USA > New York > Warren County > Queensbury > A history of the town of Queensbury, in the state of New York : with biographical sketches of many of its distinguished men, and some account of the aborigines of northern New York > Part 25
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In 1832, the territory now known as the Troy conference, of which Glen's Falls is nearly the centre, north and south, was set off from the New York, both because of the numerical in- crease of the churches and for their better cultivation by the ministerial forces within the territory. The societies in Glen's Falls and Sandy Hill, being at about this time somewhat weak- ened, they were attached to others and entered into what for several years was known as the Fort Ann circuit, to which three preachers were sent, and who alternately supplied the several
1 Since deceased.
2 " Mr. Editor, the notice published in your last, of the new Methodist Episcopal Church, was proper and well ; but I think sufficient credit has not been given to the Rev. Mr. Fields, and several members of his congregation, for the zeal and en- terprise they have displayed in the erection and completion of this new edifice."- Warren County Messenger, Dec. 14, 1829.
K. P. and H. J. Cool built the old Methodist church by contract, agreeing to take the subscription, whatever might be the amount collected, in liquidation of their claims.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
societies with religious services. This itinerant system, pecu- liar to Methodism was established by Wesley, as and history shows, not less adapted to old and populous countries than to new and sparsely settled ones, continued until 1849,-a period of seventeen years,-under such men of diversified talents as Elisha Andrews,1 assisted by P. M. Hitchcock, and L. Phillips, Joseph Ayres, and D. P. Harding as colleague ; J. B. Hough- taling, 2 aided by J. W. B. Wood, late of New York, Henry Stewart and G. Y. Palmer ; Russell M. Little,3 with Wm. Chipp,4 and Asa Fenton as colleagues; C. P. Clark, under whose ad- ministration the present parsonage was erected in 1840; A. M. Osborn, (now Rev. Dr. Osborn, of New York), a clear thinker and able preacher ; James Covel, the student and scholar ; Sey- mour Coleman, a war-horse, with James Quinlan as assistant ; E. B. Hubbard having Wm. Amer, and C. Devol, M. D. (now of Albany), as colleagues.
In 1847-8 began a new era for the church, under the pastorate of Rev. C. R. Morris, in the erection, at a cost of about $5000, of a new and commodious brick, church edifice on Warren street, but which was destroyed by fire in 1864. In 1849 this society was erected into a separate station, having the services of Rev. J. F. Walker as preacher. At that time the number of members was 166, of probationers 15, making in all 181. The Sunday school consisted of ten teachers, and 125 scholars. Owing to the eccentricities of Mr. Walker, whose scholarly attainments, and preaching abilities are acknowledged, the church did not greatly flourish. After his term of two years, Rev. J. H. Patterson, M. D., transferred from the Vermont conference, took the pastorate, from which time the society began to take on shape and efficiency that have continued more or less till the present. Then followed in succession Rev's B. O. Meeker, Geo. C. Wells, Merritt Bates, H. W. Ransom, M. D., W. H. Meeker, W. J. Heath, each for the term of two years, except Mr. Wells ; during which period of thirteen years, the church, with slight variations grew, and prospered, less in the number of communicants than in character. In 1864 Rev. J. K. Cheesman was, on invitation, appointed to the pastorate with strong expectations on the part of the authorities, of suc-
1 Drowned from a steamer a few years ago in the Hudson.
2 For 19 years the secretary of conference.
$ Late State Senator and now Pres. of Glen's Falls Insurance Company.
4 Brother-in-law to Gen. J. B. McKean.
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THE CHURCHES.
cess in a direction somewhat different from the past, and because of his cultivation, gentlemanly manners, and scholarly attainments, which, however, owing to the burning of the house of worship, was only in part realized. Yet the energy of the society, led on by their pastor, not only secured the erection of the present commodious edifice in 1865 at a cost of $16,000, but tended to give such preparation and consolidation to the church as that his earnest and laborious successor, Rev. M. B. Mead, was permitted to secure such an ingathering to the church as has accompanied the labors of no other minister since the organization of the original class. To this great harvest the labors of previous years contributed not a little. This is the order of God. One lays a foundation, another builds thereon. One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase. Mr. Mead reported a membership of 400, and on probation 60 persons.
Under the late pastorate of Rev. B. Hawley, D.D., who was appointed to the church in the spring of 1869, on the invitation of the officers thereof, the society numbers 437 members, and 70 candidates for membership, three Sunday schools, having an aggregate of at least 400 scholars, 40 teachers, and 400 volumes in the libraries. During this year, a neat and commodious brick chapel was newly erected at a cost of about $1,600, in South Glen's Falls, for the better accommodation of the increasing member- ship in that locality. The number and character of the church and congregation at present promise large success in the future.
It may probably be fairly claimed that the Methodist church, in the essentials of prosperity and a vigorous and growing influ- ence, has the largest membership, the greatest number of hearers, the largest Sunday school, and contributes the most towards be- nevolent enterprises of any church in the town or county. Having its beginning, as above described, in 1824, being organ- ized into a class in the rear room of a private dwelling in what is now an obscure part of our village, holding meetings for a time alternately with the Presbyterians in the only church edifice then in the place, to wit, the old Union church in Pearlville, (as the place was then called), and in the Academy building, experi- encing many reverses and defections of unstable members, the society has grown to be an acknowledged power in the com- munity.
Among the names of citizens worthy of honorable mention for their position, fidelity, and steady zeal in behalf of the
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
church from the beginning, are Elmore Platt and his wife, Hiram Wells and wife, Joseph Wells, Isaac Cole, Linus Bishop, the first class leader, Isaac Hill, an early superintendent of the Sunday school, Hon. and Rev. R. M. Little and family, the Swartwout family, Alexander Robertson, the Burnham family, Mr. William McEachron, D. C. Holman, and others.
It is proper to state also that during many years, occasional and irregular services, conducted sometimes by the pastors, and sometimes by the people, have been held in the adjacent settle- ments and suburbs, in school-houses and private houses ; Sunday schools have been organized, and class meetings held, and so the flame of religious zeal has flashed from many altars, whose path- ways have not always been carpeted, or over whose prayers and sacrifices has gleamed no sunlit spire, nor fluttered a gilded vane.
Supplementary to the preceding account may be added, that during the pastorate of the Rev. J. W. Alderman (a) who suc-
(a) JAMES W. ALDERMAN, the youngest but one of eighteen children, is the son , of Elijah and Mary (Watkins) Alderman, and was born in Athens county, Ohio, on the 29th of December, 1834. His father, who was born in the vicinity of Sche- nectady, N. Y., was a local preacher.
He emigrated when quite young, to the then new Buckeye state, and accumu- lated a handsome property, which he was so unfortunate as to lose when the sub- ject of this sketch was but five years old. His mother was born in Washington county, Pa., and, at the tender age of four years, moved with her father to the unsettled wilds of the new state.
As a consequence of his father's misfortune, James was thrown upon the world and his own resources, when but a mere child, since when, he has taken care of himself. His first attempt at self support was on a small farm which he and his younger brothers managed to secure after his father's failure, where he was obliged to work very hard, and where he had no school advantages to speak of, the country being sparsely settled, the nearest school two miles distant, the benefits of which he only had two months in the year at that.
At sixteen years of age, having accumulated a small sum, (less than fifty dollars) by the hardest kind of industry, and the most pinching economy, he attended the high school at Millersburgh, Ohio, for six months. For the three following years, he alternately taught school and attended school at the Ohio Wesleyan University located at Delaware, Ohio. During his stay at Millersburgh, he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church. At the age of eighteen he was licensed to exhort, and the following year was licensed to preach, being admitted on the 10th of September, 1854, to the Ohio conference. He remained in this connection the following six years, traveling hard circuits, and performing the usual drudgery of a neophyte.
He was married on the 19th of May, 1855, to Miss Adaline, youngest daughter of Travis Wilson, Esq., a wealthy and influential farmer of his native county.
In 1860, he was transferred to the Central Ohio conference. During the Rebellion, he was chaplain of the 20th Ohio Vol. Infantry, until June 20th, 1863, when he was compelled to resign because of sickness.
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THE CHURCHES.
ceeded Dr. Hawley in 1872, and 3, a large increase has been added to the membership of the church, chiefly the result of a revival protracted through a period of many weeks, in the win- ter and spring of 1873. During the latter year, a large and expensive addition has been built upon the rear of the church, entailing almost an entire renovation and reconstruction of the entire building; a description of which is here given.
When the necessity for additional space became obvious, the first movement made was in the purchase of the fine lot No 28 Warren street, adjoining the church property on the west, and owned by H. M. Harris, Esq. This purchase was made in 1872, and in the early fall of 1873, the building of the addition was commenced, which was last evening, Thursday, Febuary 12, thrown open to the congregation and the public.
The church, as now completed, would not, from its external appearance, give a correct idea to a stranger of its symmetri- cal, commodious and really beautiful interior.
On the 2d of May, 1864, he again went out to the front as chaplain, with the 13th Ohio Vols., from Toledo, Ohio, where he was then stationed as pastor, their term of service, one hundred days, being spent principally at Bermuda Hundred, and Fort Powhattan, until the 20th of September, when they were discharged, and he returned to his people at Toledo. At this time, he received a donation of nearly $600, from his friends in the regiment and their families, as a testimonial of their appreciation and regard.
On the 25th of May, 1865, he was sent by Bishop Scott, to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he remained as stationed preacher, and presiding elder of Little Rock dis- trict for two years. Here his health again failed, and he was compelled to return north. In 1868 he was transferred to the Troy conference, and assigned to the charge of Grace church, Albany, where he remained three years. During his pas- torate here, the beautiful location where the chapel now stands, was purchased, and their Sunday school, and lecture room was built.
In the spring of 1872, at the special request of A. N. Locke, and D. C. Holman, he was appointed to the station at Glen's Falls, since when, one hundred and twenty persons have been received in full connection in the church ; the new par- sonage lot has been purchased, the church building repaired, as above stated, at a cost of twenty-one thousand dollars, and four thousand dollars additional placed in fund towards the erection of a new parsonage.
Mr. Alderman is the fortunate possessor of great natural advantages. Of large, commanding stature, pleasing appearance, affable, and winning address, and strong personal magnetism, he must inevitably be a man of mark and influence wherever his lot is cast. To these qualifications, may be added a strong, earnest, impulsive delivery as a speaker, a ready command of language, a clear, logical sequence of thought, floating easily over a deep current of pathos, and a fervent, untiring de- votion to his calling. It is quite morally certain that the hour his mission work at Glen's Falls is ended, will find hosts of regretful admirers, and warm hearted friends, to send their sympathies, affections, and regards forward with him through all time, to the endless and immeasurable realms of eternity.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
The addition to this edifice consists of a transept in the rear, 34 feet deep, with a width of 70 feet. This transept is not tho- roughly cruciform in its relation to the main building, as it has a greater lateral projection to the west than to the east. In the rear of all, is the organ-recess in the main auditorium directly above the parlors of the lower floor.
In the basement, the addition has been cut up into three par- lors, and by other changes furnace-rooms and library-room have been added, in the latter apartment water from the mains hav- ing been introduced. The lecture room is of sufficient size to accommodate the sabbath school and prayer meetings, and will be used for all services except the regular Sunday preaching ser- vices. The original seating capacity of this room was 572, but with the present additions and rearrangement 1,000 people can be accommodated with seats. The' extreme length of this audi- torium is 124 feet, the width of the old portion being 45 feet and the rear or transept portion 70 feet in width. The seats which were previously in use have been retained and additional ones, built of the same pattern, but they are rendered much more comfortable than of old, by the greater excellence of the new cushions. On the west side of the transept, a private stair- way has been formed, which communicates with the lower por- tion of the building, and will give ingress and egress to and from the outside, to such of the choir as may desire to be spared the publicity of passing through that portion devoted to the congre- gation.
A grand feature in church decoration has ever been kept in view by the very excellent committee, in retaining in every re- spect a light and cheerful appearance for everything-nothing somber appears to mar the warm and comforting effects. The windows, of stained glass, are plentiful in numbers and in their combination of coloring present no obstacle to the free admis- sion of light. In the front of the church is an exceedingly large rose window, of pot-metal glass, in which the coloring is cast directly into the material. In the other windows an entirely new pattern is used, the centres of quarry, being plain ground glass with black tracery, enriched with broad borders in colors and ornamental heads. Each two of the windows are of the same pattern, the companions on either side being alike, while all other than those facing each other are different.
The woodwork of altar, pulpit and organ recess is magnificent.
FERGUSON ALHANVE
METHODIST CHURCH, GLENS FALLS.
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THE CHURCHES.
-
The woodwork is the best of walnut, with new patterns and de- signs in the construction, the panels and many portions being of the finest French walnut of superior finish and grain. That portion outside of the altar used for kneeling purposes is up- holstered in scarlet rep. The rail is of walnut as is all of the ยท interior altar and pulpit work. The pulpit rises above the altar, and the organ recess and orchestra again rising above the pulpit.
On either side of the pulpit, and removed but a few feet from it, are two tablets occupying nearly the full height of the room. The one to the west has as a symbol at its head, the descending dove of peace, and the open Bible, with the Lord's Prayer and New Commandment inscribed in old English text. The tablet to the east is surmounted with the cross and crown, underneath which, is the Apostle's Creed, in text also.
The frescoing is fine, but without any marked peculiarity in color or design. The sides are mainly buff and brown, while the ceiling predominates in blue, enriched with crimson and gold in lines and centre pieces. The work is artistic but not particularly noticeable for intricacy of execution.
The cushions and carpeting are expensive, choice and attract- ive. The cushions are of dark scarlet crimson terry cloth and filled with the best quality of curled hair. The carpet of the auditorium is of good quality, red and black. The pulpit carpet is of brussels, white ground with delicate figure in gold, red and black. Over 600 yards of carpeting have been used in this room alone.
The chandeliers, of which there are three, are pendants, in blue and gold with heavy scarlet bands, the design being new, and when lighted up present the partial illusion of plants with flowers in bloom, the latter represented by the gas flame. Springing out of the bands and a common stem are branches in clusters of three, terminating in gold burner tips. There are nine of these branches to each chandelier, with three burners to each branch, making twenty-seven burners to each chandelier. The altar lights are two standards, one on either side of the pulpit, each standing seven feet in height and with nine burners. The organ recess is lighted by the ordinary burners and the front of the organ has two projecting chandeliers of three ele- gant clusters each.
The organ is of course one of the main features of the church. The design is in harmony with the architecture of the church,
31
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
and it is warranted to be superior to any instrument in Glen's Falls or Sandy Hill. It stands nineteen feet in height, with a width of twenty-three feet. The displayed pipes in the front are of silvered metal, additionally ornamented by gold tips and black tracery bands. This instrument has 21 stops and 781 pipes, the largest with 16 feet pitch. The front of the organ, except that part where the displayed pipes appear, is of good quality of black walnut. Its cost was $2,500.
The cost of the present improvements is in the neighborhood of $21,000, which, with the cost of land and the old church build- ing, makes the entire value about $45,000.
To the building committee, and to the pastor much of the credit of the actual planning and arranging of the new building is due, but to those who actually executed, mention should not be forgotten. The brick-work was done by Holman & Pike. The architecture was by Nichols & Halcott, of Albany. The wood-work, which is a distinctive and agreeable feature, was by Morgan & Durkee. The windows, costing $1,025, were from the house of Frederick & Brothers, Brooklyn, N. Y. The fres- coing was done by A. P. Walcott, of New York city. The carpets are from Taylor & Waterman, of Albany. The chan- deliers and gas fitting from the house of Archer, Pancost & Co., of New York city. The organ from Steer & Turner, Westfield, Mass., although the front was redesigned by Mr. Nichols, of the firm of Nichols & Halcott, Albany : and finally, a world of active work has been patiently accomplished by the many work- ing ladies of the congregation.1
As we have stated that in 1824 the number composing the Methodist class of Glen's Falls was twelve persons, it seems fair that for purposes of comparison we should mention that the membership now numbers about 550 souls, with an average Sunday school attendance of 275 children.
The society claim, it is understood, the largest Sunday school and Bible class and the largest average attendance, and mem- bership of any of the evangelical denominations, in the place.
In this connection, it is proper to make mention of the brick church at the West mountain, near the Codner school house. This was completed in the fall of 1871, since when, it has been under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. F. Crowl, and has grown
1 For this graphic sketch of the recent improvements in the M. E. Church build- ' ing, the author tenders his acknowledgements to the graceful and ready pen of Add. L. Stodard.
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THE CHURCHES.
to be a prosperous and thriving church. Mr. Crowl has charge also of the church on the Ridge, the congregation of which mostly reside in this town, although the building stands in the edge of Kingsbury.
Ministers of M. E. Church stationed at Glen's Falls.
John Lovejoy, 1824
Seymour Coleman,. 1843
John Clark, 1824-5
O. E. Spicer, 66
Seymour Landon, 1826-7.
Seymour Coleman,. 1844
Julius Fields, 1828-9
James Quinlan, . 66
Robert Seeney, 1830-1
Elijah B. Hubbard, 1845
Coles Carpenter, 1832
James Quinlan, . 66
Elisha Andrews, 1833
Elijah B. Hubbard,. 1846
P. M. Hitchcock, 66
Charles Devol,.
Elisha Andrews, .. 1834
Christopher R. Morris, .. 1847
Zebulon Philips, 66
William N. Frazer, ....
66
Joseph Ayers, 1835
H. W. Ransom 66
Doren P. Harding,
C. R. Morris, 1848
J. B. Houghtailing, 1836
J. W. B. Wood,
66
S. S. Ford,.
Henry W. Stewart, 66
Jason F. Walher, 1849-50
J. B. Houghtailing, 1837
J. W. Patterson, 1851-2
J. W. B. Wood,
B. O. Meeker, 1853-4
Gilbert Y. Palmer,
George C. Wells, 1855
Russell M. Little, 1838
Merritt Bates, .. 1856-7
William M. Chipp, 66
William H. Meeker, 1858-9
Charles P. Clark, 1839
Halsey W. Ransom, 1860-1
Asa F. Fenton, 66
William J. Heath,. 1862-3
A. M. Osborn, 1840
J. R. Cheeseman, 1864-5-6
David Osgood, 66
M. B. Mead, . 1867-8
James Covel,
1841-2
Bostwick Hawley, (a)
William Amer, 66
D.D.1 1869-70
Wm. Frazer, 66
1 To the latter I am chiefly indebted for the material of this sketch. Thanks are also due to Mr. Elmore Platt, Judge Noble of Johnsburg, and a few others, for information rendered in this connection.
(a) Rev. MR. HAWLEY, is a native of Camillus, Onondaga co., N. Y., and was born April 8, 1814. Deprived of his father by death, when but thirteen years of age, he was thenceforward subject to the direction and councils of his mother, whose New England tastes kept him at the home schools until the age of seventeen, when he was sent to the popular seminary at Cazenovia. There, in the summer of 1831, he made a profession of experimental Christianity. The special object of his academic studies being for mercantile life, he spent the summer of 1832 in a store in Syracuse, at which place he was baptized and received into the Methodist church. Having thus early an impression of a call to the Christian ministry he resumed his studies the following summer in the newly established seminary at
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Early Missionary Efforts.
Three fourths of a century ago, the services of the Protestant Episcopal church were introduced into this region of country, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Philander Chase, late bishop of the diocese of Illinois ; who, immediately upon his admission to the ministry, started upon an itinerating tour to the north, following the settlements along the valley of the Hudson, as far as Queensbury, and from thence, pushing through the wilderness, to the then remote, and but little known settle- ment of Thurman. At this point, whose name is now changed to Warrensburgh, the regular observance of the liturgy was, for a brief period established, and a subscription circulated to obtain means to build a church. A part of the donations for this purpose were a glebe, and a quantity of timber, which was hewn and delivered upon the ground.
Wanting the fostering care of a clergyman, the undertaking was not prospered ; the timbers rotted on the ground, and the lot was afterward appropriated to other uses. For two long
Lima ; and in the following winter taught school in Lyons, Wayne co., where he was licensed to exhort by Rev. Dr. Carlton. In the spring of 1834, young Hawley again entered the Cazenovia seminary for the purpose of preparing for college which he entered in 1835, at Middletown, Conn. Graduating in 1838 he wasim- mediately elected to the chair of Ancient Languages in the seminary at Cazenovia. Remaining in that position four years he was in the meantime ordained deacon and received into the Oneida conference in 1839, and appointed by the bishop to his academic position. Health giving way under the severe labors of his chair, accompanied as they were with almost constant preaching on Sundays in adjacent communities, he was induced to enter upon pastoral duties in 1842 over the First Methodist church in Utica. Since then Mr. Hawley has devoted himself to the ministry in populous towns over a wide sweep of country in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont, and within the bounds of what are now three conferences.
Having to some extent prosecuted literary labors outside of the special theolo- gical range, and having written somewhat extensively for church journals, Mr. Hawley was honored by his Alma Mater, in 1863, with the degree of doctor of divinity. His other literary labors, besides those for the pulpit, consist of articles in the Methodist Quarterly Review, treatises published by the church in tract form, and the Manual of Methodism, which, having reached its second and enlarged edition, is regarded as a standard work of its kind on the doctrines and usages of that church.
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