USA > New York > Kings County > Flatbush > The history of the town of Flatbush in Kings County, Long Island > Part 7
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In the year 1785, the church became incorporated. As this introduced an important change in the management of the fiscal concerns, it may be proper here to pre- sent the following statement, of the manner in which the / temporalities of the church had been previously admin- istered, and the steps taken to obtain the incorporation.
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The landed estate and general financial interests of the Church of Flatbush, from the time of its organization, were entrusted to the care and management of Church Masters, similar to the mode and usage practised by the Reformed churches in Holland. The Church Masters were three in number, elected by the " Gemeente," or as- sembled congregation, out of the Consistory, and held their offices for two years, corresponding with the official term of the Elders and Deacons. When the Church Masters were first chosen, they were divided into two classes, and the seat of the member of the first class be- came vacant at the expiration of the first year, and the seats of the two members of the second class, at the ex- piration of the second year, so that thereafter, one or the other members of each class might be annually chosen. They were required to render an annual statement of their receipts and expenditures, and the correctness of the accounts of the retiring Church Master, or Church Mas- ters, as the case might be, was always certified on the church books. The temporalities belonging to the church, and consisting of real and personal estate, appear to have been prudently and judiciously managed and preserved by the Church Masters thus chosen, down to the close of the year, 1784, a period of nearly one hundred and seventy years. The last Church Masters, were John Vanderbilt, Isaac Snediker and Johannes E. Lott, whose accounts were examined by the Trustees of the church, and by them found satisfactory: whereupon the following cer- tificate was entered upon the church books. "John Van- derbilt, Isaac Snediker and Johannes E. Lott, Church Masters, having come together, and rendered an account of their receipts and expenditures to the Trustees who are chosen in their place, and the Church Masters have been
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found faithful in their trust, are thanked by us, the underwritten Trustees, for their services."
On the 6th day of April, in the year 1784, the Legis- lature of the State of New-York, passed an Act, entitled " An Act to enable all religious denominations in this State, to appoint Trustees, who should be a Body Corpo- rate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities of their respective congregations, and for other purposes therein mentioned." As the revolutionary war was now just closed, and peace again restored, the inhabitants of the town of Flatbush, at once saw the advantages which their church might derive from this Act authorizing the incorporation of religious societies. Accordingly, on Sun- day the 26th day of December, 1784, public notice was given by the Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, the minister of the church, by a publication therein, immediately after divine service, and before the congregation was dismissed, notifying all male persons who statedly worshiped in the said church, to meet therein, on the 17th day of January, then next ensuing, at one o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, for the purpose of electing Trustees to take care of the temporalities of the said church, pursuant to the provisions of the above-mentioned Act. The same no- tification was again made, in the said church, by the same minister, on the 2d day of January, 1785, in manner afore- said. In pursuance of which notifications, the male per- sons who statedly worshiped in the said church, accord- ingly met at the time and place appointed, and in the presence of Jeremias Van Der Bilt and Joris Martense, Elders and Judges of the election, did then, and there, by plurality of voices, elect Philip Nagel, Cornelius Wyckoff, Hendrick Suydam, Peter Lefferts and John R. Vander- bilt, Trustees to take care of the temporalities of the said
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church, pursuant to the directions in the said Act men- tioned and prescribed. The style, name and title, by which the said Trustees and their successors should for- ever thereafter be called, known and distinguished, was designated to be, " The Trustees of the Reformed Protes- tant Dutch Church of Flatbush." These proceedings were all certified under the hands and seals, of Jeremias Van- derbilt and Joris Martense, the above-named Elders and Judges of the election, and duly acknowledged and re- corded in the Clerk's office of the County of Kings, on the said 17th day of January, 1785. Upon the organization of the Board of Trustees, Philip Nagel was appointed their Treasurer, and they made a record of all the real and personal estate belonging to the church.
The church of Flatbush continued under the above- mentioned Act, providing for the incorporation of relig- ious societies generally, until the 19th day of December, 1804. Some few years anterior to this time, the Legislature of the State, passed a special Act providing for the incor- poration of the Reformed Dutch Churches, and therein designated who should be the Trustees of every Dutch church, and the manner of their appointment. By this Act, it is provided that the minister or ministers, and el- ders and deacons, and if during any time there be no min- ister, then the elders and deacons during such time, of every Reformed Protestant Dutch Church or congrega- tion, now, or hereafter to be established in this State, and elected according to the rules and usages of such churches within this State, shall be the Trustees for every such church or congregation. The Act then prescribes the mode in which the Trustees and their successors shall be- come a body corporate, and the name or title of such in- corporation. In the same Act, further provision is made
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that it shall be lawful for the Trustees of any Reformed Protestant Dutch Church or congregation, elected by virtue of any former law of this State, by writing under their hands and seals, duly proved and acknowledged, and also recorded in the office of the clerk of the county, to declare their will, not to continue any longer a body cor- porate under such former law, and thereupon such body corporate shall cease, and all the estate, real and personal held by them, shall pass and be vested in the Trustees of the church or congregation made a body corporate, in the manner provided for the Dutch churches.
Under the provisions of the Act last above-mentioned, John Hegeman, Johannes E. Lott, Court Van Brunt and Andrew Suydam, "THE TRUSTEES OF THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF FLATBUSH," elected accord- ing to the provisions of the Act, entitled " An Act to en- able all religious denominations in this State, to appoint Trustees, who shall be a body corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities of their respective con- gregations, and for other purposes therein mentioned," Passed April 6th, 1784, did on the 19th day of December, 1804, by a certificate executed under their hands and seals, certify and declare, that they would not continue any longer a body corporate, under the said recited Act; which certificate was duly proved, acknowledged and re- corded, as the Act requires. On the same day, (Decem- ber 19th 1804,) Martinus Schoonmaker and Peter Lowe, ministers, Peter Stryker, John Williamson, Johannes E. Lott and Hendrick H. Suydam, Elders, and Joseph Hege- man, Cornelius Stryker and Lawrence Voorhees, Deacons elected according to the rules and usages of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush, did by a certifi- cate, executed under their hands and seals, also certify and declare, that they and their successors, forever should
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be known and distinguished as a body corporate, by virtue of the Act entitled " An Act, to provide for the incorpo- ration of religious societies." Passed March 27th, 1801, (see Revised Laws of the State of New-York, by Kent and Radcliff, vol. 1, page 336,) by the name or title of " THE TRUSTEES OF THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF THE TOWN OF FLATBUSH, IN KINGS COUNTY." This certificate was also duly proved and acknowledged, . and recorded in the Clerk's office, of the County of Kings. And the minister or ministers, Elders and Deacons of the church, have ever since been continued, under the pro- visions of the last mentioned Act, as a body corporate, by the name or title expressed and set forth in the original certificate now remaining of record.
On the 19th of August, 1793, the inhabitants of the town of Flatbush, assembled in public meeting at the church, and having again declared their adherence to the doctrines and order of the Dutch Church, as ratified by the National Synod, held at Dordrecht, unanimously re- solved to erect a new house for public worship. Certain conditions and stipulations were agree upon, and a build- ing committee, consisting of the Trustees of the church, then five in number, and five Commissioners were ap- pointed to carry their design into execution. The names of these Trustees and Commissioners, were Cornelius Vanderveer, John Bennem, Johannes J. Lott, Peter Stry- ker, John Vanderveer, John Vanderbilt, Hendrick H. Suydam, Johannes E. Lott, John Williamson and Adrian Martense. This committee immediately proceeded to their work. They engaged Thomas Fardon as the architect and master builder, and Simeon Back, Frederic Cleaveland, Abijah Baldwin, Gideon Seaman, and other carpenters under him. The master mason was John Sanford, who was assisted by his two brothers and others under him.
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The painting of the church, when completed, was done by Matthew Hall, the father of George Hall, the first Mayor of the city of Brooklyn. This edifice, which is the one now standing, was three years in building. It was commenced in December, 1793, and finished in De- cember, 1796. It is most substantially built-all the stones of the former church being placed in its founda- tion, which is at least six feet broad. Most of the stones for the walls, were quarried at Hurlgate. They were brought by water to Gowanus and Denton's mill, by Jere- miah Van Dyke, from whence they were carted to Flat- bush, by the inhabitants. The brown stone which forms the three upper courses just above the foundation, were broken out of the Brooklyn woods. The brick around the doors and windows, which by the way, is almost the only matter of bad taste about the building, came from Hol- land, as ballast, in one of the ships belonging to the Hon- orable John Vanderbilt.
The cost of this edifice was £4873. 7. 7. equal to $12.183, 44. exclusive of the labor and cartage performed by the members of the congregation, which was an item of very considerable amount. On the 6th day of De- cember, 1796, the pews in the church amounted to ninety- seven, exclusive of those reserved for the Elders and Deacons, the Pastor, the Justice of the peace, and a few for strangers, were sold at public auction, for the aggre- gate sum of £2013. 7. 9. equal to $5.033, 47. which did not meet the expense of the building by more than $7.000. A suitable register of the pews was then made, and of their respective owners. At the completion of the church, in the year 1796, a fine bell, imported expressly from Holland, was presented for its use, by the Honorable John Vanderbilt, for which a vote of thanks was passed by the Consistory, a copy of which was ordered to be transmitted
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to the liberal donor. The vessel in which this bell was shipped, was captured by the British, on her passage to this country, and carried into Halifax,-and from the fact that the bell had on it, this inscription, "Presented to the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, by John Vander- bilt," it was presumed that both vessel and cargo, be- longed to a Holland merchant, and she was on the point of being condemned, when Mr. Charles Clarkson, the son-in- law of Mr. Vanderbilt, went to Halifax and testified that he was a citizen of the United States. It is something of a remarkable fact, that the second or third time that this bell was used, was on the occasion of the funeral of this noble spirited man. Although we shall have occasion hereafter to mention this distinguished individual, we trust we shall be pardoned for here stopping for a mo- ment, to render the tribute of respect to his memory. He was a man of great nobleness of mind, of liberal views, and of enlarged public spirit. He died on the 18th of November, 1796, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. His monumental stone, bears the following testimony to his worth. "He was a merchant of distinguished probity-a real patriot-an affectionate relative-a sincere friend, and a worthy man. Blessed with affluence, he displayed a spirit of munificence in promoting the interests of his country, of religion and virtue. The moderation and con- ciliatory disposition which accompanied and conducted his virtues, secured him through life, an esteem almost unrivalled, and rendered his death, a great loss to the public, and to his family irreparable."
The church after its completion, was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, in the month of January, 1797. The Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, preached a sermon in the Dutch language, on that interesting occasion, and the
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Rev. Peter Lowe, preached in English in the afternoon of the same day.
The combination between the six congregations of the county, to which we have alluded, continued until the year 1805, when the church of Brooklyn, called the Rev. Selah S. Woodhull, as their pastor exclusively. In the year 1808, the churches of Flatbush and Flatlands, united in a call upon the Rev. Peter Lowe, to become their pastor, which was accepted, and he continued in that relation, until the time of his death, which occurred on the 10th day of June, 1818. He was much beloved by the people of his charge; a man of fervent piety and of active usefulness. His death was that of the triumphant Christian. His remains lie interred in the public ceme- tery of this church.
In the fall of the year 1818, the churches of Flat- bush and Flatlands, made a call on the Rev. Walter Mon- teith, who was installed their pastor in the year 1819. He continued his connection with this people only for a little more than a year,-for on the 13th of April, 1820, he resigned his charge, having accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church in Schenectady. After the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Monteith, the congregations remained vacant for upwards of two years. In the month of May, 1822, a call was made out by the church of Flat- bush alone, on the present pastor, which was accepted by him, in August of that year, and on the 17th day of November ensuing, (1822,) he was installed by the Classis of Long-Island. The combination between the six Dutch churches in the county, was not however finally dissolved, until the death of the Rev. Martinus Schoon- maker, which took place on the 20th day of May, 1824, when he was at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. This venerable man was eminent for his faithful per-
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formance of duty, and his devotion to his Master's work. He continued to preach until within a few months of his death,-after having served the people of his charge for nearly forty years, he was gathered to his fathers, and his end was peace.
In the year 1830, measures were first taken for the erection of the Consistory Room of the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush. The want of accommodation for religious services, other than those on the Sabbath, and particularly of a suitable place in which to hold the Sab- bath Schools, had been long felt; one of the school rooms in the Academy, had been used for the former purpose, and the church for the latter. But neither was such as circumstances called for. Arrangements were accord- ingly made for the erection of a separate building, which was completed in 1831, at the expense of $1,195.82. To meet this, a voluntary subscription, amounting to about $600, was taken up among the members of the congrega- tion, and the balance was paid by a donation from the Ladies' Sewing Society, and by the Consistory, who con- tributed nearly $400.
During the winter of 1836-37, some important im- provements were made in the interior of the Reformed Dutch Church in Flatbush. We need not particularly specify them, as they are all well known to the present inhabitants. The pews on the ground floor, were all re- modelled, and rendered more comfortable, and a gallery was erected across the east end of the church.
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH AT NEW-LOTS.
In the year 1823, measures were taken for the erec- tion of a church edifice in New-Lots. The building was
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commenced in that year, and finished in the succeeding spring. It was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, in July 1824, on which occasion the Rev. John Alburtis, then a minister of the Presbyterian Church, officiated. During the period when the building was erecting, efforts were made to have that part of the congregation of Flat- bush organised into a separate church. But they had been ineffectual. On the 12th of August 1824, however, the Classis of Long-Island resolved that they should be- come a distinct congregation, and took measures accord- ingly, to organize them into a church, which took place in the latter part of that month, the late Rev. David S. Bogart, by order of the Classis, officiating on the oc- casion. During the succeeding winter, they united with the church of Flatlands in making out a call upon the Rev. William Crookshank, a licentiate from the The- ological Seminary at New-Brunswick, who in February, 1825, was ordained by the Classis, and installed pastor of the churches of New-Lots and Flatlands. He continued his connection with this people, for a little more than ten years. In April 1835, he resigned his charge and re- moved to the village of Newburgh. On the 22d of March 1836, the Rev. J. Abeel Baldwin, having accepted their call, was installed pastor of these churches, who is still officiating among them with much acceptance and use- fulness.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT FLATBUSH.
In June 1836, incipient steps were taken to organize an Episcopal Church in Flatbush. The first service pre- paratory to this, was held by the Rev. Dr. Cutler, of Brooklyn, in the Consistory Room of the Reformed Dutch
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, FLATBUSH
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Church, which had been offered for the occasion, by the Consistory. In reference to this enterprize, although it was the first attempt to introduce the services of another denomination of Christians in the town, the kindest feel- ings were entertained and expressed, and such facilities were afforded to further it as Christian courtesy dictated, on behalf of the officers and members of the Reformed Dutch Church. On the 11th of July, 1836, the following persons were chosen to constitute the first Vestry, viz:
Matthew Clarkson and Robert J. Crommelin, Wardens; David Johnson, James Mowatt, George Cornell, C. Du- rand, Charles Waldron, A. Norrie, William H. Story and Samuel Richards, Jr., Vestrymen.
The corner stone of the church was laid in accordance with the forms and provisions of the Protestant Episcopal Church, on the 13th day of August, 1836, by the Right Rev. B. T. Onderdonk, Bishop of the Diocese of New- York, when it was named the " St. Paul's Church of Flat- bush." An address was delivered on the occasion, by the Rev. Benjamin C. Cutler, D. D. The building, which will well compare with any of its size, for beauty, neat- ness and symmetry, was finished in the fall of the same year. The cost of this edifice, including certain improve- ments around the church, and the organ, was $8,480. To meet this, a subscription was taken from sundry indi- viduals, amounting to $2,398. The balance, which was $6,082, was generously contributed by Matthew Clark- son, Esq.
On the 23d of December, 1836, the Rev. Thomas S. Brittain, was chosen the first rector. The church was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the Bishop of the Diocese, on the 29th day of December, in the same year. The instrument of donation was read by the Rev.
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Mr. Brittain, the rector, and the instrument of consecra- tion, by the Rev. John F. Messenger, assistant. From that time forth, services were regularly held in the church on every Sunday; the Rev. Mr. Brittain the rector, offi- ciating in the afternoon, and the Rev. Mr. Messenger, the assistant, in the morning. On September 1st, 1837, the Rev. Mr. Messenger resigned, and on the 3d of the same month, the Rev. James Coghlan commenced offici- ating in his place. The Rev. Mr. Brittain resigned his rectorship, on the 29th of March, 1838, and on the 6th day of April, in the same year, the Rev. Mr. Coghlan succeeded as rector. He continued to officiate as such, until the fall of the succeeding year, when, in conse- quence of his removal to England, he resigned. This took place on the 21st of October, 1839. On the 30th of March, 1840, the Rev. William Barlow, the present worthy rector, was elected to that office, with whose ex- cellencies of mind and character, the inhabitants of the town are well acquainted .*
REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH AT EAST NEW-YORK.
In the year 1838, a new Reformed Dutch Church was built at East New-York, a settlement of some consider- able extent, which has grown up in the north west part of New-Lots, bordering on the turnpike. This church was dedicated to the service of God, in the spring of the suc- ceeding year, and in the month of May, of that year, 1839, the Rev. William H. Campbell, was installed as their pastor. He continued his connection with them until the
* The Rev. Mr. Barlow, resigned his rectorship, on or about the 1st of April, 1842.
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fall of 1841, when he removed to Albany, to take charge of the Third Reformed Dutch Church of that city.
Thus, in the good providence of God, have churches been multiplied within the bounds of the town of Flat- bush. Twenty years ago there was but one edifice for the accommodation of all the community. Now we have four respectable churches, besides a building which a few years ago was put up in the woods, between this and New- Lots, for the use of the colored population, particularly of the Methodist denomination. Would, that while these facilities for divine worship are afforded, and the various ministers in our bounds are from Sabbath to Sabbath proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ, all our in- habitants may become wise unto salvation.
LITERARY HISTORY.
VILLAGE SCHOOL.
No principle was more deeply engraved upon the heart of the Hollander than that "the church and the school must be maintained; " a principle of the soundest wisdom, and of the most practical utility. For, without education, morality and religion, there can be no foundation for so- cial order and prosperity. These are the great safeguards of the community, and where these are fostered and en- couraged, we have reason to expect not only intelligence and virtue, but a due respect to the laws of the land, and to all the rights and privileges of those who are associated in any one community. Accordingly, the early Dutch settlers in Flatbush, imbued with the principle which has just been mentioned, soon after their settlement, took measures for the education of their children, and the maintenance of suitable schools. Among the first records of the town, we find notice of the employment of a school- master. Much care seems to have been taken, not only in the selection, but in the agreements formed with the teach- ers of their children. The first schoolmaster of whom we have any knowledge, was Adrian Hegeman. He was one of the original proprietors of the town, and was the owner of the farm lying immediately north of the property now in the tenure of Mr. Isaac Cortelyou. He was the ances- tor of the widow of the late Peter Lefferts, and probably
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of the whole family of Hegemans, now living. He was engaged as schoolmaster from 1659, to 1671.
From the records of the town, it appears that the schoolmaster acted as Town Clerk, and as the rates of tuition were low, previously to the American revolution, the offices of sexton, and "Foresinger," or chorister, of the church, were conferred upon him, with a view to in- crease his emoluments. He received all interment fees, for infants and adults, according to a scale of established prices, and for his services as chorister, he was paid an annual salary by the Consistory of the church. The chorister, in addition to his duty of taking the lead in setting and singing the Psalms and Hymns, was also re- quired to ring the bell for all public services, to read the commandments at the commencement of the morning worship, and the Apostles creed, in the afternoon. These latter services were all performed in the Dutch language, and uniformly continued so until about the year 1790, at the time when Mr. Gabriel Ellison, the first English schoolmaster left the village.
The following is a list of the schoolmasters of the town of Flatbush, from the year 1659, to the year 1802, when the village school was removed into the Academy.
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