USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union County, New Jersey > Part 37
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services, under the auspices of the Presbyterians, but on November 8th, of the last named year, it was sold, and in 1870 was removed to Pierce street. Then the Leesville Sunday School Association, after having survived thirty-six years and nine months, went out of existence. As above stated, Frederick King was the first superintendent of the old Leesville Sunday school, and remained such until 1852,-twenty-two years,-when, for one year, Jonathan Woodward succeeded hin. On April 24, 1853, Thomas H. Shafer became superintendent, and served until 1876, when he was succeeded by George A. Bush, who was succeeded by Frank L. Sheldon, in 1878, and he, in 1880, was succeeded by James H. Durand, the present incumbent.
June 19, 1849, a number of members of the First Presbyterian church, with gentlemen of Lower Rahway, met at the house of Jonathan Woodruff to consider the importance of organizing a second Presbyterian church in this part of the town. William Edgar was called to the chair, and Rev. William M. Martin was made secretary. It was decided at this meeting to organize a new church. Accordingly, on September 5, 1849, a meeting was held at the office of Thomas H. Shafer, at which time the following persons were chosen trustees: Frederick King, Jonathan Thompson, Ira Campbell, George F. Webb, Jonathan Woodruff, Uzal M. Osborn, and Thomas H. Shafer.
The committee of presbytery met in the First Presbyterian church in this place, at two, P. M., on the 9th day of November, 1894, and proceeded to the organization of the church. Introductory exercises were conducted by the Rev. Robert Street; sermon by the Rev. Dr. David Magie, after which the new church was organized by the Rev. Charles K. Imbrie, pastor of the First church, who then delivered a parting address to the members of the newly organized church. The first elders were Aaron Tucker, Frederick King, George F. Webb, and Jonathan Thompson.
The first pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, Rev. Lewis Hersey Lee, was installed April 17, 1850. He was a native of New York state, and a graduate of Union College. He entered Princeton Theological Seminary in the fall of 1845, and was graduated therefrom in the spring of 1848. Soon after his ordination he became collegiate pastor with Dr. Johnson, of the First Presbyterian church of Jersey City, from which place he came here and remained until 1853, when he went to Waterford, New Jersey, as pastor of the First Presbyterian church of that city, where he remained until his death, January 13, 1863. Mr. Lee lost a wife and child while pastor of this church. They are buried in lot thirty-two. He was succeeded by Rev. George H. Mott, who resigned October 5, 1858. Under his pastorate the membership increased from one hundred and seventy-one to two hundred and forty-two. The parsonage was built, and seven thousand dollars was raised at one time to pay off the floating debt. He was succeeded December 30, 1858, by
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Rev. V. LeRoy Lockwood, who resigned March 15, 1864. Under his pastorate the membership increased from two hundred and forty-two to three hundred and thirty-six. September 19, 1864, the present pastor, Rev. Dr. John A. Leggett, was unanimously called. He was installed in June, 1865. Dr. Leggett is a native of Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, taking his degree from that institution in 1857. He entered the theological seminary at Danville, Kentucky, 1857, and was graduated from that institution in 1860. On leaving the seminary he immediately became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Crittenden, Kentucky, where he remained until December, 1864, when he became pastor of this church, more than thirty-one years ago. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the trustees of Lafayette College, in June, 1884. During Dr. Leggett's pastorate the church building was erected, both chapels built, and the membership of the church increased to five hundred souls. In 1868 the, organ was built, at a cost of four thousand dollars.
Saturday evening, November 13, 1886, the church and congregation paid their respects to their pastor and his wife upon their silver- wedding day. Dr. Leggett was married November 13, 1861, by the Rev. George B. Armstrong, of Crittenden, Kentucky, to the latter's only daughter Mary Boyd, and this gathering in the parsonage, in honor of that wedding, will long be remembered. The beautiful presents made on that occasion were valuable, and among them was a silver service containing one hundred and fifty-eight silver dollars.
The Second Presbyterian church of Rahway is in a flourishing condition at the present time. The officers of the church are as follows: Elders,-James T. Barnes, George /A. Bush, William E. Wells, William E. Tucker, R. M. Huntting, John L Withrow, R. V. Vail; deacons,-Waldro Campbell, Joseph Wooster, Fred Mershon, Luther Mundy, Harry Wood; Sabbath-school superintendent, -James H. Durand.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Robert Cloud and Thomas Morrell were the first Methodist preachers appointed, in 1787, by the Philadelphia conference to the Elizabeth Town circuit, which circuit probably included Rahway. The first class was formed here about 1790. From an old deed, dated October 8, 1798, we learn that a lot of land was deeded to them on what was afterwards Mechanics street, now a portion of Grand street, Upper Rahway. We quote a portion of the deed, as follows:
" This indenture, made this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight, between William Shotwell, of the county of Essex, in the state of New Jersey, of the one part, and Jonathan Oliver and Benjamin Woodruff, of Essex county ; William Flatt, Jr., Abraham Storms and John Marsh, of
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Middlesex county, all of the state of New Jersey aforesaid, trustees in trust for the use and purposes hereafter mentioned, of the other part ; Witnesseth that the said William Shotwell, for and in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars to him in hand paid at and upon the sealing and delivering of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged by the said William Shotwell, hath given, granted, bargained, sold, released, confirmed and conveyed, and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain, sell, release, confirm, and convey unto them, the said Jonathan Oliver, Benjamin Woodruff, William Flatt, Jr., Abraham Storms and John Marsh, and their successors (trustees in trust for the uses and pur- poses mentioned and declared by these presents) all the estate, right, title, interest, etc., which he, the said William Shotwell, hath in, to, or upon all and singular a certain lot lying and being in Elizabeth Town, Rahway, adjoining the road leading from John Tucker's, Esq., to Shotwell's Landing, being part of the tract of land which the aforesaid William Shotwell lately purchased of Daniel Moore, beginning, etc."
This lot, it appears, was never used for the purpose, but another was selected, on which the present First church now stands, being conveyed by Moses Jaques to William Flatt and others, as trustees, April 4, 1808, but not recorded in the clerk's office until 1817. A movement to erect a building was made in 1806, and subscriptions amounting to $667.25 were inade, -William Flatt being the largest subscriber, fifty dollars; Thomas Morrell and Jonathan Oliver forty dollars each, and numerous others in smaller amounts.
From what can be gathered from the records, there was much difficulty experienced in the erection of the building, as it was not finished until 1817, then known as Liberty chapel. Since then there have been several changes, until the present large and well arranged building of that congregation was completed.
From 1799 to 1821 the names of Joseph Totten, Thomas Pitts and John Robertson appear as preachers; afterwards Bartholomew Weed, William Bull, Thomas B. Sargent, John Dobbins, John Buckley, Jef- ferson Lewis, William Granville, Isaac N. Felch, William A. Wilmer, Vincent Shepard, George Winsor-1846-7, and again 1876-78,-James Ayers, Charles Larue, James H. Dandy, Sedgwick Rusling, David Tead, Curtis Talley, Robert B. Yard, N. Vansant, D. Graves, George W. Treat, James M. Tuttle, John I. Morrow, William H. Day, H. D. Opdyke, Alexander Craig, E. C. Dutcher, R. Johns, J. Cowins, R. F. Hayes, Dr. L. R. Dunn, W. B. Judd, W. M. Fanton.
This church is the mother of most of the Methodist churches in this section-Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, Plainfield, Westfield, New Dover, Scotch Plains, Metuchen, Linden and the Second church (now Trinity) in this city.
In 1854 the present edifice was erected and dedicated during the
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ministry of the Rev. Charles Larue. Mr. Larue was succeeded by the late Rev. William Day.
TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Trinity is the name of what has heretofore been known as the Second Methodist church. Judge Hyer gives a graphic account of this church from its organization. He says :
"In 1849 the members residing in the lower part of the city decided to establish a new church, and thirty-two of the members were dismissed from the first church for the purpose of forming a nucleus for the new organization. Services were held for some time in the old Athenian Hall, on Main street, about where Thorn's saw mill and lumber yard are now located. About seventy were added to the membership the first year, under the first regular pastor, Rev. Frank Bottome, who after- ward became a distinguished minister, and died a few years ago. A subscription was started for a new churchi at this time by William M. Esler, (still living and a member of the church), Henry Miller and Daniel Wood, and the old brick church was built at the corner of Milton avenue and Broad street, in 1850, at a cost of about six thousand dollars, under the pastorate of Rev. A. L. Brice, who was presiding elder of the district, when the corner stone of the present new church was laid, dying shortly after. Other ministers who have officiated at this church have been Revs. Fletcher Lummis, Henry M. Brown, William E. Perry, R. S. Arndt, John Scarlett, Thomas Walters, B. O. Parvin, (two terms), S. H. Opdyke, J. W. Young, John S. Porter, R. B. Lockwood, T. H. Landon, J. W. Seran, D. Halleron, T. E. Gordon, W. H. Ruth, C. F. Hull and the present paster, T. C. Mayham.
" When the old church was built, near the railroad, there were no Sunday trains and but few on other days, so the services were not disturbed, and the location was considered an eligible one. But in the progress of time the conditions changed, until it became very annoying to hearers as well as preachers, as the trains often passed almost contin- ually during a service, so that it was conceded by all that a change was absolutely necessary. Nearly thirty years ago a remark was made by an old member, 'What a fine place it would be for a new church on the old Crowell hotel corner.' Neither thought it possible that such an object could ever be obtained, as the hotel was then apparently in a flourishing condition, though the building was old. Years later, however, the conditions changed, and the hotel was discontinued, and the desirable corner was secured at a bargain and deeded to the church authorities.
"Ground for the new building was broken Monday, June 13, 1892, with appropriate ceremonies ; the corner-stone was laid Saturday, August 13th, the same year. On Sunday, June 11, 1893, the first services were held in the lecture room, and the name changed to Trinity Methodist
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Episcopal church, by vote of the congregation and board of trustees. At the Sunday-morning services the platform was occupied by Bishop Foss; Dr. J. M. Buckley, editor of the Christian Advocate, the church paper; Professor Thomas H. Landon, of the Bordentown Military College, a former pastor ; Rev. B. O. Parvin, a former pastor for two terms, and a resident of this city since his retirement from the active ministry on account of ill health; Rev. W. M. Fanton, pastor of the First church, with Rev. T. C. Mayham in charge of the services. An able and feeling sermon was delivered by Bishop Foss, an eloquent and attractive speaker. The dedicatory ceremony took place after the other services in the evening, consisting of the delivery of the building over to the bishop by the president of the board of trustees, L. S. Hyer.
"Interesting instances of the day were the allusions of Dr. Buckley to the fact that Rahway was his birthplace, he having been born here while his father was pastor of the First church, in 1836; also to the fact that when he started to preach, one of his first sermons was at a place where he was entertained by Mr. John Evans and his wife, and he was glad to see the name of the former on one of the large memorial windows, and to know that his widow, Mrs. Ann Evans, was now a member of this church, and had aided largely in the erection and furnishing of the handsome edifice. Bishop Foss, when he heard this, inquired if it was the John Evans who formerly lived at South Meriden, Connecticut, and being informed that it was, said that the first sermon he ever preached, while a student, was in that place, where he was entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Evans, who were the mainstay of the Methodist society there."
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1832 there were in Rahway a few families of Baptists, who were occasionally visited by Rev. D. T. Hill, from Plainfield, Rev. G. S. Webb, of New Brunswick, and other preachers; but in 1833 fourteen persons forined themselves into a church, recognized as the First Baptist church of Rahway. The constituent members were William Marsh, Susan Barton, Sarah Ross, William Ross, Ezra Frazee, Mary Cox, Mary Day, Huldah Frazee, Rhoda Laing, Sarah Mundy, Francis Moore and Mary Osborn. Shortly after its organization the church took measures toward the erection of a house of worship.
B. C. Morse was the first candidate for baptism ; and, being licensed to preach, was afterward ordained pastor of the Lyons Farms Baptist church. The Rev. Mansfield Barlow, the first pastor, entered on his duties July 15, 1834. His pastorate continued only a year, but the membership increased in that time from fourteen to forty-eighteen having been baptized and fourteen added by letter.
In the spring of 1836 Simeon J. Drake, a licentiate of the First Baptist church of New York, received a unanimous call, and on May 6th accepted, and continued until July, 1893, the church having doubled
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its membership in the meantime. The church was next supplied by Rev. Walter Gillette, then pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church at Piscataway, who, in April, 1840, introduced his brother, D. H.Gillette, then just completing his studies at Hamilton College, but his pastorate con- tinued only from May, 1840, to December of that year, when he died, and his brother Walter again supplied the pulpit. Up to the year 1842, under the Gillette pastorates, the membership had increased from eighty to one hundred. In 1842 Rev. Joseph Breed was called as pastor and, although his ministry only extended to January 29, 1843, the member- ship of the church was more than doubled,-one hundred and ten having been added by baptism. The years 1842 and 1843 were noted as years of revivals throughout the state. Rev. William Rollinson served the church from November 28, 1843, until the latter part of the year 1849, the membership increasing steadily during his ministry. He was followed by Rev. W. H. Wines, who officiated as pastor of this flock from June I, 1850, until April 1, 1853. His pastorate also was a successful one. Following him came Rev. William Tolan, then of Morristown, who began his work June 19, 1853, but, because of divisions, resigned December 18, 1855. Rev. William Rollinson again resumed pastoral relations, beginning July 1, 1856, and continuing eight and one half years. The house was at this time remodeled, at a cost of two thousand dollars. During this ministry two Sabbath schools were maintained, one being a mission school, which became the nucleus of the Bethany Baptist church. In November, 1863, Mr. Rollinson resigned, and subsequently accepted the position of post chaplain at Fort Schuyler, where he continued until after the close of the war. During his pastorate the church had increased its membership to two hundred and thirty-five.
The church now remained without a pastor, though regularly supplied, until September 10, 1865, when a unanimous call was given to Rev. E. Everett Jones, and on the 5th of October following he was installed.
November 18, 1866, letters of dismissal were granted to seventeen members to unite in the organization of a second Baptist church. These, with a few from other churches, were subsequently recognized as a Baptist church, on Irving street.
On October 1, 1868, Mr. Jones resigned, and after an interval of sixteen months Rev. C. G. Gurr assumed the duties of the position. April 29, 1870, Mr. Gurr resigned, for the purpose of visiting Great Britain. He was succeeded, February 1, 1871, by Rev. E. A. Wheeler. During the second year of Mr. Wheeler's pastorate a new church edifice was contemplated, but work on the building was not begun until five years afterwards.
Three different clergymen served from 1865 to 1875. In the latter year the people again besought Mr. Rollinson to return, which he did. Almost simultaneously with his return a new building was erected. He
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remained until his death. In September, 1893, Rev. H. M. Lowry became the pastor. Under his pastorate the church has advanced.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1850. The church edifice was built in 1860. There have been twelve pastorates. The present pastor is Rev. J. Mehrtens. The membership is one hundred. There is a Ladies' Society and Helping Society connected with it.
GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
On April 18, 1882, the German Presbyterian church was organized. The first service was held in the Second Baptist church, on Irving street, which was purchased later on. The Rev. C. L. Albrecht was pastor until January, 1888, and then the Rev. Dr. Klein for six years. In 1895 the Rev. Mr. Frey, the present pastor, was called. The life of this church has been manifested in various forms of organized activity. The Ladies' Society and Progress Union deserve unstinted praise for what they have accomplished.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.
This parish was organized in the year 1843, and a beautiful brick edifice was erected for a place of worship, on the corner of Irving and Elm streets. The following have been the rectors : A. E. Ford, 1843 ; F. Ogilbey, 1844; Dr. Edmund W. Peet, 1844-55; Horace Hills, 1857; J. E. Homans, 1861 ; R. M. Abercombie, 1863-74; R. G. Buenel a few months ; W. H. Van Antwerp, 1874-81 ; Levi W. Notton, A. M., 1882. Roderick Provoost Cobb, the present rector, was ordained in 1891 and took charge of this church in 1892. He was born in Buckingham Court House, Virginia, and is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and also of the Princeton Theological Seminary, at Princeton, New Jersey. The church is in a flourishing condition.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMFORTER.
This Episcopal parish was organized in the year 1873. Its neat edifice was erected on St. George's avenue and Seminary street. The first rector was Rev. Mr. Broadwell, who was succeeded by Rev. Evelyn Bartow. The church was burned down two or three years ago.
CHRIST CHURCH, REFORMED EPISCOPAL.
This church was incorporated in 1876 by a few who withdrew from membership in St. Paul's church. Rev. Mason Gallagher was the first pastor.
OTHER CHURCH SOCIETIES.
The Free Methodist people established a church society about the year 1874. Their building was formerly used by the Universalist society.
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The colored people of Rahway built the Bethel Methodist church, on Central avenue, in 1862, and the Zion Methodist church in 1871. Both are small congregations.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, of Rahway, was organized in 1846. Its first pastor, Rev. Father Howell, remained in charge until 1849, and was followed by Rev. Father McCarthy, who was, in turn, succeeded, in 1853, by Rev. Father Thomas Quinn. Father Quinn, who was affectionately called "Father Tom," labored zealously among his parishioners for nearly twenty years. At his death, in 1873, he left the parish of St. Mary's well organized and prosperous. Rev. Father Sebastian Smith was the next pastor, remaining eight years. In 1881 Rev. Father McCosker began his work, and is yet nominally at the head of the church, although practically retired on account of advanced age. Father Barnard M. Bogan has had active charge of affairs of the church since his entering it, in 1893.
Father Bogan was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1860. He attended the cathedral school of Newark, and took his classical course at St. Charles College, of Baltimore. He was graduated in philosophy at Seton Hall, of South Orange, and was ordained there in 1881. Father Bogan was for one year in a Jersey City church, and for nine years rector of the Church of the Holy Cross, at Harrison, New Jersey. He came to St. Mary's in July, 1893, and since then has done a great deal in building up the church, both in a spiritual and a financial way,-in fact has had wonderful success, the membership of the church having about doubled.
The new church edifice was built in 1890, and the old church has been renovated and remodeled for use as a hall for entertainments, etc. This has been done since Father Bogan entered. The membership, including children who have been baptized, numbers about one thousand and twenty; adults who are members number about seven hundred ; the Sunday school numbers about one hundred and forty children ; the parochial school has about one hundred and eighteen pupils, and is conducted by Dominican Sisters.
SCHOOLS.
Probably the earliest schools established in the settlement were those of the Friends, or Quakers. The first school house of the Friends was built, in 1785, on the same lot as their meeting house, that is, on Main street, on the place subsequently occupied by George Walker as a hardware store. William Shotwell was one of the early teachers there. In 1804 another meeting house was built by the Friends, on Irving street, and a school house was erected a little south of it. It was a two- story wooden structure, and Lindley Murray Moore (named after Lindley Murray, the grammarian) was one of the early teachers. Then followed
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Eli Vail, Abel Marsh, Aaron Byllinge, Henry B. Pool, Joseph Shotwell and others. The Friends' school was for many years the only one in the place. One of the old schools kept for many years was in the "White School House," so called, in Lower Rahway. A building called the "Academy," in Upper Rahway, stood on St. George's avenue, near Jardine's marble works. It was abandoned about the time the districts were consolidated, in 1848. There was also an old school house which stood on the east bank of the south branch of the Rahway river, on the place afterwards occupied by John Hults. It was a plain, low building used for school purposes sixty or seventy years ago. Mr. A. V. Shotwell and others, in his day, attended school, in 1830, in a building on the east side of Main street, corner of Adams.
Up to the year 1821 there was no school building in Milton, but in that year a school house was built on St. George's avenue, about half way between Milton and Elm avenues, on ground then belonging to George Brown, but afterward owned by B. A. Vail. The school known as the "school house on the hill," was on land set apart by the early settlers, some eighty or ninety years ago, for educational purposes. It was a small, low school house, near the six roads, and was vacated some fifty years ago, in accordance with an act of the legislature. The Athen- ian Academy was probably the most famous in its day. It stood on Main street, near Commerce, not far from the present Second Presbyte- rian church, and was for many years both a school house and a public hall. The second story, to which the namie Athenian Hall was applied, was capable of holding fifteen hundred people. It was built in 1833 by the Athenian Association, Robert Lee, president; Clayton Moore, secretary. The building was abandoned for school purposes after the public-school system was adopted.
The Franklin School building was erected in 1851. It is the oldest school building in Rahway. It was built of brick, 50 x 75 feet in dimensions, two stories and basement; and when the present public- school system was adopted, this building was turned over to the city.
THE RAHWAY LIBRARY.
The Rahway Library was opened June 15, 1858, under the auspices of an association of ladies, with a collection of books, presented by a previous organization, numbering one hundred and forty-four volumes. This voluntary association continued six years, during which time such additions were made to the library as the small amount of money received from subscribers would permit. An increasing desire for the prosperity of the library being apparent in the community, it was thought best to have the interests connected herewith secured and enlarged by an act of incorporation. The charter was obtained from the legislature of this state in 1864, and the present organization was formed under its provisions. The need of a better and larger room,
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