USA > New York > The centennial history of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of New York, 1785-1885 > Part 30
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
CHURCH OF THE BELOVED DISCIPLE, NEW YORK.
This parish was organized in November, 1873, and re- ceived into union with the Convention in 1880. The church was built in 1873. Rev. Isaac H. Tuttle filled the rectorship from November, 1873, to Easter, 1879, being at the same time rector of St. Luke's Church, New York City. During the same period Rev. Francis H. Stubbs had care of the par- ish as minister in charge. Rev. Arthur H. Warner was elected rector on Wednesday in Easter week, 1879, and is the. present incumbent. A rectory adjoining the church, and in: corresponding material and architecture, was provided in 1881. In 1880 a building was erected for the use of choir,, vestry, and general parish purposes. The number of bap- tisms since organization is 359. The number who have re- ceived confirmation is 231. In 1874 there were 107 communi -. cants ; in 1884, 320, and at present there are 325. The wardens first elected were Richard C. Greene and James B .. Warner, who still fill the office. Previous to organization in. 1879 and the election of the first vestry, the parish had a pro -- visional Board of Trustees to care for the interests of the: parish : Messrs. Cyrus Curtis, A. B. McDonald, Stephen P: Nash, Francis Pott, and Thomas P. Cummings. The church is a costly building of stone, Gothic in design, generously fur -- nished with all the appurtenances of a well-ordered worship, and was given free from incumbrances to the parish and: church in the diocese by Miss Caroline Talman, as a memorial of her father and mother, John Hubell and Sarah Somerin -- dyck Talman. Subsequently two other buildings have been added-a vestry and parish house, and a commodious rectory, erected at large cost and in architectural harmony with the
356
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
church which they adjoin, both in material and design, both admirably furnished and also a gift from the same devoted daughter of the Church. Among the multiplied instances of individual munificence in the American Church, few indeed excel this foundation of the Parish of the Beloved Disciple, either in expenditure or completeness. Miss Talman also endowed the " John H. Talman Fellowship," connected with the General Theological Seminary, with a view, partly, of supplying perpetually a clergyman to assist in the services of the Church of the Beloved Disciple.
GRACE CHURCH, CITY ISLAND,
Was organized in 1862. The first services were held in May, 1861. The church was built in 1863. The rectors have been : Rev. William V. Feltwell, 1868; Rev. George Howell, 1871 ; Rev. Joshua Monsell, D.D., 1874, and Rev. John McCarthy Windsor, since 1885, and at present, incumbent. A rectory was procured in 1868. There is record of 108 baptisms and 87 have received confirmation. The record of communicants is incomplete; the present number is 52. The wardens in 1862 were George W. Horton and Charles Stoltz, Jr .; in 1872, George W. Horton and E. L. Worden, and Jacob Ulmer, junior warden from 1882. The church lot was given by Mr. George W. Horton and his wife, Margaret, of City Island, and the church was erected largely under the generous auspices of the Misses Bolton, of Pelham Priory. For several years it was part of the property and under the control of Christ Church, Pelham, whose assistant minister resided on the island and officiated as its pastor. Thus, Rev. Mr. Bartow, Rev. Mr. Cheevers, and Rev. Mr. Feltwell were successively in charge, the latter becoming its rector in 1868. The records of the parish have been imperfectly kept; and the testimony on which the above facts are based, gathered chiefly and necessarily from persons connected with both churches, is, in some respects, conflicting.
357
PARISH HISTORIES.
ST. MARGARET'S, STAATSBURGH,
Was organized April 24, 1882, up to which time it had been a chapel of St. James's, Hyde Park. The edifice was built in 1858 by Mrs. Margaret Livingston, as a general chapel, and at different times was ministered to by clergymen of different denominations, until it became attached to the parish of St. James. The Rev. Thomas L. Cole was called as rector in 1848,-his first pastoral charge,-and is now the incumbent. The rectory was built in 1885. Since organization there have been 89 baptisms and 32 have received confirmation. The present number of communicants is 64. The wardens are Maturin Livingston and Miles Hughes.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAITH, NEW YORK .*
This parish was received into union with the Convention in 1882. There is no report before the committee. In the Journal of 1885, Rev. W. E. Eigenbrodt, D.D., is reported " in charge," and the wardens, Solon Farrar and George G. Dudley. In this report, the wardens say: "The parish has made a strong fight for existence, and has been hindered in its progress for want of a resident rector." In 1882, Rev. John W. Kramer, M.D., is mentioned as rector, at which date there were 53 communicants; in 1885, there were 45. No other data are available.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, BREWSTERS,
Was organized August 29, 1881, and the church edifice finished in the winter of 1880-81. From the first, Rev. R. Condit Russell had charge, in connection with his work at Somers and North Salem, until the Rev. Ralph Wood Ken- yon became rector, January 12, 1882. He remained until January 23, 1883. For a few months the Rev. Dr. Cushman succeeded as " supply." From November, 1883, to May, 1885, Rev. Frank Heartfield had charge. Subsequently, ministrations were given by several clergymen until Septem- ber, 1886, when the present incumbent, Rev. Eli D. Sutcliffe,
358
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
came to the parish as minister in charge. Since organization there have been 41 baptized and 27 confirmed. The present number of communicants is about 45. The first wardens were Seth B. Howe and Daniel Tillotson. At present the wardens are Seth B. Howe and Frank Wells.
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, PELHAMVILLE,
Was organized February 27, 1872. The church was built and opened September 20, 1861. The rectors have been Rev. Lewis K. Lewis, 1878, and Rev. C. W. Bolton, 1880, the present incumbent. The parish is now preparing to build a rectory. The parish records are very imperfect, but it appears that there have been 75 baptisms, and that 35 have been con- firmed. The present number of communicants is 56. The present wardens are J. R. Smith and William A. Leonard. When the present rector entered in charge, services were held only in the afternoon of Sundays. He at once opened with full morning and evening services, and the congregation has steadily increased. There is no other church organization in the place, so that all who profess and call themselves Christians attend and worship together. The general outlook is very encouraging, with promise of strong prospective growth, as the neighborhood is rapidly building up and has many points of advantage.
CHURCH OF ST. EDWARD THE MARTYR, NEW YORK.
This parish was organized March 18, 1883. As yet it is without a church building. The present and first rector is Rev. Edward Wallace-Niel. Since organization 163 baptisms have been administered, and 36 have received confirmation. The present number of communicants is 225. The wardens are S. Seabury Guion and George Zabriskie. Ground has been purchased for this parish on 109th Street, near Central Park, and it is hoped that the church edifice will be com- menced early in the summer.
359
PARISH HISTORIES.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, HARLEM.
This parish was organized January 1, 1876; a church was built in 1877, and a second in 1884. The rectors have been Rev. George Coutts Athole, founder of the parish and rector until his death, October 2, 1884; and Rev. Melancthon Lloyd Woolsey, rector since July, 1885. The records are defective. There appear to have been 78 baptisms ; there are no records of confirmations. The present number of communicants is about 100. The first wardens were John W. Brown and Peter J. Frederick ; those at present in office are L. P. Fuller and William E. Hows. The church has always been free. There is a mortgage debt of $13,861 resting on the church edifice, which is but half completed.
CHRIST CHURCH, YONKERS.
Was organized June 2, 1879. The church edifice was built in 1872. The rectors or clergy in charge have been (no dates): Revs. Reginald Heber Barnes, Charles Ferris, Wil- liam Hyde, Samuel Moore, and Aug. Ulmann, present incum- bent, under whose ministry a parish house was erected in 1885. Since organization 57 have received baptism and 22 have been confirmed. The present number of communicants is 89. The wardens in 1879 were John S. Newlin and Thomas Franklin, and in 1885, J. F. Bayer and Henry Steugel. The parish was reorganized in 1885, and admitted into union with the Diocesan Convention the same year.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, BEECHWOOD,
Was organized at Easter, 1884, although the church was built in 1851. The Rev. William Creighton, D.D., was rector until his death, in 1865, and Rev. Edward N. Mead titular rector till October, 1877. Among the clergy who subse- quently officiated were: Rev. Dr. Eigenbrodt, Rev. Clar- ence Buel, Rev. Robert Holden, and Rev. John Buckmaster. Rev. A. H. Gessner became rector in 1882, and is present in- cumbent. The number of baptisms recorded is 180, and 50
360
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
have received confirmation. The present number of commu- nicants is 27. The only wardens mentioned are George W. Cartwright and William M. Kingsland, in connection with the organization in 1884. This church, in excellent Gothic and built of stone, was erected by Dr. Creighton on a part of his estate. He officiated during the later years of his life. It consists of a nave, transept, and chancel, with stained win- dows throughout, with 150 sittings. At his decease the foun- der left by will to the diocese the church lot, and a glebe of two acres for a rectory ; also a legacy of $5,000, the interest of which should be used towards the support of the rector. Mrs. Morell, a daughter of the founder, also bequeathed a legacy of $5,000 to St. Mary's Parish.
THE ITALIAN MISSION, NEW YORK.
The " Italian Mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church" was organized on All Saints' Day, 1873, by the Rev. C. Stauder, the first clergyman of Italian birth in the Protestant Episcopal Church of America, and conducted under the su- pervision of a committee of clergymen and laymen appointed by the bishop of the diocese. It worships according to the Prayer Book and Hymnal of the Church, translated and ar- ranged by the minister in charge. It has continued from the day of its commencement to the present day without inter- mission or suspension, counting a membership of more than 1, 100 members, nearly 700 of them confirmed by our bishop. Its headquarters are in Grace Chapel, 126 East Fourteenth Street, where solemn services are held in the Italian language every Sunday at 4 P.M .; Sunday-school at 3.30 P.M .; con- ferences Wednesday and Friday, at II A.M., and Holy Com- munion the first Sunday of every month at 11.30 A.M. The average number of communicants is 50. It has left behind schools, Sunday-schools and meeting-houses at several other points in and out of the city, to be conducted by other pious Christian individuals, who try to reach where a single clergy- man is ineffective.
361
PARISH HISTORIES.
CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINE, CROTON .*
This parish, organized as a mission in 1854, was admitted into union with the Convention in 1885, and has been under the continuous rectorship of Rev. A. V. Clarkson, according to the records of the Convention Journal for 1885. There are no additional statistics.
ST. MARK'S CHURCH, KATONAH .*
This parish, although, according to the Convention Journal for 1885, admitted into the union in 1853, does not appear in the diocesan list of churches until 1855. Rev. A. H. Partridge was the first rector, in 1855; a vacancy in 1856; Rev. E. B. Boggs, 1857-1863, since which date there is, apparently, an unbroken vacancy in the rectorship. There are no reports, and no additional statistics.
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, ROSENDALE .*
No report has been received, and the church is not in union with the Convention. In 1885 Rev. Edward Ransford was priest in charge, and Cornelius Hardenbergh and Henry P. Delafield, wardens. The number of communicants was 24. The mission comprises a large district, including six villages more or less populous.
CHAPEL OF S. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE, ANNANDALE.
This is not an organized parish. It was first occupied as a missionary station by Rev. Jas. Starr Clark, as the nucleus of an educational work. Subsequently, in the development of St. Stephen's College, this chapel (The Holy Innocents) became the college chapel, extending parochial and pastoral ministrations to the neighborhood. The first edifice was de- stroyed by fire in December, 1858, but it was rebuilt and consecrated February 3, 1860. It has been constantly under the pastoral charge of the wardens of St. Stephen's College : Rev. G. F. Seymour, M.A., missionary from 1855-1860, and warden of St. Stephen's to September, 1861 ; Rev. Thomas
362
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
Richey, M.A., from 1861 to 1863, and Rev. R. B. Fairbairn, D.D., LL.D., from 1863, and present warden. There is a Sunday school-house which was used for ten years. It is now used for a Sunday-school, and also for the purposes of the college. Since the foundation 568 baptisms are recorded, and 268 have received confirmation. The number of com- municants, apart from the college, is 50. There are neither wardens nor vestry of a parochial organization. The wardens of St. Stephen's have charge, ex officio. The chapel was built by Mr. and Mrs. John Bard, after excellent designs by Frank Wills. The material is stone from Ulster County, across the river, and an illuminated text over the porch within is the keynote of its meaning: "The palace is not for man, but for the Lord God." This motto was selected by the first missionary-warden, and was the text of the sermon preached by Bishop Horatio Potter at the consecration. Its erection marked the initial step in the work of religious training and education, so munificently conducted by Mr. John Bard, Mrs. Margaret Johnston Bard, and Mr. John Lloyd Aspinwall. In connection with the chapel and parochial work, the Brotherhood of St. Peter was organized by Rev. Walter Delafield, D.D., in 1864, while an undergraduate. It undertook to see that every person within two miles of the college should not suffer for want of the necessaries of life, and that they should be encouraged to attend worship at the chapel. The Free Church of St. John the Evangelist, at Barrytown, built by Mrs. Aspinwall as a memorial of her hus- band, John L. Aspinwall, was a result of this association.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, ST. JOHN .*
This parish is not in union with the Convention. The Rev. Henry Mottet is priest in charge and Rev. Ernest Voor- his, deacon. There are 50 families and 250 individuals in the charge. There are 6 communicants. St. John's, consist- ing of a handsome stone church, school-house, and parsonage, is the gift and is maintained at the cost of a single individual, in memory of a dear departed one, among a people unable to maintain the ministrations of the Church. A resident deacon,
363
PARISH HISTORIES.
a lady who has had large experience in ministering among the poor, and an assistant teacher, devote their whole time to the work of this parish.
ST. JOHN'S MEMORIAL CHURCH, ROSENDALE .*
This parish is not in union with the Convention. In 1885 Rev. Peter Claude Creveling was rector and missionary, and Ira H. Lawton and William J. Close, wardens. The communi- cants are 122 in number.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, WESTCHESTER.
The Lewisboro parish of St. John's Church lies in the north-eastern part of Westchester County, and borders for several miles upon the State of Connecticut. The ancient designation of the country thereabouts appears to have been Lower Salem, and later South Salem, but in 1840 and in honor of the late John Lewis, Esq., who had shown himself mindful of its welfare, the name of the township was changed to Lewis- boro. There is record of the performance of Divine service within the bounds of the parish for many years prior to the Declaration of American Independence. The Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts cared for the field. Here labored the Rev. Ebenezer Dibblee, rector of St. John's Church, in the colony of Connecticut, who looked upon Salem as belonging in part to his cure; and the parish of St. Paul's, Norwalk, in the same colony, was thoughtful of the spiritual interests of the people. Here officiated the brothers Caner and Johnson, earliest president of King's Col- lege, and Beach, of beloved memory, and Leaming, the first choice for the primacy of the American Church. In 1771 the Rev. Epenetus Townsend began his ministry in the place, and the zealous churchmen of the parish completed the erection of their first church edifice "of the very best oak-timber," staunchly braced throughout, and strongly secured. It stood about one and a half miles south-east of the present St. John's Church, South Salem, and distant less than a furlong from the present Connecticut State line. Within its walls the word was preached and the sacraments duly administered until that
364
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
July Lord's Day, in 1776," on which, at the hour of evening prayer, a company of men, with weapons loaded and bayo- nets pointed, and marching to the sound of drum and fife, entered the hallowed house, and at the offering of the petition for the royal family, ordered the clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Townsend, to stop. Shutting the Prayer Book he at once left the desk, and from that time thirty-four years down, the pon- derous iron latch which fastened the outside door was not lifted to admit for the purpose of public worship. In 1810 the parish seems to have undergone reorganization in some sort. From October 15th of that year dates the Rev. Mather Felch's incumbency, and that of Rev. George Weller from 1816, and services were with greater or less regularity main- tained until 1852, when one whose labors of love are to this day held in affectionate esteem by the Lewisboro folks and in the neighborhood adjacent to them, the late Rev. Alfred H. Partridge, assumed charge, and succeeded in repairing the breaches which time had caused, and in rebuilding the parish church, and renewing the former parish vigor. Mr. Partridge was followed in 1855 by the Rev. Franklin Babbitt, and he in 1859 by the Rev. David Scott, and he in 1861 by the Rev. Angus M. Ives, and he in 1868 by the Rev. Robert Bolton of deservedly grateful remembrance. Mr. Bolton's connection with Lewisboro marked an era in its history, and, ardently de- voted to his work, he accomplished much. Small as com- munities similar to that of Lewisboro are, still are they usually large enough to allow of divisions in Christian sentiment, but Mr. Bolton won the people's hearts and did that which it would be difficult to improve upon. In 1871 the centennial anniversary of the building and opening of the first church, the corner-stone of the new St. Paul's Church in Lower Lewis- boro was laid by Bishop Potter. A large number of the clergy and laity assembled, and the occasion was one not soon to be forgotten. The site of the new church is an eminence the extensive view from which terminates in the distant Connecticut hills on the north and east, and the waters of
* See Bolton's History of Westchester County, Vol. I., page 421.
365
PARISH HISTORIES.
Long Island Sound far to the south. The John Lewis dona- tion embraces this site and that also of the adjoining parson- age, consisting of rectory and chapel, which cost between six and seven thousand dollars. The gift includes, in addition, about forty-eight acres of glebe-land.
The decease in October, 1871, of the liberal benefactor of the parish, and before all that had been designed was consum- mated, has somewhat crippled the work at Lewisboro. The Rev. Robert Bolton was succeeded in the care of the parish by the Rev. Zina B. Doty, and he by the Rev. Alexander Hamilton, and he since January, 1884, by the Rev. C. M. Selleck.
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING AND CHARITY.
-
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING AND CHARITY.
IN Canon Overton's Life in the English Church (1660- 1714) he observes: "An important feature in the Church life of the period and a sure symptom of its vigor, may be found in the many (religious and philanthropic) societies which were then founded and flourished ; " and as illustrations he men- tions : The Societies for the Reformation of Manners; the Religious Societies for Young Men; the Society for Pro- moting Christian Knowledge; the Society for the Propa- gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, parochial libraries, charity schools, Chelsea and Greenwich Hospitals, Morton's College for Merchants fallen into Decay, being honest, sober, and discreet members of the Church of England, and others. The record is interesting, if only because it shows how largely our ancestors anticipated, and at least outlined a department of the Church's work which has become more conspicuous to-day.
Of this work little was done in New York during the first half of the century just ended. The Church in America was weak, and though relatively stronger in New York City than elsewhere, had there, too, the task of laying foundations and of maintaining the struggling life of the outlying parishes of the diocese. Still, as the pages which immediately follow will show, a beginning was made, and when greater prosperity came there were men with wisdom enough to recognize the opportunity, and with courage enough to improve it. They rest from their labors, priest and layman, many of them, but " their works do follow them; " and New York has no more honorable feature in its diocesan history than the large con- secration of wealth and energy to the organization and main- tenance of works of education, mercy, and charity. In an age with new emergencies men have seen the Church translating
24
370
CENTENNIAL CHURCH HISTORY.
her Master's message into a " language understanded," verily, "of the common people;" and with a vision as broad as her commission to minister to every creature, leaving no class out- side the reach of her all-encompassing beneficence.
As a consequence of this, there has been developed during the latter part of the century which ended with the year 1885, a measure of lay co-operation, to which the records which fol- low abundantly testify. As a story of beneficent beginnings no part of this volume can well be more significant. The hope of the Church is in the co-operative endeavor of all her children. With this secured to her, her future under God is not doubtful. H. C. P.
TRINITY SCHOOL, NEW YORK CITY. 1709.
This school was founded, in connection with Trinity Church, in the year 1709, by the "Venerable Society (in London) for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts." The first building erected for its accommodation was built by Trinity Church, on grounds contiguous to the church edifice. This was destroyed by fire as soon as completed, and a second structure was speedily erected.
In 1800, the school was endowed by Trinity Church, and was made a separate institution, under its own board of trus- tees. In 1806, it was incorporated by act of the Legislature of New York. In 1827, by an act of the Legislature, the school corporation received its present name, "THE NEW YORK PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL PUBLIC SCHOOL," and was authorized to establish and maintain schools or departments for instruction in English literature, mathematics, philosophy, and classical learning.
In 1832, it received a further grant from Trinity Church, and a commodious building was erected on the corner of Canal and Varick Streets. This was occupied until 1857. Then, in consequence of the growth of the city, it was deemed advisable to seek a location farther up-town.
Circumstances have delayed the intended erection of a building suited to the school's requirements, and it has been
37
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING AND CHARITY.
accommodated temporarily in rooms hired for the purpose. Its present location is 1517 Broadway.
The work of Trinity School consists in the religious, moral, and intellectual training of boys of the Church. To the younger and less advanced pupils, elementary instruction is imparted. To those of sufficient proficiency, the higher instruction is given in classics, mathematics, etc., fitting them for college, and, in some special instances, for the Theological Seminary. The number of scholars on the foundation is 72.
The present rector, the Rev. Robert Holden, entered upon his duties in 1863. Among the alumni of the school are many of the clergy and several of the bishops.
CORPORATION FOR RELIEF OF WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF CLERGYMEN OF THE PROTES- TANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 1769.
This corporation was founded September 29, 1769, by royal charter, issued by George III., King of England. The work it has to do is to furnish relief to widows and children of clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New York, who, according to existing laws, have been contributors of $8 per annum to the funds of the corpora- tion. The corporation has not, nor does it need, any build- ing or structure for carrying out its prescribed work.
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.