USA > New York > New York City > A history of St. James' Methodist Episcopal Church at Harlem, New York City, 1830-1880 : with some facts relating to the settlement of Harlem > Part 2
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SPUYTEN
VIL CK. KINGSBRIDGE
MAP
SHOWING THE UPPER PART OF
TUBBY HOOK
KINGSBRIDGE ROAD
NEW YORK ISLAND IN THE YEAR 1820,
FROM OFFICIAL SURVEYS IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
t A. Site of "The Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem," 125th St., bet. 3d & 4th Aves.
HTS.
FORT
+ B. Site of "St. James' Methodist Episcopal Church at Harlem," Madison Avenue, cor. 126th Street.
HIGH BRIDGE
MORRISANIA
CARMAN SVILLE
MACOMB'S BRIDGE AND DAM
150
RIVER
MOTT HAVEN
140
130
HARLEM ROAD
B
MANHATTANWILE
SNAKE (MT. MORRIS)
V.HARLEM
120 -
HUDSON
EDOUBT
470
MC GOWAN'S
PASS
100-
1
1
-
Sts.
13
12
11
10
HARLEM, LAM.E.
RLEM RU
BRIDGE ROAD!
R
OLD
110-
BLOOMINGDALE ROAD _.__
HARLEM
EAST RIVER
1
A Avenues.
WASHINGTON
23
CONDITION OF HARLEM IN 1830.
Near these was opened the first crosstown highway laid out upon the new plan in this territory, 125th Street.
The Reformed Dutch Church, built in 1825, stood where, and as it does now, only shorter and but three steps from the ground (for it has been lengthened and raised) with the same shingled sides and little belfry.
The business street was 3d Avenue from the Church to the Bridge, and the way to the river eastward was the old Church road, running diagonally from the junction of 3d Avenue and 121st Street, passing by 125th Street and Ist Avenue to the water side near the Benjamin Bailey Mansion, near the bathing place of Daniel Doran, north of 125th Street.
This old church road was the dividing line between the farms on Harlem River south of Coles' bridge, those north of it, save the little square homesteads on its north line running in strips from the river to the old Harlem road, and those south of it running at right angles in strips from its south line to the river.
The two most considerable pieces of land north of this road were those of Daniel Phoenix and John S. Sickles, comprising most of the land between the church road and Coles' bridge.
On the south side the most considerable tracts were those of Ben- jamin Bailey, Moses Randell, one of the Benson families, William Wood, John P. Waldron and Dominie Jackson, whose ancient mansion yet stands well conditioned in the diagonal lines the old roads took, in the grassy block on the east side of 3d Avenue, between 114th and 115th Streets.
West of Snake Hill and Mount Morris, and including them, was the 90 acre farm of Samson Benson, on which, from 4th to 7th Avenues, a race course was long established with a high fence on the south side of 125th Street, and north of that street for nearly a mile, and from 4th Avenue to 8th Avenue the land had been purchased by Charles Henry Hall, of various old proprietors, in strips as their farms ran from Har- lem river north of Coles' bridge westerly to the old Kingsbridge road above mentioned, some of whose names were Lawrence Benson. John Adriance, Gabriel Freeman, John Meyer and Arent Bussing.
Mr. Hall was in various things a public benefactor, and in none
24
CONDITION OF HARLEM IN 1830.
more so than in thus blotting out the numerous diagonal lines that crossed' this territory of nearly a mile square, and making city lots for a good neigh- borhood for a town to come after him. His wide-spread mansion had been the dwelling of Gabriel Freeman, and it stood on a mound amidst charming fields and groves of trees that bordered a considerable pond of water artificially formed by Mr. Hall.
The house, or what remains of it, may be seen yet in the decaying tenement west of 5th Avenue, between 131st and 132d Streets.
Mr. Hall acquired much wealth, and foreseeing what this city would be, made large purchases of land, and devised liberal things for the improve- ment of it, and of the city at large.
Being made alderman of the 12th ward, he had the taste and courage, and influence to obtain the great work of re-grading the 3d Avenue. through its six miles from 10th Street to Harlem Bridge, and the macadam- izing of the carriage way from end to end, accomplishing this in the year- 1832, the same ycar the Asiatic cholera first visited this country and desolated so large a part of it. He also opened 129th Street from 3d to 8th Avenues, and had it paved in carriage way and sidewalks, four feet wide- the first sidewalks recovered from the general mud of Harlem. And what these achievements were in magnitude and worth must be imagined, not described.
Harlem, fifty years ago, had few dwellings, and these were of wood, with patches of ground around them and grass and shrubbery, and there were grassy sidewalks with foot-paths.
The Methodists first came with good Drs. Seaman and Reese preaching Sunday evenings in the upper room of the little school-house on 120th Street, then building their frame meeting-house on 125th Street, between 3d and 4th Avenues. Then came the Episcopalians, preaching in the same place by the courtly Dr. Wainwright, afterward bishop, St. Andrew's Church following upon land bestowed by Charles Henry Hall.
The stages, carried the people at a quarter each, in time, an hour and a half, and no travel at night.
The grand improvement was the steamboats, the Sylvan Shore being
25
CONDITION OF HARLEM IN 1830.
launched from the river bank opposite 2d Avenue, and then followed by its companions of the Sylvan line.
The Harlem Railroad came, too, but it was not made for the masses and did not help them much.
Land was cheap, and, therefore, little cared for. Several families, however, bought and kept tracts of it, the founders patiently holding, and resignedly dying, leaving it to descendants. They, ere long, sold, and for prices far beyond the original, yet so small, that holders now of what they purchased then, are enriched by it. But not all. Some were ruined even under those small prices.
The little village is such no longer.
It is a part of the great city, with its share of the great advantages, paved streets and sidewalks, drainage, capacious and costly school-houses and churches, and dwellings elegant as heart could wish.
The crowning modern improvement is the' elevated road, which now very swiftly and cheaply and constantly carries the people northward and southward, day and night.
Harlem, therefore, as a separate place, is abolished, as Greenwich was, forty years ago, on the west side, two miles from City Hall.
(4)
V
VIII.
FORMATION AND EXTENT OF HARLEM MISSION.
HE Rev. Dr. Bangs, in his History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, thus writes respecting the establishment of the "Har- lem Mission": "This year (1830) a mission was begun on the island of New York, called the Harlem Mission. This embraced a population in the neighborhood of the city, many of whom were but transient residents, and generally destitute of the means of grace." And the Rev. Dr. Reid, in his recent work on "Missions and Mis- sionary Society of the M. E. Church," says: "The north part of New York Island, embracing all above 'Upper Greenwich,' (the present Bedford Street Church) and 'Bowery Village,' (the present Seventh Street Church) became a mission under the title of 'Harlem Mission.'" According to the minutes of the session of the New York Conference, published in the Christian Advocate and Journal and Zion's Herald, (as the paper was then called) held in the City of New York, May 6th, 1830, Bishop Hedding presiding, Harlem Mission was assigned to the Rev. Ira Ferris.
The preacher went cheerfully to his work, exploring his charge, some- times on horseback, at other times on foot, preaching at different points wherever he could gather a congregation, on tavern stoops, and often pro- claiming the Gospel message from his horse's back to the Sabbath-breakers of all classes, who, at times, resorted to the unsettled portions of the island for a Sabbath carousing. The following is an extract of a letter from the Rev. Ira Ferris, dated April 27, 1831, and addressed to the Secretary of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church :
" When I came to this mission, I found one class, consisting of twenty- six members, and although for some time matters seemed quite discourag- ing, since the opening of the Spring the prospect has become much better.
27
FORMATION AND EXTENT OF HARLEM MISSION.
I have admitted, on trial, twenty-six, and by certificate and re-admission sixteen, so that we now have three classes, embracing sixty-eight members. If the mission be continued, as I think it ought to be, I have no doubt but that much good may be done."
In the Twelfth Annual Report (for the year 1830) of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, we read: "Harlaem Mission ou York Island. At the last New York Annual Conference, (1830) a missionary was appointed to labour on this island adjacent to the city of New York. We regret to say that this mission has not realized the hopes of its friends. We are informed, however, that latterly the prospect is more encouraging."
At the session of the New York Conference, held at Middletown, Conn., May 4, 1831, Bishops Soule and Hedding presiding, Harlem Mission was assigned to the Rev. Richard Seaman, M.D.
In a communication addressed by him to the Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, dated February 2, 1832, he writes: "* * Immediately after the Conference at Middletown, I moved my family on the mission ground, and entered on my duty. I found three classes, containing fifty-five members; three preaching places and six appointments ; two Sabbath Schools and a missionary society. I succeeded in obtaining three additional preaching places, one of which has since been given up. One member has died, fifteen have removed, and five proba- tioners have been dropped. I have admitted by certificate four, and on probation, nineteen. There are at present three classes, containing fifty- seven members, five preaching places and cight appointments; two Sabbath Schools containing one hundred and twenty-eight scholars; average attend- ance, seventy-two, and a missionary society.
"My reception on the mission ground has been very friendly, not only by the Methodist, but also by other denominations, and the public in general. At four of the preaching places the prospect is encouraging, and at the fifth, not altogether discouraging. We suffer much inconvenience from the want of meeting-houses; many of the inhabitants are not disposed to attend religious worship in school-houses or private dwellings; it is also very difficult to obtain a congregation on any day of the week except on
28
FORMATION AND EXTENT OF HARLEM MISSION.
the Sabbath. The cause of religion has certainly advanced on the mission. The congregations generally are more regular and much more attentive. Curiosity has given place to serious attention, which, with the Divine blessing, will, I hope, at no very distant period, eventuate in accessions to our little Zion."
In the Thirteenth Annual Report of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church (for the year 1831), under the head of "Domestic Missions," I find the following: "The Harlaem Mission, within the bounds of the N. Y. Conference, employs one missionary, and has fifty-three members. The work has gradually progressed during the past year, and the prospect of good is becoming more encouraging."
The following extract, dated August 14, 1832, and addressed to the Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society, of the M. E. Church, is from the pen of the Rev. Richard Seaman, M.D. : "Dear Brother :- It be- comes my duty to make a quarterly report of the state of the Harlaem Mis- sion. Since my last, the cholera has made fearful inroads in a part of the mission ground-more particularly at Harlaem-at which place two of our members have died, viz., John Van Wart, a man decided in his character, pious and zealous. As a class leader he was much beloved by his class and Christian friends. He had sacrificed worldly prospects for spiritual gain, and he promised much usefulness to the Church. Sudden death to him, no doubt, has been sudden glory. And Mr. Bailey, who had experienced justifying grace, a short time previous to his death. He was pious, zealous and much beloved. In the death of these brethren, the Harlacm class has experienced a heavy loss. In consequence of the dreadful mortality at Har- laem, our meetings have been interrupted. We have, however, commenced them again with favorable prospects.
" The Trustees of Harlaem have purchased eight lots of ground, with a house and out-buildings on them, for the purpose of building a mecting- house, etc.
" We have about one thousand dollars subscribed, and expect to com- mence building as soon as possible."
In the Fourteenth Annual Report of the Missionary Society of the
29
FORMATION AND EXTENT OF HARLEM MISSION.
M. E. Church (for the year 1832), we read, "The Harlaem Mission presents a more encouraging prospect than it did last year. Besides adding thirty- two members to the Church, making in all eighty-five, the missionary has succeeded in purchasing some lots in the flourishing village of Harlaem, and has commenced building a house of worship."
In the Fifteenth Annual Report of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church (for the year 1833), we find the following: "The Harlaem Mission has increased in interest and importance. The house of worship at the vil- lage of Harlaem, which was begun last year (1833)* has been completed and is now regularly occupied for Divine Service. There are four preaching places on this Mission and seventy-five Church members, and about one lun- dred and fifty Sabbath-school scholars."
In the Sixteenth Annual Report of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church (for the year 1834), we extract the following: "On the Harlaem Mission another house of worship, of convenient size, has been built the past year (1834), on 41st Street, and the mission generally is prosperous."
I extract the following also from the report of Richard Seaman, and Wm. C. Hawley, to the Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, dated, New York, April 13, 1835. "We have on the Harlaem Mission six preaching places and eleven appointments; six classes, numbering conjointly one hundred and one members ; we have received on probation and by certificate fifty-nine; thirty have removed, three have been dropped, and two have died. Increase this year, twenty-four.
" We have three Sabbath Schools, six superintendents, twenty-three teachers, and three hundred and forty scholars; average attendance one hundred and fifty.
" There are three Sabbath libraries containing four hundred volumes.
" We have also one infant school-twenty-five scholars. Our meet- ing-houses, viz., one at Harlaem, and the other on 41st Street, near the 8th Avenue, are finished, and have been occupied some time."
*This establishes conclusively the date of the completion of the Harlaem M. E. Church.
IX. .
PLACES WHERE METHODIST RELIGIOUS SERVICES WERE HELD.
N 1830, the year of the establishment of the Harlem Mission, religious services, according to Methodist usage, were first, and for a considerable time, held in the house of the late John James, on 125th Street, between 3d and Lexington Avenues.
Mr. James himself had prepared, as he styles it, "a rough pulpit," and it was his custom to bring it into the room where religious services were held, on the Saturday evening previous, and to remove it on the Monday following.
The congregations were not large, and the ministers (itinerant and lay) who officiated here, and in other places hired for Divine worship, were such men as Drs. Seaman, Reese, Kirby, Revs. Ferris, Ostrander, "Billy " Hib- bard, and others.
The next place in which Methodist religious services were held, was in the store-part (then not otherwise used) of the dwelling located upon the north-east corner of 3d Avenue and 125th Street.
The next place of worship was in a building, at that time, called the Academy (Harlem school), located on 120th Street, between the 2d and 3d Avenues. (The trustees of this school, until 1849, the common school for Harlem, were incorporated by the act of April 2, 1827, and then received a grant of money-$4,000-part of the proceeds of the Harlem commons, with which they purchased a lot in 120th Street and erected a school house.)
In the "Minutes of the Trustees of Harlaem School " I find the follow- ing, under date of March 7, 1831: " Resolved, That the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church have the use of the upper room on Sun- day and Thursday evenings for one year, from the 1st of May next, at 25-100 p. evening."
31
PLACES WHERE METHODIST SERVICES WERE HELD.
During the occupancy of the "upper room" of the Harlem school building, a watch night service, on New Year's eve, was held. It seems that Dr. Seaman, who was purposing to preach that night, when on his way from New York to Harlem, in company with Dr. Reese, while driving along this side of Yorkville, in a wagon, was surprised by two men, who suddenly stepped out from the side of the road, one of whom took the horse by the bit and demanded their money. The doctor struck the horse with his whip, whereupon the horse started with a spring, and one of the would-be robbers fired his pistol. The ball struck Dr. Reese on his coat collar and glanced off. They, the doctors, escaped without further injury, and came into the meeting and related the incident to the congregation, causing not a little excitement.
During week day evenings, prayer and class meetings were held at the house of Mrs. Lloyd, (now of Gloversville, State of New York) in the rear of the Reformed Church, corner of 3d Avenue and 121st Street, and who, with Mrs. James, I am informed, is the only surviving member of the original society. The number in attendance ranged from eight to ten and twenty.
X.
PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
N regard to the organization of "The Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem," the following appears in the minutes, dated April 16, 1832 :
"Pursuant to a public notice given at least fifteen days previously, a meeting of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem was held at the Academy in Harlem, this being the place where they statedly attend for Divine worship, for the purpose of electing Trustees for said Church.
" Rev. R. Seaman was called to the chair, and John Van Wart appointed Secretary. The meeting then proceeded to ballot for Inspectors of the Polls, when George Edwards and Ananias Platt were duly elected. The meeting then proceeded to elect seven Trustees, and on canvassing the votes, the following persons were declared by the Inspectors to be duly elected, viz: Joseph Smith, Andrew C. Wheeler, Isaac Platt, Thomas Vaughn, Benjamin Disbrow, John Van Wart, and John James.
"Their term of service was as follows: Joseph Smith and A. C. Wheeler, one year ; Isaac Platt and Thomas Vaughn, two years; B. Disbrow, Jno. Van Wart and J. James, three years.
" Resolved, That the name or title by which said Trustees and their suc- cessors shall be forever hereafter called and known, is the Methodist, Episco- pal Church in Harlem.
" The meeting then adjourned.
" RICHD. SEAMAN, Chairman,
" JOHN VAN WART, Secretary.
"Immediately after the election, the Trustees met and organized, and
REV. RICHARD SEAMAN, M.D.
PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 33
elected Isaac Platt, Chairman, and John Van Wart, Secretary, for the ensuing year.
" Meeting adjourned.
" JOHN VAN WART, Secretary."
From the following it appears that the subject of the purchase of a site and the erection of a "meeting house," had been discussed and agreed upon :
"May 3d, 1832, a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem, was held at the house of Richard Seaman. Richard Seaman was appointed Chairman pro tem. The meeting was opened with prayer by the chairman.
"Present, Joseph Smith, Andrew C. Wheeler, Isaac Platt, Thomas Vaughn, Benjamin Disbrow, John Van Wart and John James.
" The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
" Resolved, That we purchase the ground of James Flanagan, Esq., for a site for a meeting house.
" Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed for that purpose. R. Seaman, B. Disbrow, J. Van Wart were, on motion, appointed. Benja- min Disbrow was appointed Treasurer.
" The meeting then adjourned.
"JOHN VAN WART, Sec'y."
" May 14, 1832.
"A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem, was held in the lecture-room attached to the M. E. Church in Forsyth Street, in the city of New York. R. Seaman was appointed Chair- man pro tem. The meeting was opened with prayer by the chairman.
"Present, Joseph Smith, And. C. Wheeler, I. Platt, Thos. Vaughn, B. Disbrow, J. Van Wart and J. James.
" The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
" Resolved, That we reconsider the resolution to purchase land of J. Flanagan, Esq. Resolved, That we purchase land of Danl. P. Ingraham, Esq.,
(5)
34
PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
for a site for a meeting house. Resolved, That I. Platt, T. Vaughn and J. James be added to the Purchasing Committee. The meeting adjourned.
"JOHN VAN WART, Sec'y."
It seems that the former incorporation, referred to in the minutes of the meeting held April 16, 1832, was deemed illegal, and, accordingly, "June 4, 1832, pursuant to public notice given at least fifteen days previously, a meeting of the members of the M. E. Church in Harlem was held at the Academy in Harlem, that being the place where they statedly attend for Divine worship, for the purpose of electing Trustees for said church, the former incorporation being illegal.
" R. Seaman was appointed Chairman, and Isaac Platt was appointed Secretary. The meeting proceeded to ballot for inspectors of the poll, when Isaac Platt and John Van Wart were duly elected.
"The meeting then proceeded to elect seven Trustees, and on canvass- ing the votes, the following persons were declared by the inspectors to be duly elected, viz: Joseph Smith, Andrew C. Wheeler, Benjamin Disbrow, Isaac Platt, Thomas Vaughn, John Van Wart and John James, to serve as such Trustees of the M. E. Church in Harlem.
" Resolved, That the name or title by which the said Trustees and their successors shall be forever hereafter called and known is the Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem.
" RICHD. SEAMAN, Chairman, "ISAAC PLATT, Secretary."
At a subsequent meeting of the Board of Trustees, the committee appointed to purchase "a site for a meeting house" report, and it is resolved to build a house for Divine worship, the size, &c., of which is very minutely given.
35
PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
1192515
" October 13, 1832.
"A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem was held at the house of Andrew C. Wheeler, on the 2d Avenue.
"The meeting was opened with prayer by Joseph Smith. Benjamin Disbrow was elected Chairman for the ensuing year, and Andrew C. Wheeler was appointed Secretary pro tem.
"Present, J. Smith, B. Disbrow, T. Vaughn, A. C. Wheeler.
" The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
"The committee appointed, consisting of R. Seaman, B. Disbrow, J. Van Wart, I. Platt, T. Vaughn and J. James, to purchase ground for the site of a meeting house in Harlem, reported that they had purchased eight lots, having on them a dwelling house and a barn, of Danl. P. Ingraham, Esq., situate on 125th and 126th Streets, between the 3d and 4th Avenues, for $2,000, on which a mortgage had been given for that amount at six per cent.
" Resolved, That we build a house for Divine worship on said lots, forty- five feet front and sixty feet deep, with a basement story nine and a half feet in the clear, viz : four and a half under ground and five feet above ground, and that the house be twenty feet post in the clear, without galleries, but to be prepared for galleries.
" Resolved, That the house be set twenty feet back from 125th Street, or thereabouts, to be on a line with the dwelling house, and to front 125th Street. . The sides and rear of the house to be covered with Albany boards, planed and beaded; the front to be covered with narrow boards, planed and beaded, and finished with a pediment; the roof to be covered with three feet shingles of a good quality, laid nine inches to the weather, the whole to have two good coats of white paint.
" Resolved, That it be. seated with seats similar to the basement of Greene Street Church, and that the seats have two good coats of green paint and two good coats of varnish.
"There shall be four windows on each side, seventy-two panes, each
36
PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
eight by ten, viz: twelve panes high and six wide; two windows of the same size in the rear; two windows in front, eight panes high and six wide ; also a circular window in the pediment, and two doors in front with fan-lights.
" Resolved, That J. Smith, B. Disbrow, A. C. Wheeler and R. Seaman, be a committee to draw a plan and receive proposals for building said house.
" Resolved, That we receive proposals from the following persons only, viz: J. B. Bunting, Mr. Everitt, T. Baldwin, D. Fowler, J. Carr, F. Van Tassell and Wm P. Morse.
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