USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
Rev. A. Chambers succeeded Mr. Marshall. At this time a new name for the church is supposed to have been chosen, Elizabeth East, and a reorganization about 1881 also; a virtual suspension for about two years. Two or three, however, held fast and maintained the visibility of the church. Rev. T. Outwater settled as pastor in 1883 and the new meeting house was furnished in 1885. Mr. Outwater closed his work at East Elizabeth in 1888, after a happy and successful pastorate.
A call to be pastor was given to J. M. Hare in 1888. He held the office two years and was followed by F. Gardner in 1890. A work of grace adding many by baptism to the church and the payment of all indebtedness for their new house were characteristics of 1891 and 1892. Mr. Gardner resigned in 1893 and the next Lord's day, W. H. Shermer took the pastoral charge, which he gave up in October, 1896. D. B. Patterson followed, 1897-99; J. V. Ellison, 1899-1900. Deacon Amory's neglect to give the "deed" of the property to the church, having built the house of worship, nearly proved to be a blight on it, and changed its prosperity to discouragement.
Two houses of worship were built by East Elizabeth Church: The first designed to be a gift, but redemced by them; a second, built by themselves and paid for. Nine pastors have served the church under its various names.
In its last public statement of its membership, in 1872, Broad Street Church reported one hundred and seventy-two members. Central Elizabeth in 1878 reported sixty constituents. Letters of dismission no doubt were granted to its members when Broad Street Church disbanded. Some may have united with the First church. others joined Elizabethport, some united with churches of other denominations, and as is usual, the indifferent to church membership stood aloof; in the event of one-half having thus associ- 19
290
NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
ated themselves and probably others, waited to see if the Central Elizabeth Church would sustain itself, and presuming that in five years discouragement would largely reduce the members of Broad Street Church.
There is evidently an intelligent integrity to Baptist convictions of truth and to duty, both in those who constituted the Central Eliza- beth Church and in Broad Street membership, since nearly the entire membership of that body is reasonably accounted for. It speaks well for the conscientious piety of these Baptists, that so many under the depression of the conditions and disappointments were ready to begin anew and to lay foundations in Central Elizabeth for a Baptist Church. They knew the cost of the patience, self-denial and devotion to build up a Baptist Church in a staunchly pedo-baptist communtiy, both by the denominational caste of the first settlers and in the centuries of education in which the children had been trained in the faith of their fathers.
At the sale of the Broad Street property another church property had been exchanged in part payment for it. A Sunday-school had been formed in the old building months before the Central Church was con- stituted and the Sunday-school was called the Central Baptist Sunday- school. The Central Baptist Church met for worship in the same old structure. At a meeting in this house on June 13th, 1877, steps were taken to get the names of those who would constitute the new church. In another meeting, sixty names were reported and in this meeting Mr. John McKinney was called to be pastor of the church and a council was called to recognize the church and to ordain Mr. Mckinney, who entered on his pastoral duties in October 19th, 1877.
Few things in Elizabeth Baptist history have happened in which God's hand was more manifest than in the coming of Mr. Mckinney at this juncture to Elizabeth. Young, winsome, intelligent, prudent he left an indellible mark on Baptist interests. In 1882 the church bought and paid for the property they occupied. He continued Pas- tor ten years. Uunder his oversight the church attained a high posi- tion, the membership grew,, the mistakes of former years were forgotten.
It is doubtful if a better choice to follow Mr. Mckinney could have been made than the choice in July, 1888, of Rev. E. T. Tomlinson, who in 1900, is filling the office of pastor. As much as in the first pastorate, the Divine hand was directing in the choice of a pastor, so also in the second pastorate, few instances occur in which there is more Providen- tial direction. Strength and wisdom have characterized the second pastorate and the church has reached an enviable position of influence. The house of worship that had been the home of the church since its
291
CENTRAL ELIZABETH
orgaization, was in use until the last Lord's day in 1900, then the church moved into the new and the foremost sanctuary in the City of Elizabeth. Other houses of worship were larger. Another was vener- ated for its antiquity and preserved beauty of former ages, but this new Baptist house of praise, with its massive stone walls and choice architecture, its multitudinous comforts and conveniences and adap- tations for worship was a "thing of joy and a beauty forever." and indicated the flight from youth to maturity. The dedicatory service being deferred until all indebtedness for its erection was paid. This sanctuary is in the central of the city and notifies all that Baptists are in Elizabeth, not an adjunct, but in the forefront. Under Pastor Waterbury in 1854, this had been an aim, but his death disappointed it. The Board of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention had co- operated with him in putting our denominational interests on a broad, safe and sure basis and though disappointed, the true men and women on the field preserved their Baptist integrity and despite adversity, and discouragements rarely equalled, have attained their end. A lesson is, that there is no field so hard but that Baptists will take perma- nant root and stay. Nor a "creed" so fixed and universal that the New Testament teaching will not overcome and make Baptists despite education annd prejudice. Eight houses of worship have been in use by Baptists in Elizabeth and twenty-five pastors have ministered in the several Baptist places of worship.
Two Africo-American Baptist Churches have also grown up in Elizabeth: Shiloh, ogranized in 1879, and Union, organized in 1891. Both own their houses of worship with large membership. Pastors (1900) N. A. Mackey of Shiloh; J. H. Bailey of Union.
CHAPTER XXX.
- -
LYONS FARMS, NORTHFIELD, LIVINGSTON AND MILBURN.
Eleven members of Scotch Plains Church received letters of dis- mission to form. the Lyons Farms Church. One other, a member in New York City, united with them, making twelve constituents, who on the 16th of April, 1769, organized the Lyons Farms Baptist Church. Of these, four were women and eight were men.
A house of worship had been built in 1768. A constitutent of the church, Ezekiel Crane, gave the lot on which the meeting house was built. The church took its name from the owners of the tract of land on which the meeting house was built. At the end of twenty years, the members had increased to but three more than at the first. Two reasons were given for this small growth: One, that a colony of thir- teen had been dismissed in 1786 to constitute the Canoebrook Church (now Northfield). Another, that the church was destitute of a minister depending on Scotch Plains and converts were added to that church.
Rev. Ebenezer Ward was the first pastor at Lyons Farms and was ordained at Canoebrook in May, 1779. Morgan Edwards says: "and on the same year entered on the pastorate at Lyons Farms." Mr. Ward resigned in 1782. For the next seven or eight years, Pastors Miller of Scotch Plains and Gano of New York City and John Walton of Morristown occasionally visited the church. Jacob Hutton was ap- parently pastor at Lyons Farms. He is spoken of as in charge in 1783. How long he was pastor is unknown. Several years passed when he removed before a pastor settled. It is not sure that Rev. Mr. Guthrie was pastor at Lyons Farms. He taught school at Canoebrook and of- ten preached at Lyons Farms. Under his labors there were baptized accessions to the church.
From March, 1792, Mr. P. Bryant supplied the church for six months and was ordained in Septemper, 1792, and was pastor for six- teen years. His impaired health compelled his resignation in April, 1808. But the Church was unwilling to part with him and employed an assistant pastor, Deacon James Wilcox, whom Mr. Bryant had baptized in 1793. The pastor's health failed rapidly and he prevailed with the church to have Mr. Wilcox ordained in July, 1808. There is no record of when Pastor Bryant died. He was a man of intelligence and of culture. While pastor he did some important literary work.
293
LYONS FARMS
"Father Wilcox" as he became to be known by his loving people was a fiitting successor of Mr. Bryant, who nominated him to succeed him. Mr. Wilcox was a farmer and continued to be while pastor for the en- suing thirteen years, till August, 1821, when oppressed with infirmitives he resigned. The title by which he was known, "Father Wilcox", indicated the place he had in the love of his people. Having means of his own he ministered to the church "at his own costs." This was a great mistake, palliated, however, by the limited resources of the church. "Mr. Wilcox was a pillar in the church and dearly beloved. He died in 1843."
The succession of pastors was: Thomas Winter, 1821-26; Peter Spark (ordained September, 1827,), 1826-36; James Stickney (ordained, May, 1836,), 1836-38: B. C. Morse (ordained March, 1839,), 1839-41; Jackson Smith (ordained April, 1841,), 1841-43; (An extensive revival under Mr. Smith's labors.); William Leach, 1842-46; E. Tibbals, 1846 (three months, till November); Rev. Jos. Perry, March 7, 1847 to Janu- ary 16, 1848; then Rev. Thomas Rogers labored as "supply;" R. T. Middleditch (ordained, September, 1848,), 1848-50; J. E. Chesshire, 1851; J. W. Gibbs, 1853-55 (Mr. Gibb's second pastorate.); 1857-58; B. Sleight, 1861-63. A long period of discourgaement.
But for the interest of Rev. D. T. Morrell of Newark and a licen- tiate of his church, W. H. Bergfells, the church might have dis- banded. In the winter of 1866, several young people of Lyons Farms had been converted and baptized in a revival in the First Baptist Church of Elizabeth. In April, at a meeting called to decide the future of the church, two converts offered themselves for baptism, in a few days others offered themselves for baptism. Letters from residents were given in from Elizabeth and other baptisms occured, with the result that Mr. Bergfells was called and ordained in November, 1866. While pastor a new house of worship was built. The frail constitution of Mr. Bergfells, however, made it necessary for him to take long intervals and at last to give up pastoral work, which he did in June, 1872, having won a "good report during the nearly six years of his pastorate.
More than a year passed when Rev. S. L. Cox became pastor in June, 1873. Inability to support a pastor led to his resignation in 1874. Next year, in February, Mr. J. G. Dyer was called to be pastor and was ordained. He continued two years, to 1877.
Rev. Mr. Bergfells entered the pastoral office the second time in 1878, and remaining to 1887, when again his health failed. A vacancy in the pastoral office occured for two years and in 1891, Rev. G. C. Shirk accepted a call for a year and for the same period Rev. J. W. Turner was pastor till 1894. For the third time, Mr. Bergfells. But
294
NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
in the third year of this third charge of the same church his health gave way and he closed his work in 1896. The church owes an immense debt to this devoted man and he is an instance of how real the love of God is in a converted soul. The Lyons Farms Church had not in any of Mr. Bergfells pastorates been able to give their pastor a "living salary."
In 1897, Rev. T. E. Vasser became pastor. The successful min- istry of Br. Bergfells continues in Mr. Vasser's labors up to 1900. A brighter and happier outlook cheers the people. Few churches have had a more severe test of their faith and a longer endurance of hardship and more discouraging. Their history is an instance of "the persever- ance of the saints and their geneology, Piscataway, Scotch Plains and Lyons Farms explains in part their tenacity of life and their un- yielding maintenance of their Baptist integrity.
Three houses of worship have been in the use of the church: One built in 1768; the second in 1792; a third in the second charge of Mr. Bergfells. They speak of the aid given to them by the churches of Newark with special appreciation. First Newark was a colony from Lyons Farms and though an exception to the apostolic rule (2 Cor. 12: 14.), it is fitting in church life that the children should lay up for their parents.
Lyons Farms Church has had, excepting pastors of Piscataway, Scotch Plains and Morristown, twenty-seven or twenty-eight pastors; one has had two charges, another has been pastor three times. Lyons Farms has been pastorless many years. Rev. Mr. Bryant had the long- est oversight, his successor thirteen years. Pastors Bryant and Wilcox served at their own "cost." A gospel that costs nothing is usually the most expensive and exhausting. It is not said that other of the church members had been licensed than "Father.' Wilcox. Two colo- nies have gone out of Lyons Farms, Canoebrook, 1786; (Northfield); and First Newark, 1801.
We are indebted to Morgan Edwards for an early account of North- field. First known as Canookrook as stated by Morgan Edwards, who adds: "The familes are about thirty whereof thirty-five persons are baptized and in the communion, here administered the third Sunday in every month. No temporality, no rich persons, no minister; salary uncertain, but they talk of raising twenty or thirty pounds could they get a minister to reside among them. They meet in a school house having as yet no meeting house. The above is the present state of Canoobrook, December 14th, 1789." and adds:
"The rise of Baptist interests in this part of Essex was as follows: About the year 1780, Mr. Obed Durham moved hither from Lyons Farms
295
NORTHFIELD
(where he was a member) and invited Rev. Reune Runyon and others to preach at his house. After him succeeded Rev. Messrs. Guthrie, Grummon, etc., the means took effect and the following persons were baptized in Canoebrook, viz .: Moses Edwards, Timothy Meeker, Thos- Force, Timothy Ward, Desire Edwards, Sarah Cook, Mary Cory and Cantrell Edwards. They joined the church at Lyons Farms, but finding the distance too great to attend the mother church, they obtained a dismission and leave to become a distinct society. In the dismission was included the said Obed Dunham and wife. These eleven persons were constituted a Gospel church, April 19th, 1786. One of the constituents was a soldier in the American revolution. He and his nine sons and two sons-in-law were soldiers in the war. Another constituent, Moses Edwards, was a deacon from the organization of the church for twelve years and was called then to be pastor and held the office seventeen years, until he removed to the West.
Mr. J. Price was the first pastor of the church, from 1787. His successsor preached at Lyons Farms. There is a contradiction of dates relative to these pastors and it is vain to try to reconcile them. At first the church worsphipped in a school house, later a property was bought on which was a dwelling house that was remodeled into a place of worship. When this was done is not written. After this it was voted "whereas, three places have been proposed in which to build a meeting house; Resolved, that three subscriptions be circulated for a building at each locality and that the house be built at the place for which the largest sum is subscribed and the other subscriptions be void." This structure was dedicated in December, 1801. Deacon Ball was making ready to build a house for himself at this time and he gave the material he had provided for himself. This house was in use till 1868.
Rev. C. C. Jones was pastor, 1792-94; Messrs. Bryant and E. Jayne are said to have ministered, 1794-98; then, Deacon Moses Edwards was called to be pastor and he is said by some authorities to have been the first pastor of the church. A successor has said of Moses Edwards: "He had little learning, read but few books, except the Bible, but possessed eminent natural gifts; working in the week at his double calling of farmer and blacksmith, and on the Lord's day, preached. The prosperity of the church under his labors and the warm affection with which he was regarded, has not been equaled since" He had no stated salary, believed to be a man of ample "means." An instance is not recalled in which this policy was not a success. Silas South-
296
NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
worth, Peter Wilson, Robert Kelsay, Job Sheppard, Isaac Stelle, Ben- jamin Miller, Reune Runyan, James Carman, and John Walton and others are instances.
In 1815, John Watson, having been called, was ordained and became pastor for three years. Mr. Watson stood very high abroad and at home. Rev. A. Elliot followed in 1821 and was in charge to 1834. Mr. Elliot was seventy years old at his resignation. Elisha Gill settled in the pastoral office in 1835, holding it till 1838. An unworthy man was pastor for one year and was followed in January, 1842, by Rev. Rev. I. M. Church.
A remarkable work of grace occured in the first year of Mr. Church's settlement from which ninety-six were added to the church by baptism. Mr. Church remained four years in this, his first, charge at Northfield. In the interim of five years of his first and second settlements at North- field, Rev. J. F. Jones and Rev. J. H. Waterbury ministered to the church. In 1851. Pastor Church returned and closed his second charge in 1853. William Hind ministered, 1855-65, whose infirmities com- pelled his resignation and who died September, 1871, seventy-six years old. The following pastors served the church: J. T. Craig, ordained, September, 1867-70; J. L. Davis, supply, 1870-75; A. C. Knowlton, 1877-80; A. S. Bastain, 1881-93; E. B. Hughes, 1894; M. F. Lee, 1895- 96; W. H. Gardener, 1896-1900.
Mr. Davis began an identity of interests and mutual pastorates between Northfield and Livingston churches, serving both churches. Rev. William Hind united with Northfield, was licensed and ordained in 1855, and pastor ten years. On account of age and sickness, he closed his work at Northfield in 1865. Matters are mixed in the historical remnants of Northfield and Livingston churches. Pastor Craig erected a new house of worship which was dedicated in 1868.
There is an indifference to dates that discourages attempts to under- stand events. Nineteen pastors have ministered to Northfield Church. One had been a deacon of the church twelve years and pastor seven- teen years. Mr. Elliot gave up his because of his advanced years. Mr. Hind also for illness and age. Before the institution of Livingston Church, Northfield was somewhat isolated and of limited resources inducing a change of pastors not congenial to the people. Had the members been able to care for a pastor, there is no question but that his needs would have been fully met. Instance of this is that Mr. Edwards received only the "gifts" which his kindly people insisted upon as a testimonial of their love for him. Two licentiates of the church were called to be its pastors, Deacon Edwards and Mr. Hind. These held long pastorates.
297
NORTHFIELD AND JEFFERSON VILLAGE
Northfield has sent out three colonies. In 1810, sixteen were dis- missed to constitute a church in Jefferson village, which disbanded in 1848. Seventeen members were dismissed in 1851 to form the church at Livingston. The church formed at Milburn, constituted in 1858, received eight or ten members from Northfield. The account of North- fiield must not be dismissed as that of a small and out of the way place. Its membership included some of the noble and most devoted men and women. Such as Obed Dunham, Moses Edwards and Deacon A. Ball have few compeers and belong to the companionship of Richard Leonard, Henry Ely, Matthew Morrison, Enoch Allen, the Wilsons, Runyons and others, whom the All-Seeing-Eye has noted as those whose five talents have won the other five. G. W. Clark, though a licentiate of the First Baptist Church of Newark, was baptized at Northfield in 1843 and for nine years was a member of this church.
Jefferson Village Baptist Church was a colony of Northfield Church constituted in 1810 with sixteen members. It survived thirty-eight years. It had two pastors according to associational report, and two others not reported. One of whom, Rev. Joseph Gildersleeve seems to have served them for a number of years. They had a good house of worship. If in their early days they had had foreign help, as a "State Convention," to have supplied the means of sustaining a pastor of the church could it possibly have survived. Some are reported baptized among them. The largest number (if we are correctly informed by the minutes of the New York Association) reported in one year was twenty-five. The Jefferson Village Church was disbanded in 1848. Very often the minutes of the Association said, "no report." The house of worship a few years later passed into Methodist hands and was re- moved to Maplewood and enlarged.
A colony from the Northfield church constituted the Livingston Church in June 1851. Seventeen were dismissed from the mother body. Rev. J. B. Waterbury first ministered to them, then G. G. Gleason was called to be pastor and later was ordained. His stay was six months. The church built a meeting house which was dedicated in October, 1853.
In that year Rev. Thomas Davis became pastor in April, 1853. Mr. Davis was widely known in New Jesey and was eminently adapted to new fields. Northfield and Livingston united under his ministry, the pastor preaching alternately in these churches and afterwards had a common pastorate. The succession of pastors has been: G. G. Gleason, six months; T. Davis, 1853-55; William Hind, 1855; T. M. Grenelle, 1856-7; H. W. Webber, 1859; J. B. Hutchinson, 1860-62; S. C. Moore, 1865-67; J. T. Craig, 1868-69; J. L. Davis, 1870-78; A. C.
298
NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
Knowlton, 1879-80; A. S. Bastian, 1881-92; E. B. Hughes, 1893-95; M. F. Lee, 1895-96; W. H. Gardner, 1896-1900.
There have been fourteen pastors. Nine of them pastors of both Northfield and Livingtson churches. One of them was licensed, or- dained and minister to both churches. A parsonage was built in 1872. Northfield and Livingston are each in Livingston township and not far apart.
On October 18th, 1858, the Milburn Church was constituted with nine members and, inasmuch as Northfield Church dismissed eight to ten to unite with others in its organization, Milburn is included as having maternity in Northfield Church. In the next December, Mr. H. C. Townley was ordained and became pastor. A Sunday School was begun in May, 1859. Usually worship was in a hall, but the large congregations in suitable weather made it necessary to hold the Lord's Day meetings in a grove, so that a church edifice was a necessity. Mr. Townley resigned in 1860, having prospered in his labors.
In October, 1861, Rev. Kelsay Walling settled and labored under great discouragement on account of the large indebtness on the church property. The house of worship was dedicated in October, 1861. On the next December, Mr. Walling resigned to take effect February first, 1863, but the church prevailed with him to remain till September, 1864.
In 1865, Rev. J. D. Merrell became pastor and occupied the office till 1869. Under Pastor Merrell a work of grace occurred and ninety converts were baptized. In January, 1870, Rev. A. Chambers entered the pastoral office continuing until June, 1873. Pastors following were: A. B. Woodward, 1873-76; C. A. Babcock, 1876-77 (ordained in October, 1876). A colony was dismissed to unite with others to form the church at Summit.
H. Wescott settled as pastor in 1877-82. Happily he did not depend on a salary and thus was a relief to the church. The improba- bility of the church meeting their financial obligations, led the church to transfer its property to North Orange Baptist Church by which the debt was paid. W. E. Bogart was pastor one year, 1883; I. M. B. Thomp- son, 1884-89. The house of worship in this term was thoroughly re- paired at its original cost and paid for. Rev. F. E. Osborne became pastor in 1890 to 1900. The Milburn congregation is in full owner- sihp of its house of worship, which is unencumbered with debt.
CHAPTER XXXI.
-
NEWARK CHURCHES.
On June 6th, 1801, nine members of the Lyons Farms Baptist Church, resident in Newark were dismissed from that body to consti- tute the First Baptist Church in Newark. The minute of the Lyons Farms Church was: "At a church meeting held at the Lyons Farms, July 24, 1800, we whose names are undersigned, being members of the church at Lyons Farms and residing at Newark, obtained liberty of that church to open a place of worship there in the town of Newark and to attend the same at all times, except on their communion seasons, and to consider ourselves a branch of that church." William Ovington, John Ransley, Kipps Baldwin, George Hobdey, Michael Law, Mrs. Ransley and Mrs. Law, five men and two women.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.