USA > New York > Queens County > Flushing > History of St. George's Parish, Flushing, Long Island > Part 7
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Soon after Mr. Forbes's departure-September 1, 1834- the vestry elected the Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, of Hyde Park, at a salary of $800 per annum. Mr. Johnson ac- cepted and soon entered upon his duties. The vestry had chosen a rare man. He began his work with loving zeal.
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
Very soon his congregation knew him-and to know him was to love him. His presence assured good will, and his voice seemed to speak of peace. Never before had a rector entered the parish where the rough places so soon became smooth, and the crooked places straight. He won the love and confidence of all. A new era of peace and progress seemed to dawn upon St. George's. But Mr. Johnson's rectorship, like that of his predecessor, was short. The following letter addressed to the vestry, in October, 1835, explains itself :
OCTOBER 19, 1835.
"TO THE WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ST. GEORGE'S, FLUSHING.
DEAR BRETHREN :
It is not without painful feelings that I now formally send to you my resignation of the rectorship of St. George's Church, and ask you to accept it. I should, in- deed, be ungrateful, did I not part with regret from a people among whom I have met with such uniform kind- ness and so hospitable reception ; where my imperfect services have been so cordially welcomed ; and where nothing has happened in any degree to interrupt our mu- tual good will and affection. Nor could I find it in my heart to part from you under present circumstances, ex- cept from this cause, that I feel myself after many anx- ious thoughts and much prayerful consideration, sum- moned, by a conviction of duty which I dare no longer to struggle against, to a more difficult field of labor.
And I feel the more, because I know the frequent change of pastors leaves the parish in an anxious state, and exposes it to the danger of a vacancy and of di- vided counsels ; and that the pastor cannot be so useful for some time, when he and his people are but little ac-
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THE REV. SAMUEL R. JOHNSON.
quainted ; on which account I cannot but fear that my very short residence has been of no advantage to the parish, but has rather kept it back. Permit me then, as some reparation of the injury, and as sign of my good will and affection, respectfully to return the recompense I have received for my few and imperfect labors, and
?
THE REV. SAMUEL R. JOHNSON, D. D.
present unto your acceptance the accompanying papers, which are just equal in pecuniary value to the salary of the year.
And may the Lord Jesus be with you, Brethren ; guide you with His counsel ; give you a pastor after His own
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
heart ; take you under His own keeping ; and bless you with the richest blessings of His grace, peace and salva- tion.
I remain with all affection and true regard, Yours, most faithfully, SAMUEL R. JOHNSON."
The "accompanying papers, equal in pecuniary value to the salary of a year," were the assignment of a bond and mortgage to the vestry, to the amount of $800. Not the greatest "quid pro quo " member of the vestry could advocate its acceptance. It was resolved : " That we can- not consistently with our feelings, accept the assignment of the bond and mortgage offered to us by the Rev. S. R. Johnson, in consideration, as he is pleased to say, of his imperfect services during his ministry with us." The papers were returned, but that did not end the matter. In a record of the vestry, unfortunately without date, but soon after, "Mr. Isaac Peck communicated to the vestry that the Rev. Mr. Johnson had made a donation of $300. toward the erection of a building for the Sunday School, or for other purposes." The "other purposes " seem to have absorbed it, but the need of the building was in. the retiring rector's mind. Early in his brief rectorship, by his inspiration, evidently, a resolution had been passed : "That when sufficient funds are subscribed, the vestry proceed to erect a suitable building for a Sunday School and such other purposes as they may deem proper." A committee was appointed, with power " to associate with them such other persons as may be de- sired." Something like a Parish House seemed to be in mind.
The resignation of Mr. Johnson was accepted by the. vestry, with much reluctance. Such had been the rela- tions between the rector and congregation from the be- ginning, that nothing but a conviction of duty on his.
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THE REV. SAMUEL R. JOHNSON.
part, and stern necessity on theirs, could have dissolved them. At his own expense, Mr. Johnson went with the Apostolic Kemper, to aid in laying the foundations of the Church in what was then known as the "Far West." Gladly would we follow him, did it not lead as from our purpose. Suffice it to say, that bishoprics were almost forced upon him, which his humility and self-negation compelled him to decline. When, from the infirmities of age, he was compelled to retire from the active duties of a high position to which the Church had called him, it was to finish his course in a humble rural parish. There, in his declining years, he endeared himself as he had done in Flushing long before.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE REV. ROBERT B. VAN KLEECK-THE REV. FRED- ERIC J. GOODWIN-THE REV. GEORGE BURCKER. A. D. 1835-1847.
T HE vestry meeting which accepted Mr. Johnson's. resignation (October 20, 1835), resolved unani- mously to elect the Rev. Robert B. Van Kleeck, of Fish- kill Landing, as rector, at a salary of $800 a year. On the first of November, Mr. Van Kleeck answered the call: "I am now able to signify my acceptance of your grati- fying invitation, with the hope and prayer that the unan- imity which has marked your counsel in coming to a de- cision may be enjoyed in all our deliberations."
The new, and then young rector availed himself of the aid around him; and the Sunday School and increasing congregation soon manifested the wisdom of the vestry in their unanimous choice. The accommodations for the Sunday School were inadequate. Its growth was hindered. The church building (the present audience room of the chapel) was too small for the congregation. The rector "lived in his own hired house," and most of the parish appointments for Church services and work belonged to an older generation. It was time to move forward. The first step onward was to provide a suit -. able Sunday School building. At a vestry meeting, June, 1836, it was resolved : "That a committee of three be appointed to receive proposals for building a Sunday
III
THE REV. ROBERT B. VAN KLEECK.
School and lecture room for the church, and also to as- certain the expense of the removal and repair of the pres- ent building, and report." "The present building " was the old Academy, referred to in chapter tenth. It was two stories in height, very plain and factory-like in architec- ture, and far from being an ornament to the church
THE REV. ROBERT B. VAN KLEECK, D. D.
grounds. Some desired a new building, while the more conservative advocated the repair of the old Academy. It was resolved at a later vestry meeting: "That the Academy be removed and repaired." The committee on repairs was ordered to carry out the work. These changes
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
have already been referred to in the tenth chapter. The cost of the whole was $1, 180. No doubt, the people were well satisfied with their work
But another, and a pressing need existed. Flushing had few unoccupied houses; the parish had no rectory and was too large to be without one. The rectory on Main street had been sold in 1826. In August, 1836, a com- mittee was appointed " to ascertain what a house twenty- six by thirty-four feet could be built for, and report at the next vestry meeting." The committee reported, "that Thomas Fowler's bid for $2,470, was the lowest." With this modest sum to raise, it was resolved to begin as soon as money could be collected. Meanwhile, the rector's salary was increased to $1,000, from the first of Novem- ber, and the vestry "agreed to hire a house for him from this date for a year."
During 1837, an improvement was attempted in the grounds in front of the church. The only notice in the vestry book reads : " Resolved, that Isaac Peck and Rob- ert Carter attend to having the wall put in front of the church." In olden time the street was little more than a country road. The church of 1821 stood a few feet above the street. In 1837, a broken fence and rude bank of turf were a delight for small boys and the village goats. This was the " front of the church," where the wall was to be built. It was built up to a level with the church- yard, and was of substantial structure. Two cargoes of stone were used, in addition to the local stone for the foundation. The wall stood until 1870, when it was re- placed by the present iron railing.
Under Mr. Van Kleeck's rectorship, the parish was "at peace within itself," and his labors were abundantly blessed. There was a large accession to the number of communicants, and much interest was manifested in for-
St. George's Church.
The Academy.
House built by Rev. Mr. Thorne.
Flushing Institute,
Horse Shed.
FROM AN OLD PRINT-ABOUT 1840,
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
eign and domestic missions. For the first time in the existence of the parish, the juvenile portion took an active interest in missions. They sent out a box to the mission among the Indians at Green Bay, then almost outside of the western world. The Church at large had aroused from its lethargy in respect to its Divine commission to preach the Gospel to every creature. In 1835 the high stand was taken that every baptized member of the Church was a member of Christ's great missionary society. The wave extended over the whole Church. It reached the quiet waters of Flushing. In 1837, the rector reported to the convention $105 for Foreign Missions, and $202 for Domestic and Diocesan Missions At that same conven- tion, the rector reported a large increase in the size of the congregation, that all the pews were taken and many more required, and that the vestry was taking active measures for an immediate enlargement of the church. Preliminary steps were taken toward this enlargement when the work was suspended for a time, by the unex- pected resignation of the rector. Its completion belongs. to the history of his successor.
At a vestry meeting, November 3, 1837, Mr. Van Kleeck tendered his resignation. He had received a. call to St. Paul's Church, Troy, then, as well as now, a large and important parish, where his field of use- fulness would be greatly enlarged. The resignation was to take effect after the following Sunday, which would be the second anniversary of his coming into the parish. The vestry could not complain. The resigna- tion was accepted.
Some may still remember Matthew Durlin, the sexton of those days, and James Quarterman, the choirmaster, and Andrew G. Loweree, the organist. We read, that, in 1837, it was by the vestry resolved : "That under
II5
THE REV. FREDERIC J. GOODWIN.
existing circumstances we dispense with the organ unless played gratuitously."
It is interesting to note, that each of the three last- named rectors gave two sons to the ministry of the Church.
On December 6, 1837, the Rev. Frederic J. Goodwin was elected to succeed Mr. Van Kleeck. The salary was fixed at $1,000. Mr. Goodwin was yet young in the ministry, and Flushing was his first charge.
THE REV. FREDERIC J. GOODWIN, D. D.
The enlargement of the church, to afford more pews, was a pressing need to which no prudent vestry could be indifferent. The parish was comparatively strong, numerically and financially, and was fully able to sup- ply the need. But there was a resource in those days which sometimes tended to impair self-dependence. It
1
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
was a resort to Trinity Church, New York. It was not to the credit of St. George's, that, on February 19, 1838, its vestry resolved : "That we apply to Trinity Church for aid in building an addition to the church. Resolved, that a petition be drawn up and signed by the clerk." If this petition was ever received, it seems to have been consigned to an unbroken slumber by the Committee on Appropriations, of Trinity. *
In April of that year a far more creditable record is made. It was resolved by the vestry : "That an addi- tion of seventeen and a half feet be put on the church, and that Isaac Peck, Robert Carter and Jehiel Jaggar be a committee to attend to the building of the same." At the same meeting a resolution was passed, founded on an old and well worn text: "Resolved, that any pew- holder deficient in paying his yearly rent, shall be con- sidered as relinquishing his right to the same, and that the pew committee be instructed to relet it."
The work on the addition to the church was carried on with energy. The means were forthcoming. Among the contributors appear the names of Gardiner H. How- land, $200 ; Robert Carter, $200; Jehiel Jaggar, $200; Peter Ousterman, $100; Isaac Peck, $100; Estate of James Bloodgood, by Thomas Bloodgood, $100 ; Ladies' Missionary Society, $110. Two pews were paid for in advance, thus adding $100 to the fund. Twenty-six pews were added by the extension. The work was done by the late David Waters. Before the summer had passed, the congregation occupied their enlarged church, and had paid for it.
But, by a well-known law, an addition brings a de-
*Disosway, in his "Early Churches of New York," states that, be- tween the years 1797 and 1809, Trinity parish gave to St. George's, Flushing, $21,750.
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THE REV. FREDERIC J. GOODWIN.
mand for new furnishings. The organ was antiquated, well worn by long use, and its capacity for sound was very feeble. A new and more powerful instrument was required. Nearly $700 were raised, and Mr. Jardine was called upon to build an organ at that price. A new and fine-toned instrument, in due time, took the place of its
CHANCEL CHAIR, USED BEFORE 1838.
predecessor. Such is a brief history of the second organ of St. George's Church. It served well its purpose until superseded by a new one in 1862. But a new organ was not the only want. The chairs in the chancel were two old armchairs, rush seated and belonging to a past gen-
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
eration. They were probably used in the old church, torn down in 1820. These chairs were recently restored, missing parts added and are now in the vestry room of the church (page 117). On the extension of the church building, 1838, they were succeeded by two large arm- chairs of mahogany and hair cloth, which came unex- pectedly. In October, 1838, a letter was received from some gentlemen, boarding at the Pavilion, stating that they had presented to the church two armchairs for the use of the chancel. The letter was signed by James T. Talman, L. A. Mills, B. A. Yarrington, Adolphus Lane and William W. Valk, M. D. This unexpected gift was acknowledged by the vestry, with a vote of thanks and " best wishes for their future happiness and welfare." These chairs also have been restored and placed in the vestry room.
An entry in an old book, kept by the church treasurer in 1838, reads : "Paid, bill for marble slab, $6.45." This is all that is extant of the history of the holy table in use when the writer came to the parish. It is now in the sanctuary, and is used as a credence, for the more con- venient celebration of the Holy Communion. Of the older holy table nothing definite can be discovered. The ravages of time and human thoughtlessness have left no vestige of it.
About this time a rectory was built. It may be re- . membered that, during Mr. Van Kleeck's rectorship, pre- liminary steps were taken; but his resignation, and the financial difficulties of the parish, arrested further progress. Mr. Goodwin came to St. George's in Decem- ber, and was married to a most estimable young lady of Flushing early in the following May. Hence the need of a rectory. A site was found in a plot fronting on Jamaica avenue, and extending in the rear to Madison
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THE REV. FREDERIC J. GOODWIN.
street. The ground was owned by Robert Carter, Isaac Peck and Jehiel Jaggar. These gentlemen deeded to the parish what was equivalent to two village lots. A gore of land, formed by the junction of Jamaica and Madison avenues, belonged to another party. Four gentlemen bought this and gave it to the parish. A large and suita- ble building was erected and was used as a rectory for
run
ST. GEORGE'S RECTORY,-1838-1852.
some years. It is now owned by Mrs. Dr. Leggett's estate, and is occupied by the " United Workers."
In July, 1842, the young rector broke down under his many duties. He asked his vestry for leave of absence for six months, to regain his strength, and recover from an attack of bronchitis. The Rev. B. C. C. Parker, a son of Bishop Parker, of Massachusetts, supplied his place.
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
Mr. Parker's ministrations were acceptable, and he was long well remembered by the congregation.
Although Mr. Goodwin returned with renewed health and vigor, the long pastorate he anticipated and his peo- ple desired, was not permitted. Severe afflictions, which came in startling and rapid succession, made a change necessary for his stricken household, as well as for him- self. Under date of January, 16, 1844, he wrote : “ Gen- tlemen of the Vestry : From the peculiarly afflictive and numerous bereavements my family have experienced dur- ing the past few months, they can not but deem a change of residence essential. In this opinion I fully concur. I yield, therefore, to the necessity of the case, and am con- strained respectfully to ask your action, by releasing me from my present engagement as the Rector of St. George's Church. A change of residence will remove us from the sad scenes of our desolating bereavements. I can assure you that, wherever it shall be the pleasure of our Master to call me hereafter to exercise my ministry, I shall never cease to cherish the fond recollection of my labors here, and the many cheering incidents and affectionate endear- ments which give so lively an interest to the remem- brance of the people of my first charge." The vestry, in response, unanimously resolved : "That we hereby re- cord our sincere sympathy for our mourning and beloved rector and his family, in their repeated and peculiarly afflictive bereavements, and we assure him of our sense of the propriety and expediency of his course, in seeking a change of residence : That we convey to him, with much emotion, prompted by his zealous and efficient ser- vices, our deep regret at parting with a beloved pastor and spiritual guide, our faithful counsellor and friend, who has so greatly endeared himself to us all."
After his resignation, Mr. Goodwin removed to Middle-
I2I
THE REV. GEORGE BURCKER.
town, Conn., and became the rector of the old and im- portant parish in that city. He continued there until his death, February, 1872. He was buried within the pre- cincts of St. George's church-yard, Flushing, and beneath the shadow of the old church in which he began his ac- tive ministry.
THE REV. GEORGE BURCKER.
Soon after Mr. Goodwin's resignation, the vestry elected the Rev. George Burcker, of Flatbush, Long Island, "rec- tor for two years, at a salary of $600 per year, commenc- ing on March 1, 1844." The vestry piously added that the call was made for two years "in the hope that, by the blessing of God on the church through the labors of their
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
minister, they would be able to advance the salary after that time, if found requisite." The understanding was, that if he occupied the rectory (worth a rental of $200), a hundred dollars were to be deducted from his salary. As rector he had a right, in common law, to occupy a parsonage built expressly for the purpose. It was a vir- tual reduction of fifty per cent. of the salary his prede- cessor had received. It is an act of justice, as well as a part of the history, to say, that this retrenchment on the part of the vestry seemed to them a necessity. By death and removal, many liberal supporters of the parish had been taken away. Financial stress and disaster had cut off the generous and ready response of others. The ves- try feared to mortgage an uncertain future. In the death of a church warden, Mr. Robert Carter, the parish had, during the year, lost one of its faithful friends and very liberal supporters.
Mr. Burcker began his ministry in Flushing, in March, 1844. During the period of his labors, the spiritual health and vigor of the parish were unchanged, depressed as it was financially. Soon after he came, the record of a noteworthy action on the part of the vestry appears. With questionable wisdom it was resolved : "That the pew rents, from the first of May next, shall be from three to twelve dollars, the intermediate prices to be fixed by the pew committee." For three years the vestry seemed to live in peace and quietness. The meetings were few. The reappointment of Matthew Durlin as sexton, at $65 per year, and the voting an annual gratuity of $25 to Mr. Louis Yander and his amiable wife, for valuable and gra- tuitous services at the organ and in the choir, about make up the sum of the record. Nothing appears of the rec- tor's reappointment, after the two years' limit of his call. No mention was made of the advance of salary,
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THE REV. GEORGE BURCKER.
"if found requisite," or even of an inquiry as to its sufficiency.
Early in June, 1847, in the midst of good health and activity, the rector was stricken by a malady, in its na- ture fatal and of speedy termination. A few days of heroic suffering ended the life of the young pastor. The event, so sudden and sad, profoundly moved the con- gregation and the whole community. Every one, with- out respect of creed or race, showed great sorrow at his sudden death. All business was suspended during the hours of his funeral.
Mr. Burcker was yet young in his ministry. He had not great power of intellect or brilliancy as a preacher, but the simple power of goodness had widened his repu- tation far beyond the circle in which he lived. A num- ber of the leading and representative clergy, from New York and Brooklyn, came to his funeral. The Rev. Dr. Whitehouse, of St. Thomas's, New York, afterward the Bishop of Illinois, preached on the occasion. A meeting of the clergy, presided over by Dr. Anthon, of St. Mark's, New York, was held. Resolutions were adopted, ex- pressing their sorrow and the sense of loss which the Church at large, the parish of St. George's, and they had sustained in the death of their beloved brother ; and stat- ing that the remembrance of his holy life, his faithful ministry, his serene and triumphant death would incite them to renewed diligence and devotion in the ministry. Similar resolutions were passed by the vestry, bearing testimony to his " labors, his consistent and devoted life, his simplicity and the graces that adorned his character, his love to God as exhibited by his love to man." "The closing scenes of his life," the resolutions described "as the embodiment of Christian faith, the triumph of Chris- tian warfare, and his last words the great sermon of his
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HISTORY OF ST. GEORGE'S PARISH.
life-the summing up and application of all his able and faithful teachings."
A mural tablet, erected by the women of the parish soon after his death, is in the chancel, with this text : " Whose faith follow, considering the end of his conver- sation, Jesus Christ." This was suggested, as the best description of his life and work, by his early friend and successor. This tablet, with the remembrances of the few who knew and loved him, is about all that remains of him among earthly things. "So soon passeth it away, and we are gone." The enduring record is on high, writ- ten in the book of God's everlasting remembrance.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE REV. J. CARPENTER SMITH-BUILDING A NEW CHURCH. A. D. 1847-1854.
A T a meeting of the vestry, held July 5, 1847, it was resolved that the Rev. Thomas F. Fales, of Bruns- wick, Maine, be called as minister of St. George's Church, Flushing, for two years, at a salary of $600 per year and the use of the parsonage." At the next vestry meeting, September 21, 1847, the clerk reported : "That, in ac- cordance with instructions, he had written an invitation to Mr. Fales to become rector of the parish, and that he had received an answer, reluctantly declining the call." The Rev. Thomas F. Fales afterward accepted a call to Waltham, Massachusetts, where he still lives as rector, emeritus, of the parish.
At the same meeting of the vestry, the following action was taken : " It was then, on motion, resolved that we proceed to the election of a minister. Whereupon it was unanimously resolved, that the Rev. J. Carpenter Smith, Rector of Trinity Church, Rockaway, be called as Minis- ter of St. George's Church, Flushing, at a salary of $600." Mr. Smith accepted the call, and entered upon his duties in Flushing, on the first Sunday in November, 1847.
The Rev. John Carpenter Smith was born in the town ·of South Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, in 1816, of Quaker parentage. He was, however, brought up under the influence of the Church, in St. Ann's parish,
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