Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 104

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y. > Part 104

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The first Pastor was Rev. William B. Lee; succeeded by ev. Alonzo Clark, under whose pastorate a portion of the ngregation formed a union with the Tompkins avenue resbyterian Church. The remnant continued for a time to orship in the church on Gates avenue, but finally dis- unded.

The Ross Street Presbyterian Church (Old School) was g. April 28th, 1864, in the chapel of Christ Church, Division venue, by the Presbytery of Nassau with forty-three mem- ers, of whom twenty seven were from the South Third street resbyterian Church, and the remainder from the First Re- rmed Dutch and first Presbyterian Churches. On the 15th October, 1864, the Rev. Charles S. Pomeroy was duly in- alled as Pastor. Lots were purchased for a church edifice 1 Ross street, between Lee and Bedford avenues, and also ts in the rear on Wilson street, for the erection of a chapel id Sabbath-school room. The chapel was completed and edicated Sunday, May 14, 1865. Its size is eighty-five feet y forty; substantially built of brick and brown-stone, with school-room upon the lower floor and an audience-room ove, seating, with the galleries subsequently added, about x hundred. It was furnished with a fine large organ, and I the appointments of a modern church edifice. The expense this chapel (furnished) and the ground, was about $35.000, ee from debt. On June 5, 1871, the corner-stone was laid

ROSS STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

f an elegant church edifice, upon the lots belonging to hem in Ress street, cor. of Wilson. It seats comfortably ith boxes, 800; as originally with pews, 1,000. Mr. Pomeroy ras succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Mr. McGinley, who emained two years. Rev. Archibald McCullagh became Pastor March 17th, 1878. During his pastorate the church has een greatly prospered. It has a flourishing Sunday-school of 00 scholars.

The growth of the Ross Street Church has been rapid and ealthful. Its present membership is 430. May, 1869. the Pastor and session organized a mission-school on the north ide of the city in Grand street, as a branch of the home chool, and conducted by members of the Ross Street Church. Mr. Frederick A. Thompson was the first superin- endent.

Rev. ARCHIBALD MCCULLAGH was born in Armagh, Ireland, 842; grad. Princeton Coll., 1868 ; and Princeton Theol.

Sem., 1871; was located Germantown and Phil., 1871-8; Brooklyn, 1878-183.

First Presbyterian Church of Greenpoint (E. D.), Noble, cor. of Guernsey street, org. with fourteen members at a meet- ing held in May, 1869, at Masonic Hall, under the auspices of the Presbytery of Nassau. Lots were purchased for $10,- 000, on which they proceeded to build a neat one-story frame structure, thirty-five by seventy-five feet in size, seating up- wards of four hundred and fifty persons, and costing $4,000. It was dedicated July 18th, 1869. OFFICERS: Deacon, George Brinkerlioff; Elders, J. N. Stearns, David Joline; Trustees, D. H. Furbish, Henry Dixon, David Joline, George Campbell, John N. Stearns. A thriving Sunday-school, under the super- intendence of Mr. Stearns, was a feature in connection with this enterprise.

Christie Street Presbyterian Church, organized October 22d, 1854, by eighteen members from the South Third street Presbyterian Church.

Throop Avenue Presbyterian Church .- In 1852, a mission Sabbath-school was org. in a small room, cor. Throop avenue and Bartlett street, in a sparsely settled German neighbor- hood.

In 1854, the school removed to Broadway, between Flush- ing and Yates avenues, becoming known as the Broadway Mission Sunday-school. It increased in numbers, so that preaching and other religious services were maintained. Nov. 14th, 1861, the corner-stone of the Mission build- ing on Throop avenue, bet. Hopkins and Ellery streets, was laid, whither the school removed in 1862, assuming the name Throop Avenue Mission Sunday-school. The same month measures were taken to org. a Presbyterian Church from the Mission, which was completed by the Presbytery June 8th, 1862. The membership was 27, of whom 18 came from the Sunday-school, and 17 from the South Third Presbyterian Church. Rev. John Hancock was Pastor, from 1863 to Dec., 1866; Rev. John Lowrey, from May, 1867, to April, 1873. In 1867, a new edifice was built at the cor. of Throop and Willoughby avenues, on land given by IJon. Darwin R. James. It was intended as a temporary building only, and has since been twice enlarged, at a total expense of about $26,000, and seats about 900. (See engraving on following page.)

Rev. Lewis Ray Foote was installed Pastor, Dec. 21st, 1873, and still occupies the position. The church is prosper- ous, having 737 members, and annually expends more money upon benevolent work than for its own current expenses. It has under its care in the home Sunday-school, and in the two branch schools, 2,300 children.

Rev. LEWIS R. FOOTE, born in So. New Berlin, N. Y., 1844; grad. Hamilton Coll., 1869; and Union Theol. Sem., 1872; served as private in 61st N. Y. Vols .; wounded at Fair Oaks, and honorably discharged; located B'klyn, Nov., 1873.

Classon Avenue Church .- On December 10, 1866, the ses- sion of the First Presbyterian Church on Henry st., and of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, appointed a. joint committee of two to inaugurate the movement for a new Presbyterian Church, in the section of the city now oc- cupied by the Classon Avenue Church. At the in. itation of this committee, a number of gentlemen met on December 20th, at the residence of Mr. Olin W. Walbridge, on Down- ing st., when the organization of the new church was fully resolved upon. On January 27, 1867, church services were held morning and evening, and a Sunday-school was organ- ized in the building No. 174 Gates ave. Lots on the north- easterly corner of Classon ave. and Monroe st. were pur- chased for $9,000, and a franie chapel was built, which was dedicated June 30th. Ou the 8th of July, the church was constituted by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, with 59 members.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

THROOP AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (See previous page.)

Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, D. D., was unanimously chosen the first Pastor on December 3, 1867, and he was installed on the 26th of December. Ground was broken by the Pastor for the new edifice on May 13, 1868, the corner-stone was laid December 1, 1868, and the edifice was dedicated on Sunday, January 2, 1870. Previous to the completion of the church, the chapel was enlarged to its present size. A mission Sun- day-school was established on Atlantic ave. soon after the commencement of Dr. Duryea's pastorate. In 1879, the church purchased the building formerly occupied by Dr. Nyes' Church, corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic aves., and the mission school removed to this building, which has since been known as Duryea Chapel. On April 7, 1879, the pas- toral relations of Rev. Dr. Duryea were dissolved. Rev. David R. Frazer, D. D., was installed March 4th, 1880. Dur- ing his pastorate, the remaining mortgage debt of $28,000 was paid; and a large proportion of the pews, which had been held by individuals, were surrendered to the church. Rev. Dr. Frazer's pastorate terminated January 31, 1883.

"Dr. Leander T. Chamberlain accepted the call extended to him by the Classon Avenne Presbyterian Church to become its Pastor, and was settled in October, 1883.

The church in Classon ave. has a seating capacity of 1,500. It is elegantly finished inside, and free from debt. Its mem- bership is over 700. The Home Sunday-school and the Mis- sion Sunday-school, which hold their meetings in Duryea Chapel, on Clermont ave., are in a prosperous condition, un- der the able management of their respective superintendents, Meugrs. E. B. Bartlett and E. P. Loomis. The membership of the latter school amounts to 400.

Dr. CHAMBERLAIN was born in Massachusetts about forty- five years ago. Hle received his classical training in Yale

College, where he delivered the valedictory oration. He went to Andover Theological Seminary, in Massachusetts, to prosecute his studies for the ministry. He enjoys a wide reputation for biblical scholarship and eloquence in the pulpit.

Memorial Presbyterian Church .- In the spring of 1866, a movement was set on foot by some members of the Lafay- ette Avenue Presbyterian Church, and others, resulting in the organization of a Sunday-school, which met for a time in a room on Baltic st. In the autumn following, the School took possession of a chapel which had been provided in War- ren st. (now Prospect place), near Sixth ave. Preaching ser- vices were occasionally held, the Rev. Mr. Mason, of East Tennessee, officiating for a time. February 19, 1867, a Board of Trustees was elected, and the chapel and properties were transferred to the Board, to be used for a Presbyterian Church. March 28, 1867, the Presbytery of Brooklyn (N. S.) met at the Chapel, and organized the Memorial Presbyterian Church, with 34 members, of whom the majority were from Lafayette Avenue Church. James Crnikshank, C. C. Mudge and Jacob S. Denman were elected Ruling Elders, while Ithamar DnBois and John H. Wilson constituted the first Board of Deacons.

Rev. Theodore S. Brown, of Plainfield, N. J., was installed as the first Pastor of the church April 23d, 1867; he remained for six years. During the year following Mr. Brown's resig. nation, services were maintained by supplies, the way not appearing clear for the calling of a Pastor adapted to the work. In Jume of 1874, the Rev. C. K. Jones was engagedl as stated supply for one year, but retired from the work somewhat before the expiration of that time.

On the 1st of May, 1875, the Rev. Thomas ('rowther, of Pittsfield, Mass., commenced his labors. In the spring of

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

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MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

77, he was dismissed at his own request. On the 22d of ine, 1877, a call was extended to the Rev. T. A. Nelson, the esent Pastor, who was then completing his studies in the nion Theological Seminary of New York. He began his bors on the first Sabbath of August following, and was dained and installed as Pastor on the evening of Wednes- ty, Sept. 26, 1877.

The steady growth of the congregation rendering botlı a lange of location and increase of accommodation desirable, movement was inaugurated for the purchase of an eligible te and the erection of a new edifice, which resulted in the esent property on the corner of Seventh ave. and St. John's ace. Ground was broken for the present church edifice on le morning of March 13, 1882, and the corner-stone of the ew building laid, with appropriate ceremony, on the 1st day ¿ June following. On Sabbath morning, February 18, 1883, le church was first opened for worship.

The style is the pure Gothic of the early decorated period, hich flourished in the beginning of the fourteenth century. he church is faced throughout with gray-rock Belleville one, the windows having stone tracery throughout. The uttresses are surmounted by stone pinnacles; the parapets ierced with open tracery, and the roof is of blue slate, ridged friends.

with ornamented terra cotta. The tower serves as a porch with double entrance, the other entrances being on Seventh ave. and St. John's place. The pews in the auditorium are circular in form, and the woodwork generally is of stained cherry. The dimensions of the structure are 95 by 67; the heiglit to ridge, 47 feet; and to the apex of the spire, which is of stone, 117 feet high. There are seats for about 800 peo- ple in the edifice. It is proposed in the early future to build a chapel closely adjoining, for lecture-room and Sunday- school purposes.

Rev. THOMAS A. NELSON was born in Montreal, Canada. In early life he was engaged in the mercantile business in Indianapolis. In 1866, he entered Asbury University, to prepare for the ministry. He was Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. of Toledo, 1871-'4, when he entered the Union Theol. Sem., New York, graduating in May, 1877; and the follow- ing month he accepted a call to the Memorial Presbyterian Church of this city. His pulpit discourses are noted for clearness and precision of expression; he claims no advanced ideas in religious theory, but his mind is naturally liberal and his views cheerful. His earnest, sincere and manly characteristics have won the esteem of a large circle of

1072

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Bethlehem Mission was conunenced November 1, 1868, in the livery stable of Mr. Witty, at the junction of Fulton and Flatbush aves. The mission took its name because of its or- ganization in a stable. It was org. by A. M. Earle and Rev. D. M. Heydrick, whose life has been devoted to mission labor in this city, and who has been intimately connected with the organization of many missions. After five Sundays in this place the mission was removed to Prospect Hall (now Music llall), at the junction of Flatbush and Fulton aves., and sub- sequently to a room over Nos. 635 and 637 Fulton st., where it has since been hekl.

The first superintendent was A. M. Earle, followed by Mr. Hawley. Mr. Kimball and Mr. G. A. Brett, who, with his ex- cellent wife, carried on the work there at their own expense during five years. Mr. Heydrick has been the Pastor of the mission from the first, and since 1879, both Pastor and Super- intendent.

The German Evangelical Mission Church (Presbyterian), Ilopkins st., was org. as a mission in 1868, and as a church in 1870. Its place of worship, while a mission, was the Throop Ave. Mission School building. In 1871 the present church edifice was built, on Hopkins st., near Throop ave. It is of brick, with 1,400 sittings. A parsonage adjoins the church. The cost of the church property was $62,000.

Rev. John Meury has been Pastor from the time when the church was a mission.

A parochial school is maintained in the basement of the church, where instruction is given in both German and Eng- lish. It has an average attendance of 160. Two teachers are employed.

NOBLE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Noble Street Presbyterian Church. - This church was formed by the Presbytery of Nassau, in April, 1869, and consisted of fourteen members. The first place of meeting was the Masonic Hall, corner of Manhattan and Meserole aves. A short time after, a small frame building was erected on the corner of Noble and Lorimer sts., the Presbytery giv- ing the lots for the purpose. Subsequently this was removed, and the present bri ! edifice was erected in its place. 1 large leeture-room and parsonage were added.

Rev. William Howell Taylor was installed the first Pastor in 1870, and continued to 1875, when ill health compelled him to seek a more salubrious climate, and a less arduous field of labor. Rev. John T. Lloyd was installed in 1876, and con- tinued Pastor nearly one year. Rev. C. F. Taylor, D.D., was called from Le Roy, N. Y., and installed in 1878.

The church has grown, in spite of many discouragements, till it numbers over three thousand members.

Its OFFICERS now (1884) are: Rev. C. F. Taylor, D.D., Pas- tor; David Joline, Geo. P. Wilson and John A. Jenkins, M.D., Elders; Mervin Briggs, Supt. of the large and flourish- ing Sabbath-school.

Fort Greene Presbyterian Church .- The Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church established a mission in Cumberland st., known as Calvary Chapel. The flourishing Sunday- school was the nucleus of a church which the Presbytery or- ganized in 1873, with Rev. William Guthrie Barnes the first Pastor. Lots were bought for $10,000, and a handsome brick church, about 70x120 feet, was erected, costing about $45,000. Its seating capacity is about 750.

In 1875, Dr. Adam McClelland's church, the Lawrence Street Church, corner of Tillary, was sold to the Roman Catholics, and the congregation united with the Fort Greene church under the pastoral care of Dr. McClelland, who re- signed in 1883. Dr. McClelland was, from 1855, principal of the New York Institution for the Blind. In 1858, he began: his work as Pastor-elect of the Lawrence Street Presbyterian Church, and was ordained on September 22 of the same year. He remained Pastor of the Lawrence Street Church until the time of its union with the Fort Greene Presbyterian Church. in February of 1875. He has since been in quiet possession of his pastorate. At the time of the union of the two churches his whole congregation went with him.

Greene Avenue Presbyterian Church -In 1874, A. M. Earle erected on Greene ave., between Reid and Patchen aves., an edifice, which subsequently became the house of worship of this society, which was organized May 19th, 1874, with about twenty members. It was but a temporary structure, but served their purpose until they took possession of their present church building, which is a wooden edifice, with about 500 sittings.

During a portion of the first year of its existence. the church was supplied by James S. Evans, D. D., a Synodica Missionary. The present Pastor, Rev. William J. Bridge was installed May 20th, 1875.

The First United Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. The Rev. H. II. Blair, then Pastor of the Associate Presbyterian Church, of Charles st., New York, first began missionary work, in connection with his own pastoral labors, in Wd liamsburgh, by preaching occasionally in a hall. Ile thu gathered a nucleus, from which an organization was effectuer about 1849. The first Pastor was the Rev. Wmu. Cleeland, 1 licentiate from the Irish Presbyterian Church, installed, Oct 11th, 1849, in Butterman's Hall, Williamsburgh. This |u toral relation continued till April 2211, 1854. On the 15th o May, 1854, Rev. Andrew Thomas was installed l'a tor. h soon accepted the charge of a church in Providence, R. I.

Nov. 15th, 1855, Rev. Samuel Farmer was installed Pastor John Robb and James Smith were Ruling Ellers at this time During Mr. Cleeland's pastorate, the congregation bobgot . lot, and built a small brick church on the corner of sth ame So. 1st sts .. but, under the ministry of Rev. S. Farmer, thi was sokl, and a new and much larger church edifice wa built, on corner of 8th and So, 8th sts. This, however proved almost fatal to the existence of the congregation

The financial crisis of 1857 came; the Pastor demitted hi | charge, and an effort was made to foreclose a mortgap .

1073

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

about $14,000. They exchanged their new church and grounds for a little frame church in No. 5th st., between 4th und 5th sts., with the grounds, three full lots. This was nearly ruinous to the congregation. The organization, how- ver, was not broken up, though thoroughly discouraged and lisheartened.

Rev. J. T. Wilson was installed in 1867, and worked suc- cessfully for a few years; but feeling that his church was overwhelmed with debt, and that it was badly located, he nade an effort to take the congregation out of it, and leave the property to the parties having mortgages against it. But luis effort was opposed by part of the congregation, and re- sulted in a division. Those who went out with Mr. Wilson, worshiped in a hall for some months, and Mr. Wilson soon was released. From this nucleus was afterwards formed what is now known as the 2d Reformed Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn.

Those remaining in the church were few and feeble. Three short pastorates, however, viz., that of Rev. Martin Ross, Rev. H. Brown, and Rev. R. T. Wylie, intervened between that time and May 15th, 1876, when the present Pastor, Rev. J. H. Andrew, was installed. With the aid of the Bd. of Home Missions, they were able to pay him a salary of only $1,200. In less than two years they became self-sustaining. They have now almost paid their church debt, and the con- gregation numbers about 160 members, and is increasing.

In the year 1858, a union was formed between the Associate and Associate Reformed Presbyterians. And this little con- gregation which belonged to the Associate Church, went into hat union, hence the present name United Presbyterian Church.

The present eldership of the church is as follows: John Patterson, William Ramsay, Robert Moore, John Ward, John McLean.

The Second United Presbyterian Church .- In response to the petition of sixty-five citizens of Brooklyn, desirous to be taken under its care, and supplied with preaching, the Pres- bytery of New York, of the United Presbyterian Church, in July, 1858, consented to the request, and approved of the organization of this congregation, which was effected Sept. 1st of that year. The new church immediately commenced public worship in the Brooklyn Institute, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. David J. Patterson; installed Feb. 1, 1859, and who had labored in Brooklyn during the previous ten years, in charge of another church organization.

About Nov. 8, 1863, the congregation purchased the church building previously occupied by the Reformed Presbyterians, on the corner of Atlantic ave. and Bond st., and here they have since worshiped. It is of brick, 40x70 feet in size, and accommodates about 500 persons. The principles and forms of government of this church are those formulated in the Westminster Confession of Faith, etc. Rev. Mr. Patterson continues in pastoral charge, and the church is prosperous.

The First Reformed Presbyterian Church was an off- shoot from a church of the same name in New York city. Several families in connection with that church resided in Brooklyn, and this led to the establishment here of a church, which was organized April 3, 1848.

Lots were purchased, and a house of worship was erected in Duffield st., near Myrtle ave. Here the congregation wor- shiped till 1879, when the building was sold to the Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal), for a chapel. The congrega- tion then worshiped in Granada Hall, Myrtle ave., till Oc- tober, 1881, when they purchased the chapel of the Memorial (Presbyterian) Church, in Prospect place.

The first Pastor was Rev. David J. Patterson, followed in succession by Revs. G. A. McMillan; J. Agnew Crawford,

Jan., 1861 ; Alexander Clements, Nov., 1863 ; Nevin Wood- side, installed Jan. 17, 1867; and John C. Mackey. Rev. T. J. McClelland was installed Pastor, Jan , 1884.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized June 17, 1857, and its first house of worship was at the corner of Atlantic ave. and Bond st., with Rev. J. M. Dickson as the Pastor for six years. The building is now occupied by the United Presbyterian Church. Its second house of worship was at the corner of Lafayette ave. and Ryerson st., and Rev. J. A. Boggs was Pastor for sixteen years. Dec. 7, 1881, Rev. S. J. Crowe was installed Pastor. In 1883, the congregation purchased the Willoughby ave. M. E. Church building, corner of Willoughby and Tompkins aves. Thecongregation, then 75 strong, now numbers 104 ; and has purchased the edifice in which it now worships, corner of Willoughby and Tomp- kins aves.

Rev. S. J. CROWE, born 1843, near Pittsburgh, Pa .; grad. Westminster Coll., Pa., 1866, and Ref. Pres. Theol. Sem. at Allegheny, 1871; was Pres. Geneva Coll., Pa., 1867-'71; lo- cated at Newcastle, Pa., 1872-'81; B'klyn, Dec., 1881-'4.

Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, Ninth st., Brook- lyn, E. D., between South Second and South Third sts., was org. about 1869. The people worshiped for about seven years in a Hall. Its first Pastor was Rev. Alexander Moffat, wlio, after four years, returned to Ireland. Rev. W. J. McDowell then became the Pastor, until the 23d of May, 1883, when he resigned. In 1876, a church edifice was erected, mainly through the exertions of Mr. McDowell, who was materially encouraged and assisted by the late J. B. Guthrie, Esq. The building is 35 by 60 feet in size, neat and tastefully furnished, and has a seating capacity of 250, and cost $11,000, includ- ing the ground. Beside the auditorium, is a good basement, lecture-room, and Sabbath-school. It is at present without a Pastor.

Rev. WM. J. MACDOWELL was born in Ireland, 1827 ; grad. Royal Belfast Acad. Instit., 1845, and Paisley (Scotland) Theol. Sem., 1847; located Canada, 1848; Lisbon, N. Y., 1858; So. Ryegate, Vt., 1863; B'klyn, 1873-'84; author Scripture Catechism, 1880, and Ch. Magazine Arts.

February 3d, 1869, at a meeting held in one of the rooms of the Masonic Temple, corner of Seventh and Grand streets, E. D., a new congregation was organized in connection with the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Messrs. John B. Guthrie and Thomas M. Stewart were chosen elders, and Messrs. Dunn, Black, McFadden, Hawthorne and Martin were elected trustees. This enterprise is under the supervision of the Northern Reformed Presbytery.

There are two churches in the United States called Re- formed Presbyterian. The one is known as "The General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church," to which this church belongs, and to which the First Reformed Presby- terian Church, in Prospect place, belongs. The other Re- formed Presbyterian Church is known by the designation of " The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church." The only material difference between them is, that the General Synod allows its people to vote at municipal, state, and presi- dential elections. The other organization forbids all fra- ternization with political affairs. The division took place in the year 1833. The only church of this denomination is lo- cated on the corner of Tompkins and Willoughby aves. Mr. Crowe is its present Pastor.

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 104

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360