USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume I > Part 39
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While all of Mr. Joyce's efforts were far from sensational, one ser- mon delivered in 1890 attracted widespread attention and was published in pamphlet form by the Central Nationalist Club. This was a sermon on the text, "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" In this sermon the relations between capital and labor and the church's duty therein were discussed in a way that was markedly prophetic of the discussions so abundant in later years. During his rectorship, early celebrations of Holy Com- munion each Sunday were instituted, and for a time daily services were held in the church.
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Mr. Joyce graduated from Yale College and the General Theological Seminary, and in 1916 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Rutgers College. Failing health compelled Mr. Joyce to resign his rectorship, and he was made rector emeritus, which position he still holds, beloved and honored by his parish and throughout the diocese.
The Rev. Herbert Parrish, who had supplied the pulpit during Mr. Joyce's illness, was called to the rectorship May I, 1915, and under his guidance the parish has retained its traditions of progress and vigor which has marked its entire history. In 1917 an important movement toward church unity was started in which Christ Church under Mr. Parrish took an active part. Services were held on Sunday evenings in rotation in Christ Church, the First and Second Reformed Churches, and the First Presbyterian, in which services the choirs and clergy of the respective organizations united. The parish took an active part in the nation-wide campaign of the Episcopal Church in 1919, the rector being campaign chairman for the diocese. Under Mr. Parrish the con- gregation has made great advancement. It has discharged all indebted- ness, some of long standing. It has established an endowment fund. The pews have been made free. It has more than quadrupled contribu- tions for missionary purposes. Mr. Parrish possesses exceptional powers as a preacher and teacher, and is able to gather a goodly congregation even in these times when church attendance is not popular.
Christ Church holds a remarkable record for growth and strength. Of exceptional character have been its rectors and distinguished laymen. After one hundred and eighty-years it can look to the future with trust and confidence.
St. John the Evangelist-A movement was started in 1852 among the congregation of Christ Church to establish another parish in New Brunswick. The mother church was too small to accommodate its congregation, and was not strong enough in finances or numbers to bear the expense of erecting a church edifice in another section of the city. It was at this time decided to build an addition to the church and establish another parish later. Other obstacles interposed ; it was not, however, until 1860, under the rectorship of the Rev. Alfred Stubbs, that money was raised for the building of a mission chapel on the present site of St. John the Evangelist. The cornerstone was laid November 28, 1860, and the new chapel was consecrated December 27, 1861, when Rev. Louis Bevieu Van Dyke was chosen by the vestry to officiate as deacon in charge. He was succeeded in 1864 by Rev. Alfred B. Baker as assistant in charge.
St. John's drew away from Christ Church and was organized as an independent parish, April 25, 1866. The Rev. Edward B. Boggs became
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the first pastor of the new parish. He was succeeded in 1869 by Rev. Charles Edward Phelphs. The church building comprised only one room; in 1885 the edifice was considerably enlarged and beautified by the addition of a tower, transept and parish room, these alterations costing over $10,000.
Rev. Charles E. Phelphs resigned in 1898 and was appointed rector- emeritus. The Rev. W. Dutton Dale, after acting as assistant minister for one year, was elected rector, assuming the duties of the incumbency on Easter Day, 1898. He resigned March 31, 1909, to accept a call to Rumsen, New Jersey, and the present rector, Rev. Edward Wheeler Hall, was called by the congregation and was installed as rector in July, 1909. An addition to the rear of the church building was built in 1909 at an expenditure of $3,000.
The First Reformed Church-This is the oldest church organization in the city of New Brunswick. Its corporate title is, "The Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Congregation of New Brunswick."
Guillaem Bertholf, a resident of Hackensack, as a lay worker fre- quently visited this section. As voorleser in the Holland church, he rendered invaluable services in a large portion of Northern New Jersey. So acceptable were his services as reader and comforter of the sick that he was sent to Holland in 1693 for ordination. Upon his return he had the spiritual oversight of all the Holland communities in New Jersey. His work resulted in the organization of many Reformed churches, including those in the vicinity of New Brunswick.
A church was erected as early as 1703, about three miles west of the present city limits. The congregation which worshipped there soon divided to form two churches, now known as the Reformed Church of Franklin Park, and the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick. From the early maps and records of the city it appears that the first church was built about 1714, at the corner of Schureman and Burnet streets. The earliest church record is dated April 12, 1717. The archives of the church contain a complete register of baptism and the list of church members and officers from 1717. The second church edifice was erected on the present site in 1767. This was built of stones which were brought up the Raritan on sloops from Hell Gate. When this building was demolished to make way for a new one, these stones were used in the walls of the present structure which was dedicated in 1812.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. Theodorus Jacobus Freling- huysen. He also served the churches at Raritan (Somerville), Six Mile Run (Franklin Park), and North Branch (Readington). Mr. Frelinghuysen came directly from Holland, bringing with him a school- master, Jacobus Schureman, who was also chorister and voorleser. These men were the progenitors of many distinguished citizens who
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have rendered signal service to the State. The next three pastors were closely connected with the college also. Rev. Johannes Leydt was a leader in the movement resulting in the founding of Queen's College, later known as Rutgers College. Rev. Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, D. D., in 1786 became the pastor of the church and also president of the college. He was a staunch personal friend of General Washington. His suc- cessor in the pastorate, Rev. Ira Condict, D. D., was also vice-president of the college and professor of moral philosophy.
During the two hundred years of its history, the church has been served by fifteen pastors. Besides those mentioned, the list includes John Schureman, D. D., Jesse Fonda, John Ludlow, D. D., Isaac Ferris, D. D., James B. Hardenbergh, D. D., Jacob J. Janeway, D. D., Samuel B. How, D. D., Richard H. Steele, D. D., Thomas C. Easton, D. D., P. Theodore Pockman, D. D., and Jasper S. Hogan, D. D.
For many years the "Old First" has been popularly known as the "Town Clock Church," on account of the clock in the steeple, placed there and maintained by the city. Many of the stones in the cemetery around the church mark the resting places of some of the most honored leaders in the Reformed Church in America. Prominent among these is the Scudder monument testifying to the pioneer missionary zeal of the family which has given a total of more than one thousand years to foreign missionary service. The church itself has been greatly ad- mired, and its picture is included with a score of other historic churches which are regarded as the best specimens of ecclesiastical architecture in the country in the colonial days.
Second Reformed Church-This was organized by members of the First Reformed Church in 1843. The first pastor was Rev. David D. Demarest, who was called in 1843 and continued in charge for nearly ten years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel M. Woodbridge, who continued until 1857, when he resigned to take the chair of ecclesi- astical history in the Theological Seminary. The Rev. Hugh N. Wilson became pastor in 1858, and the cornerstone of the present church on the corner of George and Albany streets, was laid October 26, 1857, the building being completed and dedicated April 10, 1861. The next pastor was the Rev. John W. Schenck, who supplied the pulpit from February, 1863, to June 1, 1866. The same year the Rev. Chester D. Hartranft was chosen pastor, continuing until 1878. The long pastorate of the Rev. Mancius H. Hutton commenced October 17, 1879, continuing over thirty years until his death, December 19, 1909. The next pastor was Rev. John A. Ingham, who was installed March 2, 1910, serving till December 1, 1920. The chapel adjoining the church was erected in 1895, as a semi-centennial memorial. The present membership is 312, the church properties being valued at $200,000.
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The Suydam Street Reformed Church-The Suydam Street Reformed Church was organized October 30, 1884, with fourteen members. The Rev. William H. Campbell, D. D., who had just resigned the presidency of Rutgers College, was its first pastor. He was installed January II, 1885. The cornerstone of the church was laid July 6th the same year. In October, 1889, Dr. Campbell resigned, and his son, the Rev. Alan D. Campbell, was invited to supply the pulpit for three months and then was called to the pastorate of the church. He served it faithfully until his death, April 1, 1913. In 1892 the parsonage was built on Livingston avenue. The present pastor, Rev. George H. Payson, supplied the pulpit for two years, at the same time occupying the Chair of Ethics and Evi- dences of Christianity in Rutgers College. In 1915 he resigned his professorship and accepted a call to the church and was installed in October.
Other Churches-For the benefit of the German population of the city, the Third Reformed Church was established in 1851. The Rev. Francis M. Serenbets was chosen pastor, continuing until 1854. The following year the Rev. Franz Schneevius was called, remaining until 1858, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. Hones. The Rev. Prof. Carl Meyer took charge in the early sixties of the last century, the congre- gation worshipping in a small frame building erected in 1857 on Guilden street. On the organization of the St. John's German Reformed Church in 1861, the members of the Third Reformed Church united with that church, making the total membership sixty. The congregation wor- shipped in a frame building on the corner of Albany and George streets. The first pastor was Rev. A. Hocking, who resigned in 1864, when Rev. I. N. Steiner had charge of the congregation for a year. The third pastor, Rev. Oscar Lohr stayed only a few months; his successor, the Rev. Charles Banks, was installed in 1868, remaining until 1904, when he was succeeded by the Rev. M. H. Qual.
The church property was sold on the corner of Albany and George streets and the congregation built a cement block structure capable of seating five hundred persons, on the corner of Livingston avenue and Suydam street. The name of the congregation was changed to the Livingston Avenue Reformed Church; services are given in both the German and English languages. The present pastor, the Rev. W. H. Bollman, succeeded in 1920 the Rev. Otto B. Moor.
The Suydam Street Reformed Church was organized October 30, 1884, by the Rev. William H. Campbell, who was its first pastor. He was succeeded in 1889 by his son, the Rev. Alan D. Campbell, who remained in charge for over a score of years. The membership of the church is about three hundred souls, and they are comfortably housed in a brick building on the southeast corner of Suydam and Drift streets. The present pastor is the Rev. George H. Payson.
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The Magyar Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church, known as the Magyar Reformed Church, in 1908 purchased the Second Presbyter- ian Church, on Somerset, corner of Division streets. The congregation, composed mainly of Hungarian, numbers over five hundred members. It is an intensely earnest and active body under the leadership of the present pastor, the Rev. Paul F. B. Hamborszky, who has had charge for almost twenty years. It is a strong and prosperous society.
Methodist Churches-Methodism was established in America in 1766. Members of the denomination from Ireland settled in New York, among whom were Philip Embury and Barbara Heck, whose names are house- hold words in Methodist circles. It was planted late in the eighteenth century in Trenton and Elizabethtown. The record of its beginnings in New Brunswick dates back to 1798, when Rev. Francis Asbury, the missionary bishop, visited the place. He states in his Journal that on June 15, 1800, he had a meeting in New Brunswick, and that many under his exhortation felt the Word. He again writes that he gave a discourse in the court house in May, 1810.
A charter was granted the church June 13, 1799, and the first minister installed was Rev. J. Totten. The progress of the denomination seems to have laid dormant for over a decade, when a meeting for the election of trustees was held May 27, 1811. It appears that on July 18, 1811, that Jacob Snyder, James Williams, David Oliver, Michael Pool, Joel Conger, Henry Goose and John Viliet took oath severally to faithfully administer the office of trustee of the Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church of New Brunswick. A lot was purchased in 1811 on Liberty street by the Rev. James Smith, of the Philadelphia Conference, from the trustees of Queen's College, for $528, and was by him deeded to the trustees April 26, 1817. A brick church was erected in 1811 on this lot. For the following nine years, most of the time the congregation was a part of a circuit. The Rev. Charles Pitman in 1820 became the first settled pastor; he found twenty members, which in two years was increased to sixty. The church building was completely destroyed by a tornado on June 19, 1835; its pastor the Rev. W. H. Bull was so severely injured that he died.
Rev. James Ayars was appointed pastor in 1836; during his ministry the church was rebuilt on the same lot, its construction being of wood. The congregation worshipped in this church until May, 1876. During the pastorate of the Rev. B. S. Sharp, 1869-71, the foundation of a new church was laid on the corner of Liberty and George streets. The church was 70x95 feet, and during the pastorate of the Rev. John S. Phelps, 1875-77, was occupied. Its dedication took place in May, 1876, Bishop Matthew Simpson officiating. For nearly twenty years the building was incomplete, but in June, 1896, when Rev. George C. Stanger
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, NEW BRUNSWICK
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was pastor, the steeple was raised to the height of 144 feet, the outside brick walls plastered with Portland cement, the interior remodeled, the pews equipped with cushions, and a pipe organ installed. It was dur- ing the pastorate of Rev. William P. Davis that the chapel building was commenced. The church in late years has been known as the First Methodist Episcopal Church ; its present pastor is Rev. Joseph B. Kulp.
It was during a revival of religion in 1851 that the Rev. James D. Blain, pastor of the mother church, owing to the prosperous condition of Methodism in New Brunswick and the prospective growth of the city, advocated the establishment of another organization. A site was obtained on the corner of George and Oliver streets, and a frame build- ing on brick foundation was erected, and was dedicated by Bishop Edmund S. Jaynes, August 11, 1852. The name of the Pitman Metho- dist Episcopal Church was given to the congregation in honor of the Rev. Charles Pitman, the first settled minister of the parent church. To constitute the membership of the new organization, it was decided at a meeting of the officers of the mother church, twelve in number, that one-half of their number should be chosen by the pastor, with their families, to constitute the new church. The six persons chosen were David Carel, Robert Miller, John Helm, William Ovens, George W. Price and Staten Jeffries, so that the actual membership of the new church was nearly fifty persons. In April, 1909, during the pas- torate of Rev. Herbert J. Belting, a movement was begun looking towards the erection of a new and modern structure. This enterprise was carried to a successful completion, and the building was dedicated December 19, 1909. The present pastor is Rev. Leon Chamberlain.
In the spring of 1856 the Rev. R. A. Chalker was transferred from the New York Conference to the New Jersey Conference, and appointed to the Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church. There was in that year an exten- sive revival in the Liberty Street Church ; about one hundred and seventy persons were received into the church on probation. The church building becoming too small for the congregation, Christopher Meyers made a proposition to establish a third Methodist congregation in the city. He offered to pay one-third of the cost up to $20,000 to build another church, on the condition that it should be a pewed church where his family could sit together during devotional services. This proposition was too liberal to be ignored, and with the cooperation of several members of the church, a sufficient amount was realized and a lot on the corner of Bayard and Schuyler streets was purchased. A chapel was first erected, and in 1866, Rev. John McClinlock, afterwards president of Drew Theological Seminary at Madison, New Jersey, was secured as a supply ; in this capacity he served the church for one year and six months. Meanwhile, the main building was completed, and dedicated by Bishop Matthew Simpson, November 1I, 1866. It was during the pastorate of
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Rev. Frederick C. Uhl that the beautiful church on December 13, 1908. was gutted by fire, only the walls and steeple remained standing.
A great social change had been going on in the neighborhood of the church, the Magyars coming into the locality in decided numbers, and it was decided to sell the burned building to them and purchase the edifice they had been using at the junction of Easton avenue and Hamilton street. This was done, the Magyar Hungarian Presbyterian people receiving for their structure and valuable lot the sum of $13,000, with the old church and parsonage on Schuyler street. The building was remodeled to suit the work of a Methodist Episcopal church ; a new parsonage was built facing Easton avenue. Among the early pastors were Revs. John E. Cookman, Frank B. Rose, R. M. Stratton, Robert Laird Collier and Otis H. Tiffany. The present pastor is Rev. Percy R. Comer.
The Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the oldest organizations among the colored people of the city. The congregation commenced to hold religious services in 1827 at different places, finally a church was built on Division street. The congregation is small, but regular services are held. The present pastor is Rev. Samuel L. Sturges.
The Union African Methodist Church was organized with a small membership in 1879. The Rev. E. H. Chippey took charge in 1880, hoping to increase the membership, but his efforts were not attended with much success, and the congregation not being self-supporting, the enterprise was abandoned.
Baptist Churches-Prior to 1816, the Baptists residing in New Bruns- wick were for the most part members of the Baptist church in Piscata- way township, and occasional services were conducted for these people in New Brunswick by the pastor of the Piscataway church. In the year 1813 a commodious church building was erected on Somerset street, near George, on a lot donated for the purpose by Mrs. Gertrude Parker. On September 21, 1816, the First Baptist Church was formally organ- ized with the following named charter members: Asa Runyon, Henry Wright, Richard Lupardus, Sarah Merrill, Joseph Runyon, Hephzibah Walker, Phoebe Runyon, Abigall Coon, Elizabeth Runyon, Squire Mar- tin, Charlotte Lupardus, Sarah Post, Sarah Runyon, Sarah Probasco, Walter M. Henry, Ruth Brenner, Abram Potts, Susannah Martin, Richard E. Runyon, Sarah Ayres, Sarah L. Dunham, Charles E. Hol- lingshed, Sarah Kent, Esther Potts.
In 1838 the church edifice in use at present, corner of George and Bayard streets, was erected, and the building and grounds formerly occupied was two years later sold to the New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company. The church throughout its history of more than one hundred years has been prosperous, aggressive, and profoundly
LIVINGSTON AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW BRUNSWICK
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missionary in spirit. It has sent out three colonies which have become thriving churches, viz .: The Livingstone Avenue Baptist Church of New Brunswick, the George's Road Baptist Church, and the South River Baptist Church.
In the year 1887 the church secured a lot at the corner of Somerset and High streets, and having erected thereon a substantial structure began missionary work in that locality. This work was carried on with a good degree of success until the Hungarians preempted that neighbor- hood a few years ago, when it was changed from an English speaking mission to a Hungarian, with a Hungarian mission worker in charge. An independent Baptist church composed of the people of that nation- ality is about to be organized. In 1895 the church, encouraged by its work in High street, erected another chapel at the corner of Raritan and Second avenues, Highland Park, and there carries on Sunday school work on the Sabbath and holds a week night service. The fol- lowing named pastors have served the church : James McLaughlin, John Johnson, Greenleaf S. Webb, George R. Bliss, Shobal S. Parker, George Kempton, Thomas R. Howlett, Mortimer S. Riddell, Henry F. Smith, Henry C. Applegarth, Mathew H. Pogson, Linn E. Wheeler, Edwin F. Garrett, Newton A. Merritt, Howard A. Bulson, and Linn E. Wheeler again, and for the second time its pastor. The terms of service of Webb, Smith and Wheeler aggregate fifty years. The present membership is 818.
A large number of the members of the First Baptist Church, desirous of having a new organization, organized a Bible school March 17, 1872. A church consisting of ninety-three constituent members, eighty-two of whom were dismissed by letter from the First Baptist Church, was organized April 9, 1872, and recognized by a council of Baptist churches May 9, 1872. Six of these original members are still connected with the church. Before the organization of the church, Deacon S. Van Wickle, of the First Church, donated a site, and members of the First Church contributed $10,000 for a new building. A church edifice was built on Remsen avenue, corner of Redmond street, at a cost of $37,000, and dedicated May 29, 1873. The first pastor was Rev. A. E. Waffle, who served from 1873 to 1880. His successor was Rev. W. H. H. Marsh, who after a pastorate of five years was succeeded by Rev. M. V. Mc- Duffie, who continued in charge of the congregation until 1895. It was during his pastorate that the old church building (now the Masonic Temple) was sold, and a new edifice erected on Livingston avenue and Welton street at an expenditure of $49,500, and the name of the church changed from Remsen Avenue to Livingston Avenue Baptist Church. The value of the church plant has been increased by the addition of a new organ, and the completion of the social rooms at a cost of about $15,000. Dr. McDuffie was succeeded in May, 1875, by Rev. C. A.
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Jenkins, who continued until 1900. In April, 1901, Rev. Albert Bacon Sears became pastor ; the membership of the church at this time was 568, and it was entirely free of debt, its pews were free, the amount of expenses being met by subscriptions in advance by the members. No fairs or festivals were ever held, and no contributions ever solicited save from its own members. The present pastor, Rev. Paul Hayne, succeeded Rev. Mr. Sears in 1910. The present membership is 625, and the auditorium has a seating capacity of 600, which can be increased 200 by the opening of the adjoining lecture room.
A number of colored people in 1876 belonging to the First Baptist Church met and organized the Ebenezer Colored Baptist Church. They worshipped in a brick building built for them by the First Baptist Church on Hale street, near Lee avenue. The church accommodated about one hundred. They were supplied with regular services, and Rev. Archie G. Young took charge of the congregation in 1880. The Rev. Mr. Young was succeeded by Rev. R. E. W. Roberts, whose successor was Rev. D. Y. Campbell, who was succeeded by the Rev. A. Parish. The next pastor was Rev. E. E. Jackson, who was called in 1915, and during his ministry, the membership was increased from sixty-five to two hundred and forty, the church building remodeled, a parsonage bought, and the congregation was free of debt. The Rev. Mr. Jackson resigned his charge July 14, 1920, to accept a call to the Mount Calvary Church at Norwich, Connecticut. The present pastor, Rev. J. W. Washington, formerly a resident of the State of Texas, took charge in December, 1920.
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