USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
34
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
in charge until his death, November 4, 1897, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. F. Schoenfeld, the present incumbent, who was installed February 13, 1898. The church edifice is an im- posing stone structure of inviting exterior, and the interior is fitted up in excellent taste and harmony. In fact, it is consid- ered one of the most beautiful churches in the city. The altar is one of the finest examples of Gothic design. Besides a beanti- mul painting representing the Transfiguration, some of the sig- nificant embellishments of the church are the coat of arms of Luther and Melancthon and the signers of the unaltered Angs- burg Confession painted in the spandrels of the dome-like ceiling. It has a seating capacity of about one thousand per- sons. There are both English and German Sunday schools con- nected with the church, and they have an average attendance of seven hundred. The parochial school, also English and Ger- man, has an average attendance of about one hundred and eighty, E. H. Engelbrecht, principal. There is a choir composed of twenty male and twenty female voices, which is under the direc- tion of Edward Rechlin, who is also the organist, and is un- doubtedly one of the most talented musicians and organists in Greater New York.
Rev. William F. Schoenfeld was born in Niles, Cook county, Illinois, May 11, 1869. His preliminary education was acquired in Bethlehem Lutheran parochial school, Chicago, Illinois, and he then became a student at Concordia College, Fort Wayne, In- diana, from which he was graduated in 1887. He pursned his theological studies at the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and was graduated from this institution in 1890. He was ordained at Astoria, Long Island, Angust 24, 1890, and im- mediately became the first regular pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Astoria, Long Island. Here he labored faith- fully for the spiritual welfare of his parish until April 1896.
35
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
when he was called pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in New York city, where he ministered to the needs of the parish until February, 1898, when he was installed in his present charge. Since taking charge of this parish he has greatly decreased the debt of the church, and it is now in a most flourishing condition. He is greatly beloved by his congregation, and his sermons are listened to with both pleasure and profit. He is always ready to sacrifice his own interests, if necessary, to the needs of his parishioners, and there is perfect unity between them.
Since he has become pastor of this church English services have been introduced for the benefit both of the young members of the church and such as are not able to understand the Ger- man language. English services are now being regularly held every Sunday evening. Both Pastor Schoenfeld and his assist- ant, Pastor C. H. Franke, preach in both languages, German and English.
1146112
ST JAMES' EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church is located at Seventy-third street and Madison avenue, New York city, and the present incumbent is Rev. Junius B. Remensnyder, D. D., LL. D. The history of this church is that of the first English Lutheran Church in the city of New York. It was originally an outcome of the old Dutch "Swamp" Church, organized by Rev. Strebeck, July 16, 1797. A church was erected at the corner of Mott and Cross streets, and consecrated October 11, 1801. The name of the congrega- tion at that time was Zion's English Lutheran Church. About 1810 the pastor of this congregation, with a majority of the mem- bers, entered the Episcopal Church, and for eleven years serv- ices were held intermittently. These remnants of the congrega- tion were reorganized in 1821 as St. Matthew's English Ln-
36
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
theran Church, and a building was erected in Walker street, near Broadway. which was consecrated December 22, 1822. Here services were conducted until 1827, and on February 20 of that year this edifice was sold and the congregation was again re- organized, this time as St. James' Evangelical Lutheran Church, the present name. Pierre Lorillard presented an edifice on Orange street, and this was consecrated May 13, 1827. A new building was consecrated May 10, 1846, on Mulberry street, near Grand street, and on November 11, 1851, a much larger and more commodious edifice was consecrated on Fifteenth street, opposite Stuyvesant Square. This edifice was sold in 1889, and the congregation removed to the present site on the southwest corner of Madison avenue and Seventy-third street, where the present structure was consecrated October 12, 1890. The build- ing is of pinkish-gray granite with red sandstone trimmings, and was erected at a cost of two hundred thousand dollars, in- cluding the price of the land. It is one of the most imposing works of ecclesiastical architecture in the city. The interior decorations are by Tiffany. The magnificent windows represent "Christ in Glory," "The Angel and the Shepherds," "The Angel Baptismal Font", and "The Angel of the Resurrection" was recently placed on the left side of the chancel. The pulpit, lecterns, etc., are all admirable works of art. From St. James as the mother church have sprung almost all of the English Lu- theran churches of New York city. It has had in its seventy- three years of existence but seven pastors: Rev. C. F. Schaef- fer, D. D., from 1827 to 1831; Rev. W. D. Strobel, D. D., 1831 to 1841; Rev. C. Martin, D. D., 1841 to 1851; Rev. J. L. Schock, D. D., 1851 to 1864; Rev. A. C. Wedekind, D. D., 1865 to 1879; Rev. A. S. Ort, D. D., 1879 to 1880; and Rev. Junius B. Remen- snyder. appointed February 1, 1881.
Rev. Junius B. Remensnyder, D. D., LL. D., was born near
37
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Staunton, Virginia, February 24, 1843. His grandfather, Rev. G. H. Remensnyder, a graduate of the University of Goettingen, Germany, came to this country in his youth and was one of the founders of the Virginia Synod. His father, John Junius Remen- snyder, was a Lutheran minister, and was distinguished for his scholarly style as a writer.
Descended from a line of clergymen, it was but natural that Junius B. should select the clerical profession as his life work While his father was pastor in Milton, Pennsylvania, young Junius was sent to the Pennsylvania College, and during his col- legiate studies he enjoyed a reputation as an orator and a leader of the students. Having been graduated in his twentieth year, he began the study of the law. This was about at the out- break of the Civil war. Carried away by patriotic enthusiasm, he enlisted and served in the United States army one year, and was present at the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. For his daring rescue of the regimental colors at Fredericksburg he was thanked in a personal letter by the brigade commander. Upon his return home he abandoned the study of law and took up that of theology, and in 1865 was graduated from the Gettysburg Theological Seminary, Gettys- burg, Pennsylvania, and was appointed pastor at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, where he labored from 1865 to 1867, and was then appointed pastor of St. Luke's, Philadelphia, remaining there from 1867 until 1874. He was then appointed pastor of the Lutheran Church, in Savannah, Georgia, was there for six years, when he was called to St. James' Evangelical Church, his present pulpit.
He is the author of a number of pamphlets, chief among which may be mentioned the following: "Work and Personality of Luther," 1883. He is also the author of a number of volumes: "Heavenward," Philadelphia, 1874; "Doom Eternal, or The
38
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Bible and Church Doctrine of Everlasting Punishment," New York, 1880, and Philadelphia, 1886; "The Six Days of Crea- tion," an attempt to illuminate the truth of the creation story by the discoveries of science; "The Lutheran Manual," New York, 1892; "The Atonement and Modern Thought," New York, 1905. He is a frequent contributor to the papers and reviews of his own church, and also writes occasionally for other religious publications. He has decided convictions and opinions, and dis- plays great energy in advancing his theories. He is frequently heard in the field of controversy, both in the synods and also in the journals of the church. He is a conspicuous advocate of the common service, holding it to be one of the most effective levers in forwarding the progress and influence of the Lutheran church.
SECOND AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Second Avenue Baptist Church of New York city was organized by Rev. James A. Francis, April 6, 1898. He served as pastor for three years, and was then succeeded by Rev. Charles J. Keevil. The congregation was organized with forty- five members, and since that time more than five hundred have united with it, and the present (1906) membership is about three hundred and fifty. Services are conducted in a suitable and commodious edifice in Second avenue, between Tenth and Elev- enth streets, and it has a seating capacity of eight hundred in the body of the building and three hundred in the chapel. The religious work is carried on very efficiently among five nationali- ties : Hungarian, Italian, Greek, Chinese and English. There is an average of forty services each week, and it is estimated that not less than one thousand persons are reached each week through the various departments connected with the church. The officers at the present time are as follows: Rev. Arthur
39
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Howard, assistant pastor; Mrs. Mary Forsyth, church mis- sionary; Miss R. Cignarole, Italian missionary; Antonio Sava- rese, Italian missionary; Miss M. M. Mare, superintendent of children's work ; E. W. Vary, church clerk; Thomas E. Schulte, organist. The deacons are: William Horseman, William B. Hand, J. Philips, J. S. Jacobs and C. M. Reiffennacht.
Rev. Dr. Charles James Keevil, until March, 1906, pastor of the Second Avenue Baptist Church of New York city, now in charge of the First Baptist Church of Trenton, New Jersey, is a descendant of an old and well known family of England, who came originally from Keevil, England, a town which was named in their honor.
John Keevil, grandfather of Rev. Charles J. Keevil, was born in Westbury, England, and moved to Marston, where he was a farmer by occupation. He was a member of the Baptist church, in which he was an earnest worker, and was a highly esteemed citizen of the community. He married Mariah Cole- man, daughter of Farmer Coleman, of Great Cheverell.
Joseph Keevil, son of John Keevil, mentioned above, was born in Great Cheverell, England, and was a flour miller by trade. He lived first in Great Cheverell, then in various other places, and emigrated to America in 1885 with his family. He settled in Brooklyn, New York, where he died March 17, 1900, and is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Long Island. He mar- ried Mary Ann Nash, of Great Cheverell, England, daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Potter) Nash, the former a farmer. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Keevil were: 1. Thomas H., de- ceased, married Etta Terhune, also deceased, and they were the parents of three children. 2. Charles James, see forward. 3. Joseph, married Martha Ingram, of Paris, Kentucky, and has two children. 4. George, married Jennie Arnaud, daughter of John Arnaud, now deceased, who is a member of the Grand Vol. IV-3
40
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Army of the Republic, and is chaplain of the Soldiers' Home in Bath, New York. 5. Arthur W., married Alice Haslam and has two children. 6. Mary A., married Charles Sexton, and has four children.
Rev. Dr. Charles James Keevil, second son and child of Joseph and Mary Ann (Nash) Keevil, was born in Kings Mead, Wiltshire, England, March 18, 1871. His early education was acquired in schools in England, and this was supplemented upon his arrival in this country by a classical course in the Tay- Jor University, Upland, Indiana, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Master of Arts in 1895. He then pursued his theological studies at the Eastern Conference of the Primitive Methodist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, and was ordained in 1897. His first appointment was as pastor of the Primitive Methodist Church of Quiney, Massachusetts, where he remained in charge for one year. During the next three years he served in Lowell, Massachusetts, after which he returned to Brooklyn, New York, and became pastor of the Mon- roe Street Primitive Methodist Episcopal Church. Later he affiliated with the Baptist denomination and was appointed pas- for of the Baptist Church at Woodside, Long Island. He was made assistant pastor of the Second Avenue Baptist Church of New York in November, 1901, under Rev. James A. Francis, and upon the resignation of the latter, at the expiration of six months, Rev. Keevil was chosen to take his place, the date of his appointment being May, 1902. Rev. Keevil had the degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred upon him in 1903 by Gale Col- lege, Wisconsin. He removed from New York to Trenton, New Jersey, having accepted a call as pastor to the First Baptist Church of Trenton, and commenced his ministrations March 18, 1906. He was at one time a member of Court Shamrock, Order of Foresters. He is a devoted, conscientious minister, an elo-
41
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
quent, forceful preacher, and has the interests of his congre- gation at heart. He is ever ready to sacrifice his personal com- fort, if by so doing he can conduce to the welfare of the con- gregation, or be of assistance to any individual member of it. In consequence of this whole-souled devotion he is greatly be- loved by his parishioners, and his work is productive of much good.
He married Paulina M. Harrer, born in the state of New York, died June 20, 1905, daughter of John and Elizabeth Har- rer, both natives of Germany, the former a furniture manufac- turer in the city of New York. Rev. and Mrs. Keevil have had two children: Samuel, born October 3, 1899; and Laura, born May 2, 1903.
ST. LUKE'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 37 Adams street, New York city, whose pastor is Rev. Walther Eiekmann, is one of the best attended churches of its size in the city. This parish was organized June 22, 1898, by a committee of the first con- ference of the New York Ministerium, composed of Pastors Beiderheede, Behrens, G. H. Tappert and Reumann. The first regular pastor was Rev. Paul Besig, who remained in charge until November 1, 1898, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Walther Eiekmann.
For a few months after the organization of the parish, services were held in a hall on Commonwealth avenue. The cornerstone of the new building was laid December 4, 1898, and the church was dedicated December 25 of the same year. It is a frame structure of pleasing exterior, and has a seating capacity of about one hundred and fifty persons. There are about forty regular members, and the Sunday school connected with it, which was organized March 20, 1892, has an average
42
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
attendance of one hundred and twenty-five children. The asso- ciations connected with the church are: The Ladies' Aid Soci- ety, founded March 7, 1889, and the Young People's Society. A parsonage was erected in 1900.
Rev. Walther Eickmann was born in Altena, province of Westphalia, Germany, February 24, 1872. He acquired his pre- liminary and classical education in the schools of his native town, and then took up his theological studies in Brecklum, Ger- many. He came to America in 1893, and was ordained at Chi- cago, Illinois, September 17, 1893. During the next year he was the pastor of the Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church of that city, and at the same time was professor of Church History, the New Testament and Theology in the Lutheran Seminary. He became pastor of St. Paul's Church, in Laramie, Wyoming, in April, 1896, and remained in charge until June, 1898. The next few months he spent in Europe, and upon his return, in 1898, he entered upon his duties as pastor of St. Luke's Evangelical Church. Under his able and conscientious care the parish is in a most flourishing condition; the membership is increasing, and the spirit of unity seems to pervade the parish. Rev. Eick- mann is a forceful and convincing preacher, being thoroughly imbued with the truth of the principles he endeavors to impress on the minds of his parishioners. His delivery is quiet and impressive. His congregation is with him, heart and soul, and he is greatly beloved throughout the parish.
BETHANY SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This congregation was organized March 28, 1891, and for some time the services were held in a carpenter shop. Later the Calvary Baptist Church was purchased by the members under the supervision of the pastor of Immanuel Church, Rev. A. J. Anderson. Class No. 8 and other members met in this build-
43
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
ing, March 8, 1891, at the request of the presiding elder, Ben- jamin M. Adams, for the purpose of organizing a second Swe- dish Methodist Episcopal Society in Brooklyn, New York. Prayer was offered by Rev. A. J. Anderson, pastor of Imman- uel Church; Benjamin M. Adams presided and C. F. Thorn- blade was elected secretary for the evening. The society was organized with seventy-eight members in full connection, and thirty on approbation, and a resolution was passed that the name of the society be "The Swedish Bethany Methodist Epis- copal Church," and that the society be incorporated under the state law of New York. The following persons were elected trustees: Alfred Bredenberg, August Daleen, Charles G. Soder- holm, Albin Lundquist, Oscar Wigren, Charles Lagergren, John Toreen, Charles Johnson and Andrew Forsstrum. The local preacher, Alfred Briedenberg, was elected superintendent of the Sunday school; August Anderson was elected steward, and the board of trustees was appointed a committee on church music.
Rev. C. F. Thornblade was appointed pastor by conference, and preached his first sermon on September 1, 1889, while the society was still a mission. The church grew and prospered from its earliest inception until the present time, and today has two hundred and sixteen members in full connection, and twenty- two on probation. It has also a flourishing Sunday school with two hundred enrolled members. The societies are: Epworth League, with about eighty members; Dorcas Society, about forty members; Wesley Brotherhood; Young Ladies' Society; Wo- man's Missionary Society and a Sick and Benefit Society, which has done good work for many years. Rev. C. F. Thornblade was succeeded by Rev. C. A. Cederberg, who remained in charge of the church for five years, and was followed by Rev. H. W.
44
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Eklund, who ministered four years, and, April 1, 1904, was suc- ceeded by the present pastor.
Rev. Frank E. Broman was born near Woodhull, Henry county, Illinois, October 30, 1871. He is the son of Carl J. and Gustava (Peterson) Broman, both natives of Sweden, the for- mer deceased, the latter residing near Andover, Illinois. Rev. Frank E. Broman pursued his early studies in public schools, and later was a student at the Swedish Theological Seminary connected with the Northwest University, Evanston, Illinois, from which he was graduated in June, 1896. He continued his studies at the University, however, until 1897, in which year he was ordained deacon at St. John's Church, Brooklyn, New York, by Bishop John M. Walden, and, April 14, 1901, was or- dained elder at Hanson Place Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop James N. Fitzgerald. While still in deacon's orders, he was appointed to pastorates in New Haven and Ansonia, Con- necticut, where he remained one year, and was then called to the church at Hartford, Connecticut, where he bought a proper- ty, built the present church and remained four years. He spent the next two years at Arlington and Jersey City, New Jersey; at the latter place he organized the church, and from there was called to Bethany. He is very earnest and active in all he un- dertakes, is a good and forceful speaker, makes his congrega- tion feel that he is heart and soul with them, and by the excel- lent example he furnishes has done a great deal to further the interests of the church. He is very popular among all the members of the congregation, and his advice is very generally sought.
45
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
PORT AND IMMIGRANT MISSION OF THE SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This mission was started with but five members, who were gathered in from Battery Park, New York, by Rev. Charles Samnelson, the present pastor. The object of this mission is to further the spiritual and temporal welfare of the poor and unemployed immigrants who come from Sweden to' this coun- try. It is not only of service in preventing them from falling into the snares of a great and populous city, but assists them to become helpful and industrious citizens. Services are held in the mission every evening, and every Sunday at three o'clock in the afternoon, with the exception of the months of July and August. Statistics show that the work of this organization has been of vast benefit in keeping down the percentage of crime which always exists, to a greater or less extent, in a large city.
Rev. Charles Samuelson, pastor of the above mentioned mission, was born in Linkoking, Sweden, Jannary 27, 1853. His entire education was acquired in his native land. He was grad- nated from a business college in 1875, and after completing his studies to fit himself for the ministry, was a local preacher in Sweden for about two years. He emigrated to America in 1880, arriving in New York April 27 of that year, and became as- sistant pastor to Rev. A. G. Johnson, in the Eleventh Street (now Fifty-second Street) Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. He had full charge of the church for a period of six months, during which time the present property on Fifty-second street was purchased. He was appointed Swedish pastor of the Port and Immigrant Mission in 1888, and in that year organized the Battery Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, and for eight years devoted his entire time and attention to this mission. He was then transferred to Bridgeport, Connecticut, as pastor of
46
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, where he labored faithfully for three years. His next pastorate was in the Im- manuel Swedish Church, Brockton, Massachusetts, of which he took charge in 1899, and where he remained two years. He was appointed pastor of the Yonkers and Bethel Missions, in New York, in April, 1901, and worked earnestly in them until 1903, when he was re-appointed to his former position with the Port and Immigrant Mission, a position he holds at the present time. His work has been very successful in all these different fields, as he brings to bear upon it not only great energy and perseverance, but also a keen insight into and understanding of human nature and the motives which actnate humanity. His charity and kindness of heart have been the means of saving many from following the downward path.
SWEDISH ELIM METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This flourishing parish, now located in Forty-seventh street, between Third and Fourth avenues, Brooklyn, New York, was organized in 1897. Rev. H. W. Elkund organized a class of seven members in that locality, then belonging to his church, the Swedish Immanuel, Dean street, Brooklyn, and he preached the first sermon in the present church, November 12, 1893. Rev. Ben. Nelson, who was the first stationed pastor, labored very faithfully and successfully for nearly six years ; he was succeeded by Rev. C. F. Thornblade, who ministered to the needs of the congregation for five years, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Eric N. Hedeen.
The church edifice is an attractive frame structure, with a seating capacity of about two hundred. The membership roll consists of one hundred and thirty names, and the average Sunday school attendance is more than one hundred. The parish is in a very prosperous condition. Lots have been pur-
47
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
chased at the corner of Fourth avenue and Fiftieth street, and it is proposed to ereet a new church building at a very early date, as the congregation is growing in numbers very rapidly. The societies connected with the church are: Ladies' Aid So- ciety, Epworth League, Women's Foreign Mission Society.
Rev. Eric N. Hedeen was born in Karlskoga, Bergslag, Vermland, Sweden, December 4, 1876. His early education was obtained in the schools of his native land, and at the age of sixteen years he emigrated to America. Here he began his studies for the ministry, becoming a student in the Swedish Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1902. He was ordained deacon in Providence, Rhode Island, April 26, 1903, and admitted to full connection in the conference at Boston, Massachusetts, May 31, 1905. His first appointment was to the Swedish church in Bridgeport, Connectient, where he worked zealously for one and a half years. He was then transferred to Ansonia, Connecticut, for one year, and from thence to his present parish, the Swedish Elim Methodist Episcopal Church, where his ministrations are considered very favorably by those who appointed him to this charge, and where he has made himself beloved by all the mem- bers of his congregation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.