USA > New York > Rockland County > The history of Rockland County > Part 27
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have been : Rev. B. H. Benton, from November, 1862 to May 1864 ; Rev. F. Greaves, March 1865 to April 1867 ; Rev. James W. Frazer, October 1867 to March 1868 ; Rev. R. T. Middleditch, August 1868 to July 1869; Rev. F. Greaves, October 1869 to April 1873 ; Rev. N. B. Thompson, May 1873 to June 1875 ; Rev. J. K. Wilson, June 1876 to February 1878 ; Rev. J. G. Shrive, April 1878 to April 1879; Rev. J. H. Gunning, M. D., October 1879 to February 1884; and Rev. J. L. Campbell, from March 1884 to the present time.
The career of the church for the first quarter of a century of its ex- istence, was not uncheckered by financial troubles and exhaustion, and from 1875 till 1878, it appeared as though the struggle must be abandoned. But there were members of the society steadfast in faith and good works ; others joined the society and gave aid and advice ; under Rev. J. H. Gun- ning new life was given to the struggling sect, and at last, in 1881, so greatly had the church attendance increased that further accommodations became imperative. During the summer of that year, the congregation met for worship in Voorhis Hall while the edifice was being enlarged and renovated, and on Thursday, January 12th, 1882, the new building was opened for divine service. Truly the prophecy of Elder Griffiths, written seven and twenty years before, as he drew close " to the banks of asphodel that border the River of Life," had come true. During Rev. J. H. Gun- ning's pastorate, 161 people were added to the church by baptism, and 23 by letter, a result only approached during Rev F. Greaves' two terms, when 91 were added by baptism and 21 by letter. Since the organization of the church 303 members have been added by baptism and 87 by letter.
THE SPRING VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH.
On February 19th, 1867, a church meeting was held by the Nanuet Baptist Church to consider the advisability of buying the old Dutch Church building, in Spring Valley, for an outpost of the Nanuet Church. After investigation, such action was decided on, the property bought and repaired, and the edifice dedicated September 19th, 1867. From this time till July, 1870, services were held in the Spring Valley Church every Sunday afternoon by the preacher holding service at Nanuet in the morning.
As early as 1869, the members of the Spring Valley Church agitated the subject of a separate existence, but it was not till November 9th, 1870, that the society was formally organized as a distinct church. On No- vember 20th, 1870, Rev. Wm. H. Sherman assumed charge of the society, and, a year later, added to his labors by ministering to the church at
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Viola. October 3d, 1871, the Spring Valley Church was received as a member of the Southern New York Baptist Association, to which body the church reported forty-five members and a Sunday school, organized in 1868, with Matthew Persons as superintendent, having 24 teachers, 218 scholars, an average attendance of 107, and a library of 300 volumes.
In February, 1872, Rev. Wm. H. Sherman resigned this charge, and in May, 1873, he was succeeded by Rev. F. Greaves. In June of the same year Mr. Greaves resigned, and the church was left without a pastor. From this time the pulpit was supplied by Mr. E. J. Hillman, a member of the congregation. From the time the building was repaired and opened a heavy mortgage rested on the Society, and in spite of noble efforts to meet it, now, in the financial panic following 1873, crushed it. On June 20th, 1875, the last sermon in this church was preached by Mr. Hillman, and the following day the building was sold at auction. For a brief period, the members of the society clung together and then the organiza- tion passed from existence.
Authorities referred to. History of the Reformed Church at Tappan, by Rev. David Cole, D. D. Translation of the Records of the Clarkstown Church, by I. C. Haring, M. D. History of the Town of Ramapo, by Rev. E. B. Cobb, translation by A. S. Zabriskie, M. D. Magazine of American History Vol. XIII, page 39. Greenbush Church Records. Microcosm by Hon. Seth B. Cole. History of Ilaverstraw by Rev. A. S. Freeman, D. D. Letters and papers from Wm. Govan, M. D. History of the Baptist Church in Rockland County, by Rev. Joseph W. Griffiths. History of the Nyack Baptist Church, by George F. Morse. Lecture "30 years in Haverstraw," by A. S. Freeman, D. D.
CHAPTER XIV.
HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY- HISTORY OF THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH AT HAVERSTRAW AND AT STONY POINT-HISTORY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY-IHISTORY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ROCKLAND COUNTY-HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AT ORANGEVILLE AND NYACK-HISTORY OF THE QUAKER CHURCH AT LADENTOWN-OF THE TRUE REFORMED CHURCH AT MON- SEY, AT NANUET, AND AT TAPPAN-OF CHRIST EVANGELICAL LU- THERAN AT MASONICUS-OF THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN AT HAVERSTRAW- OF TIIE GERMAN M. E. CHURCH AT TAPPAN-HIS- TORY OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT MONSEY, AND AT TALL- MANS-OF THE M. E. ZION AT NYACK AND AT HAVERSTRAW-OF THE SYNAGOGUE AT NYACK -IHISTORY OF THE UNION, STONE CHURCH OR UPPER NYACK, WAYSIDE CHAPEL, LAKEAVENUE BAPTIST, WEST NYACK CHAPEL, AND STEVENS SUNDAY SCHOOLS-HISTORY OF THE ROCK- LAND COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
And now there came into this County a new religious movement, which was destined to spread and grow in spite of hardship, and oblo- quy, and detraction, because of its enthusiasm and democratic teachings. Two score years had passed since John Wesley, rejecting that conception which regarded faith as the union of intellectual belief and of voluntary self-submission, a conception from which the element of the supernatural was wanting, as well as that of personal trust for salvation on the atone- ment of Jesus ; had accepted the teachings of a " present, free and full salvation." But three decades had gone by since the followers of Wesley had erected their first house of worship in New York City; and but four- teen years had elapsed since the first Bishop of the Methodist Church in America-Rev. Francis Asbury, had been consecrated at Baltimore, when exhorters from that society entered our County.
With the causes which led to the formation of the sect, with the polemical discussions that it has given rise to, I am not to speak. With the reasons for its growth in this County, with the different church organi- zations which have sprung up in our villages and towns, it is alone my duty to deal.
Methodism is aggressive with an enthusiasm born of its youth and its teachings, that each individual is a personal and special factor in the care
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of divine providence. By psychologic change, which each convert claims to experience, the neophyte feels that he has entered a state of beatitude, that he has been, as expressed in the denomination, "born again." By the teaching that without constant religious struggle he will fall from grace, his religious life becomes a fervid effort to remain steadfast in the faith. By the government of his church, he is placed in contact with others as earnest as himself, and in the class meetings a form of open religious confessional, the prayer meeting, and the love feast, encouraged and strengthened by religious association, his enthusiasm grows more intense.
In this idea of a new birth, this psychologic and supernatural change, lies the strength of the Methodist church. The new convert, regenerated and sanctified, at once feels that his fellow man, unless a Methodist, has not experienced the transition, and he at once sets to work to bring him within the pale of the church. Each convert becomes a priest with a vital mission. A human being, whatever the race, sex or social standing, becomes a tremendous factor in such a creed-an immortal soul to be saved.
As can readily be seen, the teaching of this doctrine is essentially democratic. No matter what the social or intellectual status of an indi- vidual-the beggar in his squalor and rags; Lazarus in luxury and riches ; the laborer living by the sweat of his brow, or the potentate wield- ing all but despotic power : all, all alike, must return to dust in the body, while before the inexorable Judge, their souls must answer at the day of judgment for deeds done here.
Members of this denomination came to Rockland County. It is not positive when or where they first began their labors, for at every hamlet they seemed to arise spontaneously. The first society of the sect was formed at Haverstraw before 1799, but already they had converts in this section. With customary enthusiasm they entered on their mission. The sturdy landholder, still bearing in his disposition the phlegm of his Dutch ancestry, was startled from his mental repose by the earnest exhortation of his whilom guest, and left sorely perplexed in mind at the utterances he had listened to. The laborer in the quarries was surprised at his noon- day meal by the religious conversation of his fellow-toiler. In the work- shops and factories at the Ramapo Clove, the creed advanced, and discus- sion led to curiosity, curiosity to observation, observation to conversion.
Nor did these all but fanatics confine their journeys to the haunts of civilization; they penetrated the mountain fastnesses and the grimy, un- kempt charcoal burner was surprised by the appearance of a stranger at his fire-heap, who grasped his hand, who called him " brother," who en-
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treated him to seek salvation; the long-neglected dweller among the inhospitable rocks was filled with wonderment at finding some one from the unknown, outside world in his presence, telling him, that in the ages gone by a fellow man had died for him and urging him to repent and be saved.
At first looked upon as fanatics and treated with contempt and ridi- cule, the very lives and deeds of the acceptors of the Methodist faith at last encouraged respect and then belief. The itinerant ministers who visited the County in carly days, were seen riding through the blinding heat and dust of summer. the bitter blasts and snows of winter, or facing the driving rainstorm, often thinly clad and scarcely protected, to meet a scant gathering of believers at the end of their journey, without a mur- mur, and yet oftentimes, these journeys covered over a score of miles before morning service, and a score more before the evening sermon. The various meetings of the church, which perhaps had been visited by outsiders in a spirit of levity, produced a very different fecling, when sonic ignorant and illiterate convert, filled with holy zeal, told in uncouth lan- guage, mayhap, the story of his trials with tear-stained cheeks and a fervor born of inspiration. And when to these things, this despised sect added the spirit of their Master's teachings, visited the highways and the by-ways, extended a helping, strengthening hand to the outcasts and pariahs of society, made them self-respecting and respected citizens, and sent them forth with their new experience to add others to the fold ; even the most skep- tical mind drew back abashed and acknowledged the great benefit of the movement.
The first Methodist Church Society, as has been said, was organized in Haverstraw, in the closing years of the eighteenth century. In 1799, this Society contained eighty members and in 1800, their first house for worship was erected on land given by the same family (Smith) who had previously given to the Presbyterians and later gave to the Baptists, lots for their church buildings. The first religious services of the sect held here were conducted by Barney Matthias, an exhorter and local preacher, who was a ship car- penter by trade. I have been told by old people, who had heard Mr. Matthias exhort in the old school house at Nyack, that he was rarely gifted with vocal power and that, when he became intensely earnest, his voice could be heard a mile and a half away. This statement lacks au- thentic confirmation, and was made by people, not members of the Methodist Church, who I fear were prejudiced.
The first regular minister at this church was Rev. William Vreeden- burgh, in 1805, and the first minister, who made his home in the village,
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was Rev. James MacLaurins in 1829. By 1840, the church edifice had become too small for the congregation, and a new building thirty by fifty- four feet was erected. This house was dedicated December 16th, 1840. The old church building was sold to Phineas Hedges, and is still standing, in use as a barn, on the north side of the road beyond Thiell's Corners.
By 1860, the new church was also found to be too small, and the building was enlarged. At this time an organ was introduced into the church, which so outraged the ideas of simplicity of a worthy member- Jonathan Wood-that he left the house in disgust. As the ameliorating influence of time was felt, Mr. Wood became reconciled to the innovation, and was at last, after a long life of good works, laid at rest, his grave being marked by a plain tombstone. This was broken by a team of run- away horses, and replaced by a new one. When the new organ was placed in the church, weights were needed for the bellows, and the two portions of Mr. Wood's broken tombstone were employed for the purpose. O! Si sic omnia.
In the history of this church occurred one of those odd events of which many belong to our County history. The doctrines of Methodism had spread rapidly and been accepted by the people with eagerness. So- cieties had been formed at Nyack, Sherwoodville, Palisades, Stony Point, and other places in the County, and the topic of the growth of the sect was uppermost among the residents. With any but a friendly eye had this development been viewed by the pastors of the older churches-one of these is said to have greeted its appearance by a sermon from the text : "These men, who have turned the world upside down, have come hither also," and none perhaps viewed it with more annoyance than Rev. Sam- uel Pelton, whose charge was the first invaded. At last, no other means of showing its supposed falsity appearing, Mr. Pelton challenged the min- ister of the faith at Haverstraw to a public debate. This was declined, but Rev. Lawrence Kean, of New York, happening to be at Haverstraw, accepted the wager of battle. The debate took place April 2d, 1821. Preparations were made by the erection of a platform before the Metho- dist house of worship, and the choice of three persons as moderators and of four to take notes.
A large number of people, many drawn by interest in one or the other parties, more by idle curiosity, attended, and at ten o'clock in the morning the debate began. From ten till twelve, and from two to four o'clock, these disputants met in polemic strife. At the close of the discussion neither was satisfied, and each thought of what he might have said. From speech, Rev. Samuel Pelton resorted to the pen, and published a work en-
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titled Absurdities of Methodism. This was answered by Mr. Kean by a work called : A Plain and Positive Refutation of the Rev. Samuel Pelton's Unjust and Unfounded Charges Entitled, " The Absurdities of Methodism." Containing, First: A Public Debate held at Haverstraw, Rockland County, N. Y. ; Second : Remarks on the Several Articles Debated ; Third: The Perfect Conformity of the Methodist Doctrine, and Discipline to Scripture, Reason and Common Sense. J. & J. Harper, 1823.
In following the history of this church, I must be governed in chronol- ogy, not by the date of the Societies' organization, but by the date of the erection of their church edifice. Next in this arrangement comes the
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT NYACK.
As early as 1806, the teachings of the Methodist church were intro- duced into Nyack, and meetings alternating with those of the Baptists, were held in the school house, then just built, by Barney Matthias and Rev. George Banghart, who was called the "singing preacher." The organi- zation of a church society, and the erection of a house of worship by that denomination however, did not occur till 1813, and was then brought about by the obtuseness of the classis of the Reformed Dutch Church. In 1812, members of the Clarkstown church presented a petition for the es- tablishment of a branch of that church at Nyack, setting forth as their reasons : that Nyack was strong enough to support a church; that on account of the distance between the hamlets, many were unable to attend divine service ; that if the opportunity was not seized, other sects would build at Nyack. The classis refused to grant the petition.
Immediately after this decision, a portion of the petitioners, William Palmer, Nicholas Williamson and John Green, met at the house of the last named gentleman, organized a mecting by the election of the proper officers, and passed resolutions to organize a Methodist Episcopal Church in Nyack, and to begin the erection of a house for worship on the follow- ing day.
In aid of the work, William Palmer gave the ground and stone from his quarries, and John Green and Nicholas Williamson gave money in the proportion of $1 of the former to $2 of the latter ; Garret Onderdonk also gave financial aid. In 1813, the building begun with such laconic brevity was opened to the public as the First M. E. Church, of Nyack.
When first used, the pulpit, a high, square box, entered through a door, stood against the north wall of the church six steps high ; the altar- rail was three feet high and rested on upright slats set close together. This gave it somewhat the appearance of a picket fence; the seats were
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straight-backed and hard, not furnished with doors. Across the south end of the church extended a heavy gallery. For heating purposes a cast iron stove was used. For light, dependence was placed on one copper oil lamp, suspended from the centre of the ceiling, and some half dozen quaintly-shaped tin candle-holders. The Bible was bought with money raised by subscription, and on the fly-leaf is the following: "This Bible was procured by Joseph Bennet for the use of the Nyack Meeting House of Methodist E. Church, A. D., 1814." Then follows the following names of contributors : Rev. J. Bennet, $3.00; Rev. Michael Swing, 25 cents ; Rev. Benjamin Sherwood, 12 cents; Mr. Joart, N. Y., 25 cents; Mr. Peter Bourdett, N. Y., 25 cents ; Mr. Barnas DeKline, 19 cents; Mrs. Hester Ackerman, 19 cents ; Mrs. Abigal Gurnee, 25 cents ; Rev. Abram Gurnee, 25 cents ; Mr. James Cunningham, 50 cents ; Mr. John Ten Eyck, 12 cents ; Mr. Garret Onderdonk, 25 cents; Mr. Benjamin Bourdett, 25 cents. The Bible is still in use in the Sunday-school.
For many years the pulpit of this church was supplied either by local preachers or circuit riders. Then, under the preaching of Rev. Benjamin Day, a series of revival meetings were held in a building which stood on the site of the present Union Hall, and many were added to the faith. The old church building was now felt to be too far from the village, which had grown up since its erection, and an effort was made to sell it and build a new house more central. Through the efforts of Garret Williamson and Jacob Voorhis, this attempt was defeated by a majority of two votes. Once again, in 1877, when an attempt was made to ercet a new church edifice in Nyack, the sale of the old stone church was discussed, but de- fenders of the land-mark still existed and the attempt was frustrated.
In 1870, the building was sadly out of repair. By the efforts of George Green sufficient money was raised to put on a new roof and place it in thorough order. Many changes were made in its interior, better fitting the present time. Sunday school and other religious services are regularly held in the building.
THE SECOND M. E. OR ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.
Though out of the proper order in date of erection, it seems wiser to mention this church in this place and thus avoid confusion.
Upon the defeat of the attempt to sell the old house of worship, the members at once began efforts to erect a new building. Ground was bought and a frame building put up in 1843.
In a few years the building was found too small for the increased at- tendance, and an addition was made upon the east end of it. No further
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change was attempted till 1877, when a lot was bought on Broadway, south of the Universalist Church, and the construction of a new building begun. Further than the foundation this never advanced. Financial troubles fell thick and fast on the church, and under the weight of calami- ties, the society was dissolved, their property foreclosed upon, and St. Paul's Society organized. As a business move this procedure relieved the Methodists from a judgment. As a movement of a religious society, its ethical advisability was doubtful. After this failure the frame building was repaired and renovated, and is still in use by the church.
WESLEY CHAPEL, SHERWOODVILLE.
The origin of the Methodist Society at this place dates back to 1805. Already I have gone into the subject of the spread of this sect, with suffi- cient fullness and further mention is unnecessary. One of the first meet- ings of the denomination was held in the old stone house, near the chapel, now owned by E. G. Sherwood. Later services were held at the houses of Stephen Gurnee, William Osborn and Benjamin Sherwood, till 1813, when Rev. James Sherwood and Abigal Gurnce, purchased the prop- erty, on which stands the stone house above mentioned, and after that, services were held therc.
In the early days of the society, preaching took place every other week, during the afternoons in summer, and evenings in winter, till the chapel was built. During this period, it was not rare for the quarterly meetings, which were largely attended, to be held in an old Dutch barn, standing near the house, owing to the necessity for more room than the house afforded.
At length, through the efforts of James Sherwood, Garret Onderdonk, Benjamin Odell, Stephen B. Johnson, Mrs. Abigal Gurnee and her daughter ; sufficient money was obtained to begin the building of a house for worship on land given by James Sherwood. He also, with others, furnished timber for the frame and Hon. J. H. Pierson, gave the nails. When the building was enclosed more money was needed, and Rev. James Sherwood, walked to New York, soliciting donations on the way to and in that city from all friends of the enterprise. Success greeted his endeavors, and in September 1829, this edifice was dedicated to the wor- ship of God by Rev. George Banghart, Presiding Elder.
Until 1834 or '35, the primitive seats, made by taking poles, putting legs in them after the manner of a saw-horse, and laying loose planks across them, remained, then, through the efforts of the present Mrs. Hollis Hol- man and Mrs. H. A. Blauvelt, sufficient money was raised to seat their side of the house. Their example was shortly after followed by the men.
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In 1856, a split occurred in the congregation of this church on the question of building a new house of worship nearer Mechanicsville, now Viola, and a portion of the congregation withdrew. Those that remained re-roofed and sided the building and painted it. In 1875, the interior of the church was improved by taking out the old gallery, putting in new seats and pulpit, frescoing the walls, carpeting the floor and making two aisles instead of one.
THE METHODIST CHURCH OF PALISADES.
Before 1810, the teachings of Methodism were introduced at Tappan Slote and services were held in the old schoolhouse. In the course of time, Moses Taylor established his residence at the present Palisades, and in 1820, a class was formed. As the society grew stronger, the project of building a house for worship was considered, and, largely through the efforts of Mr. Taylor and his wife, this project was accomplished, and the building dedicated in 1832.
By 1858, the need of a larger building became apparent, and the con- gregation set themselves to the work. In the summer of 1858, the corner stone of the new building was laid, and on May 15th, 1859, the new cdi- fice was dedicated by Bishop James. The old church building is still standing. A flourishing Sabbath School in connection with the church cxists.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT STONY POINT.
Shortly after the Methodist sect became established in our County, preachers of the denomination visited Stony Point and in 1804, began to hold religious services in private houses. At length this congregation grew strong enough to erect a house for worship and, land having been given for the purpose by Matthew Gurnee and his wife, work was begun. By June 14th, 1834, the building was completed and dedicated. The first edifice stood on the site of the present church. In the course of time this first house became too small for the increasing congregation, and it became necessary to enlarge it. Finally, in 1882, the church was entirely rebuilt.
THE METHODIST CHURCH AT ROCKLAND LAKE.
Here, as elsewhere in the County, the Methodist circuit riders early started meetings of their society, holding services in the private houses of those who had accepted their views. In 1834, Benedict Wells and his wife Bridget, gave the society a plot of ground for a church building, and in the following year, 1835, the first edifice was erected. For some years,
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