History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 119

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840

USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 119
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 119

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

to ascertain; however, wecan give those for ISSI, as follows :

Elders, 1 .. Boy len, 1 A. Alling. D. Price, Il Alling. R. Italt. A. G. Woodruff, J I. Huntington and F. M Douglas, Trustees President. J II Huntington ; Secretary, J. H. Les. F. A Wing, W. D. Carter, J ". Mandeville, Dr. W Rankin. Ommunsanta, four hundred and eleven.

Plane Street Presbyterian Church (Colored) .- This church was organized in 1536, and created a house of worship the same year, and in 1852 the elitice was rebuilt. For a period almost equal to that in which the chosen people of God journeyed through the wilderness these people witnessed the scourging of their rare, but

" The Land! He failed the Red Sea waren, h Roll'd thein back again : He spoke the word, that night they're slaver, Today the Lund's free men."

Through all the long years of their people's tribu- lation, since the church was erected, they remained faithful. Under the ministry of Rev. E. P. Roger-, many were gathered into the church. He labored hard to elevate his people, and after remaining thir- teen years went to Africa as a missionary, and died in that far-off' land. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Thompson, who remained until 1870. He was fol- lowed by Rev. W. M. Morris, 1872-74; Rev. Isaac W. Davenport, 1877 to 1884.

The above data was compiled from files of the Daily Advertiser of Newark, and "Newark City Directory," the pastor refusing to furnish any infor- mation for church history.

Central Presbyterian Church .- On the 31st of January, 1837, the Presbytery of Newark was con- vened in the lecture-room of the First Presbyterian Church, on which occasion "the following persons, viz: Charles C. Williams, Calvin Baldwin, Ezra D. ('rane. Josephus W. Saunders and Nathan Hedges appeared before Presbytery and requested, on behalf of themselves and sundry individuals in the city of Newark, that they might be organized into a new church to be styled the C'entral Presbyterian Church of Newark.

"The Presbytery having heard the reasons for this request, resolved that it be granted. And it was resolved further that Rev'ds Gideon N. Judd, A. D. Eldy and Selah B. Treat be a committee to organize said church, and that they proceed immediately to the discharge of their duty."

This was in the forenoon of the day; and Presby- tery, after the adoption of these resolutions, took a recess till two o'clock in the afternoon. During the interval of this recess the church was organized, and when the Presbytery again convened at the hour appointed for the afternoon, the committee having this matter in charge reported the fact of the organi- zation, with a membership of sixty persons received by certificate from other churches, and that three elders had been elected and duly set apart to that office.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

A call was then laid before the Presbytery from the said church, addressed to the Rev. Charles Iloover, who had at a former stage of the proceedings of Presbytery been received from the Presbytery of Elizabethtown, which call having been read and approved, was placed in the hands of Mr. Hoover, and by him accepted. The Presbytery then made arrangements for his installation at seven o'clock on the evening of the same day, at which time the installa- tion took place, when Rev. David Magie, of Elizabeth- town, preached the sermon from Romans xi. 13,- " For Ispeak to you, Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." Rev. A. D. Eddy presided and gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. John Ford to the people.

The records of the session inform us that the petitioners for this new organization had previously advised with the sessions of all the other Presbyterian Churches of the city,-then only three in number, now sixteen,-and had entered upon this enterprise with the approval of them all; that the elders who had been chosen and set apart to that office for the church were James N. Hedden, Charles C. Williams and Daniel Price; and that the following persons were elected trustees : John Hays, Calvin Baldwin, Ezra D. Crane, Josephus W. Saunders, Nathan Hedges, Frederick B. Betts and Daniel D. Benjamin.

Thus this church was organized and fully equipped with the requisite officials for church life and church work, with a fair complement of members, and all in a single day. Only three of the sixty original con- stituents are now in connection with the church with which they thus early identified themselves, viz. : Joseph Dalrymple, Mrs. Martha L. Pierson and Mrs. Caroline C. Douglass. Others of the number are still living, but in other church relations. Only a smuall remnant of the whole, however, are anywhere within the pale of the visible church ; the larger major- ity of them have entered upon their eternal reward.

The first need of this new church organization was a place of publie worship. This was obtained, till better accommodations could be provided, in a public hall, over a market-house, which at that time occu- pied the site of the present opera-house, on the corner of Market and Church (now Halsey) Streets.

The names of the sixty original members were as follows : Josephus W. Saunders, Mrs. Sarah V. Saunders, Mrs. Eliza A. Hoover, Andrew Lemasseno, Frederick B. Bette, Mra. Catherine Betts, Trona Ann Young, Jurul Johnson, Mra. Hetty B. Johnson, Joseph Dalrymple, Mrs. t'aroline Dalrymple, Win. Burnet, Mrs. Catherine Burnet, Silas M. Tinkl, MIru. Harriet Told, Jonathan Fierson, Mrs. Martha L. Pierson, Daniel Price, Mrs. Charity Price, Nathan Helger, George Crane, John Crane, Calvin Ballwin, Ann Burroughs, Esther Marsh, Mrs. Joanna M. Denn, Ezra D. Crane, Mrs. Mary P Crane, Richard C. Pitt, Mrs. Jane Pitt, John Hays, Mrs. Phobe O. Haya, Daniel Y. Harrimm, Mix. Mary N. Harrison, Joanna Fimter, James N. Hedden, Charles ('. Williams, Mre. Kliza Williams, Isaur Tucker, Mra. Turker, Isaac W. Crane, Mrs. Elizabeth Crane. Nancy Mourehome, Alex. F. Cobly George Freeman, Mrs. Harriet Freeman, James Benton, Mrs. Kliza Henton, D. B. C'rune, Mrs. Crane, Them. A. Brown, Mary Ann Hughes, Wm. R. Todd, Mrs. Tind, Silas Ford, Mre. Ford, Bartholomew West, Charles Austin, Mrs. Austin, Care-

How long the congregation continued to worship here we have no means of knowing, as the session records give no information of such matters, and the earliest date of the records of the trustees submitted to our disposal is that of Jan. 16, 1839, from which we learn that the congregation has erected, and at this date is occupying, its new place of worship.

FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE .- In the records of the Session, dated June 7, 1838, we find this minute: "The house of public worship now erecting for this church not being sufficiently advanced to admit the congregation until after the August communion season, it was agreed to recommend to our members to observe that occasion in the sister churches of the city, at its next administration." From this we infer that at this time the congregation had no suitable place in which they could administer the Lord's Sup- per to their own communicants, and hence they were advised to seek the privilege of observing this sacra- mental ordinance wherever else it was most conven- ient or desirable for them to do so. August 19th the church edifice is represented as ready for occupancy, and the Lord's Supper was first administered in it on the second Sabbath of September following. As early, therefore, as the fall of 1838 they had brought to completion and dedicated their first church building. It was a plain and simple frame structure of eighty feet by forty, erected on a leased lot of one hundred feet by sixty, on Market Street between Washington and Halsey Streets, at the cost of about three thous- and five hundred dollars. The building still wit- nesses for itself-but not in its original capacity-as one of the city's structures, on the same site. It has undergone considerable modification to adapt it to the other than church uses for which it is now oecu- pied, and in its present disguise it cannot be readily recognized without the aid of some topologist to designate its distinct whereabouts.

The first communion after the organization of the church occurred on the Wth of March, 1837, when sixty -four members were added to the original sixty. Of this latter number were Joseph Gould and Sarah Baldwin, widow of the late Calvin Baldwin. They were both living in 1878.

The first Sabbath of January, 1839, Calvin Baldwin and Ezra D. Crane having been elected elders, Mr. Baldwin was ordained to that office, but Mr. Crane did not see his way clear to accept so responsible a position.

Rev. Mr. Hoover tendered his resignation of his pastoral charge of the church, for reasons not re- corded, which was accepted by the congregation Dec. 23, 1839, with expressions of regret for the occasion, and undiminished confidence in their pastor, and the kindest regard for himself and family. This relation was dissolved by the Presbytery, Jan. 21, 1840. The first pastoral settlement, therefore, continued through three years, less ten days.

During the entire term of Mr. Hoover's pastorate,

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RELIGIOUS INTERESTS OF NEWARK.

the total number of members received, embracing those who came in with the organization, was two hundred and twenty-four, of whom fifty were by pro- fession and one hundred and seventy-four by certifi- cate. Of these, one hundred and forty united with the church during the first year of its existence.

Mr. William Belden, Jr., a licentiate of the Third Presbytery of New York, was called to succeed Mr. May 26, 1842, Messrs. Stephen G. Gould and Jon- athan Pierson were chosen as ellers, and installed ax such Sabbath, June 5th, they having been previously ordained. Iloover, March 9, 1840, and the call was accepted by him at a meeting of the Presbytery, April 21st. He was ordained and installed as pastor on the 6th of the following May. Rev. Ebenezer Cheever preached the sermon,-subject not recorded ; Rev. William R. Meeks, D.D., proposed the constitutional questions and offered the ordination prayer ; Rev. A. D. Eddy delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Samuel : Halsey and Dr. L'Hommedieu having been ordained Fisher, D.D., to the people.

Dec. 30, 1839, the records show the existence of a Ladies' Sewing Society, with a credit to them of $14.46 as the proceeds of their industry, and of sub- scriptions obtained and collected by them, amounting to $49.10, which, with other sums donated for the purpose, cancelled a bill of $95,51 for carpets.

Jan. 12, 1840, it was " Resolved, that the church committee be instructed to procure and have erected a stove for the more effectual warming of the church, and that it be done immediately, and that the said committee use all due economy in said purchase and erection."

This little paragraph serves to illustrate the spirit of economy characteristic of the times and men of Newark in its younger days.

On the 8th of November, 1841 Mr. Beklen sub- mitted a request to the congregation to unite with him in a petition to Presbytery for the dissolution of his pastoral relation to them. The request was ac- ceded to by the congregation, who at the same time adopted a minute of high esteem for their pastor and regret in view of the prospective dissolution, This relationship was dissolved by Presbytery, Feb. I7, 1842, and at the same meeting a call addressed to Rev. William Bradley was presented and accepted, and in the evening of the same day, at seven o'clock the installation services took place. Rev. Dr. W. R. Weeks, presided, Rev. Dr. S. W. Fisher preached the sermon, Rev. Dr. Samuel Fisher gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Dr. HI. N. Brin-made to the people.

During the brief pastorate of Mr. Bellen, of less than two years, the whole number received into men- bership with the church was forty-four, of whom twenty were by profession and twenty-four by cer- tificate.

Rev. William Bradley entered immediately apon his work as the successor of Mr. Beklen. At the first communion which was administered under his ministry April 27, 1842, thirty-eight members united with the church, nineteen by profession and nineteen by certificate. Five adults were baptized on this oe-

casion. Mr. and Mrs. Moses T. Baker, Miss Sarah E. Crane (now MIrs, Aiken), and Mrs. Abby Kittredge, of our present communicants, were of the number who then identified themselves with us; also Mr. and Mrs. Stephen G. tiould, so well known and highly es- teemed among us, but now identified in church rela- tions elsewhere.

The session was still farther enlarged, Aug. 5. 1-47, by the election of Messrs. Samuel Halsey, Dr. Elias L'Tlommedieu and Jacob Johnson as members of it, and on Sabbath, the 15th 'of the same month, Mr. as ellers in their former church connections, Mr. Johnson alone was ordained, and they were all in- stalled. Mr. Halsey is the only survivor of this num- ber, and still serves us in the same capacity to which he was thus set apart nearly thirty years ago. He is the official senior of the oldest of his fellow-members of session by almost twelve years. Samuel Halsey and Mrs. Mary Halsey (his wife) were enrolled among the communicants of this church, May 26th, 1847, by cer- titicate from the Presbyterian church in Springfield

Mr. Bradley's term of pastoral service extended through six years and four months, less sixteen days when Presbytery dissolved his pastoral relation to the church June 1, 1845, the congregation reluctantly yielding to his request to join with him in a petition for this result.

The whole number of persons received under Mr. Bradley's pastorate was one hundred and seventy-six of whom thirty-six were by profession and one hun- dred and forty by certificate.

After the dissolution of Mr. Bradley's pastoral re- lations with this church there was a vacancy in the pastorate of about sixteen months, at the expiration of which period Rev. George C. Lucas, a member of the Presbytery of Troy, was called by the congrega- tion, and the eall accepted Oet, 3, 1849, and Mr. Lucas installed October 23d. Rev. J. S. Gallagher presided. Rev. Dr. S. J. Cox preached the sermon, Rev. Dr. tico. Dutheld gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev, Dr. A. D. Eddy to the people.

The pastorate of Mr. Lucas was successful in an eminent degree, and extended to Det. 4, 1554, During 1850 and '51 large necessions were made to the church, and in 1877 the following only remained: Mrs. Rachel Hennion, Mrs. Caroline Todd, Mrs. Margaret White, Aaron O). Price, Davis II. Miller, Mrs. Martha M. Miller, Mrs. Mary F. Woodruff, Mrs- Fanny Campfield, James L. Dickerson, Mrs. Martha C. Dickerson, E. Augustus Smith and Mrs. Phebe E. Smith.

SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE, -About this time (1850) the lot which had been previously purchased by the

476

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

congregation, together with the church edifice which had been their first church home, was sold, and the proceeds were invested in the purchase of a lot on Washington Street, with a view to the erection of a new and every way more desirable church edifice. This was an undertaking far beyond anything which the con- gregation heretofore had courage to assume. But they entered upon its accomplishment with a " full purpose of heart " to succeed, and the very undertaking was a proof of a new vitality which inspired it. The trustees to whom were committed the execution of this important enterprise on the church's behalf were Henry C. Messler, Aaron O. Price, William O. Headley, Nehemiah Perry, Thomas Breese, Moses T. Baker and Sylvester II. Moore.

on the occasion,-the blessing of Almighty God was invoked upon the enterprise by the Rev. William Aik- man, now D.D., the Holy Scriptures were read by the Rev. Charles Beecher, an appropriate prayer was offered by the Rev. J. F. Stearns, D. D., and addresses were made by the Rev. Samuel D. Burchard, D.D., of New York, and Rev. A. D. Eddy, D.D., of this city.

The work of the church building was pushed with energy, and the church was prepared for occupancy the first of the year 1853. It was dedicated Jan. 25, 1x53. The dedication prayer was made by Rev. Dr. J. F. Stearns, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. William Adams, of New York. The subject of his discourse was "The Distinctive Fea- tures of Presbyterianism." The hymns which were sung were all original. The opening hymn was written by Jacob Johnson, one of the elders of the church ; one of the following hymns was composed by Rev. Dr. Burchard, of New York, and two by Abraham Coles, M.D., of this city. The pastors of the city generally participated in the exercises, and they were of the most interesting character. In the evening the Rev. Dr. Burchard preached an appro- priate sermon on " Religious Worship."

As has been stated, Mr. Lucas offered his resigna- tion September 30th, and the pastoral relation dis- solved Oct. 4, 1854.

After a period of one year and ten months, during which the congregation depended on miscellaneous supplies, a call was extended to Rev. Christopher MI Nickels, D.D., of Barre, Mass., to become their pas- tor, May 12, 1856. This call was accepted at a meet- ing of Presbytery, July 2d following, and on the evening of the same day he was installed. Rev Dr. McLean, of Williamsburg, N. Y., preached the ser- mon, from Judges xvi. 6,-" And Delilah said to Sam-

son, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth." Rev. William Aikman, D.D., presided and put the constitutional questions, Rev. P. C. Hay, D.D., made the installation prayer, Rev. Robert Aikman, D.D., gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. George C. Lucas to the people.

Dr. Nickels' pastoral relation to the church con- tinued till Sept. 19, 1869,-eight years, two months and seventeen days,-when, on account of an utter failure of his health, he was compelled to resign, and cease from the exercise of the ministry altogether. During the term of his pastoral connection with the church he was absent at one time for six months, and at another for twelve months, in the vain pursuit of restored health. It was with deep sorrow, and strong The corner-stone of the new building was laid by the Rev. George C. Lucas, the pastor, July 29, 1851. The usual publications, together with a history of the formation of the church, containing the names of all the pastors, elders and members from its organization down to the above date, were placed in a box under expressions of sympathy with their pastor in his per- sonal affiction, that the congregation consented to the dissolution of the pastoral relation, which had been a more than usually happy one to both pastor and people. During his pastorate there was a precious season of grace in the years 1857 and 1858-those the stone. Appropriate religious exercises were held blessed years in which, all over the land, so many souls were called from darkness into the marvelous light of the gospel of God's Son. In the year 1857 forty-five were added to the church, and in 1858 seventy-nine.

Oct. 2, 1859, Messrs. William A. Howell, Aaron O. Price and E. Augustus Smith were ordained and in- stalled as ruling ellers. Dr. Nickels' pastorate was the longest which had hitherto been sustained in the congregation, and but for the interposition of Provi- denee, which rendered it impossible for him to con- tinue his labors either here or elsewhere, he might have remained to this day.

Nov. 29, ISGI, the trustees adopted a resolution permitting the ladies to purchase an organ for the use of the church, and it was also resolved that there should be no interlude or accompaniment in the use of it, except the repeating of the last two lines of a verse; and a committee of consultation with the ladies was appointed in regard to this matter, con- sisting of E. A. Smith, of the sessions ; Messrs. M. 'T. Baker and George A. Halsey, of the trustees; and Mesers. Jason Ives and J. Elliot Condiet, of the con- gregation. The organ was purchased.

After the resignation of Dr. Nickels there was another interval, during which the congregation de- pended on supplies, which extended through a period of one year, one month and eighteen days, till Rev. William (. Scofieldl, the next pastor-elect, was in- stalled as his successor.

During this interval, May 29, 1865, it was resolved, in a congregational meeting, that the trustees be in- strueted to purchase the Andrus property, adjacent to the church on the north, which was adopted by twenty-one votes in favor and one against it. The trustees were further authorized to give a mortgage on this property, in effecting its purchase, for not more than four thousand dollars. This purchase was

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RELIGIOUS INTERESTS OF NEWARK.

subsequently made, and is the property on which the parsonage now stands.

At a meeting of Presbytery, Nov. 1, 1865, Rev. Wm C. Scofield was received from the Fox River Congregational Union, Illinois, and a call from this church was accepted by him, and in the evening of the same day he was installed. Rev. Isaac MellvaiDe presided ; Rev. Dr. Blanchard preached the sermon from Matt. xx. 8,-" So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, C'all the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first ;" Rev. Dr. Stearn- delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Dr. Poor to the people.

Mr. Scofiell resigned his charge of the church, and his pastoral relation was dissolved by the Presbytery, June 29, 1868. The congregation accepted his resignation with regret, in view of all the circum- stances, and generously voted to pay him his salary till the first of October following.

A call was made out for the present pastor, Rev. William T. Findley, Nov. 4, 1868, and his labors in this capacity commenced the last Sabbath of the following January. The call was formally accepted in Presbytery, Feb. 22, 1869, and the installation

The High Street Presbyterian Church grew ont of a movement, started early in 1842, for the formation services took place on the evening of March 10th. of a Sunday-school in the vicinity of High and Mer- Rev. Eldridge Mix presided; Rev. Joel Parker, D. D., conducted the devotional exercises ; Rev. Daniel Poor, D.D., preached the sermon, from Ephe- sians i. 22, 23,-" And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all; " Rev. J. G. Monfort, D. D., offered the installation prayer ; Rev. J. P. Wilson, D.D., gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. J. M. Dickson to the people. cer Streets. This neighborhood at that time having been newly settled, had been little reached by relig- ious influences; and two ladies, Mrs. Martha C. Dickerson and Miss Nancy Hunter, moved by the sight of the neglected and untaught children that swarmed there, resolved on organizing a school for their benefit. For this purpose the upper loft of Mr W.s. Ketcham's carpenter-shop, which had been recently furnished with rough benches for a day-school, was obtained, and, on May sth, the school opened with A parsonage was built in 1868 or '69, and the church repaired and modernized in 1874, at an expense of several thousand dollars, all of which was long since paid. about fifteen children and four or five teachers. It was a small beginning; but, being made in faith and prayer, it carried in itself the expansive life of the kingdom of God. Success attended it. Fresh chil- Present membership, two hundred and thirty ; value of church property, seventy-five thousand dollars. The following were the church and Sunday-school officials in 1884 : dren were gathered in by constant invitation given them, both in their homes and as found in the streets, and though there were frequent desertions, yet a com- pact nucleus of permanent attendance was soon formed.

l'astor, William T. Fimilley.

Elders : Samuel Halsey, Ebenezer A. Smith, Mores T. Baker, Theodore F. Me Nair, William B. Dud, Charles Holzhauer.

Trustees: Albert O. Houdly, president ; Sidney S. Ward, treasurer ; George Everett Halsey, secretary ; William II. Winans, Frederick G. Ageun, Samuel J. Anderson, J. Franklin Kitehell.

Sabbath Schools : Superintendent, Charles Holzhauer ; Assistant Super- intendent, G. Everett Halsey ; Secretary and Treasurer, William C. Findley ; Librarian, William W. Wood ; Sabbath-school Missionary and Superintendent of Primary Department, Mrs. Walter Condict.

Women's Missionary and Church Aid Society : MIrw. William T. Findley, president ; Mrs. Albert MI. Fairchild, vice-president ; MIm. Theodore F. McNair, secretary ; Mrw. Ebenezer A. Smith, treasurer of Missionary Society ; Miss Mary Miller, treasurer of Church And Society.

Preventor, Alexander L. Runyon ; Organist, G. Everett Halsey.

Sixth Presbyterian Church .- The first meeting held preparatory to the organization of this church

was on Nov. 24, 1847, when thirty-even persons, members of other Presbyterian bodies in Newark, met to organize a church. Nearly a year was con- sumed in preliminary work, when, on Sept. 13, 1-45, the following-named persons were elected as the othi- cial board : Horace J. Poinier, Robert Dodd, Aaron C. Ward, Ephraim Tucker, William Douglas, J. Cook, Jr., J. B. Lee. The church edifice was created in 1849, and dedicated in December of that year.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 119

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 840

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840