USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 120
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 120
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The pastors of this church have been Rev. William Aikman, who served this people eight years: Rev. William T. Eva, served three years; Rev. James MI. Dixon, served till 1863, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. M. F. Hollister. This church was received into the Presbytery of Newark, Det. 17, 1848.
The ehlers in Issl were Horace J. Poinier, I. Ogden, Job Haines, James Clark, W. R. Barton and 11. K. Williams; deacons, W. K. Poinier, E. Mott and W. MeKenzie; trustees, Jabez Cook, Job Haines, James Clark. W. Mckenzie, C. Lipps and W. R. Barton. Communicant-, two hundred and forty-nine.
In the following year new impulse was given the enterprise by the accession of Mr. James B. Pinneo and wife, who, on projecting a similar step, were glad to find themselves already anticipated. Mr. Pinneo was at once chosen superintendent. Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham also soon joined, and before the winter re- turned the room was veiled, plastered, and furnished with new benches, a desk, a library-ease and a small library. It was now resolved to hold stated Sabbath evening conference meetings there, and the neigh- boring people were invited to attend by printed cir- culars left at their houses. Much interest was added to these meetings by the presence of the Rev. Charles Hall, D.D., who, though in feeble health, was a means
478
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
of great help and strength to the little band of workers here engaged.
In the winter of 1847 we find the school so en- larged as to overflow the upper room of the shop and occupy a portion of the one below. This want of accommodation suggested the building of a suitable chapel in the spring. For this purpose subscriptions were solicited, and on May 29th a double lot was purchased on Mercer street, by Mr. Pinneo, for four hundred and fifty dollars. On this an edifice was put up, forty by thirty, capable of holding about two hundred and fifty persons, and the whole deeded to three trustees, -Messrs. William Ran- kin, John Taylor and John R. Davison, -to be held for religious and educational purposes solely. It was dedicated November 25th, of that year, Rev. H. N. Brinsmade preaching the sermon, from Luke ix. 13,-"Give ye them to eat." To it belongs the honor of being the first distinctively mission chapel erected in Newark, if we except the Bethel for canal- boatmen.
Thus far it was a union enterprise. Though led by Presbyterians, it enjoyed also the active support of both the (Dutch) Reformed and Methodist denomina- tions.
It must not be forgotten that this measure of sue- cess was reached only after great efforts and sacrifices made amid many obstacles. The children were, most of them, very untutored and hard to manage. The neighborhood was in a rough state. It was difficult, especially in winter time, to reach the school through streets unpaved and devoid of lights aud proper side- walks. Many a time attendance at the meeting could only be effected by picking one's way, lantern lit, through darkness and deep mud, which often held fast the shoe, leaving the stript foot to plunge on into still worse conditions. A serious difficulty was often oc- casioned by the want of leading singers, and " Orton- ville " and " Mear " were brought in to do duty for all hymns, which, for their sakes, were necessarily se- lected in the common metre. But with the years helpers came, and the character both of the school and of the evening meetings steadily improved.
The possession of the chapel led to the establish- ment of stated preaching on Sunday evening. For this the services of the ministers in the city were at first freely obtained. After a while, however, the Rev. E. A. Osborne was employed to take the main charge of this exercise, and a regular evening congre- gation began to form itself.
At the expiration of two years, May, 1849, the Rev. D. W. Poor was invited to come and act as missionary in this part of the city, on a salary of seven hundred dol- lars, and, being without charge, he entered on his labors June 15, preaching his first sermon from Pa. exviii. 25, -"() Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." The prayer of the text was abundantly granted. Though the summer was memorable for a severe visitation of the cholera, yet the preaching was fully attended,
and by the commencement of autumn thirty-eight persons-fourteen males and twenty-four females- offered themselves to be constituted into a church. The organization took place on the 16th of September, 1849, in the Third Presbyterian Church. The chief addresses of the occasion were delivered by Rev. Dr. J. B. Condit, Rev. Dr. H. N. Brinsmade, and Rev. Mr. Poor. The particular duty of putting the con- stitutional questions, and thus forming the church, was devolved on Dr. Brinsmade, who had not only taken deep interest in the new church from the be- ginning, but had also effectually furthered it by his counsels, and by the free surrender of some of his most valued members to aid in its formation. Mr. James B. Pinneo and Mr. John R. Davison were elected and installed elders. The celebration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, administered by Rev. Mr. Bradley, fitly closed the exercises.
On the 15th of October the congregation was or- ganized by law, under the name of the High Street Presbyterian Church, and elected its trustees, of which Ex-Governor William Pennington was chosen president.
On the 7th of November, Mr. Poor was installed as pastor. The services were held in the First Presby- terian Church, as follows : Sermon by the Rev. G. L. Prentiss, then of New Bedford, on 1 Cor. xvi. 23,- "Quit you like men ; " charge to the pastor by his father, the Rev. Dr. Daniel Poor, missionary to Cey- lon; charge to the people by the Rev. Dr. HI. N. Brinsmade. The Rev. Dr. A. D. Eddy, as moderator of Presbytery, presided, put the constitutional ques- tions, and offered the prayer. It was an occasion long to be remembered by those who were present.
The fruits of past labors and prayers soon began to show themselves. At the first communion season seven persons joined the church by profession. Im- portant families also added their strength to the congregation. At Sabbath worship the chapel was steadily filled, and such were the prospects of success that in the following spring a lot was purchased on the corner of Court and High Streets, and ground broken for the foundation of a new church. On Sept. 3, 1850, the corner-stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies. By December 14th the lecture-room was finished, and possession taken, both for purposes of worship and of the Sabbath-school. The whole was completed and dedicated on May 18, 1852. On this occasion the Rev. G. L. Prentiss preached the sermon, and the Rev Dr. J. F. Stearns offered the consecrating prayer.
The cost thus far incurred amounted to $43,000. Of this, $5000 were paid for the ground, $32,000 for the building, $2000 for the organ, $1200 for gas fixtures, and $800 for the bell, carpeting, etc. Toward this the First Presbyterian Church gave $5000, $1500 of this coming from one person; the Third Presbyterian Church gave $1783; friends in the First Reformed Dutch Church, $40; some Episcopalians,
479
RELIGIOUS INTERESTS OF NEWARK.
$200. Fifty dollars came from the Church in Bloom- field, and about $200 more from members of other de- nominations. The remaining portion was borne by the church, Mr. Pinneo alone contributing over $20,-
In June, 1859, a mission-school was organized in Baldwin Street, under the superintendence of Mr. G. B. Sears, eller. The building for this purpose was erected, and the use of it freely given, by Mr. Aaron Coe ; and the teachers were mainly furnished by the church.
In April, 1867, an auxiliary City Mission Society was organized, in conjunction with the First German Church, for the purpose of supplying the religious wants of that portion of the city lying west of High Street and south of Springfield Avenue.
High Street church edifice is a gem of rare archi- tectural beauty ; standing, as it does, upon one of the finest and most elevated sites in the city, at the corner of Court and High Streets, it challenges the admiration of every beholder. The walls are of brown stone, arranged in ornamental Gothic -tyle, without any woud on the exterior except the doors, the win- dow sills and frames being of stone, beautifully carved. Four richly-ornamented pinnacles rise from the tower. and stone railing resembling vines run the entire length on either side of the roof. The interior is pro- nounced to be one of the most elaborately-finished churches in the State. The designs on the windows are entirely original, and were executed by a special artist employed for the purpose by the congregation. No two are alike, and the representations are true to nature.
In the rear of the pulpit is a richly carved piece of work resembling an arch surmounted by a cross. Opposite the pulpit is the organ, half concealed in a highly-ornamented arched reces. The Gothic arches of the nave rest upon solid stone pillars with richly- varved capitals. The whole pervading style of the interior is a harmonious blending of beautiful combi- nations of the skill of artisan, sculptor and painter.
It is but a just tribute to say at this time, that to James B. Pinneo, more than to any other, or all others put together, that were members of this church at the date of its completion, are the people of Newark indebted for this ornament to that part of the city in which it is located.
The first regular pastor of this church was Rev. D. W. Poor, who was installed in November, 1849, and remained as pastor until early in 1870, when he was valled to another charge. He was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. J. H. Mellvaine, D.D., in the spring of 1870, which position he still fills with honor to himself, the church and the cause he represents.
Officers of the church, Jos4 . Pastor, Rev. J HI Mellvaine, & D .; Elders, James B. Pitineo, Charles H. Beckwont, James J. Dickerson, Samuel A. Farraust, John 1 .. Meeker, William Rankin, John W. Taylor, Samuel 1. Finnes, Adalbert B. Twitchell ; Beacons, John J. Micker (treasurer, 11. Frank Osborne, William & Barringer, James A. Cere, Eli Dennis, Thomas J. Steadl; Trustees, James .A. ''w (president), Adellwert B.
Twitchell , treasurer), William 11 Everett weretar , Eiward W buu- Ding, James W. Grover, 4 harles ] Harries, Edward (. Holmen, Ital- ard C. Jenkinson, Henry B. Taylor ; Charles E. Weeks, autant trvan- urer : James J. Dickerson, clerk of mowion , Sexton, fonts . Sam, residence, 128 William street
sabbath-shoul : John L. Sleeker, superintendent Eluard c' H dinon,
(lower room, Mis (. Amelia for, Mus sarah A. Cor, (upfor mom) Mr. Thomas J. Stead, Mix Isabella I. Garner.
Ladies' Parinage Amiation Mrs. George B. Jenkin-in, Mis Sophia B. Iticunt, directresses . Mina C. Amelia D'oc, secretary ; Mm. A B. Twitchell, treasurer.
Woman's Foreign Missionary society . Mry Ella It. Blim, president ; Mias Elizabeth B. Grover, vice-president ; Mrs. Frank M Parker, mere- tary ; Miss Miriam Osborne, treasurer
Fanny Meeker Misjon Band . Mrs. Pratik M. Parker, directress ; Mim Emma Dunning, arretary and treasurer.
Membership, two hundred and seventy-five; value of church property, one hundred thousand dollars.
Park Presbyterian Church .- The original mem- bers of this church, about sixty-five in number, colonized, in April, 1848, from the old Presbyterian Church, and worshiped in a hall until their church (now Park Theatre) was erected and dedicated. Here the congregation continued to worship till 1872, when their present brown stone edifice was built, and the old church in West Park Street converted into a theatre.
The new church edifice is of brown stone, and lo- ented at Belleville Avenue and Kearney Street. The corner-stone was laid May 22, 1572. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. William Adams, D.D. The chapel and Sabbath-school room- were dedicated Dec. 15, 1872.
The pioneer pastor of this church was Rev. Ansel Eddy, D.D., and the first elders were James H. Clark, Edward A. Crane and Richard Hall. Rev. Mr. Eddy remained as pastor for seven years, when he was sue- ceeded by Rev. Henry A. Rowland, I.D., who died in office in 1559. The third pastor was Rev. James G. Ilamner, who resigned in 1-61. The fourth was Rev. Joel Parker, D.D., who commenced his pastorate in 1863. Rev. Isaac Riley was elected his colleague in 1867, and both resigned in August, 1968. The fifth pastor was Rev. Prentiss de Neuve, who was elected in 1868, and resigned in 1879. The sixth and present pastor, Rev. J. Clement French, was duly installed in October, 1879.
The elders of the church in 1884 were Elwin J. Ross, Elias F. Morrow, William .I. Rusling, Joseph A. Hallock, James S. Highie and Elward N. Crane.
The trustees for Is$4 were Charles G. Campbell (president), James S. Highie, Elward N. Crane, Wil- liam B. Fisher, Philip W. Crader, Stephen J. Meeker and George W. Tomkins; Sunday School Superin- tendent, Francis K. Howell; Organist, Henry H. Dunkler; Precentor, Francis W. Kitchell.
The membership of the church in 1879 was one hundred and sixty-four, and in 1884 it was four hundred and fifty. The Sunday-school numbers three hundred and fifty. The revenue from the church pews is annually over eight thousand dollars, while
480
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
the contributions of the various boards and charitable institutions is two thousand five hundred dollars annually.
The church edifice is about to be enlarged to double it> present capacity, both in the main auditorium and the Sabbath-school and chapel. Twenty thousand dollars is the estimated cost of the improvement, which amount was subscribed at the morning service, April 20, 1884.
South Park Presbyterian Church.1-April 19, 1852, may be assigned as the date of the first formal ac- tion taken for the constitution and organization of the South Park Presbyterian Church of Newark. On that day a publie meeting was held in the Mulberry Street chapel, and in pursuance of a previous confer- ence which had been held early in the spring, at which time there were present five persons; viz: Asa Whitehead, Samuel P. Smith, John P. Jackson, Rev. William Bradley, Aaron Carter, Jr., who had taken a deep interest in the organization of this enterprise.
It was resolved in the meeting at the chapel that a church edifice in the vicinity of South Park was greatly needed, and that the time was now at hand for the commencement of the enterprise. A large committee on subscriptions was appointed, and the work fairly begun.
At a meeting held in the chapel on Jan. 17, 1843, a committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the organization, and on the 28th day of the same month the organization was duly effected, and a certificate of incorporation was the next day filed in the office of the county clerk, setting forth the object, etc., and, pursuant to the law in such cases, the following named persons were duly elected trustees of said society : Seth W. Magie, Silas Ford, John P. Jackson, Aaron Carter, Jr. Ezra Reeve, Peter G. MeDermit and Asa Whitehead; and they assumed the corporate name of " The Trustees of the South Park Presbyterian Church."
The trustees immediately appointed a committee, consisting of Rev. William Bradley, Rev. Samuel L. Tuttle, and Messrs. Samuel P. Smith, John P. Jack- son and Aaron C. Johnson, on the subject of the organization of the church, and it was decided that the proceedings should take place in the First Pres- byterian Church, on Sabbath evening, March 20, 1853, and that the church should be connected with the Presbytery of Newark. At that time and place the church received its spiritual organization at the hands of Rev. Dr. Stearns, of the First Church, assisted by Rev. Dr. Few Smith, of the Second Church ; Rev. Dr. Brinsmade, of the Third Church; Rev. Dr. Eddy of the I'ark Church; and Rev. Aikman, of the Sixth Church. At this time the ruling elders were elected and set apart, the first session being composed of Messrs. S. P. Smith, David Joline, Aaron C. John- son, Seth W. Magie, Aaron Carter, Jr.
The membership came from several of the churches of the eity, as follows : from the First Church, twenty- nine; Third Church, twenty-one; Sixth Church, four ; First Reformed Dutch Church, four; Park Presby- terian Church, two; First Congregational Church, two; and one from the Second Presbyterian Church,- sixty in all. Their names were as follows :
Eliza J. Armstrong,1 wd. of Amzi ; Jonathan Bailey ; 1 Abby Bailey, w. of Jonathan ; Elizabeth A. Bradley," w. of Rev. William ; Samuel B. Brown ; 1 James H. Burnet ;1 Zilphia M. Burnet, 1 w. of James H .; Mary Aun Caldwell,2 ; Aaron Carter, Jr.2 ; William A. C'rane ; Jane T. Crane,? w. of Richard T. ; Sias Ford : 1 Susan W. Ford,1 w. of Silas; Walter Harris ;1 Serena Harris, w.of Walter ; Ira M. Harrison; Mary G. Harrison,1 w. of Fra M .; Joseph Hastings ; Phebo Hastings, w. of Joseph ; John P. Jackson ; 1 Elizabeth W. Jackson ; 1 w. of John P. ; Joseph C. Jackson ; 2 Iletty Jackson, w. of l'eter ; Julia H. Jackson ; Aaron C. Johnson ; 1 ('atharine M. Johnson, 1 w. of AAaron C. ; Matilda Johnson ; David C. Joline2; Invetta Joline, 1 w. of David C. ; Isaac Kent : ? Mary W. Kent, 3 w. of Isane ; George Lockhart ; 2 Maria Lockhart, 1 w. of George ; Amos Lamm, Jr. ; Amanda Lum,1 w. of Amos, Jr. ; Seth W. Magie'; Harriet Magie, wd. of Seth W. ; Lonis Marsh : Ann Rebecca Marsh,1 w. of Lonis ; C'hurles Mattoon ; Phebe Mattoon, w. of Charles ; Peter Mc- Dermit ; Ralph H. Pierson ; 1 Sarah A. Pierson,1 w. of Ralph H. ; William Pierson ; Hannah M. Pierson, 1 w. of William ; Ezra Reeves; Nancy M. Reeves, w. of Ezra ; Ezra M. Sayro ; 2 Sarah M. Sayre, w. of Ezra MI. ; Samuel P. Smith ; ? Sarah W. Smith, 1 w. of Samuel P. ; James P. Smith ; 1 Philo W. Smith ; Amy W. Smith, ; " John Thatcher ; I Eliza Thatcher,1 wd. of John ; Laura Trotter ; Joseph S. Tucker ; 1 Elizabeth W. Tucker, w. of Juseph S. ; Amelia Tuttle,1 w. of Rev. S. L. Tuttle ; Mary Ann G. Whitehead,1 w. of Asa.
They were kindly received by the Newark Presby- tery, and thus being placed on a temporal and spir- itual foundation, they hehl their services in the Mul- berry Street chapel from March 20, 1853, under the ministry of various clergyman, among whom were the Rev. Mr. Godenow, the city missionary, and Rev. Dr. Asa D. Smith, Rev. Mr. Bradley and others.
After a lapse of a few months a call was extended to the Rev. James P. Wilson, D.D., at that time pro- fessor in the Union Theological Seminary of New York. The call was accepted, and Oct. 25, 1853, was fixed as the date of installation. The exercises took place in the First Presbyterian Church. The open- ing exercises were conducted by Rev. Mr. Aikman ; sermon by the venerable Rev. Dr. Fisher, of Orange; constitutional questions to pastor-cheet, by Rev. Sher- wood, of Bloomfield; charge to the pastor, by J. Few Smith ; charge to the people, by Rev. Dr. Stearns.
It had been resolved, at a meeting held Jan. 28, 1853, that a building committee of five persons should be appointed to act in concert with the trustees. A common scal was adopted, and a deed from Samuel B. Brown for the lot upon which the church now stands was obtained for the sum of nine thousand dollars. Mr. Welsh, the architect, presented plans for a church to cost about twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars. By July 30, 1853, contracts for the work were ready. David Henderson contracted to furnish it stone, James S. Valentine contracted to do the stone-cutting, Jonas Reeve the mason-work,
1 Extracto from historical addres by John P. Jackson.
1 Deceased. w. wife.
? Dismissed to anothor church. wd. widow.
491
RELIGIONS INTERESTS OF NEWARK.
Ezra Reeve the carpenter-work, and J. W. Rice & Co. contracted for the painting.
The corner-stone was laid Oct. 29, 1853. An in- troductory prayer was made by Dr. Stearns; singing by a choir from the I'nion Theological Seminary ; address by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Wilson ; laying cor- ner-stone by Dr. Eldy ; prayer by Dr. Scott; bene- diction by Rev. Mr. Bradley.
The church edifice was dedicated Feb. 15, 1855, public services being held in the afternoon and even- ing. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Wilson, the second by Rev. Dr. Stearns, and Dry. Eddy, Poor, Robert Aikman and William Aikman assisted in the exercises.
In 1860-70 the congregation built a three-story brick house and extension for a parsonage for their minister, in which he has since resided.
During the thirty-one years that this church has been in existence it has had but one pastor, Rev. James P. Wilson, D.D., the present efficient incum- bent. It has contributed in that time, including building church and manse, nearly three hundred and fifty thousand dollars for church purposes. Its present membership numbers over five hundred. Church property valued at seventy-five thousand dollars.
Its officers in 1884 were:
Deacons, fra M. Harrison, F. Wolcott Jackson, Archibald Parkhurst, David C. Dodd, Daniel Halay, F. X Torrey ; Trusters, Andrew Lemas- sena (president), James E. Harrison (treasurer), Sebuyler B. Jackson, Charles E. Williams, John Downing and Arthur R. Denman.
Roseville Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized in 1854 with about twenty members, with Rev. J. F. P'ingry, Ph.D., as pastor. The pio- neer meetings were held in the vicinity of the location of their present church edifice, on Roseville Avenue. Mr. l'ingry remained with the Roseville Church until the autumn of 1860, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. C. T. Haley. The first church edifice was of wood, and the present brick and stone edifice was built in 1867, dedicated in April, 1868, and enlarged to its present capacity in 1875.
The pioneer elder of this church was Asa Holden. The present membership of the church is four hun- dred and forty-five, and value of church property sixty-five thousand dollars. This church has two Sabbath-schools, with a membership of about eleven hundred. The superintendent of the church-school in 1884 was George W. Ketcham, and H. V. D. Schenck of the Bruce Street mission-school, and Mrs. Fanny T. Gaddis was the church missionary. This church colonized the constituent members of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, and shared in the organization of the First Presbyterian Church of East Orange. It has also a temperance organization of one hundred members.
The others of the church for 1884 were:
Pastor, Rev. Charles T. Haley ; Ellern, William F Van Wagonen, 31
Robert Black, G. W. Krt ham, I vrus Perk. H. \ D. schenck , Trus- tren, Benjamin F Crane president, " tinftth, B. S. Van Allen, C. E. Harris, 1 G. Fonds, Frederick Hannahs and J. E. Bathgate, Jr.
Bethany Presbyterian Church.'-The beginning of this church dates back to Ang. 14, Istit, when the first session of the Mission Sabbath-school was held at this place, with forty-five scholars in attendance, and was carried on for several year- as a mission of the First Presbyterian Church (Rev. J. F. Stearns, D.D., then pastor), though receiving some aid from other churches in the city, and especially Calvary Presbyterian Church.
In 1873 the old chapel being inadequate for the ac- commodation of the people, the second building, now the lecture-room of the present church, was erected, and the main edifice was built and dedicated in 1878.
The Sunday-school superintendents and teachers performed an important part in the development of the work, and thus from the Sabbath-school has sprung Bethany Church.
In the early history of the mission Rev. R. B. Campfield conducted Bible exercises at that point, and in 1871, Rev. J. H. Koph labored as a missionary. In 1872, Rev. J. Lester Wells took charge of the mis- sion, and on April 9, 1850, after due consideration and mutual agreement between the home church and the congregation at the chapel, Bethany Pres- byterian Church was formally organized by the Presbytery of Newark, through its committee, con- sisting of Rev. J. F. Stearns, D.D .. Rev. E. R. Cra- ven, D.D., Rev. J. P. Wilson, D.D., Rev. J. Few Smith, D.D., Rev. S. H. Hall, D. D., and Rev. I. B. Hopwood, with Rev. Dr. Stearns, presiding. Joseph B. Pierson, Charles M. Russell, William Turner and A. II. Van Houten were elected ruling elders. James Il. Ilincheliffe, Alfred Steachnan and Samuel Voegtlen were chosen deacons. The newly-elected officers were then solemnly ordained to their offices.
On April 12, 1850, the congregation assembled and elected Rev. J. Lester Wells pastor, who for eight years had ministered to them.
The installation of the pastor took place April 18, 1880, Rev. E. R. Craven, D.D., moderator of Presby- tery, presiding at the service. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. Few Smith, D.D., installing prayer by Rev. S. H. Hall, D.D., charge to the pas- ton by Rev. J. F. Stearns, D.D., and charge to the people by Rev. J. P. Wilson, D. D.
This is one of the flourishing young churches of the city, numbering two hundred and seventy-one members, with n church property valued at twenty- five thousand dollars.
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