USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 11
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This was the first Free Parish church in the Diocese of Western New York and the second in the entire State of New York.
Grace Church .- The first service which led to the organization of this church was held in a small wooden chapel which stood on the site of the present handsome church, corner of University avenue and Madison street. Rev. Thomas E. Pattison was the originator of the movement and the par- ish- was organized early in 1871. John V. Needham and Wells B. Hatch were the first Wardens, and Arthur Crittenden, John R. Hawkins, Henry A. Leggett, and John C. White the first Vestrymen. The corner stone of the church building was laid in June, 1876, and the edifice was consecrated in February, 1877. The structure is of blue rough-dressed Onondaga lime- stone, and cost, including furniture and organ, about $25,000. The church property, including the rectory, is now valued at $40,000.
Rev. Mr. Pattison was Rector of the parish about seventeen years and was followed by Rev. Mr. Gates who remained only six months. Rev. John T. Rose succeeded him on January ist, 1888. January 25th, 1891, he was succeeded by the present Rector, Rev. Herbert G. Coddington.
The present officers of the church are as follows: Wardens, W. B. Hatch, V. B. Chase. Vestrymen, C. A. Nott, J. Barber, F. Ayling, A. Weidman, George Jack, I. C. Waterbury, F. J. Stewart. Clerk of Vestry, George Jack. Treasurer, F. J. Stewart. Organist, Lizzie Guibault.
Trinity Church .- In July, 1855, the Trinity Mission School was estab- lished by the society of St. Paul's church, from which Trinity Church de-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
veloped. A congregation was gathered and a chapel erected on Seymour street, which was consecrated November 25th, 1855, and the parish was organized March 3d, 1856. Rev. William Long, assistant in St. Paul's, began the Mission and was succeeded, in 1856, by Rev. David E. Barr. In 1869 the present church edifice was erected at a cost of about $9,000. The follow- ing pastors have served the church for the periods mentioned : After Rev. Mr. Barr, Rev. N. F. Whiting, two years ; Rev. D. F. Lumsden, nine months ; Rev. J. K. Lewis, four years ; Rev. S. R. Jones, two and one-half years ; Rev. J. E. Pratt, five years ; Rev. J. A. Staunton, until 1877 ; Rev. J. F. Taunt, until the present time.
The following officers officiate in the church at the present time : Senior Warden, David N. Phinney ; Junior Warden, John L. Kling; Vestrymen, George E. Congdon, Frank L. Lyman, H. J. Stevens, Leroy Reimer, D. W. Marvin, George H. Swift, Charles E. Pruyne, Samuel C. Smith. Treasurer, H. J. Stevens ; Clerk of Vestry, George E. Congdon.
St. Paul's Church .--- This society was organized on the 22d of May, 1826, Rev. John McCarty presiding. The first wardens were John Durnford and Samuel Wright, and the first vestrymen, Amos P. Granger, Archy Kasson, James Mann, Matthew Davis, Mather Williams, Barent Filkins, Othniel Williston, and Jabez Hawley. These were all prominent men in the little village. In the year 1825 the Syracuse Company donated a lot to the parish and in September of that year the frame of a church was erected and the building finished in 1827. The lot was a part of the site of the present Granger block. The building stood on the Warren street side of the tri- angular lot. Prior to the erection of this church the society held services in the school house and occasionally in the First Baptist Church. This church did not meet the desires of the congregation after it had been used a number of years and on the 12th of July, 1841, the corner stone of a stone edifice was laid on a new lot on Warren street on the site of the present government building. The new church was finished in 1842, and soon after- ward a wing was added in which was kept a parochial school under the charge of the rector, Rev. Henry Gregory, D. D. In 1844 the old church was sold to the Roman Catholics, who removed it to the corner of Mont- gomery and Madison streets, where it was used by St. Mary's society until the erection of the new St. Mary's church. In 1858 the St. Paul's church was enlarged by an extension on the rear, and in 1870 about $6,000 were expended in the interior. In 1883 the church property was sold to the United States government for $70,000 and arrangements were at once made for the erection of the present magnificent church on the corner of East Fayette and Montgomery streets. The services of Henry Dudley, a dis- tinguished architect of New York, were secured and the building erected at a cost of about $150,000, including the cost of the lot. The corner stone
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ST. MARK'S CHURCH.
was laid on the 25th of June, 1884. The clergymen who officiated for the parish previous to the church organization were Revs. Lucius Smith, Wil- liam B. Thomas, - - Wilcox, William J. Bulkley, Augustus L. Converse; and at later dates, Revs. John McCarty, William Barlow, Palmer Dyer, Richard Salmon, John Griggs, Francis Todrig, Clement M. Butler, Charles H. Halsey, William Walton, Isaac Sewart, John B. Gallagher, and Henry Gregory. Rev. Dr. Gregory was succeeded by Rev. William Bliss Ashley, December 1, 1848, who remained until March 10, 1857. On the 3d of May, 1857, Rev. George Morgan Hills became rector, continuing until August 21, 1870. In January, 1871, he was succeeded by the Rev. Simon Greenleaf Fuller, who filled the station until November 21, 1872. He died suddenly of apoplexy while in his study, on the date mentioned. Rev. Henry R. Lockwood, S. T. D., the present rector, was settled over the parish January 19, 1873. The present officers of the church are as follows : Senior Warden, L. L. Alexander ; Junior Warden, Charles Andrews; Vestrymen, W. D. Dunning, J. Dean Hawley, Hamilton S. White, Howard G. White, George F. Comstock, Seymour H. Stone, S. P. Pierce, George F. Comstock, jr .; Clerk of Vestry, J. Dean Hawley ; Treasurer, S. H. Stone ; Organist, Rev. H. R. Fuller.
St. Mark's (Protestant Episcopal) Church .- The mission which was the forerunner of this church was organized in 1883, and in the following year the church organization was effected. In the same year the stone church edifice was erected at a cost of $5,500. It is located on the corner of Bridge and School streets, in the Fourth ward. The Rev. E. W. Mundy has been Rector since the organization. The officers of the church are as follows : Wardens, Cyrus D. Avery, Guy Terry ; Vestrymen, James L. Belden, Joseph Collins, George G. Cotton, P. Schuyler Knapp, John D. Pennock, Frank Power, J. William Smith, George H. Timmins.
Calvary Church .- (Protestant Episcopal.)-This church is located on the corner of Highland and Beecher streets, and saw its beginning in a Sunday School opened by Bishop Huntington in a small house on Butternut street, in September, 1873. Thence it was transferred to a barn near by, which was altered to suit the requirements of a chapel. Attendance at the school in- creased, services were held every Sunday evening and before winter a Sew- ing School was inaugurated on Saturday afternoons. This mission con- tinued to grow in numbers and importance, and on the 20th of September, 1877, the corner stone of the present church was laid by the Bishop. The structure is of wood with . stone basement. The first service in the new church was the Morning Prayer and the celebration of the Holy Communion on Christmas morning, 1877. The Rectorship was held by Bishop Huntington, with Rev. J. O. S. Huntington, since so widely known, as assistant, until 1883, when Rev. William Hubbard assumed the duties of
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
the position. He was succeeded by J. E. Johnson, the present pastor. The present officers are : Trustees, F. D. Huntington, J. O. S. Huntington, A. H. Green, Richard Jones, E. S. Dawson, Jr., Charles Franchot, Jacob E. Reals. Executive Committee, J. E. Reals, chairman, J. B. Chapin, treas- urer ; F. Oliver, William F. Dolan. Organist, John Bates.
This church is now enlarging its edifice to make room for a new organ.
St. Andrews Divinity School .- This is an institution for the education of candidates for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church. It was opened by Bishop Huntington in 1876 at Highland Place, with the follow- ing as trustees : Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, S. T. D., president ex-officio ; Rev. J. M. Clark, D. D., Rev. H. R. Lockwood, D. D., Horace O. Moss, and Hon. William Marvin. The following were the first faculty : Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, President; Rev. C. P. Jennings, Dean; Rev. J. M. Clarke, D. D., and Prof. Rudolph Wahl. The school is now located at 720 East Jefferson street, south side of Forman Park, and has fifteen resident students. The present Board of Trustees are Bishop Huntington, Rev. Dr. H. R. Lockwood, Hon. William Marvin, Horace O. Moss, and Charles H. Smyth.
Instruction is given by the Bishop in the Sacraments, Sacramental Offices, Preaching and Spiritual Life. By the Dean, in the History and Contents of the Bible, Contents and right use of the Prayer Book, and in Church History, with special reference to the English and American Churchies, in Hebrew and in the Greek Testament. By the Rev. J. Everett Johnson, in the Articles and Systematic Divinity. By the Rev. D'L. Wil- son, in Parish Work and Pastoral Care.
Park Avenue Methodist Protestant Church .- Located on the corner of Park avenue and Geddes street. This church organization was an out- growth of mission work carried on by Rev. E. Winshurst and was incor- porated in 1866. Rev. Mr. Winshurst has been pastor since that time. The church building is of brick, 72x45 feet and seats about three hundred. The trustees are N. D. Yordon, William Robinson, Charles Barley, T. Par- sons, H. Brown ; Organist, Miss Jessie Brown.
The Reformed (Dutch) Church .-- The Reformed Church of Syracuse was organized by the Classis of Cayuga, March 10, 1848, and consisted of eleven persons dismissed for this purpose from the Reformed churches of Chit- tenango and Geneva, and from the First Presbyterian and Park Presbyterian churches of Syracuse. Their names are as follows : Wessel B. Van Wagenen, Lavina Van Wagenen, Cornelia D. Van Wagenen, Mary Ann Beardsley, Peter Burns, Elizabeth Pope, Harriet S. Walters, Mary E. Van Rennselaer, B. C. Vrooman, Susan Vrooman, Simon V. A. Featherly.
The Rev. James A. H. Cornell, called to be the first pastor, was installed in August, 1848, the society holding services in the old Unitarian chapel on
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REFORMED CHURCHI.
East Genesee street. The present location of the church on James street was purchased for $1,900 and a building committee composed of John G. Forbes, John B. Burnet, John A. Robinson, W. B. Van Wagenen, and James Noxon supervised the erection of the original church structure, the cost of which was $14,000. The Collegiate Church of New York city loaned $2,000 of this and about $5,000 was contributed by eastern friends, prin- cipally through the efforts of the pastor and Elder Van Wagenen.
The edifice was designed by Mr. Lefever, the celebrated architect. The corner stone was laid in the spring of 1849, and the building was finished early in the summer of 1850 and dedicated on July 16, of that year.
Resigning on account of ill health in September, 1851, Mr. Cornell was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Maltbie as a supply until May, 1852, when Rev. J. Romeyn Berry was called. After a service of five years Rev. Mr. Berry was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Condit, as a supply. From 1859 to 1862 Rev. T. Dewitt Talmadge filled the pastorate and upon his retirement Rev. Joachim Elmendorf was chosen in 1862 and remained until near the close of 1865. The Rev. Jeremiah Searle then served for about two years, when Rev. Dr. Condit again supplied the church until March, 1869. Martin Luther Berger then became the pastor, continuing until the spring of 1875. For the next year Rev. W. P. Coddington, of Syracuse University, acted as a supply, and in November, 1876, Rev. Evert Van Slyke was installed and began his labors.
The last sermon in the old church was delivered by the pastor February 3, 1878, for, in the afternoon of that day the beautiful church, upon which about six thousand dollars had been recently expended, was burned to the ground. Services were then held in Association Hall, and in March, 1878, the society decided to rebuild on the old site. For this purpose the follow- ing committees were appointed : Finance, R. A. Bonta, A. W. Blye, Jon- athan G. Wynkoop, George B. Leonard, and L. A. Swarthout ; Building, N. F. Graves, Charles Nichols, John B. Burnet, William A. Judson, Charles T. Redfield, P. J. Brumelkamp, and Bradford Kennedy. Plans were pre- pared by Architect J. L. Silsbee and the work begun on the rear portion, which was used for a time before the main edifice was finished. The corner stone was laid July 23, 1878, with impressive ceremonies, and the dedicatory services were held February 10, 1881.
Early in 1885 Rev. Evert Van Slyke offered his resignation, to take effect May Ist, after which time the pulpit was supplied by Rev. R. Bethune Welch, of Auburn, and Rev. W. P. Coddington, D. D., until the installation of the present pastor, Rev. Henry D. B. Mulford, which occurred in Sep- tember, 1889.
The new church is of Onondaga limestone and cost about $43,000. The present officers are as follows : Elders, J. H. Stutterd, H. B. Andrews,
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
John Marsellus, R. A. Bonta; Deacons, Oscar D. Byers, Graham K. Betts, Jacob Ackerman, Howard N. Babcock ; treasurer, Frank M. Bonta ; Clerk, Graham K. Betts; Organist, Mrs. L. E. Fuller; Musical Director, Tom Ward. Present membership 273.
Unitarian (May Memorial) Church .- The " Church of the Messiah " (First Unitarian Congregational Society) was organized October 4, 1838, by Rev. George W. Hosmer, Dr. Hiram Hoyt, Stephen Abbott and others. The first trustees were Elisha Walter, Joel Owen, and Stephen Abbott. Prior to 1836 several influential Unitarian families had become residents of Syracuse, but they were deprived of public religious services in that faith until about the year 1837, when Rev. Samuel Barrett, of Boston, and Rev. "Mr. Green, of the same vicinity, preached by invitation on two different occasions, in the old Baptist church on West Genesee street. These efforts led to the movement which resulted in the organization above described. The society was organized in Dr. Mayo's school house on Church street, where some services had already been held and continued to be held for a short time after the society was organized. In January, 1839, a small chapel, which cost only about $600, was finished and dedicated. It stood on East Genesee street, opposite the present Grand Opera House. Here the Rev. J. P. B. Storer began a ministry which terminated only with his death, March 17, 1844. His installation took place in the First Methodist Episcopal church, which was generously offered for the occasion, and an able sermon was preached by Rev. Orville Dewey, D. D.
The society soon outgrew the little chapel and in August, 1840, a com- mittee consisting of Captain Hiram Putnam, John Wilkinson, William Malcolm, Parley Bassett, and Hon. Thomas Spencer, was appointed to select and purchase a site for a new church. This was found on the corner of Burnet and Lock streets and was bought of the Syracuse Company for $550; to this lot was subsequently added another adjoining it on the south, for which $450 was paid. Here was erected an edifice costing about $5.000, which was dedicated November 23, 1843. The pastor preached the sermon and was assisted in the services by several eminent clergymen.
On the death of Mr. Storer a correspondence was begun with Rev. Samuel J. May, who, after a full statement of his views on Christian doc- trine, was called and settled over the society in 1845. Samuel J. May was a remarkable man, whose death left a void that was difficult to fill. He was an early and outspoken opponent of slavery and a zealous and earnest ad- vocate of liberal and . progressive education. He was endowed with a peculiarly courteous demeanor and a disposition of rare sweetness. Such were his admirable traits that even his opponents were forced to extend to him the friendship and courtesy that should always be tendered to a good man. In charitable endeavors in this city he was always found at the front
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FIRST ENGLISH LUTHIERAN CHURCHI.
and his acknowledged abilities and nobility of character gave him an influence enjoyed by few and which extended far beyond the limits of his own church. He died July 2, 1871, having resigned his pastorate some time previous. At the time of his resignation from his labors, his church settled on him a life annuity. This church was known during this period as "The Church of the Messiah." The building was enlarged in 1850 and in 1852 was almost demolished by the falling of the tower in a furious gale. It was rebuilt nearly on the former site at a cost of about $10,000 and dedicated April II, 1853.
The Rev. Samuel R. Calthrop, the present pastor of the church, accept- ed a call on the 7th of April, 1868, and on the 29th of the same month was installed. During his long pastorate the church has prospered and his thoughtful sermons and lectures are listened too with deep interest.
The present handsome edifice on James street was erected in 1885 at a cost of about $50,000. Rev. Mr. Calthrop still continues in the pastorate. The present church officers are as follows: E. B. Judson, president; A. Padgham, clerk and treasurer; trustees, E. B. Judson, H. M. Rowling, G. D. Merrell, D. Crichton, A. Padgham, Stanley Bagg, C. W. Snow, Salem Hyde and James Barnes. Organist, Henry M. Chase.
The First English Lutheran Church .- This church was organized July 6, 1879, by the present pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Zimmerman, of Manchester, Md. During the first fifteen months of the organization, services were held every Sunday and on Wednesday evenings in the Court House. At the end of that period the brick church on South Salina street, which had been built for the Independent Society, was for sale and the Lutherans pur- chased it. The edifice was improved and re-dedicated on the 31st of Octo- ber, 1880, as the First English Lutheran Church. The membership has yearly increased and now numbers over four hundred, with a flourishing Sunday school of over three hundred scholars. There is also connected with the church an active Woman's Missionary Society, a Circle of The King's Daughters, and The Young People's Association and The Young Men's Association. The congregation is in connection with the New York and New Jersey Synod, one of the district Synods of the General Synod.
The officers of the church are as follows : Elders, Charles Eckel, Ed. S. Kellett, Killian Krause; Deacon, Philip J. Arheidt ; Trustees, George Mahlerwein, President ; Robt. R. Needham, Secretary ; Philip J. Arheidt, Treasurer ; Adam P. Brown, David Schmelzle, Philip J. Arheidt, George Minnekeim, Wm. West, H. C. Peters and Dr. R. C. Nanchett ; Organist, Miss Lizzie Winter ; Sexton, Geo. Yeakel.
Church of Christ .- The Church of Christ (Disciples, or Christians) was organized in the old City Hall on the Sth of February, 1863, W. A. Belding, Evangelist, officiating. Thirty-five persons constituted the original mem-
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
bership, nine of whom were baptized by immersion, and the remainder re- ceived by letter and right liand of fellowship. The church was legally or- ganized under the Corporate name, Church of Christ, on the 3d of June, 1863, the following constituting the first Board of Trustees : Charles Tuck- er, John B. Garrett, and James M. Clapp. Meetings were held in the City Hall until the fall of 1863, when the Court house was procured for the pur- pose and used until June, 1864. Meanwhile a lot on East Onondaga street had been purchased and by the date last mentioned the church edifice was finished and occupied. It is a brick structure and cost about $9,000. The successive ministers of the church have been as follows: W. A. Belding, February Ist, 1863 to May 1, 1865 ; A. N. Gilbert, May 1, 1865, to October 1, 1867 ; G. G. Mullins, October 1, 1867, to April 15, 1871 ; J. M. Atwater, July 30, 1871, to June 30, 1872 ; John Enckell, September 1, 1872, to May 1, 1874; J. L. Darzie, July 1, 1874, to November 1, 1875 ; J. M. Streator, February 1, 1876, to February 1, 1877: N. J. Aylsworth, April, 1877, to 1880; E. G. Laughlin, June, 1880, to December 23, 1884 ; J. L. Pinkerton, June 1, 1885, to December 1, 1885 ; S. M. Cooper, July 1, 1886, to July I, 1887 ; L. R. Gault, January 15, 1888, to October 15, 1888 ; R. W. Steven- son, May 9, 1889, and present pastor.
The present officers of the church are as follows : Elders, A. J. Brewster, William Doust ; Deacons, John B. Garrett, H. C. Day, C. G. Van Wormer, A. J. Spire, I. U. Doust, Eli Rogers ; Trustees, John B. Garrett, L. A. Nearing, R. C. Chope ; Treasurer, C. G. Van Wormer ; Clerk, I. U. Doust.
Church of Christ .- (Scientist.)-This church is the natural outgrowth of the teaching of Christian Science in this community. This new-old doc- trine was first brought to the attention of the people of Syracuse in 1886 through the demonstration of its healing power, the healing from sin being its main feature, and the healing of disease but a secondary fact which must follow the first.
This theory dissiminates the great fact of salvation through the Imper- sonal Savior, and, the understanding of God as the only Power, and the Divine Principle of man.
An Academy of Christian Science was incorporated under a charter granted by this state, in 1887; the same sending out many students. Also, private classes were taught by another teacher, bringing many into an un- derstanding of the Truth, and from these last named classes the church- thought grew. Informal meetings were held for the study of the Bible, and Science and Health, the only text books of Christian Science. A de- mand for public meetings was answered by the opening of services in the hall of the old County Clerk's office, corner of North Salina and West Willow streets, which were soon transferred to Greyhound Hall, where they have since been held each Sunday.
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FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
On the 12th day of May, 1889, the church was duly organized according to the laws of the State of New York, and the following trustees were elected : Edward P. Bates, Royal E. Fox, Harmon B. Ransier ; and a certificate of incorporation was issued by the Clerk of this county. Twelve members joined this church on the day of its organization, and there have been frequent acquisitions since. To-day the membership numbers nearly forty.
One important feature of the work of this church is its dispensary, which is open every day for the dispensing of literature; for conversation on the subject of Christian Science; and for the healing of the sick, Scientists be- lieving that this work should be continual, and that the "lamp on the altar" should always give light.
The members of this church are bound by no creed or dogma, but take the Golden Rule as the basis of every action. They subscribe to the fol- lowing tennets :
Ist. As adherents of Truth, we take the Scriptures for our guide of Life.
2d. We acknowledge our Father, Son and Holy Ghost-one God, the brotherhood of man, and Divine Science. And the forgiveness of sin, which is the destruction of sin. And the atonement of Christ, which is the effi- cacy of Truth and Life. And the way of salvation marked out by Jesus healing the sick, casting out devils (evils), and raising the dead -- uplifting a dead faith into Life and Love.
3d. We promise to love one another, and to work, watch and pray; to strive against sin, and to keep the Ten Commandments; to deal justly, love mercy, walk humbly; and inasmuch as we are enabled by Truth, to cast out error and heal the sick.
First Universalist Church .- In September, 1859, Rev. A. A. Thayer came to Syracuse and organized a society under the name of the First Uni- versalist Society of Syracuse, of which the following were elected the first Trustees: Sampson Jacqurth, President ; David Wilcox, Wheeler Trues- dell, Gardner Woolson, John F. Clark, B. Austin Avery, E. K. Reed. Harry Gifford was elected clerk. The church organization was perfected in 1860, and Rev. Mr. Thayer became the pastor. In 1862, the first church building was erected and dedicated, through the persistent efforts of the few members then living here. This property was afterwards sold to the city for the High School, and in 1869 the present church was built on the site of the first edifice of the First Baptist Church. This building cost about 828,000 and was dedicated in 1870. The following ministers have oc- cupied the pulpit : Revs. A. A. Thayer, C. W. Tomlinson, E. C. Sweetser, George P. Hibbard, Dr. J. G. Bartholomew, George B. Stocking, Rich- mond Fisk, D. D., who continued to 1884, and was succeeded by a supply for about a year, when Rev. C. Weston came and remained until May I,
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