USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 61
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One Sunday, as Mr. Megie was driving to the Berkshire church, he found a man lying in the road, helplessly drunk. A wagon was moving slowly along, not far in advance, the driver being indifferent to the fact that he had lost his passenger. Mr. Megie overtook this man, and, after having, with considerable difficulty, induced him to return to the assistance of his companion, drove on to his waiting con-
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gregation. A little later the more sober of the two appeared at one of the open doors of the church, and, after standing for some time looking at the congregation in a bewildered way, staggered into the room, turned ,and discovered Mr. Megie in the pulpit. "Oh, there you are!" he shouted, shaking his fist; "come down and have it out!" The minister asked him to wait until the service ended. By that time the intruder was in a more pacific mood.
After the organization of the church in Dover, in 1835, with the exception of two years, 1839 and 1840. Dover ministers supplied the Berkshire Valley pulpit, until the growing needs of the younger congregation compelled the pastor to give his whole time to the Dover church alone. This church had prospered, and was fully able to pay without assistance more money than it had ever given in con- junction with Berkshire Valley. An increase of salary was offered to Mr. Megie on condition that he should take charge of the Sunday school in this place. As that meeting was always held in the afternoon, the arrangement made it necessary to sever the connection between the two churches.
Eighth Article from the Dover Church News for October :
Two churches in this vicinity were once closely connected with the Dover Presbyterian : the Mine Hill church, and the Welsh church at the Richard Mine. The following account of them and of their relation to this church, is taken with very little alteration from the published writings of Rev. B. C. Megie:
Before the year 1860 the spot where the village of Port Oram now stands was not more important than other farm and wood land, except where the road crosses the canal. This was a central point for the shipment of iron ore from the numerous mines in the neighboring hills, and weigh scales had been put there by the Thomas Iron Works. Attached to the weigh scales was a room in which the Welsh people of this part of the country used to meet to hear the Gospel preached. About the year 1850, many Welshmen were employed in and around the mines of Mount Pleasant and Mine Hill, among whom was a Welsh preacher, John R. Jenkins. He had not had charge of a congregation, but on Sundays had held religious services among his countrymen, in their own language, while he devoted the rest of the week to mining.
After a few years Mr. Jenkins removed to Ohio; and in 1859 the little con- gregation united with the Presbyterian church of Dover. This movement seemed to require an enlargement of the Dover church. An architect was consulted, and plans were made; but the expense would have been so great that it was considered wiser to build a new church. Nothing was actually done to provide room for the growing congregation until about ten years later. In the mean time Mr. Jenkins returned to New Jersey, and resumed his preaching in the Welsh tongue. The Crane Iron Company, which had Welshmen in it, sent from Pennsylvania a frame, doors, windows, and roofing for a church, and the Welsh people put it up close by the Richard Mine. On the second day of November, 1869, twenty-eight members of the Presbyterian church of Dover took their letters of dismissal, and were con- stituted the Welsh Presbyterian church of Richard Mine. The Rev. John R. Jenkins was ordained and installed pastor, by the Presbytery of Rockaway. This was the first church built for the benefit of the miners.
During the period when John R. Jenkins resided in Ohio, the late Pearce Rogers, then a young Englishman engaged in mining, conducted religious services in the school house at Mine Hill, and drew around him a goodly congregation. There was a prosperous Sunday school, under the superintendence of Mr. David Jenkins. Prayer meetings were held Sunday evenings, conducted by Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Rogers, the former an elder and the latter a deacon of the Dover Presbyterian church. The pastor of the Dover church often preached in the school house. In 1871 the Presbytery of Morris and Orange licensed Mr. Rogers to preach. On May 27, 1874, twenty-four members of the church of Dover received their letters of dismissal, and were constituted the Presbyterian church of Mine Hill, by a committee consisting of Rev. B. C. Megie, Rev. Albert Erdman, and Rev. I. W. Cochran, of the Presbytery of Morris and Orange. The Rev. Pearce Rogers was ordained and installed pastor, September 22, 1874. A church edifice was erected, costing more than six thousand dollars, and capable of seating about four hundred persons. It was dedicated, free from debt, in the summer of 1878.
Mr. Rogers, who remained pastor of the Mine Hill church as long as he lived, supplied the pulpit in Berkshire Valley also for many years. He died at his home in Dover, January 8, 1893.
Rev. John R. Jenkins died in 1874, aged forty-six years. The handsome monu-
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ment which marks his grave in Orchard Street cemetery was erected by his fellow countrymen.
The steady and rapid growth of population throughout this region has affected the church in two ways. Many families have been added to our congregation, but a few have withdrawn to aid in forming new churches.
Next to the Presbyterian church the first protestant religious organization in Dover was the Methodist, 1838. After that came the Episcopal church, which held its services in the room vacated by the Presbyterians in the old stone academy, and which drew to some extent on the Presbyterian congregation for its members. The late Henry McFarlan acted as lay-reader until 1852, when a rector was appointed. The next were the Free Methodist church, and the Second M. E., or Grace Church, both later than 1870.
For several years, dating from 1871, German services were held in the Pres- byterian church, on Friday evenings. There were also services in the Swedish language from 1872 to 1874, in the same building. One result of this was the erection of the Swedish church on Grant street.
Ninth Article from the Dover Church News for November:
For more than thirty years after the separation of the Old School from the New School Presbyterians there were two bodies, each calling itself "The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America," and each publishing its "Minutes" under that name. Many Synods and some Presbyteries followed the same course; but the name "Synod of New Jersey" was retained by the Old School branch alone. The Synod of New York and New Jersey was formed in 1840, consisting of nine N. S. Presbyteries in and near New York City; one of them being the new Presbytery of Rockaway, to which the Dover church had been assigned.
Conformably to a declaration of the General Assembly (N. S.) that, other things being equal, it is undesirable that any Presbytery should contain more than twenty- four ministers, this Presbytery was small. There was little direct railroad com- munication, at any time, among the different villages within its boundaries, and at first none at all; but there was much sociability among its members. Ministers and elders attending meetings of Presbytery usually remained at least one night as guests of the congregation in whose church they met. The personal intercouse thus brought about was pleasant and profitable to all concerned, and the number to be entertained was not inconveniently large.
The pastor of the Dover church, Mr. Megie, was Stated Clerk of this Presbytery from 1855 until the Reunion, and continued to hold that office for eighteen years after the Rockaway Presbytery was, in 1870, merged in the Presbytery of Morris and Orange.
The Morris and Essex Railroad was extended to Dover in 1848; but many years passed before the stillness of the Sabbath was broken by noise from that source. Two passenger trains daily, six days in the week, amply accommodated all travelers from this vicinity, even after the road was opened as far as Hackettstown. Old residents of the village used to remain calmly at home until the train was heard approaching, and then walk to the station without undue haste.
Among those who moved into Dover when the coming of the railroad was as- sured, was Jabez Mills, of Morristown, father of Mrs. J. L. Allen. He and his family were Presbyterians; and their interest in religious matters may be inferred from the fact that among the sons, sons-in-law, and direct descendants of Mr. Mills there have been eleven ministers, one of whom is the well-known evangelist, B. Fay Mills. One of the daughters, Mrs. S. G. Whittlesey, had gone with her missionary husband to Ceylon, at a time when the journey was made only in a sailing vessel. Being left a widow, she returned, with her two little boys, to her father's care, soon after his removal to this place.
On coming to Dover Mr. Mills built, for his own use, the house on Prospect street, which is now the residence of Dr. I. W. Condict; and Mr. Megie built, at the same time, the one next to it, which is almost, if not quite, the oldest house in Dover still occupied by the family of the original owner. These two may be considered the first dwelling houses erected on Prospect street, and nearly the first on any of the hills within the city limits. Others followed in rapid succession.
There had once been a small house on the spot chosen by Mr. Mills, but it had disappeared when the road near it began to be known as Prospect street. Tradition locates an Indian wigwam on the same ground, long ago. But when Mr. Mills took possession of his new home a fine forest stretched from his garden wall back over the hills and out of sight.
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Tenth Article from the Dover Church News for December :
The prosperity of this church in its early years was largely due to the con- scientious liberality of one man, Elder J. L. Allen. He and his wife were among the most resolute of the twenty men and women who established the first church that was ever organized in Dover. He paid one-fourth of the pastor's salary, until the church grew strong enough to render such aid unnecessary; and at the same time gave liberally to other objects. However small his income might be-and at one time it was very small-a certain proportion was invariably used for religious and benevolent purposes. Riches, coming to him from an unexpected source, in- creased his ability for usefulness, without diminishing his zeal. A quiet, earnest Christian, neither seeking nor shunning publicity, he was always ready to give his influence and his money to assist the pastor in his work, and to preserve harmony in the church. The power for good of such a man can hardly be overestimated. He died September 22, 1869, a little after midnight, from the effects of a fall the previous day. By his will he left ten thousand dollars toward the erection of a new Presbyterian church, to take the place of the original building, which was no longer large enough to accommodate the constantly increasing congregation. He left also five thousand dollars for a parsonage. These bequests were made on the condition that work on the new church should be commenced within a year from the time of the testator's death. The terms were accepted, more money was subscribed, and the present house of worship was built, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. It was dedicated in 1872, President Cattell, of Lafayette College, preaching the dedication sermon. The old organ was replaced by a new one, costing two thousand dollars. When the church was opened for service, every pew was rented.
As a memorial to Mr. Allen, a large window was placed in the front of the church, by Mrs. Allen and her daughter, Mrs. Courtney. It has recently been moved to the interior of the building, and a fine window in memory of the late Dr. Megie has been placed opposite, by the former and present members of this con- gregation.
Some years after the completion of this building, an unusually violent wind swept through Dover, doing much damage. The tall spire of the church was injured to such an extent that it has since been removed. Some changes have been made in paint, furniture, lighting, and ventilation; but with these exceptions the building remains unaltered. The parsonage was built in 1878, at an expense of seven thousand dollars. Although the house of worship itself is not changed, the sur- roundings are. The adjacent gardens, and the "Park," once filled with endless varieties of rare and costly flowers, and with fine old trees, have become building lots, and are now almost covered by houses. The village has developed into a busy town, full of noise, activity, and change.
In 1876, when Dr. Megie resigned the pastorate of this church and accepted a call to the church of Pleasant Grove, there was no other minister in the Presbytery of Morris and Orange who had remained in one church for so long a time; and there are to-day but two ministers in this Presbytery who came into it from the Rockaway Presbytery in consequence of the reunion. Rev. Dr. Stoddard and Rev. J. A. Ferguson. Some have died, some have gone to other fields of labor. Nearly all of the members of the Rockaway Presbytery, during the thirty years of its existence, were known in Dover socially as well as professionally, and will not soon be forgotten. Here are a few names, taken almost at random, of ministers who were, at different times, included in that ecclesiastical body: Joel Campbell, of Hamburgh; Josiah Fisher, of Succasunna; Robert Crossett; John M. Johnson, of Hanover ; John Ford, of Parsippany; J. F. Tuttle, of Rockaway, afterward Presi- dent of Wabash College; Thomas S. Hastings, of Mendham, now of Union Theo- logical Seminary; Peter Kanouse, of Deckertown; David Magie, of Mendham, now of Paterson; A. A. Haines, of Hamburgh; Samuel P. Halsey, of Rockaway; Theo. F. White, of Mendham, now of Summit; J. F. Sutton and F. F. Judd, both of Parsippany; D. E. Megie of Boonton, and W. H. Megie, brothers of the Dover pastor.
Eleventh Article from the Dover Church News for January :
Dr. Megie resigned his position in this church, and was succeeded by Dr. Halloway, in 1876. He left a church strong enough financially to warrant a decided increase in its yearly expenditures. In 1839 there were thirty-seven members; in 1876 there were two hundred and twenty. There had been no marked revivals of religion during the 37 years of Mr. Megie's pastorate, but every year had brought additions to the church membership, amounting in all to five hundred and ninety-six.
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Of these, forty-one had died, and three hundred and seventy-two had moved away from the place.
In the original agreement entered upon by this church with Mr. Megie, nothing was said about vacations, and none were ever taken by him. Before leaving Dover, however, in accepting the call from the Presbyterian church in Pleasant Grove, he stipulated that, before entering upon the duties of his new parish, he should be allowed time for a long desired trip to Europe. The journey was made; and he was temporarily free from the responsibility of conducting church services, personally or otherwise, for the first time since his ordination, in 1838, if we except a part of the summer of 1863, which was passed with the army, in Tennessee, as chaplain under the U. S. Christian Commission. The church, on that occasion, provided for the pulpit during the pastor's absence.
Dr. Megie remained with the Pleasant Grove church until 1888. One hundred and thirty-six members were added to that church on profession of faith, and thirty- six by letter, during those twelve years. In the fall of 1887 he received the appoint- ment of Superintendent of Public Schools in Morris County, and he returned to Dover in the following April. He did not abandon his ministerial work, but preached as stated supply in the Welsh church at the Richard Mine until his death.
He acted, for the last time, as Moderator of the Presbytery of Morris and Orange at a meeting held in Mendham June 10, 1890. On the evening of the next day he retired at nine o'clock, as he had an engagement for the following morning which would have made it necessary for him to leave home at an early hour, had it been fulfilled. But not long after midnight, almost without warning, and with no fare- well words, he passed from his long, happy, and useful life on earth into the mystery of the spirit world.
His body was laid in the cemetery which he had helped to purchase and care for, thirty-five years before, among the graves of men, women, and children who had once worked with him, and through him, to promote temperance, morality, and religion by means of the Dover Presbyterian church.
HISTORY OF THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DOVER, NEW JERSEY.
The first church built by any denomination in Dover was erected in 1838 on the corner of Sussex and McFarlan streets where Grace Church now stands. It was named The First Methodist Episcopal Church. Previous to this date Methodist class meetings and preaching services had been held in the village school house.
On the first page of the oldest trustees' record book it is recorded :
"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Dover, Morris County, New Jersey con- vened at the school house in said village on the fourteenth day of July 1838, agree- able to public notice, according to law to appoint and elect a board of trustees for the purpose of erecting a Methodist Episcopal Meeting House in the village of Dover, David Sanford named as chairman, T. B. Dalrymple appointed secretary, the following persons were elected trustees: David Sanford, Aaron Doty, Henry C. Bonnel, James McDavit, F. B. Dalrymple."
Later the records mention David Sanford as being president of the board. A contracting committee was appointed and James Searing signed the contract to build a meeting house for fourteen hundred dollars. This amount to include the entire cost with the exception of painting and furni- ture. The financial records show that David Sanford, James McDavit and James O. Rogers solicited money to cover the cost of the building. The greater amount was raised by small subscriptions from all the inhabitants of the village. The largest subscriptions were less than one hundred and twenty-five dollars and were donated by David Sanford and Henry Mc- Farlan.
The corner stone was laid August 22, 1838. At this time Manning Force was the presiding elder, Rev. James O. Rogers was the first minister, William Ford, Thomas Oram, Ezra B. Sanderson, David Little, John San- ford and William Harvey succeeded the first boards of trustees, stewards and leaders as it became necessary to elect or appoint others to fill vacancies or new appointments.
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In 1849, during the pastorate of Rev. Jacob P. Forte, a new parsonage was built on the lot adjoining the church on Sussex street.
The following pastors have successfully supplied the church: James O. Rogers, James M. Tuttle, Rodney Winans, William E. Perry, M. E. El- lison, J. Dobbins, William Burroughs, J. P. Forte, William W. Christine, E. M. Griffiths, J. O .. Winner, A. M. Palmer, Garet Van Horn, Stacy W. Hilliard, John Scarlet, E. A. Hill, Martin Hurr, I. W. Seran, C. S. Coit.
During Mr. Coit's pastorate a lot was purchased on the corner of Blackwell and Sussex streets. On this property a chapel was erected with the purpose of building a large auditorium later as circumstances would permit. A division of the congregation in 1876 resulted in the formation of a new Methodist Society called the Second Methodist Episcopal Church and prevented the completion of the enterprise. The name of the charge until 1872 had been Millbrook and Dover, but with the erection of the new stone chapel it became a separate charge.
Rev. C. S. Coit was succeeded in turn by David Walters, J. R. Daniels, S. B. Rooney, John I. Morrow, H. D. Opdyke, Richard Johns and William Blakeslee. During the pastorate of Rev. William Blakeslee, a parsonage was built on the eastern end of the Blackwell street property leaving vacant the large lot in front of the chapel. After Mr. Blakeslee the following ministers served the charge: William Day, W. S. Galloway, Charles S. Woodruff and William Eakins.
In 1906 under the leadership of Rev. A. B. Richardson, D.D., the official board, after prayerful deliberation, assumed what seemed to them an almost impossible task. This undertaking was the completion of the chapel begun nearly thirty-six years before. A large auditorium was needed and the large vacant space in front of the chapel could be utilized. The church members and people in town responded generously, subscriptions flowed in and faith was established. The building committee was organized with A. B. Richardson, president; Isaac W. Searing, vice-president; Wil- liam S. White, treasurer ; Phillip H. Burrell, secretary ; while A. G. Buck, Isaac G. Moyer, J. H. Bickley and A. L. Shoemaker as trustees assisted and upheld the executive action. Isaac G. Moyer died before the building was finished. It would be impossible to name all who contributed time, labor, and money toward the new church erection, for the entire congrega- tion labored together as one man, ably assisted by members of other denom- inations and interested citizens. The Ladies' Aid, the Epworth League and the Sunday School raised several thousand dollars and a spirit of joyous harmony prevailed. It was a crisis in the history of the church and all felt the future existence of the church depended on the success of the under- taking.
"We must arise and build a church of strength! We must unite and wide extend our walls!" The cry went forth until it rang at length : "We must go on or backward we shall fall !"
The pastor rose, the general of his host, And martialed all his forces to the front; Summoned his band of stewards to their post And organized a system for the fund.
The earnest came with cheerful words and aid; The elders supervised and prudent cared;
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The women on the altar service laid;
The children gathered mites from everywhere.
View of Dover, 1850.
Richard Brotherton Home, later the Vail Home.
Quaker Church, built 1758.
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New life, new hope, new courage seemed to glow And shine abroad with bright inspiring light, Until there came a time of joy, when lo!
The builders gathered round with busy might."
The verses quoted above are taken from a part of the poem written by Miss Olive Searing and dedicated to Rev. and Mrs. Richardson in apprecia- tion for services rendered to the church, 1904-1I. The poem was read at their farewell reception. One verse stands out triumphant and this history would not be complete without it.
The building stands, a monument of grace, Heroic in its consecrated work;
A noble structure, prominent in its place ; A stalwart ornament; "A LIVING CHURCH."
The corner stone was laid April 13, 1907, Rev. Bishop E. G. Andrews officiating, assisted by Rev. Henry A. Buttz, Rev. George C. Wilding and the presiding elder, Louis C. Muller.
The dedication took place the first week in June, 1908, Bishop Henry C. Spellmeyer preaching the dedicatory sermon. The attending services oc- cupied several days beginning May 31.
The entire cost of the new auditorium was $32,637.00 and almost the entire sum was raised at the time of dedication. The total value of the present church property, including the parsonage, is about $85,000.
The present membership is 518.
Rev. Frederick S. Simmons succeeded Dr. Richardson, but after a very successful pastorate of two years, he was compelled to retire because of ill health. In April, 1913, Rev. William H. Ruth was appointed. Rev. Christopher Von Glahn is now pastor (1914).
THE OLD QUAKER CHURCH
In the safe of the postoffice at Wharton I found the original deeds of the old Quaker Church. They had been in the keeping of Edward S. Hance. The present trustees of the property are Elias B. Mott of Rocka- way, Wheeler Corwin and his wife of Kenvil, Eugene A. Carrell of Morris- town, Henry Allwood of Succasunna, Cornelius D. Burg of Kenvil, and Eugene J. Cooper of Dover. The original deed has been transferred and there are now four deeds caused by transfer. A few extracts will give' the points of chief public interest :
First deed .- To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come greating. Know ye that I Robert Schooley of Mendam in Morris County and in the western division of the province of New Jersey, yoman for and in consideration of the sum of four pounds current money of the province aforsd to me in hand paid before the ensealing and delivery hereof by Jacob Laing and James Brothernton of the same place the receipt wherof I do hereby aknowlidg and myself therewith fully satisfyed and contented and therof and of every part and parcel theof do exonerate acquit and discharge &c &c amounting to one acere. Bounded East upon Robert Schooley's land and north upon land of Robert Schooley's and south upon the Great Road. Dated fifth day, eighth month, 1758. Signed Robert Schooley. Sealed and delivered in the preasants of William Schooley Se'r his mark, Nathan Simcock, Sarah Young.
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