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 41
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site was secured at Boyd and Bergen avenues. The new church was dedicated February 11, 1894. It is an ornament to the city. It is of mixed Gothic and Romanesque design, built of brown stone, and will accommodate one thousand worshippers. The building is well provided with lecture-room, Sunday-school room, committee rooms, and all that is required for the prose- cution of church work. Rev. Mr. Grant is still the pastor, and the church will be his monument.
LAFAYETTE REFORMED CHURCH, at the corner of Pine Street and Communipaw Avenue, was organized in 1863. Seventeen members left the Old Bergen Church, and nine left the Sec- ond Reformed Church to form the new one. Services were held in the Pine Street Public School until the lecture room of the church was tenable, in the early summer of 1864. The church was not completed until November, 1866. The parsonage was built in 1879. Rev. Wm. Rankin Duryee was called in May, 1864, and remained for about twenty-five years, building up a strong congregation. He was selected for a chair in the Theological Seminary at New Bruns- wick, and was succeeded by Rev. T. J. Kommers, the incumbent.
ST. JOHN'S REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN), on Fairview Avenue, was organized June 24, 1883, with nineteen members. The early services were held in Odd Fellows and Fairmount halls. Rev. Gottlieb Andreae was installed pastor November 11, 1883. On May 14, 1884, three lots were bought on Fairview Avenue for a church site. The corner-stonewas laid June 22, 1884. The church was dedicated September 14. 1884, and in 1887 the parsonage was erected. The church property is worth over $12,000. There are now 220 communicants, with a Sunday-school num- bering 350 officers, teachers and scholars. Rev. Mr. Andreae is still pastor, and the church prospers under his ministration.
ST. MATTHEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH is situated on Sussex Street, near Warren. The parish was organized on August 21, 1808. The first services were held in the Jersey Academy. In 1831 the corner-stone of the church building was laid. This edifice was destroyed by fire in December, 1869. The services were held in the new building on October 15, 1870. The first rector was Rev. Timothy Clowes. He was succeeded in May, 1809, by Rev. Edmund D. Barry. He resigned in 1816, and Rev. Cane Jones was rector until 1824, when Rev. Mr. Barry was recalled and served until his death, on April 20, 1852. Rev. A. C. Patterson was assistant rector from 1844 to 1847; Rev. Charles Aldis, from 1847 to 1849; Rev. James J. Bowden, from June, 1849, to May, 1852, and was rector until June, 1859. Rev. J. Brindon Smith was rector from 1859 to 1865, when Rev. Win. A. Matson succeeded him. Rev. Richard MI. Abercrombie became rector on January 7, 1872, and continued until December 7, 1884, when he died. He was one of the most popular ministers of the Episcopal church. He was dean of the Convocation of Northern New Jersey, and was prominently mentioned for bishop. His father was rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, during the Revolution, and numbered President Washington among his parishioners. Rev. Wm. A. Holbrook became pastor in charge in 1884 and became rector in 1886, remaining until 1890. Rev. Joseph Albert Nock was rector from 1890 until 1893. In February Rev. M. H. Throop became rector, and is now a favorite with a large congregation.
* GRACE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, corner of Erie and Second streets, was the second Episcopal church organized in what is now Jersey City. The corporate title of the parish is "Grace Church, in Van Vorst," that being the township when the church was organized, April 30, 1847. A temporary chapel was then erected in Grove Street, near Newark Avenue, which was used for about six years. In 1850 steps were taken towards the erection of a permanent church for the parish. Three lots of land were given on Erie Street by Mrs. Sarah Van Vorst and three of her children, and plans were accepted, prepared by Mr. Detlef Lienau, architect. December 6, 1850, the corner-stone was laid by Rt. Rev. George W. Doane, D. D., Bishop of New Jersey, and a church of Belleville brown stone erected. May 6, 1853, the church was con- secrated by Bishop Doane, and regular services established therein. After a few years the church was found to be too small for its congregation, and it was enlarged in 1864 by extending the nave and aisles, thereby providing sittings for Soo worshippers. In 1867 the parish built a rectory of brown stone adjoining the church, on Second Street. In 1879 a Sunday-school build- ing was erected adjoining the church on Erie Street. To effect these additions to the parish property three additional lots of land were purchased, making six in all.
* Prepared by Rev. George S. Benmitt.
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Grace Church is in the early English (thirteenth century) style of architecture, of 1. 1 ... ville brown stone, hammer-dressed, with the buttresses and ornamental work well fin he! The roof is slate, pointed for ornament, the ridge supporting an iron eresting, and the gab :. surmounted with stone crosses. Midway on the south side is the baptistry, with a gron ... ceiling, above which is yet to rise the tower of the church. The ivy growing on the church w .... brought from Lambeth Palace, England.
Inside, the building is open-roof, the arches resting on fourteen stone pillars (monohti .. ) The altar and font are of stone, and the church is paved throughout with encaustic tile. '1 .. furniture, pews and wainscoting are in black walnut ; the windows of stained glass, madr 1- England, France and America. The church contains some very valuable and historic p .....: ings, and abounds in numerous memorials. Many improvements have of late been effected. including the rebuilding of the altar, erection of a reredos, the removal of the organ to the
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GRACE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
chancel and rebuilding and enlarging it, and the addition of new stalls for the clergy choir. The last report of the parish to the Convention of the diocese gives the prese: ber of communicants as 511.
The rectors have been : Rev. Albert C. Patterson, 1847-'48; Rev. Milo Mah.in. 1848-'50 ; Rev. David H. Macurdy, 1850-'57 ; Rev. Charles Arey, D. D., 1857-'59; Rev. S . M. Rice, D. D., 1860-'81 ; Rev. Henry W. Spalding, D. D., 1882-'86; Rev. George S. 1. B. D., 1887.
Present clergy and officers-Rev. George S. Bennitt, B. D., rector ; Rev. John T . assistant minister. Wardens-Benjamin Illingworth, James Flemming (lately deceased' trymen-John Van Vorst, George H. White, John Medole, James G. Hasking, Richard . senden, Edmund W. Kingsland, Smith D. Mackey, Florence M. Relyea, Robert M. ' Conrad Wienges, M. D.
Rev. George S. Bennitt, B. D., was born at New Milford, Conn. ; educated at the E; Academy at Cheshire, Conn., and at St. Stephen's College, Annandale, N. Y. Ile wasa. deacon by the Rt. Rev. John Williams, D. D., Bishop of Connecticut, in St. John's Chur Milford, Conn., September 28, 1873, and was ordained priest by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin 1:
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dock, D. D., Bishop of Massachusetts, in All Saints Church, Boston, Mass., January 20, 1880. From October, 1873, to October, 1875, he was assistant minister of St. Peter's Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., of which the Rev. John A. Paddock, D. D., was rector, who afterwards became the Bishop of Washington Territory. Under him his theological studies were pursued. From October, 1875, to March, 1887, he was rector of All Saints Church, Boston, Mass., during which time a feeble church, receiving missionary aid, became one of the strongest parishes in the suburban districts around Boston. March 1, 1887, he became the rector of Grace Church, Erie and Second streets, Jersey City, and was instituted by Rt. Rev. Thomas A. Starkey, D. D., Bishop of the diocese of Newark, June 19, 1887. With the beginning of his rectorship, Grace Church became a free church for all people, and under him has gone steadily onward, reaching out to every class in need of christian ministrations. Mr. Bennitt's influence and work extend far beyond his parish. He has been for many years president of Christ Hospital, Jersey City. When he came to reside in this city lie found Christ Hospital in a rented house, having no land or buildings of its own, and trying to do its work with limited capacity and resources. He took hold of this work with faith and zeal, and led the people of Jersey City to the purchase of land and the building of a new hospital, and its equipment and service have been brought to a standard of excellence second to none in the State. He is also president of the Board of Missions of the Episcopal Church in this diocese. He has been honored by being sent by the diocese as one of its delegates to the General Conventions of the church in the United States, which have been held during his connection with the diocese. He is a member of the commission appointed by the Gen- eral Convention to point the Psalter for chanting in the American church. His college, St. Stephen's, at its commencement in June, 1894, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Bachelor of Divinity, in recognition of his many positions of honor and usefulness in the church. Mr. Bennitt was mar- ried in 1874 to Thomasetta Butler, of Staten Island, and they have had five sons.
ST. MARY'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH Was organized as Holy Trinity on September 10, 1851. The building was erected on the north side of REV. GEO. S. BENNITT. St. Paul's Avenue, a little west of Central Avenue. The corner-stone was laid December 10, 1851, and the building was dedicated on May 19, 1853. It was moved to its present location on Hoboken Avenue, and placed on a lot owned by Judge Marcus Beach, and which the vestry rented of him in April, 1881.
The Rev. Wm. B. Gries was the first rector, and served from 1851 until 1855, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Norman W. Camp, D. D. He served until 1858, and was succeeded by the Rev. Louis L. Noble. His rectorship lasted from 1858 to 1872.
The next rector was the Rev. James Chrystal, who served from 1872 to 1874.
The Rev. George E. Packard's rectorship lasted about one year, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Ralph B. Hoyt in 1875, and he resigned in 1880, and was succeeded by the Rev. E. F. Baker.
The Rev. Spencer M. Rice, D. D., was called to the rectorship in 1882, and served two years and a half, when, in November, 1885, the Rev. George P. Hebbard accepted a call to the rectorship, and served until April 1, 1888.
The rectorship of the Rev. D. F. Warren, D. D., commenced on the ist of June, 1888. At a meeting of the vestry, held February 25, 1889, the following resolutions were unanimously passed :
Whereas, The Church of Trinity is found to be in a bankrupt condition, having scarcely sufficient assets to pay its debts,
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Resolved, That as it seems best that the parish pass more directly under the control of the bishop of the diocese, that we, the rector, wardens and vestrymen, do hereby go out of exist- ence as a corporate body.
The property of the parish was sold to Marcus Beach, except the land, which he already owned, and the proceeds went to paying the debts of the parish.
After which the rector, wardens and vestrymen resigned.
Then a mission was organized under the name of St. Mary's, and the Rev. D. F. Warren, D. D., was appointed the missionary by the bishop.
The Rev. Dr. Warren purchased the lots on Hoboken Avenue, and the building formerly owned by Holy Trinity, from Marcus Beach, where St. Mary's Mission held its services until Easter, April 18, 1892.
An election of wardens and vestrymen of Holy Trinity was held, and the name legally changed to St. Mary's Church, and the Rev. D. F. Warren, D. D., accepted a call to the rectorship thereof.
Since then the parish has gone on under the name of St. Mary's, and has accomplished the work for which a parish is supposed to exist.
The officers of the parish are now : Wardens, D. V. N. Williams, Joseph Keele ; Vestrymen, George W. Young, David H. Blackham, Joseph G. Flet- cher, George Beach ; Superintendent of the Sun- day-school, the Rector ; Secretary and Treasurer, Wm. Alleman.
The present rector, who has been in charge for five years, has occupied some prominent positions in the church. His first parish was in the city of Buffalo. He was the rector of St. Mark's, Chicago, and for ten years he was the rector of Trinity, in Elizabeth.
ST. MARK'S CHURCH, Jersey Avenue near Van Vorst Square, was first organized under the name of Trinity Church, on September 17, 1854. A small building was opened on York Street, near Grove, by Bishop Doane, on June so, 1855, and placed in charge of the Rev. Stephen Douglas, who died January 21, 1857. In March, 1857, Rev. C. H. Canfield became rector. In June, 1859, Rev. ST. MARY'S P. E. CHURCH. Robert Travis, Jr., became rector, and remained so until his death, October 26, 1866. In May, 1863, the congregation moved to the building on the corner of Grove Street and Montgomery, which had been erected originally for a Unitarian congregation. Rev. Thos. K. Coleman was then called, and he remained at Trinity Church less than two years. In August, 1868, a meeting was held for the purpose of reorganizing the parish under the title of St. Mark's Church, and Rev. D. H. Macurdy assumed the rectorship February, 1869, which he resigned in March, 1871. The following June the Rev. J. F. Butterworth commenced his ministrations, and continued them until February, 1875. The next two years saw the beginning and the end of the rectorship of the Rev. H. B. Stuart Martin. In June, 1878, it was resolved to sell the property and discharge all indebtedness, and for a year and a half all services were discontinued. At the end of the year 1879, Rev. R. M. Abercrombie, rector of St. Matthew's Church, leased the building and held an afternoon service in it on Sundays. In consequence of this, for one year it was known as St. Matthew's Chapel, but other duties compelling Dr. Abercrombie to relinquish the charge, Mr. John G. Crawford and Mr. W. L. Marsh, who were much interested in this movement, pressed the Rev. F. E. Mortimer, the rector of Christ Church, to take up the work, and on February 13, 1881, with the approval of the bishop, who was present at the first service, he began the resuscitation of the old parish, returning to the old title of St Mark's Church. At the end of eighteen months the building was repurchased and put into thorough
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repair. After eight years of steady services and prosperity, a site for a new church was pur- chased at Jersey Avenue and York Street, and in June, 1888, the present handsome stone struc- ture was commenced, and completed and opened February 2, 1889. The following autumn a parish building, measuring 26 by 105 feet, was erected. The whole being free from encum- brances in 1893, it was resolved to request the bishop to appoint a day for the consecration in the following year. In February, 1892, a small mission chapel was built on Halladay Street in connection with this church.
ST. PAUL'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This parish was organized by J. L. Sutphen, E. Ward, John Rudderow, L. P. Harrison, B. Throckmorton, E. Baldwin, T. W. James, W. P. Bleeker and Christopher H. Fash. The first service was held in September, 1858, by Rev. Charles H. Canfield, then pastor of Trinity Church, Jersey City. A church edifice was built on Duncan Avenue, and opened for worship by Bishop Odenheimer on May 20, 1861. The church was or- ganized August 1, 1860. Rev. Fernando C. Putnam was called as rector at the organization, and served continuously until his death, October 30, 1886. He was chaplain of Christ Hospital for thirteen years, and was highly respected by the whole community. He was succeeded by Rev. William P. Brush, the present rector, who took charge February 1, 1887. The church has twice been enlarged, the last time in 1888, when it was rebuilt, and a Sunday-school and guild room added. The present wardens are : A. G. Evans and T. Q. Gilson. The vestrymen are : John Cox, W. R. Drayton, J. A. Donohue, S. T. Hunt, J. J. Voorhees, E. P. Clarke, N. B. Lyons. The rector is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which numbers about two hundred.
GRACE CHURCH, GREENVILLE, was organized at a meeting held at the residence of Dr. Bern L. Budd, Danforth Avenue, on the evening of January 14, 1864. The first vestry chosen at that meeting consisted of Dr. Bern L. Budd and J. O. Seymour, wardens ; John A. Schuyler, Lewis B. Bruen, J. R. Pidgeon, D. Reynolds Budd and Henry Seymour, vestrymen.
The first service was held at the house of J. O. Seymour on Sunday, January 31, 1864. Wm. G. Hughs, postulant and lay reader under Rev. F. C. Putnam, rector of St. Paul's, Bergen, officiating.
Its first edifice was an old building formerly used for factory purposes, situated near the corner of Old Bergen Road and Danforth Avenue. This was put in suitable condition and opened for divine service on Sunday, June 12, 1864. The Evening Journal of June 13th had the following notice of the services held that day :
"The new church edifice which we noticed some months since as in course of erection at Greenville has recently been finished, and was yesterday dedicated to the divine service. The Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, of St. Ann's, New York, officiated in the morning, the Rev. Mr. Putnam, of Bergen, in the afternoon, and the Rev. Mr. Jagger, of Bergen Point, in the evening. The new church is to be called 'Grace.'"'
Mr. Hughs continued in charge of the parish as lay reader until October 22, 1864, when he was ordained deacon by the Rt. Rev. Wm. H. Odenheimer, Bishop of New Jersey. He was called as rector-elect on the 25th of April, 1865, and on May 4, 1866, as rector of the parish. He resigned the rectorship on September, 5, 1867, a period of three years and seven months.
The following rectors have succeeded him : Rev. John R. Matthews, called April 20, 1868 ; resigned October 20, 1869. Rev. Frederick M. Grey, minister in charge October 24, 1869, rector April 24, 1870; resigned November 22, 1872 ; continued in charge until July 1, 1873. Rev. James W. Coe, minister in charge November 5. 1873, rector April 20, 1874 ; resigned June 30, 1877. Rev. Chalmers D. Chapman, minister in charge December 1, 1877, rector elect May 1, 1878, rector November 2, 1878. Grace Church was incorporated on May 1, 1865. Its present church building was erected in 1872, and opened for divine service on December 25, 1872. It stands on the corner of Ocean and Pearsall avenues.
The present vestry consists of George A. DeForest and Samuel Ross, wardens; Joseph G. Hoffman, Joseph Ross, Asa J. H. Darr, Charles Q. Sampson, Chas. L. Heney, Chas. N. De- Forest and Frank H. Lau, vestrymen. Rev. Chalmers I). Chapman still continues in charge, his rectorship extending over a period of sixteen years and seven months, standing second in point of service of the present rectors of the city, Rev. E. L. Stoddard, of St. John's, preceding him by about nine months.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION. In the beginning of 1868 the members of the Episcopal church living in Hudson City met to consider the advisability of organizing a parish, and pro- curing a place where they could hold religious service. In February they organized under the name of St. Paul's Church, Hudson City, by electing wardens and vestrymen, and in April they began to hold services in Luxton's Hall in Congress Street near Palisade Avenue. Rev. T. MI. Thorpe was called as rector, but remained in charge only about four months, when he resigned. and Rev. Wm. Wardlaw became rector. He heid the position antil September. 18;2. During his incumbency lots on the corner of New York Avenne and South Street were purchased, and on February 19, IS71, the corner-sione of the present church was laid. On Whitsunday, May 28, 1871, the first service was held in the new church. On the resignation of Rev. Mr. Ward- law, Rev. D. G. Gunn was called to the rectorship, and remained until Angust, 18:3. At this time financial difficulties overtook the church, which was unable to meet the current expenses and pay the interest on a heavy mortgage.
So the parish organization was allowed to lapse, and the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie. Arch- deacon of the Convocation, and in charge of the missions in Jersey City, assumed most of the indebtedness and continued the work as a mission. St. Paul's parish organization ceased to exist, and the mission Church of the Ascension took its place. Rev. J. A. Denniston was placed over the work, and remained in charge twelve years, when he resigned, and Rev. Jas. Cameron became rector of the church. Since then the church has increased both in numbers and in resources. A rectory has been purchased, and it will probably-not be long before the Church of the Ascension resumes its place among the parishes of the diocese.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH is on Summit Avenue. This parish, which now worships in one of the most beautiful, commodious and churchly edifices in the city, is bur a quarter of a century old. Beginning with a handful of people in Library Hall in 1869. it was able two years later to lay the corner-stone of its present building. I: has had but two rectors. The Erst Rev. .. >. Rulison, D. D., resigned in 18:6 to take charge of St. Paul's in Cleveland, O., and is now the Assistant Bishop of Central Pennsylvania. The present rector, Rev. E. L. Stoddard, Ph. D., called to St. John's in 18 ;; , has held the position of rector for nearly eighteen years. Bishop Rulison laid the foundation of a strong parish, and under him a substantial stone church was erected. Under the present rector the growth has continued In 18;8 a new room was built for parish work, and in 1880 a second room, forty feet by tirenty. In the same year a perma- nent assistant was found necessary. In 18Sz $10.000 of the debt was paid off. In 1855 new aisle chairs were placed in the church, and several new pews added, filling it to its utmost ca- pacity. In 1886, as a site for a future rectory or chapel, three and a half lots adjoining the church were purchased. These have been improved and fenced, and are now used as an ath- Ietic ground for the Young Men's Guild. In ISS9 a brick parish-house was built, and the old one converted into a gymnasium. In 189: the church was enlarged, re-decorated, its ungran built over and a handsome vestibule added, at a total cost of nearly $25.000.
St. John's has always been a free church, supported by the envelope system, but as the ue- mand for seats has been greater than the supply, the pews have for many years been assigned. It has always been famous for its chorus choir, and the classical and sterling character of it- music. It has now connected with it nearly 600 families, has 1.052 communicants, a Sanday- school of nearly ;oo and twenty-two vigorous working societies. The church has always been prosperous and popular and is one of the strongest in the City.
* THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In the month of May, 1890, a suggestion was made by the officers of The Presbyterian Church of Jersey City, that their church should consolidate : unite with The First Presbyterian Church of Bergen, N. J., and desired an expression of opinion from the officers of the latter church regarding the matter. The suggestion was made known to the joint boards of session and trustees of the Bergen church at a meeting held May 6, 1889, was duly considered, and the Jersey City church was notified that a pr fung: n looking to a consolidation or union of the churches would be cordially welcomed.
The joint board of session and trustees of The Jersey City Church, after receiving a she of this action, expressed a desire that a conference should be held of the juist boards [ h th churches, as early as convenient, to consider the question of a union of the two org .. miz.it: .
* Prepared by Rev. Charles Herr.
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The boards met May 30, 1889, when, after a full interchange of views, committees were ap- pointed from each church to prepare a plan for consolidation or union. Subsequently the plan was approved by the joint boards, and ratified by the society and congregations of both churches at meetings held June 25, 1889 ; full power was conferred on the joint boards to take the necessary measures to effect the consolidation or union.
The Presbytery of Jersey City, at its meeting held November 5, 1889, approved the consolidation or union of the churches, on the plan and terms proposed, and authorized the churches to consummate the same.
March 17, 1890, a joint meeting of the boards of trustees of The First Presbyterian Church of Bergen, N. J., and The Presbyterian Church of Jersey City, was held for the purpose of completing the consolidation or union of said churches. The papers and documents necessary to legalize the action of the joint boards were presented and adopted. It was then resolved that the name of the consolidated or united society shall be The First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City. Rev. Charles K. Imbrie, D.D., pastor of The Presbyterian Church, to hold the office of pastor emeritus, and Rev. Charles Herr, D. D., pastor of The First Presbyterian Church of Bergen, to hold the office of pastor of the consolidated church. March 29, 1890, a meeting of the church and society of The First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City was held for the purpose of electing officers for that church.
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