USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Annals of the classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Dutch Church, and of the churches under its care: including, the civil history of the ancient township of Bergen, in New Jersey > Part 23
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On the 7th of December, 1833, the Consistory hav- ing ascertained that an eligible site for their church, located in Market Street, could be procured on ad- vantageous terms, of Mr. Jacob Alyea, determined to circulate a subscription, to ascertain what encourage- ment they would receive to go onward in erecting a church. On the 13th of January, 1834, the Consis- tory resolved to arrange with Mr. Alyea for his lot, and appointed Moses Dodd to complete the negotia- tion therefor.
On the Sth of July, 1834, the interesting services connected with the laying of the corner-stone of this church were rendered. The Rev. Dr. Weeks, having offered prayer, the Rev. Ransford Wells gave a sum- mary account of the origin of the Church, and then laid the corner-stone, beneath which were deposited copies of the Constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America ; History of the Synod of Dort, by Thomas Scott ; the History of this Church ; several papers relating to the denominations, and the newspapers of the town. The Rev. Jacob Brodhead, D. D., of New York, then delivered an appropriate, interesting and eloquent address, and the exercises were closed with prayer by Rev. Mr. Dodge, of the Baptist Church, of Newark, and the benediction by the Rev. Dr. Brodhead.
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On the 11th of September, 1834, at a meeting of the male members of the Church, it was "Resolved, That a call be made upon the Rev. Ransford Wells, to take the pastoral charge of this Church." On the 17th of that month a call on Mr. W. was duly exe- cuted, having been moderated by Rev. Gustavus Abeel, of Belleville.
On the 6th of May, 1835, the church edifice having been completed, was opened for the solemn dedication services. In the morning the services were rendered. The sermon, by Rev. R. Wells, was founded on Hag- gai, 2: 9. "From this day will I bless you."
In the afternoon Mr. Wells was installed pastor of the Church. On this occasion the Rev. James Ro- meyn preached on 2d Corinthians, 10: 4. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds." The charge to the pastor was by Rev. John Garret- son, of Schraalenbergh, and that to the people by Rev. Benjamin C. Taylor, of Bergen.
This was a great day in Zion for this people. Their hearts were filled with gratitude to God, who was in- creasing them in numbers, in strength, and usefulness.
At this date the number of communicants had in- creased, under the labors of Mr. Wells, to eighty-two. With fresh vigor he and his people addressed them- selves to the work given them to do, in building up this infant Church.
While the people of the congregation, and other citizens of Newark, contributed liberally towards the erection of the outer temple, and the older congrega- tions of the Classis of Bergen co-operated in the
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raising of funds, the Consistory of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church in the City of New York, on the 27th of December, 1834, generously granted to this enterprise one thousand dollars-thus by their kind sympathy and substantial gift, aiding in this good work.
The disastrous times of 1836-37-38, when a revo- lution was going on in the monied affairs of the country, largely contributed to the pecuniary distress of this congregation ; yet a good spirit pervaded the people, and they endeavored to strengthen themselves in the God of their salvation, awaiting a return of" more favorable times for their temporal relief. Their pastor, specially occupied with his master's work, with his wonted vigor, was laboring to build them up a spiritual house. Instant in season and out of season, he held on the even tenor of his way, cheered by frequent accessions to the communion of the Church, both on confession of faith, and by certificate from other churches-the former numbering ninety-three persons, and the latter two hundred and thirty-eight ; thus making, inclusive of those at its organization, a total of three hundred and thirty-one persons received into the communion of this Church, under the minis- try of Mr. Wells, during a period of nearly nine years. It is a pleasant reflection, that although em- barrassed as a congregation in their finances, they were ready for every good word and work, and con- tributed constantly to various benevolent and ecclesi- astical objects.
The season of deepest spiritual interest, under the ministry of Mr. Wells, is thus noted in their annual
16
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report to the Classis, for 1841: "Early in the spring of 1840, an unusual degree of seriousness seemed to rest upon the minds of many in the congregation, and soon after a considerable number were heard to in- quire, ' What must I do to be saved ?' And we have reason to believe, that most of them were guided to the Lamb of God, and made new creatures in Christ Jesus. Since then, there have been gradual acces- sions to the Church, of such as promise to be intelli- gent and stable Christians, and useful in building up the kingdom of our Lord and Savior." In April, 1841, the report shows twenty-eight persons received on confession of faith, and eighteen by certificate, during the year previous.
On the 27th of June, 1842, the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church, (by a committee spe- cially appointed for the purpose), elected the Rev. Ransford Wells the Financial Secretary of the Synod. For a number of weighty reasons, Mr. Wells accepted this appointment, and on the 3d of August, 1842, having previously announced to the Consistory of his Church his obedience to the call of the Synod, they adjudged his reasons for an application for a dissolu- tion of his connection with this Church to be so force- ful, that they yielded their reluctant assent thereto. The Classis, in September, 1842, dissolved the relation between them.
The records of the Church present an interesting series of resolutions respecting the success of Mr. Wells' labors-his eminent usefulness, and their high appreciation of him as a Christian gentleman, and a faithful minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Immediately on the resignation of Mr. Wells, this congregation invited the Rev. Gustavus Abeel to be- come their pastor. This invitation was declined. In November following, they solicited the Rev. James Romeyn to sustain that relation to them. In Decem- ber he finally declined.
In January, 1843, their attention was directed to the Rev. James Scott, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at German Valley, in New Jersey, who was then called to the pastoral office in this Church. Having accepted the call, and been dismissed from the Presbytery of Newton, the call was approved by the Classis, on the 14th of March following, when Mr. Scott was duly received as a member of the Classis, and arrangements were made for his installation, which occurred on the 18th of April, 1843, on which occasion the Rev. Matthias Lusk, of Jersey City, preached the sermon-the Rev. Benjamin C. Taylor, of Bergen, delivered the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. Ransford Wells the charge to the congregation.
Mr. Scott, having for a few Sabbaths supplied the pulpit, was at home with his new charge, and with energy and success prosecuted his work. The tem- poral embarrassments of the congregation began, ere long, to press heavily, and with an augmenting con- gregation, and an improving state of financial affairs in the country, efforts were made to reduce the in- debtedness of the Church. After various movements in that direction, from time to time, an appeal was made to the Consistory of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church in the City of New York for aid. In response to which, an appropriation was voted by
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that Consistory, of three hundred dollars per annum for a term of years. However acceptable this grant, it gave only temporary relief. With a growing popu- lation, and prospect of this Church ere long breaking forth on the right hand and on the left, it became in- dispensably necessary that it should be set free from debt. The importance of this was fully recognized by the Classis of Bergen, at their session on the 19th of September, 1848, when the following resolutions respecting church extension in Newark, were unani- mously adopted :
"Whereas the City of Newark presents, at the present time, a wide field of usefulness for our denomi- nation, which, if not immediately occupied, may soon be irretrievably lost to us; and whereas its location, rapid growth, and influence upon other parts of this state, and on this account of paramount importance to us that our denomination should have a strong footing in it; and whereas the First Reformed Dutch Church, in view of her financial responsibilities, has done all, already, which it is consistent with her own prosper- ity and security to do, in the way of planting churches, having been mainly instrumental in organizing two others in the city within the last six months, there- fore
" Resolved, That the Classis of Bergen respectfully and earnestly solicit the Consistory of the Collegiate Church in New York, to assist the First Church in Newark to liquidate her debt immediately, with a view of enabling her to dismiss families for new or- ganizations, and to occupy, with all dispatch, the lo- calities which Providence seems to point out in that city.
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" Resolved, That Rev. Messrs. Scott, Romeyn, B. C. Taylor, and Garretson, and the Elders J. Van Rens- selaer and J. W. Duryee, be a committee of Classis, to present this document to the Consistory of the Col- legiate Church, and to furnish them with a full state- ment of all the facts concerning this important matter."
On the 2d of April, 1849, a memorial from the Consistory of this Church was presented to that of the Collegiate Church, asking aid, and on the 23d of November following, a committee was appointed, ask- ing of the Collegiate Church the sum of five thousand dollars, of which amount their annuity of three hun- dred dollars previously granted, paid the interest. It having been ascertained that the whole liabilities of the Church were then ten thousand and five hundred dollars, the Consistory and congregation agreed to raise among themselves five thousand and five hun- dred dollars, provided the Collegiate Church in New York would liquidate the remaining five thousand. Vigorous efforts had been made to effect this arrange- ment, and the people responding nobly to the appeal, the amount was pledged by subscriptions. Thus the appeal to the Consistory of New York became irresis- tible. On the third day of January, 1850, the liberal grant was made, of six hundred dollars per annum for ten years, to be uniformly applied to the gradual reduction of the debt-to take effect only when the entire indebtedness should be reduced to five thousand dollars.
It was not long before the grant became available. The subscriptions were collected, and the year of re- lease had come to this Church, which for seventeen
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years had been toiling to rear and pay for their holy house, in which so many tokens of the divine favor had been experienced, and wherein God was continuing to show favors of a holy character, in elevating the piety of his saints, and bringing sinners to the embrace of the Savior.
This house for God is a large, commodious and noble structure. It will long be a monument of the wis- dom, energy, and holy confidence in God, of those who in their feebleness ventured so largely to build for God. If they, and those who have joined with and succeeded that little band of devoted servants of Christ, only review the past, and retrace, reverently, the way God led them along to a blessed result, they surely will feel that they have a large reward. How refreshing to the few who survive of that little com- pany, that on that spot where formerly the sound of the anvil and hammer were ringing the notes of honor- able industry-for more than twenty years the gos- pel trumpet has been issuing forth the notes of salva- tion. Therein may Zion, for generations to come, re- joice in that blessed voice of truth and grace, and send forth her songs of praises to her covenant God and Savior.
Under the ministration of the present pastor, her course, with the divine blessing, has been marked with favor. The increase of her numbers has been rapid and large. To the present time, April, 1856, there have been welcomed to communion, during this pas- torate, on confession of faith two hundred and nine, and on certificate three hundred and four.
She has put forth a good influence through her vig-
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orous and ever efficient Sabbath school-has already sent forth from her communion three young heralds of the cross of Christ, one of whom has just trodden on heathen ground as a foreign missionary, and others are in process of training for the gospel ministry. She has sent out two colonies to constitute new churches in this city, and gathered around her another from the German population. Thus while "the little one has become a thousand, and the small one a strong people," additional fields are opening to her for future enlargement, and no doubt, with the spirit of church extension, she will soon send forth others of her sons- and daughters, in new church associations, to build up and strengthen the Master's cause in this city and its vicinity.
As recently as November, 1856, an application was made by members of this Church, and some of those of the Second Church, under the care of Rev. G. Abeel, D. D., to the Classis of Bergen to constitute them "The North Reformed Dutch Church in the City of Newark," of which we shall give an account.
History of the Reformed Dutch Church of Clintonbille, ( now Srbington.)
THE locality of this Church was long known as Camptown, in Essex County. It lies about three and a half miles to the South-west of Newark.
On the 14th day of January, A. D. 1840, the Classis of Bergen, specially convened at Clintonville, had pre- sented for their consideration, an application for the organization of a Reformed Dutch Church in that place. The petitioners were members in full com- munion of the Reformed Dutch Church, and of other Churches adhering to the same principles and doc- trines, and persons approving the same, though not connected with any church, residents of the town of Clinton, Essex County, N J. There were sixty-seven of such petitioners. Their request was granted. The Rev. Ransford Wells was appointed to superintend the election of elders and deacons, and the Rev. John Garretson to ordain the persons so elected, and thus to constitute the Church. These appointments were [368]
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DUTCH CHURCH OF CLINTONVILLE.
fulfilled, and the Church duly organized on 16th Feb- ruary, 1840, and incorporated soon after. It consisted of twenty-four families and fifteen communicants.
For a brief period, the Rev. Robert F. Breese, of the Presbytery of Madison, in Indiana, supplied this people. Their place of worship was a commodious upper room.
After Mr. Breese had left the place, the desk was supplied principally by the ministers of the Classis. The people were encouraged to adjust their affairs, so as to secure the stated administration of the word and ordinances of God's house.
On the 8th of December, 1840, a call upon Mr. John A. Staats, then a candidate for the gospel ministry, was made by this Church, and duly ap- proved. On the 19th of January, 1841, he was ex- amined for ordination. On the next day the ordina- tion and installation services were rendered, the Rev. John Knox, D.D., of New York, having preached the sermon, on Ezekiel 3: 17. The charge to the pastor was delivered by Rev. Ransford Wells, and that to the people by Rev. Alexander H. Warner.
On July 28th of the same year, Mr. Staats felt it to be his duty to resign his charge, and the Classis found it necessary to dissolve the connection. This unex- pected turn in the affairs of this congregation, was the occasion of disheartening them for a little season.
In April, 1842, Mr. John L. Chapman, a licen- tiate of the Presbytery of Elizabethtown, was invited to become their pastor. The consideration of lis call was postponed until his credentials could be properly presented. This did not occur until Octo- 16*
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ber, 1842, when he was duly recognised by the Classis.
On the 16th of November, 1842, he was ordained to the gospel ministry, in the North Reformed Dutch Church at Schraalenbergh, at the same time with the candidate Cornelius Blauvelt. The Classis also ap- pointed a committee to install Mr. Chapman pastor of the Church at Clintonville, which was in due time done.
For about seven years Mr. Chapman labored assidu- ously in the furtherance of the interests of this Church. He solicited and obtained funds, from time to time, for the erection of the church. It is a tasteful and comfortable sanctuary, erected under the contract of Messrs. William H. Kirk & Co., of Newark. The entire cost of its erection has been paid for by the contributions of the congregation, and the benevolent offerings of the generous members of our own and sister churches.
While the congregation has had some perplexities and anxieties, God has given them success in rearing this house for his worship. They have had accessions to communion to the members of twenty-two on con fession, and twenty-three on certificate-forty-five in all, under Mr. C.'s ministrations. At the close of his pastoral labors, there were fifty families in the con- gregation, and fifty-five communicants.
Mr. Chapman continues to reside in this pleasant village. Here he has established a private seminary for youth of both sexes. From year to year he is sending forth from this institution well educated boys and girls, into the various walks of life, to adorn and bless society. Several of his pupils have entered
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various colleges in our country, doing themselves and their instructor great credit. Others are already act- ing their part in the circles of business, exhibiting their gentlemanly training, and the healthful moral influ- ences of their early instructions under this successful instructor of youth. The young ladies who have been under his tuition, are adorning the domestic circle, and attesting the benefits of his judicious, able and pious teachings.
In April, 1850, the Rev. James Mc Whorter Bruen was called to the pastoral charge of this Church, and installed on the 12th of May following.
Mr. Bruen served this people for about two years. His feeble health compelled his resignation in 1852. He was permitted to admit to communion one per- son on confession of faith, and ten on certificate. He has continued his residence among this people, and with Mr. Chapman, labors by word and deed to foster this feeble Church.
Many changes have occurred among this people, by death and removals, and her interests have fluctuated not a little with these changes.
In November, 1852, the Rev. Andrew B. Taylor was invited to become pastor of the Church, and immedi- ately entered on his labors. His call was approved by Classis on the 7th of December, and his installation soon followed. The Rev. Isaac Ferris, D. D., of New York, preached the sermon; Rev. William J. R. Tay- lor addressed the pastor, and the Rev. J. M. Bruen the congregation.
Mr. Taylor, on entering on his labors here found the congregation much dispirited, and the church needing
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repairs. The assemblies of the people again began to increase, and ere long the repairs of the church were effected, and the lecture room was neatly fitted up.
Mr. Taylor's labors continued until October, 1855, when, having accepted a call from the Reformed Dutch Church at English Neighborhood, in Bergen County, N. J., he entered on his duties there, carry- ing with him the kindest remembrances of the people of his late charge, and retaining their affections for him in large measure.
Under his ministrations, the accessions to commu- nion were four on confession, and four on certificate.
Since the resignation of this charge by Mr. Taylor, the pulpit has remained vacant-the Rev. Messrs. Chapman and Bruen, with other occasional supplies, maintaining the sanctuary services.
The ladies of this congregation have done much to render this sanctuary comfortable and inviting. A generous offer of land for a parsonage house having been accepted, they have adopted, and intend pur- suing measures for the building of the house. With this important appendage, this congregation antici- pate, that in a very few years they will be able to sustain the stated ministrations of God's house, with- out aid from the Board of Missions. This people evidently have a mind to work, and will ere long, no doubt, enjoy the comforts of well appointed con- veniences for the worship of God, and maintenance of the institutions of religion.
The name of this Church has recently been changed to "Irvington."
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DUTCH CHURCH OF CLINTONVILLE.
The pastoral record of this Church is as follows, viz : -
John A. Staats, installed 1841-resigned 1841.
John L. Chapman, " 1842- " 1849. James McWhorter Bruen, installed 1850-resigned 1852.
Andrew B. Taylor, installed 1852-resigned 1855.
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History of the Beformed Dutch Church at Hew Durham.
THE early religious history of the village of New Durham, is identified with that of the Reformed Dutch Church at the English Neighborhood, of which the people of New Durham were a component part ; enjoying for several years the Sabbath afternoon services of their pastor in the building erected at New Durham, the lower part of which was devoted to the use of the district school.
At the session of Classis, 17th of September, 1839, the Rev. Dr. Duryee, in behalf of the Consistory of English Neighborhood, applied to Classis for a recom- mendation to the Board of Missions, for aid in sup- porting the gospel at New Durham; whereupon the Classis, after due consideration,
" Resolved, 1st. That as the people at New Durham are not duly organized into a distinct church, and the Board of Missions may find difficulty in appropriating money to them on that account, and as there is a [874]
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DUTCH CHURCH AT NEW DURHAM.
prospect of growth of population there, the Rev. Dr. Duryee and B. C. Taylor be a committee, to confer with the Consistory of English Neighborhood and the people of New Durham, on the propriety of taking measures to become duly organized as a dis- tinct Reformed Dutch Church.
" Resolved, 2d. That so soon as a Consistory shall be duly organized at New Durham, this Classis will cheerfully recommend said Church to the kind aid of the Synod's Board of Missions."
On the 30th of the same month, the Consistory of the Church at Bergen unanimously adopted the fol- lowing preamble and resolutions :
" Whereas this Consistory have been informed, that the Classis of Bergen have appointed a commit- tee to confer with the Consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church at English Neighborhood, and the part of said congregation residing at and near New Dur- ham, with a view to their being organized into a new and distinct church; and whereas the families resid- ing North of the homestead premises of Mr. George Demott, but which have been heretofore, and now are attached to the congregation of Bergen, may find it convenient to unite in being organized into said pro- posed new church at New Durham, therefore
" Resolved, That should any of said families desire to be so connected with said proposed new church at New Durham, this Consistory will raise no objection thereto ; and that so soon as said church shall have been duly organized by the reverend Classis of Ber- gen, this Consistory will not thereafter seek aid for the support of the gospel in the Church at Bergen
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from said families, nor require of the pastor thereof to perform pastoral visitation in said families."
A copy of the foregoing resolutions was sent to the Consistory of English Neighborhood.
On the 1st of October, 1839, the Consistory of English Neighborhood expressed their view of the inexpediency of a new organization, and on the 7th of that month decided, that " at present" it would not advance the interests of the Church.
On the 30th of March, 1843, the Rev. Dr. Duryee presented a communication from the inhabitants of New Durham, asking to be constituted- a Reformed Dutch Church. It was referred to a committee, who recommended an addition to the former committee, and said committee to have power to inquire into the state of things at New Durham, and if they think it advisable and expedient, to organize a church there, to be under the care of the Classis, and to take such other steps as might promote the welfare of the new church about to be organized.
The committee were Rev. B. C. Taylor, A. H. Warner, and R. Wells. At their first meeting with the Consistory of English Neighborhood and people of New Durham, a preliminary measure was adopted, to fully ascertain the sense of the people and the com- municants at New Durham. On the 12th of April the parties again met, and a formal expression of de- sire for a new church organization was given in a petition to the committee, signed by thirty-nine heads of families, and forty-five communicants, accompanied by a proper dismission of all the forty-five communi- cants from the Church at the English Neighborhood.
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