A history of the churches, of all denominations, in the city of New York, from the first settlement to the year 1846, Part 4

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 4


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Rev. William Vesey,


from 1696, to 1746.


Rev. Henry Barclay,


1746, " 1764.


Rev. Sam'l Auchmuty,


1764, " 1777.


Rev. Charles Inglis,


1777, " 1783.


Rev. Samuel Provoost,


1783, " 1800.


Rev. Benjamin Moore,


1800, " 1816.


Rev. Jno. Henry Hobart,


1816, “


1830.


Rev. Wm. Berrian,


1830, to this time.


ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH.


As early as 1748, the increasing popula- tion of the city rendered it expedient to erect a church edifice, on what was then called " Chapel hill," from that circumstance, and the street " Chapel street," now Beekman street, at the corner of Cliff street, then called "Van Cliff's street." This was called " St. George's Chapel," and was a part of


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the collegiate charge of Trinity Church. The edifice was completed, and opened for wor- ship, July 1st, 1752. It was a noble struc- ture for the day in which it was built, being 104 feet long, and 72 feet wide, with a tall pointed spire, and was considered a great ornament to that part of the city. Thus it stood for more than sixty years, when, in 1814, it was burnt out, leaving the walls of stone standing. . It was rebuilt in its present form, with the same walls, in the following year, being again opened, November 7th, 1815. It was separated from Trinity Church, and became a distinct charge, in the autumn of the year 1811. The Rev. John Brady of- ficiated in this church for a little more than a year after the separation from Trinity, and in 1813, the Rev. John Kewley, D.D., was duly installed as rector, and the Rev. Mr. Brady as assistant. But their ministry was of short duration, as they both resigned the charge in the year 1816. In the same year the Rev. James Milnor became rector of the church, and continued to labor, faithfully and with increasing usefulness, until his death, which took place with scarce a moment's warning, on April Sth, 1845. The ministry


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of Dr. Milnor was greatly blessed to this church ; and his memory will long be che- rished, not only by the people of his pecu- liar charge, but by the ministers and people of all the denominations around him.


The present Rector of the Church, the Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, D.D., was instituted in the summer of 1845. There are now about 450 members in communion.


In March, 1846, Peter G. Stuyvesant; Esq., generously gave to St. George's Church lots of ground on Rutherford Place and Sixteenth street, sufficient for a new Church and Rectory; and the Vestry, after accepting the gift, resolved to proceed im- mediately to commence the erection of a church edifice, with a view to colonize.


CHRIST'S CHURCH.


This church was founded in the year 1794, and was the second Episcopal Church organized in this city, Trinity Church, with its chapels, St. George's and St. Paul's, only preceding it. An edifice was erected of stone, sixty feet wide, and eighty deep, standing on Ann street, a few doors east of


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Nassau street, where a considerable congre- gation assembled, and in about ten years they numbered three hundred in com- munion. 'The Rev. Joseph Pillmore, D.D., was Rector of the church from its com- mencement to the year 1805, when he re- signed the charge and removed to Phila- delphia, and was succeeded by the Rev. . Thomas Lyell. For eighteen years the church remained in Ann street, with a usual measure of success, but in March, 1823, they removed to a new edifice erected in Anthony street, a little west of Broadway. Here they have remained. The Rev. Dr. Lyell is still the Rector, now in the 41st year of his minis- try, in this church, and the oldest pastor in the city, but has had in the time several assistants. This church has been generally prosperous, and has been favored with some seasons of special religious interest. In the years 1829, 1830, and 1831, many were hopefully con- verted. Seventy persons were added to the communion in 1829, and sixty were added in 1831.


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" CHRIST'S CHURCH IN ANN STREET."


As stated above, Christ's Church, under the pastoral charge of Dr. Lyell, left Ann street in March, 1823, and occupied the new church edifice in Anthony street. A part of the people, however, remained behind, occupying the old house of worship, and shortly after they were organized as a church, and the Rev. John Sellon, who purchased the church edifice, was instituted as Rector. A considerable congregation assembled here, and 120 members were enrolled in com- munion. But at about the close of 1825, Mr. Sellon resigned the charge, and the church was soon scattered. The house was afterwards sold to the Roman Catholics, and after being occupied by them for a few years, was consumed by fire.


ST. MARK'S CHURCH.


Petrus Stuyvessant was the Dutch Gov- ernor of New York in 1664, when the gov- ernment was resigned to the English. He then retired to his country residence, some three miles from what was then the city, then called " The Bouwerie " (the Dutch name


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for farm), where he passed the remnant of his days, and where he died in peace, in the month of August, 1682, at the age of 80 years. Governor Stuyvessant was a mem- ber of the Reformed Dutch Church, and for some time a ruling elder of the church in the city proper, and he appropriated a spot of ground on his farm, and erected a chapel, where, for several years, divine worship was celebrated according to the rites of that church. - The Rev. Henry Selyns, who had been designated by the classis of Amsterdam for " Brenkelen," now Brooklyn, officiated there under the patronage of Governor Stuy- vessant on the afternoon of each Sabbath for some time; and when he returned to Holland, it seems probable that the minis- ters of the Collegiate Church officiated occa- sionally in this chapel, and that the members were all joined to the Collegiate Church. At the decease of the Governor, his body was deposited in a vault under the chapel,*


* In the same vault, near the remains of Gov. Stuyves- sant, lie the remains of Col. Henry Sloughter, an English Governor, who died in 1691, and in the vault of Mr. Min- thorne, not far distant, lies the body of Governor Daniel D. Tompkins. Thus the heads of three dynasties are re- posing in peace together.


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1


and soon after this, public worship there seems to have been discontinued, for Mrs. Stuyvessant, who outlived her husband about five years, expressed a desire in her will, that the Dutch Collegiate Church should take charge of the chapel, and revive wor- ship here. But it was not done. The building fell into decay, and for about one hundred years nothing farther was attempted on that ground. In the year 1793, the late Petrus Stuyvessant, Esq., a great-grandson of the Governor, and who inherited a large portion of his property, generously offered to the Vestry of Trinity Church the site of the old chapel, which was then a valuable lot of ground, 190 feet long and 150 wide, with £800, in money, to induce them to erect an Episcopal Church on that spot. In a few years after, this was accomplished. The corner-stone was laid April 25,1795, and the edifice was completed and opened for wor- ship, under the name of " St. Mark's Church," May 9, 1799. The steeple was not built until 1826.


In the course of the year after completing the church building, the parish was organ- ized, and in Feb., 1800, the Rev. John Cal-


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lahan, of Charleston, S. C., who had preach- ed at the Church for a few Sabbaths while here on a visit, was called as Rector. Mr. Callahan accepted the call, and being a young man of great promise, very sanguine hopes were entertained of his usefulness. But in about two months after his election as Rector, while on a visit to his friends in South Carolina, he was thrown from a car- riage, and expired the same day, at the age of 24 years. Repeated efforts were made to fill the vacancy created by this sad be- reavement, but without success. The Rev. John Henry Hobart, afterward Bishop of New York, Rev. Philander Chase, now Bishop of Illinois, Rev. Cave Jones, and Rev. Theodore Dehon, afterwards Bishop of South Carolina, were successively invited to take the pastoral charge of St. Mark's Church, but declined. These things took place between Aug., 1800, and Nov., 1801, at which time a unanimous call was pre- sented to the Rev. William Harris, which he accepted, and for fifteen years officiated at St. Mark's with credit to himself, and use- fulness to the people. In the year 1811, Dr. Harris was elected President of Columbia


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College, in this city, but not being required to take the sole superintendence, he conti- nued his ministry as before ; but toward the close of the year 1816, the increasing labors of the College led him to resign his rector- ship. The vacancy thus created in St. Mark's Church was immediately supplied by the election of the Rev. William Creigh- ton, who was then an assistant at Grace Church in this city. This took place in Dec., 1816. For nearly twenty years Dr. Creighton discharged the various duties of the stated ministry in this church, illustrating and enforcing his public instructions by a most irreproachable and consistent life and example. On May 5th, 1836, he resigned his charge, and in December following, the Rev. Henry Anthon, D.D., who was then an as- sistant minister of Trinity Church, was unanimously called to the rectorship, and is the present minister.


FRENCH CHURCH, DU ST. ESPRIT.


The edict of Nantz, given by Henry IV, of France in the year 1598, having been re- voked . by Louis XIV., on Oct. 22d, 16S5, the Huguenots werc obliged to leave their


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country, and fled to Holland, Switzerland, England, and America .* Large numbers of them 'came to New York about that time, and soon commenced meeting for worship in private houses. But their numbers in- creasing very fast, they organized them- selves, and began to collect funds to build a house of worship. This was accomplish- ed in 1704. An edifice was erected, mea- suring 50 feet by 77, fronting on Pine street, opposite the Custom House, the burial ground in the rear running through to Cedar street. 1


The congregation continued to assemble on this spot for 130 years. In 1834, they sold their property on Pine street, and erect- ed an elegant building of white marble, on Franklin street, corner of Church street, at a cost of $60,000.


Fourteen ministers have officiated in this Church since its establishment, most of them, however, for short terms of time. The pre-


* The reformed Christians of German Switzerland de- clared themselves Eidgercoszen, or bound by oath to fol- - low the Bible. They were at first called in France Eigenots, and afterwards Huguenots. The term Huguenot therefore signifies a decided and faithful follower of the Bible .- DR. MALAN.


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sent pastor of this church is the Rev. An- toine Verren, who commenced his labors in the year 1828, succeeding the Rev. Mr. Pen- neveyre. The present number of commu- nicants is about 100. The service is con- ducted in the French language. This Church was organized according to the doc- trine and discipline of the Reformed Churches of France and Geneva, and so continued until the year 1804, when it was agreed by the pastor and people to adopt the forms of the Episcopal Church. This was done, and since that time they have been in connection with the Episcopal Church in this city. .


ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.


This church was formed March 12, 1805, and in the same year their present house of worship was built, on the corner of Broome and Chrystie streets. The history of this church has not been marked by any great revolution, or striking incidents, but it has risen gradually, from about 60 communicants when organized, to 350 at the present time. This church has had seven pastors, viz., Rev. George Strebeck, elected March, 1805, re- .7*


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signed May, 1809 : Rev. Richard C. Moore, elected May 31, 1809, elected Bishop of Virginia, May, 1814 : Rev. James Henry Feltus, elected June 10, 1814, died August 24, 1828 : Rev. Henry Anthon, elected January, 1829, resigned January 17, 1831 : Rev. Francis L. Hawks, elected January 29, 1831, resigned December, 1831 : Rev. Wil- liam Jackson, elected May 9, 1832, resigned March 25, 1837 : Rev. Joseph H. Price, elected May, 1837, and is the present minis- ter.


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ST. MICHAEL'S, ST. JAMES'S, ST. MARY'S, AND ST. ANN'S CHURCHES.


It seems proper to sketch the history of these four churches together. A few Epis- copal families were scattered in the northern parts of Manhattan Island, at Bloomingdale, Manhattanville, and around Fort Washing- ton, and these, very naturally, sought for re- ligious privileges according to their own forms. Accordingly, in the year 1S07, a church was formed at Bloomingdale called " St. Michael's Church," and during that year a small frame building was erected for a house of worship. In 1809 the Rev.


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John V. Bartow officiated here as a stated supply, and continued about two years. The communicants at the church were a little rising of fifty, and were scattered in all that region. In the year 1810, a church building was erected on Hamilton square, a mile or more east of St. Michael's Church, and a church organization was made there under the style of "St. James' Church," and in 1811, the Rev. William H. Jephson became its Rector, but remained only a short time, for in November, 1811, St. Michael's Church and St. James's became one charge, under the rectorship of the Rev. Samuel F. Jarvis. St. James's Church was closed during the winter, and the people all assembled at St. Michael's, and this was the order of things for several years. Mr. Jarvis continued his ministry here until the year 1S18, when he resigned. Both churches were still very small, having not over thirty-five members in communion when united. For two years suc- ceeding, these churches had occasional sup- plies, but were in a very low state. In 1S20, the Rev. William Richmond, then in dea- con's orders, officiated there as stated supply, and in 1822, was instituted Rector of the


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united churches of St. Michael and St. James. In December of the succeeding year, an addition was made to Mr. Richmond's charge, by the organization of a church at Manhattanville, by the name of St. Mary's. This was one of those little villages in the neighborhood where a few members of St. Michael's Church resided, and where occasional preaching had been maintained. A lay reader was appointed for a year or · two, though Mr. Richmond was Rector, and officiated there as often as his other engage- ments would allow. A small frame building for a house of worship was erected in 1826. In 1825, another church was organized at Fort Washington, and called " St. Ann's Church." Divine service was performed in the " Hamilton Schoolhouse," and continued for some time by a lay reader. The two following years found the little church still destitute of a pastor, but in September, 1S29, the Rev. Augustus Fitch became a stated supply, and remained two years. In the year 1832, the Rev. John M. Forbes supplied, and, in 1833, the Rev. Mr. Richmond became the regular Rector, adding this as a fourth church under his pastoral care. He had not,


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however, performed all the labor alone. In 1827, the Rev. Edmund D. Griffin assisted Mr. Richmond in St. Michael's and St James' Churches, and in 1830 and 1831 the Rev. George L. Hinton maintained one service at St. Mary's Church each Sabbath, preaching the other part of the day at Harlem. In 1835 the enterprise at Fort Washington was abandoned, and " St. Ann's Church" became extinct.


In the year 1837, Zion Church became vacant by the resignation of Rev. Mr. Breintnall ; and Mr. Richmond resigned the charge of the three churches of St. Michael, St. James, and St. Mary, which he then held, and became Rector of Zion Church. He was succeeded in the three churches by the Rev. James Richmond, who held the office of Rector for four years. In the autumn of 1841, the Rev. John Doudney was engaged as an assistant to Mr. James Richmond at St. James' Church, and, in October, 1842, was called as Rector there, which office he still sustains. The same year Mr. William Richmond took again the Rectorship of St. Michael's Church, in con- nection with Zion Church, and Mr. James


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Richmond was Rector of St. Mary's Church only ; but leaving it the next year, Mr. William Richmond received the charge of St. Mary's Church again, and, in the autumn of 1844, resigning the charge of Zion Church, he is now Rector of the united churches of : St. Michael and St. Mary.


GRACE CHURCH.


In the year 1710, a Lutheran Church was erected on the corner of Rector street and Broadway, near Trinity Church. This building was consumed by fire in Sept., 1776, and the congregation, having already built the " Swamp Church," on Frankfort street, made no attempt to rebuild on this spot; and, some time after the close of the Revolutionary war, sold the land to the Epis- copalians, who, in 1SOS, erected there a spa- cious edifice, and in the following year a church organization was made, under the name of " Grace Church," and the Rev. Nathaniel Bowen was instituted rector. Dr. Bowen continued his ministry here for about nine years, and was succeeded, on April 1st, 1818, by the Rev. James Mont-


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gomery, who officiated a little over two years. In January, 1821, the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, D.D., became Rector of Grace Church, and continued in that office until 1834, when he resigned, and was succeeded by the present minister, the Rev. Thomas- H. Taylor, D.D. In 1844, the building of a new and very elegant house of worship, was commenced at the upper end of Broad- way, on the corner of Tenth street, and the old building was taken down. The new house was completed, and opened for worship. March 7th, 1846.


ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH.


The colored Episcopalians of this city commenced a meeting by themselves in the year 1809. They assembled for worship in a schoolroom, which stood next to the old church, on the corner of Frankfort and William streets, and Mr. McCoombs, a white man, officiated as a lay-reader until his death, in 1812. After the death of Mr. McCoombs, the congregation removed to a room in Cliff street, and Mr. Peter Williams, Jr., a colored man, was appointed lay-reader, and this arrangement continued for about five


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years. In 1817, the congregation removed again to a schoolroom on Rose street, on the site of the present Friends' meeting-house, where they remained two years.


In 1819, three lots of ground were obtained on a lease for 60 years, and after that to be held in fee simple, as a gift. The lots were on the westerly side of Centre street,-then " Collect street," between Leonard and An- thony streets. Here, aided by many gentle- men, the congregation were enabled to erect a wooden building, at a cost of about $5,000, and this edifice was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, July 19th, 1819, and called " St. Philip's Church." In November of the following year, the church was incorporated according to the statute, and Mr. Williams, having been ordained a deacon, was ap- pointed to its charge.


On December 24th, 1821, the church edifice was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt of brick in the following year, at a cost of $8,000. In 1827, Mr. Williams was advanced to the order of the priesthood, and became the regular Rector of the church, which oflice he sustained with much credit to himself, and usefulness to his people, until his death,


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which took place very suddenly, October 18th, 1840, after having ministered to this church for 28 years.


Rev. Benjamin Evans succeeded Mr. Williams, officiating for about two years ; and, in 1842, he was succeeded by the Rev. Alexander Frazer, the present minister. More than 300 members are on the roll of communicants. .


ZION CHURCH.


In the year 1801, a society of Lutherans built a small house of worship on Mott street, corner of Cross street, and here a small congregation of that denomination continued to assemble for several years, till, in 1810, they were received into communion with the . Episcopal Church. There were at that time about 50 members in the church. In 1S11, Rev. Ralph Williston became their stated supply, and after two years he was instituted Rector, and continued to officiate until 1815, when the church building was consumed by fire. The church had previously increased to more than 100 members, but they were greatly scattered at this time, and it was


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more than two years before the house of worship was rebuilt, as it now stands. It was thought best to begin anew, and the old corporation was accordingly dissolved. The Rev. Thomas Breintnall became Rector of the church in Jan., 1819, and continued in that office until 1837, when he resigned his charge, and removed from the State. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. William Richmond, who at that time resigned the charge of St. Michael's and St. Mary's Churches. Mr. Richmond continued to discharge the duties at Zion Church only, until the year 1842, when he became connected again with St. Michael's Church also,-a part of his old charge. But he still sustained the Rectorship of Zion Church for two years longer, when he re- . signed it, and was succeeded by the Rev Richard Cox, the present minister.


CALVARY CHURCH (near Corlaer's Hook).


In the early part of the year 1810, the Rev. Benjamin P. Aydelott, a physician, who had received deacon's orders, commenced preach- ing in the easterly part of the city, near


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" Corlaer's Hook,"-a point to which most of the missionary efforts of all denominations in the city had at some time been directed. The schoolroom of Mr. John Dick, which had been offered for the purpose, was occu- pied as a place of worship on the Sabbath, and here a church of eleven members was organized in August of that year, and called " Calvary Church." Mr. Aydelott continued preaching here for about a year, when he re- moved to Maryland, and the church became extinct. Another church of the same name was formed afterwards, which will be noticed in its proper place. -


ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.


This church was organized November 6th, 1820, having then about thirty members in communion. It was located in the north- western part of the city, toward Greenwich. A substantial brick edifice was erected on Hudson street, and opened in 1822. The first minister here was the Rev. George Upfold, M.D., who was instituted Rector in the early part of 1821, but removed to Lan- singburgh in a few months, and was suc-


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ceeded by the Rev. Benjamin Dorr, who re- mained one year, when he went to Lansing- burgh, and Dr. Upfold returned to New York, and remained the Rector of St. Luke's Church for about six years, when he resigned the charge. On March Sth, 1S23, he was succeeded by the Rev. Levi S. Ives, who re- mained about three years, when he resigned. He afterwards became Bishop of North Carolina. The next minister of St. Luke's was the Rev. William R. Whittingham, who became Rector in October, 1831, and left on account of ill health, in 1834. He is now Bishop of Maryland. The present Rector of this church is the Rev. John Murray Forbes, who commenced his labors Septem- ber 26, 1834. This has become a very flourishing church and congregation. More than 250 members are enrolled in commu- nion.


ST. THOMAS'S CHURCH.


St. Thomas's Church, now located on Broadway, at the corner of Houston street. was organized with 23 members, on Decem- ber 25, 1823, and soon after the Rev. Cor- nelius R. Duffie was instituted its Rector.


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Measures were immediately taken to erect the present capacious house of worship, which was finished and opened February 23, 1826. The ministry of Mr. Duffie was soon terminated by his death, which took place August 20, 1827, at the age of 34. On the sixth of March, in the following year, the Rev. George Upfold was instituted Rector, and remained three years, when he resigned, and was succeeded by the Rev. Francis L. Hawks, who became Rector De- cember 1, 1831. Dr. Hawks continued to officiate till about the close of 1843, when he resigned, and was succeeded in the follow- ing summer by the present pastor, the Rev. Henry J. Whitehouse, D.D.


ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.


This church was gathered by the perse- vering missionary labors of the Rev. Wil- liam A. Clark. An effort had been made in the northeastern section of the city, in the year 1820, to establish a church near " Cor- laer's Hook," but after about a year the pro- ject failed. In the early part of 1824, Mr. Clark commenced preaching in that part of the city, in private houses, and being encou- S*


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ʻ


raged with the success attending his labors, a church of a few members was organized on May 27th, in that year. Soon after this a temporary chapel was provided, situated on Grand street, at the head of Division street. At this time the church contained forty-five members. The chapel was soon filled, and arrangements were made for the erection of a permanent church edifice. A site was purchased on Henry street, corner of Scammel street, and a substantial stone building was erected, and opened for wor- ship, on June 5th, 1828. Rev. Dr. Clark continued his labors as rector of this church, very usefully and acceptably, to an increas- ing congregation, until the year 1836, when he resigned the charge, and removed to the State of Michigan. In April, 1937, he was succeeded in All Saints Church, by the Rev. Benjamin I. Haight, the present pastor.




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