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 16
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. . This house is still standing. It was originally built on the street, with a burying ground in the rear, but was afterwards removed over the burying ground, and houses built on the street. The house is now occupied by the Zion Baptist Church of colored persons.
347
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
been connected with the society from its commencement, a period of forty years.
Not long after Mr. Mitchell's return from Boston, the people began to consider the subject of building a new and larger house of worship, which was carried into effect. Ground was rented on the corner of Duane and Augustus street, now " City Hall place," and a substantial brick building was erected, at a cost of about $20,000. It was opened in Dec., 1818. After the death of Mr. Mitchell, the meeting was led for a year by Mr. Edward Cook, a member of the society, and the Rev. Mr. Pickering was afterwards employed for two years. At this time the society had become considerably reduced in numbers, other congregations having been established; and an opportunity presenting in the year 1837, they rented their house of worship to the " West Baptist Church," and retired to a Hall in Forsyth street. The house of worship has been subsequently sold to a Roman Catholic Church. The Society of United Christian Friends, more generally known in the city as the "First : Universalist Church," have now ceased to meet for public worship.
348
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
PRINCE STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH !.
In the year 1824, a society of Universal- ists was formed under the ministry of the Rev. Nehemiah Dodge, and a house of worship was built on the corner of Prince and Marion Streets. After a ministry of about two or three years, Mr. Dodge left, and was succeeded by the celebrated Abner Kneeland, whose impious ravings soon scattered the congregation, and the house was sold in 1830, to the Union Presbyterian Church.
ORCHARD STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
About the year 1830, the Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer commenced preaching in a small frame building standing on Grand street, not far from the Roman Catholic Church, and a considerable congregation was here col- lected. A very commodious house of wor- ship had been erected by a Reformed Dutch Church, standing on Orchard street, between Broome and Delancy streets. This was about to be sold, and was purchased by the . Universalist society in 1832, and a large and flourishing congregation has been collected
349
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
here. Mr. Sawyer continued in the pastoral office until the summer of 1845, when he re- signed his charge, and left the city. The Rev. Otis A. Skinner is the present mini- ster.
BLEECKER STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
This congregation was commenced in 1832. The first place of meeting was a small house of worship, now standing on the Sixth avenue, opposite Amity street The Rev. C. F. Lefevre became pastor of the church, and continued to officiate ac- ceptably for six years, when he resigned the charge. But during this time, the' congre- gation became large and permanent, and in 1836, a very substantial brick edifice was erected on the corner of Bleecker and Down- ing streets, at a cost of $43,000. After Mr. Lefevre left, the Rev. Melzar Raynor sup- plied the pulpit for a year or more, but had not the pastoral charge. The present pastor, the Rev. William S. Balch, was settled in November, 1841. 30*
350
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
ELIZABETH STREET UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
In the year 1837, an effort was made by the Rev. William Whitaker, to establish a Universalist congregation, and for this pur- pose a meeting was opened in a Hall on Broadway. A considerable congregation was gathered, and in 1838, they removed to a meeting-house in Duane street, near Chatham, formerly occupied by the First iversalist Church, and just then vacated by the West Baptist Church. Toward the close of 1839, Mr. Whitaker changed his religious views, and became the minister of the Fourth Free Presbyterian Church, About the same time the Bowery Church edifice being for sale, it was purchased by the Universalist Society, raised by the labors of Mr. Whitaker, and others who joined them at that time, and here they have re- mained, known as the Fourth, or Elizabeth. Street Universalist Church.
For two years they were supplied by the Rev. I. D. Williamson, and after this the Rev. Moses Ballou held the pastoral office for about two years longer. He left in 1845,
351
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
when the present minister, the Rev. Thomas L. Harris, was obtained.
FIFTH UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The meeting above named was com- menced in the year 1840, in a Hall on Hous- ton street. The Rev. B. B. Halleck was the preacher for about three years. He was suc- ceeded in the pastoral office by the Rev. J. N. Parker, who commenced his labors soon after Mr. Halleck left. In 1843, the congregation completed a very neat brick edifice, stand- ing on Fourth street, near Avenue C, where they now assemble. A considerable con- gregation assemble here, and their prospects are encouraging.
In the spring of 1846, Mr. Parker left, and no pastor has as yet been installed in his place.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
When founded.
First Church, Duane street 1796 extinct. Prince Street Church. 1824 extinct.
Second Church, Orchard street 1830
Third Church, Bleecker street. 1832
Fourth Church, Elizabeth street 1837 Fifth Church, Fourth street 1840
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 1804.
As far as information can be obtained, there have been formed in New York city seventeen Congregational Churches, besides the church formed at the Broadway Taber- nacle, by Mr. Finney, in 1836,-a sketch of which has been given on a previous page, which, though claiming to be Congregational, cannot be recognized as such. Of these seventeen churches, nine have become ex- tinct, and eight only remain. The following brief sketch of each is given from such scanty , materials as can now be found. .
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, OF NEW YORK.
About the year 1804, the Rev. John Townly, a Congregational minister, estab- lished a religious meeting in an old frame
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
building then standing on Warren street, just out of Broadway. A considerable num- ber of persons attended on ·his ministry, and a Congregational Church was formed. The number of original members cannot now be ascertained, but in the course of three or four years the number of communicants had in- creased to nearly one hundred. Mr. Townly continued to labor in Warren street for the space of four or five years, assisted occasion- ally by the late Rev. John Sandford and the Rev. Archibald Maclay, who was then a Congregationalist.
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The congregation, finding their numbers increasing, were encouraged to erect a house of worship on Elizabeth street, between Walker and Hester streets, to which they removed about the year 1809. But here, though better accommodated, they were sub- ject to an embarrassment. They were in debt for their building, and after about four or five years of effort, Mr. Townly resigned his charge, and left the city ; the house of wor- ship was sold to the Asbury colored Me- thodists, and the church was scattered.
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354 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
: INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Rev. J. S. C. F. Frey, a converted Jew, came to New York, from London, in the autumn of the year 1816. He was con- nected in England with the Independent or Congregational Church, and soon after his arrival in this city, it was proposed to attempt the formation of such a church here. Ac- cordingly, in the month of June, 1317, Mr. Frey commenced preaching in a schoolhouse on Mulberry street, and a church was there organized. The room they occupied, though twice enlarged, proved too small for the con- gregation, and a frame building, now stand- ing in the rear of No. 488 Pearl street, near Cross street, and which had been occupied as a meeting-house by a Universalist society, was purchased. Here a still larger congre- gation assembled, and for two or three years Mr. Frey continued to labor with success. On the 15th of April, 1818, Mr. Frey was installed pastor of the church, by the " West Chester and Morris County Presbytery."*
* It is not precisely known what this ecclesiastical body really was. Mr. Frey, in his " Narrative," from which the above facts are selected, calls it a " Presbytery," and yet says that he was an Independent or Congregation
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355
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
In the year 1820, it was thought advisable by Mr. Frey and the church to change their form of government to that of Presbyterian- ism, and to propose a union with the Pres- bytery of New York, and this union was effected in October, 1821. But previous to this time the congregation had removed to a new house of worship on Vandewater street, and they thenceforth adopted that name. Their sketch as a Presbyterian Church has been given on page 163.
BROADWAY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Not far from the year 1817, the Rev. Mr. Ball was preaching in a building, used as a house of worship, standing on Broadway, corner of Anthony street, where he formed a Congregational Church. He died here, and was succeeded by his son. Very little infor- mation can now be obtained respecting this church, for it was soon scattered, and the building passed into other hands.
alist in England, and that the church formed was of that denomination. The facts are given as they are found, without any attempt to reconcile them.
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356
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
PROVIDENCE CHAPEL.
This is the name adopted by a Congrega- tional Church, formed in the year 1S19. It was gathered by the labors of the Rev. Joseph Harrison, who was installed pastor of the church in the same year. The church consisted of twelve members only at its formation. For three years they assembled in a hall on the corner of what was then Chapel and Provost streets, but now Frank- lin street and West Broadway. In 1823, a house of worship was built on Thompson street, near Broome street, measuring 60 feet by 40, at a cost of $8000. The congrega- tion have continued here to the present time. It is a regular and respectable assembly ; never very large, but generally in a healthful state. The present number of commu- nicants is about one hundred. Mr. Harrison remains their pastor.
BROOME STREET CHURCH.
About the year 1816 or 1817, there was a meeting opened in Rose street, by a Mr. Broad, a very eccentric man, and whose character was bad. His meeting broke up,
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
and the house he occupied for worship was hired by the Rev. Alexander Cummings, an English Independent minister, who com- menced preaching, and formed a Congrega- tional Church. About the year 1820, when the Bethel Baptist Church took possession of their new house of worship on Delancy street, Mr. Cummings' congregation hired the meeting-house in Broome street, which the Baptist Church had occupied, and re- moved there. In the spring of 1821, a pro- posal was made by this church to become Presbyterian, and unite with the New York Presbytery ; but, after some negotiation and delay, the overture was declined by the Pres- bytery, and the proposal was withdrawn. Mr. Cummings continued preaching for a year or more after this, but in 1822 he left for the purpose of supplying the church at Babylon, on Long Island, and the " Broome Street Congregational Church" ceased opera- tions, and soon became extinct. Mr. Cum- mings supplied the church at Babylon about two years, when he returned to Brooklyn, and engaged in teaching. He died at Brook- lyn in February, 1826, at the age of fifty-
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358
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
seven years. He was a man of good charac- ter and correct sentiments.
WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
A Congregational Church was formed not far from the year 1824 or 1825, a large part of whom were from Wales, and a part of the services were held in the Welsh lan- guage. They met in the upper part of Mul- berry street, and, after a year or more, the Rev. James Davies became pastor of the church, and continued with them for about seven years, when he resigned his charge, and went into the western country. Another minister of the same name succeeded him, who died soon. The congregation then moved to a house of worship in Broome street, near the Bowery, and were under the pastoral care of the Rev. Jenkin Jenkins, when, in 1833, they changed their form of government to that of Presbyterian, and united with the Third Presbytery, where they now remain.
See sketch of Presbyterianism, page 185. See also sketch of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, page 311.
359
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
" " THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH."
Such was the style of a church formed about the year 1824, in the northeastern part of the city, in connection with the labors of the Rev. John Dick. In the course of two years, a frame building with a brick front was put up on Third street, near avenue D, which was finished and opened for worship
in 1826. Not more than six months after this, Mr. Dick was silenced on account of immoralities, the church and congregation scattered, and the house of worship was sold for its debts. It is now occupied by the Asbury colored Methodists.
FIRST FREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
When Mr. Finney left the Chatham Street Chapel, in 1836, and went to the Broadway Tabernacle, he took with him a large portion of what had been the " Second Free Presbyterian Church." Those who remained behind called the Rev. J. H. Mar- tyn, and adopted the Congregational form. They styled themselves at that time, the Second Free Congregational Church, con- sidering the one just formed at the 'Taber- nacle as the First .. -
360
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Chatham Street Chapel was soon after given up, and the church retired to a hall. Mr Martyn was dismissed in 1836, and for several years they had no pastor.
In the autumn of 1841, the church recalled Mr. Martyn, and obtained a lease of the house of worship on the corner of Christie and Delancy streets, known as the " Bethel Baptist Meeting-house." This house they repaired, and occupied for nearly two years, when they sold out their lease ; and have since that time erected a commodious brick edifice, on Christie street, between Delancy and Rivington streets, at a cost of about $7,000. It was opened for worship October 15,1845. In September, 1844, they changed their title from the " Second" to that of the "First" Church. The present number of communicants is two hundred and fifty. Mr. Martyn still holds the pastoral office.
" NEW YORK CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH."
In the autumn of 1837, after the Bowery Church had ceased operations, several per- sons who had been educated in New Eng- land, started the plan of purchasing that building, and forming a Congregational
361
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Church, after the New England model. About fifty members were found, a council was called, and the church was regularly constituted, and called " The New York Congregational Church," and the Rev. Henry Benedict was installed its pastor. For a time everything looked encouraging ; a con- siderable assembly attended public worship, and additions were made to the church from time to time. But troubles of various kinds arose, and in less than two years Mr. Bene- dict took his dismission. The congregation then gave up the house of worship, and mingled for a time with the Lutheran con- gregation in Orange street, who were then destitute of stated preaching. After this they occupied the National Hall in Canal street for several months, and then removed back to the basement of the Bowery Church, having the Rev. George R. Haswell as a supply ; till at length, seeing no fair prospect before them, they broke up and scattered.
FIFTH WARD MISSION CHURCH.
The enterprise which resulted in the forma- tion of this church was commenced by opening for public worship the Philoma- 31*
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. 362
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
thean Hall in Duane street, near Hudson, on January 19, 1840. In about three months after, a room was hired and fitted up at 32S Washington street, and the church was there organized on June 7, 1840. Five original members were enrolled, but additions were made at their first communion, and again, from time to time, until forty-eight persons had been received to communion. This church never had a settled pastor, nor a house of worship, but the congregation were at one time in the Marion House Chapel, and then in a hall in Greenwich street, near Barclay. The Rev. Benjamin Lockwood, a missionary of the New York City Tract Society, was the stated preacher to this con- gregation, and took the charge of this church all the time of its existence. It was finally dissolved in an orderly manner, January 24, 1843.
TABERNACLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
When the body of the Tabernacle Presby- terian Church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Parker, removed from the building, as related on page 181, there was a "rem- nant that remained," and at the close of the
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
last meeting held there by the Presbyterian church, on July 13, 1840, those who were disposed to unite in a new enterprise, to be strictly Congregational, were invited to re- main; and between thirty and forty brethren remained, and after prayer, it was resolved to take measures for the formation of a Con- gregational church. This was effected on the 3d of September, 1840, by a council called for that purpose, and sixty-nine mem- bers were then enrolled. With the most commendable liberality, the purchaser of the Tabernacle, Mr. David Hale, offered the building to the new church on such terms as would secure to them the possession of it undisturbed, and ultimately the ownership and control of the same, which offer was accepted. The church was not long with- out a pastor, the Rev. E. W. Andrews being installed as such on January, 31, 1841. The ministry of Mr. Andrews was terminated by his dismission on August 14, 1845, he hav- ing accepted the pastoral office in the Second Street Presbyterian Church in Troy.
The present pastor of the church, the Rev. J. P. Thompson, was installed April 15, 1845.
364 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The prospects of this church are very good. A large congregation is always found at the Tabernacle, and the church now numbers in communion three hundred and sixty-two members.
SECOND FREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Rev. Asa Mahan, President of the Oberlin Institution, preached in "Niblo's Saloon" during- the winter of 1842-3, and gathered a considerable congregation. In the spring following the congregation re- moved to the lecture-room of the Medical College in Crosby street, and on April 22, 1842, a Congregational church of thirty- seven members was formed. Of this church the Rev. Samuel D. Cochran became pastor. In the winter following, Rev. Charles G. Finney preached to this congregation for a few months, when the meetings were again held in Niblo's Saloon. In the spring they returned to the Medical College, and re- mained there until December, 1845, when they took possession of a very neat and con- venient brick edifice which they had erected on Sullivan street, near Houston, at a cost of about $7,000. .
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Mr. Cochran is still pastor. Present num- ber of communicants about one hundred and twenty.
FOURTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This is the style of a Congregational church which was formed in the beginning of 1843.
Some difficulties having occurred in the Protestant Methodist church in Sullivan street, a few of the members felt themselves providentially called upon to separate there- from. They met together on August 28, 1842, and after a free interchange of views, agreed to form themselves into a Congrega- tional church. The organization of the church was accomplished in an orderly man- ner by a council called for that purpose, on January 3, 1823, when the Rev. Wm. W. Wallace, M.D., was installed pastor. The Sermon on this occasion was by the Rev. Mr. Andrews of the Tabernacle church. The congregation have as yet no house of worship, but at present they occupy a Hall in Hancock street, near Bleecker. They have about one hundred and thirty mem-
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366
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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bers in communion. Dr. Wallace remains in the pastoral office.
" ROBINSON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH."
A church by this name was formed with fourteen members, January 21, 1845. The Rev. Charles Chamberlain, from Berkley, Mass., was engaged to preach, and a small building was hired, which had been pre- viously used as a place of worship, situated on Eighteenth street, near the Eighth ave- nue. The meeting was continued but a few months, for in June following, Mr. Chamberlain left the city, and the church was dissolved.
FIFTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This church was gathered by the labors of the Rev. J. J. Braine, and was organized with thirty members in the month of March, 1844. They met for a time in a room in Sixteenth street, near the Eighth avenue; and after the breaking up of the " Robinson Congregational Church" they removed to Eighteenth street, where they still remain. The church has increased to about forty in communion. The congregation is con-
ويب الجاد ج حف مجم
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
siderably full; and the Sabbath-school is in a flourishing condition.
Mr. Braine continued to officiate in this church until the early part of 1846, when he renounced the principles of infant baptism, and took his dismission. The Rev. Benja- min Lockwood was soon after invited to: take the pastoral office in this church, and has entered on his labors.
COLORED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Some time in the year 1844, Rev. Charles B. Ray, a colored preacher, opened a meet- ing in a Hall on Grand street, near the Cen- tre Market, sustained principally by the First and Second Free Congregational Churches. His preaching was attended with some suc- cess, and in the last week of February, 1845, a Congregational church was formed there, consisting of about twelve members. The church has increased to about twenty-five members. Mr. Ray is still preaching there.
CHURCH OF THE PURITANS.
On Sabbath evening, March 15, 1846, the Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D., commenced
368
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
preaching in the small chapel of the New York University, with a view of gathering a . church under the above name. This was accomplished on the 12th of April, when about sixty members were enrolled. Dr. Cheever soon received a call, and was in- stalled pastor May 15, 1846. Ground has been purchased for the erection of a house of worship on Union Square, corner of Fifteenth street. -
In May, 1846, a meeting was opened in a Hall at 417 Houston street, by the Rev. J. D. L. Zender, with the design of gathering a French Evangelical Congregational Church, but as yet nothing very definite has been done.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 369
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN NEW YORK NOW IN OPERATION, .
WITH THE NUMBER OF COMMUNICANTS IN DECEMBER, 1845.
When formed. Com.
Providence Chapel,
1819
100
First Free Church
1836
250
Tabernacle Church .
.1840
362
Second Free Church
1842
120
Fourth Church
1843
130
Fifth Church .
1844
40
Colored Congregational Church
.1845
25
Church of the Puritans
(May) 1846
60
Total
1087
CHURCHES ONCE FORMED, BUT NOW EXTINCT.
'When formed. When dissolved.
First Congregational Church .. . . 1804
1816
Independent Church 1817 became Pres. 1821
Broadway Cong. Church (about) 1817
(about) 1820
Broome Street Cong. Church .1819 1822
Welsh Church
1822 became Pres. 1833
Third Church 1824
1826
- New York Cong'l Church 1837
1840
Fifth Ward Mission Church 1840
1843
Robinson Cong'l Church .1845
1845
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NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
1808.
ABOUT the year 1808, a few individuals who were interested in the doctrines of what is styled " The New Jerusalem Church," as revealed in the theological writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, began to hold meet- ings for religious worship on the Sabbath in a small school-house in James street. These meetings were continued for several years at this place, with but a small increase of numbers. About the year 1816, they removed to a school-house then standing on Broadway, near the City Hospital. Still their number was small, their organization very simple, and their public worship was conducted by some one of their own num- ber, previously appointed. At this time a regular constitution was adopted, and signed by eleven males. They styled themselves
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NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
" The Association of the city of New York for the dissemination of the Heavenly Doc- trine of the New Jerusalem Church." This constitution was amended about seven years after, and signed by fifteen, a little more than half of whom had signed the for- mer constitution.
'In 1821, the society purchased a house of worship situated on Pearl street, between Chatham and Cross streets, to which the con- gregation removed. In the same year, Mr. Charles I. Doughty, one of their number, who for some time previous had officiated as their reader or preacher, was elected to the pastoral office, and duly ordained. He continued in this office for the term of seven- teen years, when, in Sept.,. 1838, the con- nection was dissolved by mutual consent. During this period the society experienced but few changes, and had but a moderate growth, as in 1839, the whole number of members was only forty-two.
For about two years after the dismission of Mr. Doughty, the society was rather de- clining. They were without a pastor, and disposed of their house of worship to the Zion Baptist Church.
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372
NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.
In June, 1840, Mr. B. F. Barrett was en- gaged to preach for this church, and in Oc- tober of the following year he was ordained as pastor, in which office he continues.
The present state of the society is more encouraging. They have now about ninety communicants, with a congregation of from two to three hundred on the Sabbath. Their place of public worship is the lecture room of the New York Society Library, at the corner of Broadway and Leonard streets.
SECOND CHURCH.
The second New Jerusalem Church in this city was formed with thirteen members, Sept. 12, 1841. Of this church the Rev. Charles I. Doughty became pastor, assisted by Mr. S. Brown, a licentiate. The church continued under the pastoral care of Mr. Doughty until his death, which took place in July, 1844. Since which time, occasion- al supplies of preaching have been obtained, or the public services have been conducted by a lay reader. The Rev. Thomas Wilkes is the present supply. The congregation assemble in the small chapel of the New York University.
UNITARIAN CHURCH. 1819.
THE first Unitarian preaching in the city of New York was from the Rev. Dr. Chan- ning of Boston, who preached a sermon in a private house on the 25th of April, 1819, and afterwards on the 16th of May, in the same year, he preached in the lecture-room of the Medical College in Barclay street.
The first Unitarian Society was founded May 24, 1819, and incorporated under the name of the " First Congregational Church of New York," on November 15th of the same year.
On the 29th of April following, the corner stone of a church edifice was laid on Cham- bers street, west of Broadway, the Rev. Henry Ware, jr., officiating, and the building was completed and dedicated January 20, 1821. The sermon on this occasion was by the Rev. Edward Everett, of Boston.
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UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The first pastor of this church was the Rev. William Ware, who was ordained December 18, 1821, and resigned his charge September 19, 1836. After this, the church was destitute of a settled pastor for two years, during which time they were supplied by the Rev. Dr. Follen. The present pastor, the Rev. Henry W. Bellows, was ordained January 2, 1839.
The church edifice in Chambers street had a front of white marble, and was an elegant, although a small structure. It was capable of holding comfortably from five to six hundred people. In about six years after it was opened, the house had become much crowded, and many of the pew holders liv- ing in the upper part of the city, it was thought best to establish a second church, which was done. But within ten years more, the congre- gation had so increased that farther accom- modations appeared necessary. The place of worship was found to be inconveniently situated for the people, and it was resolved to remove. Accordingly the old church edifice was sold in the summer of 1843, and the Savings Bank now occupies its place. For about two years, while a new building
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UNITARIAN CHURCH.
375
was erecting, the congregation assembled for worship in the " Apollo Saloon," on Broadway. A most elegant structure has been built, situated on Broadway, between Spring and Prince streets, capable of seating over thirteen hundred persons. The cost of this building is about $90,000. It was dedi- cated October 22, 1845, under the name of " The Church of the Divine Unity," and is now occupied by a large and flourishing congregation.
" CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH."
This church, as already related, was originally a colony which came out from the Unitarian church in Chambers street, in the latter part of the year 1826. A house of worship was built on Prince street, a short distance west from Broadway, which was opened for worship on the 7th of December in that year. The sermon on t was preached by the Rev. Dr. Channing of Boston, from Mark xii. 29, 30.
The first pastor of this church was the Rev .. W. Lunt, who was ordained here in June, 1828, continuing to officiate a little over five years, when he resigned the charge.
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376
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
This took place November 19, 1833. The church was vacant for about a year, depend- ing on casual supplies, when, in December, 1834, the Rev. Orville Dewey was engaged for a year, but before it expired, on Novem- ber 26, 1835, he was installed pastor.
Two years after this, on Sabbath morning, November 26, 1837, the church edifice was entirely destroyed by fire. The congrega- tion engaged the large Hall of Stuyvesant Institute on Broadway, where they continued to assemble for a year and a half. Arrange- ments were immediately made to rebuild. The site of the old church on Prince street was disposed of, and a substantial building of rough granite was erected on Broadway, near Washington Square, which was opened for worship, May 2, 1839, by the name of " The Church of the Messiah." Dr. Dewey remains in the pastoral office.
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. - 1829.
Two churches have been formed in New York city, styling themselves simply " The Christian Church." They hold to baptism by immersion, and reject infant baptism. They reject, also, the doctrine of the Trinity, discard all written creeds and confessions of faith, taking the Bible, simply, as the rule of faith and church government, and making Christian character only the test of fellow- ship. One of these churches has become extinct ; the other remains.
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FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This was formed in the year 1829, under the ministry of the Rev. Simon Clough. Arrangements were immediately made for building a house of worship, which was effected in that year. It was a substantial brick edifice, measuring forty-six feet by seventy-five, standing on the corner of
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Broome and Norfolk streets. It cost about $16,000. Mr. Clough continued pastor of the church about five years, and was suc- ceeded, in 1834, by the Rev. Isaac N Wal- ter, but Mr. Clough remained attached to the church, preaching occasionally as long as they remained together. He died in the spring of 1844.
Mr. Walter remained in the pastoral office until the year 1839, when his health becom- ing impaired, and the church being greatly embarrassed with pecuniary difficulties, he was dismissed, and shortly after their house of worship was sold. The congregation hired it for nearly two years, when it was sold again to the " Norfolk Street Baptist Church," and the " First Christian Church" soon became extinct.
SUFFOLK STREET CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Although the " First Christian Church," as such, was no more known, yet the members of it were not lost. In the early part of the year 1841, a few active members who re- mained, hired the " Thalian Hall," No. 460 Grand street, at a rent of $500 per annum, and engaged as their minister Elder HI. Simonton, who had supplied the first Chris-
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
tian Church after the dismission of Mr. Walter. In May, of that year, they orga- nized as a church, with as many of the old members as could 'then be found; several more were added during the year, and at its close they had enrolled as communicants about one hundred persons. About a year after this, an interesting series of meetings was held, which resulted in the hopeful con- version of some thirty or forty persons, who were added to the church. The congrega- tion remained in the Thalian Hall over three years, and with a strong effort succeed- ed in meeting their temporal engagements.
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In the beginning of the year 1844, the con- gregation commenced the erection of a house of worship. Two lots were purchas- ed on Suffolk street, near Delancy, and a neat brick building was erected, measuring 40 feet by 65, capable of seating about five hundred persons. It was first opened for worship June 23, 1844, and the church is now known as the " Suffolk Street Christian Church," about one hundred and thirty members are now enrolled in communion, and the congregation is in a flourishing state. Mr. Simonton has still the pastoral charge.
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CONCLUSION.
IN the preceding pages we have taken a mere 1 glance at the ground now occupied by two hundred and seventeen Churches; and we read the history, also, of more than sixty others, once formed, and now extinct. The facts here brought to view furnish much important instruction, and might be dilated on to much profit. Several pages of remark had been prepared. It was also proposed, in the outset, to have appended some in- teresting tables, especially one exhibiting the capacity . of the several houses of worship in the city, in order, by a comparison with the population, to enable us to judge correctly of the extent of the present church accom- modations to the wants of the people. But our book has already far exceeded the limits originally prescribed, and we are constrained to stop abruptly, and leave many things unsaid.
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