History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 53

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Its former deacons have been Horace Hastings, Hiram H. Seelye, Philo Bron- son, John Bement, Eli A. Bronson, T. C. Maxwell, Isaac L. Seely, R. J. Swan, E. B. Richardson, J. S. Sears, Thomas Chester, S. E. Smith.

The present deacons are George G. Atwood, James G. Vail, David H. Henry, Henry K. Clapp, M. S. Sanford, M. J. Snell.

METHODIST .- The first society of the Methodist Episcopal church of Geneva was organized December 11, 1811, by the Rev. George Harmon, who is still living, in Marcellus, New York, an octogenarian of ninety. Among the first ministers that officiated for the infant church was Rev. Gideon Lanning, who still resides at Jacksonville, Tompkins county, also Rev. Mr. Bishop, and others whose names cannot now be recalled.

The first church edifice was erected in 1821, under the ministerial labors of Rev. Loring Grant, who was very instrumental in promoting the interests of the church. This church still stands on Castle street.

From the erection of the house of worship the society was favored with regular preaching, and God's Spirit was graciously poured out in many revivals of religion that were enjoyed.

In the year 1839 the present house of worship was erected. It is located on the corner of Main and Seneca streets, and is a large and substantial brick edifice, with a seating capacity of seven hundred persons.

The following is a tolerably accurate list of pastors, embracing a period of forty- eight years, commencing in 1828:

Reverends M. Tooker, S. Mattison, J. W. Nevins, C. S. Coats, E. Hebbard, William P. Davis, F. G. Hibbard, M. Conger, O. R. Howard, John Dennis, J. G. Gulick, J. Raines, W. H. Goodwin, T. H. Kellogg, D. D. Buck, Thomas Tousey, James W. Wilson, A. F. Morey, George Van Allstyne, A. W. Green.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH .- This is the memorial church of the Right Rev. Wil- liam Heathcote De Lancey, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L. Oxon., the first bishop of Western New York, who was consecrated May 9, 1830, and died April 5, 1865. Geneva was the place of his residence from the time of his coming into the dio- cese until his death. In 1852 he began to hold services of the Episcopal church in a small chapel on Genesee street, near Lewis street, which had been used by the Congregationalists and Presbyterians for a time without success, and which he obtained by purchase. This chapel he named after St. Peter's church, Philadel- phia, his old parish church, from which he had been called to the Episcopate. In 1861 the Rev. Dr. Rankine, who had come to Geneva as the head of the Diocesan Training School, began to give full Sunday services in St. Peter's chapel, and opened a parish register for the enrollment of a new charge. The parish, however, was not organized and admitted into union with the convention until 1867, after the bishop's death. At a meeting of the clergy, held after the funeral services of the bishop, it was proposed that a free church be built by general con- tribution, to take the place of St. Peter's chapel, to be the memorial church of Bishop De Lancey. Dr. Rankine was appointed financial agent to collect the funds, thirty thousand dollars. He was also appointed one of the building com- mittee, of which he was soon left the only active member. The corner-stone was laid in 1868, and May 10, 1870, the church was consecrated as St. Peter's church, the memorial church of Bishop De Lancey. The church and its furniture, including ornamental and other gifts, is valued at about forty thousand dollars. With the exception of about eighteen months, while he was president of Hobart College, Dr. Rankine has been in charge of St. Peter's ever since he came to Geneva. At the present time the parish has a membership of one hundred and seventy com- municants, and a Sunday-school of one hundred and twenty members.

NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This church was organized as an Asso-

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ciate Reformed church. Application was made to the presbytery of Saratoga, by twelve persons, members of the Seneca church, to be organized as a church. Presbytery granted the request July 27, 1827, more than half a century ago. Rev. D. C. McLaren, D.D., assisted by Rev. Mr. Nesbit, organized the church, ordaining the elders elect, viz., John Swan, Jr., James McClung, and John Scoon.

The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. F. McLaren, D.D., whose term of service was fifteen years. During his pastorate, in the years 1830 and '31, the house of worship was erected, and has been occupied until the present time. In 1846, Rev. T. F. Farrington was installed pastor, and occupied the position until April, 1850. He removed to Newburgh, New York, where, in June, 1875, he suddenly died.

He was followed by Rev. W. S. McLaren, whose ministry here was nearly three years. He died at Santa Barbara, California, whither he had gone in the hope of recruiting his health. His death occurred July 12, 1874.

For several years there was no settled pastor. Rev. D. C. McLaren, D.D., kindly rendered to the church during this period of sore trial his judicious coun- sel, and officiated frequently in the pulpit. He gave an entire year of his services to the church, and greatly encouraged the people by his labor and hopeful spirit.

Rev. J. L. Robertson, now of Rochester, was installed pastor in July, 1859, and continued the relation until May, 1867. During his ministry there was an extended revival of religion, which added a number to the church, who yet abide good men and true.

For one year, from March, 1869, Rev. D. A. Duff was pastor. He was fol- lowed by Rev. A. C. Roe, for two years. In the summer of 1873 the present pastor entered on his work.

Of the elders first elected but one lives, Mr. J. Sloan, Jr., of Penn Yan.

At present the church is fully organized, with a board of nine elders, nine dea- cons, and six trustees. It has a flourishing Sabbath-school, and its social means of grace are well sustained. Its ecclesiastical connection is with the presbytery of Geneva, and its name is " North Presbyterian Church of Geneva."

The people who first constituted the church were mainly Scotch, or Scotch descent. They were a people tenacious of their rights and privileges. Distin- guished by a special love of the ordinances and Word of God, they were thor- oughly attached to their church. They were rigid disciplinarians, used the old version of the Psalms, and were loyal to " Christ's Crown and Covenant." These elements were wrought into the church, and made it strong in days of trial and darkness. They have lived under discouragements that would have overwhelmed men of less courage and faith.

But brighter days have dawned. With a membership of two hundred, they have outgrown their present accommodations, and need a new edifice as the con- dition of larger usefulness. The edifice has been erected on Genesee street, and is one of the finest church structures in the county. The church and congrega- tion have every reason to hope for success if they are faithful and true in the ser- vice of their Lord.

The present organization of the church is as follows :

Rev. W. Hogarth, D.D., pastor.

Elders .- J. Mackay, E. S. Kelsey, J. Sanford Sears, H. E. Maxwell, S. W. Hopkins, G. W. Root, A. Merrill, H. D. Bennett, T. C. Maxwell.

Deacons .- W. H. Coleman, Dewitt C. Hewlitt, C. T. Marshall, J. I. Maxwell, M. H. Smith, Dr. J. H. Stebbins, J. P. Vail, James Wallace.

Trustees .- J. I. Maxwell, S. N. Anthony, George Hipple, H. D. Bennett, F. E. Richardson, D. Affleck.

Mr. J. Mackay is superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and J. Sanford Sears assistant superintendent.

A. Langdon Root, secretary and treasurer; Andrew J. Price, librarian; Charles Mead, chorister.

PROTESTANT REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH .- Some time previous to the organ- ization of this church, the Rev. Henry Mandeville, a recent graduate of the theological seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church, at New Brunswick, New Jersey, while visiting in this vicinity, was induced to preach one Sabbath in the Presbyterian church, and with such power as to attract to him some of the older Knickerbocker residents, of which the population of the place was largely made up. Among them was Mr. Herman H. Bogert, a prominent citizen, who per- suaded Mr. Mandeville to remain, with a view of organizing a church, that they might worship after the manner of their fathers. This event was consummated on the 24th day of August, 1831, when, at a meeting held in the Associate- Re- formed Presbyterian church, on Castle street, the church was organized by the reception of nine members, and a consistory constituted and ordained, the mem- bers of which were Peter Dox and John Veader as elders, and John N. Bogert and George Griffing as deacons. For about six months the infant church wor- shiped in the red brick building on William street, then occupied as a school- house, from which they were finally driven by parties inimical to the enterprise,

who purchased the premises. They afterwards secured a room in what was then known as the Masonic Hall, on the spot now occupied by the chapel of the First Presbyterian church.

At the communion season next after the organization, there were received as members of the church six on confession of their faith and nine on certificate from other churches, of whom four were from the Geneva Presbyterian church.

During the year 1832 there were were received ten on confession and eightcen on certificate, of whom eight were from the Geneva Presbyterian church. In 1833 the accession to the membership was fourteen, and in 1834 amounted to sixteen, only one being from the Presbyterian church of Geneva.

The Rev. H. Mandeville continued his services as a supply until October 8, 1832, when, at a meeting of the consistory, presided over by Rev. O. H. Gregory, of the church of Farmerville, Seneca county, New York, a call was regularly made out and placed in his hands to become the pastor of the church. This call was accepted by' Mr. Mandeville, but his installation was delayed until the com- pletion of the church edifice, which was then in progress of erection.

Among those who were very prominent in the enterprise, and who contributed liberally of their money, time, and influence, were Herman H. Bogert, Phineas Prouty, Bowen Whiting, and William W. Watson. These gentlemen acted as the building committee, and held the title to the property as trustees, in order to secure the large advances in money which they made to complete the erection of the building.

The church edifice having finally been completed, the dedication services were held January 17, 1833, and in the evening of the same day, the call to Rev. Henry Mandeville having been approved, he was installed by the classis of Cayuga as pastor of the church.

The following notice of the services is taken from the Geneva Gazette, dated January 23, 1833 :

"The edifice erected in this place during the past year for the use of the con- gregation of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church, was on Thursday last dedi- cated to the worship of Almighty God. The prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple was read, and the introductory prayer offered by the Rev. A. M. Mann, of Ithaca. The office of dedication was performed, and the accompanying address delivered by the venerable Dr. Yates, of Chittenango. In the evening the Rev. Henry Mandeville was installed pastor of the church. The Rev. Asa Bennett, of Lodi, propounded the question of consent to the doctrines and wor- ship of the church. The charge to the pastor was given by the Rev. Andrew Yates, D.D., and that to the people by Rev. A. M'Mann. The installation ser- mon was preached by the Rev. George W. Bethune, of Utica. The entire ser- vices were most appropriately solemn and affecting, and the occasion elicited from the reverend gentlemen engaged an exhibition of talent and of sound and practi- cal theology and a display of pulpit eloquence rarely found in our churches. The best evidence of the interesting nature of the exercises is derived from the silent and fixed attention with which a crowded audience listened to them. The Rev. Dr. Ludlow, of Albany, arrived in the course of the day, but too late to take part in the exercises. He remained with us, and on the first Sabbath after its dedica- tion preached in the new church three times to large congregations. The church thus dedicated is a neat and beautiful building of brick, being, including the portico, eighty-five fect long and fifty-five feet wide, with a spacious basement, used for Sabbath-school and consistory room. It is entirely finished in a style of good taste and elegance not often surpassed in our country. While it is an orna- ment to our village, it reflects credit upon the liberality of the congregation by whom it has been erected, and proves that the mechanics of Geneva can design and complete edifices which compare in elegance and good taste with those of our sister villages."

Notwithstanding that this was but an infant church, not as yet able to support itself, receiving nourishment from the Board of Domestic Missions, and even with that assistance struggling for its very existence, no sooner was the new edifice fairly occupied for worship than the consistory, on the 4th of February, made the following minute: " Believing it to be our solemn duty, as Christians and as a church, to nid with our substance as well as prayers in the great work of evan- gelizing the heathen, therefore, Resolved, That we take up collections in aid of the cause of foreign missions at our monthly concerts for prayer." Other objects of benevolence soon received attention, and for which contributions were made. The church continuing to increase, at the close of the year the consistory was enlarged. by the addition of one elder and one deacon.

Application having been made to the Collegiate Reformed Dutch churches of New York city for assistance, the consistory of those churches, December 5, 1833, " Resolved, To grant the sum of three hundred dollars annually for five years for the . aid of the ministry of said church, on condition that the church of Geneva shall forever remain and continue to be a Dutch church, in connection with and subor- dinate to the general synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch church, and the

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other subordinate judicatures of the same." A bond to this effect was duly exe- cuted by the consistory January 23, 1835.

A written instrument was duly executed on April 8, 1834, in accordance with the provisions of the laws of New York, declaring the corporate title to be the " Protestant Reformed Dutch Church" of Geneva. The pastor, Rev. Henry Mandeville, having received a call from the Reformed Dutch church of Utica, and concluded to accept the same, a meeting of the consistory was held July 7, 1834, presided over by Rev. C. P. Wack, of the Reformed Dutch church, Bel- lona, and his resignation accepted with very great reluctance. Efforts were after- wards made to induce him to remain, but without avail. Under his ministration the church had slowly but surely progressed. Some eighty-one members had been received, and a bright day apparently began to dawn, when his unexpected resignation was presented, and the harmonious relation which had existed between pastor and people was suddenly severed.

After the departure of Rev. Mandeville, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Cor- nelius Brower, who continued as such supply until the settlement of another pastor.

On the 13th of September, 1834, a call was made to Rev. Gustavus Abeel, which, being approved by the classis of Cayuga on the 16th instant, was for- warded to Mr. Abeel, who, on the 15th of October, signified his acceptance, and early in November commenced his labors, and was installed as pastor January 21, 1835, Rev. A. M. Mann preaching the installation sermon.

The church having increased in numbers, on December 5, 1834, it was re- solved to enlarge the consistory by the addition of another elder and deacon, mak- ing the consistory to consist of four elders and four deacons, two of each being elected every year to serve for two years, in accordance with the constitution of the church, which requires one-half of the consistory to be elected annually; those elders and deacons not in active service being members of the great con- sistory, who may be called upon for advice, but have no vote in the affairs of the church.

Soon after this, Mr. Abraham Van Nest, of the city of New York, made a liberal donation of two hundred and fifty dollars towards the purchase of a bell, and on the 6th of April, 1835, the consistory passed a vote of thanks to him for this expression of his kindness. The bell procured at this time and placed in the steeple is one of the finest in the village, and yet remains in efficient usefulness, a memento of the liberal kindness of Father Van Nest, who took so deep an interest in the welfare of this church.

On the 7th of January, 1839, application was made and granted for certificates of dismission by seven members, with a view to organize themselves into a Re- formed Dutch church in Tyre, Seneca county.

Previous to this time an organ had been procured and placed in the gallery, and April 8, 1839, it was " Resolved, That the consistory disapprove of the use of the organ for the mere display of professional skill, as it was designed to aid in the solemn worship of God, and must be used for that purpose."

Deacon John N. Bogert removed to the city of New York November 24, 1840. He had for most of the time from the organization of the church acted as clerk of the consistory, and also often as treasurer, and was one of the most active and efficient members, and his removal was a great loss to the church.

The church enjoyed great quiet and prosperity during the pastorate of Dr. Abeel, who continued his ministry here for fifteen years. He was very attentive to his congregation, and his touching care and kindness to the sick endeared him to the hearts of his people, and his memory is yet very fragrant in the hearts of all who thus received his kind ministrations. In 1840 the church reported eighty- five families and one hundred and thirty-one communicants with about one hun- dred in the Sunday-school. No reports are at hand to show the number at the close of his ministry here, although the church records show that the growth of the church was sure and steady. November 1, 1849, a special meeting of the consistory was held, Rev. Mr. Cornell presiding, and Dr. Abeel stated that his health had been for some time such as to make it desirable to take some relaxa- tion, and that he had at length come to the conclusion that it was most expedient for him to ask a final dismission and seek a settlement in a more congenial climate. His request was finally granted, although with exceeding great regret.

After the removal of Dr. Abeel the church remained for some time without a pastor, and with such temporary supply for the pulpit as could be procured. Early in May, 1850, Rev. C. C. Vanarsdale, D.D., was engaged to supply the pulpit, and June 10 it was resolved to give him a call to become the pastor of the church, which call was regularly made out at a meeting of the consistory, July 1, Rev. G. J. Garretson, of Lodi, presiding, and was placed in the hands of Dr. Vanarsdale, who held it for some time without giving any answer, until, September 2, the con- sistory informed him that the state of the church was such as imperatively de- manded an immediate reply, whereupon he finally refused its acceptance.

The attention of the consistory being called to Rev. James Romeyn, D.D., a correspondence was held with him, which resulted in a long letter from him, dated

October 11, 1850, in which he stated he would " come and serve for the winter on the basis of the call," and give his final decision ou or before April. Another extract is, " Before the first of April many, nay, the most of us, may be in eter- nity,"-almost prophetic words as to himself. On the 13th of October it was re- solved that a call be offered Dr. Romeyn on the conditions specified in his letter, which he immediately accepted and came to Geneva, and entered on the discharge of his labors. But it was only for a few weeks; and after having supplied the pulpit with great acceptability for that short time, he was suddenly stricken down in November with paralysis, and although he lingered along in a half paralytic state for a number of years, his labors in the pulpit were over.

December 12, 1850, it was resolved to extend a call to the Rev. Mr. Gantze, but he declining, the church continued to be without a pastor until May 4, 1851, when the Rev. Henry V. Voorhees was invited as a stated supply, and his services proving very acceptable, it was, on the 15th of June, resolved to give him a call to become the pastor, which was regularly made out on the 5th of July at a meet- ing of the consistory, Rev. J. R. Vanarsdale, of Tyre, presiding. His installation took place October 7.

In the year 1853 the dissatisfaction with the use of the basement for Sabbath- school and other purposes became very general, and a subscription was started for the purpose of building a lecture-room adjoining and in the rear of the church. This proving successful, a committee was appointed November 16, consisting of D. Laurence Clark, R. Peyton, and H. T. E. Foster, to superintend the erection of the building. It was at once commenced, and February 28, 1854, a vote of thanks was voted the committee, and especially the chairman, for the efficient manner in which they had discharged their duties. The building was then fully completed and in use, and had cost about one thousand two hundred dollars.

The health of the pastor, Rev. H. V. Voorhees, not proving sufficient to stand the vicissitudes of the climate, he was finally compelled to resign, and at a meet- ing of the consistory, held February 21, 1855, Rev. Geo. J. Van Neste, of Lodi, presiding, his resignation, to take effect on the 25th, was accepted, and highly complimentary resolutions were passed testifying to the success of his ministry. The same day the classis of Geneva met, dissolved the relation between pastor and people, and approved a call which the consistory had that day made to Rev. Anson Dubois, which he, however, finally declined.

April 20, 1855, the consistory met, Rev. Mr. Burroughs, of the Reformed Dutch church of Waterloo, presiding, and a call was regularly made out to Rev. Joseph A. Collier, which he accepted, and he entered on the discharge of his labors May 19, 1855. During his pastorate the great revival of 1858 swept over the land, and Union prayer-meetings, participated in by the various denominations, were held on every side. They were held in the Reformed Dutch church of Geneva, and the churches all felt the reviving influence of the Holy Spirit. In the month of May there were received twenty-five into the membership of the church, on confession of their faith, and for the year ending April 1, 1859, there are recorded as forty-one having been received. At this time the church roll showed one hundred and sixty families and two hundred and ten members in communion, with an average attendance of one hundred in the Sabbath-school. The member- ship roll had, however, for a long time been incorrect, as very many had, from time to time, removed away without taking letters of dismission, and all trace of them had been lost. A resolution was passed ordering a separate list of those members whose places of residence, after diligent search, cannot be ascertained or compiled, and that such members be not included hereafter in the yearly statistical reports.

On the 8th of October, 1859, Mr. Collier informed the consistory that he had received a call from the Second Reformed Dutch church of Kingston, New York, and, in view of the condition of his own health and that of his wife, he had con- cluded to accept said call; and at a meeting of the consistory, on the 11th, Rev. Mr. Morse presiding, his resignation was formally accepted. It was a source of unmingled sorrow and regret to lose this beloved pastor, whose labors had been so signally blessed, and whose memory is so enshrined in the hearts of his flock.

The pulpit this time did not long remain without a pastor, for on the 13th of November, 1859, it was resolved to extend a call to Rev. Charles Wiley, D.D., and on the 15th, Rev. Mr. Morse presiding, the call was formally made out and sent to Dr. Wiley, who, on the 21st, notified his acceptance, and commenced his labors 'November 26.

The church roll having been revised in accordance with the resolve heretofore noticed, the statistical report, on the 1st of April, 1860, showed ninety-eight fam- ilies, one hundred and seventy members in communion, and an average attendance of one hundred in the Sunday-school. Dr. Wiley continued as pastor until 1865, when, on the 5th of June, he notified the consistory of his resignation, which was formally accepted, on the 19th, at a consistory meeting, over which the Rev. J. R. Vanaradale, of Tyre, presided. The last statistical report under the pastorate

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 53

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

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Number of Pages: 391