USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. II > Part 30
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2d. The Brick Meeting, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Gardiner Spring, D.D., was erected in Beekman, corner of Nassau street, in 1797, and has since been ornamented by a handsome spire. Its dimensions are 65 by 83 = 5,395 feet square.
3d. Rutgers Street Church is a spacious frame building, 64 by 86 == 5,510 feet square, was erected in 1797. It has a cupola and public clock. The Rev. Thomas McAuley, D. D. and LL. D., is pastor.
4th. Cedar Street Church, a stone building, between William and Nassau streets, 66 by 81 == 5,346 feet square, was erected in 1807. Vacant by the death of the late Rev. John B. Romeyn, D. D.
5th. Spring Street Church, a wooden building at the corner of Varick, 60 by 80 == 4,800 feet square, was erected in 1810. Pastor, Rev. Henry G. Ludlow.
6th. Orange Street Church, a wooden building 40 by 60 = 2,400 feet square, was erected in 1808. Vacant since the removal of the Rev. Mr. Robert McCartee to the Canal Street Church.
7th. Sheriff Street Church. The congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Elihu W. Baldwin occupied this place since the year 1820, when it was built, but finding it too small for their accommodation they sold it to a Roman Catholic Church, who took possession the first of May, 1826. They are now erect- ing a spacious brick building, 63 by 84 = 5,292 feet square, in Broome, at the corner of Ridge street, which will be finished as speedily as possible. They at present worship in one part of the Lord's day in Broome, between Cannon and Lewis streets, and in the other in the Presbyterian Church in Allen street, of which the Rev. Mr. William Gray is pastor.
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Sth. Vandewater Street Church is a brick building, 60 by 75 = 4,509 feet ; was erected in 1821, and is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Thomas Vermilye.
9th. Mariners' Church is a brick building in Roosevelt street, 58 by 60 = 3,480 feet square; was erected in 1819. Of this church the Rev. Mr. John Truair, who is a member of this Presbytery, is pastor ; but for reasons which may be seen hereafter in the article which closes the account of churches, it, as well as two others, can never be classed under any particular denomina- tion.
10th. Christopher Street Church is a stone building with a marble front, 52 by 66 =3,432 feet square ; was erected in 1821. Pastor, Rev. Samuel Rowan, D. D.
11th. The Centre Church, in Broome, near Mott street, a brick building, 60 by 75 == 4,500; was erected in 1821. The Rev. Mr. William Patten is pastor.
12th. Bowery Church, near Elizabeth street, a brick building, 63 by 80 == 5.040 feet square ; was erected in the year 1822. It is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Ward Stafford.
13th. Allen Street Church, a frame building, with a brick front, 40 by 65 = 2,600 feet square ; was finished in 1824. Pastor, Rev. Mr. William Gray.
14th. The Elm Street, commonly the African Presbyterian . Church (the minister and congregation are people of color), a brick building, near Canal street, 50 by 62 = 3,100 fect square; was built in 1824, and is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Samuel E. Cornish.
15th. Canal Street Church, corner Greene street, a brick build- ing, 63 by 82 == 5,166 feet square ; was finished in 1825. Pastor, Rev. Mr. Robert McCartee. This congregation was formed in 1808, and worshiped in the Orange Street Church till this new building was opened.
16th. Laight Street Church, a brick building at the corner of Varick street, 61 by 85 = 5,185 feet square, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Samuel H. Cox; was completed in the year 1825. The congregation was founded in Spring street in 1810, where they continued till this place was opened for public worship.
17th. Bleecker Street Church, a little to the eastward of Broad-
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way, a neat stone building, was finished this year (1826). Pastor, Rev. Mr. Matthias Bruen.
THE SECOND PRESBYTERY OF NEW YORK.
1st. A stone building erected in Cedar street, between Broadway and Nassau street, in 1768 ; in front, 54 feet by 65 deep = 3,510 feet square. Pastor, the Rev. Mr. J. McElroy.
2d. Pearl Street Church, near Broadway, 56 by 66 = 3,696 feet square, is a stone building, which was erected in 1797. Vacant since the removal of the Rev. William W. Phillips to the First Presbyterian Church.
3d. Murray Street Church, between Church and Chapel streets, is a spacious stone building, ornamented with a handsome spire and was erected in 1812. Its dimensions are 77 by 92 == 7,034 feet square. The Rev. Mr. William Snodgrass is pastor.
N. B .- The following ministers belonging to the New York Presbytery reside in this city, but have charge of no congregations : The Rev. Messieurs James G. Ogilvie and I. S. C. Frey, and the Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., S. T. P., of the second Presbytery of New York, is likewise without charge.
The following two churches have no connection with either of these Presbyteries :
The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Chambers street, oppo- site the New York Institution, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Alexander McLeod, D. D., was originally a frame building and erected in 1801 ; but, in 1818, it was rebuilt and enlarged, a brick building 50. by 70 = 3,500 feet square being erected in its stead.
Associate Presbyterian Church, a brick building in Grand, corner of Mercer street, 58 by 70 = 4,060 feet square, was finished in 1824, and is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Andrew Stark. This congregation worshiped in Nassau street, between Fulton and John streets, from the year 1803, when it was built, till their removal to this new place, when they sold it to a Baptist Church, of which the Rev. Mr. Charles G. Sommers is minister.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
Soon after the surrender of the colony of New York by the Dutch in 1664, divine service was regularly performed, agreeably
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to the ritual of the Church of England, in a chapel within the Fort, and this was the first Protestant Episcopal Church in this city, but from the constant arrival of Episcopalians from Great Britain as well as from Ireland, it was soon found to be too small for their accommodation. In the year 1696, a new and spacious church was, therefore, erected ; but the former continued to be used for religious worship till 1741, when it was consumed by fire, at the time of the Negro Plot, as it was called.
The following is a correct list of the Protestant Episcopal churches now in this city, with the dates at which they were respect- ively built, the names of their rectors, etc. :
1st. Trinity Church was built in 1696 [1698] in Broadway, between Rector and Thames streets. It was enlarged in 1737; burnt down in 1776, and rebuilt in 1788. It is now a stately edifice in the Gothic style, being ornamented with an elegant spire, and has a fine chime of bells. It is 74 feet in front by 101 deep == 7,474 square feet.
2d. St. Paul's in Broadway, between Fulton and Vesey streets, is a handsome stone building, with a fine spire and clock. It was built in 1766, being 72 by 113 = 8,136 square feet.
3d. St. John's in Varick street, which is likewise a handsome as well as a spacious stone building, ornamented with a spire and clock, being 73 by 111 = 8,103 feet square. In front of this building is a large open space called Hudson's square. It stands in as please it a situation as any church in the city, and was built in 1807.
Of the above three Trinity is the parish church, and St. Paul's and St. John's chapels.
The Right Reverend John H. Hobart, D. D., is rector, and the Rev. Messieurs Wm. Berrian, Benjamin F. Onderdonk and John F. Schroder are assistant ministers.
4th. St. George's in Beekman, corner of Cliff street, was built in 1759, destroyed by fire in 1814, rebuilt in 1816. It is an elegant and spacious stone building, being 72 by 104 feet, and containing 7,488 square feet. It is decorated with a cupola and has a public clock. The Rev. James Milnor, D. D., is rector.
5th. Christ Church, Ann street, 61 feet in front by 80 in depth = 4,880 square feet, is a stone building, and was erected in 1794. The Rev. Mr. John Sellon, rector.
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6th. Du St. Esprit. The building now known by that name was erected in Pine, near Nassau street, in 1704, by some French Prot- estants, who founded their church upon the principles and model of that in Geneva. During the Revolutionary war the interior was entirely destroyed. In the year 1794 it underwent a thorough re- pair, and in 1803 the members as well as their clergyman joined the Protestant Episcopal Church. It was then consecrated in the usual manner by the name of the Church du St. Esprit. It is a stone building, 50 by 70 = 3,500 feet square. Of this church the Rev. Henri L. P. Peneveyre is rector. Divine service is performed here in the French language.
7th. St. Mark's, in Stuyvesant street, near the Bowery, is a stone building and was erected in 1799. It is 66 feet in breadth by 100 in depth == 6,600 square feet. The Rev. Mr. William Creighton is rector.
Sth. Zion Church, a stone building, 64 by 80, and containing 5,120 feet square, was erected at the corner of Mott and Cross streets in 1801, burnt in 1815, and rebuilt in 1817. The Rev. Mr. Thomas Brientnall is rector. This church was built by a society of Lutherans and continued in that connection till 1810, when it was received into the communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
9th. St. Stephen's is a stone building, 54 feet in front by 75 in depth, and containing 4,050 square feet. It is situate in Chrystie, corner of Broome street, and was built in 1805. The Rev. Henry I. Feltus, D. D., is rector.
1vth. St. Michael's, a small wooden building, 36 by 53 = 1,908 · square feet, was erected in Bloomingdale in 1807. The Rev. Mr. William Richmond is rector.
11th. Grace Church is a spacious brick building erected in Broadway, corner of Rector street, in 1808. It is 63 feet in breadth by 113 in length = 7,119 feet square. The Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, D. D., is rector.
12th. St. James's, a frame building, erected in Hamilton square in 1810, is 70 feet long by 40 broad = 2,800 square feet. The rector is the Rev. Mr. William Richmond.
13th. St. Philip's, * in Collect street, between Leonard and Anthony streets, was built in 1819, burnt in 1821, and rebuilt in
" The minister and congregation of this church are people of color.
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1822. It is a neat brick building, being 50 by 60, and containing 3,000 square feet. The Rev. Mr. Peter Williams is rector.
14th. St. Luke's is a brick building, and was erected in Hudson, near Hammersley street, in 1822. It is in front 48 feet by 66 deep = 3,168 feet square. The Rev. George Upfold, D. D., is rector.
15th. Christ Church, in Anthony street, near Broadway, is a stone building, and was erected in 1823. Its dimensions are 64 by 90 = 5,760 feet square. This is the same congregation which was founded in Ann street in 1794. The Rev. Thomas Lyell, D. D., is rector, and the Rev. Mr. Manton Eastburn assistant minister.
16th. All Saints' is a small wooden building which was erected in Grand street, at the head of Division street, in 1824. It is in- tended to answer a temporary purpose; and such arrangements have been made as to warrant the belief that a large and more suit- able place of worship will be reared as speedily as possible. The Rev. Mr. William A. Clark is rector.
17th. St. Thomas's is an elegant and stately edifice, built in the Gothic style, in Broadway, at the corner of Houston street. It is just finished and was consecrated 23d February, 1826. The di- mensions of this building are 62 by 113 = 7,006 feet square. The Rev. Mr. Cornelius R. Duffie is rector.
18th. St. Mary's, a wooden building nearly finished at Manhat- tanville in 1826. Vacant.
Besides the clergymen above mentioned, the following reverend gentlemen, who have the pastoral charge of no congregations, reside in this city and county, viz .: Rev. Drs. Wm. Harris, President, and John McVickar, Professor of Moral Philosophy, Columbia College; the Rev. Drs. Samuel H. Turner and Bird Wilson, Pro- fessors of the General Theological Seminary ; the Rev. Dr. Edmund D. Barry, Principal of an Academy, and the Rev. Messrs. William Hammell and Henry J. Whitehouse.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
Till the close of the Revolutionary war clergymen of this de- nomination were prevented, under severe penalties, from officiating in the province (now the State of New York), but no sooner was our independence fully acknowledged than every man was left at liberty to worship his Creator agreeably to the dictates of his own
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conscience. In the years 1784 and 1785 our Roman Catholic brethren in this city assembled in such places as they could hire from time to time for the purpose of celebrating divine worship in the manner prescribed by their Church ; but, in 1786, by their own exertions and the liberal contributions of their fellow citizens of different persuasions, they erected their first place of worship. They have now three churches.
1st. St. Peter's, built of brick, at the corner of Barclay and Church streets, in the year 1786, being 48 by 81 = 3,888 feet square. The very Rev. Mr. John Power, vicar-general of the diocese, is rector, and the Rev. Mr. Peter Malone assistant.
2d. St. Patrick's Cathedral, a spacious stone building, being the largest place of worship in this city, was erected in 1815 at the corner of Mott and Prince streets, 80 by 120 = 9,600 feet square. The Rev. Thomas Levin and William Taylor are joint rectors. These two churches may in some measure be considered collegiate, as the ministers respectively appointed by each officiate alternately in both.
3d. A frame building with a brick front in Sheriff street, 45 by 60 == 2,700 feet square. This was sold by the Presbyterian Church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Elihu W. Baldwin, in April, 1826, and taken possession of by the Roman Catholics, on the 1st of May following. It has not as yet been consecrated, no name has been assigned to it, nor has any pastor been appointed ; but all these things will certainly be done in a short time, the other two churches being filled to overflowing.
UNITARIAN CHURCHES.
Of these there are two in this city, viz .: 1st. A stone building with a marble front erected in Chambers, between Church and Chapel streets, in 1820. It is 45 feet in front by 60 in depth = 2,700 feet square. The Rev. Mr. William Ware is pastor.
A second place of worship is now erecting in Prince, between Greene and Mercer streets. It will be a spacious brick building, and so great progress has been made in the work that it will no doubt be finished during the present Summer.
UNIVERSAL CHURCHES.
Of these we have two, viz. : 1st. A square brick building, 67 by 67
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== 4,489 feet square, which was erected at the corner of Duane and Augustus streets in the year 1818. This congregation, however, was organized in 1802. Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Edward Mitchell.
2d. This is likewise a brick building, 60 by 70 == 4,200 feet square, and was erected in Prince street, a little below St. Patrick's Cathedral, in 1824. It is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Nehemiah Dodge.
Besides the above, we have two churches which cannot, with propriety, be classed under any particular denomination. These are the church in the State Prison, 34 by 54 = 1,836 feet square, and that in the Alms House at Bellevue, 50 by 66 = 3,300 feet square. These are stone buildings. The pulpit in the State Prison is filled by clergymen of all denominations, except on the first Sabbath in every month, when the Rev. Mr. John Stanford, who is chaplain of this as well as of the other criminal and most of the eleemosynary houses in the city, officiates. This laborious pastor preaches, once in the City Hospital, twice in the church at the Alms House, and once in the Penitentiary on every Lord's Day, except on the first in every month, when ministers of the Methodist connection perform divine service ; but, at all times, respectable clergymen of any denomination are allowed to " exercise their sacred functions in both these houses of worship. Mr. Stanford likewise preaches five or six times throughout the week.
The Mariners' Church has been already noticed under the Presby- terian Churches, though, perhaps, with little propriety, as it has no other claim to be ranked in that respectable body than that their pastor, the Rev. Mr. Jobn Truair, is a member of " the Presbytery of New York." That there are many of the regular hearers attached to the Presbyterian system is true. But let it ever be remembered that this church was erected for the accommodation of sailors by the liberality of Christians of different denominations. The insti- tution is therefore founded on the broad basis of Christianity, with- out reference to any particular sect or party, and it will no doubt ' continue, as it is at present, open to pious ministers of all denomi- nations. Several societies have lately been organized for amelio- rating the situation of mariners.
HARDIE'S DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK, 1827.
Peter te Saker
PETER CARPENTER BAKER.
Much of the space of this magazine has been occupied since its beginning in telling the story of how the art of printing was introduced into this city. It was twenty-eight years before the first printer had a rival, and fifty years more before four were reg- ularly employed at the same time. A list of the workmen of the city, at the beginning of the century, still extant, does not equal a hundred. The growth of the art up to that time had not been remarkable, but it was steady, nor did there appear to be any extraordinary impulse given to it afterwards, until a period was reached that is now within the memory of living men. Since this time it has bounded forward with rapidity. New processes and new ideas came in; establishments were wonderfully augmented, and the subsidiary arts and callings multiplied greatly. Among those who chiefly contributed to this movement was the printer and publisher whose name we give above, and whose loss is so deeply deplored.
Peter Carpenter Baker was born at North Hempstead, Long Island, on the 22d of March, 1822. There was then no access to the city except by stage or by boat, and by the former of these he was as distant, in point of time, from New York as Detroit now is. His father, John S. Baker, was of old Revolutionary stock, as was his mother, Margaret Boyce. Finding that there were fewer facilities in the country than in the city for giving an edu- cation and a start in life to his children, Mr. Baker removed here soon after Peter's birth and sent the boy to the Harlem Academy. He was very ambitious, however, and determined to make his own way in the world, and at the age of twelve he went into John H. Kasang's printing office and book store, at 42 Division street. Subsequent masters were Silvester & Owens.
There was then in Ann street a printer, William E. Dean, who realized in himself the old unity of occupation which was so com- mon in the early ages of the art, but which has been divided and subdivided since. He bought a manuscript from an author, printed it, bound it and sold it. His line was school books, these
Bare bobival
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being chiefly classical. Being attracted by the bright manner and self reliant ways of the boy, be offered him a place in his store, which he accepted. Here he stayed for a number of years, each adding to his knowledge. It was here that he laid the founda- tions of his commercial knowledge, in which he surpassed all his contemporaries in the printing business. Through his whole business career it rarely happened that his calculations were at fault, and nearly every operation yielded a profit. This knowl- edge he gained largely from Mr. Dean, with whom he ever re- mained on terms of the warmest friendship till the time of the death of the elder man, who was then considerably past ninety, and was the oldest of the typographical fraternity.
From Mr. Dean's place he went into the employment of John Gray, for whom he acted as foreman, and shortly after he entered the office of John Fowler Trow, who at that time had and for many years after continued to have the largest printing establish- ment in America. He had begun in New York City five years before, and had immediately attained success. Mr. Baker, who was then less than twenty years of age, soon became the foreman, and under his supervision the reputation which Mr. Trow had already attained was increased. The office was not only a large one ; i did very difficult work. No establishments then were equipped with Arabic, Hebrew, Armenian, Coptic and the like Oriental types except this, and it was consequently a great favor- ite with learned authors and with publishers who had work of more than ordinary difficulty. During the decade between 1840 and 1850 the office was in Ann street, on the north side, some half dozen doors east of Nassau street. Mr. Baker's devotion to the interests of his employer was untiring. He was early at the office and remained until everything was done at night, and was continually occupied in pushing forward the work intrusted to his charge. He superintended the printing of all the volumes of Washington Irving's revised edition of his works, and of many other important publications bearing the imprint of the Apple- tons, Leavitts, G. P. Putnam and others.
His life at this time was a busy one. To his employer he dedi- cated all the hours that were necessary for the progress of the business, while at the same time he was active in efforts to raise up
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those around him. Very early he became interested in temperance societies, and made many speeches for the reformation of those who had fallen into bad habits, and he frequently expostulated with those who had taken the first downward step, this often proving effectual. The future prosperity of the country was always dear to him. He had himself descended from those who had fought in the struggle for independence, and his mind was imbued with the reasons for liberty. He was also well informed in the early history of the States and Colonies; he knew the causes which brought them into being, and the prominent events in their history. He was, therefore, frequently asked to deliver speeches before societies and the public upon these topics, and his remarks were received with lively satisfaction. He delivered an oration at Fort Independ- ence, in this State, on the Fourth of July, 1848, and at Trenton, New Jersey, on the Independence Day following. At the Broad- way Tabernacle he spoke on the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, in 1853. Perhaps he was more interested in the Typographical Society in his younger days than in any other organization. This is a society of printers, including both em- ployers and journeymen, which began in 1809, and was incor- porated in 1817, through the efforts of Thurlow Weed, who was ar early member. For eighty years it has dispensed charity, cared for the sick and buried the dead, and is still continuing its good work. No society of this kind has ever had a more brilliant roll of membership. General George P. Morris and Samuel Wood- worth, the poets; Lawrence Johnson and James Conner, the type founders; Peter Force, the annalist ; Thurlow Weed, the great leader in politics, and Ellis W. Lewis, Chief Justice of Pennsylva- nia, were all members within its first fifteen years. Mr. Baker was elected in 1844, and immediately took a very active part. He was repeatedly the chairman upon public occasions, and one year was its President.
The acquaintanceship he formed there was valuable to him. In 1846 he was married, and he naturally felt a desire to go into business for himself. Among those who were at this time mem- bers of this society were James White, now the respected head of the firm of George F. Nesbitt & Co., but then the foreman at that place, and Daniel Godwin, foreman for John W. Oliver. They
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were not far apart in age, and thought they could do much better for themselves than for others. An agreement was made, and a floor hired on Fulton street, but so strenuously did Mr. Nesbitt oppose this new movement by Mr. White, offering him a partner- ship, that he withdrew, and Mr. Baker and Mr. Godwin were left alone. They were, too, in a peculiar position, for they had made contracts for material and presses beyond their means, and had re- signed their former positions. In this exigency John Thomas, a veteran printer, came kindly to their aid. He agreed to advance. the additional money necessary ; the Fulton street location was abandoned, and an office was taken in the Tribune building, includ- ing the establishment of William Osborn, who had lately died. His reputation had been excellent, both for workmanship and personal character, but his materials were old, and needed renovation. The firm was organized as Baker, Godwin & Co., and went into opera- tion in 1850, Mr. Thomas taking the charge of the presses, Mr. Godwin the composing room and the office work, and Mr. Baker the general management and the finances. No new firm was ever more successful. Two sources of printing came to them almost from the start in large quantities. As they were tenants of the Tribune, and as Osborn's office had been the Tribune job office, they were given its work and that of countless Whig organizations through- out the Union, and they also obtained much from country mer- chants, for whom this office was very favorably situated. Recent improvements in the art were also largely taken advantage of, such as using steam presses on work that had generally been done by hand. Their losses were very small from bad debts. Indeed, Mr. Godwin, twenty years after, asserted that up to that time they had only lost one considerable sum, and that was during the first year. Five years after they began Mr. Thomas withdrew, and the other partners continued as Baker & Godwin.
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