USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 32
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The Noahs, Abrahams, Daniels, Pauls and Barnabases still live in the men and women, who illustrate the higher and holier consecration of ones's self to the King Immanuel, with which he endows them.
North Newark Baptist church derives its name from the North ward, where it is located. Originally, it was a mission, established by the Newark Baptist city Mission, when that society was formed in December 1851. On the eveining of its first meeting at the home of J. M. Davies of the South church. The society resolved to begin two missions, one in the North ward and one in the Fifth ward and to employ a missionary to look after the missions. At the next meeting of the Society a Board consisting of an equal number from each of the churches, the first and the south church, was appointed. Rev. C. W. Waterhouse was secured as a missionary and meetings were appointed in a room over a store in the North ward and in a hall in the Fifth ward. Thus the date of the organization of the church does not indicate the beginning of work on the field.
309
NORTH CHURCH, NEWARK
In April 1852, a company of disciples united themselves for special service in the North ward mission. They had so much encouragement that In 1853, a chapel was built for their use. Desiring to effect perma- nent results, these Christians decided on the 10th of July 1854, to call a council to organize and to recognize them as a Baptist church. The Council met on July 26th, 1854, and recognized the church as the "North Baptist church," having forty-nine constituents.
Before this, however, Rev. Mr. Waterhouse had retired from the North ward mission and Rev. Mr. Wright supplied his place until illness compelled him to retire from the field. The Rev. L. Morse was the first pastor, beginning his labors November 1st, 1854. Under his charge, the church prospered. He closed his work as pastor April, 1858. The membership had increased from forty-nine to one hundred and forty-two, seventy-four of whom were added by baptism.
Rev. Robert Atkinson followed on May 10th, 1858. Ground was bought in December, 1859, for a larger meeting house, but only about 1862-3 was the building undertaken, the City Mission Society giving the church efficient aid to effect their aim. Mr. Atkinson closed his labors January 1st, 1868, nearly nine years. A new church edifice had been built and three hundred and ten persons had been baptized. Rev. G. E. Horr became pastor in November, 1868, and resigned about the end of 1871, withdrawing with twenty members, who with others, organized the Roseville church in 1871.
In October 1872, Rev. J. Day was called to be pastor. The church had undergone serious losses. Propositions were made for consolidation with another church, but the North church declined these changes. In fact, the Baptist city mission Society had undertaken too much for their resources. Under Pastor Day, a marked change came to the North church. Both the congregations and the membership grew so large that it was necessary to enlarge the house of worship, which was completed in November 1874. Mr. Day resigned in 1876. His charge proved to be a turning era in the history of the church. After Mr. Day Rev. Lansing Burrows settled as pastor in June 1876. His ministry renewed the prosperity enjoyed while Mr. Day was pastor. In the spring of 1879, he resigned.
The next six years, December 1880, to 1886, Rev. H. H. Barbour was pastor. Almost immediately in December, 1886, that great helper of needy churches, Rev. S. J. Knapp became pastor and while pastor for four years, large congregations and plenteous prosperity were enjoyed. In this time, the meeting house was partly burned up. The damage was speedily repaired and the financial loss was fully met. Mr. Knapp closed his pastorate in February 1890. The next June, Rev.
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D. T. MacClaymont entered on his pastoral service. After nearly six years of successful labor, he resigned, at the end of 1896. Rev. A. MacGeorge followed in April 1897 and now (1900) ministers to the church.
Interests at home and abroad are cared for. The house of worship has been renovated. Two missions have been established, one of which, Harrison, begun in September 1868, has long since become a church. Another at Port Morris, where a missionary is in charge, who has been licensed by the church. Numerous debts have been paid and all indications point to continued prosperity. A colony of the pastor and twenty members with other Baptists of other churches went out in 1886 to form the Roseville church.
Besides the two missionaries employed by the city Mission Society, nine pastors have served the church. The North church has grown into an efficient helper in mission enterprises characteristic of Newark. Special mention is-due to J. M. Davies and H. M. Baldwin of South Newark church for their large helpfulness in financial needs and for their council and cheer, to the members of North church.
Fifth Newark Baptist church is in the Fifth Ward and is therefore known as the Fifth Baptist church. Its beginning was contemporary with the North church. The Baptist City Mission Society started Sunday Schools in both wards at the same time in 1852. Rev. C. M. Waterhouse was put in charge of both fields, and the immense work involved in his labors was too great for one man. His health failed and he retired. Rev. T. G. Wright took the North Ward in 1853 and preached in the Fifth Ward on the Lord's Day afternoon. It was, however, decided to employ Mr. D. T. Morrill for the Fifth Ward and he was ordained on March 23rd, 1854.
Tokens of the Divine blessing appeared in the next winter. Fifty- six Baptists, thirty-one members of the First church and twenty-five members of the South church, united and agreed to constitute the Fifth church. These Baptists pledged five hundred dollars toward the support of a pastor and on the 23rd of March, organized the church. On the first Lord's Day of the meeting of the new church, six were baptized.
In August, 1855, steps were taken to build a house of worship. Deacon H. M. Baldwin gave two lots on condition that a meeting house, costing at least ten thousand dollars should be built and paid for. An attempt to comply with these conditions was made at once. The City Mission Society pledged its aid, and on July 5th, 1857, the lecture room was dedicated. A work of grace broke out and one hundred and twenty-three converts were baptized into the church. The house itself
311
FIFTH NEWARK
was dedicated in April 1858. All arrearages on the cost of the church edifice were paid by the City Mission Society in January 1860 and Mr. Baldwin transferred the lots to the church with the payment of all claims due from them, the church assumed its own support and since, has done its part in co-operating with the city Mission Society. Mr. Morrill closed his labors on the field in October 1862; resigning to be- come a chaplain in the Civil War. For nine years, he had been a faithful missionary and pastor and his labors had been continuously accompanied with tokens of Divine blessing. His resignation was "laid on the table" until the time of his chaplaincy expired.
In 1863, he was called back, and returned to his charge. Refresh- ings from on high, sealed his return. Within two years, one hundred and twenty converts were added to the church. A parsonage was built in 1867 and 8. Again Mr. Morrill resigned in April 1869, having been called West. His people parted with their only pastor with great grief, whose ministry for fifteen years, had been signally crowned with Divine blessing.
In the next June 1869, Rev. D. C. Hughes became pastor, remain- ing till 1874. Rev. G. A. Simonson followed in May 1874 and served the church for eight years, baptizing while pastor, one hundred and forty-two converts. His resignation took effect in April 1882. A successor, Rev. H. B. Warring settled as pastor in January 1883. A debt incurred by the former renovation of the house of worship was a serious burden. Deacon H. M. Baldwin had left a legacy to the church, conditioned upon the payment of the debt, within a given time. Col. Morgan L. Smith of the South church assured its payment by subscribing one thousand dollars toward its payment. Mr. Warring held the pas- torate seyen years, closing his ministry as pastor of the chruch in Feb- ruary 1891.
In 1891 Rev. C. E. Lapp settled as pastor, who resigned in February 1895. Special seasons of revival were enjoyed while Mr. Lapp was pastor and there were many baptized additions to the church. Three months later, Rev. T. A. Hughes entered the pastorate. Needed repairs were done on the meeting house and a spiritual cheer was diffused on church and congregation. But the next year, a change came. The pastor removed and clouds cast shadows upon the church. An im- provement occurred in the summer and fall of 1898 under the temporary ministry of Rev. C. C. Luther.
In February 1899, Rev. C. F. Stanley became pastor, cheering indications inspired the church with hope. A general financial crisis in business circles had passed and Newark being a manufacturing cen- ter was sensitive to commercial variations: the employment or non-
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employment of its masses affected for better or worse its masses.
Seven pastors have served the church in its life of forty-five years. Mr. Morrill the first pastor, held the office one third of the time. Pastor Simonson, eight years; Mr. Warring, seven years; the two included another third of the period. One member has been licensed to preach, worshipping first in a hall. One meeting house has been erected and if the renovations and enlargements are included the number may be said to be two. An item of note in Newark is the large number of men of ample means, loyal to Baptist convictions in the First and South churches in Newark; chiefly under the pastorate of Rev. H. V. Jones, who made possible the gains, through the Newark Baptist City Mission Society. The influence in the pulpits to draw and hold such men is to be recognized as a special feature of Newark City Mission work.
There was in western Newark, an empty chapel that another denomination had used for mission purposes. A member of the Fifth church, Samuel Clark, called the attention of his pastor, Rev. Mr. Morrill and of Pastor Fish, to the religious need of the locality and the opening for Baptists in the unused chapel. Such men as Pastors Morrill and Fish only needed to know of an opening for work for Christ, to enter upon it at once. They brought the matter to the Board of the City Mission Society and they immediately investigated the con- ditions of the case. Afternoon meetings were begun in May 1859. A Sunday school was opened on the next Lord's Day and preaching appointed by the Baptist pastors of the City in the afternoon.
In August 1859, a student, Mr. Charles W. Clark, was engaged to preach, whom the City Mission Board, later appointed their missionary. He began his work there, that fall and in January 1860, was ordained. Converts were multiplied. On June 29th, 1860, a church of forty-four constituents was organized, which named itself, the Fairmount Baptist church. Mr. Clark became pastor. A work of grace was enjoyed in the winter of 1860-61, and seventy-three joined, forty-eight of whom whom were baptized.
The growth of this new church induced the Board of the city Mission Society to advise them to build a larger house of worship. A more central site was bought and in May 1867, the lecture room was opened. That year, the pastor resigned and the membership that had increased from forty-four to one hundred and sixty, were left at a critical period. Since his coming in 1859 to 67, was eight years. The succession of pastors has been: W. D. Siegfried, 1868-70; J. D. Barnes, 1870-72; H. Angel, 1872-75; J. C. Allen, 1875-79; G. F. Warren, 1881-86; H. F. Barnes, 1887-92; E. J. Millington, 1893-96; C. S. Tinker, 1897-1904.
313
FAIRMOUNT, NEWARK, AND MOUNT PLEASANT
Mr. Siegfried lost his health and retired. The new church edifice was dedicated in September 1868. Mr. Siegfried and Mr. Barnes were very successful in winning souls. Mr. Angel's health made his resig- nation necessary. Mr. Allen also was eminently useful. Unity and efficiency were restored under Mr. Warren. The church suffered a great trial in Mr. Millington; his removal was essential to its welfare and his name has disappeared from among us. A great change in the population of the locality, from a home and congenial class, to one foreign and strange in its sympathies to the church, came in at this time. Many of its stanch members removed elsewhere. The house of worship was larger than was needed and was encumbered with a heavy debt. Besides these discouragements, was a vacant pastorate. Happily, Rev. G. F. Warren became pastor; unity was restored- the debt was paid and a work of grace enjoyed. Amid uninviting and unfertile surroundings, Pastor Warren did a good and essential work in maintaining the church from extinction. Mr. Tinker is very useful.
An unquestioning faith is required to hold fast in some localities in our large cities, where a foreign population locates; speaks an un- known tongue and is alien to Protestant and American ideas and occupying the homes to which we had free access, but from which we are excluded. The church in its forty years of life has had nine pastors and with a single exception, good and true men. This body of Bap- tists does not claim maternity of either of its sister churches in Newark; but relationship to all.
At a meeting of the Baptist City Mission Society, in November 1865, a mission for the eighth ward was considered. Brother W. S Hedenburg made a statement of the interests there. A committee was appointed to buy a lot for a chapel. They did this in January 1866, and in the next November, the chapel was dedcated. A Sunday- school wasbegun in December. Rev. C. E. Wilson was appointed by the Board of the City Mission Society to the new field.
In November, 1867, thirty-three Baptists were constituted Mount Pleasant Baptist church. Twelve were members of the First church, twelve of the North church and others of distant Baptist churches. Mr. Wilson was called to be pastor and remained as mission- ary and pastor for two years. Other pastors were: Rev. S. Siegfried, from 1869 to 1872; Rev. William Rollinson, from 1872 to 1874; Rev. B. F. Bowen from 1875 to 1876; G. Guirey, 1876 to 1878, who welcomed many converts; Rev. A. B. Woodward, 1879 to 83; Rev. F. C. A. Jones, 1883 to 1898.
The outlook for the future was bright and it led to an outlay far beyond the ability of the church and involved it in serious financial
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difficulty; the nation was also suffering from a panic that cut off the resources of the City Mission Society and other denominations had located in the ward and built attractive houses of worship. Their unattractive chapel put the church at great disadvantage and the financial depression made the future very dark.
In 1886, however, a member of the North church, Mrs. Sarah E. Morgan, left a legacy of one thousand dollars to the church for a new house of worship. Two years later, 1888, the chapel property was sold, and subscriptions were made by which a new location was bought and a new church edifice was begun in July 1889 and was opened for worship in October 1890. These events transpired in the pastorate of Rev. F. C. A. Jones. But despite these years of tax upon the resources of the church, there was a surplus in the treasury for current expenses and the benevolent gifts were the largest in the past history of the church.
Two members have been licensed to preach and two women have gone one to the West and the other to Burma, on mission work. Two missions were established, one on "Prospect Hill," where a chapel was built, and a church is organized. Another, known as "The Garside Mission," where also a chapel was built. Pastor Jones resigned in 1898, having served the church more than fourteen years. In Decem- ber 1898, Rev. E. A. Hainer became pastor, and is now (1900) pastor. The church has had eight pastors. It has had two meeting houses. Two chapels were also built, one for each of the missions.
For the origin of the Clinton Avenue Baptist Church, we quote from The History of the Newark Baptist City Mission Society: "In the spring of 1860, members of the Fifth Church canvassed the tenth ward to gather children into their Sunday school." They were affected by the moral waste they met and were led to devise ways for its remedy. Accordingly, they hired a small room in a private house and on May 27th, 1860, opened a Sunday-school. Eight scholars were present. When the school was closed, the teachers remained for prayer. The hour for which the room was hired having passed, they went to the street and under the shade of a tree, elected officers. An increase of number made necessary another room. Other helpers from the South church offered their services. At the monthly meeting of the City Mis- sion Board, the mission was reported to be approved; to secure funds for its support and put it under the supervision of the Board.
The influence of the school was seen in the personal cleanliness of the scholars and the good order of the vicinity. Sabbath breaking and other forms of evil diminished and souls were converted. The lowly accommodations of the Mission limited its usefulness. But the laborers
315
CLINTON AVENUE, NEWARK
in it, pressed its claims on the Board. At length, Deacon H. M. Bald- win of the South church bought the house in which the school was held and also, the adjoining lots and gave to the Board of Missions so much of the property as was needed for a chapel, adding a large sum for the chapel. Other collections were made and the chapel was dedicated in July 1864.
Preaching was begun on the Lord's Day morning and the day devoted to religious service. Social meetings were also held in week evenings. Mr. Samuel Baxter, who had been active at the mission, was a member of the South church and was licensed by that body to preach. The City Mission Society appointed him to that field and appropriated five hundred dollars to carry on the work for a year.
On the eighth of March 1868, the Pilgrim Baptist church was constituted with twenty-eight members of the South church, five of the Fifth church and two of the Fairmount church, in all thirty-five. Mr. Baxter was pastor until 1870. Active in the mission and as pastor about eight to ten years. In 1870, Mr. McGonegal ministered to the church.
The location of the chapel was a hindrance to the church. A foreign element had occupied the vicinity and the native population were leaving. The Pilgrim church changed its place and built a new church edifice on Sherman avenue, near to a Baptist Mission. The union of the two interests was effected and the Pilgrim church changed its name on December 28th, 1871 to Sherman avenue Baptist church. Rev. F. Johnson settled as pastor in May 1872, from which he retired in May 1875.
In February 1877, Mr. A. W. Bourne became actively pastor. He had been called nine months previously, but illness detained him. In the meantime, the church obtained a supply, paid his salary and that of the supply. On Mr. Bourne's return, he was ordained in April 1877. Pastor Bourne served the church eight years and was followed by Rev. F. E. Osborne in March 1885, remaining till March 1889.
In 1888, an agitation arose for a change of location and lots were bought on Clinton Avenue. Rev. B. D. Hahn is reported to be pastor in 1891. Measures anticipating the new house of worship occupied the people during Pastor Hahn's short term. Closing early in 1893, his labors are referred to as very acceptable. On September 1st, 1893, Rev. J. B. L'Hommedieu entered the pastorate. The building of the new sanctuary engaged the interest of the church as of chief moment. The lecture and Sunday schools were occupied in 1896 and the audience room in 1897. A change of location involved a change of name to that of Clinton Avenue. By this second pligrimage it is hoped the church
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NEW JERSEY BAPTIST HISTORY
has reached the "Promised Land." However, in a growing city, there is no assurance that any location is abiding. At the end of the year 1899, Pastor L'Hommedieu terminated his charge of the church, which was more than seven years. Only shorter than that of Mr. Bourne. Why each had not been longer is an unsolved enigma.
Clinton Avenue church has thus had three names, three houses of worship, eight pastors, of whom Mr. Bourne remained longest, eight years.
A natural succession to the history of the North Baptist church of Newark, is that of Roseville Baptist church. Not that it was an exclusive gift of the North church to the world and to its native city. Since nearly as many constituents were from other Baptist churches in Newark, as from the North church. But that body spared at least half of them, yielded its pastor, Rev. G. E. Horr and his family to become pastor of Roseville. Pastor Horr was universally beloved. He and his companion were a "host". of themselves, bringing with them assur- ance, fitness, wisdom, strength and influence.
Few young churches could have secured a pastor more eminent for choice gifts of mind, character and piety. Roseville could well con- gratulate itself, both upon their pastor, and on an appreciative people amid whom they were located. No less, also, in having, as they say: "The business ability of D. M. Wilson, President of the New Jersey Baptist State Convention, also of the Board of Peddie Institute and prince of Newark Baptist working men." Companies of Baptists, resident in the district of which Roseville church was a center.
Baptists had been maintaining cottage prayer meetings. An unexpected of two of these bands at one place, led to a concert and to the establishing of a Sunday school and to preaching. These services lasted eight months until March 26th, 1871. On that day the Sunday school and congregation were locked out of their place of meeting. After a street prayer meeting, the Presbyterians of the vicinity offered the Baptists the use of their chapel; even changing the hours of their service to accommodate their Baptist friends. This arrangement continued for six months. Evincing thus, the verity of Christian sympathy. In the meantime, ground had been bought by the city Mission Board and funds collected to build a place of worship.
On October 18th, 1872, the Roseville Baptist church was organized with forty-four constituents. The services being in the meetig house of the North Baptist church. Rev. Mr. Horr, previously pastor of the North Baptist church at once became pastor and when he resigned, six years after, the membership had increased to two hundred and fifty- four.
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ROSEVILLE AND HARRISON
The succession of pastors since has been: J. E. Gault, December 3, 1887 to December 31, 1881. A. J. Steelman, Jaunary 27th, 1882 to 1887; C. M. Brink, 1888-1891. Supplies ministered until the settle- ment of Rev. A. Foster, July 1st, 1892. Mr. Foster is now (1904) pastor. The church has grown into a large and efficient body where many worship and are glad.
In later years, a mission Sunday school has usually born the fruit of an organized church, when established in a community where there was room for a Baptist church. It was so with the Mission Sunday school planted in Harrison. Harrison lay across the river from Newark. The river being the boundary of the corporate limits of Newark. Al- though thus separated from the city, Harrison was really a suburb of Newark and naturally a mission field of its Baptist churches. Mr. Burton was a member of the North church and looking for a field to do good in. Harrison caught his attention as affording room for a mission Sunday school. Halls, were not to be had, but finding a room in a factory, he got consent to use it, and in September 1868, started a Sunday school there.
Mr. Hagell of the same church succeeded Mr. Burton in the super- intendency and he was followed by Mr. Peloubet in charge of the school. An explanation of these changes is not given, nor is one needed. The mission was in the hands of good men, who care most of all to do good, at any needed cost for the spiritual welfare of those whom they would uplift and save. Growth made it necessary to build a chapel and G. W. Lawrence of the first church became superintendent, indicating the interest of the Newark City Mission Society in the mission at Harrison. In 1884, Mr. Lawrence asked his pastor, Rev. E. G. Taylor, to find a missionary for Harrison and he sent a student, J. E. Beach. Mr. Beach could spare only his vacations on the field, but continuous labor had become necessary and upon insistence Mr. Beach consented to be present each Lord's Day and hold evening service.
The organization of a church forced itself upon the men and women at work on the field and on October 10th, 1886, a council met and advised the organization of a church in Harrison. There were fourteen constituents. A neat building was erected and dedicated in May 1888. Mr. Beach was called to be pastor and was ordained on June 17th, 1889. His health compelled him to resign in March 1894. Returning from the West apparently restored, consumption closed his work at Harrison in 1897, having spent thirteen years on the field to which he had come in 1884, and upon which he had been most useful.
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