USA > New York > Schenectady County > History of the County of Schenectady, N. Y., from 1662 to 1886... > Part 25
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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
Mary's Church, Albany. The building on Wash- ington avenue continued to be used as a church until October 13, 1839, when the present com- modious edifice on Franklin street was conse- crated. Rev. John Kelly, who succeeded Rev. Charles Smith, was the first regular rector in- stalled over this church. He was succeeded in 1838 by Rev. Patrick McCloskey. Then followed in succession Revs. Daniel Falvey, McGeough, M. E. Clark, and J. M. Scully, who was installed in 1875. In 1873 the building formerly used by the Methodist congregation on Liberty street, adjoin- ing the rear of St. John's Church, was purchased by the latter church, and has since been converted into a convent.
The present rectory on Liberty street was built in 1876.
The property of this church is centrally located, and one of the most valuable belonging to any re- ligious denomination in the city. A few years ago a tract of land containing over twenty acres, on the upper end of State street, was purchased by this church, and is now used as a cemetery. The total number of persons connected with St. John's Church will probably exceed 2, 500.
ST. JOHN'S CONVENT .- May 22, 1865, the build- ing opposite to St. John's Church, on Franklin street, was first opened as a convent, under the direct patronage of the church, and presided over by Mother Alphonsus and Sister Mary Montcar- mel, who were reinforced the following months by Sisters Ann Michael and Mary Lucy. At the convent and the small school-house adjoining the church, the children of the congregation were taught the common English branches of study by the Mother Superior and Sisters.
But the number of scholars so increased year by year, that in 1880 the old Methodist Church on Liberty street, purchased in 1873, was converted into a convent. This large edifice has been most conveniently arranged for the purpose of a school and convent, and meets the needs of this rapidly growing congregation. At the new convent more than 460 scholars are instructed in the common English branches of study. This school is supported entirely by the church, and is under the charge of Mother Superior Augustine, assisted by five Sisters.
A private school for instruction in the higher branches of study is conducted at the convent, where French, music (vocal and instrumental), drawing, painting and embroidery are taught. This department of the school is attended by both Protestants and Catholics, and is supported by tuition fees. The instruction received at the con- vent is considered as most careful, thorough and complete, and ranks high in the educational in- terests of Schenectady.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1870. In 1872 the present church edifice was purchased from the Congregational Church for $3,500, since which many improvements have been made on the church property. The first pastor was G. H. Brandan.
He was followed by Michael Wolf, Emil Schneider and Henry Homrighaus. The present pastor is Louis Schultze. This congregation is composed of 95 members, and is in a prosperous and flour- ishing condition.
"THE TEMPLE GEMEINDE" CHURCH.
The German church on College street, called "The Temple Gemeinde," is a branch of the Ger- man Temple Society, organized in Germany about 1854, by Rev. Dr. C. Hoffman, which aims at the advancement of the work of Christ and final establishment of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. The only source of revelation to the members of the Society is exclusively the Bible, without ecclesiastical traditions and human doc- trines, as far as they are in contradiction to the will of God as interpreted by the members of this Society. Concerning the Temple Gemeinde, we will give an extract of its history :
The congregation was organized in May, 1854, by the Rev. W. Wolf, and incorporated according to the law of the State of New York, under the long and inconvenient name, "Third Evangelical Protestant Reformed Dutch Church." At the end of the same year the present pastor, the Rev. W. F. Schwilk, took charge of the school and congre- gation, which increased remarkably in number. In 1856 they bought the so-called old Lancaster school and converted it into a chapel. A school- room was added in the rear of the building, and afterward used as a dwelling for the sexton and his family. As the little flock steadily increased, it was found necessary to erect a larger and more com- modious house of worship-the same which stands a few rods farther from the old one, toward Green street, and which was dedicated in the presence of a highly interested assembly on September 1, 1867.
At the beginning of 1867, Mr. Schwilk started the first German newspaper in the city, Die Reichs Posaune, a religious, political and social semi- monthly, and continued it as editor and manager fully seven years, when he was obliged (on account of ill health) to suspend the paper. At the close of the year 1867 the congregation withdrew from the Classis of Schenectady, and declared itself, for various reasons, ecclesiastically free and inde- pendent of the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church ; yet its officers and members retained their first legal name, and endeavored to make it a living name by being Protestants, not only by birth, but also by conviction. Thus they made themselves worthy of a new name. In the meantime they felt the necessity of changing it more and more, and recently, at a special meeting of the pastor, elders and deacons, they resolved unanimously to drop the old name altogether and adopt a new and better one-"The Temple "- which expresses plainly and distinctly its common faith. They authorized their pastor to take all the legal steps necessary to that effect.
This name was legalized and took effect Decem- ber 25, 1884. The Temple Gemeinde is composed of 200 members, with a Sunday-school numbering
113
CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
80 scholars. The church property is valued at over $8,000, and is free of debt. Rev. W. F. Schwilk, who has been pastor of this church more than thirty years, is a highly educated and accom- plished gentleman, deeply interested in religious matters, and to his intelligent, conscientious work can be attributed the present prosperity of this church.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
THE LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, an organiza- tion which has accomplished great good in this community, was established about 1813.
In this society at this early date were many ladies of the first families of the city. In a book of minutes of this period appears the names of Mrs. James Duane, Mrs. Stebbins, Mrs. A. Yates, Mrs. Dr. Fonda, Mrs. Simon Groot, Mrs. Dr. Mynderse and Mrs. John Constable. In 1817 thirty-five sick and distressed women and 128 helpless children were assisted, necessitating the expenditure of more than $600.
The primary objects of the society were to afford assistance to indigent women and children, although no cases of deserving charity were ne- glected.
The officers consisted of a first and second di- rectress, treasurer, secretary, and a board of mana- gers. The contribution of a certain sum to the funds of the society constituted the person so con- tributing a member, with equal privileges in man- aging the affairs. The board of managers appoint- ed a certain number of ladies in each ward, in prescribed districts, who were expected not only to solicit funds, clothing or provisions for carrying on the work, but to make personal visits to the homes of all persons in these districts who might be in indigent circumstances, and report all cases of deserving charity to the board of managers, in which case the members of the board of managers were expected to afford relief. In many cases sick women and children were removed from their wretched homes to suitable quarters in private houses, the society paying for their board. It was this branch of the good work which ultimately grew to such proportions that the need of a build- ing especially adapted to this purpose became a necessity.
The aims and plan of work of this society have not undergone much change since it was organized, and it will not be necessary to go into much detail concerning the work accomplished.
In 1864 this society was reorganized, and many of the members of that date are still active workers in this society. Among the members might be honorably mentioned the names of Mrs. Dr. Nott and Mrs. Jonas H. Crane, two of the oldest living members, who for more than a quarter of a century have been earnest workers in the cause of this society. Among others who are equally entitled to praise, both in the past and present, are the follow- ing ladies : Mrs. Anna Myers, Mrs. Mark Scher- win, Miss Rebecca Duane, Mrs. Dr. A. M. Vedder, Mrs. James Walker, Mrs. Judge Mitchel, Mrs.
Maria Barhydt, Mrs. Charles Angle, Mrs. Theodore Brown, Mrs. Aaron Freeman, Mrs Elizabeth Wal- ters, Mrs. Elizabeth De Wigne, Mrs. John C. Ellis, Mrs. D. Cady Smith, Mrs. Richard Franchot, Mrs. Andrew McMullen.
HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS. - The present com- fortable and commodious building on Green street, known as the Home of the Friendless, was the result of the labors of the Ladies' Benevolent Society.
In 1868 the Ladies' Home of the Friendless So- ciety was organized, mainly composed of the members of the Benevolent Society. At this time, although without a dollar in the treasury, and trust- ing entirely upon the generosity of the citizens to aid them, the ladies decided to purchase the building, No. 35 Green street, now owned by the society.
But legal difficulies confronted them, from the fact that they were not a corporate body. At this opportune time Dr. A. M. Vedder, Max Schwin, T. W. McCamus, Austin M. Ketchum, David Murray, Charles H. Mathews, Samuel W. Jack- son, D. Cady Smith, Andrew Truax, Horace G. Day and Lewis C. Barhydt, under the provisions of a legislative act of 1848 relative to the incorpora- tion of charitable institutions, associated them- selves together and became a corporate body, August 4, 1868, under the corporate name of the Home of the Friendless of the City of Schenectady.
The following gentlemen were named as the first trustees: J. Trumbull Backus, Charles H. Mathews, Alexander M. Vedder, D. Cady Smith, Andrew Truax, Horace G. Day and Lewis C. Barhydt.
These trustees were given the entire charge and supervision of the funds, property and affairs of the association. They were at first divided into three classes, two who were elected for one year, two for two years and three for three years ; but in 1881 the term of all the trustees was extended to three years, although the three classes remained the same, and the term of not more than three trustees expires during any one year.
The trustees elect a president, secretary and a treasurer ; the latter officer cannot be a trustee. At the present time an executive committee of three is appointed by the President from the list of trustees for one year, to whom is given the general charge of all funds, property and affairs of the society, to audit all bills and to invest funds. The trustees are elected by ballot the first Tues- day in September of each year. Every person who shall donate the sum of five dollars to the funds of the society, regardless of sex, is entitled to one vote, and an additional vote for every five dollars donated.
The first trustees immediately purchased the dwelling, No. 35 Green street, of George G. Soley, for the sum of $3,000, paying about $2,000 in cash, raised by subscription; the balance remain- ing a mortgage upon the property. This property was thus given over to the management of the
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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
Ladies' Society of the Home of the Friendless, and was first opened September 9, 1868.
The real management of the Home, the collec- tion of funds, and the care and supervision of the inmates, devolve solely upon the ladies of the society. The officers consist of first and second directresses, treasurer and secretary, an executive committee and a board of managers. The trustees act as an advisory committee. The first officers were: Mrs. Urania Nott, First Directress; Mrs. Cordelia Crane, Second Directress; Mrs. Mary A. Myers, Secretary; Mrs. Anna Angle, Treasurer,
The subscription fee of annual members is $5; of life members, $25; of life members and benefactors, $100.
The entire internal charge of the Home is under the direct supervision of a matron, who is em- ployed by the Board. This position has been most creditably filled by Mrs. Mary Perkins ever since the Home was established.
Since the establishment of the Home, it has been used exclusively for the support of indigent sick or aged women. But it is the intention of the members, as soon as sufficient funds can be obtained, to so extend the facilities of the institu- tion as to be able to support a juvenile depart- ment, when children without homes, too young to provide for themselves, can be maintained.
From the report of the secretary made at the end of the first year of the Home, we find that eight aged and infirm ladies had been the recipients of the comforts of this institution. The total receipts this year were $1,945.40, and total ex- penditures $1,327.85.
In September, 1873, the present building ad- joining No. 35 Green street, used as the Home, was purchased of Mr. Frame for $5,000.
In 1878, mainly through the efforts of the trustees, a debt of over $3,000 was liquidated by public subscription. Dr. Andrew Truax, who had been an enthusiastic friend of the Home since its organization, gave $1,000 of this sum,
During late years, the Home, by the death of a number of its early friends and benefactors, has been the recipient of generous donations. Among the legacies thus bequeathed were $5,000 from Dr. A. M. Vedder, $6,000 from Colon C. Clute, and $20,000 from Dr. Andrew Truax, In 1869 the True Blues, a civic organization in Schenectady, donated the sum of $1,000, the proceeds of a fair held for the purpose of aiding this institution.
At the present time the Home is in a flourish- ing condition. Its property, valued as $10,000, is free from debt, and it receives the proceeds of $33,500 invested for its use.
The work accomplished by this institution of charity has been of the most commendable nature. Its average yearly expenses have been about $1,200, while an average number of eight poor, enfeebled, deserving women have received the comforts of a Christian home.
In 1883 an addition of a hospitable room was made to the Home at a cost of $700, which amount was raised by public subscription.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
In the year 1858 the first Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Schenectady. The first officers of the Society were : Prof. John New- man, President ; George F. Bollis, Vice-President; Charles S. Vedder, Corresponding Secretary ; William F. Fox, Recording Secretary; and James J. Marlette, Treasurer. The Board of Directors consisted of Joseph B. Graham, David Herron, Jr., David J. Tichenor, Charles N. Yates, A. Craig Palmer, Charles Brockmyer, Daniel A. Atwell, Samuel Lyon, William DeGraff, Rembrandt P. Wilkie and Abraham Van Vranken. The plan of work and object of the association, as defined by the constitution of this date, were similar to that followed by like associations throughout the State, and not materially different from the aims and pur- pose of the present association. The society secured rooms on the second floor of the Clute building on State street, now used as a dental office by John F. Hull.
Young Men's Christian Association Building.
Here the members of the association labored for a number of years, with comparatively limited means and resources, for the beneficent objects of the association. But either through lack of proper support, through imperfect organization, or the usual period of excitement during the late civil war, the work was abandoned some time in 1863, and nothing was done to perfect a reorganization until 1867. During this year, by the exertion of a few of the public-spirited citizens of Schenectady, a renewed interest was awakened in the work of this kind of organization, as exhibited in parts of the State, and a new association was formed and a more perfect constitution adopted. The officers elected under the new organization were as follows: Nicholas Cain, President; C. C. Brown and M. A. Vedder, Vice-Presidents ; E. A. Charlton, Corre- sponding Secretary; George O. Seaver, Recording Secretary ; John Brown, Treasurer; and I .. Hoyt, Librarian. Directors: Andrew T. Veeder, Jacob Vrooman, Louis Feldman, Richard Farley, C. W.
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CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS.
115
Backus, D. D. C. Teller, John A. De Remer, Edward S. Sauter and E. W. Moore. At this period the association had rooms in Van Horne's Hall, No. 151 State street. Here a free reading- room, furnished with the leading daily and weekly papers, magazines and various periodicals, was pro- vided. A library of over 300 volumes was also procured this year.
In 1871 application was made to the Legisla- ture for a new charter and for the incorporation of the association. This was granted, and the follow- ing citizens of Schenectady were a board of trustees, to hold in trust the property of the associa- tion : J. Trumbull Backus, Platt Potter, E. H. Wheeler, Simon C. Groot, Andrew Truax, Peter Rowe, Abram Doty, H. S. Edwards, C. C. Clute, N. I. Schermerhorn, Levi A. Young, H. S. Bar- ney, T. W. McCamus, Nicholas Cain, Robert Fur- man, G. G. Maxon, C. H. Mathews and Edward W. Paige. This act of incorporation provided that one-third of these trustees should be annually elected after March, 1872. During the year 1871, mainly through the efforts of Nicholas Cain, then president of the association, and a few others equally interested in the welfare of the organiza- tion, the project long contemplated by the friends of the association-the erection of a per- manent edifice-began to take definite form. In October of this year the lot where the Association building now stands was purchased for the sum of $12,000, the entire amount being raised in a few days by subscription. At this time the task of raising money to erect a building upon this site was begun by the officers of the organization. The following are some of the principal donors at this time : Nicholas Cain, $3,000 ; J. Trumbull Backus, $2,000 ; Charles H. Mathews, $1, 500 ; Peter Rowe, $1,000; Platt Potter, $1,000; Abram Doty, $1,000 ; L. A. Young, $1,000 ; T. W. McCamus, $1,000 ; Robert Furman, $1,000; Andrew Truax, $1,000 ; N. I. Schermerhorn, $1,000 ; C. C. Clute, $1,000 ; H. S. Edwards, $1,000 ; E. H. Wheeler, $1,000; H. S. Barney, $1,000 ; Simon C. Groot, $1,000. Considerable money was also raised in smaller amounts.
In 1873 the present building began to be erected. Its exterior was completed in 187 -. At this time, the association lacking necessary funds, work was suspended. From 1873 to 1877 seems to have been a dark period in the history of the Young Men's Christian Association in this city.
Some time in 1874-5 the room in the Van Horne Hall was abandoned, and no regular place of meeting seems to have been provided until 1877, when, mainly through the efforts of General Secretary O. C. Morse, who came to Schenectady under the direction of the New York State Execu- tive Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association, Stanford Hall was rented for a period of three months. Here the association library was removed and a free reading-room provided.
In March, 1877, the work of completing and furnishing four rooms in the new building was undertaken by the different churches, the First Reformed Church furnishing one, the First
Presbyterian Church another, the Baptist a third, and the Episcopal Church the fourth. On the 15th of the following May the association took possession of its new rooms, and the new building was first used for the purpose for which it was erected. Since this date numerous improvements have been made in the Association building, al- though it is not yet entirely completed. Over $40,000 has been expended on it, and the associ- ation is at present $19,000 in debt. The lower part of the building is occupied by the crockery store of S. R. James, the second floor by the association, and the third floor by law offices. For a number of years a coffee or refreshment room has been in the unfinished part of the build- ing, which has enjoyed a liberal share of patronage.
The present officers of the association are: James A. Goodrich, President; Marcus C. Wood, Vice- President; Frank E. Smith, Recording Secretary; James Cantine, Treasurer ; William F. Cromer, Acting Secretary. The financial affairs of the Y. M. C. A. are controlled by a Board of Man- agers, consisting of twenty members.
The reading-room and library has been re- cently much improved. Many daily papers and most of the leading periodicals are furnished, while the library has increased to nearly two thousand volumes of choice and selected books. The Y. M. C. A. building, as shown in the cut, is one of the finest public edifices in the city.
HISTORY OF MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS. ST. GEORGE'S LODGE, NO. 6.
St. George's Lodge was founded previous to the American Revolution by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of England, and went into operation in 1774, under the auspices of Sir John Johnson, then Provincial Grand Master of the Colony of New York. The first dispensation under which the lodge was organized has been lost; but a second one, granted by the same authority, is still pre- served as a relic in the archives of the lodge. It was given at Fort Johnson, December 13, 1774, and bears the bold signature of Sir John Johnson. By this instrument, Christopher Yates was ap- pointed Master; Benjamin Hilton, Jr., Senior Warden; and John Henghan, Junior Warden.
The book of minutes of the lodge as above consti- tuted, but extending from a time even previous to this dispensation, is still preserved. From this it appears that in addition to the officers mentioned, the lodge had but four members, viz. : Cornelius Van Dyck, Aaron Van Patten, Robert Clinch and Robert Alex- ander. The first initiation of which there is any account is that of Teunise Swart, which was speed- ily followed by others, until when this record closes, December 30, 1799, more than one hundred and twenty names had been added to the roll of mem- bership.
From the book of minutes, it appears that the first meetings of the lodge were held at the house of Robert Clinch, afterward in the dwellings of Abram Truax and John A. Bradt. April 16, 1790, the lodge purchased a building and lot of Dr. Nich-
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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.
olas Van Der Volgen on the south side of State street, where the Central Railroad now passes, and after properly arranging a room for the use of the lodge, surrendered the remaining part to Andrew Rynex, as Tiler, by whom the dwelling was there- after occupied. In January, 1797, the growing numbers of the lodge rendered this place too small, and it was considerably enlarged by building. In the same year a Mark Lodge was established, to which the use of the lodge room was freely per- mitted.
At this time there were in Schenectady three flourishing lodges and a Royal Arch Chapter. They were named respectively, St. George's Lodge, Clinton Lodge and Morton Lodge. St. George's Lodge has alone survived. Cyrus Royal Arch Chapter, No. 57, which existed about this period, has also been disbanded, but in its place has been organized the Mohawk (now St. George's Royal Arch Chapter, No. 157), which now numbers many members.
The record of the proceedings of the early his- tory of St. George's Lodge is full of interest, illus- trating the character of the men and times of the most interesting period of our country's history. Among the members of the lodge were many who became active in the war of the revolution, and whose names have been frequently mentioned in this volume as connected with the stirring events of this period.
The following, taken from the book of minutes, is full of significance, and is one of many having reference to the active participation of the members of this lodge in the scenes of the revolution:
"At the regular communication, December 26, 1780, it was unanimously
" Resolved, That fifty shillings, hard money, out of the funds of this lodge, shall be delivered into the hands of Brother Robert Alexander, for the use of Brother Walter Voorman's family, who is now captive with the enemy, and the same amount be paid into the hands of John Cummins, for the use of Brother Andrew Rynex's family, who is also taken captive."
The last record contained in this venerable min- ute book is especially interesting. It is as follows:
"Whereas, The death of our Worthy Grand Master, George Washington, was this evening an- nounced to this lodge ; therefore, unanimously
" Resolved, That the members of this lodge wear (as a token of respect to the memory of our said late Grand Master) a black ribbon in the button- hole of the waistcoat, until the ensuing Festival of St. John the Baptist, and that the Secretary be directed to give notice of the foregoing resolution to such members as did not attend this meeting.
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