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 105

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 105


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The Young People's Association of the church numbers 300, and from it came the Y. P. B. Union, having selected organizations in all the Baptist churches in Brooklyn. The Sabbath-school (H. C. S. Jervis, Sup't) has 500 scholars, of whom 200 are in the Adult Bible Classes, and over 25 Chinese scholars.


Willoughby Avenue Baptist Church .- The first meeting of the Baptists of Bushwick was held April 5, 1854, for the pur- pose of organizing a Baptist Church in that vicinity. On April 25, 1854, a regular Board of Trustees was elected and incorporated, and the church was organized with 25 consti- tuent members, and known as the First Baptist Church of Bushwick. They purchased their first house of worship from the Episcopal Society, for $1,600, and occupied it for twelve years, when it became so dilapidated that they could use it no longer. They then moved temporarily to what was known as J. Whittlesey's Omnibus House, on 'B'way, (near the present Railroad engine house, near Sumner avenue,) which they occupied nearly one year. In the meantime, five lots were purchased on Willoughby ave., near Broadway (ninth Ward), on a portion of which the new church was crected and fitted up, at an expense of nearly $8,000. It is a framed structure, 74 by 35, one story in height, and capable of seating about four hundred persons. The interior is finished off in a neat and substantial manner, well heated and lighted, and in every respect well suited to the purpose to which it is devoted. In the rear of the main building is an extension, 14 feet deep, running entirely across, and divided into two apartments, the library and infant-class rooms respectively.


In May, 1866, they changed their name to Gethsemane Bap- tist Church; on Jan. 20, 1877, dedicated the new church building, situated on Willoughby avenue, near B'way ; on Jan., 1873, enlarged the building to about the present size; August 1878, changed the name to Willoughby Avenue Baptist Church. Sabbath-school was organized May 2, 1854, and re- organized Jan. 9, 1862; at dedication of the new Church, in 1867, numbered 164 scholars, and now numbers about 800 scholars. The church edifice is 65x65; extension, 20x65; is a frame building; its seating capacity 500; approximate cost, $10,000.


Nov. 19, 1882, a mission-school was opened at Ridgewood, which now numbers over 100; and steps have aheady been taken towards building a church in that neighborhood.


Pastors : S.las Ilsley, 1834; J. W. Daniels, 1856; W. H. Pendleton, 1857; J. B. Morse, 1861; G. W. Folwell, 1862; Matthew C. Kempsey, 1863; Beriah N. Leach, 1865; Henry S. Stevens, 1867; A. D. Gillette, 1872; A. Stewart Walsh, 1873; A. H. Burlingham, 1878; Geo. T. Stansbury, 1879; R. B. Montgomery, 1880-'84. Present membership of Church, 525.


First German Baptist Church of Williamsburgh was or- ganized 1853; recognized by council, Jan. 10, 1854. Jere- miah Grimmell had gathered the first members. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. Fasning who was Pastor for two years. It had grown to 70 members in 1873, when Rev. J. C. Grim-


mell was called, and the present house of worship on Mont- rose ave. was secured for a sum of $12,000. The church since then has grown to a membership of 310, besides giving letters of dismission to 60 members now forming the Har- rison Avenue German Baptist Church. Rev. Zachariah Martin entered upon the pastorate, Oct. 1, 1883.


The East Brooklyn Baptist Church (Bedford ave., north of Myrtle) was commenced by the labors of Rev. Mr. Wil- liams, and afterwards of Rev. Mr. Ballard, assembling first at the Academy, and subsequently at Temperance Hall, in Graham st .; was org. January 27, 1847.


In 1852, the church purchased three lots on Bedford ave., betw. Myrtle and Willoughby avenues, and erected thereon a church edifice, in the basement of which they commenced worship, Feb. 12, 1853. The edifice was completed and ded- icated on the 11th of October, 1855.


The following have been Pastors: Rev. William Hutchin- son, 1847; Rev. Henry Green, 1847; Rev. Arrie Haynes, 1848; Rev. W. J. Goodno, 1852; Rev. Stephen Remington, 1854, and the present Pastor, Hiram Hutchins, D. D., 1859.


Lefferts Park Mission is also under charge of this church.


The South Baptist Church .- A church with this name was org. with seventy members, principally from the First Baptist Church, in April, 1845; and a small lecture-room building erected on Livingston st. The church, however, dissolved in the fall of 1847.


The present South Baptist Church is the youngest Baptist Church of this city. At a meeting of the Lee Avenue Bap- tist Church, of which Rev. J. Hyatt Smith was Pastor, held January, 1882, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. N. B. Thompson, late of Newport, R. I. The call was ac- cepted at a meeting held February 23, 1882. The'Lee Ave- nue Baptist Church adjourned sine die. The body pres- ent, without Christian organization or name, was at once called to order; and, upon the election of proper officers for such a meeting, the same body at once declared themselves by vote and the permission of the Law of the State as the South Bap. Church of Brooklyn. Services were held in the building on Lee ave. until July, when the church held service in the chapel of All Souls' Universalist Ch. until Sept. Then Knickerbocker Hall, on Clymer st., near Bedford ave., was se- cured, where the church continued to worship. In the mean- time, the property of the Fifth Bap. Ch., corner of Hooper st. and Harrison ave. was purchased and occupied Sept. 1, 1883. The building is of stone, substantially built; will seat about 500 people. It cost the South Church $3,200. There are 336 names on church roll, and a Sunday-school of nearly 200 members.


The Central Baptist Church, Bridge st., between Myrtle ave. and Willoughby st., was org. 4th of October, 1847, with 90 members, a Sabbath-school having been formed, and preaching services and prayer-meetings sustained since the early part of the preceding spring. The congregation, which had previously occupied the second floor of "Granada Hall," on Myrtle avc., between Bridge and Duffield sts., secured during its first year the lots which it now occupies, and erec- ted a lecture room, sixty-two by thirty-two feet, at the rear of the property; the main building, fifty-eight by sixty-eight feet, being finished about the end of the second year, the whole costing about $18,000.


John Wesley Searles, D. D. was Pastor of this church till 1879. Rev. Theo. A. K. Gessler assumed the pastorate Jan. 1, 1880; since which time about one hundred persons have been added to the membership of the church. During the summer of 1882 the church building and lecture-room were improved and enlarged, at an expense of about $5,000; and the present estimated value of the property is $35, 000.


ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.


1077


CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH, E. D. (See page 1081).


No. of scholars in Sunday-school, 260; No. of officers and teachers, 31.


Rev. THEODORE A. K. GESSLER was born in Phila., 1841; grad. Lewisburg Univ., 1864; Pres. N. J. Bapt. S. S. Union, 1874-'80; located at West Farms, N. Y., 1864-'68; Elizabeth, N. J., 1868-'80; enlisted in invasion of Pa., 1863.


The Strong Place Baptist Church .- In the month of October, 1847, some of the residents in South Brooklyn, then a rapidly growing section of the city, established a Sunday- school in a vacant house on Degraw st., near Columbia. Among them were Wm. M. Price, Truman Richards, Dr. A. C. Burke, Mrs. D. P. Richards, Mrs. A. T. and Miss M. Downer; and Mr. Geo. M. Vanderlip, a licentiate of the Oliver St. B. Ch. and student in the University of New York, preached for them during the year 1848. In Oct., 1848, the church was duly org., with Edwin C. Burt, James E. South- worth and E. Darwin Littlefield as trustees. This was the beginning of the Strong Place Baptist Church, the organiza- tion of which was completed in 1849. Most of the members at its organization were from the Pierrepont Street Baptist Church. In that year, a lecture-room, on the corner of Strong place and Degraw st., was so far completed that ser- vices were held therein in January, 1849. This continued to be the place of worship till - 1856, when the present church


edifice was erected in front of the lecture- room, which was enlarged. This church is a brown-stone structure, finished in the Gothic style. The church has no debt.


In 1858, a number of members of this church were dismissed, to form the Greenwood Bap- tist Church, and in 1862, fifty-five were dis- missed to participate in the formation of the Tabernacle Baptist Church.


The first Pastor was Rev. E. E. L. Taylor, in Nov. 1848, who resigned, on account of ill health, after serving the church efficiently during many years. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Wayland Hoyt, who remained six years, and was followed by Galusha Ander- son, D. D., who resigned, after a pastorate of three years. Mr. Hoyt then became Pastor again.


In Feb., 1883, Rev. T. H. Kerfoot, D. D., accepted a unanimous call. During the nine years Rev. Dr. Kerfoot has been actively engaged in the work of the ministry, he has acquired a national reputation as a learned and eloquent preacher; and, from the outset of his career, he has exerted an influence of more than ordinary weight in the denomi- nation of which he is now conceded to be one of the leaders. He has been honored by being elected President of the Southern Bap- tist Conventiou. During his five years' labors in Baltimore the Eutaw Church grew so rapidly that two new churches were sent out, and great success attended his efforts in other directions.


The Strong Place Church is large and influ- ential, having a membership of 900 persons, and there are no pecuniary incumbrances on its property. It has a large and well organ- ized Sunday-school, and in addition to other beneficent works the members of the Strong Place Church contribute the money necessary for the maintenance of the Carroll Park Mis- sion Chapel. 1


Strong Place (formerly known as Carroll St.) Mission was established by this church at an early day. The Chapel of the Mission, on Carroll st., near Hoyt, was dedicated on the 17th of January, 1864. It is a Gothic structure of brick, cap. able of holding 500 persons. Its arrangements are for con- venience rather than architectural beauty. Its cost was $6,400, and it was dedicated free from debt.


The Washington Avenue Baptist Church originated in the efforts of Deacon Hepburn Clark, at whose house meetings were first held. In 1851, the property of a Dutch Reformed Church, on the corner of Washington and Gates aves., was purchased for $7,000, and the church was fully organized in December of that year. A church edifice was erected adjoin- ing the lecture-room in which the church had worshiped, and it was dedicated in February, 1860. In 1865, the old lec- ture-room was taken down, and in its place was erected a chapel combining Sunday-school room, church parlor and other rooms. In addition to their own Sunday-school this church has supported the Van Buren St. and the Herkimer St. Mission Schools.


In 1873-'4, the exterior of the church building was com- pleted, by the erection of two graceful spires; and, since that time, much has been expended in beautifying the interior of the church. The structure has a seating capacity of 1,650.


1078


HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.


WASHINGTON AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.


The church has no debt, and during many years it has dis- pensed large sums for charitable and benevolent purposes. Its donations sometimes reach the amount of $100,000 in a year.


In 1872, the Marcy Avenue Mission was established by this church, and it soon became an independent church.


In April, 1881, a colony from this church was organized as the Emmanuel Baptist Church.


Ministry: Rev. J. L. Hodge, Sept., 185?, to Dec., 1856; Rev. Courtland D. Anable, Dec. 11, 1856, to March 1, 1864; Rev. David Moore, Jr., March 1, 1864-'77; Rev. Emory J. Haynes, 1877-'84.


Rev. EMORY J. HAYNES, born at Cabot, Vt., 1846; grad. Wesleyan Univ., 1867; special four year course in theol .; Author of Are These Things So? and The Fairest of Three; located at Norwich, Ct., Fall River, B'klyn, 1872-'84.


The Tabernacle Baptist Church was organized June 26, 1862. It occupied the edifice on the corner of Rapelyea and Hicks sts., until it built the structure now standing on the corner of 3d place and Clinton st. The first Pastor was Rev. T. Edwin Brown, D. D., from November, 1862, to October, 1869. Rev. A. C. Osborn, D. D., December, 1869, to October, 1873; May, 1874, to April, 1878, Rev. Thomas Rambaut, D. D. December, 1878, the present Pastor, Rev. Frank Rogers Morse, D. D., assumed charge of the church.


Since its organization this church has had connected with its membership nearly 1,400 different persons; and it has raised, for all purposes, nearly $200,000. It has always sus- tained a large and flourishing Sunday-school. For many years its superintendent has been Deacon Theodore Shotwell, a well-knowu citizen of our city. The President of its Board of Trustees is George B. Forrester, Esq., a prominent Baptist layman, and a risiug business man.


Rev. FRANK ROGERS MORSE, born in Warner, N. H., 1839; grad. Dartmouth Coll., 1861; Newton Theol. Sem., Mass., 1865; previous locations, Cambridge, Lowell, Fall River, Al- hany; is editor-in-cluef of N. Y. Watch Tower; came to B'klyn, 1878.


Hanson Place Baptist Church .- In the latter part of 1853, a Sunday-school was commenced in a vacant store on the south side of Atlantic ave., near Nevins street. From this beginning resulted the Atlantic Street Baptist Church, which was organized June 18, 1854, with twenty-five members. The congregation immediately proceeded to erect a chapel on Atlantic st., near Powers, at a cost, including site, of $6,000. It was dedicated May 1, 1855. It was a brick structure, with 300 sittings.


Four years later lots were purchased at the corner of Han- son place and Portland ave., and a large structure was erected there. It was dedicated in November, 1860. On its removal to its new location, the congregation assumed its present name of Hanson Place Baptist Church.


To enlarge the auditorium the partition walls between it and the lecture and Sunday-school rooms were removed, the floors were lowered, and galleries were constructed, and the audience-room is now capable of seating 2,000 persons. A lecture and Sunday-school room stand on the easterly side of the house, and connected with it.


The first Pastor was Rev. Marvin C. Hodge, who entered on his labors in November, 1854. His successors have been Revs. Robert Lowry, 1861; George F. Pentecost, 1869; Justin D. Fulton, D. D., 1873; Alexander McFarlane, 1877, and Henry M. Gallaher, L L. D., 1879, who resigned in 1883.


Greenwood Baptist Church .- In 1856, Rev. Herry Brom- ley, a missionary from Strong Place Baptist Church, with a few co-laborers, opened a Sunday-school and established religious services in a ball on Third ave. Their work was so successful that, on the 28th of September, 1858, thirty-one persons united in a church organization, under the name of the Greenwood Baptist Church.


Rev. H. T. Love was chosen Pastor; followed, December 5, 1859, by Rev. E. H. Page. Ground was bought on 15th st. and Fourth ave., and the erection of the present lecture- room begun. September, 1, 1864, Rev. A. P. Graves became Pastor; succeeded, March, 1, 1867, by Rev. A. G. Lawson, who still remains. A brick chapel on 15th st. was dedicated in April, 1863; and the growth of the church was such that the corner-stone of a new edifice was laid August 4, 1874, which was dedicated, February 22, 1875. It is located on 4th ave. and 15th st., and is built of brick, trimmed with Coignet stone; the auditorium is 70 by 72 feet, semi-circular, with howled floor, and a seating capacity of about 800. The entire property, 2 buildings and ground, 100x235 feet, is free from debt, and valued at $70,000.


From 1 school and 87 scholars, there are now 3 schools and 1,000 connected; from 31 members, the church has grown to 700, and only 20 non-resident. In 25 years but one officer has died. Of 31 constituent members, 23 now live, and in the 25 years only 71 have died; less than 3 a year, with an average membership of over 400.


The church is noted for its steady growth, its temperance and missionary work; Dr. Lawson, the Pastor, being especially active as a temperance editor and speaker.


Rev. ALBERT G. LAWSON, D. D., born at New Hamburgh, N. Y., June, 1842 ; was Sec. Bapt. Nat'l Conference, 1882; Clerk L. I. Bapt. Assn., 1869-'83 ; Moderator, 1873; located at Perth Amboy, 1862-'6 ; Po'keepsie, 1866-'7; B'klyn, 1867-'83; author of Church Temperance Work, 1877; The Holy Spirit, 1880 ; Ambition in the Ministry, 1883; is temp. Ed. of Na- tional Bapt., Phila.


Clinton Avenue Baptist Church (near Myrtle ave.) owes its origin to the benevolence of the late Wm. D. Mangam, a successful and liberal merchant of New York, who died at his residence on Clinton ave., April 3, 1868. His life, after his conversion, was marked by the noblest generosity to-


ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.


1079


Afuss ENE CON.Y.


GREENWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH. (See previous page).


wards all religious and charitable causes; and, hearing about 1867, that a lady of Brooklyn had offered to the Baptist de- nomination a valuable lot on Clinton ave., if they wouldl build a chapel thereon, Mr. M. bought eight lots adjoining, and at once proceeded to build a chapel. It was his purpose to erect the main church edifice, with the proceeds of his business, on the lots adjoining the chapel, and towards this he worked diligently and energetically, but death claimed him before his work was completed. His family, however, took up the work he had commenced, and finished the chapel, which is one of the most complete in the country, being a brick structure, 50 hy 90 feet in size, with brown- stone trimmings, and of remarkable simplicity and beauty of finish. Its cost, including that of grounds, was $70,000. Rev. E. T. Hiscox, D. D., was Pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. S. H. Pratt.


By reason of an imperfection in the title, the church lost its property, and disbanded. The mem- bers united with others from the Hanson Place Baptist Church, and formed the Centennial Baptist Church, which was organized December 14, 1875, with 185 members. The present Pastor, J. D. Fulton, D. D., was called and entered upon his duties January 1, 1876.


The property on Clinton ave. was purchased, and here the congregation worshiped till 1879, when the Brooklyn Rink, on Clermont ave., near Myrtle (the cost of which was $127,000), was purchased for $50,000, and fitted up for a free house of worship, at an expense of $9,000. It was dedicated in December of that year.


Rev. JUSTIN D. FULTON, D. D., came to Brooklyn, in 1873, as Pastor of the Hanson Place Church. Having his own views as to the manner of reaching the people, and not meeting with the favor which he desired, he resigned and org. the Centennial Baptist Church. In 1879, tho Rink was bought and refitted for a place of worship. The church numbers 500 members, the Sahbath-school about the same. The work of the church is supported entirely by voluntary contributions.


Sands Street Mission. In 1858, Peter Balen hired a room over a cooper's shop, in John st., near Bridge, and established a mis- sion school there. The mission was taken in charge by the Pierrepont Street Baptist Church, and, after two years, was removed to a house in Prospect st., that had been used as a dance-house.


It then took the name of Prospect Street Mission. In the midst of vile surroundings, the mission continued its work till 1868, when the building was sold to the Board of Education, and the children were taken to the church school, cor. Pierrepont and Clinton sts.


In 1869, Rev. John Toomath, a blind man, who had been a missionary here since 1862, engaged a room in Sands st., that had been used as a lager beer and billiard saloon ; and the mission was removed to this place, where it has since continued.


The Superintendents of this mission, from the first, have been : John L. Plummer, Thomas Vernon, Isaac Davis, J. Leland, Richard Oliver, E. H. Loud, E. Sniffen, W. R. Anderson, W. J. Oliver, J. Schriever, and the present Sup't, Richard Oliver.


Herkimer Street Baptist Church originated in a Sunday- school that was established by Washington Avenue Church, in Fulton st., near Troy ave., about 1861. A chapel was crected for this mission at the corner of Troy ave. and Her- kimer st., and in this the Herkimer Street Baptist Church was organized in 1865. In the summer of 1876, this chapel was enlarged to meet the growing wants of the congrega- tion, and it now has a seating capacity of 435. It is a wooden structure on a brick basement.


The Pastors of this church have been: Revs. - Giscard, --- Baker, D.D., Henry Waring, Wm. Reid and John Evans.


Rev. WILLIAM REID, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, 1812; grad. 1839, Conn. Literary Institution; located at Wethers- field, 1839-'40; Tariffville, 1840-'44; Bridgeport, 1845-'54; New London, 1854-'61; Greenpoint, 1861-'7; New York, 1867-'75; Brooklyn, 1876-'83.


CENTENNIAL BAPTIST CHURCHI.


1080


HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.


SIXTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.


Sixth Avenue Baptist Church .- The nucleus of this church was a mission Sunday-school, which was established in 1864, at 195 Flatbush ave., by a few members of the Hansen Place Baptist Church. Soon afterward, two lots on the corner of Sixth ave. and Lincoln place were purchased, at a cost of $4,000, and a chapel was erected at an expense, including furniture, of abont $6,000. Preaching was added to the Sun- day-school services, and Rev. Henry Bromley became preacher and missionary.


January 16, 1872, the church was organized with 43 mem- mers; and re-organized Feb. 8, 1872.


Pastors : J. B. Cleaver, Feb. 12, 1872, to Oct. 23, 1874; Rev. Rufus B. Kelsay (the present pastor), D. D., Nov. 1, 1875. The present edifice commenced March 17, 1880; ded. Dec. 28, 1880; of brick, with stone trimmings, 100 by 110 feet, and seating 650 persons; value. $55,000. Present membership, 260. The Sunday-school, org. 1865; has 37 officers and teachers; 400 scholars on the roll; average attendance, 251; 566 vols. in library.


Rev. R. B. KELSAY, D. D., born in New Jersey, 1842; studied with Rev. Samuel Haren, and theology with Rev. Daniel Kelsay; previous locations, Meadville, 1864-'7; Balti- more, 1867-'70; Albany, 1870-'2; Passaic, 1872-'5; came to Brooklyn in 1875; in late war, was captain for short time.


Marcy Avenue Baptist Church .- When the Washington Avenue Baptist Church had appointed a committee to survey the field and look out for a favorable opening to begin a new enterprise in the then Twenty-first Ward, the Central Con- gregational Church intimated a willingness to convey their mission interest to the Baptists. The property, corner of Marcy ave. and Monroe st., consisting of lots 50x190 feet, with the chapel and Sunday-school furniture, was conveyed to the Washington Avenne Baptist Church, for $5,000.


Mr. Theodore M. Banta became superintendent of the mis- sion. The first regular session of school was held on the 7th day of July, 1872, with 9 teachers and officers and 55 scholars.


On Tuesday evening, July 2, 1872, the first prayer-meeting was held. The services were conducted by Rev. A. A. Pin- ney, and the following were present, namely: Henry A. Caldwell, Garret Ditmars, H. B. Porter, Wm. S. Durbrow, Wm. C. Chapman, Theodore M. Banta, L. P. Brockett, Geo. R. Graves, Myron Tanner, and George S. Farmer, the six first- named becoming identified as members with the church sub- quently organized. September 29th, 1872, preaching services were held for the first time by Rev. Dr. Moore, of the Wash-


ington Avenue Baptist Church. January, 1873, arrange- ments were made with Rev. J. A. Appleton to preach every Sabbath evening until the first of May. Subsequently, Brother Delavan De Wolf, was engaged for six months to preach every Sabbath evening, and take general charge of the interest. In October, 1873, the prospects appeared sufficiently encouraging to warrant the formation of a church. On the evening of November 10, 1873, a meeting was held, whereat forty-five persons presented letters of dismission from various Baptist churches (twenty-seven being from Washington Avenue Church).


An organization was effected under the name of the Marcy Avenue Baptist Church of Brooklyn; and, at an adjourned meeting, held one week subsequently, Brethren Edwin Ives, Garret Ditmars, and William B. Fox were elected Deacons. H. A. Caldwell was elected Treasurer, and Rollin O. Smith, clerk. December 2, 1873, an election for Trustees was held, whereat the following-named persons were chosen: Henry A. Caldwell, John Hills, John T. Davies, Chas. B. Wyckoff, and Theodore M. Banta.


At a meeting held December 8, 1873, to consider the subject of calling a Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeffery received the unanimous vote of all present, and he entered upon the pastorate the following Sabbath, December 14, 1873.




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