., the Salem Church," in King street, in 1934 ; "Berean," in 1838; and the "Providence Church," in 1845, besides a considerable number dismissed to aid in forming the Welsh Church, and the Sixteenth Street Church, both in 1833. About three hundred members still remain. MULBERRY STREET CHURCH. This church was formed in the year 1809, under the name of "James Street Church," with thirty-seven members, and it continued to be reported on the minutes of the Associa- tion until the year 1838, under the ministry of one man, viz., Rev. Archibald Maclay, D.D., for the whole length of time. Under these circumstances, it could not be supposed that any great changes should mark its history, and it continued uninterruptedly, as a large and flourishing church. In June, 1838, it appeared on the minutes somewhat weak- ened, reporting 211 members still in the church, but without a pastor, Dr Maclay having resigned his charge, with a view of 244 BAPTIST CHURCH. advancing the interests of religion as an agent of the " American and Foreign Bible Society." Pecuniary difficulties were also pressing hard upon the congregation, many more of the members left, until, before ihe close of the year, the church was reduced to about sixty members. Under all the circum- stances of the case, it was finally thought best to dissolve the " Mulberry street Church," and form another, which was ac- cordingly done; the old members who re- mained, were all transferred to the new Church, and a large colony came in from the " Oliver street Church" and the new body took the name of THE " TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH." This organization was accomplished in the early part of the year 1839, when nearly three hundred members were enrolled. The re-organization was effected with kind feel- ings, and with a mutual good understanding. During the summer followirig, the Rev. Benaiah Hoe supplied the pulpit, but in Nov., 1839, the Rev. W. W. Everts became the regular pastor of the church, and within two years from that time very large acces- BAPTIST CHURCH. 245 sions were made to the church by profes- sion, so that, in 1842, they numbered but a little short of one thousand in communion. It was then thought proper, and no doubt correctly so, that the church should divide. Accordingly in Dec., 1842, a colony of more than one hundred members were dismissed, and taking the pastor with them, were con- stituted as "The Laight Street Baptist Church," and removed to the west part of the city. On January 7, 1844, the Rev. Edward Lathrop became pastor of the Tabernacle Church, and continues in that office to the present time. The church is in a flourish- ing and healthy state, having now in com- munion eight hundred members. LAIGHT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. As related above, the Laight Street Bap- tist Church was a colony from the Taberna- cle Baptist Church, dismissed for that pur- pose ; and joined by a few others, they pur- chased of the Laight Street Presbyterian Church the edifice they had formerly occu- pied, at the corner of Laight and Varick streets, and when received into the Associa- 246 BAPTIST CHURCH. tion in June, 1843, they numbered two hun- dred in communion, having received one hun- dred and twenty-five by letter, and seventy- five by profession. They number at this time nearly three hundred members. Rev. W. W. Everts, who came with the original mem- bers from the Tabernacle, is pastor of the church. ZOAR CHURCH. A Baptist church under this name was constituted with thirty-four members, in the year 1811. They met in Rose street, and the Rev. Marmaduke Earle was pastor. But Mr. Earle resigned his charge in less than a year, and the church was dissolved. SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was organized April 25, 1822. It consisted originally of fifteen members, but in a few months three more were added by profession, and seven by letter, when the Rev. Charles G. Sommers, who had been pastor of the Baptist Church in Troy, became the pastor of this church. They first occupied the old German Church in Nassau street, near Maiden Lane, and in BAPTIST CHURCH. 247 1824 the congregation purchased a stone building, standing on Nassau street, between Fulton and John streets, which was built in 1803 by the Associate Presbyterians, to which they removed. Here this church and congregation have remained quietly and prosperously, with Mr. Sommers still as pastor, reaping the unquestionable advan- tages of a permanent ministry, unmarked by revolutions and changes. STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. In the year 1823 a Baptist church was formed in New York," with twenty-fi ve mem- bers, and called the " Union Church." In the following year the Rev. Samuel Eastman became their minister, and continued his labors among them until the year 1830, when he was dismissed on account of ill health. The church had then increased to one hundred and thirty-seven members. Their place of worship was a wooden building standing on the Bowery, opposite Spring street, but about this time it was de- stroyed by fire, and they occupied a place of worship on Mott street, above Spring. In 1831 the Rev. George Benedict became 248 BAPTIST CHURCH. pastor of the church. The labors of Mr. Benedict were very successful, and in three years the church had increased to two hun- dred and thirty-three members, and the con- gregation had been enabled to erect a con- venient house of worship on Stanton street, which they opened in March, 1834, and the name of the church was thenceforth changed to " Stanton Street Church." Here Mr. Benedict continued his labors very success- fully until the year 1841, when the church under his care had increased to seven hun- dred and fifty-eight members, and the house of worship was filled to overflowing. It was then resolved to colonize, and establish a new church. Accordingly, three hundred and sixty-four members, together with the paslor, were dismissed. This teok'place on January 27, 1841, and though a trying scene, it was accomplished with uninterrupted harmony and brotherly love. Stanton Street Church remained destitute of a pastor but a short time, when the Rev. David Bellamy was settled, and remains with them to the present time. Divine in- fluences have continued to flow down, the places of those who removed have been supplied, and the place of worship is full. BAPTIST CHURCH. 249 NORFOLK STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. The colony of three hundred and sixty- four members, who, with their pastor, the Rev. George Benedict, were dismissed from the Stanton Street Church in January, 1841, as stated above, were in the following month constituted a new church, and having pur- chased a meeting-house built by the " Chris- tian Society" in 1829, standing on the corner of Broome and Norfolk streets, they com- menced worship in it, styling themselves the " Norfolk Street Baptist Church." A large congregation was soon collected, and Mr. Benedict continues his labors there. A divine blessing has evidently attended the ministrations of the Gospel, and " much people have been added to the Lord." Almost seven hundred members are now enrolled in that church. EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was organized in the year 1825, and met for worship in the northeast- erly part of the city. The church consisted of not over thirty members at its commence- ment, and has increased to a little over one 22 250 BAPTIST CHURCH. hundred at the present time. The Rev. Leonard G. Marsh was their first pastor, and is with them still. The congregation built a small, but convenient house of worship, which was opened in 1838, situated on Ave- nue A, near Second street. Their pros- pects are encouraging. PROVOST STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. Franklin street was formerly called Pro- vost street, and on this street, a little west of " West Broadway," then known as Chapel street, a house of worship was erected in 1823, measuring 40 feet by 60, being a frame building, with a brick front. This house was occupied for a short time by a Presby- terian Congregation, under the pastoral care of the Rev. James G. Ogilvie : that congre- gation being broken up in the year 1825, the house was purchased by a church of general or open communion Baptists, of which the Rev. Thomas Hand was pastor. Very soon after this the Rev. Isaac Chase became pas- tor of this church, and continued to preach for three or four years, when his health fail- ed, and he resigned his charge. The church was small at its beginning, but increased , BAPTIST CHURCH. 251 under the ministry of Mr. Chase, to nearly eighty members. But after he left they had no other pastor, and shortly the church was scattered, and became extinct. The house of worship was leased to the Fourth. Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, in 1832, and sold to the same church in 1838. They now occupy it Mr. Chase, not long after his dismission, adopted different views, on the subject of baptism, and united with the Presbytery of New York, but the state of his health did not allow him to engage again in the min- istry. He is now the American Consul at Cape Town, South Africa. NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was organized with fourteen members, in the year 1828, and it was sup- plied for a time by the Rev. John Gibbs. They met for worship in Greenwich village, and were at that time the most northerly of I- any Baptist Church in the city. In 1828, the * church obtained as a pastor the Rev. Jacob H. Brouner, who had been pastor of a Bap- tist Church, at Mount Pleasant. The con- gregation suffered some for want of a con- 252 BAPTIST CHURCH. venient house of worship, but this however was attained in the year 1831, by the erec- tion of a commodious building, measuring 64 feet by 50, standing at the corner of Bedford and Christopher streets. The build- ing was commenced in the previous year, but it advanced slowly, and when the church commenced to hold meetings in the house, in the early part of 1831, it was "neither ceiled nor pewed." However they have now a good house, and a considerably nu- merous congregation. The seats in their house are free. More than three hundred are in connection with the church. Mr. Brouner is still their minister. CANNON STREET BAPTIST CHUCRH. In the year 1827, there was formed in New York, a small Baptist Church of twenty- five members, called the " Mission Church," having for their minister, the Rev. John C. Murphy. They occupied as a place of worship a building called" The Mission House," on Broome street, between Can- non and Lewis streets. Mr. Murphy con- tined with them about two years, and the church struggled along, though with dimi- BAPTIST CHURCH. 253 nished numbers, under the ministry of Rev. William Curtis, for a year or two longer. While these things were going on in the year 1829, another small church of fifteen members was formed, which met for worship in a hall, in the Iron works, on Rivington street, and removed from thence to a hall on Grand street This was called " The East Baptist church," and the Rev. John Middle, ton was their minister. Considerable suc- cess attended his labors, and efforts were put forth to obtain a house of worship, which at one time seemed about to be realized. But after nearly five years no house was built. Mr. Middleton left, and the church was dwindling away. In 1833, in view of the state of the " Mission Church," then just expiring, an effort was made to get up a new interest, and another church was formed of thirty- eight members, part of which were dismissed at that time from the Oliver Street Church, and a part were the fragments that remained of the " Mission Church." This was called "The Broome Street Church." Of this church the Rev. John Mitchell became pas- tor, and ^remained a li ttle over a year, when 22* 354 BAPTIST CHURCH. he was succeeded by the Rev. Israel Robords, and he by the Rev. John Blain. Yet after considerable accessions, so that at one lime they numbered over two hundred in communion, and in one year reporting a revival that brought in at least one hundred by profession, still the church was in a feeble and scattering condition. Such was the state of this church towards the close of the year 1838. At this time a union was effected between the " East Baptist Church" and the " Broome Street Church," though all the members in both churches did not come in. There were reported one hundred and sixty- seven members in the " East Church" in June, 1838, and one hundred and fifty-four members in the " Broome Street Church" and yet, in June, 1839, when they were reported as one church, under the name of the " East Broome Street Church," they re- ported but two hundred and forty -four mem- bers, and had received twenty-five of this number by profession after the union, leaving more than one hundred members unac- counted for. The new church (" East Broome Street") occupied the " Mission House," on Broome BAPTIST CHURCH. 255 street, between Cannon and Lewis streets, with Rev. Zelotes Grenell as their pastor, an active, consistent, and devoted minister. In the course of the next year ground was purchased on which to erect a church edifice, situated on Cannon street, near Broome street, and under the favor of Him, whose is the silver and gold, and the cattle upon a thousand hills, the building was carried for- ward ; and on March 4th, 1841, the house was opened for public worship, and the church- was thenceforth called the " Cannon Street Church." The labors of Mr. Greneli were signally blessed, so that up to June, 1842, more than four hundred persons had been enrolled in communion. But during that year he resigned the pastoral office in this church, and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Davis, the present pastor. The favor of the Lord has still been vouchsafed, so that there is now found assembling at Cannon street a numerous congregation, with nearly seven hundred members in communion ; and, under the charge of a very efficient superintendent, there is one of the largest and most interesting Sabbath schools in the city. 256 BAPTIST CHURCH. ELIZABETH STREET CHURCH. In the year 1824, the Rev. Amasa Smith, who had then recently resigned the pastoral office in the Beriah Church, commenced preaching in a schoolroom on Elizabeth street, near Bleecker, a place then well known as the " Bethel Free School- House." After about two years a church was formed called the " Elizabeth Street Church," and was admitted to the Hudson River Associa- tion in August, 1827, with twenty-four mem- bers, and the Rev. William G. Miller as pas- tor. For three years the church was in suc- cessful operation, so that in August, 1830> they reported one hundred and three mem- bers in communion. This is the last account of the Elizabeth Street Church as such, and their name is thenceforth dropped from the minutes. In the following year, however, Mr. Miller appeared in the New York Asso- ciation as pastor of the Bethel Church, in opposition to the Rev. Johnson Chase. An account of this difficulty has been sketched on a previous page. BAPTIST CHURCH. 257 LAURENS STREET CHURCH. The Baptist Church in Laurens street was gathered by the labors of the Rev. William Thompson, and regularly constituted in 1828* A place of worship was prepared in a con- venient upper room, and here the church re- mains. Mr. Thompson left after a few years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Luke Barker, M. D. Dr. Barker remains pastor of the church. The congregation is small, the church containing seventy-seven members. CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES. Such is the style adopted by a small band who came out from the Laurens Street Church about the year 1835. The matters of difference, which led to the separation, were some matters relating to form and dis- cipline, and not any difference in doctrine. For some time they worshipped in " Concert Hall," where about thirty persons were con- stituted as a church. In 1837 they built a small house of worship in the rear of No. 80 Greene street, where they continue to meet. Their present number in communion is about one hundred and forty. Elders E. 258 BAPTIST CHURCH. Parmly and John Hassel are ministers. The church is strictly independent. EMMAUS CHURCH. Some time previous to the year 1830, Mr. Jonathan Cossington, a Baptist preacher, opened a meeting in a hall on Christie street, and after about a year he was succeeded by Elder Benjamin Pitcher, who organized a Baptist Church of a few members, calling it the " Emmaus Church." It was not in con- nection with any other in the city. Mr. Pitcher continued preaching here three or four years, when, in the spring of 1836, he became pastor of the Salem Baptist Church, in King street, and the Emmaus Church broke up, and went with him. AMITY STREET CHURCH. In 1832 a colony of forty-four members was dismissed from the Oliver Street Church, to be constituted as a distinct body. They met for worship in the Broadway Hall, near Grand street, under the ministry of Mr. William R. Williams, a licentiate of the Oli- ver Street Church, who subsequently be- came pastor. The parent church granted BAPTIST CHURCH. 259 them a lot of ground on the Baptist burying- ground in Amity street, and here a house of worship was erected and opened in May, 1834. Here they have quietly remained, with no great revolutions to mark their history. Rev. Dr. Williams is still pastor, with a flourishing church and congregation around him. ZION CHURCH.. This is a Baptist Church of colored people, and it was constituted with thirty- three members in the year 1832. They used as a place of worship, a hall on Spring street, between Varick and Hudson street, and afterwards removed to Duane street. For several years the church had no stated pastor, and was supplied by various preach- ers, colored or white, as they could be ob- tained. The Rev. J. T. Raymond, Rev. J. W. Gibbs, and the Rev. N. H. Whiting, were among those who officiated in the ministry with this church, which had in- creased considerably, so that in 1840 they numbered nearly two hundred in commu- nion. Toward the close of the previous year the congregation hired a house of 260 BAPTIST CHURCH. worship, standing in the rear of No. 488 Pearl street, to which they removed, and where they still remain. In the summer of 1840 7 the Rev. D. Scott took the pastoral charge, but resigned it again in about a year. Again the people were left destitute for more than a year, but in the early part of 1843 the Rev. Stephen Dutton of Buffalo, a respect- able colored preacher, was obtained as stated pastor of the church, and remains to the present time. Much success has crowned the efforts of this people. They have a large congregation, and enrol in communion four hundred and forty-six members. BOWERY, OR CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH. In March, 1833, Mr. Octavius Winslow, a licentiate of the Oliver Street Church, commenced preaching in the " Military Hall," on the Bowery, and soon after a church of twenty members was organized. After remaining for about a year in this place, they removed to the " Broadway Hall," then just vacated by the Amity Street Church, who had removed to their new meeting-house. At this time the name of the church was changed to that of the " Cen- tral Church, and a moderate degree of pros- BAPTIST CHURCH. 261 perity seemed to attend them. In the early part of 1836, the Rev. Mr. Winslow, who had been ordained as pastor, resigned the charge, and removed to the Second Baptist Church in Brooklyn. He was soon suc- ceeded by the Rev. William H. Card, and the congregation removed from Broadway to a hired building on Fourth street, near the East River. The state of religious feeling in the church was encouraging for a while, and their numbers increased. But a reverse succeeded. In about a year they felt con- strained to relinquish their place of worship, and part with their minister. The members of the church met together for prayer for a short season, and then scattered to other churches. WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH. The Welsh Church was a colony from the North Beriah Church, consisting original- ly of sixty members, and they were consti- tuted as a distinct church in the year 1833. They occupied for several years a Hall at 183 Canal street, thence they removed to 43 Elizabeth street, where they remained two years, and in 1844, they succeeded in the 262 BAPTIST CHURCH. erection of a small brick building on Chris- tie street, below Delancy, which they call the " Welsh .Tabernacle." Here they re- main. The first minister who supplied this church was the Rev. William Thomas, who remained a year or two, and was succeeded by the Rev. William Harris, in 1836, who held the pastoral office four years, resigning his charge in 1840. The church was then very weak, and it was with difficulty they kept on; but in the following year their spirits were somewhat revived by the arrival of the Rev. David Phillips from Wales, who labored with them for a year or more. After Mr. Phillips left, the church was sup- plied by Rev. M. I. Williams. In 1844, the present pastor of the church, the Rev. Theophilus Jones, commenced his labors. The church is small and feeble, but com- pared with former days, more encouraging. SIXTEENTH STREET CHURCH. The origin of this church is interesting. A pious man living in the neighbourhood of Sixteenth street, near the North river, made an effort to collect a Sabbath School in that part of the city. Such had been his BAPTIST CHURCH. privations in early life, that he had never learnt to read ; but he was a Christian man, and could pray, and having engaged some young persons to come in and teach the classes, he took the superintendence of the school, until he could procure some one whom he judged better qualified than himself to take his place. In connection with this school, prayer meetings were soon held, and after that occasional preaching was enjoyed. These means, feeble as they were, excited considerable interest, and led to the organi- zation of a church of eighteen members, on Oct 8, 1833. On the 21st of the same month, the Rev. David Bernard commenced preach- ing to this church in a small wooden build- ing on the south side of Eighteenth street, a little east of the Eighth avenue. That building is still standing in the rear of some brick houses. Mr. Bernard labored with this church for three years, and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. James L. Hodge, who became pastor Jan. 24, 1838. Mr. Hodge remained only until the following Novem- ber. In the year succeeding, their present large and commodious house of worship was 264 BAPTIST CHURCH. built at a cost of but little short of $20,000, including the ground on which it stands. The present pastor of the church, the Rev. Alonzo Wheelock, accepted their call in July, 1840. They have been greatly bless- ed. The congregation is large ; the church has increased to six hundred and thirty-three members ; and the Sabbath School, from which the whole thing sprang, and which commenced with eleven children, now num- bers more than six hundred. BLOOMINGDALE BAPTIST CHURCH. This is a branch of the Sixteenth street Church, and is located on the corner of Forty-third street and Eighth avenue. Seve- ral members of the Sixteenth Street Church resided in that neighborhood, and in the summer of 1842, a Sabbath School was es- tablished. At the same time preaching was maintained by the city mission, and on Feb. 21, 1843, a church of twenty-four members was organized, and the Rev. J. H. Card, who had been the missionary there, became the pastor. During that year a meeting house was built. It is a neat frame build- ing, measuring 40 feet by 60. Mr. Card BAPTIST CHURCH. 965 remained pastor until 1845, when he was succeeded by Mr. Spencer, the present pas- tor; ninety-two members are reported in communion. SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was constituted in October 1834, and consisted of thirty-seven mem- bers, who withdrew from the North Beriah Church at that time, connecting themselves with the Warwick Association. The first place of worship they occupied was a school-room in Smith street, where they re- mained about a year and a half, supplied for most of the time by Elder Loomis. After this, a house of worship was built on King street near Hudson, at a cost of about $6,000, and the church removed there, with Elder Benjamin Pitcher for their minister, for about two years. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Y. Felty, and he by Elder James C. Goble. In the autumn of 1843, Elder William Curtis became pastor of this church, and resigned the charge in June, 1845. At this time the congregation had become weakened, and the church was re- duced to about 40 members, and being des- 23* 266 BAPTIST CHURCH. titute of a stated pastor, they leased their house of worship to a society of Wesleyan Methodists, occupying the lecture room themselves, and holding prayer meetings at private houses. This is their present state. WEST BAPTIST CHURCH. This was a colony of eighty-eight mem- bers from the Mulberry street Church, who, believing they could be more useful, sepa- rated from the church in perfect harmony, and were constituted a distinct band in the year 1835. They, however, remained with- out a pastor for nearly two years ; but near the beginning of 1837, the Rev. John Dow- ling took the pastoral charge of this church, Ahouse of worship, situated in Duane street, near Chatham, which had been occupied by a Universalist Society, was hired and oc- cupied by the West Church. Their num- ber in communion was then one hundred and thirty-six, and in the following year a farther increase was reported ; but from some cause or other, they thought it best to disband, and did so in 1838, most of the members joining the Tabernacle BAPTIST CHURCH. 267 Church^ and their name was dropped from the minutes without remark. BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH. The Berean Church was a colony of sixty members dismissed from the North Beriah Church, in the year 1838, of which the Rev. Aaron Perkins became pastor. They first met for worship in King street, but in 1841, a very substantial brick edifice was erected, at the corner of Bedford and Downing streets, measuring 80 feet by 60, at a cost of about $20,000. It is capable of seating twelve hundred persons. It is a large and flourish- ing congregation, and more than four hun- dred members are enrolled in communion. The Rev. John Bowling is the present pastor, having succeeded Mr. Perkins in 1844. SIXTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was organized in April, 1840, with one hundred and fifty-six members, who were dismissed for this purpose from that portion of the Bethel Church which had been under the pastorship of the Rev. William G. 268 BAPTIST CHURCH. Miller, and was now about to disband. Of this new church, the Rev. John O. Choules became pastor. Previously to the dismission of Mr. Miller they had purchased a house of worship in Sixth street, near the Bow- ery, for $14,000, which had been built and occupied by St. Timothy's Church (Epis- copal), and which was about to be sold under foreclosure of mortgage. Here this church commenced operations, under very encou- raging circumstances. The location of the church was thought, however, to be on some accounts rather unfavorable ; and in the early part of 1843, they sold the building to an Episcopal Society (the Church of the Re- demption), paid all their debts, and had a balance on hand, intending to build on some better location, and the church and congregation removed temporarily to the hall of the " Stuyvesant Institute," on Broad- way. But various discouragements occurred, and in the spring of 1844, Mr. Choules re- signed the charge ; and in the summer of 1845, the few members that remained, took their dismissions to other bodies, and this church became extinct. BAPTIST CHURCH. 269 PARTICULAR BAPTIST CHURCH. On the first Sabbath in January, 1841, a meeting was commenced in a hall near the corner of Catharine and Cherry streets, by the Rev. Job Plant, a Baptist minister from England, then recently arrived in the city. He continued preacher at this place for about a year, in the course of which a church was formed, consisting of from twenty to thirty members, but unconnected with any other Baptist Church in the city, styling themselves " Particular Baptists.'' In the following year the congregation removed to a hall on Grand street, and after a term of time, removed again to a* small house of worship on Eliza- beth street, between Walker and Hester streets. The congregation was never large, and the communicants probably never ex- ceeded forty. About midsummer in 1844, Mr. Plant left, and the church, which was then reduced to about twenty members, was scattered and became extinct. BAPTIST SEAMEN'S BETHEL. This church was formed for the special advantage of seamen, in the year 1843. 270 BAPTIST CHURCH. Twenty-three members were at first enrol- led. They have not yet obtained a house of worship, but occupy a hall on Catharine street, near Cherry street. The church has increased to more than sixty members. The Rev. I. R. Steward is pastor. MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH. On July 16th, 1343, a Baptist Church un- der the above title was constituted, consist- ing of sixteen members, most of whom were dismissed from the Bethesda Baptist Church. They procured as a place of worship the lecture room of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Prince and Marion streets, where they -have remained to ~the present time. Elder James C. Goble was unanimously called as their stated pastor. The church has increased to about fifty members, but the congregation is not large. FOURTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. The origin of this church is thus stated in the minutes of the Association : " A few members of the Norfolk Street Church, with the unqualified approbation of the church of BAPTIST CHURCH. 271 which they were members, procured a place of worship on Fourth street, near the East river, with the view of forming a new interest. After deliberate consideration, and earnest prayer, forty-seven brethren and sisters were publicly recognized as the " Fourth Street Baptist Church." This took place May llth, 1843. The Rev. John Cookson be- came iheir pastor, ^ut he was succeeded in the next year by the Rev. L. Cqvell, who re- signed the charge in the summer of 1845. The church has increased to more than one hundred and thirty members, though as yet they have no house of worship which they can call their own. Rev. J. T. Seely is the present minister. ELEVENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was formed with a small number of members, in March, 1843. The Rev. S. Corey soon became pastor, and is still with them. In the course of that year their house of worship was built. It is a neat brick edifice, standing on Eleventh street, between the Third and Fourth ave- nues. The church has been prospered in 272 BAPTIST CHURCH. spiritual things, having received, by profes- sion, eighty-four persons in two years. HARLEM BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was organized in October, 1844. It is a small band of twenty-six mem- bers, but they have as yet neither house of worship nor pastor. ^ PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH. On November 27th, 1845, a church by this name was organized, who met for some months in a hall in the lower part of Canal street. Ninety-three members were enrolled, all being dismissed from the Beriah Church in McDougal street. The Rev. S. C. James supplied their pulpit for some time, but in the spring of 1846, the Rev. J. J. Braine, who had been pastor of a Congregational Church in the city, became pastor of this church, and continues in that office. The congregation now occupy a hall at the corner of Hudson and Grove streets, with an increasing as- sembly. BAPTIST CHURCH. 273 CHRISTIAN BAPTIST CHURCH. After the breaking up of the Particular Baptist Church, as related on a previous page, a few of the members continued to hold prayer meetings, and after nearly a year spent in this way, in July, 1845, four per- sons covenanted together as a church, taking no other name than that of a Christian Bap- tist Church. They occupy the building in Elizabeth street, occupied before by the Particular Baptists. Mr. Edmund Thorn- ton is the officiating minister. DATES OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES NOW EXISTING IN NEW YORK CITY, WITH THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN EACH, AS RE- PORTED IN 1845. Date Mem. First Church, 1762 586 Bethel Church (under Mr. Chase) 1770 50 Oliver Street Church, 1791 633 Scotch Baptist Church, 1805 30 Abyssini?a Church, 1809 451 North Beriah Church 1809 300 South Church, 1822 458 Stanton Street Church, 1823 579 Ebenezer Church 1825 107 North Church, 1827 314 Laurens Street Church 1828 77 Zion Church, 1832 446 Amity Street Church, 1832 254 Welsh Church, 1833 68 24 274 BAPTIST CHURCH. Sixteenth Street Church, 1833 626 Salem Baptist Church, 1834 40 Church of the Disciples, 1 835 130 Berean Church, 1838 411 Cannon Street Church, 1838 670 Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1839 801 Bethesda Church 1841 88 Norfolk Street Church, 1841 695 Laight Street Church, 1842 298 JBloomingdale Church, 1843 92 Seamen's Bethel Church, 1843 65 Fourth Street Church, 1843 139 Eleventh Street Church 1843 163 Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1843 50 Harlem Baptist Church, 1844 26 Providence Church, 1845 93 Christian Church (Elizabeth street) 1 845 4 Churches 31 Members 8,744 LIST OF CHURCHES ONCE FORMED AND NOW EXTINCT. Formed. Dissoly. Baptist Arminian Church, 1724 1732 Welsh Church, 1807 1813 Mulberry Street Church, 1 809 1 839 Zoar Church, 1811 1812 Provost Street Church, 1825 1 829 Mission Church, 1827 1833 Elizabeth Street Church, 1827 1830 East Baptist Church, 1829 1838 Einmaus Church, 1830 1836 Bethel Church (under Mr. Miller), 1831 1840 Broome Street Church, 1833 1838 Bowery, or Central Church, 1833 1838 West Church, 1835 1838 Sixth Street Church, 1840 1845 Particular Baptist,.,,, ,.;.,1841 1-844 Churches 15 MORAVIAN CHURCH. 1748. IN tracing the history of the Moravian Church, or Church of the United Brethren, as it is also called, in the city of New York, we are led back something more than one hundred years. It was in the year 1736 that the Rev. Messrs. Spangenberg and Nitschman, two Bishops of the Moravian Church, arrived in New York from Germany, on their way to Pennsylvania. During a brief stay in this city they made the acquaintance of Mr. John Noble, who was at that time a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in "Wall street, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Pemberton. Mr. Noble was a man of estimable character, as well as a man of wealth. He subsequently withdrew from the Presbyterian Church, and was a leading man in the Moravian Church until his death. 276 MORAVIAN CHURCH. Mr. Beomper, another merchant, was asso- ciated with Mr. Noble at this time. A few meetings for social worship were held at that time in the house of Mr. Noble, but when the two bishops left the city, the meetings were discontinued, and all things remained as they were for about three years. In the year 1739 the Rev. Martin Mock and the Rev. Henry Rauch, two missionaries from the Moravian Church in Germany, landed in New York. The meetings for re- ligious worship were then renewed ; and in a little more than a year 'after this, in the beginning of the year 1741, the Rev. Peter Boehler, a bishop of the Moravian Church, came to New York for the purpose of em- barking for Europe, accompanied thus far by Bishop Nitschman, who had been here five years previous. During their slay in the city meetings were frequently held, and con- siderable interest excited; and before they left, a society of nine persons was formed, who continued to assemble for social wor- ship. Towards the close of that year Count Zinzindorf, the founder of the Moravian Church in Germany, arrived fri New York, with a considerable colony of Moravians, on MORAVIAN CHURCH. 277 their way to Pennsylvania. His presence greatly encouraged the brethren at New York. He tarried but afew days, but before he left he appointed elders from among them- selves, and thus things remained until the year 1748. Up to this time meetings had been held for reading the Scriptures, prayer, and singing, but they had enjoyed no sac- raments. In December, 1748, the Rev. Johannes de Wattivel, a Bishop of the Moravian Church, came from Europe, and, while he tarried in New York, he made a regular organization of the church, and administered the Lord's Supper. The total number in the congrega- tion at this time was less than one hundred, and for two years they met for worship in the house of Mr. Noble. In the year 1751 the congregation pur- chased two lots of ground on what was then Fair street now Fulton street, between William and Dutch streets, where they erected a small frame building. The corner- stone was laid by the Rev. Owen Rice, June 16th, 1751, and the building was dedicated by Bishop Spangenberg on the 18th of June, in the following year. Here was their place 24* 278 MORAVIAN CHURCH. of worship for almost 80 years. Here the fathers worshipped and went down to the grave ; and here, also, the children succeeded, and the third generation came, and the house was filled. In the year 1829 the old house of worship was taken down, and rebuilt of brick, 40 feet wide and 60 feet long. The corner-stone of this edifice was laid August 13th, and the building was dedicated by Bishop Anders, on the 29th of November, in the same year. In 1836, Fulton street was widened, and it became necessary to cut off eight feet of the building. In 1843, it was thought advisable to remove the place of worship, and the church edifice was taken down, and the ground sold. A new pur- chase was made of ground on the corner of Houston and Mott streets, and a large and substantial brick building erected, which was opened for worship June 29th, 1845. One singular circumstance may properly be noticed. When the church edifice on Fulton street was taken down, the corner- stone was preserved, together with the box which was deposited underneath it in 1829, and, in digging up the other parts of the foundation, the corner-stone of the old first building was also found in a good state of MORAVIAN CHURCH. 279 preservation. These were both deposited in the foundation of the church on Houston street, with a third stone, specially appro- priated to that building. The pastoral office in the Moravian Church in New York has been held by a considerable number of very respectable clergymen, but it is somewhat difficult to fix the precise dates of their accession or resig- nation. The Rev. Owen Rice labored with this congregation soon after the organization of the church, and was with them previous to the erection of their first house of worship in 1751. The Rev. Thomas Yarrell held the pastoral office from 1757 to 1765, when he was succeeded by the Rev. G. Neiser, who remained here ten years. In 1775, the Rev. Gustavus Shewkirk ministered in this church for a short time, until the revolutiona- ry war broke up this congregation, as it did most others in the city. After the peace, and when order was restored in the city, the congregation again collected, with the Rev. Ludolph A. Rusmeyer as pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Birkby, and he by the Rev. Godfrey Peters, who died here October 27, 1797. He was the first minister who had died while in the service % 280 MORAVIAN CHURCH. of this church. The Rev. Mr. Meder, the Rev. Mr. Bardill, and the Rev. Mr. Moulther, successively officiated in this church, the last named for seven years, closing his min- istry with the year 1812. In that year the Rev. Benjamin Mortimer, who had been a missionary among the Indians, succeeded to the pastoral office in this church, and labored faithfully and successfully for seven- teen years, until he was removed by death in 1829. When Mr. Mortimer became in- firm, about a year previous to his death, the Rev. William Henry Vanvleek commenced his labors in the Moravian Church, which were continued most acceptably to the peo- ple until the autumn of 1836, when he was appointed to the office of a bishop in the church, and resigned his charge. Bishop Vanvleek was succeeded in the church at New York by the Rev. C. F. Kluger, who served two years ; and in 1838, he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Mr. Bleck, who left in 1842, under a call from a church in Salem, N. C., when the present pastor of the church, the Rev. David Bigler, commenced his labors. The church and congregation are in a flour- ishing state. The number of communicants is one hundred and twenty. METHODIST CHURCH. 1766. THE first Methodist church in America was formed in the city of New York. In the early part of the year 1766, a few Irish families who were Methodists, arrived here, among whom was Mr. Philip Embury, a local preacher, of this denomination. He commenced preaching in his own house, which stood on what is now called " City Hall Place," and gathered a small society of his countrymen. After a few months spent in this way, a room was rented adjoining the soldiers' barracks, and meetings were held there. Before the close of that year they were joined by Capt. Thomas Webb, bar- rack-master at Albany, a zealous and gifted man, who preached to the people in his regimentals. The novelty of this brought numbers to the meeting, and the society was 282 METHODIST CHURCH. greatly enlarged. A room formerly used as a rigging loft, was procured, and fitted up as a place of worship. That building is still standing. It is a high, one story frame building, with a sharp roof, standing end to the street, after the old Dutch fashion. It stands on the east side of William street, about half way between Fulton and John streets, and now bears the street number of one hundred and twenty. Here the congre- gation remained about two years, when ground was purchased on John street, near Nassau, and a house of worship was built, sixty feet in length, and forty-two in breadth, and called " Wesley Chapel." Mr. Embury preached the first sermon in this house on October 30, 1768. During the next year Mr. Boardman and Mr. Pilmoor* came over from England, and labored in New York and Philadelphia, interchanging with each other, and the societies were considerably en- larged ; yet at the first conference ever held in America, which was convened in Philadel- *This Mr. Pilmoor, or Pillmore, as the name is sometimes spelt, afterwards became an Episcopa- lian, and was the first Rector of " Christ's Church" in this city. He died in Philadelphia in July, 1825. METHODIST CHURCH. 283 phia, July 4, 1773, there were no more than one hundred and eighty members reported in the church in New York, and about the same number in Philadelphia. Thomas Rankin and George Shadford were then stationed at New York and Philadelphia, with directions to exchange places every four months. Rev. Francis Asbury and Rev. Richard Wright labored after this. Mr. Asbury was afterwards bishop, and the most promi- nent man in the Methodist connection in America. The war of the Revolution soon came on, and no very great advance was made until after the peace, and the regular establish- ment of the " Methodist Episcopal Church" in the year 1784. JOHN STREET CHURCH. This, as we have seen, was the first Methodist church in New York city, the mother of at least twenty-four others. Al- though, perhaps, not many formalities were observed at its formation, yet it may be considered as having been formed in the house of Mr. Embury, in 1766, with four or 284 METHODIST CHURCH. five members. 'The first house of worship was built, as has been stated, in 1768. ' This was taken down in 1817, and another erect- ed on the same spot. In the year 1840, John street was widened, and it became necessary to remove or rebuild the meeting- house. It was accordingly taken down, and the present building erected. It looks small on the street, being but forty-two feet wide, .but it is eighty feet deep, and is so arranged as to accommodate a large congregation. It is, altogether, one of the neatest places of worship in the city. There are now on the roll of communicants, three hundred and seventy-five members. Rev. Aaron Rogers is pastor. FORSYTH STREET CHURCH. This was the second Methodist church formed in the city, and was founded in the year 1790. It commenced with about thirty members. The first house of worship was a frame building, erected at a cost of about $2,000. It stood on the site of the present building in Forsyth street, near Division street. This was taken down in 1833, and the present building erected at a METHODIST CHURCH. 235 cost of $20,000. This has always been a numerous assembly. Two churches have colonized from this since its establishment, and it now numbers six hundred and fifty communicants. Rev. Sanford Washburn is now preacher in charge. DUANE STREET CHURCH. This church was formed in 1797, and was the third Methodist church in the city. The original number of members was forty-five. In the same year a house of worship was built on Duane street, near Hudson, at a cost of about $10,000. The house is now standing. It is a large and flourishing con- gregation. The number of communicants is six hundred and twenty-five. The Rev. John Poisal is the present minister. SEVENTH STREET CHURCH. The origin of this church is interesting. About the year 1788, when the Methodist Church in John street was the only one of that denomination in the city, two members of that church, Mr. Philip I. Arcularius, and Mr. John Spruson, being desirous of carrying 25 286 METHODIST CHURCH. the Gospel to the more scattered population, established a weekly prayer-meeting in the northeastern section of the city, on the road leading to Harlem, about two miles from what was then the centre of the city. This meeting was called, for distinction's sake, the " Two Mile-stone Prayer-meeting." This meeting was continued for several years, and many people around became in- terested in the things of religion. At length a class was formed, preaching was occa- sionally obtained, and about the year 1800, a church was organized Forsyth Street and Duane Street having preceded it, so that it constituted the fourth" Methodist Church organized in the city. For some years it was more generally known as the " Two Mile-stone Church." An old building was occupied as a place of worship, which stood on what was then called " Nicholas- William street," near the present " St. Mark's place," which was hired on a long lease. About the year 1830, before the lease expired, the owners of the land, where the old house stood, wishing to improve it, offered the Methodist congregation a still longer lease on another spot, nearer to what is now METHODIST CHURCH. 287 Seventh street. To this place the old build- ing was removed, enlarged, and repaired. They had been here but a few years, when the owners of the land, being desirous of making still farther improvements, offered the congregation a free gift of lots on the south side of Seventh street, if they wo'uld again remove. To this they consented, and built a substantial brick edifice, measuring seventy-two feet by fifty-four, at a cost of about $17,500. The house was completed in 1.836. The old building was then taken down and removed to Yorkville, and is the present Methodist Meeting-House at that place. ALLEN STREET CHURCH. This church was formed in the year 1810. Meetings had been held in that neighborhood during the previous year, and a house of worship was completed near the close of 1810. It was a stone building, seventy feet by fifty-five, and stood on the site of the present building, which was erected in 1836. It is a large brick edifice, seventy -four feet by sixty-two. A large and flourishing congregation assemble here. The number 288 METHODIST CHURCH. of members in the church is nine hundred and fifty-four. Rev. L. M. Vincent is the present minister. BEDFORD STREET CHURCH. This church was formed in the same year with* the church in Allen street. A private room was first used for meetings, then a hall owned by an individual, and at length a small frame building was erected on Bedford street, corner of Morton street. Like most of the other churches, this has greatly in- creased, and after having enlarged their house of worship twice, and still found it filled to overflowing for several years, in 1840, a very large brick edifice was erected on the same spot. Rev. John- Seys is the present minister. WILLET STREET CHURCH. Toward the close of the year 1817, a few members of the Methodist Church living in the eastern part of the city, established a meeting in a school-room on Broome street, which was just vacated by the Seventh Presbyterian Church. Shortly after, they re- METHODIST CHURCH. 289 moved to a building called " The Mission- House," standing on Broome street, between Cannon and Lewis streets, which they hired. They then organized as a church, and remained in this building for six years. In 1825, on the 16th of October, they laid the corner stone of the " Willet Street Me- thodist Church." This building was finished in May of the next year, and the church and congregation removed hither. The congre- gation is a prosperous one. Rev. Phineas Rice is the present pastor. EIGHTEENTH STREET METHODIST CHURCH. This church was commenced in the year 1829, when a small class was formed in the scattered settlements which then lay along the North river, above Greenwich. A small wooden building was put up for a meeting- house, standing on what is now " West Twentieth street, a few doors west of the Eighth avenue, and the Rev. Stephen Mar- tindale was stationed there by the Confer- ence for two years. The society increased, and the place of worship was filled, and soon found to be altogether " too strait" for the rapidly increasing congregation. 25* 290 METHODIST CHURCH. Arrangements were therefore made to ob- tain better accommodations ; and in 1835, the society opened for worship a spacious brick edifice, capable of seating nearly 1000 persons, situated on Eighteenth street, be- tween Eighth and Ninth avenues. The old meeting-house was converted into a dwell- ing, and is still standing. The Rev. Mr- Martindale, who was their first minister, and who saw their feeble beginnings, is again their pastor, having now around him a numerous and flourishing church and con- gregation. GREENE STREET CHURCH. The Methodist Church in Greene street was formed in the year 1831. In that year, a large brick edifice was built on Greene street, where a numerous congregation now assemble. The Rev. Nathan Bangs, D.D., has the pastoral charge of this church at the present time. SECOND STREET METHODIST CHURCH. The methodist meeting-house in Second street was built in the year 1832. It was METHODIST CHURCH. 291 situated on a kind of missionary ground, and has been instrumental of great good. It is numerously attended. The Methodist churches changing their ministers every two years, and sometimes every year, it cannot be expected that we can follow the ministers of each church in detail. The pastor in charge at Second street, at the present time, is the Rev. F. W. Smith. " HARLEM MISSION." About the year 1830, a missionary cir- cuit was established by the Methodist Epis- copal Mission of this city, which was tra- velled by the Rev. Mr. Ferris for one year, and by the Rev. Dr. Seaman for the two following. It was called the " Harlem Mis- sion." They had six principal stations, viz., Harlem, Yorkville, Manhattanville, Fort Washington, Forty-first street, on the North river, and Twenty-seventh street, toward the East river. At these places the Sabbaths were spent, and lectures and prayer-meet- ings held occasionally during the week in other places. The circuit was travelled in about two weeks. After a time, two preachers were appointed to this circuit. 292 METHODIST CHURCH. The Methodist churches at Harlem, York- ville, Forty-first street, and Twenty-seventh street, owe their origin to this effort. The first of these which ripened into an inde- pendent church was, YORKVILLE. A considerable congregation was accus- tomed to assemble here, and a class was formed in the very early movements of the Mission, and Divine influences being afford- ed, quite a number of persons were hopeful- ly converted. The regular establishment of the church took place in the year 1832. In the year 1836, an effort was made to obtain a house of worship. The Seventh street Methodist Church having about that time completed a new house of worship, their old building, then in a good state of repair, was obtained, taken down, and removed to Yorkville. The Methodist congregation at Yorkville is not large ; about thirty-five members are found in the church. Rev. William McK. Bangs is the present minister. METHODIST CHURCH. 293 TWENTY-SEVENTH STREET CHURCH. The station established by the preachers on the Harlem mission circuit at what was then generally known as " Rose Hill," was the next which became an independent congregation. This took place in 1834, and it was generally known as the " Rose Hill Church." A small frame building was erected about that time on Twenty-seventh street, and, the population soon increasing in that section of the city, this house became crowded, and in 1843, the congregation com- pleted a substantial brick edifice, measuring 72 feet by 48. The Rev. Daniel Curry is the present minister. FORTY-FOURTH STREET CHURCH. Connected with the Twenty-seventh Street Church a class of about ten members was formed, in November, 1844, a short dis- tance above, on the Third avenue ; and the second floor of an old building, standing on Forty-fourth street, was fitted up as a place of worship, and for the accommodation of a Sabbath-school. Preaching is maintained here most of the time, but the relation of the people is still to the Rose Hill Church. 294 METHODIST CHURCH. HARLEM METHODIST CHURCH. This was the third of the mission stations which became a church. Preaching was maintained here with considerable regularity from the year 1830, but it was not until nearly six years after that a church was formed. It was in the year 1836 that the meeting-house was built, and the permanent establishment of the church may be dated from this time. The Rev. M. E. Willing is pastor of the church. FORTY-FIRST STREET CHURCH. This church, also, was the offspring of the " Harlem Mission," and became a distinct church in the year 1840. In 1843, their present house of worship was built. The assembly is not large, but it is now a per- manent body, and the church is doing good in the population around it. VESTRY STREET CHURCH. For many years all the members of the Methodist Church, residing on the western side of the city, were constrained to travel to METHODIST CHURCH. 295 Duane street on the south, or Bedford street on the north, in order to reach a church of their own denomination. An intermediate place of worship seemed, therefore, highly expedient. Vestry street was pitched upon as a suitable location ; a very handsome and commodious house of worship was built here in the year 1833, and a church was or- ganized. The Rev. Moses L. Scudder is the present pastor. There is one peculiarity in this house of worship : it is finished with pews, and not free seats. Of all the Methodist Meeting- Houses in the city there are but two such. MULBERRY STREET CHURCH. The house of worship occupied by this church is built with pews and not free seats, like the church in Vestry street. A large congregation assembles here. The church was organized in 1834, and the house of worship was built in the same year. The present pastor of the church is the Rev. Edward L. Janes. <. 296 METHODIST CHURCH. TWENTY-FOURTH STREET CHURCH. In the month of August, in the year 1841, a Sabbath-school was established in the basement of a dwelling-house, in the Tenth avenue, between Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth streets, a part of the city at that time exceedingly destitute of the ordi- nary means of grace. Soon after, a prayer-meeting was opened in the same place, and, a few hopeful conver- sions occurring, a class of about, twenty per- sons was formed and attached to the Me- thodist Church in Eighteenth street, to which the leaders of this enterprise belonged. Arrangements were made soon after to erect a house of worship, and a small frame build- ing was put up, standing on Twenty-fourth street, near Ninth avenue, which was opened for worship in December, 1843. The church was constituted some time previous. It is a flourishing little church, and doing great good among the population where it is situated. Its present pastor is the Rev. S. A. Seaman. METHODIST CHURCH. 297 GERMAN' MISSION CHURCH. The number of Germans who have emi- grated to New York is very great ; and with commendable zeal most of the evangelical denominations have done something for their religious instruction. A Methodist meeting of this description was established in Second street, in the year 1841, and during the next year a church was organized called the " German Mission Methodist Church," and a substantial brick edifice, measuring 70 feet by 44, was erected. The Rev. J. C. Lyon is the minister. The exercises are conducted in German. ASBURY CHURCH. In the early part of the year 1842, a socie- ty was formed by members of the various Methodist churches in the city, called the " Asbury Society," the special object of which, as expressed in their constitution, was, " to increase the number of Methodist Episcopal churches in the city of New ^ork." In the summer of that year, this society resolved to commence a new congregation 26 298 METHODIST CHURCH. somewhere in the city, and appointed a committee to select a suitable place for a commencement. This committee accordingly hired the Columbian Hall on Grand street, and engaged the Rev. Ezra Withey to preach there. The experiment proved successful. A considerable congre- gation was collected within a few months, and a church was formed of a few mem- bers from other churches, and called the " Asbury Church," and to this church others were soon added by profession. Seeing the success of the enterprise, measures were taken to build the house of worship. A site was purchased on Norfolk street, near Stanton, and the house was completed and opened for worship October 5, 1843. Up to this time, all the affairs of the congrega- tion had been managed by the " Asbury Society," but they then retired by request of the trustees of the congregation, and the peo- ple now stand independently. Rev. Mr. Withey, who was instrumental in collecting the congregation, remained, as their stationed preacher until the summer of 1845, when he removed to Jane street, to commence a new enterprise there. The present minister is the Rev. Nicholas White. METHODIST CHURCH. 299 SULLIVAN STREET CHURCH. The example of Christian enterprise which had resulted so favorably in the establish- ment of the Asbury Church, as related above, awakened the attention of brethren in other parts of the city to the subject of a farther increase of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an opportunity for this was soon pre- sented. One of the Methodist Protestant Churches in the city had erected a good house of worship on Sullivan street, near Bleecker, in the year 1839, but in about, three years after difficulties arose. A large debt lay on the house, and the church be- came divided in sentiment, some wishing to join the Methodist Episcopal Church, some preferring Congregationalism, and some desiring to remain as they were. The consequence of this division was the sale of the building, in 1842, and the organization of the " Sullivan Street Methodist Episcopal Church," to which a large portion of the old church attached themselves. The congre- gation is now in a prosperous condition. The Rev. Joseph Law has- the pastoral charge. 300 METHODIST CHURCH. MADISON STREET CHURCH. The prosperous establishment of the two churches last named, led to the formation of another in the spring of 1843. The house of worship built by the Fourth Free Presbyte- rian Church, on the corner of Catharine and Madison streets, being for sale, was pur- chased by a few individuals, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church for $13,000, and a church of twelve members was form- ed there. A large congregation was soon collected ; the preaching of the Gospel there has evidently been attended by a divine power, and with a few who have come in by a certificate from other churches, they now number about two hundred and forty in communion. The present minister in charge is the Rev. James Floy. "MARINERS' METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH." In the year 1844, a colony from the Willet Street Methodist church commenced a new enterprise, having specially in view the bene- fit of seamen. They were organized as a distinct church, under the above title, and in METHODIST CHURCH. 301 the course of that year erected a large house of worship on Cherry street, near Rutgers Place. The enterprise has been successful, and a large church and congregation is already collected there. Rev. Robert Seney is the present minister. METHODIST FLOATING BETHEL. To provide the means of grace more ex- tensively for seamen, it was resolved by the " Asbury Methodist Society," to establish a Floating Bethel. This was accomplished in June, 1845. The " Wesleyan Metho- dists" had for a short time maintained wor- ship in the hull of an ol,d packet ship, of eight hundred tons, which had been fitted up as a place of worship, and moored in a dock at the foot of Rector street, in the North river. This was purchased for about $2,000, and the Rev. O. G. Hedstrom was appoint- ed stated preacher. A considerable congre- gation was soon collected, as there was no other place of public worship very near, and the ship will accommodate about five hun- dred persons with convenience. They have a Sabbath-school of about one hundred children, mostly gathered from the street, and 26* 302 METHODIST CHURCH. a church has been organized, consisting of about twenty-five members. Mr. Hedslrom, the pastor, is a native of Sweden, and preaches on Sabbath morning to a large congregation of seamen and others, in that language. In the afternoons and evenings he preaches in English. In addition to these services, one service in German is held on board the Floating Bethel every Lord's day at one o'clock, for the accommodation of those persons in that vicinity who cannot understand English, and it being held near to the place where many of the German emigrants congregate on their first entrance to the city, this service is calcu- lated to do great good. MARINERS' CHURCH, ROSEVELT STREET. There seems no place more proper to notice the meeting for seamen held in Rose- velt street, than here. It is the first meeting of this description ever established in the city, but not having any church organization, it does not belong exclusively to any denomi- nation. This meeting was commenced by the Rev. Ward Stafford, on the 20th of December, METHODIST CHURCH. 303 1816, in a school-room in the rear of No. 37 Cherry street. The building now known as " The Mariners' Church" was commenced in October, 1819, and opened for worship June 4, 1820. Mr. Stafford was the princi- pal preacher from the first movement until November, 1820. In March following, the Rev. Henry Chase was engaged to preach here, and continued until the spring of 1824. The Rev. John Truair then supplied for two years, and in 1826 Mr. Chase was again en- gaged, and has remained to the present time. The meeting is under the direction of the " Port Society," and is considered as belong- ing to no one denomination, although Mr. Chase is himself in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church. A large as- sembly is found here on the Sabbath, and much good has been done : and no doubt " The Lord will count, when He writeth up His people, that this and that man was born there." METHODIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY. A society of ladies, under the above title, during the year 1845, employed the Rev. Ezra Withey, who was so successful in the 304 METHODIST CHURCH. establishment of the Asbury Church, to labor in the northwestern section of the city. He opened a meeting in a hall on Perry street, near Hudson, where a church was formed. A commodious meeting-house has been erected on Jane street, near Greenwich avenue, and the church is now known as the Jane Street Church. At the same time the Rev. Joseph Longking was employed to labor near the Dry Dock. A church has been formed here also. Two hundred and ten members were reported in June last, as belonging to the Home Mission, including both of these stations. The same society have had under their care a meeting for Germans, held by the Rev. John M. Hartman, in a hall on Ninth avenue, near Forty-first street, which in all probability will ripen into a German Church. The twenty-five Methodist Churches, whose history is sketched on the preceding pages, are all in one connection, all attached to the regular " Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States." But there are fifteen others, of the same general denomination, but different connections, or strictly independent ; eight of these being composed of white METHODIST CHURCH. 305 members, and seven being colored. The sketch of these churches follows. We be- gin with those composed of white people, in the order in which they have appeared in this city. METHODIST SOCIETY. In the beginning of the year 1820, several persons in New York, who were members of the Methodist Episcopal Churches which had then been formed, being dissatisfied with what they considered an assumption of power by the bishops and the Conference, and preferring the congregational form as to government, separated from their churches, and formed themselves into what they termed " The Methodist Society." A school-room was hired at No. 63 Christie street, and on the 16th of July, 1820, they commenced public worship. The Rev. William M. Stillwell, an ordained elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, became their preacher. At this first meeting, mea- sures were taken to ascertain the number of those who prefered an independent form of government and about one hundred per- sons enrolled their names ; and in August 306 METHODIST CHURCH. following, trustees were elected, and the certi- ficate of incorporation legally recorded. It was soon found that the school-room where they met would not accommodate the people, and in September of the same year, ground was purchased on the east side of Christie street, between Walker and Hester streets, and a brick building, measuring fifty feet by seventy-eight, was erected, and open- ed for worship on the 31st of December following. Constant accessions were made to the Methodist Society, and they were joined from time to time by other preachers from the old Methodist connection, and meetings were frequently held in other parts of the city. Dr. James Covell, a physician, who was an ordained preacher, labored much in this cause. A temporary house of worship was fitted up, standing on the corner of Pitt and Delancy streets, and here meetings were established ; and for the accommodation of those in the west part of the city, a large room in the Watch-house, on the corner of Prince and Wooster streets, was obtained, and meetings were held there. Mr. Stillwell, Thomas West, Dr. Covell and others, were METHODIST CHURCH. 307 engaged in these labors. Soon, however, a lot of ground for a church-building was purchased on Sullivan Street, near Spring street, and preaching was commenced on that ground in the open air, collections being made at each meeting, toward the erection of the proposed building, commencing the foundation at once, and expending the col- lections as fast as they were made. With great effort the house was built, and opened in 1824. Thus things remained for nearly two years, and at the close of the year 1825 the " Methodist Society" found themselves with three houses of worship, generally well filled with congregations on the Sabbath, and having in all about eight hundred members in communion. But in May, 1826, a division took place. A part of the preachers and the people pre- ferred the entire independency of each church, and a permanent ministry ; and others, while they wished to avoid the jurisdiction pf bishops, still preferred a connection of churches, and an itinerant ministry. A separation took place accordingly, and each went to work in his own way. The church in Christie street, which was the original 308 METHODIST CHURCH. band, preferred to remain in entire indepen- dency, and so they have remained to this day. Mr. Stillwell remains in the pastoral office in this church. His labors have been very much blessed : a regular and respect- able congregation assemble there ; many person's have been brought into the church in that place, and about three hundred members are now enrolled in communion. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES. Perhaps the name of this branch of the Methodist Church sufficiently indicates its character. In doctrine, it is Methodist, claiming, as do all, John Wesley as the pat- tern; but in government it does not admit the authority of the Conference, nor the juris- diction of Bishops, but protests against any assumption of their power. Hence their name, Protestant. The Methodist Protestant Church, as a distinct denomination, was formed in Balti- more, in 1830, when many churches in vari- ous parts of the country were united in a distinct connection. After the separation in the Methodists' METHODIST CHURCH. 309 Society, already referred to, the two churches which preferred a connection with others, and an itinerant ministry, continued by them- selves, until the regular formation of the de- nomination in 1830, and then became the First and Second Methodist Protestant Churches in the city of New York. . FIRST METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. The meeting established on the corner of Pitt and Delancy streets, continued to be held in that place until the year 1831, when a good brick edifice was erected on Attor- ney street, and the congregation removed there. Rev. Zenas Covell, the son of Dr. James Covell, is the present minister. They number about two hundred in communion. SECOND METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. This church continued to meet in the house of worship erected on Sullivan street, as already related, until the year 1839, when it was thought best to dispose of it, and erect another on the upper part of the same street. It was sold accordingly to the Reformed Presbyterians for $14,500, and in the same 27 310 METHODIST CHURCH. year the church and congregation took pos- session of their new house. Here, after a few years, troubles arose. The house of worship had not been paid for, and a heavy debt was pressing upon the congregation. Added to this, a large portion of the people chose to become connected with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, a part preferred Con- gregationalism, leaving but about twenty members who preferred to remain in the Protestant Methodist connection. This took place in the year 1841, and laid the founda- tion of the present " Sullivan Street Metho- dist Church" in the Methodist Episcopal connection, and the church edifice passed into the hands of the new society, with a large portion of the congregation. Another portion formed what is now the " Fourth Congregational Church," and the fragment that remained of the Methodist Protestant Church retired to a hall on Hudson street, nearly opposite " St. Luke's Church," where they remained for a time, and since that have met in private houses. A few more have united with them, but they are still a feeble band. Dr. Covell is again their min- ister. METHODIST CHURCH. WELSH METHODIST CHURCH. 311 The Welsh Churches in the city of New York, of all denominations, had a common origin. In the year 1801, the Rev. Howell Powell, now the stated minister of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, in Palmyra, Ohio, arrived at New York from Wales, with a considerable number of others, of va- rious religious denominations, Indepen- dents, Baptists, Methodists, &c. He soon commenced preaching in the Welsh lan- guage, and, as a matter of course, those who understood that language best, attended his ministrations. But there is no evidence of the formal organization of a church at that time. As a place of worship they fitted up an old mill, owned by Col. Henry Rutgers, which was obtained for a trifling considera- tion, on a lease for forty years. It was a spacious building, which would accommo- date at least eight hundred persons, and it is said was often crowded with hearers. After remaining at the old mill about a year, some disputes arose among the peo- ple, in consequence of which Mr. Powell and a portion of the people separated and 312 METHODIST CHURCH. hired another room, and shortly after those who remained sold out the lease, and scat- tered. Mr. Powell continued preaching for about four years after this, when he left for the western country, and very soon after, in the year 1807, a Welsh Baptist Church was formed, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Stephens. (See sketch of that Church, page 239.) When the Welsh Baptists drew off, the Independents and Calvinistic Me- thodists continued together, holding prayer- meetings, and meetings for reading and ex- hortation, but having no stated preacher for some time, until they succeeded in securing the services of the Rev. Evan Roberts, from Steuben, Oneida County. After him a Mr. Powell (not their former minister) supplied for a while, and was succeeded by the Rev. James Davies. During the ministry of Mr. Davies, a church was organized on the In- dependent, or Congregational platform, and shortly after the Calvinistic Methodists sepa- rated, in number between twenty and thirty, and organized themselves as a distinct church. This took place in the year 1828. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. John Hughes, now a minister in the Epis- METHODIST CHURCH. 313 copal Church in Oneida County, and after he left, the church was supplied by the Rev. Shadrach Davies. In the year 1836, the Rev. William Row- lands came from Wales, at the invitation of this church, and has discharged the duties of the pastoral office up to the present time, with the exception of about three years, which he spent at Utica, during which time the Rev. John H. Evans officiated. The congregation is now in an encouraging state. They have as yet no house of wor- ship, but occupy a Hall on Christie street, between Walker and Hester streets, intend- ing soon to erect a building. The church numbers one hundred and five in commu- nion. It may not be unacceptable, before con- cluding this article, to state the origin of this denomination of Christians. It is well known that in the time of the revival of religion in England, under the preaching of John and Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield, they were all branded .by their enemies with the name of Metho- dist, as a term of reproach. In process of time, these leaders became divided on some 27* 314 METHODIST CHURCH. fundamental doctrines, the two Wesleys embracing rather the Arminian view, and Whitefield the Calvinistic. About the same time a celebrated Welsh minister, by the name of Rowlands, commenced preaching in Wales in the same zealous manner, ad- hering, however, to the Calvinistic views of the doctrines of grace. Several others united with him, and Mr. Whitefield met them in Wales. A new church organization was then formed, from which has sprung tjie pre- sent Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, being in form Methodist, but in doctrine strict Calvinists. It is now one of the most numerous bodies in Wales. The first or- ganization of this kind in America, was made in the year 1824, in the town of Rem- sen, Oneida County, N. Y., and they now number in the several states and territories about thirty churches. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. The Primitive Methodist Connection had its origin at Standley, a village about four miles distant from Bemersley, England, in the year 1810, with a small class of ten per- sons, raised from the world. It seems that METHODIST CHURCH. 315 three local preachers, viz., Hugh Bourne, James Bourne, and William Clowes, had been excluded from the regular Wesleyan connection for holding camp-meetings. These meetings had been held in America from the year 1801, but they had not been practised in England until the year 1807. But opposition was raised, and the " Primi- tive Methodist" Connection was established in consequence. The discipline of this sec- tion of the church does not differ very ma- terially from that of the other portions of the same general denomination. In doctrine, John Wesley is the standard. In govern- ment they are independent, but they claim to restore their church from all departures, and to bring it back to its pristine simplici- ty. Hence their name Primitive. In the year 1829, four preachers of the " Primitive Methodists" came to the United States, and commenced their operations at New York, Philadelphia, and some other places. They have not increased much, having not over five or six churches in America, and those very small. In the city of New York a small church of Primitive Methodists is found. It was 316 METHODIST CHURCH. formed in 1829, or 1830. They have never had a house of worship of their own, but have moved about from one place to another, as they could best be accommodated. The Rev. Hugh Bourne, one of the founders of the sect, is their present minister. GERMAN EVANGELICAL METHODIST CHURCH. About the year 1802, John Albrecht, a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was residing near Shippensburg, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was a man of good character, and a devoted Christian, and being desirous of joining the travelling connection, he was recommended to the Baltimore Conference for that pur- pose. But he could not preach in the Eng- lish language, and the Conference having no German circuit established, declined to receive him. But burning with the desire of benefiting his German brethren, his kins- men according to the flesh, he determined to proceed without credentials, and went on preaching, and organizing churches, and ordaining preachers, until much good was METHODIST CHURCH. 317 accomplished, and a considerable connection of churches established. One of these churches has been recently gathered in this city. The commencement was made in the year 1841, by Mr. Eis, who labored among the German population. He was succeeded by Mr. Meyer, and he by Mr. Hummel. The present pastor of the church, the Rev. M. F. Mees, succeeded Mr. Hummell. In the year 1843, the congregation suc- ceeded in the erection of a neat brick edifice on Sixteenth street, near the Sixth avenue. A considerable congregation is collecting here. About sixty members are now enrol- led in communion. The services are all conducted in the German language. WESLEYAN METHODISTS. This particular section of the Methodist Church first appeared in New York in the year 1840, or 1841. About that time a Methodist preacher from Canada, named Barry, arrived in New York city, and open- ed a meeting, independently, in a small room on Christopher street, and continued 318 METHODIST CHURCH. preaching there for about a year, when his health failed, and he died shortly after. The Rev. Jacob Timberman succeeded Mr. Bar- ry in his meeting, and some twelve or fifteen were enrolled as a church. After a year or two, the congregation hired a small house of worship on King street, near Hudson, owned by the Salem Baptist Church," and Mr. Timberman continued to officiate here for a time ; but the society was very small and feeble, and he left. But previous to this, some time in the autumn of 1842, a small class of only seven or eight persons was formed, who, for about three months, met for worship in a small room in a sugar house, on Duane street, near "West Broadway. About the month of February, in the next year, they removed to a room on Allen street, where they continued for more than a year. In the spring of 1844, about fifteen members left Allen street, and uniting with what re- mained of Mr. Timberman's church, formed the present " First Wesleyan Methodist Church." Since that time they have been much prospered. They have purchased the house of worship which they occupied on King street ; the congregation is gradually METHODIST CHURCH. 319 enlarging, and they have between eighty and ninety communicants at the present time. Elder Dennis Harris is the preacher in charge. The members who remained at Allen street, are known as the " Second Wesleyan Methodist Church." In the year 1845, a member of the church erected a building, specially as a place of worship, on Allen street, near Grand, for. which the congrega- tion pay a rent. They are well accommo- dated, and are well situated. They have between thirty and forty in communion. Elder A. Moran holds the pastoral office. A third meeting of Wesleyan Methodists is commenced in Sixteenth street, but they have not as yet a separate organization. The establishment of the Floating Bethel for Seamen, at the foot of Rector street, in the North river, is to be attributed to the Christian enterprise of the Wesleyan Metho- dists. It seems that a Mr. Bergen, a car- penter, who was a native of Sweden, and who resided in that neighborhood, finding there was no place of worship in the city for the accommodation of his countrymen, was in the practice of inviting them occasionally 320 METHODIST CHURCH. into his house, to read the Scriptures, and pray and sing. At length, in the autumn of 1844, a few individuals purchased the hull of an old ship, and fitted it up for a place of worship. This place they occupied from November, until June, 1845, and were mak- ing arrangements to engage a Swedish preacher. But Mr. Hedstrom being pre- viously engaged by the " Asbury Society " of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to preach alternately in Swedish and English, the Wesleyans transferred the ship to that so- ciety, to carry out the object for which it had been fitted up. COLORED METHODIST CHURCHES. These are to be considered in four varieties, viz. : " The African Methodist Episcopal Church," " The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church," " The Asbury African Me- thodist Episcopal Church," and " The African Methodist Union." It is very diffi- cult to find any real difference between these four bodies, their doctrines, discipline and practices, being substantially alike ; and probably no good reason can be assigned why METHODIST CHURCH. 321 they are not together in one denomination. Yet they are distinct, and have separate or- ganizations. We shall sketch their history according to the dates in which they have appeared in this city. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH. In the year 1796, the colored members of the Methodist Churches in the city of New York, feeling a desire to hold meetings among themselves, where they might have opportunity to exercise their spiritual gifts, and thereby, as they hoped, become more useful to each other, obtained permission from Bishop Asbury to hold such meetings in the intervals of the regular preaching hours of the white ministers. Accordingly a house was hired and fitted up in Cross street, be- tween Mulberry and Orange streets, where meetings were statedly held. At this time there were three colored preachers and one exhorter in New York city. These things continued for about three years, when a re- gular congregation was gathered, and a house of worship was built on Church street, corner of Leonard street, and opened in September, 28 322 METHODIST CHURCH. 1800. The corporation was legally orga- nized in February following. After several years the house of worship was found too small for the congregation, and in May, 1820, it was taken down, and the foundation of another was laid, to be 55 feet wide and 70 feet long, which was finished, and opened for worship in August of the same year. This building was consumed by fire in the year 1839, and the present house of worship was erected during the next year. A branch of the Zion Church is established at Harlem, called " Little Zion," and a small brick building was erected there in 1843. Another branch of the same church has been established in Twenty-second street, near Seventh avenue. These three are con- sidered at present as one pastoral charge. The Rev. J. A. King is the preacher in charge, and they report at this time on the roll of communion eleven hundred and ninety-six members at Church street, sixty- six at Harlem, and fourteen at Twenty- second street. This branch of the Methodist Church stood in connection with the white conference until 1820, when they separated, and since that METHODIST CHURCH. 323 time have elected superintendants or bishops of their own color. At the present time Rev. Christopher Rush and Rev. William Miller are superintendants; and their last annual minutes report four annual conferences, viz. : Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and New England, containing in all ninety- nine churches. ASBURY AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Such is the style adopted by another dis- tinct portion of the colored Methodist Church in this city. It was in the year 1813, that Thomas Sipkins, William Miller, and some others separated from the Zion Church, and purchased a house of worship, standing on Elizabeth street, near Walker, which had been built by a Congregational Church, under the ministry of Mr. Townley, where public worship was commenced, and a church formed, which was called the " Asbury Church." For about seven years the Asbury Church continued to stand independently, but in November, 1820, a union was effected be- tween this church and the Zion Church, 324 METHODIST CHURCH. which continued about two years. For at least twenty years succeeding this, the Asbury Church was in various ecclesiastical connec- tions ; sometimes standing with the white churches, in the Methodist Episcopal con- nection, sometimes with the African Con- ference of the same name, and sometimes with the Zion Church. Their place of wor- ship was also frequently changed. Their house of worship onElizabeth street being de- stroyed by fire, they occupied for some time a room in the basement of the Broadway Tabernacle, entering from Anthony street. They were also in a hall on the corner of Elizabeth and Grand streets, and then occu- pied a hall on Howard street After this they removed to Fourth street, near the East river, and at length an individual purchased for them a house of worship, standing on Third street, near Avenue D, and to this they have removed, with a view to per- manency. A few churches of the same name having been formed in other places, their preachers met in convention on Sept. 7th, 1844, and organized themselves into a conference, and elected the Rev. Francis P. Graham as superintendant or bishop. Their METHODIST CHURCH. 325 first conference was held in June follow- ing. The church in Third street is as yet the only " Asbury Colored Church" in the city of New York. It contains about seventy members in communion. The Rev. Brito M. C. Varick is the present officiating minister. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In November, 1787, the colored people belonging to the Methodist Church in Phila- delphia, assembled together to take into con- sideration the evils under which they labored from their connection with the white church- es, but nothing at that time was effected. In 1793, the number of colored members having considerably increased, Richard Al- len, a colored preacher, proposed to erect for the colored people, a house of worship on his own ground, and at his own expense, which he did, and it was dedicated to the worship of God by the Rev. Francis Asbury, then bishop of the Methodist church in the United States, and the house was named " Bethel." Severe contentions followed, as the whites claimed both the house and the congregation as theirs, which claims, the 28* 326 METHODIST CHURCH. colored people resisted. Similar hardships were experienced by the colored people in Baltimore, and some other places, and at length, in the month of April, 1816, a general convention of the colored people in the Methodist churches, was held in Philadel- phia. A new connection was formed, called " The African Methodist Episcopal Church," and the first general conference was held. At this meeting, on April 11,1816, the Rev. Richard Allen was unanimously elected Bishop. Mr. Allen had been ordained as a deacon by Bishop Asbury, seventeen years before, and was at this time set apart to the Episcopal office by prayer, and the imposi- tion of the hands of five ordained ministers. Thus this denomination commenced. They are sometimes called " Allenites," after the name of Bishop Allen, and their churches are usually called the "Bethel Churches," after the name given to the first church in Philadelphia. Bishop Allen died in Phila- delphia, March 26, 1831, having previously, in 1828, ordained the Rev. Morris Brown as his assistant ; and since his death, on May 15, 1836, Bishop Brown, with the assistance of five elders, ordained the Rev. Edward METHODIST CHURCH. 327 Waters to the Episcopate with himself. Bishop Waters has since deceased, and the Rev. William Paul Quinn supplies his place. There is but one colored Methodist church in this particular connection, in this city, and this commenced in the early part of the year 1820. William Lambert and George White, two preachers in this connection, commenced preaching here in the spring of that year. A building was obtained in Mott streetj near Walker street, and opened as a place of public worship, July 23, 1820. A church was organized, and the Rev. Henry Harden became its pastor. This church continued to meet in Mott street for several years, having a moderate degree of prosperity, until their house of worship was destroyed by fire. They then met for a time in Elizabeth street, and in 1835, they succeeded in erecting a decent brick edifice on Second street, where they remain at this time. A small branch of this church has been founded at Harlem within about two years, but both meetings are un- der one pastoral supervision. They number in communion, seven hundred and sixteen members at Second street, and thirteen at 328 METHODIST CHURCH. Harlem. The Rev. John Boggs is now the preacher in charge. METHODIST AFRICAN UNION. This is the designation of another section of the Colored Methodist Church in the city of New York. It is an independent body, which commenced in the year 1826, when a church of seven persons was formed. They met in a small room in the Seventh avenue, near Eighteenth street. Mr. Camp- bell, a respectable colored man, and Mr. Isaac Barney, were the preachers. They continued their meetings regularly for about nine years, when in 1835, the building where they met was consumed by fire, and they fitted up a room over a stable in the Sixth avenue, near Fourth street, where they met for four or five years. In 1840, the congregation succeeded in erecting a brick building, measuring fifty-three feet by twenty-four, situated on Fifteenth street, near the Sixth avenue, where they still re- main; A considerable congregation assem- bles here on the Sabbath, and about three hundred and fifty are enrolled in communion. Mr. Barney still holds the pastoral office. METHODIST CHURCH. 329 A small branch of this church has recently commenced a meeting near Yorkville, but has as yet no distinct organization. DATE OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. VTITH THE HUMBER OF COMMUNICANTS IN EACH, AS RE- PORTED TO CONFERENCE IN JUNE, 1845. Date. Com. John Street 1766 388 Forsyth Street .1790 655 Duane Street 1797 601 Seventh Street 1800 311 Allen Street 1810 955 Bedford Street 1810 1057 Willet Street 1819 664 Eighteenth Street 1829 819 Greene Street 1831 462 Second Street 1832 793 Yorkville 1832 35 Vestry Street 1833 216 Mulberry Street 1834 277 Twenty-seventh Street 1834 209 Harlem 1836 70 Forty-first Street 1840 94 Twenty-fourth Street 1842 105 German Mission 1842 184 Asbury Church 1842 475 Sullivan Street 1843 320 Madison Street 1843 270 Mariners' Methodist Episcopal 1844 400 Floating Bethel 1845 25 Jane Street 1845 Home Mission Church 1845 I 210 Churches 25 Members 9,595 330 METHODIST CHURCH. OTHER METHODIST CHURCHES OF WHITE MEMBERS. Methodist Society 1820 300 1st Protestant Methodist Church 1828 200 2d Protestant Methodist Church 1826 20 Welsh Methodist 1828 105 Primitive Methodist 1 829 unkno'n German Evangelical 1841 60 1st Wesleyan Church 1841 85 2d Wesleyan Church., 1843 35 805 COLORED METHODIST CHURCHES. Zion Church 1801 1196 Little Zion 1843 66 Twenty-second Street 14 Asbury Church 1813 70 Methodist Episcopal, or Bethel Church ... 1 820 736 Branch of do. (Harlem) 1843 13 African Union 1826 350 Churches 15 '.T~. Members 2,445 Total in all the Methodist Churches, 12,845. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 1783. SIR THOMAS DONGAN, who was governor of New York under James II., about the year 1685, was a Roman Catholic, and it was during his administration that the first Ca- tholic families settled in the city. But the prejudices of the people against them were very strong, and under the administration of subsequent Governors, very oppressive laws were passed. There was even a law passed in one instance, for hanging every Catholic priest who should come voluntarily into the colony. There is, however, no evidence that this law was ever enforced It is true that in August, 1741, John Ury, an Englishman, who was a Catholic Priest, was publicly ex- ecuted in this city. But he was indicted as being concerned in what was called " The Negro Plot," which was a supposed conspi- 332 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. racy of negroes, and others, to burn the city, and murder the inhabitants ; and there is no evidence that the law formerly passed against the Catholics was brought into view at all in this case. There was, however, a most intolerant spirit reigning, as the conside- ration of another fact will show. Before the Revolution, the port of New York was the great depot of the captures made by the British cruisers. In the month of February, 1778, a large armed French ship was taken by the British, near the Chesapeake bay, and sent into New York, for condemnation. Among her officers was the Rev. Mr. De la Motte, a Catholic priest, of the order of St. Augustin, in the capacity of the Ship's Chap- lain ; and he, with the other officers, was per- mitted to go at large in the city, within cer- tain limits, on his parole of honor. Mr. De la Motte was solicited by his countrymen and by those of his own faith, to hold reli- gious service according to the forms of the Catholic Church. Being apprised of the existence of some prohibitory law, he ap- plied to the Commandant for permission, which it seems was refused ; but not under- standing the language very well, Mr. De la ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 333 Motte supposed he had obtained the permis- sion, and proceeded to hold the service. For this he was arrested, and kept in close confinement until he was exchanged. Thus, until the close of the Revolutionary war, and while the English laws were in force in the country, no Catholic clergyman was al- lowed to officiate in this State ; but after the war, and when the independence of the country was acknowledged, full toleration was enjoyed, and every man was allowed to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. The Roman Catholics in this city took immediate advantage of this, and in November, 1783, a congregation was formed under the ministry of the Rev. Andrew Nugent, who it is believed was sent hither by the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Maryland. Their place of worship was in a building erected for public purposes in Vauxhall garden, situated on the margin of the North river, the garden extending from Warren to Chambers streets. One of the most active men in this enter- prise was Sieur de St. Jean de Crevecceux, then consul of France, for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, who with Joze Roiz 29 334 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Silva, James Stewart, and Henry Dufflin, became incorporated on the llth of June, 1795, by the name and style of the " Trus- tees of the Roman Catholic Church in the city of New York." The church not being well accommodated with a place of worship applied for the use of the " Exchange," a building then standing at the lower end of Broad street, and occupied as a court room, but failing in this, measures were immedi- ately taken for the erection of a church build- ing- Ground having been procured on Barclay street, corner of Church street, a brick edifice was erected, measuring forty-eight feet by eighty-one, and so far finished as to have mass performed for the first time within its walls, on Saturday, November 4, 1786. The services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Nugent, as pastor, assisted by the chaplain of the Spanish ambassador, and the Rev. Joze Phelan. In the following spring, the name of the church was changed to that of St. Peter's. Mr. Nugent continued to officiate until 1788, when he was succeeded by the Rev. William O'Brien, who continued pastor of ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 335 St. Peter's church until his death, which took place May 14, 1816. The Rev. John Pow- er, D.D., succeeded Mr. O'Brien in the pas- toral office, in which office he remains, having now as a colleague, the Rev. Charles C. Pise, D.D. In the year 1836, it was found necessary to rebuild St. Peter's Church, as the old one was going to decay, and was, moreover, altogether too small to accommodate the increasing multitudes who resorted thither. It was accordingly taken down, and a most substantial edifice of stone was erected in its place, more than twice as large as the ori- ginal building. The corner-stone was laid with appropriate services by Bishop DuBois, October 26, 1836. In September of the following year, public worship was com- menced in the basement, and on February 25, 1838, the principal auditory was conse- crated by Bishop Hughes. ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH. For more than thirty years St. Peter's Church was the only Catholic Church in the city of New York, but the denomination increasing rapidly, another church build- 336 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. ing was needed for their accommodation. Accordingly, in the year 1815, a very spa- cious stone building was erected on the corner of Mott and Prince streets, and called " St. Patrick's Cathedral." Here, within a short time, a large assembly was collected, and not many years elapsed before it was judged expedient to enlarge the building. When first erected it was 120 feet long and 80 wide, and now 36 feet more were added to the length, extending the building from Mott to Mulberry streets ; and although there are no galleries in the house, except an organ loft, yet probably two thousand persons can be accommodated on the principal floor of the house. This cathedral is considered the seat of the Episcopate in this diocese. Bishops Hughes and McCloskey reside here, assisted by a number of the subordinate clergy. ST. MARY'S CHURCH. After the erection of St. Patrick's Cathe- dral, more than ten years elapsed before an- other Catholic Church was built in the city. But the Catholic population was fast in- creasing, especially in the northeastern part ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 337 of the city, and farther accommodations were needed for them. Accordingly, towards the close of the year 1826, a building, then vacated by the Seventh Presbyterian Church, was purchased, and a congregation collected. The building was situated oil Sheriff street, between Broome and Delancy streets. It was a small frame building, with a brick front The church remained here between six and seven years, when the building was consumed by fire. A large and convenient structure was immediately erected on Grand street, corner of Ridge street, and opened in, 1833, under the name of " St. Mary's Church." The Rev. William Starrs is pastor. CHRIST'S CHURCH, ST. JAMES'S, AND CHURCH OF THE TRANSFIGURATION. In the year 1825, as related heretofore the Episcopal Church in Ann street near Nassau became extinct, and their house of worship was offered for sale. At the close of the following year it was purchased by a church of Roman Catholics, then formed, who took the name of " Christ's Church," the name of the Episcopal Church, whose 29* 338 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. place they then occupied. Of this church, the Rev. Felix Varela, then recently from Spain, became pastor. They continued in Ann street, in ordinary prosperity, until the year 1834, when the church edifice was con- sumed by fire. This event led to the speedy establishment of two churches. The congre- gation had become numerous, and a part of them, residing in the vicinity of the East river, wished to locate in that direction. A large edifice was accordingly put up on James street, near Chatham, and opened in the year 1835, legally holding the old cor- porate name of " Christ's Church," but known among the people as " St. James's Church." The other section of the congre- gation purchased a house of worship situated on Chambers street, near Centre street, which had been occupied by the Reformed Presby- terians, where they commenced service on March 13th, 1836. This was called the " Church of the Transfiguration." The Rev. Dr. Varela took the pastoral charge of this church, in which office he still continues : the Rev. John M. Smith is pastor of St. James's. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 339 ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH. Shortly after the establishment of the church in Ann street, as just related, the Catholic population increased very greatly in the northwest part of the city, and it be- came necessary to provide for their religious instructions. This led to the erection of " St. Joseph's Church," standing on the Sixth avenue, corner of Barrow street, which was opened in the year 1833, under the ministry of the Rev. James Cummisky. The Rev. Dr. Pise, Rev. Dr. McCloskey, now one of the bishops of the diocese, and Rev. Dr. Manahan, have successively minis- tered to this flock. The Rev. Michael McCarron now holds the pastoral office. GERMAN CHURCHES. The emigration to this city, of Germans, has been very great for the last ten or twelve years, and the German population in the city, at this time, is computed at nearly thirty thousand. A large proportion of this popula- tion are of the Roman Catholic religion, and, to provide for their instruction, there have been established four German churches, 340 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. viz. : " St. Nicholas's Church," in Second street, founded in 1835, of which the Rev. A. Buckmeyer is now pastor ; the " Church of St. John the Baptist," situated on Thir- tieth street, near Eighth avenue, founded in 1840, of which the Rev. J. A. Jacop is pas- tor ; St. Francis' Church," in Thirty-first street, near the Seventh avenue, founded in the year 1844, of which the Rev. Zacharias Kunze is pastor ; and " The Church of the most Holy Redeemer," situated on Third street, near Avenue B, founded in 1844, of which the Rev. Gabriel Rumpler is pastor. In these churches the service is conducted in the German language. As these churches are of recent origin, the above facts comprise about the whole of their history. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. A large Catholic population had settled at Harlem, and to accommodate them with a house of worship, a large edifice of stone, measuring seventy-two feet by fifty-two, was erected in the year 1835. The Rev. John Walsh is the officiating minister. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 341 ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH. In the year 1840, another Catholic Church was formed, called " St. Andrew's Church," under the pastoral charge of the Rev. John Maginnis. A house of worship, originally built by a Universalist Society, situated on Duane street, near Chatham, was purchased, and here they remain. CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Such is the style of a Catholic Church formed in the year 1841. At that time the " Second Avenue Presbyterian Church," finding themselves embarrassed, felt obliged to relinquish their house of worship to their creditors. It was sold at auction, and pur- chased by this Catholic Church. It has since been enlarged. A very numerous congregation assemble here. The Rev. Edward O'Neil is pastor. CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. This church was founded in 1842. The church-edifice is of wood, rather a frail building, but capable of accommodating a large congregation. It stands on the Fifth 342 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. avenue, near the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. The Rev. Felix Larkin is pastor. CHURCH OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. In the summer of 1839, the Episcopal " Church of the Ascension," standing on Canal street, near Broadway, was destroyed by fire, and that congregation rebuilt their church-edifice on the Fifth avenue. In a year or two after this, the site of the old church in Canal street was purchased by a church formed of French Catholics, un&er the above name. Their present house of worship was built in 1843. The Rev. Ounet Lafont is the present pastor. The service is conducted in the French language. CHURCH OF ST. COLUMB^. This is the last Catholic Church formed in the city. It was organized in 1845, when a large and handsome edifice was erected on Twenty-fifth street, near the Ninth avenue. The Rev. Joseph P. Burke is pastor. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 343 LIST OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, WITH THE DATE OF THEIR ORGANIZATION. St. Peter's Church, Barclay street 1783 St. Patrick's Church, Mott street, 1815 St. Mary's Church, Grand street, 1826 Christ's Church, Ann street (now extinct), 1826 St. Joseph's Church, Sixth avenue 1833 St James's Church, James street, 1835 St. Paul's Church, Harlem, 1835 St. Nicholas' Church (German), Second street, 1835 Church of the Transfiguration, Chambers street,.. 1836 St. Andrew's Church, Duane street, 1840 St. John the Baptist (German), Thirtieth street,.... 1840 Church of the Nativity, Second avenue, 1841 Church of St. John the Evangelist, Fifth avenue, 1842 Church of St. Vincent de Paul (French), Canal street, 1843 St. Francis' Church (German), Thirty-first street, 1844 Church of the Holy Redeemer (German), Third street, 1844 Church of St. Columbae, Twenty-fifth street , 1845 Churches 16 UNIVEKSALIST CHURCH. 1796. A FEW discourses on the subject of Uni- versal Salvation had been delivered in the city of New York, by the Rev. John Mur- ray, and other preachers, who as they were journeying would stop in the city for a day or two, and hold a meeting. Thus several years passed, and nothing permanent was effected. The final establishment of the denomination in the city was peculiar. Three prominent members of the John Street Methodist Church, viz., Abraham E. Brouwer, Robert Snow, and Edward Mitchell, while they still held to spiritual religion, the Divinity of Christ, and atonement only through his blood, had adopted the belief of limited fu- ture punishment, and a final restitution of all things. On account of this sentiment UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 345 their situation in the church became un- pleasant, and they withdrew from it with fair characters, on the 28th of April, 1796. In the following month, being joined by several others, they formed themselves into a religious society, styled " The Society of United Christian Friends, in the city of New York." Fourteen members were en- rolled at the organization. The constitution they adopted, provided for the annual elec- tion of an Elder from among themselves to lead their meetings, and take the oversight of the society, as well as for an indefinite number of public speakers ; and also for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the ordi- nance of baptism, and other religious observ- ances. The society first worshipped in the house of Mr. Brouwer, but the number of mem- bers increasing it was judged expedient to build, and a small edifice was accordingly erected in Vandewater street, near to the spot where the Episcopal Church now stands. For about seven years after the formation of the society, they adhered to their original plan of conducting their meetings among 30 346 UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. themselves, and edifying each other by such gifts as they possessed. In these exercises Mr. Edward Mitchell, one of the original members, was a leading man, and his la- bors being acceptable and useful, he was requested by the society to become their stated preacher, and was ordained as such July 18th, 1803. The society was soon con- siderably enlarged, and being straitened for room, they disposed of their house of worship, and purchased one then recently built, standing on Pearl street, between Chatham and Cross street.* In the spring of 1810, Mr. Mitchell received an invitation to settle in Bqston, as a colleague with the Rev. John Murray, which he thought proper to accept, and he left New York in August following. But in the next year he was re- called by the congregation at New York, and returned here in Oct., 1811, and con- tinued in the pastoral office until his death, which took place in the year 1834, having * This house is still standing. It was originally built on the street, with a burying ground in the rear, but was afterwards removed over the burying ground, and houses built on the street. The house is now occupied by the Zion Baptist Church of colored persons. UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 347 been connected with the society from its commencement, a period of forty years. Not long after Mr. Mitchell's return from Boston, the people began to consider the subject of building a new and larger house of worship, which was carried into effect. Ground was rented on the -corner of Duane and Augustus street, now " City Hall place," and a substantial brick building 4 was erected, at a cost of about $20,000. It was opened in Dec., 1818. After the death of Mr. Mitchell, the meeting was led for a year by Mr. Edward Cook, a member of the society, and the Rev. Mr. Pickering was afterwards employed for two years. At this time the society had become considerably reduced in numbers, other congregations having been established ; and an opportunity presenting in the year 1S37, they rented their house of Worship to the " West Baptist Church," and retired to a Hall in Forsyth street. The house of worship has been subsequently sold to a Roman Catholic Church. The Society of United Christian Friends, more generally known in the city as the " First Universalist Church," have now ceased to meet for public worship. 348 UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. PRINCE STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. In the year 1824, a society of Universal- ists was formed under the ministry of the Rev. Nehemiah Dodge, and a house of worship was built on the corner of Prince and Marion Streets. After a ministry of about two or three years, Mr. Dodge left, and was succeeded by the celebrated Abner Kneeland, whose impious ravings soon scattered the congregation, and the house was sold in 1830, to the Union Presbyterian Church. ORCHARD STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. About the year 1830, the Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer commenced preaching in a small frame building standing on Grand street, not far from the Roman Catholic Church, and a considerable congregation was here col- lected. A very commodious house of wor- ship had been erected by a Reformed Dutch Church, standing on Orchard street, between Broome and Delancy streets. This was about to be sold, and was purchased by the Universalist society in 1832, and a large and flourishing congregation has been collected UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 349 here. Mr. Sawyer continued in the pastoral office until the summer of 1845, when he re- signed his charge, and left the city. The Rev. Otis A. Skinner is the present mini- ster. BLEECKER STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. This congregation was commenced in 1832. The first place of meeting was a small house of worship, now standing on the Sixth avenue, opposite Amity street The Rev. C. F. Lefevre became pastor of the church, and continued to officiate ac- ceptably for six years, when he resigned the charge. But during this time, the^ congre- gation became large and permanent, and in 1836, a very substantial brick edifice was erected on the corner of Bleecker and Down- ing streets, at a cost of $43,000. After Mr. Lefevre left, the Rev. Melzar Raynor sup- plied the pulpit for a year or more, but had not the pastoral charge. The present pastor, the Rev. William S. Balch, was settled in November, 1841. 30* 350 UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. ELIZABETH STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. In the year 1837, an effort was made by the Rev. William Whitaker, to establish a Universalist congregation, and for this pur- pose a meeting was opened in a Hall on Broadway. A considerable congregation was gathered, and in 1838, they removed to a meeting-house in Duane street, near Chatham, formerly occupied by the First Universalist Church, and just then vacated by the West Baptist Church. Toward the close of 1839, Mr. Whitaker changed his religious views, and became the minister of the Fourth Free Presbyterian Church, About the same time the Bowery Church edifice being for sale, it was purchased by the Universalist Society, raised by the labors of Mr. Whitaker, and others who joined them at that time, and here they have re- mained, known as the Fourth, or Elizabeth Street Universalist Church. For two years they were supplied by the Rev. I. D. Williamson, and after this the Rev. Moses Ballou held the pastoral office for about two years longer. He left in 1845, UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 351 when the present minister, the Rev. Thomas L. Harris, was obtained. FIFTH UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. The meeting above named was com- menced in the year 1840, in a Hall on Hous- ton street. The Rev. B. B. Halleck was the preacher for about three years. He was suc- ceeded in the pastoral office by the Rev. J. N. Parker, who commenced his labors soon after Mr. Halleck left. In 1843, the congregation completed a very neat brick edifice, stand- ing on Fourth street, near Avenue C, where they now assemble. A considerable con- gregation assemble here, and their prospects are encouraging. In the spring of 1846, Mr. Parker left, and no pastor has as yet been installed in his place. UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK. When founded. First Church, Duane street 1796 extinct. Prince Street Church 1824 extinct. Second Church, Orchard street 1830 Third Church, Bleecker street 1832 Fourth Church, Elizabeth street 1837 Fifth Church, Fourth street 1840 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 1804. As far as information can be obtained, there have been formed in New York city seventeen Congregational Churches, besides the church formed at the Broadway Taber- nacle, by Mr. Finney, in 1836, a sketch of which has been given on a previous page, which, though claiming to be Congregational, cannot be recognized as such. Of these seventeen churches, nine have become ex- tinct, and eight only remain. The following brief sketch of each is given from such scanty materials as can now be found. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CflURCH, OF NEW YORK. About the year 1804, the Rev. John Townly, a Congregational minister, estab- lished a religious meeting in an old frame CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 353 building then standing on Warren street, just out of Broadway. A considerable num- ber of persons attended on his ministry, and a Congregational Church was formed. The number of original members cannot now be ascertained, but in the course of three or four years the number of communicants had in- creased to nearly one hundred. Mr. Townly continued to labor in Warren street for the space of four or five years, assisted occasion- ally by the late Rev. John Sandford and the Rev. Archibald Maclay, who was then a Congregationalist. The congregation, finding their numbers increasing, were encouraged to erect a house of worship on Elizabeth street, between Walker and Hester streets, to which they removed about the year 1809. But here, though better accommodated, they were sub- ject to an embarrassment. They were in debt for their building, and after about four or five years of effort, Mr. Townly resigned his charge, and left the city ; the house of wor- ship was sold to the Asbury colored Me- thodists, and the church was scattered. 354 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The Rev. J. S. C. F. Frey, a converted Jew, came to New York, from London, in the autumn of the year 1 816. He was con- nected in England with the Independent or Congregational Church, and soon after his arrival in this city, it was proposed to attempt the formation of such a church here. Ac- cordingly, in the month of June, 1817, Mr. Frey commenced preaching in a schoolhouse on Mulberry street, and a church was there organized. The room they occupied, though twice enlarged, proved too small for the con- gregation, and a frame building, now stand- ing in the rear of No. 488 Pearl street, near Cross street, and which had been occupied as a meeting-house by a Universalist society, was purchased. Here a still larger congre- gation assembled, and for two or three years Mr. Frey continued to labor with success. On the 15th of April, 1818, Mr. Frey was installed pastor of the church, by the " West Chester and Morris County Presbytery."* * It is not precisely known what this ecclesiastical body really was. Mr. Frey, in his " Narrati ve," from which the above facts are selected, calls it a " Presbytery," and yet says that he was an Independent or Congregation CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 355 In the year 1820, it was thought advisable by Mr. Frey and the church to change their form of government to that of Presbyterian- ism, and to propose a union with the Pres- bytery of New York, and this union was effected in October, 1821. But previous to this time the congregation had removed to a new house of worship on Vandewater street, and they thenceforth adopted that name. Their sketch as a Presbyterian Church has been given on page 163. BROADWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Not far from the year 1817, the Rev. Mr. Ball was preaching in a building, used as a house of worship, standing on Broadway, corner of Anthony street, where he formed a Congregational Church. He died here, and was succeeded by his son. Very little infor- mation can now be obtained respecting this church, for it was soon scattered, and the building passed into other hands. alist in England, and that the church formed was of that denomination. The facts are given as they are found, without any attempt to reconcile them. 356 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. PROVIDENCE CHAPEL. This is the name adopted by a Congrega- tional Church, formed in the year 1819. It was gathered by the labors of the Rev. Joseph Harrison, who was installed pastor of the church in the same year. The church consisted of twelve members only at its formation. For three years they assembled in a hall on the corner of what was then Chapel and Provost streets, but now Frank- lin street and West Broadway. In 1823, a house of worship was built on Thompson street, near Broome street, measuring 60 feet by 40, at a cost of $8000. The congrega- tion have continued here to the present time. It is a regular and respectable assembly; never very large, but generally in a healthful state. The present number of commu- nicants is about one hundred. Mr. Harrison remains their pastor. BROOME STREET CHURCH. About the year 1816 or 1817, there was a meeting opened in Rose street, by a Mr. Broad, a very eccentric man, and whose character was bad. His meeting broke up, CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 357 and the house he occupied for worship was hired by the Rev. Alexander Cummings, an English Independent minister, who com- menced preaching, and formed a Congrega- tional Church. About the year 1820, when the Bethel Baptist Church took possession of their new house of worship on Delancy street, Mr. Cummings' congregation hired the meeting-house in Broome street, which the Baptist Church had occupied, and re- moved there. In the spring of 1821, a pro- posal was made by this church to become Presbyterian, and unite with the New York Presbytery ; but, after some negotiation and delay, the overture was declined by the Pres- bytery, and the proposal was withdrawn. Mr. Cummings continued preaching for a year or more after this, but in 1822 he left for the purpose of supplying the church at Babylon, on Long Island, and the " Broome Street Congregational Church" ceased opera- tions, and soon became extinct. Mr. Cum- mings supplied the church at Babylon about two years, when he returned to Brooklyn, and engaged in teaching. He died at Brook- lyn in February, 1826, at the age of fifty- 31 358 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. seven years. He was a man of good charac- ter and correct sentiments. WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. A Congregational Church was formed not far from the year 1824 or 1825, a large part of whom were from Wales, and a part of the services were held in the Welsh lan- guage. They met in the upper part of Mul- berry street, and, after a year or more, the Rev. James Davies became pastor of the church, and continued with them for about seven years, when he resigned his charge, and went into the western country. Another minister of the same name succeeded him, who died soon. The congregation then re- moved to a house of worship in Broome street, near the Bowery, and were under the pastoral care of the Rev. Jenkin Jenkins, when, in 1833, they changed their form of government to that of Presbyterian, and united with the Third Presbytery, where they now remain. See sketch of Presbyterianism, page 185. See also sketch of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, page 311. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 359 " THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH." Such was the style of a church formed about the year 1824, in the northeastern part of the city, in connection with the labors of the Rev. John Dick. In the course of two years, a frame building with a brick front was put up on Third street, near avenue D, which was finished and opened for worship in 1826. Not more than six months after this, Mr. Dick was silenced on account of immoralities, the church and congregation scattered, and the house of worship was sold for its debts. It is now occupied by the Asbury colored Methodists. FIRST FREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. When Mr. Finney left the Chatham Street Chapel, in 1836, and went to the Broadway Tabernacle, he took with him a large portion of what had been the " Second Free Presbyterian Church." Those who remained behind called the Rev. J. H. Mar- tyn, and adopted the Congregational form. They styled themselves at that time, the Second Free Congregational Church, con- sidering the one just formed at the Taber- nacle as the First. 360 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The Chatham Street Chapel was soon after given up, and the church retired to a hall. Mr Martyn was dismissed in 1836, and for several years they had no pastor. In the autumn of 1841, the church recalled Mr. Martyn, and obtained a lease of the house of worship on the corner of Christie and Delancy streets, known as the " Bethel Baptist Meeting-house." This house they repaired, and occupied for nearly two years, when they sold out their lease ; and have since that time erected a commodious brick edifice, on Christie street, between Delancy and Rivington streets, at a cost of about $7,000. It was opened for worship October 15, 1845. In September, 1844, they changed their title from the " Second" to that of the " First" Church. The present number of communicants is two hundred and fifty. Mr. Martyn still holds the pastoral office. " NEW YORK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH." In the autumn of 1837, after the Bowery Church had ceased operations, several per- sons who had been educated in New Eng- land, started the plan of purchasing that building, and forming a Congregational CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 361 Church, after the New England model. About. fifty members were found, a council was called, and the church was regularly constituted, and called " The New York Congregational Church," and the Rev. Henry Benedict was installed its pastor. For a time everything looked encouraging ; a con- siderable assembly attended public worship, and additions were made to the church from time to time. But troubles of various kinds arose, and in less than two years Mr. Bene- dict took his dismission. The congregation then gave up the house of worship, and mingled for a time with the Lutheran con- gregation in Orange street, who were then destitute of stated preaching. After this they occupied the National Hall in Canal street for several months, and then removed back to the basement of the Bowery Church, having the Rev. George R. Haswell as a supply ; till at length, seeing no fair prospect before them, they broke up and scattered. FIFTH WARD MISSION CHURCH. The enterprise which resulted in the forma- tion of this church was commenced by opening for public worship the Philoma- 31* 362 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. thean Hall in Duane street, near Hudson, on January 19, 1.840. In about three months after, a room was hired and fitted up at 328 Washington street, and the church was there organized on June 7, 1840. Five original members were enrolled, but additions were made at their first communion, and again, from time to time, until forty-eight persons had been received to communion. This church never had a settled pastor, nor a house of worship, but the congregation were at one time in the Marion House Chapel, and then in a hall in Greenwich street, near Barclay. The Rev. Benjamin Lockwood, a missionary of the New York City Tract Society, was the stated preacher to this con- gregation, and took the charge of this church all the time of its existence. It was finally dissolved in an orderly manner, January 24, 1843. TABERNACLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. When the body of the Tabernacle Presby- terian Church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Parker, removed from the building, as related on page 181, there was a "rem- nant that remained," and at the close of the CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 363 last meeting held there by the Presbyterian church, on July 13, 1840, those who were disposed to unite in a new enterprise, to be strictly Congregational, were invited to re- main ; and between thirty and forty brethren remained, and after prayer, it was resolved to take measures for the formation of a Con- gregational church. This was effected on the 3d of September, 1840, by a council called for that purpose, and sixty-nine mem- bers were then enrolled. With the most commendable liberality, the purchaser of the Tabernacle, Mr. David Hale, offered the building to the new church on such terms as would secure to them the possession of it undisturbed, and ultimately the ownership and control of the same, which offer was accepted. The church was not long with- out a pastor, the Rev. E. W. Andrews being installed as such on January, 31, 1841. The ministry of Mr. Andrews was terminated by his dismission on August 14, 1845, he hav- ing accepted the pastoral office in the Second Street Presbyterian Church in Troy. The present pastor of the church, the Rev. J. P. Thompson, was installed April 15, 1845. 364 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The prospects of this church are very good. A large congregation is always found at the Tabernacle, and the church now numbers in communion three hundred and sixty-two members. SECOND FREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The Rev. Asa Mahan, President of the Oberlin Institution, preached in " Niblo r s Saloon" during the winter of 1842-3, and gathered a considerable congregation. In the spring following the congregation re- moved to the lecture-room of the Medical College in Crosby street, and on April 22, 1842, a Congregational church of thirty- seven members was formed. Of this church the Rev. Samuel D. Cochran became pastor. In the winter following, Rev. Charles G. Finney preached to this congregation for a few months, when the meetings were again held in Niblo's Saloon. In the spring they returned to the Medical College, and re- mained there until December, 1845, when they took possession of a very neat and con- venient brick edifice which they had erected on Sullivan street, near Houston, at a cost of about $7,000. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. . 365 Mr. Cochran is still pastor. Present num- ber of communicants about one hundred and twenty. FOURTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. This is the style of a Congregational church which was formed in the beginning of 1843. Some difficulties having occurred in the Protestant Methodist church in Sullivan street, a few of the members felt themselves providentially called upon to separate there- from. They met together on August 28, 1842, and after a free interchange of views, agreed to form themselves into a Congrega- tional church. The organization of the church was accomplished in an orderly man- ner by a council called for that purpose, on January 3, 1823, when the Rev. Wm. W. Wallace, M.D., was installed pastor. The Sermon on this occasion was by the Rev. Mr. Andrews of the Tabernacle church. The congregation have as yet no house of worship, but at present they occupy a Hall in Hancock street, near Bleecker. They have about one hundred and thirty mem- 366 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. bers in communion. Dr. Wallace remains in the pastoral office. " ROBINSON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH." A church by this name was formed with fourteen members, January 21, 1845. The Rev. Charles Chamberlain, from Berkley, Mass., was engaged to preach, and a small building was hired, which had been pre- viously used as a place of worship, situated on Eighteenth street, near the Eighth ave- nue. The meeting was continued but a few months, for in June following, Mr. Chamberlain left the city, and the church was dissolved. FIFTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. This church was gathered by the labors of the Rev. J. J. Braine, and was organized with thirty members in the month of March, 1844. They met for a time in a room in Sixteenth -street, near the Eighth avenue ; and after the breaking up of the " Robinson Congregational Church" they removed to Eighteenth street, where they still remain. The church has increased to about forty in communion. The congregation is con- CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 367 siderably full ; and the Sabbath-school is in a flourishing condition. Mr. Braine continued to officiate in this church until the early part of 1846, when he renounced the principles of infant baptism, and took his dismission. The Rev. Benja- min Lockwood was soon after invited to take the pastoral office in this church, and has entered on his labors. COLORED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Some time in the year 1844, Rev. Charles B. Ray, a colored preacher, opened a meet- ing in a Hall on Grand street, near the Cen- tre Market, sustained principally by the First and Second Free Congregational Churches. His preaching was attended with some suc- cess, and in the last week of February, 1845, a Congregational church was formed there, consisting of about twelve members. The church has increased to about twenty-five members. Mr. Ray is still preaching there. CHURCH OF THE PURITANS. On Sabbath evening, March 15, 1846, the Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D., commenced 368 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. preaching in the small chapel of the New York University, with a view of gathering a church under the above name. This was accomplished on the 12th of April, when about sixty members were enrolled. Dr. Cheever soon received a call, and was in- stalled pastor May 15, 1846. Ground has been purchased for the erection of a house of worship on Union Square, corner of Fifteenth street. In May, 1846, a meeting was opened in a Hall at 417 Houston street, by the Rev. J. D. L. Zender, with the design of gathering a French Evangelical Congregational Church, but as yet nothing very definite has been done. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 369 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN NEW YORK NOW IN OPERATION, WITH THE NUMBER OF COMMUNICANTS IN DECEMBER, 1845. When formed. Com. Providence Chapel, 1819 100 First Free Church 1836 250 Tabernacle Church 1840 362 Second Free Church 1842 120 Fourth Church 1843 130 Fifth Church 1844 40 Colored Congregational Church 1845 25 Church of the Puritans (May) 1846 60 Total 1087 CHURCHES ONCE FORMED, BUT NOW EXTINCT. When formed. When dissolved. First Congregational Church. . . .1804 1816 Independent Chu rch 1817 became Pres. 1 82 1 Broadway Cong. Church (about) 1817 (about) 1820 Brooine Street Cong. Church 1819 1822 Welsh Church 1822 became Pres. 1833 Third Church 1824 1826 New York Cong'l Church 1837 1840 Fifth Ward Mission Church .... 1840 1843 Robinson Cong'l Church 1845 1845 32 NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH. 1808. ABOUT the year 1808, a few individuals who were interested in the doctrines of what is styled " The New Jerusalem Church," as revealed in the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, began to hold meet- ings for religious worship on the Sabbath in a small school-house in James street. These meetings were continued for several years at this place, with but a small increase of numbers. About the year 1816, they removed to a school-house then standing on Broadway, near the City Hospital. Still their number was small, their organization very simple, and their public worship was conducted by some one of their own num- ber, previously appointed. At this time a regular constitution was adopted, and signed by eleven males. They styled themselves NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH. 371 " The Association of the city of New York for the dissemination of the Heavenly Doc- trine of the New Jerusalem Church/' This constitution was amended about seven years after, and signed by fifteen, a little more than half of whom had signed the for- mer constitution. In 1821, the society purchased a house of worship situated on Pearl street, between Chatham and Cross streets, to which the con- gregation removed. In the same year, Mr. Charles I. Doughty, one of their number, who for some time previous had officiated as their reader or preacher, was elected to the pastoral office, and duly ordained. He continued in this office for the term of seven- teen years, when, in Sept., 1838, the con- nection was dissolved by mutual consent. During this period the society experienced but few changes, and had but a moderate growth, as in 1839, the whole number of members was only forty-two. For about two years after the dismission of Mr. Doughty, the society was rather de- clining. They were without a pastor, and disposed of their house of worship to the Zion Baptist Church. 372 NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH. In June, 1840, Mr. B. F. Barrett was en- gaged to preach for this church, and in Oc- tober of the following year he was ordained as pastor, in which office he continues. The present state of the society is more encouraging. They have now about ninety communicants, with a congregation of from two to three hundred on the Sabbath. Their place of public worship is the lecture room of the New York Society Library, at the corner of Broadway and Leonard streets. SECOND CHURCH. The second New Jerusalem Church in this city was formed with thirteen members, Sept. 12, 1841. Of this church the Rev. Charles I. Doughty became pastor, assisted by Mr. S. Brown, a licentiate. The church continued under the pastoral care of Mr. Doughty until his death, which took place in July, 1844. Since which time, occasion- al supplies of preaching have been obtained, or the public services have been conducted by a lay reader. The Rev. Thomas Wilkes is the present supply. The congregation assemble in the small chapel of the New York University. UNITARIAN CHURCH. 1819. THE first Unitarian preaching in the city of New York was from the Rev. Dr. Chan- ning of Boston, who preached a sermon in a private house on the 25th of April, 1819, and afterwards on the 16th of May, in the same year, he preached in the lecture-room of the Medical College in Barclay street. The first Unitarian Society was founded May 24, 1819, and incorporated under the name of the " First Congregational Church of New York," on November 15th of the same year. On the 29th of April following, the corner stone of a church edifice was laid on Cham- bers street, west of Broadway, the Rev. Henry Ware, jr., officiating, and the building was completed and dedicated January 20, 1821. The sermon on this occasion was by the Rev. Edward Everett, of Boston. 29* 374 UNITARIAN CHURCH. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. William Ware, who was ordained December 18, 1821, and resigned his charge September 19, 1836. After this, the church was destitute of a settled pastor for two years, during which time they were supplied by the Rev. Dr. Follen. The present pastor, the Rev. Henry W. Bellows, was ordained January 2, 1839. The church edifice in Chambers street had a front of white marble, and was an elegant, although a small structure. It was capable of holding comfortably from five to six hundred people. In about six years after it was opened, the house had become much crowded, and many of the pew holders liv- ing in the upper part of the city, it was thought best to establish a second church, which was done. But within ten years more, the congre- gation had so increased that farther accom- modations appeared necessary. The place of worship was found to be inconveniently situated for the people, and it was resolved to remove. Accordingly the old church edifice was sold in the summer of 1843, and the Savings Bank now occupies its place. For about two years, while a new building UNITARIAN CHURCH. 375 was erecting, the congregation assembled for worship in the "Apollo Saloon," on Broadway. A most elegant structure has been built, situated on Broadway, between Spring and Prince streets, capable of seating over thirteen hundred persons. The cost of this building is about $90,000. It was dedi- cated October 22, 1845, under the name of " The Church of the Divine Unity," and is now occupied by a large and flourishing congregation. " CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH." This church, as already related, was originally a colony which came out from the Unitarian church in Chambers street, in the latter part of the year 1826. A house of worship was built on Prince street, a short distance west from Broadway, which was opened for worship on the 7th of December in that year. The sermon on this occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr. Channing of Boston, from Mark xii. 29, 30. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. W. Lunt, who was ordained here m June, 1828, continuing to officiate a little over five years, when he resigned the charge. 376 UNITARIAN CHURCH. This took place November 19, 1833. The church was vacant for about a year, depend- ing on casual supplies, when, in December, 1834, the Rev. Orville Dewey was engaged for a year, but before it expired, on Novem- ber 26, 1835, he was installed pastor. Two years after this, on Sabbath morning, November 26, 1837, the church edifice was entirely destroyed by fire. The congrega- tion engaged the large Hall of Stuyvesant Institute on Broadway, where they continued to assemble for a year and a half. Arrange- ments were immediately made to rebuild. The site of the old church on Prince street was disposed of, and a substantial building of rough granite was erected on Broadway, near Washington Square, which was opened for worship, May 2, 1839, by the name of " s The Church of the Messiah." Dr. Dewey rejnains in the pastoral office. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 1829. Two churches have been formed in New York city, styling themselves simply " The Christian Church." They hold to baptism by immersion, and reject infant baptism. They reject, also, the doctrine of the Trinity, discard all written creeds and confessions of faith, taking the Bible, simply, as the rule of faith and church government, and making Christian character only the test of fellow- ship. One of these churches has become extinct ; the other remains. FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH. This was formed in the year 1829, under the ministry of the Rev. Simon Clough. Arrangements were immediately made for building a house of worship, which was effected in that year. It was a substantial brick edifice, measuring forty-six feet by seventy-five, standing on the corner of 378 THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Broome and Norfolk streets. It cost about $16,000. Mr. Clough continued pastor of the church about five years, and was suc- ceeded, in 1834, by the Rev. Isaac N Wal- ter, but Mr. Clough remained attached to the church, preaching occasionally as long as they remained together. He died in the spring of 1844. Mr. Walter remained in the pastoral office until the year 1839, when his health becom- ing impaired, and the church being greatly embarrassed with pecuniary difficulties, he was dismissed, and shortly after their house of worship was sold. The congregation hired it for nearly two years, when it was sold again to the " Norfolk Street Baptist Church," and the " First Christian Church" soon became extinct. SUFFOLK STREET CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Although the " First Christian Church," as such, was no more known, yet the members of it were not lost. In the early part of the year 1841, a few active members who re- mained, hired the " Thalian Hall," No. 460 Grand street, at a rent of $500 per annum, and engaged as their minister Elder H. Simonton, who had supplied the first Chris- THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 379 tian Church after the dismission of Mr. Walter. In May, of that year, they orga- nized as a church, with as many of the old members as could then be found; several more were added during the year, and at its close they had enrolled as communicants about one hundred persons. About a year after this, an interesting series of meetings was held, which resulted in the hopeful con- version of some thirty or forty persons, who were added to the church. The congrega- tion remained in the Thalian Hall over three years, and with a strong effort succeed- ed in meeting their temporal engagements. In the beginning of the year 1844, the con- gregation commenced the erection of a house of worship. Two lots were purchas- ed on Suffolk street, near Delancy, and a neat brick building was erected, measuring 40 feet by 65, capable of seating about five hundred persons. It was first opened for worship June 23, 1844, and the church is now known as the " Suffolk Street Christian Church," about one hundred and thirty members are now enrolled in communion, and the congregation is in a flourishing state. Mr. Simonton has still the pastoral charge. CONCLUSION. IN the preceding pages we have taken a mere glance at the ground now occupied by two hundred and seventeen Churches ; and we read the history, also, of more than sixty others, once formed, and now extinct. The facts here brought to view furnish much important instruction, and might be dilated on to much profit. Several pages of remark had been prepared. It was also proposed, in the outset, to have appended some in- teresting tables, especially one exhibiting the capacity of the several houses of worship in the city, in order, by a comparison with the population, to enable us to judge correctly of the extent of the present church accom- modations to the wants of the people. But our book has already far exceeded the limits originally prescribed, and we are constrained to stop abruptly, and leave many things unsaid. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which It was borrowed. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000892154 6 * V. "