USA > New York > History of the Church of Zion and St. Timothy of New York 1797-1894 > Part 2
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The trustees gracefully offered him the continued occu- pancy of the parsonage for a year. This hospitality was not accepted, for soon afterwards he became a missionary in the Episcopal Church in Bedford and its vicinity in Westchester County.
He retained this office until March, 1805, and then resigned to accept, on April 22d, the rectorship of St. Ste- phen's Protestant Episcopal Church, which he had aided in
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EARLY HISTORY.
organizing. This church was in New York, on the corner of Broome and Chrystie Streets. It was built of brick. The corner-stone was laid in 1805, and the building was conse- crated the same year, on St. Stephen's day, by Bishop Moore.
The first congregation and the Vestry were principally composed of members of the "English Lutheran Church Zion," who were impatient to change their ecclesiastical connection.
The Rev. David Austen was in temporary charge of the Lutheran Church for a period of six months. During that interval the Rev. Henry A. Muhlenberg, of Reading, Penn- sylvania, was invited to the pastorate, which he reluctantly declined. The Rev. Ralph Williston succeeded as pastor, his introductory sermon being delivered in July, 1805. During his pastorate of five years he witnessed a continuous movement of his flock towards the Episcopal Church, a movement to which he himself was inclined. This disaffec- tion finally became so pronounced that the following action was taken by the trustees, at a meeting held January 22, 1810.
The subject of our church turning Episcopalian was dis- cussed at length. A proposition from St. Stephen's Prot- estant Episcopal Church, offering an opportunity for a union of the two churches, was laid before the meeting, but it being doubtful " whether a union with St. Stephen's Church would be more advantageous than assuming the name of a separate Parish, the further consideration of the proposal was deferred until the adjourned meeting, January 26th."
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ZION CHURCH.
Then, however, the subject was again postponed to the subsequent meeting, held February 10, 1810, and it does not appear that the question of a union with St. Stephen's Church was again introduced.
This overture, so graciously made by St. Stephen's Church in grateful recognition of the source from whence came its own corporate existence, would seem to have been virtually declined, notwithstanding that the proposing par- ish was at that time largely endowed by the liberality of Trinity Church, with a grant of several lots of land in War- ren and Greenwich Streets, and was also possessed of a con- siderable sum of money; while the Lutheran Church was heavily encumbered with debt, was without any certain revenue, and was hampered by the uncertainty attending a change of ecclesiastical connection, in a region where the Episcopal Church was unknown. The resolute spirit of the founders of Zion Protestant Episcopal Church was unin fluenced by these considerations. They determined not to abandon the field then occupied, nor to surrender their in- dividuality by being absorbed by another parish, and forth- with proceeded to the consideration of the most noteworthy incident in the history of the Church.
At a meeting held February 10, 1810, it was “ Resolved, That on account of the identity of the doctrine, the near alliance of Church discipline subsisting between the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches, the English Lutheran Church do become a Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church, a majority of the congregation coinciding. Resolved, That
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EARLY HISTORY.
a committee of three be appointed to wait on each contribu- ting member of the Church for their assent, or dissent, and as soon as this is accomplished, a meeting of the congrega- tion be called, for Friday, February, 23, at 3 P.M. in the Church: further Resolved, That the Rev. Ralph Williston be continued as the clergyman of this Church after the wor- ship shall have changed, he being ordained agreeable to the order of the Protestant Episcopal Church."
At a meeting of the congregation pursuant to the foregoing call, Mr. Lucas Van Buskirk was elected chairman, and Lewis Hartman, secretary. The business relative to chang- ing the worship of the church was laid before the meeting by Mr. John P. Ritter. After considerable debate, it was moved by Mr. Benjamin P. Beekman, and seconded by Mr. John Graff, "That, whereas many difficulties attend the up- holding of the Lutheran religion among us, and whereas, that inasmuch as the Doctrine and Government of the Episco- pal Church is so nearly allied to the Lutheran, and also on account of the present embarrassment of the finances of this Church, therefore Resolved : That the English Lutheran Church with its present form of worship and Government be dissolved after Tuesday, the 13th day of March next, and that this Church do from that day forward become a parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the present board of officers of this Church take every measure to carry this resolve into effect." The whole number of votes cast was thirty, of that number twenty-three voted in the affirma- tive and seven in the negative.
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It was also " Resolved, That the Rev. Ralph Williston be requested to notify the congregation, that an election for two Church Wardens and eight Vestrymen will be held on Tuesday 13th of March at 2.30 P.M."
The names of those who composed the first Vestry of Zion Church appear in the following "Certificate of Incor- poration." It reads as follows :
" In the name of God, Amen. We, the subscribers, do certify that a meeting of the male persons of full age be- longing to the congregation of Zion Church, which Church is situated in the City of New York, in the sixth ward of the said City, for the purpose of incorporating themselves a Protestant Episcopal Church under the act entitled, 'An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Religious Societies,' was held in the said Church on the thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten, pursuant to legal notice given for that purpose, and we certify that at the said meeting, John Graff (there being no Rector present) was called to the chair and presided, and thereupon the said meeting did by a majority of votes elect John Peter Ritter and Lewis Hartman, Church Wardens of the said Church, and John Graff, John Heath, Fred'k Ris- ler, Aaron Swarts, Henry Willers, Lodowick Harple, Nicho- las Steele and Jacob Jeroleman to be Vestrymen of said Church or Congregation. And the said meeting did then and there determine, that on Monday in Easter week, the said offices of Church Wardens and Vestrymen shall an- nually cease, and their successors in office be chosen, and
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EARLY HISTORY.
we do further certify, that the said Church or Congregation is to be known in law by the name or title of the 'Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Zion Church in the City of New York.' In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands, and affixed our seals the day and year first above written.
" Witness
" John Graff (seal)
" Adam Hartell
" John Buscawen
" Henry Heiser
" James Young "
Copy of Deed of the Trustees of the English Lutheran Church conveying all their Real Estate to Zion Church Cor- poration :
" The Trustees of the English
Deed
Dated 13 March 1810
Lutheran Church in the City of New York To Whereas the said
the Rector, Church Wardens, & Vestrymen of Zion Church in the City of New York
parties of the first part are now seized in fee simple of the several Lots & parcels of land hereinafter mentioned, and whereas the Congregation of the said English Lutheran Church have resolved hereinafter to worship God according to the rules orders and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, and in consequence of such resolutions have proceeded to incorporate themselves as a Protestant Episcopal Church, pursuant to the directions of the statute in such case made
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and provided, and are now a corporation by the name of the (Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Zion Church in the City of New York) :
" And whereas, the said parties of the first part, are seized of the said lots and parcels of land, hereinafter men- tioned, as Trustees merely to, and for the use of, the said Congregation, who are desirous that the legal estate in and to the same, should now be vested in their new Corporation, as members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York :
" Now this indenture witnesseth that they, the said Trus- tees of the English Lutheran Church in the City of New York, for, and in consideration of, the premises, and for, and in consideration of the sum of ten dollars, &c., have granted &c., and by these presents do grant, &c., convey, and con- firm unto the said, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry- men of Zion Church in the City of New York, their succes- sors and assigns forever
" All that certain lot, piece, or parcel of ground, in which Zion Church now stands, situate, lying, and being in the Sixth Ward of the City of New York, on the west side of Mott Street, bounded, easterly, in front, on Mott Street, eighty-three feet four inches; southerly, on Cross Street, eighty-five feet ; westerly, in the rear, ninety-six feet, and on the northerly side, eighty-five feet.
" Also all that certain other lot, piece, or parcel of ground, with the dwelling-house thereon erected, situate, lying, and being in the said Sixth Ward of the City of New
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EARLY HISTORY.
York, and on the west side of Mott Street aforesaid, and known and distinguished by number thirty-three in said street, bounded easterly, in front, on Mott Street, nineteen feet, five inches; on the southerly side, eighty-six feet, by ground now, or late, the property of Andrew Williams ; westerly, in the rear, twenty-five feet, nine inches, and on the northerly side eighty-eight feet, by ground lately be- longing to the said parties of the first part.
" And also, all that certain lot, piece, or parcel of ground, and premises, situate, lying, and being in the Eighth Ward of the City of New York, near the two-mile stone, Bowery Road, or Lane, in the vicinity of Vauxhall Garden, being part and parcel of the estate late of Rachel Rickeman, de- ceased, to-wit : Lot number sixteen, which by the partition and division of the said estate, fell to the share of the chil- dren and heirs of Richard Rickeman, deceased, and Deborah, his wife, said lot, number sixteen, containing ninety-six feet, six inches on the west; the same on the east, with a passage of eight feet to Art Street, and seventy-nine feet, six inches on the north and south, as the same is particu- larly described and bounded, in the deed of partition of the said estate, and recorded in the office of the Clerk of the City and County of New York, and laid down on a map of the said partition, made by Samuel Stilwell, City Surveyor."
Zion Church also came into possession of a handsome silver communion service, which was a gift from the ladies of the Lutheran congregation in 1806. This service has
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ZION CHURCH.
ever since been in use in Zion Church, and is now used in the Church of Zion and St. Timothy.
February 10, 1810, Nos. 35 and 37 Mott Street, opposite Pell Street (upon which a school-house was built in 1802), were sold.
The bonded and floating liabilities, amounting to $11,000, were assumed by the new corporation. These liabilities comprised $5000 to Peter Lorillard since 1802, $3000 to David Seaman since 1806, $1000 to Frederick Risler since 1805, and sundry other smaller amounts.
On Thursday, March 22, 1810, the church was conse- crated according to the rites and ceremonies of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church. The consecration service was performed by the Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, assisted by several of the clergy. Morning prayer was said by the Rev. Mr. Lyell, and an appropriate sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Howe. On the following day the Rev. Ralph Willis- ton was ordained to the Diaconate in Trinity Church by Bishop Moore. Thus Zion Church entered upon its four- score years of a useful and honorable history. The imme- diate district in which the church was located was sparsely populated, a large portion of it being covered by the Collect Pond, now the site and vicinity of the City Tombs. The church members were scattered over a very extended field, many of them being in very humble circumstances.
There were at this time but ten Episcopal churches on this island. Trinity, built in 1696; St. Paul, 1766; St.
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EARLY HISTORY.
George, 1751; St. John, 1803; Christ, 1793; St. Esprit, 1804; St. Stephen, 1805; St. Michael, 1806; and Grace, 1808.
The population of the city was about 90,000. Within the United States there were but 218 clergymen of the Episcopal Church.
The following persons were elected on Easter Monday, April 26:
Wardens.
John P. Ritter. Lewis Hartman.
Vestrymen.
John Graff. Jacob Jerolemen. John Sparks. John Heath.
Aaron Swarts. Nicholas Steele. Lodowick Harple. Jacob Weaver.
Zion Church was admitted the same year into union with the Diocesan Convention. Messrs. John P. Ritter and John Sparks were the first delegates chosen to repre- sent this parish.
The following are the first official acts as recorded in the parish register. 2
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On Wednesday, March 28, 1810.
Marriages.
Joseph Osburn to Ann Lent. Hans Osterman to Catharine Fredericks. Joseph Ayers to Mary Pierson.
Baptisms.
Martha, daughter of Court and Catharine Went.
Catherine, daughter of John and Catherine Wilcocks. Mary Emma, daughter of Timothy and Hetty Barnard. David, son of Conrod and Catherine Baker.
The expenditures of the parish for the first year were as · follows :
Rector's salary
$750.00
Precentors
150.00
Sexton
75.00
Bell-ringer
15.00
Taxes on parsonage
7.84
Painting fence
29.50
Light and fuel
41.38
Total
.
· $1068.72
The income was :
From rental of pews
$539.00
Subscriptions .
188.50
Rent of cellar under church .
125.00
Offertories
297.62
Burial fees
35.75
Total
1,185.87
.
.
.
·
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EARLY HISTORY.
We extract from the first annual parochial report, 1811, the following statistics :
Baptisms
54
Marriages
86
Funerals .
33
Communicants
59
In 1812 the Corporate Seal was adopted.
This new organization soon realized that, to provide the means to meet current expenses, and the punctual payment of the interest on the debt assumed, was under all the cir- cumstances a greater undertaking than had been expected ; nor did it fail to experience the inevitable results of a mort- gage debt. Thenceforward it exerted every endeavor, by faithful and assiduous effort, to make manifest the need of the church and its influence in a field where no other provi- sion of the church was likely to be made. These efforts and attending success in rescuing the neglected, soon at- tracted the notice and interest of the venerable corporation of Trinity Church, which, with its accustomed liberality, stood ready to relieve Zion Church. Upon application it assumed for five years the annual payment of $900, the amount of the interest on the debt, and contributed $500 annually toward the salary of its Rector for the same period.
This gratifying adjustment of the temporalities encour -. aged the Vestry to extend the following call to the Rev .. Ralph Williston (who had been in charge, by virtue of an: agreement and resolution adopted the 10th February, 1810).
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ZION CHURCH.
" REV. RALPH WILLISTON,
" REV. AND DEAR SIR :
" Agreeable to notice given from the desk, a meeting of the Congregation was held in Zion Church on Monday 27 January 1812, when the following call was agreed upon : The Wardens and Vestrymen of Zion Church in the City of New York send greeting. That we the Wardens and Vestrymen reposing special confidence in the Godly conver- sation and meet learning of you, the Rev. Ralph Williston, have called and do hereby call and appoint you to be our
Pastor, and Rector, to perform the functions and duties agreeable to the Rubrics and canons of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in this State. To preach a sermon on every Sunday morning and evening. And for your maintenance we (by and with the consent of the congregation had in said Church on the 27th January last) do promise to pay you $800 per annum, with the occupancy of the parsonage to this Church belonging."
The Rev. Ralph Williston shortly afterwards received the Order of Priests at Zion Church, from the Right Rev. Bishops J. H. Hobart and Nathaniel Bowen. The Rev. Thomas Lyell delivered the sermon.
THE REV. RALPH WILLISTON, FIRST RECTOR OF ZION CHURCH.
T HE Rev. Ralph Williston, in entering upon his duties as Rector, with the encouragement and countenance
of the clergy of the city, together with the generous support of the Mother Church, must have been inspired with feelings of confidence and courage. Moreover, the circum- stance that he and his flock had at the same time renounced Lutheranism, and pledged their allegiance to the Protestant Episcopal Church, assured him that there was thus formed a bond of union that presaged well for the future.
He was not long in overcoming, as the church became known, whatever prejudice had existed, and by his faithful, earnest, and efficient labors, and acceptable visitations, he gathered the children, their parents, and others under the teaching of the church, and soon developed a large and growing parish.
This most encouraging beginning, and promise for in- creasing usefulness, were, however, soon to be interrupted by a calamitous and unexpected event.
As the records are followed, our attention is arrested by the following suggestive words : " Sic Gloria transit Mundi,"
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which we may interpret in the words of Isaiah : " Our holy and beautiful house where our fathers praised thee is burned up with fire, and all our pleasant things are laid waste." At midnight on the 31st August, 1815, the church edifice (ex- cepting a portion of the walls) was destroyed by fire, origi- nating in a feed store, corner of Mott and Pell Streets. It was of incendiary origin ; the guilty man-a notorious criminal-was arrested, brought to justice, and suffered on the gallows.
So widespread and intense was the sympathy awakened in the mind of the community, in those days, by the burning of a church, that a special appeal from the Vestry to the citizens was extensively published, as was also an address, delivered in Trinity Church, by the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese. Both of these are here copied.
There was also a grand oratorio, projected by the prin- cipal composers, and embracing all the available musical talent in this city, Philadelphia, and the neighboring towns. It was sung in St. Paul's Chapel, on Broadway, for the pur- pose of raising funds to aid in rebuilding Zion Church. This is believed to be the first oratorio ever given in the City of New York.
(From the Evening Post, September 1, 1815.)
About II o'clock last evening, a fodder shop or place for selling hay, straw, etc., in Mott Street, near the corner of Pell Street, was discovered to be on fire. Being surrounded
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REV. RALPH WILLISTON.
by a large block of wooden buildings, stables and workshops, and the wind being very high from the N.W., the flames had risen to an alarming height before the firemen arrived, and when they commenced, the want of water prevented them from checking the fire, until all the adjacent buildings were enveloped in flames, and the whole southeastern part of the City was threatened with destruction. Zion Church, which stood nearly opposite the place where the fire origi- nated, was soon consumed except the bare walls. At length it was got under, but not until thirty-five build- ings were destroyed, and the tenants turned into the street. These buildings were inhabited principally by poor people, who suffered much in the loss of furniture etc .; but most of the houses were of but little value, and if they are replaced by buildings of brick, will give little cause for regret.
Zion Church was a very neat and convenient edifice ; belonged to a small congregation of Episcopalians, con- sisting mostly of mechanics not in opulent circumstances, who have for several years past, by extraordinary exertions, maintained public worship in a decent and becoming style. But unless they shall be assisted by their more fortu- nate neighbors, the congregation, as such, is ruined; it cannot survive this misfortune; and its funds are by no means sufficient to rebuild the church. We sincerely hope that Episcopal congregations which have funds, will take this case into consideration, and grant them such relief as may be in their power.
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ZION CHURCH.
AN APPEAL FROM THE VESTRY.
(Published in the Evening Post.)
TO THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK :
The undersigned, in behalf of the congregation of Zion Church, presume to call the attention of their fellow citizens to a view of the present desolate state of their church, and it is hoped on reviewing the recent calamitous event by which the church has been destroyed, the citizens of New York, and others, will be actuated with sentiments of com- miseration and benevolence towards the sufferers, as well as with an impression of venerated awe of that God who sends His righteous judgment in various forms through the earth.
Although the congregation of Zion Church is respectable for its members and its character, yet it is a fact that the mass of its members, being of the middle class of society, are not able to contribute largely towards rebuilding their church ; and, therefore, the late afflicting calamity would reduce the congregation to despair, were it not for their full trust and confidence in the goodness of an overruling Providence, for Whom are all things, and in the sympathy, zeal, and benevolence which has so characterized the citizens of New York on all former appeals to their benevolence.
To that sympathy, zeal, and benevolence, the congrega- tion of Zion Church, by the undersigned, address this appeal. And under the pressure of poverty, and amidst the desola- tion of their church, they confidently look to their fellow citizens for that aid, which may enable them to rebuild the
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REV. RALPH WILLISTON.
sanctuary of their God, and once more assemble around the altar of their Redeemer.
That to aid in rebuilding one of the temples of God is a most laudable charity, no one, it is believed, who either knows the blessing of Christianity, or duly appreciates the worth of souls, can entertain a doubt. A reverence for the place where records His name and where His honor dwells; a regard to the public good, to the welfare of society, and to the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom in the salva- tion of the souls of men, suggest numerous and powerful motives to the display of charity on this occasion.
The undersigned respectfully inform their fellow citizens that they will be waited on with all possible despatch for their subscription and donations, which will be thankfully received by either of the subscribers.
Wardens. (Signed.) RALPH WILLISTON, Rector. LEWIS HARTMAN, Pearl Street JOHN GRAFF, Bayard Street,
NEW YORK, October, 1815.
In aid of the benevolent objects of the above address the following was read on Sunday, October 22d, to the congre- gations of Trinity Church :
" It is deemed proper to call the attention of this congre- gation and of Episcopalians generally to the situation of the congregation of Zion Church in this city. By a dispen- sation of Providence, the building in which they worshipped has been destroyed. It is entirely beyond their ability to
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erect a new one. There are few individuals among them of more than moderate wealth. In these circumstances they have applied for relief to the corporation of Trinity Church. But, from the heavy expenditures to which for many years that corporation has been exposed, its pecuniary affairs are now in a situation which precludes all increase in expendi- tures, and demands a system of rigid economy. That cor- poration does not possess, and will not in all probability for many years possess, productive property in any degree adequate to the demands which are made upon it. These facts are stated in this solemn manner, and in this sacred place in order to impress upon Episcopalians the necessity and duty of coming forward by their individual contribu- tions for the support of religion and their church.
" To aid the Vestry of Zion Church in rebuilding their house of worship there appears no other resource than the liberality of the friends of religion generally and particularly of the Episcopal Church. For this purpose the Vestry of Trinity Church has resolved to commence a subscription, and, besides the sum contributed by them as a corporation (which is considered by them as a larger sum than the state of their finances justifies), have also resolved individually to exert themselves in procuring contributions, and to make personal application to all the members of their congrega- tion. Measures will also be adopted for soliciting the pious bounty of Episcopalians generally.
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