USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 39
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The first pastor was Rev. Drake Wilson of Connecticut, who in coming to Perth Amboy, baptized the converts of 1817. He is supposed to have settled when the church was organized and to have remained three years. The early records are lost and memory and tradition are
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depended on for the events of the beginning. Pastors since then, have been J. C. Goble, licensed by Perth Amboy church. In 1821, John Boothe, two years to 1828; John Bloomer, one year; Jacob Sloper, ordained August 1832, almost three years; Thomas Ritchie, ordained April 1835, two years; John Blaine, one year; J. B. Cross, two years; John Rogers, three years; G. F. Hendrickson, three years. Many added to the church by baptism. J. M. Carpenter, two years; J. E. Reynolds, one year; H. A. Cordo, one year, returned to his studies. A. G. Lawson, ordained June 1862; five years nearly.
G. W. Pendelton, one and more years; G. W. Nicholson, three years; house of worship enlarged and improved; S. G. Woodrow, one and more years; G. B. Hunter, ordained November, 1873, one year; times of discouragement; G. J. Ganun, one year; G.W.Pendelton, second charge, about four years; W. A. Bronson, eleven years; G. K. Allen, eight years to 1900. P. R. Ferris from December 1900. The church has had twenty-four pastors. One held the office for eleven years. His successor for eight years. One was pastor twice. One was licensed and ordained. He became an Antinomian Apostle and several churches died through his influence. His last days were spent on the tavern porch in the village in which he lived. The church has suffered from short pastorates. With one exception, these were good men. Five have been licensed to preach. The house of worship has undergone enlarge- ments and adaptation to the growth of the church.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
PATERSON, PASSAIC AND VICINITY.
While some Baptist churches spring from others,it is not a necessity. A Baptist church may exist far from another and be independent of either another or of ministerial offices. WAt first churches had an origin in Apostolic ministry. In later days, from the people who have the Scriptures only. The head of the church is Himself, the sole donor of power to be and to do. "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:20). It is a phenomena in nature, that earth thrown from great depths in the summer, developes life, yielding plants like to those we see. This illustrates the maternity of the earth and the intent of the words, which God spake: "Let the earth bring forth grass and herb and fruit tree." Needing only the impregnation of sun and dew. Thus also, Baptists and Baptist churches are the spontaneous generation of the Gospel of the Son of God. Christ-like Baptists are a magnet. Thus it was in Paterson. A young man, James Moore, a member cf Oliver street Baptist church, New York, removed to Paterson in 1822.
The town had a population of four thousand. Instead of conceal- ing his convictions of truth and of duty, and uniting with other Chris- tians, as some insist is the spirit of Christianity, people found out what he was and why. Rev. J. W. Griffiths, pastor of Middletown Baptist church had known Mr. Moore and visited him in Paterson. Provident- ially, a supply was needed for a pulpit in Paterson, and hearing of Mr. Griffiths' visit, he was engaged as a supply. At the end of the evening service, seven Baptists made themselves known to Mr. Griffiths. Meetings for prayer were appointed at the homes of Mr. Moore and of Mrs. Ben- nett. Two, a husband and wife soon after were ready for baptism. Rev. Mr. Parkinson, pastor of first church, New York City, baptized them and set forth Baptist views to an interested multitude. Rev. William House was secured as pastor and about the end of 1822, bap- tized several converts. On the organization of a Baptist church, it was decided to call a council to meet in January, 1824. They met and recognized a Baptist church with seventeen constituents. Mr. House was chosen pastor, remaining two years and was prospered.
To the men and women constituting the Primary Baptist element, Baptists of Paterson owe a constant remembrance. To them, is due the later Baptist strength and efficiency. James Moore, James Richards
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and John Brown were men of rare efficiency. It is written of them: That they were successful business men and as generous as they were successful. From their unbounded liberality, the church received for many years, one half, if not two thirds of its entire support. Rev. D. D. Lewis followed Mr. House serving the church for seven years. He was a devoted pastor, an able preacher and deservedly held in the highest esteem. From its organization in 1824, for more than a year worship was in an indifferent school room seating at most about forty persons James Moore and James Richards took steps to build a meeting house. Lots were bought and the house was built and ded- icated. That ever memorable man, Zelotes Grenelle, succeeded Pastor Lewis.
The membership grew rapidly. The house of worship was en- larged. This, Mr. Grenelle's first pastorate lasted five years, closing in 1838. In 1839, C. W. Dennison was pastor. Before, while it lasted and after it closed, serious alienations caused the organization of a second church. It survived only a few years and four-fifths of its constituents returned to the old home. All causes of differences were mutually ignored and concord abode with them. Rev. George Young was pastor two years. Harvest seasons for the unsaved. Rev. R. Thompson had a happy service in 1843. Rev. C. H. Hoskin was pastor three years. His book on baptism issued in 1843 was an admirable discussion. When Mr. Hosken resigned, the thought of the people reverted to Mr. Grenelle and he began his second charge. Mr. Grenelle died in 1883 in his eighty-eighth year. It is not likely that an estimate of Mr. Grenelle's worth will ever be made on earth. Luther, Edwards, Wilberforce and Wesley occupied larger fields. What they were in theirs, Grenelle was in his. In 1852, Rev. S. S. Parker was pastor. While pastor, plans were adopted, which later ripened into churches. Mr. Parker resigned in 1855. That year, Rev. R. Babcock accepted the call of the church and continued eight years. A large and becoming house was erected in 1869, costing twenty-four thouand dollars. Pastor Babcock was followed in 1864 by Rev. S. J. Knapp. Although staying but two years, his term of service was eminent for numerous bap- tisms.
Mr. Knapp did not limit himself to Paterson. He was tall enough. to see beyond it. He laid foundations of the Baptist work in Passaic. Particulars will be given in the record of Passaic church. The en- suing nine years from October 1st, 1866, were taken up with the pastorate of Rev. J. Banvard, who closed his fruitful service in December 1875. Although lacking a pastor, the "people had a mind to work," affording new evidence that the Divine presence and the work of the Holy Spirit
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is not limited (of necessity) to the pulpit ministries and that the church is the treasure house of blessing. For one year, Rev. A. H. Burlingham, 1877, ministered to the people. Rev. F. Fletcher followed in 1878 and Rev. E. A. Woods entered the pastorate in 1880 and continued six years, closing his charge in 1886. That year, Rev. S. B. Meeser settled and was useful for eight years. The largest accession by baptism in one year was one hundred and ten in 1890. Debts on the sanctuary were reduced. In June 1894, Mr. J. W. Brougher was ordained and was pastor. During the second year of his charge, he baptized one hundred and twenty-seven. Rev. A. A. Delarme settled as pastor in June 1900.
First Paterson Baptist church has been a fruitful vine. Nine Baptist churches trace their lineage to this mother. Others also, out of the city originated from her. As many as fourteen members have been licensed to preach. Daughters of the church also serve in the home and foreign fields. The venerable and beloved A. W. Rogers, M. D, worthy son of a noble father, Rev. John Rogers, who preached the first missionary sermon, before the New York association by appoint- ment of the Association, and himself almost a life long resident of Paterson, who impressed his own forethoughtful views of expansion upon the Baptists of the city, furnishes to me the data of the beginning and the movement of Baptist interests in Paterson. Willis street, now Park avenue, was the earliest city outgrowth of the planting of the first church and illustrates development by individual effort rather than by church action. In second or third year of Rev. S. S. Parker five brethren gave fifty dollars each for the purchase of lots, J. J. Brown, D. B. Beam, L. R. Stelle, J. Ramsey, and Dr. A. W. Rogers. Dr. Rogers originated the movement. Two others, then, not members of the church associated themselves with the enterprise, James Crooks and James McNab, each of whom gave one thousand dollars. These bought a lot for Sunday school uses on Willis street and built a chapel in 1855. H. B. Crosby, J. Bayard, A. Crogsdale, A. W. Rogers, M. D., Mr. Rogers did not recall the name of the fifth trustee. Messrs. McNab and Crooks were identified with the movement. These gentlemen were incorporated. The chapel was enlarged twice, covered the entire lot and was too small, whereupon these men bought adjoining lots, and built the church edifice, which Willis street church occupies.
Other members of the First church shared in the enterprise. This entire movement was without any formal action of the First church. Dr. Rogers alludes to Deacon A. Stoughtenborough and James Styles, as having had a hand in this enterprise. They were helpers in all good undertakings. Dr. Rogers is known in New Jersey to have been
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foremost in all good things for the last fifty years and his motive is: "The world for Christ." Pastors Babcock, Knapp and Banvard often preached in the mission and thus it ripened, till one hundred members of the First church organized a new interest in 1869. The property was then conveyed to the trustees of the new interest and the church was well cared for. There are extremes in church life of light and dark and a question occurs: "Did First Paterson maintain her aggressiveness?" A response is given in one of our religious weeklies. The Baptist church is now the largest Protestant church in Paterson. The membership of the Sunday schools is fourteen hundred and sixty-four. The church will support its own Foreign Missionary, who will soon graduate and be ordained. An installation mission is to be established soon. Then every Lord's day, the Bible will be taught in five languages, English, German, Holland, Italian and Chinese.
This recalls to the writer a prayer meeting in Milwaukee, when he was pastor in 1851. There were prayers in English, Indian, German, Swede and Holland. Only English was understood by more than one present. But there was a hallowed unction of tone and manner in the unknown tongue that enchained each one to the mercy seat. The First Baptist church of Paterson has had seventeen pastors. The longest settlement was nine years. Another was eight years. Two others were each seven years. One pastor had two settlements, in- cluding in both, nine years. Some of these pastors were widely known and had considerable denominational influence. That First Paterson church could command the service of such men indicates strength in the church and its foremost place in the denomination. Its membership included men of culture associated with Christian activity. A lesson learned from its history is: Expansion, a condition of growth and of strength. Churches that colonize their territory are strong. Those that yield it to other denominations are shut in and the emigration from without contracts them. Nine churches have gone out from Paterson First church: Passaic, Willis Street, Union Avenue, Fourth Paterson, Emmanuel (Paterson), Ridgewood, Emmanuel, Calvary, Ridgefield Park, Sixth, Prospect Park.
Passaic is five miles from Paterson and in 1864, had a small pop- ulation. Baptist interests in Passaic are closely associated with Pater- son. The Passaic church is an outgrowth of the labors of the pastor of First Paterson Baptist church, Rev. S. J. Knapp. In May 1864, Mr. Knapp wrote a letter of inquiry, asking if there was an opening in Passaic for a mission under Baptist auspices. A favorable reply led him to make an appointment and this was issued: "You are invited to attend a meeting at the residence of William P. Boggs on Friday
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evening, May 27th, at 7:30 P. M., to consider the propriety of holding divine services in Speer's Hall." A result was that Mr. Knapp began preaching June 5th on Lord's day afternoons.
Preliminary week day meetings were held for consultation and on November 16th, 1864, the Baptist church of Passaic was formed, at the house of Mr. Boggs with twenty-two constituents. Mr. Knapp preached for the church for two years and the minute book of the Passaic church states: "His coming to us for two years, during the severest storms of winter and the burning heat of summer, must make us regard him with profoundly grateful remembrance." In February 1865, thirteen candidates were baptized in the river. Baptism was a new, strange thing in that unbaptistic section. Curiosity to see a Scriptural baptism was so real, that the Erie Railroad ran special trains to the place of the administration of the ordinance and three thousand people saw it, a repetition of the Jordan baptism as the first Baptist had done it. In June 1866, Rev. F. Johnson became pastor, continuing six years. While pastor, a spacious and creditable sanctuary was dedicated in February 1870. An index of the intelligence and piety of a people devising a fitting sanctuary for worship. Rev. R. B. Kelsay, whose father filled his life with ministerial service and whose grandfather till nearly eighty years old, was pastor to his Death at Old Cohansie for thirty-three years, entered the pastoral office at Passaic in 1873, re- maining two years.
Succeeding pastors were: O. C. Kirkham, 1876-77; James Waters, 1877-78; In this charge, four trustees paid off the debt of thirty-five hundred dollars. R. H. McMichael, 1880-81; S. G. Smith, 1881-84; A. S. Burrows, 1885-91; while pastor the house of worship was burned. Public halls and the kindly sympathies of other denominations were enjoyed for two years, when a larger and a modern house was built at a cost of forty thousand dollars, twice the cost of the burned build- ing. The new house was dedicated in December, 1892. Pastor W. W. Pratt, a supply for five months became pastor in March 1892 and in 1900 is still holding the trust. In these years, the church has nearly or quite doubled its membership. A large amount has also been paid into the church treasury on account of the new house of worship. The Passaic church is a missionary body, thoroughly identified with all work, through mission organizations of Baptists especially. Eight pastors have served the church. As yet, Mr. Pratt is the longest settled of the number having already held the pastoral charge more than eleven years.
Two colonies have gone from Passaic church. One a German church, grown out of a mission planted under the pastorate of Rev.
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A. S. Burrows. An account of it will be in the chapter of German churches. Another was, Brookdale church. Its origin illustrates the value of individual work for Christ. A family member of Passaic church, Henry Hepburn, removed to Brookdale, about 1895. Mr. Hepburn bought an old forsaken Methodist place of worship at a cost of three thousand dollars. Other Baptists removed to the place, constituting a Baptist colony. These decided to organize a church and in 1895, constituted the Brookdale Baptist church and reported to the Association, a membership of forty-one.
Willis Street, now Park Avenue Baptist church of Paterson, was constituted in 1869. Its origin has already been given in the history of the First church and need not to be repeated. The church itself is an efficient body of disciples. The first pastor was, Rev. S. J. Knapp. He had been pastor of the first church of Paterson and had resigned his charge but three years before his return to Paterson, to be pastor at Willis Street church. He was not a stranger in Paterson, nor to the interest of which he was to be pastor. In 1873, while pastor at Willis Street, one hundred and eighty-three were baptized and ten were added by letter. Two hundred and thirty-three were baptized in 1874 and the number of members at Willis Street was five hun- dred and eighty. It was the largest church in the Association more members than the and had two hundred and fifty
mother church. It is not a surprise that in 1876 the
church says: "Our pastor has been laid aside by sick- ness most of the year." Mr. Knapp resigned in February 1877, on account of ill health. Pastors are among the most unselfish men. Despite medical advice, the entreaties of his family and the conscious- ness of exhaustion, they keep on at work and push and drive till com- pelled to stop. Like to Nehimiah, their reply is: "Why should the work stop?" Thus Mr. Knapp toiled on till necessity allowed of but one alternative. Rev. M. C. Lockwood became pastor the same year in which Mr. Knapp resigned, 1877. At the end of three years, he also resigned. In 1880, Rev. S. Washington became pastor for two years. Short pastorates are far from the fault of the pastor. Ordinarily, "earthen vessels" are in every church. Nevertheless the grace of God develops from the "foolish" the "base" and the "weak," the mightiest forces the world knows.
Rev. G. Guirey settled as pastor in 1882. In the second year of his charge, he baptized one hundred and fifty-four and the promise of the future was bright. Fifteen colored members were dismissed to or- ganize a church of their race. Troubles came. The pastor was deposed and excluded. They reported that a "large number of our membership
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went off," whither and their destination is unknown. These trials hap- pened in 1884. In their troubles the church recalled their first love, to be pastor, Rev. S. J. Knapp and he entered on his second pastorate in 1885. The membership of the church had fallen to one hundred and ninety-nine from nearly five hundred in 1885. Mr. Knapp stayed but little more than a year, but his aim was accomplished. Much was recovered that had seemingly been lost and the church was saved from extinction. Its later record verified his hope and he lived to see the dead restored to life. Mr. Knapp's presence was an inspiration to the best things. His devotion kindled fires of consecration in those with whom he came in contact. Rev. H. Wood followed Mr. Knapp in the spring of 1887 and was pastor almost thirteen years, closing his labors in January 1900. The church recovered rapidly from its disasters.
Mr. Wood's pastorate was a constant blessing. Debts were paid. The house of worship was put in the best condition; a church formed at Ridgewood that began in barns and empty houses in 1891. Another, in August 1892 began as a mission, is now Sixth Paterson. A third mission begun in 1896 by means of a Sunday school. The coming of Pastor Wood to Park Avenue church was providential. Closing his charge in March 1900, he welcomed his successor, Rev. J. W. Lissenden. Two members have been licensed to preach and each has been ordained. Eight pastors have served the church. One of them has had a second pastorate. In both of them his term was ten years .. His last charge being one of recovery. Another, Mr. Wood was pastor thirteen years. Two churches have gone from Park Avenue church. ยท Ridgewood and Sixth Paterson. Its sanctuaries are described and the manner of their erection, in the account of the First Baptist church of Paterson.
In 1869, the year of the constitution of Willis Street (Park Avenue) church, the First Baptist church of Paterson built a mission chapel on Union avenue. Devotional meetings and the Sunday school con- centrated about the chapel considerable religious interest which eventu- ated in the organization of the Union Avenue Baptist church on Sep- tember 11th, 1873. Dr. Rogers has kindly given these data of the beginnings of Union Avenue Baptist church: "The ground for the chapel" was given by Brother Joseph Taylor and his wife, and another brother, whose name the Doctor did not recall. The Doctor's sister, Anna was the largest donor to the chapel. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor left a legacy of seven to ten thousand dollars to the mission. This legacy was reduced by the depreciation of the property, which it included. A colony of twenty-five members were dismissed from the First church to constitute the Union Avenue church.
Its first pastor, Rev. P. S. Vreeland stayed but a short time. He
UNION AVENUE, PROSPECT PARK AND CALVARY 385
was succeeded by Zelotes Grenelle, in the fall of 1874. Mr. Grenelle had been pastor of the First church twice. Rev. S. J. Knapp was pastor of the First church about this time. The choice of these old pastors is significant of them and of the people who called them. The old time Baptists did not have a "dead line," nor itching ears for a new voice. Mr. Grenelle continued pastor until 1881 and "resigned by reason of age" being eighty-five years old. In that year, Rev. J. B. McQuillin settled. In a short time, the house was enlarged. In 1884, a larger and better one was in progress. Mr. McQuillin was an eminently useful pastor and retired at the end of 1884. Rev. J. H. Dudley settled in May 1885, and the new house was dedicated in September of that year. Mr. Dudley remained something more than a year.
After a few months, Rev. H. B. Mawrer entered the pastoral office and closed his charge in 1888. In that fall, Rev. E. E. Valentine became pastor and remained ten years and resigned under the impression that ten years was the limit of a pastor's usefulness. The church, however, declined to accept that idea and asked the pastor to withdraw his resignation. He consented and remained another year. Then Rev. R. T. Craig accepted a call to be pastor in 1899 and is, in 1900, holding the trust. The church has had six pastors, one of whom served the church nearly twelve years. Another was pastor until he was eighty- five years old. Two houses of worship have been in use. The first built by the First church; the second was built by Union Avenue church for itself.
In February 1894, twenty-four Baptists constituted themselves the Prospect Park Baptist church of Paterson. Prospect Park was then a suburb of the city. Of these fifteen, were dismissed from Union Avenue church and if Prospect Park may claim the maternity of another Baptist church, it would be that of Union Avenue church. Early in September 1895, they occupied a house of worship, which they had built for themselves. Their supply in the minutes of the Association in 1896, was Mr. P. J. Frey. He was ordained in 1897 or 98 and is now (1900) ministering as pastor. Members of the churches in Paterson, men and women, experienced in essential concerns, of social position, of wealth and of piety, who could distribute themselves among the young churches and missions, could thus afford them strength and an assurance of a future. In this may be the secret of the rapid and safe development of Baptist interests in Paterson and in other cities in New Jersey.
The Calvary church of Paterson is an Afro-American body. Data of it is scarce. It was constituted in 1884. Dr. Rogers writes: that the Park Avenue church is entitled to the maternity of the church, 24
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The First church dismissed their Afro-American members to Park Ave- nue church purposely, that all of them being members of the same church they would be in their organization heartily a unit." A wise move, ending the plea of distinction and removing occasion for rival- ries. Originally, the church numbered twenty to twenty-five members. Their membership in 1900 was sixty-eight. No doubt the Paterson Baptists have provided them a house of worship and such ministerial support for their growth, as they have needed.
Ridgewood has the name of Emmanuel added to it. It was a colony of Park Avenue church, Paterson, and is said to have had thirty- three constituents. The North Association minutes give no infor- mation of the origin of its young churches. Rev. J. G. Shrive is pub- lished as pastor in 1892, closing his work there in June 1893, and was followed by Mr. G. E. Rines the next July. In that year, the meeting house was occupled. Pastor Rines resigned in 1896 and was succeeded by Mr. F. K. Mathiews in 1897, who was ordained in April 1898. In this period the church edifice was enlarged and later, a parsonage was secured. A mission Sunday school was begun in a neighboring village. Mr. Mathiews was pastor in 1900.
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