USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Dover > Dover dates, 1722-1922 : a bicentennial history of Dover, New Jersey , published in connection with Dover's two hundredth anniversary celebration under the direction of the Dover fire department, August 9, 10, 11, 1922 > Part 16
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SWEDISH TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
From 1872 to 1874 religious services in the Swedish language were held in the Presbyterian Church of Dover. These services were conducted by Mr. A. B. Lilja, then a young man interested in religious work. In 1889 the Swedish Trinity Lutheran Church was organized and Mr. Lilja was ordained as pastor. Since that time Mr. Lilja has had other charges, as at Wilkesbarre, has been a missionary of his people in this country, and has established thirty-three congregations of the Swedish church in Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has worked in New York and Philadelphia in behalf of his people and was instrumental in bringing many Swedes to Dover to work in the D., L. & W. carshops when they were operated here. There are said to have been about five hundred Swedes here then. After the carshops removed from Dover many of the Swedes went away to Cali- fornia, Canada and Michigan.
Rev. A. B. Lilja, D.D., now the venerable pastor of the church at the corner of Blackwell and Mercer streets, has been settled in Dover since 1912. The church numbers seventy-eight members; Sun- day School, 62. Services in Swedish in the morning; English in the evening.
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THE SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH, founded January I, 1889. Situated on the corner of Belmont avenue and Linn street. Known as "The little Church 'round the corner."
Rev. Carl Wesgerdahl, of Newark, comes to conduct services.
FACTS ABOUT THE SWEDISH BETHLEHEM CHURCH (CONGREGATIONAL)
(Organized as a Missionary Association, Dec. 6, 1890.)
The Swedish Bethlehem Church was organized May 26, 1894, with 16 members. Present membership 66. Church building, located at the corner of Union and River streets, was erected and dedicated 1898.
Ministers serving the Church a longer or shorter time :
O. Sjoberg
O. W. Arell
G. D. Hall
G. Bloom
L. Akeson
A. Liljestrand
J. A. Dahlgren
E. Person
F. Jertberg N. O. Lind (The present minister-Located
90 Morris street. Began his ministry in Dover, August 24, 1920.)
The Sunday School has a membership of 90. Young People's Society 43, Ladies' Aid 23.
OTHER CHURCHES
The society of the Free Methodist Church was organized in 1871. The stone building which they occupy on Sussex street was erected in 1872. Rev. G. E. La Fave is the pastor.
In 1872 this congregation used the first church edifice of the First Presbyterian Congregation, then vacant because the Presbyter- ians had erected their second building. A picture of these two Presbyterian buildings is shown in Dover History.
The Free Methodists completed their own stone edifice on Sussex street, on a lot donated by Manning Searing. It was dedicated on December 8, 1872. The cost was $5,000. The Free Methodists advo- cated inexpensive buildings.
Rev. W. M. Parry was their preacher in 1872.
In 1865, in the little town of Perry, New York State, some Metho- dists who believed it wrong for a member of their society to hold slaves or uphold the institution of slavery withdrew from their former church connection and formed the Free Methodist Church, thus regis- tering their conviction that slaves should be set free, and that Christ. ians should live the life of spiritual freedom and holiness.
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The Christian and Missionary Alliance of Dover, N. J., has held meetings here for about eighteen years and is now using the church edifice of the Swedish Methodist Church, 21 Hudson street.
Rev. C. Paul Gates has been the pastor of this society since 1917. Previously services were conducted by students from the Missionary Institute at Nyack, N. Y., a training school, undenominational and interdenominational, founded by the late Rev. A. B. Simpson, D.D., a Presbyterian minister of New York City and Canada.
The society has 350 missionaries in eighteen mission fields.
The Swedish Methodist Church has ceased to hold services. The members have, for the most part, joined the other Methodist churches. in town. The building which they once occupied on Hudson street is now rented to the Christian Alliance, whose pastor is Rev. Paul Gates ..
The Salvation Army has carried on in Dover since about 1900. Their Captain now is Arthur Woodruff and they occupy a newly fitted- up Chapel at 14 South Morris street, next to the playhouse. They conduct a Sunday School numbering 150 to 175. They plan to equip the top floor of their building as a public gymnasium. They have an Advisory Board : Albert Sedgman, Chairman; Eugene L. White, sec- retary ; Edward Jenkins, treasurer ; William F. Birch, Paul Guenther, Charles N. Polaski, William S. White, R. F. Woodhull, Emil Katter- mann, and John Price.
The Gaines A. M. E. Mission has been holding religious services: in the Annex of the Northside School.
The Mt. Zion Baptist Church has been holding services in Youngle- son's Hall for about four years.
There are in Dover about twenty-five disciples of Pastor Russell of Brooklyn. They take the name of International Bible Students, and meet for Bible study.
Adath Israel of Dover, New Jersey, Inc., is the name of the Orthodox Hebrew Congregation that meets Friday evening and Satur- day morning and evening in the hall over Pierson's Clothing Store, 6. West Blackwell street. Services are held in Hebrew. The society was organized October 18, 1917, with thirty-two charter members and. the following officers: Barney Harris, president; Rev. Solomon. Nimoityn, vice-president ; Charles Harris, treasurer ; Milton Goldman, secretary. 1
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MINE HILL
The Mine Hill Presbyterian Church has been associated with the First Presbyterian Church of Dover in such a way that it may be allow- able to include a notice of it in this book of Dover and vicinity.
In the Magie history of Dover churches we learn that Welshmen employed in the mines of Mt. Pleasant and Mine Hill used to assemble for religious service in 1850, led by a Welsh preacher, John R. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins removed later to Ohio. In 1859, this Welsh congregation united with the Dover Presbyterian Church. In 1869, twenty-eight members of the Dover church withdrew to constitute the Welsh Presby- terian Church of Richard Mine, and Rev. John R. Jenkins, returning from Ohio, became their pastor.
Meantime Pearce Rogers had conducted religious services in the schoolhouse at Mine Hill, with a Sunday School superintended by David Jenkins. The pastor of the Dover church often preached there. In 1874, twenty-four members of the Dover church withdrew to consti- tute the Presbyterian church of Mine Hill. Rev. Pearce Rogers was regularly installed as pastor, September 22, 1874. A church edifice was erected and, in the summer of 1879, dedicated free of debt. Mr. Rogers continued as pastor until his death, January 8, 1893.
The Mine Hill church was under the care of Dr. Halloway of Dover, for a time, who arranged for religious services there. Hilliard Gage preached here for a time. Rev. Mr. Todd was pastor for a brief time.
Then Rev. Theodore F. Chambers became the pastor, conducting services also in Luxemburg and Berkshire Valley.
The present pastor, Rev. George McPherson Hunter, was installed, September, 1917. Mr. Hunter has written short stories published in various magazines and is the author of the following books: Morning Faces, When I Was a Boy in Scotland, and Gardens of Green.
In considering how best to secure information about our churches, I first thought it would be well for the ministers' club, if they had one, to take up the matter, collect data, and appoint one of their number to write a discourse on The Function of the Church in the Development of This Community-or any community, for that matter. But this has not been done. If you want to hear from the clergy, attend any church in Dover. I am doing the best I can in the circumstances, as a mere layman. But I want something besides statistics and dates to represent "The Function of the Church," of Religion, in the upbuilding of com- munity life. To fill this gap my historical poem on Mine Hill Church, in commemoration of their pastors, may do duty, although not written for this purpose; and its concluding summary of a sermon by Mr. Chambers may serve as the utterance of the clergy, for which I was seeking, upon this theme.
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MINE HILL CHURCH
LANDMARK seen from afar, stands Mine Hill Church on the hilltop,
Lifting its spire to the sky, a beacon light of the Gospel.
Here was a mining town, the Dickerson Mine and the Byram Made it a busy place, the folk were numbered by hundreds.
5 Men from Cornwall and Wales came over the ocean to labor Here in these New World mines and delve for iron in our hillsides ; Men whose sires were skilled to garner deephidden treasure, Iron and coal and tin-shrewd men with a lineage hidden Far back in times when daring Phoenician seamen and traders
IO Sought for the Briton's tin to mingle with copper, so making Weapons of bronze and utensils better than those of their fathers, Better than wood and stone, for betterment comes with the ages. Long ago were those days when the mystic relics of Stonehenge, Huge, unshapen stones, were marshalled in order mysterious ;
15 Long ago were the days, when, deep in the forest, the Druids Ruled those tribes of the dawn, whose hearts were thrilled by the awesome
Gloom of the ancient oaks of the wood with wide-spreading branches,
Gleam of the glittering stars of the sky, that change with the seasons And by the still, small voice of a Spirit within them and o'er them,
20 Round about them, creative, life-giving, earth-shaping, heaven- ruling.
From those far-away days we come to the church on the hilltop, Landmark seen from afar, the Mine Hill Church where the pilgrim Miner folk of these hills, strong men and women and children, Met for worship when Dominie Rogers stood in that pulpit.
25 Godfearing men they were and here they builded their temple, Lifting their hearts to the God of light who rules in the heavens, Building their lives on his gospel truth, revealed by the Saviour. Heartily they rejoiced in their new built church on the hilltop; Thronged was the house of God-four hundred gathered to worship,
30 Led by their pastor beloved, Pearce Rogers, son of a miner, Miner himself, for gold, then teacher and preacher and head man Over the Millen Mine: he knew the hearts of his people, Knew their ways and their work, their trials, sorrows and hardships. He was a Cornish man, but he knew the Welsh and their country,
35 Knew how to comfort his flock with solace drawn from the Scrip- tures,
Not so learned in books as in the life of his people,
Skilled in the winning of souls, more precious to him than hid treasure.
Who are the folk who have met in days gone by at this altar ? What are the names of those who have rallied so long with their children ?
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40 In this house of God to hear His word, sing His praises Cornish names we find, and mingled with them are Welshmen- THOMAS and JENKINS and BRAY, and CURNOW and ENNOR and WILLIAMS,
BATH and POWELL and WHITTEMORE, TONKING, TREDINNICK and others,
MARTIN, MILLEN and BASSETT-but who can tell all the faithful ?
45 Music-loving, fervent, eloquent, orderly, steadfast ; Not much given to waves of excitement, but holding the standard Ever aloft, though few were their numbers and short were their purse-strings.
David Jenkins, a genuine Welshman and Elder beloved, Founded the Sabbath School, the righthand man of his pastor.
50 Head of the Byram Mine was he, well versed in his calling, Knowing the working of ore and how to deal with his workmen, Caring most for the Kingdom of God, for treasure in heaven. Rogers and Jenkins, they stood shoulder to shoulder as brothers, Pillars, upholding the Church, with hearts of zealous devotion,
55 Seeking and finding the truth divine of the Holy Scriptures As strong men who think for themselves and cherish the wisdom Found in that grand old book, the treasure-trove of the ages. Soon came the long, lean years, when panic reached to these hill- tops,
Years when the mines shut down and the iron foundries of Dover 60 Ceased from their wonted toil, when plenty failed and dread hunger Drove men forth from their homes to seek their fortune wherever Work could be found. First the younger men, lighthanded, light- hearted,
Had to go out and find for themselves, as their fathers before them, Where the world had need of their young blood, vigor, and courage, 65 Founding new homes and learning new trades, if need be, but keeping,
Deep in their hearts the love of the old folks and cherishing ever Memories of the faith and love that nourished their childhood. Now, when the time drew near that many must go from this parish, Dominie Rogers bade them assemble and hear from this pulpit 70 Words of kindly farewell and admonition and counsel. Taking his text from Job, he preached an old-fashioned sermon. Canst thou bind, said he, the Pleiades fast in the heavens ? Freely they wander from zone to zone like the wandering miner, Seen in all parts of the world and shedding sweet influence-like them
75 May you be where you go. I ask you then to look upward, Find these stars in the sky and see them shining above you, Just as they shine to-night-then think of father and mother, Think of the Church on the hill and say, "God bless you and keep you !"
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So he touched their hearts. He loved the stars and observed them, 80 Searching the sky with his glass, as their gleaming hosts shone in glory,
Clearly seen from his house on this wind-swept, heaven-kissed upland.
Far, 'neath the southern skies, a lad from that number, years after, Driving his engine up the Chilean slopes of the Andes,
Leaning far out from his engine cab, saw, shining above him,
85 Brighter than ever, that wandering cluster, the Pleiades, shining. Cheered was his lonely heart at the sight and he greeted them gladly, "God bless the Mine Hill Church !" he cried, as he climbed the great mountains.
So, from hillside and glen, the young men went on their travels; Older men, with homesteads fixed and upspringing households,
90 Stayed and found some way to keep things going ; a remnant Clung to the once-filled Church with ever-stedfast devotion. So, for a score of years, Pearce Rogers preached from this pulpit, Then his voice was stilled, his work for Mine Hill was finished. When Pearce Rogers was called to his rest, when ended his labors,
95 Doctor Halloway then, of Dover, for a brief season, Took us under his wing and brought us teachers and preachers. Hither came Hilliard Gage, a stripling then, full of promise, Bringing the word of truth as taught in the School of the Prophets. Elders Meeker and Ross from Dover Church put their shoulders
100 To our chariot wheels-their memory lingers among us. Parson Todd, for a time, upheld us. Then Dominie Chambers Took his place in the line of Apostolic Succession. When to the little flock of stedfast souls on the hilltop Dominie Chambers became shepherd of souls, but a remnant
105 Yet remained of those who had filled the church to the doorways. "Hold fast!" now was the word, as Doctor Halloway put it, When he preached on the hill at their twenty-fifth anniversary. "Hold fast that which thou hast-no crowded meetings await you. Here is no stately dome, no splendor of rites or of riches.
IIO Staying power is the test of faith and devotion and valor- Sheer, unconquerable grit that stands by its guns undefeated When the first glad cheers give way to the shock of the combat." Such were the words of greeting that Doctor Halloway uttered When to these wild, rough hills his brother pastor he welcomed.
115 Here for eighteen years, with quiet courage and patience, Dominie Chambers stood at his post and preached the pure Gospel. Preachers, like works of art, are different, not a mere copy One of the other, and so the flock may thrive by the changes Brought about by time and Providential disposing.
I20 Son of a scholarly sire, of metropolitan nurture, Versed in the lore of the schools, in art, in science, in letters, Delver in genealogical mines, a local historian,
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Parliamentarian apt, in councils august presbyterial, Weighing with critical judgment and philosophical insight 125 Arguments pro and con, and holding fast to the better, Dominie Chambers made his mark, a man of broad culture, Teaching by what he was, a man withal who could cherish Friendships rooted deep, heartening, cordial, and lasting. Not as a man of the mines, a miner to fellow miners, 130 Spake he to his flock, as did his good predecessor ; Times had changed and he wrought among a new generation. Those who knew no birthplace beyond the billowy ocean, Growing to manhood here, and womanhood, speaking our language, Taught in American schools, and seeking other vocations,
135 Learning other ways than those of their fathers, the pilgrims- These, the upspringing race, confronting new times and new notions, Found in Dominie Chambers a leader and guide, an instructor, Well abreast of his times, yet holding fast to the Saviour,
140 Steering by that Pole Star and never swept from his moorings When the clear, firm faith that cheered the fathers was challenged. Let me tell you now of a sermon that Dominie Chambers Preached in his time : it pleased a friend and the sermon was printed, So that we have his words: already I've told you the story
I45 Of one sermon preached in this Church-the Pleiades sermon, Preached to men who were leaving their homes and the Church on the hilltop.
Found in the ancient psalms, the text is now "A Church-goer"- One who went up to the house of the Lord and worshipped with gladness
When the tribes went up to praise the Lord in Mount Zion. 150 Climbing a hill was then a prelude to worship, a lifting Up of the eyes to the heights, a drawing nearer to heaven, Breathing a finer air with exhilaration of spirit, Taking a wider view of life, rejoicing with others In the name of the Lord, the fountain-head of thanksgiving.
155 Can we catch to-day, with all our inventions and progress- Can we feel and value aright the perennial freshness Of those age-old lyrics of worship sung on Mount Zion ? Human hearts were then as deeply thrilled, as responsive To "the joy of the Lord" as now and uttered their praises 160 In as noble a song as any latter-day choral Sung by a tuneful choir : we still repeat the old anthems, Learning from ancient bards to join in hymning the goodness, Loving kindness and mercies untold of God our Redeemer. So the old tribes went up-Judah and Benjamin, joining 165 With their brethren-never so mighty, so glad, so united As when they met in the Mount of the Lord and sought for his blessing.
When on their waiting hearts the spirit descended, they cherished
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Memories of such hours as life's most precious possessions. Is there still a way for us to seek and to find Him?
170 Are there heavenly gates that we may enter and stand there Rapt in ecstasy keen as theirs, with faith as well founded? Yes, we may come to His house, may enter His other-world portals, Not forgetting our work-a-day life, the duties that bind us Close to our fellowmen, the human ties that unite us,
175 Like the tribes of old, in brotherhood-union ennobling ! Could all nations be led to one great Mount of Assembly, Join in anthems sweet of brotherly kindness and worship, Lift united hearts in prayer and praise to their Maker,
180 Where were then the strife, the envy, bloodshed, and hatred Century-old-the curse that haunts man's history ever ? Pray for a City blest and well-compacted together, Whither the tribes go up, where thrones are set, thrones of judg- ment.
Pray for the peace that reigns within the portals of Zion,
185 Pray for the Coming of Him whose Word of Peace is Hope's anchor.
Then shall this world return as the wandering Dove came to Noah, Then shall the tribes of Earth be glad indeed when the Spirit, Gift of Pentecost, shall dwell in the hearts of God's Children. Such was the faith that was preached from this pulpit by Dominie Chambers,
190 Leading his folk to the Mercy Seat of God our Redeemer.
Written for the Memorial Service of January 30, 1921.
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CEMETERIES
There are persons who remember that there was once a burying ground on Morris street, just about northeast of Ford's Pond. This was done away with after the Dover Cemetery Association was organized in 1854 under the Act of 1851. William Young, the baker, of Dicker- son street, had acquired a garden plot at the end of Orchard street. When the Cemetery Association wished to acquire his garden plot to be a part of the new cemetery, he relinquished it in exchange for two lots on Orchard street.
The "first voters" of the new association were John Sandford, Sidney Breese, Samuel Searing, Moses Hurd, Jabez Mills, Titus Berry, William A. Dickerson, Zenas Pruden, Jacob Segler, Aaron Doty, Byram Pruden, Cornelius B. Gage, William Ford, Edward T. Thompson, Henry D. Tuttle, Jabez L. Allen, James H. Neighbour.
William Young was made president.
At the present time (1922) A. Judson Coe is president, and Lyman M. Smith is secretary-treasurer.
Locust Hill Cemetery Association was incorporated July 27, 1867. Wm. W. Sickles has been president since 1902. Lawrence R. Hancy is vice-president and Harry R. Gill, treasurer. The ground was form- erly occupied in part by the Kelso family for their residence and garden. The place was known as Kelso Hill.
One of the earliest graveyards about here was that of the Quakers at Lampson's farm (1748) where there is now an apple orchard. The graves, in accordance with Quaker custom, were not marked. All the dead were laid to rest on terms of perfect equality, as far as the arrange- ment of burial ground was concerned. A new burying ground was laid out back of the new meeting house of 1758, about a mile west of the one on Lampson's farm. Here, too, the graves showed no names marked on headstones. But Mr. James Brotherton knew the name of each "by heart." When he passed away the knowledge of names and locations was lost.
To care for the meeting house of 1758 and the burying ground back of it "The Friends' Meeting House and Cemetery Association of Ran- dolph Township" was formed on 6th mo., 28th day, 1898. The Trustees are at present : Eugene A. Carrell, president; Fred Hance, secretary ; Charles H. Brotherton, treasurer; Henry Alward, Wheeler Corwin, E. Bertram Mott, Thomas Baker.
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THE MT. SINAI CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
The Dover Hebrew Society was organized in 1882 with ten mem- bers, as follows : L. D. Schwarz, George Feder, Wm. Simon, M. Kings- burg, S. Battlestein, D. Less and H. Heiman of Dover; A. Kaufman of Rockaway, George Harris of Boonton, and B. Fogelson of Stanhope.
A Sunday School was organized by the Society with twenty-two children enrolled. The average attendance was twenty, that of the Dover children being 98 per cent. The Society was in existence until December 14th, 1886-four years; after which most of the original members had moved away from Dover. There are now left but two of the original members-Wm. Simon and H. Heiman.
In 1897 the Dover Hebrew Literary Society was organized with ten charter members, as follows: S. Heller, Wm. Simon, H. Rassler, C. Polasky, J. Lowrie, L. Shreur, P. Livingston, L. Livingston, and H. Heiman. A few months later the membership was increased to twenty. In May of the same year the Society gave its first strawberry festival, which netted a fine profit. In February, 1898, the Society held its first anniversary, which netted $110.03. In May of the same year a deposit of $175 was made in the Dover bank. The treasurer's report in July showed receipts $311.37 and disbursements $109.66, leaving a balance of $201.71. Part of the disbursements were for aid to poor families, amongst whom were some of other faiths.
In September, 1899, the Society bought about two acres of ground for a cemetery, for which was paid $250. Over $350 more was spent on improvements.
In May, 1898, when the United States called out our boys for service in the army, the Society was the first to appropriate $50 to assist the families who were in need of help.
In September, 1899, the name of the Dover Hebrew Society was changed to the "Mt. Sinai Association." In 1904 the Association donated $75 to the Kishineff relief fund and also helped many families who were in need.
The officers of the Association are: Henry Heiman, president; Abram Schoenbrun, vice-president; William Simon, treasurer, and Alexander Davis, secretary.
PART V Military Organizations
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HYMN FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
Lo! 'tis the morning when Liberty rose, Claiming her birthright, my Country, in thee; Liberty, child of a world's mighty throes, Gift of the Father, who reigns ever free.
Far, from the East, see her banner advance, Bright with the life-blood of heroes of old, Fair with the hopes of the day's cloudless glance, Gleaming with light from night's lamps manifold.
Welcome, glad welcome, from ocean's wild wave! Here plant thy banner our coasts to defend ! Welcome, glad welcome our forefathers gave; Blessings for aye on our children descend !
God of the nations, to Thee is our prayer ; Be Thou our helper, our guide evermore ; Grateful, we praise Thee ; O let us still share, Share in Thy smile, as our fathers of yore.
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