USA > New York > The earliest churches of New York and its vicinity > Part 12
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
175
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
tor .* This separation was made in April, 1809, by the presbytery. The venerable Dr. Rodgers, now bowed down by the burden of many years, still continued his pastoral duties, both to the Wall Street and Brick Churches. Dr. MeKnight had resigned his charge, the presbytery consenting. Dr. Miller remained the colle- giate pastor of Wall only, and Dr. Milledoler was the only minister of the Rutgers street congregation. Four years afterwards he resigned his charge, and became co-pastor of the Collegiate Dutch Reformed Churches in our city, and subsequently the president of Rutgers Col- lege. The Rutgers Street Church remained without a regular minister until October 17, 1815, when Alexander Mcclellan, afterwards Doctor, was ordained and installed its pastor. The Doctor, elected a professor in Dickinson College, was succeeded in Rutgers street by Roy. Thomas McAuly, August, 1822, and he was followed by the pres- ent well known, beloved. able, and useful Dr. John M. Krebs. His pions labors have been greatly prospered in that portion of our growing city, and in 1841-2, the pres- ent large stone house of worship was erected on the site of the old one.+ In the year 1790 the Rev. James Reid visited the United States. on a mission from the Reformed Presbytery in Scotland. Reaching New York, he be- came the guest of Mr. John Agnew, whose excellent and pious family then resided at Peck Slip. In early life this gentleman had united with the Reformed Presbyte- rian Church, Ireland. and now joyfully opened his doors to the preaching of the new missionary. He baptized
* Dr. Miller.
{ This congregation has recently removed to the upper part of the city.
176
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
two children, William Agnew, afterwards a ruling elder in the church, and Mary Ann, then five months old, but subsequently Mrs. Dr. McLeod, the wife and the mother of the only pastors who have ever labored in this church of which we are now writing. Mr. Agnew died in 1820, aged sixty-eight, both parents closing lives of eminent Christian consistency, and leaving children and chil- dren's children walking in the truth. "The righteous shall be held in everlasting remembrance ;" and this was the commencement of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in New York. Mr. James Donaldson, also a native of Scotland, united with the pious little band. Mr. Reid, after his return to Scotland, lived to nearly eighty, con- tinuing to preach even after afflicted with the loss of sight, until, full of years and blessings, he ended a well- spent life. Forty years after he left New York the late Dr. McLeod visited him in Scotland.
In April, 1793, the Rev. Mr. Mckinney arrived from Ireland-an ardent friend of civil and religious liberty. His preaching attracted much attention, when Mr. Andrew Gifford, a member of the Scotch Presbyterian Church under Dr. John Mason's charge, cast in his lot with this infant society. For many years he was clerk of the session, surviving all its original members.
Soon after this, Messrs. Currie, Smith, Nelson, and Clark, landing in New York, all members of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church, acceded to this society, when the regular Church session commenced, June, 1708. In August following, for the first time, the sacra- ment of the Lord's Super was administered to fifteen or twenty communicants, in a school-room in Cedar street
177
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
-the Revs. Mr. Mckinney and Gibson the officiating clergymen. Among those present on this occasion was Alexander, afterwards the Rev. Dr. MeLeod. There is an entry, by Mr. Gifford, in an old book of records of this kind, July 10, 1799 : "The following subscription is in- tended for cach Sabbath that we have sermon: John Agnew, one dollar ; Andrew Gifford, fifty cents ; James Donaldson. three shillings; Duncan Campbell, twenty- five cents : James Nelson, twenty-five cents; David Clark, twenty-five conts; Samuel Radcliff, twenty-five cents ; John Thomson, twenty-five cents; Mr. Boggs, twenty-five cents ; Hugh Small, twenty-five cents ; James Smith, twenty-five cents ; William Tait, twenty- five cents ; Mr. Fisher, twenty-five cents ; W. Acheson, twenty-five cents ; Betty, sixpence; Letty, sixpence." Betty was Elizabeth Wilson, a very pious domestic in Mr. Agnew's life. Such humble Christian females have al- ways been found in Christ's flock, sharing with the Mas- ter's followers their seanty carnings, and preparing for the heavenly state where all earthly distinctions fade away. Some years after, we find these same persons giving their tens and hundreds towards the erection of God's house.
July 6. 1801, marks an era in the history of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church, New York. On this day, Alexander MeLeod was ordained and installed pastor of the united congregations at Wallkill and New York. The committee meeting on this occasion were John Black, William Gibson, and Samuel B. Wylie, minis- ters ; Andrew Gifford and Robert Beatty, ruling ellers. "On the article of sturdy. Mr. Beatty promised to have the freedom of the three negroes belonging to him 12
178
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
registered in the county court as soon as may be, viz., Sally and Candace at the age of twenty-five years, and Dick at the age of twenty-eight."
Mr. McLeod had a previous call to Wallkill, but among the subscribers to it were holders of slaves, and with such he was unwilling to commune. The Presby- tery, considering the subject, "enacted that no slave- holder should be retained in their communion." The account adds: "No slaveholder has since been admit- ted to the communion of the Reformed Presbyterian Church."* In the year 1802, Mr. McLeod published his sermon, "Negro Slavery Unjustifiable," producing, it is said, an impression in favor of emancipation.
The two congregations at New York and Wallkill, or Coldenham, engaged to pay Mr. McLeod a salary of four hundred and eighty-eight dollars annually, but at the expiration of three years he selected New York as the only field of his labers. The church here now contained about thirty members, and they met for religious ser- vices in a small room on Cedar street. Soon after, a neat and commodious frame church was erected in Chambers street, and prosperity followed the undertaking. In 1805, the session was increased by the addition of Dr. Samuel Guthrie, Hugh Orr, and William AAcheson, as ruling elders. At the close of 1812, the congregation numbered one hundred and thirty-eight communicants, when John Edgar and William Pattison were added to the session, with Mr. Thomas Cumming in 1817.
.
This edifice, now too small, was taken down, and a large brick one erected on its site in the year 1818. Dr. * Rev. Dr. McLeod's discourse, "The Stone of Help," December 26, 1817.
-11
179
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
McLeod had continued to labor with all diligence in his sacred calling ; he had composed. also, and published his "Ecclesiastical Catechism," "Lectures on the Pro- phecies," "Sermons on the War," and "Discourses on the Life and Power of True Godliness." These were productions of great mental power and theological knowledge, blessed to many readers.
Opposite the church stood the old City Alms House, with many destitute children ; a member of this congre- gation commeneed a Sabbath-school among them. She was a widow lady by the name of Grant Bossing, and this must have been one of the earliest religious institu- tions of the kind in our city. Her name should be grate- fully remembered and recorded.
During the year 1827, some members of this congre- gation purchased the Reformed Dutch Church in Green- wich Village, as then called, to accommodate the people residing in that region. Dr. MeLeod opened it for di- vine service, and this became the Second Reformed Presbyterian Church in New York. There was, how- ever, some opposition to the measure, and during its discussion, Dr. MeLeod, whose health had become im- paired, sailed for Europe. On his return. both congre- gations, now legally organized, offered him the choice of either for his future labors, when he decided to re- main with the old body, in December, 1830.
About 18:2-3, the storm of Secession disturbed the whole Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States, concerning which it is not necessary for us to enter into the details. A minority of this congregation seceded, forming a separate organization, and com
180
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
mencing suit for the possession of the property. But they were unsuccessful, and the congregation settled the difference by voluntarily paying a sum of money to the "Seceders," to end the unprofitable controversy. Dr. McLeod and people had always acted on the defensive, and although their faith and patience were severely tried, mutual confidence and love again appeared and continued among the old flock.
On the first Sabbath in December, 1832, Dr. McLeod made his last public appearance, having preached during the previous three months two discourses, on successive Sabbaths, from the impressive words, "To die is gain."
The last time he addressed his people was the Com- munion Sabbath, and the occasion is engraven on many hearts. "I never rose," said the preacher, "to speak to saints and sinners in the name of Jesus Christ without fear and trembling. How much more do I now tremble, under this load of infirmity, by which I am admonished that my work is nearly done." He spoke most impres- sively of the "Tree of Life," and suddenly closed, after distributing the symbols of our Saviour's death, by ad- monishing all to make sure of Heaven, and added : "But I feel that my labors in the sanctuary below are about to close. I shall soon go away to eat the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise above." Two months after, on another Sabbath morning, from his dying bed, he blessed his family around him, in the name of the Lord, then prayed, and fixing his last look on his pious and beloved wife, watching at his side, said, distinctly, " It is the Sabbath, and I am at peace," and then fell asleep in Christ, February 17th, 1833,
181
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
aged fifty-eight years, and in the thirty-fourth of his ministry.
Dr. McLeod was the first pastor of this church, whose pulpit has not been vacant for almost sixty-one years. He was born on the Island of Mull, Scotland, June 12th, 1774, his father and maternal grandfather ministers in the Church of Scotland. His father's parish, the Rev. Neal McLeod, embraced the celebrated Island of Iona, where Columba taught a pure faith and Gospel more than twelve centuries before ! Dr. Johnson, in his visit to the Hebrides, called at the house of Neal McLeod, and pronounced him the "clearest headed man in the Highlands." Ilis son Alexander, deprived early by death of both parents, resolved to make the New World his home, reaching New York in 1792. Then eighteen years old, he went to Schenectady, on the opening of Union College, 1798, and graduated with honor. On the 24th of June, 1799, he was licensed by the Presby- tery to preach at Coldenham, New York, and in 1801 was installed at New York. We have spoken of his writings, which are elaborate, and among the reprints of our day. Ardently attached to his own Church, still he co-operated with good men in good works, and stood fore- most among the literary men and pulpit orators of his day.
The degree of D. D. was confered upon him by the University of Vermont, and the honorary one of M. D. offered to him from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons. This he declined, lest. as he remarked, "he might be led away from his proper work." Hle also received formal calls to the Reformed Dutch
182
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
Church in Garden street, the Wall street and the : Rutgers street congregations ; but he declined theni all. In 1812, he was elected vice-president of the College of New Jersey, and subsequently, with Dr. Wylie, of Philadelphia, and Romeyn, New York, was invited to take charge of Dickinson College, Pennsylvania. But he would not leave his pulpit, with its important, sol- emn duties.
It is worthy of remembrance that Dr. McLeod, in the year 1816, visited Washington, and prepared the way to organize the American Colonization Society. He wrote the Constitution. What untold blessings would be se- cured to two continents and their myriad populations, if our Negro race, now causing, remotely, such horrors and bloodshed among us, could have been sent to Africa by this noble philanthropy : Dr. MeLeod departed this life, his work done, in faith, love, and hope, February 17th, 1833, aged fifty-nine, and the thirty-fourth of his ministry. He rests in Greenwood, where his congregation have erected a suitable monument to his beloved memory.
Mr. John Agnew, one of the first ruling elders of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, was also a good and remarkable man, by birth an Irishman, a descendant of the Covenanters from the earlier times. A merchant in Belfast, he had been severely fined by the magistrate, when taking an oath, for not " kissing the book." His windows had been also broken by the mob, because he would not illuminate them for some victory of the Brit- ish over the American forces. He disliked the English rule of Ireland, and sympathizing with our land, he sought an asylum in New York, 1783. Mr. Agnew
1
183
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
possessed intelligence, sound judgment, and picty. From' principle, he devoted a tenth of his income to the promotion of God's service, besides other voluntary benefactions. "You are going to leave us," said Dr. McLeod, his son-in-law, just before he expired. "I am," replied the dying man; "and I am going to a bet- ter country." "Do you know the way ?" added the Doctor. "Yes," he answered, "as well as I know the way to the Coffee House" (the name of the old Ex- change).
Mr. Andrew Gifford was another member of the origi- nal session of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church in New York. He was born at Loanhead, near Edin- burgh, and came to America before the formation of the Federal Constitution. A man of lovely character, he was intelligent, judicious, devout, and highly useful in the judicatories of the Church. He was liberal with his means, walking with God, and preparing for the life to come. He died in the Lord, at the advanced age of eighty-four, having lived a life of Christian consistency.
James Nelson, also one of the earliest elders, was born in Ireland, and had been a ruling elder there. He was greatly attached to his Church, and served her faithfully ; stern, but softened with increasing years, he sought to do good with all men. Also reaching old age, he departed in the joyful hopes of the Gospel. Mr. Nelson was the father of Joseph Nelson, LL. D., for many years, though blind, the well-known classical teacher in New York city. His scholars were always among the best prepared for college. Ultimately, he occupied the professorship of languages in Rutgers College, New Jersey.
1
184
EARLIEST CHURCHLES IN NEW YORK.
To complete the list of the original session of the first Reformed Presbyterian Church, we must add the name of David Clark. He was a Scotchman, lived nearly forty years in New York, and died in 1836, "as a shock of corn ripe in its season." For some time after his settlement, Dr. A. MeLeod made his home under the hospitable roof of Mr. Clark, and they remained devoted friends until death. In his will, he left one thousand dollars to the trustees of the church, in trust, for the sup- port of the Gospel, and "though dead," he thus speakethi, and does good.
A few weeks before the death of Dr. A. McLeod, the congregation called his son, the Rev. John N. McLeod, as colleague with his father. He remains to this time its faithful pastor. In the year 1835, the congregation removed from Chambers to the Union Presbyterian Church, on Prince and Marion streets. This congrega- tion, since its establishment in New York, has main- tained itself in good feeling with the others around it. The father and the son have been its two ministers, the former serving his generation for more than thirty-three years, and the latter thirty-two. This is a beautiful coincidence in relationship and the sacred office, and, amidst the never-ceasing changes of our great city. such an example of stability in the pastoral relations is very seldom known. We do not remember a similar instance in the history of the hundreds of New York churches.
In the year 1819, the congregation sold their church property in Prince street, and created a new, fine house of worship on Twelfth street, and without any encum-
185
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
brance, a circumstance that can be so seldom written about our city churches. There have been three off- shoots, between the years 1848 and 1834, from this congregation, but made at periods not embraced in our plan.
186
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK:
CHAPTER XVII.
ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FORMED BY REV. MR. BEVERIDGE, 1785, AND HOUSE ERECTED ON NASSAU STREET-IHIS SUCCESSORS UNITE WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MINISTERS -- MAGAZINE STREEP CHURCH, AFTERWARDS PEARL-ITS FIRST PASTOR, REV. ROBERT FOREST-HIS SUCCESSORS, JOHN CLARK, WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS, WALTER MONTEITHI, BENJAMIN RICE, HENRY A. ROWLAND, CHARLES H. READ-CHURCH BURNED AND REBUILT- BAPTIST CHURCH COMMENCED, 1762-ITS FOUNDERS-ELDER GANO -GOLD STREET CHURCH TURNED INTO A STABLE FOR THE BRITISH CAVALRY-MINISTERS-NEW STONE CHURCH BUILT 1802-SLAVERY QUESTION - NEW CONGREGATION FORMED ON ROSE STREET-REV. MR. PARKINSON --- NEW CHURCH BUILT ON BROOME AND ELM STREETS, REV. DR. CONE, PASTOR- CHURCHES SPRUNG FROM GOLD STREET CONGREGATION.
Tins first Associate Presbyterian Church in our city was formed by the Rev. Thomas Beveridge, in the spring of 1785, and he afterwards settled at Cambridge, New York, and died at Barnet, Vermont, July 23, 1798. For this congregation, a house of worship was erected in 1787, on Nassau street, near Fulton. Its first pastor, the Rev. John Cree, was installed October 12, 1792, and remain- ing only two years, he removed to Pennsylvania. For eight years, this congregation remained without any pastor, when, carly in 1821, the Rev. Andrew Stark was appointed by the Presbytery to supply the vacancy, and installed in May, 1820. Two years afterwards, this congregation sold their house of worship in Nassau
187
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
street, and erected a new one on the corner of Grand and Mercer streets, to which they removed in August, 1824. There were two other branches of the Associate Church, one on the corner of Thompson and Prince, and the other at the corner of Houston and Forsyth streets.
In May, 1822, the three "Associate Reformed" Churches of New York. with nine others elsewhere, belonging to the same Synod, united with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Several years now passed away, during which period there was no Associate Reformed congregation in New York. In the year 1831, however, the Rev. William MeAuley col- lected and organized "the Fourth Associate Reformed Church." Its members held their first meeting October, 1831, in the Rutgers Medical College, Duane street, and afterwards purchased the house of worship on Franklin, near Varick street, 1837. Here labored, with much acceptance and success, the Rev. James Lillie and the Rev. William McLaren. The "Fifth Associate Re- formed Church" was founded November, 1838, chiefly through the efforts of the Rev. James Mairs. At first he preached in a school-room. Allen street-then he removed to the Medical College, Crosby street, and died 1840. The Rev. Peter Gordon succeeded him, the congregation, May 1, 1844, purchasing a house of worship near Abingdon Square, on Jane street. These last-named churches we can only thus generally notice, as they do not belong to the oldest in our city, but were descendants of the " Associate Reformed."
In point of time, there was an Associate Reformed
188
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
congregation organized earlier than the Murray street one. This was the second or " Magazine Street Church," afterward Pearl, founded in the year 1797. Their house of worship, a substantial stone edifice, sixty-six feet long, fifty-six wide, stool on Pearl, between Elm and Broad- way. It formed for a few years a collegiate charge with the Scotch Church, Cedar street, but separated again in 1804.
The Rev. Robert Forest, a native of Dunbar, Scot- land, was the first pastor, installed in the spring of 1804, and labored here with talent and fidelity for seven years. He died in Stamford. Delaware County, New York, in 1846, aged seventy-eight. He was succeeded by the Rev. John X. Clark, in 1811. After seven years' labors, he resigned the charge, and the Rev. William W. Phillips was installed. in 1818 : but during the year 1826, he was called, and accepted the Wall Street Church. The Rev. Walter Monteith followed Dr. Phillips, and installed August 23, 1826 ; his minis- try continuing until 1820, and then, in December, the Rev. Benjamin II. Rice took charge of the congregation. He resigned in 1833, and the Rev. Henry A. Rowland took his place, April 17, 1834. This church, three years afterwards, was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt. Mr. Rowland resigning the charge in 1813, the Rev. Charles HI. Reed was installed December 13, 1813.
There were Baptists as early as 1657 in Now Nether- lands, as we learn from a letter written by Dominies Mega- polensis and Drissius, of the Reformed Dutch Church, to the Classis of Amsterdam, August 5, 1637. The commu- nication relates to the state of religion in the province, 1657-1712. Speaking of Long Island, it says : "Graves-
189
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
end, Middleburg, Vlissingen, and Heemstede, were es- tablished by the English. Those of Gravesend are reported Mennonists : yea, they, for the most part, reject Infant Baptism, the Sabbath, the office of Preacher, and the Teachers of God's word, saying. that through these have come all sorts of contention into the world. When- ever they meet together, the one or the other reads some- thing for one. Last year a fomenter of error came there. He was a cobbler from Rhode Island, in New England, and stated that he was commissioned by Christ. He began to preach at Flushing, and then went with the people into the river and dipped them. This becoming known, the Fiscal proceeded thither and brought him along. He was banished the province."* His name was Wickenden.
The same letter states that one young Indian had been instructed for two years, "so that he could read and write good Dutch." He was also furnished with a Bible, "in order to work through him some good among the Indians. But it all resulted in nothing. He has taken to drinking of brandy ; he pawned the Bible and became a real beast, who is doing more harm than good among the Indians." At that early period, as now, the vice of intemperance too often cursed both civilized and savage men. Said an Onondaga Chief. " When we visit Fort Orange, they never talk to us of prayer, and we do not know even if they pray there."
About fifty years after this period. we find " the humble peticon of Nicholas Evers, brewer. a Baptist teacher in the
* This letter was translated by the Rev. Dr. De Witt. See Doc. Hist., vol. iii. 103.
190
EARLIEST CHURCHES IN NEW YORK.
city of New York," to Ilis Excellency Governor Wil- liam Burnet." Hle states that he had hired a house in Broad street, on the first Tuesday of February, 1715. "for an anabatised meeting-house," and "had been a public preacher to a baptist congregacon within this city for four years," and had "an ample certificate of his good behaviour and innocent conversacon."
Mr. Eyers, therefore, humbly prays Governor Burnet. that he may be permitted "to execute the ministeriall function of a minister within this city" to a Baptist con- gregation. Testimonials also were presented of his good character-" blameless, and free from any noto- rious public slander and vice, has gained himself the good name and reputation of his neighbours of being a sober, just, and honest man ; and is said to be an ana- baptist, as to his profession in religion."
The Governor accordingly granted, on the 23d January. 1721, his request, and agreeably to the British statute at that period. This is the earliest record we have met with of a Baptist church in our city. The Rev. A. D. Gillette states, that the first Baptist church in New York was founded in the year 1762, but that "Baptist wor- ship and an irregular church arrangement had been maintained"+ in this city from 1669.
We have an authentic account of the " First Baptist Church in the city of New York," in the Jubilee Ser- mon, by the Rev. Mr. Parkinson, its pastor. It was de- livered in the .. Gold Street Meeting-house," January 1. 1813, its fiftieth anniversary. Before the formation of this congregation, a Baptist society had existed, consist. * Doc. Hist., vol. iii. 480. + Rupp's Rel. Den., p. 51.
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.