USA > New York > The centennial history of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of New York, 1785-1885 > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
343
PARISH HISTORIES.
erection of the walls. No debt will be incurred, but the work will be pursued as funds are provided. November 9, 1881, the corner-stone for a stone church building was laid at Caldwell's Landing by the Rev. R. S. Mansfield, and on March 29, 1883, the building was consecrated under the name of the House of Prayer, by the Rt. Rev. J. A. Paddock, D.D., acting for the Bishop of New York. In April, 1884, a parish was duly formed and incorporated under the title of Grace Church, Stony Point, with the following officers : The Rev. Ebenezer Gay, Jr., rector; Jacob De Ronde and Charles H. Casseles, wardens ; William Tomlins, Joseph Casseles, William Spring- stead, and George King, vestrymen. Number of baptisms, 660 ; of persons confirmed, 90; number of communicants in 1869, 3 ; in 1875, 15 ; in 1885, 69. All the officers are commu- nicants, and with one exception have become such under the ministrations of the present pastor.
ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, MATTEAWAN .*
There appears to be an error in the Diocesan Journal of 1885, where this parish is recorded as having been admitted into Conventional union in 1833. The first mention found of the parish is in the Journal for 1869, Rev. Henry E. Duncan, rector, and it does not appear in the list of the churches of the diocese in that year. It is printed in the list of diocesan churches for the first time in 1871, and in that record it is set down as "admitted" in 1833. In the report for 1869 (the earliest found) there are recorded 112 families and 150 com- municants. In 1885 there were 240 families, and, presumably, 400 communicants. The wardens were Winthrop Sargent and William P. Bleecker. The rectors, as far as can be ascertained, were : Rev. Henry E. Duncan, 1869 ; in 1875, Rev. Edward T. Bartlett, and in 1885, Rev. Henry Bedinger. There are no additional data available.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, HARLEM.
This parish was organized June 23, 1868. The first church was built and opened for Divine service May 5, 1870. The present edifice was completed and opened December 5, 1880.
344
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
The first rector was Rev. William Neilson McVickar, from 1868 to 1875, and his successor, the present rector, Rev. Ran- dolph Harrison McKim, D.D., took charge of the parish November 21, 1875. Holy Trinity Chapel, No. 307 East One Hundred and Twelfth Street, and Holy Trinity Mission House and Day Nursery, erected on the same lot, were built under the ministry of the present incumbent in 1884. Since organization 576 have received baptism, and 502 have received confirmation. In 1876 there were 200 communi- cants; in 1880, 430, and the present number is about 800. The wardens in 1870 were Benjamin C. Paddock and Fred- erick Tinson, who continued in office after 1880.
This church was opened for its first service May 5, 1870, on its present site, Fifth Avenue, corner One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street. The rector was the Rev. Wm. Neilson Mc Vickar, under whose devoted ministrations the congre- gation rapidly increased. The first vestry (June 23, 1868) consisted of Messrs. Benjamin C. Paddock and Frederic Tinson, wardens; and Messrs. George Richmond, Chas. F. Alvord, J. Romaine Brown, Walter Brady, Manton E. Town- send, George W. Buckhout, Jacob H. Valentine, and Roswell G. Ralston, vestrymen; Mr. M. E. Townsend being clerk, and Mr. C. F. Alvord, treasurer.
Mr. Mc Vickar resigned early in the summer of 1875, leav- ing behind him a record fragrant with his own large-hearted lovingkindness, and was succeeded by the present rector, who assumed charge November 21, 1875.
The church was destroyed by fire on the morning of Ash Wednesday, February II, 1880, but the services were sus- tained without interruption in a hall on Fourth Avenue, corner of One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Street, until De- cember 5, 1880, when the new church (which, except the chancel and the gallery, is for the most part an exact repro- duction of the old), was ready for occupancy. The steadfast- ness of the congregation during this trying ordeal is worthy of all praise.
Among interesting incidents in the life of the parish should be mentioned the formation, in November, 1868, of
345
PARISH HISTORIES.
the Ladies' Benevolent Society, and in December, 1873, of the Pastoral Aid Society, and of a branch of the Church Temperance Society in 1881. Other parochial activities are in successful operation.
ST. PAUL'S MISSION.
This is not a parish organization. The church was built in 1870, and the mission has been under charge of Rev. John Drisler. There have been 6 baptisms and 23 have been con- firmed. The number of communicants at the beginning was 15, the present number is 20.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, YORKTOWN .*
This parish was admitted into union with the Convention in 1870, and represented by a lay delegation in 1871. The first rector was Rev. Lewis F. Morris, who remained until 1875. After a vacancy of six years, Rev. Louis Cloak was rector, 1881-1882. Since 1883 there has been no rector. There are no statistics concerning the condition of the church since 1872, at which time there were 54 individuals and 23 communicants in the charge.
TRINITY CHURCH, MORRISANIA .*
This parish was admitted into union with the Convention in 1870. The Rev. A. S. Hull appears in the Convention Journal as rector since 1871. There are no additional sta- tistics.
CHURCH OF ST. IGNATIUS, NEW YORK.
This parish was organized December II, 1871, and the edifice was bought from the Holland Reformed Church. The rectors have been : Rev. Ferdinand Cartwright Ewer, S.T.D., elected December 13, 1871, and died October 10, 1883 ; Rev. Arthur Ritchie, since May I, 1884, rector, and present in- cumbent. There are 417 baptisms recorded, and 274 have received confirmation. The present number of communicants is 161. The wardens in 1871 were: Philip R. Wilkins and John R. Morewood; in 1880, the same, and in 1883 to the
346
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
present, John R. Morewood and John W. Emerson. This parish is an off-shoot from Christ Church. It suffered great loss from the death of its first rector, but now, happily, seems to be recovering, and taking on new vigor and growth.
CHURCH OF ST. MARY THE VIRGIN, NEW YORK.
This parish was organized in 1868, and the church edifice was built in 1868-1870. The first, and present, rector is Rev. Thomas McKee Brown, who was elected June 11, 1869. The parish owns a rectory adjoining the church. There is also a three-storied brick building, adjoining the chancel, containing a chapel and altar, clergy rooms, choir rooms and organ, and guild room. It was built in 1885. Since organization there have been 592 baptisms, and 423 have received confirmation. In 1869 there were 30 communicants ; in 1878, 273 ; in 1885, 425, which is the present number. The parish is vested in a body of trustees, and there are neither wardens nor vestry- men. William Scott is president of the board, and there has been no change since 1869.
The parish was begun by building the church, after which the congregation was gathered in, its growth being steady. Daily and more frequent services have been maintained, of which there has been at least one celebration of the Holy Communion every day during these fifteen years. The chief service on Sunday is the high celebration of the Holy Com- munion, preceded by Matins and Litany at an earlier hour and followed by Choral Vespers in the afternoon.
The Sunday-school services during the autumn, winter, and spring months are, for the morning session, a Choral Celebration and address, and for the afternoon session, Lessons and Catechizing. The services and parish works are free, and supported entirely by voluntary contributions. There are no endowments. Sisters of the Nativity, from the Sisterhood of the Nativity, Church of the Advent, Boston, Massachusetts, work in the schools, guilds, and among the sick and poor.
Guilds and societies exist for altar boys, choirs, children, girls, married women, men, communicants, burial purposes,
347
PARISH HISTORIES.
etc. At present there are three clergymen connected with the parish, Rev. Thomas McKee Brown, Rev. Henry Darby, and Rev. James Oswald Davis.
CHURCH OF THE DIVINE LOVE, MONTROSE,
Was organized in 1869, and a church built during the same year. In 1880 a new church was provided. Rev. Gouverneur Cruger has been rector since the organization. There have been 41I baptisms recorded, and 100 have re- ceived confirmation. In 1870 there were 12 communicants ; in 1880, 60, and the present number is 81. In 1879, mission services were begun at the village of Verplanck, and the rector began the construction of a small chapel. It was opened for Divine service, under the name of St. Barnabas, on Easter Day, 1880, and since has served a good purpose for Sunday- evening and occasional week-day services. The building was freed from debt during the following summer, and duly con- secrated by Bishop Seymour, of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois. The entire cost of this chapel, a building of good parts, substantially constructed of brick, Gothic in design, roofed with slate, a belfry and a 400 pounds' bell, completely furnished, carpeted, and an organ, did not exceed $1,700. This chapel has proved of great benefit, providing services for those who did not attend the parish church.
GRACE CHURCH, STONY POINT.
This parish was incorporated in April, 1884. The first church was built in 1872. In 1882 the House of Prayer was built at Caldwell's and the Church of the Holy Child Jesus is now being built. This is a wide mission field, and Rev. Ebenezer Gay, Jr., has been in charge since August, 1869. A rectory was built in 1882. Since the organization of the work 660 baptisms are recorded and 90 have received confirmation. In 1869 there were 3 communicants ; in 1875, 15, and at present there are 69. The acting wardens are Jacob De Ronde and Charles H. Casseles. This has been strictly a mission work from the first and very largely among a poor people. There is not an individual of wealth in the parish.
348
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
CHURCH OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, KENT CLIFFS,
Was organized as a mission June 22, 1873, and as a parish March 8, 1878. A church was built in 1882, and conse- crated by Bishop Seymour, of the Diocese of Springfield, Illi- nois, August 8th of the same year. On the church lot there is a building used as a store, with living rooms overhead which might be utilized as a rectory ; also a carriage house and sheds. The missionaries have been : Rev. William Moore, 1873-1875 ; Rev. Wilberforce Wells, 1875-1876 ; Rev. Mat- thew A. Dailey, M.D., 1877-1885 ; and Rev. Uriah T. Tracy from 1885 to date. The rector since parochial organization has been the present incumbent, Dr. Bailey. Total number of baptisms recorded is 95, and 30 have received confirmation. In 1873 there were 4 communicants ; the present number is 67. The wardens have been Joseph H. Bailey, Surgeon U.S.A., from 1878 until his decease in April, 1883 ; Andrew J. Bennett from 1878, and Smith Warden Parks from 1883, both to date. Kent Cliffs, formerly Boyd's Corners, is a ham- let 60 miles from New York City, in the town of Kent, in the center of Putnam County, lying on the west side of Croton Storage Reservoir.
CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, BARRY- TOWN-ON-HUDSON.
This parish was organized October 4, 1874, and the church was built during the summer of 1874 and consecrated in the following October. Rev. R. B. Fairbairn, D.D., war- den of St. Stephen's College, was made and continues rector. Rev. George P. Hopson officiated from October 4, 1874, to October, 1884, resigning about January Ist following. Rev. Francis E. Shober since 1884 officiated as deacon and remains in charge. A building was erected in the church- yard for Sunday-school and parish purposes in 1875-76, during Mr. Hopson's ministry, and was opened March 4, 1876. Since organization 104 baptisms are recorded and 60 have received confirmation. In 1874 there were 33 commu- nicants ; in 1884, 35, and in 1886, 59. The trustees in 1874
349
PARISH HISTORIES.
were Rev. R. B. Fairbairn, D.D., president ; Charles E. Sands, secretary ; Samuel Breek, treasurer (deceased) ; Rev. H. C. Potter, D.D., Mrs. John L. Aspinwall, William H. Aspinwall (deceased), and Meredith Howland. In 1884 the trustees were Rev. R. B. Fairbairn, D.D., president ; Charles E. Sands, sec- retary ; L. Lloyd Breek, treasurer ; Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D.D., Mrs. John L. Aspinwall, Mrs. William H. Aspinwall and Meredith Howland. This church is a memorial to the late John L. Aspinwall, built and endowed by his widow, Jane M. Aspinwall. This endowment was increased by the addition of $5,000 in a legacy from the late William H. Aspinwall of New York. There are guilds and societies in the parish for the edification and culture of the people, old and young. A large tract of land has this year been given to the parish by the heirs of Mr. Aspinwall. It immediately joins the church grounds and is the site of a proposed ceme- tery.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS, NEW YORK.
This church was begun in 1875 as an unorganized mis- sion and incorporated under the Free Church Act in Septem- ber, 1885, in which year the church was erected in Avenue C between Third and Fourth Streets. Until 1877 ministrations were exclusively in the German language, since which date services have been sustained both in English and German. The clergy missioners who have been employed are Rev. W. Wey, 1875-77 ; Rev. G. F. Siegmund, Rev. Julius Unger and Rev. J. F. Esch, 1877-80; Rev. B. W. Maturin, S.S.J.E., 1877- 78, English side; Rev. H. W. Nancrade, 1878, English side ; Rev. Charles P. A. Burnett, 1879-81, English side ; Rev. R. S. Dod, 1880-81, English side ; Rev. A. C. Hoehnig, 1881-85, German side ; and since 1885 the Order of the Holy Cross, who sustain ministrations both in English and German. The Sisters of St. John Baptist engage in mission and parish work. Baptisms recorded are 1,403 ; confirmation has been administered to 666, and the present number of communi- cants is 223. The corporation is a Board of Trustees.
350
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
CHURCH OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, GLENHAM.
The date of the organization of this free church is not given. The church edifice was built in 1857, and the parish was admitted into union with the Convention of the diocese in 1876. The rectors have been : Rev. John R. Livingston, - until April 11, 1878; Rev. William W. De Hart, in charge from October, 1877, to September, 1879, and Rev. Robert B. Van Kleeck, Jr., incumbent since 1880. A parish schoolhouse was built about 1860 and enlarged in 1876 by Rev. John R. Livingston. There are 428 baptisms recorded and 204 have received confirmation. When the first services were held there was one communicant. Afterwards owing to the transient character of the population the number has varied from 50 to 75 ; the present number is about 60. In 1871 the wardens were : James S. Thorne and Thomas Gilbert ; in 1881, James S. Thorne and Charles E. Barton, and since 1881, Charles E. Barton and Robert Sloan.
This free church was founded by the late Rev. John R. Livingston, who took charge of Trinity Parish, Fishkill, November 5, 1854, having been ordained deacon by Bishop Wainwright. The first service was held on the fourth Sunday after Trinity, 1855, in an upper room in a tenant house. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Horatio Potter and the address was given by Rev. Dr. Brown, rector of St. George's Church, Newburgh. The first service was held in Advent season, 1857, Rev. George F. Seymour, of Annandale, preach- ing the sermon. The church was consecrated by Bishop Potter June 17, 1858. Mr. Livingston continued his faithful and zealous services in this mission parish for nearly twenty years, until his decease, April II, 1878, sincerely mourned, as he was greatly beloved by his parishioners. A memorial altar and a lecturn given by the Sunday-school were used for the first time on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the consecration of the church. Ministrations have been regularly maintained by the present rector, and the people have been zealous and faithful under the discouragements of great business and financial depression which have fallen upon this manufactur- ing village during the past four years.
35I
PARISH HISTORIES.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY, HIGHLAND.
This parish was organized in 1872 ; the corner-stone was laid the same year, and the church was completed and con- secrated in 1873. It appears that the clergy who have here- tofore labored in this parish have been simply in charge, and that the present incumbent, Rev. Henry Tarrant, B.D., is actually the first rector. He entered upon the work April 12, 1885. Since organization 154 baptisms are recorded, 46 of which were administered during the last year by the rector ; also 71 have received confirmation, 17 of which are in the record of the last year. The present number of communicants is about 40; of whom 20 were admitted the last year. The following account of Mr. Tarrant's mission labors, and his suc- cessful attempt to rescue the Church of the Holy Cross, Clin- tondale, Ulster County, from loss, and indeed, perishing, is condensed from published reports, and will have a permanent value in this volume :
Among the many missionary efforts put forth by the Rev. Joseph H. Johnson, a former rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Highland, and an enthusiastic and devoted missioner in the villages far and near, was the building of a church at Clintondale, a village about seven miles south-west of Highland, and across two mountains. At the time of his resignation, about seven years ago, he had succeeded in put- ting up the shell of a handsome frame building, 25 x 66 feet, but unfortunately he had to leave it in that state. None of his successors staid long enough, for one reason or another, to com- plete the good work so hopefully, courageously, and unselfishly begun. Last spring, with the advent of the Rev. Henry Tar- rant, the present rector at Highland, affairs took on a more hopeful turn. The parish at Highland regained its former strength and influence in the community, and the work at Clintondale was taken up with renewed vigor. Early in July the Rev. Henry Tarrant visited Clintondale for the first time and examined the church property in company with Mr. D. R. Hasbrouck, a devoted layman of the place. Mr. Tarrant determined at once to finish the church. This end has been
i
352
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
reached through the generosity of several parishes, chiefly in Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Counties, and a few individuals who cannot be identified with any parishes. Not that these parishes gave as parishes, for the rector of Holy Trinity went from door to door, day after day, soliciting the gifts of the faithful. Money is not all the rector has secured for the Church of the Holy Cross; other gifts have been forthcoming, as for instance: St. James', Hyde Park, gave an organ, a black walnut prayer desk, black walnut uprights to sustain the altar rail, an altar service, and prayer book in red Turkey morocco ; Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, an oak lecturn ; Holy Comforter, Poughkeepsie, white altar linen; the Church of the Intercession, New York City, a white marble font ; on the base of this is inscribed "Precious Memories." "This font, used in the old Church of the Intercession, New York City, for thirty years, is the gift of the new to the Church of the Holy Cross, Clintondale, New York, 1885"; the Church of the Holy Trinity, Highland, gave a communion service-this is the gift of a mother to her daughter-and on it is inscribed "Holy Trinity, Highland, to Holy Cross, Clintondale, New York, 1885." The present rector would gratefully record the names of the individuals and parishes who so generously assisted the Rev. Mr. Johnson, were the materials for so doing in his power. On Saturday, November 28, the Church of the Holy Cross was consecrated by the assistant bishop of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D.D. The Church of the Holy Cross is the only Episcopal Church between Milton on the east, and Ellenville on the west nearly forty miles, and Walden on the south, and Rosendale on the north more than thirty miles. From it, as a center, an energetic missionary can reach with occasional services at least Achart's Corner, Ardonia, Modena, Jenkintown, New Paltz, Ohioville, Gardiner's, Centerville, and other places.
ST. JAMES' CHURCH, CALLICOON DEPOT.
This church was organized under the title of The Free Church of St. James, under the Free Church Statute, with a body of seven trustees, May 30, 1877. The church edifice,
353
PARISH HISTORIES.
occupied for two years as a chapel, was built in 1875 and con- secrated June 6, 1877, by Bishop H. Potter. The first rector was Rev. George A. Chambers, from January 5, 1877, to Oc- tober I, 1880. After a vacancy of three years, Rev. Elijah J. Roke was rector from January 28, 1883, to January 1, 1884. The Rev. F. N. Luson was incumbent from April 15, 1884, to the following November. There have been 40 persons bap- tized, and 13 have received confirmation. The present num- ber of communicants is 8. The first service was held in the Methodist Church, at Callicoon Depot, in June, 1874, by Rev. John Kiernan, then of Deposit. In June, 1875, Rev. Charles F. Canedy, then of Monticello, took charge, and had occa- sional services during the next two years. At his request the Bishop appointed Oliver Perry Vinton lay reader. Through the efforts of Messrs. Canedy and Vinton and the late Judge James C. Curtis, of Callicoon Depot, $1,200 was raised by sub- scription, Judge Curtis presenting an acre of land, and before January I, 1876, a handsome church was completed and fur- nished, with sittings for 150 persons.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, NEW YORK,
Was organized in 1878. The church first used was built in 1860 and rebuilt for the use of this parish in 1878. The present church was erected in 1881. The only rector of the parish is Rev. Edmund Guilbert, M.A., present incumbent. Since organization, 158 baptisms are recorded, and 133 have received confirmation. The present number of communicants is 400. The wardens from 1878 to 1886 are Orlando F. Dor- man and Ulysses D. Eddy.
GRACE CHURCH, ONE HUNDRED AND SIX- TEENTH STREET, NEW YORK .*
This parish was admitted into union with the Convention in 1879. As there is no report in the hands of the committee the following particulars are gathered from the Convention Journals : in 1879 Rev. D. Brainerd Ray is mentioned as rec- tor. The communicants were 135 in number. During this year this parish has completed and occupied a large and 23
354
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
beautiful church edifice on One Hundred and Sixteenth Street, near Third Avenue. For more than ten years the work was carried on in a very small, plain, and badly located brick chapel, which was never designed for a church. This was mortgaged and sold in 1877, and the proceeds used to purchase lots in a better locality and to defray expenses in- curred in erecting the present church. The church is 46 x 100, with a transept easily seating 600. There is a large and excellent Sunday-school room with provision for 800 scholars. The Sunday-school was occupied in 1878. The church, which was begun in 1878, was completed and occu- pied in 1879. In that year there were 135 communicants. There is no report in the Journal for 1885.
GRACE CHURCH, MILLBROOK.
This parish was organized September 6, 1864, under the title of Grace Church, Harts' Village. The corner-stone of the church was laid September 13, 1866, and consecration followed June 8, 1867. This edifice was destroyed by fire in September, 1870, and another was built and consecrated November 23, 1871. The first rector was Rev. Eugene C. Pattison, from September, 1864, to some time in 1868. His successors were Rev. Benjamin F. Miller, July, 1869, to Octo- ber 1, 1875 ; Rev. John C. S. Weills, April, 1876, to April, 1878 ; Rev. Robert B. Van Kleeck, July, 1878, to December, 1878 ; Rev. John H. Nimmo, December, 1878, to October, 1881, and Rev. John C. S. Weills, October, 1881, and pres- ent incumbent. Since organization 63 have received Holy Baptism, and 66 have been confirmed. The number of com- municants in 1864 was about 20; in 1870, 30; in 1880, 37. The present number is 60. In 1864 the wardens were Henry Peck and Isaac Lawton. In 1870 the wardens were Henry Peck and George P. Tompkins. In 1880 the wardens were Richard H. Mitchell and James F. Goodell, M.D. Occasional services were held in and near the village of Millbrook by Rev. Sheldon Davis and other missionaries as early as 1840. In May, 1863, Rev. Eugene C. Pattison, missionary at St. Peter's Church, Lithgow, began regular services, once each
355
PARISH HISTORIES.
Sunday. He continued them as long as he remained at Lithgow ; and during his labors the parish was organized and the first church building erected and consecrated. After its burning, as above recorded, another building was erected upon a more favorable site. The cost of this building was about $6,000.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.