USA > New Jersey > A history of Baptists in New Jersey > Part 42
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We are indebted to the Rev. W. H. Parmly for the first consecutive account of Jersey City Baptist interests. And yet, it was impossible for him to get hold of the facts which long preceded his personal relation to the Baptist cause in the city in which he was so long a pastor and under whose management, Baptist interests took shape and order. The site of Jersey City was first known by its Indian name, Areseheckhouck.
When the Director-General of the West India Company came to America, in 1638, the tract was named, Paulus Hook. Numerous settlements were made by the Dutch in New Jersey, on the North, west and south of the site of Jersey City. Settlers preferred the high lands which compassed the low, marshy ground on which Jersey City
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was located. Hollanders knew the cost of reclaiming such land. More than two hundred years after Manhattan Island had been colonized. When in 1820, Jersey City was incorporated, it had only three hundred residents and in 1840, the terminus of railroad and of canals and New York was feeling the constriction of its limits, Jersey City had only a population of 4,000. From then, the population increased rapidly. Land and lots were cheap and there was plenty of it. Convenience and economy disposed the down town people of New York to make their home across the river.
Of these mongrel peoples, some were the best, pious and enter- prising and some were the worse; Jersey City was a refuge for evil doers. Of Baptists,a large foreign element were English, uncongenial with each other and as much so with American Baptists. This condition prevented the co-operation essential to our denominational interests. Church organizations, maintained a nominal existence and disappeared in the dust of contention. Thus Jersey City lay open, the Baptist forces unassociate till Wheelock Parmly went there. A most amiable man and needing all his endowment of that quality, he began his work. In 1828, James Howe, a member of Oliver street Baptist church moved to Jersey City and began a prayer meeting in his home. His effort did not result in the constitution of a Baptist church. Seven years after, a man who had been a Methodist and was now a Baptist minister, undertook to form a Baptist church, but the old disagreement broke it up and Mr. Provost's effort was a failure.
Rev. Jonathan Going and Rev. William Moore preached at times in Jersey City. A building of J. P. Hill and the home of William Bum- stead were places of meeting. Rev. William Moore and Mr. Howe were appointed a committee to confer with Baptists about an organization and on November, 27th, 1838, it was resolved: "That we engage the services of Rev. J. Houghnout as pastor for six months and that we give him four dollars per week." This arrangement lasted till March, 1839, when a council advised the organization of a Baptist church of Jersey City and of Harsimous with a membership of thirteen. Among them were John P. Hill and James Howe. Eligible lots for a meeting house were given, but were conditioned upon holding "no abolition meetings in their house of worship. The condition in the gift made the people reject the gift. An abolition or anti-slavery movement which brought on the war of 1861-65, had advanced to a positive tone in the northern states. A small house of worship was built on Barrow street.
The Baptist family in Jersey City was made up of various nationali- ties, of divers ideas, due to the prejudices of education. Pro and anti- slavery discussions and the positiveness developed by the independency
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of our church government bore fruit in bitterness. In September 1840, a resolution forbade the use of the meeting house to the anti- slavery society, unless three-fourths of the members present at a church meeting agreed to it, so that each party was careful to see that the other side had no such majority. This meant contention. This order continued two years, when forty-six members withdrew and united with the McDougal street Baptist church, New York City and were known as the eighth district of the McDougal Street Baptist church. Pastor Duncan Dunbar ministered at set times to these disciples. On March 11th, 1844, these were recognized as a Baptist church.
These conditions of membership indicate the ideas of the members of this second Baptist church. Article 7 and 8 forbade membership to a slaveholder and to a member of a secret society. This church lived to November 1847. Its pastors were: William Rollinson, S. C. James, J. M. Morris, William Gooding to February 1847, when it died. A third Baptist church worshipped in the Lyceum. How it came to be, is not known. It had one pastor, Arus Haynes, a "devoted and conse- crated Christian gentleman." His health was impaired by his labors to do good and he was compelled to resign in 1847. In a few years after he died. The church disheartened by his removal, was merged into the First Baptist church of Jersey City. Before 1847, the meeting house on Barrow street was sold for debt. These experiences showed the folly of discord and led to the adoption of a resolution of sympathy in August 1847, by the second church for the first church and it resolved: "We have heard with deep regret of the step taken by our brethren in Harsimous and that we advise them to come together once more to meet with us and to consult together, respecting the best means to adopt."
This action was followed by another in the next month:
"Resolved, That Jersey City is ready to form a union of the Baptist churches of this place, when the Grand street church is ready."
This action of the second church was as the breath on the bones in the valley in Ezekiel's vision, life and unity to the perishing Baptist interests in Jersey City. On March 1st, 1848, at a meeting in which the three Baptist churches of the city were represented, the following was adopted:
"WHEREAS, The Baptists of Jersey City and Harsimous, heretofore divided by differences of opinion,
Resolved, That we proceed to organize a Baptist church to be called by a name not yet resolved on."
The results of this action, verified the 133d Psalm: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity." At this date and in this meeting, March 1st, 1848, the Union Baptist
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church was organized with a constituency of sixty-eight members. Twenty years after, on March 1st, 1868, the name was changed to "First Baptist church of Jersey City."
Really, if not the fourth, some other. Still it is the first, because a union of all others and the survivor of all that preceded it. The "Union Baptist church" eventually absorbed all Baptists in Jersey City. These steps, which inaugurated the unity of Jersey City Baptists were taken by the forty-six Baptists who had withdrawn and had joined the Mc- Dougal street Baptist church in New York City. The Union Baptist church rented a hall and the supplies maintained devotional meetings on the evenings of week days. In December 1849, Rev. W. Verrinder settled as pastor. Mr. Verrinder was a special providential gift to the young church. On account of the former divisions and of the diversity of opinions united in the one church; tact, intelligence and piety were requisites in its pastor and having the gift of "good common sense" and combining the gold of silence and the silver of speech, he was happily adapted to his charge. His ministry was fruitful and while pastor, the peace of the church was assured and relationship to all lines of Christian and mission work at home and abroad was maintained. A house of worship was also built and occupied. In 1853, Pastor Verrinder was called by the Jersey City Missionary Society to serve it in the city. This was an expression of the public estimate of the man and of his work. He became city missionary, holding the post for thirty-eight years, till his death in October 1891. His name is revered in thousands of homes. Mr. Verrinder's life was filled up with the spirit of him who "went about doing good."
Again, "the right man in the right place" appeared in Jersey City as pastor, Rev. Wheelock H. Parmly. He became pastor in September 1854 and held the trust for thirty-five years and then pastor emeritus till his death in August 1894. Mr. Parmly was rarely equalled in his genial temper and kindly disposition. He could be scarcely angered and only by an attempt to demean his Lord and Christ. He had en- joyed the advantages of the schools and was fairly a master of infor- mation and a good preacher. An active member of various Boards of missions and of education. It is not known, however, that he origi- nated plans and policies that brought relief in straits and were proved the better way. Seemingly, there could have been no better choice of a pastor to unify and mould the elements under his leadership. His kind speech won objectors, soothed opposition and won a place for his views. The more so, that he was never an extremist and quite ready to yield things indifferent to win things important. Mr. Parmly's like among men would be a great rarity. His work in Jersey City is
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an abiding monument of his worth. At his resignation, the church had grown to nearly threefold of its membership, when he became pas- tor.
Six colonies wholly or in part, had constituted other churches. An increase of congregations involved the enlargement of the house of worship. Pastor Parmly closed his pastorate in 1889, when Rev. H. B. Steelman followed. Ill health and a summons to Salt Lake City, Utah, induced Pastor Steelman's resignation in 1891. In May of that year, Rev. T. Heisig was called and settled as pastor. Mr. Heising resigned in January 1895. In September 1895, Mr. Ratobeau, entered the pastorate for one year. Rev. William E. Chalmers became pastor in the spring of 1897, closing his work in 1899 and on the next September, J. M. Hare followed and was pastor in 1900. In all, seven pastors have served the church Up to the end of their ministry the pastors have been spoken of tenderly. Other Baptist churches in Jersey City have grown up about the First church. Nine or ten have been licensed to preach. The disagreements of former years are gone. Churches stronger than the First church are in the city, but unity is characteristic of all of them. All of this would be anticipated from the type of man which Mr. Parmly was.
Women were the first to move in the origin of the Summit Avenue Baptist church. Two of them in 1856, Mary Glass and Relief G. Tripp, residents of Hudson City, gave themselves first to prayer and then conferred with Mr. Verrinder, the first pastor of Union Baptist church of Jersey City, but was, now, city missionary. Having his assurance of help and an offer to preach occasionally. Several members of Union Baptist church were invited to worship with them at the house of Mr. James Glass. No other convenient place for worship being known, a school house in South Bergen was rented, worshipping there for a few months, the Baptists decided to form themselves into a Baptist church of Hudson City and did this on June 22, 1857, numbering in all, sixteen members.
Lots for a house of worship were bought on the Bergen Road. Supplies were engaged of whom the chief was Mr. Verrinder, who gave any remuneration to which he was entitled to the church. Con- verts were added to the church and other Baptists interested. Thus the meetings of the church were advertised and the church itself. There was a likeness to the early churches, Rev. Messrs. Halsey, W. and S. J. Knapp afforded great help to the church. The first year was a time of growth and of dependence on the generous aid of men who loved to preach. In June 1858, Rev. Mr. Eastwood settled as pastor. The place of worship was a long distance away and morning service was
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transferred to a nearer hall. Plans, in the meantime, matured to build a church edifice on the lots on the Bergen Road. Finally, however, the matter was settled in February, 1859, when thirty-six members were dismissed, who formed the Bergen Baptist church. Pastor Eastwood went with the colony. Only twenty-four members were left of the church and it was brought to a low condition. Instead of being discouraged, the twenty-four devoted themselves more earnestly to their mission. Ere long, they exchanged the lots on the Bergen Road for those on which the meeting house stands.
A large frame building stood on the new lots, which was remodelled into a place of worship. While these changes were in progress a work of grace broke out. Mr. S. J. Knapp acted as pastor but declined any salary, making more possible the completion of their place of worship. In June 1859, Mr. Knapp was ordained. The influences of the Holy Spirit increased during the few months of his charge. Despite the protests of the people, Pastor Knapp insisted on his resignation in October 1859. On the day of his resignation, a call was made to H. W. Knapp, his brother, and he began his pastoral work in January 1860. Owing to illness he was compelled to resign, but a sea voyage restored his health and he began again his pastoral duties. In June 1862, steps were taken to build a new house of worship. At the end of that year, Pastor Knapp resigned. Mr. Knapp was an active business man of New York City. A pastorate and a driving business were not most congenial. The church utterly refused to accept his resignation and the pressure of a new and needy field and the building of a house of worship finally prevailed with him to continue his benevolent labors.
In March 1864, the basement of the new church edifice was occupied and on the 12th of the next June the house was set apart for Divine worship. At the end of six years, Mr. Knapp, who lived in New York City believing that the church should have a resident pastor, resigned. Despite the wish of the church for him to remain, the resignation was accepted. The church edifice had been built by his persistent efforts and the small salary he had consented to receive, was turned into the sinking fund to pay for the building. Whatever is said of pastors serving without cost and of the probability of raising up narrow minded and covetous congregations willing to receive and as willing to "pass by on the other side," it is certain that these brothers Knapp were not that class. It is also sure, that the wealth of these good men was not hoarded and that the churches which they served, at times when they were unable to support a pastor were not peoples who grew into little- ness and denied the keeping of the commission to preach to every creature the great redemption, when the Brothers Knapp retired.
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The succession of pastors was: J. W. Custis, 1865-67; C. E. Cordo, 1867- 69; T. R. Howlett, 1869-71; W. H. Harris, 1871-74; J L. Lodge, 1874-79; A. S. Gumbart, 1880-84; D. C. Hughes, 1884-86; J. F. Davis, 1887, died in December 1889; E. McMinn, 1890-95; W. J. Swaffield, 1896- 1900.
In 1878, the name of the church was changed to Summit Avenue church from Hudson City. An increase of the congregation made necessary the enlargement of the house of worship in 1880. Since the organization of the church, including the labors of Mr. Verrinder, four- teen pastors have ministered to the church. Bergen church colonized from Hudson City, including a majority of the members and the pastor. There have been two church edifices. Their first being an old building and remodelled for their use. The present structure has been enlarged and improved. Several members have been licensed to preach. Sum- mit Avenue is the child of Union Baptist church. Two churches have been colonized from Summit Avenue, Bergen, in 1859; Trinity in 1888. Both of them have been useful bodies.
Trinity Baptist church occupies a mission field of the Jersey City Heights church. Mr. R. H. Johnson was a member of Jersey City Heights church and his appointment to give "talks" and the frequency of such meetings developed concert and action till, thirty-seven Baptists members of Jersey City Heights church, decided upon their plans and having the approval of the pastor and of the church, called a council to recognize the church and to ordain Mr. Johnson as pastor. The council met, conceded the right of the church to call for pastor, whom they would and ordained Mr. Johnson on September 27th, 1888. Twelve years have gone and Mr. Johnson is still pastor, occupying his only charge and probably staying as long as he may choose. A site for a meeting house was bought in 1890. Two years after a suitable house was built, which since, has been the place of assembly and in 1900, state that all claims against the church have been paid. Mr. Johnson is in business and continues to be while pastor. Pastor and people indulge bright hopes. The mission was originally named the Summit Avenue Baptist church begun in April 1885 with a Sunday school of six officers and teachers and eighteen scholars and is now a large school.
Jersey City by its nearness to New York City and terminus of many railroads, has grown fast and is a large city. The Union Baptist church (now First Baptist) was located in the central part of the town. Others were located in the then suburbs of the city. Three members of the First Baptist church were appointed a committee in February 1865 to find a place for a mission Sunday school in the upper part of the city.
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A hall was rented and a Sunday school begun in May 1865. Pastor Parmly preached on the afternoon of the day of the organization of the school. At a meeting in the hall on September 1865, the Baptists met and decided to found a church. But, first to lay the matter before the First Baptist church. As a result, on September 28th, 1865, forty-two Baptists constituted the North Baptist church of Jersey City. Supplies ministered to the church until October 1st, 1866.
When Rev. H. A. Cordo became pastor, worship was continued in the hall until April 1867, when having built a chapel, the church removed to its own place of worship. Mr. Cordo resigned in November 1872. His labors had reward, the membership increasing from eighty to more than two hundred. A year later, Mr. Cordo was called back and began his second charge on January 1st, 1873, remaining till September 1875, in all, about eight years. In the next December, 1875, Rev. G. K. Allen entered as pastor closing his work in Jersey City in July 1880. Six months later, Rev. G. W. Nicholson entered on the pastorate, Jan- uary 1st, 1881. A large and more becoming house of worship had become essential and in July 1883, measures were taken to assure this object and on November 14th, 1886, the new house was dedicated. In the winter of 1889-90, one hundred and ten were baptized. Soon after, the cost of the new sanctuary was paid and an addition made, for social and Sunday school uses. Mr. Nicholson was pastor nearly twelve years, closing his labors in 1892. Rev. C. Woelfkin became pastor in the same year, resigning in 1893. The change was a mysterious Providence, if indeed Providence had aught to do with it. In November 1894, Rev. A. R. Moore settled as pastor; in something more than a year Mr. Moore died. Mr. Moore enjoyed the love of his people and of the com- munity. In March 1897, Rev. Benjamin Otto accepted a call and in
1900, is pastor. There have been seven pastors, one of whom has held the office twice. Another died while pastor. Unanimity has characterized the church. The pastors have been useful men. They and the church have been in accord. Two church edifices have been in use. The last was in accord with the conveniences and lines of work in later years and bids fair to be for many years to come.
CHAPT R XLIV.
BLACKWOOD AND WOODBURY.
In the fall of 1847, Rev. Henry Wescott visited Blackwood town and preached in the Methodist church of worship. A desire was then excited to organize a Baptist church. Invited to return to Blackwood, he did so, on several occasions. Four gentlemen, John L. Cooper, Jonas and Lewis Livermore and I. H. Stokes, M. D., had been in a company, on whose ground stood an unfinished meeting house. An offer to give this building and a more central lot than that on which it stood, on the condition of removing the building and completing it for use and the organization of a Baptist church to occupy it, was made to resident Baptists.
The offer was accepted and the conditions met. The Baptist church began with twenty-eight constituents in 1848. At the first church meeting, Rev. H. Wescott was called to be pastor and having private means was not dependent on a salary offered to him. While pastor, the church had both spiritual and material prosperity. After a charge of nearly ten years, Mr. Wescott went West. Rev. H. Sears followed in December 1857. Taken ill, he resigned in 1859 and died in a few months. The pastors following were: C. J. Thompson, 1861-62; A. Cook, Jr., 1864-66; S. Goodshall, 1868; E. M. Barker, 1871; J. D. Flansburg, 1873-79; James Fielding, 1880-85; a licentiate, J. E. Wilson, supply, 1887-90; G. B. Morse, 1891-93; H. W. Smith, 1893-95; R. P. Preston, 1895-96; C. S. Powelson, 1896-98. Since 1898 there has been a suspension of church activities. Blackwood is off the lines of travel and must be more a feeder church than otherwise. The name of the church and town is now Blackwood. Thirteen pastors, including Mr. Wilson have ministered to the church. Mr. Wescott was pastor nearly ten years. Pastor Sears virtually died while pastor. Five pastors served but one year on account of financial conditions. Only experi- ence can reveal the straits of a rural pastor.
Woodbury derives its name from Richard Wood, who settled there in 1684. He came to Philadelphia. with the first settlers and leaving his family there and taking a canoe found his way up the creek from the Delaware river. Mr. Wood was a Quaker. With the help of the Indians, he built a rude hut, making a home for himself and family. The building and the removal of his family required only a
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week. Thus Mr. Wood lives to the latest posterity by the name he gave to the town.
The town grew and was a resort from abroad. Captain James Lawrence of the U. S. Navy by his utterance in the conflict between the Shannon and the Chesapeake in the War of 1812, "Don't give up the ship," was a student in the village Academy residing there with his brother, John Lawrence. It is a surprise that a county seat only seven miles from Camden should not have had a Baptist church before 1857. Being a Quaker town, it is more strange, since Quakers and Baptists have always been in accord on social and political questions and endured in common for the right of free speech and of equality before the law. In January 1856, Rev. H. Wescott, pastor at Black wood was the first Baptist minister, known to have preached at Wood- bury. His meeting was at the Court House, on Saturday afternoon. The unsuitableness of the place, after other appointments, Mr. Wescott gave up the service. Only two Baptist families were then known to be residents of the place, Walfor Wayman and Ellis B. Hall, M. D., in whose homes occasional social meetings were held. In the spring of 1857, Rev. D. J. Freas of Salem, N. J., moved to Woodbury and began meetings in a school house on April 12th, near Woodbury on the Lord's day afternoon. Good congregations attended. Two weeks later on April 26th, a Sunday school was begun with Mr. Freas as superintendent. On the 7th of May 1857, E. J. Records, M. D., Ellis B. Hall, M. D., Samuel Tatum and Rev. D. J. Freas met at the house of Dr. Records, to talk on the organization of a Baptist church and decided to form a church.
An advisory council was called to meet at the home of Dr. E. B. Hall, in August, 1857. They advised the constitution of a church. The organization was completed in the Court House August 6th, 1857, with ten members. At the first business meeting, Rev. D. J. Freas was called to be pastor. The school house was as yet the place of worship. Mr. Freas continued pastor till February 1865. seven years and more. The work of Mr. Freas cannot be too highly commended. Having private means, his support did not depend on the church. A house of worship was built and sheds for the horses from the country. Mr. Freas freely expending his own resources to obtain these conditions for the welfare of the church. Whether Mr. Freas has been paid for his advance of funds, the writer is ignorant. But he recalls that years after the Board of the State Convention was asked by him to indorse his claim for remuneration from the churches. The Board did so, gladly. An impression at that time, was Mr. Freas' impoverishment did not 26
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have the responses he expected. This man was eminent for humility and for consecration.
Later he removed to Trenton and was city missionary. Large sums were intrusted to him by wealthy and by business men for the poor. An accounting was never asked of him. His funeral in Trenton, was said to have been a wonder and a glory. The slums brought their tribute; the poor and lowly shed tears and the millionaire sorrowed for the loss of a brother and friend, whom they knew to be true and whose place for God and humanity was not likely to be filled on earth. Ten pastors have served the church. Mr. Freas, eight years, H. Bray, William Maul, C. Kain, who resigned to resume the pastorate of twenty years at Mullica Hill and which recalled him. William Whitehead, M.D., whose charge was terminated by a fatal accident; C.Harris, seven months. In the interim of this and of the next pastor, a work of grace was enjoyed. Mr. Kirtley supplied till he graduated and in May 1875, was ordained for the pastoral office. In his charge a parsonage was built the meeting house was improved, a mortgage debt paid.
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