USA > New York > Saratoga County > History of Saratoga County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. > Part 43
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In the fall of 1841 he accepted the position of principal of the Jonesville Academy, at Jonesville, Saratoga County. Assuming the duties of his appointment, he remained in charge of the academy for the next twenty years. Under his administration it became one of the most efficient and prosperous institutions of learning in this portion of the State. After closing his labors at the academy, he resided a few years at Brattleboro', Vt., where he became superinten-
dent of public instruction, and held other honorable posi- tions of trust.
In 1863 he took up his residence at Saratoga Springs,. and was soon clothed with civil honors and responsibilities. He became president of the board of education, and took an active part in the establishment of the public school system of the town. In the Methodist Episcopal church of Saratoga, there is not a position eligible to a layman which he has not filled. In fact, Prof. Wilson has been so loaded with these responsibilities that he has been obliged to solicit relief from some of them. At the date of this writing, although sixty-five years of age, he is holding the offices of trustee, steward, class-leader, recording steward, district steward, chairman of the finance committee, collec- tor, and Bible-class teacher.
In the recent church-building enterprise, which brought forth the beautiful Methodist temple at Saratoga, he was a leading spirit and an untiring laborer. During the building of the church and its financial struggle for existence, he was president of the board of trustees, and not only gave largely in proportion to his means, but spent months of labor and solicitation to free it from debt. The completed enterprise is one which reflects credit not only upon the local church but upon the denomination at large.
In the first general conference which admitted laymen in 1872, Prof. Wilson was one of the only two lay delegates representing the Troy Conference, one of the most important conferences represented in that body.
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among us to say, that probably no person made greater sacrifices, giving liberally of his time and means for the erection and completion of this church, than Rev. J. D. Moriarity. At the very outset he threw his whole soul into the enterprise, and ecased not to labor for its aceom- plishment until he saw his efforts erowned with success ; indeed, his interest in, and his labors for, his beloved Zion, the church of his early choice, ceased not until he ceased both to work and to live,-which occurred in June, 1849.
The church was rebuilt on Washington street in 1870; it was dedicated March 20, 1871, by Bishop Janes. The value of the church property is $125,000. The present Sunday-school has five hundred and sixty-three members, and fifty-seven officers. G. D. Van Vrankin is the super- intendent.
Since Rev. Mr. Sexton had charge the ministers have been Rev. James M. King, Rev. J. E. C. Sawyer, and Rev. William II. Hughs, the present incumbent.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI OF SARATOGA SPRINGS.
The first mass ever celebrated in Saratoga Springs was in the fall of the year 1834, by the Rev. John Kelly. Father Kelly settled about this time at Sandy Hill, Washington county, where a Catholic church had for many years existed. Remaining there for one year, he removed to Lansingburg. From this place he was after a few months transferred by Bishop Dubois to' Albany, where he became the founder and first pastor of the present St. John's church, having purchased the edifice from the Protestant Episcopals and refitted it suitably for the Roman Catholic serviee.
Father Kelly is yet remembered as a man of naturally mild disposition, unassuming in manner, and abounding in zeal for the welfare of religion. When, in the year 1841, a request was made by the Propaganda in Rome for some missionaries for Liberia, in Africa, Father Kelly, although advanced in years at the time, was the first among the few priests who offered their services for that distant and dangerous mission.
He remained in Liberia a few years, and, returning, afterwards built a church in Jersey City, where he died about the year 1862, deeply regretted by his people. He was the brother of Mr. Eugene Kelly, now an eminent banker in New York city.
For seven years after the celebration of the first mass there was no resident pastor in Saratoga, nor any regular or stated time for the attendance of a priest. The Catholics of the place were left to depend on the casual visits of the few neighboring priests, or other clergymen who might happen to be staying at the "Springs" for the benefit of their health or passing to and from the city of New York and Lower Canada. Of those who officiated a few only are remembered. Rev. Mr. McClancy, of Albany, said mass once. Rev. Mr. Quinn, of St. Peter's church, Troy, attended twice. Rev. Peter Havermans, now of St. Mary's, Troy, paid a few visits. Rev. P. McCloskey, appointed in March, 1838, to Schenectady, attended Saratoga occasion- ally.
Father MeCloskey did something towards organizing the congregation ; it was through his instrumentality a collection
was first taken up for a suit of vestments for the mission. The vestments were made by the Sisters of Charity attached to St. James' church, in the city of New York, and pro- cured in the spring of 1839. Rev. Andrew Byrne, then of St. James' church, New York, and afterwards first bishop of Little Rock, Ark., presented a chalice in the spring of 1840. During the period above referred to mass was celebrated in the summer season either in the Universalist church or in district school-house No. 1, and in the winter in the dwelling-house of Mr. John Costigan.
The want of a Catholic church at Saratoga Springs had for some time been felt and regretted by the Catholic in- habitants of the village, and also by the families and indi- viduals of that communion who, residing in the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and elsewhere, resort annually to the Springs.
With a view to provide for this want, as also to carry into effect the earnest desires of the Catholics of the place, who had continued steadily although slowly to increase, Mr. John Costigan did on the 13th day of September, in the year 1839, purchase in his own name, of Thomas J. Mar- vin, for the sum of $590.33, the lot of ground on which St. Peter's church now stands, with the building thereon known as the " Lyceumu," with the sole design of convert- ing the building into a place of Catholie worship, and the vacant portion of the lot into a cemetery or place of burial. The lot measures fifty feet front and rear, and one hundred and thirty-two feet deep. The first interment made in said cemetery was the remains of the wife of Patrick Pettit, of Saratoga Springs, in November, 1839.
The Lyceum, now changed into a place of Catholic wor- ship, remained for four years without a priest. The first resident Catholic pastor ever appointed at Saratoga Springs was the Rev. Anthony Farley, who entered on the dis- charge of his duties in the month of September, 1843. This gentleman, better known as " the doctor," was never willing that his genius should be eramped ; and Saratoga being, at the time, like Utica of old, a somewhat pent-up place, he took leave and departed for the more congenial clime of Lansingburg ; and, after a few years, departed thenee to Jamaica, L. I., where at present (1878) he lives, hale and hearty, in the active discharge of his parochial duties, the same pleasant, genial Dr. Farley, revered by his people and admired by numerous friends throughout the country.
Rev. F. Donohoue sneeeeded Father Farley in May, 1844, remaining only a few months. Ile went with the bishop to Little Rock, Ark., and lived there only a few years. Rev. Bernard Van Reeth was the next pastor. He came to Saratoga in the month of November, 1844, and remained about one year and a half, when he was appointed the first resident pastor at Cohoes, where he built the first. St. Ber- nard's church, and returned afterwards to his native coun- try, Holland. Rev. Thomas Daly was the next pastor. He entered on the discharge of his duties on the 16th of June, 1847, and remained until the 10th of June, 1850, when he was succeeded by Rev. D. Cull, who came to Saratoga in July, 1850.
The Lyceum, or old St. Peter's, as the edifice was then known, had seen its best days; it was old and in-
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firm, if not unsafe to meet in ; besides, it had become too small for the congregation. The want of a new church had been for several years felt and much debated; but there was no one to take the lead in such a movement. Father Daly was young and inexperienced ; besides, the rough work of church building was not in accord with his tastes. He would rather be assistant in Albany.
God, who disposeth all things sweetly, it would appear, sent the right man at the right time. The congregation was small, and their means very limited. A church must be built. Others stood appalled at the undertaking. Father Cull came. With eye unmoved he surveyed the field of labor, laid his plans, went to work, and the new St. Peter's-one of the prettiest of the new order of Catholic churches in the United States-stands forth to-day as the result of his labors.
The work was brought to a successful close when, on the 15th of August, 1853, the church was dedicated. Monseigneur Bedini, at the time apostolic delegate to the United States, pontificated at the mass. Most Rev. Arch- bishop Ilughes preached the dedicatory sermon.
Father Cull was zealous and persevering in labor. To work seemed to be for him a necessity. He procured a pas- toral residence and cemetery. He purchased the Hugh Dennin property, where, after eularging and fitting it up at considerable expense, he introduced a branch of the "Sisters of St. Joseph," to take charge of parochial schools for boys and girls.
Ilis death occurred on the 2d of January, 1873, in the cottage on William street. It is hoped the Catholics of Saratoga will soon find it convenient to erect a monument to perpetuate his memory.
Rev. M. Sheehan obtained the administration of St. Peter's church January, 1868, and held the same until October, 1871.
The church was incorporated in 1870, under the title of "St. Peter's Church, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.," under an act of the Legislature of this State, passed March 25, 1863. The first incorporators were John J. Conroy, bishop of Albany, Edgar E. Wadhams, V.G., M. Sheehan, the pastor. together with John Foley and B. McGovern, two lay mem- bers of the congregation.
The present trustees are Fr. McNierney, bishop of Al- bany, P. Ludden, V.G., John MeMenomy, pastor, with Frank Jones and Dennis McNelis.
Rev. John McMenamin-McMenomy the name has come to be by force of the customary use of an easier pro- nunciation-was appointed pastor of Saratoga by Right Rev. J. J. Conroy, on the 10th of October, 1871, and is the present incumbent.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The First Congregational church of Saratoga Springs was organized March 8, 1865. Its original membership was about fifty. Its present membership is nearly one hundred and fifty. The first pastor of this church was Rev. E. N. Sawtelle, D.D., who was installed in April, 1865. Dr. Sawtelle withdrew from the active duties of the pastorate in June, 1868, but was not formally dismissed until July, 1871. From May, 1867, until April, 1871,
the Rev. P. R. Day acted as assistant pastor of the church. Mr. Day was not installed. The Rev. L. S. Rowland was installed pastor on July 25, 1871, and closed his labors on the last Sunday of March, 1877.
The following members of the church have acted as its deacons. each being elected for the term of two years: H. L. Aiken, Geo. II. Fish, Ralph Brintnall, S. E. Bushnell, Joseph A. Shoudy, William Muir, Sheldon Clark, Joshua Crosby, L. S. Packard, James Bull, H. E. Spaulding.
The present officers of the church are as follows: Rev. Wm. R. Terrett, acting pastor ; Geo. II. Fish, L. S. Pack- ard, Joshua Crosby, H. E. Spaulding, deacons; J. C. Goodridge, clerk ; Geo. II. Fish, treasurer.
The church edifice occupied by this congregation was erected in 1868. It is very centrally situated on Phila street, just out of Broadway. This society also owns the fine business block known as the St. Nicholas building, at the rear of which the church is built.
In addition to the above, we have been kindly furnished with the following facts :
The Congregational society has a history interwoven with that of the church. In fact, the trustees of the society had the laboring oars, and they used them, under the guidance of a kind Providence, with persistent energy and skill. After several unsuccessful attempts, a fine ceu- tral location was selected and purchased by the trustees. Special laws were enacted by the Legislature, procured by the trustees, to enable them to purchase, build, convey, and rent, as a corporate body, their large property on the corner of Broadway and Phila street, consisting of the post-office and First National Bank building, Saratogian printing- office, seven stores, and a large number of offices and halls. A pleasant home was thus provided for the church and society, and means furnished to pay all deficiencies for minister's salary and contingent expenses.
The original members were nearly all from the First Presbyterian church and society, and its first chosen trus- tees were the following, viz., Dexter II. Knowlton, Lewis E. Whiting, Waldo MI. Potter, Solon B. Bushnell, Hiram P. Trim, Elisha Bailey, Jacob Myers, Andrew Hall, and Joseph A. Shoudy. Two of the original trustees have held, by re-election, the office continuously to the present time, viz., Lewis E. Whiting and Hiram P. Trim. Dr. Whiting was chairman of the building committee and treas- urer of the society, collecting and disbursing its moneys for more than ten years. He came from the Presbyterian church, with the large choir of which he was their leader, and has had charge of the Congregational choir to the present time.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
For several years prior to 1869 the fact had been recog- nized by many friends of religion that the eastern portion of the village should have within its bounds some place of worship and for Sabbath-school instruction. It was not, however, until the summer of that year that any decided steps were taken to provide for the spiritual wants of the constantly-increasing population in this section of the town. At that time it was proposed that a mission chapel should be established in the southeastern part of the village with-
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ont further delay, under the auspices and fostering care of the First Presbyterian church. The project met instantly with much favor among the members of that church. A large and desirable lot on the corner of Spring and Regent streets was given for the purpose of erecting thereon the proposed chapel immediately, and in the future a suitable church edifice and minister's house. A cordial response was made to applications for subscriptions towards the erection of a chapel, and on the 31st day of August, 1869, the corner-stone of the builling was laid by the Rev. Dr. John Woodbridge, then the pastor of the First Presbyterian church, and the originator and chief promoter of this new enterprise. The completed edifice was dedicated by him to the service of God on the 30th day of January, 1870.
The Rev. James N. Crooker was placed in charge of the mission work, and a Sabbath evening service was regularly maintained, together with a weekly prayer-meeting, in the chapel until the organization of the church, in August, 1871. A Sabbath-school was also organized under the superintend- ency of Mr. John Newland, and soon numbered consider- ably over one hundred scholars.
In the month of August, 1871, it was deemed advisable that a church should be organized under the name of the Second Presbyterian church, and accordingly on the Sth day of August, 1871, nineteen members of the First Pres- byterian church were at their own request dismissed from that church for the purpose of forming the new church. Four other persons from churches outside of the village united with the above-named nineteen, and were duly con- stituted as the membership of the Second Presbyterian church, which was thus organized by the session of the First Presbyterian church. At the same time John New- land, B. M. Fay, and B. F. Edwards were elected and in- stalled as elders of the new church.
On the 28th of August, 1871, the following-named gen- tlemen were elected trustees of the congregation, to wit : Charles F. Dowd, George S. Batcheller, John Newland, Adam B. Smith, Alexander Bennett, and Samuel H. Freeman.
The church was received under the care of the presby- tery of Albany on the 10th of October following, and a call to the pastorate thereof placed in the hands of the Rev. James N. Crocker, which was accepted by him, and he was duly installed by a committee of presbytery on the 22d day of October, 1871. Under the pastoral care of Mr. Crocker the young church grew steadily in numbers and gave evident tokens of increasing strength and useful- ness. It began with twenty-three members, and at the close of Mr. Crocker's pastorate, in November, 1875, it con- tained a membership of eighty-five, four members having been during that period dismissed to other churches.
On the 30th of November, 1875, the pastoral relation between this church and the Rev. Mr. Crocker was dis- solved, at his request, by the presbytery of Albany. The pulpit remained vacant until the 15th day of October, 1876, when the Rev. Giles P. Hawley, a graduate of the Union Theological Seminary of New York, and who had been supplying the pulpit of this church since the 1st of August previous, was ordained to the work of the ministry by the presbytery of Albany and installed as pastor of this church.
The present officers of the church and congregation are as follows : Rev. Giles P. Hawley, pastor ; John Newland, B. M. Fay, and B. F. Edwards, elders; Charles F. Dowd, John Newland, Adam B. Smith, James J. Wakefield, Alex- ander Bennett, and William Macgivny, trustees ; John Newland, superintendent of Sabbath-school; C. P. Pen- field. secretary and treasurer of Sabbath-school; B. F. Ed- wards, church chorister ; and Miss Helen M. Smith, church organist. The present membership is ninety-nine.
The chapel, which is still used as a place of worship for the congregation, no church edifice having yet been built, is a neat brick structure twenty-seven feet in width and fifty-four feet in length, with a tower in the northeast cor- ner, forming the vestibule or entrance to the chapel. It cost about $3000, exclusive of the furniture.
The contributions of the congregation for its own sup- port have been, considering its numbers, exceptionally gen- crous, and it has from the outset also contributed liberally to the various schemes of benevolence which are carried on by the Presbyterian church.
The results accomplished by the organization of this mission and church in the locality which it occupies have been marked and salutary. It has provided a comfortable and attractive church home for many who could not go to the more distant places of worship. It has drawn in many who had not been in the habit of attending any church regularly, if at all. It has promoted the better observance of the Sabbath in the neighborhood. Through its Sabbath- school it has gathered many children to the instruction in God's Word who would otherwise have continued in igno- rance or disregard of the Sabbath, and by the preaching of the Word many souls have been brought to a knowledge of the truth.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCHI.
In the spring of the year 1873 it became apparent to the pastor of the First Baptist church and a number of his constituents that the southeastern portion of our village offered a favorable field for direct religious influence, and agreeable to that sentiment the following announcement ap- peared in the Daily Saratogian of Saturday, May 17, 1873: " There will be preaching in the Morrissey Hose House, on South street, by the Rev. E. A. Woods, Sunday afternoon, at four o'clock."
Contrary to expectation the room was filled, and for sev- eral Sabbaths services were conducted in like manner, with audiences that augured success for the undertaking. A Sunday-school was organized the same day, having fifty names on the roll, with the Rev. E. A. Woods as superin- tendent, he remaining iu that position till February, 1874, when Mr. D. F. Ritchie, the prime mover and stanch friend of the school, was chosen superintendent, which po- sition he still occupies.
As winter approached it became necessary to remove to warmer and more accessible quarters, and accordingly permission was received from the board of education to occupy a room in the Spring street school-house.
About this time the friends of the new enterprise, prominent among whom was Mr. D. Winans, pledged funds sufficient to purchase a lot on Regent street, near Union avenue, and crect thereon a chapel. The building
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HISTORY OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
was completed, and on Feb. 7, 1874, this combination of church and Sunday-school moved into its new quarters, and organized under the name of the Union Avenue Baptist Sunday-school, and continued as such until Feb. 2, 1876, when, upon request, letters of dismission were granted to sixty-six members of the First Baptist church of Saratoga Springs for the purpose of establishing a new church, which was duly organized Feb. 22, 1876, as the Second Baptist church of Saratoga Springs.
On April 2 following a call was extended to the Rev. Daniel Corey, of Hudson, N. Y., to assume the pastorate of the church, which call he accepted. entering immedi- ately upon his duties, and filling the position satisfactorily to the present time.
The church was recognized by a council of churches which was held on June 1, 1876, and has steadily grown in strength and influence, until now its position as a power for good in the world is established. Its present total membership is one hundred and thirty-three, of which number twenty joined by baptism, forty-six by letter, and one by relation of Christian experience.
THE FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH
was organized Oet. 2, 1865. The first trustees were F. A. Town, Seneca Weed, and Seth Grawberg. The church was built in 1869, and dedicated by Rev. B. T. Roberts, Jan. 8, 1870. It cost 83500. It is located on Regent street. The present officers are F. A. Town, Seneca Weed, Isaac Groff, and Z. Fenton. The first pastor was Rev. A. B. Burdick, followed by Revs. D. M. Sinclair, W. M. Gould, J. A. Odell, W. W. Warner, H. Mathews, B. Winget, J. Odell.
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH OF SARATOGA SPRINGS
This church was organized in June, 1863, by Rev. J. Boler, who purchased the property on Willow Walk, now named Spring avenue, from Mr. J. Andrews. The society then consisted of seven members, with a board of trustees, as follows : J. Boler, A. Freeman, J. Lewis. The building was used for a mission Sabbath-school, which was then attached to the church, under the superintendence of Mr. Bushnell. Dr. Bedorathy succeeded him. Mr. Pond sue- ceeded Dr. Bedorathy. Mr. Crosoy, the present superin- tendent, has held it for the last four years. The average attendance has been from twenty to forty, with from four to six teachers. The church was dedicated by Bishop William HI. Bishop. Rev. S. Golden succeeded Rev. J. Boler ; after him Rev. H. Johnson ; then Rev. Il. Butler; Rev. J. C. Gilbert succeeded him, and remained for five years ; during his first year, in November, 1866, the build- ing was destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt in 1867, and dedicated by Bishop J. J. Clinton. . Rev. M. H. Ross followed in 1870; in 1873, Rev. J. C. West was appointed, who died before the end of his term ; Rev. J. J. Kelly then supplied the pulpit for two months; in September, 1874, Rev. S. Jones was appointed to the charge. In September, 1876, Rev. Wm. Sanford, the present pastor, was appointed. The board of trustees consist of seven
members, as follows : P. Rue, C. Howard, W. Adams, R. Bowden, J. Hill, A. Jackson, J. T. Thomas,
UNIVERSALIST CHURCHI.
A society was formed at an early day in Saratoga Springs, and a church edifiee was built, in which the congregation worshiped for many years. The church edifice afterwards went out of their hands, and for some time no regular stated meetings have been held. The society, however, still keeps up its organization, and listens occasionally to the able ministers of the denomination who visit the great watering-place during the summer season.
VII .- SCHOOLS.
The following notes from the records of one of the school districts of the village will be of general interest. It is evident that in the commencement it was a citizens' movement, as the first building was to be erected by sub- seriptions; but a year later the general school system of the State was inaugurated, and the enterprise became the regular legal work of district 15. After the organization of the town of Saratoga Springs, in 1819, the same distriet be- came No. 1 in the new town.
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