History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 15

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II > Part 15

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popularly called "The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Yonkers, N. Y." That it is not "The First" however, has been shown. But there were several reasons for the contrary impression. The Hudson River side of the town of Yonkers, in which both churches are located, has been more distinctively known as Yonkers, while the east side, at the point where the real First Methodist Church of Yonkers is, has been more distinctively known as Tuekahoe. Its post-office is called Tuckahoe. Then too, in the minutes of the New York Conference, the two churches have been spoken of, not by their corporate names, but as the Tuckahoe and Yonkers Churches. And again, when the Central Methodist Episcopal Church on Hudson Street was organized (see next article), it became natural at onee to call the Broad- way Church "The First Methodist," for distinc- tion. These names will probably hold with the peo- ple. But the church we are now deseribing is, really, "The Second Methodist Episcopal Church" of the eity.

The Revs. Francis Asbury, Thomas Ware and Freeborn Garrettson preached in nearly every adja- eent neighborhood in 1771, 1772, 1786 and 1788, and it is highly probable that some one of these preachers, or some itinerant from the early New Rochelle eir- euit, which in 1787, was the only eireuit in West- chester County, occasionally preached here. There was certainly no regular Methodist preaching on the Hudson River side of the town till after 1824. The first sermon now remembered as heard hereabout from a Methodist preacher was delivered in the little school-house elsewhere described as standing at the northeast corner of North Broadway and Ashburton Avenue. A class of five members was organized. In due time this becameone of the regular appointments on the Kingsbridge Circuit. This was in 1826. The beginning thuus made soon led to the calling of a quarterly meeting. At this meeting which was largely attended, a Methodist love-feast was held in the school-house and a sermon was preached under the trees outside.

On the 21st of April, 1828, Mr. Lemuel Wells gave a deed of the land upon which the church still stands, to Alfred Thompson, Joseph Oakley, Fred- eric Shonnard, Thomas Griffin and David Oakley, in trust, for the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the following autumn the church was dedicated. That silver-tongued orator, Rev. Noah Levings preached the dedicatory sermon.

On the 14th of August, 1839. Frederic Shonnard and his wife, "for the love and affection which they bore toward said church and one dollar," deeded to Christ Methodist Episcopal Church-the original corporate name -- the plot of ground used for the par- sonage. The parsonage here meant still stands on the rear of the lot, but is designated as "the old par- sonage," a new one having been built in 1871. The new parsonage cost five thousand dollars.

YONKERS.

The first house of worship has just been taken down, and the people are about to build a beautiful church edifice, to be finished during this year, 1886.1 The late house, erected in 1828, first faced the south, the road from Mile Square then running in front of it. It was originally small and had a small gallery and a plain pulpit. In 1854 the building was turned around so as to face Port Road. At the same time it was lengthened, and widened at the pulpit end, by the addition of wings. The interior was also rearranged and beautified, and the basement was fitted up for a Sunday-School room. The building was cosy and com- fortable in the interior. The palpit had a painting behind it representing archways and a recess. It could accommodate about four hundred people. One of its wings was used for seating. The other was at one time occupied by the organ and choir. They were after- wards removed to the gallery. The building had long been wholly inadequate for the needs of the people, and general joy is felt, both by the congregation and all Yonkers people, over the new church now assured. The plans for the latter involve a probable expendi- ture of about thirty-five thousand dollars. The build- ing will occupy the same site so long occupied by the first house.

The Sunday School of this church is large. There are now on its roll three hundred and six scholars and forty teachers. The superintendent is Mr. Abram Austin. The school has a department of Chinamen. Their number at present is thirty. Two of thesc, Fred Coon and Lau Hing Jone, are members of the church. The Chinamen are taught by members during the week. Their department is regarded by the church as an important missionary feature. The church has at present three hundred and fifty members and fifty pro- bationers. The congregations are well sustained from year to year.

The officers and committees of the church are as follows :-

Pastor, Rev. Abraham T. Palmer, D.D., No. 156 North Broadway. Resident Bishop, W'm. L. Harris, D.D., LL.D., 805 Broadway, New York. Presidiug Elder, Rev. G. II. Gregory, D.D., 75 East 111th Street, New York.

TRUSTEES.

M. H. Smith, president ; John C. Havemeyer, vice-president ; Charles R. Leffingwell, secretary and treasurer, S. Francis Quick, John E. Andrns, Benj. S. Washburn, James B. Odell, Jolm Sherwood.

TRUSTEES COMMITTEES.

(Appointed by M. II. Smith, president, for 1886-1887.)

Church : S. F. Quick, C. R. Leffingwell, J. C. Ilavemeyer. Finance : Charles R. Leffiingwell, John E. Andrus, S. F. Quick. Repairs and Supplies : J. B. Odell, John Sherwood, B. S. Washburn.

STEWARDS.

(Elected by Quarterly Conference. April, 1886, to April, 1887.)

J. C. Havemeyer, M. I. Smith, J. S. Vincent, Abram Austin, C. R. Leflingwell, John Embree, B. A. Starr, E. M. Hermance, William Jones, Frank Connelly. District Steward, J. C. Havemeyer ; Alternate, C. R. Leflingwell ; Recording Steward, Abram Anstiu.

Chorister and organist, Frederick E. llubbell ; sexton, George Senior.

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.

Missions : C. R. Leflingweil, J. C. Ilavemeyer.

Sabbath Schools : J. S. Vincent, M. II. Smith, J. (. Ilavemeyer.

Tracts : Wiltsey Austin, H. N. Palmetier, Jolin Cummings.

Church Extension : B. S. Washburn, W. Jones, John Embree.

Parsonage and Furniture: S. F. Quick, C. R. Leflingwell.

Temperance : F. Connelly, J. S. Vincent, J. B. Odell.

Education : A. Austin, W. B. Sing.

Church Records, M. II. Smith, A. Austin.

Conference Claimants : S. F. Quick, A. Austin, E. M. Ilermance.

Bible : John W. Oliver, J. Sherwood, J. L. Platt.

Preacher's Salary : M. Il. Smith, S. F. Quick, J. C. Havemeyer.

CLASS LEADERS.

W. L. Walters; assistant, T. Billings.

A. Austin.

Wm. Jones ; assistant, II. N. Palmetier.

The church has an efficient Ladies' Aid Society and Young People's Association. Its Sabbath-sehool Mis- sionary Society gathers much money for missionary work. The church finances are well managed. A statement of the prospective demands for the year is sent to all members and contributors, and the money is collected chiefly by the envelope system in weekly payments. The income and disbursements for the year ending April 1, 1885, amounted to $3,600. The missionary collection last year amounted to $346.76.

The Rev. William E. Ketcham, the last pastor, whose efficient work prepared the way for the building of the new church, is a native of New York City, was trained first in the City Institute and subsequently at Amenia Seminary, then under the presidency of Rev. Cyrus D. (now Bishop) Foss. Before entering upon his theolog- ical studies, he was a elerk in a large mercantile estab- lishment in the city. He joined the New York Confer- ence in 1858, and was appointed to New Windsor Cir- cuit, Orange County, N. Y. Subsequently he devoted four years to missionary work iu New York by Confer- ence appointment and under the direction of the City Church Extension and Missionary Society. He had been stationed at Monnt Kiseo before receiving his appointment to this ehureh, which was given in April, 1883. He was much beloved by his people as a pastor and friend, and highly regarded in Yonkers as a minister and citizen. He obtained upwards of $30,000 in pledges towards the enterprise. The suc- cessive pastors from the beginning of the church have been as follows :-

1828, Rev. E. llibbard ; 1829-30, Rev. R. Seaman ; 1831-32, Rev. E. llibbard ; 1833-34, Rev. E. Smith ; 1835, Rev. T. Evans ; 1836-37, Rev. E. Oldron and J. D. Bangs; 1838, Rev. J. Davies; 1839, Rev. Il. llat- field; 1840, Rev. Thomas Burch ; 1841, Rev. D. I. Wright; 1842-43 Rev. John A Selleck; 1844-45, Rev. J. C. Green ; 1846-47, Rev. C. C. Keys; 1848-49, Rev. Salmon C. Perry ; 1850-51, Rev. Paul R. Brown ; 1852, Rev. P. L. Hoyt ; 1853, Rev. P. L. Sanford ; 1854, Rev. George Brown; 1855-56, Rev. J. B. Hagany ; 1857-58, Rev. P. Ward ; 1859-60, Rev. L. 11. King, D.D. ; 1861-62, Rev. Edwin R. Keyes; 1863-65, Rev. Joseph B Wakeley ; 1866, Rev. L. II. King, D. D. ; 1866-69, Rev. MIor- ris D'C. Crawford, D. D. ; 1870-71, Rev. Frank Bottome, D. D. ; 1872-74, Rev. R. MI. Stratton, D.D. ; 1875-77, Rev. F. Hamlin ; 1878-79, Rev. L. H. King. D.D. ; 1880-82, Rev. Delos Lull ; 1883 to 1886, Rev. Wil- liam E Keteham ; 1886, Rev. Abraham J. Palmer, D.D.

Central Methodist Episcopal on Hudson Street. On the 23d of September, 1870, William Jackson, John Embree, John C. Campbell, Searing Howell, Orange

1 The last service in the old church was held on the evening of June 6, 1886. The house was crowded and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Lucius I1. King, D. D.

6.4

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

Webster, Reuben Barnes, Sylvanus Cokalete and C. F. Moulton held a meeting at the house of William Jackson on Riverdale Avenue and resolved that it was expedient to form a Methodist Society and pro- vide a temporary place of worship in the South part of Yonkers and that the services of a Methodist preacher should be secured for etfeeting that purpose.

A committee appointed on a place of worship pro- eured the Hall over the Yonkers Savings Bank at $600 a year. The society furnished the hall at an ex- pense of $400. Presiding Elder Ferris was asked to give his approval of the organization and to appoint the Rev. George W. Lord, pastor. He did so, and soon after the details of the organization were per- fected.

Prayer meetings were held frequently at private houses, and the first service in the new place of wor- ship was a prayer meeting on Thursday evening, Oe- tober 20, 1870. The first Sabbath service was held on the 23d. The Rev. E. A. Hill preached in the morning and the Rev. Mr. Andrus in the evening. The hall holding 200, was well filled both times. The follow- ing Sabbath, Mr. Lord began his ministrations.

The Sabbath-school was organized on the first Sabbath, Mr. C. E. Moulton being eleeted superin- tendent.

At Rev. Mr. Lord's first service, he received the names of twelve members of the North Broadway Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Bottome, pastor of that church, readily granted letters of dismission to these members, and from them as a nucleus "The Central Methodist Church of Yonkers" has grown.

On the 14th of September, William Jackson, Charles R. Brush, Reuben Barnes, Orange Webster, John Embree, John C. Campbell, Joseph L. Proseus, Searing Howell and Sylvanus Cokalete were elected trustees of the church. William Jackson was chosen president of the board ; Charles R. Brush, secretary ; and Reuben Barnes, treasurer. And Mr. Lord ap- pointed the following stewards, viz : Joseph Hughes, John Carpenter, John Forsyth, Obadiah Eddy, John Platt, J. C. Burnett, J. W. Bynon, J. B. Thompson and M. R. Oakley.

A spirited revival set in at onee, and fifty-eight probationers were received before the spring. In less than six months, the membership inehiding pro- bationers, rose to one hundred and forty-four.

A very handsome communion service was presented to the church by Mr. William H. Veitch, early in the winter.

The congregation inereased so rapidly that the hall soon beeame too small, and Getty's Hall (later known as (irand Army Hall), just south of the Yonkers Savings-Bank was rented. Several efforts were made by the society to obtain a site for a church building. In September, 1871, the present site on Hudson Street was bought. The lot is seventy-five by one hundred and twenty, and its cost was seven thousand dollars. Richard Jones, of Brooklyn, architeet, was employed

to draw plans for a building, and when the committee was ready to build, the contract for the mason work was awarded to John C. Campbell & Son for thirteen thousand nine hundred dollars, and that for the car- penter work to D. & M. Oakley for fifteen thousand dollars, making the entire eost twenty-eight thousand nine hundred dollars. The church was completed in 1873, and dedicated in July of that year. A sub- scription was takeu at the dedication service, amount- ing to thirteen thousand dollars. The financial panic of that year, however, was the oeeasion of mueh of the money thus subseribed being lost.

Rev. Frederick S. Barnum succeeded Rev. Mr. Lord in 1872, and Mr. Barnum was followed by Rev. A. H. Ferguson in 1874. Rev. Mr. Ferguson's pastorate was a pleasant suceess. It began with a bonded debt of fifteen thousand dollars and a floating debt of eleven thousand five hundred dollars. There were no special revivals during this pastorate, but the church was in a healthy spiritual state. The current expenses were met, and nine thousand dollars of the interest paying debt was removed.

The Rev. Ezra Tinker followed Rev. Mr. Ferguson in 1877, but remained one year only. During this year, a revival, conducted by Rev. E. P. Hammond the Evangelist, resulted in much spiritual stimulus to the church. Mr. Tinker was followed in 1878 by Rev. Alexander MeLean. At this time, the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York City, which held a mortgage of twelve thousand dollars on this church, threatened foreclosure. This produced such a feeling that the church trustees resigned in a body, by the advice of the pastor. After complimentary resolu- tions, recognizing their fidelity, had been passed by the congregation, a new board was elected, containing some new members, and better feeling began to pre- vail. During Rev. Mr. McLean's pastorate, three revivals oeeurred, over seven thousand dollars of in- debtedness vanished, a strip of land, twelve by sev- euty-five feet, in the rear of the church lot was pur- chased, the current expenses were met and the floating debt was paid. The success of this pastorate ending in 1881, was very great to the beloved pastor aud to the struggling church. While it was passing, at the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the organiza- tian, one thousand dollars were raised iu eash and subseriptions.

The session of the New York Conference for 1881 was held in this church, and nt its close Rev. P. R. Hawkshurst was appointed its pastor. Finnneial af- fairs were easier during this pastorate, and there were several revivals of religion, which brought cousider- able addition to the communion.

In 1884 the Rev. Ineius H. King, D.D., beeame pastor, but after one year resigned on account of ill- health. The church at the beginning of 1884 had two hundred and fifty-two members and forty probation- ers. Its indebtedness was twelve thousand dollars and the value of its property forty thousand dollars.

YONKERS.

Its Sunday-sehool had on its roll two hundred and forty- one seholars, and twenty-seven offieers and teachers. Solomon D. Oakley was its acting Superintendent.

Since April, 1885, the Rev. Charles W. Millard has been the pastor. At his eoming, valuable improve- ments were made within the church building, the most important of which were those at the pulpit end of the anditorium. The platform was brought further for- ward and a valuable organ, one of the most useful, as well as ornamental additions to the furniture, was built behind it. The character and address of the new pastor, and his success so far arc pledges of a prosperous pastoratc.

The present Trustees are Reuben Barnes, President ; John Forsyth, Marvin Oakley, A. S. Radcliff, A. W. Serrell, Hiram Barnes, S. L. Cooper, John Harriman, J. W. Goodile, Trcas., and the Stewards are, Thomas Caddoo, David L. Oakley, S. C. Van Tassel, B. G. Berrian, J. J. Relyea, J. W. Bynon, John Stilwell, William J. Webb, leaving two vacancies to be filled. The church is a plain brick structure with an audi- torium seating about five hundred persons.

African Methodist Episcopal Zion, on New Main street. This church was organized in May, 1871, by the Rev. Jacob Thomas, of New York City. It began with ten members, and William Griffin, chairman ; James Lawson, Madison Milford, Frank Moultrie, Isaac Peake, Albert Skinner, and Harrison Ward as Trustees. For the church uses, they rented Town- send Hall, number 50 North Broadway, and kept it for two years. The Rev. Isaac Jenkins was the first pastor. He was zealous, and under his pastorate the church prospered. The Rev. Adam Jackson suc- ceeded. During his time there were revivals of power. The membership increased to forty and the Sunday school flourished. In 1875, the Rev. George E. Jack- son became pastor.

At this time services were held in Rooney's Hall. He remained two years. Under him the membership steadily increased, the Sunday school flourished, and the Hooper school building was leased with a view of purchasing it after a time. In 1877 the Rev. T. Davis became pastor, but remained six weeks only. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. C. Dodge, of Binghampton, N. Y., who continued about a year. The interest now seemed to wane. The Rev. E. J. Miller came next and did well for two years. He was succceded by the Rev. William Dorsey, brought over from the New England Conference, who was pastor a year and five months. Some trouble arising over his domestie affairs, he was superseded by the Rev. J. A. Evans, . of Newburg. Under his pastorate the Society partly recovered, but remained financially straitened. In March, 1883, the Rev. Geo. E. Jackson, the present pastor, was recalled. During his time a new church for the Society has been erected. on New Main street. It was dedicated on the 12th of April, 1885. Prominent gentlemen of the First Presbyterian Church of Yonkers have so interested themselves in the success of this church, that at a

" Harvest Home " hekl by the people on Tuesday evening, tlie 27th of October, 1885, their property was announced to be without debt. At the dedica- tion service, the Rev. John Reid, of the First Presby- terian church, preached the sermon to a crowded house. The church is now a decided success.

German Methodist Episcopal on New Main Street .- A mission was started among the Germans of You- kers by a number of German Methodists in August, 1880, the meetings being held in the hall of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, next to the Yonkers Savings Bank on South Broadway. The building has since been removed. The first effort was to start a Sunday-school. It began with five teachers and four scholars. Mr. Jolm Kopp was chosen superintendent and holds the position still.

Three or four weeks later the attempt was made to begin church services. The first sermon was heard by but three auditors, Mrs. Augusta Krah and MIr. and MIrs. Henry H. Kroenke. The minister was the Rev. John J. Mesmer, who then had charges in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle. He was a Swiss, and had received his education in Germany.

From this tryingly small beginning a little society of German Methodists has sprung up. It is now in an encouraging condition. The number of members is sixteen, and the average attendance about fifty or sixty. The place of meeting has been changed to Humboldt Hall, on New Main Street. The Sun- day-school now numbers abont eighty scholars and has fourteen teachers.

The ministers of the church have been as follows, viz. : 1880-81, Rev. John J. Mesmer, 1881-82, Rev. Ernst Hartmann : 1882-83, Rev. Charles Brodmeier ; 1883-86, Rev. Henry Miller; 1886, Rev. George Henry Gieger.

The church was incorporated in 1882 and the first trustees were J. William Bauer, Henry Bauer, Henry Kronke, Jacob Genzlinger and Sida H. Wicht. The present Trustees are the same, except that Otto Schulz is in the place of Henry Kroenke. This con- gregation has an interesting Swedish service every week. It is attended by about thirty Swedes. The congregation has bought a lot for a church, and will re-erect upon it the demolished First Methodist Church building, which they have received as a gift.

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL-St. John's Protestant Episcopal af Tuckahoe .- We have our account of this mostly from Mr. Charles R. Dusenberry. It been said that the Rev. Elias Cooper, rector of St. John's on Broadway from 1789 to 1816, started this church. It was not, however, an independent parish till 1853. But its building was crected in 1798 as a Mission Chapel of the earlier St. John's. The ground and house were the gift of Mr. John Bowne, a gentleman of English descent and the owner of an estate in the vicinity. The building was not consecrated till 1847, after the addition of a small vestry room to it. In 1853 the parish was

ii .- 6

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

creeted. In 1867 a chancel was added, and since that it has undergone still further repairs, additions and decorations. It has at present no rector. The vicinity is so sparsely settled that the church has scarcely an opportunity yet to grow, but no doubt this will be much changed in the inture. The minis- ters have been,-

Rev. Charles Jones, really rector from 1853-58; Rev. Augustus St. Clair, supply only, from 1859-60; Rev. David Doremus, supply only, from 1860-61; No incumbent from 1861-65 ; Rev. Angus M. Ives, supply only, from 1865-80; Rev. Samuel B. Moore, really rector from 1881-84.

The Rev. Angus M. Ives, though uever really its rector, yet served the church with great faithfulness for fifteen years and died at his post. He was a very sineerc, excellent and solid man, whose ministry was thoroughly respected and is tenderly remembered by the people. A wall tablet to his memory is erected in the church.

The latest issued statistics of the church, those of 1883, were as follows :- Communicauts, 55; Cate- ehists and Sunday school teachers, 6; Sunday school children, 34. The money contributed during the preceding year had been $1125.50, of which one thousand dollars had been devoted to parish pur- poses.

The building is a small structure with its sides shingled. It is very pleasant inside. It stands on a high summit, from which an extensive view is con- manded. The lot around it is used as a burial ground and contains many graves, among which those of the founders of the church and their deseendants are prominent.

The officers of the church for 1885 and 1886 are:

Wardens .- Senior, Charles R. Dusenberry ; Junior, William H. Underhill.

Vestrymen .- Samuel M. Raisbeck, Wilbur S. Un- derhill, Samuel B. Jones, Samuel S. Horton, William J. Fce, Robert S. Johnson, Richard M. Thompson, Thomas Dunn.

N. Paul's Protestant Episcopal, on North Broadway. -Our history is substantially from Rev. William H. Mills, D. D., its present Rector. The Young Men's Missionary Associations of St. John's Parish, early in the summer of 1858, prepared a room in Mechanic (now New Main) street, for holding mission services. About the same time the Rev. Darins R. Brewer, Rector of Emanuel Parish, Newport, R. I., while vis- iting relatives in Yonkers, was invited to take charge of the mission. . After due consideration hic con- sented, and entered on his charge on the first Sabbath in September.

The mission was so successful as to awaken a de- sire for the organization of a parish. The Rev. Dr. Carter, Rector of St. John's, cordially gave his canon- ical conseut to the step. AAccordingly on the 15th of December, 1858, a new parish was legally incorpor- ated under the title of "The Rector, Wardens, and

Vestry of St. Paul's Church." The following gentle- men were elected wardens and vestrymen : Senior Warden, Henry Anstice; Junior Warden, J. Foster Jenkins, M. D. Vestrymen-E. W. Candce, S. Em- mett Getty. Thomas F. Morris, William Beal, Ed- ward Martin, Thomas Furniss, Thomas W. Bird- sall, R. W. Nisbett. None of these gentlemen are now connected with the parish. Dr. Jenkins, who died in October, 1882, was for some years the last remaining. He continued to his death firmly attached to the parish, and gave himself earnestly to its inter- ests with his wisc counsel, his self-sacrificing labors, his generous giving, and his pure Christian life. His name is honored in the parish, and his memory is blessed.

In the Spring of 1859, the Getty Lyceum Hall, now a part of the Getty House, was obtained for the better accommodation of the people. In the autumn of the same year, further removal was made to Farrington Hall, which was afterwards destroyed by fire, and re- placed by the Radford building. A permanent loca- tion for the parish church was purchased the same year on North Broadway, near Ashburton avenue. Messrs. R. Upjohn & Co., architects, werc engaged to furnish plans for a church edificc.

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 15

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286