USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 8
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By the will of Mrs. Sally Clark the church received $1,000, to which they now added, by subscription, $2,000 and paid for the lot. The congrega- tion soon overflowed the hall and niade the erection of a place of worship a necessity. The church represented little wealth except in faith and ener- gy. The plan to secure a building fund upon the principle of volunteer offerings moved admirably. About 2,500 persons made such offerings, and a beautiful brick church and lecture rooms were erected and dedicated November 13, 1890. During the brief year and a half of its existence the young church has added 70 new members; enrolled in all about 300 in its Sunday school; has obtained a property costing a little over $12,- 000 upon which is a debt of $4,000. The church is in the midst of a large field and is seeking with an energy and perseverance that have in them the prophesy of success, to realize some of the grand possibilities of christian enterprise. The present membership is 185. The present pastor 61
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is Rev. R. E. Burton, and the officers of the church are as follows: Dea- cons, D. F. Harris, Charles H. Smith, William Waring, Sr., Silas Pratt, J. Mackay ; Trustees, G. W. Wisner, President, Geo. L. Ford, Alfred W. Smith, Edwin A. Legg, Reuben A. Risley, Frank L. Harris, William E. Mastin, Charles Foreman. Clerk, F. L. Barney. Organist, Mrs. F. L. Barney.
Fourth Baptist Church .- This society was organized in 1883, and steps were soon taken for the erection of a building. A lot was purchased on the corner of Orange and Sizer streets and a plain wooden structure erect- ed and finished in 1885. It cost about $1,000. Rev. B. R. Smith is the Pastor. The Trustees are, E. A. Benson, C. F. Coles, S. G. Hotaling. Deacons, Henry Soule, J. S. Blanchard. Clerk, Henry Soule. Treasurer, E. A. Benson. Sunday-School Superintendent, C. H. Benson. Assistant Superintendent, May Coolidge. Secretary, Ada Harbottle. Treasurer, Anna Harbottle. Librarians, S. G. Hotaling and Mrs. Hotaling.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
First Ward Presbyterian Church .- The history of this church begins almost with the beginning of the century. The first sermon of the Presby- terian faith was preached in Salina in September, 1803, by Rev. Mr. Sickles of Kinderhook. He had been sent out as a missionary by the Dutch church and passed through Salina on his way to Fort Brewerton, putting up at Trask's tavern. He did not like the association of his fellow boarders there and next morning inquired if there was a religious family in the place with whom he might lodge. He was directed to Isaac Van Vleck's. Call- ing there he was heartily welcomed, and he asked if he could not hold a religious meeting in the evening. Aaron Bellows then had a cooper shop of considerable dimensions and an appointment was made for a meeting there. The shop was crowded and a very interesting service was held. For two or three years after that no meetings were held, excepting perhaps prayer meetings at private houses, and for several years later only occasion- al public services were conducted.
In ISso the Presbyterian Church at Onondaga Valley was organized, in connection with nine members from Salina, under the name of the "United Church of Onondaga Hollow and Salina." Rev. Dirck C. Lansing was the Pastor. Meetings were held in the school house, (erected here in ISo5.) Mr. Lansing preached here as well as at the Hollow, until February 2d, 1814. In the autumn of 1812 Rev. Caleb Alexander settled at the Hollow# to take the l'rincipalship of the new Academy. He held religious services there with more or less regularity, and after Mr. Lansing ceased preaching
* See historical sketch of Onondaga Valley, chapter vi, of this work.
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FIRST WARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
at Salina, Mr. Alexander held services here also. Under his ministrations a Sunday School was opened in 1816. This was not, however, the first Sunday School in the place, one having been conducted by Mrs. Mary A. Porter at an earlier day, in connection with her secular school ; she was assisted in the work by Mrs. Phebe Spafford and Mrs. S. Alvord. This was one of the earliest Sunday Schools, not only in this locality, but in the country.
The inhabitants of Salina were favored with religious meetings with considerable regularity, generally held in the school house, until 1822, in which year the first church edifice was erected and dedicated. It was a wooden building and stood on the northwest corner of the park, where it remained until 1855. In 1851 the chapel was built on Salina street, nearly opposite the former residence of Dr. Didama. The Sunday school was continued in the church until the building was removed, when it was trans- ferred to the chapel. After the brick church was erected in IS55, and the chapel was removed and placed beside it, the Sunday school followed. The chapel building was enlarged in IS62.
The successors of Rev. Mr. Alexander, prior to the separation from the Onondaga Hollow church, were Rev. Samuel T. Mills and Rev. James H. Mills. Under the ministry of the latter the United Society was divided and a separate church formed under the name of the First Presbyterian Congregation of Salina, January 23, 1822, and the first church building was erected as before stated. Rev. John Brown, D.D., preached the dedication sermon. On the 13th of March following, Rev. Hutchins Taylor was in- stalled pastor and continued until September 7, 1826. He was followed by Rev. Henry Hotchkiss, as stated supply, for about one year. During this period the church grew rapidly in numbers. Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg next supplied the church from the fall of 1827 to the summer of 1829, and was succeeded by Rev. James I. Ostrom, installed June 24, 1829. His succes- sor was Rev. Joseph I. Foot, afterwards elected president of Washington College, but while on his way to accept that post he was thrown from his carriage and killed, July 20, 1836. Rev. Hutchins Taylor was recalled and remained in charge of the church until December, 1839. Mr. Taylor was followed by Rev. Joseph Myers, who remained until May, 1844, when he was succeeded by Rev. Elias Clark, who supplied the pulpit six months. Next came Rev. Thomas Castleton, who continued until July 23, 1849, af- ter which the pulpit was supplied about one year by Rev. J. J. Slocum. Rev. William W. Newell, D. D., was installed pastor October 20, 1850, and accepted a call to New York city January 15, 1860. The pulpit was then supplied for about two years by Rev. Dr. Condit, of Auburn, who was suc- ceeded by Rev. Lewis H. Reed. He finished his labors here May I, ISOS, and went to Chicago. He was succeeded by Rev. John H. Frazee, January
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7, 1870, and on the 20th of January, 1875, the present pastor, Rev. Alfred H. Fahnestock was installed. During his long pastorate the church has prospered in an exceptional degree. The present church officers are as follows: Session, James Van Vleck, A. H. Sanger, H. Hibbard Hoyt, D. Henry Gowing; Treasurer, Hemy H. Loomis; Trustees, James Van Vleck, Hoyt H. Freeman, Henry H. Loomis, John H. Duncan, Wilson R. Hare ; Deacons, J. Van Vleck, W. R. Hare, James Binghanı ; Organist, Henry C. Cowl.
First Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized under the name of The First Presbyterian Society of Syracuse, on the 14th day of Decem- ber, 1824, and the following trustees were elected : Moses D. Burnet, Miles Seymour, Rufus Moss, Jonathan Day, Heman Walbridge. Joshua Forman, and Joseph Slocum. The first house of worship was built in the latter part of 1825, and stood on the site of D. McCarthy & Sons' retail stores, corner of South Salina and East Fayette streets." The site was presented to the society by William James and others. The church was dedicated on the second Thursday in January, 1826, Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, D. D., of Au- burn, preaching the dedication sermon. At the time this building was erected, objections were raised on account of its being so far out of the vil- lage. It was a small wooden building with green blinds and was enlarged in length about 1832. At that time 33 feet on the north side could have been bought for $30 per foot, but the trustees thought the price too high.
The Rev. Dr. John W. Adams was ordained and installed as pastor of the new church in June, 1826. Dr. Adams was in many respects a remark- able man. He was a graduate of the Theological Seminary at Auburn, N. Y., and a man of large intellectual powers, strong and noble character, and industrious and persevering in all good work. For nearly a quarter of a century he was a conspicuous figure in the history of Syracuse, and drew to his heart the trust and affection of the whole community. Under his faith- ful labors the church prospered beyond the anticipations of its founders and soon became wealthy and strong in numbers. The money necessary to build the first structure was largely raised by the efforts of Joshua Forman, who circulated a subscription paper personally, and secured upon it eighty- three names.+ Rev. Dr. Adam; continued in the ministry of this church
*This entire square, with the exception of the church lot, was afterwards offered to the county free of charge if the Supervisors would agree to build a court house and jail upon it. After some de- liberation on the matter the offer was refused by the Board. - "Reminiscences of Syracuse, " by T. C. Cheney, p. 17.
+In 1829, some children playing around the foundations of the church, looking in a small open- ing left in the wall under the floor for a ventilator, discovered a string; one of the number, child like, pulled it out and found a tin can fastened to the end of the string containing seven hundred dollars. A short time previous several stores had been robbed, and the money had been secreted here, but by this fortunate circumstance was restored .- "From a Forest to a City," M. C. Hand, p. 79-So.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
until his death, which occurred on the 4th of April, 1850. By this time the growth of the church had been such that a larger edifice was imperative. To meet this necessity a lot on the opposite corner of the same streets from the first church was purchased at a cost of $10.000 and the following build- ing committee was appointed: Henry Gifford, Elias W. Leavenworth, Thomas B. Fitch, Zebulon Ostrum, and Albert A. Hudson, Mr. Leaven- worth was very enthusiastic in the work and from the first insisted, often against the inclination of his associates, upon building a structure which would not only serve its intended purpose in the best manner, but would also be a lasting credit to the city and society. The services of the cele- brated architect, Lefever, were solicited and plans were submitted by him of the noble edifice which has so long ornamented the center of the city. The church was erected at a cost of about $10,000 and $10,000 has been expended on it since. It was dedicated on the 24th of November, 1850.
The old church was torn down in April, 1850, and just as the last tim- bers were removed the venerable Dr. Adams passed from earth. From June, 1850, to December 8, 1851, Rev. Charles McHarg, of Cooperstown, was pastor. His resignation was reluctantly accepted by the church, for his character, fine culture and commanding abilities had rendered him a favorite with the congregation and the community.
The church was then without a regular pastor for two and a half years, until Rev. Sherman Bond Canfield began his long and useful pastorate, May 1, 1854. Dr. Canfield's influence was felt from the beginning and was, un- der Divine Providence, a great power for good to the church and the com- munity at large. He resigned in October, 1870, after a ministry in this church of over sixteen years, ill health impelling to this action. He died in St. Louis on the 5th of March, 1871.
A year and a half later, during which the church was supplied by minis- ters chiefly from Auburn, Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard was called and began his ministration November 19, 1872. He remained with the church until October, 1885, when Rev. Dr. George B. Spaulding assumed the pastorate, which he still continues.
A Mission School was founded by this church in 1860. In January, 1863, Edward Townsend presented a lot to the society on Monroe street, upon which, very soon afterwards, H. W. Van Buren and T. B. Fitch erected a chapel and presented it to the church. The present membership is 628, and the Sunday School enrollment 250.
The present officers of the church are as follows: Session Elders, S. C. Hayden, W. H. H. Gere, James A. Skinner, George W. Bond, A. Judd Northrup, Dr. Gaylord P. Clark, Dr. Henry D. Didama, Charles A. Hud- son, F. C. Eddy ; Deacons, A. K. Hoyt, Edward H. Putnam, E. Perry Hasbrouck; Clerk and Treasurer, W. H. H. Gere ; Trustees, A. C. Belden,
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George N. Crouse, Jerome B. Moore, T. S. Truair, Chas. P. Clark, Wm. Kirkpatrick, Thomas Merriam: Clerk of Trustees, Wm. Kirkpatrick ; Treasurer, George N. Crouse ; Organist, Grove L. Marsh.
Park Central Presbyterian Church -- The Park Church was fully organ- ized December 24th, 1846. There were then thirty-nine members and seventeen more were added at the next communion service on February 6th, 1847. The first elders were Robert Furman, John Stewart and Ralph R. Phelps. Among the early members of the church were Josiah Wright, E. W. Tuttle, Horace B. Gates, Theron Cowles, David Hotchkiss, Bradley Carey and wife, Mrs. L. W. Butler, Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps, Mrs. Alvira S. Cook, Mrs. Minerva S. Cowles, Mrs. Emily Goodwin, Mrs. Emily M. Sey- mour and others. At a meeting held December 30, 1846, Ralph R. Phelps, and John Stewart presided as moderators and the Park Church Society was organized and J. B. Huntington, Israel Smith, Benjamin R. Norton, John Stewart, Bradley Carey, and George Barney were elected the first Board of Trustees.
On the 4th of January, 1847, the trustees recommended the erection of a church building, provided it could be done with an expenditure of $7,000. On the IIth of the same month the society adopted the recom- mendation and authorized the purchase of the first lot of Ralph R. Phelps, on Mulberry street, opposite Fayette Park. On the 17th of March, 1847, the building contract was signed, the price being $8,875.
Rev. C. Gold Lee was the stated supply of the church until June 22, 1847, when he resigned and Rev. William W. Newell was called and installed November 10, 1847. The church edifice was dedicated February 3, 1848. Mr. Newell remained with the church until October, 1850, when he resigned and in August. 1851, Rev. Byron Sunderlin assumed the office, in which he continued until January, 1853. In October of the same year he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Hall. The prospects of the society were very discouraging at this time and in January, 1855, they were forced to sell the property under a mortgage foreclosure. Under a new arrange- ment a society was re-organized from the old one, under the corporate name of the Park Presbyterian Society, and in April, 1855, Rev. S. H. Hall was called to the pastorate; he was installed in May following, but resigned in 1856, and the society were without a settled pastor two or three years. Rev. S. T. Reeves was temporary supply for the year 1857. In March, 1858, the society was again re-organized under its present name. Rev. Isaac O. Fillmore began ministering to the church in June, 1858, and con- tinued until 1865. The following year the pulpit was supplied by Prof. James E. Pierce, of the Auburn Theological Seminary. Down to this time the society had struggled on against many disheartening obstacles; but the earnestness and self-sacrifice of the pastors and members overcame them all and finally placed the church on a sure and safe foundation.
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FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In 1866, Rev. Addison K. Strong was installed as pastor, and was dis- missed at his own request in April, 1870. During his pastorate the church was greatly prospered, and the subject of building a new house of worship was agitated at various times, but the undertaking seemed too great and was deferred. In May, 1870, Rev. Edward G. Thurber was called as pastor and he soon secured the whole confidence of the society and advanced its welfare in every way. Under his encouragement the project of building a new church soon crystallized. A commodious lot was purchased on the cor- ner of East Fayette and Grape streets and the corner-stone of the new building was laid on the 6th of September, 1872. The church was finished and dedicated on the 24th of June, 1875. Its cost was nearly $75,000. Rev. Mr. Thurber remained with the church until February, 1889, when he resigned to take up his residence in France as pastor of the American chapel in Paris. He was succeeded April 28, 1889, by the present pastor, Rev. L. Mason Clarke, who came from Wolcott, N. Y.
The present church officers are as follows: Session, J. P. Dunlap, John D. Stone, William H. Niven, Jesse B. Gaylord, James W. Eager, George R. Hovey. Deacons, A. R. Baldwin, Dwight HI. Foster, David M. Milne, Willis E. Gaylord. Trustees, William Parshall, J. D. Stone, Alex- ander Grant, Jr., Harlow Pierce, Fred Barnes, Albert E. McChesney ; President of Trustees, William Parshall; Treasurer, J. D. Stone; Secretary, A. E. McChesney ; Musical Director, Geo. A. Roff. Membership, 460.
Fourth Presbyterian Church .- The organization of the Fourth Presby- terian Church of Syracuse was the result of a conviction on the part of many that the denomination was not keeping pace with other branches of the Christian church in our midst, or with the increasing demands of this growing city.
For several years previous to 1870, the necessity for a new Presbyterian church had been acknowledged, as no church of that denomination had been organized since the formation of the Park Central Church in 1845, although the city had increased in population from 13,000 to 42,000, and neither the First or Park Churches were able to furnish sittings for the large number of people who had taken up their residences in the city and desired to worship with them. About this time the union of the two great branches of the Presbyterian Church was consummated, and it seemed in the minds of many who had cherished the project of a new church, a favor- able time to take decisive steps. Early in the fall of 1869 Rev. Dr. S. B. Canfield, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, was called upon by a self- constituted committee of two members of his church, who spent an evening in counseling with him on the subject, and the result of the interview was an assurance that he would not only favor the project but would call a meeting of his congregation to consider the subject. The way was now
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open for a forward movement, and a preliminary meeting for consultation was held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association the latter part of that month, and in December of the same year Dr. Canfield called a public meeting in the chapel of the First Church to consider the subject. At this meeting several of the leading and influential members of the First Church were present, and the pastor presided. After a full consideration it was on motion of Elder Tefft resolved, " That the time has now arrived when a new Presbyterian Church should be organized." On the evening of January 27th, 1870, a meeting was held in the same place, which resulted in the preliminary organization of "The Fourth Presbyterian Church and Society of Syracuse." At this meeting Elder E. T. Hayden presided, and S. H. Starin and H. H. Munger acted as secretaries. Seventy-five persons signed the petition to Presbytery to organize them into a church, commit- tees were appointed to make necessary arrangements for a permanent or- ganization, and it was unanimously resolved to extend a call to Rev. John S. Bacon of Amboy to become the pastor.
On February 2, 1870, the Fourth Church was duly organized by a com- mittee of Presbytery, the exercises being held in the audience room of the First Church. Rev. Dr. Canfield presided and made an address, and eighty- one persons united in the organization.
After the reading of the confession of faith and the covenant and rules, which were accepted and assented to by the members standing, the moder- ator declared the church duly organized, and the ordination of elders and deacons followed.
On Sunday morning, February 6, 1870, the first meeting for public worship was held in Conservatory Hall, corner of Warren and Fayette streets, which was crowded to its utmost capacity. Rev. John S. Bacon, the pastor elect, preached and conducted the services, and at the close, the Sunday School was organized with one hundred scholars and twelve teach- ers. The following are the first elected officers of the church and society : Pastor, Rev. Jolin S. Bacon; Elders, E. T. Hayden, John Reed, M. A. Shumway, H. C. Hooker, Timothy Hough ; Deacons, Edwin Miles and Ira A. Thurber; Clerk of Sessions, H. C. Hooker; Treasurer of Benevolent Contributions, Timothy Hough : Trustees, H. L. Duguid, R. N. Gere, D. S. Hubbard, Charles Chadwick, Charles Hubbard, E. G. Lathrop, E. F. Rice, L. Brigham, E. R. Sanford ; President, H. L. Duguid; Secretary, William C. Anderson ; Treasurer, Charles Hubbard ; Sunday School Super- intendent, Timothy Hough ; Assistant Superintendent, H. H. Munger; Secretary and Treasurer, William C. Anderson; Librarians, S. H. Starin, Arthur P. Yates; Library Committee, H. C. Hooker, W. C. Anderson, Mrs. Edwin Miles.
After worshipping in Conservatory Hall several months it became ap- parent that more enlarged accommodations were needed, and accordingly
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the trustees secured a large hall in Convention Block on East Genesee street for a term of years. Several hundred dollars were expended in car- peting and beautifying the hall, which afforded sittings for more than 400 persons. The church occupied this hall about two years, a period of time never to be forgotten by the early members. The society increased in number and interest, and the blessing of God attended the efforts of this young church, so that it soon became evident that the time for erecting a new and commodious church edifice was at hand. The question of a loca- tion for a new church was considered and happily settled, without the least friction. Originally it was expected by many the location would be in or near the Eighth ward, but when it appeared that large accessions might be expected from the Fifth ward if a location convenient for them was selected, all cheerfully acquiesced in the purchase of the present site as one well adapted to the needs of the society. The new church was now called to make greater pecuniary sacrifices than heretofore by providing funds for the new edifice.
On a Sunday morning soon after the purchase was completed, the pas- tor preached a stirring sermon from the text, "For the people had a mind to work," (Nehemiah 4, ch. 6), after which Hon. Henry L. Duguid, Presi- dent of the Board of Trustees, made an appeal for means, and before the close of the service about $30,000 were pledged. This enabled the trustees to contract with Mr. Joel Greely, of this city, for the building and comple- tion of the beautiful sanctuary, which was dedicated on the 27th of Febru- ary, 1873.
On the first Sabbath the congregation occupied the new place of wor- ship it became evident to all that the most sanguine expectations of the so- ciety were to be more than realized. Many new families at once identified themselves with the enterprise, and the Sunday School was crowded out of the chapel, which had been designed for its accommodation. Rev. John S. Bacon, after a successful pastorate of about five years, resigned, and for about one year thereafter the church enjoyed the labors of Rev. Herrick Johnson, D. D., as temporary supply, when Rev. W. H. Gleason, of New- burg, N. Y., accepted a call to become the pastor, but remained only a short time, having relinquished the charge on account of failing health. This sudden and unexpected step was a severe blow to the church, which had already become warmly attached to its new pastor.
Dr. Herrick Johnson again came to the rescue, and remained until the Rev. Dr. Norman Seaver, then lately of the First Presbyterian church of Brooklyn, N. Y., was called and entered upon his duties in September, 1877. After a pastorate of about eight years, Dr. Seaver resigned to ac- cept a call to become pastor of a newly organized church in St. Paul, Minn. Rex. J. S. Riggs occupied the pulpit several months, when the Rev. W. A.
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Rice, of Canandaigua, N. Y., accepted the call of the society and entered upon his duties on the first Sabbath of December, 1886. Rev. Mr. Rice resigned the pastorate September 15, 1890, and in December following a call was extended to Rev. Allan D. Draper, of Batavia, N. Y. Accepting the call, Mr. Draper entered upon his duties February 1, 1891. The pres- ent officers of the church are as follows: Elders, E. T. Hayden, John Reed, Timothy Hough, D. L. Pickard, Charles P. Moser, J. B. White, E. K. West ; Deacons, D. Hinsdell Baker, Willard M. White, F. F. Alexan- der; Trustees, Charles Hubbard, President ; W. C. Anderson, Secretary ; William K. West, Treasurer ; C. P. Phillips, E. G. Latlırop, O. F. Soule, Geo. E. Wells, W. K. Niver, Horace Candee. Church membership, 640 ; membership of Sunday school, 654.
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