History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 87

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

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Rev. L. O. Lovell entered upon his labors Oet. 1, 1838, and resigned Jan. 27, 1840. Rev. Edward Bright, who was licensed to preach by the church, became its pastor Jan. 3, 1840, and resigned Nov. 12, 1841.

It being deemed expedient to change the location, the present edifiee was occupied at an annual rental of $420. At the expiration of two years a subseription was raised, with a view to purchasing the building, which resulted in its transfer to the society, at a cost of $6420. The present membership is 500. Its present Deaeons are W. H. Seran- ton, William B. Walling, John Ryals, J. C. Bailey, Isaae Ryals, John Eynon; Church Clerk, John Ryals ; Treas- urer, John Roberts.

The Sunday-school numbers 250 members, the officers being : Superintendent, S. U. Cookinham ; Assistant Super- intendent, C. H. Rose; Treasurer, W. J. Fralick ; Seere- tary, Geo. J. Whiffen.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.+

In 1786 the Rev. James Carr, a Presbyterian minister from New Jersey, commeneed publie worship and preaching at Whitesboro'. In 1794 a church was organized there under the name of " The United Congregation of Whites- town." August 21 of that year the Rev. Bethuel Dodd was installed its pastor, it being stipulated that he should officiate two-thirds of the time in Whitesboro' and one- third in Utiea, each place contributing to his support in proportion to the amount of his serviees it received. After a few months the arrangement was abandoned because no place for meetings could be seeured here. In 1797 it was renewed, and Mr. Dodd regularly ministered to the people until his death, April 12, 1804. The congregation in Utiea was incorporated as a distinct society Nov. 15, 1805, and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Erastus Clark, Tal- eott Camp, Apollos Cooper, Benjamin Ballou, Jr., Benja- min Plant, John C. Hoyt, Nathaniel Butler, and Solomon P. Goodrich were chosen the first trustees. The eommuni- eants of the church were separated into the two ehurehes of Whitesboro' and Utiea, Feb. 3, 1813, 57 constituting the latter; and among them were four elders,-Stephen Potter, Ebenezer Dodd, William Williams, and Nathaniel Butler.

# Data furnished by the pastor.

+ Data furnished by the pastor.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The Rev. James Carnahan, D.D., LL.D., subsequently and until his death President of the College of New Jer- sey, Princeton, was settled over the one church, but two societies, Jan. 2, 1805, and preached alternately in both towns until Oet. 25, 1812, when infirin health obliged him to leave. Feb. 4, 1814, the Rev. Henry Dwight was ealled to the church in Utica, and about the same time Rev. John Frost was called to the church in Whitesboro'. These clergymen preached half the time in each other's pulpits until Oet. 1, 1817, when the entire failure of his voice compelled Mr. Dwight to cease publie speaking. The Rev. Samuel C. Aiken, D.D., then a licentiate, en- tered on the pastorate of the church in Utica Feb. 4, 1818, and removed to Cleveland, Ohio, May, 1835. He was succeeded, May 9, 1836, by the Rev. John W. Fowler, previously of Binghamton, who retired June 15, 1841 ; by Rev. Charles S. Porter, previously of New York, March 23, 1842, and who left Jan. 13, 1844, and recently de- ceased at South Boston ; by Rev. William H. Spencer, then a licentiate, Jan. 13, 1844, who removed to Milwau- kee Sept. 24, 1850, and afterwards accepted the secretary- ship of the Presbyterian Committee of Publication, and died pastor of the Westminster Church, Chicago; and by the Rev. Philemon HI. Fowler, D.D., previously of the Second Church, Washington, D. C., and of the First Church, Elmira, N. Y., who began his labors here Jan. 1, 1851, and was installed Feb. 10, 1851.

Rev. Samuel P. Sprecher, of the First Lutheran Church of Albany, N. Y., was called April, 1872, as co-pastor, and Feb. 4, 1874, Dr. Fowler formally dissolved his relations with the church. The present membership is 715, and the following elders and deacons are at present in office : Elders, M. H. Griffiths, Henry C. Beare, John B. Wells, Robt. S. Williams, Edwin Hunt, William S. Taylor, Fran- eis M. Burdick, Norman A. Williams, Chas. C. Kel- logg ; Deacons, Hudson Bidwell, Thomas Davies, Legrand Moore.

The Sunday-school is in a prosperous condition, its present roll numbering 425 members. The Superintendent is M. H. Griffiths ; First Assistant, Francis M. Burdick ; and the Female Superintendent, Mrs. Mary W. Bussy ; Henry G. Estes is the Librarian. The church is entirely free of debt, a late indebtedness of $4000 having been canceled during the present year. In 1807 the church completed its first house of worship, of wood, and occupied it nearly twenty years.

Subsequently the society erected on Washington Street, below Liberty, a large and beautiful edifice, which was de- stroyed by fire on the night of Jan. 12, 1851. This strue- ture was one of the most elegant in the city, and was erected at a cost of $30,000, and contained an organ valued at $4000, which was also destroyed. The same year the present edi- fice upon the northwest corner of Washington and Columbia Streets was begun, and since its completion the society have worshiped within its walls.

It was determined in the fall of 1866 by the First Presbyterian Church to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its Sunday-school. For this purpose a committee of arrangements was appointed, and a circular of invitation issued. The exereises were held at the city hall, on Sat-

urday evening, October 20, beginning at eight o'clock. Everything was planned and conducted on a scale of liber- ality befitting the dignity of the occasion. Religious ceremonies appropriate to the event were also conducted the following Sabbath.

Addresses were delivered by Judge Bacon, Robert B. Shepard, William Tracy, Hovey K. Clark, Gurdon Bur- chard, Thomas W. Seward, P. Harwood Vernon, Samuel E. Warner, John F. Seymour, Prof. Anson J. Upson, and Rev. Edward Bright.

The occasion was one of the most interesting in the history of the church.

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.

The organization of the Westminster Church, in the city of Utiea, seemed to be a necessity growing out of the some- what peculiar and disturbed condition of church relations existing at that time. The fact of its organization was due rather to the appreciation of this condition by persons re- siding abroad, than to any incipient measures to this end taken by those living in this community.

In September, 1843, Rev. Joshua H. McIlvaine, then preaching at Little Falls, N. Y., gave publie notice that he would hold Sabbath services in the then unoccupied build- ing now used as a place of worship by the Bleecker Street Baptist Church.

As soon as a congregation was gathered, a Sabbath-school was started, which in less than two months numbered two hundred and fifty children and thirty teachers, which was superintended by Rev. Mr. Mellvaine, and by whom the necessary funds were raised, mostly from the teachers, to carry it on.

The services thus begun in September, 1843, were regu- larly continued, with increasing success, until July 23, 1844, when " The Westminster Presbyterian Society of Utica" was formally organized, with sixty-one persons for its membership, and with the installation of Rev. Mr. MeIlvaine as its pastor. Soon after this the church build- ing owned by the Universalist Society, on Devereux Street, was purchased, and immediately occupied by this new ehureh and congregation. On Sept. 3, 1847, the connec- tion between pastor and people was terminated by the resignation of Rev. Mr. MeIlvaine.

The Rev. II. S. Dickson, of Philadelphia, was chosen the second pastor of this church ; entering upon his duties Aug. 1, 1848, he was installed Oct. 31, in the same year. The membership at this time was about one hundred. The period of his pastorate was an eventful one. The church building on Devereux Street was materially enlarged and improved in 1849 ; a few years later it was totally destroyed by fire, leaving his congregation withont a place for wor- ship. During the temporary occupation of the court-house for Sabbath and other services, the active business qualifi- eations of the Rev. Mr. Dickson were employed in devising and executing plans for the erection of its present beautiful church building at the head of Washington Street, which was completed and occupied carly in 1855. This was a great undertaking for this new and, as respects numbers, comparatively feeble church. But by the persistence and enthusiasm of both pastor and people, all difficulties were

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overcome, and the sum of nearly $35,000 was provided with which to purchase the site and ercet this new place of worship.

During a pastorate of about ten years of active and practical labor, in which period Dr. Dickson had endcared himself to all by his kindly social and Christian graces, he offered his resignation, which was most reluctantly accepted.

In June, 1858, the Rev. Samuel M. Campbell was elected the third pastor, and duly installed over a church having a membership of about two hundred and thirty. During his pastorate the church was welded together, and made more homogeneous.

Under this pastorate, also, Mr. Briggs W. Thomas, one of the oldest and most respected members of this church, generously provided a convenient and commodious building on Francis Street, for the Olivet Mission School.

The Rev. Dr. Fisher, President of Hamilton College, accepted the invitation of the session to supply its pulpit upon the Sabbath, and for some months regularly preached to this people.

Dr. Fisher, resigning the presidency of Hamilton College, was elected pastor on the 8th of May, 1866; the call was accepted June 11, and the installation services occurred on Nov. 15 of the same year. The sermon was preached by Dr. MeIlvaine, the first pastor, and the charge to the pastor clect was made by Rev. Dr. Fowler, of the First Presby- terian Church of Utica. The church at this time con- tained about 280 members.

Dr. Fisher's ill health suddenly terminated his labors among his people, and Rev. Thomas J. Brown, of Philadel- phia, having accepted a call, entered upon his duties on the 30th of April, 1871, and was installed, on the 11th of Oc- tober following, over a church then having about 365 members.

The present membership of Westminster Church is nearly 600, and the number of scholars upon the Sabbath-school rolls 700. The present Elders are Dr. L. B. Wells, Danicl Waterman, George E. Allen, H. H. Curtiss, Timothy Par- ker; Superintendent of the Sunday-school, H. H. Cooper ; Assistant, J. B. Sherwood.

OLIVET MISSION.

The Olivet Mission, located on Miller Street, is a growth of the Westminster Church, and is supported by that con- gregation. It has been in existence for several years, and the beneficial results of the work are so apparent as to give great encouragement to those engaged in the mission. The Sabbath-school was at first held in an old building rented for the purpose, but the increase in the size of the school rendering more commodious quarters necessary, a chapel was erected, and rented by the church for the use of the mission. Mr. George E. Allen is the superintendent of the school, and religious services are also held on Friday evening of cach weck.

BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .*

The first movement towards the organization of a Sabbath- school in East Utica was made about twenty years ago.

Near the old toll-gate stood a dilapidated school-house. Here was organized the mission Sabbath-school, with twelve teachers and fourteen scholars. Afterwards Mrs. H. C. Wood converted a small dwelling into a chapel. The school has made steady progress until this day. In 1865 a lady missionary visited and preached from house to house, and in November public service was established in the chapel, which has been continued to the present time. In 1868 the name of the Sabbath-school was changed to the Bethany Sabbath-school. In July, 1867, it was decided to employ an assistant pastor, of Westminster Church, to labor in this field. It was resolved to establish a branch of Westminster Church, and Rev. P. W. Emmons was settled as pastor. The first communion was held early in 1868, and the first baptismal service followed soon after.

Mr. Emmons' successor was Rev. C. W. Whittlesey. The congregation, constantly increasing, needed a larger church, which was erected in 1869, by Mrs. Sarah A. Gil- bert, of Utica, and her daughters, and dedicated Dec. 29, 1869. The church thus organized comprised 51 members of Westminster Church and 9 members of other evangeli- cal churches,-60 in all, -- which formed the Bethany Presbyterian Church. Rev. G. T. Le Boutillier succeeded Rev. Mr. Emmons, and he was followed by Rev. George Van Deurs. Its present pastor is Rev. James Lamb. Its present membership is 179, and the number of names upon the Sabbath-school roll 400. F. G. Wood is the Superin- tendent, S. W. Raymond his Assistant, Huson Moak, Libra- rian, and Arthur Ballou, Secretary. The Elders are F. G. Wood, David Everest, Abram Brothers, S. W. Raymond, T. M. Howard, H. W. Osburn. The Treasurer is F. G. Wood, and F. M. Howard is Clerk of the Session.

WEST UTICA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Presbyterian Church of West Utica was organized Feb. 10, 1868. It was the outgrowth of a Sabbath-school that has been maintained since Feb. 13, 1848. This school, under the labors of various members of the First Presby- terian Church, had steadily increased, outgrowing various places chosen for its sessions, until it filled a new and com- modious structure that was erected for it on Court Strect ncar Garden. This building was dedicated Dec. 15, 1867. Immediately after a congregation was gathered here that gave encouragement to form a church, and two months later, as mentioned above, the church was organized, to this end, 30 persons being dismissed from the First Presbyterian Church. Their pastor, Rev. Dr. Fowler, heartily encour- aged them in this, and rejoiced in seeing the result of an enterprise that had from the first been largely due to his influence and guidance. Rev. J. W. Whitefield, before act- ing as a missionary in connection with the school, now be- came pastor of the church, and continued in this work until April, 1874. He was succeeded by Rev. A. F. Lyle, who remained until October, 1876. The present pastor, Rev. D. W. Bigelow, was installed April 17, 1878, having then acted as pastor for a year. The church has had 252 names upon the roll. Its present membership is 150. It has for some years been self-sustaining. It has always maintained the free-scat system, and met its expenses by subscription and contributions. The present elders are Nathaniel Estes,

# Data obtained from the church records.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Richard Jones, Theodore S. Sayre, George L. Curran, Wil- liam Marsden.

The Sabbath-school has continued to flourish. About 31 teachers and 300 scholars attend its sessions, which are held in the afternoon, at two o'clock. John W. Gorse, Theodore S. Sayre, Win. B. Smith, and Addison L. Day have been efficient superintendents. Mr. George L. Curran has for years greatly helped all other workers.

IIOPE CHAPEL (COLORED).

Hope Chapel, located on Elizabeth Street, was organized and the building erected under the anspices of the First Presbyterian Church of this eity, many of the members being earnest workers in behalf of the colored people of the vicinity. A school was organized in 1862, and a few ladies and gentlemen devoted themselves with untiring zeal to the temporal and spiritual improvement of those who attended their teachings. In 1869 they were enabled, by liberal subscriptions from friends of the cause, to erect a very com- fortable edifice, which was dedicated the same year, when very interesting addresses were delivered by the clergy and leading citizens. Dr. De Lancey, a colored man of extensive travel and much influence, took great interest in the enterprise, and made a very stirring appeal to his brethren on the occasion,

W. H. Morris was settled as a supply, at an annual salary of $750. The first regular pastor was W. H. Thomas. In 1873, Moses Hopkins, who was studying theology at the Auburn Theological Seminary, preached on the Sabbath, coming to Utica for that purpose every week. The Sab- bath-school was for many years in a most flourishing con- dition. Among its earnest laborers were Rev. A. Gleason, Eli Marsh, Theodore Timins, L. M. Lee, and Thomas Da- vies. The first elders were Samuel Dove and John Cole- man. The Sabbath-school is still maintained, though there is no settled pastor over the congregation.

ZION CHURCHI (COLORED).

This church was organized by the colored Methodists of Utica, and was for a time in a very flourishing condition ; but the congregation gradually became reduced in numbers, and finally allowed the edifice in which they worshiped to pass out of their hands.

ST. JOHN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CIIURCII.

This church was organized in 1819, and was the first Catholic Church formed in Central New York since the set- tlement of the country. It was for many years but a mis- sion enterprise, covering a large territory and ministered to by various missionaries ; but finally the edifice of wood was erected, which subsequently was removed to Bleecker Street, and the present massive and commodious structure of brick took its place. The late John C. Devereux contributed very largely to the erection of the present house of worship. The first resident pastor was Rev. Walter J. Quarter, who took charge of the parish January 1, 1835. The first assistant pastor was Rev. William Beecham, who began his labors Dec. 23, 1836. Rev. Father Bradley also assisted the pastor. Rev. P. McCloskey became assistant pastor Jan. 27, 1838. IIe was succeeded by Rev. D. W. Bacon, Jan. 13, 1839.

Rev. Francis Farrell took charge of the parish as pastor Nov. 1, 1839, and remained until his death, which occurred in December of the following year. He was succeeded by Rev. John Loughlin, the present Bishop of Brooklyn, who remained until Jan. 10, 1841, and was followed by Rev. Thomas Martin, who was appointed pastor at that date. Rev. Joseph Stokes succeeded him May 10, 1845, and re- mained six years, leaving the Albany diocese, by reason of poor health, in February, 1851.

He was succeeded in March by Rev. Francis P. McFar- land, who was pastor until March, 1858, at which time he was appointed third bishop of Hartford, in which See he was consecrated bishop March 14, 1858. He died in Hartford, October 12, 1874. His assistants were Michael Clarke, who removed to Carthage, Jefferson Co., Feb- ruary, 1854; William Coghlan, afterwards the first resident pastor at Clinton, attending its missions until his death in 1863; Eugene Carroll, now at Port Leyden, Lewis Co .; James Smith, now pastor of Fulton, Oswego Co .; John U. Herbst, now at Morehouseville, Hamilton Co .; Daniel P. Falvey, who died, while pastor at Schenectady, before 1860; John McDermott, pastor at Oneida, Madison Co., was assistant, under F. M. McFarland, from August, 1855, until mid-Lent in 1856; and after him William J. H. Maeyer, who remained as assistant until Father Daly took charge after Easter, 1858. Father Maeyer is now pastor of Salisbury, Herkimer Co. Thomas Daly, the present pastor, was appointed by Bishop (now Cardinal) MeCloskey to succeed Rev. F. M. MeFarland in March, 1858. IIis assistants were Rev. P. J. MeGlynn, the first resident pastor of Potsdam, at which place he died soon after, worn down with toil and illness contraeted in fatiguing missionary labors. Eugene Carroll then came, and remained until December, 1860, and was succeeded by William F. Shea- han, the present pastor of St. Patrick's, West Troy, who remained until Evacuation Day, 1861; on which day Francis J. Pureell succeeded him, remaining until July 4, 1865, when he was promoted to Camillus and the sur- rounding missions in Onondaga County, now attended by three or four clergymen. Father John McDonald came after Rev. F. J. Purcell, staying until the end of July, 1866; his present charge being Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co. Rev. P. F. Smith, now at Hudson, Columbia Co., came after Rev. F. MeDonald, remaining until mid-Lent, 1867. He was followed at onee by Father B. B. Grattan, who stayed until made pastor of Catskill, in June, 1868. . In- mediately on the dismantling of the old church after Trinity, June 7, masses were said in the court-house and girls' school-room until January, 1871.

The seats in the new building were rented as pews on Easter Monday, 1871, the choir and galleries being still unfinished. The following year, on the feast of Angel's Guardians, the present edifice was dedicated solemnly, seven bishops and two hundred priests being present. Bishop Conroy dedicated the church, Bishop McNearny conse- crated the main altar, and Bishop MeFarland preached the sermon. There were grand pontificial vespers, with a dis- course at seven P.M.

Rev. William F. Smith remained during the building of the church until March, 1870, and was succeeded by Rev.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

James M. Ludden, now of Little Falls, who acted as as- sistant until December, 1872, when Rev. Aloysius Murphy, now of Rome, became assistant until the elose of April, 1874, at which time he was succeeded by Rev. Luke G. O'Reiley, who organized the parish of St. Francis de Sales. His successor was Rev. Edward A. Terry, who began his labors on Easter Sabbath, 1877, and has continued them to the present. The parish of St. John's is one of the most extensive in the city, and embraces much of the wealth and culture of Utica.

Connected with it are the Assumption Academy and the St. John's Orphan Asylum. The first was founded by Bishop McFarland, and is in charge of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, with an average attendance of 400 pupils. The Orphan Asylum is in charge of the Sisters of Charity of Emmettsburg, Md.

ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The congregation of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, located corner of Columbia and Varick Streets, was organ- ized in the year 1842, by Rev. Father Probst. Their first house of worship was a frame building, purchased of one of the Methodist congregations of the city, and located on Fayette Street. In a few years its organization had so largely increased as to render a more commodious house of worship necessary, and a fine two-story brick building was erected and used as a school. It is now attended by nearly 400 children. The schools are under the guidance of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. The present church on Columbia Street is a spacious edifice, being 200 feet long, and built in the Romanesque style, with two towers. It was built under the pastorate of the Fathers Minor Conventual of St. Francis, who took charge of the congregation in 1858. The church will seat 2000 persons. The present year a new convent was built on the east side of the church, and a fine cemetery is also owned by the congregation, which numbers 600 families. The present pastor is Rev. Clement Luitz, who is assisted by the fathers of the order.

ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH .*

This church was organized on the natal day of its patron saint, March 17, 1850. Services were held at first in a temporary building, erected for the purpose, on Columbia Street, west of Varick, and, in the mean time, through the unremitting exertions of Father Carraher, who has been in charge of the parish from the first, a new and stately cdifice was being erected on the corner of Columbia and Hunting- ton Streets. The completed edifice, which is now occupied by a large congregation, is 120 by 64 feet in dimensions, with a lofty spire of imposing proportions. The building is constructed of brick above the basement, and is in the Gothic style of architecture. The corner-stone was laid on the 30th of July, 1861, with solemn and appropriate cere- monies.

This church has grown up under the fostering care of Rev. Father Patrick Carraher, who has conducted its spiritual and temporal affairs zcalously and successfully for a period of nearly thirty years. The communicants are mostly of Irish nationality, residing in the western portion of the city. The society and its several belongings are in a flourishing condition. The communicants number 1500, and the Sunday-school has 275 pupils.

ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATIIOLIC CHURCH +

The present church edifice was purchased by the first pastor of the congregation, Rev. G. Veith, from the Ger- man Lutheran congregation of South Street, in the year 1870. Rev. G. Veith continued his relations with the church for two years, and was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Eis, who remained but six months. His successor was Rev. H. Fehlings, who was appointed by Rev. Francis McNierney, the present bishop of the diocese, in 1873. Under his ministrations the church has been enlarged, and with its various additions the building now assumes the form of a cross. Connected with the society is a parochial school, which numbers one hundred children. There are also con- nected with the church three benevolent societies, viz. : the society of St. Boniface, of St. Aloysius, and St. Stanislaus, and a cemetery, owned by the congregation, which com- prises about two hundred Germau families.

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History of Oneida County, New York, 1667-1878, Part 87

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

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