USA > New York > Kings County > A history of the town of New Lots, Kings County, N.Y. > Part 2
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The Sabbath-School connected with this church numbers 472 scholars. Its success is largely die to Mr. Ditmas Jewell, who during a period of nearly twenty years zealously performed the duties of Super. intendent. Mr. Jewell was succeeded by Mr. Miles A. Brown, the present able Superintendent.
Trinity P. E. Church. - Celebrated the 25th, Amuversary of its consecration, on Sunday the 221 day of November, 1879, with a " Jubilee." The ser- vices were of a highly interesting character, and a: their conclusion the rector, Rev. Dr. J. I. Elsegpo.i. delivered a historical address. In this he quoted from a letter written by the first rector of this parish. the Rev. Dexter Potter, who was prevented, by age and feebleness, from being present, the following facts :
In 1854. or a short time previous to this date, when vacant lands in and about East New York were being purchased with a view to forin a village, one of those coneerned in that business, the late Mr. Horace A. Mit- ler, offered to give the lot of ground on which the church now stands, provided a Protestant Episcopal elmurch conld be erected thereon. The Rev. Dexter Potter, to whom the offer was made, after die consulta- tion with the Bishop of the Diocese, commenced thie collection of subscriptions for that purpose. While Le was thus engaged, the building owned by the Patch Reformed congregation, in East New York, became for sale and was purchased by a gentleman for other than ecclesiastical purposes. This building was purchas. 1 by the Rev. Mr. Potter, who was obliged to advan ". a considerable sin from his own means, in order to ef- feet the purchase. The building was removed some ground donated by Mr. Miller, where it now .. .. and the l'arish was organized September 11, 1-54. T.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
deed of the lot was given to the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, in East New York, and an excellent bell was given to the parish by Mr. D. D. Lyon, then the sexton of Trinity Church, New York City.
The consecration sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter, D.D., Bishop of Pennsylvania. The names of the first Wardens and Vestry-men of this Parish were as follows : Lyman Cobb and Her- man H. Kettenhorn, Wardens; Noyes - G. Pahner, Robert Edmunds, James Davies, Jaines S. Williams, James D. Davies, Augustus Ivins, Charles R. Miller and Samnel Davies, Vestry-men. On the 24th of March, 1857, through the deeease of much a loved brother, the Rev. Mr. Potter was constrained to resign the Reetorship of the Parish and remove to Cambridge, Mass., where he still resides.
The Rev. J. F. Delaphine Cornell was then chosen Rector of the Parish. He was a young gentleman pos- sessed of considerable talent, eloquenee and zeal, and he entered upon his work amid great and many en- conragements; but in October, 1858, through an over-taxation of the brain, he became suddenly and completely mentally prostrated. He was removed at `once to the Insane Asylum at Flatbush, where he still continues without hope of recovery. In October, 1859, the Rev. Charles Cleveland, D.D., was called to, and accepted the Rectorship of the parish. He continued faithfully at his post until February, 1866, when he was removed by death.
In May of the same year, the Rev. T. McKee Brown accepted a eall to become Rector, and continued until May, 1868, when he resigned in order that he might enter upon another field of labor. The Rev. John Morgan then became Reetor, and remained until Octo- ber, 1868.
In the summer of 1869, a vestibule, or poreh, and a pleasant chancel were added, lancet windows were made to replace the old square ones, the organ loft was renovated, altered and improved; and the entire build- ... ing within and without was handsomely renovated and - refurnished. A handsome chancel window was or- dered and paid for by the Sunday-school of the parish.
In 1873 the present organ was purchased and paid for by the " Ours " Association; which, with the Ladies' Aid, and the Penny Aid Societies are most important aids for church work. In 1875 the old and uncom- fortable pews were removed, and the floor relaid; the present attractive pews were introduced with centre and two sides aisles.
The Sunday school connected with this church is in a very flourishing condition, numbering about 500 scholars. Much credit is due to Mr. James D. Davies, who for nearly twenty years was its kind and faithful ยท Superintendent. About a year agoMr. Harry E. Cluff was appointed as Mr. Davies' snecessor, and is the pres- ent Superintendent.
Ebenezer M. E. Church .- In the early part of
the year 1860, the Rev. Charles Fletcher, then Presid- ing Elder of the distriet embracing the town of New Lots, preached in the Lutheran German Church on Lib- erty avenue, East New York, to those who desired to establish, in that village, a Methodist Episcopal Church. Deep interest was manifested, a society organized, and services continued in the school-house on Vermont avenue. On the 5th day of March, 1861, a permanent organization was effected, under the name of the Eust New York M. E. Church, and the following board of trustees elected : John McKellop, Ebenezer Wilson, Win. H. Hoyt, James Miller, and Wm. Hardenburgh.
On the 25th of July, 1863, the large Hall in the Cen- tral Buildings, corner of Atlantic and Van Sielen ave- nes, was rented and services were held every Sabbath. In 1865, the church at East New York was united with the M. E. Church at Cypress Hills, under the pastorate of the Rev. Curtis Graham. In 1866, the church was again separated, and re-organized as the Methodist Protestant Church. A new board of trustees was eleeted, and the Rev. E. F. Jones called to the pastor- ate. In this year a new church was erected on Fulton avenue, whieli afterwards came into the possession of the Evangelical German Church ; and Brown's Hall was seeured as a place of worship, with the Rev. L. D. Nicolson as pastor. At the end of two years he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Aston. During the pastorate of Mr. Aston, through the financial aid of Mr. William Barker, a wealthy resident of Clinton ave- nne, Brooklyn, ground was broken on the 20th of Oc- tober, 1868, and the present commodions church edifice on Williams avenue, creeted-having received its pres- ent name of the "Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church."
The church was dedicated on the 11th of January, 1869, having been completed in the remarkably short . time of twenty-one days. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. Abel Stephens, D.D.
PASTORS: 1870, Rev. Mr. Smart; 1871, Rev. Joseph Thomas ; 1873, Rev. William Platts ; 1876, Rev. C. W. Powell ; 1879, Rev. B. F. Recves .; 1881, Rev. Wm. H. Russell; 1882, Rev. J. W. Simpson, the pres- ent pastor. During his pastorate, 64 new members have been added to the church; and during the last conference year, the sum of $1,600 has been raised by voluntary subscriptions in aid of the church. Extensive repairs to the building are now in progress, and when com- pleted, the church will rank among the first in the town. During the pastorate of the Rev. B. F. Reeves, a new parsonage was built on the lots adjoining the church, at a cost of about $3,000.
In January, 1880, the church suffered a severe loss in the death of WILLIAM VRADENBURGH, a member of the first board of trustees ; and who, for nearly twenty years, had been a faithful and zealous member and worker in the Church. On the 12th day of June, 1871, Daniel Veiteh, Esq., was appointed Superintendent of
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NEW LOTS.
the Sunday School, and much of its present prosperity is due to his faithful work during the seven years that he had charge. The school now numbers abont 300 scholars, under the able superintendency of Philip Evans, Esq.
First Baptist Church .- On the 17th of July, 1864, a number of citizens of the village of East New York met and organized a Baptist Sunday School. Charles Truax, Esq., was appointed Superintendent. He was ably assisted in his work by his estimable wife. Mr. James J. Miller and B. P. Sturges, Esq., took a deep interest in the school, and much good was accom- plished. In July, 1865, a Society was organized under the name of the First Baptist Church of East News York, and the Rev. John Willett was chosen pastor. Soon after, a Fair was held, and the sum of $500 real- ized. The success of the Fair was largely due to the kind assistance of the Washington avenue Baptist Church, of . Brooklyn. John H. Tripler, of this church, donated 32 seats and cushions, and the church gave the sum of $325.
Meetings were held in what was known as Wagon- er's Hall, on Smith and Liberty avenues. On the 27th of March, 1866, it was resolved to build a church; lots were accordingly purchased on Smith avenue, near Ful- ton. Mr. B. P. Sturges, who had taken a deep interest in the welfare of the church, generously tendered for the use of the society a chapel, which he had erected near his residence, on Divison avenue. In the mean- time, steps had been taken for the erection of a church. The society, however, met with but little success. The church was soon after completed, but the society found itself heavily in debt. In 1871, Rev. W. F. Benedict was called to the pastorate. In April, of this year, steps were taken to free the church from its heavy bur- den of debts ; and the church was soon in a more prosperous condition. In 1873, Rev. W. F. Benedict was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. J. H. Dudley. But it was not till 1874, when the Rev. Charles Coleman was called to the pastorate, that the church was relieved from all financial embarrassment.
In April, 1882, the Rev. James L. Hodge was called to the pastorate. The Sabbath-School connected with the church numbers about 150 scholars, under the able superintendency of William C. Anderson, with a corp of twelve teachers.
German Lutheran Church, located at the corner of Liberty and Vermont avenues, was built in 1847. In the early part of 1848, the Rev. F. G. Zeuner was installed as the first pastor. After about two years he was succeeded by the Rev. Carl Schaum. He con- tinued pastor for about fourteen years, and was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, the Rev. J. F. Flath. During his pastorate the congregation has largely increased in numbers and much good accomplished. In 1868, extensive additions were made to the building, and it is now one of the largest edifices in the town.
The Sabbath-School connected with the church, un- der the supervision of Carl Wonnberger, Esq., is doing a most excellent work, numbering 175 scholars with nineteen teachers.
Andrews' Methodist Episcopal Church, located on Clinton avenue, Cypress Hills. This society wa- organized in the early part of 1851. The first meeting was held at the residence of Richard H. Pill, Sen., in East New York ; and one afterward at the house of Mr. Lindsey, at Cypress Hills, over which Mr. Geo. W. Seaman presided, and Isaac B. Soper acted as Secre- tary. At this meeting, it was decided to build a church, the same to be 25x38 feet, and height of cell- ing to be 15 feet, and with a basement. Garrett Denton. Geo. W. Scaman, Isaac U. Forbill, Richard H. Pill. Sen., and Isaac B. Sopers were elected the first Board of Trustees, all of which are now deceased, except Mr. Pill, who is nearly ninety years of age.
The first deed was executed by Joseph F. Bridges and wife to Garrett Denton and others, trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church, of Union Place (now Cypress Hills), Town of Flatbush (now New Lots), County of Kings and State of New York, June 23d, 1851. About this time it was decided to break ground for the new church, its crection to com- mence after the 15th of September of the same year.
Pastors .- The first minister officiating at a bap- tism was Rev. Daniel De Vinne, then stationed at Newtown ; but, in 1855 and 1856, was stationed at Union Place, now Cypress Hills. From this time until 1861 it was supplied by local ministers ; 1861, Rev. Stephen Rushmore ; 1862, the Rev. C. S. Williams was the preacher in charge, and in 1863 and 1864.
The first enrollment of members found was made in 1853, but no account when the classes were formed. There were three classes, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Wm. Vradenburg was Leader of 1 and 2, and George H. McCoy was Leader of Class No. 3. The first date of a probationer was January 1, 1853. The Sunday-School was organized in 1852, and George W. Seaman was elected its first Superintendent.
In 1865-66 and '67 Rev. C. Graham was the minister in charge. During his ministry a great revival occurred, and a large number were converted, both in this and adjacent communities. During 1868-69 and '70, Rev. W. Wake was in charge; and in the year 1870 the church was enlarged so that now it has seating capacity for about 350 persons. In 1871-72, Rev. C. T. Mallory ; 1873 and 1874, Rev. W. Gothard ; 1875, '76, '77, Rev. W. L. Holmes ; in 1878 and '79, Rev. T. M. Terry; the Rev. F. Brown succeeded him and is now in his third year.
In July, 1872, the name of the Church was legally changed, and the Board of Trustees are known as " The Trustees of the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church of Cypress Hills, Town of New Lots, Kings County, and State of New York." The number of members now
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
enrolled on its books is 109. In the Sunday-School there are 269 teachers and scholars. Its membership is composed of those who have to earn their daily livelihood, and who struggle hard to sustain the church. The Society was never in its history financially better than it is now, for which the church is largely indebted to the ladies connected with the congregation. In the carly part of this church's history it was con- nected with the East New York charge in its Quarterly Conferences ; but at the Quarterly Conference held September 8th, 1872, it was agreed to separate and have two distinct Quarterly Conferences.
The Rev. Charles Doughty, the present Superintend- cnt of the Sunday-School, is an earnest and faithful worker in the church, and to him is dne much of its success as a church.
First Congregational Church .- This church is located on Rockaway avenue, in the village of Browns- ville. A little band, representing different evangelical denominations, as carly as June, 1866, began to mect at private houses for social worship, in the hope of imparting and receiving mutual benefit. At length, the use of a room centrally located having been secured, a Sunday-School was organized on July 28th, 1868, numbering, besides the superintendent, seven male and four female teachers, with twenty-four male and twenty-six female scholars. The weekly prayer meeting was likewise continued, with services on the Sabbath for preaching when preaching could be obtain- ed, or, in the absence of this, for exhortation, prayer and conference, by the few brethren who were willing to aid. At one of these meetings, held June, 1867, at the residence of Mr. G. S. Thatford, the query was incidentally raised-whether the effort ought not to be made to establish a church. The responses indicating a willingness to contribute and labor for such an object, it was at once resolved to institute the needful pre- liminary measures ; which measures were happily crowned with success. To Mr. Havilah Mowrey, city missionary, it is only a proper acknowledgment to state that in this, as in every prior stage of the history of the church from the beginning, the citizens were largely in- debted, for the result, to his wise counsels and unremit- ted co-operation. Although beyond the limits of his district, he seldom failed to be present at the meetings when permitted by other engagements, and about $2,000 raised by his personal solicitation were paid by him towards defraying the cost of the building and its furniture. Much credit is likewise due to J. G. Cooley, Esq., for donating the valuable melodeon now in use, besides $100 in money. By funds thus procured, with other sums obtained from friends residing or having interests in the neighborhood, and $500 appropriated by the Congregational Union, the entire church prop- erty was, before the commencement of this current year, made free from debt. The ground on which the church stands was donated by Mr. G. S. Thatford, and
consists of two lots, being 50 feet front by 120 feet deep. The cdifice itself, which is 30 feet front by 45 feet deep, cost $3,500, and was dedicated on Monday, 31st of May, 1869 ; and an ecclesiastical organization effected under the title of the First Congregational Church of New Lots ; it having been determined at a previous meeting, after due notice, to adopt the Con- gregational name and principles.
At a meeting of the church and society regularly convened, on Monday evening, December 20th, 1869, the Rev. I. S. Davison, who had for more than a twelve-month filled the pulpit onee cach Lord's day without pecuniary remuneration, was invited to the pastorate ; and the American Home Missionary So- ciety having commissioned him with the promise of aid in his support, arrangement was accordingly effected for one year, beginning with January Ist, 1870; when two preaching services instead of one every Sabbath werc inaugurated, together with a Pastor's Bible-Class.
At the closc of the Rev. I. S. Davison's charge, the Rev. I. C. Lockwood was called to the pastorate. In September, 1871, the Rev. C. N. N. . Pannell became pastor, and remained until 1876, when the Rev. A. H. Kirkland took charge. He continued until ISSO. In July, 1880, the Rev. H. N. Wright was called, and con- tinued pastor eighteen months; when he was succeeded by the Rev. Curtis Graham. He remained about one year and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. C. F. Decker. This church at present numbers about 80 members. The Sunday-school connected with the church numbers 125 scholars ; and, under the able super- intendency of Mr. E. E. Stewart, who has had charge for the past nine years, is doing a most excellent work.
Union Congregational Church .- This society is an offshoot of the Congregational church at Browns- ville, and is at present temporarily located at the corner of Johnson and Liberty avenues. The society is at present in a very flourishing condition, and largely in- creasing in numbers, and is soon to erect a new church on Orient avenue near East New York avenue. It is under the charge of the Rev. Curtis Graham. Mr. E. E. Stewart is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which numbers about 100 scholars.
St. Malachi's R. C. Church .- This church, lo- cated on Van Siclen avenue near Atlantic, was built in the year 1854, under the supervision of the Rev. Father Bown, pastor of Holy Cross, in the town of Flat- bush. A parochial school was established, in 1867, by the Rev. Father Creighton, the first resident pastor. The school has been under the instruction of the Sisters of St. Joseph since 1871, the Rev. Father Carroll being then pastor. The school buildings are pleasantly lo- cated, adjoining the church. The school is under most excellent supervision and has an average daily attend- ance of about 200 pupils. In 1873, under the direction and supervision of the church, an Orphan Asylum was established. A large three-story brick building adjoin-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NEW LOTS.
ing the school buildings was purchased and fitted up to meet the wants of the institution. Provision is made for both boys and girls under the careful instruction of the Sisters. In 1872 the Rev. John Pureell succeeded Father Carroll to the pastorate, and remained until 1874, when he was sneeeeded by the Rev. P. J. Mc- Namara. On the 15th of August, 1877, the present pastor, the Rev. Father O'Connell, took charge of the parish. During the six years of his faithful adminis- tration much good has been accomplished, and extensive additions have been made to the church edifiee.
The young men of the parish identified with the church organized, on the 6th of May, 1883, the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum Association, the object of which was to form a bond of social union among the young men of the elinreh, which is in a very flourish- ing condition. Preliminary steps have been taken for the erection of a large hall for its accommodation. The association is a branch of what is known as the "Diocesan Union of Kings County," a body com- posed of representatives from the different Young Men's Roman Catholie Associations of this vicinity.
The officers of the association are as follows : Presi- dent, John Maguire ; Vice-President, James Sinnot ; Rec. Secretary, Geo. Sherlock. It numbers about eighty members.
St. Michael's R. C. Church .- For several years the need of a German Roman Catholic Church at East New York, town of New Lots, had been apparent, but it was not until the 25th of January, 1860, that steps were taken by the Rev. Philip Albreeht, pastor of St. Benedict's, New Brooklyn, and St. Francis, Bedford, by calling a meeting for the purpose of considering the subject of erecting a church. At this meeting fifty of the best German families were represented.
By consent of the Right Rev. J. Laughlin, D.D., Bishop of Brooklyn, four lots were purchased on John street between Liberty and Atlantic avenues. The building was planned, and work was commenced and progressed so rapidly that the corner stone was laid on the 18th of April, 1860. The building was a small, plain, frame structure, forty feet in length by thirty feet in widthi, with steeple. It was dedieated by the Bishop on the 30th day of June, 1860, and placed under the invocation of St. Michael the Archangel. A bell was procured and blessed by the Bishop, assisted by the Rev. Charles Peine, on Palm Sunday, 1860. The Rev. Charles Peine was appointed first pastor of the church. The first baptism took place on August 6th, 1860; the first marriage July 8th, 1860. On the 12th of May, 1861, nine boys and three girls made their first com- munion in the new elinreh. Palm Sunday, 1862, the station of the cross was erected. The first mission was held by Rev. Lanfhuber, S. I., under the pastorate of Rev. Cyril Zielinski, successor of Rev. Peine, at the end of June, 1863.
Rev. Zielinski was pastor from February, until Au-
gust, 1863, when Rev. M. I. Decker succeeded him. from October, 1863, until May, 1864. Again, in May. 1864, Rev. Peine took charge of the congregation. In October, 1863, the pastoral residence was commenced by the side of the church and finished by Rev. Peine. Its first story was used for school purposes. In July, 1866, Rev. Caspar Muller was appointed pastor. The first of February, 1868, two lots on the right side of the pastoral residence were bought for a new school build- ing.
Rev. A. Oberschneider was pastor from August, 1863, until January, 1871, when Rev. I. Michaels he- eame pastor. He held three missions, given by the Redemptorists, Capucins and Jesnits.
In March, 1875, Rev. Aug. Maria Niemann took charge of St. Michael's. Rev. Niemann seeing the ne- cessity of enlarging the church, since the congregation had increased very much, added sixty feet to it with the consent of the bishop in September, 1875.
This pastor was the first who introduced plain chant and it is sung to the present day. He also bought three more lots in 1876, and again another lot in 1878, and two in 1879, situated on Washington street, betweell Atlantie and Liberty avenues. The congregation and work becoming greater, an assistant priest was sent on the first of Jannary, 1881.
In September, 1881, there was a mission given by the Redemptorist Fathers Keitz and Zinnen.
Evangelical German Church is situated on Ful- ton avenue, near Wyekoff. It was organized in 1869, with 35 male members, meeting in the ehurel edifice, which was built by another church denomination in 1866, but was purchased by the trustees of the Evangelical German Church in 1872. The church is under the pastorate of the Rev. John Eschmann, who has had charge of the church during the fourteen years of its existence. Under his faithful charge, the congregation has largely increased in numbers and much good has been accomplished.
Connected with the church is a Sabbath-school un- der the supervision of the pastor. The school num- bers about 150 scholars with twe've teachers. The school has a library of about 300 volumes.
Public Schools -In the early part of the year 1740, the easterly portion of the town of Flatbush, known as the "New Lots," was organized into a sepa- rate seliool district, known as No. 2. A small one- story frame school-house was erected near the present ' school-building on the New Lots road. No record can be found of those who taught in this first school-house, prior to the year 1806. At that time Peter Nufus was em- ployed as teacher, and he was the first to teach in the English language ; his predecessors taught in the Dutch language exclusively. Mr. Nufus ended his ser- vices as teacher about the year 1810. That year also ended the usefulness of the first school-house, for in the early part of the year it was torn down to make
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
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