USA > New York > The centennial history of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of New York, 1785-1885 > Part 18
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TRINITY PARISH contains seven churches, as follows :
I. Trinity Church : Broadway, head of Wall Street.
2. St. Paul's Chapel : Broadway, between Fulton and Ve- sey Streets,
3. St. John's Chapel: Varick Street, above Beach.
4. Trinity Chapel : Twenty-fifth Street, near Broadway.
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5. St. Chrysostom's Chapel : Seventh Avenue, corner of Thirty-ninth Street.
6. St. Augustine's Chapel: Houston Street, between the Bowery and Second Avenue.
7. St. Cornelius' Chapel : Governor's Island, New York Harbor.
Of these seven churches, the last three named are entirely free ; St. Paul's Chapel also is free, with the exception of the few pews owned by individuals in that chapel, over which the vestry have no control. St. John's Chapel also is almost en- tirely free. No pews are sold in any of the churches of this parish ; while those which are rented cannot be claimed by the persons holding them at any time other than Sunday morning and afternoon, and on certain high feast days, such as Christmas. At all night services, all the pews are free ; also at all special services, and always on week days.
The pews in Trinity Chapel are rented from year to year at low rates; the highest pew rent paid in that church is only $85.
Ownership of pews in Trinity Parish dates from a very re- mote period ; not within the memory of living man has any pew been sold by the corporation. The vestry are constantly acquiring the ownership of the pews by purchase from the descendants of the original possessors, or by sale on forfeit- ure, and thus extinguishing the property in them, for the purpose of facilitating the attendance of those desiring to avail themselves of the advantages offered by the churches.
Three churches have occupied the site on which the present parish church stands; the dates are as follows ;
The first church was begun A.D. 1696, finished A.D. 1697, enlarged A.D. 1737, and destroyed by fire, A.D. 1776. The sec- ond church was built A.D. 1788, and pulled down to make room for the present one, A. D.1839, being then in an unsafe con- dition. The present church was commenced A.D. 1839, completed in the spring of 1846, and consecrated on Ascen- sion Day, May 2Ist, of that year.
St. Paul's Chapel was commenced May 14, A.D. 1764,
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the corner-stone being laid on that day. It was completed A.D. 1766, and first opened for divine service October 30th, of that year. In 1866 the centennial was observed with a three-days' festival; and in 1874 the chapel was declared free, and it was ordered that no pews be hereafter rented in it by the vestry.
St. John's Chapel was commenced A.D. 1803, and com- pleted A.D. 1807. It was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Moore, in the year in which it was completed. It has under- gone alteration and enlargement three times.
Trinity Chapel was commenced A. D. 1851, and fully com- pleted A. D. 1856 ; its consecration took place April 17, 1855, before it was quite finished. It was built for the accommo- dation of those of the parishioners who, having removed to the upper part of the city, were at such distances from the churches of the parish that they could not attend them with- out great inconvenience and difficulty.
St. Chrysostom's Chapel is a free mission church, built in accordance with the provisions of an act of the Legislature, passed April 23, 1867. The corner-stone was laid by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Potter, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Neely, on the 28th day of October, A.D. 1868 ; the first service was held in the church November 7, 1869, and the chapel was consecrated October 30, 1879. This is the first of a class of chapels intended for the accommodation of persons residing in districts in which there are few or no wealthy inhabitants. Each is regarded as a center of missionary operations, and they are to be within convenient reach of the class for which they are intended.
St. Augustine's Chapel is a free mission church, of the same class as St. Chrysostom's. The corner-stone was laid on the 2d day of September, 1876; and the chapel was con- secrated on the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, November 30, 1877, by the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, Bishop of the Dio- cese of New York. This chapel stands on East Houston Street, between the Bowery and Second Avenue.
In addition to these churches, there is included in the par- ish the Chapel of St. Cornelius, on Governor's Island. That
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chapel was built more than twenty years ago, by the free- will offerings of churchmen in this city, through the exertions of the Rev. John McVickar, S. T. D., U. S. Chaplain at Fort Columbus. About the year 1866, Governor's Island was dropped from the list of army posts for which chaplains are provided, the War Department announcing as a reason for that step, that as the island is within the limits of the First Ward of the City of New York, the religious denominations of the city ought to feel interest enough in the spiritual wel- fare of the men at the post to see that they were provided with the ministrations of the Gospel. The post-chaplaincy having been discontinued, and the chapel, erected by church- men, being thus in jeopardy, the Corporation of Trinity Church made the following proposition to the War Depart- ment : That if the chapel should be placed at their disposal and under their control, they would maintain a clergyman there at their own cost, who should perform all the duties of post-chaplain. The proposition was accepted August, 1868 ; and, in consequence, the chapel of St. Cornelius is included among the chapels of this parish.
OTHER CHURCHES MAINTAINED WHOLLY OR IN PART BY THE CORPORATION.
IN addition to the seven churches belonging to Trinity Parish, twenty receive aid in the shape of annual donations and contributions toward their support. Of these the first in order of importance is St. Luke's, Hudson Street, opposite Grove. This is, in the strict sense of the word, a mission church, having daily morning and evening prayer, the weekly Communion, a large Sunday School, a Parochial School, and. several clergymen, one of whom resides in the Ninth Ward, in the midst of the poor population in that quarter of the town. St. Luke's Church has scarcely a wealthy person con- nected with it; the people are unable to support it ; and the building would have been sold, and the site abandoned long ago, had not the Corporation of Trinity interposed to prevent that calamity. The allowance of $10,000 per annum to this church is still continued; in consideration of which annual
14
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grant, and of additional assistance in enlarging the church and providing greater accommodations for the people of the district in which it is situated, St. Luke's has been made free.
Next in order to be mentioned is All Saints' Church, situ- ated at the corner of Henry and Scammel Streets, in the south-eastern part of the city, and in the midst of a tenement- house population. This church would also have been sold and removed long ago, had not Trinity Vestry kept it where it is, and where they intend, God willing, that it shall remain. To this church there is made, including the payment of in- terest on mortgages, an allowance of about $6,000 per annum. The allowance was increased very considerably some years ago, and funds were advanced to build a parsonage close by the church, on the express condition that the church should be free, henceforth, and that the rector should reside in the house so provided for him.
Among the churches aided by the corporation are the Church of the Nativity, Avenue C; St. Clement's, West Third Street ; Holy Martyrs', Forsyth Street; the Church of the Epiphany, East Fiftieth Street; St. Peter's, Twentieth Street, near Ninth Avenue; Holy Apostles', Ninth Avenue and Twenty-eighth Street ; St. John the Evangelist, West Eleventh Street ; St. Ann's, St. Ambrose's, St. Philip's, All Angels', and St. Timothy's, all doing mission work in poor districts of the town. Besides the aid extended to these and others, annual allowances are made to the Mission for Sea- men in the city and Port of New York; to the City Mission Society, to enable them to support the chaplain at St. Barna- bas' House, 304 Mulberry Street; to the Italian Mission in this city ; to the Spanish Church at Santiago; to Hobart College, in the Diocese of Western New York; and to St. James' Church, Hyde Park. St. Luke's Hospital receives $2,000 per annum, for which five beds are at the disposal of the Corporation ; to the Episcopal Fund of the Diocese, and the Diocesan Fund, large sums are annually paid; and the ex- penses of the Convention fall in large measure on the Vestry of Trinity Church. The donations, allowances, etc., outside
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PARISH HISTORIES.
the parish, from August 1, 1879, to August 1, 1880, amounted to $42,716.01.
Under the earlier administration of the parish it is a mat- ter of history that her benefactions have been lavishly dis- tributed among the old parishes at their several organizations, and by frequent gifts and loans in times of pecuniary need and emergency; not to mention numerous and generous grants to parishes and corporations elsewhere in the State of New York.
WHAT THE VESTRY OF TRINITY CHURCH DO WITH THEIR INCOME.
THE question is frequently asked, " What do you do with the income of the Trinity Church property?" Without giv- ing the exact figures, let it suffice to say that the income for the year from all sources falls short of $500,000. Now with this income the things to be done fall under the following heads :
I .- THE MAINTENANCE OF SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE PARISH; almost the entire maintenance of them, for the amount of income derived from all the pew rents when paid does not exceed one-twentieth of the sum expended in the support of these churches. Under this head are included the salaries of 18 Clergymen, 7 Organists, 100 Choristers, and 12 Sextons and Assistant Sextons.
II .- THE MAINTENANCE OF A SYSTEM OF DAILY PARISH SCHOOLS, of which there are six, all free of charge to pupils ; this includes the salaries of 26 teachers, male and female, and all the supplies requisite for about 1,000 scholars.
III .- THE MAINTENANCE OF A SYSTEM OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS, to each of which classes of schools annual appropriations are made ; during the past year the Industrial Schools received $3,000, and the Sunday Schools a much larger sum, including the cost of books, religious papers, leaflets, etc., and the means of hold- ing festivals in the holiday seasons.
IV .- PROVISION FOR THE SICK POOR of the parish, and of other needy persons, without regard to their parochial con-
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nections, by the maintenance of the infirmary, at 50 Varick Street, having thirty beds, at an annual cost of $8,000; and the support of five beds at St. Luke's Hospital, for which $2,000 is paid.
V .- PROVISION FOR THE MEDICAL ATTENDANCE ON CER- TAIN OTHER SICK ; the supply of medicine at a dispensary connected with the infirmary ; and the burial of those of the parish poor who die in destitute circumstances.
VI .- THE SUPPORT, TO A GREATER OR LESSER EXTENT, OF OTHER CHURCHES OUTSIDE THE PARISH .- Among these is one which receives $10,000 annually, and another which receives $6,000 annually, and sixteen more which receive smaller sums varying according to their needs.
VII .- THE AID EXTENDED TO SOCIETIES AND INSTITU- TIONS, OTHER THAN CHURCHES ; among these are : the Sea- men's Mission in the Port of New York; the City Mission Society ; the support of a chaplain at St. Barnabas House ; the Italian Mission in New York; the Church German So- ciety ; Hobart College at Geneva, N. Y .; the grants and allowances thus made amount to between $40,000 and $50,- 000 annually.
VIII .- GENERAL CHURCH EXPENDITURES ; including, annual payment to Diocesan Fund ; Expenses of the Annual Diocesan Convention, including provision for place of meet- ing, service, music at opening, and refreshments during the session ; contribution to the support of the Bishop of the Diocese, by way of a subscription to his salary.
IX .- EXPENSES OF THE ESTATE AND PROPERTY OF THE CORPORATION OF TRINITY CHURCH ; this includes the Office of the Corporation, with a Comptroller; a Clerk and Coun- sel ; eight Bookkeepers, Agents, etc. The repairs and altera- tions required in the houses of the estate, occupying about 750 city lots in all; the annual taxes paid on Trinity Church property ; these amounted last year (taxes and water rents) to about $63,000. And here it is to be noted that the Church property is not, as some suppose, exempt from taxation ; on the contrary, taxes are paid on every square inch of ground used for secular purposes, and on every building ex-
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cepting the churches, schoolhouses, infirmary, and burial grounds.
X .- THE KEEPING UP OF THE ANCIENT CHURCHYARDS, and of Trinity Cemetery. The old burial grounds of Trinity Church, St. Paul's Chapel, and St. John's Chapel bring in no revenue, and are a continual source of expense, in keeping them in good order, beautifying them, repairing dilapidated monuments, and recutting inscriptions. Trinity Cemetery is also a source of very heavy expense, though a small income is derived from it. The estimated cost of necessary expendi- tures in it next year will exceed by upwards of $20,000 the income derived from the sale of plots.
XI .- THE PAYMENT OF PENSIONS to certain persons en- titled to that aid, such as, for example, the widows of deceased ministers of the parish.
The foregoing table presents a general view of the annual expenses ; and placing that income at about $500,000, and considering the great variety of objects had in view, religious, educational, and charitable, in the management of this valu- able trust, the writer may be permitted to ask where an in- stance can be found in which either individual or corporation is doing more or better things for the community with the same amount of money, in the way of maintaining the Chris- tian religion, furnishing the means of a good education, com- forting and succoring the sick, relieving the needy, cultivat- ing the taste of the people by the refining influences of music, architecture, and beautiful worship, and thus promoting the best interests of society, and contributing toward the security and permanency of the institutions of our common civiliza- tion.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, RICHMOND CO .*
This parish was admitted at the first Convention of the diocese, 1785. In the Convention of 1787, Rev. John H. Rowland, rector, took part. Rev. Richard C. Moore was rec- tor in 1792, and in 1806 reported (first report to the Conven- tion on record): Families in number at least 300, communi- cants 140, and baptisms annually about 80. In 1809 Rev.
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David Moore was rector, and in 1812 there was a church and also a chapel. It is impossible to produce the entire list of rectors. In 1885 Rev. Thos. S. Yocum was rector, and C. L. Perine and Nathan Britter wardens. The number of communicants was 100.
CHRIST CHURCH, POUGHKEEPSIE.
This parish was organized October 26, 1766, and re- ceived a royal charter dated March 9, 1773. The first church was built and opened in the fall of 1774, the consecra- tion sermon being preached on Christmas Day, 1774, by the Rev. Samuel Provoost, afterward bishop of the diocese. * Its present edifice was built in 1833. The rectors and clergy have been : Rev. John Beardsley, 1766-1777 ; in this con- nection is given an extract from the record-book of the vestry : " December 14, 1777, by order of the Council of Safety, the Revd. John Beardsley was removed to New York." Rev. Henry Van Dyke officiated while he was still a candidate for orders in 1784. He was rector from 1787-1791 ; Rev. George H. Spieren, 1792-1795 ; Rev. John M. Sayrs, 1796-1798 ; Rev. Philander Chase, afterwards Bishop of Illinois, 1799- 1805; Rev. Barzillai Buckley, 1806-1809; Rev. Joseph Pren- tice, minister in charge, February to July, 1810; Rev. John Reed, D.D., 1810-1845; Rev. Homer Wheaton, assistant minister from 1842, and rector 1846-1847; Rev. Samuel Buel, D.D., 1847-1866; Rev. Philander K. Cady, D.D., 1866-1875 ; Rev. Henry L. Ziegenfuss, vice Dr. Cady, 1874- 1875, and rector since November 1, 1885.
There is a parish school-building of brick, two stories high, after plans by Upjohn, which was erected in 1857, dur- ing the rectorship of the Rev. Dr. Buel, at a cost of $7,000, by Mr. William A. Davies and his wife, and by them pre- sented to the parish. Also during the same rectorship steps were taken and matured for founding and building the memo- rial Church of the Holy Comforter, of which the rector was chief promoter and a trustee, until after the establishment of
* This MS. discourse is in the possession of the editor of this volume.
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PARISH HISTORIES.
its first rector. And it is also memorable that under the same rectorship the valuable new organ was purchased, its present choir built, and the entire interior of the church renovated and decorated.
Since organization 3,276 baptisms are recorded, and 1,022 had received confirmation since 1846, previous to which date no record of confirmations exists. There are at present about 400 communicants. The wardens in 1766 were Bartholomew Cromwell and Samuel Smith; in 1776, Isaac Baldwin and Henry Vanderburgh ; in 1786, Richard Davis and William Emott; in 1796, the same; in 1806, John Davis and John Reade ; in 1816, James Emott and David Brookes; in 1826, James Emott and William Davies ; in 1836, William Davies and James Emott ; in 1846, Hubert Van Wagenen and Isaac T. Baldwin ; in 1856, Thomas L. Davies and Isaac T. Baldwin ; in 1866, Thomas L. Davies and George M. Van Kleeck; in 1876, the same, and in 1886, Le Grand Dodge and Edward H. Parker, M.D.
This parish has, from the beginning of its history, on ac- count of its commanding position and social vigor, exercised an active and for a long time a leading influence in church development throughout the county. Two important par- ishes have grown up at its side in Poughkeepsie without im- pairing its resources-in the latter instance under the sole and lavish beneficence of a single family, long historically and officially connected with Christ Church Parish.
ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH, NEWBURGH,
Was incorporated by royal charter, July 30, 1770. The first church edifice was built prior to 1750, and the present church in 1819. The earliest recorded ministry was performed by Rev. G. H. Spierin, as minister and glebe schoolmaster, in 1790. May 3, 1791, he resigned the school, and in 1793 accepted a call to the Parish of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie. September, 18, 1816, Rev. Cave Jones was elected and instituted rector for legal purposes only. He resigned in 1816. September 18, 1816, the Rev. John Brown-who had been in effect rector from December 1, 1815-was elected rector and
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accepted November 21, 1816. After a vigorous, successful, and almost unprecedented ministry of sixty-two years, he re- signed February 16, 1878, but was made Rector Emeritus for life. He died August 15, 1884. February 26, 1878, Rev. Octavius Applegate, who, since November 8, 1868, had been assistant minister with full pastoral charge, became rector of the parish.
The following clergy have officiated in the parish under the rector as assistants in various duties : In 1810, Rev. William Powell ; in 1859, Rev. C. S. Henry, D.D .; in 1859, Rev. Ho- bart Chetwood; in 1860, Rev. J. W. Clark; in 1866, Rev. J. F. Potter ; in 1868, Rev. Alexander Davidson ; in 1872, Rev. N. R. Boss ; in 1873, Rev. J. H. Smith; in 1874, Rev. G. W. Hinkle; in 1876, Rev. G. D. Silliman ; in 1877, Rev. A. C. Hoehing ; in 1881, Rev. Jas. Baird, D.D .; in 1881, Rev. Sturges Allen, and in 1884, Rev. G. A. Rathbun.
A rectory was purchased in April, 1884. In 1853 a Sun- day-school house was built, Dr. Brown, rector; and St. George's Mission Chapel, in 1873, by the assistant minister, Rev. O. Applegate.
Since 1815 there has been 3,138 baptisms and 1,360 have received confirmation.
In 1815 there were 3 communicants; in 1825, 81; in 1835, 93 ; in 1845, 167; in 1855, 194; in 1865, 259 ; in 1875, 400, and at present there are 437.
The wardens have been: In 1805, Arthur Smith and George Merritt ; in 1815, David Fowler and William Taylor ; in 1825, David Fowler and Joseph Hoffman ; in 1835, Joseph Hoffman and Charles Ludlow ; in 1845, Joseph Hoffman and Frederick Betts ; in 1855, D. G. Leonard and Homer Rams- dell; in 1865, Homer Ramsdell and David Moore ; in 1875, the same; in 1885, Homer Ramsdell and D. B. St. John.
In 1826 galleries were put in the church and an organ pro- cured. In 1834 the church was enlarged, a steeple built, and a bell provided. In 1853 a further enlargement was made and the old organ replaced by a new one.
The Rev. Dr. Brown reorganized the parish at New Wind- sor April 8, 1818, and held the rectorship twenty-nine years.
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In March, 1859, the vestry of St. George's Church, to provide for the increasing demand for pews, purchased a building at the expense of $4,000, substantially built of brick, with sit- tings for 400 persons ; $2,500 was expended in preparing it for divine service. It was consecrated May 10, 1859, with the title of St. John's Chapel.
What is now St. Paul's Parish was organized the following year. In 1864 it was found inexpedient to continue services in St. John's Chapel, and the building was disposed of.
St. George's Mission was opened in 1873, and a chapel built, which was enlarged in 1880. In 1874 ladies of St. George's Church projected a home and hospital. It was in- corporated by ladies of both Newburgh and New Windsor, January 5, 1876, and is now a flourishing institution for the care of the aged, sick, and injured, under the title of St. Luke's Home and Hospital. In 1880 and 1881 the pews of the church were remodeled, the chancel decorated, and a beautiful chancel window erected.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, WALDEN.
This parish was organized under an Act of Incorporation granted by George III., dated July 23, 1770. Immediately a church was begun, and completed within twelve months, in 1770-1771. The second edifice was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, September 3, 1826; and the third and present church was erected in 1871. The rectors have been Rev. Geo. H. Spierin, missionary at Newburgh and this church, 1790-1793 ; Rev. Frederick Van Horn, 1793-1806; Rev. Mr. McLen, 1807- 1808 ; Rev. William Powell, probably from 1810-1818; Rev. Samuel Phinney, 1818-1821; Rev. James P. Cotter, 1821- 1822 ; Rev. J. P. Harrison, 1826-1827 ; Rev. Wm. H. Lewis, 1827 ; Rev. Albert Hoyt, 1827-1829, until his decease ; Rev. Nathan Kingsbury, 1829-1830; Rev. Wm. H. Hart, 1830-1836 ; Rev. Robt. Shaw, 1836-1838 ; Rev. Henry W. Sweetzer, 1838-1842; Rev. Horace Hills, Jr., 1843-1844 ; Rev. Wm. H. Hart, 1844-1850; Rev. J. W. Stewart, 1851- 1856; Rev. Samuel C. Davis, 1856-1859 ; Rev. J. G. Jacocks, 1859-1861; Rev. James W. Stewart, 1861-1869 ; Rev. Levi
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Johnston, 1869-1874; Rev. Wm. E. Snowdon, 1874-1877 ; Rev. N. F. Robinson, 1877-1879 ; Rev. Francis Washburn, 1877-1882 ; Rev. W. W. de Hart, 1882-1883; and Rev. Cy- rus K. Capron, present rector. The first rectory was built in 1796 ; the second in 1829, and the third in 1872. A fine par- ish house, including chapel, parish parlors, etc., was erected in 1884, during the present rectorship. Since organization, 938 baptisms have been recorded, and 325 have received con- firmation. The first list of communicants in the register has 64 names, but it is without date. In 1835 there appears to have been 54 ; in 1845, about 78 ; in 1855, about 53 ; in 1865, about 66; in 1875, it is impossible to ascertain (and much confusion and irregularity are found through the century), and the present number is about 100.
The wardens in 1785 were Dr. James G. Graham and Dr. David Galatian ; in 1795, Justus Banks and Andrew Graham ; in 1805, John Antill and James G. Graham; in 1815, the same; in 1825, Thomas Colden and H. Y. Bogert; in 1835, Nicholas J. Bogert and Jacob Y. Walden ; in 1845, 1855 and 1865, George Weller and George G. Graham; in 1875, George Weller and James Bogert, and in 1885, George Weller and James Stewart. Mr. Cadwallader Colden, Jr., son of the " Lieut .- Governor and Commander-in-chief of the Prov- ince of New York," was a warden up to and during the time of the Revolution to 1785, and, with one or more intermis- sions, continued for nearly ten years longer. The present senior warden, Mr. George Weller, Sr., became a vestryman in 1831, and was elected warden in 1841, and has faithfully served the parish in this position continually for forty-five years.
As early as the year 1732 or 1733, the Venerable Society of London for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts sent the Rev. Richard Charlton as their missionary in this re- gion, which soon embraced three missionary stations, viz .: at New Windsor, on the Hudson River ; at the Otter-kill, in Orange County, and Wallkill, in Ulster County. During the ministry of the Rev. Hezekiah Watkins, who, being rec- ommended by Dr. Johnson, of Connecticut, went to England
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