History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 106

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 106

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" Wednesday, Nov. 19 .- Met according to appointment. Voted to send to Whitestown, Floyd, Trenton, and Western churches for counsel. Elder Dyer Starks being present, was invited to attend ; aod that they meet at the house of Joseph Briggs, on the 10th of December, at ten o'clock A.M.

" Dec. 10, 1817 .- The conference met according to request, and, after making inquiries sufficient to satisfy themselves, voted to give the brothers and sisters fellowship as a sister church, io token of which Elder Elon Galusha, in behalf of the council, gave the right hand of fellowship."

The church thus constituted consisted of seventeen mem- bers. Elder Dyer Starks became the first pastor, and contin- ued in charge for several years. Following him came Elders Jacobs and Douglass and David Morris, the latter contin- uing with the society for ten years. The pastors since then have been Elders John Gibbs, Emerson Andrews, H. C. Vogell, David Bellamy, J. M. Harris, and H. H. Peabody, the latter having been in charge since 1870.

The corner-stone of the first church belonging to this society was laid Sept. 13, 1826, and for more than forty years meetings were held in that house wlien completed. The corner-stone of the present fine structure, on the corner of George and Embargo Streets, was laid Sept. 13, 1872. The material of which this church is built is the Potsdam sand- stone. The main audience-room will scat 700 persons. The membership in July, 1878, was about 330. A Sab- bath-school is sustained, having for its superintendent Cyrus D. Prescott.

ZION CHURCH (EPISCOPAL) .*

" Several of the inhabitants of Rome, anxious to have in their midst the church of the living God, agreeably to the ordinances of the Protestant Episcopal Church, met at the court-house of the said town on the 15th day of August, 1825." Rev. Algernon S. Hollister was made chairman, and Hiram Denio, Esq., secretary. An act of incorporation was drawn up and a society organized by the name and title of " Zion Church, Rome." Jay Hatheway and Henry Hayden were chosen wardens, and Numa Leonard, Hiram Denio, Horatio N. Carr, James B. Read, James A. Canfield, Rich- ard Butler, and Peter White, vestrymen. Rev. A. S. Hol- lister, missionary, took pastoral charge, preached in the court-house, and continued his services for the ensuing year. The original communicants numbered three, viz. : Mr. Butler, Mr. Canfield, and Miss A. L. Hatheway. The lower story of the Masonic Hall, corner of Liberty and Washington Streets, was soon engaged for the use of the church for eight years. Three hundred dollars were raised, and the room was furnished in a plain manner. At the opening of this chapel, on a Sunday early in 1826, Rev. Marcus A. Perry preached, and the next day Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, bishop of the diocese, which then included the whole State of New York, preached in the chapel, confirmed fourteen persons, and baptized two chil- dren. Mr. Perry took charge of the congregation Aug. 1, 1826, and preached one year alternately with Holland

From historical sermon by its rector, Rev. H. L. M. Clarke, and notes by J. Hatheway, late a member, now deccased.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Patent. Zion Church Sunday-school was organized June 3, 1827, with Rev. M. A. Perry in charge. ' Thirty-five scholars were in attendance, and the teachers were Jay Hatheway, M. Rowley, and L. Hatheway for boys, and A. L. Hatheway, R. Judd, A. Gates, and M. Healy for girls.

It seems that although Rev. Mr. Perry was at first en- gaged for only one year, his services were continued here until. some time in 1832, when he resigned, and was sue- cecded by Rev. George Fiske. In 1833, the Rome Lodge, the lower story of which had been in use as a chapel, was purchased, the building enlarged and fitted up for a church, and opened for divine services on Sunday, July 25, 1833, with a sermon by the Rev. Parker Adams, of New Hart- ford. The church was consecrated the 15th of the follow- ing August, by Bishop Benjamin T. Onderdonk, successor to Bishop Hobart. The reetors at this time preached under a missionary stipend, and in September, 1834, Rev. Wil- liam W. Niles was accepted by the society to share the stipend with Mr. Fiske, and alternate with him in holding serviees at Rome and Oriskany. Mr. Fiske resigned in the following December, and Mr. Niles assumed sole charge. The rectors since have been the Rev. Nathan B. Burgess, from November, 1836, to November, 1839; Rev. Hobart Williams, deacon ; Rev. Henry Lock wood, from November, 1840 to May 10, 1842; Rey. Stephen Battin, June, 1842, and ordained priest Dec. 19, 1843; Rev. Seth Davis, April 1, 1845, resigned Oct. 4, 1845, to establish a school at Buffalo; succeeded by Rev. Almon Gregory, who re- mained till November, 1849 ; Rev. Henry B. Whipple, Dec. 2, 1849, to 1857; he was a portion of the time in Florida, on account of ill health, and during his absence his place was supplied by Rev. Gordon M. Bradley. Mr. Whipple resigned Mareh 10, 1857, to accept a call from Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. N. Barrows, who re- signed Mareh 5, 1864. The next pastor was the present one, Rev. Hugh L. M. Clarke, who assumed charge May 1, 1864, and has sinee continued his labors here.

During the rectorship of Mr. Whipple the lot on the corner of Liberty and Washington Streets was purchased, and the corner-stone of the present frame church laid Sept. 5, 1850. The new edifice was opened for service on Sunday, August 16, 1851, and conseerated by Bishop De Lancey, Sept. 25, of the same year. During the sum- mer of 1867 the church was enlarged to its present dimen- sions, at a cost of nearly $10,000.

The present membership is about 400. Rev. Mr. Clarke is superintendent of a large Sabbath-school, which has 30 teachers and an attendanee averaging 220.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .*

The first Methodist Episcopal society in the town of Rome was organized about. three miles north of the then village, on the Turin road, in 1799, and worshiped in that locality until 1803, when it removed to what is now known as the " Ridge." This region was then embraced in the Philadelphia Conference. The first Methodist preachers who labored in the Mohawk Valley were Revs. Jonathan

Newman and Philip Wager, the former having preached iu the town as early as 1791 ; he was recollected by Judge Hatheway as having been an energetic and able minister. Among the preachers who traveled the circuits and preached occasionally in this and neighboring towns were William McLanahan, Bishop Whatcoat, Lorenzo Dow, Charles Giles, Ebenezer White, Bishop Asbury, Peter Vanest, and B. G: Paddoek: In 1810 the Genesee Conference was organized: In 1812, Rome, Western, Floyd, Lee, and Steuben were made into a two weeks' circuit; and supplied by Charles Giles as preacher and William Chase as presiding elder. In 1814, Giles was made presiding elder of the Oneida dis- triet, which embraced in the main the counties of Oneida; Otsego, Herkimer, Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence, as far as Ogdensburg, Among his preachers were James Kelsey, Abner Chase; Zenas Jones, Ira Fairbanks, Chandler Lambert, Lette Mattesen, Goodwin Stoddard, Nathan B. Dodson, Isaac Puffer, and George Gary. From 1814, and for twelve or fourteen years afterwards, there. labored in this and adjoining towns Joseph Willis, George Hannon, B. G. Paddock, William Chase, Zach. Paddock, Ephraim Hall, Matthew Van Duzen, Asa Cummins, John Arnold, John E. Kenbrack. In 1828, Lyman Beach was appointed to this circuit, and during this year the First Methodist Epis- eopal Church, at the east end of. Court Street, was ereeted and dedicated by him, assisted by Rev. Alexander Irwin. In 1829 Rome was made a station, and has since been served by the following pastors, viz. : Andrew Peek, Charles Giles, Isaae Stone, Calvin Danforth, Albert D. Peck, Na- thaniel Salisbury, V. M. Coryette, E. W. R. Allen, Aaron Adams, Isaac L. Hunt, W. W. Ninde, John Alley, Hiram Matteson, George Lawyer, F. H. Stanton, James Irwin, L. D. Stebbins, Burenus Holmes, J. P. Jennings, T. Spicer, I. S. Bingham, B. S. Wright, W. X. Ninde, J. B. Foote, Wesley Mason, S. R. Fuller, C. P. Hard, M. D. Kinney, William Searles, F. H. Hemmenway, F. Widmer, and the present pastor, William H. Reese.

The present ehureb edifice belonging to this society was commenced September 4, 1868, at which time the corner- stone was laid, and dedicated September 24, 1869. ' Its entire cost, including furniture and organ, was about $44,500. It is located at the corner of George and Em- bargo Streets ; built of brick, and has a seating capacity for 1100 persons. Over $17,000 were subscribed on the day of its dedieation, clearing the society entirely from debt. The spire of the building is 150 feet in height. The mem- bership of the society in the spring of 1878 was 424. R. M. Bingham is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and H. S. Esselstyn Assistant Superintendent.

THE EMBARGO STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in 1855, and disbanded after an existence of ten years. The building ereeted by it is now used by the Free Methodist Society.

COURT STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

was organized as a mission in 1863, and as a society in the spring of 1864. The present briek church edifice was erected in 1870: The. first pastor was Rev. P. H. Wilds, who was here also as a missionary in 1863. His successor's

: # From historical sermon delivered at dedication of the new church in 1869.

399

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

have been Revs. F. H. Beck, 1865 to 1867 ; R. Redhead, 1868-69 ; William Jeroine, 1870,-died during his pas- torate, and the pulpit was supplied that year by Daniel O. Edgerton, who was subsequently appointed pastor, and re- mained until 1872 ; Robert Flint, 1873-74; J. Zimmer- man, 1875-77 ; Joseph H. Lamb, 1878. The membership July 1, 1878, was 98, with 17 probationers ; attendance at Sunday-school, 40 ; the school has 8 teachers aud officers, and is superintended by Olin Zimmerman.

FREE METHODIST CHURCHI.

This church has been in existence but eight or ten years, and numbers about 50 members at present. Its pastor is Rev. G. W. Hughes. Two Sabbath-schools are sustained, one in the church, and the other in the school-house on the Oriskany Road, east of Stanwix Post-Office, where meetings are also held every Sunday. The pastor is super- intendent of the school in Rome, which has an average attendance of about 20. The church occupied by this so- ciety is the one originally owned by the Embargo Street Methodist Episcopal Society, and has been purchased and repaired by the Free Methodists. The parsonage, a frame dwelling, is located next east of the church, on Embargo Street. .

WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHURCH.

Organized in 1847, and occupies the frame church build- ing on Washington Street, between Court and Liberty, for- merly used by the Second Congregational Church. The membership is not large. A Sabbath-school is sustained, with fair attendance. No regular pastor is employed, but Rev. John H. Jones holds weekly services, and resides in the city.

WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The members of this church originally met for worship with the Welsh Methodists, but a separate church was finally organized, and has since been sustained. Rev. D. E. Pritchard, the present pastor, has resided here fifteen years Services are held in the Welsh language. The membership of this church has never but little exceeded 50, and is now something less than that number. The Sunday-school is largely attended. Robert L. Roberts is superintendent. The church is located on Liberty Street, between George and Madison.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

This society was organized about the years 1836-38, and meetings were held for a number of years in the court- house. The building erected in 1826 for a Masonic hall, and afterwards refitted for an Episcopal Church, was pur- chased by the Universalists in 1851. No regular pastor was employed until after the church was bought. The first settled pastor was Rev. Richard Eddy, who labored faithfully and successfully, and finally left for other fields, where he could secure a better salary, the society here being too few in numbers to pay liberally. The present pas- tor is Rev. H. Kirke White. The members number about 100, although a much larger congregation attends. The church is a frame building, located on the southwest corner of Washington and Liberty Streets, and will seat about 400

persons. A Sunday-school is sustained, with an attendance of 40 to 70. The pastor has general charge.

Among the early members of this church, some of whom are yet living, were Enoch B. Armstrong, Samuel B. Ste- vens, -- Yale and wife, Bela B. Hyde, Shubael Smith and wife, Charles Leffingwell, Woodman Kimball and family, Major John P. Allen, Mrs. John P. Smith, and others.

Enoch B. Armstrong, mentioned in the above list, and now living in Rome, where he has resided since 1826, is a son of Oliver Armstrong, who settled in the town of Lee about 1800. Another son of the latter, Jesse Armstrong, came to Rome about 1821-22, and both he and his brother have been among the foremost in building up the business interests of the place and adding to its beauty by the gener- ous expenditure of their means in improvements.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENT CHURCH.

This society was organized in 1876. The present edifice in which it holds services was erected in 1877, and is located on Bloomfield Street, between George and Madison. The first meetings were held in a tent. The membership is small, and no regular pastor is employed.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (GERMAN PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL).

Previous to 1848 there was no German Catholic church or organization in Rome. There were some twenty German Catholic families living in Canal Village, and these met once in two weeks in a room of the " Mansion House" for worship. The " Mansion House" stood on the bank of the old Erie Canal, south of the present site of the church. During the year 1840 these families perfected an organiza- tion known as " St. Mary's Church," purchased a lot at the corner of South James and De Peyster Streets, at a cost of $500, and erected a church at a cost of $900. Owing to some trouble in 1870-71, over the choice of a site for a new church, a large portion of the congregation formed themselves into a new society, called " St. Joseph's Church," consisting of some 130 families, and not far from 800 per- sons. The site for the church, on Ridge Street, was pur- chased of Philip and John Reifert, April 22, 1871, for $7500, and the corner-stone of the new edifice was laid July 27, 1871, by the pastor, Rev. Bernhardt Werner, assisted by Rev. A. J. Canfield, of Utica, and the Common Council of the city of Rome. The church was changed into a Protestant Episcopal organization December 26, 1876. The number of communicants June 29, 1878, was 146, made up of members of 63 families. The present pastor is Rev. Julius Unger, who has had charge since March 1, 1878, and was previously assistant minister at Grace Church, New York City. A Sunday-school is kept up, having over 80 scholars, the teachers, 12 in number, being members of Zion Church. Mr. Clarke, of the latter church, is rector of the parish, while Mr. Unger is associate minister for St. Joseph's. The latter person is superintendent of the Sun- day-school held in his church, and Thomas Stryker, of Zion church, is assistant superintendent. Sunday morning services are held in German, Sunday-school in English, and evening services are an English prayer and German address.

400

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The following extract from an article published in a Catholic paper subsequent to the death of Rev. Father William Beecham,* the founder of St. Peter's and pastor for forty years, will give a history of the formation and early trials of the church :

" Father Beeehom came to Utica in December, 183fi, as assistant to Father Walter J. Quarter, at that time the heloved and revered, and now the lamented, pastor of St. John's Church, in that city. In ahout nine months afterwards he was sent to administer to the spiritual wants of the Cathelios living in the northern and southern portions of Oneida County, and scattered over the territory now embraced in Lewis, Jef- ferson, St. Lawrence, Madison, Onondaga, Chenango, and Broome Counties, with permission to make his home in Rome, Carthage, er Ogdenshurg. He selected Rome as being easy of access from the different points of his vast mission, and also, no doubt, on account of its close proximity to Utica, where he could avail himself of the wise counsels of a most prudent priest, and where he could go to fertify himself with the saeraments,-a consideration hy no means to be ever- looked, especially in those days when priests were so few, facilities of travel so miserable, and the dangers of missionary life se numerous. From Rome he traveled over this vast extent of country, baptizing the children of the early emigrants, blessing marriages, anointing the dying, hearing confessions, and administering the bread of life day after day, encouraging and exborting all to repentance and a life of holiness, till from Rome to Rochester, from Binghamton to the Adiron- dacke, the name of Father Beecham became a household werd, at the very mention of which blessings and benedictions without number were bestowed upon him, as no doubt numerous and fervent prayers will now ascend to God for the repose of his soul. These early settlers loved him as a mest genial and companionable man, honered and re- vered him as a mest exemplary priest, selected him as arbitrator in their differences, and showed their unbounded confidence in hie honor and integrity, in his wisdom and sense of justice, by invariahly and without a murmur abiding by his decision. In their trials and difficulties they found in him a kind father, who sympathized with them, and seemed ever anxious to lighten their burden by pouring into their troubled hearts words of comfort and encouragement. Those carly settlers, when they wished to make remittances to Ireland and other parts of Europe, gave him the money, and requested him to secure a draft and forward it to their relatives. Se frequently was he called upen to do this that it became necessary, as a matter of convenience, to secure an agency from the Emigrant Association. Thus he became their agent, and corresponded regularly with their relations at home. And as he passed along through his mission he not only announced the glad tidings of the gospel, but also very frequently carried welcome news from the fond friends whom the emigrants had left in the dear old home. Thus this good priest was more than a father to the carly settlers, and we need not wonder that he was their joy and their pride. His good- ness to his spiritual children and his labors for their welfare, both temporal and eternal, did not make him forgetful of other obligations. Over twenty years ago the death of his brother, Mr. Joseph Beccham, and his estimable lady (sister of Bishop Quarter, first Bishop of Chicago), so well and favorably remembered in Rome and other parts of the State, brought upon him the responsibility of caring for and educating their six orphans, and of economically administering their estate. He was not untrue to the trust committed to his care by the dying wife of his deceased hrether. He had the consolation of having his last days made joyous by these same children, and was consoled in his last moments by their tender care and pious attentions, by their sympathy aod prayers. He had the satisfaction of knowing they would cherish his memory, pray for the repose of his soul, and ever respect the sacred dignity and character of the priesthood. He began to build St. Peter's Church in 1838. It is a brick edifice, the main part of which is 53 by about 80 feet. I have frequently heard Father Beecham say that the great Archbishop Hughes, speaking to him with the freedom of a brother, told him he must be mad when he undertook to build St. Peter's. And we cannot be very much surprised at this when we consider the circumstances.

"When he took charge of the mission there were not ten Catholic families in what is now known as the city of Rome, and even the few

that were there were very poor. In such circumstances it was almost impossible to succeed, and no wendler the archbishop told him that even if he succeeded in building it it would be sold for debts. Still Father Beecham was not discouraged. In 1838 the Black River Canal was opened, and month after month the young priest passed over the entire work, soliciting and receiving the generous contributions of the laborers; and he had the satisfaction in 1840 of seeing his efforts orowned with success in the completion of the church and in the liquidation of nearly all claims against it. We may now build more stately temples, mere pretentious edifices, to the glory of God, but we must not forget the circumstances,-we must remember that in those days the building of St. Peter's was a work of far greater magnitude than the erection of more expensive and elegant churches in these days. In these days, when the warning voice of our Most Holy Father is so often raised in inculcating the necessity of making education 'more Christian,' no wonder a wide-spread interest is manifested in the matter of eduentien,-no wonder that bishops, priests, and people are making many sacrifices in order to provide Catholic echoels for the young. But in those days, when the voice of Christ's vicar on earth could net he heard so frequently, and on snch a variety of subjects of vital im- portance, when priests were so few, the faithful se dispersed, and Cath- olic sehools almost unknown, Father Beccham saw the great necessity of providing a school in which the children of his parish might receive not only a secular education, but also, what was of far greater impor- tance, a thereugh Catholic training. For ever thirty-five of the forty years of his ministry he has supported a Catholic sohool, and although at times he was obliged to suspend it for a brief period, like a true pastor and faithful shepherd he never at any time abandoned the pro- ject, hut at all times made great sacrifices to provide Christian instruc- tion for the young of his flock. Speaking of the great interest taken by him in the matter of education brings to mind an occurrence that took place ahout two years ago. It is, in our opinion, the erewning glory of his priesthood. The number of children to be instructed, his growing infirmity, and consequent inability to make any great effort to secure means for the support of the schools, and the example of others in the archdiocese of New York, caused him to apply for aid to the Beard of Education of the city of Rome. The board, entertaining the most profound respect for his character, the warmest attachment te him per- sonally, and knowing the great sacrifices he had made in the past for the advancement of Christian education, kindly consented to rent the schools and salary the good Sistere who were engaged in instructing the children of the parish. They granted him the privilege of select- ing the class-books to be used in the scheels, and, at his request, even agreed to give teachers' certificates to the Sisters without subjecting them to an examination, though this was a waiving of one of their rules, and one, at least in some instances, prejudicial to the success of our Catholic schools. The board merely required that the superintend- ent he permitted to visit the schools. The Right Rev. Administrator, interpreting the words of our Holy Father, 'make education mere Christian,' etc., and not less Christian, in their striet and undoubtedly their correct meaning, objected to the arrangement, and said the schools should be conducted as heretofore, and the superintendeney of the State entirely excluded from them. Father Beccham at once acquiesced in the bishop's decision, obeyed him to the letter, and humbly apolo- gized to his lordship for not consultiog him beforehand, saying he would certainly have done so had he oonsidored it necessary or regarded his action with the board in the least censurable or indiscreet. Father Beecham, up to the time of his death, conducted the scheele as directed by his Right Rev. Bishop, provided a lay teacher for the boys, whom the Sisters from this date refused to instruct on account of another rule incorporated into the code of laws that govern their order. This un- qualified submission in his old age to the will of his hishop, and com- plete and hearty acquiescence in his decision, although s striet duty, is nevertheless, we repeat, the crowning glory of his priesthood. As a citizen of Rome, he had at all times identified himself with its pros- perity and progress, and toek an active part in the advancement of its interests. As a priest, he grew up with the city, and became one of its institutions, so to speak, on account of his long residence in it and his great usefulness as a citizen. All the inhabitants, irrespective of ereed or nationality, entertained the highest respect for his charsoter, were very much attached to him personally, approached him with ease, and were happy to greet him as he took his daily walks."

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 106

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920