USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Montclair > History of Montclair township state of New Jersey; including the history of the families who have been identified with its growth and prosperity > Part 13
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" In 1830 Bloomfield became the head of the cirenit, which included Orange, Woodbridge, and several other places. The first quarterly conference was held at Fairfield, June 12. Among those present was the Presiding Elder, Rev. Charles Pitman, who afterward became Missionary Secretary of the Methodist Church. There was present also as a class-leader, Edwin L. Janes, twin brother of Bishop Janes. and who at this conference received license to preach : and Henry Wikle. a son of James Wilde, who acted as secretary for the quarterly conference from 18:30 to 1838. (Still living 1894).
" In 1835 the quarterly conference was formed into a two weeks' circuit with one preacher, and a year later Rev. Mr. Swain was appointed to the Orange Society, and from that time Bloomfield was no longer a eirenit, but rose to the dignity of a station.
" In the year 1831 lots were procured for a church and parsonage. The deed shows that the money was paid for these lots, but it is said that the ground was given by James Wilde, although the amount was not entered in the deed. In that same year a contract was made with Michael Cockefair to creet a parsonage at a cost of $1.000. It was not until tive years later that the building was erected. It was finished in the autumn of #836."
The pastor at this time was Rev. Waters Burrows, who was also one of the trustees ; he died March 4, 1869, aged seventy-nine years.
The church had for many years a financial struggle. The members were few in number, and many of them able to give but little money.
In those years the salary of the ministers was small. In 1853 it was unanimously voted that the preacher should receive a salary of 8350 a year. In 1864, when the price of everything was at the highest point. the estimate for the preacher was 8600. From that time it advanced to 8700, then 81,000, and then to $1.200, and has since been still further increased.
The church during its history has raised considerable money for benevolent purposes. The year 1866 was known as the Centenary year. Large collections were raised in all Methodist churches to what was called the Centenary Fund-to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the first sermon preached by a Methodist preacher in America. This church raised for that fund $862.
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HISTORY OF MONTOUMIR TOWNSHIP.
There have been a number of revivals in the church, but the greatest of these was under the pastorate of Rev. John Scarlet. in the winter of 1857-6, when a great revival spread over the whole country. Crowded meetings were held night after night for many weeks: the whole town was stirred, and 90 persons were added to the church, which then had but S6 members.
In 151 the Methodists of Bloomfield began to solicit subscriptions for the purpose of building a church edifice; the building however was not completed until 1853, and the church did not have a separate preacher until the spring of 1855. The new organization as a separate body left the old in a weakened condition, and for a short time the latter was known as the West Bloomfield Mission. The great revival referred to however, in 1557-5, added materially to its numbers, and it then became known as the
WEST BLOOMFIELD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH : AFTER 1560. MOSTOLADE M. E. Cm Ren.
For several years the subject of changing the location of the church to a more central neighborhood was considered, but nothing definite was accomplished until 1879, when a lot was
M F. CHURCH AND PARSONAGE.
purchased on the west side of Fullerton Avenue, north of Bloomfield Avenue, on which was created a handsome wooden structure. An ample parsonage adjoining the church lot was completed and occupied in November. 1881. The total valuation of the present church property is about $30,000. The old church edifice was vacated after the last meeting. held on Sunday evening. December 7. 1579, and since 1883 has been occupied by the colored Methodists.
The new church editice was formally dedicated December 14. 1579, with appropriate ceremonies.
Chaplain MeCabe led the congregation in prayer, and Dr. Hunt read a portion of the " form pre- scribed for the dedication of a church," by the book of discipline. The morning sermon was preached by Rev. J. F. Hurst. D.D.
The statement was made by Chaplain MeCabe that the cost of the church, and the land on which it stood, was abont $10,000. There was at that time a balance dne of about $5,000. The amount subscribed at the morning service was over $3,000.
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Chaplain MeCabe preached the evening sermon, at which time subscription lists were again opened, and the total sum raised at this and two previous sessions amounted to 85,234.
Rev. Dr. Berry of the Presbyterian, and Rev. A. Il. Bradford, D.D., of the Congregational Church, took part in the ceremonies and spoke encouraging words for the movement.
The following is a list of those who have served since 1865 : Rev. Jeremiah Cowins, 1865 to '67: Rev. Jesse Lyman Hurlburt, 1867 to '69; Rev. Thomson II. Landon, 1869 to '72; Rev. James L. Ayers, 1872 to '74: Rev. G. W. Smith, 1874 to '77: Rev. Jonathan K. Burr, March, 1877, to Nov., 1878; left on account of sickness ; Rev. James I. Boswell, March, 1879, to March, 1580; Rev. John J. Reed, 1880 to 1881 : Rev. John Crawford, April, 1881, to March, 1584; Rev. Morris D. Church. April, 1884, to March, 1887; Rev. Charles S. Woodruff, April, 1887, to March, 1890; Rev. J. A. Owen, 1890, still continues (1893).
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
From the beginning of the Sunday-school movement in 1813, there have been found faithful workers in this church, who from year to year have kept up the interest in the school whether preach- ing services were held or not. The list of those who have been especially prominent in this work is incomplete. Gorline Doremus maintained his interest in the school up to the day of his death. There was a period of depression in 1855, and a material falling off in numbers. The attendance of teachers at that time was from 6 to 12, and of scholars from 40 to 70. The Superintendent was away from home for six months: the former librarian had left, and, owing to the difficulty experienced in warming the building, the school was closed during the winter. In 1858, however, Rev. John Scarlett. writes : "The school was never in a more flourishing condition."
Among those of later years who have been conspicuous for their zeal and earnestness in the Sunday-school work are James Robley, Joseph II. Richards and Stephen A. Tower. James Robley was Superintendent from 1859 to 1866, when Joseph H. Richards succeeded him, and who, for thirteen years, by his faithful, earnest efforts, lifted the school to a high grade. Mr. Richards removed to Elizabeth in 1879, and was succeeded by Chas. 1. Reeves (who had been brought into the church during Mr. Richards' service), and who served the school for fourteen years ; who in turn was succeeded, in 1893, by Mr. Frank HI. Syvelt, the present inenmbent.
The present membership of the school is 6 officers, 24 teachers, and 134 scholars in the main school ; 3 teachers and 100 scholars in the Bible classes, and 12 teachers and 77 scholars in the primary department ; making a total of 353.
ST. LUKE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
The first church edifice in which the Episcopal Church service was held in this locality was a small frame building 25 by 40 feet, in the rear of a deep lot fronting the turnpike, or what is now Bloomfield Avenue. This was ereeted by John Wille, son of James Wilde, the founder of the Methodist Church in the same locality. While the father was a strong believer in the Wesleyan doctrine, John and one or two of his brothers were firm adherents of the Church of England. The locality selected for the first church edifice was in the midst of what was then a manufacturing district. This was in 1846, and there was a large and growing population in that neighborhood. Later, the " new comers," who were mostly settled in the western part of the village, met in this building, and services were held with more or less regularity until May, 1858, when it was decided to organize. On Easter Monday, 1860, St. Luke's Parish was form- ally constituted by the election of a vestry, and in May following Rev. Henry Marsh was chosen Rector and the Rev. George R. Davis Assistant Minister. The first wardens were Owen Doremus and C. St. John Seymour, and the vestrymen were Dr. R. F. Brower, Richard Naylor, William H. Ashley, H. N. Chittenden and George N. Wright. Mr. St. John Seymour was untiring in his efforts for the church, and to him, more than to any other man, the parish owes its existence to-day. Rev. Henry Marsh served
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
from May 11 to November 5, 1860. Rev. Geo. R. Davis continued in charge of the parish until the antumn of 1862. Services were then held by the Rev. J. D. Moore and others until October 30, 1864. when the Rev. James Chrystal was chosen Rector. The attendance at this time was small, most of the families living at a great distance from the church. The sittings were free, and the expenses were mostly borne by members of the vestry. It was thought the church would succeed better in some other locality, and a site on Fullerton AAvenue was thought to be the most desirable. but while the matter was under consideration. Mr. Robert M. Hening, a member of the vestry, offered to give a plot of land on what was afterward known as St. Luke's Place. His offer was accepted, and, in addition, he contributed a large amount toward the erection of a church edifice. Others joined in this undertaking, and in 1865 the corner stone of the new church was laid. It was proposed to build it of stone as the money was contributed, and no contract was made for the labor. This proved to be a serious mistake, for before the building was half completed the cost had exceeded the original estimates for the entire building. The work continued under great embarrassment for a time, and it finally became necessary to mortgage the property in order to complete the building. Further advances were made by individual members of the vestry, and it was finally finished in April, 1870. Rev. Mr. Chrystal resigned as rector in 1867, and was succeeded by Rev. James L. Maxwell. who remained with the church until 1884. During this period the church became much embarrassed. the income being insuthicient to meet the large interest account after paying current expenses. The large mortgage, and contingent liability, threatened to bankrupt the church. A settlement was finally effected that scaled down the mortgage and wiped out the contingent liability. Under this settlement the debt was being gradually reduced, when Rev. Frederick B. Carter became rector of the parish in 1>>1. A few years thereafter the entire debt was paid off, and as the membership of the church increased. the building on St. Luke's Place was found to be totally inadequate to meet the growing demands. At this juncture, Mr. William Fellowes, a parishioner, offered to give the lot on the corner of Fullerton Avenue and Union Street, provided the parish would build there, and complete the edifice free of debt. This being agreed to, and Mr. Fellowes having further contributed most liberally, the corner stone of the present edifice was laid by Bishop Starkey with impressive ceremonies on June 13, 1559, and on Advent Sunday, November 30, 1890, the first service was held therein.
The architect was Mr. R. II. Robertson, of New York, and the design is modernized Gothie in style, and erneiform in plan : 123 feet in length by $4 in extreme breadth. The building contains a nave 82 by + feet, two transepts, each 10 feet wide by 20 deep, and a chancel 35 feet deep and 82 wide. including an ap-idal vaulted sanctuary 14 feet deep, separated from the choir by an arch. The nave and transepts are nearly 50 feet high from Hoor to ridge. The church seats 750 persons, and there is an unobstructed view of the chancel, owing to the entire absence of columns-a notable feature. The chancel has stalls for fifty choristers. On its northern side is the organ chamber. containing a fine three-manual instrument by Harrison. having more than 2,000 pipes, and on the southern side is a spacious vestry, which is used also as a place of assembly for the choir just before beginning the processional, and which communicates with the nearest transept by a wide Gothic double door. Both the organ chamber and the vestry are separated from the chancel by passageways opening into the nave, which are utilized as exits for communicants. The robing-room for the choir occupies the full depth of the building beneath the chancel.
The nave is lighted at the west by a cluster of five Gothic windows of equal height, surmounted by a rose window, and the transepts by similar elnsters rising in height toward the centre. The choir has two upper windows on the south, and the apse five. all with glass by Booth, the two nearest the choir being designs without figures, and the others figures emblematic of Faith. Hope and Charity ; Faith and Hope on each side being represented as women, while Love, in the centre, is represented by a figure of our Lord as the Good Shepherd. The altar and reredos are of commanding design, these and all the other chancel furniture, together with the pews, being of antique oak. The pews have been specially admired for their design and for their comfortableness.
78
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
The acoustic properties of the church are remarkably good. There are five entrances. On the north is a church porch, which can be entirely shut off from the body of the building and from other entranees, making it specially convenient for weddings, etc. Anotlier door leads directly into the tower and thenee both to the porch and to the nave. The carriage entranee is on the south, and on the south- east and east there are doors for clergy and choir respectively. The building is of reddish brown sandstone from the Belleville quarries, and the tower, when completed, will rise, with its spire, to the height of abont 160 feet. The total cost of the property thus far had been about $90,000.
Being entirely free from debt, the church was consecrated on December 20, 1892. The rector had appointed Rev. Alexander Mann, of Orange, as master of ceremonies, who marshalled the clergy and choir into procession. The clergy followed Bishop Starkey, who had his pastoral staff borne before him by his chaplain, the Rev. John Keller, as he walked up the middle aisle repeating, with the elergy, Psalm xxiv. The instrument of donation was then presented by Mr. D. N. Force. the senior warden of the parish. The sen- tence of consecration Frederick B. Carter, ish. Before the con- ing Prayer, the bishop py address of congrat- gation, in which he ful gifts of one of the ular, as well as to the of the church, and he ed tribute to the reetor a pastor, and for his the diocese to its was read by the Rev. the rector of the par- mencement of Morn- made a brief and hap- ulation to the congre- referred to the beauti- parishioners in partic- devotion of the vestry also paid a well deserv- for his faithfulness as loyalty as a priest of bishop.
Morning Prayer Archdeacon Walker, delphia. Dr. Bishop. C. S. Abbott. The by the Rt. Rev. Ethel- Bishop of Wyoming foreible presentation truth that a church to works minst be a wor- an earnest exhortation present to make good building.
was said by the Rev. Dr. Gould, of Phila- Dr. Boggs and Rev. sermon was delivered bert Talbot, D. D .. and Idaho. It was a of the half-forgotten be known by its good shipping church ; and to the congregation use of the consecrated The bishop of the diocese celebrated the sisted by Bishop Tal- Holy Communion, as- ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. bot and Archideacon Jenvey. The offerings were received for the Parish House and Sunday school building fund. The musie was rendered by the vested choir of between thirty and forty men and boys of St. Luke's, under the direction of Mr. Joseph H. Moore, the organist and choirmaster of the church. The work of the choristers was well done and fully sustained the more than local reputation of Mr. Moore as a reverent. scholarly and efficient church musician.
Among the visiting clergy were the Rev. Messrs. Richard Hayward, Harold Arrowsmith, Frank A. Sanborn, M. M. Fothergill. John S. Miller. F. M. MeAllister, of Elizabeth, and Dr Haskins, of Brooklyn.
In 1892 the old church property was sold to Montelair School District No. S, and with the proceeds. and the promise of subscriptions in addition, a parish building was commenced in 1893 connected by covered cloister with the church. It is expected to be ready on or about Easter, 1894.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
The buildling i- intended for the Sunday school, chapel and parish house work. It has a seating capacity of about 400, and is admirably arranged for these purposes. The architect is Mr. Win. Halsey Wood. The estimated cost of the entire property, with church spire and rectory, will be about $150,000, and when completed it will be free from debt. For convenience of location, commanding site, and admirable arrangements, this property has few equals in the State of New Jersey.
As the parish grew the work of the rector increased, so that for a long time he had most valuable help from Mr. Arthur E. Bostwick in the Sunday school, and as lay reader in church services. Mr. Bayard Whitehorne succeeded Mr. Bostwick in the Sunday school in 1892.
After beginning the parish house it was evident that the work would be greatly augmented. and an opportunity offering. in the fall of 1893, for securing a deacon in orders, whose whole time would be given, it was decided to engage, as rector's assistant. the Rev. Claudius M. Roome.
lle entered on his duties at once, and later, on Sunday, February 11, 1 94, was solemnly ordained a priest by Bishop Starkey, at morning services.
The members of the vestry at this time. March, 1994. are as follows: Senior Warden, Dexter N. Force : Innior Warden, Frederick W. Gwinn : Vestrymen. Edwin A. Bradley, Joel Jenkins, John T. Weeks. Edward G. Burge -- , F. Meriam Wheeler. George 1. Wiehman. George Batten.
THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.
(Roman Catholic) is an ontgrowth from Belleville. The Rev. John Hogan, pastor of St. Peter's Church. Belleville, visited West Bloomfield, as one of his stations, and about 1550 the edifice was erected. It was located on Washington Street. It continued under the care of the Belleville pastor till 1864. The Rev. Titus Joslyn, the first resident pastor, came to the congregation on February 6th of that year. lle was born a Protestant. in Schenectady, N. Y .. and was educated in Union College, under the care of his father. Professor Joslyn, of that college. Ili- parents removed to New York in 1843, where he was baptized by Bishop Hughes, June 16. 1>15. Ile entered St. Joseph's Seminary, under the lesnits, in 1547. was ordained priest in St. Patrick's Cathedral. in New York, March 13, 1-52, and labored under the direction of Archbishop Hughes till he came to the parish-West Bloomfield. He remained pastor for over ten years-till September 5. 1574. Ender his direction the church was enlarged. in 1:56 the tower built, and one-half of the present property purchased. The parish included the Roman Catholic popula- tion of Caldwell. Bloomfield and Wat-es-ing.
The Rev. A. M. Steet> succeeded Mr. Josyl as pastor from September 5. 1>74. to March IS, IST9. During his pastorate the new rectory, at the corner of Elm and Fulton Streets, was built in 1876.
Rev. Joseph F. Mendl was appointed rector of the parish in April, IST9, by Archbishop Corrigan. who was then Bishop of the diocese of Newark. There were at that time abont 900 communicants. In August, 1893, after a thorough canvas- of the parish. it was found that there were 1,520-an increase of nearly sixty-seven per cent.
The religions and seenlar education of the children became a matter of paramount importance with Father Mendl, and in September. 1 ~~ 1. a parochial school was established, with 210 pupils. taught by live Sisters of Charity, from Madison, N. J. This has now an average daily attendance of 250 pupils. The property of Bernard Wallace was purchased for the church the same year.
In 17> the Church of the Sacred Heart was organized in Bloomfield, it being an outgrowth of the Montelair Church. Caldwell and Verona, which were formerly included in this parish, were subsequently separated, and in 1565 Rev. J. J. Shannessy was appointed the first resident pastor of the new church.
At the time of its organization the church on Washington Street was considered to be een- trally located for the population of Montelair and Bloomfield, but after the organization of the
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Bloomfield Church it was thought advisable to select a location nearer to the mountain, as the new township was growing rapidly in that direction; and in December. 1891, a large building site was purchased of Theodore Carter on the corner of North Fullerton Avenue and Munn Street, for the sum of $20,000. Additional land was purchased of J. N. Rudgers, in 1892, adjoining the other. for $10,000.
Plans for an imposing church edifiee were designed by William Schiekel, architect, of New York. and ground was broken in May, 1892. The corner stone was laid October 21, 1893, the ceremonies being condueted by the Right Rev. W. M. Wigger. D.D). The sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. J. J. Synnott, D.D., a member of the parish, and the first American student who received the degree of D.D. at the Catholic University in Innsbruck. Tyrol, in 1887: he is at present Professor of Theology at Seton Hall College, South Orange, N. J.
The basement of the new church was finished and covered with a temporary roof, and dedicated on Decoration Day, 1593. Wigger. The first ser- worship was held on the The basement has a seat- people. It is built of and cost $26,000.
ure of the completed esque, clear-story, of the tower to be located at lerton Avenue and Munn frontage on North Fuller- and 178 feet in depth. building, complete, is
Two insurance societies the parish,-one, a branch lent Legion, " Father another. Braneh 426, of Ameriea. in November.
1
by Right Rev. W. M. vice in the new place of first Sunday in June, 1893. ing eapaeity for 1,000 Belleville brown stone.
The style of architeet- church is to be Roman- Belleville brown stone. the corner of North Ful- Street. It will have a ton Avenue of 75 feet. The estimated cost of the $75,000.
have been established in of the Catholic Benevo- Steets's Couneil," in 1883; the Catholie Knights of 1885.
JOSEPH FRANCIS MENDL. rector of the Church of tion, was born in Inns- Marel 17, 1843. He was sium in Brixen, and spent theology. lle was or- 1865, and immediately ant curate. At the break- Prussian war (Prussia and tria), in 1866, he served tlie Immaculate Concep- bruck, Tyrol, Austria, edueated in the Gymna- four years in the study of dained a priest July 25, sent on a mission as assist- ing out of the Austria- Italy allied against Aus- THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. as chaplain in the Austrian Army with the commission of Captain, being at the time the youngest priest in the diocese. At the close of the war he returned to the mission, and in 1869 went to the American College.# Louvain, Belgium, as prefect, remaining two years, until October, 1871, when he came to this country and was appointed curate of St. Peter's Church, Newark, in October, 1872: he was then sent to St. Paul's Church. Jersey City, as pastor, continuing until 1878. On Christmas, 1878, he came to Montelair, and assumed his present charge. Under his pastorate the church rapidly inereased in membership, necessitating, in 1881, the building of a gallery, with an additional seating capacity of 300. There was then a debt on the church of $16,000, which has since been liquidated, and large
* Archbishop Riordan, of San Francisco, Archbishop Janssens, of New Orleans, Bishop Spalding, of Peoria, 111., Bishop Vander Vyver, of Richmond, Va., Bishop Maas, of Covington, Ky., Bishop Brondel, of Helena, Montana, and about 500 priests of this country were graduates of this college.
SI
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
additional sums raised for the erection of the new church edifice. The amount was raised by him largely among the poorer classes. the total amount exceeding 846,000. Hle established the parochial school and gave up his own elegant residence on Elm Street for that purpose. He is beloved by his people, respected and honored in the community, and devoted to the interests of his church.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.
This Church and Society. although of recent origin. having been established long after the founding of the present town of Montelair, has grown to be not only the largest in the township, but. with one exception, the largest church in the State having a membership of over 700. Its history covers a period of nearly a quarter of a century, all under one pastorate. That its denominational views are in harmony with the sentiments of the community is evinced by it- steady growth, the character of its membership, and the far-reaching result of the work accomplished by it. Though one of the youngest churches in this community it is one of the oldest in the State. The motto inscribed on the title page transtulit sustinet -- the past and present ination.
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