USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 40
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The first pastor was Rev. William J. R. Taylor, son of Rev. B. C. Taylor, D. D., of Bergen. He was a graduate of Rutgers College and of the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, and had been two years in the ministry at New Durham in this eounty. He received a unani- mous call. His installation took place on September 27, 1846, in the First Reformed Church of Jersey City, the use of which was kindly offered for the occasion. The sermon was preached by Rev. Alexander H. Warner. The charge to the pastor was given by Rev. B. C. Taylor, D. D., and to the church by Rev. James Scott, D. D.
After the settlement of a pastor, the church next turned its attention to the erection of a house of worship. The congregation meanwhile secured temporary accommoda- tions in the small frame building then standing on the corner of Grove Street and Railroad Avenne, and occupied by a Congregational, and later by a Wesleyan Methodist church. It has since shared the fate of other well-known buildings in this city, and is now a liquor saloon.
Before any steps were taken to organize a church in Harsimus, Mr. Cornelius Van Vorst, a warm friend of the Dutch church, had offered three lots on Wayne Street, near Grove, and a thousand dollars in cash toward the erection of a church edifice. Advantageous proposals were made by other parties also, but nearly a year passed be- fore the question of location could be decided amid the numerous conflicting opinions and interests. At length the generous offer of Mr. Van Vorst was accepted, and the congregation proceeded to erect a brick edifice forty-five by seventy feet on the site selected. A building commit- tee, consisting of Cornelius Van Vorst, B. W. Ryder and Stephen Garretson, was appointed. The corner-stone was laid August 24, 1847, with an address by Rev. James Romeyn. On January 16, 1848, the basement was occu- WAYNE STREET REFORMED CHURCH. pied, and on May 28th the finished edifice was dedicated. In April preceding the dedication the Consistory reported forty-eight communicants. Rev. Mr. Taylor's wife became ill, and her removal to another climate became necessary. In September, 1849, Rev. Mr. Taylor accepted a call to the Reformed Church of Schenectady, and on the 4th of October, 1849, the pastoral relation was dissolved.
By invitation of the Consistory, Rev. Paul D. Van Cleef, a graduate of Rutgers College, and of the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, and pastor of the Second Reformed Church of Coxsackie, where he had been settled three years, preached, and received a anani- mous call, which he accepted, and was installed on the 30th of December. Rev. W. V. V. Mabon preached the sermon, Rev. Dr. B. C. Taylor delivered the charge to the pastor, and Rer. John Garretson to the congregation. This pastoral relation has remained peaceful and undisturbed forty-four years.
The congregation numbered seventy families and ninety communicants. Its growth was rapid. It was seen that the church which the people had flattered themselves would accommo. date the congregation for many years would soon become too small, and plans for enlargement were suggested. Before any of them were matured a calamity occurred which helped to decide the question. On the evening of the 13th of December, 1851, a fire, evidently of incendiary
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origin, injured the building to such an extent that it could not be repaired during the winter. In a few weeks the early and liberal friend of the church, Mr. Cornelins Van Vorst, was re- moved by death. His loss was deeply felt, for he had taken adeep interest in the erection of the church building and in the prosperity of the enterprise.
But these discouraging events were overruled for the spiritual welfare of the church. A revival ensued. A spirit of liberality was awakened, and a proposition to enlarge the edifiee in connection with the repairs was heartily approved, and the amount required for that purpose, about $2,000, was subscribed in one week. The building was extended to the full depth of the lot, the walls were beautifully frescoed, a new organ was placed in the gallery, other valuable improvements were added, and the house was re-opened for public worship on Sabbath, June 13, 1852.
About the same time the Third Church, now the Park Reformed, was organized by the Classis of Bergen, in compliance with a petition signed by twenty-seven heads of families, in- cluding fifteen communicants, all from this church.
Notwithstanding this colonization of the Third Church and the enlargement of the church building, they were soon again embarrassed for want of room. The seating capacity was over 500, and all the pews were occupied. For many years the want of room was the only obstacle to the growth of this church in numbers, but the people have always been united and active in church work.
The history of our church has not been an eventful or exciting one. It has enjoyed unin- terrupted harmony. The troubles which often attend a frequent change of pastors have been unknown, while the affection and confidence which have existed between pastor and people for forty-four years have never been disturbed.
Additions to the communion have been received at almost every sacramental season, while occasionally a revival of religious interest has been enjoyed. In 1859 there were 156 families and 250 members. Since that time there has been no material increase in the average number of communicants. The whole number of communicants enrolled since the organization of the church is 973, and of baptisms 588. The history of our Sunday-school work is full of interest. The school has been a nursery, not only of this but of other churches. Youth have been trained here who may be found in the ranks of the ministry, and of missionary workers at home and abroad.
In 1861 the Bethel Mission in Morgan Street was founded, from which has grown the Free Reformed Church in Grand Street, with its flourishing Sunday-school.
In 1871 the Wayne Street Mission was established under the efficient superintendeney of Mr. Daniel Van Winkle. A chapel was built mainly by contributions from this congregation. From this school has grown the German Evangelical Church in Monmouth Street.
The missionary and beneficent work of the Wayne Street Church has included every de- partment of christian activity, carried on hy the various organizations in the church, some of which have existed from the first, and others have sprung up of late years to meet the demands of the times. The Youths' Missionary Society, the Ladies' Mite Society, the Industrial School, the Guild, the Woman's Missionary Society, the Church Work Society, the King's Daughters, have all filled an important place, and continue to be useful auxiliaries of the church. But the most important of all the societies which have arisen in response to the exigencies of the church in its efforts to meet the wants of the young, is the Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor. Its motto, " For Christ and the Church, " at once defines its character and object, and shows its place in the church. Our church in its present position needs such an auxiliary. For many years the churches of lower Jersey City have struggled against a strong ebb tide. The old church-going and church-loving people have passed away, and their once attractive dwell- ings are occupied by a dense population who speak a foreign language and do not care for the religious institutions which were once so highly prized. Two of the oldest and strongest churches in this part of the city, after struggling several years against the tide, finally yielded to the inevitable and were swept away. The Wayne Street Reformed Church, although shar- ing with others the inevitable consequences of a gradual loss of financial strength, still lives and maintains its position as an active working church.
Three years ago an important arrangement was made at the request of the pastor for his personal relief, and especially for the purpose of meeting the increasing demands of the changed
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population for a variety of service, which he began to feel himself unable to render to the full extent which seemed to be demanded. The subject had been previously presented to the Con- sistory in a communication from the pastor in October, 1888, and by them referred to the con- gregation for advice. After careful consideration the Consistory, with the unanimous approval of the congregation, resolved to call an associate pastor, the amount of salary, the proportion of ser- vice, and other details having been satisfactorily arranged. A unanimous call was presented to the Rev. Robert K. Wick, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Sparta, N. Y., which was ac- cepted, and he was installed on the last Sabbath of December, 1891. His ministry has been very acceptable and useful in the church. Mr. Wick was graduated from Westminster College. Pennsylvania, in 1882, and from Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1886. The con- gregation has become warmly attached to him, and gives him its earnest support and co-opera- tion in his work.
The church has raised for the support and maintenance of its own work at home more than $200,000, and for benevolent objects, including missions in our own country and in heathen lands, nearly $65,000.
Paul D. Van Cleef, D. D., was born at Millstone, Somerset County, N. J. He was gradu- ated at Rutgers College in the class of 1839, and prepared for the ministry at the Seminary of the Reformed Church at New Brunswick. He was licensed by the Classis of New Brunswick in 1846, and was called to the Second Church of Coxsackie, Greene County, N. Y. He remained there as pastor three years, when he was called to the church where he still officiates. The church was the First Reformed Church of Van Vorst when he' accepted the pastorate. It is now the Second Reformed of Jersey City. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Rutgers College in 1863, and was subsequently elected a trustee of the college. He has been vice-president and chairman of the domestic missions of the Reformed Church, and has been stated clerk of the Particular Synods of New York and New Brunswick, and is now stated clerk of the board of superintendents of the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, and also of the General Synod of the Reformed Church of America, which body he represented as corresponding delegate in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at its session in Detroit in 1872. He was also a member of the committee of conference of the General Synod on the subject of union with the Presbyterian and German Reformed churches.
He was married in 1847 to Miss Catalina Underdunck, of New York, by whom he has four children, two sons and two daughters. His second wife, now living, was Miss Amela Lamb, daughter of George W. Lamb, of New York. Dr. Van Cleef is now the oldest pastor in Jersey City.
THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH. The Classis of Bergen appointed a committee in [So7 to organize a church at Jersey City, but the committee could not find enough of church members to fill the offices, let alone to form a congregation. The plan was abandoned. Several subse- quent efforts also failed, in spite of an offer of land for a church site made by the Associates of the Jersey Company. On December 15, 1825, the Presbyterians organized a congregation. and the four lots on the south side of Grand Street, between Warren and Washington, that had been offered to the Reformed Church, were conveyed to them. The corner-stone of a church edifice was laid by Col. Varick on May 18, 1826.
The Presbyterians worshipped there until the beginning of 1830, when their pastor, Rev. Mr. Olcott, left them. The congregation then proposed joining with the Reformed Church. On February 16, 1830, this was done, and Rev. Stephen H. Mecker, of Bushwick, Long Island, was installed as pastor. He was installed on May 9th and resigned on October 20th. Rev. James R. Talmadge was installed on February 8, 1831, and left on January 30, 1833. Rev. Matthias Lusk was installed November 19, 1833, and under his ministry the church began to prosper. The interior was refurnished and a lecture room constructed in the basement lle left the church on October 26, 1848, and Rev. John Austin Yates was called on July 31, 1549 He died August 26, 1849, before the date appointed for his installation. Rev. Daniel Lord began his pastorate on June 16, 1850, and resigned May 5, 1851. Rev. Alexander MCluire became pastor on May 19, 1852. During his incumbency the work of building a new stone church was undertaken. The corner-stone was laid September 22, 1853. The old bilding had been moved across the street a short time before this, and became Park llall. It was used for
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miscellaneous meetings and as barracks for soldiers during the early days of the war. It was destroyed by fire December 12, 1864. The new church could not be built for the amount origi- nally estimated, and the congrega- tion appealed to the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church of New York for aid. It was given, and a new subscription of $15,000 was raised, which sufficed to complete the building. It was dedicated on Sunday, April 5, 1857. Before it was completed Rev. Mr. McClure left the church. Rev. David H. Riddle was installed April 19, 1857, REY C.DOEPPENSC and remained until December 22, IDT 1862. Rev. Henry M. Scudder succeeded him on December 5, 1864, and resigned May 23, 1865. Rev. George H. Peeke began on August 1, 1865, and remained until December 6, 1869. Rev. Wm. W. Halloway, Jr., was installed June 11, 1871, and remained about a REV. C. GIRTANNER. EV. EMIL A. MEURY. dozen years, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Westerfield. The con- gregation moved from the section, and the church was abandoned. An attempt to carry on a mission was made by Rev. Mr. Zabriskie, and that, too, had to be given up. The building remained closed for some time, but was reopened by a German congregation.
SECOND REFORMED CHURCH OF HUDSON CITY (GERMAN). This church was organized November 6, 1859, as a mission by Rev. Carl Sebastian Doeppenschmidt, who had been preaching in mission work among the Germans at Franklin Hall, Jersey City, in con- . nection with work on the hill, for about three years previ- ously. In 1863 a portion of the Jersey City congregation from Franklin Hall joined this church, and a mission that had been worshipping at Washington Village, under the care of Rev. Leopold Mohn, joined them on April 12, - 1863, forming quite a congregation. Rev. C. S. Doep- - penschmidt was installed as pastor December 16, 1864. Rev. Mr. Hammond was installed July 21, 1871. In 1879 Dr. Doeppenschmidt was declared pastor emeritus, retain- ing his connection until 1885, when he died. Rev. C. Gir- tanner succeeded him in 1879, and remained until Rev. Emile A. Meury was installed in July, 1883. During his pastorate, now extending over eleven years, the church has flourished as never before. The Sunday-school has 600 scholars, and there is a day school, where both English and German lessons are given. The corner-stone of the church was laid on Central Avenue, near Franklin Street, in November, 1864, and the building was consecrated December 11, 1864. SECOND REFORMED CHURCH.
PARK REFORMED CHURCH. In the winter following the annexation of Van Vorst to Jersey City a number of members of the First and Second Reformed churches decided that the
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Harsimus end of Jersey City should have a church. A meeting was held at the residence of Stephen Garretson, on Seventh Street, in April, 1852, at which it was decided to call a public meeting in Smythe's Hall at Fourth and Grove streets.
On April 20th the Classis granted the petition for organization, and appointed Rev. Drs. Taylor and Abeel and Rev. P. D. Van Cleef as a committee. They met in Union Hall May 7th, and received fifteen communicants on certificate. The elders chosen were : Stephen Garretson, Thomas Tabor, John H. Smyth and L. D. Hardenbergh. The deacons were : Peter Hart, John Ludlum and Robert Moore. Rev. Wm. J. R. Taylor was the first pastor, and he began his service on July 25, 1852. A frame church was built at Erie and South Third streets. It is still used for religious service. The permanent church at Eighth Street and East Hamilton Place was begunin 1859. The corner-stone was laid September 20th, and the building was dedicated May 6, 1860. Rev. J. Paschal Strong succeeded Mr. Taylor, January 21, 1855, and remained until Rev. Calvin Selden was installed, May 10, 1857. He re- mained until October 5, 1857. Rev. Cornelius L. Wells was pastor from June 13, 1858, until March 5, 1863 ; Rev. J. Romeyn Berry, from November 25, 1863, until November 1, 1868. Rev. J. Howard Suydam was installed as his successor on January 31, 1869, and his long and prosperous pastorate closed early in 1891, after twenty-two years of service. The church was served for a time by different ministers ; Rev. Thomas Powell and Rev. Walter T. Griffin were each several months in the service. On October 9, 1892, Rev. J. M. Francis Morgan accepted a call, and was installed November 2, 1892. He is still the pastor, and the church is prospering under his ministration. The Consistory in 1894 was : Elders-Thomas M. Ward, Charles L. Krugler, David J. Hulshizer, John C. Lay, Horatio C. Baker, Joseph Swing. Deacons-John H. Newton, John R. Van Kleck, William J. Welsh, Frederick P. Benedict, William M. Frazer and William Williams.
THE GREENVILLE REFORMED CHURCH. A little more than twenty years ago there lived in the village of Greenville, since incorporated into Jersey City, a noble Scotchman named Mr. James Currie. At his death, with christian foresight and liberality, he bequeathed $1,coo or an acre of land to aid in the establishment of a church of the Reformed or Presbyterian denomi- nation, whenever the people in that neighborhood should desire to effect such an organization. Encouraged by the gift, the christian families resolved to start a Sabbath-school, and on Janu- ary 1, 1871, six teachers and twenty-one scholars met in the township school-house, and the enterprise was auspiciously started. Owing to the illness of Mr. Edwin Bettley the superintend- ent, Mr. S. B. Vreeland, conducted the exercises. In connection with the school, preaching services were conducted by members of the Classis, especially Revs. B. C. Taylor, P. D. Van Cleef, W. R. Duryea and H. W. Z. Jones.
On the 24th of January, 1871, a petition signed by twenty-four heads of families and thirty- four communicants was presented to Classis, asking that steps be taken to organize a Reformed church. Consent was granted, and on Sabbath afternoon, February 19, 1871, the classical committee, consisting of Revs. B. C. Taylor, W. R. Duryea and Elder John Van Horne, Jr., met the petitioners. Twenty-five persons were received on certificate, and constituted the Reformed Church of Greenville, N. J. An election of officers followed, resulting in the choice of Messrs. S. B. Vreeland, Edwin Bettley and Michael Terhune for elders, and Messrs. Wm. Currie, P. V. Kershaw and John Morrell for deacons.
For a year the little flock was without a pastor, depending on neighboring preachers for supplies. On March 27, 1872, a call was extended to Rev. A. H. Young, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Oxford, Ohio. He accepted, and entered upon his work, though not formally installed until January 19, 1873, when the Revs. Van Cleef, Jones, Wells and Halloway assisted in the interesting exercises.
In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Abram Becker gave Sro,ooo to the church as a memorial to their son, whose death in the morning of life had filled them with sorrow. This, with the $1,coo before received from Mr. Currie, enabled the congregation to buy four and one-half lots on the corner of Danforth and Ocean avenues and begin the erection of a chapel. On October 1 ;. 1875, the corner-stone was laid, and on January 16, 1876, dedicated to God. The edifice had cost $5,250 and the site $5,000, and the property was free from debt, with the exception of sivo. while $5,000 of Mr. Becker's gift was placed at interest as the nucleus of a new church In
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1881 Rev. Alex. Young resigned the pastorate, leaving a membership of one hundred and eight, well equipped for the Master's work.
The charge was not long vacant. The Rev. P. T. Pockman was called, and on October 19, 1881, duly installed. For five years he labored, the people cheerfully responding to the demands made upon them until their liberality was "known in all the churches." On January 1, 1887, he left to take charge of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, N. J. There were then one hundred and forty-seven names upon the roll, well organized in all departments of work.
In May, 1887, Mr. Wm. P. Bruce graduated from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was called to the vacant pulpit, and ordained and installed on June 12th, his father, Rev. James Bruce, of the United Presbyterian Church of Andes, N. Y., assisting in the service. The roll of membership is now increased to two hundred and ninety-four, and the Sabbath-school prides itself on an at- tendance of over three hundred. There are two societies of Christian Endeavor, one circle of King's Daughters, and a Ladies' Missionary Society, all doing excellent work "in His name."
The ground for the present edifice was broken June 9, 1889, and the corner- stone laid August Ist of the same year. It was dedicated to God on Sabbath, November 16, 1890. The Rev. A. H. Young, D. D., then pastor of the Presby- terian Church at Newton, N. J., preached the sermon in the morning from Acts xx : 28, and the Rev. P. T. Pockman, of New Brunswick, in the evening, from Acts vii : 48. During the afternoon ad- dresses were made by ministers and brethren, Revs. Van Cleef, Duryea, Brett and Jones, while Elders S. B. Vreeland and Mr. S. L. Harvey represented the laity. The building is Romanesque in style, designed by Mr. Henry Palmer, of this city. The main auditorium is 51 by 67 feet, unbroken by pillars or columns, the roof being supported by heavy trus- ses. The floor slants towards the plat- form, and the seats are arranged in a circle, giving ample room for 600 people. The windows are nearly all memorials, ST. TRINITATIS LUTHERAN CHURCH. and represent the highest artistic skill of Messrs. J. & R. Lamb and Messrs. Tiffany & Co. The chapel was enlarged 28 by 30 feet at the same time, and is now 98 by 30 feet, with all the appointments of kitchen, toilet rooms, etc., necessary for religious and social mect- ings. The cost of this work was about $33.000, and is free from debt, with the exception of an $8,000 mortgage. The building committee consisted of Elders D. W. Oliver, S. B. Vreeland and Michael Schultz.
The present officers of the church are: Elders-David W. Oliver, S. L. Harvey, E. A. Garthomets, W. J. Clark; Deacons-H. Nelson Walker, Mungo J. Currie, H. N. Ingersol, Michacl Schultz, Jr.
CENTRAL AVENUE REFORMED CHURCH. In 1871 Rev. W. V. B. Mabon, D. D., LL. D., late professor of didactic theology in the New Brunswick Seminary, then a pastor at New Durham, decided to build a new church. He selected a site on the corner of Bowers Street and Central
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Avenue, obtained $5,500 from James Brown, of New York, and added $2.500 from his own funds and bought the lots from Wm. B. Ogden. A small edifice was built, and Rev. A. B. Campbell, a retired Presbyterian minister, was induced to take charge of the work, which was of a missionary character. Rev. Mr. Bookstaver devoted some time to the work in gathering a Sunday-school and congregation. The church was organized by the Classis of Bergen, July 10, 1872. Twelve names were enrolled at the first communion. There were twenty-three signers to the application for organization. In the following November twenty-four names were added to the roll. Only four of the original members are now connected with the church. The present structure was completed May 15, 1894, and is a handsome briek building, 50 by 90 feet. The clergymen who have served as pastors were : Rev. George H. Pool, Rev. George L. Wolfe, Rev. Algernon Matthews, Rev. W. T. Griffin, Rev. W. C. Handy and Rev. Charles S. Wright, the present pastor. He was born in New Utrecht, L. I., graduated at Rutgers in the class of 1873, and from the seminary in the class of 1876. During his ministry about zoo have been received into the church. During its existence this church has sent two sons and one daughter into the service-Rev. John H. Gillespie, Greek professor in Hope College, Michigan ; Rev. R. W. Greek, teacher of Greek at Princeton College, and Mrs. John G. Fagg, who went to the mission field at Amoy, China.
SOUTH BERGEN REFORMED CHURCH. This church was the outcome of a meeting held in the residence of Rev. James L. Amerman, on Janu- ary 22, 1874. Several meet- ings were held, and it was decided to rent a small hall at Bergen and Communipaw avenues for a Sunday-school. At a meeting held in the resi- dence of C. V. H. Post, Feb- ruary 3, 1874, a committee, consisting of J. V. R. Vree- land, N. G. Vreeland and Nel- SOUTH BERGEN REFORMED CHURCH. son Provost, was appointed to select a site for a church building. The Sunday-school was opened February 15, 1874. E. L. Nichols was elected superintendent, and N. G. Vreeland, secretary and treasurer, and E. W. Vreeland, librarian. There were fifteen teachers and nine- teen scholars. On February 24th there were thirty scholars, and fifty-seven signatures had been obtained for the petition to Classis to organize a new church. March 291h the Bethel Chapel was finished and occupied. It was a small building at Bergen and Virginia avenues The church was organized May 5, 1874. Rev. I. P. Brokaw was installed as pastor in May, es; 1. and did good service until 1879. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry M. Cox, who served until 1882. In June, 1883, Rev. Wm. Vanghan was installed, and remained until December, IAS In May, 1889, Rev. Wm. D. Grant became pastor. In 1880 a new frame church had been created at Bergen Avenue and Union Street. By 1890 the congregation had outgrown it, and a now
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