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History
of the First Presbyterian Church of
Cranford, N. J.
1851 1901
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02942 8783
Gc 974.902 C85g Greene, George Francis, 1858 -1928. The First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, N.J.
8665 35-
-
REV. GEORGE FRANCIS GREENE
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OF
CRANFORD, N. J.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ITS FIRST HALF CENTURY
BY GEORGE FRANCIS GREENE Minister of the Church
Issued in Connection with the Celebration of the Church's Semi-Centenary, June 9-12, 1901, by Request of the Session and the Board of Trustees
RAHWAY, N. J. THE MERSHON COMPANY PUBLISHERS
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS, RAHWAY, N. J.
THE AUTHOR AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATES THIS BOOK TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH IN WHICH HE MINISTERS.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
I. THE FIRST EIGHTEEN YEARS, I
II. 1869 TO 1893, 17
III. THE NEW CHURCH,
2I
IV. SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS, 27
V. BENEFICENCE,
32
VI. REVIVALS, 36
VII. FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, 40
VIII. THE JUBILEE,
45
IX. THE FUTURE,
53
APPENDIX
I.
LIST OF ELDERS, ETC.,
57
APPENDIX
II.
LIST OF DEACONS, ETC.,
58
APPENDIX III.
LIST OF TRUSTEES, ETC., .
59
APPENDIX IV.
MEMBERSHIP ROLL IN 1901, .
60
APPENDIX V.
THE TWENTIETH
CENTURY
PRESBY-
TERIAN CHURCH,
66
APPENDIX VI. THE SUBURBAN CHURCH,
73
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Frontispiece : REV. GEORGE FRANCIS GREENE.
THE SECOND EDIFICE IN 1876, . Facing page 14
THE CHURCH IN 1901, .
66 20
CHURCH'S INTERIOR IN JUBILEE WEEK, . 66 66 28
REV. WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, D. D., LL. D., 66 36
REV. JAMES F. RIGGS, D. D., .
50
PASTOR AND SESSION, 66 66 56
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
6.6
58
PRIMARY CLASS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL, 1901,
66 72
ANNIVERSARY HYMN.
I. Our fervent thanks to Thee, O Lord, We give this day, with one accord- In joyous psalm our voice we raise, In faith and love to sing Thy praise.
2. Thine is the thought beneath each plan To make Thy Message known to man. With Thee is all true work begun; From Thee the crown for vict'ries won.
3. They better build than they can know Who build for Christ, and fear no foe; Bethels they shape that shall endure, Whose faith is firm, whose hope is sure.
4. Their thought with each new age revives- They vanish, but their work survives; While stones once mute tell of their worth To children of a later birth.
5. Most gracious, great, and holy God, Lead us in paths our fathers trod; Help us to build on that great Stone They set-true Corner, Christ alone !
6. On this our Zion's natal day Pour out Thy Spirit, Lord, we pray. And Thine be glory, and the power,- Thou Three-in-One,-in this glad hour.
K
HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
I.
THE FIRST EIGHTEEN YEARS.
Not in pulling down, but in building up, does man find pure joy .- Goethe.
IN 1851 Cranford-then known as Craneville- was a tiny hamlet, and the space now covered with pretty suburban villas was principally marked by groves, meadows, and orchards. The river with its crooked course, and the old mill near the present Union Avenue, gave picturesqueness to the local- ity, but probably few of the residents of that day dreamed of the changes that the following half- century was to witness. Those whose memories ex- tended backward a few years were able to recall the time when the stagecoach or farmer's wagon was the only means of visiting the adjacent cities. The railroad was a recent feature, and the day of giant locomotives and hourly trains to the me- tropolis had not dawned. Travelers to New York were required to take a ferry at Elizabethport, the
I 2
HISTORY OF THE
eastern terminus of the road, for their destination. The place was strictly a rural community.
But our chief concern is in the origin of the Presbyterian Church of the town, and the sources of that event of fifty years ago are to be traced through a period prior to that date. There are those still living who remember the old school- house which stood for many years on the corner of the present Union Avenue and the old Westfield Road-not far from the present residence of Mr. John C. Denman. For more than a century a schoolhouse stood on that spot. The late Mrs. John E. Matthews of Newark, who was born in the Denman homestead, but a stone's throw away from the site, possessed records showing that a schoolhouse stood there prior to the Revolution. This ancient building was succeeded by a second, and that in turn by a third, all on the same corner; and in all of them religious services were held from time to time on the Sabbath. Once the eccentric though renowned Methodist itinerant, Lorenzo Dow,-it was about 1820,-passed through the place and preached in the schoolhouse. But the schoolhouse with which we are concerned was the third and last of the series we have mentioned. In that little building our Church had its birth. There, from 1832 until 1851, a Sunday School met weekly; its principal superintendents during that period being in succession Andrew H. Clark, Isaac Miller, Josiah Crane, Patrick Clark, Isaac H. Pier- son, and S. W. Thompson. Occasionally on the
I3
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Sabbath a preaching service would be held in con- nection with the Sabbath School, conducted by the pastor of some neighboring church.
On the 24th of January, 1850, an agreement was entered into by fifty persons, under the leadership of Josiah Crane, to build a house of public worship in Craneville, various sums of money being pledged for the work. A public meeting followed, July 6, 1850, at the house of John C. Denman, at which nine persons were present; John C. Denman in the chair, and John E. Matthews secretary. A second meeting occurred in the schoolhouse, July 13 following, when a building committee of the following members was appointed: David Miller, John G. Crane, Jacob Miller, Jr., Josiah Crane, and S. W. Thompson. The work of build- ing was prosecuted with promptness and energy, and on March 3, 1851, the little congregation met for the first time in the new church. Though the seating capacity of the new building was not over eighty or one hundred, there was doubtless great pride felt in it by the builders. The comfort and joy of the birds do not depend always upon the size of their nest!
While the dedication of the first church edifice took place a few months earlier, the Church was not completely organized until June 26, 1851. With strict accuracy that was the birthday of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford. The original title of the Church was "The First Presbyterian Church of Craneville, Essex County, N. J." After
14
HISTORY OF THE
the name of the village was changed to Cranford, in 1869, the Church assumed its present title. On the day mentioned, at 10.30 A. M., the first meet- ing of the Session of the new church was held, the Rev. Samuel H. Coxe, D. D., then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, being moderator, on invitation. The organization of the Church was then effected, under the direction of a commission of the Presbytery of Brooklyn (“ New School "), consisting of the Rev. Samuel T. Spear, chairman; Rev. S. H. Coxe, D. D .; and Messrs. Nathan Lane and A. B. Conger. The follow- ing were elected ruling elders: Samuel W. Thomp- son, Josiah Crane, and William Crane. John G. Crane and David Miller were elected deacons. These were elected trustees: John Miller, president; Josiah Crane, Jr., secretary ; David Miller, Jr .; John Dunham, John G. Crane, Jacob Miller, Jr., and Moses T. Crane. The following twenty-two per- sons composed the membership of the new Church, all received by letter from the Presbyterian Church of Westfield: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Crane, Mr. and Mrs. William Crane, Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Crane, Jr .; Mr. and Mrs. John G. Crane, Mr. and Mrs. David Miller, Mrs. G. Baker, Mrs. John R. Miller, Miss Arianna Thompson, Miss Sophia C. Thompson, John Miller, Simeon Frazee, Mrs. Francis Pease, Charles Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Woodruff. Of these original members not one is now connected with the Church.
THE SECOND EDIFICE IN 1876
15
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The modest little church edifice dedicated in the spring of 1851 stood in the center of what is now Alden Street, midway between Union Avenue and North Avenue. It was occupied for church serv- ices and Sunday School from 1851 until the erec- tion of the second edifice, in 1868. Subsequently the original building was moved to the rear of the second edifice, where it continued to be used as a chapel. Later two wings were added to it. It was replaced by the new chapel in 1888. A relic of this original building-and it is about the only part of it that has survived several enlargements and repairs-is the window that adjoins the north entrance to the chapel.
The first step toward the building of the second house of worship was the adoption of a resolution by the Session, in favor of a new church, January 12, 1867. The land for the beautiful site on which our church is happily located was purchased in 1868 from John Grant Crane. On the 17th of Au- gust of that year the corner stone of the new build- ing was laid with appropriate ceremonies. The service of dedication was held in the church, May 25, 1869, the sermon of the occasion being preached by the Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., of Newark. The cost of the building, exclusive of the organ, was about $13,000. The organ was paid for by private subscriptions secured through the en- terprise of our fellow-townsman, Mr. Alden B. Bigelow. It was built in the spring of 1869 at a cost of about $1600, and was first used at the dedi-
16
HISTORY OF THE
cation of the church. The bell was a gift of Josiah Crane. Its cost was $576. It was first placed in a bell-tower built for the purpose, on the southeast side of the old church grounds, in 1868. The fol- lowing year it was placed in the tower of the church. It now hangs in the church-spire of the third edifice, and it has thus served to remind the community of the hour of worship for thirty-three years.
These were the pastors or stated supplies of the Church from 1851 to 1868, in the order of their settlement: A. H. Lilly, Thomas S. Brittan, Wil- liam R. Durnett, William Whittaker, Hollis Read, Samuel Murdock, A. H. Sloat.
The first manse of the Church was built in 1859, at a cost of about $2000. It was situated directly east of the first church edifice. It was afterward sold; and the present manse was built in 1871, at a cost of $4600.
1
17
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
II.
1869 TO 1893.
I sigh not over vanished years, But watch the years that hasten by. Look, how they come !
-Bryant.
THE history of the Church, from the date of the dedication of the second house of worship until that of the demolition of that building to give place to the present structure, must be sketched briefly. During this period the town gradually came to as- sume the aspect of a suburban community. As the surrounding population increased the Church steadily grew in strength and importance. The builders of 1869 could hardly have dreamed that in less than a quarter of a century the congregation would outgrow the church home they were pro- viding.
In 1869 a debt of about $7500 rested upon the Church. The indebtedness was gradually re- duced until it stood at about $1900 in 1888. In that year it was increased to $4400 by the erection of a new chapel. On the morning of Sunday, February 9, 1890, the entire amount of the debt was subscribed by the congregation; and one year later, for the first time in the Church's history, the
18
HISTORY OF THE
congregation was entirely out of debt. That Sab- bath morning in February, 1890, was a day long to be remembered by all who were present, and who contributed to the joy it brought to the Church. It marked a step forward in the Church's temporal and spiritual growth. And although a new burden of debt was soon afterward assumed, the inspiration of that day was destined to be in- valuable. It made our new church possible. It taught the congregation the art of debt-paying. It gave our membership self-respect, self-reliance, and courage.
It has been remarked that the first edifice began to be used solely as a chapel on the completion of the second edifice in 1869. In 1870 it was removed to the rear of the church. In 1873 it was enlarged. In 1888, to meet the growing demands of the Sun- day School and Church a new chapel was built upon the site of the old, at a cost of $2700. It was dedi- cated January 27, 1889. Strictly speaking this was an enlargement of the old chapel, though in the process only a small portion of the old building was left to be incorporated in the new. To complete the history of our chapel it is to be noted that at a cost of about $2000 it was again enlarged in the autumn of 1894, and its façade conformed to the architecture of the new church.
At the beginning of the period we are consider- ing Rev. A. A. MacConnell was the pastor of the Church-a minister who is remembered by a num- ber of our present members as an efficient and con-
19
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
secrated spiritual leader. He was summoned to his heavenly reward while still a young man, in 1873. He was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. William Henry Roberts, a clergyman of large gifts of scholarship and of unusual eloquence. Dr. Roberts, since his pastorate in our Church, has occupied highly important places in the gift of the denomination. For several years he was a pro- fessor in Lane Theological Seminary, and he has been for a number of years the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly. From 1878 until 1884 the Rev. James F. Riggs was pastor-another exceedingly able minister. For several years he was a pro- fessor in the theological seminary of the Reformed Church, at New Brunswick; and he is now pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, of East Orange, N. J. Dr. Riggs is regarded by those qualified to judge as a brilliant scholar as well as a forceful preacher. The present pastor was installed in 1885.
It has been stated that the Church was founded by the Presbytery of Brooklyn. It was founded as a " New School " church. The members of the commission of Presbytery which organized the Church were all distinguished "New School " leaders. The " New School " movement can hardly be thought of apart from such names as Dr. Coxe and Dr. Spear. The Synod of New Jersey, in ses- sion at Orange, transferred the Church from the bounds of the Presbytery of Brooklyn to the Pres- bytery of Newark, October 17, 1865. When the " Re-union " occurred, in 1870, the Church nat-
20
HISTORY OF THE
urally became connected with the Presbytery of Elizabeth. Probably there are many of the younger generation who would find it difficult to explain the precise difference between " Old School " and " New School " Presbyterians; but it is noteworthy that these two branches of the denomination were merged together during this second period of the life of our own congregation.
The Church had grown until it had a member- ship of about 240, and it had come to hope for and expect large things under Divine guidance when, in 1893, the sentiment of the congregation began to demand a new house of worship.
THE CHURCH IN 1901
N
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
2 I
III.
THE NEW CHURCH.
Old houses mended, Cost little less than new before they're ended. -Colley Cibber.
As early as in the spring of 1892 it became evi- dent that soon thereafter larger quarters for the congregation would be demanded. Not only was the house of worship too small to meet the further growth that was looked for, but it also began to be felt that the severe plainness of the building was out of keeping with the outward attractiveness of the town. At first a difference of opinion existed as to whether the desired result was to be looked for in an enlargement of the existing building, or in an entirely new structure. Practically all were agreed as to the main question of the need of more space. Soon it was determined that a large ma- jority were in favor of a new building. The argu- ment about "a new patch on an old garment " proved to be conclusive.
On Sunday, March 20, 1892, the pastor at the morning service addressed the congregation on the subject, " Our Proposed New Church." His re- marks on that occasion may indicate the general feeling concerning the project at that juncture.
22
HISTORY OF THE
His words, in part, were as follows: " It is plain to everybody that if our town continues to grow, and if our Church continues to be blessed, we shall very soon need a considerable increase in the num- ber of our pews. Our seating capacity is now about 300, and it ought to be 550. So near at hand does this demand for enlargement appear that, as wise people, we must at once look the question squarely in the face. For six years our Church has had a steady and healthful, though not particu- larly rapid, growth. It has had a growth like that of the oak rather than that of the mushroom. Six years ago the Church had nominally 125 members. At our last communion our mem- bership was 226, and over 200 of these are active members. So you see the membership of the Church has more than doubled in six years. Plainly, if we are to do our duty to the Church, the community, and the cause of the Master, we shall be obliged certainly within the next two or three years to provide more room for those who desire to worship with us. The trustees of the Church fully appreciate these facts, and will in due time propose to the congregation a plan involving the proper consideration of the entire question and the orderly beginning of efforts looking to the pro- posed end. If the trustees shall nominate, and the congregation appoint, a building committee to whom the entire matter of an enlargement of the Church is referred, it will be for that committee to propose when the work shall commence, what
23
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
its extent shall be, what its expense shall amount to, and how the necessary funds shall be provided."
For about a year thereafter the question was dis- cussed and thought about in all its phases until March 10, 1893, when a special meeting of the con- gregation was held at which it was voted to pro- ceed to build a new church, provided subscriptions for at least $10,000 could be secured.
On Sunday morning, April 9, after an historical sermon by the pastor, the congregation responded liberally to the call for funds for the new enterprise; in a few minutes subscribing the amount of $14,200. Thereupon the work of building pro- ceeded rapidly. The building committee consisted of Messrs. P. D. Van Saun, president of the board of trustees; George G. Ely, treasurer of the Church; and Robert Rindell. Mr. Charles G. Jones of New York was selected as architect, and the building contract was awarded to Mr. Diedrich Kreie of Cranford. On Monday, July 3, the demolition of the old church was begun. The corner stone of the new edifice was laid with impressive ceremony, Saturday afternoon, September 16. And on the evening of Tuesday, June 19, 1894, the beautiful new building with all its furnishings was solemnly dedicated to the worship of God. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. John Hall, D. D., LL. D., of New York. The church was filled by a happy company. Among the visiting clergymen who assisted in the service, apart from
24
HISTORY OF THE
the distinguished preacher of the evening, were Rev. J. F. Riggs, D. D., of New Brunswick, N. J .; Rev. N. W. Cadwell of Westfield, N. J .; Rev. J. M. McNulty, D. D., of Woodbridge, N. J .; Rev. Everard Kempshall, D. D., of Elizabeth, and Rev. W. F. Whitaker of Orange, N. J.
The cost of the new church, including the win- dows, the organ, the pews and carpets, the clock, and the enlargement of the chapel, was about $30,000. Of this amount about one-half was met by special gifts and by subscriptions of the con- gregation, which were paid within two years fol- lowing April 9, 1893; and the remainder was pro- vided for by loans partly secured by a mortgage against the property, and partly by notes signed by the trustees. The mortgage was given to a life in- surance company of New York, and was for the sum of $10,000. In the autumn of 1897 the " floating indebtedness " was increased by the en- largement and renovation of the manse. The cost, then, of all the improvements to the church prop- erty between July 1, 1893, and January 1, 1898, may be stated in round numbers as follows: The new church, $23,400; furniture, $1920; new organ (after deducting allowance for the old one), $2000; chapel enlargement, $2000; improvements of manse, $1500. Total, $30,820. On March 31, 1894. the indebtedness of the Church was at its highest point-$16,500; though there were against this subscriptions amounting to $3500.
Subsequent to the dedication of the church dur-
25
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
ing a period of six years the Church's indebtedness was gradually reduced, until April, 1900, when it stood as follows: Mortgage, $10,000; notes given by the trustees, $2200; total, $12,200. On the morn- ing of April 22, 1900, the congregation, under the inspiration of the approaching fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Church, subscribed for the reduction of the balance of debt $7500; thus pro- viding for the wiping out of the floating debt, and the reduction by about one-half of the amount of the mortgage. This was, therefore, the third large subscription given by the congregation during a period of ten years; and it may be noted that the aggregate of the three subscription amounts was no less than the magnificent sum of $26,000.
In reviewing this building enterprise we are led to reflect on several causes of special gratitude to God. First of all, the work was fortunate in not being wrecked by the financial panic of 1893. In the very month when the old church was demol- ished a period of financial depression began which lasted for several years. But the Church was not staggered by the danger that at one time appeared to threaten; the work was carried steadily forward while the business interests of the whole country were languishing; and at no time has the burden of debt been overwhelming. At the same time the Church has learned that there is no blessing in a church debt apart from the effort for its extinction. Another cause for thankfulness has been the at- tractiveness and beauty of the new house of wor-
26
HISTORY OF THE
ship. No serious blunder marred the tasks of architect and builder. The singular beauty of the new church has been the object of universal re- mark. It may be expected to serve as a "joy," if not "forever," at least during the lifetime of the present generation.
€
27
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
IV.
SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
Nature, through all her works, in great degree, Borrows a blessing from variety. -Churchill.
THE Sunday School of the Church has always been, of course, an important element of its life. It has grown, with the Church, from very humble proportions. The following is believed to be an accurate list of its superintendents from the begin- ning: Samuel W. Thompson, William Crane, Josiah Crane, Jr., Ebenezar Hart, James A. Bald- win, N. G. Foster, Fisher A. Fisher, William D. Wood, Walter M. Irving, Frank H. Valentine, and N. R. Foster. The longest term of service of these was that of Mr. Wood, who held office from 1872 until his death in June, 1893-one of the most use- ful officials the Church has ever had, and almost an ideal superintendent. The present superin- tendent is a worthy successor to his ablest prede- cessor. The number of scholars in 1851 was 29. Our present number of officers, teachers, and scholars is 327. Of these 55 are members of the " Home Department," a highly important feature of recent creation.
The history and present status of the Ladies' Aid
28
HISTORY OF THE
Society of the Church afford a most attractive sub- ject of reflection. Toward the close of the year 1850 a Ladies' Sewing Circle was formed. Its presidents in order were: Mrs. Eliza A. Miller, Mrs. Peninah Miller, and Mrs. Mary B. Cahill. This organization was merged into the Ladies' Aid So- ciety, organized in 1874, with Mrs. Cahill presi- dent. The latter society dissolved in 1884, and was succeeded in 1886 by the Willing Workers, a so- ciety composed of the young women of the con- gregation. The Ladies' Aid Society was re-organ- ized in 1889, and has continued in a flourishing condition to the present time. The presidents in their order since 1889 have been: Mrs. C. N. Fowler, Mrs. P. D. Van Saun, Mrs. J. K. Mac- Connell, Miss Miriam Cromwell, Mrs. J. C. Miller, Mrs. R. Rindell, and Mrs. A. V. Hart. Mrs. Hart, the present head of the Society, became president in 1898. The scope of the work of this invaluable society during recent years may be seen from this extract from a letter of the present treasurer, Mrs. John Lutton: "Since [October 1, 1889] the So- ciety has paid to the Church Treasurer the sum of $5548 to be applied directly to the canceling of notes, bonds, etc. They have also expended on carpets for the manse, repairs of kitchen, gift to the Pastor, and sundry charities the sum of about $400, making a grand total of nearly $6000 raised from October 1, 1889, to October 1, 1900." The present membership is 73. During the past year the sum of $375 has been raised by the Society.
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