USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Essex county, N.J., illustrated > Part 8
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At another meeting of the congregation, held January 23. 1811. of which Rev. James Richards. D. D., was moderator, a call was made out to Mr. Hooper Cumming, to take upon him the pastoral office among them. In April following the congregation was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Jersey ; and on October 3 of the same year. Mr. Cumming was ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, and installed pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church. Rev. Stephen Thompson preached the sermon, from | Cor. i. 21 ; Rev. James Richards, D. D., presided, and gave the charge to the minister, and Rev. Amzi Armstrong, D. D., addressed the people.
The church was organized in October. 1811. At a meeting of the members of the church, held November 6, 1811. when a sermon was preached by Dr. Richards from Hebrew xii. 1, the following persons were elected to the office of ruling elders, viz. : Nathaniel Douglass,
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
Joseph L. Keen and Aaron Ward, the first two were also chosen and set apart to perform the duties of cleacons.
At the organization of the church there were ninety-three members, all of whom were dismissed and recommended by the First Presby- terian Church. The whole number of persons who have been con- nected with the church is two thousand eight hundred and thirty- -eight. Of these, one thousand five hundred and seventy-eight were received on certificate and one thousand two hundred and sixty on examination. At the present time, the whole number in com- munion with this church is six hundred and twenty-eight.
In November, 1895, the Rev Thomas Keed Bridges assumed charge of the pastoral office, and is now the pastor.
REV. DR. LI TILK. D. D.
REV. CARL SCHENK.
EMANUEL M. E CHURCH (GERMAN)
T HIS church was founded in October, 1844, by the Rev. J. C. Sauter, who was sent to Newark by the New York Con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At first he held religious services in the Franklin Street Methodist Church, afterward in a school house in Bank Street. Here he met with much opposition. While preaching the word of God on the second floor, a noted German freethinker held forth on the floor below. Prayer and class meetings held in private houses were frequently disturbed. Yet the good man met with much success, and in October, 1845. the young society bought the old Baptist Church in Market Street, opposite the depot of the present Pennsylvania Railroad, for 82.500. When Kev. J. Sauter was transferred to another field of labor in 1847, he left a membership of eighty-five. A few prominent citizens of Newark took quite an interest in the new enterprise. When
KEV. PAUL QUAITLANDER.
the Society was incorporated (1845), Messrs. David Wood, Wm. B. Douglas, Cornelius Walsh and Dennis Osborne, together with three German brethren- Leonhart Meyer, Louis Hagny and Christoph Stieringer -constituted the first Board of Trustees. Not all the successors of Mr. Sauter were as fruitful as he. Indeed, his immediate successor had to be deposed from the ministry. In 1848 the Rev. J Swahlen, the first convert under the labors of Dr. Wm. Nast, was sent to Newark to repair damages, but he too was followed by an unworthy man who, however, was speedily removed.
A list of succeeding pastors and the dates of the beginning of their labors may not be uninteresting : C. Hoevener, 1850 ; J. Sauter. 1852; F. G. Gratz, 1854; W'm. Schwartz, 1855; C. H. Afferbach, 1857; J. Sauter. 1858; H. Kastendieck, 1859; J. F. Seidel. 1860; F. W. Dinger, 1862; H. Kastendieck, 1864; C. Jost, 1866; J. W. Freund, 1869 ; P. Quattlander, 1872 ; II.
Kastendieck, 1875 ; J. C. Deininger, 1878; J. W. Freund, 1881; G. Abele, 1884; L. Wallon, 1887; P. Quattlander, 1892 ; A. Flammann, 1 896.
In 1871 the property on Market Street was sold for 820,000 and the present edifice erected on the corner of Mulberry and Walnut Streets, at a cost of $33,000, in- cluding the building lots. An ex- cellent cut of the building will be seen on another page.
The membership of the church is at present comparatively small. Very few of its original members remain, and the young people have been and are drifting away, seeking their church homes in English speaking congregations. Indeed, this church has been, to a large extent, a nursery for other churches. 1 here are scattered all over Newark in the English speaking Methodist,
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KEV. J. N. MORRIS.
49
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
Presbyterian and other churches, those who have once been members or Sunday School scholars of this church. Some twenty years ago the writer of these lines took pains to trace, as far as he could, those who went out from this society and joined others, and to his own surprise found that the number was very large, that if brought together they would fill any church building in Newark. Still the society is free from debt. self-supporting and gives annually from $Soo to $1,000 to the various benevolences of the church.
THIRD GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
THE Third German Presbyterian Church was organized T Monday, March 30, 1863. in the Lecture Room of the Sixth Presbyterian Church on Union Street, opposite Hamilton. In the same year the congregation bought lots corner Ferry and Madison Streets, where their first chapel and parsonage were erected.
The Rev. Geo. C. Seibert, Ph.D., D. D., was the first pastor, viz .: from October, 1863, until October, 18;2. The Rev. Oscar Kraft succeeded Dr. Seibert, and remained until March 17. 1874, when the St. Stephen's Church was formed from part of the membership, with whom the Rev. O. Kraft went.
In the spring of 1875. the Rev. Julius H. Wolff was called, and was installed as its pastor on the ninth day of June, 1875. who is still the pastor of the church Under his administration. the old property corner Ferry and Madison Streets was sold, and a new site corner Hamburg Place and Ann Street was 5 f
purchased in 1882.
In 1883 the new church, as shown in the illustration, was erected, with a seating capacity of 450.
NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
1
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THIRD GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In 1884 the parsonage was built, and in 1891 the first story of the Lecture Room was added, which was completed in 1895.
The church has now. (1897) 200 communicants, a flourishing Sabbath school with 400 scholars, and a thrifty Ladies' Aid Society and a Young Peoples' Aid Society.
The property represents an actual expense of thirty-one thousand dollars.
ST. PAUL'S M. E. CHURCH
IN all probability, no church in Essex County has exercised a 1 wider range of usefulness from the moment of its organization than St. Paul's M. E. Church, her history dating back to Feb- ruary, 1853, when she began her career with a roll of one hundred and twenty-two members. Of these, many were leaders in business and social life, and all were devoted Christians, Methodists, per se, and followers of Wesley, the divine. Full laden with affilaties of love and with an ardency of effort which would brook no delays, a brilliant promise of success was present from the start. As above stated, the church organiza- tion did not take place until February, 1853. but from a charm- ing little tributary work from the pen of Mrs. A. F. R. Martin, entitled " A Glance Backward," we find the following facts : "Forty-two years ago May, 1896, a band of Christian workers, talking together, considered the subject of organizing a new church, and before they parted this church was successfully begun. For when did ever earnest disciples 'consider' a noble work without successful issue? "
From that night, interest in the project never flagged, the workers never halted in their purpose. A few months after- ward the property on which this church stands was selected, and the first payment made. Two months later work on the chapel was begun.
The enthusiasm of the little band continued unabated, and the work went forward rapidly. Another two months passed, and
50
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
on February 9. 1853, a church was organized with one hundred and twenty-two members, to be known as the Broad Street M. E. Church. Within the week following a hall was rented in which to hold services until the chapel should be completed. The next Sabbath, February 20, 1853, the first sermon was preached by the Rev. Chauncy Schaffer, and the first Sunday School was assembled, with Elias Francis and Charles Camp- bell superintendents, both of whom served in this capacity for fifteen years. Both are now gone to their reward, while their children and children's children stand in their places.
In April, the Rev. Win. P. Corbett was appointed pastor. On December 29. the chapel was opened for religious service and ten thousand dollars raised toward the church.
In 1854, Rev. Henry Cox was appointed pastor, and work commenced on the church. At the laying of the corner-stone October 26, six thousand dollars was subscribed. February 26, 1856, the church was dedicated by Bishops Simpson, Pierce and James, of sainted memory. July 16, 1862, the pews were rented to the highest bidders, an innovation for the Methodist Church in those days.
That the career of St. Paul's (the new name adopted in 1865) has been truly phenominal none will doubt, and this partly accounted for by the fact that from the beginning she has num- bered among her membership many strong men and women who always stood ready to help, and were always willing to make the required sacrifice to push on the work of making St. Paul's the equal to any other Methodist church in the county.
The noble self-sacrificing band of Christian men and women who have gathered around the shrine of St. Paul's from the very begining, labored ever to promote St. Paul's welfare, and insure the church's advance and prosperity, by bringing such an in- fluence to bear on conferences that would prove irresistible in securing the appointment of men of cloquence and men of power to fill their pulpit-in a word, men whose words leaped
THE GERMAN UNITED EVANGELICAL ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
GERMAN M. E. CHURCH.
from lips which had been touched with live coals from the Altar Sacrificial.
And who, we ask, can say, we may when we mention the names of such bright particular pulpit stars as Schaffer, Corbit Cox, Lore, Arndt, Heston, Vail. Baker, Hanton, Wilson, Dashiell, Meredith, Tiffany, Sims, Todd, Baldwin, Boyle. Parson, and Baker again, all of whom have filled the pulpit of St. Paul's, if it was not their burning words falling on the ears of the tens of thousands, who were irresistibly drawn within the influence of their religious field, while the dynamo of their power was sending volt after volt of gospel truth, against the citadel of sin, leading them to fall down like the jailer of old and cry out, " What shall I do to be saved?" This had much to do in giving to St. Paul's the good name and fair fame enjoyed to-day. Speaking of these men Mrs. Martin says : "Seven of them have passed on at the master's summons, ' It is enough, come up higher.' "
If memory serves us right, 'twas under the preaching of Dr. Dashiell, that he who was a tower of strength to St. Paul's for the closing years of his grand Christian life, General Theodore Runyon, our late Ambassador to Germany, was brought to the foot of the cross.
Mrs. Martin says: " Dashiell, a tower of strengh, with his magnetic presence attaching all to him, and binding them with golden bands of friendship forever." Also she says, Corbit, the fearless warrior, who would take the kingdom of Heaven by storm. Continuing, Tiffany the elegant, " as pleasant songs at morning sung, the words dropped from his tongue, strengthened our hearts." Space will not permit more, but with such an array of clergy, brilliant to " cast the net," it is little wonder that a multitude of fishes should be enclosed. Among those who have acted well their part, and have contributed of their worldly goods, mental love and of their influence to make the church what she is, we have only room to mention Ambassador
51
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
Runyon, who, with the beloved Dashell, has been called up higher. It will be remem- bered that General Runyon's Bible Class had no superior under his influence.
Ex-Judge J. Franklin Fort, who for a score of years was Superintendent of the Sabbath School, Franklin Murphy, Esq, a tower of strength in deeds of beneficence, Mrs. A. F. R. Martin, from whose sketch we have quoted, Mrs. E. B. Gaddis, and many others whom it would be our delight to make record of in "ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED." In the membership of St. Paul's, there is material abundant for a grand army devoted to the spread of truth, the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom on earth.
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH.
T THE Reformed Dutch Church, which stands on Springfield Avenue, corner of New Street, is one of the oldest in the village, having been in existence when the village was known as Clintonville. On the afternoon of June 33, 1839, the Clintonville Sabbath School was organized in the school room belonging to Alvah Sherman. At the time of organization the scholars numbered about fifty, and the following officers were elected : Patron, Isaac Watkin ; Superintendent, William M. Summers ; Librarian and Secretary, Alvah Sherman. Public worship was held regularly on each succeeding Sunday in the same building, when there was volunteer preaching by well- known ministers.
At a meeting of the Reformed Church Classis of Bergen, N. J., held Tuesday, January 14, 1840, a petition for the organ- ization of a Reformed Dutch Church, and signed by sixty-seven of Irvington's then best known citizens, was presented. The
GRACE EVANGELICAL ENGLISH-LUTHERAN CHURCH.
petition was received with much favor by the classis, and the request was granted On Sunday, February 2, 1840, the Re- formed Dutch Church was organized, with William Ashley and Isaac Watkins as elders and William Summers and Abraham Baldwin as deacons. Services were held in the school room of Alvah Sherman and the first sermon was preached by Rev. J. Garretson, of Belleville. Rev. John A. Staats, of New Bruns- wick, was installed first pastor of the church, December 10, 1 840, and he remained with the church for one year.
The first church building was erected in 1842, and was dedi- cated Wednesday, December 28, of the same year, at which time the installation of Rev. John L. Chapman took place. Rev. Mr. Chapman, who has since died, preached in the church until 1849, when he resigned. He was followed by Rev. James M. Bruen, who preached until 1852, and who was succeeded by Revs. James Devine and A. McKelvey, and in 1861 the late Rev. Henry Veshlage was chosen and re- mained until his death, which occurred in March, 1894.
Since the death of Rev. Henry Veshlage a number of able ministers have preached to the congregation on trial, but a choice was not made until July, 1895, when a unanimous call was extended to Rev. David H. Chrestensen, of Milford, N. Y. Rev. Mr. Chrestensen was born at Andes, Delaware County, N. Y.
CENTENARY M. F, CHURCH.
52
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
In 1884 he graduated from the Delaware Literary Institute, in 1889 from Hamilton College at Clinton N. Y., and in 1892 from Auburn Theo- logical Seminary. Hle then accepted as a charge the pastorate of the Milford, N. Y., Presbyterian Church , which he held at the time of his call to Irvington. Mr. Chrestensen is an untiring mission worker and spent the entire summer of 1 890 in North Dakota doing Sunday School mission work. During the summer of 1891 he preached at Amboy, N. Y.
The church at present is in a very united and prosperous condition and with their new pastor and a new two- manual pipe organ, they expect to build up the church to its standing of former years. It is proposed to make the musical services a special feature, as there are some very fine trained voices in the choir.
REV. JULIUS II. WOLFF.
REV. CHAS HASTINGS DODD, D. D.
THE GERMAN UNITED EVANGELICAL ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.
THIS church is located on the corner of Ferry Street and Hamburg Place, and was organized on March 17, 1874. Rev. O. H. Kraft was their first minister. Services were held in Mr. Reichert's carpenter shop on Van Buren Street, until the church was erected and dedicated, on Dec. 13, 1874. The cost of the building was about $28.000.
Rev. O. H. Kralt left the congregation through the summer of 1878, and followed a call of St. Marcus Congregation, in Buffalo, N. Y. His successor is Rev. R. Katerndahl, who was at that time pastor in his first congregation in Illinois. Under his lead- ing the congregation grew slowly but surely, and counts at present a membership of more than four hundred families. The trustees are, C. Eggert, J. Scheel, P. Schückhaus, Ph. Metz, C. Hammel, T. Schaut, and J. Stiehl. The elders are J. Waltz, Ph. Kaufmann, G. Fey, G. Wetzel. H. Geppert ; organist, and Ludwig Wagner, sexton, filling their place as long as the church has stood.
REV. A. FLAMMANN.
SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH
N TRACING briefly the rise and growth of the South 1
Church, it is but just at the outset to say, that it originated in no selfishly factious or partisan spirit, but in profound and sacred convictions of duty, and in an honest, earnest purpose to extend the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, and advance the views which Baptists hold. With the movement the Mother Church was in fullest sympathy from its inception till its success was perfectly assured. Those who remained in the old home on Academy Street and those who went out to set up house- keeping on Kinney Street counseled over the enterprise together, prayed over it together, gave of their means for starting it together, and when the time came for separating they went apart, not as contentious children who could not abide under a common roof, but as loving members of a single family. invok- ing on each other the best of blessings. We mention this simply as an illustration of Christian large-heartedness, and "to the praise of the glory of His grace."
On the evening of February 18, 1850, thirty-seven brethren and sisters, bearing a general letter of dismission from the First Church, met in that house of worship to organize what was then named and is still called, the South Baptist Church, of Newark. By rising they formally entered into fellowship, and then proceeded to elect officers and adopt a covenant and articles of faith.
At a subsequent meeting, eight others were received as constituent members, making a total of forty-five; and on the first Tuesday of March public recognition services were hekl. Henry C. Fish offered the prayer, E. 1. Magoon preached the sermon. Henry V. Jones gave the hand of fellowship, and Simeon J. Drake de- livered the charge. Of these honored brethren, the preacher of the sermon only remains to share in the conflicts
REV. F NIFRUHR.
53
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
and conquests of the militant church. At the time of the recognition, Dr. Ilague had already been called to the pastorate and the sanctuary on Kinney Street was well under way. The lecture room of the new house was occupied on the 14th of April, and on the 18th of July the finished structure, free from debt, was set apart to the worship of the Most High. Three years of abundant prosperity were vouchsafed, during which the membership grew to more than 200, and then, greatly to the regret of his people, the first pastor went his way.
In March, 1854, Dr. O. S. Stearns, now a professor in the Theological Seminary at Newton, Mass., was called to the vacant place, but before a year had passed the brethren at Newton Center, coveting earnestly the best gifts, were seeking to allure the pastor to that field, and presently their persuasions prevailed and the South Church again was shepherdless.
In the autumn of 1855. Dr. James L. Hodge succeeded to the charge. Some gracious ingatherings were enjoyed, and the general interests of Zion were well maintained. Two years. however, brought the relation to an end, and now for eleven months there was a dependence on supplies.
In October, 1858. Dr E. M. Levy, of Philadelphia, began his labors-labors which extended over a period of ten years, or double the time covered by any other pastorate. During this term the church edifice was remodelled and beautified, the organ purchased and revival mercies extensively enjoyed.
Dr. John Dowling came next, and remained for three and one-half years. He gave to the South Church about the last pastoral service of a life which was abundant in labors, fruitful in results, and is fragrant in memory still.
Dr. George A. Peltz was Dr. Dowling's successor. He min- istered to the flock acceptably till the close of 1875, when he resigned, to give himself more exclusively to Sunday School work.
In the spring of 1876, Dr. Charles Y. Swan took the charge. A strong spirit overestimated and so overtaved the frail body that housed it, and amid displays of saving grace he was laid aside, and after months of wasting, bravely borne, he was not, for God took him.
In November, 1880, Rev T. E Vassar, D. D., became pastor, remaining with the church seven years and laboring with great efficiency. He was succeeded by Rev. John English.
TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, IRVINGTON.
The present pastor (1897), Rev. R. M. Luther, D. D., assumed this relation June 1, 1891. The official list of the church, May, 1897, is as follows: Pastor, R. M. Luther, D. D. Deacons .- Jerome Taylor, John C. Boice, Thos. S. Stevens, N. A. Merrit, Arthur W. Palmer, Jeptha D. Runyon. Trustees. - Caleb H. Earl, Samuel O. Baldwin, S. O. Nichols, Wm. F. Utter, J. D. Runyon, Walter Drake. Clerk of the Church, Sayres O. Nichols.
THE NEW YORK AVENUE REFORMED CHURCH.
HE New York Avenue Church was first organized as the T Second Reformed Church in 1847, and its first house of worship was built at the corner of Ferry and Mcwhorter Streets, the next year.
In the year 1888 the church removed to the chapel already completed on the new site at the corner of Pacific Street and New York Avenue.
The corner-stone of the new church was laid October 6, 1891, and on December 5. 1892, the present house of worship was dedicated as the New York Avenue Reformed Church. The following is a list of the pastors of this church : Rev. Gustavus Abeel, D. D) , 1850-1865 ; Rev. Matthew B. Riddle, D). D., 1865-1869; Rev. Cornelius Brette, D. D. 1870-1873 ; Rev. F. V. Van Vranken, 1873-1880; Rev. John A. Davis, D. D .. 1 8So-1889; Rev. A. J. Sullvian, 1890-1891 ; Rev. John S. Allen, 1892.
The present pastor began his work in October, 1892, with a new church but a heavy debt of some $15,000. This debt was raised, and the Christmas bells of 1895 rang in a free church.
The church is a model of architectural grace and is finished in pressed brick, trimmed with brown stone. It has a large auditorium with a seating capacity of over 700. The acoustic qualities are perfect.
The founder of this church, through whose efforts it was established, was the Hon. William H Kitk, who for nearly fifty years was an officer and leader in the work of this church.
Foremost among the supporters of this church is Mr. Joseph S. Mundy, to whose generous gifts the success of the church is largely due.
The church, through the Richard's Trust Fund, maintains an industrial school on Clover street.
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
THE FIRST GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
I N 1839, Rev. K. A. Fleischmann began to preach to the Germans of Newark, and made the beginning of what was to become the First German Baptist Church Those who were converted at that time, became members of English churches, until the German church was formally organized in 1849. Rev. S. Kuepfer became the first pastor. He served the church until 1851, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. Hueni. At that time the church had only thirty members. After a successful pas- torate of four years be resigned, leaving the church with a men- bership of fifty-eight. In 1856, a call was extended to Rev. C. Bodenbender, who served the church for five years.
Until 1861, the work suffered greatly for want of a house of worship, the church having met in rented rooms often unfavor- ably located. At this time, the German Presbyterians on Mercer Street (now located on Morton street) offered their edi- hice for sale. This was purchased and repaired, and served as a house of worship until 1874 In 1862, Rev. J. C. Haselhuhn accepted the call of the church. He remained until 1869, and the church greatly increased in numbers During his pastorate a mission was started in the 12th ward, which subsequently became the Second German Baptist Church, cor. Niagara and Paterson streets.
The next pastor was Rev. J. Trumpp. During his pastorate the present church edifice was built Rev. G. Knobloch served the church for fifteen and a half years. The present pastor (1897) Rev. F. Niebuhr, has been with the church since 1892. The church is in a prosperous condition, having a membership of 277. A lady missionary, Miss C. Kraft, works in connection with the church. The board of trustees consists of the follow- ing members : A. Buermann, President ; J. Klausmann, Secre- tary ; J. J. II. Mueller, Treasurer ; C Huber. G. Bauer, K. Schmidt, F. Nuse. The church has two Sunday Schools, of which, H. D. Vogt is Superintendent ; F. Sorg. Vice-Superin- tendent ; H. Sauermann, Secretary. There is also a Woman's Society, Mrs. J. Klausmann, President ; Mrs. J. Nenninger. Sec- retary ; Mrs. C. Huber, Treasurer. A Young Peoples' Society. II. D. Vogt, I resident ; E. Wohlfarth, Vice-President ; A. Mar- quardt, Secretary ; C. Koos, Treasurer ; and a Society of Willing
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