USA > New York > History of the Church of Zion and St. Timothy of New York 1797-1894 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
" It is not to be supposed that while other denominations by private bounty alone raise splendid edifices, Episcopa-
27
REV. RALPH WILLISTON.
lians, who possess so large a proportion of the wealth of the community, will incur the stigma of failing in an attempt to erect by an appeal to individual beneficence an edifice for public worship and of refusing to aid a sister congregation in circumstances of peculiar distress. There can be no object more calculated to excite their sensibility and their pious benevolence and zeal, than to raise from its ashes one of the temples of God, to reinstate their exiled brethren in those sacred courts where they rejoiced to worship, and to comfort the heart and strengthen the hands of the exem- plary and respectable servant of the altar who now mourns its desolation and ruin.
" JOHN HENRY HOBART,
" Assistant Bishop of the Protestant, Episcopal Church, and " Assistant Minister of Trinity Church, New York."
In view of the insufficiency of the means then employed in extinguishing fires, and of the inflammable character of the buildings surrounding the church, it is marvellous that the Vestry neglected the insurance of the building.
Until their church was rebuilt the congregation wor- shipped in the Church du St. Esprit, the use of which, for evening services, was kindly tendered by its trustees.
The sum raised in response to these numerous appeals for means to rebuild the church is unknown, no record appear- ing upon the treasurer's book, but $5000 was received from Trinity Church. That the aggregate amount was wholly in- sufficient is undoubted. Failing in this endeavor, the mem-
28
ZION CHURCH.
bers of the parish did not suffer the restoration of their church to be abandoned without making zealous efforts to the con- trary. Work was commenced and prosecuted with vigor, and considerable progress was made, but not without contracting debts, which subsequently so embarrassed the monetary affairs of the parish, as to render necessary the resignation, January 3, 1817, of its worthy Rector, the Rev. Ralph Wil- liston, whose usefulness was transferred to the Diocese of Maryland. This unhappy circumstance was followed by an attempt to sell the church, as appears by the following ad- vertisement in the Evening Post.
ZION CHURCH.
" The Vestry of Zion Church, finding their means inade- quate to the completion of the new building, are induced to offer the whole of the property of said church for sale until the 17th March next, or until a different course is taken .. It consists of four lots of ground, on which the church stands, at the corner of Mott and Cross Streets, together with all the material, such as the frame of the roof, which is all ready, cornices and window-sashes, as also a quantity of other material, nearly sufficient to inclose the building.
" Also, the house and lot in Mott Street, near the church.
" Also, the lot and stable in Art Street, adjoining the burying-ground, which is also offered for sale.
" Also, a lot of brass chandeliers, consisting of three large. and thirteen small ones.
29
REV. RALPH WILLISTON.
" Also, a small organ, now in use in St. George's Church (Beekman Street), besides some church furniture, with re- mains of pews, sashes, stoves, etc.
" The subscriber is duly authorized to treat with any relig- ious society for the whole or a part of said property, who will exhibit a more particular inventory and make known the conditions of sale.
" LEWIS HARTMAN,
" 423 Pearl Street, corner of Rose Street. " February 12, 1817."
On April 22, 1817, No. 33 Mott Street, and the frame building thereon, used as a parsonage, were sold to William Lawrence for $2500.
In 1817 an application was made to the Chancellor for leave to sell, by public auction, all the property belonging to Zion Church, the proceeds derived therefrom to be ap- plied to the liquidation of its indebtedness. Pending this application, a bill was filed in the Court of Chancery for the foreclosure of a mortgage dated July 30, 1814, to secure the payment of $5000, together with interest since that date. An order directing the sale of the mortgaged premises on Mott Street was entered June 20, 1817, and on September 9th, of the same year, the ground on which the church had stood, together with so much of the new edifice as the Vestry had been able to complete (at a cost of $18,000, $7000 of which amount was due to mechanics for materials), were sold by public auction at the Tontine Coffee House, in Wall
30
ZION CHURCH.
Street, to the plaintiff for $9700. This amount satisfied his mortgage claim, and also another one, which, together, amounted to $9107.37. The purchaser, Mr. Peter Lorillard, made known to the anxious parishioners that he would re- tain the property until some of the friends of the church would stipulate to finish the rebuilding, and then restore the property to its former ecclesiastical organization. Two weeks afterward his proposition was accepted by six mem- bers of the congregation, some of whom had belonged to the Lutheran body.
The purchase money, $9700, was paid to Mr. Lorillard, and the deed of said property executed by him to names worthy of honorable record : Alexander Fink, John Graff, John P. Ritter, Gilbert Fowler, John Heath, and Adam Hartell.
November II, 1817, under a decree of the Court of Chancery, the following described property was sold by public auction at the Tontine Coffee House :
A lot of ground situated near the two mile stone, Bowery Lane, in the vicinity of Vauxhall Garden, containing about 96 feet on the west, the same on the east, with a passage of 8 feet to Art Street (now Astor Place), and 79 feet on the north and south. Also a lot on the southerly side of Greenwich Lane (or Art Street), 109 feet easterly from Broadway containing 25x100.
The first-mentioned plot was purchased for a cemetery, in June, 1809, by the Lutheran trustees. It was enclosed
Zion Church, Mott and Dark Streets.
3F
REV. RALPH WILLISTON.
with a fence and planted with willow trees. The adjoining- lot was subsequently purchased, but was not part of the cemetery.
In February, 1818, the six grantees heretofore referred to, were aided in their laudable efforts to rebuild their temple, by a loan of $10,000 from Trinity Church under a trust deed by which they agreed to complete the church building and, upon its completion, to permit it to be consecrated, to rent the pews, and to allow pewholders to incorporate them- selves according to law, and, after repayment of moneys advanced and the liquidation of debts incurred by them, they were to deed said property to the new corporation.
On the 16th of November, 1818, the new edifice (which is: yet standing) having a frontage of 64 feet on Mott Street, and a depth of 83 feet on Cross Street, was solemnly set apart for worship by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, D.D. Morning prayer was said by the Rev. Thomas Lyell, Rector of Christ Church, and a sermon was preached by the Bishop to a large and attentive congregation. A number · of the clergy assisted in the ceremonies, which were highly impressive. The Bishop took occasion to refer to the noble action of those six gentlemen whose names are given above. The church was reincorporated April 13, 1819, and again admitted into union with the Diocesan Convention.
The year following his resignation as pastor of Zion Church, the Rev. Ralph Williston was Rector of Trinity Church, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. In 1822 he was ap- pointed Rector of Trinity Church, Wilmington, Delaware ..
32
ZION CHURCH.
While in this diocese (which was unable to sustain a Bishop until 1841) he presided over the Conventions, was a member of the Standing Committee, and deputy to the General Con- vention. In 1828, he went to the Diocese of New York, and was a missionary at Ithaca and parts adjacent, until 1831. He then went to New Jersey and was elected Rector of St. Paul's Church, Paterson, where he remained several years. The Rev. Ralph Williston died at the village of Roslyn, Long Island, whither he had gone to reside in 1838, being in feeble health. While there he renewed the holding of services, which had been commenced in 1836, by the Rector of the church at Manhasset. These services were so well attended that it was determined by the residents of the village to build a church. In 1839 the corner-stone was laid by Bishop B. T. Onderdonk on a lot given by a resident. But the sudden death of the Rev. Mr. Williston stopped the enterprise. In 1862 Bishop Potter re-laid the same corner- stone, the church was finished and consecrated that year, and organized in 1869 as Trinity Church.
Rev. Thomas Breintnall.
Enga by HLE Hajis Bons, New York
REVP THOMAS BREINTNALL.
REV. THOMAS BREINTNALL, SECOND RECTOR OF ZION CHURCH.
R EV. Thomas Breintnall who had temporarily assumed the charge of the parish, was formally called to the rectorate June 3, 1819, at a salary of $1200 per annum. He was canonically received from the Diocese of Pennsylvania, where, May 31, 1818, he had been ad- mitted to Holy Orders. His letter of acceptance follows :
" TO THE WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ZION CHURCH : "Accept, gentlemen, my best thanks for those repeated acts of kindness, and that friendly attention which I have experienced from you since my arrival at New York, but more particularly the honor you have conferred on me by a permanent call to the Rectorship of Zion Church. Under the pleasing hope that my labors may not be unsuccessful in building up our Zion and in reclaiming the sinner to his God, I accept the call. To your persevering exertions, under the blessing of God, this Church owes its existence. To your countenance and support, and to that Divine Be- ing, your Rector now looks for aid to strengthen his hands in the great work before him. So long as it shall please the
33
34
ZION CHURCH.
Lord to bless his labors and continue him among you, his unceasing aim shall be, under the providence of God, to de- serve your confidence and revive a spirit of true piety and virtue in the congregation.
" With respect and esteem, " I remain gentlemen, " Yours in Christ, " THOS. BREINTNALL.
" NEW YORK, June 11, 1819."
On Sunday, the 18th of July, 1819, Bishop Hobart held an ordination in Zion Church and admitted the Rev. Mr. Breintnall, Rector-elect, to the Holy Order of Priests. The Rev. William Harris, D.D., President of Columbia College, said the morning prayer ; the sermon was by the Bishop. On October 16th Mr. Breintnall was instituted Rector by the Bishop of the Diocese. Morning prayer was said by Dr. Samuel Jarvis, Professor in the General Theological Semin- ary; the sermon was preached by the Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, assistant minister of Trinity Church.
A bright and interesting era began for Zion Church from the hour that the Rev. Thomas Breintnall, who was then twenty-six years of age, entered upon his duties. The loca- tion of the church was much improved since the fire, as the neighborhood, which was now growing and prosperous, con- tained many inviting residences. The church building was new, and the talents of the minister were well calculated to attract the public mind. Able and well disciplined, sanguine
35
REV. THOMAS BREINTNALL.
and judicious, he soon gathered around him the scattered members of the congregation, and put the whole organi- zation into working order. On several occasions large numbers were confirmed, the communicants rapidly in- creasing. 1271374
The Sunday-School was the largest in the city, number- ing fifty-six teachers and six hundred pupils. The super- intendent afterwards became the eminent prelate, the late Right Rev. W. R. Whittingham. In short, new life and spirit were infused into everything connected with the parish. The influence of this church, and of its discreet and faithful pastor, must have contributed greatly to direct and fix those aspirations and views which afterwards rendered Bishop Whittingham so distinguished an ornament of the American branch of the Catholic Church.
Bishop Whittingham's father, Mr. Richard Whittingham, was a member of the Vestry from 1819 to 1831, excepting in 1823 and 1829. His mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Whittingham, with a view to her son's education, made herself acquainted with the learned languages, and became so proficient in them that she gave lessons in Hebrew to divinity students. Young Whittingham had no instruction other than that he received at home until he was sent to the General Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1825. He was ordained to Holy Orders, March 11, 1827, in St. John's Chapel, by the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart.
We make the following extract from his private diary as recorded in Brand's Life of Bishop Whittingham :
36
ZION CHURCH.
" March II, P.M. Preached my first sermon in Zion Church (the family parish), performing service myself. Text, Phil I., 29, written the preceding week. Was not gen- erally heard. Too rapid in enunciation, voice weak. Even. Read Service and preached in Zion Church. Gal. VI., 4, written the preceding week. Enunciation better, but still not well heard. Hope this sermon may have had some effect. Much exhausted."
It is a pleasing reflection that when the Bishop of Mary- land was invited by the Standing Committee to administer in this diocese, he was always permitted to hold the service of confirmation in Zion Church, thus holding a confirmation on the spot where, in the days of his youth, in 1819, he had himself received that holy rite.
The parish was indebted to the six gentlemen who had some time before, on their own responsibility, aided by a loan of $10,000 from Trinity Church, redeemed the site and rebuilt the church. While it was possible to mortgage its property for a portion of the amount due, the parish was unable, from its limited resources, to meet the annual in- terest, besides maintaining the work itself. In this extrem- ity, after attempting several fruitless plans, it was deter- mined to prepare a full and exact statement of the financial affairs of the parish, to be submitted to its former benefac- tor. It was hoped that their appeal would be favorably re- garded, as there was not an Episcopal Church on this island that had been built independently of the bounty of Trinity
37
REV. THOMAS BREINTNALL.
Church, nor one that had not been endowed by its liberality. That venerable corporation generously responded by dis- charging Zion Church from the payment of the $10,000 loaned to the parties named in the trust deed, and by a gift of an additional $10,000, in consideration of a release by Zion Church of an annuity of $1400 theretofore granted, and upon the execution of the following agreement :
" Resolved, That Zion should be united with the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the State of New York, and should conform in their services and worship, and in all other re- spects to the Doctrine and Discipline of the said Church.
" Now, therefore, we do covenant and agree for ourselves and our successors that if Zion Church aforesaid, shall not continue to be used as a place of public worship, according to the rites of the said church, and shall not conform and hold to the doctrine and discipline of the said Protestant Episcopal Church, but shall depart therefrom, that then and in any such case, we and our successors shall and will return and repay the said sum of twenty thousand dollars to the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church aforesaid, their successors and assigns. In witness whereof we have hereunto caused our seal to be affixed this four- teenth day of July, in the year of our Lord 1820."
The following resolution was adopted by Zion Church upon the same day as the foregoing covenant and agree- ment was executed :
38
ZION CHURCH.
" Resolved, That the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry- men of Zion Church, of the City of New York, impressed with a sense of gratitude and obligation to the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, of the City of New York, for their liberal donation of the sum of twenty thousand dollars, which has been the chief means under Providence of rebuilding their Church, do hereby acknowledge their sincere and heartfelt thanks for the truly Christian generosity which has been manifested toward them by the guardians of the mother church, and while they implore the blessings of Heaven upon their benefactors, they cannot omit testifying their ardent attachment to a church whose doctrines and discipline they will ever cherish with zeal and affection."
Within the first year of the rectorate of the Rev. Mr. Breintnall a decided missionary spirit prevailed in the con- gregation, showing itself in 1820 by the formation of the fourth auxiliary of the "New York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society," organized in 1817, whose efforts ex- tended through the "Committee on the Propagation of the Gospel " to the untutored sons of the forest of this State.
At the fourth anniversary of the Society, held at St. Paul's Church December 6, 1820, it was reported that " one auxiliary only has been added during the last year, but that is one of which we may well be proud, and from which we anticipate important aid. Zion Church, our fourth aux- iliary, in August last placed in our treasury a very generous
39
REV. THOMAS BREINTNALL.
sum, received from the spirited subscription of that congre- gation alone, and it was
" Resolved, That this society duly appreciate the exertions of the Rector and congregation of Zion Church, in forming our fourth auxiliary and recommend their example to the congregation of the Church in general."
The auxiliary organized February, 1820, with the
Rev. Thomas Breintnall, President
William Tripler, First Vice-President
James M. Murray, Second Vice-President
Richard E. Purdy,
Secretary
Wm. Bakewell,
Treasurer
MANAGERS :
Samuel Jarvis,
Jacob B. Smith,
Jacob Stout, Jr.,
Samuel Sparks,
Jonathan Waterbury,
Dr. B. R. Robson,
Wm. H. Earl,
Wm. T. Pinkney,
Joshua Hyatt,
P. Lorillard, Jr.,
Alex. C. Gestain, Isaac Odell, John Richardson,
40
ZION CHURCH.
Richard Ten Eyck, John Graff, John Rodgers, John T. Hawes, Samuel Heath, Wm. Mclaughlin.
This relation to the Society continued with undiminished interest many years thereafter.
In 1821, an organ, built by Mr. Hall at a cost of $1500, was purchased by subscriptions. In January of the same year a deed of release was made by the corporation of Trinity Church to Mr. Alexander Fink and others, who, later, during the same month, upon a final settlement of their accounts with the corporation of Zion Church, exe- cuted a deed unto the Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of Zion Church, of the church property in Mott Street.
To perfect the foregoing final settlement, a loan mortgag- ing the church for $12,000 was procured in March of the same year. To liquidate this loan an auction sale of all the pews on the ground floor was held toward the end of 1825, which resulted in selling 35 pews for $5841, out of a total of 115 pews, with an appraised value of $20,000. The unsold pews were then rented, excepting those in the galleries, which were declared free.
" Married at Newark New Jersey on May 23, 1825, by the Rev. Henry P. Powers, Rector of Trinity Church. The
41
REV. THOMAS BREINTNALL.
Rev. Thomas Breintnall to Sophia Augusta Nelson. Present George Nelson, Elizabeth Nelson, Rev. Benjamin T. On- derdonk, Rev. Manton Eastburn, Horatio Nelson, Julia Cammon, Gertrude Lee.
The Rector sent the following letter to the Vestry, dated October 8, 1826 :
" TO THE WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ZION CHURCH : " GENTLEMEN.
" Understanding from the views that have been before us that the finances of our Parish are in such a situation as to render its present expenses burdensome and injurious, and actuated by my feelings of sincere attachment to the Parish, an ardent desire to promote in every practicable method its interest and welfare, and a deliberate conviction that it is the course required by duty and propriety, I beg to express my unwillingness to stand in the way of any measure which you may deem essential to the requisite improvement of our financial concerns.
" The Vestry in its liberality a few years ago added to the salary first voted to me by the Vestry the gratuity of Four hundred dollars; this, or so much thereof as you may think the exigency requires and for such a period as you may deem necessary, I beg leave voluntarily and cheerfully to relinquish.
" The sacrifice which I here make of the comforts of my family and the means of increased professional usefulness I
42
ZION CHURCH.
should not regret if I should have the happiness of finding the real interest of the Parish thereby promoted.
" Sincerely yours,
" THOS. BREINTNALL, " Rector."
At a meeting of the Vestry, November 6th, it was
" Resolved, That the thanks of the Vestry be communi- cated to the Rector by the Secretary for the very liberal sentiments contained in his letter, and assure him that such generosity cannot fail to be fully appreciated by the congre- gation at large."
The following preamble and resolution were adopted :
" Whereas, The Vestry of this Church are not legally authorized to fix or regulate the salary of its minister; that power being by the Act under which it is incorporated exclusively vested in the congregation, therefore
" Resolved, The resolution passed on the 9th February 1824, raising the Rector's salary Four hundred dollars per annum be and the same is hereby repealed to take effect on and after the Ist December next."
At a meeting of the Vestry held Friday, January 8th, 1830, the following memorial was prepared and its transmis- sion ordered :
"TO THE CORPORATION OF TRINITY CHURCH.
" Compelled again to solicit pecuniary aid in behalf of Zion Church from your Board we respectfully present the
43
REV. THOMAS BREINTNALL.
following brief statement of our affairs for your information and serious consideration.
" By a partial sale of our pews a few years past we reduced the debt which then encumbered the Church to about half of its former amount, and by pursuing since that period a system of rigid economy in our expenses have been enabled until the present time to meet all our necessary engage- ments.
" From various causes over which we have no control, but among which may be enumerated the closing of our vaults (city ordinance prohibiting burials below Grand St.) the pressure of the times and the high price at which our pews are unavoidably rated, this state of things unfortunately exists.
" Upon a large proportion of our congregation whose cir- cumstances in life are very moderate, the depression in trade and the high rate of pew rents (averaging about $30 each) has produced a self-evident effect. Some, from these causes, who in former years rented whole pews, now have taken a few seats, while others influenced by still stronger motives of economy have vacated their pews and left the Church ; to such an extent have these results taken place that nearly one third of pews heretofore rented are now given up, and the revenue of the Church has become so much diminished that we find our income quite inadequate to defray our cur- rent expenses.
" To prove that we have not been prodigal in the manage- ment of our fiscal concerns and how difficult it must be to
44
ZION CHURCH.
make any retrenchment in our expenditures, particularly in the salaries of our officers, already very low, the following statement of our annual disbursement is exhibited :
Rector's salary
. $1200
Choristers' “
150
Assistants' "
40
Organist's “
150
Sexton's
125
Incidental expenses
380
2045
Interest on balance due on
mortgage, $5750, @ 7 % 402.50
Interest on bond, $1500
105
·
.
$2552.50
" The state of our Church is now before you, if it should be asked what we needed, our reply could only be that if the burden of our debt was removed we could reduce our rents to the capacity of our congregation to pay, our vacant pews would soon be filled, our revenue restored, and the reputa- tion, prosperity, and usefulness of our Church sustained.
" It is true, and we acknowledge it with gratitude, that you have already dealt nobly and bountifully toward us, yet as it is not the motto of Christians to be weary of well doing, we cherish that this appeal again to your liberality will not be disregarded. We cannot believe that the parental hand
45
REV. THOMAS BREINTNALL.
that ushered us into being and supported us in our infancy will now permit us to wither and sink under the baneful influence of an accumulating debt.
" In behalf of the corporation of Zion Church,
" LLOYD D. WINDSOR, " Secretary."
Without a response to this appeal a loan of $7000 at 6 % was obtained from William Underhill, of North Hempstead, secured by a first mortgage upon the church and ground. During the following year, in May, 1831, Trinity Church consented to accept the assignment of this mortgage, con- ditioned, it being made to appear to the satisfaction of that corporation, that the edifice and grounds were subject to no other incumbrance. The wisdom of adopting that method of relieving Zion Church from debt has had a very beneficial influence in restraining any subsequent alienation of its realty unless with the assent of the mortgagee. This mort- gage was held by Trinity Church until 1890, a period of nearly sixty years, when it was paid. No interest has ever been paid, or applied for, upon it. No further application to Trinity Church for aid has since then been made.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.