Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 240

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 240

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of the church property is estimated at $10, 500, upon which there is a mortgage of $6, 200.

The present officers of the church are the fol- lowing : Wardens, James E. Curtis and David Guy ; Vestrymen, Samuel T. Benedict, William N. Butler, H. C. Van Zandt, M. D., John K. Elwin, E. E. Kreigsman, William W. Craig, David O. Youlen and Prof. Sidney G. Ashmore.

ST. JOSEPH'S GERMAN R. C. CHURCH.

Rev. Father Theodore Noethen, from Albany, and other secular priests, visited the German Catholics of the city before any organization was made, and held services for them in St. John's Church. On January 23, 1859, about 75 members met in Gottfried Blum's marble shop and resolved to build a church, which should be called St. Peter's Church. At the head of this movement stood Gottfried Blum and Xavier Zeiser as presi- dents, Peter Baldus, Mathias Treis and Peter Selzinger as trustees, Franz Tele as secretary, Julius Meyers as treasurer. At another meeting, on the 6th of February, in Meyer's molder shop, Fonda street, Peter and Karl Baldus, Jacob Gar- ling and Jacob Stener were chosen collectors, to take up a house collection. February 20th the large lot corner of State and Albany streets, where now the Arsenal stands, was purchased from Mr. Ramsay, for $2,000-$100 paid down, the rest to be paid within five years. Quarrels and lack of money afterward made them lose this splendid location. After many fruitless attempts to get a church, the generous Bavarian, Joseph Harreker, bought on sheriff's sale the old Cameronian frame church, on Center street, for $2,000, in his own name. To this was built a new sanctuary, for $300. This church, named after its founder and benefactor, St. Joseph's Church, was dedicated the 29th of June, 1862, by the Rev. Alphonse Zoller, O. M. C., of Utica. The Franciscan Fathers, from Utica, as Revs. Leopold, Oderic, Alphonse, Pius and others, held regular services in the new church. Father Oderic bought the cemetery on East avenue for $300. Father Pius bought the small brick house on Franklin street, west of St. John's Church, for $1, 300, for the Sisters of St. Francis, who taught the children in a frame school-house built north of the church. After that, Fathers Leopold and Pius, who was the first residing pastor, bought the east corner lot of Albany and Lafayette streets, with brick house for parsonage, from John McEucroe, for $4,750.

At the end of October, 1868, the Franciscan Fathers were called away, and Rev. Maurus Ramssauer, from Manlius Station, near Syracuse, was made pastor. Soon afterward the Franciscan Sisters were succeeded by a secular teacher. The double house north of the church on Center street was bought for $3, 500. The church incorporated April 16, 1869. At the end of April, 1876, Father Maurus resigned and went back to Manlius Station. His successor was Rev. J. Henry Cluever, D. D., from Deerfield Corners, near Utica. Through his energetic efforts the present beautiful church was

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

built. The corner-stone was laid Sunday after- noon, July 29, 1877, by Rev. Thomas Burke, of St. Joseph's, Albany, N. Y., with imposing cere- monies ; the church was dedicated March 3, 1878, by Right Rev. Bishop Francis McNeirny, of Albany.

Architect, M. J. Cummings, of Troy, N. Y .; builder, Jacob Van Zandt, of Schenectady, N. Y. Cost, without furnaces, organ and altars, $27,286.

December 14, 1881, Bishop McNeirny conse- crated the new marble side altars.

In August, 1882, the double lot, with house, west of the old cemetery was bought for $1,900, and added to the old insufficient burial place.

December 8, 1883, Rev. J. Herman Wibbe, from St. Peter's Church, Oswego, N. Y., succeeded Dr. Cluever, who took charge of St. Mary's Help of Christians, in Albany, N. Y.

In March, 1884, the new gothic high altar, built by Joseph Stoppelkamp, of St. Louis, Mo., for $1,200, without statues, was put up, and new stations, donated by some members of the parish, at a cost of $370, erected on the evening of Good Friday, the 11th of April, 1884.

Sunday afternoon, October 19, 1884, Bishop McNeirny solemnly blessed three new bells, bought from Clinton H. Meneely, Troy, N. Y., for $1, 105 .- 72 ; the smallest, weighing 508 pounds, called "St. Jacobus," donated by Mr. Jacob Garling ; the second, "Joseph Franciscus," weighing 1,023 pounds, donated by St. Joseph and St. Franciscus Aid Societies ; the largest (1,993 pounds), "St. Maria," donated by members of the parish. The bells were first swung on the eve of All Saints Day (October 31st).

In the fall of 1884, the wooden annex of the Sisters' house was torn down and a large brick school-house erected, connecting the old school- house with the Sisters' house, and adding a new story to the latter, bringing the whole under one metal roof. The work was done by Mike Deckel- meyer for $3,647, without the steam boiler. The school is in charge of five Sisters of St. Joseph, and is attended by over 200 children. The congrega- tion has grown to over 400 families. With the church are connected five religious societies, with large membership, and a social club of the young men of the parish, the "Schenectady Eintradit,' who meet twice a week in the basement of the school.

GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH.

This church was organized October 24, 1849, with the following members: August and Elizabeth Schweneker, Henry and Maria Strueme, Christian and Sophia Kasten, Frederick and Justine Danne- berg.

The first church was erected on Jay street, on the site of the present Congregational Church, May, 1850, at a cost of $1, 500.

The first pastor was I. I. Grau, under whose pastorage the church grew in membership and in- fluence.

Following is a list of pastors in the order of their ministration over this church : I. I. Grau, A. Schwartz, Sebastian Mickel, I. I. Grau, Jacob

Kindler, Henry Kastendirck, Casper Jost, Francis G. Graty, Christian Blinn, John Sauter, Christian F. Grimm, John C. Deininger, Casper Jost, George Abele, Paul Quattlander, Henry Kastendieck and F. H. Ray.

The present church on the corner of Union and Lafayette streets was erected in 1872. It is 53 x 82 feet, and has a seating capacity of 800 persons.

This church is in a most prosperous and healthy condition, with a full membership of 388, and 65 probationers. The average congregation numbers between 500 and 600. The Sunday-school con- nected with this church numbers 400 children, with an average attendance of 300.

The value of the church property, consisting of the church edifice and a parsonage on Park place, is estimated at $38,000, against which there is a debt of but $6,000.

THE EAST AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

On Tuesday evening, October 25, 1866, the first prayer meeting of this society was held, Dr. Backus, of the First Church, presiding. About fifteen per- sons were in attendance.

The meetings in the course of a few weeks be- came so largely attended, that the private house in which they were held was overcrowded. Accord- ingly the young men engaged in the work, with commendable enterprise rented a small dwelling in the vicinity and, having removed the partitions, fitted it up as a place or worship. This building was first used December 23, 1866, and from that date meetings were held there on Thursday and Sabbath evenings during the winter and following summer. A Sabbath-school was organized December 15th with five scholars. The second Sabbath it num- bered twenty-one scholars and six teachers. Feb- ruary 3, 1867, an infant class was organized. The attendance upon the school and prayer meeting in- creased so greatly during the winter that the build- ing was again found too small for the accommoda- tion of those who came, and again the laborers recognized the finger of Providence pointing them forward. The idea of building a chapel was talked about, and funds were sought after and obtained, chiefly among the members of Dr. Backus' congre- gation, and the work was commenced July 23, 1877. October 10th the chapel was finished, and was soon dedicated, with appropriate services; Rev. Dr. Backus, Rev. Dr. Hickok and Rev. John Clancy officiating. The work continued to prosper, and through the influence of the Sabbath-school and prayer meeting, a number of persons were con- verted and united with the city churches. The Sunday-school, at present, is the largest and most efficient in the city.

During the winter a Sabbath evening preaching service was kept up regularly. In the spring of 1869 those who had been interested in the work from the beginning thought that circumstances war- ranted them in asking for a separate organization. The proposition was accepted by the pastor and people of the First Church, to whose cordial sympa- thy and co-operation the success of the undertak-

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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.

ing had been largely due. Accordingly sixteen persons were dismissed from the mother church, April 1, 1869, to form the new society. The fol- lowing Sabbath, April 4th, after the sermon by Rev. Dr. Backus, from Heb. 13:17, the church was or- ganized. From this time the pulpit was regularly supplied, morning and evening, by various minis- ters. The first stated supply was George Alexan- der, a licentiate of the U. P. Presbytery of Albany and a student of Princeton Seminary, who preached during the months of July and August. At a meet- ing of the congregation, August 4th, he was elected and called to the pastoral charge. Having accepted the call, he was ordained and installed January 20, 1870, and dismissed by Presbytery in 1884.

The church edifice is located on Upper State street. It is built of brick, with a Gothic roof, and has a seating capacity of 600. The present pastor, J. D. Paxton, has served since 1884.

THE EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The Evangelical Congregational Church, Sche- nectady, N. Y., was unanimously recognized by a council of Congregational churches and pastors, April 24, 1877, convened by invitation of the pas- tor, officers and members of the Free Evangelical Church, an independent religious organization that had been holding religious services in Union Hall for sixteen months previous, under the ministra- tions of Rev. Henry H. Northrop.

The council was composed of the following pas- tors and delegates of these churches: Albany, Gloversville, Oswego, Syracuse, Middletown, Har- lem, Homer, N. Y .; the Rev. J. C. Holbrook, D. D., secretary of the N. Y. S. Home Missionary Society; Rev. James G. Cordell ; also Rev. H. G. Day, of the Baptist Church of Schenectady.

The public services took place in the evening of the same day in Union Hall, when the Moderator, Rev. J. C. Holbrook, D. D., officially recognized the church, welcoming it to the fellowship of the Congregational churches. An address on the Princi- ples of Congregationalism was made by Rev. Jona- than Crane, of Middletown, N. Y. A sermon was preached by Rev. W. S. Smart, D. D., of Albany, and an address delivered by Rev. Samuel H. Virgin, pastor of Pilgrim Church, Harlem, N. Y.

The church continued to hold its public services in Union Hall and prayer meetings in the German M. E. Chapel, on Jay street. Rev. H. H. Northrop continued with the church until March, 1879, when he was regularly dismissed by council.

Rev. John H. Munsell was called to and accepted the pastorate in April, 1879. It soon became evi- dent that Union Hall was not a suitable place to hold Sabbath services, and the same fall they were removed to the chapel on Jay street, in which the prayer meetings were held. Large congregations were accustomed to attend the services in the pub- lic hall, not more than half of which followed the church into the chapel to worship there. Soon after a revival of religion greatly blessed and en- couraged the church, largely increasing its mem- bership. The capacity of the chapel was soon

found to be too small to accommodate those who desired to worship with the church, and in the spring of 1880 active measures were insti- tuted to secure a larger place of worship and a per- manent church home, and the lot and buildings comprising the chapel and the adjoining dwelling house-now the church parsonage-were pur- chased and immediate measures taken to erect a suitable church edifice. After two years of patient toil, constant prayer, and unusual sacrifice, the church was permitted to dedicate its present beau- tiful edifice on Jay street, April 5, 1882, the Rev. Wm. M. Taylor, D. D., pastor of Broadway Tab- ernacle, New York, preaching the sermon.

The following year the adjoining chapel was erected. This church, with its accompaniments, is one of the most attractive and convenient church buildings in the city.

The church has steadily grown, comprising now 330 church members. Its Sunday-school numbers more than 300.

EMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1881 by a num- ber of the former members of the First Baptist Church. At this time the members of the congre- gation had no church edifice, and used Union Hall in which to hold religious services. The first regular pastor was John C. Breaker, who became pastor April 10, 1882. In 1883 a lot on Nott terrace was purchased, and the present church edifice erected, at a cost of about $3, 500. Mr. Breaker remained as pastor of this church until October, 1884, when he resigned his charge. The congregation remained without a regular supply until June 17, 1885, when the present pastor, George M. Muller, accepted the pastorate. This congregation is composed of about 130 members, and is in a healthy financial condition.

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.

This congregation was organized in 1856. At this time the store a few doors from State street on Ferry street was purchased for $1,400, and is still used in which to conduct religious services. The officers of the Synagogue are president, vice-presi- dent, three trustees, treasurer and secretary. The first President was Alexander Susholz, who was succeeded by the present officer, Jonathan Susholz. The remaining officers are Jacob Henry, Vice-Pres- ident; Phieffer Levi, Treasurer; S. Susholz, Secre- tary; Henry Heilbronner, S. Sterns and L. Behr, Trustees.

This congregation consists of 38 members, and is known by the corporate name Shara Schoma- jim. The present Rabbi is Rev. Rudolph Farber.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

The first Roman Catholic congregation was or- ganized in this city in 1880 with less than 20 per- sons. At this time a small frame building near the Mohawk bridge on Washington avenue was neatly fitted up and used for church services. The congregation had no regular rector, but was occa- sionally attended by Rev. Charles Smith, of St.

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

Mary's Church, Albany. The building on Wash- ington avenue continued to be used as a church until October 13, 1839, when the present com- modious edifice on Franklin street was conse- crated. Rev. John Kelly, who succeeded Rev. Charles Smith, was the first regular rector in- stalled over this church. He was succeeded in 1838 by Rev. Patrick McCloskey. Then followed in succession Revs. Daniel Falvey, McGeough, M. E. Clark, and J. M. Scully, who was installed in 1875. In 1873 the building formerly used by the Methodist congregation on Liberty street, adjoin- ing the rear of St. John's Church, was purchased by the latter church, and has since been converted into a convent.

The present rectory on Liberty street was built in 1876.

The property of this church is centrally located, and one of the most valuable belonging to any re- ligious denomination in the city. A few years ago a tract of land containing over twenty acres, on the upper end of State street, was purchased by this church, and is now used as a cemetery. The total number of persons connected with St. John's Church will probably exceed 2, 500.

ST. JOHN'S CONVENT .- May 22, 1865, the build- ing opposite to St. John's Church, on Franklin street, was first opened as a convent, under the direct patronage of the church, and presided over by Mother Alphonsus and Sister Mary Montcar- mel, who were reinforced the following months by Sisters Ann Michael and Mary Lucy. At the convent and the small school-house adjoining the church, the children of the congregation were taught the common English branches of study by the Mother Superior and Sisters.

But the number of scholars so increased year by year, that in 1880 the old Methodist Church on Liberty street, purchased in 1873, was converted into a convent. This large edifice has been most conveniently arranged for the purpose of a school and convent, and meets the needs of this rapidly growing congregation. At the new convent more than 460 scholars are instructed in the common English branches of study. This school is supported entirely by the church, and is under the charge of Mother Superior Augustine, assisted by five Sisters.

A private school for instruction in the higher branches of study is conducted at the convent, where French, music (vocal and instrumental), drawing, painting and embroidery are taught. This department of the school is attended by both Protestants and Catholics, and is supported by tuition fees. The instruction received at the con- vent is considered as most careful, thorough and complete, and ranks high in the educational in- terests of Schenectady.

GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1870. In 1872 the present church edifice was purchased from the Congregational Church for $3, 500, since which many improvements have been made on the church property. The first pastor was G. H. Brandan.

He was followed by Michael Wolf, Emil Schneider and Henry Homrighaus. The present pastor is Louis Schultze. This congregation is composed of 95 members, and is in a prosperous and flour- ishing condition.

"THE TEMPLE GEMEINDE" CHURCH.

The German church on College street, called "The Temple Gemeinde," is a branch of the Ger- man Temple Society, organized in Germany about 1854, by Rev. Dr. C. Hoffman, which aims at the advancement of the work of Christ and final establishment of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. The only source of revelation to the members of the Society is exclusively the Bible, without ecclesiastical traditions and human doc- trines, as far as they are in contradiction to the will of God as interpreted by the members of this Society. Concerning the Temple Gemeinde, we will give an extract of its history :

The congregation was organized in May, 1854, by the Rev. W. Wolf, and incorporated according to the law of the State of New York, under the long and inconvenient name, "Third Evangelical Protestant Reformed Dutch Church." At the end of the same year the present pastor, the Rev. W. F. Schwilk, took charge of the school and congre- gation, which increased remarkably in number. In 1856 they bought the so-called old Lancaster school and converted it into a chapel. A school- room was added in the rear of the building, and afterward used as a dwelling for the sexton and his family. As the little flock steadily increased, it was found necessary to erect a larger and more com- modious house of worship-the same which stands a few rods farther from the old one, toward Green street, and which was dedicated in the presence of a highly interested assembly on September 1, 1867.

At the beginning of 1867, Mr. Schwilk started the first German newspaper in the city, Die Reichs Posaune, a religious, political and social semi- monthly, and continued it as editor and manager fully seven years, when he was obliged (on account of ill health) to suspend the paper. At the close of the year 1867 the congregation withdrew from the Classis of Schenectady, and declared itself, for various reasons, ecclesiastically free and inde- pendent of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church ; yet its officers and members retained their first legal name, and endeavored to make it a living name by being Protestants, not only hy birth, but also by conviction. Thus they made themselves worthy of a new name. In the meantime they felt the necessity of changing it more and more, and recently, at a special meeting of the pastor, elders and deacons, they resolved unanimously to drop the old name altogether and adopt a new and better one-"The Temple "- which expresses plainly and distinctly its common faith. They authorized their pastor to take all the legal steps necessary to that effect.

This name was legalized and took effect Decem- ber 25, 1884. The Temple Gemeinde is composed of 200 members, with a Sunday-school numbering

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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

80 scholars. The church property is valued at over $8,000, and is free of debt. Rev. W. F. Schwilk, who has been pastor of this church more than thirty years, is a highly educated and accom- plished gentleman, deeply interested in religious matters, and to his intelligent, conscientious work can be attributed the present prosperity of this church.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

THE LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, an organiza- tion which has accomplished great good in this community, was established about 1813.

In this society at this early date were many ladies of the first families of the city. In a book of minutes of this period appears the names of Mrs. James Duane, Mrs. Stebbins, Mrs. A. Yates, Mrs. Dr. Fonda, Mrs. Simon Groot, Mrs. Dr. Mynderse and Mrs. John Constable. In 1817 thirty-five sick and distressed women and 128 helpless children were assisted, necessitating the expenditure of more than $600.

The primary objects of the society were to afford assistance to indigent women and children, although no cases of deserving charity were ne- glected.

The officers consisted of a first and second di- rectress, treasurer, secretary, and a board of mana- gers. The contribution of a certain sum to the funds of the society constituted the person so con- tributing a member, with equal privileges in man- aging the affairs. The board of managers appoint- ed a certain number of ladies in each ward, in prescribed districts, who were expected not only to solicit funds, clothing or provisions for carrying on the work, but to make personal visits to the homes of all persons in these districts who might be in indigent circumstances, and report all cases of deserving charity to the board of managers, in which case the members of the board of managers were expected to afford relief. In many cases sick women and children were removed from their wretched homes to suitable quarters in private houses, the society paying for their board. It was this branch of the good work which ultimately grew to such proportions that the need of a build- ing especially adapted to this purpose became a necessity.

The aims and plan of work of this society have not undergone much change since it was organized, and it will not be necessary to go into much detail concerning the work accomplished.

In 1864 this society was reorganized, and many of the members of that date are still active workers in this society. Among the members might be honorably mentioned the names of Mrs. Dr. Nott and Mrs. Jonas H. Crane, two of the oldest living members, who for more than a quarter of a century have been earnest workers in the cause of this society. Among others who are equally entitled to praise, both in the past and present, are the follow- ing ladies : Mrs. Anna Myers, Mrs. Mark Scher- win, Miss Rebecca Duane, Mrs. Dr. A. M. Vedder, Mrs. James Walker, Mrs. Judge Mitchel, Mrs.

Maria Barhydt, Mrs. Charles Angle, Mrs. Theodore Brown, Mrs. Aaron Freeman, Mrs Elizabeth Wal- ters, Mrs. Elizabeth De Wigne, Mrs. John C. Ellis, Mrs. D. Cady Smith, Mrs. Richard Franchot, Mrs. Andrew McMullen.

HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS. - The present com- fortable and commodious building on Green street, known as the Home of the Friendless, was the result of the labors of the Ladies' Benevolent Society.

In 1868 the Ladies' Home of the Friendless So- ciety was organized, mainly composed of the members of the Benevolent Society. At this time, although without a dollar in the treasury, and trust- ing entirely upon the generosity of the citizens to aid them, the ladies decided to purchase the building, No. 35 Green street, now owned by the society.

But legal difficulies confronted them, from the fact that they were not a corporate body. At this opportune time Dr. A. M. Vedder, Max Schwin, T. W. McCamus, Austin M. Ketchum, David Murray, Charles H. Mathews, Samuel W. Jack- son, D. Cady Smith, Andrew Truax, Horace G. Day and Lewis C. Barhydt, under the provisions of a legislative act of 1848 relative to the incorpora- tion of charitable institutions, associated them- selves together and became a corporate body, August 4, 1868, under the corporate name of the Home of the Friendless of the City of Schenectady.

The following gentlemen were named as the first trustees: J. Trumbull Backus, Charles H. Mathews, Alexander M. Vedder, D. Cady Smith, Andrew Truax, Horace G. Day and Lewis C. Barhydt.

These trustees were given the entire charge and supervision of the funds, property and affairs of the association. They were at first divided into three classes, two who were elected for one year, two for two years and three for three years; but in 1881 the term of all the trustees was extended to three years, although the three classes remained the same, and the term of not more than three trustees expires during any one year.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 240

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452