USA > New York > Orange County > Montgomery > The history of Montgomery classis, R.C.A. To which is added sketches of Mohawk valley men and events of early days, the Iroquois, Palatines, Indian missions, etc > Part 7
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It is not known when the original church was built at Herkimer, which was burned in 1757 by the French, but it is represented on an old sketch as being octagonal in form with the traditional rooster as a weather vane and throughout of typical Dutch architecture. It is also not known when the church was rebuilt or the services re- sumed, but on the return of Johan Jost Petri, who had been carried a captive into Canada, at the time of the French-Indian raid in 1757, he took steps to re-deed the land to the church for a new building. This was in 1770, but it is not at all likely that the church was rebuilt until some years after this, since the Indian depredations continued for a decade or more.
To turn now to the ministry of the Herkimer church, we again refer to the pastorate of George Michael Weiss at German Flatts (1736-1746, cf), with the natural supposition that he also supplied any congregation at Herkimer, and then, to the coming of Abram Rosen- crantz' brother to the field, which date (1750) we have from the correspondence of Rev. Wernig of Stone Arabia with the Coetus of the Dutch church and with the Classis of Holland. Rev. Abram Rosencrantz' ministry at German Flatts began immediately upon the death of his brother (1752). A receipt for salary is shown under Fort Herkimer, bear- ing date of April 10, 1761, signed by Rosencrantz. Both men were buried under the pulpit of the German Flatts church. Of Rosencrantz we have spoken in the Fort Herkimer church record and also in that of Stone Arabia, where he also preached for some years. Rosencrantz took up a permanent residence at German Flatts in 1765 and at the same time supplied the "Sand Hill" (Canajoharie) church. The work at Herkimer, owing to the unsettled conditions of the country, was very small, but whatever attention was needed was given by Rosencrantz to it. He lived until 1796, but in the last, few years of his ministry he was aided in his pulpit work by Rev. Fisk Rom of Oneida, who, doubtless, also preached during these yeats to the congregaton at Herkimer. The statistical records of the church dur- ing these years were well kept by Rosencrantz, as well as the financial and consistorial minute books. In the old register are to be seen the names of many who were conspicuous in the work of the church in those days as well of note in the civic and military service of the state.
Rev. "D. Christian Andreas Pick, V. D. M." (so he signed his name) succeeded Rosencrantz in the ministry both at Herkimer and German Flatts, between which churches a formal contract was now entered into for a dual pastorate, which prevailed until 1841, or over a period of forty years. Pick was to preach alternately in these two fields. His ministry, however, was brief (1798-1801). We have spok- en in detail of his work under Stone Arabia (cf). Rev. John P. Spinner came to the church at Herkimer (and also of German Flatts) in 1801 and remained for forty-four years. Excepting the brief stay of Pick these two fields had had but two pastors in about a century, a most remarkable record. The call was moderated by Rev. Isaac Labagh, at the time preaching at Stone Arabia and Canajoharie. At the beginning of Spinner's ministry (1804), a large church was built on the original site-probably the first substantial church building since the burning of the other in 1757. Another church had been built to take the place of the one destroyed in 1757, since the call to
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Pick refers to both the German Flatts and Herkimer church building, while Rev. Taylor's Journal of 1802 speaks of the "new meeting house which lacked all improvements." In these days Herkimer was a German settlement, and the preaching was in German, though the pastor kept his records in Latin, and it is said he could speak five languages fluently, and knew quite a bit about three more. The church built in 1804 was burned in 1834, and in 1835 was replaced by the present brick edifice which has now been used as a house of worship continuously for four score years. In 1813 Spinner reported three hundred and sixty-four members, about fifty more than at German Flatts.
With the coming into the village of many English speaking families a desire for English service was urged. This caused a division in the church with the result that a Second Herkimer church was organized in 1824 (cf under extinct churches) and ran along for some twelve years, when it was merged into the original church. Neither church prospered during these years, but with the building of the new structure, Rev. Spinner continued to preach in the German and Rev. James Murphey, who at the time was pastor at Manheim, began his work in the Herkimer church, preaching in the English language. In 1841 Spinner resigned from the Herkimer church, giving the rest of his ministry to the church at German Flatts. Rev. James Murphey began his work, as we have said, at Herkimer in 1836, fol- lowing an eight year pastorate at Scotia, N. Y. On Spinner's resig- nation he became the pastor, and continued so until 1842, at the time supplying the churches at Frankfort and Mohawk, which he or- ganized. In 1842 he resigned the field and went to Coeymans, but was recalled to the Herkimer church for a seven year pastorate (1843- 1849). It was during this last pastorate that a revival occurred in the church which resulted in the addition of great numbers to the church. Mr. Murphy on resigning from this pastorate in 1849, sup- plied the churches at Frankfort and Columbia. He died in 1857.
Rev. Cornelius S. Mead was the next pastor coming from the 1st Rotterdam church and spending a decade in the Herkimer church (1850-1859). He had one other pastorate at Chatham, N. Y. During the last years of his life he supplied the churches of Ghent, Stuyvesant Falls, New Concord, etc. He died June 26, 1879, at Chatham, N. Y., and was there buried. Rev. Hugh B. Gardner next came to the church in 1860 from Coeyman's and New Baltimore, and was here for four or five years (1860-1864). He re-entered the Presbyterian ministry and died July 23, 1874, at Brooklyn. He was succeeded in the latter part of 1864, by Rev. Jeremiah Petrie, a native of Herkimer, and a Presbyterian pastor, who supplied the pulpit for several years (1864-1868), preaching also at Ilion, which church was organized at this time and he is the only known pastor. He died in 1910 in his 85th year. He compiled an excellent record of the Petrie family. The next pastor of the church was Rev. Ganesvoort Consaul, who tho licensed by the Schenectady Classis in 1861, did not receive or- dination from the Montgomery Classis until June 23, 1868, after he had supplied Fort Plain several years, and while preaching at Mo- hawk. His ministry at Herkimer began in 1869 and ran thro 1877. While traveling abroad, where for a year he supplied the American church at Geneva, he was allowed to demit the ministry, April 15, 1879. It was during his ministry that the interior of the church received its
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handsome decoration of black walnut, and the imported English windows were put in. For a number of years Mr. Consaul was en- gaged in mercantile business in Watertown, N. Y. On August 30, 1898, he was accidentally and fatally shot while on a hunting ex- pedition. Following Consaul the Rev. Ralph W. Brokaw was called to the pastorate and was ordained by the Classis of Mont- gomery in 1877, and remained with the church for five years, going in 1882 to the Springfield (Mass.) Congregational church, for a pastorate of similar length. In 1898 he became the pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Utica where he still abides in his strength. Rev. Henry M. Cox succeeded Brokaw in 1882 and resigned in 1890. Leaving Herkimer he spent twenty years in two pastorates in New York City, and since 1911 has been in the Harrington Park, N. J. church. Rev. John G. Gebhard next came to the church and served it for nine years (1891-1900). During this pastorate a commodious stone chapel was built in 1894. On leaving Herkimer Mr. Gebhard became the Secretary of the Board of Education of the Reformed Church which he has most acceptably filled ever since. Three short pastorates next ensued. Rev. Chalmers P. Dyke (1900-1903), who went from Herkimer to the Hamilton Grange church of New York City for a four year pastorate, since which time he has been in the Lowell (Mass.) Congre- gational church. Following in the work at Herkimer Rev. Jacob Dyke (brother of his predecessor), was pastor for thirteen months (De- cember, 1903-1905), having come to the field after a few years in the Episcopal church of Iowa and South Dakota, tho he came into the Classis from the Congregational church. On leaving Herki- mer he supplied the Mayfield Presbyterian church for a couple of years, and, later, was in the pulpit of the New Salem Reformed church, tho a member of the Presbyterian body. At present he is serving the East Moriches (L. I.) Presbyterian field. Rev. Charles F. Taylor who had been a Presbyterian missionary in New Mexico, and for a couple years previous to coming to this field was engaged in special evangelistic work, was the pastor during 1905 and 1906, go- ing next, after a year's interim, to his present pastorate in the West; port (Ct.) Congregational church, and since 1913 has been pastor of the Greenwich, Ct. Congregational church.
Rev. B. E. Fake, who has frequently supplied churches in our Classis, a Lutheran minister, supplied the Herkimer pulpit from June, 1907, to September, 1908. The present pastor, Rev. J. Howard Brinckerhoff, after supplying the pulpit for two months, was ordained by the Classis and installed over the church in February, 1909. Dur- ing this pastorate most extensive interior improvements have been made, a new organ secured, and the church has been greatly strength- ened along all its lines of work.
INTERLAKEN REFORMED CHURCH
This church was formerly known as the "Farmer Village Re- formed Dutch Church" and was incorporated in 1830. On October 28, 1830, pursuant to a resolution passed by the Consistory of the Lodi Reformed church (cf), a meeting of the citizens of the place was held and the following chosen as the first consistory of the
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church: Peter Rappleye, John Kelly and Joseph Smith, elders, and Jacob Voorhees and Peter Ditmars, deacons. These were installed by Rev. Asa Bennett, pastor of the Lodi church, on November 28th, 1830. Bennett's call to the Lodi church provided that he should spend one-fourth of his time at Farmer Village. For several months after the organization these men were the only members of the new church. The church building was dedicated September 28, 1831, the Rev. J. F. Schermerhorn preaching the sermon. On June 8, 1831, a call was extended to Oscar H. Gregory of New Brunswick Seminary, which was accepted, and on August 11 following, he was ordained and installed pastor of the church. At the time there were thirty- one members, but within two weeks thereafter twenty-five united with the church. The first Sunday school was organized in 1832. Isaac Covert was chosen superintendent, served one year, and was succeeded by James C. Knight, who held the position thirty-nine years. Also during this pastorate the first parsonage was built on the spot where the present one now stands, on land given by Peter Rappleye, who had also given the land for the church building. This .30 pastorate closed, with great regret among the people, after a period of six years and eight months. Later Dr. Gregory was pastor of the North church at Watervliet (1848-1870). He was President of General Synod in 1860. Union College gave him the degree of D. D. in 1853. He died December 11, 1885, at Watervliet.
Rev. Benjamin Bassler was the next pastor, commencing work September 1, 1838, and continuing until his death twenty-seven years later (1866). Mr. Bassler came to the church from Sharon and
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Cobleskill. He was a Swiss by birth. He began his ministry under the most favorable circumstances; the church was prosper- ous, out of debt, the congregation increased in strength and num- bers. The parsonage was repaired at a expense of several hundred dollars in 1842. In 1850 a session house was built at a cost of $604. In the year 1857 the church building was extensively repaired at a cost of $3,000; an addition of nineteen feet was made. The galleries running around three sides of the auditorium were taken down, and the pulpit removed from the west to the east end of the room. On September 6, 1857, the church was rededicated, the Rev. O. H. Gregory preaching. The parsonage was again repaired in 1860, at a cost of $450, and a new organ costing $1,000 was purchased in 1861. More than two hundred and fifty were received into the church during Mr. Bassler's ministry. Rev. Wm. W. Brush succeeded Bassler, coming to the church from the New Brunswick Seminary in 1866, being ordained and installed in June of that year. Twenty- three were added to the church during his pastorate. Leaving in April, 1868, he went next to Marbletown (Ulster Co.), and, later, to Geneva. He died in 1878. Rev. Albert A. Zabriskie followed, coming also from New Brunswick, and was ordained by the Geneva Classis and in- stalled over the church July 29, 1868, resigning November 1, 1869. Twenty-six were added to the church in this pastorate. After ten pastorates in New York and New Jersey, Mr. Zabriskie became pastor of the Bloomington, N. Y. church, his present field.
The Rev. J. C. Forsythe succeeded Rev. Mr. Zabriskie, com- mencing his labors in May, 1870. The parsonage was again repaired at a cost of about $450, and thirty were added to the church during the five years of his ministry here. Leaving Interlaken he entered the Presbyterian church. He died in 1898. In November, 1875, Rev. Philip Furbeck was called and his pastorate continued until October, 1881. Fifty were added to the membership of the church under his ministry. In 1877 the interior of the church was extensively repaired at a cost of about $2,500. Mr. Furbeck had a four year pastorate at Fonda (cf). He went next to Little Falls, N. J. for a six year pas- torate, then returned to the Montgomery Classis and was at St. Johnsville for five years (1888-1892). He died after a pastorate at Taghkanick, July 23, 1899. After Mr. Furbeck, Rev. Wm. H. Nas- holds was called, and installed March 1, 1882. During his service the old parsonage was sold and removed and the present one built on the old site. The total cost for building the new parsonage and repair- ing the barn was $2,800. Thirty-seven were admitted to the church during his pastorate, which terminated October 1st, 1887. Mr. Nas- holds had come to Interlaken from Geneva (cf). Since 1905 he has been in the Second Church of Rotterdam. In May, 1888, the Rev. F. W. Palmer accepted a call from the church and was installed July 19th, continuing to serve until February 15, 1893. During this period the church grew rapidly in membership and in power, and enjoyed great prosperity. One hundred and forty members were admitted into the church, and the membership numbered about two hundred and sixty. The old session house was taken down and an addition was built on to the church, comprising parlors, dining hall, and kitchen at a cost of $1,200, in 1889. At the April communion in 1890, thirty-eight were received. Mr. Palmer also organized the Christian Endeavor, King's Daughters and Young Ladies' Missionary Society.
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Mr. Palmer entered the Presbyterian ministry and has served for many years in Auburn as pastor of the Central Presbyterian church.
The present pastor, Rev. E. B. Van Arsdale, was ordained and installed in this his first pastorate on the 8thi day of August, 1893. During these years about one hundred and eighty-five have been re- ceived into the church. In the Fall of 1904 the church building was thoroughly renovated at an expense of $3,000. The church was re- dedicated January 12, 1905, the sermon being given by Rev. F. W. Palmer of Auburn, a former pastor. This church, now in its eighty- fifth year, has had a record of steady growth in numbers, of whole- some, spiritual development, of prosperous, financial administration, is thoroughly organized and active in all departments of its life, and is today a leading influence in community affairs, and a loyal sup- porter of the interests of the denomination and the kingdom.
JOHNSTOWN REFORMED CHURCH
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When Sir Wm. Johnson settled here in 1762 he called the place after his son, Johns-town. The old jail and Johnson Hall built at this time are well preserved buildings to this date. Under the extinct churches it will be noted that many efforts were made in other days to establish a Reformed Dutch church at Johnstown. Churches were organized at Kingsborough, Mayfield, Fondas Bush and other near by places. Here at Johnstown, tho preaching services were regularly conducted by the pastors at Fonda and Amsterdam (Ten Eyck and Van Horne), and an organization was incorporated under the title of the "Kingsborough Reformed Church," still the church of longest duration was the "True Reformed" or "Wyckofite" church which was begun in 1821 and ended in 1855. A church building, erected in 1838, is still standing and occasionally used by the Glen preacher. The present Re-
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formed church of Johnstown was organized in 1894. Rev. J. H. Enders, Synod Missionary and Rev. Wm. Schmitz of Fultonville conducted the initial services in the Fire Engine House near the Fair grounds in 1893. During the Summer of 1894 Rev. H. C. Willoughby gathered the nucleus of a church. On October 10, 1894, the organization was ef- fected with seventeen members. Ground was secured and a Christian Endeavor church (No. 3) was erected. The dedication took place February 6, 1895. The first consistory was, Peter Fox, Wm. C. Van Alstyne, elders, and T. W. Van Slyke and Wm. Topp, deacons. The first pastor was Rev. John Van Burk who came to it from the dual pastorate of Clarksville and New Salem. After eight years Mr. Van Burk resigned to accept the pastorate of the Athens church, where he remained upwards of five years, going in 1910 to the Congregation- al church of Monterey, Mass. He is now supplying the Congrega- tional church of Swanton, Vt. Succeeding Mr. Van Burk was Rev. Chas. V. W. Bedford who was ordained by the Montgomery Classis and came to the field in 1902, and remained thro 1909, going next to a three years stated supply of the Currytown-Sprakers field, and in 1912 taking up work at Hagaman where he is at present pastor. During this pastorate, in 1904, the Hillside Park chapel was bot and added to the rear of the church .. Following Mr. Bedford came Rev. Peter S. Beekman, who had already been a member of the Classis (Currytown, 1893-1901). Mr. Beekman began his work at Johns- town in 1909 and is the present pastor. In 1909 the present par- sonage was built. In 1915 eighty-five members were received. The men of the consistory are V. J. Lasher, Nicholas Glenar, Frank Billington, and W. J. Sprakers, elders, and Henry Edwards, George Person, Fred J. Vosburgh and George Pedrick, deacons. In connection with the Johnstown work a Union work is kept up at Sammonsville. Formerly, especially in Rev. Boyd's day, the Fonda church looked after this work. This movement is a half century old and the services are held in the public school building. During a recent evangelistic campaign in Johnstown, eighty-five members were added to the roll.
LODI REFORMED CHURCH
The first church in Lodi (Seneca county) was Presbyterian, or- ganized in 1800 by the Rev. John Lindsay who remained with the church until 1805. The town of Lodi was formed in 1826. While the church was called the "First Presbyterian Church of Ovid," it is not to be confounded with the later organization in Ovid village in 1803, which was organized by Rev. Jedediah Chapman. The 1800 organiza- tion, changed in denominational name, and, later, in location, is to- day the "Reformed Church of Lodi." During Lindsay's pastorate the first building was erected, but after his going there was no other Presbyterian minister, the church becoming Dutch Reformed in 180g. In the interim services were, however, occasionally held, among the preachers being Revs. John Stuart, Lewis Williams, M. Misner (Bapt.) and Rev. Wm. Clark. These men also preached in the churches of Ovid village, Lodi, and Hector. The 1803 organization erected a primitive log church in 1804 on ground donated by Judge Silas Halsey who had come into the country from Long Island in 1792.
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It stood with its gable end toward the road, the entrance from the south, and the pulpit in the north. The building was never com- pleted, yet it served for twenty-five years. It was organized in Hal- sey's barn which served as the house of worship until the hewn-log church was built. The ministers mentioned in connection with the 1800 organization (which worshipped for several years in the court house) also served this church, which was made up largely of per- sons at variance with the other church. From 1804 to 1806 Rev. John Stuart supplied the pulpit, and in 1828 when the Reformed Dutch church of Lodi village was erected.
In the Presbyterian record book (1800 church) under date of February 27, 1809 is a record of the election of elders and deacons in the new "Protestant Reformed Low Dutch Church of Ovid." Stephen Voorhees, Tunis Covert, John Groenendike and Joshua Covert were made elders, and James Vanliew, Nicholas Huff, Daniel Bassett, and Peter Rappleye were made deacons. This consistory was installed by Rev. Abraham Brokaw (cf Glen), who was installed pastor of the church in 1809 by Rev. Conrad Ten Eyck of Mayfield (Montgomery county). Originally Lodi belonged to Montgomery, then to Cayuga,
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then to Geneva, and came back into the fold of the Montgomery Classis a century after its organization. Under Brokaw's ministry the church grew until in 1822 it numbered some two hundred members. This was the year that the "Wyckofite" or "True Reformed Church" (cf) was organized and Brokaw was one of the malcontents who joined the secession movement. As a result, locally, a majority of the consistory, but a minority of the membership, went with their minister (already suspended by the Classis) and organized another church which he served until 1838 when he was succeeded by Rev. Archibald McNeil who continued in the field until 1865, after which time there was occasional preaching until 1873 when it ceased al- together and the building erected by the secessionists was taken down in 1876. Rev. Brokaw died July 17, 1846, and is buried in the cemetery attached to the old church in which he ministered. He was eighty- six years old. On his grave stone is the data-"Born in Somersett county, N. J., April 23, 1760. Ordained in the Reformed Dutch church in 1798. Seceeded in 1822."
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After the secession the new consistory elected were, John Kelly, John I. Sebring, Falkord Sebring, and Ruloph Voorhees, elders, and Cornelius Wyckoff, Stephen C. McCoy, Joseph W. Smith, and Joseph Stull, deacons. These were installed by Rev. Jacob R. H. Hasbrouck (cf Mapletown). The litigation caused by this division was at last settled in favor of the Reformed Dutch church but it cost the total value of the property to defend the title. During these days of trouble the congregation was frequently preached to by missionaries of the Reformed church, among them being, Rev. Sam. Van Vechten, John Van Derveer, Ferdinand Van Derveer, Johathan F. Morris, and John F. Schermerhorn. Having lost their church property, they met in various places, at times in the homes, again in wood sheds or barns. But amid all this distress the people of the Dutch church were loyal and kept to the faith. The next pastor was Rev. Abraham Messler (1825-1828) during whose ministry a new church was erected. In December, 1824, the following committee was appointed to super- intend the building of a new church: John P. Nevius, J. H. Halsey, Tunis Covert, Henry Montgomery, and John De Motts. The church was erected at Lodi village (De Mott's Corners). A subscription paper extant is nine feet long and holds the names of one hundred and eighty-one subscribers who gave $3,520.
Rev. Messler was installed pastor of the church in June, 1825, the service being conducted by Rev. David R. De Fraest of Cato (cf). The church was dedicated November 9, 1826. On July 24, 1828, Mr. Messler resigned to enter a missionary work in New York City. Two pastorates followed, in Pompton Plains and at the 1st Raritan (N. J.) in which latter he died, at the close of a half century pastorate on June 12, 1882. Messler was a prolific writer, a trustee of Rutgers, and President General Synod in 1847. The next pastor at Lodi was Rev. Asa Bennett (1828-1838). Later he was pastor at Constantine, Mich. (1843-1845), and died in 1858. It was while Bennett was pastor that the Farmerville church was organized (1830), the child of the Lodi church. A house was also bought at this time for the minister to dwell in, and was so used until the coming of Rev. Van Neste when another parsonage was obtained. During Bennett's ministry two hundred and sixteen members were received.
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