The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 103

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II > Part 103

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Siloam Presbyterian Church (colored), org. July 25th, 1847, under the Presbytery of Brooklyn with about ten mem- bers. The congregation first worshiped in a hall in Fulton st. Then the house of a mission in Prince st. was purchased by the Presbytery, in 1854, for $4,000. In 1868, the house was enlarged, and a basement was built, at an additional cost of $4,000.

Ministry :- Revs. A. N. Freeman, 1852-'60, and 1863-'84; Charles H. Thompson, 1860-'3.

The church has been nniformly prosperous, owing to the untiring efforts of the Pastor, Rev. A N. FREEMAN, who was born in New Jersey, 1809; ordained in Portland, Me., 1841; came to Brooklyn, April, 1852.

The City Park Chapel, originally org. as the City Park Union Mission Sabbath-school, July, 1848, at a prayer meet- ing held at the residence of Mr. Kellogg, in Willoughby st. Its first officers were: Isaac N. Judson, Superintendent, John T. Davenport, Assistant Superintendent, and Thomas S. Simmons, Secretary and Treasurer. Its first session was held on the third Sabbath in July, 1848. Its rapid increare demanded larger accommodations; and, in the spring of 1851, the association was organized which purchased lots on Con- cord, near Gold st., on which was erected the building now occupied by the Children's Home. The first board of trustees of this association was composed of the following gentlemen

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

THE OLD FRANKLIN AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (See previous page).

viz .: Austin Melvin (Congregationalist), Thomas S. Simmons (Methodist), Silas R. Beebe (Baptist), John T. Davenport, Timothy Dauncy and Isaac N. Judson (Presbyterians). Mr. Judson, after six years' service, was succeeded in the super- intendency of the school by Mr. Nathaniel M. Terry, for about six years; followed by Mr. A. A. Smith for a year; and, in May, 1864, by Mr. A. M. Earl; and in May, 1868, by Mr. R. J. Dodge. Then the vicinity began to be occupied by the schools of individual churches, so that the union principle became less effectual, and those interested in the P. M. U. S. School felt that a church organization would better accom- modate the people of the neighborhood in which the school was located. Accordingly, an organization was effected, composed of persons mostly from the First Presbyterian Church, but was eventually disbanded, the teachers continu- ing to labor in the mission school. In the spring of 1862, the school was transferred to the charge of the First Presbyter- ian Church (Henry st.), which had furnished a greater part of the teachers, and most of the funds for the mission. In Feb., 1866, a new building was erected by the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, on lots adjoining the old one, at a cost (including a handsome organ) of nearly $21.000. In January, 1867, the session of the First Church extended a unanimous call to the Rev. Charles Wood, who accepted the call, entering upon his charge in February following, and still continues Pastor. Since that time the enterprise has continued to flourish. More than a hundred members have been added to the First Presbyterian Church, by profession of their faith, through the instrumentality of this chapel.

In 1874, the chapel was enlarged by an addition to its au- ditorium, making its seating capacity about 400; and it was further improved hy the addition of rooms for infant classes, and alcoves for adult and Bible classes. The cost of these improvements was $6,000. A commodious reading-room was fitted up, in 1880, at the expense of Mrs. James Sheldon. In this room, which is comfortably warmed and cheerfully lighted, many young men gather nightly, some of whom

formerly spent their evenings on the street corners, or in more demoralizing places.

Rev. CHARLES WOOD, born in Salem, N. J., 1819; grad. Lafayette Coll. (Pa.), 1846, and Princeton Theol. Sem., 1849; was Vice-Pres. of Alumni Assn., 1878-9; located at Fox Hill, Blackwood, N. J .; City Park Chapel, B'klyn, 1867-'83.

The Lawrence Street Presbyterian Church .- In 1852, the Associate Reform Presbytery of New York established a mission in Brooklyn, where they soon organized a church. The young organization not having been supplied with reg- ular preaching, or a fixed place of worship, was frequently reduced to the verge of dissolution.

In 1858, the church called the Rev. Adam McClelland to become their Pastor, and moved from their hall in Front street to an edifice purchased from the Congregational Meth- odists, cor. Lawrence and Tillary streets.

In 1875, a union was effected with the Fort Greene Presby- terian Church, Dr. McClelland continuing as Pastor of the united congregation. Shortly after the consolidation the united congregation sold the edifice in Lawrence st. to St. Casimir's (Catholic) Church.

German Evangelical Pres. Church .- In 1853, Rev. John Neander, a German missionary among the Jews in New York city, at the request of seven Germans in Brooklyn, commenced a series of religious meetings here at private houses. And, being authorized by the Board of Foreign Missions, in whose service lie then was, he org. a church in 1853, under the care of the New York Presbytery. Lots were secured cor. Leonard and Stagg sts. (E. D.), on which a neat brick building was erected, and dedicated Oct. 14, 1855, at a cost of $9,000, mostly furnished by George Douglas, Esq., of Flushing, L. I. It has since been enlarged, and is now called the First German Presbyterian Church.

Ainslie St. Presbyterian Church was organized Oct. 22, 1854. It has had to date six Pastors: 1854-'56, Rev. C. W. Hodge; 1857-'58, Rev. Albert Biglow; 1859-'66, Rev. Jas. McDougal, Jr .; 1866-'70, Rev. John Hancock; 1870-'78, Rev.

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J. M. Buchanan; 1878, to date, Rev. Jos. G. William- son, Jr.

The congregation, since its organization, has worshiped in but one building, a frame structure, enlarged from time to time, at the corner of Ewen and Ainslie sts. It was erected in 1854. The property consists of five lots, a church edifice and a parsonage. The seating capacity of the church is 500. The present membership is about 600. The Sabbath- school has 500 scholars and 50 teachers.

The Westminster Presbyterian Church (New School), org. in a hall on the corner of Court and Sackett sts., Jan. 31, 1856, with 61 members. A frame chapel was first erected on the present site, and dedicated on the third Sabbath of May, 1856; the enterprise received a strong impetus in its early work from the able ministry of Rev. Roswell D. Hitchcock, D. D., who supplied the pulpit from the first Sabbath in Feb., 1856, until the first Sabbath of May, 1857. In Oct., 1857, the Rev. Hugh S. Carpenter was installed, and dismissed May, 1870. In 1858, the present building was commenced, and with a temporary roof and front, the au- ditorium was occupied for divine service the second Sabbath in October of that year. In October, 1867, the new church edifice, facing on Clinton street, corner of First place, was finished and dedicated.

Mr. Carpenter was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. J. Clement French, D. D., installed March, 1872, dism. Nov., 1876; and he by Rev. James M. Ludlow, D. D., installed Oct., 1877.

Rev. JAMES M. LUDLOW was born at Elizabeth, N. J., 1841; grad. from Princeton Coll. in 1861; and from Princeton Theol. Sem., 1864. In the fall of 1864, he was called to the First Presbyterian Church at Albany. In 1868, he succeeded Dr. Duryea in the Collegiate Reformed Church, New York, dur- ing which time their elegant church was erected. Dr. Lud- low is a scholarly man, earnest and persuasive, stimulating and effective. In 1881, he visited Europe and the Holy Land; he is a contributor to various religious papers and periodicals.

The John Knox Presbyterian Church was commenced on the corner of Fulton avenue and Adelphi street, May 4th, 1856; and a church organized June 12th, by the Presbytery of Nassau, with sixteen members, eight of whom were males. The Rev. Lorenzo Wescott was ordained Pastor, October 16, 1856.

Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church .- May 16th, 1857, a meeting of several gentlemen was held at the house of Mr. Edward A. Lambert, Clinton avenue, to consult in reference to the formation of a Presbyterian church in the 11th Ward, to be under the care of the Presbytery of Brooklyn. A com- mittee was appointed, and on the 16th of June a public meeting was held in the church on Carlton avenue, occupied by the Park Congregational Society, when it was unanimously re: olved to organize a Presbyterian church, as contemplated in the resolution of May 16th, and arrangements were im- mediately made to purchase and occupy the building in Carlton avenue, near DeKalb; the Park Congregational Church (worshiping there) having resolved to disband.

Trustees were elected, and the congregation organized under the corporate name of "The Park Presbyterian Church," On the 29th of June, a constitution was adopted, and a petition was presented to the Presbytery of Brooklyn to organize said church.

The Presbytery, on the 9th of July, met in the church, Carlton avenue, and duly constituted the church-16 males and 32 females being received from various churches. Messrs. N. W. Burtis, Josiah Widnell, and Harrison Teller, M. D., were chosen Elders, and John Rhodes and Ralph Hunt, Deacona.

Soon after the organization, the church engaged the ser- vices of the Rev. Roswell D. Hitchcock, D. D., who continued to occupy the pulpit until January, 1859. In the spring of 1858, the congregation had so increased that it was found necessary to enlarge tho accommodations, by extending the building toward DeKalb avenue, thus furnishing seats for some 750. On the termination of the services of Rev. Pro -. fessor Hitchcock, the Rev. Lyman Whiting, of Portsmouth, N. H., occupied the pulpit until August, 1859.

On the 7th of February, 1860, the Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler was unanimously elected Pastor, and, having accepted the call, entered upon the duties of Pastor on the 8th of April, and was installed by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, on Tues- day evening, April 24th.

In the spring of 1861, a new church edifice was commenced on the corner of Lafayette avenue and Oxford street, and was completed in March, 1862. The building is of Belleville free-stone, and in the Romanesque style; it is one hundred and forty-six feet in length, and eighty-six in width. The height of the spire is one hundred and ninety-five feet. The auditorium contains three hundred and four pews, and will accommodate 1,800 persons; with seats in the aisles it holds 2,300. Above the lecture- room and Pastor's study are spacious Sabbath-school rooms, ninety feet in length. The whole cost of the ground and of the edifice did not exceed $60,000.

After the completion of the new edifice, the name of the church organization was changed to that of the " Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church." Its present membership numbers 1,575.

"Olivet Mission" has a chapel on Bergen .street, near Sixth avenue, and a flourishing Sabbath-school. "Cumber- land Street Mission," long connected with this church, has been organized into the Fort Greene Presbyterian Church, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Dr. McClelland. Over one hundred members of the Lafayette Avenue Church were dismissed to form this organization, and "Calvary Chapel " was presented to them for their use.

The chapel erected as a memorial of the revival of 1866, in Warren street, near Fifth avenue, and opened in November ot that year, was organized into a church by the Presby- tery of Brooklyn in 1867, as the Memorial Presbyterian Church.

In the summer of 1881, a house near the church was pur- chased and taken down; and on its site, church parlors were erected. Over these, and over the lecture-room, a Sun- day-school room was added, 100 by 55 feet, with a seating capacity of 1,000. This was opened on Christmas, 1881. The cost of these improvements was $35,000.

Rev. THEODORE L. CUYLER, D. D., born in Aurora, N. Y., 1822; grad. Princeton Coll., 1841; Princeton Theol. Sem., 1846; located in Burlington, N. J .; Trenton, N. J .; New York city; came to B'klyn, April, 1860; author of Empty Crib, Thought Hives, Pointed Papers, Nite to Norway, Cedar Christian, Stray Arrows, Heart Life, etc .; also of published sermons; is widely known as a powerful worker in cause of temperance, and of Sunday-schools.

The Cumberland Street Chapel (near Myrtle avenue) was established in connection with Lafayette avenue Presbyterian Church, and was afterward erected into the Fort Greene Presbyterian Church.

The Genevan Presbyterian Church (Old School), Gates avenue, corner of Hunter street, was org, by the Presbytery of Nassau, June 12, 1856, under the name of the Greene Ave- nue Presbyterian Church, and so continued until June, A. D. 1864, when its place of worship was removed from Greene avenue, corner of Clermont avenue, to its present place, where

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

LAFAYETTE AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

1069

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

the church odifice was completed and dedicated, June 19, 1864, and at the request of the church, and by order of the presbytery, the title was changed to the name of the Genevan Presbyterian Church of Gates avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.

The first Pastor was Rev. William B. Lee; succeeded by Rer. Alonzo Clark, under whose pastorate a portion of the congregation formed a union with the Tompkins avenue Presbyterian Church. The remnant continued for a time to worship in the church on Gates avenue, but finally dis- banded.

The Ross Street Presbyterian Church (Old School) was org. April 28th, 1864, in the chapel of Christ Church, Division avenue, by the Presbytery of Nassau with forty-three mem- bers, of whom twenty seven were from the South Third street Presbyterian Church, and the remainder from the First Re- formed Dutch and first Presbyterian Churches. On the 15th of October, 1864, the Rev. Charles S. Pomeroy was duly in- stalled as Pastor. Lots were purchased for a church edifice on Ross street, between Lee and Bedford avenues, and also lots in the rear on Wilson street, for the erection of a chapel and Sabbath-school room. The chapel was completed and dedicated Sunday, May 14, 1865. Its size is eighty-five feet by forty; substantially built of brick and brown-stone, with a school-room upon the lower floor and an audience-room above, seating, with the galleries subsequently added, about six hundred. It was furnished with a fine large organ, and all the appointments of a modern church edifice. The expense of this chapel (furnished) and the ground, was about $35.000, free from debt. On June 5, 1871, the corner-stone was laid

ROSS STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

of an elegant church edifice, upon the lots belonging to them in Ress street, cor. of Wilson. It seats comfortably with boxes, 800; as originally with pews, 1,000. Mr. Pomeroy was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Mr. McGinley, who remained two years. Rev. Archibald McCullagh became Pastor March 17th, 1878. During his pastorate the church has been greatly prospered. It has a flourishing Sunday-school of 600 scholars.

The growth of the Ross Street Church has been rapid and healthful. Its present membership is 430. May, 1869, the Pastor and session organized a mission-school on the north side of the city in Grand street, as a branch of the home school, and conducted by members of the Ross Street Church. Mr. Frederick A. Thompson was the first superin- tendent.

Rev. ARCHIBALD MCCULLAGH was born in Armagh, Ireland, 1842; grad. Princeton Coll., 1868 ; and Princeton Theol.

Sem., 1871; was located Germantown and Plul., 1871-8; Brooklyn, 1878-'83.

First Presbyterian Church of Greenpoint (E. D.), Noble, cor. of Guernsey street, org. with fourteen members at a meet- ing held in May, 1869, at Masonic Hall, under the auspices of the Presbytery of Nassau. Lots were purchased for $10,- 000, on which they proceeded to build a neat one-story frame structure, thirty-five by seventy-five feet in size, seating up- wards of four hundred and fifty persons, and costing $4,000. It was dedicated July 18th, 1869. OFFICERS: Deacon, George Brinkerhoff; Elders, J. N. Stearns, David Joline; Trustees, D. H. Furbish, Henry Dixon, David Joline, George Campbell, John N. Stearns. A thriving Sunday-school, under the super- intendence of Mr. Stearns, was a feature in connection with this enterprise.

Christie Street Presbyterian Church, orgamized October 22d, 1854, by eighteen members from the South Third street Presbyterian Church.

Throop Avenue Presbyterian Church .- In 1852, a mission Sabbath-school was org. in a small room, cor. Throop avenue and Bartlett street, in a sparsely settled German neighbor- hood.

In 1854, the school removed to Broadway, between Flush- ing and Yates avenues, becoming known as the Broadway Mission Sunday-school. It increased in numbers, so that preaching and other religious services were maintained. Nov. 14th, 1861, the corner-stone of the Mission build- ing on Throop avenue, bet. Hopkins and Ellery streets, was laid, whither the school removed in 1862, assuming the name Throop Avenue Mission Sunday-school. The same month measures were taken to org. a Presby erian Church from the Mission, which was completed hy the Preshytery June 8th, 1862. The membership was 27, of whom 18 came from the Sunday-school, and 17 from the South Third Presbyterian Church. Rev. John Hancock was Pastor, from 1863 to Dec., 1866; Rev. John Lowrey, from May, 1867, to April, 1873. In 1867, a new edifice was built at the cor. of Throop and Willoughby avennes, on land given by ITon. Darwin R. James. It was intended as a temporary building only, and has since been twice enlarged, at a total expense of ahont $26,000, and seats about 900. (See engraving on following page.)

Rev. Lewis Ray Foote was installed Pastor, Dec. 21st, 1873, and still occupies the position. The church is prosper- ous, having 737 members, and annually expends more money upon benevolent work than for its own current expenses. It has under its care in the home Sunday-school, and in the two branch schools, 2,300 children.

Rev. LEWIS R. FOOTE, born in So. New Berlin, N. Y., 1844; grad. Hamilton Coll., 1869; and Union Theol. Sem., 1872; served as private in 61st N. Y. Vols .; wounded at Fair Oaks, and honorably discharged; located B'klyn, Nov., 1873.

Classon Avenue Church .- On December 10, 1866, the ses- sion of the First Presbyterian Church on Henry st., and of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, appointed a joint committee of two to inaugurate the movement for a new Presbyterian Church, in the section of the city now oc- cupied by the Classon Avenue Church. At the invitation of this committee, a number of gentlemen met on December 20th, at the residence of Mr. Olin W. Walbridge, on Down- iog st., when the organization of the new church was fully resolved upon. On January 27, 1867, church services were held morning and evening, and a Sunday-school was organ- ized in the building No. 174 Gates ave. Lots on the north- easterly corner of Classon ave. and Monroe st. were por- chased for $9,000, and a frame chapel was built, which was dedicated June 30th. On the 8th of July, the church was constituted by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, with 59 members.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

THROOP. AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (See previous page.)

Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, D. D., was unanimously chosen the first Pastor on December 3, 1867, and he was installed on the 26th of December. Ground was broken by the Pastor for the new edifice on May 13, 1868, the corner-stone was laid December 1, 1868, and the edifice was dedicated on Sunday, January 2, 1870. Previous to the completion of the church, the chapel was enlarged to its present size. A mission Sun- day-school was established on Atlantic ave. soon after the commencement of Dr. Duryea's pastorate. In 1879, the church purchased the building formerly occupied by Dr. Nyes' Church, corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic aves., and the mission school removed to this building, which has since been known as Duryea Chapel. On April 7, 1879, the pas- toral relations of Rev. Dr. Duryea were dissolved. Rev. David R. Frazer, D. D., was installed March 4th, 1880. Dur- ing his pastorate, the remaining mortgage debt of $28,000 was paid; and a large proportion of the pews, which had been held by individuals, were surrendered to the church. Rev. Dr. Frazer's pastorate terminated January 31, 1883.

"Dr. Leander T. Chamberlain accepted the call extended to him by the Classon Avenue Presbyterian Church to become its Pastor, and was settled in October, 1883.

The church in Classon ave. has a seating capacity of 1,500. It is elegantly finished inside, and free from debt. Its mem- bership is over 700. The Home Sunday-school and the Mis- sion Sunday-school, which hold their meetings in Duryea Chapel, on Clermont ave., are in a prosperous condition, un- der the able management of their respective superintendents, Messrs. E. B. Bartlett and E. P. Loomis. The membership of the latter school amounts to 400.

Dr. CHAMBERLAIN was born in Massachusetts about forty- five years ago. He received his classical training in Yale

College, where he delivered the valedictory oration. He went to Andover Theological Seminary, in Massachusetts, to prosecute his studies for the ministry. He enjoys a wide reputation for biblical scholarship and eloquence in the pulpit.

Memorial Presbyterian Church .- In the spring of 1866, a movement was set on foot by some members of the Lafay- ette Avenue Presbyterian Church, and others, resulting in the organization of a Sunday-school, which met for a time in a room on Baltic st. In the autumn following, the School took possession of a chapel which had been provided in War- ren st. (now Prospect place), near Sixth ave. Preaching ser- vices were occasionally held, the Rev. Mr. Mason, of East Tennessee, officiating for a time. February 19, 1867, a Board of Trustees was elected, and the chapel and properties were transferred to the Board, to be used for a Presbyterian Church. March 28, 1867, the Presbytery of Brooklyn (N. S.) met at the Chapel, and organized the Memorial Presbyterian Church, with 34 members, of whom the majority were from Lafayette Avenue Church. James Cruikshank, C. C. Mudge and Jacob S. Denman were elected Ruling Elders, while Ithamar DuBois and John H. Wilson constituted the first Board of Deacons.

Rev. Theodore S. Brown, of Plainfield, N. J., was installed as the first Pastor of the church April 23d, 1867; he remained for six years. During the year following Mr. Brown's resig- nation, services were maintained by supplies, the way not appearing clear for the calling of a Pastor adapted to the work. In June of 1874, the Rev. C. K. Jones was engaged as stated supply for one year, but retired from the work somewhat before the expiration of that time.

On the 1st of May, 1875, the Rev. Thomas Crowther, of Pittsfield, Mass., commenced liis labors. In the spring of

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

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MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

1877, he was dismissed at his own request. On the 22d of June, 1877, a call was extended to the Rev. T. A. Nelson, the present Pastor, who was then completing his studies in the Union Theological Seminary of New York. He began his lahors on the first Sabbath of August following, and was ordained and installed as Pastor on the evening of Wednes- day, Sept. 26, 1877.

The steady growth of the congregation rendering both a change of location and increase of accommodation desirable, a movement was inaugurated for the purchase of an eligible site and the erection of a new edifice, which resulted in the present property on the corner of Seventh ave. and St. John's place. Ground was broken for the present church edifice on the morning of March 13, 1882, and the corner-stone of the new building laid, with appropriate ceremony, on the 1st day of June following. On Sabbath morning, February 18, 1883, the church was first opened for worship.

The style is the pure Gothic of the early decorated period, which flourished in the beginning of the fourteenth century. The church is faced throughout with gray-rock Belleville stone, the windows having stone tracery throughout. The buttresses are surmounted by stone pinnacles; the parapets pierced with open tracery, and the roof is of blue slate, ridged

with ornamented terra cotta. The tower serves as a porch with double entrance, the other entrances being on Seventh ave. and St. John's place. The pews in the auditorium are circular in form, and the woodwork generally is of stained cherry. The dimensions of the structure are 95 by 67; the height to ridge, 47 feet; and to the apex of the spire, which is of stone, 117 feet high. There are seats for about 800 peo- ple in the edifice. It is proposed in the early future to build a chapel closely adjoining, for lecture-room and Sunday- school purposes.

Rev. THOMAS A. NELSON was born in Montreal, Canada. In early life he was engaged in the mercantile business in Indianapolis. In 1866, he entered Asbury University, to prepare for the ministry. He was Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. of Toledo, 1871-'4, when he entered the Union Theol. Sem., New York, graduating in May, 1877; and the follow- ing month he accepted a call to the Memorial Presbyterian Church of this city. His pulpit discourses are noted for clearness and precision of expression; he claims no advanced ideas in religious theory, but his mind is naturally liberal and his views cheerful. His earnest, sincere and manly characteristics have won the esteem of a large circle of friends.

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 103

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345