USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > Ridgewood > Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, past and present > Part 10
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The church building was moved in August, 1873, across the fields from Van Dien Avenue to the present site at Cottage Place and Frank- lin Avenue. The second rector, the Rev. T. S. Cartwright, began his ministry in 1882 and resigned two years later. He was succeeded January 1, 1885, by the Rev. Louis A. Lanpher, who remained until January, 1890. Six months later, on July 1st, the Rev. George Clarke Cox became the rector of the parish.
The Rectory on Cottage Place was built in 1891.
The Rev. Mr. Cox resigned in August, 1893, and was followed by the Rev. E. II. Cleveland, who began his ministry in March, 1894.
By that time the old Gothic structure had become inadequate for the demands of the growing parish and a movement to secure a new edifice, which was started in 1895, resulted in the building of a new stone church and a frame parish house in 1900. On November 1, 1904, Rev. Mr. Cleveland was called to another field of service and was succeeded on March 1, 1905, by the Rev. Leslie E. Learned, who resigned in 1908.
The Rev. Philip C. Pearson was next secured as rector in 1909. He served until April. 1916. The Rev. Edwin S. Carson, the present rector, assumed his duties on November 1, 1916.
The church is now free from debt and will be consecrated June 23, 1917, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the consecration of the first edifice.
The parish contains over 300 families and the list of communicants contains 424 names.
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THE KENILWORTH COLLEGIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(Christian Reformed)
What is familiarly known as the "White Church", on the south- east corner of Ridgewood and Pleasant Avenues, is the second oldest church in the township of Ridgewood and was organized December 20, 1870.
The members were formerly affiliated with Paramus Reformed Church, but about 1823 there arose a dissension in regard to the doctrines and practices which caused the secession from Paramus Church of a considerable number of people. These formed what was once called "The True Reformed Church", the title being later changed to that of the Christian Reformed Church.
The church building was located at Waldwick until the year 1858, when it was removed to the present site. It is now known as The Kenilworth Collegiate Presbyterian Church.
In 1894, during the pastorate of the Rev. Harvey Iseman, the minister and people came to realize that by the development of real estate interests and the consequent influx of many new families not in sympathy with the policy and practices of the Christian Reformed Church, the religious life of the community would be better served under other ecclesiastical conditions.
After legal procedure, approved by a majority of the members, the congregation in 1898 became affiliated with the Presbyterian order.
The church is now collegiate with the West Side Presbyterian or- ganization on Monroe Street and Franklin Avenue, having for their pastor the Rev. Dr. I. J. Lansing, D.D.
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
This church was organized May 24, 1875, with nine charter mem- bers. Three came by certificate from the Paramus Reformed Church and the remaining six from churches in New York and Brooklyn. It was the outgrowth of a Union Sunday School, which met in a lodge room of the Odd Fellow Order, known as Wilson Hall. This was in a building used as a general merchandise store, Whritenour and Colfax, proprietors, standing on the lot where Mr. E. B. Van Horn's feed and grain store now stands.
The small congregation, averaging 75 people, for two years held its services in the lodge room and as the non-churchgoers gradually became interested in the institution, a larger room and a more desir- able location became necessary. After heroic efforts, the fifty com- munieants secured by the gift of Mr. Frederick Kidder, long since deceased, the plot of ground on the corner of Union and Dayton Streets for a church site.
The first church was occupied on Sunday, November 4, 1877, while the interior was still without walls and the exterior was covered only with sheathing boards.
About 1891 the church building was enlarged and renovated thor-
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oughly, new pews being installed, and the cabinet organ being replaced by one of the vocalion type.
Again in 1900 an extension was made at the back of the church in order to provide accommodations made necessary by the regrading of the Bible School and to furnish more modern conveniences for the various societies of the congregation. At the same time a recess was provided for a new Widmer pipe organ, valued at $4,000, which was installed in 1901.
In 1913, at a special meeting called for the purpose, a movement was inaugurated to furnish a church house that should have every convenience and accommodation called for, in order that service might be stimulated and all departments of the church's life strengthened. The church house was dedicated in 1915.
A parsonage was built in 1881 and occupied by the pastor's family in October, 1882. The lot, 115 x 122, was the first sold from the tract of six acres, covered with a splendid growth of oak and chestnut, front- ing on Prospect Street and Woodside Avenue.
A recent improvement, the concreting of the grounds around the front of the church property and the laying of cement sidewalks. is an evidence of the continued generosity and progressiveness of the congregation.
The constituency of the church is strong in numbers and influential in the community and promises much more for future generations of Ridgewood people.
During the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Van Neste, great changes in the personnel of the church have naturally occurred. Many who were prominent and loyal in carlier days have left behind works "which yet speak" of sacrifice and service.
The present and only pastor of the church during forty-one years has welcomed a large number of communicants into the church, there being now about 500.
During the last Classical or Synodical Year, closing in May, 1916. the census shows that $2.700 was disbursed for the stated benevolences of the church, while, in addition, over $300 was given for general purposes. The current expenses of the church amounted to $6,700.
Charter members have gone to the Glen Rock Reformed Church and several are now connected with Upper Ridgewood Society (Reformed).
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH (COLORED)
The colored people of Ridgewood have by no means neglected their religious development. For a number of years, one denomination has been organized under the title named above. About 1882, the Rev. J. A. Van Neste, pastor of the First Reformed Church, was requested by District Superintendent White of the A. M. E. Zion Church, to meet with a few colored citizens in an old house that occupied the present location of Mr. Morgan's plumbing shop on Godwin Avenue near the railroad tracks.
This meeting resulted in an organization with seven charter mem- bers. For a brief period, meetings were held in the basement of the
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Episcopal Church located on Cottage Place, under the Rev. Mr. Cleve- land's incumbency, and a small building for a place of worship and other purposes incidental to church life was subsequently erceted on Rock Avenue.
The present church and parsonage on Broad Street and Highwood Avenue were built in 1907-1908, largely through the liberality of one white man, who has always evinced a great interest in the welfare and progress of the colored people.
In the conference year of 1915-1916, the people contributed $135 for mission work in the Southern States and, in addition, secured $1,465 for current expenses.
The following pastors have served the church in the order named: Rev. Moses Thomas Anderson, Rev. Elijah Hammett, Rev. George N. Ray, Rev. J. R. Dangerfield, Rev. J. H. Huggins, Rev. H. C. Van Pelt, and the present incumbent, Rev. G. E. Ferris, who took up the work on May 1, 1913, and whose wise management and quiet zeal have in- spired the confidence of his own people and have won the sincere regard of the community in which he labors.
CHURCHI OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
The parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was organized by the Roman Catholics of the Village in the year 1889. The Rev. Father Nevins was the first resident pastor. Owing to rapidly failing health, his administration was of short duration. He was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Mull, through whose courage and energy the church on Union Street was built in 1890.
In 1892, the Rev. J. A. Sullivan took charge. A man of brilliant attainments and charming personality, he did much in his five years as pastor to further the instruction of the people and the improvement of the church property.
From 1897 to 1901 the parish was in charge of the Rev. E. A. Kelly, who labored four years with untiring zeal in ministering to the spiritual needs of the people confided to his care.
The Rev. P. T. Carew came in 1901 and, besides caring for the church interests at Ridgewood, began missions at Wyckoff and Ramsey. In 1907 Father Carew was transferred to Dover and the Rev. J. A. Kelly was sent as pastor to Ridgewood remaining, however, but a few months and being succeeded by the Rev. D. F. MeCarthy, whose term as pastor was also of short duration.
The present pastor, the Rev. E. M. O'Mally, was appointed in September, 1908.
From the very beginning the parish has increased steadily in num- bers and influence and from a few sturdy Catholics, twenty-five years ago, it has grown to include more than 800 active members. The various church societies are active in both the temporal and the spir- itual affairs of the parish. The debt on the old church property has long since been liquidated and the building itself, having served its purpose, has been abandoned as a house of worship.
On March 5, 1912, the church acquired title to the Suckert prop-
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erty on Prospect Street. A new stone church, with a seating capacity of more than 500, was begun in July, 1914, and dedicated with solemn ceremony on Sunday, July 4, 1915, by the Rt. Rev. J. J. O'Connor, D.D., Bishop of Newark.
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH
Emmanuel Baptist Church was organized in November, 1891. The first meeting place was a barn near Ridgewood and Brookside Avenues. After remaining here for some time, the meetings were held in the residence of A. II. Dunton on Van Dien Avenue, then in the parlor of Mrs. John McGuinness's home, and finally in the "Tabernacle", the enclosed horse-shed on their own lot, which was utilized until the build- ing, then in course of erection, was finished.
This first building was dedicated in November, 1892, on the first anniversary of the organization of the church. The Rev. John C. Shrive was the first pastor, serving from May 1, 1892, until June 25, 1893. He was followed by the Rev. George E. Rines, whose pastorate extended over the period from July 2, 1893, to January 1, 1897. The Rev. Franklin K. Mathiews became pastor on April 22, 1897, and re- mained until April 1, 1906. The Rev. F. V. Atkinson was pastor from March 1, 1907, to November 1. 1908. The Rev. Charles O. Wright became pastor on January 1, 1909, and is still serving with much benefit to the members.
In October, 1909, after a thorough discussion of the needs of the field, the church voted unanimously and enthusiastically to build a new house of worship. On Sunday, January 2, 1910, subscriptions amounting to $21,000 were received and the Trustees were named as a Building Committee and instructed to have plans prepared for submission to the church. Messrs. Upjohn and Conable of New York were selected to prepare the final drawings and specifications. The contracts for the buildings were awarded to Mr. H. T. Walthery and Mr. W. C. Banta. Mr. M. T. Rogers was given the seating contract.
On Memorial Day. 1911, ground was broken for the new building in the presence of a large company of people. The corner-stone was laid on Sunday afternoon, October 1, 1911, after an appropriate and inspiring address by the Rev. Robert E. Farrier, D.D., of Passaic.
The style of the new building is the decorated English Gothic. this style being chosen because of its flowing lines. The plan calls for a tower to span the porte cochere. This entrance is now provided with a temporary gable. The material is field stone trimmed with artificial limestone.
There are 338 communicants in the fellowship of the church and the usnal societies and guilds actively express the Christian faith and love of the people for things worth-while.
The Year Book shows gifts of $1,300 for denominational purposes and $6,700 for general expenses.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ridgewood began in the spring of 1895, when several Methodist families came into
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the Village, and being called into counsel, resolved to immediately ascertain the probable supporters of a church of their faith by a care- ful canvass of all the known adherents. This was done under the supervision of Brother Edgar W. Rogers, with the result that it was decided to build a church.
After several preliminary meetings, an organization was effected with 13 members, under the direction of the Rev. J. B. Faulks, D.D., the Presiding Elder of the Jersey City District, Newark Conference, who appointed a Class Leader. Stewards were nominated and a Board of Trustees elected July 5th, in accordance with the laws of New Jersey.
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In the meantime, it had been ascertained that the schoolhouse on Union Street was about to be vacated and its lower floor was secured for religious services. The work of remodeling and properly furnishing it hastened and the first service was held on Sunday, July 7th, the Rev. W. C. James, a recent graduate from Hackettstown Seminary, preach- ing the first sermon to a congregation of about 90 persons. He preached on succeeding Sundays and was followed by the Rev. Mr. Beech, the Rev. R. S. Povey, and the Rev. Edwin L. Earp, the last named an ordained deacon who was finally called to the pastorate and served from 1896 to 1897. The Rev. Frank Chadwick served from 1897 to 1900; the Rev. Elam M. Garton, from 1900 to 1903; the Rev. A. C. McCrea from 1903 to 1904; the Rev. D. F. Diefendorf from 1905 to 1906; the Rev. C. S. Ryman from 1907 to 1911; and the Rev. T. G. Spencer since 1911, the efficient pastor of this influential church which has 359 full members, 40 probationers, and 18 non-resident members. The present building was completed in 1900.
The expenditures last Conference Year, were $6,500 for local work, and $3,000 for benevolences, both denominational and otherwise.
UNITARIAN SOCIETY
The first religious service was held by the Unitarian Society in the Opera House on October 13, 1895, but it was not until May 7, 1896, that a formal organization was perfected.
The first regular minister was the Rev. Geo. H. Badger, while the present minister is the Rev. Arthur Singsen.
The present church on Cottage Place was built in the fall of 1900 and was first occupied in February, 1901. The entire debt on the church and site was cancelled on May 6, 1909. The parsonage was built on the church grounds, at the rear of the church building, in the fall of 1912.
The approximate value of the church property is $9,000. The church is self-supporting and has at present about 25 active members. The church auxiliaries consist of a Sunday School and Woman's Alli- ance, the latter being affiliated with the National Alliance of Unitar- ians and Liberal Christian Women. This alliance in 1896 opened the first Woman's Exchange in Ridgewood and operated it successfully for two years. Under the able direction of Miss Rebecca W. Hawes it paid out $1,200 annually to women who were in need of work. It also gave the first lawn party in the community where a platform for dancing in the evening was a feature.
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FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
The Christian Science Society of Ridgewood, N. J., was organized with ten members in 1903. Meetings were held and a Reading Room maintained in the Ridgewood Public Library and room adjoining.
On September 15, 1904, the society was incorporated as a church and continued to hold services in the Library.
In December, 1909, the lot upon which the present church stands was purchased from Mrs. Houston.
In August, 1911, at sunrise, its members assembled at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Washington Place to witness the laying of the corner-stone of their new church home. The building was com- pleted in April, 1912, and the opening services were held on the first Sunday of May, 1912.
The Reading Room and a free loan library are now maintained in the church building.
The estimated valuation on the church building and property is $26,800.
Benevolences are represented in gifts of money disbursed through individual members of the church.
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
The West Side Community along Doremus and Ackerman Avenues, leading towards Glen Rock from Godwin Avenue, was one of the earlier real estate developments.
There are many prosperous German Lutherans numbered with these residents and, together with others in different localities of our Village having the same religious faith, felt the need of a church organization that could foster the religious doctrines and policy of the powerful Lutheran denomination, which stands for Evangelieal truth and prae- tiee.
The Rev. Mr. Gureheke of West Hoboken, while ministering at Mid- land Park, inaugurated the movement that resulted in services being held in the library room of the First National Bank, January, 1905. The Rev. S. S. Stechholz of St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Paterson continued these services, later to be followed by the present pastor, the Rev. Frederick Albert Ottman.
The church organization was effected January 20, 1907, and the Sunday School founded on November 13. 1910.
The corner-stone of the present beautiful church on Doremus Avenue was laid on September 29, 1912, and the dedication took place on March 30, 1913.
The property represents a valuation of $10,000. There are 95 com- munieants and 165 adherents. In the church year ending in 1916, the congregation contributed $400 for various benevolences and disbursed $1,500 for current expenses.
MOUNT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED)
This church was organized on January 4, 1905, with a membership of fifteen persons, by the Rev. A. J. Hubbard, who was called as its first pastor and who has sinee continued as such.
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In March, 1907, the church was successful in purchasing a plot of ground on Ackerman Avenue, the cost of which was paid in cash.
During the same year, the present building was completed at a cost, including the ground, building and furnishings, of $5,500, the amount of indebtedness placed upon the building being paid off dur- ing 1909.
Since its organization, 200 members have been added to its roll and the church stands today free of all debt.
WEST SIDE COLLEGIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
This is the youngest of the church organizations of the Village. It is the outgrowth of a need which the west side of the town felt for a Bible school to serve the children of the community who were practi- cally prohibited from attending the established Bible schools by reason of the dangerous grade crossing which existed until the new station improvements were under way. There had been desultory talk of establishing a new church and Bible school on the west side for many years, but it was not until the fall of 1912 that the plan assumed concrete form with the starting of a little school in the Ridgewood Preparatory School building, Heights Road near Monte Vista Place. The Rev. Isaac J. Lansing, D.D., preached a number of sermons to the parents of children in the new Bible school and after some con- sideration, it was determined to organize a new church.
The old First Presbyterian Church, at East Ridgewood and Pleas- ant Avenues, was at that time without a pastor so, by an arrangement with that organization, it was agreed to found a new church on the collegiate plan, with the Rev. Dr. Lansing serving both. The First Presbyterian Church changed its name to the Kenilworth Collegiate Presbyterian Church and the new organization of the west side adopted the name of the West Side Collegiate Presbyterian Church when it was formally organized and accepted by the Presbytery of Jersey City at a meeting in Prospect Hall on October 9, 1912. At that time, 65 persons were received into membership, of whom only seven came from other Ridgewood churches.
The plot at the southwest corner of Franklin Avenue and Monroe Street was purchased and ground broken for the initial unit of the building to be erected. This unit was dedicated on April 27, 1913, services in the meantime being held in the Ridgewood Preparatory School building. The rapid growth of the Bible school made necessary the building of a pair of units during the summer of 1915 and they were dedicated on October 3rd of that year.
At the present time the membership of the church is about 180. The membership of the Bible school is about 250 in the attending departments and 100 in the cradle roll and home departments; a total of about 350. The women's work of the church is cared for by the Woman's Guild, with a membership of 100. The guild has conducted a number of exceptionally successful sales and has contributed liberally both to the building funds of the church and its benevolences, besides being a center for social intercourse.
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The Men's Club is a purely social organization which has built up a lively fraternal spirit among the men of the community. The club has established a reputation for the excellent and unique character of the entertainments it has provided.
The Christian Endeavor Society is a live organization numbering about 90 active and associate members.
UPPER RIDGEWOOD RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES
Holland Church
About twenty-five years ago, in Upper Ridgewood, near the june- tion of Glen Avenue and Monroe Street, a small church was built by the Hollanders, who lived in that vicinity, in which services were conducted in the Dutch language.
The organization continued its work until a few years ago when the society disbanded. The building was torn down about two years ago.
As the church was organized by John W. Spikerboor, the locality was called, in his honor, Spikertown.
The Community Church Society
The Community Church Society of Upper Ridgewood is a mission, as yet unorganized beyond a local board of seven men selected from 40 families and 120 adherents. This body is really an Executive Com- mittee with the usual functions, but with more extended authority than is ordinarily delegated to such a committee.
The weekly gathering of worshippers and workers is held in a neat chapel loaned by the Home Mission Board of the Reformed Church in America, from which the Society also receives supplementary finan- cial aid in maintaining the work. The Consistory of the First Re- formed Church of Ridgewood has general oversight over the organ- ization.
There are 61 on the roll of the Bible school, of which Mr. Clarenee Wyckoff of Upper Ridgewood is Superintendent.
During the last church year the Society contributed $200 for gen- eral and missionary benevolences, and more than $1,000 for current expenses.
On May 1, 1913, the Rev. John A. Terhune, whose residence is on West Ridgewood Avenue, was ealled to minister to this religious society in conjunction with the reeently organized Mission Church at Ho-Ho- Kus, under the general superintendence of the Paramus Reformed Church.
The Upper Ridgewood Society, while yet unorganized as a church proper, is encouraged to anticipate in the near future the official equip- ment its continued prosperity warrants.
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CHAPTER VI BUSINESS INTERESTS
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
A LARGE tract of land on the north side of Ridgewood Avenue was owned by Henry Van Emburgh. By his will he left to his son, George, the southerly half of his farm, which extended from Pear- sall's Grove to a point across the track, some distance west of Heights Road and which contained 109.57 acres. This tract was sold in 1853 to Captain Samuel Dayton and at a later date was plotted.
The northerly half of the Henry Van Emburgh farm, devised by him to his son, Peter Van Emburgh, was also purchased in 1853 by Captain Dayton and in the same year was sold to Samuel Graydon and Benjamin F. Robinson.
These purchases by Captain Dayton and Messrs. Graydon and Rob- inson were the earliest realty transactions in the development of the hamlet. Prior to these almost the whole of Ridgewood was owned by about twenty men, most of whom were descendants of the carly Dutch settlers.
The Dayton, Graydon and Robinson families were the first resi- dents of New York City to settle in Ridgewood. They were attracted to the hamlet by the greater freedom of suburban life which they experienced during the years 1850, 1851, and 1852, while summer resi- dents at the old Doctor Hopper home in Ho-Ho-Kus.
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