A history of the churches, of all denominations, in the city of New York, from the first settlement to the year 1846, Part 14

Author: Greenleaf, Jonathan, 1785-1865. cn
Publication date: 1846
Publisher: New York, E. French; Portland, Hyde, & Duren
Number of Pages: 784


USA > New York > New York City > A history of the churches, of all denominations, in the city of New York, from the first settlement to the year 1846 > Part 14


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SULLIVAN STREET CHURCH.


The example of Christian enterprise which had resulted so favorably in the establish- ment of the Asbury Church, as related above, awakened the attention of brethren in other parts of the city to the subject of a farther increase of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an opportunity for this was soon pre- sented. One of the Methodist Protestant Churches in the city had erected a good house of worship on Sullivan street, near Bleecker, in the year' 1S39, but in about three years after difficulties arose. A large debt lay on the house, and the church be- came divided in sentiment, some wishing to join the Methodist Episcopal Church, some preferring Congregationalism, and some desiring to remain as they were. The consequence of this division was the sale of the building, in 1842, and the organization of the " Sullivan Street Methodist Episcopal Church," to which a large portion of the old church attached themselves. The congre- gation is now in a prosperous condition. The Rev. Joseph Law has the pastoral charge.


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MADISON STREET CHURCH.


The prosperous establishment of the two churches last named, led to the formation of another in the spring of 1843. The house of worship built by the Fourth Free Presbyte- rian Church, on the corner of Catharine and Madison streets, being for sale, was pur- chased by a few individuals, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church for $13,000, and a church of twelve members was form- ed there. A large congregation was soon collected ; the preaching of the Gospel there has evidently been attended by a divine power, and with a few who have come in - by a certificate from other churches, they now number about two hundred and forty in communion. The present minister in charge is the Rev. James Floy.


" MARINERS' METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH."


In the year 1844, a colony from the Willet Street Methodist church commenced a new enterprise, having specially in view the bene- fit of seamen. They were organized as a distinct church, under the above title, and in


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the course of that year erected a large house of worship on Cherry street, near Rutgers Place. The enterprise has been successful, and a large church and congregation is already collected there. Rev. Robert Seney is the present minister.


METHODIST FLOATING BETHEL.


To provide the means of grace more ex- tensively for seamen, it was resolved by the " Asbury Methodist Society," to establish a Floating Bethel. This was accomplished in June, 1845. The " Wesleyan Metho- dists" had for a short time maintained wor- ship in the hull of an old packet ship, of eight hundred tons, which had been fitted up as a place of worship, and moored in a dock at the foot of Rector street, in the North river. This was purchased for about $2,000, and the Rev. O. G. Hedstrom was appoint- ed stated preacher. A considerable congre- gation was soon collected, as there was no other place of public worship very near, and the ship will accommodate about five hun- dred persons with convenience. They have a Sabbath-school of about one hundred children, mostly gathered from the street, and


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a church has been organized, consisting of about twenty-five members. Mr. Hedstrom, the pastor, is a native of Sweden, and preaches on Sabbath morning to a large congregation of seamen and others, in that language. In the afternoons and evenings he preaches in English.


In addition to these services, one service in German is held on board the Floating Bethel every Lord's day at one o'clock, for the accommodation of those persons in that vicinity who cannot understand English, and it being held near to the place where many of the German emigrants congregate on their first entrance to the city, this service is calcu- lated to do great good.


MARINERS' CHURCH, ROSEVELT STREET. I


There seems no place more proper to notice the meeting for seamen held in Rose- velt street, than here. It is the first meeting of this description ever established in the city, but not having any church organization, it does not belong exclusively to any denomi- nation.


This meeting was commenced by the Rev. Ward Stafford, on the 20th of December,


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1816, in a school-room in the rear of No. 37 Cherry street. The building now known as " The Mariners' Church" was commenced in October, 1319, and opened for worship June 4, 1820. Mr. Stafford was the princi- pal preacher from the first movement until November, 1S20. In March following, the Rev. Henry Chase was engaged to preach here, and continued until the spring of 1824. The Rev. John Truair then supplied for two years, and in 1826 Mr. Chase was again en- gaged, and has remained to the present time. The meeting is under the direction of the " Port Society," and is considered as belong- ing to no one denomination, although Mr. Chase is himself in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church. A large as- sembly is found here on the Sabbath, and much good has been done : and no doubt " The Lord will count, when He writeth up His people, that this and that man was born there."


METHODIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY.


A society of ladies, under the above title, during the year 1845, employed the Rev. Ezra Withey, who was so successful in the


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establishment of the Asbury Church, to labor in the northwestern section of the city. He opened a meeting in a hall on Perry street, near Hudson, where a church was formed. A. commodious meeting-house has been erected on. Jane street, near Greenwich avenue, and the church is now known as the Jane Street Church. At the same time the Rev. Joseph Longking was employed to labor near the Dry Dock. A church has . been formed here also. Two hundred and ten members were reported in June last, as belonging to the Home Mission, including - both of these stations.


The same society have had under their care a meeting for Germans, held by the Rev. John M. Hartman, in a hall on Ninth : avenue, near Forty-first street, which in all probability will ripen into a German Church.


The twenty-five Methodist Churches, whose history is sketched on the preceding pages, are all in one connection, all attached to the regular " Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States." But there are fifteen others, of the same general denomination, but different connections, or strictly independent ; : eight of these being composed of white


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members, and seven being colored. The sketch of these churches follows. We be- gin with those 'composed of white people, in the order in which they have appeared in this city.


METHODIST SOCIETY.


In the beginning of the year 1820, several persons in New York, who were members of the Methodist Episcopal Churches which had then been formed, being dissatisfied with what they considered an assumption of power by the bishops and the Conference, and preferring the congregational form as to government, separated from their churches, and formed themselves into what they termed " The Methodist Society." A school-room was hired at No. 63 Christie · street, and on the 16th of July, 1820, they commenced public worship. The Rev. William M. Stillwell, an ordained elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, became their preacher. At this first meeting, mea- sures were taken to ascertain the number of those who prefered an independent form of government-and about one hundred per- sons enrolled their names ; and in August


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following, trustees were elected, and the certi- ficate of incorporation legally recorded.


It was soon found that the school-room where they met would not accommodate the people, and in September of the same year, ground was purchased on the east side of Christie street, between Walker and Hester streets, and a brick building, measuring fifty feet by seventy-eight, was erected, and open- ed for worship on the 31st of December following.


Constant accessions were made to the Methodist Society, and they were joined from time to time by other preachers from the old Methodist connection, and meetings were frequently held in other parts of the city. Dr. James Covell, a physician, who was an ordained preacher, labored much in this cause. A temporary house of worship was fitted up, standing on the corner of Pitt and Delancy streets, and here meetings were established ; and for the accommodation of those in the west part of the city, a large room in the Watch-house, on the corner of Prince and Wooster streets, was obtained, and meetings were held there. Mr. Stillwell, Thomas West, Dr. Covell and others, were


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engaged in these labors. Soon, however, a lot of ground for a church-building was purchased on Sullivan Street, near Spring street, and preaching was commenced on that ground in the open air, collections being made at each meeting, toward the erection of the proposed building, commencing the foundation at once, and expending the col- lections as fast as they were made. With great effort the house was built, and opened in 1824. Thus things remained for nearly two years, and at the close of the year 1825 the " Methodist Society" found themselves with three houses of worship, generally well filled with congregations on the Sabbath, and having in all about eight hundred members in communion. +


. But in May, 1826, a division took place. A part of the preachers and the people pre- ferred the entire independency of each church, and a permanent ministry ; and others, while they wished to avoid the jurisdiction of bishops, still preferred a connection of churches, and an itinerant ministry. A separation took place accordingly, and each went to work in his own way. The church in Christie street, which was the original


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band, preferred to remain in entire indepen- dency, and so they have remained to this day. Mr. Stillwell remains in the pastoral office in this church. His labors have been very much blessed : a regular and respect- able congregation assemble there ; many persons have been brought into the church in that place, and about three hundred members are now enrolled in communion.


METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHES.


Perhaps the name of this branch of the Methodist Church sufficiently indicates its character. In doctrine, it is Methodist, claiming, as do all, John Wesley as the pat- tern; but in government it does not admit the authority of the Conference, nor the juris- diction of Bishops, but protests against any assumption of their power. Hence their name, Protestant.


The Methodist Protestant Church, as a distinct denomination, was formed in Balti- more, in 1830, when many churches in vari- ous parts of the country were united in a distinct connection.


After the separation in the Methodists'


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Society, already referred to, the two churches which preferred a connection with others, and an itinerant ministry, continued by them- selves, until the regular formation of the de- nomination in 1830, and then became the First and Second Methodist Protestant Churches in the city of New York.


FIRST METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.


The meeting established on the corner of Pitt and Delancy streets, continued to be held in that place until the year 1831, when a good brick edifice was erected on Attor- ney street, and the congregation removed there. Rev. Zenas Covell, the son of Dr. James Covell, is the present minister. They number about two hundred in communion.


SECOND METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.


This church continued to' meet in the house of worship erected on Sullivan street, as already related, until the year 1839, when it was thought best to dispose of it, and erect another on the upper part of the same street. It was sold accordingly to the Reformed Presbyterians for $14,500, and in the same


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4 year the church and congregation took pos- session of their new house. Here,' after a few years, troubles arose. The house of worship had not been paid for, and a heavy debt was pressing upon the congregation. Added to this, a large portion of the people chose to become connected with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, a part preferred con- gregationalism, leaving but about twenty members who preferred to remain in the Protestant Methodist connection. This took place in the year 1841, and laid the founda- tion of the present "Sullivan Street Metho- dist Church" in the Methodist Episcopal .connection, and the church edifice passed into the hands of the new society, with a large portion of the congregation. Another portion formed what is now the "Fourth Congregational Church," and the fragment that remained of the Methodist Protestant Church retired to a hall on Hudson street, . nearly opposite " St. Luke's Church," where they remained for a time, and since that have met in private houses. A few more have united with them, but they are still a feeble band. Dr. Covell is again their min- ister.


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WELSH METHODIST CHURCH.


The Welsh Churches in the city of New York, of all denominations, had a common origin. In the year 1801, the Rev. Howell Powell, now the stated minister of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, in Palmyra, Ohio, arrived at New York from Wales, with a considerable number of others, of va- rious religious denominations, Indepen- dents, Baptists, Methodists, &c. He soon commenced preaching in the Welsh lan- guage, and, as a matter of course, those who understood that language best, attended his ministrations. But there is no evidence of the formal organization of a church at that time. As a place of worship they fitted up an old mill, owned by Col. Henry Rutgers, which was obtained for a trifling considera- tion, on a lease for forty years. It was a spacious building, which would accommo- . date at least eight hundred persons, and it is said was often crowded with hearers.


After remaining at the old mill about a year, some disputes arose among the peo- ple, in consequence of which Mr. Powell . and a portion of the people separated and


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hired another room, and shortly after those who remained sold out the lease, and scat .. tered. Mr. Powell continued preaching for about four years after this, when he left for the western country, and very soon after, in the year 1807, a Welsh Baptist Church was formed, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Stephens. (See sketch of that Church, page 239.) When the Welsh Baptists drew .off, the Independents and Calvinistic Me- thodists continued together, holding prayer- meetings, and meetings for reading and ex- hortation, but having no stated preacher for some time, until they succeeded in securing the services of the Rev. Evan Roberts, from Steuben, Oneida County. After him a Mr. Powell (not their former minister) supplied for a while, and was succeeded by the Rev. James Davies. During the ministry of Mr. Davies, a church was organized on the In- dependent, or Congregational platform, and shortly after the Calvinistic Methodists sepa- rated, in number between twenty and thirty, and organized themselves as a distinct church. This took place in the year 1823. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. John Hughes, now a minister in the Epis-


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copal Church in Oneida County, and after he left, the church was supplied by the Rev. Shadrach Davies.


In the year 1836, the Rev. William Row- lands came from Wales, at the invitation of this church, and has discharged the duties of the pastoral office up to the present time, with the exception of about three years, which he spent at Utica, during which time the Rev. John H. Evans officiated. The congregation is now in an encouraging state. They have as yet no house of wor- ship, but occupy a Hall on Christie street, between Walker and Hester streets, intend- · ing soon to erect a building. The church numbers one hundred and five in commu- · nion.


It may not be unacceptable, before con- . cluding this article, to state the origin of this denomination of Christians.


It is well known that in the time of the revival of religion in England, under the preaching of John and Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield, they were all branded - by their enemies with the name of Metho- dist, as a term of reproach. In process of time, these leaders became divided on some


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fundamental doctrines, the two Wesleys embracing rather the Arminian view, and Whitefield the Calvinistic. About the same time a celebrated Welsh minister, by the name of Rowlands, commenced preaching in Wales in the same zealous manner, ad- hering, however, to the Calvinistic views of the doctrines of grace. Several others united with him, and Mr. Whitefield met them in Wales. A new church organization was then formed, from which has sprung the pre- sent Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church, being in form Methodist, but in doctrine strict Calvinists. It is now one of the most numerous bodies in Wales. The first or- ganization of this kind in America, was made in the year 1824, in the town of Rem- sen, Oneida County, N. Y., and they now · number in the several states and territories about thirty churches.


PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.


The Primitive Methodist Connection had its origin at Standley, a village about four miles distant from Bemersley, England, in the year 1810, with a small class of ten per- sons, raised from the world. It seems that


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three local preachers, viz., Hugh Bourne, James Bourne, and William Clowes, had been excluded from the regular Wesleyan connection for holding camp-meetings. These meetings had been held in America ·` from the year 1801, but they had not been practised in England until the year 1807. But opposition was raised, and the " Primi- tive Methodist" Connection was established in consequence. The discipline of this sec- tion of the church does not differ very ma- terially from that of the other portions of the same general denomination. In doctrine, John Wesley is the standard. In govern- ment they are independent, but they claim to restore their church from all departures, and to bring it back to its pristine simplici- ty. Hence their name-Primitive. In the year 1829, four preachers of the " Primitive Methodists" came to the United States, and commenced their operations at New York, Philadelphia, and some other places. They have not increased much, having not over five or six churches in America, and those very small.


In the city of New York a small church of Primitive Methodists is found. It was


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formed in 1829, or 1830. They have never had a house of worship of their own, but have moved about from one place to another, as they could best be accommodated. The Rev. Hugh Bourne, one of the founders of the sect, is their present minister.


GERMAN EVANGELICAL METHODIST CHURCH.


About the year 1802, John Albrecht, a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was residing near Shippensburg, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He . was a man of good character, and a devoted Christian, and being desirous of joining the · travelling connection, he was recommended to the Baltimore Conference for that pur- pose. But he could not preach in the Eng- lish language, and the Conference having no German circuit established, declined to receive him. But burning with the desire · of benefiting his German brethren, his kins- men according to the flesh, he determined to proceed without credentials, and went on preaching, and organizing churches, and ordaining preachers, until much good was


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accomplished, and a considerable connection of churches established.


One of these churches has been recently gathered in this city. The commencement was made in the year 1841, by Mr. Eis, who labored among the German population. He was succeeded by Mr. Meyer, and he by Mr. Hummel. The present pastor of the church, the Rev. M. F. Mees, succeeded Mr. Hummell.


In the year 1843, the congregation suc- ceeded in the erection of a neat brick edifice on Sixteenth street, near the Sixth avenue. A considerable congregation is collecting here. About sixty members are now enrol- led in communion. The services are all conducted in the German language.


WESLEYAN METHODISTS.


This particular section of the Methodist Church first appeared in New York in the year 1840, or 1841. About that time a Methodist preacher from Canada, named Barry, arrived in New York city, and open- ed a meeting, independently, in a small room on Christopher street, and continued


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preaching there for about a year, when his health failed, and he died shortly after. The Rev. Jacob Timberman succeeded Mr. Bar- ry in his meeting, and some twelve or fifteen were enrolled as a church. After a year or two, the congregation hired a small house of worship on King street, near Hudson, owned by the " Salem Baptist Church," and Mr. Timberman continued to officiate here for a time; but the society was very small and feeble, and he left. But previous to this, some time in the autumn of 1842, a small class of only seven or eight persons was formed, who, for about three months, met for worship in a small room in a sugar house, on Duane street, near West Broadway. About the month of February, in the next year, they removed to a room on Allen street, where they continued for more than a year. In the spring of 1844, about fifteen members left Allen street, and uniting with what re- mained of Mr. Timberman's church, formed the present " First Wesleyan Methodist Church." Since that time they have been much prospered. They have purchased the house of worship which they occupied on King street; the congregation is gradually


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enlarging, and they have between eighty and ninety communicants at the present time. Elder Dennis Harris is the preacher in charge.


The members who remained at Allen street, are known as the " Second Wesleyan Methodist Church." In the year 1845, a member of the church erected a building, specially as a place of worship, on Allen street, near Grand, for which the congrega- tion pay a rent. They are well accommo- dated, and are well situated. They have between thirty and forty in communion. Elder A. Moran holds the pastoral office.


A third meeting of Wesleyan Methodists is commenced in Sixteenth street, but they have not as yet a separate organization.


The establishment of the Floating Bethel for Seamen, at the foot of Rector street, in the North river, is to be attributed to the Christian enterprise of the Wesleyan Metho- dists. It seems that a Mr. Bergen, a car- penter, who was a native of Sweden, 'and who resided in that neighborhood, finding there was no place of worship in the city for the accommodation of his countrymen, was in the practice of inviting them occasionally


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into his house, to read the Scriptures, and pray and sing. At length, in the autumn of 1844, a few individuals purchased the hull of an old ship, and fitted it up for a place of worship. This place they occupied from November, until June, 1845, and were mak- ing arrangements to engage a Swedish preacher. But Mr. Hedstrom being pre- viously engaged by the " Asbury Society " of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to preach alternately in Swedish and English, the Wesleyans transferred the ship to that so- . ciety, to carry out the object for which it had been fitted up.


COLORED METHODIST CHURCHES.


These are to be considered in four varieties, viz .: " The African Methodist Episcopal Church," " The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church," " The Asbury African Me- thodist Episcopal Church," and " The African Methodist Union." It is very diffi- cult to find any real difference between these four bodies, their doctrines, discipline and practices, being substantially alike ; and probably no good reason can be assigned why


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they are not together in one denomination. Yet they are distinct, and have separate or- ganizations. We shall sketch their history according to the dates in which they have appeared in this city.


AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH. .


In the year 1796, the colored members of the Methodist Churches in the city of New York, feeling a desire to hold meetings ' among themselves, where they might have opportunity to exercise their spiritual gifts, and thereby, as they hoped, become more useful to each other, obtained permission from Bishop Asbury to hold such meetings in the intervals of the regular preaching hours of the white ministers. Accordingly a house was hired and fitted up in Cross street, be- tween Mulberry and Orange streets, where meetings were statedly held. At this time there were three colored preachers and one exhorter in New York city. These things continued for about three years, when a re- gular congregation was gathered, and a house of worship was built on Church street, corner of Leonard street, and opened in September,




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