Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 95

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 95

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SANDS ST. M. E. CHURCH.

In 1831, the Washington street society was organized. Each assumed a portion of the consolidated debt which was $18,500; Washington street taking $10,000; York street. $3,000; Sands street, 85,500. Hanson place Church was also born in Sands street-a committee being appointed in 1836 to see if ground suitable for a meeting-house could be obtained. Numerons other churches throughout the city owe much to Sands street. During the past twenty-five years it has con- tributed $700 to the Tract Society, 8700 to the Sunday-School Union, $300 to the Educational Society, 8700 to the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, 8400 to the Freedman's Aid So- ciety, $1,000 to the Church Extension Society, $3,000 to the Bible Society, $3,000 to worn-out preachers, $53,000 to Parent Missionary Societies-an average of $7,000 a year.

Ministry: 1795, Joseph Totten; 1796, David Buck; 1797, Jos. Totten: 1798, And. Nichols; 1799, Cyrus Stebbins; 1800-'01. David Buck; 1802, Peter Jayne; 1803, Ezekiel Canfield; 1804, Cyrus Stebbins; 1805, E. Cooper; 1806, E. Cooper, S Thomas; 1807, Elijah Woolsey, J. Wilson; 1808, Daniel Os- trander; 1809, Reuben Hubbard; 1810-11, Wm. Thatcher; 1812-'13, Lewis Pease; 1814, Sam. Merwin; 1815, Nathan Emory; 1816-17, Jas. Crawford; 1818, Wm. Rose; 1819-'20, Wm. McCaine: 1821-22, Lewis Pease; 1823-24, Wm. Ross, 1825, T. Burch; 1826. T. Burch, S. L. Stillman; 1827, S. Luckey, S. L. Stillman; 1828, S. Luckey. L. Landon: 1-29, Noah Levings; 1830, Jas. Covel, Jr .: 1831, John C. Greene; 1832-34, Thos. Birch: 1835-36-37; Barth. Creagh; 1837-'38- *39, W. H. Norris; 1839, Fitch Reed: 1840-'41. P. C. Oakley; 1842-'43, L. W. M. Vincent; 1844-'45, II. F. Pease; 1846-47, Nathan Bangs; 1848-49, W.H. Norris; 1850-51, J.W. B. Wood; 1832-'53, H. T. Fox; 1854-55, L. S. Weed; 1856-'57, Jno. Miley; 1859, J. B. Hagany; 1860-61, B. H. Nadel: 1862-13, [. S. Weed; 1864-66, Chas. Fletcher; 1867, E. G. Andrews; 1868, 1I. B. Elkins; 1868-70, Rev. Geo. De La Matyr; 1571-3, Rev. Geo. F. Kettell; 1874, Rev. F. P. Tower; 1875-7, Rev. Geo. Taylor ; 1878-'80, Rev. Lindsay Parker ; 1881-'3, Rev. J. S. Breckenridge: 1883-'4, Rev. L. R. Streeter.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church (E. D.), better known as the South Second Street Methodist Episcopal, the first ecclesiastical organization in the village of Williams- burgh, and the second in the old town of Bushwick, was formed about 1800. Its first house of worship was erected in 1808, on the old Williamsburgh and Jamaica turnpike (now North 2d, cor, 5th); was repaired in 1821, and occupied until the present building was completed.

The colored congregation, now at cor. South 3d and 11th sts., worshipped in the old building for some time, but about 1815 it was burned.

In 1837, the foundation of the present spacious brick church was laid, on South 2d st., between 5th and 6th. This church

1031

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

as org. in August, 1838; its first trustees were David Gar- et, Henry E. Bodwell, Geo. W. Pittman, John L. Gray, .mon Richardson, aud James Sparkman. The building was edicated Jan. 8th, 1840, when there were about fifty com- lunicants.

In 1842, this church first received a regular appointment ? a preacher in charge from the anuual Conference; having reviously belonged to the Williamsburgh circuit, consisting, ith it, of the Newtown, the Cross Roads and the Wallabout urches, with one minister in charge of all four churches. uch has been the rapid increase of the congregation, that 1 the Methodist churches of the Eastern District of Brook- n (with the exception of St. John's) have since been colon- :ed from it. Notwithstanding this mother church has sent ut so many successful colonies, it continues full. The build- ig was unroofed in the great storm of 1853, but was repaired nd enlarged, making it one of the largest Methodist churches 1 this part of Brooklyn.

In May, 1868, the society purchased the present parsonage djoining the church for $6,500. In 1875, the entire interior f the church was refitted; and was, in part, remodeled, ith an entire change of the front, making three en- rances instead of one; also adding a wing on the west, with fine, large infant-class room capable of seating 300 scholars. )ver this room is situated a large double parlor with folding oors. The expense of this improvement was about $12,000. n 1883, the Suuday-school room, infant-class rooni, class ooms, etc., were again refitted, newly painted, walls and eilings frescoed, floors carpeted, etc., at an expense of 31,000, making it now one of the pleasantest and most com- nodious Sabbath-school and lecture rooms in the Eastern District, with a large and prosperous school. The present church membership is about 650.

Ministry: Rev. Dr. Coville, Wm. K. Stopford, 1836-'37; Rich Seaman and James Rawson, 1838; Wmn. Thatcher and James Rawson, 1839; John LeFevre and C. Ross, 1840-'41; Henry F. Roberts, 1842-'43; Paul R. Brown, 1844-'45; John M. Pease, 1846; Edwin L. James, 1847-'48; W. F. Collins, 1849-'50; R. H. Loomis, 1851; Harvey Husted, 1852-53; J. Miley, 1853-'55; John S. Mitchell, 1856-57; M. L. Scudder, 1858-'59; Rufus C. Putney, 1860-'61; James W. Horne, 1862-63; C. B. Sing, 1864-66; Wm. H. Boole, 1867-'69; G. L. Taylor, 1870; J. A. Roche, 1871-'73; J. Pegg. Jr., 1874-76; John Parker, 2d, 1877-'79; A. J. Wyatt; 1880-'81 ; Wm. H. Boole, 1882-'83. The present Board of Trustees are: Chas. S. Potts, Peter Harkness, Benj. Potter, Nath'l Washburn, John C. Wolf, Dan'l C. Driver, Chas. W. Johnson, W. H. Bradford, Philip D. Schaefer, with Rev. W. H. Boole, President of the Joint Board of Trustees, Stewards and Leaders, and John R. Schryver, Secretary.

York Street Methodist Episcopal Church is the child of Sands Street Church, the congregation of which had so in- creased that, in 1823, during the pastorate of the eloquent William Ross, it was found necessary to erect another house of worship. This, a neat, framed building, forty-two by fifty-five feet, with a small gallery, was built by Gamaliel King and Joseph Moser, at a cost of $5,000, and was dedi- cated April 6th, 1824, by the venerable Bishop George, who was assisted in the remaining services of the day by the sainted Summerfield and Rev. John Hannah, a delegate from the British Conference; thirteen candidates for the ministry being also ordaiued by the bishop on the same occasiou.

Among the original members were: Andrew Mercein, Joshua Rogers, John Cole and Benjamin Prince. In 1828, a par- sonage was erected near the church, and the congregation

continued under the watchful eye and careful nursing of its devoted parent until it attained its twelfth year, 1835, when it was " set off " and " set up" for itself.

The church building was altered and enlarged in 1835; and, in 1851, a large and substantial brick building was erected, at a cost of $13,000. In 1853, the ground was donated by Rutson Suckley and sister, on which a lecture.room and school building were erected. The Sunday-school was org. 1832, in a room on the corner of Prospect and Charles streets. Mrs. Charles Carpenter (wife of the pastor) and Mrs. Bethnel Rogers, gathered in the children from the neighborhood. There were 70 present at the first meeting. The first superin- tendent was George Booth, popularly known as Father Booth. The female superintendent was Miss Catherine Nichols.

Ministry: 1825-'26, Stephen L. Stillman; 1827-'28, Seymour Landon; 1829-'30, James Covel; 1831-'32, Charles Carpenter; 1833-'34, John Luckey; 1835-'36, Raphael Gilbert; 1837-'38, J. L. Gilder; 1839-'40, E. G. Griswold; 1841-'42, Seymour Lan- don, second term; 1843, John Poisall; 1844-'45, Buel Goodsell; 1846-'47, Phineas Rice; 1848-'49, William C. Hoyt; 1850-'51, Joseph Law; 1852-'53, J. L. Gilder, second term; 1854-55, George Woodruff; 1856-'57, Charles Kelsey; 1858-'59, John E. Searles; 1860-'61, Elishia Sands; 1862-63, William H. Boole; 1864, Rufus Putney; 1865-66-67, Stephen Rushmore; 1868-'69, Charles Backman; 1870-'71-'72, James V. Saunders; 1873-'74, Charles W. Fordham; 1875-'76-'77, J. L. Gilder, third term; 1878-'79-'80, A .C. Stevens; 1881-'82, Duncan McGregor.

Washington Street M. E. Church (Washington street, be- tween Concord and Tillary streets) was erected in 1831, at a cost of $15,000, and was set off as a separate station in 1835. It was then on the outskirts of the city, which has since grown around it until it has become the centre of a dense population, and the parent of several of the most flourishing churches of the community.

Ministry (since it became a separate charge in 1835): Revs. Stephen Remington. 1835-'7; J. B. Stratten, Robert Seney, 1837-'8 and 1847-48; James Floy, D. D., 1841-'2; James Sewell, 1842-'43; Charles W. Carpenter, 1845-'46; Daniel Curry, D. D., 1849-'50; John Crawford, 1851-52; John Kenne- day, D. D., 1852-'54 (two terms); Robert M. Hatfield, 1854-'57; Charles Shelling. 1856-'57; Jno. Kenneday, 1858-'59; M. L. Scudder, 1860; F. S. De Hass, 1861-'62; W. F. Watkins, 1863 -'65; A. S. Huut, 1866-'68; 1869-70-71, C. E. Harris; 1872- '73-'74, John E. Searles; 1875-'76-77, Dauiel Goodsell; 1878- '79, D. O. Ferris; 1880-83, R. T. McNichol.

The church and chapel are valued at $75,000; the parsonage (No. 265 Washington street), at $10,000.

African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church (colored), iu the village of Brooklyn (Regular Line). The beginnings of this church originally located on High street near Bridge. have been noted in the history of the Sands Street Church. On the 18th of January, 1818, it was incorporated under the above title. Trustees : Peter Cruger, Israel Jemison, Cæsar Sprong, Benjamin Cruger, John E. Jackson, Min- istry, (as far as known): Rev. Stephen Dutton, in charge 1823; Samuel Todd, in charge from 1829 to 1837: Richard Williams, in 1837-38: Wm. Moore, in 1839- '40; John Spencer, 1841-'42; Edmund Cosby, in 1842-43; William Moore, in 1844-'45; Ely N. Hall; 1850-'51; Israel Paterson, 1854; William Gardner, 1855; James Campbell, 1856; James Morris Williams, 1857; Abraham Crippen, 1858; Rev. Spekes, 1859; Richard Cain, 1860; James Morris Wil- liams, 1863; D. Doyle, 1866; Nelson Turpin, 1867; William Winder, 1869: Mowbray, 1872; James Morris Williams, 1873; Theophilus Stewart, 1875; John F. Thomas, 1877; John F. Stansberry, 1880-'82.

1032

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

In 1854, the church property on High street was sold, and the present house of worship on Bridge street, between Myrtle avenue and Johnson street, was purchased from a Presby- terian society for $12,000.

DeKalb Avenue M. E. Church .- The first efforts leading to the formation of this society and to the buikling of its church were a prayer-meeting, called by Mr. J. B. Keyes, and held at the house of Mr. John Robb, in Flushing avenue, near Classon, in the fall of 1836. The first sermon was preached June 18, 1837, in the new school-house in Classon avenue, and, on the same day, the Sabbath-school was organized with eight members.

In the fall of 1840 a church was begun in Franklin avenue, below Park, and the society became a part of the Williams- burg and Bushwick circuit. In 1841, the church became a separate station, with Rev. Marvin Richardson as Pastor. He was followed by Rev. B. Story, under whose labors the so- ciety prospered very much.

In 1846, the station was called East Brooklyn, and Ezra Whitney became Pastor. The Pastors following were: David Osborne, William Gothard, Joseph Henson, S. W. King, Buel Goodsell, Julius Field and Joseph Law. Through the labors of Mr. Law and the earnest co-operation of the mem- bership, the present church was built, and dedicated in 1856. In 1864, part of the membership withdrew and formed a mis- sion in Tompkins avenue, which afterward became a pros- perous church.

Pastors since 1856: Revs. J. S. Inskip, 1857-'58; G. Dunbar, 1858-'60; A. H. Mead, 1860-62; R. C. Putney. 1862-63: G. L. Gilbert, 1864; J. W. Leek, 1865-'68; D. O. Ferrés, 1868-'71; W. H. Wardell, 1871-'73; W. P. Corbitt, 1873; S. H. Platts, 1874- '77; C. W. Millen, 1877-'80; John Parker, 1880-83; Wm. Burt, 1883-'84.

The church is now united and prosperous; membership about 600, class-meetings well attended, and Sabbath-school numbers 500.

The Johnson St. (old Centenary) M. E. Church (Johnson, cor. of Jay) originated in the dissatisfaction of a large por- tion of the Washington street congregation with the ap- pointment of a preacher to that station in 1838. In 1839, a new society was organized, and a church erected on Johnson st., cor. of Jay, 80 by 50 feet, for $8,000, which was finished and ocenpied in 1840. It received its name of The Centenary Club from the date of its commencement, that year being the centenary of Methodism. In 1868, the corporate name was changed to Johnson St. M. E. Church.

Ministry : 1840, Benjamin Griffen; 1841, Jarvis Z. Nichols; 1842-'3, James Young; 1844-'5, John MI. Pease; 1846, J. C. Green; 1847, B. Griffen ; 1818-9, J. Law; 1850-51, J. G. Smith; 1852, Geo. Brown; 1853-'4, C. II. Whitecar; 1855-'6, J. S. Inskip; 1857-'8, Heman Bangs; 1859, J. Law; 1860-'61, T. D. Stevenson; 1862-'3, Chas. E. Glover; 1864-'5-'6, William McAllister: 1867-8-9, J. E. Scarles; 1870-'1, F. W. Ware: 1872-'3-'4, Francis C. Hill; 1875-'6, James L. Hall; 1877-'8, W'm. H. Russell; 1879-'80, Geo. Lansing Taylor; 1882, Barna- bas F. Reeve.

Rev. BARNABAS F. REEVE, born at Southampton, N. Y .; grad. Concord (N. H.) Biblical Institute; Prin. Franklinville (L. I.) Academy, 1860-6; preached at Orient, L. I., 1866-'9: Clinton, C't., 1869-'71; Amityville, 1871-'4; Patchogue, 1874-'7; Brooklyn, 1877-'9; East New York, 1879-'S1; Johnson street, B'klyn, 1841-'4.

Mount Zion African Protestant Methodist Church was org. June 18, 1842, and incorporated in 1844, under William llarden, a blind colored preacher, who supplied it till his death, in 18t7. The organization then broke up, its member- ship mostly uniting with the African M. E. Ch, in High st.

The first place of worship was a rope-walk, and after that was burned they met in private houses.

Eighteenth St. (Sixth) M. E. Church .- The first M. E. services in this part of the city were held, in 1836, by local preachers in a private house; the use of an unoccupied Re- formed Church on Third ave. was offered them, and a class was formed, in which were Hamilton Reeves, David Downs, their wives, and others. After the use of the churchi was de- nied them, they met in the kitchen of a Mr. Parker, near the junction of Hamilton and Prospect aves. Here the church was organized in the fall of 1840. Rev. William McAllister organized a Sunday-school, with six scholars and one teacher. A small chapel was built on 18th st., near 3d ave., in 1-42, which was supplied by local preachers until 1845, when the Conference placed Rev. L. Saulsbury in charge. In 1550. three lots on the south-west corner of 18th st. and 5th ave. were purchased, and the little church was removed to the new site. In June, 1855, two additional lots were purchased on 18th st., and one on 5th ave. The corner-stone of the new church was laid Sept., 1855, the church dedicated April 6, 1856. In 1881, it was decided to build a new church in 18th st. The last services in the old church were held June 4, 1882. The corner-stone of the new church was laid Aug. 1, 1882. The church is a frame edifice, about 50 by $0 feet, and cost about $22,000. Ministry: L. Saulsbury, 1×45; Henry Hatfield, 1846; Eben Heberd, 1847-'8; Henry D. Latham, 1849-'50; George Taylor, 1851-'2; William B. Hoyt. 1853-'5: M. N. Olmstead, 1856-'7; Joseph Henson, 1858-'9; Sam. W. King, 1860-'1; Stephen Rushmore, 1862-'3: Albert Nash, 1864-'5; George A. Hubbell, 1866-'8; Calvin B. Ford, 1869-'71; Ichabod Simmons, 1872-'4; Rufus C. Putney, 1875 -'6; Robert W. Jones, 1877-'9; W. Warner Clark, 1880-'; Jno. Johns, 1883-'4.

The Pacific St. M. E. Church .- In Oct., 1844, a few Meth- odists of South Brooklyn purchased the church edifice for- merly occupied by the South Presbyterian Church, in Pacific, bet. Court and Clinton sts. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. George Peck, then editor of the Quarterly Re- view, Oct. 13th, and on Sunday following (20th) the church was organized, as the fifth separate Methodist station in the city, with 40 members. On the 18th of May, 1851, the con- gregation removed to its present beautiful edifice, at the cor- ner of Pacific and Clinton sts. It is of brown-stone, in the Romanesque style, and with a most attractive interior. Ministry: Revs. George Peck, D. D., Luther Peck, 1845; . A. M. Osborn, D. D., 18-16-'7; W. R. Stopford, 1848-'9; John Kenneday, D. D, 1850-'1; John Miley, D. D., 1852-'3; R. S. Foster, D. D., 1834-'5: John Kenneday, D. D., 1856-'7; W. 11. Milburn, 1858-'9-60; J. H. Perry, D. D., 1861; M. R. Vincent and F. S. De Haas, 1864-'5; Dr. Sewell, 1866-'-'8; Charles Fletcher, 1869-'70-'71; W. S. Studley, 1872-'3-'4; A. S. Hunt. 1875-'6-7; W. W. Clark, 1878; M. B. Chapman, 1879-'80; T. Stephenson, 1882-3

Carlton Avenue (Simpson) M. E. Church, cor. Willoughby and Clermont Aves. This congregation was org. as the Eighth M. E. Church, February, 1845. Though called in honor of Bishop Simpson, this Church has never relinquished its corporate name of "The Eighth M. E. Church." During the following summer a small bnikling was erected on Carlton, north from Myrtle ave. On the 2Ith of September, 1851, the corner-stone of a new church editice was laid. This building, located on Carlton ave., sonth from Myrtle, was constructed mostly of materials from the oldl York Street M. E. Church, of wood, with brick basement, 42 by 97 feet, costing about $10,000, and was then under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Nicholas White. Ministry: 1819. R. Seney; 1952 '53. S. A.

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

1033

T. PLACE

SIMPSON M. E. CHURCH.

Seaman; 1854, J. H. Perry; 1855-'56, J. W. B. Wood; 1857-58, Geo. A. Hubbell; 1859, Chas. E. Harris; 1860, C. Kelsey; 1861-62, J. A. Roche; 1863-'65, Francis C. Hill; 1866-'67-'68, G. L. Taylor; 1869, Rev. John Parker; 1870-'1-'2, Richard Meredith; 1873-4-'5, Wesley R. Davis; 1876-7-8. C. N. Sims; 1879-'80-'81, James S. Chadwick; 1882-'3, Henry Baker.

Grand Street, or Second M. E. Church ("Gothic Church"), E. D., cor. Grand and Ewen; organized Sept. 4. 1845, with ten members. First Trustees: Lemuel Richard- son, Daniel Maujer, John F. Luther, Robert G. Thursby, Isaac Henderson, Charles Maujer. The corner-stone was laid Dec. 4, 1845, and the edifice dedicated Nov. 26, 1846. Ministry: 1846-'47, W. R. Stopford; 1848, John J. Matthias; 1849, Samuel Meredith; 1850-'51, Wm. C. Hoyt; 1852-'53, John Crawford; 1854, J. W. B. Wood; 1865-'66, Seymour Landon; 1857, Abm. S. Francis; 1858-'59, Chas. T. Mallory; 1860, D. A. Goodsell; 1861-62, F. Bottome; 1865, Geo. Tay- lor: 1866-'68, J. B. Merwin; 1869-'70, George C. Dunbar; 1871-'72-'73, C. S. Wing; 1874, R. C. Putney; 1875-'76, W. J. Robinson; 1877-'78, M. L. Scudder; 1879-'80, L. P. Perry; 1881-82, J. B. Merwin.

Rev. JOHN B. MERWIN, D. D., born at Albany, 1812; grad. Augusta Coll. (Ky.), 1832; located in Brooklyn, 1866-'70, and 1881-'83.

Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, E. D., was org. in 1832, by Thomas Wilson, in his own house in 3d st., between Northı 4th and North 5th sts. From there the infant church of twelve members removed to a hired room in North 4th st., between 3d and 4th sts. There Rev. John Churchill was

employed as the first regular preacher. He also taught the first day-school for colored children in the village. The next removal was to the old Methodist Church building, on the corner of North 2d and 5th sts. The church then came under the care of the Zion Confer- ence.

In 1844, on two lots of ground in North 2d st., between Union ave. and Lorimer st., the first clinrch building owned by the congrega- tion was erected. The corner-stone was laid in 1845; the building was a plain wooden struc- ture, unpainted, and never quite finished. In 1850, the church building was removed to Devue st., and destroyed by a heavy wind before was placed on the foundation. The church was rebuilt, but was burned in 1863.

In 1865, a church building on South 3d st., corner of 11th st., was purchased for $3,000, and it was decided to build a new edifice. the corner-stone of which was laid Nov. 5, 1882; and the church was dedicated Feb. 11, 1883. The first Board of Trustees consisted of Samuel Ricks. Thomas Wilson, Samuel Wilson. Philip Groomer, Jacob Fields, Oliver Fields, and David Bush. The Pastors of the church have been: Revs. J. Churchill. T. Eato, J. Chester, B. N. C. Worrick, P. Lee, J. Spince, P. Coster, G. Tread well, J. P. Thompson, E. Matthews. J. Wells, W. Marshall. M. Manning, W. Pitts, D. Kenneday, P. Hawkins, J. C. Biddle, N. Stubbs, J. Thomas. H. M. Wilson, and the present Pastor, Rev. George E. Smith. There are 90 members of the church, and 140 scholars in the Sunday-school.

The Bethel African M. E. Church was organized about 1847. a house of worship was built, on the corner of Dean st. and Schenectady ave. It was a small wooden building, capable of seating about two hundred.

In 1868, it was demolished, and the present church build- ing erected. It is a wooden structure, with a brick base- ment, and it has about 600 sittings. Its cost was $600.

The Pastors of this churchi have been: Revs. Edward C. Africanus, J. P. Campbell. Jeremiah Thomas, William H. Ross, Geo. W. Ware, J. Morris Williams, William M. Wat- son, William Rogers, Edward Thompson, William Moore, D. Dorrell, Geo. W. Johnson, Francis Parker, - Study, Charles Green, John Frisbee. J. J. Mowbray, John Thomas, and the present Pastor, William L. Hunter.

North Fifth Street M. E. Church .- In 1847, a Sunday- school was org. in the public school. in North 2d st., with W. P. Coleman, Supt. Soon after, a church of 40 persons, chiefly from South 2d St. M. E. Church, was org. and placed under the care of Rev. S. H. Clark, of the Greenpoint Church.

In 1848, a frame tabernacle was erected in 4th st., between North 5th and North 6th sts. The present church edifice on North 5th, near 4th st., a substantial brick structure, 48 by 75 feet, seating 500 persons, with well appointed audience- room, lecture and class rooms, was erected in 1850. The first Trustees were: D. B. Betts, H. O. Anstin, H. Bodwell, R. Bonsal, W. Johnston, W. P. Coleman, J. Briggs, R. White. and J. J. Cox. The church is prosperous, free from debt, and sustains a flourishing Sunday-school. Ministry: Revs. S. Meredith, 1849-'51; E. S. Heberd, 1851-'53; C. Gorse, 1853-'55: J. Wildey, 1855-'56; C. T. Mallory, 1856-'58; M.

1034

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Staples, 1858-'60; J. D. Bouton, 1860-'62; S. W. King, 1862-'63; H. F. Pease, 1863-'64; W. F. Collins, 1864-'65: E. S. Heberd, 1865-'67; W. Platts, 1867-70; S. W. King, 1870-'72; G. Hol- lis, 1872-75; C. P. Corner, 1875-'77; W. P. Estes, 1877-'80; W. W. McGuire, 1880-'82; S. H. Smith. 1882-'84.

First M. E. Ch. of Greenpoint, Union ave., near Java st., F. D., commenced from prayer and class meetings held by three laymen. Benj. Downing, Chas. Huff, and one other. It was org. in winter of 1847-'48, by Mr. S. H. Clark, who was Pas- tor for two years; during which time the present site was purchased, a frame edifice erected, and a lecture-room in basement finished for use. Ministry : 1850, Harvey Insted; 1852, Julius Fields ; 1853-'54, Geo. llollis ; 1855-'56, William Gothard ; 1857-58, Seymour Landon ; 1858-'60, Buell Good- sell; 1861-'62, Geo. Taylor; 1863, John F. Booth ; 1865-'67, Henry Asten; 1862-'69, Jolin W. Leek; 1870-'71, R. C. Putney; 1872-73-74, W. W. Clark; 1875, G. A. Hubbell; 1876-'77-'78. J. W. Barnhart ; 1879-80, W. P. Corbit ; 1881-'82,-83, C. E. Miller ; 1871-72, C. E. Harris ; 1873-74. T. H. Burch ; 1875- '76, J. S. Breckenridge : 1877, S. H. Platt : 1878-'79-'80, W. H. Simonson: 1881-82-83, W. D. Thompson.

In 1864, the congregation had so increased that a large colony swarmed to form the church known as the Greenpoint Tabernacle; yet, in 1869, there had been in the congregation a twenty-fold increase in 20 years.

The First Place M. E. Church originated from a survey made in South Brooklyn, in 1849, by Mr. Charles Bridges, under the auspices of the Washington St. M. E. Sunday- School, for a position eligible for opening a Sunday-school. Some Baptists in that part of the city united with the move- ment for some months; and, when it was finally deemed best that it should be a Methodist school, the Baptists amicably withdrew and formed the nucleus of the present Strong Place Baptist Church.

Church services were held, and, early in 1850, a society was organized. Lots were purchased on Hicks st., corner of Summit. A church edifice was erected, but it was subse- quently sold for $7,000. Lots were purchased on the corner of Henry and Summit sts., and a church edifice, 53 by 75 feet, with a parsonage, was erected. As the lots faced First place, the church was incorporated under the name, "First Place M. E. Church. The lecture-room was dedicated Jann- ary 13, 1856, and the church, September 14 of the same year.

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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 95

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