USA > New York > Queens County > Long Island City > History of Long Island City, New York. A record of its early settlement and corporate progress. Sketches of the villages that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality. Its business, finance, manufactures, and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 12
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The Rev. Mr. Clark, having been formally accepted as pastor, was installed May 28, 1847. He remained as pastor until 1852, and during his pastorate one hundred and fifty-three persons were received into the church. The Rev. Mr. Clark resigned to accept a call from the Presbyterian Church in West Twenty-third street, N. Y. City. He was succeeded in the Astoria church by the Rev. Dr. B. F. Stead, who remained pastor of the church twenty-seven years, until his death. The Rev. William Alexander Barr was the third pastor. He resigned in 1881, and was succeeded by the Rev. Clarence Geddes, who resigned in 1890 and was in turn succeeded by the Rev. Charles Park, the present pastor, in same year.
The Rev. Mr. Park is a young man and an eloquent preacher. Under his pastorate the church has assumed some of its old-time vigor and progressiveness. A parsonage was built in 1891, costing about $4000. It is a comely two-story structure standing upon two lots at the corner of Franklin street and the Boulevard. The Sabbath School has been reseated, woman's missionary society organ- ized, making annual contributions to the Boards of Home and Foreign Missions, and other auxiliary societies have been instituted to further the work of the church.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
The following have served in the eldership of this church : Albert S. Cone, Bayard Boyd, Henry Smith, Robert G. Rankin, John Owen, F. H. Wolcott, Edwin Mills, William Crouthers, C. W. Hallett William J. Coleman, John C. Mallory, James T. Souter, Walter Edwards, Marcus B. Sanford, A. W. Raymond, C. H. Burr, William Gillis, Joseph Boyce and Gerrit Smith.
The present officers of the church are: Elders, Gerrit Smith and William J. Coleman ; Deacons, Charles W. Hallett and Charles Van Allen.
Trustees: Charles W. Hallett, George A. Halsey, David Deans, Frederick T. Hallett, William Vint.
Woman's Missionary Society: Mrs. Charles W. Hallett, President; Mrs. W. H. Malcolm, Vice- President; Mrs. Frederick T. Hallett, Treasurer, and Mrs. Charles Park, Secretary.
Sewing Society: Mrs. Geo. A. Halsey, President; Mrs. George Pfinegar, Vice-President; Mrs. W. HI. Malcolm, Secretary; Mrs. Isaac B. Strang, Treasurer.
King's Daughters: Mrs. Charles Park, President; Mrs. W. II. Malcolm, Vice-President; Miss Margaret Ingram, Treasurer; Miss Helen M. White, Secretary.
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER.
Christian Endeavor: Helen M. White, President; Charles Van Allen, Vice-President; Mrs. Charles Van Allen, Corresponding Secretary ; James W. Coleman, Recording Secretary; Benjamin H. Pitcher, Treasurer.
Mr. Gerrit Smith has long served the Sabbath School as a faithful superintendent.
GRACE M. E. CHURCH, HUNTER'S POINT.
'This church has had an interesting history. Started as a Sunday School Mission in 1860 by a few devoted Christians from the First M. E. Church, of Greenpoint, it was not deemed prudent till the latter part of 1863 to organize a church society. In December of that year, a Board of Trustees, consisting of Thomas Butler, Samuel L. Bergstraser, John J. Foster, Gilman Harned, Carmen Peasell, Theodore L. Stewart, Isaac Van Riper, John Van Riper and John B. Woodruff was chosen; the name of The First M. E. Church of Hunter's Point selected, and the necessary legal action taken towards incorporation. Public services had hitherto been held in the schoolhouse. It was now decided to ercet a church edifice. The spring and summer of 1864 were war times and adversity in many forms
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was abroad, but the house was built by brave hearts and hands and dedicated September 25th of that year. In this building 34x50 feet all the services of the society and all the meetings as well were held until 1869, when a room was added at the rear of the church for social and business meetings and the use of the infant class. In 1872 the erection of a choir gallery somewhat changed the front, but two years later a radical improvement was required by a change in the street grade. The building was raised ten feet and the basement built wherein the Sabbath School has since been accommodated as well as social and business meetings. The next improvement occurred in 1883, when twenty feet of a structure were added to the rear. In 1881 the society's debt was $4600, which was paid that year. A parsonage was erected later costing $4200.
The pastoral record is as follows: Benjamin Downing, local preacher, to April, 1864; Benjamin Wilson, local preacher, to April, 1865; Joseph Henson, to April, 1867; Samuel W. King, to April, 1870, Alexander Graham, to April, 1873; Nathan Hubbell, to April, 1874; Henry C. Glover, to April, 1877; Alexander Graham, to April, 1880; E. HI. Dutcher, to April, 1881; William W. Gillies, to April, 1884; Frank G. Howell, to April, 1887; George Taylor, to April, 1892; Joseph Baird, to April, 1893; Edward Cunningham, to date.
The society has always had a prosperous Sabbath School and excellent men for Superintendents- Thomas Butler from July, 1860, to July 10, 1866; Isaac Van Riper from July 10, to December 4, 1866; John B. Woodruff from December 4, 1866, to July 1, 1887; Frank MeKinney from July, 1887, to July, 1892; Nelson Weeks, Jr., to July, 1893; Jas. N. New, to date. From September 25, 1864, there have been three thousand new scholars added to the roll of the school. The Ladies' Aid Society, instituted in 1865, the Womans' Foreign Missionary Society organized in 1881, and the Epworth League, organized 1891, have carried forward the work of the church in their respective fields of labor.
Since the organization of the church its financial records show that the total receipts from all , sources approximate $100, 000. With a view to the future erection of a new and better edifice, four lots, gox100 feet, have been purchased upon the corner of Van Alst avenne and Eleventh street.
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, ASTORIA. REV. EDMUND D. COOPER, D. D. RECTOR.
The Church of the Redeemer, Astoria, was organized on the 19th day of August, 1866.
On the 27th day of the same month the parish was regularly incorporated, and the following per- sons were duly chosen Wardens and Vestrymen :- Wardens: James Welling and William Mulligan. Vestrymen: Edward W. Hewitt, James W. Carrington, George B. Sargent, James M. Carrington, Edward M. Hartshorne, Theodore W. Hewitt, Edwin A. Montell, and George Miller. On the 20 day of September the Holy Communion was administered for the first time by the Rev. William D. Walker, now Bishop of North Dakota, seventeen persons communicating. For eighteen months the congregation worshipped in a store on Main street, afterwards known as Lange's Drug Store. On the 2d day of December, 1866, the Rev. Edmund D. Cooper, D. D., entered upon his duties as Rector of the parish. On the 27th day of June, 1867, the corner stone of the church was laid, and on Sexagesima Sunday, 1868, the first service was held in the church, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. Haight, of Trinity Church, New York.
But so great an undertaking, by a congregation so small and feeble, was not accomplished without great exertion, toilsome solicitations, and severe discouragements, and even then was left heavily burdened with debt.
On the 20th day of May, 1872, a resolution was unanimously passed by the Vestry that " Whereas the Church of the Redeemer has been wonderfully blessed in all the efforts made in its behalf, that the time seems to have arrived, when an organ chamber should be built, and an organ placed therein." The organ chamber was accordingly erected, and the years 1872-3 were also made memorable by the completion of the tower, and placing therein a chime of ten bells, through the liberality of the late Mr. Trafford. This graceful act will remain ever green in the memory of Astorians, and will go down to posterity embalmed with their blessing .- Yes,
" His memory cannot perish, It must pass to future times, And who can tell, what souls in heaven, May bless the Trafford Chimes."
In 1874 the organ chamber being completed, a fine organ was placed therein from the works of
REV. F. D. COOPER, D. D.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
the Messrs. Odell of New York. The same year witnessed the completion of the Sunday School building, which was made a Memorial to the late Mr. Robert S. Fanning.
And now the crowning triumph of the parish was reached, it was determined to pay off its indebtedness, which had proved a burden, a stumbling block, and a hindrance in the doing of many good works, which otherwise might have been accomplished. So the thirteenth anniversary of the parish was made memorable by the paying of the debt, and the consecrating of the church.
The property altogether cost over $60,000. The church is rich in memorials, the eye cannot glance in any direction but that it will fall upon some object which will bring to mind the memory of some dear one. The communicants have increased from seventeen to nearly four hundred. The Sunday School has a membership of seven hundred, and the Sunday Schoo! building has again grown too small. There is an active Church Aid Society, a Girl's Friendly Society of some forty members, a chapter of the Saint Andrew's Brotherhood, and a Company of the Knights of Temperance numbering over forty members. A fine vested choir of thirty voices, which is the admiration of the congregation, and which elicits the praise of all who hear it.
The members of the present Vestry are, Wardens: James M. Carrington, William Mulligan; Vestrymen: Steuart Montell, Charles . E. Wood, Frederick White, George N. Potter, Frederick L. Green, Desmond Nelson, Henry I. Riker and William Ilarison.
The Rector still remains faithful at his post, and there is a strong bond of union between him and his people. Many honors have been conferred upon him ; quite lately he was elected Ven. Arch- ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. deacon of Queen's County, and although he will not withdraw from the work of his church and parish, he will devote much of his unimpaired energy to the work of Missions in his Archdeaconry. In 1882 the degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by the University of the South. IIe has been the Assistant Secretary of the Diocese from its formation, and at the Convention of 1895 the following complimentary resolutions were passed :
Whereas, The Rev. Edmund Drnry Cooper, D. D., has served this Convention asits Assistant Secretary for twenty-six successive years, or from the date of our Diocesan organization, and has done so with conspicuous faithfulness and unvarying courtesy to all: Therefore
Resolved, That this Convention hereby gratefully recognizes Dr. Cooper's official and valuable services, and begs to assure him of its best wishes for his health and happiness during many years to come.
Resolved, That the unanimous expression of the gratitude and affection of the Convention towards Dr. Cooper be suitably engrossed and presented to him, duly signed by our President and Secretary. On motion these resolutions were unanimously adopted by a rising vote.
He is Chairman of the Diocesan Church Building Fund Commission, Trustee, with Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mr. William Low and Mr. Henry E. Pierrepont and others, of the Church Building Fund of the United States. Trustee of the General Theological Seminary. A member of the ecclesiastical court of the Diocese, and one of the Managers of the Church Charity Foundation of Brooklyn.
ST. JOHN'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Practically, St. Thomas' Church, of Ravenswood, was the parent of this church, through the generous instrumentality of William Nelson, Esq., deceased. The organization was effected in 1867, and subsequently the present comely little Gothic edifice was erected and consecrated to divine uses.
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
The first Pastor was the Rev. Mr. Neilson, under whom and his successors the parish matured in effieieney and influenee. Dioeesan reports from time to time have shown increase in membership and revenues. A large and interesting Sabbath Sehool has always been maintained as a branch of Christian service. The present reetor is the Rev. George West, whose activity and zeal have greatly advaneed the interests and strength of the organization in various ways.
ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1868, with the Rev. John Crimmins as Pastor. Lots had previously been purehased upon the present site and the building was erected, the first services in which were held April 11, 1869. On August 15 of the same year the church was dedicated by Bishop Loughlin, of Brooklyn. The Rev. Mr. Crimmins continued as Pastor till 1878, when he was succeeded by the Rev. John McGuire, under whom the present commodious edifice and par- oehial residence were erected. Having been destroyed by fire in one of the most disastrous conflagrations which ever visited this city (as narrated in notes at the elose of this chapter), the entire property was rebuilt and is now - one of the finest held by any ecelesias- tical organization in the eity.
ST. JOSEPH'S GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church is on Stemler street, near Grand avenue, Astoria. Its honse of worship was completed in July, 1880. The present pastor is the Rev. Cyprian Eisele.
EAST AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This flourishing church was organ- ized April 10, 1869, through the efforts of the Rev. J. G. Ladd, General Mis- sionary of the Baptist Association for Long Island. It was at first known as the Hunter's Point Baptist Church. There were nine charter members and services were held for about a year in Smithsonian Hall. A General Council of Baptist Churches having been ealled, May 25, 1869, it was officially reeog- nized by the denomination as an established eeelesiastical body of its own faith.
REV. FATHER JOHN MCGUIRE.
The first Pastor, Rev. William B. Smith, was ealled July 4, 1869, and entered npon his duties Sept. 12 following. On Oct. 5, 1869, the Rev. William B. Smith, William Cronin, Dr. Louis Graves, J. G. Evereth, and Horace Waters were elected Trustees.
The location of the church having been changed, the name of the organization, Feb. 3, 1871, beeame the East Avenue Baptist church. On the 8th of the sueeeeding month a new house of wor- ship, costing nearly $30,000, situated on the corner of East avenue and Eighth street, was dedieated by the Rev. Drs. Fulton, of Boston, and Evarts, of Chicago. To this edifice Mrs. Horaee Waters generously donated a bell and a costly baptistry. Messrs. B. Shoninger & Co. also presented the church with an organ. This church has had eight Pastors, each of whom left the gratifying fruits of
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
a faithful ministration. The Rev. W. F. Benedict, called June, 1872; Rev. W. A. Granger, September, 1874; Rev. E. H. Lovette, April, ISS5; Rev. N. B. Randall, November, 1887; Rev. J. C. Breaker. December, IS90, Rev. T. L. Giffin, December, 1891, and the Rev. Geo. M. Evans, the present incumbent.
On July 30, 1893, this church set a notable example of Christian charity and generosity, which attracted widespread comment, in opening its doors for worship to the congregation of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, whose edifice had been destroyed by fire.
The Sunday School, from the first Superintendency of Horace Waters, in 1869, to that of A. L. New, the present incumbent, and the various benevolent societies belonging to the church, have been helpful instrumentalities in promoting its work and establishing it as one of the prominent religious organizations of the city.
THIRD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DUTCH KILLS.
This church is a development of a Sabbath School which was organized November, 1871, in a small assembly room on Jackson avenue. After continued preaching services, a church organization was shortly after duly effected with the Rev. R. H. Lomas as the first pastor. His successors have been the Rev. Benjamin Simon, who served for six years previous to 1878; Rev. A. Nixon, whose pastorate covered one year; the Rev. R. H. Lomas, who, upon his return, remained two years; Rev. Alex. Graham; Rev. J. H. Kirk; Rev. Francis HI. Smith, and the Rev. E. Curtis, the present incumbent.
A small frame edifice was begun June 26, IS75, and upon completion was dedicated by Bishop E. S. Janes, March 19th of the succeeding year. A costlier structure has since been erected at the junction of Hunter avenue and Radde street, having a basement well equipped for purposes of general church work, a Sabbath School and prayer meeting annex and a seating capacity of 350 in its main auditorium. To various societies, among which may be mentioned the Epworth League, organized under the auspices of the church, have been committed the different methods of Christian activity, all contributing to the prosperity which has marked the career of the church. The Sabbath School is in a flourishing condition, has a library of 400 volumes and is under the superintendency of Harry Hazlett.
ST. RAPHAEL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BLISSVILLE. THE EAST AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was built in 1867. The first pastor was the Rev. Theodore Goetz, who organized the parish. The present pastor is the Rev. Peter Carney.
ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, DUTCH KILLS.
The original site of this church was at the corner of William and Henry streets, where a small edifice was erceted in 1870. The present building stands on the Crescent, between Wilbur and Payntar avenues. The first pastor was the Rev. M. M. Marco, whose successors have carried forward the parish work with much efficiency. The present incumbent is the Rev. Mr. MeGronan.
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, LONG ISLAND CITY.
This church was the outgrowth of several causes. With the advance of population throughout the district of Dutch Kills, the need of a local organization was felt by those whose membership was with the Reformed Church of Newtown. Already a Sabbath School had been organized in the old Larremore schoolhouse, to which reference is elsewhere made under the head of " Ilistorical Sketch
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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND CITY.
of City Schools." Upon the revocation of the privilege of holding religious services in school- houses, by the newly incorporated city, however, the barn of John W. Payntar was used for the pur- pose of Sabbath assembly. The attention of the North Classis of Long Island and of the Board of Domestie Missions of the Reformed Church having been called to the needs of this field and its promises of usefulness, the efforts of several missionairies were here expended, which resulted in the establishment of a permanent church society. Accordingly, on the 12th day of April, 1875, the First Reformed Church of Long Island City was duly organized. The committee appointed by the North Classis for that purpose consisted of the Revs. Alliger, Hulst and Perry. Addresses were made by the Revs. Shepard, of Newtown, Haines, of Astoria, and Hulst. Eleven members constituted the organi- zation, from whose number a consistory was chosen, consisting of two elders, John W. Payntar and Jabez Harris; and one deacon, Thomas Payntar. From the outstart this church and that of St. John's, at Laurel Hill, determined to unite their fields under a common pastorate, a union which was dissolved July 11, 1877, by the joint action of the consistories of the respective organizations. The first pastor was the Rev. William D. Perry, who was chosen at the time of organization and retired September, 1875. The pastorate of the Rev. George R. Garretson, his successor, extended from October, 1875, to April, 1877. On September 12, 1877, the Rev. Ernest Gutweiler was called to the pastorate of the First Reformed Church, and remained until March, 1885.
On April 17, 1885, the Rev. Alexander Shaw, of Jersey City, the present incumbent, became his successor, by the unanimous action of the church.
The church edifice and parsonage are situated upon lots 98 to 102 Academy street, Dutch Kills. This property was generously donated to the church at its organization by Abram Payntar-a gift which has realized the hopes of its donor in the good accomplished for the community.
The Sabbath School, which has always been maintained in connection with the church, had for its first Superintendent Benjamin Thomson, of Ravenswood, who officiated while services were held in the old district schoolhouse. His successors have been Thomas Payntar, Alexander Milne, John R. Manley, Joseph Boyce and Joel S. Kelsey, who is still in charge. Under the administration of the Rev. Mr. Shaw, the work of the church has been much advanced. The Ladies Missionary Society, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and a Junior Endeavor Society have been organized and are still in active and useful operation.
It is noteworthy that this church encouraged the first effort of the Bohemian Church in Long Island City by granting the use of its edifice for a Sabbath School and religious services for a period of several years previous to 1894.
FIRST GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DUTCH KILLS.
The First German Methodist Episcopal Church of Long Island City was incorporated on the 18th day of February, 1890. Fred. Willenbrock, Peter Blank, George Sutherland, Christian Romann, Gottlieb Jehle, Fred. Hildebrandt and Paul J. Schmidt being then elected as incorporating board of trustees, with Rev. N. F. Boese, chairman, for the purpose of acquiring church property.
For some years previous the young congregation had worshipped in the little Grace Chapel, corner Prospect and Jane streets, till compelled by increasing numbers-especially in the Sunday School-to seek a more commodious home.
Soon after, the congregation decided to build a church, and selected the site where the church now stands, on Academy street, near Wilbur avenue, and Mr. Fred. Willenbrock surprised the trustees with the gift of two building lots for the church as well as an option, at a low price, on two more lots for a parsonage. Other encouraging circumstances paved the way for the success of the project, and on December 7, 1890, the church was formally opened and dedicated for church purposes.
The pastors of the church have been: Rev. N. F. Boese, 1887-1892; Rev. J. Flad, 1892-1893; Rev. Gustav F. Hausser, Jr., 1893-1896; Rev. F. Glenk, 1896.
The present officers of the church are: Rev. F. Glenk, pastor; N. F. Boese, Wesley Glenk, Gottlieb Jehle and Paul J. Schmidt, local preachers; Gottlieb Jehle, Superintendent of Sunday School; Christian Romann, Chairman of Board of Trustees, and George Sutherland, Treasurer.
Since the completion and dedication of the church building, the congregation has been enabled to pay off the greatest part of the church debt and to build a handsome and commodious parsonage.
ST. MATTHEW'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, STEINWAY.
St. Matthew's Chapel, a mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church, began its work at Steinway, Long Island City, N. Y., in the year of our Lord 1892. The Rev. Dr. Weeks, now rector of St.
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Thomas' Church, Ravenswood, being its founder. In the year 1893, through the Archbishop, the Ven. Dr. Cox, Dean of the Cathedral of Garden City, appointed Mr. Kuehn as the successor. The Mission is now under the oversight of the new Archdeacon of Queens, the Ven. Dr. Cooper, also rector of the Church of the Redeemer, of Astoria, Long Island City. The Mission holds regular services-is doing prosperous work-and is looking forward unostentatiously with great courage.
REFORMED CHURCH, SUNNYSIDE.
This church was organized July 1, 1896, by a committee appointed for the purpose by the North Classis of Long Island. Besides the Revs. J. S. N. Demarest, of Queens, and Frederick Tilton, of Jamaica, who officially represented the Classis, there were present the Rev. Alexander Shaw, of Dutch Kills; Rev. Dr. Daniel Van Pelt, of Astoria, and Rev. Dr. Geyer, of New York, all of whom participated in the exercises of the day. C. Olandt and O. Johnson were chosen Elders and W. H. Elting and William Kelly, deacons. Sixteen members constituted the organization.
This church had its origin in the previous missionary labors of C. Olandt, who, in 1892 and 1893, began a movement which contemplated the establishment of a church in that field, which was practi- cally unoccupied. Having interested some friends in the work, substantial aid was procured whereby a lot costing $700 was purchased, a foundation constructed for $740, and the corner stone of a new edifice laid May 11, 1896. Funds for the new building have been partly raised.
A Ladies' Society of forty-six members, and a Sunday School of one hundred and twelve members, with ten teachers, are encouraging evidence of the growth of the work and the outlook and needs of the field. The Rev. D. P. Doyle is the pastor in charge. Preaching services are regularly held in rooms temporarily secured, and weekly meetings are well attended and not without interest.
THE REFORMED CHURCH OF STEINWAY.
This church has recently been organized under very favorable auspices. For a number of years services have been held in the community under the name of the Union Church of Steinway, the pulpit having been supplied by ministers of different denominations and theological students. As far back as 1836 a Sunday School was in existence, known as " The Bowery Sabbath School," of which the present Sunday School and church is the out- growth. That school was held in a country schoolhouse and sustained by Long Island farmers resident in the vicinity. The schoolhouse was destroyed by fire in 1879.
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