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 3
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" Meeting adjourned.
" AND. C. WHEELER, Sec'y."
The following is the record of the business transacted at the meeting of the Board of Trustees, held "December 18, 1832:"
" A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the M. E. Church in Harlem was held at the house of A. C. Wheeler, 2d Avenue. Benj. Disbrow took the chair, and the meeting was opened with prayer.
"Present, B. Disbrow, J. Smith, T. Vaughn, J. James and A. C. Wheeler.
"The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
" Resolved, That the term of service of the Trustees be determined by ballot, which resulted as follows, viz: Joseph Smith, Thos. Vaughn and Andw. C. Wheeler, to serve for one year; John James and John Van Wart, for two years; and Benjn. Disbrow and Isaac Platt for three years.
" Resolved, That B. Disbrow be Treasurer of this Board for one year.
" Resolved, That John James be Secretary for one year.
"The specifications for the carpenter's and mason's work were pre- sented by the committee and adopted. Closed with prayer.
" Adjourned.
" AND. C. WHEELER, Sec'y pro tem."
37
PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
" Jan. 31, 1833.
"A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the M. E. Church in Harlem was held at the house of A. C. Wheeler, 2d Avenue. B. Disbrow took the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer by Walter Booth.
"Present, B. Disbrow, J. James, Thos. Vaughn and A. C. Wheeler.
" Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
" Resolved, That we reconsider the resolution to build a house for divine worship at Harlem according to the plan agreed upon.
" Resolved, That we build a house forty by fifty feet, or forty by fifty- five feet, to be determined when the estimates are handed in.
" Resolved, That the height of the posts of the house be from twenty to twenty-two feet, to be left to the decision of the Building Committee.
" Meeting adjourned.
" AND. C. WHEELER, Sec'y pro tem."
The minutes of the next meeting of the Board of Trustees record their final action in reference to the erection of a "meeting house."
" April 9, 1833.
" A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the M. E. Church in Harlem, was held at the house of Richard Seaman, 7 Division Street. B. Disbrow took the chair, and the meeting was opened with prayer.
" A. C. Wheeler was appointed Secretary pro tem.
" Present, J. Smith, Thos. Vaughn, A. C. Wheeler, B. Disbrow.
" Minutes of the last meeting read and approved.
" Resolved, That we build according to the first plan and first estimate, provided we can raise $2,500 by bond and mortgage.
" Adjourned.
" AND. C. WHEELER, Sec'y pro tem."
38
PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
" April 23, 1834.
"A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the M. E. Church in Harlem, was held at the house of John James, Harlem. B. Disbrow took the chair, and the meeting was opened with prayer by R. Seaman.
"Present, J. Smith, B. Disbrow, Thos. Vaughn, I. Platt, J. James and A. C. Wheeler. Doct. W. Booth, the Missionary, was also present. A. C. Wheeler was appointed Secretary pro tem.
" The Board examined the contract for building the meeting-house, and also the building, and concluded that the carpenter's work was well done, and that the mason had fulfilled his contract."
"Thos. Vaughn and John James were appointed a committee to attend to repairs about the church and house.
" Benj. Disbrow and Richard Seaman were appointed a committee to audit and settle the extra bill for building the church.
"Benjamin Disbrow was appointed to obtain an insurance on the meet- ing-house for three thousand dollars. Adjourned, with prayer.
" AND. C. WHEELER, Sec'y pro tem."
* In order to understand this, it must be remembered that the audience-room was first, and for some time previously, completed, and used for Divine worship, before the basement was ready for occupancy.
XI.
LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE AND DEDICATION.
HE following facts relating to the establishment of the Harlem Mission, its extent, the state of Methodism in the city of New York and in the United States, and other interesting facts, are copied from a paper written by the Rev. Richard Seaman, M.D., bearing date July 18, 1833, having been placed, along with other articles, in the leaden box that was deposited in the corner stone on the occasion of its being laid, and plainly showing the time of the celebra- tion of that interesting event:
" The Harlaem Mission was established by the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the year 1830. Reverend Ira Ferris was appointed Missionary for that year and was succeeded by Rev. Richard Seaman, who continued two years.
"In 1833, Walter Booth, M.D., was appointed Missionary, and Richard Seaman supernumerary, in charge of the mission, at which time there were seventy-one members and six preaching places, viz: Harlaem, Rose Hill, 8th Avenue, corner of 38th Street; Blooming Dale, Manhattan Ville and Fort Washington. The mission extends from Kings Bridge and Harlaem to 20th Street, comprehending the whole of York Island, except the city.
"Joseph Smith, Andrew C. Wheeler, Benjamin Disbrow, Isaac Platt, Thomas Vaughn, John Van Wart and John James, are Trustees, and Joseph Smith, A. C. Wheeler, Benjamin Disbrow and Richard Seaman, are the Building Committee; Jacob P. Bunting, Mason, and William P. Morse, Carpenter, being contractors to do the work this year, 1833.
" William McKendree, Robert R. Roberts, Joshua Soule, Elijah Hed- ding, James O. Andrew and John Emory, Bishops.
"Samuel Merwin, Presiding Elder of the New York District.
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LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE AND DEDICATION.
"New York East Circuit: Laban Clark, Daniel Ostrander, Benjamin Griffin, Parmele Chamberlin, Paul R. Brown,
"West Circuit: Peter P. Sandford, Fitch Reed, Charles W. Carpenter, Jolin C. Green and Josiah Bowen.
"In the Book Room: Nathan Bangs, Editor; John P. Durbin, Editor of the Christian Advocate and Journal, etc .; Timothy Merritt, assistant ditto; Beverly Waugh and Thomas Mason, Book Agents.
"There are now in the United States 2,200 Traveling Preachers in the Methodist Episcopal Church; 548,593 Church members in the United States, and 5,235 Church members in the city of New York.
"1833. Officers of the Civil Government: Andrew Jackson, President of the United States; Martin Van Buren, Vice-President; William L. Marcy, Governor of the State of New York; John Tracy, Lieutenant Governor; Gideon Lee, Mayor of the City of New York.
"A Bible, Methodist Hymn Book, Discipline, Christian Advocate and Journal and Zion's Herald, a daily paper, are herewith deposited; also, somne specimens of American coin, in a leaden box prepared and presented for the purpose by Mr. Abraham Brower.
" RICHARD SEAMAN."
It is very interesting to know that the late venerable Nathan Bangs, D.D., preached the sermon on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone, taking as his text, the words recorded in the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, 3 : 10-15 verses. Another very interesting feature on this occasion, was, that the pupils of the Harlem Academy, under the leadership of their Principal, were present, and, at the conclusion of the services, joined in singing the doxology, "Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing," &c.
The dedication of the church, or "meeting-house," as it was called, occurred on Thursday afternoon, December 12, 1833, the Rev. Dr. John Kennaday officiating in the absence of the Rev. Samuel Merwin, Presiding Elder of the New York District. The text upon which the discourse on this interesting occasion was based, may be found in Colossians, Ist chapter, 28th verse.
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CHAMBERLIN,N.Y.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN HARLEM,
- 125TH ST., BETWEEN 3D AND 4TH AVENUES.
XII.
CEREMONIES ON TAKING LEAVE OF THE OLD CHURCH.
N anticipation of discontinuing Divine worship in the old church, at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Harlem M. E. Church, held October 7, 1870, "it was, on motion, resolved that the final service be held in the church, on Sunday, November 6, 1870." At a subsequent special meeting of the Trustees, (October 24, 1870,) "on motion, James Davis was appointed a committee to make all necessary arrangements for the same."
The following notice appeared in the Christian Advocate of November 3,1870 :
" Harlem Church-The Harlem M. E. Church, being about to remove to their new edifice, will hold farewell services on Sunday, November 6th, at the present location, 125th Street, between 3d and 4th Avenues. The morning services will be conducted by former pastors, commencing at 10} o'clock. Afternoon, at 2} o'clock, a reunion of former pastors and members. Rev. James M. Freeman, D.D., will preach in the evening at 73 o'clock. Former pastors and members, and the friends of the church, are cordially invited to be present. In behalf of the Trustees.
"JAMES DAVIS, Pres't."
The New York Times of November 7, 1870, thus refers to the matter :
"Farewell memorial services were held in the old edifice on 125th Street, near 4th Avenue, yesterday, (Nov. 6.) The morning service took the form of a Sacramental love feast, whereat former pastors delivered short addresses, or related their Christian experience, and gave some reminiscences of olden times, when Harlem was but a village and New York a good- sized town. In the afternoon at 23 o'clock, there was a reunion of former
(6)
42
CEREMONIES ON TAKING LEAVE OF THE OLD CHURCH.
members, pastors and friends, and a general time of rejoicing was held for two and a half hours. Rev. James M. Freeman, D.D., a former pastor, preached in the evening, and the church was crowded at every service.
"In the afternoon, the Pastor, Rev. G. H. Corey, D.D., read a sketch of the history of the old church, and many of the old veterans, former pastors of the church, who were present, related their early experiences in traveling through the woods and sloughs of Harlem and Manhattanville, some of them walking from Hammond Street to Harlem, thence to Washington Heights, and thence to Manhattanville, to fill their three appointments on the Sab- bath. The contrast between the past and the present was very striking, and very few of the audience were aware of the difficulties that beset the early Methodist pioneers in the upper end of the city."
From another source I learn that "all the former pastors were invited, a large audience was in attendance, and after the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered, the Pastor of the church read a paper reciting the origin and growth of the church up to the date of leaving it, after which the Rev. Dr. E. H. Gillett, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, made an interest- ing address. There were also other addresses."
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XIII.
HISTORY OF THE BEGINNING, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF ST. JAMES' M. E. CHURCH.
HE first attempt in the direction of enlarging the old church of which we have any record, is found in the minutes of the Board of Trustees, under date of May 30, 1859, in which it is stated that, "the Committee on Building presented a plan drawn by Messrs. Winham and Fornbach, for a brick front, &c ," which was approved.
At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, held at the residence of James Davis, June 2, 1859, the minutes read: "The subject of the altera- tion of the church was taken up. The plans and specifications of Winham and Fornbach, presented by the Committee on Building, were approved. On motion, the official members of this church were requested to be notified from the pulpit to meet on Monday evening, June 6th, in class-room No. 2, for the purpose of consulting on a plan to enlarge the church."
At a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, held June 27, 1859, the "Committee on Building report a meeting held in the lecture-room, on the the evening of June 20th, to consider the subject of enlarging the church edifice. After expressions of various views on the subject, the meeting adjourned to meet on the second Friday in July."
At "a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Harlem M. E. Church, held in classroom No. 2, Monday evening, July 25th, 1859, on motion, the Secretary was requested to procure the minutes of the special meetings called by this Board and copy them in regular order."
The minutes are as follows: "At a meeting held June 21, 1859, by the members and congregation of this church, called by the Board of Trustees,
44
BEGINNING, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF CHURCH.
to take into consideration the subject of enlarging the church, brother was called to the chair. Prayer by brother Brothers.
and in behalf of the Trustees, submitted a plan to enlarge the front part of the church; also, one to enlarge the church in the rear with galleries. * * " Brother .moved that we deem it inexpedient to enlarge the church at the present time.
"Seconded by brother
" Brother moved that we adjourn to meet on the second Friday evening in July, at 8 o'clock. Carried."
An adjourned meeting of the members and congregation of the Harlem M. E. Church, called by the Board of Trustees, to take into consideration the subject of enlarging the church, was held July 8, 1859.
" Brother moved that the following resolutions be submitted in place of that of brother
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, a necessity exists for increased accommodation to those who desire to attend public worship in this church, and that we recommend the Trustees to take such measures as they may deem proper to furnish the same, either by the erection of a new building, or of such additions to the present building, in accordance with the plans submitted by them for a new front, as may, in their judgment, best promote the object.
" Brother moved that the resolution be divided, so as to read as follows :
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, a necessity exists for increased accommodation to those who desire to attend public worship in this church. Carried.
" Brother moved to adjourn to meet Friday evening, July
15. Carried."
A meeting was held pursuant to adjournment, July 15, 1859. On motion of brother , an adjournment followed to Friday evening, July 22, 1859.
An adjourned meeting was held July 22, 1859. On motion of
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BEGINNING, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF CHURCH.
brother the ayes and noes were taken on the resolution offered by brother July 8, 1859, and resulted in twelve yeas and six nays. Adjourned.
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, held August 29, 1859, "a com- mittee, consisting of James Davis, James Wood, H. H. Gregory and James Stephens, was appointed to consider the best method of presenting the subject of enlarging or re-building the church."
A second attempt to build a new church was made in the Autumn of 1866, the year of the Centenary Jubilee of American Methodism, during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. MeKown, on the suggestion of Mr. Gardner Landon, Sr., a member of the Board of Stewards
The proposition was heartily endorsed, some money was raised, but the project subsequently failed. One or two similar efforts were afterwards made in the same direction and shared a similar fate.
It was not, however, until the Fall of 1869, during the pastorate of the Rev. George H. Corey, D.D., (to whose unflinching purpose, indomi- table energy, and tireless efforts, coupled with those of his brethren, both lay and official, and the blessing of God, Methodism in Harlem owes its position and influence) that the eligible site on the north-east corner of Madison Avenue and 126th Street was purchased, and the imposing struc- tures, the church edifice, chapel and parsonage erected thereon.
About the same time of the year a society meeting was called in the old church, and, after an earnest address by the pastor, a series of resolu- tions was offered by J. Ralsey White, M.D., seconded by H. H. Gregory, M.D., "authorizing the Trustees to begin the new church and pledging the sympathy and co-operation of the congregation."
The occasion is described as "a very enthusiastic service, rivalling the excitement of an old-fashioned camp meeting."
In the latter part of October of the same year, (1869) the first opening in the ground was made by the pastor of the church, at the corner of Madison Avenue and 126th Street, precisely where the main tower stands. Several others, ladies, followed his example, by turning over a shovelful of ground.
46
BEGINNING, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF CHURCH.
The following, relating to the laying of the corner-stone of the church, is taken from the Christian Advocate of April 14, 1870:
" The corner-stone of the fine new edifice in course of erection for the 125th Street M. E. Church, Harlem, was held on Saturday last (April 9th) with appropriate religious services. *
" The official act of laying the monumental stone was impressively per- formed by Bishop Janes. Dr. H. B. Ridgaway made an appropriate and elo- quent address. Rev. Mr. McVicar, of the Episcopal Church, a most catholic- spirited and devoted clergyman, participated in the exercises. A brief address was also made by Dr. Ferris, Presiding Elder of the district. The services were conducted by the Pastor, Rev. G. H. Corey, under whose persistent efforts this enterprise has been brought to so promising a condition."
From another source I gather the following: "The corner-stone was laid during the session of the New York Conference, at 30th Street M. E. Church, which occurred April 6 to 11, 1870. Bishop E. S. Janes, H. B. Ridgaway, G. H. Corey and W. H. Ferris, participated in the exercises.
" Bishop Jancs formally laid the corner-stone. In the box were a list of the membership of the church and its official men, its former pastors, a photograph of the old church and of the new, the New York daily papers, Christian Advocate, Methodist, and the names of the Ladies' Aid Society. There was a very large attendance, and the services were interesting."
Speaking of the first service in the chapel of the new church, the Christian Advocate of November 17, 1870, says: "An interesting day in Harlem. The first M. E. Church of Harlem, Rev. G. H. Corey, D D., Pastor, held service on Sunday last (November 13,) in the Sunday-school room (chapel) of their new and partially completed church, on the corner of 126th Street and Madison Avenue. There was no formal dedication of the chapel, and there will not be until the entire edifice is completed." * *
The New York Times of November 14, 1870, thus speaks of the event:
" Yesterday (November 13th,) the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Harlem moved into its new quarters on the corner of 126th Street and Madison Avenue. Services were held in the Sunday-school room, a large
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BEGINNING, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF CHURCH.
and spacious hall on the second floor of the south wing. The place was crowded with worshippers. There was no formal dedication of the chapel yesterday, (November 13) and there will not be until the entire edifice is completed.
"In the morning, the Rev. G. H. Corey preached from the text, the second chapter of Haggai, ninth verse: 'The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts.'
"The treatment of the subject differed somewhat from the general treat- ment of this text in the pulpits. After showing that the idea of worship is innate in the human heart, and that among every condition of society, rude or cultured, savage or civilized, it is concreted in one form or another, Mr. Corey then showed that the place of worship was as necessary as the being. Then following out the crude or elaborate ideas of the ancients in setting apart places of worship, he traced them down to the Israelites, who, while in the wilderness, erected a tabernacle, but when in possession of their own land, and surrounded with wealth and luxury, they erected a temple which, for splendor and magnificence, never has been and never will be equalled. Prideaux valued the gold inlaying of the temple at $21,000,000. The glory of the latter house referred to in the text, if taken literally, could not be true. It was larger, but not so costly or magnificent. As usually in- terpreted, the presence of Christ in the latter edifice is considered as its excellent glory, but this the preacher believed to be an incorrect view. Jehovah dwelt in the first temple, and Jesus, though equal with, cannot be greater than God. He believed that the text had a far wider signification than is generally given to it, and that it refers to the Christian Church, whose chief glory is that it substitutes a spiritual for a ceremonial worship, and hence there is no peculiar sacredness of place or persons. Every be- liever is a priest, and wherever two or three are gathered in the Master's name, there He is, and there, too, is the Church. The glory of the latter house consists also in spirituality of devotion that antagonizes all formality and insincerity. Nevertheless, the Christian Church has its symbols, ap- pointments, and opportunities, all of which were plainly and forcibly brought to the notice and consideration of the audience, and they were
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BEGINNING, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF CHURCH.
earnestly urged to yield, full and ready obedience to God's commands. Mr. Corey preached again in the evening."
At a meeting of the joint Board of Trustees and Stewards, held March 27, 1871, "it was resolved that this meeting recommend that the corporate name of the church be the 'St. James Methodist Episcopal Church at Har- lem,' and that the subject of changing the corporate name be submitted to a meeting of the Society on Sunday next (April 2, 1871), by the President of the Board of Trustees."
In accordance with this recommendation, "a public meeting of the So- ciety was held Sunday, April 2, 1871, at the chapel at the close of the morn- ing sermon. Brother Corey presided. D. J. Dean was elected Secretary of the meeting.
"The object of the meeting having been stated by Brother Davis, after a discussion, which was largely participated in, the following resolution was adopted :
" That the corporate name of the church shall be 'the St. James M. E. Church at Harlem,' and that the Trustees be requested to take the necessary steps to make the change."
The Christian Advocate, of May 18, 1871, thus speaks of the dedication of St. James M. E. Church.
" The new and beautiful St. James Methodist Episcopal Church, corner of 126th Street and Madison Ave., in this City, Rev. Dr. H. B. Ridgaway, Pastor, was dedicated on Sunday last, May 14.
"Bishop Janes preached in the morning, Rev. B. I. Ives, in the after- noon, and Rev. Dr. J. P. Newman, of Washington, in the evening. Bishop Janes conducted the dedicatory service, and Rev. B. I, Ives managed (with his usual ability and success) the call for the collection, Rev. S. D. Brown, Rev. Dr. Crooks, Rev. George H. Corey, D.D., a former pastor, and other ministers, participated in the services. The sermons were able, and very great interest was felt throughout. The entire cost of the property was $123,000. Of this amount, $46,500 had been paid, and $40,000 arranged for a sinking fund. The balance, $36,500, was presented to the audience, and subscriptions called for to the amount. Large as the sum was, the whole
REV. GEORGE H. COREY, D.D.
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BEGINNING, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF CHURCH.
sum was raised at the morning service. Subscriptions were added during the afternoon and evening, increasing the collection for the day to forty-three thousand dollars. Grandly done!"
The following appeared in the New York Times, May 15, 1871:
"St. James Methodist Episcopal Church, on 126th Street, Harlem, was opened for public service, for the first time, yesterday morning, (May 14.)
" The beautiful edifice was crowded with a fashionable audience, who occupied all the seats and standing-room both on the floor and in the galler- ies, and even overflowed into the lobby. After the chant, the ritual service of dedication was read by Rev. Henry B. Ridgaway, pastor of the church. Bishop Simpson, who had been expected to preach, having sent word that he was too unwell to come, Bishop Janes delivered the sermon, taking as his text, Isaiah 6 : 1-8 verses, dwelling particularly upon the clause in the eighth verse, 'Here am I, send me.'
"The Bishop spoke of the universality of God's rule. He rules all the governments of the earth, and when His dominion shall be extended as prophecy has foretold it, will fill all the earth. God's rule is love. He hears all and grants His countenance to all who come to Him. If we can not join the grand congregations we can at least come to Him personally and socially. Social worship is the highest form of worship. In this world we need to come personally to the mercy seat. In the social meet- ings of the week and at the family altar, are the highest services to God. Concerning conversions, Bishop Janes said: The inspiration in conversion must come from the heart, and not from the reason. We may reason on religious subjects, compare ourselves with others, decide that this one is moral, and that one religious, that this one is good, and that one bad, and yet there is no conviction of sin. This is wrong; we must compare our- selves not with other men, but with the one great standard, God, and then in comparison with His goodness we shall feel our weakness and wicked- - ness as they are; and not as we have supposed them to be.
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