History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 86

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932

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The first elosen officers of the church were Abraham Walton and Nathan Williams, Wardens; William Inman, Charles Walton, John Smith, Benjamin Walker, Samuel Hooker, Aylmer Johnson, James Hopper, and Edward Smith, Vestrymen. The first minister in charge was the Rev. Jonathan Judd, who officiated from 1804 to 1806 alternately here and at Paris Hill, though not continuously in either place. The first rector was the Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, who held that position from 1806 to 1818. He constructed, with his own hands, the first organ in the church having a manual or key-board. This organ did good service for many years in Christ Church, Sherburne, and can now be seen, with some enlargements and improve- ments, in the Presbyterian Church at New York Mills. Mr. Baldwin died at Auburn, in 1844.

Through the influence of Colonel Benjamin Walker, who may be regarded as the lay founder of Trinity Church, the Countess of Bath (England) was indueed, in the year 1808, to give to the church 265 aeres of land in the town of Eaton, Madison County. This gift was of no great ben- efit to the church. The income from it was small, and hard to colleet, and finally, in the year 1815, the land was sold for a sum of money barely nominal. Nearly eontempo- raneous with the donation from the Countess of Bath, was one from the corporation of Trinity Church, New York, of three lots in Reade Street and one in Clark Street, in that eity. Two of the Rcade Strcet lots, and the one in Clark Street, are still the property of the church in Utica. The income from the whole property, though comparatively small, has been of essential serviee.

In the year 1819, Mr. Baldwin was succeeded in the rectorship by the Rev. Henry M. Shaw, who remained about two years. His sueeessor, in the year 1821, was the Rev. Henry Anthon, who resigned the charge in 1829 to take the rcetorship of St. Stephen's Church, New York.

Two years afterwards he was made assistant minister of Trinity Church iu the same eity, and in 1836 was chosen

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rector of St. Mark's Church, in the Bowery. Here he remained until his death in January, 1861. It was during this last ministry of twenty-four years that his great repu- tation as one of the lights of the American Church was chiefly made.

The next reetor was the Rev. Benjamin Dorr, whose ministry extended from 1829 to 1831, when he resigned the charge.

Dr. Dorr was sueeeeded, in 1836, by the Rev. Pierre Alexis Proal, who came from St. George's Church, Schenec- tady. His pastorate was much longer than that of either of his predeecssors, terminating with his death in Septem- ber, 1857. He was suceceded by the Rev. Samuel Hanson Coxe, whose ministry extended from 1857 to November, 1877. He was followed, in February, 1878, by the Rev. Charles. II. Gardner, the present rector. The fact is note- worthy that from 1806 to 1878, a period of seventy-two years, this church had in succession but six rectors.

The dimensions of the church edifice were originally 45 by 60 feet, besides a recessed chancel and contiguous robing-rooms. From time to time alterations have been made in the arrangement of pews and alleys; but no changes have ever been made, outside or inside, to impair the iden- tity of the building. In 1833 it was lengthened twenty feet by extending its front to the sidewalk. In doing this the steeple and entire front were earefully taken down, and as carefully restored on new foundations. In 1851 exten- sive and costly repairs were made.

The structure is cherished, not only because it is a eom- fortable and pleasant house of worship, but also because it has great historic interest, and is a landmark and monu- ment of the early growth of the city.

The present organization is as follows : Wardens, Hon. Horatio Seymour, Selden Collins; Vestrymen, M. C. Comstock, J. M. Weed, C. W. Hutchinson, T. W. Seward, J. A. Shearman, W. M. Storrs, H. D. Taleott, A. L. Woodruff.

The Sabbath-sehool offieers are M. C. Comstock, Super- intendent; C. E. Chase, M.D., Secretary ; D. W. Perkins, Treasurer ; H. Roberts and Frank Harvey, Librarians.

GRACE CHURCHI (EPISCOPAL).

This congregation was originally a portion of the parish of Trinity Church, the only Episcopal Church for many years in Utica. The growing needs of the parish rendered the establishment of another field of labor necessary. The aet of incorporation of the new organization bears date May 21, 1838, and the new congregation worshiped in a room about 20 by 35 feet in the second story of No. 215 Genesee Street. On the 16th of August, 1838, the Rev. Charles H. Halsey was elected rector, but he declined, and until April, 1839, the services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Rudd, then and for twenty-one years editor of the Gospel Mes- senger, the Rev. C. M. Butler, now Professor in the Divinity School, West Philadelphia, Pa., and such other clergy as could be obtained. On the 19th of April, 1839, the Rev. Albert C. Patterson was chosen rector at a salary of $800 for the first year and $1000 for the second. Mr. Patterson entered upon his duties immediately afterwards, and was very kindly received. During the year 1839 a lot

at the corner of Broadway and Columbia Streets was leased, and on it a small frame church erected at a cost of $1600. This building was enlarged in 1841 at an expense of about $1500. The congregation continued to be prospered under their young and active reetor, and not more than three years had passed before the accessions were so numerous that the subject of a new and better church began to be agitated. On the 4th of November, 1847, at a vestry meet- ing held at the rector's house, Mr. J. II. Edmonds presented the plans of the new St. John's Church, Buffalo, and the proposed mode of securing funds for its erection, which steps were followed by the appointment of a committee of five to secure a lot and suitable drawings for a new church.

The rector at this time having resigned, Rev. Mr. Leeds was called as his successor. In the interval between the resignation of Dr. Leeds, in July, 1853, and the acceptance of the rectorship of the late Dr. J. J. Brandegee, in 1854, whose ministry extended over a period of ten years and whose memory is still revered by the whole parish, Mr. Alfred Munson, greatly interested in the erection of a new church, secured and vested in his own name the title to the lot on which the present edifice stands, and procured plans and elevations from the distinguished architect, Mr. Upjohn, of New York. The vestry determined to build on the lots purchased by Mr. Munson, and early in the spring of 1856 commeneed to take down the building standing on them, long known as the Eagle Tavern, and to excavate for the foundations.

The corner-stone was laid on Thursday, July 10, 1856. Evening prayer was said at the old church, when a proces- sion was formed, led by the Right Rev. Dr. De Lancey, and moved to the site of the new edifice, when the stone was duly placed by the bishop, with solemn ceremonies, in the presence of a large assemblage. An address was delivered by Dr. Leeds, the former beloved rector, and congratulatory remarks were made by Bishop De Lancey.

On the 17th of May, 1858, the corner-stone of the present chapel was laid by Bishop De Lancy, in the pres- ence of several visiting clergymen and an interested eongre- gation. During the two following years, 1858 and 1859, and the first part of 1860, the church was finished, with the exception of the tower and spire. The last service in the old church was on April 15, 1860, and on the Sunday after Ascension Day, May 20, 1860, the new church was for the first time opened for public worship, the Rev. Dr. Gibson, assistant minister, in the absence of the rector on account of ill health, conducting the service and preaching an ap- propriate sermon to a rejoicing and grateful congregation.

By subsequent benefactions the tower and spire were not only completed, but a chime of ten memorial bells was given to the church, and many rich and beautiful memorial windows are among the liberal donations of its members. The present rector of Grace Church is Rev. Edward M. Van Deusen, D.D. Its wardens are Ziba Lyon and Ed- ward Graham. The vestrymen are George II. Wiley, George R. Thomas, Benjamin F. Ray, E. D. Comstock, Dwight D. Winston, D. N. Crouse, L. A. Tourtellot, James F. Mann. George R. Thomas, Treasurer; Benjamin F. Ray, Secretary. There is connected with the church a large and very flourishing Sunday-school.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

CALVARY CHURCH ( EPISCOPAL).

Calvary Church was organized in January, 1850. The first services were held by Rev. Beardsley Northrop, in a school-house on West Street. A church building, capable of seating about 300 persons, was erected on South Street in 1851. It was twice enlarged to meet the wants of the growing congregation. In 1869 a new church was com- menced, and the work was completed in 1872. The con- gregation were greatly assisted in the undertaking by liberal bequests from Jason G. Coye and George J. Hopper, Esqs., recently deceased. The new edifice is one of the most beautiful and commodious in Central New York. It is situated on the corner of South Street and Howard Ave- nue, in a very pleasant and attractive part of the city. The parish is at present in a flourishing condition, having 380 communicants, a large congregation, and a Sunday-school numbering about 400 members. Its rectors have been Rev. William A. Watson, D.D., Rev. Henry A. Neeley, D.D., the present Bishop of Maine, Rev. N. Barrows, and the present incumbent, Rev. A. B. Goodrich, D.D., who was called in 1859, and has been the pastor nearly twenty years.

ST. GEORGE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.

This church is situated on State Street, near the foot of Cottage. It is of wood, and will seat 400 persons,-with chancel, tower, library, vestry-room, and organ-transept. The belfry in the tower is supplied with a bell of 1500 pounds' weight, and the organ is from the manufactory of G. N. Andrews, of Utica, and has two manuals and 26 registers. The large octagonal font of white marble is the gift of the Sunday-school, and the altar, chancel furniture, wainscoting, and pews are of choice butternut timber, the gift of Governor Seymour. The windows of the church (single-light lancets), together with the chancel window (a beautiful triplet), were all the gift of the late C. P. Davis, of Utica, stained-glass manufacturer. In the rear of the church is a wooden building, 22 by 40 feet, erected in 1873, and named the " Mission-Room," having been opened with mission services by the Rev. J. W. Bonham, Church of the Evangelist, and now used for Sunday-school, week-day ser- vices, and parochial festivals.

This parish was authorized by Bishop De Lancey and the standing committee of the diocese in January, 1862, to replace the former parish of St. Paul's, organized in 1849, and afterwards allowed to die out. At that time all existing churches of the Protestant Episcopal com- munion were on the easterly side of Genesec Street, then in population the lesser half of the city. The building com- mittee was formed Feb. 4, 1862; the corner-stone of the church was laid by the bishop May 5; the first election of wardens and vestry took place May 19; the church was fin- ished and occupied for the first service Oct. 12, 1862, and all debts werc paid off, and the church consecrated by Bishop De Lancey, June 7, 1864, 23 clergy being present and assisting.

At the same service the bishop confirmed a class of 24 persons, 12 of them heads of families.

Since that time the church has kept out of debt, and has been made a frec church, being supported by what is called

the " pledge and envelope system," as well as free-will offerings at the offertory.

The organization of the parish and the building of the edifice were under the rectorship of the Rev. Dr. W. T. Gib- son, then editor of the Gospel Messenger. He was succeeded, in 1866, by the Rev. S. F. Jarvis, of Connecticut, who was soon followed by the Rev. E. W. Hager, and the latter leaving in 1873, and receiving the appointment of chaplain in the United States Navy, the parish was resumed by the Rev. Dr. Gibson, who still retains it, his connection with the Gospel Messenger having ceased in 1872.

If the name of any one layman should be singled out as coupled with this enterprise it should be that of the late Francis Ramsdell, who not only gave most largely of his moderate means, but also devoted his time and personal labor to the work from the day of the laying of the corner- stone to its completion.

ST. LUKE'S MEMORIAL CHURCH (EPISCOPAL).

St. Luke's Memorial Church began as a mission of Grace parish in Advent, 1869, in a room fitted up for services, in St. Luke's Home for Aged Women. The services were continued there till a permanent church building became a necessity. The corner-stone of the present beautiful struc- ture was laid on the 5th of July, 1873. Services were held in the basement of the new building the following Christmas, and it was consecrated, complete in all its ap- pointments, and free from debt, St. Luke's day, Oct. 18, 1876. St. Luke's parish has gathered a congregation of devoted people, more than enough to fill the present build- ing. It is hoped soon in the future to enlarge and make room for all who may choose to come. Till the summer of 1876 the parish was served by the assistant minister of Grace Church, but since that time it has had a minister of its own, whose title is the Associate Rector of St. Luke's Memorial Church.

The present officers of the parish are as follows : Asso- ciate Rector, Bernard Schulte ; Wardens, A. S. Goodwin, Joseph L. Hobson ; Vestrymen, Henry Hopson, Horatio Seymour, Jr., Richard W. Oastler, Joseph R. Swan, Jona- than Ancock, Joshua Moore, Leonard Donsbach, Thomas B. Johnston.

The parish is carried on by the free-seat system, and is supported wholly by subscription and the offertory. Its hours of services are as follows : Sundays, Holy Commu- nion, 8.30 A.M. ; Morning Prayer and Sermon, 10.30 A.M. ; Sunday-school, 2.30 P.M. ; Bible-Class, 3 P.M .; Evening Prayer and Sermon, 7.30 P.M .; Wednesday Evening Lec- ture, 7.30 P.M.

St. Luke's Home and Hospital are charitable institutions, carried on by the church people of Utica, intended to fur- nish homes and treatment for the aged and the sick, and are managed by a board of trustees of gentlemen, and a board of 12 lady almoners for the home, and 12 or more lady managers for the hospital. The physicians of the city give their services constantly without charge.

WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized in the year 1801, and is the oldest church belonging to any denomination, of any nation

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and language, in the city, and also the oldest Welsh church now existing belonging to the denomination in the country.

Although there was preaching occasionally at Whites- town as early as 1794,-perhaps earlier,-there was no church organized as yet at Old Fort Schuyler, as this place was then called. About the years 1799, 1800, and 1801, many Welsh Baptists arrived here from the principality of Wales, and, according to the custom of the religious people of this nation, they immediately comiucneed to hold religious services in their own language, and they prospered so marvel- ously that they soon determined to form themselves into a Christian Church. On the 12th day of September, 1801, this small band of disciples met in the log house of one of their number, Brother John Williams, where they organized as a regular Baptist Church. Their number then was only twenty.

This John Williams was living about one mile out of the then village, and near the spot where the present State Lunatic Asylum stands. The country was new, the houses were few and scattered, and built in the cheapest manner that the straitened circumstances of the times demanded. The population also was sparse ; but the Welshi element was strong, and becoming stronger every year, impressing its characteristics upon and moulding the formation of the young colony.

At this point we find the church fully organized with its first officers. The names of the first deacons were Joseph Haines and David Reed. Little is known of its history during the first five years ; but in the year 1806 the young church found itself strong enough to build a house of worship. A lot was bought, upon which a house was soon erected, in which the society worshiped regularly until the year 1817,-the year the Erie Canal was begun; but as the house stood on the site of the present Hotel Street, and on the line of the canal, they were obliged to remove its location to Broadway, where it still remains.

On the 23d of September, 1819, seventeen members were dismissed from the Welsh Church to form the Broadway (English) Church, now the Tabernacle, which has become a large, influential, and wealthy congregation.

In the same year that this church was built, the first trustecs were elected, and the account reads as follows :

" This certifies that the subscribers, who were chosen as returning officers, at a meeting notified and assembled according to law, for tho purpose of establishing a religious society in the village of Utica, N. Y., do hereby certify that Abraham Williams and William Francis wero duly elected trustees of tho society, and that the said society shall be known by the name of the First Welsh Baptist Church in Utica. Witness our hands and scals, this 23d day of June, 1806.

" DANIEL JAMES, " JOHN ADAMS."

The church has enjoyed the benefit of the services of some of the most eminent ministers of the denomination, and their ministry was greatly blessed in conversion of souls ; and during powerful revivals in the city, especially the one in 1838, its membership was largely increased. At present the number is comparatively small, for the reason that the Welsh language is losing its hold upon the rising generation, and immigration from the mother-country to these parts is almost entirely suspended. Still, the society is energetic and full of faith, keeping its regular services in

the same old language, and enjoying the ministry of their pastor, Rev. J. Edred Jones, who has occupied the pulpit for a number of years.

TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCHI.

Near the close of the year 1819, on motion of John Gray, the First Baptist Church, being a Welsh church, voted their cordial approbation to those of the church de- siring to unite themselves in covenant for the purpose of forming an English church, calling it the Second Baptist Church. The brethren and sisters proposing to form a second church met together and voted unanimously to call Rev. Elijah F. Willey, of Lansingburg, N. Y., to the pas- torate. Hc commeneed his labors on the second Sunday in November, 1819. They immediately went to work to build a meeting-house. A lot was purchased on Broad Street 50 by 120 feet, and a comfortable frame house of worship was built, capable of seating about 400. Rev. Elijah F. Willey continued his services until December, 1826. To him was the church indebted for its earliest prosperity. After him eame in succession Reverends John Harrison, William Hague, D.D., Elon Galusha, Edward Kingsford, Thomas Wilkes, Daniel Eldridge, Dudley C. Haynes, and Horatio N. Loring.

In 1847 the church and society, believing that the old house was not adequate to their use, with great unanimuity and liberality entered upon the erection of a new brick house on the site of the old one. Sunday, January 23, 1848, services were held in the vestry. Professor George W. Eaton, D.D., of Madison University, preached wuorning and afternoon.

Rev. Ediuund Turney accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate, entering upon its duties July 23, 1848. He con- tinued to serve the church until June, 1850, when he re- signed. Thursday, Sept. 28, 1848, the new brick edifice, being completed, was dedicated to God. Rev. Thomas O. Lincoln, D.D., was called to the pastorate in October, 1850, and served as pastor almost eleven years. Rev. Nehemiah M. Perkins accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate, and commenced his labors Lord's-day morning, Oet. 13, 1861, and resigned his pastorate in August, 1863. He died at Monroe, Conn., Aug. 20, 1863. In June, 1864, the church and society voted to vacate their house of worship and re- move to a more central location. The United States court room, in the city hall, was seeured to worship in until a new house could be erected.

Rev. Alfred S. Patton, of Watertown, Mass., accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate, and entered upon his pas- toral duties Sunday morning, July 24, 1864. He closed his labors with the church June 30, 1872.

At a regular meeting of the church and society held Oct. 11, 1864, it was voted unanimously to assuiue the name of " Tabernacle Baptist Church."

Thursday, Aug. 3, 1865, was the day designated for the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the new church. At the appointed titue, six o'clock P.M., there was a very large concourse of people present to witness the ceremony.

The exercises were opened by the pastor, Alfred S. Pat- ton, D.D., by reading a hymn. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Campbell, of the Westminster Churel. The

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

pastor then read portions of Seripture, following the same with brief comments. Rev. Dr. Vermilye, of the Reformed Church, made a very happy address. Rev. J. H. Ken- nard, D.D., of Philadelphia, also delivered an address, which was listened to with great interest. Thursday, Sept. 13, 1866, the new stone edifiee was dedicated to God, with impressive exereises.

Rev. N. Reed Everts accepted a eall, which was unani- mous, to the pastorate, and began his labors Lord's-day morning, Feb. 2, 1873. He tendered his resignation re- eently, which was to take effeet in October of the present year.

The present officers of the church are: Deaeons, Dolphus Bennett, Ira D. Hopkins, Joshua Tavender, Clark Wood, Owen Eynon ; Clerk, I. D. Hopkins ; Treasurer, Smith Oatley ; Superintendent of the Sunday-school, George C. Horton ; Librarian, George Brand; Secretary and Trea- surer, William Paddon.

EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH.

The church on Columbia Street known as the Ebenezer Baptist was organized about the year 1835. During a pastorate that extended over a period of forty years, Elder Thomas Hill was its faithful pastor. The present, pastor in charge is Rev. Silas H. Durand, who visits the church onee in two months, the distance between Utiea and his home rendering it impossible for him to officiate oftener. The pulpit is frequently supplied during his absence, and the church is open every Sabbath. The deaeons are R. Alexander and Jacob Schaetel, and the elerk J. M. Boose. There are also six trustees connected with the ehureh or- ganization.

BLEECKER STREET BAPTIST CHURCH .*

Just at the elose of the last century, and beginning of the present, when Utiea was but a small village, a company of Christians, sustaining different eeelesiastieal relations, established religious worship. They met in the school- house of the place, located on Maine Street. But there was no regularly organized Christian church until 1801. This church was founded Sept. 12 of that year, and was eom- posed of twenty-two Welsh Baptists, who had recently emigrated from Wales. It was not only the first Baptist church, but the first church of Utiea. They met in a log house on Variek Street, near the Globe Mills. In 1806 they ereeted a chapel on Hotel Street, on ground now oeeupied by the Erie Canal. This building was subsequently re- moved, and in time gave way to a more convenient house of worship. In 1819, seventeen persons were dismissed from this church to form the Second Baptist Church of Utica, located on Broad Street. The reason assigned for this step was ignoranee of the Welsh language. In 1837, Dee. 3, the Second Church (now the Tabernaele Baptist Church of this eity) appointed a cominittee to superintend religious worship in West Utiea until the following May.

On the 21st of March, 1838, eleven persons niet in the private dwelling of Edward Bright, to effeet a permanent Baptist organization. They resolved to be known as " The Bethel Baptist Church of Utiea." The name was sug-

gested by the fact that the Presbyterian Church, who formerly oeeupied the building, were connected with the Bethel Society, and devoted more or less labor to the wel- fare of boatmen on our eanal. It was also their purpose to prosecute the same work, which they did for a number of years.

Such was the origin of the society known at present as the " Bleecker Street Baptist Church."

During the first year of their existence they entered upon the work of building a new house of worship on State Street, now occupied by our Methodist brethren. That house was dedicated Aug. 7, 1839, nearly a year and a half after the organization of the church. After wor- shiping in State Street a little over three years, the church ealled Rev. D. G. Corey, D.D., to its pastorate, who has continued his relations with them to the present time. Two pastors preceded him.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 86

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 932

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 932