USA > New York > Staten Island > History of Richmond County (Staten Island), New York : from its discovery to the present time > Part 41
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The first Roman Catholic church on Staten Island was organ- ized on the first day of April, 1839, at New Brighton. For some time prior to this, however, a few individuals professing this faith, assembled regularly every week in a small apartment of the " Gun Factory," an establishment which stood at the corner of Richmond terrace and Lafayette avenne, and consisted of the factory proper and a row of brick two-story cottages. The ground on which the church (St. Peter's) was built, was do- nated for the purpose by the " New Brighton Association, " and will revert when it ceases to be used for a church of that faith.
The first pastor was Rev. Ildefonso Medrano, a native of Old Spain : he remained until December, 1845, and was succeeded by Rev. John Shanahan, whose brief pastorate terminated in August, 1846. Rev. James Rosevelt Bailey was the next pastor for a still briefer period, from August to December, 1846. He was afterward bishop of Newark, and later, archbishop of Balti- more. Then came Rev. Patrick Murphy, who was pastor from March, 1846, to February 11, 1848, when he died of yellow fever, and was interred under the altar. He was immediately suc- ceeded by his brother, Rev. Mark Murphy, who was succeeded by the Rev. James L. Conron, in August, 1852. He continned un- til within a few years of the present time. Rev. John Barry has since been pastor of the church.
The two brothers Murphy were remarkably quiet, unassnm-
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ing, and faithful men. In the church is a mural tablet to the memory of Patrick, in the following words :
" Hic Jacet In Spem Beatæ Resurrectionis Revdus PATRICIUS MURPHY, Presbyter Primus, ut creditur, Qui in hac Insula Mortuus est. In Hibernia natus juxta oppidum Enniskillen, Seminarii Stæ Maria Ad Montes Aluminus, et in Neo- Ehoraco ordinatus, pastor Ecclesia hujus et Insulæ Totius Constitutus est. Ubi Morum suavitate, Vitæ integritate, Zelo et eloqnentia pro Deo et Sancta Fide, ita se commendavit ut Ab ommibus vere bonus pastor, et Quasi Apostolus Insulæ haberetur, Labore tandem et morbo gravi.
Oppressus, Anno ætatis suæ 30mo. Mense post ordinationem 15mo. die 11mo. Februarii 1848, animam Deo reddidit, Memoriam sui relinquens non cito Perituram, sed qnæ diu inter Fideles in benedictione Servabitur.
Requiescat in Pace."
(Translation.) Here lies, In the hope of a blessed resurrection, Reverend PATRICK MURPHY, Believed to be the first priest Who died on this Island. Born in Ireland, near the town of Enniskillen, graduate of Mount St. Mary's Seminary, And ordained in New York, and Appointed pastor of this Church, and Of this whole Island, where, By the amiability of his disposition and integrity of his life,
.
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Zeal and eloquence for God, and Holy faith, he so commended himself, that By all he was considered a truly good pastor, and As it were, the Apostle of the Island. At length, worn down by labor and a fatal disease, His soul returned to God, In the thirtieth year of his age, and the Fifteenth month after his ordination, February the 11th, 1848 ; Leaving a memory not soon to be Forgotten, but which shall long remain Among the faithful in benediction.
May he rest in peace.
REV. JOHN BARRY .- No face is more familiar upon the streets of Staten Island than that of Rev. Father John Barry, whose residence of twenty seven years in Richmond county has re- sulted in great benefit, not only to the church with which he is connected, but to the community at large.
Father Barry was born in Cork, Ireland, January 6, 1830. He graduated from "St. Vincent's Seminary," in that city, in 1850, and in the following year came to New York city. Shortly after his arrival he entered "St. Joseph's Seminary," at Ford- ham, N. Y., from which he was ordained to the priesthood in 1854. After his ordination he was appointed by Archbishop Hughes first assistant at Old St. Patrick's cathedral, and re- mained in this position for five years, serving also during the latter portion of the term as chaplain and secretary to the arch- bishop. It was while he held this honorable and important post that the celebrated controversy between Archbishop Hughes and Hon. Erastus Brooks took place. Father Barry was the bearer of the bishop's letters to the "Courier and Enquirer." Dur. ing this time also the corner stone of the new cathedral was laid, Father Barry acting as deacon on the occasion. His valuable services were shortly afterward rewarded by an appointment to the Parish of Rossville, S.I., which then included the villages of Richmond and Graniteville, though the archbishop had talked of sending him as chaplain to the Sixty-ninth regiment, then about to be ordered to the front.
Father Barry remained in this charge for nineteen years, dur-
John Marry
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ing which he erected and beautified the Rossville church, pur- chased ground for and laid out and consecrated the cemetery. He also built the Richmond church, and rebuilt the old church in Graniteville. On the death of Rev. Father Conron he was transferred to St. Peter's church, at New Brighton, where he spent eight years, and still remains. During this time he has completely changed the grounds and beautified the interior of the church at great expense, besides lowering the debt of his congregation. He also procured as a gift from Mr. William McSorley a piece of ground adjacent to St. Peter's cemetery in West Brighton, which he added to the cemetery, making it the largest and best Catholic burying ground on Staten Island.
Father Barry is one of the most active, and at the same time one of the most cordial of men. He bends his whole thought and energy to the task before him. He is at present engaged in collect- ing funds for the erection of a new Catholic school in the parish, which is intended to be one of the most commodious and at- tractive in Richmond county. Essentially a public man, Father Barry has continually used his influence for the promotion of all that is enobling and that is substantial among the people with whom he has lived. The good work which he has ac- complished, and the buildings which he has erected for charita- ble purposes, will long remain when he has passed forever from the scene of his earthly labors, monuments to his usefulness.
In October, 1852, the parish and congregation of St. Mary's church, Clifton, were organized by the late Archbishop Hughes, and the Rev. J. Lewis was appointed pastor thereof, and has continued in the same pastorate ever since.
Immediately after his appointment, Father Lewis erected a temporary chapel and schools at a cost of about $6,000; these were used for five years.
In 1857 Archbishop Hughes laid the corner stone of St. Mary's church, on New York avenue, and the edifice was completed the following year, and cost about $58,000; it is the handsomest Catholic church on Staten Island.
In 1858 and 1859 the rectory adjoining the church was built at a cost of $10,000.
In 1862 Father Lewis purchased seven acres of land of the Parkinson estate in Southfield, and laid it out as a ceme-
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tery; he also built upon it a neat cottage for the keeper's residence.
A large school house, an orphan asylum for the parish, a residence for the sisters of charity, and another for the male teachers of the school were built in 1864, at a cost of about $36,000. These schools are among the largest on the island; the books show a daily attendance of nearly four hundred pupils, who are gratuitously instructed by six sisters of charity under the supervision of the pastor. Father Lewis is entitled to com- mendation for his zeal and fidelity in his efforts to promote the spiritual and temporal interests of his parishoners.
St. Mary's hall for lectures, concerts, dramatic performances and other meetings was erected in 1878 at a cost of $9,000. It holds about eight hundred people and is complete for its purposes, with scenery, footlights, dressing rooms and the like. The "Catholic Young Men's Literary Union Hall " was built by Father Lewis in 1883, for the young men of his parish. Here they congregate in the evenings for recreation and literary exercises. It cost $2,600. In 1882 Father Lewis built, at his own expense, a very handsome chapel, in the heart of Stapleton, for the convenience of the aged and infirm of his parish. It cost $10,000, and is called the "Chapel of Ease of the Clifton Parish," and was dedicated July 9, 1882. Father Lewis is de- servedly held in great esteem among all classes on Staten Island for his business tact and his unselfish devotedness to his parish.
It is the fortune of few clergymen to spend a term of thirty- five years in one pastorate, still less is it usual for any public man to remain that length of time among one people, retaining through it all their unqualified approval and respect. That Rev. John Lewis, or Father Lewis, as he is generally called, has done this and has at the same time accomplished such results in the way of benefit to the church which claims his devotion, speaks volumes for his good judgment and taste.
Father Lewis was born in France in 1821 and came to America in 1851. Soon after his arrival he was appointed to establish a new parish at Clifton, and how well he has succeeded is gener- ally known throughout Richmond county. From the time of his arrival at Clifton he devoted his whole thought to the work before him, and what he has accomplished has been the result of his constant and unwavering efforts. The commodions
ARTUTYVE, E DERSTADT, N. Y.
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church, rectory, schools, residence of sisters of charity, orphan asylum, St Mary's hall, literary hall for young men, St. Mary's cemetery, chapel of ease, in Stapleton, etc., make up to day one of the most complete and beautiful parishes in the diocese of New York and betray his clear-headedness, unflagging energy and sound financiering abilities. It may be said to his credit also that he has not confined himself entirely to the work of his own denomination, but has been and is ever ready to lend a helping hand in all liberal and charitable movements.
Father Lewis has been through life a hard student and has attained for himself an honored position among the learned men of his day. Refined in taste and manner without affec- tation, with a countenance full of candor and goodness of heart, a ripe scholar, speaking fluently five or six langnages, of mature experience, much enlarged by traveling, a thorough champion of his own church, yet kind and forbearing to those who differ from him, and ever ready to give credit to the honest convic- tions of others; all these are the qualities which have enabled him to make such a remarkable success of his undertakings on Staten Island, and have won for him the love and esteem of his fellow men.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, Port Richmond, was or- ganized as an out mission of St. Peter's church, New Brighton, about forty years ago. The Rev. Father Metrano celebrated the first mass for about forty Catholics, which was the whole number of that denomination living in the town of Northfield at that time, The place of worship was the old stone honse which still stands near the granite quarry at Graniteville. Father Metrano continued celebrating mass there once every month, for about three years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. P. Murphy. Father Murphy's time was short ; he died from an attack of yellow fever contracted while performing his sacred functions to members of his flock in the yellow fever hospital. After a service of about two years, he was succeeded by his brother, Father Mark Murphy. At this time the num- ber of catholics had increased to about one hundred and fifty members. After a few years he purchased a large piece of land on Quarry hill, and built a frame building, sixty by thirty feet, two stories high, for a school house. He used it for a church, intending to build a larger and more commodious building for church purposes. He officiated for abont eight years, when he
28
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was succeeded by the Rev. Father Caro, who was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's church, Rossville, and St. Mary's was attached as an out mission. He served about two years. He was succeeded by Rev. Father MeCrausen, who officiated about two years.
Up to this time there was no regular Sunday school. In 1858, Rev. Father Barry of St. Patrick's, New York, was appointed pas- tor. Services still continued to be held once a month, but after a few years they were held twice a month. The catholic popu- lation afterward increased to about four hundred, and services were held every Sunday. During his time a regular Sunday school was formed, and in 1873, T. F. Donovan was appointed superintendent, a position which he has since held. Father Barry officiated for nineteen years. During his time the tract of land which was laid out in previous years for church pur- poses, was converted into a cemetery.
In 1877, the number of catholics had increased to tive or six hundred. The church authorities deemed it advisable to make St. Mary's a separate parish, and therefore appointed Rev. H. S. O'Hare, pastor. He served one year and three months. In 1878, Rev. J. C. Campbell was appointed pastor. His ap- pointment marks the forward stride of St. Mary's church. He worked solely for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his people. The end of the first three years of his pastorate found the church completely clear of debt, and several needed in- provements made in the old frame building which Father Mur- phy had built thirty years previous, and which was still used as a church. He next had the parish enlarged by getting it ex- tended to Bodine's Mill creek. The number of Catholics belonging to St. Mary's was now about eight hundred.
The old church was now too small to accommodate the grow- ing congregation, and its location was such as to prevent a great many from attending their own church. Father Campbell saw that something should be done to supply the wants of his people. He accordingly, in 1882, purchased for one thousand five hundred dollars, a large piece of property on the Shore road, near Port Richmond, and erected on it one of the handsomest church edifices on Staten Island, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. The new church is one hundred feet long by fifty-seven feet wide, with slate roof, and has a steeple one hundred and twenty-five feet high. The inside is finished in polished oak,
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and has a seating capacity of six hundred ; all the windows are of stained glass, and were donated by the members of the church. The corner stone was laid by Archbishop Corrigan on the 19th of August, 1883. It was ready for services the follow- ing May, and on the 4th of that month it was dedicated by Archbishop Corrigan. In April, 1885, Father Campbell pur- chased a magnificent organ to be placed in the church, at a cost. of two thousand five hundred dollars. It was used for the first time on the first anniversary of the dedication. He has since purchased a large piece of property adjoining the church prop- erty, to be used for church purposes. Daniel D. McCarthy donated a bell weighing two thousand pounds, which is placed in the tower of the church.
St. Joseph's church, Rossville, was built in 1851, and for three years after that time was under the care of the church at Clifton. Abont 1854 Rev. Father Caro became its pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. Bernard McCransen in 1857. He remained until 1859, when the Rev. John Barry became its pastor, and the latter remained till the year 1877. Rev. Ed- ward A. Danphy succeeded him, remaining until the present time. The congregation of this church comes from Kreischer- ville, Tottenville, Green Ridge, Eltingville, Annadale, Hugne- not, Prince's Bay, Richmond Valley and Rossville. The church is a frame building sixty-one by twenty-five feet on the ground, standing near Shay's lane. The interior is tastefully decorated with oil paintings, and the house is furnished with stained glass windows. It has a seating capacity for about three hundred.
St. Patrick's church, located at Richmond, was built in the year 1861. It is of brick, seventy-one by forty feet in size, and is capable of seating about four hundred people. It owes its existence largely, if not wholly, to the persevering efforts of Rev. Father Barry, who for many years was its faithful pastor.
St. Rose of Lima, located on Castleton avenue, at the corner of Roe street, West New Brighton, was erected in 1864, on a lot seventy-five by one hundred and fifty feet, which had been purchased of William Jones for nine hundred dollars. Its building was due to the energy of Rev. Father Conron, then pastor of St. Peter's church at New Brighton. The church was appropriately dedicated on Sunday, December 4, 1864, by the celebration of high mass, and a performance of classic music by artists from St. Peter's church, of Barclay street, New York,
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and the "Italian Opera Company." A notable event took place here on Sunday, May 22, 1881, when one hundred and fourteen males and an equal number of females were confirmed by Archbishop Corrigan, assisted by Father Poole, pastor of the church, and others.
In 1850 a number of the members of the Reformed church in Richmond, residing at such a distance therefrom as to render their attendance inconvenient, organized a new church at Bloom- ingview, now known as the "Church of the Huguenots." A plain but substantial church building was erected on land donated by the Hon. Benjamin P. Prall, and the Rev. James A. M. Latourette, a descendant of a Staten Island Huguenot family, became its first pastor. Soon after, however, he re- signed his charge, having connected himself with the Protest- ant Episcopal church.
Mr. Latourette was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas B. Greg- ory, who also, after a brief term, resigned. The Rev. Herman B. Stryker, a native Staten Islander, and son of the Rev. Peter Stryker, formerly pastor of the church on the north side, then supplied the pulpit for several years. After his resignation, the Rev. Dr. Francis M. Kip assumed the duties of the pastoral office.
" The First United Independent Christian Church of Staten Is- land"(Unitarian) was organized at the house of Minthorne Tomp- kins in Stapleton, February 19, 1851, by the election of Dr. A. Sid- ney Doane, Minthorne Tompkins, Daniel Low, F. S. Hagadorn, William Emerson, P. C. Cortelyon, John C. Thompson, H. M. Harding, John Crabtree, A. J. Hamilton, John Bendernagel, and Philip Bender, as trustees. This society held their meet- ings at the Lyceum in Stapleton, where the Reverend Messrs. Bellows, Chapin and Osgood often kindly officiated until the Rev. John Parkman, of Boston, who had recently become a resident of the island, accepted the charge.
On the 21st of September of the same year (1851) " The Con- gregational Church of the Evangelists of New Brighton " was established by the initative of Messrs. James Parker, Lucius Tuckerman, W. C. Goodhue, George W. Jewett, John Crabtree, A. J. Hamilton, George A. Ward, Robert C.Goodhne, William WV. Russell, Smith Ely, S. M. Elliott, John D. Sloat, J. E. Kun- hardt, William F. Cary, John Jewett, Jr., L. G. Wyeth and Mrs. M. Pendleton. This society held their meetings at the
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Belmont house, New Brighton, Mr. Parkman preaching on al- ternate Sundays there and at the Lyceum, for about six months. when, unable to obtain a suitable place for worship, the organi- zation was dissolved, and the members joined the congregation. Mr. Parkman was called to the pastorate of the united body, and the name of the corporation was changed to that of " The Church of the Redeemer," Messrs. Daniel Low, George A. Ward, W. C. Goodhue, John F. Raymond, Lucius Tuckerman, H. M. Harding, A. J. Hamilton, John Crabtree and Daniel G. Garrison being the board of trustees. A building for church purposes was erected on Richmond turnpike at the foot of Cebra avenue, an isolated situation, apparently selected because, be- ing abont equi-distant from the several villages, it was not more inconvenient to one than to another. It was dedicated June 29, 1853. The church flourished and increased, and it was thought necessary to enlarge the building. This was done, and the number of pews almost doubled.
In a comparatively short time, however, the disadvantages of the situation became more and more manifest ; the roads were bad, and there were no sidewalks; most of the congre- gation lived at a distance; access to the church was difficult, almost impracticable at seasons to those on foot; the zeal of many of the original members diminished; some died, more left the island, and their places remained empty. Mr. Parkman, with his family, went to Europe, and was succeeded tempora- rily by Rev. Charles Ritter, and by Rev. R. P. Cutler, and finally in November, 1865, after an unsuccessful attempt to in- duce Mr. Parkman, on his return to Boston from Europe, to resume his former charge, the church was closed, the building sold and removed, the land also sold, and the proceeds invested in United States bonds. The corporation was continued, how- ever, and its members patiently awaited the time when more favorable circumstances should call it to renewed activity. That time came in 1868, when the population of New Brighton, hav- ing greatly increased, Rev. W. R. G. Mellen, then secretary of the Hudson River Conference, gathered the congregation to- gether, and attempted its reorganization. Meetings were held at the Union Sunday school room in New Brighton, at which he conducted the services, and after much patient and earnest en- deavor on his part, the desired result was attained. A reor- ganization was effected, and Messrs. Daniel Low, George W.
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Jewett. John C. Henderson, Charles C. Goodhne, George W. Curtis, John H. Platt, Edward B. Merrill, J. Frank Emmons and Andrew M. F. Davis, were chosen trustees. A lot of land on the corner of Clinton avenue and Second street, New Brigh - ton, was purchased, and a church edifice erected thereon at the cost of nearly $15,000. The larger part of this sum was paid by the funds in hand and by subscriptions, but a debt of nearly $6,000 remained.
Rev. W. C. Badger was called to the pastorate, but was com- pelled by ill health to resign in about eighteen months. The pulpit was afterward supplied by different clergyman for a while, but for several months the services were conducted by Mr. George W. Curtis, who read such printed sermons as he judged would interest and help the congregation. In May, 1871, Rev. W. R. G. Mellen, who had, in the meanwhile, been preach - ing at Detroit, was settled as pastor, and remained in charge until May, 1874, when circumstances compelled him to resign. After this the services were principally and gratuitously con- ducted by Mr. Curtis, in the manner above mentioned, to the continned delight and satisfaction of the hearers.
During this period a fine organ was purchased and paid for, mainly through the exertion of Mr. J. W. Simonton, who had gratuitously conducted the musical services of the congrega- tion since the reorganization; the debt was paid off, Mr. Daniel Low, deceased, having contributed largely for that purpose, and the society was enabled to give assistance to other weak churches, and to deserving charities.
The revenues of the "Church of the Redeemer " were raised by subscription and not from the rent of pews, the seats being absolutely free. All persons of both sexes, of full age, who had been stated attendants on worship with the society for one year, and had contributed five dollars annually to its treasury were entitled to take part, and to vote at all its pro- ceedings.
When, after a few years, Mr. Curtis relinquished the con- duct of the services the society invited various clergymen to preach, and finally asked the Rev. Alphonso Weeks to become the pastor. He was obliged to decline and the religious ser- vices were then suspended. The church remained unoccupied for a time, but in 1884 it was let to a Baptist society which holds regular worship in the building.
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The First Edgewater Presbyterian church is located on Brownell and Mckeon streets, Stapleton. It was originally called "The First Presbyterian Church of Clifton." The or- ganization took place Wednesday afternoon, May 14, 1856, at the residence of G. W. Gerard, Townsend avenue, Clifton, when the Third Presbytery of New York city met for that purpose. There were present of that body Rev. Dr. Samuel D. Burchard, A. E. Campbell, Rev. W. Roosevelt, D. T. Mc- Laughton, and Elders David Stevens and J. C. Hines, the com- mittee appointed by the body for this service. After religious service, twenty-one persons from the Reformed Dutch church of Stapleton, and five from other churches presented letters of dismissal to the new church, and having assented to the con- fession of the faith and covenant were organized into a Pres- byterian church. John D. Dix, E. S. Saxton, and G. W. Ger- ard were elected elders; E. A. Ludlow, and - Davidge deacons; and were forthwith installed. Rev. Dr. Burchard officiating. The first communion of the Lord's Supper was celebrated in the home of Elder Gerard, May 18, 1856, when all the members of the church were present.
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