USA > New York > Onondaga County > History of Onondaga County, New York > Part 38
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Students-1877.
First year, 9 : second year, 21 ; third year, 8 ; total, 38.
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS. Faculty-1877.
Rev. E. O. Haven, D.D. L.L. D. Chancellor ; George F. Comstock, A. M., Dean of the Faculty, and Prof. of Esthetics and History of Fine Arts ; Archimedes Russell, Prof. of Architecture ; Joseph Lyman Silsbee, A. M., Prof. of Architecture ; Henry B. Allewelt, Prof of Decorative Art; Sanford Thayer, Prof. of Painting ; George K. Knapp, Prof. of Painting ; Ward V. Ranger, Prof. of Photogra- phy ; E. Ely Van De Warker, M.D, Prof of Ar- tistic Anatomy : l'eter H Stuart, l'rof. of Engrav- ing ; Willis De Haas, M 1)., Lecturer on Early American Art and Archeology.
Students-1877.
Senior Class, 3: Junior Class, 7; Sophomore Class, 8; Freshman Class, 5 : Normal Art Insti- tute, 23 ; Total, 46.
CHURCHES OF SYRACUSE.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. - The earliest religious organization in the village of Syracuse was the pres- ent First Baptist Church, organized in 1821. Previous to the organization religious services had been held more or less constantly for about two years. Messrs. James B. Moore, Thomas Spencer and Samuel Ed- wards were chiefly instrumental in sustaining meet- ings, The preaching was mostly supplied by students from Hamilton, (Baptist Theological Seminary,) among whom was Jonathan Wade, who, in 1823, sailed from Boston to Burmah, and became a faithful missionary in that land of darkness.
Meetings were held in several private dwellings till the erection of the first school-house, which was then
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
granted for religious services on Sundays. At this time, having a permanent place to meet in, a corres- pondence was opened with the Seminary at Hamil- ton, and arrangements made for regular preaching. Those interested in sustaining divine worship at Syracuse, were to provide a good horse and saddle, to become the property of the Seminary, and every Sunday for one year a student would be sent to Syracuse to preach.
It so happened that Mr. Moore had just purchased a fine horse and saddle, giving in payment therefor sixty bushels of salt at one dollar a bushel. The friends of religion at Syracuse at once thought of that horse. Mr. Moore voted with the others that the animal had a providential call to go to Hamilton, and for a long time it was devoted to the interests of education and religion, while conveying preachers to the places of their appointments.
Worship having been regularly sustained in the school house for some months, the subject of church organization was considered. On the 12th of Jan- uary, 1821, thirteen persons met at the house of Mr. Braddick Dart, related their Christian experi- ences, and agreed to call a council of brethren from different churches to advise with them in reference to forming a Baptist Church. The names of the thirteen were : David Johnson, James Wilson, Thos. Spencer, Alvin Walker, Rufus Cram, Benjamin G. Avery, Wyllys Brown, Braddick Dart, Polly Wal- ker, Rhoda Wilson, Eliza Spencer, Hannah Fish, and Sally Dart.
On the 16th of February, 1821, a council was convened in the only school house then in the vil- lage, and advised the brethren and sisters in the village and vicinity to unite and sustain public wor- ship as a Church of Christ. On the following day the thirteen persons named met and organized a church, to be known as the " First Baptist Church of Syracuse," and appointed the place and time for public worship.
For the greater part of the first year, preaching was sustained by the New York Baptist Education Society. After his graduation at Hamilton, Rev. J. G. Stearns performed pastoral labor for six months. In June, 1823, Rev. Nathaniel J. Gilbert was ap- pointed the missionary of the Hamilton Missionary Society, and was stationed at Syracuse. He united with the church and became its pastor June, 1824, and the first year of his ministry was signalized by the erection of the first house of worship of the church, which stood on the spot now occupied by the Universalist Church, corner of West Genesee and Franklin streets.
Rev. Nathaniel Gilbert continued the faithful pas-
tor of the church till July, 1832, when he fell a vic- tim to Asiatic cholera. His successors have been Rev. Orsamus Allen, August 29, 1833, to October 20, 1834; Rev. Stephen Wilkins, November 1834, to December, 1837 ; Rev. John Blain, 1837 to 1841 ; Rev. Joseph W. Taggart, December, 1841, to Au- gust, 1847; Rev. Robert R. Raymond, 1847 to 1852 ; Rev. A. G. Palmer, 1852 to 1855 ; Rev. J. S. Backus, D. D., 1857 to July 1862 ; Rev. E. W. Mundy to March, 1864; Rev. John James Lewis, 1867 to 1869 ; Rev. E. A. Lecompte, 1869 to 1874 ; Rev. S, Hartwell Pratt, 1874 to November, 1875 ; succeeded by Rev. Charles E. Smith, the present pastor.
The Church enlarged the old building in 1839, and continued to occupy it till 1848, when having obtained another lot in exchange with Capt. Joel Cody, a little east of the original site, they erected thereon a new brick edifice, of the Roman Ionic order of architecture, 132 by 70 feet, at a cost of $15,000. The spacious and attractive structure stood till Au- gust 23, 1859, when it was consumed by fire, and, in the language of a report made by Mr. Harris, the church had " only a rubbish-covered lot incumbered to its full value." Still by the devoted efforts of pastor and people the ruins were soon repaired, and the present beautiful edifice rose out of the ashes of the former temple, and was dedicated, entirely free from debt, November 1, 1860.
The membership of this church on the first of January, 1877, was 391-110 males, 281 females; 42 non-resident, and 32 belonging to the German Mission.
The German Mission was commenced under the auspices of the First Baptist Church, in the Second Ward, in 1862. A lot was purchased and a chapel erected on Lodi street near Ash. In November, 1875, Rev Reinhard Hoefflin became the mission- ary. On the 28th of June, 1877, this mission was organized into
The First German Baptist Church of Syracuse, Rev. Reinhard Hoefflin, Pastor. The 32 members above referred to are now set off to this church. It has a German Sunday school.
This church has also a Mission under the name of " Hope Chapel," corner of Wyoming and Tully streets. The Mission was established in 1862.
THE CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church was originally a small colony of the First Baptist Church. About 1850, under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Pinney, a small chapel was erected on East Genesee street, which in that year or early in 1851, was dedicated by Rev. Dr. John Dowling, father of their late pastor, Rev. George Thomas Dowling.
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Services continued to be held here under different pastorates, till the chapel of the present church, on Montgomery street, corner of Jefferson, was com- pleted and occupied in 1869. Rev. Dr. H. J. Eddy, was at that time pastor, and had been for some time previously. He continued in the pas- torate till September 1, 1873. In 1872 the main church edifice was finished. at a cost of $75,000, all of which was paid or amply provided for. The building is a fine structure of brick, with projec- tions of Onondaga limestone, and has a seating capacity for 700.
On the first of September, 1873, Rev. George Thomas Dowling, assumed charge. The church and Sunday school were exceptionally prosperous under his ministry.
Here we are called upon to record an experience of extreme trial through which the church passed on the evening of June 23, 1874, the sad memory of which is still fresh in the minds of thousands, and which will never be forgotten by those whose friends were the victims of the terrible calamity. On the evening referred to a large assemblage had gathered in the parlors of the church, in the second story, on a festival occasion, where also was to have been given a " Little Olde Folks' Concert " by the children. The floor of the parlors was insufficient- ly supported by iron rods which connected with a wooden truss under the roof, and while in the height of the enjoyment of the festivities of the evening, at the moment of the least consciousness of danger, the floor fell, carrying with it the ceilings, the timber and the furniture, and precipitating old and young, in a helpless, confused mass, to the un- occupied portion of the building below. To quote the words of the "Memorial" published by the Church :
" Suddenly, as when a flash of lightning darts from a clear sky, or a dark and terrible chasm ap- pears where but a moment before was solid ground, a crash is heard, the floor sinks, the ceiling falls, down into utter darkness, amid shivered beams and stifling plaster, broken furniture and twisted gas pipes, old men and maidens, young men and chil- dren, are hurled in inextricable confusion. For a moment a silence awful in its intensity reigned, and then groans of agony, shrieks of terror, wails of mortal fear, anguished cries for help, arose in one great chorus from the struggling, bleeding, dying mass of humanity. Among the first to extricate themselves was the young and devoted pastor, Rev. George Thomas Dowling. He ran through Mont- gomery street to East Genesee, and thence to No. 1 Engine Ilouse. An alarm of fire was struck and the engines appeared, but happily the horrors of fire were not added to the awful catastrophe. The police were promptly on the ground. Within an
incredibly short period of time after the calamity (which occurred at 20 minutes past 9 o'clock, ) the space about the church and the space leading thereto were thronged with a mass of people swayed by one common impulse, and that the noble one of giving aid to the victims.
" The work of extricating the unfortunate was carried on quietly, calmly and systematically, and as the living, one after another, were released, grateful prayers of thankfulness arose from loving hearts whose fears were so happily dispelled ; but as the dead were by reverent hands brought out into the quiet night, sharp cries of despair and agonizing appeals for assistance under this heavy weight of woe, pierced the still air of the summer night.
" As the church bell tolled the hour of midnight, the remains of the last victim were removed from the wreck."
The number killed in this fearful disaster was fourteen, while one hundred and forty-five were more or less injured.
The sad event cast a gloom over the entire city ; churches were draped, and in many places flags ap- peared at half-mast. Suitable commemorative services were conducted on the Sunday following (June 28, in many of the churches, in which offer- ings of appropriate flowers combined with words of sympathy and fitting music in shedding a deep and hallowed influence over the assemblages which a common sorrow had brought together. Most of the pastors spoke feelingly and eloquently on topics suggested by the late disaster.
The Central Church held memorial service morn- ing and evening at Wieting Opera House, from the published accounts of which we gather the following :
" The Opera House was heavily draped with black and white interwoven. Drapings were fes- tooned across the windows under the gallery, around the front of the gallery, and around the ceiling, while others were fastened at either corner of the ceiling and extended across the hall, cach crossing the other under the chandelier. The platform pre- sented an appearance which was touching to the hearts of all. Many willing hands must have given sad service in its arrangement. Besides the well arranged drapery, the floral offerings told a story in a language of their own. Across the foot of the platform were numerous bouquets, placed upon ped- estals about two feet in height, and trimmed with cedar sprigs. On the drapery in front of the preacher's desk was a large and heavy wreath of white flowers clinging to evergreens, and upon the desk were two magnificent crowns, made of white carnations and white roses. At the rear of the plat- form, and standing prominently in view, was a mass- ive cross of smilax studded with white carnations, which seemed almost to sparkle like diamonds in a crown. It was the height of about eight feet, and well proportioned. The appearance of the Opera House was very impressive."
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The services were not less so, and the combined effect will never be forgotten by the large assem- blies who witnessed it. The music was of the most solemn and tender character. Rev. Dr. Dowling preached in the morning, and the pastor, Rev. George Thomas Dowling in the evening, ser- mons full of eloquence and pathetic allusions to the sad memories of the occasion, and of hopeful and cheering anticipations of the future. Said the pastor :
" We learn at such times as these that all the world are brothers. From all parts of our land there have come words of condolence and love. From Chicago, and New York, and Philadelphia, and Brooklyn, and Providence, from the North and South, and East and West, we have received the message, 'We are praying for you.' From the sister churches of our city has come the message, 'We are praying for you.' From the noble band of men who occupy the pulpits of our city, has come the message, ' We are praying for you.'
" God bless them, as we cannot, and I know that when those books shall be opened, He who noteth the giving of a single cup of water to a thirsty child, will not forget their sympathy for us, in this hour of our deepest need."
Letters of Condolence and Sympathy.
We have only space for a few words of these. The pastor of the First Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Lecompte, wrote :
" We warmly bid you welcome to a place in our house of worship, and to a participation in our re- ligious services on all occasions, not only until you shall have recovered from your present calamities, but so long as we shall have an organized existence for the advancement of the cause of the Master."
The Board of Trustees of the University passed resolutions of sympathy and condolence for the city, the church and the friends of the afflicted suf- ferers, which were unanimously adopted by a rising vote.
The Ministerial Association, upon the "intelli- gence of the heart-rending disaster," passed resolu- tions tendering the afflicted pastor and his people all the sympathy and aid in their power.
The Common Council of the city passed similar resolutions, and directed that, in accordance with section 24, title 4, of the City Charter, the condi- tion of all the churches and public buildings in the city should be thoroughly examined and reported upon as to their safety.
Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, formerly pastor of the Reformed Church in Syracuse, telegraphed :
"Our deepest sympathies and prayers, that you may be comforted."
Plymouth Church tendered the use of their lec- ture room to the afflicted Society, which was ac-
cepted, and it was announced that the Central Church would meet there on Tuesday evenings.
After the accident the Trustees resolved that the Chapel (that portion of the building which fell) should be reconstructed in a manner which would render it perfectly safe, beyond the shadow of a doubt. They, therefore, built five brick piers on substantial stone foundations, capping them with stone, and from these carried up iron columns to the top of the building, supporting the interior chapel work also by ten other brick piers, besides the stone walls in the basement. The Chapel is 77x40 feet. The audience room, parlors and every part of the building which sustained injury, were renovated and repaired. A special committee then examined and reported upon the safety of the building, July 29, 1874.
The Church, notwithstanding the calamity which befell it, has been very prosperous.
Rev. Mr. Dowling resigned the pastorate in Au- gust, 1877, and was succeeded by Rev. E. J. Good- speed, D. D., present pastor, October 1, 1877.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This Church commenced its organization under the name of "The First Presbyterian Society of Syracuse," elect- ing the following Trustees Dec. 14, 1824 : Moses D. Burnet, Miles Seymour, Rufus Moss, Jonathan Day, Heman Walbridge, Joshua Forman and Joseph Slocum. Their first house of worship, built in the latter part of 1825, was dedicated on the second Thursday in January, 1826, Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, D. D., of Auburn, preaching the dedication sermon. The first edifice stood exactly opposite the present one on Fayette street, on the corner occupied by the store of D. McCarthy & Co., and the ground was presented to the society by William James, and others.
The organization of the Church was effected in 1826 by the following committee of the Onondaga Presbytery, viz : Ministers, Hezekiah Woodruff, Hutchins Taylor, Ralph Cushman and Washing- ton Thatcher ; Elders, Joseph W. Brewster, Wil- liam Eager and Harry Mosely ; the number of members uniting being twenty-six. Frederick Phelps and Edward Chapman, Elders, and Pliny Dickinson, Deacon.
On the 28th of June, 1826, Rev. John Watson Adams, then just graduated at the Auburn Theo- logical Seminary, was installed pastor. Dr. Adams' first and only pastorate continued till his death on the 4th of April, 1850. Meanwhile the growth of the church in numbers and influence kept pace with the remarkable and rapid expansion of Syracuse.
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The present church edifice, corner of Salina and Fayette streets, was completed and dedicated No- vember 24. 1850. It was designed by the Trustees and Building Committee to anticipate the future growth of the city, and was at the time of its erec- tion by far the finest church building in all this region of country. The celebrated Lefever, of New York, was the architect. The Building Com- mittee consisted of Henry Gifford, Elias W. Leaven- worth, Thomas B. Fitch, Zebulon Ostrom and Albert A. Hudson. The cost of the church, in- cluding lot and some later improvements, was $60,- 000 ; $10,000 was paid for the lot, $40,000 for the church, (a very small sum considering the style and character of the building, and $10 000 for im. provements during the pastorate of Dr. Canfield.
The old church in which Dr. Adams preached so long, during his first and only pastorate, was torn down in April. 1850, and it is a singular coincidence that the last piece of timber was removed on the very day of the Doctor's death,-as if it had been ordered that he and the old church, in which centered so many sacred memories, should go to- gether.
From June, 1850, 10 December 8, 1851, Rev. Charles Mellarg, of Cooperstown, was pastor. His resignation was reluctantly accepted by the church, for his character, fine culture and commanding abilities had rendered him a favorite with the con- gregation and community.
The church wasthen without a regular pastor for two and a half years, till Rev. Sherman Bond Can- field commenced his long and useful pastorate, May 1, 1854. Dr. Canfield's influence made itself felt from the beginning, and was, under Divine Provi dence, a growing power for good to the church and the city. He resigned in October, 1870, after a ministry in this church of over sixteen years, ill health being the cause of his resignation. His lungs had become impaired. He died in St. Louis, at the residence of Rev. C. D. Nott, on the 5th of March, 1871. He had preached for Dr. Nott in the morning ; in the afternoon he became ill and died about 12 o'clock at night.
A year and a half elapsed without a settled pas- tor, during which the church was supplied chiefly from Auburn. On the 17th of May, 1872, Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard was called. He accepted, and was installed November 19, 1872. He has since rendered acceptable service to the church, and is the present pastor.
Among the seasons of interest enjoyed by this church may be mentioned two noticeable revivals - one under the pastorate of Dr. Adams in 1832, and
the other in the spring of 1866, under the pastorate of Dr. Canfield.
The most noted meeting ever held in this church was that of the General Assembly of the New School Presbyterian Church in 1861. Rev. Dr. Condit, of Auburn, was Moderator.
The church has under its charge a Mission School which was founded in 1860. In January, 1863. Mr. Edward Townsend presented to the so- ciety a deed for a lot on Monroe street, upon which immediately afterwards, Messis. W. H Van Buren and T. B. Fitch erected a chapel and presented the same as a gift to the church A prosperous and useful school is conducted in that portion of the city
FIRST WARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. - The his- tory of this church goes back almost to the beginning of the century. In September, 1803, the first Presby- terian sermon was preached at Salina by Rev. Mr. Sickles, from Kinderhook. He had been sent out as a missionary by the Dutch Church, and passing through Salina on his way to Fort Brewerton, stopped over night at Trask's tavern. Finding an uncongenial company there, he asked in the morn- ing if there was not a religious family in the place with whom he could lodge. Hle was directed 10 Isaac Van Vleck's. Calling upon the family. he found that they were the persons for whom he had a package sent by friends at the east. In the course of conversation he asked if he could not hold religious service somewhere that evening. He was referred to Aaron Bellow's cooper shop The ap- pointment was made, and in the evening the house was crowded. It was a good meeting, and such sing- ing ! There was no more preaching in the place for two or three years, and then only occasionally.
In 1810, a Presbyterian Church was organized at Onondaga Hollow, in connection with residents here, under the name of the " United Church of Onon- daga Hollow and Salina" Rev. Dirck C. Lansing was the pastor. The Salina portion of the members consisted of nine. The only place of worship was the school house, which had been built in 1805, but was not in existence when Mr. Sickles preached in the cooper shop. Mr. Lansing continued to preach to the United Church till February 2, 1814, Previous to this, in the autumn of 1812, Rev. Caleb Alexander, had moved to the Hollow and taken charge of the Academy in that place. Mr. Alexander, although never a pastor at the Hollow, occasionally preached, and after Mr. Lansing's time preached to the people of Salina. Under his ministry the Sunday School was formed in 1816, although this was not the first Sunday School in
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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the place, Mrs. Mary A. Porter having previously opened a Sabbath School in connection with a day school which she was teaching, in which she was assisted by Mrs. Phebe Spafford and Mrs. S. Alvord. This was one of the earliest Sabbath Schools, not only in this part of the country, but generally, for Sunday Schools were quite uncommon at that period.
The first church edifice of this society was built and dedicated in 1822. It was a wooden structure standing on the northwest corner of the Park, and remained till 1855. In 1851 the chapel was built on Salina street nearly opposite the former resi- dence of Dr. Didama. The Sabbath School con- tinued to be held in the church till the building was taken down. Then it was removed to the chapel. After the present brick church was built in 1855, the chapel was removed to the spot where it now stands adjoining the church, and, enlarged in 1862, has since continued to be occupied by the school.
The successors of Rev. Mr. Alexander, prior to the separation from the Onondaga Hollow Society, were Rev. Samuel T. Mills and Rev. James H. Mills. Under the ministry of the latter the United Society was divided, and a separate church formed under the name of the " First Presbyterian Church of Salina," Jan. 23, 1822, and the first church build- ing was erected. It was dedicated coetaneously with the organization, Rev. John Brown, D.D., preaching the sermon. On the 13th of March fol- lowing, Rev. Hutchins Taylor was installed pastor, and continued his ministry till Sept. 7, 1826. He was followed by Rev. Henry Hotchkiss, as stated supply, for about one year. During this period a large num- ber was added to the church. Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg next supplied the church from the fall of 1827 to the summer of 1829, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. James I. Ostrom, installed June 24, 1829. Under his ministry large additions were made to the church. His successor was Rev. Jos. I. Foot, afterwards elected President of Washing- ton College, but while on his way thither was thrown out of his carriage and killed, July 20, 1836. Rev. Hutchins Taylor was recalled, and re- mained pastor till December, 1839. Mr. Taylor was followed by Rev. Jos. Myers, who remained till May, 1844, and was succeeded by Rev. Elias Clark, who supplied the pulpit six months. Then came Rev. Thomas Castleton and continued till July 23, 1849, after which the pulpit was supplied about one year by Rev. J. J. Slocum. Rev. William W. Newell, D. D., was installed pastor Oct. 20, 1850, and ac- cepted a call to New York City Jan. 15, 1860, his pastorate being over nine years with this church.
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