Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 94

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

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Rev. ANSON GLEASON, born in Manchester, Conn., 1797; acher to Choctaw Indians, Miss., 1823-'31; to Mohegans, 332-'48; was Dist. Sec'y Amer. Board of Com. for Foreign [issions, 1848-'51; Missionary to Seneca Indians, Western J. Y., 1851-'61; was City Missionary, Rochester, 1862; Utica, 863; Brooklyn, 1864-'83.

Rev. Franklin Noble has been associated with Father #leason in the Atlantic Ave. Mission, and served the church hat he was instrumental in forming until May 25, 1874. His uccessors have been : Revs. R. S. Underwood, from June, 874, to Nov. 28, 1875; E. P. Thwing, April, 1876, to 1880; Vm. Mackay, 1880; and, at present, Wm. H. Ingersoll.

Rev. EDWARD PAYSON THWING, M. A. (Harv.), Ph. D., orn Aug. 25, 1830, at Ware, Mass. He grad. Harvard, 1855: t Andover Theol. Sem., 1858; located Portland, Me., 1858- 32; Quincy, Mass., 1862-'7; has preached in Europe, and for everal months at Tolmer's Square Church, London; Pastor three years) of the Church of the Covenant, Brooklyn; was Prof. of Vocal Culture, Gorham Sem., Me., 1870-'4; of Sacred Rhetoric in Tabernacle Free Coll., which post he retained our years-1874-'8; lectured at Training College, Boston, two vinters, and Bethany Institute, New York; author of " Drill Book in Vocal Culture and Gesture;" "Outdoor Life in Eu- "ope;" "Bible Sketches," 1854; "Memorial of Thomas Thwing," 1867 ; "Hand-book of Illustrations;" "Facts of Tobacco;" "Persian Queen," a Hymn Book ; "Standard Hymns ;" member of N. Y. Acad. of Sciences, Victoria In- stitute, Philosophical Society of Gt. Britain; contributor to magazines and the religious press many years.

The present Pastor, Rev. WILLIAM H. INGERSOLL, was born at Rochester, 1837; grad. Columbia Coll., 1860; Att. Union Theol. Sem .; author of Art Christ, and Love and Law in Re- ligion; located in Brooklyn since 1850.

Lee Avenue Congregational Church was org. Sept. 30, 1872, by the members who had formerly composed the Lee Ave. Reformed Dutch Church, the latter transferring their realty, personal property and membership to the former. Rev. Theodore J. Holmes was installed as Pastor Sept. 30, 1872, and served two years. The vacant pulpit was then supplied by the Rev. Dr. Edward Eggleston, who had been a Methodist minister in the West, but who was then occupied with literary work. In 1874, Dr. Eggleston accepted the pastorate on condition that the church became independent. His creed was summed up in the words "Christian En- deavor." He made his church unique in its independence. The Endeavor Club and the Shooting Gallery in the Church Parlor became famous throughout the land. Dr. Eggleston's pastorate was dissolved in 1879, and after a brief term of ser- vice by Mr. Mckinley, of Minnesota, Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts accepted a call ; the independent attitude of the church was given up, and it returned to Congregationalism. Thus, in the brief space of eight years, for the third time, the relations of the church were altered. A creed was adopted, and a council was called to install the new pastor, who allied him- self with the Manhattan Congregational. Association. Liber- alisın and orthodoxy did not, however, assimilate under Mr. Crafts' pastorage, and, after many dissensions, the former withdrew and left the latter in possession.

Shortly after the withdrawal, Mr. Crafts himself resigned. On April 2, 1883, a call was extended to Rev. Henry A. Powell, of the old Bushwick Reformed Church, which was accepted, and Mr. Powell was installed April 25, 1883.

With three denominational changes in eight years, with constant dissensions and divisions in the church, it is not sur-

prising that the great work in the Sunday-school was serions- ly interfered with ; whole classes-teachers and scholars in- cluded-left, and at one time it seemed as if the whole school would be disbanded. On October 29, 1882, when all was discord and confusion, Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., was again elected to the superintendency. He has brought order out of chaos, and the prospects for the future are very flattering ; already the school numbers 1,500 scholars and 150 teachers, and is rapidly increasing. The Lee Ave. Congregational Church has good reasons for encouragement, owning a prop- erty worth $150,000, but slightly cncumbered, and its audito- rium thronged at each service.

Rev. HENRY A. POWELL was born in Chatham, N. Y., 1851; grad. 1873 from Union College, and, three years later, took a degree from the theological seminary connected with that institution. Mr. Powell has had brilliant success ; was admitted to the Bar, but he has no intention of giving up the ministry. He studied law while taking a course in English history at the New York University ; is a practical, common sense man, and a forcible speaker. While orthodox in belief, he is not bigoted.

Lewis Avenue Congregational Church .- In 1873, Messrs. John H. Burtis, Jantes Williamson, and Rev. Donald McLaren, organized a Sunday-school on the corner of Yates ave. (now Sumner) and Gates ave. Grace Chapel was erected and opened in Nov., 1874, on Lewis ave. and Monroe st .; and here, in August, 1875, Grace Presbyterian Church was org., and Rev. C. E. Lawrence became Pastor. He was followed, in 1876, by Rev. Mr. Lucas, and he, in 1877, by Rev. James Hall; during whose pastorate the church adopted the Con- gregational form of government, and assumed its present name. Revs. J. Chalmers Easton ; Mr. Boyd, and G. W. Plack, have since been Pastors.

Rev. G. W. PLACK was born in Altoona, Pa., 1856; grad. Lafayette Coll., 1879; Union Theol. Sem., 1882; settled in B'klyn May, 1882.

Nazarene Congregational Church (colored), was org. July 20th, 1873, with twenty members, mostly from the South. The first place of worship was a hall at Fulton ave. and Cum- berland st. They afterward removed to a hall, at Fulton and Clermont aves. ; then, in May, 1880, to the Athenaeum Hall, corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic aves. The American Missionary Association sent supplies to this church till 1877, when Rev. Robert F. Wheeler was called ; and has, since 1878, been commissioned by the Am. Home Miss. Society.

Tompkins Avenue Congregational Church .- The Tomp- kins Avenne Congregational Society was org., and trustecs chosen, July 6th, 1875, and the church established on the 16th of the same month by twenty members.

The Presbyterian Church edifice, corner of Tompkins ave. and McDonough street, was sold on foreclosure, July 9, 1875, and the trustees of the Tompkins Avenue Society obtained possession from the purchasers. In April, 1881, the church and society purchased this church property for $40,100, whichi was at once paid, leaving the church free from debt.

January 1st, 1876, Rev. Charles D. IIelmer became pastor; died 1879 ; followed by Rev. Samuel M. Frceland, 1879; Rev. Geo. F. Pentecost, 1880-'84. This church has dismissed nearly 100 members to other churches, and has now a mem- bership of 450. In Sept., 1881, it opened a mission in Ellery street, where services have since been regularly held.

In May, 1882, Mr. Pentecost commenced street preaching in the 21st Ward, and systematic visitation, and soon a mis- sion was established; lots were purchased on the corner of Park and Marcy Aves., and a frame church erected, seating 800, costing nearly $10,000.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Rev. GEORGE F. PENTECOST was born in Albion, Ill., Sept. 23, 1842. When he was quite young his father died, and the lad was apprenticed to a printer; he emigrated to Kan- sas, and was appointed to a position in the Governor's office; and afterwards to be Clerk of the U. S. Dis. Court, which position he filled by proxy, being under age; returning to Kentucky he was converted in 1860, and the following year entered the College of Georgetown, Ky. Soon after he cn- listed in a Kentucky cavalry regiment, as chaplain, with the rank of captain. Desirous to devote his life to the ministry, he preached in Green Castle, Evansville, Ind., Covington, Kv.

In 1867, he supplied the First Baptist Church, during the summer, and accepted a call from the Hanson Place Bap- tist Church, in Dec., 1869; three years later, he assumed charge of the Warren Avenue Church in Boston. In follow- ing years he held Bible readings and evangelistic services in many of the cities of New England.

In 1880, he was called to the Tompkins Avenue Congrega- tional Church in this city. His profound study of the bible; his elear, concise expositions of biblical truth; his vigor, earnestness and strength have made him a very successful Pastor. His Sunday afternoon services at the Academy of Music were productive of great good to the thronged an- diences.

The East Congregational Church was org. 1877, with fifty members, mostly from Puritan Church. Their first place of worship was Liberty Hall, corner of Gates and Nos- trand aves. In 1878. a church edifice, seating 400, was erected at the corner of Tompkins ave, and Kosciusko street. The first Pastor was Rev. George C. Miln; he was succeeded in 1881, by Rov. W. C. Stiles, who resigned in 1883, leaving the church at present withont a Pastor. The pulpit is sup- plied by Rev. J. Hyatt Smith.

The Scandinavian Free Mission Church, org. 1879, is a Congregational Society, and originated in a mission that had been under the charge of Rev. John P. Swanstrom during many years. Its place of worship is a chapel on Pacific st., between Iloyt and Smith sts.

Rev. Swanstrom has been the missionary in charge since the organization of the society, assisted at times by others.

The First Identity Church .- This congregation was or- ganized in November, 1880. The following preamble to the resolutions adopted by the church at its organization, cx- presses the peenliar belief of its members concerning the identity of the lost tribes of Israel and the Anglo-Saxons, which led to the establishment of the society and the adop- tion of the name :

" Whereas, We are of the firm conviction that the people now known as the Anglo-Saxons are the House of Israel ; that. as such, the prophecies and other references to the Honse of Israel, in the Old and New Testaments, refer to them."

This congregation worships in Music Hall, Flatbush ave. The Pastor is Rev. G. W. Greenwood.

Union Congregational Church, East New York, org. May 17, 1883, by some from the Brownsville Congregational Church, and others who had commenced a Presbyterian mis- sion. Thirty members entered the church by letter, and in three weeks there were eight conversions. The members of the new church unanimously called as their Pastor the Rev. Curtis Graham, and he accepted the call. He had been a successful lawyer, but, after being converted, left the bar for the pulpit. He preached in Saybrook, Conn., first in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857, he was transferred to Kansas, where he was sent to the Legislature, to represent the Free Soil clement. He had a very exciting experience, but stontly maintained his position; and, while in the Legis-

lature, had a bill passed founding the Highland University and a Methodist University iu the southern part of the State. He became a trustee of both institutions. President Lincoln subsequently appointed him a chaplain in the army. After the war, he preached in Easthampton and Narragansett, but, owing to a throat trouble, was compelled to retire for a time from the ministry.

The land has been presented to them by Mr. Gilbert S. Thatford. He has also given quite a sum of money toward the building fund.

The new church is located on Orient avc., near Liberty. It is a frame structure, one and a half stories high, very or- namental and attractive in design and finish. It is 35 feet front and 40 deep. The interior is finished in hard wood, and supplied with the most modern church furniture. It is one of the neatest churches in the town, and cost about $5,000. The OFFICERS are : Trustees, G. S. Thatford, E. ... Wooley, H. S. Stewart, J. D. Glover, Robert Dixon, John Paton, N. W. Woolsey, Edwin B. Clayton aud James McCracken; Clerk, Chas. II. Hayward; Auditor, Charles Schwicker; Treasurer, Frederick Schwicker; Deacons, John Paton, William Bishop, Ilamiltou Van Sickle, Alpheus Lewis, Charles Wanser, Abraham De Graff and E. A. Stewart.

First Congregational Church of Brownsville .- The church is located at Brownsville, a small but growing settlement in the south-western corner of the town of New Lots. It is the only church there; the next nearest church being the new one nearly two miles north-east of it. It was started in June, 1866, when meetings were held in members' houses. In 1867, the members decided to build a church. At this meeting, held at the residence of Mr. G. S. Thatford, he pre- sented them four lots on which to build. City Missionary, M. H. Mowery, who preached for them, raised $2,000 to build the church; the Congregational Union gave $500 more. With additional money, subscribed by the members, the church was built; and, when dedicated, May 31, 1869, it was free of debt. The Rev. L. S. Davison was Pastor one year : Rev. I. C. Lockwood served one year; Rev. C. H. Pannell, who followed, remained eight years ; Rev. A. II. Kirkland, who was converted in the Plymouth Bethel (became a letter- carrier, and finally a minister), followed, and preached two years ; he was succeeded by the Rev. Newman Wright ; the Rev. Curtis Graham followed. There was tronble among the members, and, although he was a good Pastor, he could not amicably heal over the difficulty. There was finally a sepa- ration. He went with the seceders, who combined with the Presbyterians, and formed a new church, which, under his care, is progressing finely. The church, after he left, in searching for a Pastor, met the Rev. F. H. Decker, who preached for them so successfully that they called him.

Union Mission Chapel .- In 1862, several persons in the Eastern District established a Sunday-school for poor chil- dren on the corner of South Eleventh and Second sts., in au nnoccupied store. The school was afterwards removed to 106 North Third st. Mr. J. T. Dill has been superintendent for twenty years. Religions services have been held, and clothing distributed to needy children. Iu May, 1853, the brick building at No. 155 North Second st. was purchased. and an extension will be built in the rear for chapel and school purposes. Trustees : Rev. J. J. White, Pres .; John M Stearns, Treus .: Rev. N. W. Wells, Dr. C'andwell, J. T Dill, G. II. Codwell, F. Roberts, E. D. Forman, G. W. Kelsey.

The Central Congregational Church, (see page 1024), by the advice of Dr. Sendder, estab. a Mission in the 25th Ward, on Ralph ave., near Fulton st., for the purpose of carrying on missionary work among the poor people in that neighbor hood, George A. Bell took charge of the Mission, and made

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ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

a grand success of the work. The parent church voted the sum of $15,000 to purchase land upon which to erect a church edifice, as well as the Sunday-school Mission. The land was secured. It is a plot 100 feet square, on the corner of Ralph ave. and Chauncey st.

The work of erecting the new building was commenced, and the new church was ready for occupancy at the close of 1883. It is a frame building of the Gothic order of archi- tecture, with all the necessary accommodations, and erected of the best material ; finished in an attractive style, and with seatings for 800 people. Those who are acquainted with the field predict that a magnificent work will be accom- plished here; and that, in the course of five years, a church will be firmly established that will be nearly equal in size to the parent church.

The New York and Brooklyn Congregational Association was the outgrowth of another organization, known as the Manhattan Congregational Association, which was formed in November. 1841, at the Study of the Broadway Tabernacle, Rev. E. W. Andrews then Pastor.

This Association continued until the Spring of 1846, when the New York and Brooklyn Association was organized at the Broadway Tabernacle, March 16, 1846. There were present at this meeting Rev. Messrs. Dirk C. Lansing, Joseph Harrison, George B. Cheever, George Turner, William W. Wallace, Richard S. Storrs, John Marsh, Isaac N. Sprague, Amzi Camp, Luke S. Stoutenburg, and Joseph P. Thomson.

No annual or semi-annual meeting has been omitted from the date of its organization until the present time. At twenty-six of the sessions of this Association, young men have been examined in their preparation and fitness for the

ministry, and recommendations have been issued to one hundred and sixty-three persons, two have been conditioned, and four rejected.

The Association has put upon its record hearty expressions of active sympathy with the many societies and causes of benevolence and Christian work; and obituary resolutions on the occasion of the death of ten of its members.

Its meetings have been interesting and profitable ; many times uniting with a conference called by the church at which they have been held; and they have ever been pro- motive of Christian fellowship among the churches and fraternal regard among its members.

The following are Congregational clergymen residing in Brooklyn :

Rev. EDWARD BEECHER, D. D., was born 1803, at East Hampton, L. I .; grad. Yale, 1822; studied theol., New Haven and Andover, Mass .; was tutor Yale, 1825-'6; Pres. Illinois Coll., 1830-'44; located Boston, 1826-'30, 1844-'55; Galesbury, Ill .. 1855-'70; author of pamphlets and books: History of Lovejoy Mob at Alton, Ill., Conflict of Ages, Papal Conspir- acy, Concord of Ages, and others; located in Brooklyn, 1870.

Rev. WILLIAMS HOWE WHITTEMORE, born in Bolton, Ct., 1800; grad. Yale Coll., 1825, and Yale Theol. Sem., 1829; lo- cated Rye, N. Y., 1829-'32; Charlton, Mass., 1833-'6; South- bury. Ct., 1836-'50: Prin. Sem. in New Haven, 3 yrs. ; Agent Nat. Freedmen's Relief Assn .; located Brooklyn, 1868.

Rev. ARCHIBALD Ross, born in Prince Edward's Island, 1857; grad. Queen's Coll., Kingston, 1874; located Wolfe Isl- and, Ont., 1872-5; Brooklyn, 1876-84; author of pamphlets and newspaper articles.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.

Sands Street Methodist Episcopal Church .- The pioneer of Methodism here was Thomas Webb, a captain in the British army, who began to preach "in his own hired house," near the barracks in New York, as early as 1766. He preached the first Methodist sermon ever heard in Brooklyn, about 1768. He was then about 44, and, because of his in- juries, was retired on full pay; but devoted himself wholly to the work of the ministry. Brooklyn at that time contained fewer people than Jamaica, and New York's population num- bered 20,000. A stormy period of twenty years followed, during which the Revolutionary war was fought. Nothing is known of Methodism in Brooklyn during this period. In 1787, another Methodist preacher appears-the Rev. Wood- man Hickson. There were only about 204 Methodists on Long Island at that time. Coming up to Sands street, in front of where the church now stands, he secured a table, mounted it and preached the second Methodist sermon in Brooklyn.

A class was soon formed, and thus, about 100 years ago, the foundation of Methodism was laid in this city. In May, 1794, the old Sands Street Church was organized at the resi- dence of Peter Cannon. The same year the first Board of Trustees was elected, viz : John Garrison, Thomas Van Pelt, Burdett Stryker, Isaac Moser, Richard Everett and Stephen Hendrickson. In September, they bought of Joshua Sands the lot on which this edifice now stands, and completed a church the following year. At that time the only other churches in Brooklyn were St. Ann's, dedicated 1787, and the old Dutch Church, dedicated, 1666. In June, the Brooklyn

Methodists, who had been under the care of the New York Methodists, became a separate society, with a pastor of their own. The congregation numbered twenty-three white people and twelve colored. Joseph Totten became their Pastor. Bishop Asbury, the only Methodist Bishop then in America, in October, occupied the pulpit. In his diary of 1796, he wrote : " I went over to Brooklyn, where we have a small so- ciety. I had a very few hearers except those who came from the city (New York). I administered the sacrament. We had some life." Under Mr. Totten's ministry of one year the membership increased from 35 to 39. He was succeeded by Mr. Phoebus who remained two years, during which time the membership increased to 81. Among the earliest Meth- odists was Hannah Stryker, wife of Burdett Stryker, one of the first trustees. She was the first one in the church who died. Half a dozen uneventful years passed, save that the congre ga- tion steadily increased. In 1804, under the pastorate of Cyrus Stebbins, the church was enlarged. At this time there be- came associated with the church a name destined to become widely known, that of Harper-Joseph Harper, grandfather of the original Harper Brothers, who came from England, in 1740. He was elected a trustee in 1800. His home literally became the home of the Sands street ministers. As he would not name a price for their board, a special committee of the church fixed it at $3.25 a week. The interests of the church were better looked after, when Joseph Harper became trustee. We find on the records the following resolutions :

" Resolved, That there shall be a new set of steps erected at the front door.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

" Resolved, That the sexton be instructed to have the church open and candles lighted at least a quarter of an hour before the meeting begins, and to see that the boys make no disturbance; also, that on dark nights when there is a public meeting to light the lamp at the church door."

Considering the fact that the sexton only received $35 a year and a grave-digger's perquisites, it was hardly to be wondered that he sometimes grew careless. The church prospered every way. The membership in 1808 was 250. Financially, they were sitnated so as to be able to tender to Joshua Sands $100 still due him on the church lot. He for- gave the debt, and they were able to put the money back in the treasury. In 1809, they raised sufficient money to build a parsonage. They wished to buy a strip of land on High street for this purpose from Mr. Sands. He surprised them by making a present of it to them. Though an Episcopalian, his name will ever be connected with the history of the church he so grandly befriended. In 1810, it was resolved to build a new church. The edifice then was 30x60, with an end gallery for colored people. It had been lengthened once, and the brethren wished to lengthen it again.

The pastor, Rev. William Thatcher, opposed this, saying he could easier raise $3,000 to build a new church than $1,400 for enlargement. His counsel prevailed, and thus came into existence the "Old White Church." Its dimensions were 42x70, with three galleries. It cost $4,200. Bishop Asbury said it was an elegant house. The church had not been generous to its pastors, and when Mr. Thatcher was going away he said : "You are in the habit of paying $350 a year to a married preacher. New York pays $500, and let me tell you, no man has paid so much to support vonr preacher this year as Wil- liam Thatcher." The brethren had evidently not intended to be parsimonious, for they voted $400 for their next preacher and made up a purse of $60 for Mr. Thatcher. In 1821, under the pastorate of Lewis Pease, the membership was nearly doubled, becoming 401. In 1829, when Noah Lerings was pastor, again there was a notable work of grace wrought. Among the converts were thirty-five sailors, who requested their grog to be stopped. In 1837, during the ministry of the Rev. W. H. Norris, many were converted, the membership reaching 667. It became necessary to erect a larger building. January, 1844, a brick church (60x80) was dedicated. It was a fine building and elegantly situated, for Sands street was then the thoroughfare upon which resided the wealthy and intellectual people of Brooklyn. Brooklyn then had a popu- lation of 60,000 and had been a chartered city for ten years.

The church continued to prosper. A new parsonage was built. Dark days were approaching; $18,000 were expended, of which $10,000 were still due. Sunday morning, August 11, 1848, four years after the dedication, the congregation assembled, not to worship, but to gaze saldy upon the ruins of their church, which had been destroyed by fire. The fire ruined seven blocks. They were disheartened, but the Pastor, Rov. N. H. Morris, said " Rebuild." Under his zealous leadership the people rallied. A builling committee was in- mechately appointed. Upon it were David Coope, Nathamel Bonnell, Jacob Brown, Warren Richmond, J. J. Studwell. The present edifice, the same size as the former, was erected. From that time, thirty-four years, the church has continually prospered. It is the mother church of Brooklyn Methodism and literal mother of several Methodist churches. In 1819. the official board assessed the colored people $10 a quarter for the support of the church. Four months after, it became apparent they would secede. In 1820, they formed a church of their own. In 1823, the York Street Church was or- ganized.

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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 94

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