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 26
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DUTCH CHURCH OF HOBOKEN.
be procured for these renewed services, was the old school house, then the only one in the place. These servants of Christ, did not reach their homes on these occasions, until very late at night, as it was next to impossible to secure an assembly earlier than half- past eight o'clock, P. M. Their labors were cheer- fully bestowed, and the school house was filled with hearers. Hopes began in 1830 to be entertained of securing a church and congregation. At this time, some generous offers from families of the Episcopal denomination, having been made for the erection of a church, and as only one church enterprise could then be successfully prosecuted, the Protestant Epis- copal Church became the first duly constituted in Hoboken. The Rev. Dr. Duryee, however, continued his pastoral oversight of those families in Hoboken, who were identified with the Reformed Dutch Church at English Neighborhood, until the organization of the Church at New Durham, when the care of those families devolved on the pastor of the New Durham Church. Some families at Hoboken were under the pastoral care of the pastor of the Church at Bergen, and continued statedly to worship there until 1850.
In 1848, the Rev. Cornelius C. Vermeule, D. D., having become a resident of Hoboken, caused a room in a large vacant hotel to be fitted up for public service, and renewed the effort to rear a Reformed Dutch Church. Being however in feeble health, he could render service but seldom.
In September of that year, classical supplies were appointed by the Classis of Bergen. The assemblies were growing until the winter season, when the dis-
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comforts of the place rendered a discontinuance necessary.
In April, 1849, the Classis appointed the Rev. B. C. Taylor and W. V. V. Mabon, a committee to visit Hoboken and West Hoboken, with a view to securing the favorable reception of a missionary to the two places. In January, 1850, the Rev. Thomas B. Gregory was commissioned by the Board of Domestic Missions to labor there ; but finding that arrangements had been made at West Hoboken for a Presbyterian Church, his labors were exclusively bestowed in Hoboken. In a little while the upper room of the town hall, on the corner of Washington and First Streets, was obtained as a place of Sabbath services, and Mr. Gregory was so far prospered in his work, that on the 17th of Sep- tember following, an application was presented to the Classis, for the constituting of a Reformed Dutch Church. The Classis appointed the Rev. B. C. Taylor, D. D., T. B. Gregory and P. D. Van Cleef, to organize said Church. On Sabbath afternoon of the 27th of October, in that upper room, the committee, after di- vine service, received the dismissions of eight members, five from Reformed Dutch, two from an Associate Re- formed Church, and one from a Presbyterian Church; also four persons on confession of faith. They super- intended the election of two Elders and a Deacon. The Elders elected were John Vreeland, and J. Dunn Littell; and the Deacon chosen was George Bell.
That venerable man and devoted Christian, John Vreeland, had long been engaged in the service of Christ, and through many scenes of weal and woe, had shared the toils, the sorrows, and the joys of the
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Church at English Neighborhood. His connection with that Church would not have been severed, had he not felt deeply interested in this new enterprise.
The days of his energy were past. His physical system was enfeebled, but much was anticipated from his meek and quiet spirit, his ripe experience, his well established Christian character, and his ever prudent counsel.
It was indeed an impressive scene, on the afternoon of Sabbath, the 10th of November, 1850, when the committee again assembled to complete the organiza- tion of this Church, by ordaining the first Elders and , Deacons. There, beside his young brethren, stood this veteran soldier of the cross, whose snow white locks and tremulous limbs, while betokening his rapid approach to his eternal home, commanded from all present profound respect, as he answered the solemn questions propounded in the use of our admirable form of ordination. His faith, his prayers, his love for Zion, in this his comparatively new place of residence, were ardent.
This scene having ended, another followed. We were in the guest chamber of the Son of God. There, for the first time, the table of our Lord was spread, and the full assembly in the room, with devout rever- ence, looked on, while the little company of twelve disciples sat down together at that table, and com- memorated the dying love of their crucified Savior.
But a few weeks elapsed before the noble hearted Elder John Vreeland was removed from earth, and his glorified soul entered the company of the white-robed elders, in the upper sanctuary of glory.
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This little flock felt the heavy loss. Their faith was tried, and they could only "be still and know that the Lord is God." In April, 1851, this newly constituted Church made its first report to the Classis, which showed twenty families and twelve communicants identified with it, and a Sabbath school of eighteen scholars. One year from that time they numbered twenty-two families and fourteen communicants, and twenty-seven scholars in the Sabbath school.
During this year, this feeble band sought more com- fortable accommodations. Notwithstanding their ex- ceedingly small numbers, they determined to rise up and build. Ground was granted them on the South- west corner of Garden and Fifth Streets. They com- menced their work. The corner-stone was laid about the first day of October, 1852, Their first effort was directed to the rearing of the foundation walls, and a lecture room. In April, 1853, they reported their lecture room completed, and the walls of the main building, connected therewith, as raised about three feet above the surface of the ground. This was a neat and far more comfortable place for worship than the town hall, and far more easy of access. The number of communicants had now increased to twenty-two, and the families numbered thirty-two. Mr. Gregory labored almost single-handed in the raising of the funds to pay for the building, the expense incurred up to this time being fifteen hundred and eight dollars, princi- pally obtained from Hoboken, and the Churches in its vicinity.
In 1854, after experiencing discouragements which were trials of their faith and patience, they say
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in their annual report to the Board of Missions :-
' Faint, yet pursuing,' is our continued motto, not- withstanding the difficulties which have arisen to dis- courage our efforts, by the organization of a New- school Presbyterian and a second Episcopal Church. To these may be added the delay in the completion of our commenced house of worship, arising from the supposed unsatisfactory legal title of the church building lot, offered by the Hoboken Land Company. Although these opposing influences appear discourag- ing, we have the pleasure of saying that the number of church members has increased from twelve at our organization to thirty, of whom one has died, and one has been dismissed, leaving twenty-eight members on our church records in full communion. During the winter the weather and condition of our streets have been unfavorable to the regular attendance of the congregation, but the general attachment of the people to our denomination appears undiminished.
"In relation to our pecuniary affairs, it will be remembered that, at the meeting of the Classis at Bergen last fall, a committee of conference and advice was appointed, to meet with the Consistory as early as convenient, to advise respecting the most eligible location for a house of worship, for which a warrantee deed may be obtained. A committee of inquiry was subsequently appointed by the Consistory, and when ready to report, the committee appointed by the Classis was notified, and at the appointed time a joint meeting was held in the village, locations and terms examined and compared, and two building lots on the East side of Washington Street, between Fifth and
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Sixth Streets, were recommended as the most eligible location; title indisputable; containing fifty-nine feet front by one hundred feet in depth, for three thousand dollars, of which twenty-five per cent., that is seven hundred and fifty dollars, to be paid on taking pos- session, and the remainder on bond and mortgage for five years, on an interest of six per cent.
"Since this proposal and arrangement, the com- mittee of inquiry have endeavored to raise the neces- sary amount, seven hundred and fifty dollars, in shares or donations of twenty-five dollars each, eleven of which have been subscribed.
"In the mean time, it was unanimously resolved that divine worship should be continued in our lecture room, until the above object can be accom- plished."
The foregoing arrangement could not be effected. After many anxieties and toils, the Missionary ceased his labors. The next report, in 1855, most truly describes the changes experienced, and we prefer to let the document do its legitimate work by its inser- tion. It is proper however first to state, that after hearing several ministers preach for them, their choice of a pastor was made on the 21st of February, 1855. The Rev. Charles Parker was unanimously called on the 23d of March, 1855 ; their call was approved by the Classis, and on Sabbath, the 1st day of April, he was duly installed.
Soon after Mr. Parker's installation, the Church, through the Consistory, reported as follows :
"This Church has been vacant for nine months. Our pastor has just been settled among us, and the
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number of families has since increased from fifteen to thirty. We have one Sabbath school, thirty scholars, one Bible class, and four catechetical classes ; a weekly prayer meeting well attended. Family visits by the pastor are frequent. Observance of the Sab- bath good in the congregation, but not in the place. Collections made for benevolent objects quarterly. Prospect of becoming self-sustaining is good.
" We have been in a very low condition for a part of the last year, and things were almost at a stand-still until last fall, when a few of our number began to stir themselves in earnest, and make personal sacrifices to secure acceptable and profitable ministrations for the edification of the Church, which, with earnest prayer and supplication, seemed to be attended with the divine blessing.
" Our prayer meeting, then started for the first time with few attendants, soon began to increase in num- bers, interest, and earnestness of supplication. Our house of worship soon filled up to overflowing, and our place became too straight for us, and now we are bending our energies to build a church as a thing of necessity, to accommodate our increasing congrega- tion.
" And what seems best and most desirable amid all the divine goodness, there seems to be a spirit of in- quiry among some for the way to Zion.
"We are now making subscriptions for erecting a church edifice and getting along well.
" With enlarged accommodations for a congrega- tion, our numbers are likely to double the coming year, and every Christian enterprise meet with a 18*
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liberal response, considering our situation. And we hope and earnestly pray, that the numbers added to us of such as shall be saved, will cause us to report at the close of this year, 'The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.'"
Mr. Parker immediately and earnestly addressed himself to the work of rearing a new and appropriate church. Suitable ground was secured from the Hoboken Land and Improvement Company, located on the West side of Hudson Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, for about five thousand dollars. The church is of brick, fifty feet by forty, and cost between eight and nine thousand dollars, and so constructed as to be easily extended forty feet in depth when necessary.
This has been a successful effort, and the congrega- tion are enjoying their neat and comfortable church, which was solemnly dedicated to God on the 27th of August, 1855. They now number nearly or quite fifty families and forty-two communicants, and have a Sabbath school of fifty scholars. The lecture room on Garden Street has been sold to the Methodist Society, and by them re-sold to " The Hoboken Society of the New Jerusalem."
In accomplishing the great and good work of erect- ing their new church, the congregation have taxed themselves largely, and the tact, energy, and perse- verence of their pastor, have shown his peculiar adaptedness to such a labor of love. His valuable ministrations, we doubt not, will now avail towards building up this people as a spiritual house, holy unto the Lord. With the rapid and constant growth of
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DUTCH CHURCH OF HOBOKEN.
this young city, a cheering prospect of usefulness and success in the Master's service is presented.
The Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church, in New York, have generously aided this congregation, by an annuity for a few years of three hundred dollars.
History of the Third Reformed Dutch Church of Jersey City.
IN April, 1852, a meeting of persons friendly to the organization of a Third Reformed Dutch Church, (in the Forth Ward), of Jersey City, was held at the house of Stephen Garretsen, Esq., when Messrs. Stephen Garretson, Thomas Taber, John Smyth, Henry M. Traphagen, and Lewis D. Hardenbergh were present, and after a free interchange of views in regard to the new Church, adjourned.
A second meeting was held on the 19th of the same month, at the house of Mr. John Smyth, when there were present Stephen Garretson, Thomas Taber, Henry M. Traphagen, John Smyth, Philip Fræligh, Junr., William Gaul, Samuel Knapp, and Lewis D. Harden .. bergh. This meeting was constituted for business, by the appoinment of Stephen Garretson, chairman, and Lewis D. Hardenbergh, secretary. After special prayer for the divine presence and blessing, a petition
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DUTCH CHURCH OF JERSEY CITY.
was signed by all the persons present, addressed to the Classis of Bergen, asking for the organization of "The Third Reformed Dutch Church of Jersey City." Messrs. Garretson and Hardenbergh were appointed to procure additional signatures to the petition, and present it to the Classis.
The committee, on the 20th of April, 1852, appeared before the Classis, in stated session, in the Church at Bergen Neck, and presented the petition, signed by twenty-seven heads of families. The request was unanimously granted, and the Rev. Drs. Taylor and Abeel, with Rev. Paul D. Van Cleef, were appointed as a committee to organize the Church.
On the evening of the 7th day of May, 1852, the committee, after reading of the scriptures and prayer, received on certificate fifteen communicants, eight males and seven females, all from the Reformed Dutch Church at Van Vorst, (now Wayne Street). Immedi- ately afterwards, (the Rev. Dr. Taylor presiding), the first Elders and Deacons were elected. The persons chosen were: Stephen Garretson, Thomas Taber, John H. Smyth, Lewis D. Hardenbergh, as Elders; Peter Hart, John Ludlum, Robert Moore, as Deacons. Their names having been published for three successive Sabbaths, they were duly ordained to their respective offices on Sabbath afternoon, the 23d of May, 1852, the Rev. Dr. B. C. Taylor and Paul D. Van Cleef officiating on the occasion. The Rev. William W. Halloway was present and preached the sermon. The services were rendered in the commodious hall of the building owned by Mr. John H. Smyth, in Grove Street.
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On the next day the Consistory convened, when a certificate of incorporation, according to the usages of the Reformed Dutch Church, and the statutes of the State of New Jersey, was made out, signed and ordered to be filed in the office of the Clerk of the County of Hudson.
On the 1st day of June a committee was appointed to wait on the Rev. William W. Halloway, with the proffer of a call to become the pastor of this Church, who signified a willingness to accept the same. On the 21st day of that month, a communication from him was received, assigning reasons for his final con- clusion not to become their pastor. At the same time the Consistory unanimously agreed to call the Rev. William J. R. Taylor, and on the 24th of the month executed their call, which was moderated by Rev. Paul D. Van Cleef. On the 20th of July Mr. Taylor's acceptance was communicated. His health having been impaired by severe illness, and sore do- mestic bereavement, he delayed entering on his active duties for a few weeks. His term of service however commenced on the 25th of July. His call having re- ceived the approbation of Classis on the 23d, his in- stallation took place in the church in Wayne Street, of which he had been the first pastor, and of which the members of this new Church had been constituent parts. The Rev. Alexander McClure, D. D., preached the sermon ; the Rev. William V. V. Mabon charged the pastor, and Rev. Jacob C. Dutcher the people.
As early as practicable, the effective organization of the several departments of this church enterprise was completed, and within the first year of her exist-
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ence she had most of the auxiliaries of a long es- tablished congregation. The Sabbath assemblies in- creased. The hall in which their worship was con- ducted became too strait for them. The Sabbath school became one of the largest and most interesting in the city. They numbered thirty-eight families.
On the 5th of October a deed was presented to the Consistory, from Miss Anna V. H. Traphagen, for three valuable lots of ground on the West side of Grove Street, between Pavonia Avenue and North Second Street, valued at four thousand dollars, on which to erect a church The grace of benevolence among the people of this infant congregation, during the first year of their existance as a congregation, is truly pleasant to contemplate-their contributions for benevolent institutions amounting to one hundred and six dollars and fifty cents. The amount contribut- ed for the pastor's salary, and regular and incidental expenses, added to those before referred to, amounted to over eleven hundred dollars.
This was a mission Church. The very first year of its existence was but a continuance of the practical working of great missionary principles, beautifully illustrated in the case of the Church of Van Vorst, of which this is an off-shoot. Only six and a half years had elapsed since the Van Vorst or Wayne Street Church commenced its career, under the ministry of Mr. Taylor. It had then twelve fami- lies and eight communicants. In three years it was self-supporting. One year ago it sent forth this branch ; formed entirely from its own communion. Its church edifice had been greatly enlarged and beautified, and
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it had become one of the most liberal contributors to the funds of the Board of Domestic Missions, which had sustained its feeble infancy.
Now, in the providence of God, some of those who originated the parent Church, and he who first minis- tered to them, were again laboring together, pleasant- ly and profitably, to establish another Church of Christ.
During the second year of their existence, the con- gregation had so increased, that its further growth was impeded for want of sufficient accommodation for worship. In their annual report the Consistory say : "this difficulty has been overcome by the erection of a neat and commodious tabernacle for the use of the congregation, until the permanent edifice shall be built. On the 16th of April we occupied this building for the first time, with joy and gladness in many hearts. Al- though two weeks only have elapsed since then, we think that we can confidently report to the Board, that this Church is no longer to be regarded as an experi- ment. Sixteen families have identified themselves with us, who are entirely new-comers, or have hitherto been only casual attendants. Already our pews have rented to the amount of eight hundred and forty-four dollars per annum, with a prospect of considerable enlargement to this sum when the annual change of our population shall have taken place.
"The tabernacle contains seventy slips, and will easi- ly accommodate four hundred and fifty persons. We owe the possession of this timely and pleasant edifice to the wise and Christian liberality of a single gentleman, Judge Stephen Garretson, an Elder in this Church,
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and several times an honored member of your Do- mestic Board. The simple condition on which we hold it, is the payment of interest at six per cent. upon the whole amount expended by him for the purchase of the ground and the cost of the building, (about five thousand dollars). It is located on the South-east cor- ner of Erie and South Third Streets.
"In addition to the amounts given for religious and benevolent objects, (one hundred and fifty-four dol- lars), which is a proportionate increase of one half over the contributions of the previous year, it may not be improper to state as evidence of the spirit of the little flock in sustaining its own interests, that since its organization, scarcely two years ago, there has been given for various congregational purposes, exclusive of the payment of salaries, rent, etc., six hundred dol- lars. And this has been raised almost entirely among ourselves, without fairs or festivals, or calls upon the public. The ladies of the congregation are worthy of all praise for their efforts in this behalf.
"As proof of our earnest attempts to become self- supporting, the Consistory have voluntarily reduced their application for missionary aid in the sum of one hundred dollars. The same was done last year; and with our present prospects of increase, it is possible that we shall not require the full amount of the appro- priation now requested. It is a sacred principle with us to take care of ourselves as soon as possible."
Mr. Taylor's labors among this people were con- tinued until the 14th of November, 1854. Having been called to the pastoral charge of the Third Re- formed Dutch Church, in the city of Philadelphia, he
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was induced, from the circumstances of that congre- gation, peculiar and imperative in their character, to resign bis charge in Jersey City, and remove to Phila- delphia. His pastoral relation to this Church was dis- solved on the 14th of November, at which time the congregation numbered over fifty families and sixty communicants. One hundred and thirty scholars had been gathered into the Sabbath school.
On the day following, the Consistory invited the Rev. J. Paschal Strong, of East New York, to visit the Church, and preach for them on Sabbath, the 26th of November. He did so, to the great satisfaction of the congregation, and on the 29th they promptly called him to be their pastor. The call was moderated by the Rev. P. D. Van Cleef. On the 2d day of Janu- ary, 1855, it was approved by the Classis, and on the 21st of January he was installed. On this occasion the Rev. Gustavus Abeel, D. D., preached the sermon and charged the pastor, and Rev. P. D. Van Cleef the people.
Mr. Strong's labors continued until November 25th, 1856, when, having accepted a call from the Reformed Dutch Church at Acquackanonck, N. J., the connec- tion was dissolved.
At the stated session of the Classis on the 21st day of April, 1857, the Rev. Calvin Selden, of the Royalton Association in Vermont, after the usual examination, was admitted as a member of the Classis. This Church then presented a call upon Mr. S., which hav- ing been approved and accepted, a committee to in- stall him pastor of the Church was appointed.
On Sabbath afternoon the 10th day of May, 1857,
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he was installed. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. P. D. Van Cleef on 2d Corinthians 2: 15. "For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish." The form of ordination was read by the Rev. B. C. Taylor, D. D. The Rev. James Demarest, Junr., charged the pastor, and Rev. Dr. Taylor the people.
The congregation, by report in April, 1856, num- bered sixty-three families and sixty-six communicants. They raised for benevolent and religious contributions, during the year, (other than for their own church pur- poses), one hundred and seventy-eight dollars.
History of the Berman Evangelical Church of North Bergen,
(LOCATED AT NORTH HOBOKEN, HUDSON COUNTY, N. J.)
IN the present township of North Bergen, which lies North of the present city of Hudson, and extends to the Northern limit of the county of Hudson, there has been a remarkable influx of German population. They have purchased extensive farms in every part of the township, divided them into building lots, and have opened wide avenues ; the various land compa- nies, and associations, giving names to their respec- tive plots ; hence, we have the villages or settlements of North Hoboken, West New York, Gættenbergh, Washington Village, Union Hill, New Durham, Fair- field, Weavertown, and West Hoboken, all fast be- coming thickly settled places, the last four of which existed some years before the German population became numerous.
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