USA > Louisiana > Orleans Parish > New Orleans > Standard history of New Orleans, Louisiana, giving a description of the natural advantages, natural history settlement, Indians, Creoles, municipal and military history, mercantile and commercial interests, banking, transportation, etc. > Part 51
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is the shrine of St. Roch. Innumerable votive offerings are to be scen at the foot of the statue of St. Roch and elsewhere, laid there by those who believe in the efficacy of prayers to the saint. St. Roch is believed by the lassies to send husbands among other gifts. The Church of St. Francis of Assissi, only recently erected, is in State street, between Patton and Constance, and has a school atttached. Its rector is Rev. Father Brockmeier. The Greek Church of the Holy Trinity, on North Dor- genois, between Hospital and Barracks, is a small brick structure.
It would be a point of interest in the history of these various churches of the Catholic faith to give a list of the men who have been factors, obviously, of the most important character, in the making of the history.
The rectors of the Jesuit Church, contemporaneously presidents of the Jesuit college, have been : Very Rev. John Baptist Maisounabe, 1847-1848; Very Rev. John Cambizo, 1848-1852; Very Rev. Anthony Jourdant, 1852-1854; Very Rev. Aloysius Curioz, 1854-1862; Very Rev. Anthony Jourdant, 1862-1869; Very Rev. Francis Gautrelet, 1869-1880; Very Rev. Theobald Butler, 1880-1887; Very Rev. John F. X. O'Connor, 1887-1890; Very Rev. David McKiniry, 1890-1895; Very Rev. Henry Clay Semple, 1895-1899 ; Very Rev. John Brisland, 1899.
St. Mary's Assumption Church-Fathers Thadeus Anawander, 1855-1861; F. Jacons, 1867-1870 ; H. Giessen, 1871-1872; N. Jaeckel, 1873-1874; Max Leim- gruber, 1874-1877; James Karicher, 1877-1879; Joseph Colonel, 1879-1881; Max Leimgruber, 1881-1883 ; Henry Giessen, 1884-1886 ; Bernard Klaphake, 1886-1887; Frederick Faivre, 1887-1891; George A. Grimm, 1891-1893 ; Joseph A. Firle, 1893- 1898; Henry Weber, 1898.
St. Patrick's Church-Revs. Fathers Adam Kindelon, 1833; James Ignatius Mullen, 1833-1837; John Flanaghan, 1869-1872; P. F. Allen, 1872-1887; John Dumas, 1887-1892; E. J. Fallon, 1892-1900.
St. Joseph's Church-Rev. E. D'Hamo, 1844; P. M. Paget, 1844-1858; John Hayden, 1858-1870; T. J. Smith, 1870-1880; M. P. O'Regan, 1880-1881; R. J. Fitzgerald, 1881-1891; F. Guidry, 1891-1893; John Hickcy, 1893-1894; F. N. Nugent, 1894-1897; P. V. Byrne, 1897-1898 ; T. J. Weldon, 1898-1900.
St. Alphonsus Church-Fathers P. McGrabe, 1857-1861; J. A. Dyffy, 1866- 1870; M. Burke, 1870-1871; J. B. Duffy, 1872-1874; F. Girardey, 1874-1883; Henry Giessen, 1883-1888 ; Frederick Faivre, 1888-1891; George A. Grimm, 1891- 1894; Joseph A. Firle, 1894-1898; Very Rev. Henry Weber, 1898-1900.
Notre Dame de Bon Secours-Fathers G. Geissen, 1858-1869; Alfred de Ham, 1869-1872; Theodore Lamy, 1872-1873; Nicholas Berchem, 1873-1874;
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Alfred de Ham, 1874-1877; H. Geissen, 1877-1883; Theodore Lamy, 1883-1885; Frederick Faivre, 1885-1887; Alfred de Ham, 1887-1888 ; Frederick Faivre, 1888- 1891; Very Rev. George A. Grimm, 1891-1893; Joseph A. Firle, 1893-1894; Alfred de Ham, 1894-1895; Celestin Gregoire, 1895-1896; Joseph A. Firle, 1896-1898; Henry Weber, 1898-1900.
Annunciation Catholic Church-Father R. McMorris, 1846-1860; R. Durier, 1860-1885; G. A. Rouxel, 1885-1899.
St. Vincent de Paul-Rev. Father E. Foltier, 1869-1878; A. F. X. Chapuis, 1878-1892; Arthur Drossaerts, 1892-1900.
St. Theresa's-Fathers J. P. Belliar, 1856-1858 ; John Flanaghan, 1857-1861; T. J. Kennedy, 1868-1874; P. M. L. Massadier, 1874-1890; F. X. Cuppens, 1890- 1897; T. F. Delaney, 1897-1898; P. M. L. Massadier, 1898-1900.
Church of the Holy Name of Jesus-Father John A. Downey, 1882-1899; Paul Faget, 1899-1900.
Church of the Holy Name of Mary-Fathers F. Dems, 1870-1872; H. Bel- langer, 1872-1879; S. M. Brady, 1883-1885; A. Pompallier, 1885-1886; J. B. Chataigner, 1886-1888 ; James Goggan, 1888-1893; Joseph Roman, 1893-1897; J. H. Blenck, 1897-1899; Father Joyce, 1899-1900.
Mater Dolorosa-(Rev. Anthony Bichlmayer, 1874-1898 ; Charles Brockmeier, 1898-1899; Church of the Nativity, before its consolidation with the Church of Mater Dolorosa)-Fathers R. P. Vallee, 1874-1892; J. J. Ferguson, 1892-1893; Marius Welte, 1893-1896; John F. Prim, 1896-1900.
Church of the Holy Trinity-Father P. Leonhard Thevis, 1870-1893; J. B. Bogaerts, 1893-1898 ; Anthony Bicklmayer, 1898-1900.
St. Stephen's Parish Church-Rev. Angelo Hippolyte Gandolfo, 1849; John Mary Delcros, 1851-1858; Anthony Verrina, 1858-1868; Rev. A. Mandine, 1868- 1878; Anthony Verrina, 1878-1900.
Ursuline Chapel-For many years, Rev. N. G. Percha, and subsequently, Rev. Charles Denoyal.
St. Cecilia's Church-Rev. J. Reiter.
St. Augustine's-Father Rousilon, 1841; next Father Jobert, till 1874; Father Joseph Subileau, 1874 to date.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus-A. Marine, 1880-1883; G. Demers, 1883-1886; J. Arlington, 1886-1887; J. Adelsperger, 1887-1889; J. M. Scherer, 1889-1890; A. E. Saulmier, 1890-1895; D. J. Spillard, 1895-1897; P. W. Condon, 1897-1898; Peter Lauth, 1898-1899; Rev. Father Warken, 1899-1900.
STANDARD HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS. 493
Church of St. Anthony-Father J. J. Turgis, 1867-1869 ; Gabriel Chalon, 1870- 1871 ; J. A. Manoritta, 1876-1900.
Our Lady of Good Counsel-Father Joseph F. Lambert.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart-Father Antonio Borias, 1870-1881; Celestin M. Frain, 1881-1900.
St. Ann's-Fathers J. M. LaFranc, 1852-1857; H. Tumoine, 1857-1893; Al- bert Bulot, 1893-1898; Joseph Thebault, 1898-1900.
St. Mary's-Father A. Blanc, 1827-1861; Gilbert Raymond, 1866-1882; H. M. LeCozic, 1882-1892 ; J. A. Bogaerts, 1892-1893 ; Louis Prim, 1893-1894; Very Rev. J. A. Thebault, 1894-1898 ; John B. Baronnet, 1898-1900.
St. Maurice-Rev. Father Bonnafe, 1856-1880; J. Anstett, 1880-1881; J. . Dumas, 1881-1887; A. Dubourg, 1887-1890; E. Aveilhé, 1890-1900.
St. Michael's Church-P. G. Tobin, 1872-1874; Thomas Heslin, 1874-1889 ; Michael Coughlan, 1889-1900.
St. Peter's and St. Paul's-Rev. Fathers C. Moynihan, 1849-1879 ; J. Moyni- han, 1879-1884; E. M. Kenney, 1884-1885; John B. Flanahan, 1885-1896 ; Joseph Hanrahan, 1896-1900.
St. Rose de Lima-Fathers M. Mittelbronn, 1868-1896; Alphonse Jannsens, 1896-1900.
St. Boniface-Fathers Joseph Roeger, 1874-1890; Alphonse Leute, 1890-1893; Paul Schaeuble, 1893-1900.
St. Francis de Salés-Father Nicholas Simon, 1873-1900.
St. Henry's Church-Fathers M. Radamaerger, 1870-1871; J. Bogaerts, 1871- 1872 ; M. Radamaergerts, 1873-1874; J. Bogaerts, 1874-1891; Louis Richen, 1891- 1900.
St. John the Baptist-Fathers Jeremiah Moynihan, 1851-1875; Thomas J. Kenney, 1875-1881; James G. Foote, 1881-1889; M. J. Farrelly, 1889-1896; J. M. Laval, 1896-1900.
St. Joseph's Chapel-Rev. Fathers Peter Cooney, 1889-1893 ; P. Berthet, 1896- 1900.
St. Joseph's Church (Gretna)-Rev. Fathers Bogaerts, 1870-1871; M. Hal- bedel, 1871-1878; Eugene Fraering, 1878-1891; Earnest Earhart, 1891-1894; Father Blenck, 1894-1900.
Greek Church (Church of the Holy Trinity)-Fathers Gregory Yayas, 1872- 1874; K. Michel, 1881-1884; Michel Kalitski, 1884-1886; Archimandrite Misael, 1886-1900.
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So for Catholicism in Louisiana. As has been stated it was the earliest religion introduced in Louisiana and New Orleans, for the reason that that vast tract of territory, known as Louisiana, belonged to Catholic countries at the outset, and was peopled and civilized by staunch Catholic nations.
If the historian of Methodism of the Mississippi valley, Rev. John C. Jones, makes no mistake, it was not until the dawn of the 1800s that we find Protestantism represented in the person of one preacher, Lorenzo Dow, who in 1803 conducted Protestant religious services in the Attakapas. In 1805 Rev. Elisha W. Bowman conducted services in Opelousas, and is said to have come to New Orleans, where he endeavored to awaken the interest of the Protestants. It is recorded that his attempt was ineffectual, for the reason, doubtless, that there were even then but few of his faith here and liberality had not progressed to the point where Roman Catholics would go to hear one of another faith, however inspiring his message. Rev. Bowman was given a large territory. It extended from Vermillion Bay to Catahoula and from the Teche to Rio Hondo.
In 1805 a Protestant printed an appeal in the Louisiana Gazette, calling upon the English-speaking populace to show that they were not irreligious. He pointed out that there were no churches of the English-speaking people in the city, and declared that this should be remedied. As a result of this agitation a meeting of Protestants was held in Francisque's ballroom on the evening of May 29. Resolutions were adopted to establish a Protestant church in New Orleans and to have a resident minister and the meeting adjourned to reconvene a little later in the home of Mme. Forrager, now No. 227 Bourbon, between Customhouse and Bienville. A call for subscriptions for a Protestant church was printed June 7, Hugh Pollock, Joseph M. Bell, Richard Relf and John McDonogh being named as the parties with whom money could be deposited. The individuals of these meet- ings, while all Protestant of course, belonged to different denominations, for on June 16, a vote was taken to determine the denomination of the minister to be invited. . There were 45 Episcopalians, 7 Presbyterians and 1 Methodist.
On July 3, 1805, as a result of this movement, Gov. Claiborne approved a bill of the legislative council incorporating "The Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Christ's Church" in the county of Orleans. The charter members were: J. B. Prevost, Joseph McNeil, Richard Relf, Benjamin Morgan, Robert Dow, James Brown, Joseph Saul, William Kenner, William Brown, John Watkins, Evan Jones, George T. Phillips, William Harper, Richard Butler, William G. Garland, James M. Bradford, R. D. Sheppard, George T. Ross, Charles Norwood, Walter Clark,
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James C. Williamson, Charles Patton, Thomas McCormick, John F. Watson, Ed- ward Livingston, William W. Smith, John Poultney, John F. Sanderson, Henry A. Heins, Samuel D. Earle, James McDonogh, John McDonogh, Andrew Burke, John Palfrey, George W. Morgan, Abraham R. Ellery, Thomas L. Harmon, James Proffit, James Martin, Thomas Callender, William Donaldson and Hugh Pollock. Other white persons, not less than twenty-one, and paying not less than $10 per annum to the support of the church, might be added, according to the act. The income of the church from lands, rents, tenements, etc., etc., was not to exceed $20,000 per annum and it was provided that the vestry of the church should not exceed fifteen, including always two church wardens in the total number, elected annually, the vestry to select the minister. The wardens were to be selected from their own number and by them, and the treasurer was to be one of their body.
Under this organization, Protestant services were conducted for the first time in the history of the city on Sunday, July 15, 1805, in a house on Royal street, formerly occupied by a Mr. Freeman.
The first minister selected was Rev. Philander Chase. He arrived here from New York on the brig Thetis October 20, 1805. He was sent by the Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of New York State. The bishop had been petitioned to this end by James M. Bradford, James C. Will- iamson and Edward Livingston. The first vestry was organized on November 16, and was composed of J. B. Provost, Dominie A. Hall, Benjamin Morgan, Joseph Saul, William Kenner, Joseph McNeil, George T. Ross, Charles Norwood, Andrew Burke, R. D. Sheppard, Richard Relf, Edward Livingston, John McDonogh, John F. Sanderson, and A. R. Ellery. Joseph Saul and Andrew Burke were chosen wardens. On November 17, 1805, Rev. Chase held his first services in the Cabildo. A permanent arrangement was effected with him and six months later he brought his family here. Rev. Chase remained rector until March, 1811, when there was an interruption in the services for a few years. The next minister employed was Rev. James F. Hull, of Belfast, Ircland. He remained rector for nineteen years. Services had been held in the court room on Royal street, but a church edifice was erected at the corner of Bourbon and Canal, some months after the death of Rev. Hull. In 1847 another church was erected a block away, at the corner of Dauphine and Canal, at a cost of $50,000. Later the congregation erected the edifice at the corner of St. Charles and Sixth streets. Rev. Hull was succeeded at his death in June, 1833, by Rev. James A. Fox, who served until 1835. Rev. J. T. Wheat, 1835- 1837; Rev. N. S. Wheaton, 1837-1844; Rev. Francis L. Hawks, 1844-1849; Rev.
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Edmund Neville, 1849-1851; Rev. William T. Leacock, 1851-1861. When Benja- min Butler occupied New Orleans, 1862, he took charge of the church, and ap- pointed Rev. F. E. Chubbuck to conduct the services, the wardens having been compelled to surrender the keys of the church. The resident preacher was trans- ported across the line by order of Butler on charge of disloyalty. The church remained in the charge of the Federal authorities until December, 1864, when it was restored to the wardens on condition that they would select a loyal minister. Rev. Dr. Leacock was tendered the pulpit and retained charge until 1882. In that year, upon the resignation of Rev. Leacock, Dr. Alexander I. Drysdale accepted the rectorship, and retained it until his death, August 30, 1886. On March 6, the following year, Rev. Davis Sessums became the rector, and continued to fill that post until he was consecrated bishop of Louisiana, December 7, 1891. The rectors since then have been in turn, Rev. Quincy Ewing, Rev. Frank I. Paradise, Rev. F. H. Coyle, Rev. W. W. Howe and Rev. Charles D. Wells.
A church which has disappeared from the city since many years, but which forms a part of the history of the Episcopal Church of New Orleans, was situated at the corner of Rampart and Bienville from 1830, when it was built, to 1874, when it went out of existence.
It was the French Evangelical Church. Among its first ministers were Rev. DuFernex and Rev. C. Leiris. The latter conducted a parochial school. Rev. Raymond A. Henderson became minister in 1834. Its services were conducted in both French and English. Its Sunday school instructions were carried on in French, English and Spanish. Five years after its founding, this church was admitted into the union by the Diocesan Convention. Later the church went out of use and services were only resumed there in 1848, the Rev. Thomas D. Ozanne being rector. He served until 1849 and was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Williamson. The church was sold and the parish dropped from the register in 1874.
The Annunciation Episcopal Church was chartered March 25th, 1844. Among its charter members were Thomas Sloo, Jr., Ben. Lownges, Wm. S. Brown, Joseph Callender, E. W. Briggs, Chauncey B. Black, John P. McMillan and John Carrigan. These gentlemen were elected vestrymen. The first services were held in 1844 by Nathanial Ogden Preston, in a building at the corner of Race and Chippewa. The church building was consecrated March, 1846. It was destroyed by fire April 15th, 1858. With the proceeds of the insurance a new site was purchased for the church at the corner of Race and Camp streets. It was not until 1873 that a new church was built, although the reorganization of the church was inaugurated at
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the close of the war. In the interim, the services were held in the Methodist Church. Rev. John Percival has been the rector of this church since its reor- ganization.
Trinity Church, of which the eloquent and popular Dr. Beverly Warner is to-day the rector, stands at the corner of Jackson and Coliseum streets. This church had its inception in 1847 when six communicants held service at the corner of Washington and Laurel streets, under Reverend Ranney. The parish was in- corporated the same year. Mr. Charles P. Clarke, who was licensed as a lay reader, and took charge of the work upon the resignation of Mr. Ranney, raised sufficient money to purchase three lots at the corner of Second and Live Oak streets. The first vestrymen were Wm. M. Goodrich, Ferdenand Rodewald, Charles P. Clarke, - Augustus P. Phelps, Washington W. Vaught, John F. Thorpe and Daniel Dewees. The parish was admitted into the union May 3rd, 1848. The first rector was Rev. Alexander Dobb. In 1851, the site of the present church was purchased. The first services in the new building were held April 3rd, 1853. The old chapel on Second street was sold. The rectors of this church were as follows: Rev. O. Flagg, 1853- 54; Rev. Henry M. Pierce, 1854 (June to December ) ; Right Rev. Leonidas Polk, 1855-60; Rev. Fletcher J. Hawley, 1860-62; Rev. L. Y. Jessup, 1862-64; Rev. Anthony Vallas, 1864 (April to September) ; Rev. John Percival, 1864-65; Rev. John W. Beckwith, 1865-68; Rev. John M. Gallcher, 1868-71; Rev. S. S. Harris, 1871-75; Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson, 1876-83; Rev. R. A. Holland, 1883-86; Rev. Randolph H. McKin, 1886-88; Rev. W. A. Snively, 1889-92; Rev. C. C. Kramer, 1892 (during the summer) ; Rev. Thomas F. Gailor, 1893 (first half of year) ; Rev. C. Hains, and Rev. Wm. Cross, 1893 (to October 1st) ; Rev. Beverley E. Warner, 1893-1900.
Mount Olivet Church was organized in 1852. Rev. C. H. Williamson was its first pastor. In that year, money was raised and a site for a church purchased at the corner of Peter and Olivier streets. The church was burned December 9th, 1866. A new building was immediately erected and completed for its first ser- vices April 21st, 1867. The ministers who have held the rectorship in this church since the time of Rev. Williamson are: Rev. C. F. Rottenstein, N. C. Preidham, Ballad S. Dunn, C. W. Hilton, H. E. Bakewell, Wm. Leacock, Rev. Wm. C. Mc- Cracken, Rev. F. Fontaine, Rev. C. S. Hegges, and Rev. Jesse S. Moore.
Rev. J. T. Wheat was responsible for the organization of St. Paul's Church. This divine was appointed a missionary for the upper portion of the city. The church was organized in 1836. The first services were held in the school room,
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HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS.
what was then Tivoli Circle (Lee Place). Later a warehouse on Julia street served the purpose of a house of worship and later still the congregation met on Camp street. The first vestrymen were John Messenger, Augustin Slaughter, John H. B. Morton, Thomas N. Morgan and John G. Grayson. A subscription of $40,000 had been tendered when the great financial panic of 1837 occurred, and the heaviest subscribers to the church fund were of course the heaviest sufferers from the panic. The next year, however, Rev. Charles Goodrich revived the church building project, and in the summer of 1839 the church building was completed at the corner of Camp and Bartholomew streets. In 1853 a contract was entered into for the erection of a church to cost $45,000 and the first services in the new church were held December 24, 1854. During the war Rev. Elijah Guion was in charge of the parish. He resigned in 1868, Rev. William F. Adams, subsequently consecrated missionary bishop of New Mexico and Arizona, succeeding him. Rev. H. H. Waters succeeded him and has been rector of this church ever since. A rectory was purchased in 1883 at No. 1420 Polymnia. The church was burned in 1891 and a new building erected.
St. Paul's parish set about to erect a new church building in 1853. They utilized much of the material of their old church and rebuilt at the corner of Rampart (South) and Euterpe. Rev. John Woert was the rector. This building was destroyed by fire about the time of the Civil War. In June, 1865, the ser- vices of the parish were resumed in a rented room. A new building was begun later, but the congregation would not complete it. Trinity Church offered to com- plete the building if it were given to it. The new chapel was consecrated April 17, 1870. Rev. Alexander Marks was the first rector. The following year Grace parish was formed, the chapel retaining the name of Trinity Chapel. Rev. George R. Upton succeeded Rev. Marks in 1873. Grace parish was again merged into Trinity that year, Rev. James H. Stringfellow taking charge until August of 1874. Rev. S. H. Granbury, Dr. Thompson, of Trinity; Rev. Charles Stewart, Rev. M. M. Moore and Rev. I. N. Marks were successively rectors until 1883. In 1884 the property was made over to the bishop of the diocese. Rev. A. Bakewell was placed in charge. Trinity Chapel has been independent of Trinity Church since 1884.
St. Anna's Church was built at a cost of $10,000 by Dr. William N. Mercer. It was completed December 1, 1869, and is located on Esplade avenue, between Marais and Villere. The site was bought on the proceeds of the sale of St. Peter's Church property, which church had been incorporated in 1847, and dissolved in 1869. The church was burned in 1876 and a new church built the following year.
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St. George Church is situated at the corner of St. Charles avenue and Cadiz street. St. George's parish was formed by the union of Emanuel and St. Mark, 1864. The first rector was Rev. H. C. Duncan. He was succeeded in 1875 by Rev. B. T. H. Maycock. Rev. George R. Upton succeeded him in 1877. The old church building stood at the corner of Pitt and Napoleon avenue, but was moved to Cadiz and St. Charles. The new church building was erected in 1899. The rectors of the church, since the time of Rev. Upton, 1882, were Revs. John Philson, S. M. Wiggins, A. Kenney Hall, A. J. Tardy, Dr. Knapp and J. W. Moore.
St. John Church was established in 1871 at the corner of Third and Annun- ciation. Its first rector was Rev. Dr. Harrison. The successive rectors, after Dr. Harrison, were Revs. C. B. Chamblin, A. J. Tardy, Charles Stewart, Edward Fontain, A. J. Tardy (a second time), S. M. Wiggins, Dr. Douglass, R. S. Stew- art, Dr. Goodrich, Oliver Wilson, J. E. Hammond, Robert C. Celmine, A. Gordon Bakewell and A. J. Tardy.
Grace Church is to-day domiciled on South Rampart, between Canal and Tulane avenue, in a building on which the parish has a lease of twenty years, with the privilege of buying. It was domiciled in a room at No. 24 (old number) Baronne, where services were held from 1886, the year of the formation of the church, the latter part of the year when the services were held in Werlein's theater, which was tendered free of rent. Before the close of the year, the arrangements for the place on Rampart was effected. Rev. Matthew A. D. Brewster has been rector since 1892, W. C. McCracken having preceded him.
There is one colored church of the Episcopal denomination, established by Bishop Leonidas Polk, in 1885. It was first known as St. Thomas, but now as St. Luke, on Fourth street, between St. Charles and Carondelet.
From what has been said it will be seen that the Catholic Church being the first to gain a foothold in this city, the Episcopalians by vote showed the biggest numerical strength of all the Protestant denominations, and was the first of the Protestant denominations to be established. Having reviewed at some length the career of these two sects from their inception here to the present, we may now with propriety turn our attention to the other Protestant denominations which to-day are well organized and recognized moral and spiritual forces in New Orleans, having fine churches, eloquent and forceful preachers and large followings; the Presby- terians, the Baptists, the Methodists, etc.
A central figure in the church life of New Orleans, indeed it might be said of the country to-day, is the Rev. Dr. B. M. Palmer, a man of magnificent intellect,
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of superb forcefulness of logic, of golden rhetoric, into which a rich and cultured imagination infuses a charm which is at once an inspiration and a delight to his hearer-a man withal of comprehensive, massive sympathies and a broad view of life, and one to whom as the Nestor of ecclesiasts in these parts more than passing mention is due. No man has so idealized and magnetized the potency and beauty of the church to the vast audience outside of church circles in every great city as has this splendid man, so long a worker in this city, so famous among the great divines of the age. His fame is in a manner identified with the First Presby- terian Church of the city. According to the chronicles, Presbyterianism was first implanted here by members of the denomination in New England. The Connec- ticut missionary society sent Rev. Elias Cornelius on a missionary tour to New Orleans. He arrived here December 30, 1817. That is said to have been the first effort by this denomination to establish itself in New Orleans. As a result of his efforts the Legislature soon afterwards passed an act of incorporation of a Presby- terian church. There was a meeting at the home of a Mr. Paulding on February 9, 1818. There Rev. Cornelius preached the first sermon and the church enterprise thus set on foot was the second of the Protestant denominations begun in New Orleans church history. The first Presbyterian church was built on St. Charles street, between Gravier and Union, and dedicated July 4th, 1820. The first rector was Rev. Sylvester Larned, a graduate of Princeton, who had come to New Orleans through the agency of Rev. Cornelius. He died in August following, and was succeeded by Rev. Theodore Clapp, of Massachusetts. He was elected to fill the vacancy, but a question arose as to his orthodoxy and a division arose in conse- quence in the church membership. January 13, 1832, fifteen of the members with- drew. They worshipped in a warehouse standing on the site where to-day is the imposing structure of the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mr. Harris was their first minister. A church building was erected by the dissenting members, but it was burned in 1854. In 1857 it was rebuilt as it stands to-day. Rev. B. M. Palmer took charge in March, 1856, and had served forty-three years in March, 1899, onc of the most universally loved and admired and potential men in the city, irrespec- tive of religious faiths.
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