St Us
2
THE
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
OF
Kings County and Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Orphan Asylum. — In the summer of 1832, the
city was visited by the cholera; and, among the disastrous
consequences to be laid to its account, was the homeless con-
dition of a number of children whose parents died of the
ejjidemic. Their forlorn state excited the sympathy of some
good people, who, after consultation, proceeded to act in the
matter by organizing, on the 17th of May, 1838, the Brooklyn
Orphan Asylum, the first institution of its kind in the city.
Among the ladies engaged in the work were Jlrs. Charles
Richards, Mrs. Elizabeth Davison, Mrs. Phojbe Butler and
Mrs. P. W. Radcliffe.
They were aided by the
Rev. Dr. Cutler, who had
that year taken charge
of St. Ann's Church,
Judge Radcliffe, Adrian
Van Sinderen, Esq. ,
Judge Lefferts, and other
gentlemen. The first
residence of the Society
was the old Jackson
house, on the Heights.
It stood on the bank, a
little north of the line of
Pierrepont street, and
was entered f romWillow
street by a lane bordered
with Lombardy poplars,
that — passing by a vege-
table garden, lying
where the roadway ol
Columbia Heights runs
— led around to the west
side of the house. It
was a Dutch mansion,
the lower part of stone,
the upper of scalloped *
wooden shingles, low-pitched and some 60 feet in length, and
was of ante-Revolutionary War date. The front, with its
three entrance doors, was toward the river, and of the
interior there are still relics in some blue and white tiles
from the fire-places, preserved by a family in the neighbor-
hood.
The affairs of the Asylum at tMs time were in charge of a
board of thirty-five ladies, who superintended domestic mat-
ters, while seven weU-known gentlemen acted in the capacity
of Advisory Board. Fourteen boys and twelve girls consti-
BllOOKLYN UUl'HAiN ASYLUM.
tuted the family during the first year ; $837.69 paid the bills,
and one cow supplied milk for the household. It seems as if
the managers of fifty years ago had an easy task, but there
are more to bear the heavier burden of to-day. The Asylum
has now a host of friends, who give to it systematically.
The boys, objects of solicitude in this generation, were gener-
ally so in that. It was as difficult to kee]i them busy, when
tempted to roU down the bank to get at the river (Furman
street not then being opened), as it is to keep their success-
ors from scaling the wall, to reach the ponds near by. .
"Times are changed,"
but neither boys, nor
other of the chief prob-
lems in managing, are
changed with them.
In 1839, the main part
of tlie Cumberland street
building, long occupied
by the Society, was com-
pleted ; m IS.'il it was
added to, affording then
accommodation for 130
children.
Dr. Cox and Mr. Gough
lectured for the cause ;
Fanny Kemble read, and
Jenny Lind sang for it.
Once a mouth Dr. Bud-
dington preached the
children a sermon, which
they unfeignedly en-
joyed. Now and again
they had the delight of
a picnic, or Christmas
treat, or amiiversary
feast, where the aim of
their entertainers evi-
dently Vas^to]^ascertain how much cake the orphans could eat.
The population of Brooklyn, numbered in 1833 at 20,000,
gained apace, and the necessity of a still larger Asylum long
pressed on the Managers, who had to deny many worthy ap-
plicants. At length the matter was taken in hand, and a
number of lots were secured at the corner of Atlantic and
Kingston avenues. On December Ist, 1870, tlie corner-stone
of the present building was laid, and vigorous efforts in be-
half of the enterprise were made thenceforward by all con-
nected with it. The ladies developed newtalent as financiers;
pr4
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
the gentleman gave and asked others to follow tlio examjile.
It was not easy to provide for the heavy expense incurred,
and yet it was punctually done. Every exigency was met,
every dollar paid when it was due. The work was carried in
this i)rudent way to its conclusion; and on " opening day,"
June 1.5th, 1872, the Society was relieved, by the kindness of
a watchful benefactor, from a mortgage, its only remaining
liability. The Imildlng stands in the center of the gi-ounds,
and is regarded as a model, not only of exterior architectural
l)eauty, but of taste and adajitation in its interior arrange-
ments. Its cost was $210,000; it has ample accommodation
for -100 oq)hans, but additional room is ahead)- needed. The
institution is supported by an endowment, beijuests, and
sijecific donations, and by contributions from the charitable.
During the half century, four ladies have filled the ofHce
of Directress : Mrs. Charles Richards, Mrs. Phoebe Butler,
Mrs. James L. Morgan, and, for the past twenty years, Mrs.
John B. Hutchinson, whose care for the children's welfare in
body and soul takes no rest. It is estimated that, from the
beginning, the Ayslum's aid has been given to nearly 5,000
children, through whom its influence is now sown broadcast
in the land. Many of them have returned to their friends
and l)een heard of no more. A number are known to have
been useful and respected in the various departments of life,
from preachers and teachers down to the humblest vocations.
One of the boys, so crippled that he was limited in liis exer-
tions for a livelihood to selling papers, did this in an honest
way that gained him favor, and enabled him to lay by $700,
which at his death he left to the Asylum, with the words,
" To the Orphan Asylum I am indebted for all that I am and
all tliat I have; it has been lioth father and mother tome."
With those placed in homes selected for them, correspond-
ence, as far as practicable, is maintained by the Chairman
of the Adojition and Indenture Committee, and frequent
letters come, telling of contentment and gratitude.
The Officers for 1884 are as follows : First Directress, Mrs.
J. B. Hutchinson; Second Directress, Mrs. Anna C. Field;
Recording Secretary, Mrs. P. P.Sherwood; Corresponding
Secretary. Jliss V. Sampson; Treasurer, IMrs. Peter Palmer.
The Board of Advisors consists of Hon. S. B. Chittenden, J.
B. Hutchinson, Abraham Wyckoff, Franklin Woodruff, C.
M. Field, Jonathan Ogden, A. H. Dana, J. G. Morgan, F. A.
Crocker, J. W. Elwoll, J. W. Mason and J. L. Truslow. The
Board of Finance consists of Messrs. J. W. Mason, A. H.
Dana and J. W. Elwell. The Counsel for the association is
A. H. Dana.
The Brooklyn Bureau of Charities was organized in 1879
with the following oflicers : Seth Low, President; Alfred T.
White, Secretary; Darwin R. James, Treasurer.
Tlie objects of this Society are:
1. To secure the co-0])eration of the benevolent societies,
churches, and individuals of Brooklyn, that they may work
with an under.standing of the exact conditions and needs of
every case.
2. To obtain and diffuse knowledge on all subjects con-
nected with the relief of the poor, so that all relief may be
of the kind best adapted to the needs of each case, and ad-
ministered in the best possible manner.
3. To encourage thrift, self-dependence and industry
through friendly intercourse, advice and sympathy, and to
aid the poor to help themselves rather than to help them by
alms, raising them as speedily as possible above the need of
relief.
4. To prevent imposition, and to diminish vagrancy and
pauperism and their attendant evils.
This Society seeks to aid aU benevolent societies, ohurchcg
and individuals to attain the highest aims of charity and
thereby the truest welfare of the poor. It neither solicits
or receives funds for the purpose of alms-giving.
The Society consists of the following, ex-ojjiciis: The Minis-
ters of aU Churches, the Mayor, the State Commissioner of
Charities for Kings County, the Commissioner of Charities
of Kings County, the Heads of City Departments, and Cap-
tains of Police Precincts ; of the officers, managing boards
and agents of all charitable organizati<ins, and all physicians
who are connected with disi)ensaries, or do gratuitous service
among the poor. Membership is obtained by any who con-
tribute to the support of the Bureau. District Ccmferences
are established in each Ward with an Executive Couunittee,
who keep a register of all needy cases in tlieir district, and
assist in visiting and relieving the poor. Mr Low was suc-
ceeded as President by Alfred T. White.
The Officers for 1883-'84 are as follows: Manly A. Ruland,
President; I. H. Gary, Jr., Rec. Secretary; Darwin R. James,
Treasurer; Geo. B. Buzelle, Gen'l Secretary ; M. Bennett, E.
D. Berri, J. O. Carpenter, I. H. Cary, Jr., S. B. Chittenden,
Jr., G. B. Forrester, D. R. James, D. A. Kendall, F. T. King,
M. A. Ruland, A. F. Smith, F. F. Underbill, J. D. Wells,
D.D., A. T. White, Executive Committee.
Evangelical Home for the Aged. — The friends of the Ger-
man Evangelical Aid Society determined to build a home for
the aged. They bought 14 city lots on the south-west corner
of Bushwick avenue and Fairfax street. They rented the
house. No. 79 Himrod street, for their immediate use, and
the corner-stone of the new Home was laid October 15, 1883.
On tlie 19th of February, 1883, the new building was occu-
pied. The house is large and well suited to the wants of the
Society. It now contains 43 inmates. Those desirous of en-
tering the Home as inmates are required to pay |500, if able.
If not able, they pay according to their means; the majority
being i-eceived entirely without money. The institution is
supported by the charitable among the German Evangelical
Churches. The Officers for 1883-4 are as follows: Rev. J. M.
Wagner, President; Rev. J. Weber, Secretary; of the Board
of Managers, Mrs. M. A. Miller is First Directress; Mrs. M.
Wied, Second Directress; Mrs. E. Hehr and Mrs. M. Krapf,
Secretaries; Mrs. P. Achterrath, Treasurer.
The Brooklyn Home for Aged Men. — In 1877, Mrs. Mary
G. Brinkerholf, Mrs. J. G. Wilbur and Mrs. Mary E. Whiton
found, in what had purported to be a Faith Home for old
men, in Grand avenue, near Atlantic, seven aged men in a
suffering condition. They, with five others who became in-
terested in the work, cared for these men during five months
at their own expense. In 1878, they became incorjiorated
under the above name. Soon after their mcorporation, Blr.
Frederick Marquand presented to the Society the undivided
half of the house in which the Home was established — 84
State street. This house was valued at |10,000. To it these
men were removed, and others have been added, till it is now
quite full. Its present capacity is twenty. Mrs. Mary G.
Brinkerhoff was the first President, followed by the present
President, Mrs. Lucien Birdseye. The other Officers for
1883-"4are: Mrs. H. W. Wheeler, Mrs. John Winslow, Vice-
Presidents ; Mrs. A. F. Kibbe, Mrs. J. H. Williams, Secre-
taries; Mrs. J. N. Bergen, Treasurer.
The Brooklyn Association for Improving the Condition
of the Poor (lOS Living.ston street) was formed in 1843. The
Presidents of the Societ}', up to the present time, have been
Seth Low, 1843-'53 ; John H. Brower, pro tern, Stephen
Crowell, 1854-'56; George HaU, 1857-'62; R. W. Ropes, 18G3
to 1884. The General Agents, during the same period,
have been : Stephen Crowell, 1843-53 ; Samuel G. Arnold,
1853 ; Luther Eames, 1854-'60; Rev. Samuel Bayliss, from
1861 to October 13, 1876, when David H. Hawkins was elected.
CHARIIABLE INSTITUTIONS.
915
Mr. Hawkins died in Spring of 1879, and, on October 13th of
that year, Albert A. Day was elected, and continues to fill
the office. This Association aims to improve the condition of
the poor, morally as well as physically, by relieving, their
inuuediate necessities, and by giving them such advice, re-
lief or encouragement as the several cases seem to require.
Accordingly, it usually excludes from its benefits those of
intemperate, or confirmed vicious, or indolent habits ; those
who, from disease, imbecOity, old age, or other causes, are
likely to be permanently dependent (such persons would be
better cared for in various public institutions), as well as such
as are, or ought to be, provided for by relatives, churches
men of wealth and influence, each of whom has a district
containing from fifty to a hundred families, which he can-
vasses thoroughly during the months of November, Decem-
ber and January. The work of distribution is carried on
through an experienced corps of paid Ward agents (under
the superintendence of the General Agent), who visit each
applicant and investigate the case before giving an order for
assistance.
The Association has its own storehouses, and purchases the
supplies disbursed at wholesale. The Thirty-fifth Annual
Report shows such disbursements made, at a cost of Sy'j per
cent, of the value of the goods disbursed. From six to eight
FIRST BUILDING OF THE ASSOCIATION. (Id rear of present one).
THE PRESENT BUILDING, 108 LIVINGSTON ST.
or otlier associations with which they may bo connected ;
recent emigrants (wlio properly come under the care of the
Commissioners of Emigration); and those whose long-con-
tinued poverty render them unquestionalily fit subjects for
the Superintendents of the Poor. In fact, it aims to confine
its labors, as nearly as possible, to those whose poverty is
caused by temporary reverses, which they may rise above;
and those whose condition may be elevated by judicious
assistance and advice. The society has no permanent fund,
but depends entirely upon annual contributions. The collec-
tions are made b}' voluntary unpaid solicitors, usually well-
known residents of the district where they solicit, and often
thousand families are assisted each year. During the past
six years, a very thorough and accurate system of business,
in all the details of this work, has been inaugurated and is
now maintained. The last Annual Report shows a disburse-
ment for the current year of over $29,000.
The original Officers, in 1843, were: Seth Low, Fres.;
C. P. Smitli, John Greenwood, Henry C. Murpliy, William
Rockwell, Henry N. Conklin, Vice-Presidents ; Abraham
Halsey, Treas.; James How, Bee. Sec.; Stephen Crowell,
Cor. Sec. and Oen. Agt, office, Brooklyn Institute, Wash-
ington street; with a Board of Managers, consisting of five
representatives from seven Wards, and eight elected members.
9?6
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
THE GRAHAM INSTITUTION.
The Brooklyn Society for the Relief of Respectable Aged
Indigent Females, mure popularly known as the Old Ladies"
Home Coi" more familiarly as the Graham Institution), and
designed for the benefit of poor gentlewomen wlio had been
unfitted, by previous culture and refinement, to acceirt will-
ingly the public asylum provided by the State for the poor
indiscriminately, wa.s first suggested in ]S,50. At a public
meeting, held at Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox's church, in January,
1851, the project took a definite form: a building site, corner
of Washington and DeKalb avenues, valued at ^4,000, was
presented by Mr. John B. Graham, and it was calculated that
a proper building would be conqileted within sixteen months
from that time ; Mr. Graham offering, during the meantime,
to furnish relief at their own homes, to all applicants for ad-
mission. The cooperation of twenty-six different (orthodox)
congregations was secured, and the enterprise was thus
placed on an unsectarian basis. A charter was obtained, the
building commenced, and the c<jrner-stone was laid on the
1st of July, 1851. The architect's report, read on that <K'-
casion, stated that the edifice would accommodate ninety old
ladies, and would contain a chapel, hosjiital, committee-
rooms, etc., at a pr(jbable cost of $32,000: Mr. Graham pledg-
ing himself for its completion in 1852, and the amount to be
raised by personal application to the citizens of Brooklyn.
The Society failing, however, to raise the sum within the
stipulated time, Mr. Graliam, with his accustomed liberality,
assumed the responsibility of the undertaking, and carried it
on to completion, at a cost of $29,044.95. He then presented
it to the Society, and it was dedicated to its beneficent uses
on the 26th of October, 1852. Mr. Graham's original gift to
this Society was $13,044.95, together with his time, labor, and
many smaller but valuable aids to its success. It was his re-
peatedlj' avowed intentioTi to build handsome dwellings upon
the two side lots, and give the rents f)f the same, yearly, to
the institution; and also, to free the building from debt, by
an already prepared deed to that eflfect. But whilst, with pen
in hand, calling upon his clerk to hand him this deed, death
closed his lingers in its icy grasiJ. This left the managers
under very discouraging circumstances, struggling through
each year, as best tliey ctould, witli scarce a hope left for the
relief of the institution, and dependent upon tlie uncertain
support of ])ublic charity. In the year 1855, it was thought
best to appeal to the public, through the pastors of the dif-
ferent churches represented by the management, for the
means wherewith to cancel the mortgage and its accumu-
lated interest. This plan proved entirely successful, and the
institution, since that time, has been crowned with success
sufficient to promise its jiermanent and lionorable position
as one of the most valual)le charities of Brooklyn. In 1862,
the sum of $5,000, given by the estate of the late Wm. H.
Cary, furnished a nucleus, which, with additions of various
sums from individuals, both living and deceased, formed a
permanent fund, the interest of which was applied to the
support of the inmates. With the exception of $1,500 from
tlie State Legislature, no aid was received from any public
body ; annual subscriptions and donations have l>een its de-
pendence.
The Presidents of the institution have been: Mrs. Dr. Cox,
Mrs. Lansing, Mrs. Buckley, Mrs. J. S. T. Stranahan, Mrs.
Webster, and Mrs. David M. Stone.
The other Officers are as follows: Mrs. Thco.
Jr., Vice-President; Mrs. W. H. Smith, Mrs. J. A
Secretaries: Mrs. A. C. Washington, Treasurer.
The Flower and Fruit Charity was organized
" to distribute fruits, flowers and othei- delicacies,
able reading matter, personally, amon
pitals, asylums and their own homes."
Polhemus,
thur Burr,
May, 1874,
with suit-
the sick poor in hos-
It numbered about
twenty members originally, which is the present aver-
age.
The first Officers were: Miss Badger, President; Mrs. J. H.
Lester, Jr., Viee-PresicU'nt; Misti A. M&\i, Secretary. Every
Monday, from 9 to 11 o'clock, the ladies meet in the basement
of the Brooklyn Library building, arrange the contributed
Howers in small bouquets, and carry them, with fruit, maga-
zines or newspapers, to the hospitals for distribution. At Christ-
mas, the inmates of all the hospitals are presented with cards
and oranges, while the wards are decorated with greens.
The charity is supported entirely by voluntary contribu-
tions of money and supplies, and the work performed by
ladies.
Its Officers for 1883-'4 are: Miss A. Mali, President; Miss J.
Duckwitz, Vice-President; Miss C. Lane, Secretary; Miss Kate
Crane, Treasurer.
Faith Home for Incurables.— In 1871, Mrs. Kennedy, of
New York, opened an asylum for incurables of both sexes in
Harlem. This was soon afterward renuned to Grand avenue,
near Atlantic, in Brooklyn, and subsequently to the corner
of Putnam and Grand aveinies. In Ajiril, 1875. Mrs. Ken-
nedy transferred this charity to Mrs. Rev. William E. Martin;
and by her it was soon transferred to Misses E. F. and A. H.
Camjibell. In 1877, it was removed to Lexington avenue,
near Franklin, where it remained three years. In Novem-
ber, 1878, the institution was incorporated under its present
name, whi<di sufficiently indicates its object.
The institution has been supported wholly by voluntary
unsolicited contributions. In 1876, a donation of seven dol-
lars was made toward a building fund. In 1881, this fund
had increased to $8,000, aliout $4,000 of which was a legacy.
In the spring of that year, Mr. A. S. Barnes donated to the
home, lan<l on the corner of Classon avenue an<l Park place,
and superintended the erection of the elegant and com-
modious building which stands there. In addition to his
donation of the land, he paid about $17,000 toward the erec-
tion of this structure, which cost about $33,000. Of this,
about $7,000 were donated by others. The home has accom-
modations for fifty patients. Most of the rooms in the insti-
tution have been furnished by individuals or churches,
and they are named after those furnishing them. The
Officers for 1883-'4 are Rev. Geo. F. Pentecost, President;
James M. Ham, Treasurer; S. B. Childs, M. D., Secretary;
Emily F. Campbell and Abby H. Campbell, Managers.
CHARITABLE tN'STITUTlON'S.
9^
THE BEOOKLYN NURSERY.
The Brooklyn Nursery.— In the spring of 1871, Mrs. E. B.
Rollins, Mrs. 11. V. Aten, Mrs. Charle.s Ruslimore, Mrs. W. G.
Lawrence, Mrs. A. G. Houghton and Mrs. L. W. .Seaman,
with a few others, interested themselves in forming a tem-
l)orary home for infants and young children of working people,
where they would receive kind care during working hours.
A house in Adeljilii street was secured, an Industrial School
established, and a charter granted the Institution as Tlie
Flatbush Avenue Industrial Seliool a)id Nursery. Soon after,
the Industrial School was discontinued, and a new charter
granted to The Brooklyn Nursery. In June, 1S71, the institu-
tion was opened. 1:50 children were cared for during the first
year. The first Officers were: Mrs. E. B. Rollins, First Direc-
tress; Mrs. M. Graliam, Second Directress; Mrs. G. W.
Alexander, Third Directress; Mrs. Charles Rushmore, Treas.;
Mrs. W. F. Swalm, Rec. Sec; Mrs. H. F. Aten, Cor. Sec.
Three years later, the Nursery was removed to larger quar-
ters at No. 188 Prospect ]ilace. In 1883, the house was sold
and lots purchased on Herkimer street, near Kingston avenue,
where the corner-stone of the new building was laid Septem-
ber 14th, 1883. This building is substantially constructed, on
the plan of the letter T, with a front of 52 feet on Herkimer
street, and a wing 45 by 58 feet in the I'ear. It is faced with
pressed bricks, relieved by bands of terra cotta; is four stories
in height, with a basement containing the culinary and
laundry apparatus. The first floor is used as the parlor, recep-
tion and sewing room; the upper floors are occujiied by dormi-
tories, matron's room, and lavatories. Special attention has
been paid to ventilation and jn'ecautions against fire. The
cost of the building was about $30,000. The Officers for
1883-4 are as follows : Mrs. E. B. Rollins, First Directress;
Mrs. G. C Wood, Second Directress; Mrs. D. D. Barker, Third
Directress: Mrs. D. Hustace, Treasurer; Miss J. Thompson,
Recording Secretary; Mrs. H. F. Aten, Corresponding Secre-
tary.
Brooklyn Benevolent Society. — The late Cornelius Heeney,
Esq., gave, for charitable purposes, 151 lots of land lying be-
tween Hicks, Columbia, Congress and Henry streets, in the
city of Brooklyn. He directed that the income from this
projierty should be expended for the relief of the jioor, one-
fifth for fuel, one-tenth for clothing for poor children attend-
ing school, $250 for a teacher for poor children, and the re-
978
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
maindor for the luaintenance aud education of poor orphan
cliildren, from foiir to fourteen yeai-s of age.
In IWo, the Benevolent Association was formed, for the
purpose of carrying out the provisions of the trust. The
derise j-ields from 122,000 to $25,000 per year, which is ap-
portioned among the poor of the Roman Catholic church
principally. The Ofkiceks for 1882-83 are Rt. Rev. John
Ix>ughlin, Fres.; ConoUy Roddy, Treas.; John McGreevey,
Secy. The Standing Committee is Andrew Dougherty,
Chairman ; Kiernan Egan, Jno. McGreevey, Hon. W. H.
Murtlia. AVilliam Kelly, Agent.
THE BAPTIST HOME.
The Baptist Home, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was incorporated
by an act of the Legislature, passed April 9, 1869. The es-
tablishment of this Home was first urged by Alexander
McDonald, with whom Francis D. Mason co-o])erated actively
and efficiently. These gentlemen contributed |25,000 toward
the building fund, but neither lived to see the commence-
ment of the building. The object of the Home, as set forth
in its charter, is to furnish " an institution %vhere the deserv-
ing infirm and needy members of the Baptist churches of
the city of Brooklyn * * * may be provided with a com-
fortable home, support, and employment, medical and other
necessary care, with the religious and church privileges
whicli they have been accustomed to enjoy as members of
their respective churches." The corner-stone of the Home
was laid October 22, 1873, and the building was dedicated
June 22, 1875. It is three stories in height, with basement
and pavilion. It is 112 feet in front, on Greene avenue (corner
of Throop), and has an average depth of about 45 feet ; the
cost was f81,500. The current expenses of the Home are
defrayed by contributions from churches and individuals.
Edward Adams bequeathed to the Home .|5,000, and Mis.
Sarah A. Bertine, $15,000. Officers (1883-'84) : Wm. Rich-
ardson, Pres.; Fred'k C. Linden, Treas.; Geo. B. Forrester,
Sec'y.
The Church Charity Foundation of Long Island.— This,
as the name imports, is a foundation on which to build sev-
eral institutions for different classes of beneficiaries to which
the charity of the church may be extended. Its origin is
due to the late Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D., when rector of
Grace Church, on the Heights (to whom had fallen the
charge of three orphan children of a communicant of his
parish); and a few noble-minded and generous ladies, among
whom were Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Pierrepont, Mrs. Hastings,
and others. These ladies, in 1850, rented a small building in
Love lane (which had been occupied by Harry, once a slave
of Samuel Jackson), and there gathered a few aged women,
supplying their wants from day to day, and watching over
them with affectionate care. Tliis enterprise enlisted the
interest of others, and led to the holding of a meeting, on
the 6th of February, 1851, in the church of tlie Holy Tiinity,
at which stejis were taken for the organization of the Church
Charity Foundation, which was incorporated under the gen-
eral act, April 14, 1852.
The charity contemplated, 1st, the establishment of a hoine
for aged indigent persons, at first of females, but in course
of time, of aged men and aged married couples ; 2d, an
orphan house, for the protection, support, and education of
indigent orphan and half-orphan children, and such other
children, without distinction, as shall have been
left in a destitute aud unprotected condition ; 3d,
the establishment of a hospital and infirmary for
the sick and helpless ; 4th, a training liouse for the
instruction in nursing of the sick, of such minister-
ing women as may desire to work for the afflicted,
not only in the departments of this foundation, but
in other charitable or penal institutions of the city,
among the poor in their abodes, and in cases of
contagious disease, or in times of pestilence; 5th, a
Iiome and bethel for seamen and boatmen, and their
families. Besides these, a provision is made, au-
thorizing the receiving and executing of any trust
for charitable uses ; it being intended, under this
comprehensive arrangement, to enable any benefac-
tor to establish charities and supply wants, not at
the time of the organization of the society parti-
cularly foreseen, but which the future growth of
the citj' might render desirable, and a riper experi-
ence in benevolence might disco\er and provide for. In 1857,
the Society purchased 33 city lots, at the corner of Albany ave-
nue and Herkimer street, and, in 1858-'59, erected thereon a
house and chapel, of sufficient capacit}' for 25 aged people and
40 orphans. For the first twelve years, the care of this num-
ber was the work of the Society.
In 1871, a separate house for the aged, of both sexes, was
erected. This was 120x45 feet, four stories in height. About
the same time, a dispensary for the poor was opened, fol-
lowed, in a few months, by an embryo hospital, which was
established in the new home. In 1873, a separate house,
35x70 feet, was erected for a hospital, which was opened on
St. John's day (December 27tb) of that year, and was named
St. John's Hospital. The grounds were enlarged by the jiur-
chase of 35 additional lots, and, in 1877, was commenced the
erection of a larger building, 140 feet on Atlantic avenue, by
95 feet on Albany avenue, and five stories high. This build-
ing was completed at an expense of |90,000. It is massive
and elegant, and contains 140 beds. Herein are provided the
most skillful physicians aud surgeons, the personal care of
devoted deaconesses, and the consolations of the church,
where services in a chapel opening into every ward, are
heard by all. A resident physician and a chaplam are also
included in the staff of workers.
This latest addition to the equipment of the Long Island
Church stands in complete working order, rising grandly at
the intersection of the broadest avenue in our city, and a
I'apidly developing thoroughfare, with its massive basement
of smoothly-dressed sandstone, its lofty walls of fine brick,
its ample lights for rooms or wards, its great window of
stained glass, with its wide and high corridors, its sunny and
elegant private rooms, its clean and capacious wards, its
manifold appliances for comfort and health, and its spacious,
convenient and handsome chapel, altogether constituting a
Hospital, pronounced by experienced observers as unsur-
passed in its adaptation to its purposes by any similar insti-
tution in the country.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
979
OKPHANS' HOME, UiN THE CHUHCH CHAKITl iuLM>ATION.
Kijii-piriii':
II i iif llltlill 1
i 1 t-
^tj,A4 a^l.ls- ""H
ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL, ON THE CHUHCH CHARITY FOUNDATION.
980
HIS2 0RT OF KINGS COUNTY.
The construction of the Hospital, including its furniture,
has added not less than $113,000 to the previously existing
possessions of the Foundation : and competent persons esti-
mate that, as it stands, finished, fitted, and furnished, it
could he rei>laced for not less than $150,000.
The endowments consist of amounts variously contributed
and permanently invested for the ]>urposes of the Founda-
tion. General endowment, $66,119 ; hospital endowment,
$12,127.93; total, $78,246.93. The real property of the
Foundation is valued at $268,000 ; to this add the endow-
ments, $8,246,937, and legacies to be received, $7,500, gives
as total amount of assets, $353,746.93. Tlie significance of
those figures cannot be overlooked. The united charities,
from a feeble beginning, have accumulated at the rate of
$10,000 a year, for more than thirty years. And, in addi-
tion to tills, the annual contributions for expenses approx-
imate a sum equal to the unincumbered value of the property.
From its very begimiing, this work has drawn to itself such
interest and lilierality as to stamp it unmistakably with the
seals of necessity and jiopularity. For five years the Hos-
ing the last nine years, the beneficiaries of the Founda-
tion have averaged: aged people 50; orphans, 80; sick, 25.
Its first Presidents were : Rev. Francis Vinton, D.D.,
who served three years; Rev. W. H. Lewis, D.D., who
served four years; Rev. Thomas Guion, D.D., who served
three years; and Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., who served by
election until his connection to the bishopric of L. I., in 1869;
since which he has been President, ex-offieio.
Officers in 1884 were: Rt. Rev. N. Littlejohn, Pres.;
Charles Hall, D. D., Vice-Pres.; Carlos A. Butler, Esq.. Sec'y ;
and Edwin Beers, Treas.
The Brooklyn Children's Aid Society. — This Society was
originated at tlie house of Hon. S. B. Chittenden, on the
evening of January 13, 1866. Its objects are : " The protec-
tion, care and shelter of friendless and vagrant youth; fur-
nishing them with food, raiment and lodging; aiding and
administering to their wants; providing them with occupa-
tion; instructing them in moral and religious truth, and in
the rudiments of education; and endeavoring to make them
virtuous and useful citizens.''
'im
tPOWLYN^.^-V?,;'-,,f AIDSOCIETX
r r' r
LM m^ i lit
THl; NI:iV-I!mV,- HuME of the HKOOKLYN CHILliKK.N > AMI SMl'lETY.
pital work hiis been sui)ported by the income from its endow-
ments, and the contributions to its purposes. It has also
attracted for building purposes, in the same period of five
years, at the annual rate of $20,000. Further, it has received
by voluntary contributions, often of the most affecting asso-
ciations, the furniture, and even the decorations (f offices,
i-ooins and wards, to the value of more than .$12,000. Its
MbsoUite freedom from debt has enabled the Foundation to
have its first consecrated chapel on unincumbered ground.
As might be expected, such a sjiontaneously developed energy
has extorted effects instantly appreciable upon the older
activities b)' its side. Beds in the Orphan House have been
generoush' endowed ; and large sums have been devised, by a
will now in probate, to each of the three great works of the
Institution, which bequests are known to have been prompted
by the unflagging persistence shown by the prosecutors of
the enterjirise in behalf of the sick and wounded.
The Foundation lias always maintained an excellent
primarj' school for the orphans, and it has a chaplain to care
for the spiritual and moral welfare of the inmates. Dur-
The foremost citizens of Brooklyn have served on the
Board of Trustees, and the story of the Society is one of con-
stant and vigorous growth. Wm. A. Lawrence, as general
superintendent, organized the work; and the generous gifts
of Frederick Marquand, Chauncey Rose, H. B. Claflin, S. B.
Chittenden, and many others, with the most careful business
management, have kept the Society above pressing want. It
has constantly reached out for more work, year by year. Its
first institution. The Newsboyx' Home, 61 Poplar street, was
opened September 1st, 1866. The special relief department
began work June 1st, 1867, furnishing homes and work for
children. Two Industrial Schools organized the same
year.
By September 1st, 1867, another Home was in full operation
at 139 Van Brunt street, South Brooklyn.
Within another year, the Newsboys' Home proved too
small, and the adjoining house and lot, 57 Poplar street,
were bought and fitted up. During the same year — October
21, 1868 — the Sewing-machine School for girls was organized,
and has been in successful operation ever since.
I
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
981
The departments of work conducted up to 1872 were : Two
Newsboys' Homes; a Special Relief Department; Sewing-
Machine Scliool, two Industrial Schools, and two Night-
Sohools for Boys. In the summer of 1872, Mr. Lawrence or-
ganized and carried out a series of excursions for mothers
and children to the sea-shore.
On April 1st, 1873, Mr. Lawrence resigned the general
superintendence of the Society, and Richard D. Douglass
was appointed to the position.
The picnics for mothers and children were continued dur-
ing the summer of 1873, under the care of Mr. Wm. Kirkby,
the work having largely increased. Mr. Douglass assumed
the conduct of the " Fresh Air Fund Excursions" in 1874,
and carried them on each summer, until, in 187G, by the
munificence of Alfred T. White, who presented a new build-
ing, fully furnished, to the Society, the Seaside Home for
Children was opened at Coney Island. From the small be-
ginnings of two or three mothers, sent to the sea-shore to
board for a few days for the benefit of their babies' health,
the work has assumed the proportions indicated by the fol-
lowing statistics : (See, also, page 197).
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
Total
NO.
WEEKS
OPEN.
NO.
CHILDREN
RECEIVED.
10
13
13
13
13
13
13
619
1,601
1,921
2,433
2.821
3,152
3,168
3383
19,088
NO.
MOTHERS
RECEIVED,
2U
.565
648
805
1,051
1,083
1,202
1,218
786
833
2,166
3,569
3,238
3,873
4.335
4,370
4,601
25, '•74
On January 1st, 1881, the Society, in addition to its other
work, established a Day Nursery for young children, in con-
nection with the Industrial School, in Van Brunt street.
This Society owes much of its success to the untiring efforts
of William A. Lawrence, general superintendent for the first
seven years of its life, and William Kirkby, who was sujier-
intendent of the Newsboys' Home from its foundation till
July Ith, 1880, when the Master called him to a higher ser-
vice.
The following gentlemen have served as Presidents of the
Society : — Hon. S. B. Chittenden, James R. Taylor, Dwight
Johnson, Henry R. Jones, Charles A. Denny, James P. Wal-
lace and Michael Snow. Oeneral Superintendents: Wm.
Appleton Lawrence, from 1866, for seven years; Richard D.
Douglass, from 1873 to the present time, ten years. Super-
intendent of Newsboys' Home, Wm. Kirkby, from September
1st, 1866, to his decease, July 4th, 1880 ; since which time
Mrs. Wm. Kirkby has been in charge.
The Van Brunt Street Home was maintained for boys un-
til 1867, when it was found best to concentrate work at Pop-
lar street, and at the same time enlarge the Industrial
School. E. Whitney conducted this Home as Superintend-
ent up to the date of closing the Home, as a lodging house
for boys. Miss M. H. Robinson continues to serve as Princi-
pal of the Industrial School.
The breadth and scope of the work of this Society is best
shown by the following statistics, which represents only a
part of the work done by the Brooklyn Children's Aid So-
ciety, from the commencement of its work, September 1st,
1866, to November 1, 1883, a period of 17 years and 3 months :
2,194 children sent to good homes in the country; 6,100 chil-
dren sent to good homes in the city; 7,581 girls taught on
the sewing machine ; 10,334 boys taken in from the streets ;
26,011 mothers and children sent to the Seaside Home; 37,018
articles of clothing distributed to children; 558,593 lodgings
furnished to street boys; 1,611,036 meals furnished to the
hungry; .$60,129.93 received from the boys, in part payment
for their food and shelter.
The Society has erected a new Newsboys' Home during the
past year, and it is regarded by many as the model Home for
this kind of work, A cut of this building appears at the head
of this notice.
The Convent of the Sisters of Mercy was founded by
the Order of the Sisters of Jleroy, and incorporated March
8th, 1865. It is located on Willoughby avenue, between
Classon and Graham avenues. The objects of the Order of
the Sisters of Mercy are to provide for and educate orphan
and destitute children ; to visit the sick in their homes, and
convicts in prisons and jails ; and to establish and mamtain
hospitals, infirmaries and other charities.
This convent was commenced in 1862, and completed in
1863. It was built of brick, with a height of four stories, a
front of 160 and a depth of 26 feet ; with wings from either
end extending to the rear, each 135 feet. The rooms are
large and airy, and the building is well suited to its pur-
poses, having a capacity for 200 inmates, and school accom-
modations for more than 600 pupils. The institution is sup-
ported by receipts from a select school, by the labor of its
inmates, by donations, and by aid from the city. Its prop-
erty is estimated to be worth about $140,000.
Home for the Aged, in charge of The Little Sisters of tlie
Poor. — This order was founded at St. Servan, in Brittany, in
1840, by Abbe le Pailleur, a young priest. The work was
commenced by two laboring girls, aged respectively 18 and
16, who devoted themselves to the care of the aged and in-
firm poor. From this modest beginning the order spread
till, in 1880, it numbered 188 houses, 23 of which were in
America. The first house in this country was opened in
Brooklyn.
In 1868, Rev. Ernst M. Lelie vre made the necessary arrange-
ments for the establishment of an institution here, and on the
13th of September, seven Little Sisters took possession
of three adjoining houses at 608 DeKalb avenue, capable of
sheltering about forty old people. In about eighteen months
they secured a plot of ground on the corner of Bushwick
and DeKalb avenues, and commenced the erection of one
wing of the present Home. By the aid of an appropriation
from the Legislature in 1870, they were enabled to build the
central part, containing the chapel, and afterwards the east-
ern wing.
The building is of brick, three stories in height, 180 feet
long by 73 deep; well supplied with cooking and laundry
fixtures, with accommodations for 275 old persons, wliich
number is kept quite full.
Every day two Sisters call at the various hotels, restau-
rants, and private houses, collecting broken victuals, coffee
grounds, tea, old clothing, etc. The butchers, grocers and
pro\"ision dealers contribute largely to the support of the
Home.
A branch Home has been established on Fifth avenue, at
the corner of 21st street, where a new building is in process
of construction, similar to the one on DeKalb avenue.
Convent of the Good Shepherd (the Order of the Sisters
of the Good Shepherd). The Order was first established in
1561 at Angers, in France, by the venerable John Eudes, and
was introduced into the United States in 1843. The object of
the order is the reformation of fallen women and the pre_
servation of young girls in habits of virtue. After reclama.
tion, if they desire, they are admitted to the Order of the
Sisters of St. Mary Magdalen, and live in retirement. The
institution also j^rovides for unmanageable, vicious chikh-en^
and for orphans. The house was established in Brooklyn,
982
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
May 8th, 186S, in a brick building on Henry street, near
Atlantic. In May, 1872, they removed to the corner of
Atlantic and East New York avenues. In 1872, a new and
larger building was commenced at the corner of Dean street
and Rwkaway avenue, which is now occupied by the Sisters
and a large numl)er of inmates. The grounds occupied by
the establishnient comprise an entire square. At this liouse,
many who desire to reform present tliemselves; others are
placed in it by friends, or by the authorities. Schools for the
younger inmates are constantly maintained. Fifty sisters
arc liere at i>rosont engaged in this good work.
The Female Employment Society. — This beneficent organ-
ization was originated in March, and incorporated April 19, in
1854. for the purpose of giving remunerative employment to
poor women. It originally numbered six officers and thirty-
four managers, which number lias since been retained. The
first Bo.vRD OP Officers was composed of Mrs. Luipieer, Jlrs.
A. A. Low, Mrs. Catlin, 5Irs. JI. F. Odell, Mrs. P. Romeyn,
and Sliss M. Lord. 5Irs. Low has been tlie President from
the first.
The Society owns the building, No. 93 Court sti-eet (its
head-quarters), and gives employment to many poor women
at more remunerative rates than they would obtain else-
where. Aside from the sale of the work manufactured by
these poor women, the association is supported by charity.
Free instruction is given in needle- work and in the use of tlie
sewing machine. Cases of sickness and destitution among
the employees receive prompt attention. The Offickrs for
1883-'84 are: Mrs. A. A. Low, Pres.; Miss Peet. Vice-Pres.;
Mrs. "William Brooks, Sec; Miss Star, Asst. Sec; Miss A. A.
Bidell. Treas.; Miss Baltzell, Asst. Treas.
The Good Samaritan. ^Wliile travelling in Norway, in
1873, Mr. M. S. Beach observed the practical working of an
association for supplying food, ready cooked, to the poor, at
the lowest possible price, and conceived the idea of establish-
ing a similar enterprise here. After his return, the matter was
considered by Mr. Beach and several other benevolent citi-
zens, among whom were: A. S. Barnes, F. A. Schroeder, D. D.
Wickes, Alexander Ager, Alanson Ti'ask, John S.Ward, Tas-
ker H. Marvin, S. V. White, A. P. Strout, James E. Kelsey,
Robert Foster and S. N. Stebbins. The result was the organi-
zation on the 25th of January, 1877, of an association under
the above name. The object, as set forth in the original
articles of Association, was to furnish food and lodging to
the needy at the lowest possible price.
The house was first opened at 35 Willoughby street, and in
the followmg May was removed to 45, in the same street. In
1880 the present building was erected, by the subscribers to
the Samaritan, on the corner of Willoughby and Jay streets.
The Association is now established on a sound financial
basis, and during the year 1881, the Nassau Branch was es-
tablished on the corner of Nassau and Washington streets.
This institution supplies a great desideratum. The poor
are here furnished with food and shelter, at prices barely re-
munerative, without feeling that they are the recipients of
charity. It is a significant fact that the example of the found-
ers of this establishment is being followed elsewhere. A. S.
Barnes is President of the Association. The other Officers for
1883-81 are: S. N. Stebbins, Vice-Pres.; F. D. Blake, Sec'y ;
Moses S. Beach, Treas.
The Greenpoint Home for the Aged was incorporated Nov.
20, 1882, with thefollowing Managers: Mrs. S. E. Dougherty,
Mrs. E. A. Clarke, Mrs. A. F. Cornell, Mrs. H. V. Church,
Mrs. M. E. Shaffer, Mrs. C. Broad, Mrs. M. R. Barnhart, Mrs.
L. R. Broad, Mrs. E. H. Corwith, Mrs. J. E. VanWoert, Mrs.
J. G. Manson, Mrs. S. Clarke, Miss A. Anderson, Mrs. S. C.
Finkel, Mrs. B. M. Taylor, Mrs. S. A. Calkin, Mrs. B, F.
Briggs, Mrs. M. A. Bradley, Mrs. L. E. Jenkins and Mrs. A.
S. Nutting. Of these, Mrs. E. Finkel vfss President ; Mrs. S.
E. Dougherty and Mrs. J. H. Broad, Vice-Presidents ; Mrs. G.
E. Bradley, Mrs. J. S. Ogilvie, Secretaries; Mrs. E. D. Church,
Treasurer ; and this board of officers has since been re-elected.
The organization originally numbered 22, whicli has since
been increased to 40. May 1st, 1882, the house at 69 Dupont
street was rented, and formally opened June 15th; it now
contains it inmates with accommodations for as many more.
German Ladies' Association, — The German element of our
population is mostly self-supporting, but occasionally a case
deserN'fng of charity is found. In 1874, an association was
formed among the German ladies of the Western District, for
the purpose of aiding poor Germans. Its President was Mrs.
F. A. Dreyer, and Mce-President Mrs. H. Strybing. The as-
sociation added to its numbers until it now has l.jO members.
In 1877, it was incorporated. It is entirely a voluntary work,
and depends upon contributions for support. It aims to help
the needy only until they can help themselves. Its members
visit personaU}' the families in their respective districts, and
give help as needed. Over 5,000 cases have been reached
since the association began its work. The present Officers
are: Mrs. H. Strybing, Pres. ; Mrs. B.Westermann,Fiee-Pres.;
Mrs. W. Poliuayder, Rec Sec; Mrs. P. Lichtenstein, See.
The Helping Hand. — In the winter of 1871, several ladies,
mostly of the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church,
formed a relief association to aid temi)orarily the worthy
poor.
An investigating committee was appointed, and, after
several efforts, an organization peifected July 24, 1871. Its
objects were: 1st. To establish a charity foundation. 2d. To
improve the condition of the poor. 3d. To instruct women
in useful employment. 4th. To give temporary relief in
cases of need. 5th. To establish evening and industrial
schools. 6th. To distribute contributions. The first Trustees
were: Stephen Ballard, Colin Campbell, J. T. Duryea, Richard
B. Duane, James W. Elwell, H. H. Lamport, Curtis L. North,
B. B. RoUins, J. S. Stearns, Edmund Titus, Wm. H. Smith,
Henry G. Richardson, James Willson. The first Board op
Officers were: Jas. W. Elwell, Pres.; H. B. Spelman, John
French, Mrs. H. M. Scudder, Mrs. H. Dickinson, Mrs. H.
Dollner,Fice-Pres.; Andrew Smith, iiec. Sec.; MissMeacham,
Cor. Sec; H. H. Lamport, Treas. In 1874, the Helping
Hand added a Dispensary to its other aids, with Dr. Scudder
as the first physician in charge. Since liis decease. Dr.
Archibald Campbell has held the position. The Officers
for 1883-"84are: Jas. W. Elwell, Pres.: A. S. Barnes, Rev. T.
B. McLeod, Hon. J. F. Pierce, T^/ce-P/'c,5. ; J. F. Anderson,
Jr., Rec. Sec; Miss M. A. Berry, Cor. Sec; Mrs. A. P. Strout,
Treas. The Trustees are: J. W. Elwell, A. S. Barnes, J. F.
Anderson, Jr., J. F. Pierce, D. D. Ives, F. G. Smith, A. P.
Strout, W. T. Gregg, J. Mix, C. D. Wood, Rev. B. J. Haynes.
The Officers of the Board of Managers for 1883-84 are:
Mrs. J. F. Pierce, Pres.; Mrs. W. T. Hemmenway,F;ee-Pres.
Mrs. W. F. Swalm, Mrs. I. N. Thatcher, Secretaries; Mrs. A
Strout, Treas.
The Home for Friendless Women and Children of
Brooklyn. In 1868, Mrs. Catharine Duryea Elwell became
interested in three poor women in the Raymond Street Jail,
who had been punished for crimes growing out of intem-
perate habits ; and, on their discharge, for the sake of pre-
serving them from a relapse into intemperance and from idle
habits, she, with three of her friends, determined to main-
tain them until occupation and homes could be found for
them. Finally, rooms were taken on Canton street, near the
Jail, Mr. James Elwell paying the rent for six months, and
the four friends contributing the nsoessary furniture. This
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
983
TEMPORARY HOME FOR FRIENDLESS WOME^f AND
CHILDREN.
experiment proved so encoui'aging that, before long, eight
women and two cliildren were added to the little family on
Canton street. In May, 1869, the infant Society rented a
small frame house on Bergen street, to "establish a refuge
for all who desired to reform, and offer them opportunities
to lead a better life." 156 women and 69 little children were
sheltered in 1869. A few months later, the Society was in-
formally organized: Mrs. J. P. Elwell, Pres.; ]\Iiss Meacham,
Sec. The Hrst annual meeting was held April 4. 1870, in
Dr. Cuyler's church. That same month, a larger house on
Bergen street was taken and rapidly filled. In that ytar, 400
women and children were admitted, and more than 48,000
meals furnished, but the pecuniary condition of the Society
was discouraging. It was sustained solely by the bounty of
friends. The need of more system became apparent. Accord-
ingly the Society was incorporated April 28, 1870, by the
following corporators : Elvira C. Jackson, Catharine Duryea
Elwell, Carrie E. Brett, Sarah M. Trask, Martha B. Cutting,
Carrie McDonald, Lizzie G. Meacham, Elizabeth L. Rosman,
Maria W. Heaton, Stella Mitchell, Sarah S. Cooper, Adriana
Genung, Ann E. Martin, Sarah B. Baylis, Urania B. Hum-
phrey, Laura C. Douglass, Elizabeth W. Wyckoff, Letitia W.
AUis, Mary E. Hartt, Allitta Duryea, Ellen Woolsey, Abigail
Bulkeley, Mary S. Delamater, Janet Tiney, Ella C. Knowl-
ton, Ann Brown, Sara A. Pryor, A. J. Eaton, Harriet L.
Packer, Mary White, Frances M. Allen, Margaret S. Barnes,
Harriet Sheldon, Mary L. Stone, and Caroline O. Bogart.
$10,000 was appropriated by the State, $19,000 more col-
lected, and the present home on Concord street was pur-
chased for $30,000, and was furnished and occupied May, 1871.
Since that time it has been filled to its utmost capacity, with
an annual average of about 600 inmates. More tl'ian 10,000
different women and children have been sheltered by the
home since its organization.
The Officers for 1883-84 are as follows: Mrs. W. S. Packer,
Pres. ; Sirs. D. S. Landon, First Vice-Pres.; Mrs. S. V. White,
Second VioePres. : Mrs. D. G. Eaton, Treas.; Mrs. J. S. T.
Stranahan, Mrs. John D. Rushmore.
The Brooklyn Howard Colored Orphan Asylum. — This
charity grew out of the need that was felt, by the freed
women who came North, of homes for their children. By
the advice of Gens. O. O. Howard and C. H. Howard, an as-
sociation was formed in 1866, in New York, which was after-
wards removed to Brooklyn, and incorporated, September 7,
1 868, under the above name. The buildings are situated on
Dean street, near Troy avenue, where the Society owns sev-
eral lots. There are accommodations for about 100 children.
A day-school and a Sunday-school are maintained. The
Officers for 1883-84 are: Mrs. L. A. Cooper, First Directress;
Mrs. A. Gladiator, Second Directress ; Mrs. M. Augusta
lolinson, Treas.: Miss F. Richards, Miss G. Cooper, Secre-
taries; Rev. W. F. Johnson, Supt. and Gen. Agent.
The Home Association for Working Women and Girls
was first organized, in 1879, as a voluntary society, mainly
through the efforts of Miss Mar}' Lewis, Mrs. John McLeod,
Mrs. Helen B. Partridge, Mrs. C. Benson, Mrs. Geo. Stannard,
and Miss Carrie Pratt. The object of the association is the
furnishing of a homelike boarding-place for working women
and girls at a price proportioned to their wages. The associa-
tion was incorporated in 1879, and in its work it has l)een
very successful. Its location has been several times re-
moved to enlarge its accommodations. It is now (1884)
located at No. 175 Hall street. Mrs. Helen D. Parsons was
President from the incorporation of the association until
1882, when Mrs. H. D. Partridge was elected; the other Offi-
cers for 1883-'84 are: Mrs. Geo. Stannard, Vice-Pres.; Mrs.
Jas. H. Taft, Jr., and Miss Etta Adams, Secretaries; Miss
Mary E. Lewis, Treas.: Miss C. A. Pratt, Auditor.
Sheltering Arms Nursery.— In April, 1870, Mrs. Rev. J. A.
Paddock conceived the idea of affording to the poor mothers
of St. Peter's (P. E.) congregation, facilities for pursuing
their daily labor by providing a place where their infants
could be cared for during the day. The experiment was
made, and it gave promise of success. In October of the
same year, ladies from the different parishes met and or-
ganized, at first, a day nursery. A house in Pacific street, was
rented, and the nursery established there. During the next
year the society was incorporated under the above title, and
permanent inmates were received. In the same year, larger
quarters were procured in Warren street. Thence the
nursery was removed, successively, to Atlantic avenue, Lex-
ington avenue; and, in 1877, to its present quarters, 157 Dean
street, near Hoyt. A building was purchased here, at a cost
of $1.8,000. In 1880, this was burned out, but at once rebuilt.
In 1878, it became a diocesan charity. It has passed through
many vicissitudes and discouragements, but its permanence
and usefulness have become well assured. The object of this
charity is, not to encourage idleness, but to aid those who
are willing to labor for their support. The first Officers
were: Mrs. Rev. Dr. John A. Paddock, Pres., 1870-81; Mrs.
D. L. Dodge, Vice-Pres.; Mrs. C. L. Caswell, Sec'y; Mrs. A.
Hallett, Treas. Present Officers : Mrs. John A. Nichols,
Pres. Lady Managers: Mrs. William B. Kendall, Vice-Pres.;
Mrs. Henry C. Hardy, Sec'y; Mrs. John Norton, Treas. About
fifty infants and small children are now in the institution,
which has a permanent fund of $50,000 for its support.
984
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
HEBREW OKPHAN ASYLUM.
The Hebrew Orphan Society of Brooklyn originated from
a gathering of charitable Hebrews to provide a liome for or-
phans from Brooklyn. An organization was perfected and
the society incorporated in August, 1878. A house was
rented on the corner of Stuy vesant avenue and McDonough
street. The asylum was opened for the reception of orphans
January 7, 1879, and sixteen children received. Before the
expiration of two years the need of larger accommodations
was felt, and at a meeting April 17, 1881, it was resolved to
purchase grounds on McDonough street, near Stuyvesant av-
enue, 120 by 200 feet, for the sum of $12,500. The trustees
resolved to erect a new building, 70 by 100 feet, of which the
corner-stone was laid June 26, 1883. It is of brick, with stone
trimmings, and three stories in height. The managers have
deemed it a wise policy to educate the children in the neigh-
boring public school. The asylum owes much to the efforts
of Ernst Nathan, who has been its President from the first.
The other Officers for 1883-'4 are: S. Goodstein, Vice-
President; G. Merzbach, Secretary, and M. Bruckheimer,
Treasurer.
The Hebrew Benevolent Society nf Brooklyn, E. D., was
organized June 24, 1868, witli 36 members, and was designed
to assist the poor and needy through a well-regulated system
of relief. All applications are investigated by a committee,
and the worthy are assisted with food, clothing and fuel. Its
first Officers were: M. Kessel, Pres.; Jloses May, Tfce-J Yes.,■
Isaac Strauss, /S'cc. ,• Philip Strauss, Cash.; S. Kaufman, A.
Nova, M. Benjamin, N. Bernstein, S. Moog, A. H. Sonn,
Directors. The society has meetings semi-annually; the
committee on relief and charity meets every month. The
society derives its income from the dues of members and
voluntary contributions from the charitable. The Officers
for 1884 are as follows: M. Kessel, Pres.; M. May, Vice-
Pres.; H. Stettheimer, See.; Philip' Strauss, Ca.sh.: N. Bern-
stein, I. Igelheimer, D. Urlach, D. Wollmar, I. Weinberg,
Direitois.
The Brooklyn Industrial School Association and Home
for Destitute Children (No. 217 Sterling place, between Flat-
bush and Vanderbilt avenues), was organized in 1854, and
incorporated in 1857. Its object is to form and support in-
dustrial schools, and to establish and maintain a home for
destitute children in the city of Brooklyn. The small house
in Concord street, in which the children were first gathered
by the Association, afforded too limited accommodation, and
fourteen lots of ground were purchased on what is now Ster-
ling place, although at time of purchase there were no paved
streets and no buildings in that immediate vicinity.
In 1861 the Home for Destitute Chtldi-envcas erected at a
cost of about 115,000. In 1874 a wing was added to this
building to be used for hosjiital purposes. In 1880 the work
had so far outgrown the utmost capacity of this Home, for
the accommodation of applicants, as to render it necessary
to remodel the entire building. This was done, and a new
wingwas added; the whole being ready for occupation in 1883.
In accordance with the plans of the architect, it is pro-
posed at some future time to erect a new westerly wing in
place of the old one, which was allowed to remain for want
of funds. When this change shall have been made the com-
pleted building will appear as one of the finest in the city of
Brooklyn. As it stands on an eminence commanding a view
of Prospect Park, and also of the Bay of New York, it is a
prominent object. The situation is both airy and healthful,
and peculiarly suitable as a home for the little ones who need
the pure, fresh air which this site furnishes.
Six Industrial Schools have been established and supjiorted
by this association. They are, at present date, in the locali-
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
98S
BKOOKLVN INDUSTllIAL SCHOOL AND HOME FOB DESTITUTE CHILDREN.
ties here given, and their order of establishment is as follows:
No. 1, Concord street, opposite junction of Prince street; No,
2, Fourth street, near Smith street: No, 3, in the Home, Ster-
ling place, between Flatbush and Vanderbilt avenues; No. 4,
No. 391 Van Brunt street; No. 5, Throop avenue, between
Myrtle and Flushing avenues; No, 6, Franklin avenue, near
MjTtle avenue.
In these schools the children receive an elementary course
of instruction and good moral and religious training, A
suit of new clothing is provided for every child, and
dinner is given daily in their respective schools. This pro-
vision is made so as to enable the children to attend, for none
are admitted who have sufficient clothing and food prepared
by their parents; and no child who can attend tlie public
school is allowed to remain here. The children are taught
to sew by ladies wbo visit the schools for that purpose: every
school is under the supervision of a committee from the
board of managers. The children in the Home building are
those whose parents cannot, for various reasons, provide a
shelter for them. In some cases their relations pay a nom-
inal board toward their support. Some of the children are
surrendered to the association, and others are taken entirely
on charity. The older children assist in the light work of the
house, and thus become familiar with the ordinary routine
of household labor. The girls are taught to sew; and
" kitchen garden " instruction has been introduced, so as to
prepare them to take places for domestic service.
The work is supported by the voluntary contributions of
benevolent persons. Managers are appointed from the vari-
ous churches, and contributions are taken up by the man-
agers in their respective churches. Nearly every Protestant
church in Brooklyn is represented by one or more managers
in the Home. The board at present consists of about one
hundred and fifty ladies. An annual fair adds to the rev-
enues of the association. The Presidents have been, in suc-
cession: Mrs, Fisher Howe, Mrs, Jesse Smith and Mrs, J,
Merwin; the latter is still the President of the Board.
Orphans and half-orphans are not received in the Home
for Destitute Children, but are referred to the Orphan Asy-
lum, this being an arrangement made to distinguish the
work of the two institutions. The Industrial School work,
however, is the distinctive feature of this charity, and its
benevolence is distributed throughout the whole city by the
schools, which are, as to locality, widely separated from each
other. This has always been a favorite charity in the city,
and its growth has been very rapid.
The Industrial School and Home of Brook-
lyn, E. D.* — Previous to 1854, a voluntary asso-
ciation for the care of poor children existed
among the local churches in Williamsburgh.
In February, 1854, Mrs. Harriet Brown, im-
pressed by the degraded condition of poor chil-
dren, and anxious for their reformation, per-
sonally solicited the sum of $600, and called a
meeting of friends in the parlors of the New
England Congregational Church, Feb. 20th.
The organization of the society was per-
fected, with Mrs. Brown as chairman. It was
determined to have a school in the old North
American Hotel, on North Second street, be-
tween Fourth and Fifth streets. The session
commenced March 7th, 1855, with eleven
pupils, Mrs, Fister being the teacher. Mrs.
Van Houghton was the first matron.
In 1860, the association was incorporated for
the following purposes : " To cause the chil-
dren of the school to receive elementary
EngUsh instruction; to teach habits of neatness and order;
to instruct in domestic duties; to provide food and clothing,
and procure places of employment for the children when
they arrive at a suitable age,"
The nine Trustees for the first year were: James Hall, Rob-
ert Dunken, George Ricard, John Broach, Isaac M, Haly,
Richard B. Hunt, John A, Brady, M. D., Joseph H. Van De
Water, and George W. Edwards. Some years later, the
Home was removed to the old public school building, corner
of Fifth and South Third streets.
In 1866, an appeal was made to the Legislature for aid.
The first directress, Mrs. Lyons, fought a brave battle in the
interest of the school. She was a leading spirit; not only in
this institution, but in all works of charity and public
spirit, her sympathies were quickest and her hand strongest.
She asked others for nothing which she herself was not
willing to give. She led where she desired others to follow.
During the war for the Union, she gave to the stricken
soldier the same systematic and vigorous aid as here to the
child of poverty and want. She had taken this institution
into her heart of hearts, and voluntarily went to Albany
to secure the needed appropriation for this institution.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AND HOME,
While she used no artifice, no unworthy or undignified
methods, she omitted no proper effort that could con-
tribute to her success. She knew the members personally,
and literally sat down Iiefore and in the Capitol until the
bill was passed and signed by the Governor, giving the
* By Geo. H. Fisher, Esq.
986
HISTORY OF KIJVGS COUl^TT.
school 110,000, upon condition that an equal sum be raised
by private subscription, which was duly fulfilled. Mr.
Gforge Ricard presented four lots in North Second street, on
which to erect a new liuilding; but, in 1869, the plan was
changed; the Pease estate, in South Third street, was pur-
chased, and the large substantial building occupied. In
1877-78, a wing, costing $33,000, was added to the Home, the
funds for which were raised prmcipally through the efforts
of the lady managers.
The association now numbers about -lOO life members. The
first Board of Officers was: Richard B. Hunt, Pres.; Geo.
W. Edwards, Sec; John Broach, Treas. The succeeding
presidents have been : Nicholas WyckoiT and Benjamin Wil-
son. The first directresses have been: Mrs. Robert Duncan,
Mrs. E. Lyon, and Jlrs. B. H. Howell.
The Officers for 18^3-'84 are: Board of Trustees— Ben-
jamin W. "Wilson, Pres.; Lewis P. Nostrand, Vice-Pres.;
George H. Fisher, Sec; John Broach, Treas.; Benjamin H.
Howell, Cornelius L. Johnson, George B. Cole, John T. Wood-
ruff, Edward S. Seeley. Board of Managers — Mrs. B. H.
Howell, First Directress; Sliss S. F. Snow, Second Direct-
ress: Miss J. A. S. Schapps, Rec Sec; Mrs. L. L. Kortright,
Cor. Sec; Mrs. J. D. Wade, Treas.
The Industrial Restaurant and Training School was or-
ganized in 1878, mainly through the efforts of Mrs. A. Ten-
ney. The aim of its managers was to provide a remedy for
street begging, by furnisliing work to be done on the prem-
ises, to men, women and children, for meals, cooked food to
carry home, groceries, clothing and coal.
The work furnislied for men has been: sawing, splitting
and delivering wood. The work for women and children
has been: house cleaning, laundry work, sewing and rug-
making.
A fair amount of labor only has been required, and people
have been urged and aided to find work outside. An appli-
cant to the institution is allowed to work tliree hours per
day, for which he receives payment at the rate of ten cents
per hour in meals, or food to carry home.
A weekly visitor is sent to poor families to relieve their
wants, provide them with work, and see that the children
attend some school.
The restaurant cares for children during the day while the
mother goes out to work; loans money on furniture; pur-
chases coal at reduced rates for the poor; lodges men at 10
cents per night; a free evening reading-room, free baths,
and washing, in excliange for work. It also teaches the
proper way to perform work.
In 1882, the Industrial Restaurant moved to its present
site, No. 112 Lexington avenue. It is supported entirely by
charity; any person paying 5 cents per week becomes a mem-
ber of the association, and is entitled to send all applicants
for aid to the restaurant.
The Officers for 1883-'84 are: Mrs. A. Tenney, Pres.; Mrs.
H. W. St. John, Vice-Pres.; Mrs. George L. Carrington,
Sec; Mrs. M. B. Ross, Treas.
The Orphan Home of the Church of the Holy Trinity
was established in 1861, and soon afterwards incorporated, for
the purpose of maintaining and educating orphans, from
tlic congregation of the Roman Catholic Church of the
Holy Trinity. There are about 30 inmates at the present
time. The first Officers were: Very Rev. M. May, J. Bert-
ges, J. Zimmer, and J. Raber.
The Board is the same for 1883-"84, with the addition of F.
J. Berlenbeauer and L. Groeser.
St. Phebe's Mission, at No. 10 Lafayette street, was or-
ganized in the spring of 1882, and adopted a constitution
May 30tli. Its object is to minister to the necessities of the
sick and the destitute; especially to the inmates of the County
buildings at Flatbush, of the Penitentiary, the City Jail, and
the Naval and City Hospitals. To this end, women workers
and trained nurses are engaged, who are known as St. Phebe
Associates. During the past year, over 1,000 visits were
made to these various institutions by the Sisters. The Mis-
sion is supported entirely by charity. The first BOARD OF
Managers was as follows : Miss Harriette Low, Mrs. A. A.
Seaman, Miss C. King, Mrs. Hugh Allen, Mrs. Augustus
Ivins, Miss Peck, Mrs. Samuel Cox, Mrs. F. B. Carter,
Mrs. Alexander Hutchins, Mrs. Washburne. Tlie Officers
have been and are as follows: Miss Harriette Low, Pres.;
Mrs. Augustus Ivins, Sec; Miss Cornelia King, Treas. The
present Board of Managers is as follows : Miss Harriette
Low, Miss King, Mrs. Seaman, Mrs. Ivins, Mrs. A. Hutchins,
Mrs. S. Cox, Mrs. Peck, Mrs. Stoddard, Mrs. Van Nostrand
Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. Snively, Mrs. Conklin and Mrs. Wood-
ard.
The Christian Union for Chinese Work. — This organiza-
tion has for its object the education, elevation and protection
of tlie Chinese residents in our city. The rooms of tlie so-
ciety are located at 991 and 993 Fulton street, and are open
every week-day afternoon and evening, witli religious ser-
vices on Sunday evening. On Monday afternoon, there is a
Union school session at the Moravian Church, Jay street, near
Myrtle avenue. The President of the society is Mr. Andrew
A. Smith, wlio has been very active in assisting the Chinese in
their business affairs; seeking redress for them when robbed
and abused by civilized Americans, and in many other
ways endeavoring to impress them with the idea that Chris-
tianity means something. The other Officers of the so-
ciety are : H. E. Pease, Vice-Pres.; Rev. E. S. Walle, Sec;
W. D. Gleason, Treas. The Trustees are: Messrs. A. S.
Barnes, S. L. Parsons, A. D. Matthews, Charles Tremaine,
Miss Shirley, Mrs. Wyman, Miss Pleier, Mrs. Relph, Mrs. Dr.
Sizer, Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Culbertson, and Mrs. Harris.
The First Brooklyn Woman's Christian Temperance
Union was organized early in 1874, and incorporated in
1880. It is connected with the New York State organization
as well as the Woman's National Christian Temperance Union.
Its Officers are as follows: K. E. Cleveland, Pres.; Miss M.
E. Winslow, Cor. Sec; Mrs. Myra J. Denley, Rec. Sec; Mrs.
Mary L. Jacobs, Treas.
A hall seating 400, at the corner of Fulton and Jay streets,
is the headquarters of the Union, with branches in different
parts of the city. The Union provides pleasant and attractive
reading rooms, where meetings are held every evening and
on Sunday afternoons. Sunday evening temperance meet-
ings are held in the theatres and places of amusement. The
work of the Union includes the visitation of families, reliev-
ing distress, circulating temperance literature, and gathering
cliildren into schools. Regular visits are paid to the Ray-
mond street Jail and to the Kings County Penitentiary, and
the families of prisoners are cared for when necessary. Work
among children is carried on by means of two flourishing
schools, numbering about 300 pupils. The Union has expended
in its work, since March, 1874, $21,252. Mrs. Mary C. Johnson
was its I'resident for the first eight years.
The Christian Rescue Temperance Union originated in
the weekly meetings of a few children to promote the cause
of temperance, and assist i»or families in the neighborhood.
An organization was formed June 15, 1879, at 196 15th street.
South Brooklyn, with six members. The membership in-
creased so rapidly, and the society did so much good, that it
was incorporated in August, 1882, with a view to erect a hall
and reading-room. It now consists of about 80 adult mem-
bers and 1,500 youths and children. Weekly meetings are
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
98r
held for business and instruction. They are carefully trained
in vocal and instrumental music, and give occasional con-
certs to raise funds for current expenses and charity. Some
fifteen families have been supported each winter, and large
quantities of provisions distributed at Christmas. The so-
ciety publishes a weekly paper — "Our Banner." A gospel
temperance prayer meeting is held every Sunday by the mem-
bers. The first Board of Officers comprise the following
names: Mrs. J. Duer, Mrs. Updegrove, Mrs. Seabury, Mrs.
Simpson, Mrs. Cleverley, Mrs. Stevens, Mr. C. G. Johnston,
Mr. and Mrs. Duncome. The Officers first chosen have been
retained in office and are as follows: Adult Department — C.
G. Johnston, Pres.; William Cleverley and G. P. Spooner,
Secretaries ; William Whitehead, Treas. Young People's De-
partment—Mrs. J. Duer, Pres.; Mrs. J. Jolmston, Sec ; C. G.
Johnston, Treas.
The Sailors' Coffee-House Company.— This is an association
which grew out of a desire to benefit sailors by establishing
a cheap and good hotel, conducted on temperance principles,
for the accommodation of sea-faring men when on shore
The following philanthropic citizens procured its incorpora-
tion January 21st, 1880: George L. Pease, Ferdinand Van
Sicklen, Edward H. Litchfield, Wm. G. Low, Thomas D.
Williams, H. E. Pierrepout, Jr. A stock company was'
formed with a capital of $20,000. The buildings 241 and 243
York street, adjoining the Navy Yard, were rented, and an
eating and lodging house opened. Prices were fixed as low
as expenses would warrant, and still the work is jiartly car-
ried on by voluntary aid. The Officers for 1883-'84 are:
William G. Low, Pres.; George L. Pease, Sec'y.; H. E. Pierre-
pont, Jr., Treas.
The Woman's Work Exchange and Decorative Art So-
ciety of Brooklyn (formerly knouTi as Tlie Soutlt Brooklyn
Employment Society) oxiginaAed. in efforts made in 1872-'73, by
a philanthropic gentleman connected with the Sunday-school
of Christ Church, in CUnton street, near Harrison, to find work
for his Bible class; particularly for a crippled girl who had
no means of livelihood. At first a small circle were interested
in his projects, but afterward many of the ladies connected
with Christ Church promoted and sustained the endeavor.
Later in the movement, other churches in South Brooklyn
assisted it under this name with contributions, until there
was an organization which had rooms at the corner of Clinton
and Warren streets, and gave employment to seamstresses
and also trained classes of girls in needle-work.
The first Board of Officers consisted of Mrs. Nehemiah
Knight, Pres.; Miss R. Da Costa, Vice-Pres.; Miss. I. E.
Buckmaster, Treas.; Miss M. I. Adams, Sec; Mrs. A. Thomp-
son, Directress.
In 1878-'79, the Woman's Work Exchange, for the sale of
articles of use or beauty, which should be made by women
who wished to dispose of them, was established and united
with the S. B. E. Society; and the two societies, under the
same Board of Management, took up their abode at 122 At-
lantic street, where they still remain.
The first BOARD OF Officers, after the union of the two so-
cieties, was as follows: Mrs. Mary L. Clapp, Pres.: Miss Re-
becca Da Costa, Vice-Pres.; Miss M. I. Adams, Treas.; Mrs.
Gordon, L. Ford, Cor. Sec; Miss M. H. Post, Rec Sec.
In 1883, the South Brooklyn Employment Society passed out
of existence, and the name of the association was changed to
The Woman's Work Exchangeand Decorative Art Society of
Brooklyn, which represents its present aim and function.
The Society has grown from a handful of members to a large
and devoted fellowship; and paintings, decorated china,
needle-work, embroidery, pickles, preserves and cake, are
placed in their rooms, and sold for the advantage of the con-
signors. These articles cover a wide range of ingenuity, in-
dustry and esthetic taste, and the intentions of the Society
seem to meet the public approval and patronage. There are
also painting and drawing classes under the wing of the
Decorative Art Society, which foster talent and encourage
good work.
The Business Women's Union was organized by the
Brooklyn Women's Club, and incorporated Nov. 7, 1871. Its
object was to provide a home for self-suj^porting women of
good character, at the lowest possible rates, and to establish a
bureau of information. The first Officers and Managers
were: Mrs. Annie C. Field, Pres.; Mi'S. Charlotte A. Clarke,
Vice-Pres.; Miss Kate Hillard and Miss Laura F. Beecher,
Secretaries; Mrs. Mary H. Holley, Treas. Mrs. S. M. Parsons,
Mrs. L. A. Potts, Mis.s A. Coleman, Miss S. M. Glover, Mrs.
H. Brigham, Mrs. R. Bunker, Mrs. C. E. Chambers, Mrs. S.
Eppendorf, Mrs. M. A. Rowland, Mrs. M. E. Rowley, Mrs.
J. M. Wilson, Mrs. M. F. Hines, Mrs. C. C. Dike, Managers.
The first Board of Advisors was: Rev. A. P. Putnam, H. B.
Claflin, J. Willetts, F. Woodruff, M. S. Beach. A boarding
house was opened at No. 80 Willoughby street in 1871, as a
home for self-supporting women. The demand for larger
accommodations determined the society to purchase the
property, which was done for |15,000. $22,000 more was
spent in alterations, which fitted the house to receive about
50 boarders.
From the beginning, the house has paid its current ex-
penses. The rate for permanent boarders is from $3.75 to
$5.25 per week. A Wo7nen's Employment Bureau has also
been established in connection with the Home. The present
board (1883-'84) consists of Mrs. A. C. Field, F'res.; Mrs. C. A.
Clarke, Vice-Pres.; Mrs. W. V. Tupper, Cor. Sec; Mrs. S. M.
Glover, Rec. Sec; Mrs. A. Forman, Treas. Mrs. S. M. Par-
sons, Mrs. M. E. Rowley, Mrs. J. Sterns, Auditors. Mrs. R.
H. Manning, Mrs. M. A. Rowland, Mrs. R. Bunker, Mrs. M.
U. Lewis, Mrs. S. EUinwood, Mrs. A. Coggeshall, Mrs. M.
Chapman, Mrs. L. Fisk, Mrs. T. E. Jewell, Mrs. M. H. Holley,
Mrs. L. F. Beecher, Miss J. Keese, Mrs. C. Wood, Managers;
The Advisory Board is as follows: C. A. Field, H. B. Claflin,
R. H. Manning, C. C. Dike, A. Forman.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals —
Through the efforts of Henry Bergh, the New York Society
for P. C. T. A, was incorporated April 10, 1866, by a number
of the best citizens of that city. Its objects were stated " to
be the providing of effective means for the prevention of
cruelty to animals throughout the United States, the enforc-
ing of all laws for the protection of animals, and the procur-
ing the punishment of all persons violating such laws."
From this beginning, branch organizations have been estab-
lished in 37 states and territories, and Canada. The Society
now nimibers over 500 members. The first Officers were :
Henry Bergh, Pres.; J. T. Hoffman, Peter Cooper, D. D.
Hicks, W. H. Aspimvall, Marshall O. Roberts, H. W. Bel-
lows, James Brown, George T. Trimble, Moses Taylor, and
H. B. Claflin, Viee-Pres'ts. The Society was vested with full
power to carry out its specific objects, and has been most
successful in securuig humane treatment to animals, not
alone in our large cities, but throughout the country. Hos-
pitals for diseased animals, and an ambulance service for
disabled ones, are now numbered among our city institu-
tions. The Brooklyn Agency of above Society was started
October 31, 1881, with J. R. Pye, Superintendent. During
the first year, 301 arrests were made, 271 convictions secured,
871 disabled animals relieved from labor, and 429 humanely
destroyed.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
—On December 13, 1880, a number of gentlemen met at the
988
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
residence of Mr, II. 13. Clalliu, for the i)urpose of organizing
a society for the care of helpless children. Within two
weeks an office was opened at 199 Montague street, the
above name given to the Society, and active operations were
begun. In the first ten months, 361 complaints were lodged
at the office, and 160 children rescued from misery. The first
Officers were: Henry R. Jones, Pres.: H. B. Claflin and W.
B.Leonard, Vice-Pres'ts.: Alexander Munn, Sec; and Geo.
S. Pe;ise, Treas. The same board of officers have been con-
tinued to the present time. During the year ending October,
1883, 653 complaints were lodged at the Society's office, by
citizens, or the police, and 344 children removed from brutaj
parents or guardians, and placed in homes or institutions ;
189 cases were prosecuted, and 177 convictions obtained. The
aim of the Society is to prosecute those who abuse little ones;
who send children into the street to beg; who would force
girls into lives of degradation; who would place their offspring
in sitiiations dangerous to health; who maliciously commit
friendless waifs to jail, or who attempt to debauch, dissipate,
or in any way wrong the most helpless of our race.
Zion Relief Association (Home for Aged and Infirm of
Zion Church). — This organization was perfected December 7,
1869, to afford a free home to the aged poor of Zion A. M.
E. Church of New York, and to others, upon such terms as
the trustees should recommend. September 20, 1872, the
trustees of Zion Church were authorized to purchase prop-
erty for the erection of such a home, and soon after bought
the property on Dean street, between Albany and Troy av-
enues, for $4,800, and expended $2,350 for alterations and
repairs. Accommodations were provided for fifteen inmates,
which number has since increased to twenty-one.
Visiting Committee of the State Charities' Aid Associa-
tion for the Kings County Institutions. — A central organiza-
tion, known as the State Charities' Aid Association, formed
in May, 1872, having its office in New York City, has for its
objects — 1. To promote an active public interest in the New
York State Charities. 2. To make the present pauper system
more efficient, and introduce reforms. In connection with
this organization, local visiting committees are formed in the
various counties in the State. In June, 1873, a preliminary
meeting was held at the Mercantile Library, in Brooklyn, to
organize a local visiting committee for the public institutions
of Kings county, at which Mrs. Stranahan presided. At an
adjourned meeting, October 14, a constitution and by-laws
were adopted. The first Officers were: Mrs. J. S. T. Stran-
ahan, Pres.; Mrs. Wm. Ives Buddiugton, First Vice-Pres.;
Mrs. A. C. Field, Second Vice-Pres.; Mrs. Gordon L. Ford,
Cor. Sec. ; Mrs. Elliston L. Perot, Rec. Sec.
Committees were appointed on Infants' Wards, on Hospi-
tals, and on Alms-houses. The work of the committee has
been productive of much good since the year of its organiza-
tion. Public attention has been directed to the unfortunate
condition of the public wards, and abuses corrected. The
Board of State Charities is supported entirely by volunteer
contribution, and the arduous duty devolving upon the vari-
ous committees in Kings county have been performed as a
labor of love. Mrs. Stranahan has been the President since
1873. Officers, 1883-'4, are as follows: Mrs. J. S. T. Stran-
ahan, Pres.; Mrs. Fisher Howe, First Vice-Pres.; Mrs. D. C.
Robliins, Second Vice-Pres.; Mrs. John Vanderbilt, Cor. Sec;
Miss Dora Robinson, Eec Sec; Mrs. David IMorrison, Asst.
Sec; Miss Lillie Brown, Treas.
Protestant Episcopal Mission to the Public Institutions. —
In 1860, Mrs. Fellows, the wife of a disabled presbyter of the
church, began to visit the city jail, hospitals, etc., with her
husband, who performed such duties as required a clergy-
man. April 1, 1869, Mrs. Fellows was appointed by the Mis-
sionary Committee of the new Diocese of Long Island to be
" Missionary in Charge and to the prisons and public institu-
tions in Kings county," with a stipend of $400. A month
before, she had been appointed Missionary to the City Hospi-
tal and jail, with a salary of $150. May 23, 1871, she was re-
appointed. At the same time. Miss Eliza J. Coakley was ap-
pomted " Missionary to the public institutions at Flatbush."
After 1872, Mrs. Fellows continued her work, though her
salary was no longer paid Testimony to her faithful ser-
vices can be found in the reports of the Missionary Commit-
tee. Since 1872, the Missionary Committee has devoted $400
annually to this work among the public institutions.
The Hospital Saturday and Sunday Association. — It was
the custom in New York and London to take collections on
the last Saturday and Sunday of the year, in public places,
in behalf of the hosi)itals. In December, 1881, Messrs. Wm.
G. Low, I. H. Frotbingham, and Wm. M. Richards, were
appointed a committee by the City Hospital, to introduce the
custom into Brooklyn. An organization was formed, and a
constitution adopted May 16, 1882, having for its object " to
draw out benevolent gifts for hospital purposes, by bringing
the claims of these charities simultaneously before the public;
to stimulate personal donations and church collections on
appointed days ; to obtain and distribute the gifts of those
who aid the general object of hospital charity." It com-
prised the following gentlemen, viz.: Mr. William G. Low,
Mr. Isaac H. Frotbingham, and Mr. William M. Richards,
for the BrooMijn Citij Hospital; Mr. Thomas H. Rodman, for
the Long Island College Hospital; Mr. Charles A. Towusend,
Mr. David M. Stone, and Hon. William W. Goodrich, for the
Homoeopathic Hospital ; Dr. R. C. Moffat, for the Homceo-
pathio Maternity ; Mr. Aaron Field, for the Brooklyn Home
for Consumptives ; Mr. William H. Fleeman, Mr. Alexander
E. Orr, and Mr. Carlos A. Butler, for St. John's Hospital ;
Mr. J. W. Vandewater, Hon. Geo. H. Fisher, and Hon. Sigis-
mund Kauf mann, for the Eastern District Hospital ; Hon.
Samuel Booth, Mr. Alfred T. White. Mr. Demas Strong, Mr.
John N. Stearns, and Mr. Tliomas W. Hynes, for the Bureau
of Charities; together with the following: Mr. Lorin Palmer,
Mr. Bernard Peters, the Rev. William A. Snively, D. D., the
Rev. Charles A. Tibballs, the Rev. J. C. Ager, the Rev. C.
Cuthbert Hall, his Honor, the Mayor of the City of Brooklyn,
the Postmaster of the City of Brooklyn, and the Resident
Member of the State Board of Charities ; and such other
gentlemen as may hereafter be elected by a two-thirds vote.
First Officers: William G. Low, Pres.; Alfred T. White,
Vice-Pres.; C. Cuthbert Hall, Sec; William M. Richards,
Treas. William G. Low (ex-officio), Alexander E. Orr,
Thomas H. Rodman, William W. Goodrich, George H. Fisher,
Executive Committee. The Mayor of the City of Brooklyn
(e.c-offlcio), the Postmaster of the City of Brooklyn (ex-officio),
the Resident Member of the State Board of Charities (ex-
officio), Bernard Peters, Charles A. Townsend, Carlos A.
Butler, Aaron Field, Distributing Committee.
The first collection, December, 1882, amounted to $4,351.22;
in 1883, it reached nearly $6,000. Officers for 1 884 : Wil-
liam G. Low, Pres.; William H. Fleeman, Vice-Pres.; C.
Cuthbert Hall, Sec; W. M. Richards, Treas. E.vccutivc
Committee : William G. Low, A. E. Orr, Thomas H. Rod-
man, William W. Goodrich, and John W. Vandewater.
Distributing Committee: The Mayor of the city, the Post-
master, the Resident Member of the State Board of Charities,
and Messrs. Bernard Peters, Charles A. Townsend, Carlos A.
Butler, and Aaron Field.
The Brooklyn Indian Association was organized Decem-
ber 4, 1882, in the Lafayette avenue Presbyterian church.
Its object is : 1st, to awaken Christian public sentiment to
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
989
the abolition of all oppression of Indians within our national
limits, and to the granting them the same protection of law
that other races enjoy among us ; 2d, to aid educational
and mission work for and among Indians.
The general lines of work pursued are, as in the parent
society, the circulation of literature adapted to the Asso-
ciation's object; the circulation of memorials to Congress on
behalf of Indians ; tlie securing popular meetings and arti-
cles in the jiress whicli shall promote the growth of right
sentiment concerning our national and individual duty to
Indians, and the adojition of such other measures as seem
fitted to further the ends desired.
Tlie number of members has increased from 17 to 00. The
names of the first Officers are: Mrs. A. B. Smith, Prc.s\;
Mrs. M. W. Huntington, Sec; Mrs. L. H. Conklin, Treas.;
Mrs. F. A. Iderstiiie, Mrs. J. Hamblet, Mrs. C. C. Woolworth,
Mrs. William Moses, Mrs. J. H. Burtis, Vice-Pres'ts. A num-
ber of public meetings have been held, under the auspices of
the society, which ha\-e been addressed by those who thor-
oughly understand the present condition and means of the
The Inebriates' Home for Kings County, office 401 Pearl
street (see page 563a), was incorporated by an act of the
legislature, on May 9, 1867.
The object was to devise means for the saving and redemp-
tion of those addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors; and
to afford an asylum for them, where they would be removed
from the ordinary temptations of life, and receive medical
and humane treatment. It was found by experience that the
commitment of inebriates to jail not only did no good, but
great harm both to the drunkard himself, and ultimately to
society. The degradation of the prison seemed to dispel
all hopes of a reformation. These facts being laid before
the legislature, the act of incorporation was secured, and
twelve per cent, of the excise tax, and all of the fines paid
in the county for infringement of the excise law, were set
apart for its use.
A block lying between Fourth and Fifth avenues, and 54th
and 55tli streets, was ]iurchased ; a temporary home secured
at the corner of Bushwick avenue and Chestnut street, and
operations were commenced on the 10th of October, 1867.
^-.
i i
iwfr
,ir
ilS»-A«trf!^^'^
OCEAN VIEW OF "THE INEUKlATUti' liU.ME,' FUKT H.MMILTON.
Western Indians. The result has been manifested in an in-
creasing public opinion favoring a change in the Indian ques-
tion. The present Officers are: Mrs. George Stannard, Pres.;
Mrs. M. W. Huntington, Sec; Mrs. J. B. Gill)ert, Treas.;
Mrs. M. A. Berry, Mrs. S. L. M. Prentice, Mrs. Geo. Watson,
Mrs. Annie C. Field, Mrs. D. R. James, Mrs. W. H. Smith,
Mrs. Woodbridge Nearing, Vice-Presets.
The Wayside Home is an association formed March 5,
1880, by a number of benevolent ladies, for the purpose of
providing a home for homeless women, and for helping them
to procure emjiloyment. It commenced with 15 members,
and now numbers 35. The first Officers were as follows:
Mrs. E. F. Petteugill, Pres.; Mrs. Annie C. Field, Vice-Pres.;
Miss C. E. Coffin, .s'ec; Mrs. C. W. Shepherd, Asst. Sec; Mrs.
E. F. Lawson, Treas.
The Association was duly incorporated, and secured a com-
fortable house at No. 353 Bridge street. The accommoda-
tions are hardly sufficient, and efforts have already been be-
gun to secure more commodious quarters. The officers for
1883-'84 are the same as given above.
During the first two years, there were received 261 patients,
including 41 re-admissions, and 27 patients so re-admitted.
Of these, 160 were men, and 101 women. Of the whole
number, 25 were boarders, the others being admitted to the
benefits of the institution free; though some have contributed
by labor to defray the cost of their support. The total cost
of maintenance, including all house expenses and salaries of
officers, was |47.77 for each person.
By an amended charter, the grant of twelve per cent, of
the excise money was withdrawn, and an annual grant of
$10,000 substituted. The want of a new and improved build-
ing was severely felt. The sum of $200,000 was provided out
of the receipts under the excise law, for the construction of
such a building, which was converted into U. S. bonds. The
site was removed, from the position previously indicated, to a
place near Fort Hamilton, known as " Beautiful View," on
the Ridgeside road, where far superior advantages and accom-
modations could be obtained. First Presidents : Hon. Geo.
Hall, Hon. Jas. S. T. Stranahan, Theodore L. Mason, M. D.,
Geo. G. Herman, Esq. Officers, 1884, are as follows : Geo,
990
HISTORY 01 KIKGS COUNTY.
G. Herman, Esq., Pres.; Hon.TVm. M. Thomas, Treas.; Capt.
■Toseph W. Richardson, Sec. Hon. Wm. 51. Thomas and Geo.
G. Herman. Esq., Trustees.
The Truant Home of the City of Brooklyn (Juvenile
House of Industry) was established in 18.")4, under " an Act
to provide for the care and instruction of idle and truant
children," passed in April, 1853. It was at one time located
in the old Penitentiary, on the Clove road; but the J. T.
Snediker Hotel property, ou the Jamaica plank road, near
Jamaica village (eleven acres), was purchased at a cost of
$25,000, and in the rear of this, a large brick building, three
stories in height, was erected for school purposes and dormi-
tories. The hotel was used as a cooking and dining place, and
residence of the operatives. On two sidesof the school building,
was erected a high fence, enclosing a play-ground of about an
acre. No changes have since been made in these buildings.
This Home was established for the purpose of restraining,
educating, and, if possible, reclaiming idle and vagrant chil-
dren. To this Home vagr.ant children were committed by
magistrates, on complaints by parents or others. Here they
were kept during periods, varying from one to five or more
years.
After the passage, by the Legislature, of the Compulsory
Education Law in 1874, the Board of Education in Brooklyn
organized the Bureau of Attendance, which consists of a
superintendent and six agents, whose duty it is to see that
the provisions of the law are carried out. The children
found by these officers in the condition of vagrants, or non-
attendants at school, are committed to the Home, where
their education and well-being are looked after. Since the
establishment by this Bureau of Attendance of schools, one in
the eastern and one in the western district of the city, whore
a portion of the non-attendants at other schools are sent, the
commitments to the Home by this Bureau have lieen fewer
than before. The average number, through this Bureau and
by the police, is more than two hundred annually. The super-
intendent and teacher for 1883-'4 is Joseph Wagner.
The St. Joseph's Institute for the Improved Instruction of
Deaf-Mutes was established at Fordham in the fall of 1869.
During the first years of its existence the institution was sup-
ported mainly by the exertions of its lady directresses; for,
as is generally the case, the parents of the pupils were, for
the most part, poor, and could contribute bvit little toward
their support.
In the spring of 1874 was opened in Brooklyn a branch
house, for the purpose of offering to the numerous deaf-mutes
of that city the advantages of a day school. As the house at
Fordham was at that time considerably crowded (the addi-
tion not having yet been built), some of the larger girls were
removed to the branch house at Brooklyn. Others, who had
entered the school as day pupils, now asked to be admitted
as permanent inmates, and the house (a rented one) was soon
found to be too small. After mature deliberation, it was
deemed advisable to pvirchase one which should be sufficiently
large to accommodate some 50 or 60 inmates. The large
and elegant residence of Mrs. Christina Jones, No. 510 Henry
street, was, about this time, purchased. A few weeks after
this, an act was passed by which the institution was empow-
ered to receive coimty pupils ; two years later the institution
was placed upon the same footing with similar institutions
in the state.
Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum Society of the City of
Brooklyn was founded in 1839. Mr. Peter Turner, to whose
zeal the Society was deeply indebted for its success, was
chosen first President, holding the position for three years
(the longest term allowed by the constitution), and was suc-
ceeded by Dr. J. S. Thorn. On May 6, 1834, the Society was
incorporated by the Legislature, under the title of The Ro-
man Catholic Orphan Societij in the Village of Brooklyn ;
the names mentioned in the act being those of J. Sullivan
Thorne, Thomas Mooney, John Sweeney, Peter Turner and
Charles Brady. The charter was applied for, at this time, in
order that the Society might receive a legal transfer of a
house and lot offered to the Society by the Rev. John Walsh;
and in this house, 188 Jay street, the first asylum was opened
and placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity. Some years
after, Mr. Cornelius Heeney generously donated to this So-
ciety ten lots of ground on Congress street; and, at bis death,
in 1848, bequeathed the income of the greater portion of his
large estate for the support of the orphans. The donation of
lots enabled tiie Society to build their first asylum, that
fronting on Congress street (now known as St. Paul's Indus-
trial School), for male children, and the one fronting on
Clinton, on the same lots, for females. In 1851, an addition
was made to the Female Asylum, doubling its size, at a cost
of 15,000; and, in 1858, a further addition of a building, 155
by 25 feet, and five stories high, at a cost of §15,000, con-
necting with the Male Asylum on Clinton street. In 1858, a
new building was erected for males, corner Willoughby and
Bedford avenues, at a cost of about $27,000, and accommo-
dating 350 children. The building had a front of 120 feet,
and two wings, 72 feet deep, and the grounds attached com-
prised 14 acres. This building was destro.yed by fire, Nov. 9,
1862, 248 children being asleep within its walls when the fire
broke out, and a snow storm raging without. Three children
perished in the flames. The children were immediately re-
moved; the girls to the building on Clinton and Congress
streets, and the boys to a house on the corner of Jay and
Chapel streets, which had been previously occupied by the
Sisters of Mere}'.
The Board of Managers, though their means and sources of
income were at this time very limited, then purchased the
grounds bounded by St. Mark's place, Albany and Troy ave-
nues, and Warren street, one of the most elevated and
healthy locations in the city. On these grounds, in 1868,
they commenced the erection of the present Asylum, now
known as "St. John's Home for Boys." It is a massive struc-
ture, four stories high, and solidly built of blue-stone. It
is 170 feet front, with wings each 170 feet deep, and three
stories above the basement in height. St. John's Home was
opened in 1870, under the charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
There are now in this institution over 700 orphan boys, who
are, in a great measure, dependent upon the charitably
disposed public for maintenance and support. It has accom-
modation for 800 boys, and is valued at $200,000.
Cornelius Hebney, a native of Queens County, Ireland,
came to America, in 1784, being then about 20 j'ears old. The
vessel in which he sailed was wrecked on the Delaware
coast, and passengers and crew were rescued by oyster boats
plying their vocation in the bay. The oj'ster-men however,
demanded a dollar a head for their services, which amount
Heeney did not have. It was promptly given him by a
Quaker fellow-passenger, who would not give his name (which
young Heeney enquired, with a view to ultimate repayment),
simply saying, "whenever thou seest a fellow creature in
want of a dollar, as thou art now, give it to him, and thou
wilt have repaid me," a circumstance which made a lasting
impression upon Mr. H.'s mind. Mr. Heeney first found em-
ployment in Philadelpbia, and then in New York, where he
entered the store of a Mr. Backhouse, where John Jacob Astor
then served as a porter. In course of time, Mr. B. retired
from business, and sold out to Messrs. Heeney and Astor.
This partnership was dissolved after a few years, and Mr.
CHARITABLE IJSTSTITUTION'S.
991
Heeney entered the fur business on his own account, and
amassed a considerable fortune. In order to secure a debt of
$30,000, he took a large property in South Brooklyn, which
rose on his hands to a value, at the time of his death, of over
$300,000. This he subsequently made his summer residence.
He lived and died a bachelor, yet, by his disposition, was
peculiarly adapted for domestic enjoyment, aifable in dis-
position, fond of joke and repartee, warm-hearted and social.
His doors were ever open to a friend and acquaintance, and
never closed on the needy and unfortunate. His house was
ever filled with orphan children, whom he educated and
provided for; and many of his female i'>rotiges married into
most respectable families in New York and Brooklyn, where
their descendants now occupy enviable positions in society.
His Brooklyn property contained a fine orchard, and during
mas, also, he used to collect all the poor children in the
vicinity, and give to each a cake and piece of silver. Though
rarely mingling in poUtics, he onced served a term as mem-
ber of the Assembly of the State, and many anecdotes are
related concerning his shrewdness and good nature. To the
Brooklyn Roman Catholic Orphan Asylirm, he gave, in 1829,
an endowment of |18,000; about tlie same time he generously
extended a helping hand to St. Paul's Cathedral in New York;
donated the ground for St. James's and St. Paul's churches,
Brooklyn; was one of the founders of the Roman Catholic
Half Orphan Asylum of New York, and contributed largely
to several of the charitable associations of that city. Al-
though his Brooklyn property increased in value with almost
fabulous rapidity; yet, at his death, 3d of May, 1S48 (at the
age of j ninety-four years), his estate was worth little more
ST. JOHNS MALE ORPHAN ASYLUM.
the active years of his life, he was in the habit, every summer,
of marshaling the little orphan children of the New York
Orphan Asylum, and marching with them through Broad-
way and across the river to the orchard, where he had men
employed to shake the trees and pull cherries, apples and
each kind of fruit in its season, while the children ate and
played on the grass. He also purchased wood and distributed
it to the poor, gratuitously giving to each wliat they could
carry ; and he took a humorous delight in seeing the loads they
would assume, it being their custom to divest themselves
of a portion of the burden as soon as some intervening fence
or other obstruction concealed them from his Aiew, in order
to return for more ; his enjoyment of the artifice being in-
creased by the knowledge lie had of its performance, and the
efforts to hide what he instantly connived at. At Christ-
than .f 15,000. It is estimated, however, that his donations
and expenditures for benevolent purposes, during his life-
time, was not far short of $100,000. His residuary estate
(after proper provision made for relatives and friends), was
devised as follows: The annual income of one-fifth, to be ap-
propriated every year towards supplying the poor of Brook-
lyn with fuel during winter. The annual income of 0(ie-<t'n//(,
to be appropriated towards supplying poorchildren in Brook-
lyn, who go to school, with shoes, and with such other
articles of clothing as are absolutely necessary for their
health and comfort during the winter. The sum of $250
annually for emi)loyment of a teaclier to instruct poor chil-
dren in Brooklyn in the elements of an English education.
The residue to the Brooklyn Catholic Half Orphan Asylum; a
portion to be expended in erecting additional buildings. If
992
HISTORY OF KIN-GS COUNTY.
inythiug iuUTVcuoJ to prevent the fullillmi'Ul ul this be-
quest, it was to go to the New York Catholic Orphan Asy-
lum. By a codicil to this wUl, after the incorporation of the
Brooklyn Benevolent Society, all the )-esidiianj estate was
given to that association. Some lots in New York, adjoining
the New York Catholic Orphan Asylum, were given to that
institution, after the death of parties to whom he devised
them as legatees.
St. Joseph's Female Orphan Asylum, located at the corner
of Willoufjhbv and Sumner avenues, is also under control of
the Orphan Asylum Society, and in the immediate charge of
the Sisters of Charity. In the summer of 1860 the corner-
stone was laid, and it was fully completed in October, 1873,
when 280 children were transferred to it from St. Paul's Fe-
male Orphan Asylum, in Congi-ess street. The present num-
ber is about 72.5. It is a very commodious and handsome
building, five stories in height, with a front on Willoughby
avenue of 224 feet, and a width of 62 feet. It is constructed
of Philadelphia brick and brown-stone trimmings. In the rear
is a cliai)el, 102 by 43 feet. The building is heated by steam,
and has all the modem improvements for institutions of this
kind. This Asyluua is under the care of the Sisters of Char-
ity. It has ample play-grounds for the cliildren, who now
numl)er about 600. A day-school, for the children of the
neighborhood, has a daily attendance of about 200. The
asylum is valued at .sISO.OOO
St. Paul's Industrial School. — This institution is self-sus-
taining, and contains at the present time about 300 inmates,
who are educated in all houseliold duties, and in needle-work
of every kind. Estimated value of building and grounds,
.$150,000.
The Right Reverend Bishop of the Diocese is President
of the Society, and is well and ably assisted by Mr. J. M.
Slianahan, First Vice-President, and Mr. Theoi)hilus Olena,
Second Vice-President ; Andrew Walsh, Treas.; M. E. Moore,
Sec.; P. J. O'Connor, Asst. Sec. The present Board of Direc-
tors consists of Jlessrs. L. P. Bodkin, Arthur E. Marsh, John
Cunningham, John McDermott, J. H. Newman, Daniel
Bradley, James Cassidy, Wm. Murtha, Bernard McCaffrey,
Arthur McGerald, Thos. Horan, Chris. Greay, Wm. Bishop,
Tlios. Green, Jas. McDonnell.
St. Vincent's Home, of the city of Brooklyn, for the care
and instruction of poor and friendless boys, was incorpo-
rated in July, 1869, by the following gentlemen, who were
also the first managers: Right Rev. John Loughlin, Very
Rev. John F. Turner, Rev. Francis J. Friel, Richard Ternan,
John Lane, Maurice Fitzgerald, Tliomas Code, Thomas
Johnson, Francis Curran, Thomas Horan, Matthew
Boylan, Charles J. O'Reilly, Patrick H. Quinn, Thomas
O'Brien, Jr., Bernard Bogen. James K. O'Mahony, Charles
McConneil, Thomas Halpin, Michael Lowry, James Ormond,
Micliae! Philbin, Michael Kirwin, John M. Farrell, William
Orr, William Brown and Thomas Farrell.
The object of the society is to jn-ovide a home for the care,
and Christian, moral and mental instruction, of friendless
and destitute boys; to rescue them from evil associations;
jirovide a home and lodging-house for them; establish an
evening and Sunday school, and to i)rovide teachers for their
benefit and instruction; and to lodge and instruct as many
boys as i)ossil)le, in order that they may be jjrotected and
shielded from the vices of evil associations, qualified to dis-
charge the duties of useful and respectable citizens, and en-
able them to earn an honest and honorable livelihood.
In 1869, the present house. No. 7 Poplar street, and that in
its rear, No. 10 Vine street, with the space between the two
for a play-ground, were purchased at a co.st of .f 15,000, and
the buildings altind and adapted to the Bociety's purpose.
The institution is under the care of a Board of Managers,
composed of prominent Roman Catholic clergymen and lay-
men, and the work of the institution is largely done by the
St. Vincent's Home Ladies' Society, whose Officeks (1884)
are: Mrs. Hugh McLaughlin, Pres.; Mrs. E. Brophy, Mrs. J.
E. Dallon, Secretaries; Miss M. A. Strain, Treas. The Home
is under the direct superintendence of Rev. ^Maurice Hickey,
and nearly 3,000 boys have, thus far, enjoyed its benefits.
Rooms for Voluntary Relief Work (No. 59 Smith street,
near Schermerhorn).— This is a jirivate charity, organized
and mainly carried on by Mr. Geo. T. Clark. In his efforts to
aid the deserving poor, Mr. Clark investigated their condition
thoroughly, so that he soon found himself asked to distribute
the benefactions of others. Therefore, about the year 1868,
he established rooms where contributions of food, clothing
and furniture might be received and whence they might be
distributed. He also opened a shop where repairs are made
to cast-off shoes and clothing by those who would otherwise
be out of employment and earning nothing. The shop pro-
fits pay the expenses of the charity; so that money contribu-
tions go vs'holly to the poor. Mr. Clark also maintains an
Employment Bureau.
The Williamsburgh Benevolent Society meets every Sat-
urday at the school-house of the Williamsburgh Turn Verein,
61 Meserole street, for the purpose of helping the worthy
poor. After investigation, money, groceries, shoes, meat,
etc., are given to the deserving poor, averaging about 40
cases per week. A large Christmas celebration in gifts is
made annually for 700 cliildren. Tlie Society was organized
in 1874 by eight gentlemen of Brooklyn, who liad previously
maintained several orphans by tlie proceeds of cigar tips sent
to Europe to be manufactured into snuff. The number of
members has increased to 132, with the following Officers :
F. V. Voigt, Pres.; M. Lindhorn, Vice-Pres.; J. Amthor, Rec.
Sec.; F. Huene, Cor. Sec.; M. Grossarth, Treas.
The Emerald Association was organized in January, 1839,
in the Second Ward Hotel, on tlie corner of York and Pearl
streets. The first Officers were : J. Colgan, Pres.: J. How-
ard, Secy.; and W. Hughes, Treas. The chief object of this
association is to aid in the support of the Roman Catholic
Orjjhan Asylum; the total amount thus far raised and pre-
sented by this society to that worthy charity is |40,000. The
present Officers are: J. C. Kelly, Pres.; B .Leary and J. S.
Donovan, Vice-Presidents; T. F. Skelley and W. H. Kiernan,
Secretaries ; and J. Hanley, Treas. The annual ball given by
this association is the recognized event of the season among
socially-inclined Roman Catholics.
The German Roman Catholic "Orphan Home" (of Holy
Trinity), Graham avenue, near Montrose, was started, in 1861.
by Rev. M. May, for the maintenance and education of or-
phans connected with the German Church of the Holy Trinity.
Father May was the first President, and still holds the office.
The other Officers were: John Bertger, Viee-Pres.; Jacob
Timer, Sec ; John Raber, Cashier; John Maerr, Asst. Sec. The
same Board continued until 1883, when F. J. Berlcabath be-
came Viee-Pres., and Louis Gfiaeren, Asst. See. The number
of members of the Society is twenty-five. The orphans were
first cared for in a dwelling-house procured for the purpose ;
afterwards tlie present brick structure, 50 by 50, was erected,
at a cost of $15,000. About 50 children are supported in the
Home, and 150 in all have been maintained since the institu-
tion was opened. The county of Kings now pays for the
support of 340 orphan wards, who are distributed in the dif-
ferent houses maintained by the Sisters of St. Dominic —
one in Amityville, Suff. Co., one in the 18th Ward,and one in
Astoria, L. I. — there being no room in the main Home.
THE
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS
OF THE
CITY OF BROOKLYN.
THE (DUTCH) REFORMED CHURCH.
THE FIRST CHURCH OF BROOKLYN, as has
been stated in the Ecclesiastical History of tlie
County of Kings (page 337), terminated its collegiate
relations with the other congregations of the Dutch
Town, in the year 1803; and Rev. John Barent Johnson, of
Albany, was called to its iiastorate, but died in March, 1803,
at the age of thirtj-four. He was one of tlie most eloquent
and popular preachers of the Dutch Church at that time. Of
FIRST UEFUKMED CHURCH UF ItUOOKLV
courteous manners, an amiable and generous spirit, he
mingled freely with all class -s of people, and was an admira-
ble pastor. " He left an excellent name behind him, and his
gifts and graces were gratefully remembered "
March 4th, 18117, the consistory determined to erect a new
stone edifice, and the coraer-stone was laid about the 15tli of
May, by the Rev. Peter Lowe. The buikhng was completed
(at a cost of |13,745..53J and dedicated December 23d, 1807;
it stood on the south side of the lane now known as Jorale-
mon street, somewhat back from the site of the present
church, and was a very substantial and heavy looking
building.
The next Pastor was Rev. Selah Strong Woodhull, D. D.
During his charge, the trustees of this church secured its
incorporation December 18th, 1814, with the following
ofiiciarj' : Elders, Fernandus Suydam, Walter Berry, Jere-
miah Johnson, John Lefferts. Deacons,
Jeremiah Brower, Lambert Schenck,
Abndiam De Bevoise, Abraham Rem-^en.
Mr. Woodhull in 183.5, became a professor
in the Theological Seminary at New
Brunswick, and also in Rutger's College,
but died Feb. 37, 183(5.
His successors were: Revs. Ebenezer
Mason, 1836; Peter P. Rouse, Oct. 13,
1828; Ilaurice W. Dwight, 1833. The
congregation had then so increased that
thd consistory resolved to erect the
present building. It was built by Laf ever
& Gallard, architects, under the following
building committee: Jeremiah Johnson,
Lelfeit Lefferts, Samuel Smith, John S.
Bergen, John Skillman, Garret Bergen,
Theodorus Polhemus and John Schenck.
The corner-stone was laid on the 32d of
May, 1834, by the senior elder, Abraham
A. Remseu, and the edifice was finished
and consecrated on the 7th of May, 1835.
When so far completed tliat the congre-
gation could worship in it, the old one
was taken down. The pew owners in
the old church were allowed the cost of
their pews in sitt ings in the new building.
It is an elegant and spacious building,
with an imposing colonnade of eight
columns on both front and rear.
In May, 1843, Gen. Jeremiah Johnson
resigned the secretaryship of the church,
which office he had held for the space of fifty years. May
1st, WS."), Mr. Dwight resigned the pastorship of the church,
although he remained in the congregation, preaching a part
of the time for them, until his death.
The subsequent Pastors were: Revs. Acrnon P. Van Oiesen,
installed Nov. 4, 18.>">; Alphonso A. Willetts, D. D., June,
ISIJO; Jose2}h Kimball, D. D., installed Nov. 21, 1865, died
December, 1874; Henry R. Dickson, October, 1875, died
994
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
March. 1>>7;; Iknid .\. l'.i.,,ic. ic^., .September, 1878, to the
present time.
A few years ago this cliurch established a mission in
Wyckoff street, near Third avenue. Lots were purchased,
and a chapel was erected at an expense of about |18,000.
The mission and the school have, from the first, been pros-
perous.
It is noteworthy that this church has still in use a por-
tion of a communion service, which was presented by Maria
Baddia, in 1634. The original Dutch records of the church,
made by Dominie Selyns in 1660, are still preserved.
The Ref. Prot. Dutch Church of Bushwick, was organ-
ized in 1654; part of the communion service bears the date
1708. and there is also a receipt for a church bell, dated 1711.
Tlie first edifice was of octagonal form, with a very steep
roof terminating in an open belfry, the whole resembling a
hay-stack (see page 337). The congregation furnished them-
selves with benches and chairs until 179o, when a gallery was
erected and the ground floor furnished with pews.
The people of Bushwick constituted a jiart of the col-
legiate church, and were ministered to by the Pastors of the
five Dutch towns. Revs. Freeman and Antonides being the
first, and preaching here alternately every third Sabbath.
Rev. Peter Low was installed in 1787 as a collegiate Pastor,
with Rev. Martinus Sclioonmaker of Flatbush. Rev. Dr.
John Bassett succeeded him in 1811. Tlie jn-esent church
edifice was erected in 1829; remodeled in 1876. In 1878, a new
Sabbath-school building was erected, seating 1,200 scholars.
Rev. Stephen H. Meeker was installed Pastor in 1834, and
served until 1876. He was the son of Benj. Jleeker; was
born in Elizabethtown, N. J., Oct. 17, 1799, grad. Columbia
Coll., 1821; licensed to jn-each in 1834. He was succeeded
by Rev. Henry A. Powell, 1876-'83, and Rev. Robert H. Barr,
1883-'84. The present membership of the church is 464, and
the Sabbath-school numbers 1,200.
The Second or Central Reformed Church (Church on the
Heights), commenced in 1836 as a mission in the L3'ceum, un-
der Rev. John Garretson. ilarch 3d, 1837, by the authority
of the Classis of Long Island, a church of eleven members
was organized; its first consistory being Jacob Talbnan and
"Walter Bicker, elders, and Cornelius C. Stryker and Joseph
Hegeman, deacons. In November, 1837, Mr. Garretson re-
signed.
In February, 1838, a call was extended to Mr. Henry P. Tap-
pan, wliich was accepted; but his examination not being sus-
tained in the unanimous opinion of the Classis, a schism oc-
curred, from which originated the Fifth Presbyterian church.
In June, 1839, the cocsistory purchased lots for |9,750, on
Henry street, near Clark, on which they iiroceeded to erect
an edifice (now occupied by the (Zion) German Evangelical
Lutheran congregation), the corner-stone of which was laid
September 16th, 1839. The building was completed in May
following, at a cost of $14,740, and dedicated Jmie 3d, 1840,
the sermon being preached by the Rev. Jacob Brodhead,
D. D., who, the same month, was called to the pastorate, the
duties of which he accepted in April, 1841. He resigned m
October, 1846, at which time the congregation niunbered one
hundred and thirty families and two hundred and thirty
communicants, and the cliurch debt had been reduced from
$23,000 to about §9,000. On the 19th of January, 1847, the
Rev. Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Malcolm N. McLaren was called,
but resigned in July, 1849, and was followed by the cele-
brated Rev. Dr. Oeorge W. Bethune,
November 24th, 1850, the corner-stone of a larger and
more imposing house of worship was laid, on Pierrepont
street, near Monroe place. This edifice was afterward known
as the Church on the Heights, and the church was reorgan-
ized under that name. Dr. Bethune's ministry was a period
of great prosperity and activity in this church, there being
200 families in attendance and 445 members in communion,
whose contriljutions during his pastorate amounted to nearly
s;15.j,000, in addition to which were three mission-school
enterprises (viz., the Bethesda and Myrtle avenue schools,
and Summit street chapel and school), besides a flourishing
home school and Bible class.
Ministry: Revs. John Garretson, 1836-37; Jacob Brodhead,
1840-'46; ' Geo. W. Bethune, D. D., 1847-60; James Eells,
D. D., 1860-'67; Zachary Eddy, D. D., 1867-72; Jas. Inglis,
D. D., 1872-'77; S. S. Mitchell, D. D. 1877-80; Rev. Alfred
J. Hutton, 1881-'84.
The church was renovated and refitted in 1875.
The Bedford Avenue Reformed Church, formerly the
Fourth Street Reformed Dutch Church, near South Second,
was the first of that denomination erected in the village of
Williamsburgh, and the third within the limits of the present
city of Brooklyn. The village was then confiaied mostly to
the lower parts of Grand and North Second streets; its only
house of worship was a Methodist chapel on North Second;
the old Reformed Church in Bushwick accommodated the de-
nomination for many years. At length the immediate and
prospective necessity for a new church was felt, and meas-
ures were taken to erect a chajiel on Fourth street, near
South Second, the corner-stone of which was laid September
28, 1838, by John A. Meserole (a ])atriot of the Revolution,
and a most generous donor to the enterprise), with appropri-
ate exercises b}- Di-. Bmdhe.id, of New York, and the Revs.
Jacob Sclioonmaker, of Jamaica, and S. H. Meeker, Pastor
of the congregation.
The house was dedicated July 36, 1829; sermon by Dr.
Brodhead, from II Cor., vii, 16. Peter Wyckoff, Peter Mese-
role, Abraham Meserole, Abraham Boerum and James 51.
Halsey were chosen trustees. Immediately upon its organi-
zation, the church obtained the services of Rev. James Dem-
arest, who served for the first six months as a missionary,
and partly at the charge of tlie Board of Domestic Missions.
His congregations were small at first, as the church edifice
was remote from the village; Fourth street being then but a
farmers' lane, rough, uneven, and studded here and there
with stumps and trees of the original forest. Mr. Demarest
labored with great fidelity and success for nearly ten years,
resigning in May, 1839, and was followed in October by Rev.
William Howard Van Dorn.
In the winter of 1848-'9 the church was enlarged, repaired
and modernized, largely at the expense of Messrs. Abraham
Meserole, Abraham Boerum, Nicholas Wyckoff, and others.
In 1849, Mr. Van Dorn resigned, and Rev. Job Halsey served
as stated supi)ly. November 13, 1849, Rev. Elbert S. Porter
was called to tlie pastorate which he resigned in 1883, after a
long and useful service of thirty-four years.
In July, 1865, the old church edifice on Fourth street was
sold and a number of lots bought on Bedford avenue, corner
of Clymer street, on which was erected a large and elegant
edifice of brick, with stone facings. It is in some respects
the most complete and perfect in its appointments of any in
the city, and was dedicated October 17, 1869.
Dr. Elbert S. Porter has been identified with the later
growth of the Eastern District as much as any other one
man. He is a native of Hillsboro, Somerset county, N. J.,
and was at school at Ovid, N. Y. ; at a grammar school in
Broome street, New York, and at Somerville Academy, N. J. ;
grad. from Princeton Coll., in 1839, and from the New Brims-
wick Theol. Sem. three years later. His first charge was at
Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., where he gathered a congre-
gation, organized a church, and a handsome edifice was built.
JEC GLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
005
In the autumn of 1849, Dr. Porter accepted a call to the
First Reformed Church of Willlamsburgh, and commenced
his long, active and useful pastorate. In addition to his
chuich work, he was editor of the Christian Intelligencer for
sixteen years, and always a prolific writer for the press; he
\vTote voluminous letters from Europe, in 1879, for publica-
tion, and on his return delivered an interesting series of lec-
tures. A contemporary said of him: "Dr. Porter is emi-
nently a prophetic writer, exerting a great influence. All
his faculties are under good discipline and control. He
knows just where and when to strilve to annihilate an adver-
sary." He has also written numerous poems and h^mns of
high literary quality.
"Dr. Porter's intellect is both comprehensive and subtle,
logical and poetical; he is broad in his views, and outspoken,
yet cautious and politic; doctrinal, yet rhetorical; a conserva-
tive progressive, and a progressive conservative. The value
of his words is seen in the frequency witli which he has been
called upon to speak upon public, educational, religious or
charitable topics."
He resigned his charge in October, 1883.
The Third or South Reformed Dutch Church (at Gowauus),
formerly located on the corner of Forty-third street and Third
avenue, had its inception at a meeting held June 27, 1838.
Tlie building, situated about a mile south of the village, was
completed and dedicated on the 24th of June, 1840. Minis-
try : Rev. C. C. Van Arsdale (supply), 1840; Rev. Samuel M.
Woodbridge, 1841-51; Rev. J. M. Rowland, 1852-3; Rev. John
II. Manning, 1854-'73.
From May, 1843, to January, 1850, services were held by
the Pastor, Rev. S. M. Woodbridge, alternately in this church
and in the North Church of Gowanus, on Third avenue, be-
tween Twentieth and Twenty-first streets, and which had
been purchased by the consistory, in May, 1843, from the
Fourth Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. (See sketch of
North Dutch Reformed Church.)
The South Reformed Dutch Church lost a large portion of
its members and supporters during the yellow fever of 1856,
and it seemed at one time as if its very existence must be
abandoned, but the few who were left rallied to its support,
and it l)ecame again prosperous. Subsequent Pastors : Rev.
Henry V. S. Meyers, 1874-'81; Rev. A. D. W. Mason, 1881-'4.
The church building was destroyed by fire in 1S63, and a new
edifice commenced at the corner of Third avenue and Thirty-
second street, the chapel of which was used for worship the
same year. The church was completed in 1875. It is a
brick structure, with a seating capacit.v of 850, and has a
chapel and Sunday-school room in the rear. The Society
has a parsonage on Third avenue, between Forty-second and
Forty-third streets.
The Fourth Reformed Dutch Church was organized Nov.
11, 1840, at the Wallabout. Rev. Peter S. Williamson was
Pastor, from April to October, 1841. The congregation being
feeble, and enjoying only occasional supplies, the enterprise
was abandoned about the close of 1843, but the church was
not regularly dissolved by Classis until October 13, 1844. when
the only member (and he an elder) was dismissed by the
Classis, on his own request, and joined the Wallabout Church,
and the North Dutch Reformed Church became extinct.
The Middle Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, corner
of Harrison street and Tompkins place, was org. in 1846,
with sixteen members, in a room on the corner of Smith and
Butler streets. John V. N. Talmage served as a stated
preacher until the first regular Pastor, Rev. Peter D. Oakey,
commenced his labors in March, 1847. During that year the
congregation erected a church edifice on the corner of Court
and Butler streets, a plain brick structure, costing about
,|10,000. Subsequent Pastors: Rev. Jas. R. Talmage, 1850-'2;
Rev. Nicholas E. Smith, D. D., 1853-69. In 1853, lots were
purchased, and the present church edifice commenced, the
corner-stone of which was laid July 30, 1855. The structure
is of brick, in the Norman style of architecture, with two
towers in front, the principal one being 180 feet in height.
The building has 70 feet front on Harrison street, and ex-
tends 96 feet on Tompkins place, the audience-room having
a clear space of 64 feet in width. It has galleries, and its
estimated capacity is 1,.500 persons. The exterior is trimmed
with brown stone, the lecture-room adjoining being fronted
with blue marble; cost, about $33,000. Other pastors : Rev.
Edward P. IngersoU, D. D., 1869-83; Rev. Wm. H. Ford,
1883-'4. The church buildings were renovated and refitted
between the years 1873 and 1875, at an expense of about
!|10,000. The Sunday-school rooms were wholly changed,
and they are now as convenient and pleasant as any in the
city.
A mission was established in October, 1847, in the vicinity
of Clinton and Washington avenues. A division scon oc-
curred, and two small buildings were erected, one on Wash-
ington avenue, near Fulton, and the other on Clinton ave-
nue. Their cost was about .$1,300.
Rev. Edward P. Ingersoll. D.D. (Williams Coll.. 1877). was
born in Lee, Mass., May 6, 1834— a descendant of Rev. Jona-
than Edwards. In 1837, his parents removed fo Oberlin,
Ohio, where he resided until he had partially passed through
college, when he returned to Massachufetis and completed
his college course at Williams. After graduating at the
Law College at Cleveland, he was admitted to the Bar, and
practiced three years. Desirous of entering the ministry, he
entered Andover Theological Seminary, and, in Dec, 1863,
was ordamed and installed over the First Congregational
Church, Sandusky, Ohio. In 1868 he accepted a call to In-
dianapolis. The Middle Reformed Church, of this city, ex-
tended a call to him in Dec, 1869. His labors in this field
have been crowned with abundant success. Dr. Ingersoll
has a very attractive delivery, and, though his pulpit utter-
ances are mamly extempore, they show pure thought
and earnest Christian spirit. His genial, whole-souled man-
ners make him a welcome guest in the homes of his people.
Washington Avenue Protestant Reformed Dutch Church,
on the corner of Washington and Gates avenues, was organ-
ized about 1848, and a building, 30 by 46 feet in size, and
costing some .$14,000, was erected. The first Pastor was Rev.
A. Elmendorf, who was called in 1848. In 1850, a Mr. Good-
man was called, and the corner-stone of a new edifice was
laid in 1850; but, in 1851, the church broke up, and the edifice
was sold to the Baptists for an amount sufiicient to pay all
debts and leave a handsome surplus.
The Greenpoint Reformed Church was organized May,
1848, with eight members, by a committee from the North
Classis, of Long Island. Its first Consistory comprised
David Swalm and William H. Guest, elders, and Dr. Isaac
K. Snell, deacon. It held its first services in a small room,
over the grocery store of Elder Swalin. The first church
was built in 1850, in Java street, on land given for the pur-
pose by Mrs. Magdalena Meserole, the foster-mother of the
church. The growth of the church was such that the edifice
erected was not large enough to meet the wants of the con-
gregation; and, after a few years, a new church edifice, 63
by 95 feet, was built on Kent street, in 1869, and dedicated
January 80, 1870. The front is of Philadelphia pressed brick,
trimmed with Ohio and Connecticut stone, and is of the
Rheno-Romanesque architecture, of the sixteenth century.
The westerly tower is 55 feet high, surmounted by a mansard
roof, with crestings. The easterly tower is 75 feet high, with
906
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
GREENPOINT REFORMED CHURCH.
telfry, at present surmounted by an octagonal mansard roof.
The tower is intended for a spire 175 feet high. Tlie cliurch
has a seating capacity of 800 persons, and cost, with land,
about 160,000.
In 1880, a chapel, 4.5 by 100 feet, seating 1,000 persons, was
erected, on land adjoining the church, for Sunday-school
and prayer-meeting purposes. It has lecture-room, church
parlor, and six class-rooms, with a gallery divided to accom-
modate eight bible-classes, and an infant-school department,
capable of seating 200 children ; also kitchen, &c. It cost,
with furniture, not including the ground on which it stands,
$17,000.
The church has had six Pasters : Rev. John W. Ward, 1849
-'54; Rev. Goyn Talmage, D. D., 1855-62; Rev. George H.
Peeke, 1863-'65 ; Rev. A. P. Van Giesen. D. D., 1866-'67; and
Rev. Alexander McKelvey, 1867-'72; Rev. Lewis Francis,
1873-'84.
The membership of the church is 882; communicants, 436;
scholars on the roll of the church and mission schools, 1,022.
The entire cost of the churches and chapel has been paid,
save a I»nded deljt of iJS.OOO on tlie chapel.
Reformed Dutch Church (of North Gowanus). — The prop-
erty of this church was first purchased from the Fourth
Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, by the consistory of the
South Reformed Dutch Church, in May, 1842. The congre-
gations of the South and North Reformed Churches were
under the charge of the same Pastor till January, 18.50, when
the union was dissohed by the Classis, and the North ( Uaurch
congregation was organized, and purchased the property
from the South Church.
In May, 1851, the Rev. N. P. Pierce, D. D., was installed
as Pastor.
Early in 1869, the property owned by the church on Tliird
avenue, near Twenty-first street, was sold, and a new church
edifice erected on Twelfth street, between Fourth and Fifth
avenues. It is a brick building, .55 by 85 feet in size, and its
cost was about .]!65,000.
At that time the corporate title was changed to " Tlie
Twelfth Street Reformed Church of Brooklyn." Mr. Pierce
resigned, on account of ill health, in 1874, and the present
Pastor, Rev. Uriah D. Gulick, was installed Sept. 30, 1875.
The North Reformed Church (Clermont avenue), organ-
ized May 15, 1851, owes its origin to the efforts of its first
pastor, Rev. Anthony Elmendorf, D. D., who was installed
July 11th, 1852. Four lots of ground were presented to the
church by the heirs of Jeremiah V. Spader, and a church
edifice was erected in 1855, at a cost of |20,000. Pastors,
Revs. A. Elmendorf, D. D., 1852-'65; W. Tillotson Enyard,
1865-'73; Alex. R. Thompson, D. D., 1873-84.
The church has been prosperous. It has a large membei--
ship and a flourishing Sunday school.
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of South Bushwick.
— No%'. 6th, 1851, a petition was presented to the North Classis
of L. I., from the inhabitants of Bowronville and vicinity,
praying for the organization of a Dutch church in that lo-
c.ility.
Messrs. Andrew J. Johnson and William Ten Eyck, received
on their certificates of dismission from the Reformed Church
of Bushwick, were constituted a consLstory for the new
organization.
Soon after, nine persons were received, mostly from the Re-
formed Church of Bushwick, and the Rev. J. S. Hlmrod
was appointed missionary to take charge of the new enterprise.
Tiie organizing membership all came from the old Bu.sh-
wick Cliurch; but the organization came about through the
efforts, principally, of the Rev. E. S. Porter, D. D.
Steps were at once taken to obtain a suitable house of wor-
ship. Land for this purpose was given, at the intersection
of their farms on the old Bushwick Road, by the brothers,
Andrew and Abram Stockholm, Nov. 19, 1851. This, when
the town of Bushwick was consolidated with Brooklyn,
came at the corner of Bushwick avenue and Himrod street.
Money for the purpose of building was raised among the
residents in the vicinity, and a sum presented by the Col-
legiate Dutch Church of New York. The corner-stone of
the church was laid by James De Bevoise, Sept. 6, 18.52. and
the building consecrated February, 1853. This building then
erected is the one in use now. It is a frame structure, 45 by
65 feet.
The Rev. J. S. Himrod, who, up to this time, had been
acting as the missionary of Classis, was, in February, 18.54,
installed as the Pastor of the church. He remained in that
cajiacity until October, 1859. Tlie other Pastors have been
as follows: Rev. Denis Wortraan, D. D., June 16, 1860, to
Oct. 19, 1863; Rev. Chester Hartranft, D. D., July 10, 1864,
to Oct. 2, 1866; Rev. Hy. V. Voorhees, Aug. 11, 1867, to
April 21, 1869; Rev. Geo. D. Hulst, July 4, 1869, who is still
Pastor.
During the early part of the year 1881, a very beautiful
and commodious Sunday-school building, 40 by 80 feet, was
erected. It was dedicated on the 17th of July, 1881.
The Sunday-school was organized soon after the church
(Mr. James De Bevoise, superintendent), and, till the church
building was completed, met in a private house in Ralph
street, near Bushwick avenue. Since then the following
have been superintendents: Silas Tuttle, Daniel Eldredge,
Richard Hamilton, James H. Hart, Peter Kinsey and Geo.
F. Booth.
Rev. George D. Hulst, born in Brooklyn, 1846; grad. Rut-
gers Coll. 1866; Rutgers Tlieo. Sem. 1869; located B'klyn
1869-'84; Pres. L. I. and B'klyn Entomological Societies,
1876-'83; contrib. to entomo. journals; author of Monograph
on Genus Catocola, 1883.
The German Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of New
Brooklyn, Herkimer, near Howard avenue, was organized
October, 1852, by twenty-eight persons. They were supplied
by Ernest Schrepfer till January 1st, 1853. Pastors: Revs.
Mr. Pfister, 1853-'55; C. Dickhaut, 1855-'67; H. C. Heyser,
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
997
1867-'69; C. F. C. Snekow, 1870-'79; Jacob Weber, 1879-'84.
November 22d, 1854, a church edifice (costing about $5,500),
of Gothic style, was dedicated, and, in 1868, a parsonage
was erected and repairs made upon the church.
A parochial school, in connection with the churcli, has
been maintained since the latter's organization. Instruction
is given in both English and German.
This church has a flourishing Sunday-school, and the ser-
vices in both church and Sunday-school are conducted in
the German language. This church is not only free fioni
debt, but it has a bank account to its credit.
East Reformed Dutch Church (situated on Bedford avenue,
near Jefferson street) was organized Feb. 15, 1853; Rev.
John W. Schenck was installed as pastor; the church edifice
was raised in March, 1854, and dedicated July 16. Ministry:
Revs. Jacob West, 1856-68; S. F. Farmer. 1868-'72; J. H.
Carroll, 1873-76; P. E. Kipp, 1877-'79.
In 1879, it was reorganized under the name of Bedford
Reformed (Dutch) Church. Rev. Walter T. Griffin became
pastor in 1881.
A new church edifice was erected in 1875, on the corner of
Bedford avenue and Madison street, two blocks north from
the original building. Its cost was |140,000.
The Lee Avenue Reformed Dutch Church. — The first ser-
vices in connection with the enterprise, which afterwards
became known as the Lee Avenue Reformed Dutch Church,
were held in 1853, in a small frame cottage belonging to
Barnet Johnson, situated on the corner of Bedford ave. and
Hewes st.
COTTAGE WHICH WAS THE BIKTHPLACE OF THE LEE
AVENUE REFORMED CHURCH.
Near the close of his life. General Jeremiah Johnson had
expressed a desire that a church, of the denomination to
which he had always been attached, should be built on
his homestead farm. His sons, in connection with several
families in the neighborhood, sought the co-operation of the
Board of Domestic Missions of the Reformed Dutch Church,
in organizing the new enterprise.
In May. 1853, it was determined to erect a chapel, and the
building now standing on Lee ave. was commenced on land
generously donated by Barnet Johnson and the heirs of the
late James Scholes. The corner-stone was laid with appro-
priate services, August 8, 1853, by the Hon. Benjamin D.
Silliman; and, on April 9, 1854, the beautiful chapel was ded-
icated by the Rev. George W. Bethune, D. D.
On May 3, 1854, the church was organized with thirteen
members by the North Classis of Long Island, and the Rev.
W. W. Halloway was its Pastor until 1859. His ministry
was very successful, and during his pastorate, the chapel
LEE AVENUE REFORMED (DUTCH) CHURCH.
was enlarged to double its original size. Rev. John McClel-
lan Holmes was installed Pastor November 6, 1859. New
life and vigor was immediately infused throughout the en-
tire enterprise, the building was crowded to excess, and the
erection of a large and commodious church became a
necessity.
Barnet Johnson and the heirs of the late James Scholes
having made another large gift of land for the site, the work
was commenced on the first of March, 1860, and the corner-
stone was laid on the 11th day of the following June, by the
Rev. Dr. Van Franken, of New Brunswick, N. J. The
church auditorium was dedicated Dec. 10, 1860, the Rev.
George W. Bethune, D. D., preaching a memorable dis-
course. Rev. Mr. Holmes was compelled, by impaired
health, to relinquish his charge in 1864.
The subsequent Pastors were; Rev. A. A. Willits, D. D.,
1865-67; Rev. W. W. Hicks, 1867-69; Rev. J. H. Carroll,
D. D., 1869-71; at the close of his pastorate, the church
reached a very low ebb; it was torn by dissensions and re-
duced by withdrawals; and the hopes and plans of the gen-
erous donors of the land on which the buildings stood were
entirely defeated by the church changing its denominational
relation and becoming the Lee Avenue Congregational
Church.
The Lee Avenue Sunday-school, which afterwards became
famous throughout the land and the world, was organized
in 1853, with John N. Stearns as its Supt. for 18 months; suc-
ceeded by Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., soon after the new church
was occupied. The prospfcts were not encouraging; the
neighborhood was sparsely populated; there were no dwell-
ings in the vicinity; the land was cultivated by market
gai'deners; open fields everywhere met the eye. The average
attendance in January, 1855, was 50; in January, 1856, 700
scholars and 70 teachers were enrolled on the Sabbath-school
registers. In January, 1857, the school had 1,000 scholars
and 90 teachers; on the 7th of October, 1860, when the new
Sabbath-school was opened, 2,000 children and 180 teachers.
In May, 1866, Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., who had been the
superintendent of the school almost from its inception, in
consequence of removal to Railway, New Jersey, resigned
his position; and was succeeded by Franklin H. Lummus,
who successfully performed its duties, and was continued as
superintendent until nearly the time when the church
changed its denominational relationship.
Bethany Chapel, on Hudson avenue, near Myrtle, first
established as Myrtle Avenue Mission, in Myrtle Hall, in
1 853, was soon removed to a larger room, on the corner of
Myrtle avenue and Navy street. It was maintained by the
098
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
cmukU liU llie llcii^lits till 1SG8, wlion it was united with
Bethesda Mission, and the name, Bethany, was given to
the united missions. The present chapel was dedicated, May
29, 1870. It is a brick structure, 50 by 80 feet in size, with a
seating capacity of 400. Its total cost was |26,000.
The ]iastors of this Slission have been : Rev. Alfred Myers;
and Rev. Jacob 'Whitehurst, who was born at Macclesfield,
Eng.; grad. Brooklyn High School, 1876; studied Bklyn.
Lay College, lS71-'75; Missionary with Ch. of Our Saviour,
187ii-'75: located at Brooklyn, July, 1876.
The chief interest of this Mission has centred in its Sunday-
school, which now numbers 350. At one time it published a
periodical called The Bethany Tidings.
The German Evangelical St. Peter's Church (Reformed),
Union ave. and Scholos st. This church was commenced by
the Rev. C. A. J. Pohle, of Bautzen, Saxon}-, in October,
1853, in the lecture-room of the Old Bushwick Reformed
Dutch Church. On Christmas of the sauae year, he cele-
brated the Lord's Supper with 21 communicants.
During the winter, they bought the old church, a small
frame building, together with two lots on the corner of Union
ave. and Scholes St., from the So. 3d. St. Methodist Ep. Con-
gregation, for $2,300. The date of the dedication of this
church is not given; but, on Easter Sunday, 1854, they cele-
brated the Lord's Supper in this building, with 54 persons,
among these being six children, who had been confirmed the
Sabbath previous. Mr. Pohle died, Nov. 22, 1S59, and the
Rev. J. A. Ph. Zapf succeeded him, and was pastor of this
church till March, 1863. Rev. Henry Hennick was called to
the pa.storate, in June, 1868, and left in March, 1865. The
congregation divided on the calling of a minister, and when
the majority called the Rev. J. A. Reidenbach, in April, the
minority left the church.
The church was now in a deplorable condition, weak and
distracted; a mortgage of $2,400, a floating debt of $1,500,
the members poor, and the pastor inexi^erienced and helpless.
Seeing that it must unite with some ecclesiastical body
which could assist it, or succumb, the congregation resolved,
unanimously, to join the Ref. Dutch Church. The North
Classis of L. I. was convened on the 22d of January, 1866;
received it formally as a member of its body ; and at
once assisted it in its pecuniary trouble. Mr. Reidenbach,
the Pastor, was not received, but the Classis permitted him
to continue his labors, and assisted him, through the Board
of Domestic Missions.
By the advice of Classis, the present Pastor, Rev. John
Martin Wagner, of Flonheim, in the Palatinate, a graduate
of Rutgers College, and the Seminary of New Brunswick,
N. J., was installed by the North Classis of L. I., on Decem-
ber 30, 1860, and is thus the first regularly installed pastor of
this church. A fund was started for a new church, and, in
1880, the present commodious church building was erected.
This structure, a mixture of ancient and modern architec-
ture, has a front of 52 feet on Union ave., and 100 feet
length on Scholes St., of Phila. brick and Ohio stone, with a
tower on the corner, 150 feet high, with two bells.
The audience-room has a raised floor and circular seats ;
the organ loft, with the choir, is above and behind the pulpit;
with a gallery in front of the church, seating about 900
persons.
The cost of the building was near $25,000. The church
was dedicated on the 2d of January, 1881. The basement is
high and pleasant, with a large hall for Sunday-school, &c.,
a room for the parochial school, and large parlor for meet-
ings and social gatherings.
The church has 460 members, the two Sabbath-schools have
about 700 children on their To\\>f, and the parochial school
averages 100 scholars.
Centennial Chapel First R. D. Church— Feby. 21, 1869,
a Mission S. S. was org. on the cnr. of Fulton and Adams
sts., and continued for two years; out of it grew the present
Centennial Chapel. The originators were the late Dr. T. L.
Jlason and Sam'l Stewart ; also, A. J. Beekman, Henry M.
Curtis, J. R. Lott, A. R. Gray, L. V. D. Hardenbergh, and a
number of others. The corner-stone of the present chapel
was laid, Nov. 10, 1871, and the first service was held in De-
cember of the same year. The Rev. J. G. Bass held evening
service there during that year. Ministry: Revs. A. N. Wyck-
ofE, 1873-'6; D. N. Westveer, 1877; J. H. Colton, D. D.,
1878-'84. At the present time, the church has a membership
of about 200; the S. S. numbers 600, including officers and
teachers; the whole a growing work and in a prosperous
condition. The Sups, of the S. S. have been Messrs. Geo. E.
Brinkerhoff, Abram J. Beekman, Henry W. Brewer, deceased,
and C. C. SheUey. The building is of brick and stone, and
was built at a cost of $19,000, including lots.
The following clergymen of the Reformed Church are resi-
dents of the city or county :
Rev. Jacob West, D.D., born 1818, at Berne, N. Y. ; grad.
Rutgers Coll., 1842; Rutgers Tlieol. Sem., 1845; Cor. Sec.
Board Dom. Missions, since 1868; previous locations. Middle-
burgh, N.Y., 1845-52; Piermont, N. Y., 1852-'6; frequent con-
tributor to jn-ess; settled in B'klyn., April, 1856.
Rev. Alfred De W. Mason, liorn in Brooklyn, 1855; grad.
Amherst Coll., 1877; andTheol. Sem., New Brunswick, N. J.,
1880; located Locust Valley, L. I., 1880-'82; Brooklyn, 1882-'4.
Rev. John M. Wagner, born in Flonheim, Germany, 1826;
grad. Rutgers Coll., 1853, and New Brunswick Theol. Sem.,
1856; located Silver Creek, 111., 1856-'61; WestLeyden, N. Y.,
1862-63; Melrose, N. Y., 1863-'6; B'klyn., 1866-'84, Pres.
Germ. Evang. Home for Aged, 1879-84.
Rev. John A. Lansing, born in Watervliet, N. Y. ; grad.
Union Coll., 1842, and New Brunswick Theo. Sem., 1845; was
Pres. Phi Beta Kappa Soc, and Vice-Pres. Union Coll.
Alumni Ass'n; located at Saratoga, 1845-'48; Bethlehem, N.
Y., 1848-60; Catskill, 1860-66; Sec. Board of Publication,
1866-'75; Chaplain Amer. Union Chapel, Rome, 1878 ;
author of Ministerial Support, 1854.
Rev. R. G. Strong is Pastor of the Reformed Church in
Flatbush, and was born in Flatbush, 1837; gi'ad. Univ. City
of New York, 1855, and New Brunswick, N. J., Theol. Sem.,
1858; ord. 1860; located at Flatbush, 1858-'61;New Baltimore,
N. Y., 186!-'9; select school, Flatbush, 1870-'9; Prin. Eras-
mus Hall Academy, 1879-84.
Rev. A. P. Stockwell is Pastor of the Reformed Church in
Gravesend, and was born in Hadley, Mass., 1837; grad. Am-
herst, 1862, and Union Theol. Sem., 1865; located Pleasant
Plains, N. Y., 1865-69; MiUbrook, 1869-'72; Gravesend,
187^'84,
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATION'S.
999
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
Episcopal Churches. — During one
hundred and twenty-five years, t}ie Re-
formed Dutch Church maintained un-
disputed sway in the town of Brooklyn.
When the Episcopal Church first made
a beginning here is not certain. Tradi-
tion asserts that it was established liere
as early as 1766; but the statement is not
substantiated by any reliable data.
Probably Episcopal services were occa-
sionally conducted here according to
circumstances or convenience, but no
records of these remain. As early as
1774, a proposition was made to erect
a church by lottery, ' ' conformable to
the doctrines of the church of England."
The project probably failed. It is
known that, from about 1778 to the
close of the Revolution, the Rev. James
Sayer was stationed here; and, that, in
the spring of 1784, Rev. George Wright
held regular services in the house of
Garret Rapelje on Fulton street, a short
distance above Fiont; and that, in the
same year, the congregation removed to
the barn of John Middagh, at the corner
of Henry, Fulton and Pojjlar streets (see
engraving on p. Ill), and subsequently
to an old British barrack at the corner of Middagh and Fulton
streets. Not long afterward, a house that had been erected
for Mr. Mattuck, an independent preacher, came into the
hands of some of Mr. Wright's parishioners, and was conse-
crated by Bishop Provost, April 23d, 1787. The parish was, by
act of the legislature, incorporated as " The Episcopal church
of Brooklyn," with the following trustees : John Cornell,
Matthew Gleaves, Joshua Sands, Joseph Sealey, John Van
Notsrand, Aquila Giles and Henry Stanton. Mr. Wright was
succeeded, in 1789, by Rev. Elijah D. Rattoone, and he by
Rev. Ambrose Hull. Next came Rev. Samuel Nesbitt in
1793.
On the 23d of June, 1795, the church was reorganized and
incorporated by the name of St. Ann's Church, a title which
it is said to have "tacitly received some years before," in
compliment to Mrs. Ann Sands, who, witli her husband (Mr.
Joshua Sands), had been its most liberal donor.
In 1798, the Rev. John Ireland succeeded to the rectorship,
and during his charge, the stone church was built on the
ground given by Mr. and Mr. Sands, at the corner of Sands
and Washington streets. It was consecrated by Bishop Ben-
jamin Moore, on the 30th of May, 1805.
Subsequent Rectors: Revs. Henry James Feltus, 1807-'14,
John Pientiss Kenley Henshaw, 1814-17 ; Hugh Smith,
1817-'18.
Rev. Heni-y Ustick Onderdonk became Rector in November,
1819, and continued in the discharge of his duties, until his
election and consecration as Assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania,
in October, 1827. The church edifice being considered unsafe
for further use, in consequence of the damages done to its
walls by the powder-mill explosion of 1808, measures were
taken for the erection of a new building. March 31st, 1824, the
corner-stone of a new church was laid, and the church was
consecrated, July 30, 1825.
rilE SKCUM) ST. AN.N'^ CllUliCll EDIFICE.
In 1826, a new parsonage was built, where Clark street
now enters Fulton street, and nearly opposite to the old Epis-
copal burying ground.
Other Rectors were: Rev. Charles Pettit Mcllvaine, from
1828 to 1832, when he was elected Bishop of Ohio; Rev. Ben-
jamin Clark Cutler, 1853 till his death in 1863.
Among the first acts under his rectorship, was the estab-
lishment of a Second Sabbath-School, from the overflow of the
original one. In August, 1833, with a small number of chil-
dren, it was held for a time in the gallery of the church; then
in several other places, until it was finally established, in
1837, in a second story which was added for the purpose, to
the building occupied bj- School No. 1. In 1839. was built the
third rectory, a substantial brick house, located in the church
yard, fronting Sands street, and first occupied in the spring
of 1840. In September, 1841, a, parUh library was opened to
the free use of the congregation. In the year 1838, the mem-
bers of St. Ann's inaugurated an orphan asylum, which has
since efficiently but noiselessly performed its appropriate
work; and also an education society, which bad many years
of usefulness.
Mr. Charles Bancroft became Assistant Pastor in May, 1844.
Rev. Lawrence H. Mills became Rector, in March, 1864, a year
after the death of Mr. Cutler. Steps were soon afterward
taken toward the erection of a new church and chapel, on
the corner of Clinton and Livingston streets. The chapel
was opened April 7th, 1867. On the 30th of May, 1867, the
present Rector, Noah Hunt Schenck, D. D., was inducted into
the rectorship, and on the 5th of June, in the same year, the
corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid. The
house was opened for worship, October 20th, 1869. A chime
of nine bells, each with an appropriate inscription, was pre-
sented as an Easter offering, in 1869, by the Senior Warden,
Thomas Messenger, Esq.
1000
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The church was consecrated, free from debt, on Ascension
Day, 1879. Sittings were made perpetually free by the con-
dition which Mr. R. Fulton Cutting imposed, when, in 1878,
he donated $70,000 to complete the extinction of the church
debt.
The total cost of the church was $37.5,000. Additional ex-
penditures, interest, etc., liave swelled the amount to half a
million. The seating capacity of the church is 1,700.
On Ascension Day, 1881, a memorial window was placed
in the chancel, by the ladies of the congregation, to the
memory of Mrs. Cutting.
A mission, called St. Aum's House, has been established in
Prospect St., near the site of the old St. Ann's Church. It is
conducted by the Brotherhood of St. Ann's ; connected with
this is a day nursery, conducted by the parish guild. Its
work Ls the care of infants while their mothers are at labor
for their support.
St. Ann's has (July, 1883) 676 communicants, and 365 Sun-
da3'-school scholars.
Rev. Noah Hunt Schenck, D.D., born in Pennington, N. J.,
1835; grad. Princeton Coll., 1844. Admitted to the bar, 1847;
practiced Trenton, 1848, and Cincinnati, 1849-51 ; grad. Gam-
bier (O.) Theol. Sem., 1853; ord., 1853; located Troy and
Hillsborough, O., 1853-'55; Gambier, O., 1855-'57; Chicago,
1857-60; Baltimore, 1860-'67; St. Ann's, Bklyn, 1867-84; was
Chaplain, Kenyon Coll., 1855-'67 ; of St. Nicholas Soc, 1871
-'84; author of pub. sermons, addresses, and lectures.
St. John's Church, corner of Washington and Johnston
streets, was erected in 1826. This parish owes its origin
and maintenance, during many of its earlier years, to the
foresight and liberality of its first Rector, the Rev. Evan M.
Johnson. The edifice, built by him at liis own expense, on his
own land, and for several years generously furnished to the
congregation free of cost, was first opened for divine service
September 24th, 1826; and for a few months he was assisted
in the services by the Rev. John A. Hicks. On Easter day,
1827, there were nineteen communicants. On the 16th of
July following, the church was consecrated by Bishop Hobart.
The attendance continuing to increase, it was considerably
enlarged and improved in 1832, and purchased by the con-
gregation. In 1835, Rev. Jacob W. Diller became Assistant
Minister; and, in 1841, the Rev. Stephen Patterson officiated in
the same relation, followed by the Rev. Caleb S. Henry, D.D.,
in 1842. A few years later, quite extensive repairs and im-
provements were made in the church. In July, 1847, the
Rev. Mr. Johnson withdrew, after more than twenty years of
faithful service without remuneration. His successors were
Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, D. D.. 1847-50; Rev. N. A. Oke-
son, D.D., 1851-'52; Rev. Thomas T. Guion, D. D., 1853-'62.
The renovation and re-fitting of the church edifice was
completed in 1862. Other Rectors : Rev. George F. Seymour,
D.D., 1863-67, aided by Rev. Henry A. Spaffard, Assist-
ant Minister of the parish, and Rev. Alexander Burges,
D.D., 1867-69.
In 1868, the ol<l building, on the corner of Washington and
Johnson sts., was sold and the corner-stone of a new chapel
was laid at the corner of Seventh ave. and St. John's place,
on the 15th of June, 1869. This chapel is of red sandstone,
and has about four hundred sittings. A rectory of the same
material adjoins it. The cost of both was about $40,000.
Rev. R. E. Terry was Rector, 1869-74, when the present
Rector, Rev. Thomas S. Pycott, was called. The parish is
quite prosperous. St. John's has (July, 1883) 300 communi-
cants and 193 Sunday-school scholars.
St. Paul's Free Church was the offspring of St. Ann's.
Rev. Thomas Pyne (who was mainly instrumental in com-
mencing and forwarding this work) was engaged as mission-
ary. Duruig the fii'st year of its existence, services were
held in the public school-room in Middagh street, imder the
direction of a committee of gentlemen who, with but a sin-
gle exception, were connected with St. Ann's Church. The
Sabbath-school, also, was conducted by teachers drawn
mostly from St. Ann's congregation. In 1834, a building in
Pearl street, now Concord, was purchased and refitted for
this church. The Rev. T. S. Brittain became Rector in June,
1835. The enterprise was maintained wholly by voluntary
contributions, and it languished until, in 1839 or '40, the edi-
fice was sold, and services were suspended till a reorganiza-
tion was effected, under the name of Calvary Church, with
Rev. W. H. Lewis, Rector. During some years the parish
was prosperous. John J. Fish, D. D., succeeded Mr. Lewis,
but left in 1849. The parish was not prosperous after Mr.
Fish resigned, and, in 1861, it ceased to exist.
Trinity Church was organized in March, 1835. Eight lots
were donated on Clinton avenue, between Atlantic and Ful-
ton avenues, by George "W. Pine, and a stone edifice, 60 by
45, erected. The Rectors of the church were, in suc-
cession. Revs. D. V. M. Johnson, Dr. Thos. W. Coit and R.
C. ShimeaU. In 1841, the parish having become embarrassed,
public worsliip was disconlinued, and the church was sold;
but was purchased, and the services were revived by the con-
gregation of St. Luke's.
Christ Church, corner of Clinton and Harrison streets, had
its inception in the labors principally of the members of St.
Ann's parish. The i)arish was organized and recognized in
the diocese, May 18, 1835. Services were first held in 1837,
in a chapel on the corner of Court and Pacific streets, wliere
the pulpit was temporarily supplied by Rev. C. S. Henry,
Fred. C. Goodwin, Prof. Tiuner and Kingston Goddard. Mr.
Goddard became Rector in 1838, and was succeeded by the
Rev. Dr. John Seely Stone in 1841.
The corner-stone of the new church, on the comer of Clin-
ton and Harrison streets, was laid June 26, 1841, and the
MCCLESIASTtCAL ORGAmZATION^S.
1001
church was consecrated July 28th, 1842. The cost of the
structure alone was $33,000.
Rectors:— Rev. E. H. Canfield, D. D., 1803-68 ; Rev. Lucius
W. Bancroft, D. D., in 1869-84. In 1856, the chapel and
Sunda}--school accommodations were enlarged to nearly
double their previous capacity, at a cost of about |l2o,000.
In 1861, a Mission Chapel was built on the corner of Clinton
and Luqueer streets, and organized as the Church of Our
Saviour in 1867. Another very successful mission, Christ
Church Chapel, on Red Hook Point, is now supported by
Christ Church, under the charge, successively, of Revs. Wil-
liam Hyde, Carlos E. Butler, Charles H. Tucker, and William
Hyde again. It has (July, 1883) 177 communicants and 560
Sunday-school scholars. Revs. Wm. B. Bodine, E. L. Stod-
dard, C. H. Nicholson, A. B. Carver and Bishop Falkner
have been Assistant Ministers under Dr. Bancroft.
The church not only has no debt, but has a surplus in its
treasury. It has (July, 1883) 519 communicants and 352
•Sunday-school scholars.
St. Mary's Church commenced as a Sunday-school, on
Classoii avenue, at the Wallabout, in 1836. Here Rev. D. V.
M. Johnson held afternoon services during about 6 months.
In 1837, Mr. Joseph Hunter became Superintendent of the
school, and lay-reader to a small congregation. In that year
a small edifice was erected, and the church called St. Mary's
was organized. The church was consecrated Feb. 1, 1840,
and enlarged in 1841. During the first six years. Revs. John
Messenger, Mr. Hunter (who had taken deacon's orders),
Tliomas T. Guion and John A. Spooner had charge. Rev.
John W. Shackleford became Rector in Nov., 1849. In
1856, Rev. Mr. Johnson, the father of the church, became
Rector, and ground for a new church edifice was pur-
chased on Classon avenue near Myrtle. The corner-stone was
laid in 1858, and the church was opened the next year. The
cost of church and grounds was $32,000, and the sittings were
made free. A rectory was soon added.
In 1864, the church debt was extinguished, and the building
was consecrated. Ground was purchased, and a rectory was
built near- the church, and the entire property is free from debt.
In 1873, a chapel was erected at the corner of Park avenue
and Skillman street, and this was enlarged in 1881.
Two da3--schools are maintained in the parish; one at the
scbt)ol-room of the church, the other at the branch. The be-
nevolent work of this parish is eiBciently sustained by its
members. Rev. Dr. Johnson is still the Rector; Rev. Alonzo
E. Diller, Asst. Min. St. Mary's has (July, 1883) 506 com-
municants and 681 Sunday-school scholars.
Emmanuel Church, in Sidney place, was incorporated in
1841, and a neat brick edifice was finished and consecrated in
^842. Rev. Kingston Goddard was the first Pastor, followed
in 1844 by Rev. BYancis Vinton, D. D. A large and costly
church was built a few yeai-s later. A new organization
under the name of Grace Church, was effected in 1847; the
building was sold, and another edifice was erected on the cor-
ner of Hicks street and Grace Court.
Calvary Free Church, on Pearl St., near Concord, was
purchased by Mr. Edgar J. Bartow, on the dissolution of St.
Paul's congregation, about 1840. Mr. Barlow refitted and
furnished the church at his own expense, and invited Rev.
Wm. H. Lewis to take the pastoral charge, which he held
until June, 1847. Subsequently, the accommodations were
enlarged by Mr. Barlow, at his own expense. Rev. John
Fish, D. D., became Rector after Mr. Lewis; but, in 1849, he
resigned, and in 1861 the parish ceased to exist.
Calvary Church may be well considered the parent church
of the Holy Trinity, as not only a large portion of the con-
gregation, but its founder. Rector, organist, choir and sexton.
all became connected with the latter, in the same rela-
tions.
St. Luke's Church, on Clinton avenue, was a reorganization,
Dec. 14, 1841 (and incorporated 27tli same month), from the ele-
ments of Trinity Church, and occupied the same edifice. It was
in charge of Rev. D. V. M. Johnson, of St. Mary's Church,
until April, 1842, when the Rev. Jacob W. Diller was called
to the rectorship, the church then having 26 communicants.
The church edifice was enlarged by the extension of the nave
and the addition of two transepts, in 18.53, at an outlay of
$15,000. In the spring of 1869, the pew system was abolished,
and St. Luke's began its career as a free church.
In 1878, Rev. Jas. W. Sparks was called as Assistant Minis-
ter. In December, 1879, on account of the infirmities of the
Rector, who had ministered to the congregation during
thirty-eight years, his resignation was accepted, and he was
retired as Rector emeritus, with a suitable competency. A
call was at once extended to Rev. George R. Vandewater,
and he entered on his pastoral duties, Feb. 1, 1880. Easter of
that year was signalized by the cancellation of the bonded
debt of the church, and the inception of a firm resolve that
from thenceforth its ground and structures should be free,
in every sense of the word. On June 28, of that J'ear, the
steamer Seau-anhaka, on which the Rev. Dr. Diller was a
passenger, was destroyed by fire in New York harbor, and
the venerable Rector emeritus perished in the flames.
During the years 1880 and 1881 a chancel extension was
erected — solid, substantial and impressing— having five hand-
some stained-glass windows, and covering a beautiful marble
altar and reredos, as well as a fine tablet "in memoriam" of
the late Rev. Father Diller. A new organ chamber and a
new organ (the third largest in the city) have been added ;
also, a new bell of 2,000 pounds weight. A new chapel has
been erected, and the Parish Hall, on Vanderbilt avenue, has
been repaired and improved. The total expense of these im-
provements was $43,500. The church is free from debt.
Rev. Joseph Reynolds, Jr., is Assistant Minister, and the
church has (July, 1883) 812 communicants and 394 Sunday-
school scholars.
Rev. Jacob W. Diller, D. D., born in Lancaster, Pa., Sept.
9, 1810, was educated at the Flushing Institute, and was or-
dained deacon April, 1834, at St. George's Church, Flushing.
A year later, he was advanced to the priesthood, and served
as assistant in St. John's, ...Brooklyn, for three years. He
then went to Middlebury, Vt., remaining four years. In
1842, he was called to St. Luke's Parish, Brooklyn, at its or-
ganization. St. Luke's was then a little chapel, standing in
a cornfield, on the extreme outskuts of Brooklyn. Dr. Diller
worked hard and spared not himself in the cause < f his Mas-
ter. Through his labors the church was greatly increased
and a new edifice erected. His life was suddenly terminated
July 2, 1880, by the burning of the Seaivanhaka, on which
he was a passenger. His life was a pure exemplification of
piety, charity, doctrine and devotion. His profound earnest-
ness for the temporal and spiritual good of his people en-
deai-ed him to them in a wonderful way.
Rev. George R. Van De Water, born in Flushing, L. I.,
1854; grad. Cornell Univ. 1874, and Gen. Theol. Sem , N. Y.,
1877; is a trustee of Theo. Sem.; located at Oyster Bay, L. I.,
1876-'80; Brooklyn, 1880-'84.
St. Thomas' Church was organized in 1843 as a free church,
by Rev. John F. Messenger. He was followed by Rev. R. H.
Bourne, 1846-'51, and he, by Rev. Wm. F. Walker, 1851-'52;
Rev. John Frederic Schroeder, 1853. In 1853, the church
edifice was sold to a German CathoUc society for $4,500.
1002
HISTORY OF KIN^GS COUNTY.
THE CHUKCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
EC GLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
1003
The congregation of St. Thomas removed to Bridge street
for a time, but e%entually separated.
The Church of the Holy Trinity.— The erection of this
noble and expensive edifice was wholly the work of Mr. and
Mrs. Edgar J. Bartow. He not only supervised the design,
but hired much of the labor by the day. It is believed that
the cost of the church and chapel was about |17.5,000. The
chai)el was opened June 7, 1846, and tlie church, April 25,
1847, by Rev. W. H. Lewis, D. D., who was invited to take
charge of the church bj' Mr. Bartow. The parish was duly
organized Nov. 27, 1851. Dr. Lewis was called to the rector-
ship, and Kev. T. Stafford Drowne elected Assistant Minister,
having served in that capacity since Nov. 1, 1848. In 1856,
the congregation purchased the church (not completed) for
$100,000. It was consecrated September 33d of the same
year.
Dr. Lewis resigned the rectorship in 1860, and was suc-
ceeded by the Rev. A. N. Littlejohn. The debt of the con-
gregation was nearly extinguished; the tower and spire were
completed at a cost of .f65,000; the rectory was re- purchased,
and very large sums were annually contributed for benevo-
lent purjioses.
Upon being consecrated Bishop of Long Island, January
27, 1869, Dr. Littlejohn retired from the rectorship; and was
succeeded, March 1st, 1869, by the present Rector, Charles H.
Hall, D. D. ; Rev. Harry O. Lacey, Assist. Min. The clergy
connected with the church as assistant ministers during the
first rectorship were: Rev. T. Stafford Drowne, November
16th, 1848, to May 7th, 1858; Rev. Henry T. Gregory for a
short time, followed by Rev. Cornelius B. Smith, who con-
tinued to February 1st, 1860. When Dr. Littlejohn assumed
the rectorate, the Rev. N. W. Taylor Root w^is assistant for
a few months, succeeded by Rev. John C. Middleton from
October 21st, 1860, to Easter 1863. In the following October,
Rev. John H. Rogers became assistant, after whose with-
drawal in 1865, temporary services were rendered by the Revs.
J. D. Philip and Charles H. Van Dyne in 1866. Early in
1867, the Rev. Benjamin B. Newton was appointed Assistant
>Iinister. The church has (July, 1883) 750 communicants
and 231 Sunday-school scholars.
In 1871, a mission was established bj- this church in Myrtle
avenue. In 1875, this was transferred to the old St. Ann's
church building in Wasliington street; and, when this was
demolished by the Bridge Company, in 1879, the church edi-
fice of the First Reformed Presbyterian Society in Duffield
street, between Myrtle and Willoughby avenues, was pur-
chased and refitted at an expense of |35,000, and it is now the
Chapel of the Holy Trinity, under the charge of Rev. William
Short. It has (July, 1883) 190 communicants and 306 Sunday-
school scholars.
Edgar John Bartow, bom on the 29th of April, 1809, at
Fisldiill, N. Y., was a son of Augustus Bartow, of Pelliam
Manor, Westchester Co., N. Y., and a descendant of Gen.
Bertaut, of Brittany, a French Protestant, who fled to Eng-
land some time before 1672. The different branches of liis
family in England and this country were early distinguished
for their attachment to the Episcopal Church, and their efforts
to extend it; and many of the name have been connected
with its ministry.
On the death of his father, Mr. Bartow's family, in 1816,
removed to New York city; and, in 1830, took up their resi-
dence in Brooklyn, and were members of St. Ann's parish,
>Ir. Bartow filling, at different timas, the position of teacher,
librarian aad secretary of the Sunday-school. On the 13th
of November, 1838, he was married to Harriet Constable, a
daughter of Mr. Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, a per-
son of kindred tastes, who shared in a remarkable degree
his unostentatious and liberal spirit.
Mr. Bartow's business, from youth, was the manufacture
of paper; and, during his more prosperous days, he devoted
his means and influence with Christian fidelity to all the in-
terests of the church, and especially to every local organiza-
tion or object in which he could be useful. For years after the
Church of the Holy Trinity was opened, he liberally aided the
congregation of Calvary Church in maintaining their services,
presenting the use of the building; and no one in this com-
munity contributed more towards relieving the necessities of
the poor. In secular matters he was also identified with
every movement that concerned the progress and improve-
ment of Bi'ooklyn.
He took a warm interest in the laying out of streets, in
the erection of houses and public buildings, and was instru-
mental in establisliing the Montague Street Ferry, having
built, at an outlay of over |45,000, the stone archways and
incMned plane from the Heights to the river.
In politics, although not an active participator, he was in
his sjinpathies a Democrat, and in 1846 was chosen by that
party as its candidate for Mayor; but he declined the honor,
although he would, beyond a doubt, have been elected.
Thoroughly retired and domestic in his tastes and habits,
fond of the congenial society of a few, whom he knew in-
timately and loved, he sliranlc as far as possible from public
notice and commendation.
His wife died in 1855 ; ani, in 1860, Mr. Bartow married
Caroline, daughter of Col. John M. Gamble, U. S. M., of
Morristown, N. J. He continued to reside in Brooklyn (al-
though his business avocations called liim frequently to Nor-
wich, Conn., to superintend the operations of the Chelsea
Manufacturing Company, of which he was president), until
his death, on the 6th of September, 1864.
Rev. Charles H. Hall, D.D., born 1820, at Augusta, Ga.;
grad. Yale, 1842, and gen. Theol. Sem., 1844; Rector at Hunt-
ington, L. I., West Point, N. Y., Johnisland, So. Ca., Wash-
ington, D. C. ; located Brooklyn, March 1, 1869; author of
Notes on the Gospels, 2 vols. ' Protestant Ritualism, Church
of the Household, Spina Christi, Valley of the Shadow, and
published sermons.
Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights, was organized (See Em-
manuel Church) May 3d, 1847, with Rev. Dr. Francis Vinton,
first Rector. The corner-stone of the new edifice on Hicks
street and Grace court was laid June 29th, 1848, and on
Christmas Day, 1848, it was opened free from debt. It was
consecrated June 29th, 1849. Dr. Vinton was succeeded on his
resignation (to become Assistant Minister in Trinity Church,
New York) in 1855, by Rev. Jared B. Flagg, and he by
Rev. Eugene Hoffman, in Feb., 1864; followed by Rev. Ben-
jamin H. Paddock, D. D., in May, 1869. The present Rec-
tor William A. Snively, S. T. D., succeeded Dr. Paddock in
1874. Rev. Henry T. Scudder is Assistant Minister. Grace
Church has (July, 1883) 360 communicants and 300 Sunday-
school scholars. It has a parish school, and also supports
Ch'ace Chapel, in High street, near the Navy Yard.
Rev. William A. Snively, S. T. D., born in Greencastle,
Pa., 1833; grad. Dickinson Coll. Pa., 1852; tutor Dick. Coll.,
1853-5; S. T. D., Columbia, 1875; located Pittsburgh, Cincin-
nati, Albany, Brooklyn, 1874r-'84; author of Oberammergau
Passion Play, 1881; Cathedral System, 1879; Genealogical
Memoranda, 1883; Active in the U. S. Sanitary Com.
1004
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
CiRACE CHURCH, DROOKtA'N HEIGHTS. (See previous pajie.)
Protestant Episcopal Church of the Reformation.— A
parisli under tliis name was organized September 30, 1847,
by the labors, and under the pastoral charge, of the Rev.
Thomas S. Britten, in the vicinity of Atlantic street, in
South Broolilyn. Services were first held in a school-mom
on the corner of Henry and Atlantic streets. Mr. Britton,
however, abjured Episcoiiacy, in 1848, and united liimself
withthe Brooklyn Presbytery, and the church became extinct.
Grace Church Chapel (St. Michael's Church), was com-
menced in 1847 by the Rev. Evan M. Johnson, in a room in
Marshall street, near the Jackson ferry, where meetings wei e
first held in September of that year. He was successful, and
soon leased from the city, for ten years, the " Eastern
Market," in High street, and first lield services there in Feb-
ruary, 1848. Soon an addition of 40 by 50 feet was built.
Rev. Wm. F. Webbe was Assistant Rector from 1849 to 1869.
The church was incorporated, and a parsonage worth about
$3,500, was erected. A new church edifice and rectory, of
brick, were erected in 1866, on High street, near Gold; the
same that is now occupied as Grace Church Chapel.
In 1870, the property was purchased by Bishop Littlejohn,
and placed under the jiastoral charge of Rev. William M.
Willian. In March, 1871, Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights,
purchased this church property, continuing the services of
Rev. Mr. Willian till his resignation, June 15, 1875. He was
succeeded, in September, by Rev. H. L. Tighe, as Assistant
Minister of Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights, in charge of
Grace Church Chapel.
Under theadmrnistratiou of Mr. Tighe, a very large amount
of work has been accomplished, and the wisdom of the
founder in planting the church in this locality has been
demonstrated. Grace Chapel has (July, 1883) 108 communi-
cants and 301 Sunday-school scholars.
St. Peter's.— This parish was commenced about the year
1847, by a few individuals who worshiped at first in a large
brick buihling in Powers street, under the pastoral charge of
Rev. William Staunton. The parish was regularly organized
May 18, 1848, and the congregation, which subsequently wor-
shiped in a brick building, in Atlantic street, near Nevins
street, gradually increased in numbers and strength.
In 1849, Rev. Jolin Stearns became Rector ; and, in .June,
1850, the cornerstone of a church was laidat the junction of
Atlantic and Bond streets. Mr. Stearns resigned in the spring
of 1855, and was succeeded by Rev. John A. Paddock: and, in
1850, the congregation requiring a larger house, a new struc-
ture was erected on State street, near Bond. It was opened
in Jany., 1857, and coni-ecrated, after the extinguishment of
the debt, in 1865. Its total cost was about $45,000.
Rev. Mr. Paddock, in 1880, was consecrated a Bishop, and
the present Rector, Rev. Charles A. Tibbals, was called early
in 1881. An elegant and commodious rectory, the gift of a
single parishioner, was built in 1874. St. Peter's Church has
(July, 1883) 356 communicants, and 382 Sunday-school
scholars.
A Mixsion School was commenced by members of the
parish, in March, 1859, and a chapel was afterward erected
in Wyckotf strei t, near Bond, where the school has since
been held.
Rev. Charles A. Tibbals, born at Suffield, Ct., 1853; grad.
Yale College, 1872; Theo. Sem., 1874; located Red Pank, N.
J., 1878-81; Bklyn., 1881.
St. Paul's Church, Clinton, corner of Carroll street. This
parish was organized on Christmas Day, 1849, under the
pastoral charge of the Rev. Isaac P. Labagh. The original
church edifice, built in 1850, consisted of a nave, tower and
spire. Transepts were added in 18.52, making it cruciform,
with a recessed chancel. In June, 1858, the Rev. T. Stafford
Drowne became Rector. The steady growth of the congrega-
tion rendered necessary a second enlargement of the build-
ing in 1860.
The corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid
June 27, 1867, and the church was first occupied. September,
1869. It is of Greenwich blue-stone, with Ohio and Jersey
free-stone trimmings. It is 145 by 72 feet, and 60 feet in
height. It has a seating capacity of 1.000, and the cost, with
the site, was $1.50,000. A stone cliapel stands iu the rear of
the church, 85 by 34 feet in size. Its cost was |4.000.
This church was the first iu Brooklyn to introduce a sur-
pliced chon-. Dr. Drowne resigned his rectorship on the 28th
of September, 1875, to become the Secretary of the Diocese
of Long Island; and was succeeded. February 1, 1877, by the
present Rector, Rev. Warren C. Hubb.rd. Rev. C. Ellis
Stevens is Assistant Minister. St. Paul's Church has (July,
1883) 335 communicants and 225 Sunday-school scholars.
Rev. W.\RREN C. Hubbard, born in Brooklyn, 1847 ; grad.
Syracuse Univ., 1871; and in Theol., Seneca Falls, N. Y.,
1873: located Seneca Falls, 1873-'77; Brooklyn, 1877-84.
St. Mark's Church, formerly in Fleet street, was the re-
sult of a missionary effort undertaken by the Church of the
Holy Trinity in the year 1850, aided and encouraged by the
hearty sympathy and liberality of the other Episcopalian
congregations of the city.
A plain substantial edifice was erected, the expense of
which was defrayed wholly by free-will offerings. It was
opened October 6th, 1850, Rev, Francis Peck becoming its
first Rector.
Originally established as a free church, and sustained
chiefly by the parish of the Holy Trinity, it was, in 1856,
thrown upon its own resources, and resorted to the renting of
the pews for its necessary support.
Rectors: — Revs. Edmund Embury, 1859; Thomas G. Carver,
1859-'61; F. Cornell, 1861-'9. In 1859, the congregation sold
their church edifice and erected a new building on DeKalb
avenue, opposite Fort Greene. This they sold, in 1865, and
purchased the church previously occupied by the congre-
gation of the Messiah, in Adelplii street, near DeKalb
avenue.
{
EC CLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
1005
Rev. William T. Fitch was Rector from 1869-75, and Rev.
Spencers. Roche, 1875-'84. St. Mark's Church has (July, 1883)
890 communicants and 309 Sunday-school scholars.
Church of the Redeemer. — This parish was org. April 14,
1853, and incorporated in the following December. The
original board of trustees were: Messrs. F. A. Huntington,
Wm. H. Beare, John D. Cocks, W. Cooper, A. H. Washburne,
J. C. Pelham, Frederick Lacey and William Poole. These
also constituted the first vestry, with the addition of Messrs.
R. Ford, Jr., and Thomas Rawlings.
Having leased a hall over the old butcher's shop, on the
corner of Fulton avenue and Elm place (since destroyed by
fire), the congregation, which was largely drawn from St.
Peter's iiarish, began its work under the pastoral care of
the Rev. D. W. Tolford. Shortly after this the Rev. D. P.
Sanford assumed the rectorship, Nov. 13, 1853. He wrote in
the parish records : " At this time the number of communi-
cants was about thirty- five. The attendance had been
fluctuating, owing to the want of a settled pastor, and to the
uncertainty of the permanence of the congregation." At tlie
lirst celebration of tlie Holy Communion there was forty-four
communicants, and just one year from that time there were
seventy-four, with a congregation numbering t>ver two
Imndred. On May 20, 1854, a receipt was given for the first
payment on the lots of ground purchased by the parish, on
the corner of Fourth ave. and Pacific st. Tlie price was
|9,500, but Mr. W. B. Loyd deducted $3,500 as his subscrip-
tion. On this ground a brick chapel, 35 by 80 feet, was
erected, also a bell tower, 9 by 9 feet, and about GO feet high.
The builders were Messrs. Walton and F. D. Norris, the
architect being Mr. G. Wlieeler. The contract price was $8,-
700, and ground was broken about Sept. 1, 1854. On Sept.
37, 1854, the parish was admitted to union with the Diocesan
Convention of New York. The chapel was first opened for
divine service on Easter Eve, 1855, the sermon being preached
by the Rt. Rev. H. J. Whitehouse, Bishop of Illinois; and the
next day being Easter, the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, Bishop of
New York, administered the rite of Holy Confirmation to
eleven persons. The Rev. Mr. Sanford resigned liis position
on the first Sunday after Easter, 1858. Tlie Rev. Charles S.
Putnam succeeded him on the first Sunday of July following,
but, from illness, he resigned the rectorship May 24, 1859.
The parish has placed, through the generosity of Mr. C. P.
Burdott, a beautiful memorial window to record his faitliful
ministry. The Rev. Edward Jessup succeeded in August,
1859. He labored for a number of years, extinguishing the
old indebtedness of nearly $14,000, and continually accumu.
lating money for the erection of a new church edifice.
On April 34, 1865, the corner-stone of a new stone church
was laid by the Rev. Bishop of the Diocese, Horatio Potter,
D.D., LL.D. On tlie third Sunday in October, the old brick
building was temporary abandoned, and, on Christmas day,
1865, the main body of the new church was opened for ser-
vice; the unfinished choir and chancel being partitioned oS.
On the fifth Sunday after Trinity, being the Cth day of July,
1866, all things being at length in readiness, and the screen re-
moved, the entire structure was formally opened for worship
and service of Almighty God. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Quintard,
of Tennessee, officiated and preached.
The contract price for the new church was $33,000, the
total amount expended for furniture and building was $31,-
500, and the architect was Mr. P. C. Keeley, of Brooklyn.
The edifice is of blue gneiss stone, in the early English style,
with lateral porches, and buttresses of stone. The interior is
exquisitely polychromed, at a cost of $1,700, and is a work of
the choicest decorative art. The altar and font are of white
Caen stone, beautifully carved; and the organ was built by
Johnson, of Westfield, Mass. The seating capacity is from
050 to 700, there being 154 pews.
Rev. Ferris Tripp was associated with Mr. Jessup as Assist-
ant Minister, from 1869 to 1872. Mr. Jessup was buried from
the church on the 3d of May, 1872; and in October, 1872, a
mural tablet was placed in the church, to his memory.
Rev. Wm. A. Leonard was his successor; and he entered on
his duties May 5, 1873.
In the summer of 1874, the old brick building, being the
original church built in 1855, was torn down; and a new
stone chapel and bell-tower erected, at a cost of $15,000, in-
cluding furniture and a fine chapel organ. This building
seats 500. It has also a beautiful study for tlie Rector, a
vestry and a music room. There are five memorial windows
of stained glass placed in its walls; and it opens into the
church proper by glass doors. The present income from the
pew rental of the parish is $8,000, which more than meets aU
current expenses.
The Parish Working organizations are the following : In-
dustrial School for Girls; Mission ScJwol for Boys: Mothers'
Meetings; Parish Guild, for all ladies of the parish; Benevo-
lent Association, an organization which receives, on the
first Sunday of the winter months, money pledged for assist-
ing the worthy poor.
The Rev. Wm. A. Leonard resigned the rectorship in Feb-
ruary, 1881, and the Rev. Geo. Williamson Smith, S. T. D.,
officiated as Rector, Sept. 1, 1881, to July 1, 1883; and Rev.
Charles R. Ti-eat, from Sept. 1, 1883, to the present time. Rev.
Ferris Tripp is Assistant Minister. The church has (July,
1883) 635 communicants and 538 Sunday-school scholars.
T/ie Brotherhood of the Church of the Redeemer maintains
a library and free-reading room, on Atlantic avenue, between
4th an<l 5th avenues; and assists the Rector in Parish work.
Day Nursery, 500 Wan-en st. Owing to the removal of the
Sister in charge, on account of ill health, the Day Nursery
susiiended operations in November, 1881, until a suitable per-
son can be obtained to take charge of it.
A summary of items for the past 38 years gives the follow-
ing result : Baptisms, 960; Confirmations, 636; Marriages,
353; Burials, 572. As near as can be calculated, the money
raised in the Parish for all purposes, amounts to $300,000.
The Church of the Messiah, Greene ave., cor. Clermont,
was org. August 32d, 1850, under the rectorship of the Rev.
William H. Newman, with twenty communicants.
Rev. Robert J. Walker was Rector, from June, 1851, till
June, 1858; Rev. Octavius Perinchief, 1858-'59; Rev. George
E. Thrall, 1859-'69: Rev. Richard B. Duane, D.D., 1869-'72;
Rev. Charles R. Baker, 1873-'84.
The first edifice was erected in 1852, and was enlarged in
1859, at a total expense of more than $8,000. In 1863, the
edifice being found too smaU for the congregation, the
vestry pm-chased a large, unfinished brick structure, upon
the corner of Greene and Clermont avenues, originally
erected for the Presbyterians, and capable of seating a thou-
sand persons. The sum paid was $35,000, and the comple-
tion of the edifice cost $64,000 additional. It has a seating
capacity of 1,130. In 1878, all indebtedness was extinguished.
The Church of the Messiah has (July, 1883) 790 communicants,
and 380 Sunday-school scholars.
Rev. Charles R. Baker, born in Medford, Mass., 1842;
grad. Friedrich Wilhelm Univ., Berlin, and Epis. Theol.
School, Cambridge, 1873; located Brooklyn, 1873-84.
Emmanuel Church originated in Ascension Church, in 1853.
Rev. William O. Lamson, Rector. The corner stone of a
building was laid at the corner of Third place and Smith St.,
in 1853, the congregation worshiping in a hall at the corner
of Court and Sackett sts. On November 37, 1864, the organi-
1006
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
zation was changed to the Free Church of the Good Angels,
and the Rev. John H. Hobart Brown was elected Rector. In
I80T, the church wa.s organized under its present name, and
occuiiies an elegant Gothic structure of brown stone on the
comer of Smith and President sts., seating 700, and costing
over $30,000.
Rectors: Rev. Wm. O. Lamson, 1853-'7; Rev. Edward De
Zeng, 18o7-"60: Rev. Thos. Powell, with Rev. Edmund Em-
bury as associate, 1860-'l; Rev. Henry Greenleaf, D. D., who
died in 18G2; Rev. Henry B. Wallbridge. D. D., 1869-'84.
In 1870, the church was enlarged by the addition of tran-
septs. In 1874, an addition was made in front, and in 1878,
a recess chancel was added in the rear. The seating capacity
is now about 950.
In 1874, pew rents were abolished, and the seats have since
continued free. Rev. Geo. F. Cushman, D. D., is Assistant
Minister.
Emmanuel Church has (July, 1883) 241 communicants and
214 Sunday-school scholars. It has also a Parish school.
The Church of Our Saviour, as a mission chapel from
Christ Church, held its first service, Nov. 32, 1857, in a car-
penter's shop on Nelson St. , west of Court, with five mem-
bers. Rev. James S. Barnes was appointed minister, and
served till 1865 ; a Sunday-school was started, which soon
increased to 150 scholars. After a few months, some of the
members of Christ Church, seeing the importance of the
work, opened a subscription list, which, with generous help
from the parent church, soon amounted to $14,000. The lot
at the comer of Clinton and Luqueer stieets was given by
Mrs. Luqueer, and the present building was soon erected,
with seats to be forever free.
Rev. Wm. M. Postlethwaite was the next Minister in
charge, and, during his term of over four years, the chapel
became an independent church. Rev. Mr. Booth succeeded
as Rector, and was in charge for over eight years. The pres-
ent Minister, Rev. H.M. Stuart, took charge in May, 1880.
The Church of Our Saviour is (July, 1883) without a Rector ;
has 260 communicants and 400 Sunday-school scholars.
St. Andrew's Church, New York ave., corner of Herkimer
St., commenced services in a temporary building, under the
pastoral care of Rev. Richard S. Adams, who subsequently
became Rector. The corner-stone of the church edifice was
laid March 33, 1859, and the parish organized in the fol-
lowing September. In March, 1869, Rev. Charles Higbee be-
came Rector. Tlie parish has since ceased to exist.
St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal Church, Throop ave..
comer Pulaski st., was org. as the "Free Church of St.
Matthew," May 35, 1859. Services had occasionally been
held in a school-room on the south-west comer of De Kalb
and Marcyaves. ; and a Sunday-school had been organized,
with some 25 children, under the supervision of Mr. Bailey
J. Hathaway. It was not, however, until the spring of 1859
that services were regularly conducted, and then by Rev. D.
V. M. Johnson, D. D., Rector of St. Mary's Church, in the
house of Mr. Frank Chichester, on Lafayette ave., near
Tompkins. Soon after, a church organization was perfected.
On the 7th of June, 1859, Mr. J. J. Rapelye gave four lots,
together 100 feet square, on the south-east corner of Throop
ave. and Pulaski st. , as a building site for a new church.
The corner-stone was laid July 2, 1859, and on Feb. 10, 1861,
the completed edifice was opened for worship. Its cost was
about $10,000. The Rectors in charge were : Rev. Isaac Ful-
lerton Cox, 1860; Rev. James Thomson, 1861-8; Rev. C. S.
Williams, 1868-'76; Rev. Charles Wm. Turner, 1876-'84. A
flourishing Sunday-school of 300 members is maintained. Its
first superintendent was Rev. J. Hoyt Smith, who was suc-
ceeded by Alex. Hutcliins, M. D., the present superintendent.
In May, 1868, the free system was abandoned, and the pews
were rented. In consequence, the name of the parish was
changed to St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal Church; and
has (July, 1883) 175 communicants and 293 Sunday-school
scholars.
Rev. Chas. William Tuener, born in London, Eng., 1844;
grad. St. Mark's Coll., Lond., 1864; located at Anglican Mis-
sion, Hawaii, 1866; San Francisco, 1869; Oakland, 1871; L. L
City, 1874; Brooklyn, 1870.
Church of the Atonement, 5th ave., cor. 17th st., was in-
corp. Feb. 1st, 1864. A church edifice was erected on the
corner of 5th ave. and 17th st., and opened Sept. 7th, 1865.
Rev. Joseph D. Pliillip was at first in pastoral charge. Sub-
sequent Rectors: Rev. Lea Luqueer, 1865-66; Rev. E. F.
Remington, 1866-'68; Rev. WiUiam Hyde, 1868-76; Rev.
James Chrystal, 1876-'77; Rev. Alfred J. Barrow, 1877-79;
Rev. Wm. M. WLUian, 1879-'81; and Rev. Albert C. Bunn,
M. D., 1881-84.
In 1878, the interior of the church was altered and re-
arranged. The Church of the Atonement has (July, 1883)
345 communicants, and 330 Sunday-school scholars.
Rev. Albert C. Bunn, M. D., bom 1845, at Cape Vincent,
N. Y.; grad. Hobart Coll. and Med. Dept. Univ. of Buffalo;
five years Med. Missionary of Amer. P. E. Mission at Wu-
chang, China. Studied theol. with Rev. Geo. Williamson
Smith, S. T. D., Pres. Trinity Coll.; ordained 1882; Pastor
at Queens, L. I.; located at Brooklyn, September, 1881.
The Church of the Reformation was founded by Rev.
Darius Brewer, an independent missionary, who held re-
ligious services Dec. 2, 1866, in a smaU upper hall, at the
corner of Classon and Fulton aves. ; and, on the 18th of Feb-
ruary following, a church was organized, with Rev. Mr.
Brewer as Pastor. In 1874, Mr. Brewer was succeeded by
the present Rector, Rev. J. Bacchus.
In April, 1867, lots on Gates ave., near Classon, were
purchased at a cost of $8,280; and by July 14th, the church
edifice was so far completed that services were held in it.
It was a wooden structure, 40 by 80 feet, and finished in
every respect in a most tasteful and thorough manner, at a
c ist, exclusive of site, of $8,964.11.
During the past eight years the church building has been
improved by the addition of two transepts, two parlors, and
a robing-room, and the enlargement of the chancel and
lecture-room. A rectory, adjoining the church, has also
been purchased.
The Church of the Refomiation has (July, 1883) 430 com-
municants, and 364 .Sunday-school scholars.
All Saints' Church, worshiping in Military Hall, 5th ave.,
near 9th street, was organized Aug. 4th, 1867; and, until the
following Christmas Day, carried on by lay effort. At that
time the Rev. Wm. D'Orville Doty, began his labors. Seven
lots of land, at the corner of 7th ave. and 7th st. were pur-
chased of Isaac Henderson, Esq. The corner-stone of a
chapel was laid by Bishop Littlejohn, May 30th, 1869. It
was a brick structure, 35 by 30 feet, with 368 sittings.
This chapel was enlarged in 1880; its seating capacity in-
creased to 450, and the interior wholly changed. Mr-. Doty
was succeeded in the rectorship in 1871, by Rev. Joseph S.
Jenckes, Jr.; and he, in 1872, by Rev. Charles H. Bixby.
The present Rector, Rev. Melville Boyd, succeeded Mr. Bixby
in June, 1876. During the rectorship of Mr. Boyd the
chui"ch debt has been nearly extinguished.
All Saints' Church has (July, 1883) 325 communicants and
350 Sunday-school scholars.
St. James' Church, Lafayette ave., corner of St. James
place. This parish was originated by some members of St.
Luke's congregation, living in its more immediate vicinity.
EG GLESIASTICA L OR G ARIZ A TIONS.
lOOT
and was organized on the 25th of May, 1868, and admitted
into union witli convention on tlie 29th of September, 1869.
Tlie present Rector, Rev. Charles W. Homer, previously As-
sistant Minister of St. Luke's, was called to the rectorship
on the 29tli of May, 1868.
A handsome chapel was erected, and twice enlarged, dur-
ing the year 1868. It was also twice enlarged between 1870
and 1875, and it has now a seating capacity of 1,200. St.
James' Church has (July, 1883) 751 communicants and 767
Sunday-school scholars.
St. Stephens' Church was first a mission of St. Andrews,
formed, in August, 1867, for the greater convenience of resi-
dents in the eastern part of iSt. Andrew's parish. The parish
of St. Stejjhens was erected in 1868, with a promise on the
part of its officers that they would " oppose the erection of a
church west of Rochester avenue."
A church edifice was built in 1868, and opened for worship
Feb. 21, 1869, on the corner of Patchen avenue and Jefferson
street. It is a wooden structure, with 300 sittings, which,
from the first, have been free. The expenses of the church
have been defrayed from weekly voluntary offerings.
Rev. William Schouler, Jr., became Rector in May, 1868 ;
Rev. James A. Bradin, in June, 1872 ; Rev. Joseph A. Nock,
in February, 1875; and the present Rector, Rev. Thos. J. Cor-
nell, M. D., in April, 1881. St. Stephens' Church has (July,
1883) 120 communicants and 170 Sunday-school scholars.
St. George's Church was organized October 24th, 1869.
The church edifice is of wood, 40 by 80 feet, and located
on Greene .avenue, betw. Marcy and Tompkins avenues,
fronting on Tompkins Park, and its cost, with the site, was
127,000. The church owes its existence largely to the labors
of Rev. Alvah Guion (deceased), who was its first Rector.
He was succeeded by Rev. Charles H. Babcock, who was fol-
lowed by the present Rector, Rev. Frederick B. Carter. The
church maintains a Ladies' Parish Aid and Missionary So-
ciety, an Industrial School, St. George's Brotherhood, a
Parish Missionary Committee, and an association called
" Friends of the Sick." St. George's Church has (July, 1883)
290 communicants and 343 Sunday-school scholars.
Rev. FREDERICK B. Carter, born in Brooklyn, 1850; studied
Col. Coll. ; grad. Gen. Theol. Sem., 1873; located W. Islip,
L. I., 1873-'75; Brooklyn, 1875-84.
The Church of the Good Shepherd was first a mission of
the Cluirch (if the Holy Trinity. It was organized as a sep-
arate parish in 1870. The present church edifice, on
McDonough st., near Stuyvesant ave., was erected in 1871,
with a seating capacity of 300. In 1874, it was enlarged, and
transepts were added, and it has now 600 sittings. The total
cost of the building and site was about $34,000. The parish
is very prosperous. Rev. Henry Belts Cornwall, D. D.. has
been Rector since 1871. The Church of the Good Shepherd
has (July, 1883) 325 communicants and 238 Sunday-school
scholars.
The Chapel of the Church Charity Foundation, under the
charge of Rev. Tims. W. Brown, Chaplain, has (July, 1883)
80 coniuuinicants and 7() Sunday-school scholars.
Church of the Mediator. — A few friends of Rev. Wm. H.
Reid rented the Juvenile Academy in Washington street,
transformed it into a church, which was opened in April,
1869, and org. with E. S. Blomfield and Chas. Selden,
Church Wardens. It afterwards occupied the old St. Ann's
Church building, which has since been taken down to make
way for the East River Bridge. In 1873, the congregation
purchased from the Central Congregational Society, for
130,000, their church edifice on the corner of Ormond place
and Jefferson st. In May, 1875, services were discontinued,
and the property was transferred to the former owners. In
November of the same year the building was rented, and
services were resumed. In May, 1876, they were again dis-
continued, and were not resumed till February, 1880, when
the present Rector, Rev. J. W. Sparks, was called. In No-
vember, 1881, the building was again purchased from the
Central Congregational Society, for |15,000. It is a brick
structure, with a seating capacity of 800.
Rev. William H. Reid became Rector at the organization
of the Society, and resigned in February, 1874. In March of
the same year, Rev. L. Van Bokkelen was called, but within
a month left the iiarish in an embarrassed condition. In
July, 1874, Rev. T. F. Cornell, M. D., was called. He re-
signed in May, 1875, and was succeeded in the following Oc-
tober by T. Stafford Drowne, D. D. He resigned in May,
1876, and the church was closed till February, 1880. The
present condition of the parish is prosperous.
St. Mark's P. E. Church, 4th st., cor. South 5th, the old-
est Episcopal parish in Williamsburgh, was org. 1837, with
four communicants, by Rev. Wm. Morris, afterwards Rector
of Trinity school. N. Y. At Easter, 1838, Rev. Samuel C.
Davis succeeded, the communicants then numbering twelve;
and during his ministry, a brick chapel was erected at the
rear of the present church edifice.
In October, 1839, there being then 18 communicants, and a
Sunday-school of 30 scholars and 6 teachers, the Rev. Sam-
uel M. Haskins became the Rector; and, by May, 1841, a stone
church, 45 by 90 feet, was completed and consecrated. It is
in the Tudor Gothic style, and seats 550 jieople. The con-
gregation steadily increased with the growth of the city.
In 1846, it colonized Christ Church, and the Rector of St.
Mark's inaugurated (with help from Trinity Church, New
York) missionary efforts at Williamsburgh, and at Maspeth,
resulting finally in the establishment of a church at the lat-
ter place, under care of Rev. Wm. Walsh; and at Williams-
burgh, in 1848, of St. Paul's, under the rectorship of Rev.
Geo. W. Fash.
In 1846, also. Dr. Haskins organized St. James' (colored)
congregation, which was aided by St. Mark's congregation,
until they could do for themselves. Asceiision Church,
Greenpoint, in 1847; Calvary Church, in 1848, were all es-
tablished by Dr. Haskins' labors and the aid of Trinity
Chm-ch; the debt of his own church cancelled, and its size
and adornment greatly increased in 1854. Communicants
(July, 1888), 452; Sunday-school numbered 308.
Rev. Samuel M. Haskins, D. D., was born at Water-
ford, Oxford county, Maine, on tlie 29th of May, 1813.
He graduated at IJnion College in 1836, and at the
General Episcopal Theological Seminary, New York,
in 1839. He was ordained deacon in the Episcopal
Church in June, 1839, and priest at the chapel of St.
Mark's, Williamsburgh, in July, 1840, by Bishop
Onderdonk. He was called to the rectorsbip of St.
Mark's in October, 1839, and has held his high office
there for forty-four years. This church, which was
nursed into strength and usefulness by the patient,
earnest efforts of Dr. Haskins, has enjoyed the ad-
vantage of his care and love throughout its whole
interesting history. It is the parent of all the other
Episcopal Churches in this section of Brooklyn, which
now number six flourishing parishes.
St. Mark's Church was organized as a missionary
enterprise by the Rev. Mr. Davis, in October, 1837, on
100?
HISTORY OF KIN^GS COUNTY.
the outskirts of what was then the village of Williams-
Ijurgh. He was the first Rector, but left the parish
in May or June, 1839. When Dr. Haskins was called,
services were held in a small white-washed brick build-
ing, in the midst of a cornfield. His first sermon was
preached on the twenty-first Sunday after Trinity,
1839, to a congregation of fourteen families and
eighteen communicants. There was no other parish
between Astoria and Brooklyn; yet the population was
small, and sparse fields and orchards covering a large
jjortion of the present populous city. The steady in-
crease of the congregation made a larger church neces-
sary. Three lots were obtained on the corner of
Fourth and South Fifth streets, and a stone building
erected, all at a cost of nearly seventeen thousand
dollars — a large sum for a feeble congregation in those
days — leaving a debt of six thousand.
In May, 1841, the church was consecrated. The
congregation steadily increased, until in 1846, a new
organization, under the name of Christ Church, was
formed and entirely made up of families from St. Mark's.
A series of missionary services, commenced by Dr.
Haskins in the same year, in the eastern portion of the
town, resulted in the organization of^St. Paul's Church,
which was received into the convention in 1848. These
were followed by others, until six parishes now attest
the zeal and liberality of the mother church, and the
faithful labors of Dr. Haskins. The original debt was
paid in 1853; at the same date the church was enlarged
by the addition of a proper chancel and choir, and an
increase to the nave of about two hundred sittings.
It was also beautified by several memorial windows.
A Sunday-school room was added in 1855.
In 1860, further important additions were made to
the church, and other memorial windows added. The
site of the church is now in the older portion of the
city, and with its plain substantial exterior, and the im-
provements made in the interior, it has a very neat and
tasteful appearance, and looks as should the venerable
cradle of so many rich and powerful parishes. Six
ministers, now preaching from Christian pulpits, were
originally connected with the Sunday-school. In forty-
four years the church has been closed but two Sundays,
and during the same time, Dr. Haskins has seldom
been absent, except for his summer vacation of four or
five Sundays.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORCANIZATIONS.
1009
Dr. Haskins received his degree of D. D. from Union
Collefe in 1862. His publications consist of a num-
ber of occasional sermons. He is of the average
height, and well proportioned, and walks with an erect
figure and an active step. His head is large, with a
face of marked intellectuality and amiability; the
features are large, but regular; the face shows decision
and force of character; there is a kindness in the eye
and a good-natured smile about the mouth, which
are expressive of gentle and noble traits of character.
His manners are those of the true gentleman, tender,
considerate and kind, that always win the heart. With
cheerfulness and smiles, kind words and genial actions,
he has thus made himself popular, not only among his
own people, but in social and public life generally. He
is well described in those words in which Cowper por-
trays the model preacher.
" In doctrme imcorrupt; in language plam,
And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
And natiu-al in gesture; much impress'd
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too; affectionate in look
And tender in address, as weU becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty men."
Seeing him in the pulpit, the living impersonation
of this portrait is brought vividly before you. His
clear, positive faith in the doctrines he proclaims, and
his equally clear and positive language; his unpretend-
ing, circumspect and solemn manner; his ease and
grace of delivery and gesture; his evident sense of
the obligations of his position; his tender appeals to
the unconverted; his affectionate looking from face to
face of those who are his sheep, all appear in most
striking reality. He is not looking for popular ap-
plause, but he is anxious to do his whole duty as a
preacher of the glad tidings of salvation.
He is not seeking to exalt himself and his talents;
but he is pleading with his whole mind and heart to
save those in guilt and peril. He is eloquent; his
words flow with fluency and beauty; he is strong in
argument, and inspired with faith; but none of this
is intended to awaken an emotion personal to himself.
His language, tone and manners will not allow you to
escape from a knowledge of this fact, and it gives
great additional power and effectiveness to his preach-
ing.
In this day of worldly ambition and of selfishness in
the pulpit, as well as out of it, you can but be drawn
nearer to the man who shows himself entirely free
from them, and thoroughly devoted, with humility and
seriousness of spirit, to the work of the Master.
Dr. Haskins has labored, from early manhood to the
decline of life, in one parish. In that time he has seen
a great city grow up about him, with the manifold
changes and trials it has brought to his parish. He
has seen the little seed of his nursing and watering
grow into the tall tree of religious power, and he has
seen its goodly boughs severed one after another, until
the ancient trunk is all that remains. Venerable with
age, hoary, but not decayed, it still stands where it
was first planted in the vineyard of the Lord, and its
faithful husbandman will guard it until he, too, falls
to his rest beneath its holy shade.
Christ Church, E. D. — This parish, originally organized as
" Christ Church, "VVilliamsburgh," in the summer of 184G,
maintained services for nearly a year in the Reformed Dutch
consistory room, Fourth st. In September, 1840, Rev. Chas.
Reynolds accepted a unanimous call to the parish, which at
that time numbered only thirteen communicants. Within
four months, a small but neat edifice was erected on the
south-east corner of South Sixth and Fifth sts. This proved
too small for the congregation, and an eligible plot of
ground on Bedford ave., a few rods outside of the Williams-
burgh limits, being proffered to the vestry by ilessrs. Jacob
and B. B. Boerum, in the spring of 1844, the parish of Christ
Church, Williamsburgh, was dissolved, and at the same
meeting, that of Christ Church, North Brooklyn, organized.
The corner-stone of a church edifice was laid on Ascension
Day, 1849, and the edifice opened for divine service in the
followmg September. A subsequent enlargement was made
in the summer of 1851, at which time the number of com-
municants was ninety, and the Sabbath-school, under the
superintendency of Samuel Reynolds, in a very flourishing
condition. Mr. Reynolds' ministry here closed. May 6, 1855,
and on the following Sabbath, Rev. A. H. Partridge assumed
the rectorship. He found the congregation occupying a
poor building, and about $0,000 in debt. Through his exer-
tions the debt was paid, and a commodious chapel erected
on the rear of the lot at a cost of about |7,500, with a capa-
city of seating 350 to 400 persons. The old building was
then taken down and sold; and, by the first of January,
1803, a new and elegant brown-stone church, in the geomet-
rical decorated Gothic style, was erected and occupied by
the congregation. This edifice, which is 125 feet long by 75
feet wide, with two towers in front, will seat 1,200 persons ;
with stained-glass windows, organ, and of elegant internal
finish and decoration. It cost $35,000, and is an ornament
to the city.
In 1868, this parish purchased a suitable and commodious
house for a rectory.
After a long and useful pastorate, Dr. Partridge died April
8th, 1888, and was succeeded by the present Rector, Rev.
James H. Darlington. There were 400 communicants and
450 Sabbath-school scholars (July, 1883).
Rev. Alfred Hinsdale PABTEmoE was born at Hatfield,
Mass., Dec. 14, 1811. He belonged to the celebrated Dwlght
family of Hatfield, and was a descendant in the eighth gen-
eration from Deacon Cotton Partridge. He first studied in
the Academy at Hadley, and then entered the General Theo-
logical Seminary, New York, and grad. in June, 1838. He
was made a deacon at St. Mark's Church, New York, July
1st, 1838, and a presbyter at St. Matthew's Church, Bedford,
N. Y., July 20, 1839.
At the latter church, he was assistant to the Rev. Samuel
Nichols for one year, but at the end of that time was him-
self called to the rectorship, and held that position for 16
years. While there, his great activity is shown by the fact
of his organizing three new churches in as many different
neighboring villages, holding the initiatory services under
the trees. In May, 1855, he was called as Rector of Christ
1010
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Church, North Brooklyn. Tlie cliuich had been organized
in 1846, being an oflfshoot of St. JIark's; and, when Dr.
Partridge came, worship was held in a small frame build-
ing moved from South Sixth st. to its present site, and
caUed Christ Church in the Fields. This was afterwards
sold for just §100.
Twentr-eight years seem a long time to remain in the
rectorship of one church, but it is a short time iu which to
accomplish such great results as Dr. Partridge accom-
plished.
The rapid settlement of the neighborhood, and its selec-
tion as a place of residence by a superior class of people, the
general esteem in which the Rector was held, and his liberal
and evungehcal views with regard to church matters, drew
many who had formerly been members of other congrega-
tions to unite with Christ Church. After 28 years' faithful
service. Dr. Partridge died April 8, 1883.
Bev. James H. Darlington, born in Brooklyn, 18o6; grad.
Univ. New York, A. B., 1877; A. M., Princeton, 1879; and
Princeton Theol. Sem., 1880; memb. N. Y. Acad, of Sciences,
1877; located in Brooklyn, 1881; author of lectures on Ainer.
Literature, pamphlet on Church Government, etc.; Bector
Christ Ch. since May 1st, 1883.
St. Paul's, E. D.— In the year 1846, the Rev. S. M. Haskins,
Bector of St. Mark's, having obtained assistance from Ti-in-
ity Church, New York, and other sources, conceived tlie
project of commencing Sunday-schools and regular church
services, once a Sabbath, in the upper part of Grand street.
Williamsburgh, and in the neighboring village of Maspeth.
From this beginning, both this church and St. Saviour's,
Maspeth, date their existence. The Rev. Wm. Walsh, for a
time, took charge of both stations, but subsequently devoted
himself to the church at Maspeth, which was first built. He
was succeeded in Williamsburgh by the late Bev. George W.
Fash, at that time associated with Mr. Haskins in the man-
agement of St. Mark's parochial school. On the 8th of May,
1848, St. Paul's Parish, Williamsburgh, was duly organized,
and Mr. Fash elected its first pastor. Services until May,
ISoO, were held in a school-room over a drug store in Grand
street, one door from the corner of Graham ave. In 1849,
two lots of ground were purchased by the parish, on the cor-
ner of South 2d and 12th streets and Union ave. In May,
1850, the congregation removed to more commodious quar-
ters in Franklin Hall, corner of Graham ave. and Remsen st ,
and contracted for the erection of a house of worship. But,
becoming financially embarrassed, and compelled to vacate
their previous quarters, they met in the basement of the Lu-
theran Church, corner of Graham ave. and WyckoflE st.,
where their wants were supplied from Sabbath to Sabbath
by various clergymen. April 30th, 1851, the Rev. Henry
Floy Roberts was elected Rector, and, by his exertions, the
building project was revived, the edifice completed at a cost of
$1,300, and opened for public worship on Thanksgiving Day,
Nov. 22, 1851, although it remained during the winter un-
plastered; and, not until Christmas was it warmed and made
comparatively comfortable by a $20 stove. In 1852, by the
help of Trinity Church, New York, St. Paul's was free from
debt, and the building completed. In July, 1854, Mr.
Roberts resigned his charge, and the Rev. Edmund Embury
entered upon the rectorship, Sept. Ist, but, in consecjuence
of ill-health, resigned in April, 1850. He was succeeded,
October, 1856, by Rev. Wm. A. Maybin. Meanwhile the
church had been enlarged by the addition of a chancel, and
had been newly and tastefully furnished. The parish now
received from Mr. Barnet Johnson a gift of five lots, valued
at near $5,000, on the corner of Penn and Marcy aves., on
which the corner-stone of a new edifice was laid Sept. 5th,
1800, and the church opened for divine service on Advent
Sunday, Nov. 23d. 1861. Its cost was $24,760.
The Rectors since 1862 are as follows : Revs. John AV.
Clark, 18G2-3; David F. Lumsden, 1863-'5; F. C. Wainwriglit,
1865; Ed. R. Atwill, 1865-'7; Wm. A. Maybin, 1867-'70; Dr.
Fox, 1870-1; Newland Maynard, 1871-4.
In 1866, tlie floating debt was paid off through the liberal-
ity of sister churches in New York and Brooklyn; and the
free-seat system, which had been in force since 1853, \\as
abolished. In July, 1883, there wei'e 225 communicants and
294 children.
Rev. Newland Maynard, D. D., born 1839, in Toronto,
Ont. ; grad. Upper Canada Coll. and Berkeley Theol. Inst.
Ct., 1869; located Staten Island, 1871; author of 25 Lccfttvt'S
on Foreign Lands; elected 1879 Fellow of Royal Hist. Soc. of
Gt. Britain; rec'd gold medal for lectures on Sacred Art and
Mediceval Architecture.
St. James' Church, E. D. (colored), was commenced in
1840, and worshiped first in a small building in South Third
st , near Ninth st. ; later (about 1855), they moved to Fourth
St., near South Eighth, at which time the Rev. S muel V.
Berry (colored) was their Rector. Afterwards the Rev. Mr.
Monroe (colored) became Rector, who resigned, however, in
May, 1859, and went to Africa. During this year, the frame
building in Remsen st. , latterly used by this congregation,
was purchased for them by the Convocation for Church Ex-
tension in Kings County. For a time, the services were kept
up by the neighboring clergy, and by lay reading. The
church was afterwards sold, the congregation disbanded,
and the money appropriated, by order of the Bishop, to a
colored church in South Brooklyn.
Calvary P. E. Church, E. D., South Ninth and Eighth
streets, organized Jan. 23, 1849, owed its existence in a great
measure to the Rev. Charles Reynolds (at that time Rector of
Clirist Church), and to Mr. William G. Dunn, the senior war-
den. To meet the spiritual destitution of the northern part
of Williamsburgh, the use of Lexington Hall, corner of Grand
and Third streets was secured, services were held, and a
churcli established in that part of the village. After a time
Rev. Mr. Payne's services were engaged, and Odd Fellows'
Hall, corner of North First and Third streets, was secured as
the place of assembling. Rev. Robert J. Walker was his suc-
cessor, followed by the Rev. B. F. Taylor, and he by Rev.
George Timlow. In 1851, lots were purchased on North
Fifth street, and in the following year a small church edifice
erected, which was consecrated on April, 16, 1853, by Bishop
Wainwriglit. Rev. Samuel W. Sayres was Rector from Sept.
1852, to October 15, 1856. His successor was the Rev. John
P. Bailsman; he was succeeded by Rev. Henry F. Roberts,
who resigned on May 1, 1860, after a service of two years. In
July, 1860, the Rev. Francis Peck entered upon his duties as
Rector; and during the earlj- part of his administration a step
vital to the welfare of the parish, was its removal from North
Fiftli street to its present location, where a commodious
church edifice and a better neighborhood laid the foundation
of future success. Mr. Peck resigned the Rectorship in Feb-
ruary, 1882, after nearly twenty-two years faithful service,
and was succeeded by the Bev. H. B. Harris, in April of the
same year. The church had (July, 1883) 300 communi-
cants.
The Sunday-school, which was established in the early his-
tory of this church, had for its first superintendent, Mr.Wm.
G. Dunn. Present number of scholars, 460; volumes in li-
brary, 675.
Bev. Francis Peck was succeeded in 1882, by the present
Rector, Bev. H. Bichard Harris. In July, 1883, there were
30 communicants and 460 Sunday-school scholars.
EC CLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
1011
Church of the Ascension (Greenpoint). In the fall of 1846,
Rev. John W. Brown, of Astoria, Rev. Chas. Reynolds, of
Christ Church, North Brooklyn, and Rev. JolmC. Brown, ar-
ranged for the holding of divine service in Greenpoint, ac-
cording to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal church. In
October, the first service was celebrated by Rev. John C.
Brown, in the parlor of Mr. David Provost's residence. Under
Mr. Brown's guidance as a missionary, a rotim was forthwith
hired, supplied witli furniture from Astoria, and services
were regularly commenced. December 30, 1846, the parish
was organized, and incorporated Sept. 38, 1847. In the sum-
mer of 1847, the services were conducted by Rev. Michael
Scliofield, who had recently become associated with Rev. J.
W. Brown of Astoria, and a flourishing Sabbath-school was
also gathered under l\Ir. \Vm. Mulligan, a layman of Astoria.
After a few months, Mr. Scliofield was succeeded by the Rev.
Henry Bartow, who resigned in 1848. The Rev. Robert J.
Walker, was next appointed, in November, 1848, resigning in
March, 1850, in order to devote his whole attention to Cal-
vary church, Williamsburgh, where he had already been of-
ficiating in addition to his Greenpoint duties. In May, 1850,
the Rov. Thomas Clark was called to the rectorship at Green-
point, which ho filled until his death in August, 1853. Dur-
ing his time, the congregation worshiped in the Sabbath-
school room of the Dutch Reformed Church in Java street, and
in the house of Mr. Charles Cartlidge, Franklin street. The
Rev. Edward C. Babcock, A. B., deacon, entered on his duties
as Rector on the 31st of October, 1853, the services being at that
time helil at Mr. CartUdge's house, and the congregation
numbering about thirty persons. A Sabbath-school was com-
menced; and the first communion was administered on Sun-
day, November 38, 1853, by the Rev. C. Reynolds, to thirteen
persons.
About this time, also, three lots of ground, eighty-
five feet front by one hundred feet deep, on the north side of
K Street, midway between Franklin and Union avenues,
were secured at a cost of |1,500. On the 30th of January, 1853,
the congregation met for the first time in Odd Fellows" Hall,
in K street, east of Union avenue, where they continued to
worship until October following. On the 5th of July, 1853,
the corner-stone of a lecture and Sabbath-school room was
laid. It was opened for worship on Sunday, October 33, 1858,
at a cost, for land, building and furniture of about |4,500. The
pews in the early part of 1855, were voted free by the vestry.
Mr. Babcocli resigned November 1st, and died in December
of the same year. The Rev. Merrit H. Wellman, entered
upon his duties as Rector January 1st, 1857; his salary being
assumed by the joint action of the vestrj', the missionary
committee of the diocese, and the New York Pastoral Aid
Society.
In the fall of 1858, through efforts of the parish and
the liberality of outside friends, an excellent organ was pro-
cured, the building was ornamented and furnished, and a small
balance of debt cancelled. With the close of 1860, the church
ceased to receive assistance from the Pastoral Aid Society,
and that derived from the Missionary Society was also much
reduced, the vestry being now able to assume a larger pro-
portion of the debt. The parish made a steady and healthful
progress, during the rectorsliip of Mr. Wellman, who re-
signed on May 1st, 1863. Rev. Francis Mansfield, was the
next Rector, ofiiciating first on the 38th of June, 1863. The
congregation having largely increased, a new edifice became
necessary, and the corner-stone of a permanent church was
laid on the north side of the chapel, on the 33d of March,
1865. The church was completed at a cost of |30,000, and
opened for divine service on the 16th of September, 1866. It
is a Gothic sti-ucture of correct proportions and pleasing ef-
fect, with open roof, and organ chamber adjoining the chan-
cel, designed by Mr. Henry Dudley; and is filled with a large
and flourishing congregation. Rev. Thos. W. Haskins suc-
ceeded Mr. Mansfield; and Rev. C. Ellis Stevens subse-
quently became Rector; followed by the present incumbent.
Rev. A. Wliittaker. In July, 1883, there were 168 communi-
cants and 345 Sunday-school scholars.
Rev. C. Ellis Stevens, born 1853, in Boston, Mass.; grad.
Univ. Penn., and Berkeley Divin. Sch., Ct., 1875; located
Bklyn., 1876; is a Miss. Sec'y. of P. E. Ch., in U. S.; was as-
soc. Ed. of Living Church.
St. John's Church, E. D., was incorporated in 1851, and
admitted into union with convention on the 34th of Septem-
ber of the same year. The Rev. Benj. F. Taylor, then a
missionary in Williamsburgh, was called to the rector-
ship. This parish did not succeed in erecting a church edi-
fice, and the congregation, never numerous, becoming scat-
tered, the Rev. Mr. Taylor withdrew in 1854, and further ef-
forts under this organization were abandoned.
Grace Church, E. D.— At the urgent request of several
friends, the Rev. Alvah Guion, in April, 1853, visited the
Third Ward of Williamsburgli, one and a half miles back
from the ferries, having an industrious population of about
1,800 souls, among whom no Episcopal church had been es-
tablished, and no place for public worship except a small
temporary building put up by the Baptists. Mr. Guion de-
termined, in reliance upon Divine favor, that a free Episco-
pal church should be established in this section, amid this
growing population. He established his residence in their
midst, hired two rooms with folding-doors on the first floor
of No. 343 Lorimer street, and on Sunday, May 15, 1853,
preached a sermon to a congregation of five souls; and on the
following Sabbath a Sunday-school was commenced with
one scholar. After a year's hard labor he had secured a valu-
able plot of land on Conselyeast., near Lorimer, on which
to erect a church, as a free gift from Messrs. Charles M.
Church, John Skillman and Joseph H. Skillman, on the con-
dition that a church worth $5,000 should be erected thereon
within two years. He had also collected a little over a fifth
of the above amount. The plans for the church edifice were
prepared under his own direction; and he also, singly and
alone (every member of the vestry, from inability, indiff'er-
ence, or want of faith in its ultimate success, having refused),
assumed the entire responsibility of the enterprise. His zeal,
faith and labors were finally rewarded with success. On the
8th of January, 1856, the church was fully completed; and,
on the 10th of April, 1856, formally consecrated as a free
Eiiiscopal church. Grace Church is 93 feet by 44, being cal-
culated to seat 500 persons; and, with all its accessories, fix-
tures, etc., is an example of how neat, comfortable and com-
modious a church may be built, even in a city, for a compar-
atively small simi. Mr. Guion continued the Rector of this
parish until the spring of 1868, when he was succeeded by the
Rev. William S. Chadwell. The vestry, at the time of the
consecration of the edifice, were Messrs. Jonathan James
and James S. Guion, Wardens; Dwight Woodbury, Henry S.
Samuels, Edward W. Townsend, Richard Sealey, Erasmus D.
Brown, David B. Cunningham, Geo. K. Brooks and Wm. T.
Anderson, Vestrymen. Mr. Chadwell was succeeded by Rev.
Joseph Beers; and he by Mr. Coan.
St. Barnabas Chapel, E. D. — Services were commenced
. early in 1869, by the Rev. Henry A. Dows, now in charge of
this mission, in a building rented for the purpose on the
north-west corner of Evergreen ave. and Jefferson st. Church
on Evergreen ave., between Chestnut and Stockholm sts.,
opened for Divine service, Dec. 13, 1869. Afterwards dis-
continued.
1012
niSTOR T OF KINGS CO UJSTTT.
Tlie following ClergjTiien of the Protestant Episcopal
Church are residents of the city:
Rev. Robert Bayaud Snowden, born in New York, 1833;
grad. Williams Coll. 1854, and Union Theol. Sera., 1859; lo-
cated in California, 18G5-'70; in Conn.. 1870-'75; Fort Ham-
ilton, 1876; was editor of The Church Magazine, 1876-77; is
contributor to papers.
Rev. Henry H. Lorikg, A. M. (Hobart), bom in Berkshire
Co., Mass.; admitted to the bar, 1855; grad. Gen. Theol.
Sem., New York. 1858; trustee of same, 1867-'76; Prof. He-
brew and Bib. Interp. Kansas Theol. School, Topeka; editor
church paper; is on staff of The Churchman, N. Y.; located
Fayetteville, N. Y.; Olean, N. Y., Brownsville, Pa., and
Topeka, Kan. ; translator and editor of Germ. Theol. mono-
graphs: came to B'klyn, 1879.
Rev. John Greenwood Bacchus, born in Chestertown,
Md., 1846; grad. Kenyon Coll., 1870; Cambridge Theol. Sem.,
1873; alumnus lecturer at Theol. Sem.: located B'klyn, 1873.
Rev. I. Barnwell Campbell, born in Beaufort, S. C,
1815; grad. Nassau Hall, Princeton, 1835; and Prot. Epis.
Gen. Theol. Sem., 1839; located Charleston, S. C, 1840-'58;
New York, 1867-'68; B'klyn, 1868-84; did missionary service
in late war, at Williamston, S. C.
Rev. J. A. ASPINWALL, born in New York, 1840; studied in
France and Germany; grad. Theol. Gambier (O.) Coll., 1864;
located Bay Ridge, L. I., 1864-84.
Rev. W. G. McKlNNEY, born in Charleston, S. C. 1826; lo-
cated Buffalo, Brooklyn, Charleston and Cleveland; did
missionary work in La. and N. C; author of 3Iy Early Re-
ligious Impressions: Walter and the Prize Lottery; Archi-
b((ld and Elvira; The Commandments Kejjt; Faith and
Works, etc.
Rev. Dan Marvin, Jr., born in New York, 1843; grad.
Columbia Coll., 1863; studied P. E. Gen. Theol. Sem., N. Y.;
was adjunct Prof. Greek, Racine Coll., Wis.; located St.
Peter's Chapel, B'klyn, 1876-'77; Asst. Min. Ch. of Messiah,
1877-79; Ch. of Holy Communion, Norwood, N. J., 1883-84
and Prin. Lafayette Acad.. B'klyn.
Rev. Joseph Rey'NOLds, born in Baltimore, 1854; studied at
Univ, of Va. : grad. Gen. Theol. Sem., 1877; is chaplain Mon-
tauk Lodge, F. A. M.; chap. 5th Md. N. G.: located Balti-
more, 1878-79; Harford Co., 1879-80; B'klyn, 1880-'84.
Rev. Paulus Moort, born in St. Croix, 1850; grad. St.
Augustine Inst., Raleigh, N. C, and P. E. Theol. Sem.,
Phila., 1882; located New York: destined to work in Liberia,
Africa.
RT. REV. ABRAM NEWKIRK LITTLEJOHN, D. D.
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.
Bishop LiTTLEJOUN is a native of Central New York,
having been born in Montgomery county, December
13th, 1824. His early education was obtained in his
native county; and, in 1841, he entered Union College,
where lie graduated with honor in 1845. Entering at
once upon a course of theological study, he received
deacon's orders from the Rt. Rev. William H. DeLancey,
Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York, at Au-
burn, N. Y., on the 18th of March, 1848. He entered
upon the clerical duties at St. Ann's Church, Amster-
dam, immediately; and, after continuing there a year,
removed to Meriden, Conn., where he officiated for a
period of ten months. On the 10th of April, 1850, he
was called to the rectorship of Christ Church, Spring-
field, Mass., where he was ordained priest, November 10,
1850, and where he remained a little more than a year.
In July, 1851, be succeeded Rev. Samuel E. Cooke,
D.D., as Rector of St. Paul's Church, New Haven.
Though yet a young man, not quite twenty-seven years
of age, when he entered upon this large and important
field of labor, he soon gave evidence of remarkable
intellectual abilities. His sympathy with progress
and with the friends of higher intellectual cultui'e, es-
[lecially among the young men, was so evident and
hearty, that he attracted in large numbers the young
men of the city into his congregation; and, at the same
time, his own scholarship was so broad and thorough,
and his ability as a speaker and writer so eminent, that
he was in great demand as a lecturer and orator. In
1853, he was invited to give the opening lecture of a
course in Philadelphia, by bishops and clergymen of
the Episcopal church, on topics connected with theo-
logical science. The subject assigned him, and whicli
he discussed with masterly ability, was, " The Philos-
ophy of Religion." Tliese discourses were subsequently
published, with an introductory essay by Rt. Rev.
Alonzo Potter, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Pennsylvania,
and constitute a valuable contribution to the literature
of the Church. lie had ;Ilready been for several years
Lecturer on Pastoral Theology at the Berkeley Divinity
School, Middletown, Conn., and he continued to sus-
tain this relation to that school of the prophets, in ad-
dition to the duties of his rectorship, during his resi-
dence in New Haven, a period of ten years. In 1856,
before he had completed his thirty-second year, the
University of Pennsylvania conferred on him the hon-
orary degree of Doctor of Divinity. In January, 1858,
when yet but thirty-three years of age, he was unani-
mously elected President of Hobart College, Geneva,
N. Y. This honor he respectfully declined. In the
spring of 1800 he was called to the rectorship of the
Church of the Holy Trinity in Brooklyn, N. Y.
The position was one of peculiar responsibility and
anxiety, and a man of less moral courage would have
declined to leave a congregation so strongly attached
to him as that of St. Paul's, and one in every respect so
pleasant, for the trials and severe labors which he well
knew would be inevitable in his new position. The
Church of the Holy Trinity, originally erected in large
part through the munificence of one of its constituent
f
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1013
members, and through his subsequent misfortune in
business so heavily mortgaged that, in 1850, it was
with the greatest difficulty rescued from falling into
the hands of the Roman Catholics, on a foreclosure sale
for a mortgage debt of $100,000, was still staggering
under an incumbrance of $65,000, and was as yet in-
complete. It was a magnificent edifice, well worthy to
become eventually, when completed, the cathedral
church of a future diocese; but the congregation which
worshiped in it were, neither in wealth or numbers,
quite strong enough to bear so heavy a burden.
But the young and brave-hearted New Haven Rector
saw in this persistent determination to " fight it out on
that line " which actuated the members of the parish of
the Holy Trinity, the possibilities of a magnificent
future; and, stipulating that the debt should be reduced
$10,000 before he entered upon his duties among them,
he threw his whole heart into the work of building up
the parish. The cheerfulness of his spirit, the rare
courage with which he addressed himself to his work,
the halo of enthusiasm with which he surrounded it, as
a work done for Christ, and the eloquence and fervor of
his preaching, attracted a constantly-increasing audience
to the services of the cliurch. There were yet dark days
to be encountered. The financial depression of 1861
and 1862 made it a difficult matter to raise money even
for the payment of the interest on the still heavy debt;
but, when a time of greater financial prosperity came,
and his congregation was strengthened by the addition
of numerous men of wealth and generous hearts, he re-
newed his efforts to throw off the burden of debt which
had so long crippled the energies of the church. In
January, 1863, $20,000 of the debt was paid, and the
income of the church having more than doubled, and
being in excess of the amount necessary to defray the
current expenses. Dr. Littlejohn proposed the establish-
ment of a sinking fund, which has already greatly di-
minished, and will, ere long, completely obliterate the
original debt. Meantime, fully convinced that' the chari-
ties which began at home should not end there, he incul-
cated both by precept and example, that wise liberality,
in the support of all the benevolent institutions of the
church, which should demonstrate that they did not
live to themselves alone, but unto Him who had re-
deemed them. On the Western frontier, in Bellevue, Ne-
braska, the parish of the Holy Trinity erected a church
edifice named after itself, where the emigrants from our
Eastern States could worship God as they had done in
the land of their fathers. In the newer portion of this
city, just where the advancing wave of population has
reached its shores, on Fulton avenue, near Schenectady
avenue, it has established a Free Chapel. A Classical and
Commercial School for Boys, with religions as well as
secular instruction, has been established, and is in a flour-
ishing condition. The Church Orphan Asylum, the Home
for Aged Women, and the other local church charities,
and the Missionary, Educational, and Church Extension
Societies, have received largely of their bounties through
all these years.
Aside from the engrossing cares of his large parish,
and the parochial and financial duties which have occu-
pied him there, he has, from his first coming to Brook-
lyn, been promim-ntly connected with the missionary
work of the church, as a member of the Domestic Com-
mittee of the Board of Missions; he is, likewise, a trus-
tee of St. Stephen's College, and of the General Theo-
logical Seminary of New York; a member of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Freedmen's
Commission; a director of the Society for the Increase
of the Ministry; a member of the Executive Committee
of the Sunday-school Union and Church Book Society;
a director of the Long Island Historical Society; Presi-
dent of the Homes for the Aged and Orphan on the
Church Chai-ity Foundation, and Vice-President of the
Kings County Convocation for Church Extension. He
has also been a frequent contributor to the American
Quarterly Church lieview, and has reviewed with great
ability in its pages, " Sir James Stephens' Lectures on
the History of France," " Cousin's History of Modern
Philosophy," " The Character and Writings of Cole-
ridge," " The Poems of George Herbert," and " Miss
Beecher's Bible and the People." He has also published
numerous occasional discourses and addresses.
In 1866, Dr. Littlejohn laid before the parish his pur-
pose to complete the Church of the Holy Trinity with
a spire. The site of the church (on the Heights) is ele-
vated about 64 feet above the surface of the bay. He
proposed to build a spire of stone from the summit of
the tower already erected, to a height, including the
metal cross with which it should terminate, of 28-1 feet
from the ground. He was successful in raising the sum
necessary for its completion ($55,000). This spire is
the most conspicuous object which greets the eye of
the voyager as he comes up the lower bay, and is, by al-
most a hundred feet, higher than any other spire in
either New York or Brooklyn. On the 19th of Decem-
ber, 1867, commemorative services were held in the
Church of the Holy Trinity on the occasion of the com-
pletion of this great work. In connection with this ser-
vice, it was stated that the contributions of the parish
to benevolent purposes (including, of course, the church
debt and the spire), during Dr. Littlejohn's rectorship
(of somewhat less than eight years), had been $260,000,
and that there had been in that time 680 communicants
added to the church.
At the General Convention of 1869, the formation of
three new dioceses in New York was authorized, and
they were organized in the auttimn of that year. Dr.
Littlejohn was elected Bishop by two of these, that
of Central New York, and that of Long Island;
but chose the latter, as that with which he was best ac-
quainted, and in which he could be most useful. His
ordination and consecration to this office took place on
the 2'7th of January, 1866.
lOU
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
In the fifteen yiars of his Episcopate, Bishop Little-
john has admitted to the Communion of the Church in
Confirmation, nearly 20,000 persons; has ordained to
the Diaconate and Priesthood about 100 clergymen;
has consecrated a large number of chifrches, and has
established three Diocesan schools of high grade, over
all which he maintains an active supervision. Under
his administration as President ex-officio of the Church
Charity Foundation, St. John's Hospital has been
built at a cost of §120,000, and other departments of
the foundation have been greatly enlarged, and all of
them strengthened b^^ substantial additions to the per-
manent endowments. In 1872, Bishop Littlejohn was
appointed Bishop in Charge of all Protestant Episcopal
Churches on the Continent of Europe. This ajipoint-
ment he has held ever since, thus adding to his work in
the Diocese of Long Island, a considerable jurisdiction
abroad; the latter requiring an official visitation every
two or three years. In 1878, he attended the Lambeth
Conferences, held in Lambeth Palace, London. One
hundred bishops, from all parts of the world, were
present, and the sessions were under the Presidency of
the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In 1879-1880, he delivered a series of lectures to the
clergy, subsequently published in a volume entitled
" Conciones ad Clerum," which has now reached its
third edition. In November, 1880, he delivered before
the University of Cambridge, England, a series of dis-
courses on "Individualism," published immediately
after at the University Press. In acknowledgment of
this service, the University conferred upon him the de-
gree of LL.D. During the spring of 1884, the Bishop
delivered a course of lectures at the General Theologi-
cal Seminary of New York, on " the Christian Ministry
at the Close of the Nineteenth Century." These lec-
tures are now in the press. Besides these, the Bishop
has, during the last 25 years, contributed many elabor-
ate articles to reviews and periodicals, and published
many addresses and charges delivered to the clergy at
the Annual Conventions of his Diocese. He has, for
many years, acted as Chairman of the Domestic C'om-
mittee of the Board of Missions of the P. E. Church,
having charge of Home Missions in all parts of the
country.
He is an official visitor of Ilobart College, Geneva,
N. Y. ; Trustee of St. Stephen's College, Annandale,
N. Y. ; also a Trustee of C'olumbia College, in the
city of New York, and ex-officio, a Trustee of the
General Theological Seminary in New York.
REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
Marcli 1st, 1874, the services of the Reformed Episcopal
Church were inaugurated in Brooklyn by Rev. W. H. Reid;
Bishop Geo. David Cummins, D. D., preaching tlie sermon.
Since tliat time Mr. Reid has organized three cliurches in the
citv, all of wliicli are in a flourishing condition.
The Church of the Atonement (R. E.) was organized on
the 19th of Septeml)er, 187.'5, with 160 members. Its first
place of worsliip was a hall over the Kings Co. Bank, corner
of Broadway and Fourth sts., E. D. In 1878-9, the society
erected a church building of brick, with Nova Scotia stone
trimmings, and in the Romanesque style, on the corner of
Keap st. and Marcy ave.
Rev. W. H. Reid was the first Rector, followed by the Rev.
Yelvertnn Peyton Morgan: and, in 1877. by Rev. Y, P. Hunt-
ington. On April 10, 1882, the present Pastor, Rev. William
Henry Barnes, was installed as Rector. A large and success-
ful Sunday-school is attached to the church.
The Church of the Redemption (R. E.) was organized at
Greenpoiut in 1876, by Rev. Mr. Reid. The congregation
hired a church building in Java st., from a Reformed (Dutch)
church. Rev. F. E. Dager became rector. The .society are
preparing to build a house of worship.
The Church of the Reconciliation (R. E.) was organized
by Rev. W. H. Reid, the present Rector, December 16, 1877.
Its first place of worship was the old South Brooklyn church,
corner of Clinton and Amity sts. In February. 1881, the
congregation removed to a church edifice, on the corner of
I Gates ave. and Irving place.
THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
Friends' Meeting House. — The Orthodox Friends
in Brooklyn have their place of worship on the north-
east corner of Lafayette and Washington avcs. Their
" meeting house " is a plain three-story brick building,
46 feet in width by 77 feet in length, fronting on
Lafayette avenue. It was built in 1868, the ground,
100 feet square, having been purchased two years
before.
The main room of the first story is used by the
" Bible School," and will seat 250. The main room on
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1015
second floor is used for the meetings for worship. This
room, including the gallery, will seat 350, and the par-
lor on the third floor, 100.
The Brooklyn meeting is one of several constituting
" New York Monthly Meeting," to which this property
and that used hy those meetings belong.
The Society of Friends had its origin in England,
between 1644 and 1664, through the preaching of
George Fox and his coadjutors. While the funda-
mental principles of Christian faith are held by thorn
in common with all evangelical denominations, they
entertain certain distinguishing views. They believe
the practice of war to be inconsistent with the prin-
ciples of the gospel, and that Christ enjoined against
all oaths. They do not observe the outward ordinances
— water-baptism, and the partaking of bread and
wine — believing the one baptism and the true com-
munion of the gospel dispensation to be spiritual.
They believe that the Head of the Church bestows
spiritual gifts freely, without distinction of sex, and
that such gifts should be freely exercised. Many of
their ministers are women.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
Independent Congregational Church. — On tlie 18th
of Sept., 178.5, an " Independent Meeting House'' was
erected, and a congregation regularly incorporated
with the following officers: John Matlcick, Pastor,
and George Wall, Asshtant: John Carpenter, Trea-t.:
George Powers, Sec; William Benton. Riibei't Steath,
Barnard Cordman, John Emery, and William Hinsou,
Trustees. Their place of worship stood on what was
the old Episcopal burying ground in Fulton st. Its
members disagreed among themselves, and the build-
ing finally came into the possession of some Ei^isco-
palians worshiping in Brooklyn under the care of
Rev. Geo. Wriglit, and it was consecrated by Bishop
Provost. Such was the untimely end of what may be
called the first CiiMf;i-egatiimal Church of Brooklyn.
The Church of the Pilgrims (Henry street, corner
of Remsen) was organized December 22d, 1844, with
71 members. Arrangements for this had been in
progress during some months. The corner-stone of
the church was laid July 2, 1844; its completion was
retarded by unforeseen circumstances, but it was
dedicated May 12th, 1840. Its cost, first estimated
at $35,000, reached $05,000.
In June, 1840, Rev. Richard S. Stnrrs, Jr., received
a call to the jiastorate, and was installed in the fol-
lowing November. All indebtedness was removed
from the church in 1848, and a basis for permanent
prosperity secured. In 1869, an addition was made
to the building, increasing the capacity of the audi-
enee-room to 1,300; and making ample arrange-
ments for Sunday-school, committee rooms, etc.
The Navy and Warren Street Missio)is were largely
aided by this church. The last was removed, m 1878,
to cor. Henry and Degraw sts., where an elegant
chapel, now known aa the Pilgrim Chapel, in the
Italian Gothic style, was erected, costing $35,000, and
occupied for worship Dec. 16, 1878. Its school is
emphatically a model in organization and equipments
numbering more than 1,000.
In June, 1847, nine members of this church united
with others in the formation of Plymouth Church.
The church has been peculiarly fortunate in retain-
ing Rev. Dr. Storrs as its Pastor, during all its exis-
tence thus far.
CHURCH OF TUE l'ILCiKIM8, HENKY STREET, COK. U1^.M.>^.\.
1016
MISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
REV. RICHARD SALTER STORRS. D. D., LL. D.
Pastor of the Church of the I'ilgrims.
The doctrine of Heredity, as a factor in the evolution of
Intellect, and as largely controlling the choice of a man"s
profession or occupation, finds a signal example in the ances-
try of this eloquent divine, who, in his own person, repre-
sents the fourth generation of an unbroken line of Congre-
gational ministers. His father, the late Rev. Richard S. Storrs,
of Braintree, Mass., was for more than half a century the
honored and beloved Pastor of the Congregational Church of
that town. His grandfather, also the Rev. Richard S. Stori-s,
was for nearl}- forty years the Pastor of the Congregational
Cliurch at Long Meadow, Mass. His great-grandfather, the
Rev. John Ston-s, was for many years Pastor of the Congre-
gational Church at Southold, L. I., and afterward returned
to his native place, Mansfield, Conn., where he died.
In the maternal line of his father's ancestry. Dr. Storrs
also derives from the Rev. Richard Mather, the first Pastor
of the Dorchester (Mass.) Church; and is connected with the
Williams and Edwards families, both eminent in the minis-
terial annals of New England.
Dr. Storrs, therefore, may well claim that his vocation is
a hereditary diadem.
Richard Salter Storrs was born in Braintree, Mass., in
1821. The Adams family were neighbors of his parents, and
with the Quincys and John Hancock, helped to render the
historic township a somewhat famous locality. Young
Storrs' preliminary education, aside from that which he re-
ceived from his father's tuition, was obtained (18.34-'.5) in the
then quite celebrated Academy at Monson, Mass. Thence he
went to Amherst College, where he graduated in 1839, at the
age of eighteen, and the youngest member of his class. His
first choice for a profession was the law; and, with that pur-
pose, he studied for some months in the office of the eloquent
Rufus Choate. But home associations, ancestral bias, and
his own deepening religious convictions, finally turned him
into the paths of theological study; and, in 1841, he entered
Andover Theological Seminary. Compelled, after a time,
by ill health, to suspend his studies, he accepted a tutorship
in Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Mass.; but subse-
quently resumed his course at Andover. In 1845, he gradu-
ated from the Seminary, and was ordained Pastor over a
Congregational Church in Brooklme, Slass., where he re-
mained for a year. Meanwhile, in 1845, he married Miss
Mary Elwell Jenks, of Andover.
In November, 1846, at the age of twenty-five years, he
came to Brooklyn, and was installed as Pastor of the Church
of the Pilgrims, the pioneer church of that denomination in
this city. And in this congi-egation his whole great life-work
lias been accomplished. Though often urged to accept other
important charges, he has preferred to remain in this city,
in the steady performance of his duties towards the people
of his early choice. His congregation, as is well known, has
for many years been numerous, wealthy, strongly attached
to its Pastor, and accustomed to devise libei-al things. Com-
prising a membership of marked intellectual ability, high so-
cial iuHuence and financial strength, it has— both by its in-
na e impulses, and by the direction which its Pastor has given
It— developed the characteristic of systematic benevolence to
a degree not often attained 1)}' congregations. Its influence
upon the growth of Congregationalism, of Missions, of Fiee-
dom, and of every good word and work, has ever been de-
cided and unquestioned.
In this, the Church of the Pilgrims but reflects the wide
sympathies, the catholicity of spirit and the judicious labors
of its Pastor. For the past thirty-eight years he has repre-
sented a broad and unsectarian Christianity, and has been to
many of the oldest families on the Heights the Pastor, the
moral teacher and example of uudeviating integrity, no
man's enemy, but never swerving from the right line of duty
to be any man's friend. Many, baptised by him in infancy,
have been married by him in their days of love and gladness,
and commended by him to God's mercy in the hour of death.
He has stood by the graves of those whose cradles were
blessed by his ministry. Gray-headed men and women be-
hold him still in the full strength of his manhood, who wel-
comed him when a mere stripling to his novp famous pulpit.
One can hardly conceive of a church with such a name hav-
ing any but a New England Pastor ; and Dr. Storrs is stUl a
New England man to the backbone; although his thoughts,
like other men's, have been "widened with the process of
the suns." He believes to this day in the ideal of the Puri-
tans, a Commonwealth based on Christianity, not less than
he believes in the distinctive principle of Congregationalism,
that "any body of Christians, associated together, and
statedly meeting for the worship of God and the administra-
tion of Christian ordinances, constitutes a Christian church,
is to be regarded as such, and is possessed of all the powers
and privileges incident thereunto." Loving New England
as the home of his fathers and the scene of his early life,
while others traverse the seas and bring back the gods
of other lands into the American Pantheon, Dr. Storrs
spends his summer holidays on the Island, or in New Eng-
land.
The record of the thirty-eight 3-ears, during which Dr.
Storrs has filled the pulpit of this church, comprises the his-
tory of Brooklyn; the growth of its churches, libraries,
schools and hospitals; the transformation of nearly a whole
county into a populous city; the connecting of this city
■with the great metropolis across the river, by a magnificent
bridge; the passing away of an old era, and the grafting in
of new life, through emigration from all lands; the ebb and
flow of old and new enterprises; the inception and success-
ful foundation of literary, artistic, scientific and religious
centres — which all go to make up a great city. No man has
more thoroughly inwoven his life with that of the commu-
nity in which he dwells than Dr. Storrs; and the rounded
periods of his golden eloquence have added the crowning
grace to most of the events of civic importance which have
signalized Brooklyn's growth.
He has been a Director of the Long Island Historical
Society from its organization, and the Chairman of its Execu-
tive Committee until his going to Europe in 1871. Upon his
return, in 1873, lie was elected its President, which office he
still retains. He is also a Trustee of the Brooklyn Eye and
Ear Hospital.
His oratorical and public efforts, in spoken as well as writ-
ten productions, are always remarkable. His words are
felicitously chosen; his imagery grand in conception and
without a flaw; his diction stately and polished, yet infused
I
^/^ <#&^-~2=^
.^
-/-
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS
1017
with energy and warmth. For a peculiar quality of sms-
tained eloquence, which never for an instant forgets the
dignity of his theme, he sui-passes — in the opinion of the
best judges — any living orator. Wherever the English lan-
guage is spoken, his speeches are treasured as pearls of
price, and his solid attainments in literature, as well as his
broad sympathy with all that Is best in the domains of Re-
ligion, Art, Science and Thought, is recognized.
Dr. Storrs' contributions to literature — in the form of ser-
mons, orations, lectures, etc., have been numerous and valua-
ble ; though not, as yet, collected in permanent form.*
That his sympathies are not confined to the circle of his
own denomination, nor even of Protestantism, is well at-
tested by the fact that so great a Catholic theologian as Car-
dinal Newman wrote to him a few years since, in connection
with an address on Roman Catholicism, delivered before the
Evangelical Alliance in New York, by Dr. Storrs, thanking
him for his kindly spirit, his wisli to be impartial, and to do
generous justice to Catholics; and asking if he could wonder
that so many, like himself, had taken refuge in Catholicism
when he looked at the endless discords of Protestantism. No
higher compliment could be paid to one of the foremost of
Protestant controversialists, by the greatest living defender
of Roman Catholicism, than such acknowledgment of his
learning, candor and magnanimity.
No greater evidence of the appreciation and affection in
which he is held by his people, and the community in which
he dwells, could be found, than in the substantial testimonial
presented to Dr. Storrs, on November 19, ISSl, on the com-
pletion of the thirty-fifth year of his pastorate. This was in
the form of a certificate of deposit for $35,000 (being $1,000
for each successive j'ear of his ministry among them), pre-
sented to him by the members, and former members, of his
flock. This magnificent gift was induced by no necessity in
the circumstances of the revered recipient (who has always
enjo3'ed an ample salary); but by a strong sense, on their
part, of the obligations under which his parishioners felt to
him, for his life-long services to them.
In the few pertinent remarks with which Dr. Storrs re-
ceived this touching expression of love, he said:
" A man stands pretty much on his own feet in this world,
and you and I understand each other; we have always
done that remarkably well, and I believe we do now. I un-
derstand perfectly that you intend me to receive this as a
means of utter quietness of mind, in time to come, concern-
ing worldly affairs, as a fresh inspiration tt) the work which
I have tried to do before, and which I shall try t" do better
and better as long as I live among you ; and in that spirit
and with that feeling I accept it, certainly with heartfelt
* Among tliose which have been pvibliahed, we may especially men-
tion:— A Sermon, delivered before hia own congregation, December,
1830, during the Fugitive Slave Law agitation, on The Ohliuation, of
Man to Oheii the Cieil Law, its (Irouiul nad Kxtcnt; an Address, at the
Amherst College Commencement, 1853, on T/c: True- Suvceas of Human
Lift:; an Oration at the Semi-Centeunial of Monson Acaderny, 18.54, on
The Jieiati'OiK nf t'ommercr to Litcratnre; a Discourse before tlie So-
ciety for Promoting Collegiate Education, Providence, U. I., 18.5.5, on
VoUi'QfS irs- a t'ourr in Virilization; Character in the Vrcaeher, Theol.
Seminary, Andover, l,S.5(i; an Oration on The Puritan SrJieine of National
Grou'Hi, before the N. Y. New Eng. Soc, 18.57; Sermon, Tftc Law) of
Growth in the Kirt^jd^nn of God, Young Men's Chr. Assoc, 18.58; **Thinos
Vtliich are Not "—the Instruments of Advaneino God's Kiniidnni, before
the Am. Bd. Com- Foreign Miss., 1861; The I'reaehitig of Christ in
Cific.v, before the Y. M. Chris. Assoc, 1804; Orations in C'omoicmora-
tion of President Lincoln, Broolilyn, .June 1, 1865, and at the unveiling
of the Lincoln Statue in Prospect Parl<, 186SI; Discourse, The Aim of
Chrislianitj), for those win) Aeecpt it, Princeton Theol. Sem, 1867; Ser-
mon before the Ancient and Hon. Artillery Co. of Boston. 1808; Dis-
course, Union Theol. Sem., 1.H69, The Inearnation, and tlie System whieh
Stand* upon it; Address before the Evangelical Alliance, New York,
gladness and gratitude. I will treasure it; I will try to use
it aright; I will try to leave it to thc^se who come after me,
that they may also remember the church to which I have
ministered so long. I am reminded as I stand in these rooms,
which have sacred and tender memories connected with
them, and as I look into the faces of some here present, faces
whieh I have seen wet with tears and clouded with agony,
that there is an impulse here from those whom we do not
see but who are still tenderly beloved; I feel that there is a
touch of celestial hands upon this gift. It comes to me con-
secrated by most holy and tender memories of my ministry
among you in the thirty-live years that have passed. I shall
speak of it with you, by and by; I shall speak of it with you
again when we reach that state where all earthly possessions
have ceased to be of interest to us, but where the affections
that we have cherished toward each other on earth shall be
consummated and made immortal. It comes to me with
surprise, when I think of it, that, with the single exception
of a clergyman of the Episcopal church in the Eastern Dis-
trict, I am the oldest settled pastor in Brooklyn to-day. And
I think, with the single exception of Dr. Bellows in New
York, there is none there whose pastoral term equals my
own. I pray that the blessing of God may rest upon these
clerical brethren present, upon the churches to which they
minister, upon all the churches of our land, and upon the
city of our common regard, which sweeps out so widely from
year to year that it has grown in my ministry from 65,000
to 600,000 inhabitants; which never had so bright a future
opening before it as it has, I think, at this very hour. I
pray that God's blessing may abide upon it. I cannot hon-
estly say that I wish I was again 35 years old, for that would
be to blot out an immense amount of happiness, at home
and in jiublic, and of joyful work and service, and to cut me
off from many of the most intimate and tenderest attach-
ments of my life; but I can honestly say that if I were 35
j'ears old again, and an opportunity were given me, there is
no city in the country to which I would go so soon as to
Brooklyn, and there is no church in the country to which I
would go so soon as to the Church of the Pilgrims. I pray
that God's blessing may rest upon it, and upon the city, and
upon you all, and upon all associated with us."
As a minister of Christ, as a citizen, and as a lover of his
fellow-men, it may be trulj^ said that Dr. Storrs, in hij life-
service in Brooklyn, has followed the injunction contained
in the verse selected by him as the text (I Corinthians, iv., 2)
of his first sermon to the church over which he still presides:
"Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful."
1873, on The Attraetions of Botnanisni for Educated Protestants;
Oration before the New Yorlt Historical Society, 1875, The Early
American Spirit, ami tlie Genesis of it; Oration, July 4, 1876, in New York
city. The declaration of Independence, and the Effect of it; Oration be-
fore the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Harvard College, 1.880, The Recogni-
tion of the Supernatural in Letters and Life; John Wiehliffe, and the
First Enf/lish Bible, New York Academy of Music, 1880. Nor must we
overlook his brilliant address at the opening of the New York and
Brooklyn Bridge, May, 1883; or his addresses before the Long Island
Hist. Society, on Libraries in Europe (without notes), and upon the
Life and Services of Gen. (1.31. Mitchell, neither of which have been
published.
Of lectures. Dr. Storrs has delivered several courses; in 18.55, one of
six, on the Graham Foundation, on The Constitution of the Human
Soul; two on liussia and France, and their Lony Duel, in 1878, delivered
in Brooklyn, New York and Boston; one, of eight lectures, before
Princeton Theol. Sem., in 1879, on .S'(. Bernai'd. His Times and His Work
(to be published); and ten lectures on the lyivine Origin of (_'hris-
tianity, Indiceded hy its Historical Effects, before the Union Theol.
Sem., New York, and the Lowell Institute, Boston, 1680 (now in press).
Dr. Storrs received the degree of D. D. from Lfnion College in 1853;
from Harvard College in 1859; and that of LL. D. from Princeton in
1874.
1018
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The Free Congregational Church was constituted June
16, 1845, by a vote of the Free Presbyterian Church, worship-
ing on the comer of Tlllary and Lawrence streets, by wliich
they resolved to cliange their platform. In the month of
September they gave a call to the Rev. Isaac N. Sprague, of
Hartford, Conn., to l>ecome their Pastor, whicli he accepted.
This church merged in the organization from which origin-
ated the State Street Congregational Clmrch.
Plymouth Church. — The ground upon which Plymouth
Church stands was purchased in 1823, for the erection of an
edifice for tlie use of the First Presbyterian Church. At
that time Brooklyn Heights were cultivated fields, and the
church thus built was remote from the settled portion of
Brooklyn, the population of whicli was less than 10,000. A
lecture-room, including a Sabbath-school room and stud}-,
was attached to the rear of the church, fronting Orange
street, in 1831.
of the society. June 14, 1847, the church unanimously
elected Henry Ward Beecher as Pastor; he commenced his
pastorate on Sunday, Oct. 10, 1847, and on Thursday, Nov.
11, was publicly installed.
Tlie church was so damaged by fire, Jan. 13, 1849, that it
was determined to rebuild, which was done; and the new
edifice was lirst occupied in January, 18.'50.
It is noteworthy that when the congregation were deprived
by fire of their place of worship, the church buildings of
nearly all the neighboring societies were generously offered,
and these offers were gratefully accepted for a period of
two months. A lot on Pierrepont street was offered for the
purpose, by Lewis Tappan, Esq., and on this a temporary
house of worship was erected in the short space of thirty
days. Here the congregation worsliiped till the completion
of their new edifice.
PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
In 1846, John T. Howard, then a nieml>er of the Church
of the Pilgrims, obtained the refusal of the premises, which
were for sale, at the price of .$20,000, and the contract was
completed on June 11, 1846. Tlie purchase money ($9,.50O,
the rest being on mortgage) wa-i furnished by Henry C.
Bowen, Seth B. Hunt, Jolin T. Howard, and David Hale,
and paid on Sept. 9, 1846. The first meeting of those interested
in the establishnM^nt of this church, was held at the house
of Henry C. Bowen, May 9, 18.57, and was attended by David
Hale, of New York, Jira Payne, Jolm T. Howard, Charles
Rowland, David Griffin, and Henry C. Bowen, of Brooklyn.
On Sunday morning. May 16, 1847, divine service was com-
menced by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, then Pastor of the
Second Presliyterian Church in Indianapolis.
On Friday evening, June 11, 1847, twenty-one persons
united in the formation of the new church. On Sijnday
evening, June 13, 1847, the clmrch was publicly organized,
and TJie Plymouth Church was adopted as the corporate name
The church building is 10.5 feet long, 80 feet broad, and 43
feet from floor to ceiling; seatiug in the pews and choir gallery
about 3,100 persons; while, with the seats by the walls and in
the aisles, it accommodates about 3,800. There has never been
the least cause for regret that the building was made so large.
Until 1857, visitors were provided with ordinary chairs or
stools in the aisles. But, in that jear, the present fixel aisle
seats, attached to the pews, were invented and introduced
into the clmrch.
Tlie lecture-room, built at the same time, was 80 by .50 feet
on the outside; with a school-room above it, 64 by 24 feet,
and parlors of the same size for the social circle. In 1859,
these parlors were added to the schoolroom ; but, even then,
the accommodations were so deficient that, in 1863, an en-
tirely new lecture-room and school-room were erected. A
new organ was purchased for the church in 1866, at an ex-
pense of $32,000. Kev. Mr. Beecher has continued in the
pastorate until the present time.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1019
REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER.
Rev. IIenkv AVakd Beecher. — Although Brooklyn
ranks but third among the cities of the Union in point
of population, for m.any years the " City of Churches "
has stood indisputably first in respect to pulpit talent.
The fame of her great preachers has spread over the
civilized world. Among her galaxy of brilliant names,
one of the first, brightest and farthest-shining is that
of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. For forty years,
Sunday after Sunday, year after year, eager thousands
have crowded the streets leading to the plain brick edi-
fice, Plymouth Church. Within, arose and stood
upon the platform the imposing form of a man, tall
and erect, inclining to be stout; with hair pushed
plainly back, once dark brown, now silvery- white; a
full, smooth face that is gentle and peaceful in repose,
but mobile, varying with every emotion; a mild blue
eye that will never grow old, that shines with love,
flashes with scorn, dances with merriment or dilates
witfe feeling, even as the mountain lake mirrors the
sunshine, the cloud or the storm. Such the figure of
Henry Ward Beecher, familiar to thousands; such the
face, now mellowed by the softening influences of time,
from which the man's soul speaks out his love of
humanity, of justice and of God.
Litchfield, Conn., the ancestral home of the Beechers,
was the place of his birth, which occurred June 24th,
1813. He was the third son of Rev. Lyman Beecher,
who occupied the pulpit of the Congregational Church
there, and was afterwards president of Lane Theologi-
cal Seminary, near Cincinnati, a famous man in his
time.
The child of parents eminent for godliness, brought up
in a family who were the creatures of an atmosphere
as unworldly, as religious as not often comes into the
world. The fact of his being a minister was settled
from his birth, and under this impression of destiny he
grew up. Accordingly, he was sent to Amherst
College, graduating in 1834, and then studied theology
under his father, in Lane Theological Seminary.
A sensitive, blundering, imaginative, good-natured,
mischievous, unstudious boy, he represents himself to
have been ; but his sight must have been quick for nature,
whether in the fields and woods, or after birds and ani-
mals, or among his fellows. His school and college
days did not seem to be notable for anything, save that
at college he paid especial attention to the arts of elo-
cution. That Mr. Beecher is an easy master of these
arts is patent to every one who has heard him speak;
though it may be said, in passing, that, favorite as he
is on lecture platforms all over the land, he is never
heard at his best out of Plymouth Church, his own
pulpit-platform; and the lofty themes which he there
treats, inspire him and fill him with a power over his
three thousand auditors that he gets and gives nowhere
else.
His first charge was a little Presbyterian church at
Lawrenceburgh, Ind., where he eked out the scant
salary by tilling a farm, remaining from 1837 to 1839.
In the latter year, he settled in Indianapolis. There
was a more suitable field for the abilities which had
already manifested themselves in the young minister,
so that he came to be heard of in other States. Mean-
while he had tried his hand at editing, first a journal in
Cincinnati, in 1837, and a few years later, an agricul-
tural publication in Indianapolis; his articles in the
latter were afterwards published as " Fruit, Flowers
and Farming."
In 1847 he was in New York, speaking at meetings
in behalf of the American Home Missionary Society,
and was invited to preach. May 17th, for the newly or-
ganized Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, which he did,
both morning and evening. At the close of the services,
the church felt that their future Pastor had been thus
providentially sent them, and unanimously elected him
to that oflice June 14th, 1847. He accepted, and com-
menced his pastorate Sunday, October 10th, 1847. As
soon as he came to Brooklyn, he began to write for the
Independent, and was its editor from 1861 to 1863.
His signature — a star — made the title for a volume
called the " Star Papers." From 1870 to 1880, he was
the editor of the Christian Union. For twenty-five
years his sermons have been printed in the Phjnwuth
Pulpit. He is the author of " Lectures to Young
Men," " Life Thoughts," " Yale Lectures on Preach-
ing," " Industry and Idleness," " Sermons on Liberty
and War," " Eyes and Ears," " Norwood," " Plymouth
Hymns and Tunes," and many fugitive pieces.
Mr. Beecher is a rapid but not easy writer. He com-
plains that he feels the bondage of the pen, and never
can evolve his thoughts so clearly or so well on paper
as he can when " thinking on his legs." But he does a
vast deal of writing for all that, and there are few men
who have so large an amount of current printed matter
constantly setting forth the labors of their minds. He
preaches every Sunday two sermons, which, not written
out, but thought out m his study, come fresh and alive
from his lips, and are phonographically reported for
publication, week by week, in Plymouth Pulpit. This
would be a tremendous test of the fruitfulness of any
man's mind in extempore talk, and yet the test is tri-
umphantly borne — witness the thousands who hear
him, and the many other thousands who read him
thro<ighout America, England, and the islands of the
sea. But he also has his Friday night prayer-meeting
1020
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
to lead, at which his familiar " lecture-room talks " on
themes of Christian experience bring immediate help to
many; and these again are taken down as they issue
from his mouth.
Such abundance can not come from any mind or
any genius, however great, unless it be one stored with
great wealth of material from without. This is Mr.
Beecher's case, however; for in addition to his constant
and careful study of mankind and the affairs of the
world, he is an omnivorous reader of good books, and
has an ever-growing library of the best literature in
every possible direction. He is a great lover of art,
and has, besides books and histories in that department,
a choice collection of paintings and engravings. His
love of flowers and out-door nature finds food on his
little model farm at Peekskill, N. Y. And indeed,
whatever is the realm from which he draws an illustra-
tion, it will generally be found that he knows what he
is talking about, and lias learned it by observation or
study. He is not a superficial ttiS)i.Qr or thinker; he goes
to the roots of things.
His early labors and an experience of severe poverty,
privation, and double work of farming and preaching
during ten years in the West, developed in him very
fully the natural courage, toughness of backbone (both
physical and moral), independence of opinion and free-
dom of utterance that have characterised his more emi-
nent years. Since the day when, in 1847, he came to
be Pastor of the newly-formed " Plymouth Church"
in Brooklyn, N. Y., he has been a living, growing
power in the land. The pulpit, the press, the lecture-
platform, the political arena, the social gatherings of
public bodies, the focal points of all great developments
of public sympathy or discussion or action, have been
made not only brilliant with his genius, but hot with
the ardor of his earnestness.
The foundation principle of Mr. Beecher's public ca-
reer seems to be the worth of man, as a beloved child of
God ; he believes that this earth, with all its human in-
stitutions, its civilizations, its states, its ecclesiastical
organizations and their forms of ordinances, were made
and developed by God for man, to serve as man's edu-
cators, as instruments of man's instruction, and eleva-
tion — not necessarily that man may be " happy " here,
but that he may be fitted to live and work for God after
he had left this little school-house, which, like the lesser
school-house of the boy, seems the all-important thing
just now.
Seeking always the best means of inspiring individ-
ual men to train themselves toward the perfect man-
hood set forth in the example of Jesus Christ, Mr.
Beecher is peculiar among preachers for his eager fol-
lowing up of the scientific developments of the day;
promptly accepting such portions or principles of
science as seem to him fairly established by investiga-
tors, and making good use of them in his philosophy
and teaching. He finds no danger in the general line
of reasoning based on the observations of believers in
the theories of development of higher forms of life out
of lower forms; because the two gaps which the ma-
terialists do not bridge, — the change from mineral to
vegetable, and from vegetable to animal life, and still
more notably the introduction of the soul into the high-
est type of animal, man, — these chasms, impassable
to the careful foot of science, are crossed by him with
the clear-seeing eye of faith, which discerns the Creator
there. And so, using the real advances of science as
steps over which he is constantly leading his people, he
devotes an unusual amount of attention to expounding
the intimate connection of the material and spiritual
realms as different parts of the same universe. A favor-
ite quotation of his is the thirteenth verse of the fourth
chapter of Ephesians, which indeed seems a fair epito-
me of the aim of his teaching: "Till we all come in
the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ." To him, religion is
the science of growth unto perfect manhood.
It is apparently with this idea in mind that Mr.
Beecher gives so much time and effort to preaching
about morality, how to live, how to work, how to treat
one's neighbors, how to act in relation to questions of
great public interest (" politics " as it is called), how to
regulate and use in their j^roper way the passions
(which, he says, are the steam-power and effective-
ness of life if rightly and naturally made use
of), how to get out of bad habits and into good
ones — how, in short, to apply to practical every-
day life the truths of God's word and God's uni-
verse. These topics share his attention with such
higher themes as prayer, " the preciousness of Christ,"
" the hidden life," '' the power of love," "human ideas
of God," "the way of coming to Christ" — titles which
we find in the contents of the second series of his Ply-
mouth Pulpit sermons; yet all, even of these, embrace
and enfold the same characteristic central idea, that
the whole of man is to be trained, that from the physi-
cal he may grow to the enjoyment and use successively
of his affeotional, social, intellectual, moral, and, lastly,
spiritual manhood.
The central idea of his whole career as a public
speaker and writer seems to be the incitement of men
to self-government and to the training of their whole
nature, by the help of faith and love in Christ Jesus,
toward the perfect manhood of immortality with God.
On all public questions Mr. Beecher's voice, through
his whole career, has given forth no uncertain sound;
it was lifted up against the curse of slavery; in favor of
the maintenance of the Union; in behalf of the home-
less veterans of this State; in support of the temperance
cause; to aid reform in politics and governmental
policy. From all the land the eyes of men have turned
to him as to a leader, and his influence has moulded
public opinion as jjerhaps few others has done.
Rev. henry WARD BEECHER.
ECCLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
1021
No sketch of Mr. Beecher's life would be complete
without mention of his visit to England in 1863. His
public addresses there enlightened the English people
as to the real issues and principles at stake in our civil
struggle, and helped powerfully to turn the tide of
popular feeling there against the recognition of the
Confederacy as a belligerent power. In so doing, he
incurred obloquy, even danger of personal violence; but
his voice rang as clear in defense of the Union as it had
in his own country. For years he had pleaded from
pulpit, platform and press for the liberation of the
slave, in the days when to be an abolitionist was to be
an outcast. His denunciations of intemperance and
the traffic in strong drink have grown with his growth,
and strengthened with his strength.
On the celebration of his seventieth birthday, June
25, 1883, the love and respect which his fellow-citizens
entertained for Mr. Beecher, led to a great popular
gathering at the Academy of Music, with addresses
of congratulation from prominent citizens, and letters
of like tenor from eminent men in all parts of the land.
No better rhumv of his life can be given than from his
own words on that occasion:
" The inspiration which has made the force of my
whole life I found in a vision of the love of God in
Jesus Christ. It has grown larger and larger with the
sympathy which is natural to my constitution, compas-
sion of God, manifestations of God in Jesus C^lirist, that
side of God which is groat, holy, beautiful, showing
Him to have compassion on tlie ignorant, and on them
that are out of the way. I have tried to have compas-
sion like Christ. The less worthy the object, the more
it was needed. I went right upon the side of the dumb
and needy, without consideration. I think it most he-
roic for a man with standing and inHuenee and ability
to give himself to them. I thank God I had a desire
to work for His glory, when to do it was to earn scoff-
ings and abuse and threats. When Kossuth brought
Hungary to us, my soul burned. The wrongs of
Greece made my heart kindle. Nearly all the nations-
of the world, all under the sword of the soldier or the
ban of harsh governments, have aroused my sympathj
and effort. I did not go into these because they were
humanities or specious philosophies, but because it was
Christian, that's all. I did it for humanity because I
loved Christ. In my preaching it has been the same.
I have attacked governments, institutions, anything;
never a denomination or a body of ministers. I have
preached .against the principles" involved in all, and in
my own denomination as much as in others. I have
preached for the deliverance of souls, for clearer light,
for a plainer path, that the stumbling blocks might be
removed. These things I have changed in, only to
grow more intense and emphatic : first, the universal
sinfulness of mankind, so that it is necessary every-
where for men to be born again by the Spirit, necessary
for a lift to be given to human nature above its animal
nature, and this only by the Sjiirit of God ; second, I
believe in conversion and the effectual influence of
the Spirit of God; third, I believe with ever-growing
strength in the love of God in Jesus Christ. I know
that Christ loves me, and that I shall go where He is.
By grace am I saved, say I. The feeling has grown in
ray later years, and when under great pressure and sor-
row, that raised a strong sea, my strength and courage
all came from this view— Christ loves me, He will hide
me in His pavilion till the storm is passed. The sweet-
ness of life is as much dependent on the love of Christ
as the landscape is on the sun to bring out its lights
and shadows. I never believed so much in the Gospel
as to-day. My faith in it has never been shaken, ex-
cept in the ideals. I was never so sure as now of its
truth."
Since 1868, Rev. S. B. Halliday lias been Assistant Pastor.
He was born in Morristown, N. J., 1812 ; was Pastor of
Cong]. Ch. at Lodi, N. Y.; author of Little. Street Sweepers,
Winning Soula, etc.
Plymouth Church Bethel, No. 15 Hicks st. The Bethel
Mission Sabbalh-Sulioi)! was started in 1841 by Captain A. B.
Clark and a Mr. Wadsworth, on Main st., near Catharine
ferry, in a former stable, wbicli was fitted iqi for mission pur-
poses. The Superintendents were, in succession, John P.
Elwell, Albert Woodruff, Richard J. Tlioriie, Mr. Anderson,
I. N. Judson, Rev. G. W. Coan, afterward Missionary at
Cromaisli, Persia, J. P. Montgomery, Andrew A. Smith, H.
W. Law, S. R. Stone, M. T. Lynch, R. S. Bussing, Thos. H.
Bird, George A. Bell, Thos. J. Tilney, I. 8. Signer,^ J. H.
Loj'd, L. W. Manchester, and the present Superintendent, C.
S. Van Wagoner.
In 1855, a room over the Market, on James st , was leased;
in 1858, the Mission removed to Poplar Hall, on Poplar st.,
and, in 1859, to rooms on Fulton st., opposite Front. In July,
1866, the Mission was taken under the auspices of Plymouth
Church; and, in 1867-68, the Bethel was erected, at a cost,
including ground, building and furniture, of about |75, 000,
Mr. Geti. Bell was particularly active in the liuilding project,
and to him much of its success was due.
The new building was first occupied in October, 1868. It
is entirely free from incumbrance. The Mission has a fine
1022
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
readin^-rii"iii. well supplied with the leading papers and
magazines. ;iiul an rxiillent !il)raiy.
Warren Street Mission Church.— In 1S45 or 'AQ, a Mission
Sunday-school was commenced in Freeman's Hall, corner of
.\niity and Columbia sts., South Brooklyn; and, in 18i2, a few
benevolent and enterprising Christian gentlemen, prominent
among whom were Messrs. Albert Woodruff, R. W. Ropes,
and A. V. Wheelock, purchased three lots of ground on
Warren st.. between Hicks and Columbia sts., on which they
commenced the erection of a neat and commodious chapel,
capable of accommodating from 400 to 500 persons. In order
to enable them to hold the property, these gentlemen, on the
1st of February, IfSoS, effected a legal organization, assuming
the name of the Warren Street Mission. The building,
which, together with the lots, cost about $9,000, was finished
in November, 1S52. free of all debt. On March 20, 1S54, a
church of thirty persons was formed. Rev. Samuel Bayliss
was first Pastor; followed, in 1866, by Rev. J. Emory Round.
The church prospered; a new church building was erected at
the cornev of Henry and Degraw sts., in 1878. Rev. J. Os-
trander is Pastor.
The Clinton Avenue Congregational Church, Clinton ave.,
corner of Lafayette ave., was org. Nov. 18, 1.S47. Its first
years were full of discouragement; but the energy of its
founders, and of its first Pastor, Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, D.D.
(installed in March, 1848), were crowned with success.
August 4. 18")4. ground was broken for the erection of a
large and commodious edifice on the corner of Clinton and
Lafayette aves. On the 24th of October, in that year, the
corner-stone was laid, and the main building completed and
dedicated in December, ls.5.5 ; the chapel adjoining being fin-
ished in September. 1856. The cost of this spacious and
beautiful edifice, which is of the Romanes(]ue style of archi-
tecture, including ground, was about $60 000; and it occupies
a prominent position in one of the finest and best built
neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
The Rev. Dr. Lansing resigned in December, 1855; and was
succeeded, Dec. 19, 1855, by Rev. Wm. Ives Budington,
D.D, who had, for some time pi'evious, discharged the
principal duties of the pastorate.
The present Pastor, Rev. Thomas B. McLeod. commenced
his rriinistry December 21, 1879, and was installed January
20. 1880.
The church has established two Mission Schools; one on the
corner of Atlantic and Grand aves., and another, originally
located on Myrtle ave., comer of Steuben st., but afterward
on Grand ave , south of Myrtle.
The Mount Prospect Mission Sabbath-School was org.
July 4, 1852, by Rev. Harvey Newcombe, at an open-air
meeting of children and others, under a tree on the corner
of Pacific St. and Vanderbilt ave. A small dilapidated
garret room was hired, and on tlie appointed Salibath about
ninety children met there. The next week, a milk stable
and two lots of ground on the north fide of Dean street,
between Vanderbilt and Underbill aves., were bought of Mr.
S. B. Walters. Silas Davenport was elected the first .super-
intendent, succeeded by A. S. Barnes in 1853, and S. E. War-
ner in 18.55. The school occupied the premises in Dean street
till September, 18.59, when the uncomfurtalile building became
too straitened for the [lurposes of the school, and the school-
house of the Hope Union Mission (commenced almost sinud-
taneously with the Mt. Prospect Mission, but located in an
adjoiniug neighborhood, known as Jackson's Hollow), in
Van Buren St., having been destroyed by fire, June, 1858, it
was thought desirable to unite the two schools, for the pur-
pose of building up a still more prosperous enterprise in that
part of the city. Accordingly, a desirable lot, 60 by 95 feet.
was purchased on the south-west corner of Atlantic ave. and
Grand ave., on which a two-story building, 40 by 05, was
erected, at a cost, including the furniture, of .$8,389, designed
to be occupied jointly by the United Sabbath-school and the
Mount Prospect Industrial School (opened Nov. 10, 1857), the
upper floor being fitted for a Sabbath-school, and the- lower
floor for the week-day exercises of the Industrial School.
The building was dedicated, with appropriate exercises, Sept.
18, 1859.
The name of the united schools was changed to the Atlan-
tic Ave. Sabbdfh-School org. Sept. 24, and Mr. S. E. Warner
was elected superintendent, and Alfred Wicks, Sec. A Miss.
Soc. was org. Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, 1859; preaching services
were commenced by different pastors. Rev. Anson Gleason,
a veteran missionary among the Indians, Labored from May,
1804, to Nov., 1866, and was followed by Rev. Franklin Noble,
son of U. S. Chaplain Noble, of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Grand Avenue Chapel. — This orig. 1861, in a "Mothers'
Meeting," estab. by some ladies of the Clinton Avenue Con-
gregational Church, to improve the condition of the poor in
•' Jackson's Hollow." Afterwards a room on Myrtle ave. and
Steulien st. was hired, and a Sunday-school started, known as
the "Steuben St. Mission School." The first sessi(m was held
Nov. 24, 1861, attended by eight teachers and fifty scholars.
Supts.:— Messrs. A. Gilbert, 1861-2; S. Harris, 1862; L. T.
Smith, 1863-'4; E. P. Maltliy, 1865-'9; S. L. Parsons, 1869-'74;
A. C. Barnes, 1874-8; S. W. Johnson, 1878-'9 ; Jas. Mitchell,
1879-'84. In 1867 a chapel was comi)leted and occupied at tlie
corner of Willoughby and Grand aves.
Under the superintendence of Mr. E. P. Maltby, a chapel was
erected on the west side of Grand ave.. ne.ir Myrtle, and was
dedicated in March, 1867. During two years, pri'acbing was
sustained there, chiefl.v by ministers from the City Mission.
Pastors in charge : Rev. Dr. AVaterbury and Rev. Moseley H.
Williams, 1879-'70. This chapel proving insufficient for the
wants of the mission, in 1883, a fine brick edifice, with brown-
stone trinnnings, was completed, which has a frontage of
56 feet on Willoughby ave. During all these years the school
has been prosperous, and it has now an average attendance
of 350 teachers and scholars.
The Church of the Covenant was organized here in 1868.
The school is still continued inider the superintendence of
James Thorp. (See page 1026).
Rev. William Ives Budington, D. D. (Amherst Coll.), was
born in New Haven, Aiiril 21, 1815. He entered Yale Col-
lege, where he was known as a p.ainstaking student, facile
and strong with his pen, and ambitious for fidelity and mas-
tery. He graduated in 1834, and devoted three years to the-
ological study in New Haven, and graduated at Andover.
April 22, 1840, he was ordained and installed Pastor of the
First Congregational Church, C'harlestown, Mass., where he
remained fourteen and one-half years. For a brief period
he served the Western Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia,
until called to Brooklyn. April 22, 1855, he was installed
over the Clinton Ave. Congregational Church of this city.
He brought the ripe experience, the synnnetrical culture, and
the deep consecration which were needed in the successor of
the venerated Dr. Lansing. During the 24 years of his min-
istry, the growth of the church was slow, steady and sure.
The preacher sought to conserve everything substantial, es-
sential, central, in jiure theology and churtli polity; while
conceding every rational demand of science and of the
changing time. He identified himself with every movement
of real progress. His intellect was strong and incisive, and
his character positive. Though all might not agree with his
conclusions, they confessed the lionesty of his convictions and
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1023
the vigorous logic with which he reached them. He left an
impress not only upon the intelligent and loving people of
his charge, in whose affection he is euslirined, but also upon
the city of his chosen labors for a quarter of a century. In
the pulpit he was always serious, scholarly, forcible, intense.
Upon the platform he kindled and inspired. In social life he
was exceedingly genial and courteous. As a leader he dis-
played wonderful tait and courage. As a clerical friend and
advisor, his kindly offices were prompt and grateful, and his
counsels wise and judicious. His unaffected, ferxent sym-
l)athy with the afflicted made him a rare comforter to
wounded souls. In the words of one of his own grateful
flock, " he made the sorrows of others so much his own that
it affected his health and spirits, as though the sorrow had
been a personal one." Nor was he less one with his people
in their joys. Compelled by ill health, he resigned his pulpit
in 1878, and died November, 1S79. — Brookhjtt Adnince.
The Mayflower Mission originated under the name of
Navy 31ission, and was known bj- that title luitil after its
formal ad<i))tion bj' Plymouth Church. Its name was changed
to the " I'lymonth Misnioit," in November, 1873, and to the
' 'Mayfloivcr Mission of Plymouth Church" May 1 , 1 874. It was
established in the vicinity of the Navy Yard, in 1844, and until
June, 1871, occupied a building in Front street, corner of
Green lane. In 1867, it was adopted by the Church of the
Pilgrims, which, however, abandoned it in the spring of 1870.
From that time until January, 1871, it was sustained in-
dependently by a few of its faithful teachers.
At the annual meeting of the Societj' of Plymouth Church
"in .January, 1871, the mission was re-.adopted by this church.
In May of the same year, the building of the Third Presby-
terian Church in Jay street (between Sands and High streets)
was purchased for its use for the sum of $13,000, and, in June,
it was occui)ied by the mission. During the spring of 1873,
the trustees expended about .$13,000 in alterations, which
made the building one of the best adajjted and :xiost attract-
ive for the purpose to be found in the city. This property is
also wholly free from incumbrance and debt.
The Superintenileuts in chai-ge of the mission since its
adoption by this church have been : Messrs. C. A. Van Wag-
enor, S. F. Strong, George A. Bell and H. B. White. Mr. Bell
took charge in February, 1873, and Mr. White in April, 1873.
A reading-room has been opened, well supplied with papers
and magazines.
Bedford Congregational Church. — December 5th, 1848,
was commenced the erection of a framed edifice, thirty by
forty feet, on the corner of Pacific street and Clove road, at a
cost of .f3,300. August 3d, 1849, the church was organized, with
twelve enrolled members. It was once known as the Pacific
Street Congregational Church, but its present title is as above.
Among the clergymen who have labored here the following
are remembered : Revs. Thos. S. Brittan, Dickinson, Henry
D. Parker, Dr. B. R. Hall, E. Carpenter, H. B. EUiot, Greene,
R. G. Hutchings, Cyrus Hamlin and (at present), Hugh Smith
Carjienter. Probably there have been others, but definite
data for the historj' of this church could not be obtained.
The State Street Congregational Church.— The persons
(iriginall)' uniting in this organization, were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, who, desiring the
establishment of a Methodist church with the Congregational
form of government, formed a new religious society, June
5th, 1859, known as the Firtt Congrccjittional Church of the
City of Brooklyn.
The Second Congregational Church, at the corner of Law-
rence and Tillary streets, was purchased, and regular reli-
gious services held therein until January 1st, 1859.
In October, 1858, the society purchased the lota in State
street, near Hoyt, and erected a neat and commodious church
edifice. The entire cost of the enterprise, ground, building,
and furniture, was $30,000. The corner-stone was laid No-
vember 19th, and on the 17th of April, 1859, the lecture-room
was occupied ; the church itself being dedicated on the 30th
of June following. At a special meeting of the church and
society, held January 9th, 1861, the name of the State Street
Congregational Church of Brooklyn was unanimously
adopted.
Pastors: Revs. John C. Green, 1848-'53: James T. Bell,
1853-'56; Washington Gladden, 1860; Newton Heston, 1861-
'64; W. W. Hicks, 1864-'66; C. A. Harvey, 1866-'69; Maxwell
P. Gaddis, 1 869-71; Isaac C. Meserve, 1871-'74.
October 5tli, 1874, this church was consolidated with the
Elm Place Congregational Church, to form the Union Con-
gregational Church of Brooklyn..
The South Congregational Church. — Messrs. Henry C.
Bowen, John T. Howard, and James Freeland, procured lots
at the corner of Court and President streets, ujion which they
erected an edifice for a lecture room. Sabbath-school room,
and pastor's study; which was opened for public worship, in
Feb., 1851.
The church having been organized 34th of March, 1851, a
meeting was held on the 81st, in the chapel, for the pur-
pose of organizing a religious society, and the " South Con-
gregational Church" was adopted as the corporate name
of the society.
Rev. William Marsh was installed as Pastor June 10, 1851;
followed in succession by Rev. Daniel Marsh, Jan. 16, 1854;and
Rev. Rufus W. Clark, who was installed April 14, 1857, in the
new church edifice which was then com2>lete<l for public wor-
ship. Mr. Clark was succeeded, in 1863, by Rev. Edward
Taylor, and he by the Rev. Henry M. Storrs, D. D. In 1874,
ihe present Pastor, Rev. Albert J. Lyman, succeeded Dr.
Storrs.
About 1873, this cluu-ch established, and has since main-
tained, a mission school in Fourth street, near Smith, in a
liired room. Supts. : Charles A. Parsons, S. S. Markles, and
Andrew V. Bain.
The Elm Place Congregational Church, Elm place, near
Fulton avenue, was organized in 1853, by the members of the
former Bridge Street and Fulton Avenue churches; the latter
church being a short-lived secession from the Bridge Street
Church. At about the same time the parent church was also
disbanded, and from both arose this organization.
Early in the history of the society, four lots had been pur-
chased on Elm place, near Fulton avenue, and a small brick
edifice erected thereon. Soon the auditorium of the Poly-
technic Institute was occupied in the winter and spring of
1859. Meanwhile, a budding, called the Brooklyn Tabernacle,
was erected in the rear of the corner of Hoyt street and Ful-
ton avenue, at an expense of |9,000; five years later this
building reverted to the owner of the ground, in pajment of
the rent. An edifice was therefore erected on the site of the
chapel, on Elm place, at a cost of $50,000; which was con-
secrated in May, 1864. Within two years after its dedication,
the debt was extinguished.
Pastors : Rev. Samuel D. Cochrane, 1854-'56; Rev. Mr.
Alvin Bartlett, 1858-68; Rev. Henry Powers, 1869-71; Rev.
Isaac Clark, 1871-74.
October 5th, 1874, this church was consolidated with the
State Street Congregational Church, to form the Union Con-
gregational Church of Brooklyn.
Union Congregational Church wns organized Oct. .5th,
1874, by the consolidation of the State Street and Elm Place
Congregational Churches. The first place of worship was the
loi;4
HISTORY Ot" KINGS COUNTY.
Elm Plact* tUiiircli e<lilii«, ;iuil th« llou.■^e in Suite street was
rented to other congregations. In June, 1880, the house in
Ehn plaee wa-s burned, and the congregation removed to the
edifice in ^itate street, wlicrc tliey ha\e since worshiped.
In April, 1S75, Josejih Wild, D. D., became pastor of Union
Church. He resigned in Seiitember, 1880, and in December
of the same year, the present pastor, N. Everett Smitli,
D. D., entereJ on his duties.
Central Congregational Church, Oniiond place, S. E. cor-
Jefferson st. The original church edifice, in Ormond place,
occupied by this society, was erected in the year 1853, by
Mr. R. L. Crook, a large holder of land in this neighborhood,
with the intention of selling it below cost to some Protestant
religious association.
This house was, in Feb. 1854, rented for two years to
Messrs. Wm. T. Cutter, Thos. W. Abbott, and C. N. Kinney.
On the 27th Nov., 1854, a church of 48 members was or-
ganized and Rev. Henry W. Parker engaged to supply the
pulpit, as the Central Congregational Church. At the ex-
piration of the lease, the congregation, being unable to com-
plete the purchase, removed to the Van Buren Street Jlission
School-house, where the attendance dwindled to 30 indi-
viduals. At length, however, being largely aided by the
Plymouth Church, and the Church of the Pilgrims, the
society purchased the property; and, Nov. 16, 1856, the house
was re-opened.
The Rev. Mr. Parker, having removed to another field of
labor, the pulpit was occupied by temporary supplies, until
the Rev. J. Clement French was installed as Pastor, on the
5th of March, 1857.
In 1803, the church was thoroughly renovated, both within
and without, and a new organ placed in the gallery, all at a
cost of about $6,000. Two years later, the house and lot.
No. 13 Ormond place, adjoining the church, was purchased
for a parsonage. In May, 1867, the building was provide<l
with galleries, and the basement was extensively improved,
at a cost of several thousand dollars.
The Sabliath-school, estab. May 7, 1853, under charge of
Mr. Wm. T. Cutter and C. N. Kinney, shared, of course, the
vicissitudes of the church, and is now strong and prosper-
ous, and doing good missionary work. Oct. 19, 1865, a
Society was formed in it, "The C. C. Ch., S. S. Miss. Soc,"
which prosecuted its designs effectively for several years.
In 1867, a few members of the ch. bought ground and
erected a building, cor. Maroy ave. aod Monroe st., and
opened it as a Miss. School. After five years they surren-
dered its charge, and it has since grown into the Wasliimjton
Ave. Baptist Churcli, one of the most flourishing in the city.
In 1873, the present house on Hancock st., near Franklin
a,\e., was erected, at a total cost, including site, organ, and
furniture, of 1116,000. It Is 150 by 96 feet, with 1,850 sit-
tings. The church on Ormond place was sold, in 1873, to the
Protestant Episcopal Church of the Mediator.
In 1874, a new building, 60 by 98 feet, for Sunday-school,
lecture-room, parlors, etc., was erected on ground adjacent
to the church, at a cost of |41,000. In 1877, the Society
owed a debt of $64,000, which was extinguished within two
years.
Pastors: Revs. Henry W. Parker, 1854-'57; Justus Clement
French, 1857-70 ; Henry Martyn Scudder, D. D., 1871-82;
A. J. F. Behrends, D. D., 1833-'84.
from Univ. of City of New York, and from Union Theol.
Sem. He was ordained by the Third Presbytery of New York,
and was apjiointed by the Amer. Board of Com. Foreign
Missions a missionary to Madras, and soon after his arrival,
in addition to his missionary work, commenced the study of
medicine in the Med. Coll. of Madras, and after graduating,
0})ened a hospital and dispensary in Madras, which is still in
successful operation. He attained so much eminence there as
to receive the honorary degree of M. D. from the N. Y. Coll.
of Phys. & Surg., but made his gratuitous services there sub-
sidiary to his missionary work. His health failing, he re-
turned to the United States in 1858, and after a pastorate of
some years in New Jersey, accepted, in 1864, a call to the
Howard Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, where he re-
mained till 1871, when he was called to the Central Cong'l
Church in Brooklj-n. Dr. Scudder has been through life an
indefatigable student. His attainments in natural and
physical science entitle him to rank with the first scientists
of the present time, his linguistic knowledge including a
complete mastery of many of the oriental languages. He
has published but little, regarding his duties to his congrega-
tion as paramount; but his few published works show that
he is one of the ripest scholars of our time.
Rev. A. J. F. Behrends, D. D., born in Holland, 1839; grad.
Denison (O.) Univ., 1863, and Rochester (N. Y.) Theo. Sem.,
1866; was Trustee of Denison Univ., and Rochester Theo.
Sem. ; is Commissioner of Foreign Missions, and Vice-Pres.
of Am. Miss. Assn.; previous locations : Yonkers, N. Y.,
1865-73; Cleveland, O., 1873-'76; Providence, R. I., 1870-88 ;
author of published sermons; came to Brooklyn, March, 1883.
Rev. Henry Maetyn Scudder, M. D. (Coll. of Phys. &
Surg., N. Y.), D. D., was born Feb. 5, 1833, at Panditeripo,
Dist. Jaffrea, Ceylon, where his father. Rev. Dr. John Scud-
der, was a missionary. He came to the United States in
1833, was prepared for college at Stamwich, Conn., graduated
Rochester Avenue Congregational Church originated in
a Sunday-school, commencing in August, 1859, in a building
on the corner of Patchen ave. and Chauncey st., which re-
moved. May 1, 1860, to the basement of the German Lutheran
Church, on Herkimer st. March 31, 18G0, a society was org.
called The Rochester Avenue Mission. Subsequently, a chapel
was erected on the south-east corner of Rochester ave. and
Herkimer St., and occupied March 17, 1861. This chapel was
enlarged in 1865. In 1881, it was again enlarged. The audi-
torium was reseated to hold 400, and newly furnished.
A society termed "The Christian Brotherhood of the Roches-
ter Avenue Mission,'" was organized; but, in 1866, was changed
to a church of the Congregational order, and assumed the
name of •'Church of the Mediator," which was changed to the
Rochester Avenue Congregational Church, in April, 1881.
During the first two or three years, the pulpit of the Mis-
sion was supplied by volunteers. In Oct., 1863, Rev. Bishop
Faulkner became Pastor, and continued after the organiza-
tion of the new church. In November, 1879, he was suc-
ceeded by James G. Roberts, D. D.
Puritan Church. — In Dec, 1863, several teachers of the
Wallabout Pres. Ch. commenced a new S. S. enterprise in
a store, 713 Myrtle ave.; which, with the preaching services
held there, resulted July 17, 1865, in the org. of the East
Brooklyn Cong. Ch. In Oct. following, land, cor. of De Kalb
ave. and Walworth st., was leased for ten years, and a tem-
porary house of worship erected thereon. Rev. Chas. Hall
Everest was chosen pastor, and installed May 23, 1866. On
June 29, 1865, the present church name was adopted. June,
1868, the present site, cor. Lafayette and Marcyaves., was
liurchased, and a new building erected and ded. May 6, 1871.
The burden assumed in the erection of this new building, and
the financial panic of 1873, greatly embarrassed the society,
and retarded the development of its original plans. Mr. Ev-
erest resigned Feb., 1877. His successors have been: Revs.
EC GLESIASTIOAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
1025
CENTKAL CONGREGATIONAL CHUKCH, OBMOND PLACE.
1026
HISTORY 01 KINGS COUNTY.
PURITAN CHURCH.
R. E. Field, 187T-'81; Samuel Calcord, lSSl-'3; Edward P.
Ingersoll, 1883-'4. The S. S. is large and ilourisliing ;
specially notable for its large classes of j'oung ladies. W. W.
Shumway, Supt.
Rev. Edward P. Ingersoll was born in Lee, Mass.,
1834; grad. Williams, 185.5, and Audover Theol. Sem., 1863;
was Pres. General Synod Ref. Ch., 1882; previous locations:
Sandusky, O., 1863-'8; Indianapolis, 1868-70; B'kl.yn, 1870-83.
Fifth Avenue Congregational Church. — Open air preach-
ing was commenced in 1863 by Rev. Newton Heston, under
the patronage of Mr. Lindsay J. Wells. A Sunday-school
and prayer-meeting, were at the same time established by Mr.
Wells, in a store at the corner of 12th st. and Fifth ave. A
church was org. June, 1866.
In Sept., 186.5, Mr. Wells, on his own responsibility, com-
menced the erection of a tabernacle at the corner of Fifth
ave. and Eighth st. This was completed at a cost, including
the lots, of |3,.500, and dedicated in January, 1866. In the
winter of 1867-8, a portion of the members withdrew and
commenced worship on Third st. , near > if th ave. , under the
name of I'ar^i Congregational Church. In 1869, the two
churches were reunited under the latter name, and com-
menced the erection of a chapel at the corner of Sixth ave.
and Seventh st. The Rev. H. H. McFarland was engaged as
a supply, and, in April, 1868, the Rev. Frank Russel became
Pastor, continuing after the reunion.
The chapel was completed in the latter part of 1870, at a
cost, including site for a church, of about $40,000. The so-
ciety is free from debt. Pastors : Rev. Frank Russell, 1808-
'74; Thos. R. Slicer, 1877-'81; John W. Malcolm, 1881-'4.
First Congregational Church (E. D.) was organized May
28, 1843, by eight seceding members of the First Presbyterian
Church. It happened, one Sabbath, in the latter church,
that a colored man took a seat near the centre of the house,
and was straightway requested by the sexton to take a seat
back next to the door. This transaction specially impressed
Samuel Wild, a member of the church, with the heinousness
of jiractising cant in the house of God ; and he forthwith
procured two lots of land at the S. W. corner of 11th and S.
3d sts., upon which he erected, chiefly with his own means,
the chapel now known as "Bishop's Chapel," and occupied, at
present, by the African Methodist congregation. The enter-
prise, though not a success, as the world counts success,
filled an office, in its day, as an exponent of the principles of
rigid anti-slaveryism. The Rev. Samuel S. Jocelyn minis-
tered to this church until the close of the War of the Civil Re-
bellion. It was then disbanded, its white members uniting
with the New England Congregational Church , its colored
members affiliating with the colored congregation that has
since occupied its chapel.
The Rev. Mr. Jocelyn died Aug., 1879, in the fulness of
years, honored by all, even those who had differed most
from his opinions, for the purity of his life, the piety of
his walk and conversation, and the courageousness of his
princii)les.
The New England Church. — A meeting preliminary
to the formation of this church was held at the house
of Dr. Edwm N. Colt, No. 41 Fourth st., March 18, 1851.
April .5th, public worshij) was commenced at Central Hall,
cor. of 5th and So. 1st sts., under the ministration of Mr.
Thomas K. Beecher; and, on the 21st of the same month,
an ecclesiastical society was org. The New England Congre-
gational Church was org. May 26, 1801, and Mr. Beecher, on
the 36th of June following, was ordained as Pastor. After
January 7, 1853, when the Central Hall was destroyed by fire,
the church worshii)ed in " The Odeon," in 5th, betw. So. 3d
and So. 4tli sts., imtil the completion of the lecture-room of
the church edifice in So. 9th St., in July, 1853. In Septem-
ber, 1852, the society purchased three lots, on the north side
of So. 9th St., between 5th and 6th sts., on which the corner-
stone of the present church edifice was laid, Jannary 11,
1853; and the building, completed, was dedicated on the 22d
of the next December.
The years 1858 and 1866 are thankfully remembered as
3-ears of special divine favor, in which large numbers were
added to the church.
The successive Pastors have been : Thomas K. Beecher,
June 25, 1851, to May 16, 1854 ; Heniy B. Elliott, November
9, 1854, to November 19, 1855; William R. Tompkins, October
9, 1856; Leonard W. Bacon, installed Mar. 30, 1865 ; council,
Apr. 7, 1870; John Henry Brodt, mstalled Sept. 27, 1870,
council, Sept. 27, 1872; John H. Lockwood, installed June 18,
1873 ; resignation accepted, Nov. 15, 187H ; council, Dec. 19,
1878 ; Rufus Piercy Hibbard, installed May 28, 1879.
The Church of the Covenant was org. in 1868, but the
real history of the enterprise begins with the establishment
of a Sunday-school in 1852, held under an apple tree, and
then in a stable. Mr. Silas Davenport was among the pio-
neers of the mission. The neighborhood had been visited by
Rev. Harvey Newcomb, and the first gathering was in the
open air, Sunday, July 4, 1852, not far from the junction of
Vanderbilt and Atlantic aves., then an open field. A garret
in a small building was used one Sunday, and then the barn.
This was the birthplace of Mt. Prospect Mission School.
(See page 1022).
In 1804, Rev. Anson Gleason began his lal)Ors here by invi-
tation of the Clinton Ave. Church, and remained about two
years and a half. Quite a number were converted, some of
whom joined that church.
Mr. Gleason was followed by Rev. Franklin Noble, in con-
nection with whose labors a church was organized Jan. 21,
1868, of seven males and ten females. A council, March 10,
1868, recognized the new church. Worship was continued
at the hall, cor. of Atlantic and Grand aves., until 1871 ,when
a chapel was erected on the cor. of Baltic street and Classen
avenue. This was occupied for four years, when the congre-
gation removed to their present sanctuary. This, a tasteful,
brown-stone and brick chapel, was erected, at a cost, inclusive
of land, of over |17,000. It has a seating capacity of 400.
When, by pecuniary embarrassment, the society were unable
to meet their liabilities, Mr. A. S. Barnes became the owner
of the property, giving them the use of the building, and
ECCLE&IASTIGAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1027
has always been an unwearied helper of the church and
Sunday-school; as he has also been of other similar enter-
prises on " the Hill."
Rev. Anson Gleason, born in Manchester, Conn., 1797;
teacher to Choctaw Indians, Miss., 1823-'31; to Mohegans,
1832-'48; was Dist. Sec'y Amer. Board of Com. for Foreign
Missions, ]848-'51; Missionary to Seneca Indians, Western
N. Y., 1851-'61; was City Missionary, Rochester, 1S62; Utica,
1863; Brooklyn, 1864-'83.
Rev. Franklin Noble has been associated witli Father
Gleason in the Atlantic Ave. Mission, and served the church
that he was instrumental in forming until May 25, 1874. His
successors have been : Revs. R. S. Underwood, from June,
1874, to Nov. 28, 1875; E. P. Thwing, April, 1876, to 1880;
Wm. Mackay, 1880; and, at present, Wm. H. Ingersoll.
Rev. Edward Payson Thwing, M. A. (Harv.), Ph. D.,
born Aug. 25, 1830, at Ware, Mass. He grad. Harvard, 1855:
atAndover Theol. Sem., 1858; located Portland, Me., 1858-
'62; Quincy, Mass., 1862-'7; has preached in Europe, and for
several months at Tolmer's Square Churcli, London: Pastor
(three years) of the Church of the Covenant, Brooklyn; was
Prof, of Vocal Culture, Gorham Sem., Me., 187()-'4; of Sacred
Rhetoric in Tabernacle Free Coll., which post he retained
four years — 1874-'8; lectured at Training College, Boston, two
winters, and Bethany Institute, New York; author of " Drill
Book in Vocal Culture and Gesture;" "Outdoor Life in Eu-
rope;" "Bible Sketches," 1854; "Memorial of Thomas
Thwing," 1867; "Hand-book of Illustrations;" "Facts of
Tobacco;" "Persian Queen," a Hymn Book; "Standard
Hymns ;" member of N. Y. Acad, of Sciences, Victoria In-
stitute, Philosophical Society of Gt. Britain; contributor to
magazines and the religious press manj- 3'ears.
The present Pastor, Rev. William H. Inoersoll, was born
at Rochester, 1837; grad. Columbia Coll., 1860; Att. Union
Tlieol. Sem. ; author of Art Christ, and Love and Law in Re-
ligion: located in Brooklyn since 1850.
Lee Avenue Congregational Church was org. Sept. 30,
1872, by the members who had formerly composed the Lee
Ave. Reformed Dutch Church, the latter transferring their
realty, personal property and membersh'p to the former.
Rev. Theodore J. Holmes was installed as Pastor Sojit. 30,
1872, and served two years. The vacant pulpit was then
supplied by the Rev. Dr. Edward Eggleston, who liad been
a Slethodist minister in the West, but who was then occupied
with literary work. In 1874, Dr. Eggleston accepted the
pastorate on condition that the church became independent.
His creed was summed up in the words " Christian En-
deavor." He made his church unique in its independence.
The Endeavor Club and the Shooting Gallery in the Church
Parlor became famous throughout the land. Dr. Eggleston's
pastorate was dissolved in 1879, and after a brief term of ser-
vice by Mr. McKinley, of Minnesota. Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts
accepted a call ; the independent attitude of the church %vas
given up, and it returned to Congregationalism. Thus, in
the brief sjiace of eight years, for the third time, the relations
of the church were altered. A creed was adopted, and a
council was called to install the new pastor, who allied him-
self with the Manhattan Congregational Association. Liber-
alism and orthodoxy did not, however, assimilate under Mr.
Crafts" pastorage, and, after many dissensions, the former
withdrew and left the latter in possession.
Shortly after the withdrawal, Mr. Crafts himself resigned.
On April 2, 1883, a call was extended to Rev. Henry A.
Powell, of the old Busliwick Reformed Church, which was
accepted, and Mr. Powell was installed April 25, 18H3.
With three denominational changes in eight years, with
constant dissensions and divisions in the church, it is not sur-
prising that the great work in the Sunday-school was serious-
ly interfered with ; whole classes — teachers and scholars in-
cluded—left, and at one time it seemed as if the whole
school would be disbanded. On October 29, 1882, when all
was discord and confusion, Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., was again
elected to the superintendency. He has brought order otit of
chaos, and the prospects for the future are very flattering ;
already the school numbers 1,500 scholars and 150 teachers,
and is rapidly increasing. The Lee Ave. Congregational
Church has good reasons for encouragement, owning a prop-
erty worth $150,000, but slightly encumbered, and its audito-
rium thronged at each service.
Rev. Henry A. Powell was born in Chatham, N. Y., 1851;
grad. 1873 from Union College, and, three years later, took
a degree from the theological seminary connected with that
institution. Mr. Powell has had brilliant success ; was
admitted to the Bar, but he has no intention of giving up the
ministry. He studied law while taking a course in English
history at the New York University ; is a practical, common
sense man, and a forcible speaker. While orthodox in belief,
he is not bigoted.
Lewis Avenue Congregational Church. — In 1873, Messrs.
John H. Burtis, James Williamson, and Rev. Donald McLaren,
organized a Sunday-school on the corner of Yates ave. (now
Sumner) and Gates ave. Grace Chapel was erected and
opened in Nov., 1874, on Lewis ave. and Monroe st. ; and
here, in August, 1875, Grace Presbyterian Church was org.,
and Rev. C. E. Lawrence became Pastor. He was followed,
in 1876, by Rev. Mr. Lucas, and he, in 1877, by Rev. James
Hall: during whose pastorate the chiu-ch adojited the Con-
gregational form of government, and assumed its present
name. Revs. J. Chalmers Easton ; Mr. Boyd, and G. W.
Plack, have since been Pastors.
Rev. G. W. Plack was born in Altoona, Pa., 1856; grad.
Lafayette Coll., 1879; Union Theol. Sem., 1882; settled in
B'klyn May, 1882.
Nazarene Congregational Church (colored), was org. July
20th, 1873, with twenty members, mostly from the South.
The first place of worship was a hall at Fulton ave. and Cum-
berland St. They afterward removed to a hall, at Fulton and
Clermont aves.:then, in May, 1H80, to the Athenajum Hall,
corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic aves. The American
Missionary Association sent sujiplies to this church till
1877, when Rev. Robert F. Wheeler was called ; and has,
since 1878, been commissioned by the Am. Home Miss.
Society.
Tompkins Avenue Congregational Church. — The Tomp-
kins Avenue Congregational Society was org., and trustees
chosen, July 6th, 1875, and the church established on the
16th of the same month by twenty members.
The Presbyterian ('hurcli edifice, corner of Tompkins ave.
and ]\IcDonough street, was sold on foreclosure, July 9, 1875,
and the trustees of the Tompkins Avenue Society obtained
possession from the purchasers. In April, 1881, the church
and society purchased this church property for 140,100, which
was at once paid, leaving the church free from debt.
Januarj' 1st, 1876, Rev. Charles D. Helmer became pastor;
died 1879 ; followed by Rev. Samuel M. Freeland, 1879; Rev.
Geo. F. Pentecost, 1880-'84. This church has dismissed
nearly 100 members to other churches, and has now a mem-
bership of 450. In Sept., 1881, it opened a mission in Ellery
street, where services have since been regularly held.
In May, 1882, Mr. Pentecost conunenced street preaching
in the 21st Ward, and systematic visitation, and soon a mis-
sion was established: lots were purchased on the corner of
Park and Marcy Aves., and a frame church erected, seating
800, co.sting nearly $10,000.
1028
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Rev. George F. Pentecost was born in Albion, 111., Sept.
23, 1843. When Le was quite young his fatlier died, and
the lad was apprenticed to a printer; he emigrated to Kan-
s;as, and was appointed to a position in the Governor's office;
and afterwards to l)e Clerk of the U. S. Dis. Court, which
jiosition he filled by proxy, being under age; returning to
Kentucky he was converted in 1860, and the following year
entered tlie College of Georgetown, Ky. Soon after he en-
listed in a Kentucky cavahy regiment, as cliaplain, with the
rank of captain. Desirous to devote his life to tlao ministry,
he preached in Green Castle, Evansville, Ind., Covington,
Ky.
In 1867, he supplied the First Baptist Cliurch, during the
summer, and accepted a call from the Hanson Place Bap-
tist Church, in Dec, 1869; tlu-ee years later, he assumed
charge of the Warren Avenue Church in Boston. In follow-
ing years he held Bible readings and evangelistic services in
many of the cities of New England.
In 1880, he was called to the Tompkins Avenue Congrega-
tional Church in this city. His profound study of the bible;
liis clear, concise expositions of biblical truth; his vigor,
earnestness and strength have made him ;a very successful
Pastor. His Sunday afternoon services at the Academy of
Music were productive of great good to the thronged au-
diences.
The East Congregational Church was org. 1877, with
fifty members, mostly from Puritan Church. Their first
place of worship was Liberty Hall, corner of Gates and Nos-
trand aves. In 1878, a church edifice, seating 400, was
erected at the corner of Tompkins ave. and Kosciusko street.
The first Pastor was Rev. George C. Miln: he was succeeded
in 1881, by Rev. W. C. Stiles, who resigned in 1883, leaving
the church at present without a Pastor. The pulpit is sup-
plied by Rev. J. Hyatt Smith.
The Scandinavian Free Mission Church, org. 1879, is a
Congi-egational Society, and originated in a mission that had
been under the charge of Rev. John P. Swanstrom during
many years. Its ]ilace of worship is a chapel on Pacific St.,
between Hoyt and Smith sts.
Rev. Swanstrom has been the missionary in charge since
the organization of the societ.y, assisted at times by others.
The First Identity Church. — This congregation was or-
ganized in November, 1880. The following preamble to the
resolutions adopted by the church at its organization, ex-
presses the peculiar belief of its members concerning the
identity of the lost tribes of Israel and the Anglo-Saxons,
wliich led to the establishment of the society and the adoji-
tion of the name :
" 117(ereas, We are of the firm conviction that the ])eopIe
now known as the Anglo-Saxons are the House of Israel ;
that, as such, the prophecies and other references to the House
of Israel, in the Old and New Testaments, refer to them."
This congregation worships in Music Hall, Flatbush ave.
The Pastijr is Rev. G. W. Greenwood.
Union Congregational Church, East New York, org. May
17, 1883, by some from the Brownsville Congregational
Church, and others who had commenced a Presbyterian mis-
sion. Thirty members entered the church by letter, and in
three weeks there were eight conversions. The members
of the new church unanimously called as their Pastor the
Rev. Curtis Graham, and he accepted the call. He had been
a successful lawyer, but, after being converted, left the bar
for the pulpit. He preached in Saybrook, Conn., first in the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1857, he was transferred to
Kansas, where he was sent to the Legislature, to represent
the Free Soil element. He had a very exciting experience,
but stoutly maintained bis position; and, while in the Legis-
lature, had a bill passed founding the Highland University
and a Methodist LTniversity in the southern jiart of the State.
He became a trustee of both institutions. President Lincoln
subsequently appointed him a chajilain in the army. After
the war, he preached in Easthampton and Narragansett, but,
owing to a throat trouble, was compelled to retire for a time
from the ministry.
The land has been presented to them by Mr. Gilbert S.
Thatford. He has also given quite a sum of money toward
the building fund.
The new church is located on Orient ave., near Liberty.
It is a frame structure, one and a half stories high, very or-
namental and attractive in desigii and finish. It is 35 feet
front and 40 deep. The interior is finished in hard wood,
and supplied with the most modern church furniture. It is
one of the neatest churches in the town, and cost about
$5,000. The Officers are: Trustees, G. S. Thatford, E. A.
Wooley, H. S. Stewart, J. D. Glover, Robert Dixon, John
Paton, N. W. Woolsey, Edwin B. Clayton and James
McCracken; Clerk, Chas. H. Hay ward; Auditor, Charles
Schwicker; Treasurer, Frederick Schwicker; Deacons. John
Paton, William Bishop, Hamilton Van Sickle, Alpheus Lewis,
Charles Wanser, Alwaham De Graff and E. A. Stewart.
First Congregational Church of Brownsville. — The church
is located at Brownsville, a small but growing settlement in
the south-western corner of the town of New Lots. It is the
only church there; the next nearest church being the new
one nearly two miles north-east of it. It was started in
June, 1866, when meetings were held in members' houses.
In 1867, the members decided to build a church. At this
meeting, held at the residence of Mr. G. S. Thatford, he pre-
sented them four lots on which to build. City Missionary,
M. H. Mowery, who preached for them, raised $3,000 to
build the church; the Congregational Union gave $500 more.
With additional nioney, subscribed by the members, the
church was built; and, when dedicated. May 31, 1869, it was
free of debt. The Rev. L. S. Davison was Pastor one year ;
Rev. I. C. Lockwood served one year ; Rev. C. H. Pannell,
who followed, remained eight years ; Rev. A. H. Kirkland,
who was converted in the Plymouth Bethel (became a letter-
carrier, and finally a minister), followed, and preached two
years ; he was succeeded b3' the Rev. Newman Wright ; the
Rev. Curtis Graham followed. There was trouble among the
members, and, although he was a good Pastor, he could not
amicably heal over the difticult.y. There was finally a sepa-
ration. He went with the seceders, who combined with the
Presbyterians, and formed a new church, which, under his
care, is progressing finely. The church, after he left, in
searolung for a Pastor, met the Rev. F. H. Decker, who
preached for them so successfully that they called him.
Union Mission Chapel. — In 1862, several persons in the
Eastern District estalilislied a Sunday-school for poor chil-
dren on the corner of South Eleventh and Second sts., in an
unoccupied store. The school was afterwards removed to
106 North Third st. Jlr. J. T. Dill has been superintendent
for twenty years. Religious services have been held, and
clothing distributed to needy children. In May, 1883, the
brick building at No. 155 North Second st. was purchased,
and an extension will be built in the rear for chapel and
school purposes. Trustees : Rev. J. J. White, Pres.; John M.
Stearns, Treas.: Rev. N. W. Wells, Dr. Cauldwell, J. T. Dill,
G. H. Cod well, F. Roberts, E. D. Forman, G. W. Kelsey.
The Central Congregational Church, (see page 1034), by the
advice of Dr. Scudder, estab. a Mission in the 35th Ward, on
Ralph ave., near Fulton st. , for the purpose of carrying on
missionary work among the poor people in that neighbor-
hood. George A. Bell took charge of the Mission, and made
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1029
a grand success of the work. The parent church voted the
sum of $15,000 to iiurchase land upon which to erect a
church edifice, as well as the Sunday-school Mission. The
land was secured. It is a plot 100 feet square, on the
comer of Ealph ave. and Chauncey st.
The work of erecting the new buQding was commenced,
and the new churcli was ready for occupancy at the close
of 1883. It is a frame building of the Gothic order of archi-
tecture, with all the necessary accommodations, and erected
of the be.st material ; finished in an attractive style, and
with seatings for 800 people. Those who are acquainted
with the field predict that a magnificent work will be accom-
plished here; and that, in the course of five years, a church
will be firmly established that will be nearly equal in size to
the parent church.
The New York and Brooklyn Congregational Association
was the outgrowth of another organization, known as the
Manhattan Congregational Association, which was formed
in November, 1841, at the Study of the Broadway Tabernacle,
Rev. E. W. Andrews then Pastor.
This Association continued until the Spring of 1846, when
the New York and Brooklyn Association was organized at the
Broadwa.Y Tabernacle, March 16, 1846. There were present at
this meeting Rev. Messrs. Dirk C. Lansing, Joseph Harrison.
George B. Cheever, George Turner, William W. Wallace,
Richard S. Storrs, John Marsh, Isaac N. Sprague, Amzi
Camp, Luke S. Stoutenburg, and Joseph P. Thomson.
No annual or semi-annual meeting lias been omitted from
the date of its organization until the present time. At
twenty-six of the sessions of this Association, young men
have been examined in their preparation and fitness for the
ministry, and recommendations have been issued to one
hundred and sixty-three persons, two have been conditioned,
and four rejected.
The Association has put upon its record hearty expressions
of active sympathy with the many societies and causes of
benevolence and Christian work ; and obituary resolutions
on the occasion of I he death of ten of its members.
Its meetings have been interesting and profitable ; many
times uniting with a conference called by the church at
which they have been held ; and they have ever been pro-
motive of Christian fellowship among the churches and
fraternal regard among its members.
The following are Congregational clergymen residing in
Brooklyn :
Rev. Edward Beecher, D. D., was born 1803, at East
Hampton, L. I.; grad. Yale, 1832; studied theol.. New Haven
and Andover, Mass. ; was tutor Yale, 1825-'6; Pres. Illinois
Coll., 1830-'44; located Boston, 1826-"30, 1844-'.55; Galesbury,
111.. 1855-'70; author of pamphlets and books: History of
Lovejoy Mob at Alton, III., Conflict of Ages, Facial Conspir-
acy, Concord of Ages, and others; located in Brooklyn,
1870.
Rev. Williams Howe Whittemore, born in Bolton, Ct.,
1800; grad. Yale Coll., 1825, and Yale Theol. Sem., 1829; lo-
cated Rye, N. Y., 1829-32; Charlton, Mass., 1833-6; South-
bury. Ct., 1836-'50; Prio. Sem. in New Haven, 3 yrs. ; Agent
Nat. Freedmen's Relief Assn.; located Brooklyn, 1868.
Rev. Archibald Ross, born in Prince Edward's Island,
1857: grad. Queen's Coll., Kingston. 1874; located Wolfe Isl-
and, Ont., 1872-5; Brookl3'n, 1876-'S4; author of pamphlets
and newspaper articles.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUPvCHES.
Sands Street Methodist Episcopal Church. — The pioneer
of Methodism here was Thomas Webb, a captain in the
British army, who began to preach "in his own hired
house," near the barracks in New York, as early as 1766. He
preached the first Methodist sermon ever heard in Brooklyn,
about 1768. He was then about 44, and, because of his in-
juries, was retired on full pay; but devoted himself wholly to
the work of the ministry. Brooklj'u at that time contained
fewer people than Jamaica, and New York's population num-
bered 20.000. A stormy period of twenty years followed,
during which the Revolutionary war was fought. Nothing
is known of Methodism in Brooklyn during this period. In
1787, another Methodist preacher appears — the Rev. Wood-
man Hick.^oa. There were only about 204 Methodists on
Long Island at that time. Coming up to Sands street, in
front of where the church now stands, he secured a table,
mounted it and preached the second Methodist sermon in
Brooklyn.
A class was soon formed, and thus, about 100 years ago. the
foundation of Methodism was laid in this city. In May,
1794, the old Sands Street Church was organized at the resi-
dence of Peter Cannon. The same year the first Board of
Trustees was elected, viz : John Garrison, Thouias Van Pelt,
Burdett Stryker, Isaac Moser, Richard Everett and Stephen
Hendrickson. In September, they bought of Joshua Sands
the lot on which this edifice now stands, and completed a
church the following year. At that time the only other
churches in Brooklyn were St. Ann's, dedicated 1787, and the
old Dutch Church, dedicated, 1666. In June, the Brooklyn
Methodists, who had been under the care of the New York
Methodists, became a separate society, with a pastor of their
own. The congregation numbered twenty-three white people
and twelve colored. Joseph Totten became their Pastor.
Bishop Asbury, the only Methodist Bishop then in America,
in October, occupied the pulpit. In his diary of 1796, he
wrote : " I went over to Brooklyn, where we have a small so-
ciety. I had a very few hearers except those who came
from the city (New York). 1 administered the sacrament.
We had some life." Under ilr. Totten's ministry of one year
the membership increased from 35 to 39. He was succeeded
by Mr. Phoebus who remained two yeai's, during which time
the membership increased to 81. Among the earliest Metli-
odists was Hannah Stryker, wife of Burdett Stryker, one of the
first trustees. She was the first one in the church who died.
Half a dozen uneventful years passed, save that the congrega-
tion steadily increased. In 1804, under the pastorate of Cyras
Stebbiits, the church was enlarged. At this time there be-
came associated with the church a name destined to become
widely known, that of Harper — Joseph Harper, grandfather
of the original Harper Brothers, who came from England, in
1740. He was elected a trustee in 1800. His home literally
became the home of the Sands street ministers. As he would
not name a price for their board, a special committee of the
church fixed it at .|3.25 a week. The interests of the church
were better looked after, when Joseph Harper became trustee.
We find on the records the following resolutions :
" Resolved, Tliat there shall be a new set of steps erected at
the front door.
1030
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
" Jtesolred, Tliat m. • xmu be instructed to have the
church open and candles liglited at least a quarter of an hoiu-
before the meeting begins, and to see that the bo.ys make no
disturbance; also, that on dark nights when tliere is a public
meeting to light the lamp at the church door."
Considering the fact that the sexton only received $35 a
year and a grave-digger's perquisites, it was hardly to be
wondered that he sometimes grew careless. The church
prospered every way. The membershiij in 1808 was 250.
Financially, they were situated so as to be able to tender to
Joshua Sands flOO still due him on the churcli lot. He for-
gave the debt, and they were able to put the money back in
the treasury. In 1809, they raised sufficient money to build
a parsonage. Tliey wished to buy a strip of land on High
street for this purpose from Mr. Sands. He surprised them
by making a present of it to them. Though an Episcopalian,
hi-! name wUl ever be connected with the history of the
church he so grandly befriended. In 1810, it was resolved to
buUd a new church. The edifice then was 30x60, with an
end gallery for colored people. It had been lengthened once,
and the brethren wished to lengthen it again.
The pastor, Rev. William Thatcher, opposed this, saj'ing
he could easier raise $3,000 to build a new church than $1,400
for enlargement. His counsel prevailed, and thus came into
existence the "Old White Church." Its dimensions were 42x70,
with three galleries. It cost $4,200. Bishop Asbuiy said it
was an elegant house. The church had not been generous to
its pastors, and when Mr. Thatcher was going away he said :
"You are in the habit of paying .$350 a year to a man-ied
preacher. New York pays $500, and let me tell .you, no man
has jjaid so much to support your preacher this year as Wil-
liam Tliatcher." The brethren had evidently not intended to
be parsimonious, for they voted $400 for their next preacher
and made up a purse of $60 for Mr. Thatcher. In 1821, under
the pastorate of Lewis Pease, the membership was nearly
doubled, becoming 401. In 1829, when Noah Levings was
pastor, agam there was a notable work of grace wrought.
Among the converts were thirty-five sailors, who requested
their grog to be stojjped. In 1837, during the miuistrj' of the
Rev. W. H. Noi'7'is, many were converted, the membership
reaching 667. It became necessary to erect a larger building.
January, 1844, a brick church (60x80) was dedicated. It was
a fine building and elegantly situated, for Sands street was
then the thoroughfare upon which resided the wealthy and
intellectual people of Brooklyn. Brooklyn then had a popu-
lation of 60,000 and had been a chartered city for ten
years.
The church continued to prosper. A new parsonage was
built. Dark days were approaching; $18,000 were expended,
of which $10,000 were still due. Sunday morning, August
11, 1848, four years after the dedication, the congregation
assembled, not to worship, but to gaze saldy upon the ruins of
their church, which had been destroyed by fire. The fire
ruined seven blocks. They were disheartened, but the Pastor,
Rev. JV. H. Morris, said " Rebudd." Under his zealous
leadership the people rallied. A building committee was im-
mediately appointed. Upon it were David Coope, Nathaniel
Bonnell, Jacob Brown, Warren Richmond, J. J. Studwell.
The present edifice, the same size as the former, was erected.
From that time, thirty-four years, the church has continually
prospered. It is the mother church of Brooklyn Methodism
and literal mother of several Methodist churches. In 1819,
the official board assessed the colored people $10 a quarter
for the support of the church. Four months after, it became
apparent they would secede. In 1820, they formed a church
of their own. In 1823, the York Street Church was or-
ganized.
SANDS ST. M. E. CHURCH.
In 1831, the Washington street society was organized.
Kach assumed a portion of the consolidated debt which was
••i;l8,500; Washington street taking$10,000; York street, $3,000;
Sands street, $5,500. Hanson place Church was also born
in Sands street — a committee being appointed in 1836 to see
if ground suitable for a meeting-house could be obtained.
Numerous other churches throughout the city owe much to
Sands street. During the past twenty-five years it has con-
tributed $700 to the Tract Society, $700 to the Sunday-School
Union, $300 to the Educational Society. $700 to the Women's
Foreign Missionary Society, $400 to the Freedman's Aid So-
ciety, $1,000 to the Church Extension Society, $3,000 to
the Bible Society, $3,000 to worn-out preachers, $53,000
to Parent Missionary Societies — an average of $7,000 a
y» ar.
Minidnj: 1795, Joseph Totten; 1796, David Buck; 1797,
Jos. Totten; 1798, And. Nichols; 1799, Cyrus Stebbins; 1800-'01,
David Buck; 1802, Peter Jayne; 1803, Ezekiel Canfield;
1804, Cyrus Stebbins; 1805, E. Cooper; 1806, E. Cooper, S
Thomas; 1807, Ehjah Woolsey, J. Wilson; 1808, Daniel Os-
trander; 1809, Reuben Hubbard; 1810-'ll, Wm. Thatcher;
1812-13, Lewis Pease; 1814, Sam. Jlerwin; 1815, Nathan
Emory; 1816-'17, Jhs. Crawford; 1818, Wm. Rose; 1819-20,
Wm. McCaine; 1821-22, Lewis Pease; 1823-24, Wm. Ross;
1825, T. Burch; 1826, T. Burch, S. L. Stillman; 1827, S.
Luckey, S. L. Stillman; 1828, S. Luckey, L. Landon; 1829,
N'oah Levings; 1830, Jas. Covel, Jr.; 1831, John C. Greene;
1832-'34, Thos. Birch; 1835-'36-"37; Barth. Creagh; 1837-'38-
'39, W. H. Norris; 1839, Fitch Reed; 1840-41, P. C. Oakley;
1842-'43, L. W. M. Vincent; lS44-'45, H. F. Pease; ]846-'47,
Nathan Bangs; 1848-'49, W.H. Norris; 1850-51, J. W.B.Wood;
1852-53, H. T. Fox; 1854-'o5, L. S. Weed; 1856-'57, Jno.
Miley; 1859, J. B. Hagany; 1860-'61, B. H. Nadel; 1862-3,
L. S. Weed; 1864-'66, Chas. Fletcher; 1867, E. G. Andrews;
1868, H. B. Elkins; 1868-'70, Rev. Geo. De La Matyr; 1871-3,
Rev. Geo. F. Kettell; 1874, Rev. F. P. Tower; 1875-7, Rev.
Geo. Taylor; 1878-'80, Rev. Lindsay Parker; 1881-'3, Rev.
J. S. Breckenridge; 1883-'4, Rev. L. R. Streeter.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church (E. D.), better
known as the South Second Street Methodist Episcopal, the
first ecclesiastical organization in the village of W^illiams-
burgh, and the second in the old town of Bushwick, was
formed about 180(1. Its first house of worship was erected in
1808, on the old W^illiam.sburgh and Jamaica turnpike (now
North 2d, cor. 5th); was repaired in 1821, and occupied until
the present building was completed.
The colored congregation, now at cor. South 3d and 11th
sts., worshipped in the old building for some time, but about
1845 it was burned.
In 1837, the foundation of the present spacious brick church
was laid, on South 2d st., between 5th and 6th. This church
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGAmZATIONS.
1031
was org. in August, 1838; its first trustees were David Gar-
ret, Henry E. Bodwell, Geo. W. Pittman, John L. Gray,
Simon Richardson, and James Sparkjnan. Tlie building was
dedicated Jan. 8th, 1840, wlien tliere were about fifty com-
municants.
In 1842, this church first received a regular appointment
of a j)reaclier in charge from tlie annual Conference ; having
previously belonged to the Williamsburgh circuit, consisting,
with it, of tlie Newtown, the Cross Roads and the Wallabout
churches, with one minister in charge of all four churches.
Such has been tlie rapid increase of the congregation, that
all the Methodist churches of the Eastern District of Brook-
lyn (with the exception of St. John's) have since been colon-
ized from it. Notwithstanding this mother church has sent
out so many successful colonies, it continues full. The build-
ing was unroofed in the great storm of 18o3, but was repaired
and enlarged, making it one of the largest Methodist churches
in this part of Brooklyn.
In May, 1868, the society purchased the present parsonage
adjoining the church for $6, .100. In 1875, the entire interior
of the church was refitted; and was, in part, remodeled,
with an entire change of the front, making three en-
trances instead of one; also adding a wing on the west, with
a fine, large infant-class room capable of seating 300 scholars.
Over this room is situated a large double parlor with folding
doors. The expense of this improvement was about .^12,000.
In 1883, the Sunday-school room, infant-class room, class
rooms, etc., were again refitted, newly painted, walls and
ceilings frescoed, floors carpeted, etc., at an expense of
|1,000, making it now one of the pleasantest and most com-
modious Sabbath-school and lecture rooms in the Eastern
District, with a laige and prosperous school. The present
church membership is about 650.
Ministry: Rev. Dr. Coville, Wm. K. Stopford, 1836-'37;
Rich Seaman and James Rawson, 1838; Wm. Thatcher and
James Rawson, 1839; John LeFevi-e and C. Ross, 1840-41;
Henry F. Roberts, 1842-'43; Paul R. Brown, 1844-'45; John
M. Pease, 1840; Edwin L. James, 1847-48; W. F. Collins,
1849-50; R. H. Loomis, 1851; Harvey Husted, 1853-'53;
J. Miley, 1853-"55; John S. Mitchell, 1856-'57; M. L.
Scudder, 1858-'59; Rufus C. Putney, 1860-61; James W.
Home, 1863-'63; C. B. Sing, 1864-'66; Wm. H. Boole,
1867-'69; G. L. Taylor, 1870; J. A. Roche, 1871-'73; J.
Pegg. Jr., 1874-'76; John Parker, 2d, 1877-79; A. J. Wyatt;
1880-'81 ; Wm. H. Boole, 1882-83. The present Board
of Trustees are: Chas. S. Potts, Peter Harkness, Benj.
Potter, Nath'l Washburn, John C. Wolf, Danl C. Driver,
Chas. W. Johnson, W. H. Bradford, Philip D. Scliaefer,
with Rev. W. H. Boole, President of the Joint Board of
Trustees, Stewards and Leaders, and John R. Schrj-ver,
Secretary.
York Street Methodist Episcopal Church is the child of
Sands Street Church, the congregation of which had so in-
creased that, in 1823, during the pastorate of the eloquent
William Ross, it was found necessary to erect another house
of worship. This, a neat, framed building, forty-two by
fifty-five feet, with a small gallery, was built by Gamaliel
King and Joseph Moser, at a cost of 15,000, and was dedi-
cated April 6th, 1824, by the venerable Bishop George, who
was assisted in the remaining services of the day by the
sainted Summerfield and Rev. John Hannah, a delegate
from the British Conference; thirteen candidates for the
ministrv being also ordained by the bishop on the same
occasion.
Among the original members were: Andrew Mercein, Joshua
Rogers, John Cole and Benjamin Prince. In 1828, a par-
sonage was erected near the church, and the congregation
continued under the watchful eye and careful nursing of its
devoted parent until it attained its twelfth year, 1835, when
it was " set off " and " set up " for itself.
The church building was altered and enlarged in 1835; and,
in 1851. a large and substantial brick building was erected, at
a cost of $13,000. In 1853, the ground was donated by Rutson
Suckley and sister, on which a lecture- room and school
building were erected. The Sunday-school was org. 1832, in
a room on the corner of Prospect and Charles streets. Mrs.
Charles Carpenter (wife of the pastor) and Mrs. Bethnel
Rogers, gathered in the children from the neighborhood.
There were 70 present at the first meeting. The first superin-
tendent was George Booth, popularly known as Father
Booth. The female superintendent was Miss Catherine
Nichols.
Ministry: 1825-'26, Stephen L. Stillman; 1827-'28, Seymour
Landon; 1829-"30, James Covel; 1831-'32, Charles Carpenter;
]833-'34. John Luckey; 1885-'36, Raphael Gilbert; 1837-'38,
J. L. Gilder; 1839-'40, E. G. Griswold; 1841-42, Seymour Lan-
don, second term; 1843, John Poisall; 1844-"45, Buel Goodsell;
1846-'47, Phineas Rice; 1848-'49, William C. Hoyt; 1850-51,
Joseph Law; 1852-'53, J. L. Gilder, second term; 1854-55,
George Woodruff; ]850-'57, Charles Kelspy; 1858-'59, John E.
Searles; 1860-'61, Elisha Sands; 1862-"63, William H. Boole;
1864, Rufus Putney; 1865-'66-"67, Stephen Rushmore; 1868-'69,
Charles Backman; 1870-'71-"72, James V. Saunders; 1873-'74,
Charles W. Fordham; 187o-'76-'77, J. L. Gilder, third term;
1878-'79-'80, A .C. Stevens; 1881-'82, Duncan McGregor.
Washington Street M. E. Church (Washington street, be-
tween Concord and Tillary streets) was erected in 1831, at a
cost of .|15.000, and was set off as a separate station in 1835.
It was then on the outskirts of the city, which has since
grown around it until it has become the centre of a dense
population, and the parent of several of the most flourishing
churches of the community.
Ministry (since it became a separate charge in 1835): Revs.
Stephen Remington. 1835-7; J. B. Stratten, Robert Seney,
1837-8 and 1847-48; James Floy, D. D., 1841-2; James
Sewell, 1842-'43; Charles W. Carpenter, 184.5-'46; Daniel
Curry, D. D., 1849-'.50; John Crawford, 1851-'52; John Kenne-
day, D. D., 1852-54 (two terms); Robert M. Hatfield, 1854-57;
Charles Shelling, 1856-'57; Jno. Kenneday, 1858-59; M. L.
Scudder, 1860; F. S. De Hass, 1861-'62; W. F. Watkins, 1863
-65; A. S. Hunt, 1866-68; 1869-"70-'71, C. E. Harris; 1872-
'73-'74, John E. Searles; 1875-'76-'77, Daniel Goodsell; 1878-
'79, D. O. Ferris; 1880-'83, R. T. McNichol.
The church and chapel are valued at $75,000; the parsonage
(No. 265 Washington street), at $10,000.
African Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church (colored),
in the village of Brooklyn (Regular Line). The beginnings of
this church originally located on High street near Bridge,
have been noted in the history of the Sands Street Church.
On the 18th of January, 1818, it was incorporated under the '
above title. Trustees : Peter Cruger, Israel Jemison,
Ccesar Sprong, Benjamin Cruger, John E. Jackson, Min-
istry, (as far as known): Rev. Stephen Dutton, in
charge 1823; Samuel Todd, in charge from 1829 to 1837;
Richard Williams, in 1837-'38; Wm. Moore, in 1839-
'40; John Spencer, 1841-42; Edmund Cosby, in 1842-43;
William Moore, in 1844-45; Ely N. Hall; 1850-51; Israel
Pateison, 1854; William Gardner, 1855; James Campbell,
1856; James Morris Williams, 1857; Abraham Crijipen, 18.58;
Rev. Spekes, 1859; Richard Cain, 1860; James Morris Wil-
liams, 1863; D. Doyle, 1866; Nelson Turpin, 1867; William
Winder, 1869; Mowbray, 1872; James Morris Williams, 1873;
Theophilus Stewart, 1875; John F. Thomas, 1877; Jolm F.
Stansberry, 1880-'82.
1032
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
lu 1^")4. the church property ou High street was sold, ami
the present house of worship on Bridge street, between Myrtle
avenue and Johnson street, was purchased from a Presby-
terian society for $13,000.
DeKalb Avenue M. E. Church. — The first efforts leading
to the formation of this society and to the building of its
church were a prayer-meeting, called by Mr. J. B. Keyes, and
held at the house of Mr. John Robb, in Flushing avenue, near
Classon, in the fall of 1836. The first sermon was preaclied
June 18, 1837, in the new school-house in Classon avenue,
and, on the same day, the Sabbath-school was organized with
eight members.
In the fall of 1840 a church was begun in Franklin avenue,
below Park, and the society became a part of the Williams-
burg and Bushwick circuit. In 1841, the church"became a
separate station, with Rev. Marvin Richardson as Pastor. He
was followed by Rev. B. Stor}', under whose labors the so-
ciety prospered very much.
In 1846, the station was called East Brooklyn, and Ezra
Whitney became Pastor. The Pastors following were: David
Osborne, William Gothard, Joseph Henson, S. W. King,
Buel Goodsell, Julius Field and Joseph Law. Through the
labors of Mr. Law and the earnest co-operation of the mem-
bership, the present church was built, and dedicated in 1856.
In 1864, part of the membership withdrew and formed a mis-
sion in Tompkins avenue, which afterward became a pros-
perous church.
Pastors since 1856: Revs. J. S. Inskip, 1857-'58; G. Dunbar,
18.58-'60; A. H. Mead, l860-'62; R. C. Putney, 1862-68: G. L.
Gilbert., 1864; J. W. Leek, 1865-68; D. O. Ferres, 1868-71; W.
H. Warden, 1871-73; W. P. Corbitt, 1873; S. H. Platts, 1874-
'77; C. W. Millen, 1877-80; John Parker, 1880-83; Wm.
Burt, 1883-'84.
The church is now united and prosperous; membership
about 600, class-meetings well attended, and Sabbath-school
numbers 500.
The Johnson St. (old Centenary) M. E. Church (Johnson,
cor. of Jay) originated In the dissatisfaction of a large por-
tion of the Washington street congregation with the aii-
pointment of a preacher to that station in 1838. In 1839, a
new society was organized, and a church erected on Johnson
St., cor. of Jay, 80 by 50 feet, for $8,000, which was finished
and occupied in 1840. It received its name of The Centenary
Club from the date of its commencement, that year being
the centenary of Methodism. In 1868, the corporate name
was changed to Johnson St. M. E. Church.
Ministry : 1840, Benjamin Griffen; 1841, Jarvis Z. Nichols;
1843-'3, James Young; 1844-'5, John M. Pease; 1846, J. C.
Green; 1847, B. Griffen ; 1848-9, J. Law; 1850-'51, J. G.
Smith; 1852, Geo. Brown; 1853-'4, C. H. Whitecar; 185.5-6, J.
S. Inskip; 1857-8, Heman Bangs; 1859, J. Law; 1860-'61, T.
D. Stevenson; 1862-'3, Chas. E. Glover; 1864-'5-'6, William
McAllister; 1867-"8-'9, J. E. Searles; 1870-1, F. W. Ware;
1872-'3-'4, Francis C. Hill; 1875-'6, James L. Hall; ]877-'8,
Wm. H. Russell; 1879-80, Geo. Lansing Taylor; 1882, Barna-
bas F. Reeve.
Rev. Barnabas F. Reeve, born at Southampton, N. Y. ;
grad. Concord (N. H.) Biblical Institute; Prin. FranklinvUle
(L. I.) Academy, 1860-6; preached at Orient, L. I., 1866-9;
Clinton, Ct., 1869-'71; Amityville, 1871-'4; Patchogue, 1874-'7;
Brooklyn, 1877-9; East New York, 1879-81; Johnson street,
B'klyn, 18Hl-'4.
Mount Zion African Protestant Methodist Church was
org. June 18, 1842, and incorporated in 1844, under W illiam
Harden, a blind colored preacher, who supplied it till his
death, in 1847. The organization then broke up, its member-
ship mostly uniting with the African M. E. Ch. in High st.
The first place of worship was a rope-walk, and after that
was burned they met in i>rivate houses.
Eighteenth St. (Sixth) M. E. Church.— The first M. E.
sers-ices in this part of the city were held, in 1836, by local
preachers in a private house; the use of an unoccupied Re-
formed Church on Third ave. was offered them, and a class
was formed, in which were Hamilton Reeves, David Downs,
their wives, and others. After the use of the church was de-
nied them, they met in the kitchen of a Mr. Parker, near the
junction of Hamilton and Prospect aves. Here the church
was organized in the fall of 1840. Rev. William McAllister
organized a Sunday-school, with six scholars and one teacher.
A small chapel was built on 18th st., near 3d ave., in 1842,
which was supplied by local preachers until 1845, when the
Conference placed Rev. L. Saulsbury in charge. In 1850,
three lots on the south-west corner of 18th st. and 5th ave.
were purchased, and the little church was removed to the
new site. In June, 1855, two additional lots were purchased
on 18th St., and one on 5th ave. The corner-stone of the
new church was laid Sept., 1855, the church dedicated April
6, 1856. In 1881, it was decided to build a new church in
18th St. The last services in the old church were held June
4, 1882. The corner-stone of the new church was laid Aug.
1, 1883. The church is a frame edifice, about 50 by 80 feet,
and cost about $32,000. Ministry: L. Saulsbury, 1845;
Henry Hatfield, 184G ; Eben Heberd, 1847-8; Henry D.
Latham, 1849-50; George Taylor, 1851-2; William B. Hoyt,
1853-5; M. N. Olmstead, 1856-'7; Joseph Henson, 1858-9;
Sam. W. King, 1860-1 : Stephen Rushmore, 1862-3: Albert
Nash, 1864-5; George A. Hubbell, 1866-'8; Calvin B. Ford,
1869-71; Ichabod Simmons, 1872-4; Rufus C. Putney, 1875
-6; Robert W. Jones, 1877-9; W. Warner Clark, 1880-2; Jno.
Johns, 1883-'4.
The Pacific St. M. E. Church.— In Oct., 1844, a few Meth-
odists of South Brooklyn purchased the church edifice for-
merly occupied by the South Presbyterian Church, in Pacific,
bet. Court and Clinton sts. The first sermon was preached
by Rev. Dr. George Peck, then editor of the Quarterly Re-
vieu; Oct. 13th, and on Sunday following (20th) the church
was organized, as the fifth separate Methodist station in the
city, with 40 members. On the 18th of May, 1851, the con-
gregation removed to its present beautiful edifice, at the cor-
ner of Pacific and Clinton sts. It is of brown-stone, in the
Rimanesque style, and with a most attractive interior.
Ministry: Revs. George Peck, D. D., Luther Peck, 1845; A.
M. Osborn, D. D., 1846-7; W. R. Stopford, 1848-9; John
Kenneday, D. D , 18.50-1; John Miley, D. D., 1852-3; R. S.
Foster, D. D., 18.54-'5; John Kenneday, D. D., 1856-'7; W. H.
Milburn, 1858-9-'60; J. H. Perry, D. D., 1861; M. R. Vincent
and F. S. De Haas, 1864-5; Dr. Sewell, 1866-'7-'8; Charles
Fletcher, 1869-'70-'71; W. S. Studley, 1872-'3-'4; A. S. Hunt,
1875-'6-'7; W. W. Clark, 1878; M. B. Chapman, 1879-80; T.
Stephenson, 1882-3
Carlton Avenue (Simpson) M. E. Church, cor. Willoughby
and Clermont Aves. This congregation was org. as the Eighth
M. E. Church, February, 1845. Though called in honor
of Bishop Simjison, this Church has never relinquished
its corporate name of "The Eighth M. E. Church."
During the following summer a small building was
erected on Carlton, north from Myrtle ave. On the
24th of September, 1851, the corner-stone of a new
church edifice was laid. This building, located on Carlton
ave., south from Myrtle, was constructed mostl}' of
materials from the old York Street M. E. Church, of
wood, with brick basement, 43 by 97 feet, costing about
$10,000, and was then under the pastoral charge of the Rev.
Nicholas White. Ministry: 1849, R, Seney: 1853-'53, S. A.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
10.33
SIMPSOx\_M.„E. CHUHCH.
Seaman; 1854, J. H. Perry; 185.5-56, J. W. B. "Wood; 18o7-'.58,
Geo. A. Hubbell; 18.J9, Chas. E. Harris; 18(i0, C. Kelsey;
1861-"G3, J. A. Roche; 1863-65, Francis C. Hill; 1866-'07-'68, G.
L. Taylor; 1869, Rev. John Parker; 1870-'l-'2, Richard
Meredith: 1873-'4-'5, Wesley R. Davis; ]876-'7-8. C. N.
Sims; 1879-'80-'81, James S. Chad wick; 1882-'3, Henry Baker.
Grand Street, or Second M. E. Church (" Gothic
Church"), E. D., lor. Grand and Ewen; organized Sc])t. 4,
1845, with ten members. First Trustees: Lemuel Richard-
son, Daniel Maujer, John F. Lutlier, Robert G. Thursby,
Isaac Henderson, Charles Maujer. The corner-stone was
laid Dec. 4, 1845, and the edifice dedicated Nov. 26, 1846.
Ministry: 1846-'47, W. R. Stopford; 1848, John J. Matthias;
1849, Samuel Meredith; 1850-51, Wm. C. Hoyt; 1852-'53,
John Crawford; 1854, J. W. B. WooJ; 1865-'66, Seymour
Landon; 1857, Abm. S. Francis; 1858-59, Chas. T. Mallory;
1860, D. A. Goodsell; 1861-62, F. Bottome; 1865, Geo. Tay-
lor; 1866-'68, J. B. Merwin; 1869-70, George C. Dunbar;
1871-'72-'73, C. S. Wing; 1874, R. C. Putney; 1875-'76, W. J.
Robinson; 1877-78, M. L. Scudder; 1879-80, L. P. Perry;
1881-82, J. B. Merwin.
Rev. John B. Merwin, D. D., born at Albany, 1812; grad.
Augusta Coll. (Ky.), 1832; located in Brooklyn, 1866-'70, and
1881-'83.
Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, E.D., was org.
in 1832, by Thomas Wilson, in his own house in 3d St., between
North 4th and North 5th sts. From there the infant church
of twelve members removed to a hired room in North 4th
St. , between 3d and 4th sts. There Rev. John Churchill was
employed as the first regular preacher. He
also taught the first day-school for colored
children in the village. The next removal was
to the old Methodist Church building, on the
corner of North 2d and 5th sts. The church
then came under the care of the Zion Confer-
ence.
In 1844, on two lots of ground in North 2d
St., between Union ave. and Lorimer st., the
first church building owned by the congrega-
tion was erected. The corner-stone was laid
in 1845; the building was a plain wooden struc-
ture, unpainted, and never quite finished. In
18.50, the church building was removed to De> v,e
St., and destroyed by a heavy wind before
was placed on the foundation. The church
was rebuilt, but was burned in 1863.
In 1805, a church building on South 3d st.,
corner of 11th st., was purchased for §3,000,
and it was decided to build a new edifice, the
corner-stone of which was laid Nov. 5, 1882;
and the church was dedicated Feb. 11, 1883.
The first Board of Trustees consisted of Samuel
Ricks, Thomas Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Philip
Groomer, Jacob Fields, Oliver Fields, and
David Bush. The Pastors of the church have
l)een: Revs. J. Churchill, T. Eato, J. Chester,
B. N. C. Worrick, P. Lee, J. Spince, P. Coster,
G. Treadwell. J. P. Thompson, E. Matthews, J.
Wells, W. Marshall, M. Manning, W. Pitts,
D. Kenneday, P. Hawkins, J. C. Biddle, N.
Stubbs, J. Thomas, H. M. Wilson, and the
present Pastor, Rev. George E. Smith. There
are 90 members of the church, and 140 scholars
ill the Sunday-school.
The Bethel African M. E. Church was
organized about 1S47, a house of worship was
built, on the corner of Dean st. and Schenectady
ave. It was a small wooden building, capable of seating
about two hundred.
In 1868, it was demolished, and the present church build-
ing erected. It is a wooden structure, with a brick base-
ment, and it has about 600 sittings. Its cost was |600.
The Pastors of this church have been: Revs. Edward C.
Africanus, J. P. Campbell, Jeremiah Thomas, William H.
Ross, Geo. W. Ware, J. Morris Williams, William M. Wat-
son, William Rogers, Edward Thompson, William Moore. D.
Dorrell, Geo. W. Johnson, Francis Parker, Study,
Charles Green, John Frisbee, J. J. Mowbray, John Thomas,
and the present Pastor, William L. Hunter.
North Fifth Street M. E. Church.— In 1847, a Sunday-
school was org. in the public school, in North 2d St., with
W. P. Coleman, Supt. Soon after, a church of 40 persons,
chiefly from South 2d St. M. E. Church, was org. and placed
under the care of Rev. S. H. Clark, of the Greenpoint
Church.
In 1848, a frame tabernacle was erected in 4th st., between
North 5th and North 6th sts. The present church edifice on
North 5th, near 4th St., a substantial brick structure, 48 by
75 feet, seating 500 persons, with well appointed audience-
room, lecture and class rooms, was erected in 1850. The
first Trustees were: D. B. Belts, H. O. Austin, H. Bodwell,
R. Bonsai, W. Johnston, W. P. Coleman, J. Briggs, R. White,
and J. J. Cox. The church is prosperous, free from debt,
and sustains a flourishing Sunday-school. Ministry: Revs.
S. Meredith, 1849-51; E. S. Heberd, 1851-'53; C. Gorse,
1853-'55; J. Wildey, 1855-'56; C. T. Mallory, 1856-'58; M.
1034
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Staples, 1858-'60; J. D. Bouton, 1860-'62; S. W. King, 186a-'63;
H. F. Pease, 1863-'64; W. F. CoUins, 1864-65; E. S. Heberd,
1865-'67; W. Platts, 1867-'70; S. W. King, 1870-'72; G. Hol-
lis, 1872-'75; C. P. Comer, 1875-'77; W. P. Estes, 1877-'80;
W. "\V. McGuire. 1880-"83; S. H. Smith. 1882-'84.
First M. E. Ch. of Greenpoint, Union ave., near Java st. ,
E.D., commenced from prayer and class meetings held by three
laymen, Benj. Downing. Chas. Huff, and one other. It was
org. in winter of 1847-'48, by Mr. S. H. Clark, who was Pas-
tor for two years; during wliich time the present site was
purchased, a frame edifice erected, and a lecture-room in
basement finished for use. Ministry: 1850, Harvey Husted;
1852, Julius Fields ; 1853-'54, Geo. Hollis ; 1855-'56, William
Gothard ; 1857-58, Seymour Landon ; 1858-'60, Buell Good-
sell ; 1861-'fi2, Geo. Taylor; 1863. John F. Booth; 1865-'67,
Henry Asteu: 1862-69, John W. Leek; 1870-'71, R. C. Putney;
1872-73-"74, W. W. Clark: 1875, G. A. Hubbell; 1876-'77-'78.
J. W. Barnhart ; 1879-'80, W. P. Corbit ; 1881-'82,-83, C. E.
Miller ; 1871-72, C. E. Harris ; 1873-"74, T. H. Burch ; 1875-
•76, J. S. Breckenridge ; 1877, S. H. Piatt ; 1878-'79-'80, W.
H. Simonson; 1881-82-83, W. D. Thompson.
In 1864, the congregation had so increased that a large
colony swarmed to form the church known as the Greenpoint
Tabernacle; yet, in 1869, tliere had been in the congregation
a twenty-fold increase in 20 j-ears.
The First Place M. E. Church originated from a survey
made in South Brooklyn, in 1849, by Mr. Charles Bridges,
under the auspices of the IVasliington St. M. E. Sunday-
School, for a position eligible for opening a Sunday-school.
Some Baptists in that part of the city united with the move-
ment for some months; and, when it was finally deemed best
that it should be a Methodist school, the Baptists amicably
withdrew and formed the nucleus of the present Strong
Place Baptist Church.
Church services were held, and, earh- in 1850, a society
was organized. Lots were purchased on Hicks St. , corner of
Summit. A church edifice was erected, but it was subse-
quently sold for $7,000. Lots were purchased on the corner
of Henry and Summit sts., and a church edifice, 53 by 75
feet, with a parsonage, was erected. As the lots faced First
place, the church was incorjjorated under the name, "First
Place M. E. Church. The lecture-room was dedicated Janu-
ary 13, 1856, and the church, September 14 of the same year.
The cost of the entire clmrcli property was |34,000. To
Messrs. Wm. B. Barber and Isaac Henderson the church is
largely indebted for its financial success.
Ministry: 1850, Rev. S. M. Clark; 1851, Rev. Gad. S. Gilbert;
1853, Rev. Wm. F. Collins ; 1854, Thomas H. Burch ; 1856,
Rev. Joseph H.Rylance; 1858, Geo. C.Robinson; 1859-61, Rev.
George Taylor; 1861-'3, Rev. Charles E. Glover; 1862, Rev. R.
M. Hatfield; 1863-66, Rev. Alberts. Hunt; 1860-'69, Rev. John
A. Roche; 1869-"72, Rev. Wm H.Thomas; 1872-75, Rev. Albert
S. Hunt; 1875, Rev. John W. Barnhart; 1876, Rev. Chas.
M. Giffin; 1877, Rev. Wellesley W. Bowdish ; 1880, John
E. Cookman, D. D.; 1882-'84, Riv. W. W. Bowdish.
Rev. W. W. Bowdish, D. D., born in Fulton, N. Y.; grad.
Wes. Univ.; was Prof, in B'klyn Lay College; located
B'klyn and New York, 1866-'83.
St. John's M. E. Church (formerly known as Third, or
South Fifth St.), E. D., was colonized from the First M. E.
Church of Williamsburgh, and was organized May 6, 1849 ;
its first trustees being; James D. Sparkman, Nathaniel Briggs,
Dr. S. Wade, Thomas Lewis, Wilham Y. Hemmingway,
Gilbert Potter, Wm. Morgan, Geo. W. Smith, and Geo. D. Hub-
bard. Ground was purchased on the corner of Fifth and South
Fifth sts. , the Rev. E. L. Janes placed in temporary charge of
the society, and services held in the lecture-room of the Re-
formed Dutch Church, comer of Fourth and Second sts., until
the completion of their building. It was dedicated July 25,
1850, by Bishop Morris. The congregation increased and
prospered, so that, in April, 1866, it was decided to erect a
new building, and lots were secured for the purpose on the
comer of Bedford ave. and Wilson st. At a meeting of the
trustees, held on the 18th of the same month, it was resolved
to call the church the St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church,
and a large sum of money was contributed toward its erec-
tion. Tliis building was dedicated April 3, 1808, the sermon
being delivered by the venerable Bishop Janes. The new
edifice is built in the decorated Gothic style of the 13th cen-
tury, of Belleville brown-stone, and has a frontage of 100
feet on Bedford av., including 20 feet of parsonage. It ex-
tends a depth of 167 feet on Wilson st., including lecture-
room, etc. There are five entrances from the outside, three
on Bedford ave. and two on Wilson st. ; and two towers, one
ending in a spire, 180 feet liigh. The audience-room is 95
feet in length, 68 feet in width, and 44 feet in height; with
140 pews on the main floor, and 62 in the gallery. The pews
are of black walnut, and capable Of accommodating one
thousand one hundred and fifty persons. There are, also,
five class-rooms, one Bible class-room, a lecture-room, seating
about four hundred persons ; parlors, kitchen, closets, etc.
The iSabbath-school room, which, including the infant-class
room, seats more than one thousand children, is the hand-
somest in the city, and a model of elegance and convenience.
The school has a fine library and organ, and is very fiourish-
ing. The windows are of stained glass, and the interior of
the structure, the audience-room, is, at night, lighted by
glass jets, arranged in a dome, similar to that in the House
of Representatives, at Washington. The choir is in the rear
of the pulpit, in a recess, around which are triple columns,
from whicli the ceiling springs in rich ribbed work, etc. Be-
tween these columns are tlie organ pipes. Altogether the
church is one of the most complete in the city. Tlie cost
is from $225,000 to $230,000. The parsonage adjoining the
church, on Bedford ave., is a neat, brown-stone dwelling,
built in the same manner as the church.
Ministry: Revs. E. L. Janes, 1849-50; B. Creagh, 1851-
'52, F. W. Bill, 1853-'54 ; H. J. Fox, 1855-'56 ; E. L. Janes,
1857-'58 ; W. S. Studley, 1859-'60 ; A. S. Hunt, 1861-'62 ; C.
D. Foss, 1863-'64 ; C. H. Payne, 1865-67 ; E. G. Andrews,
1868-'69-'70; J. A. M. Chapman, 1871-'73-'77-'78; H. W. War-
ren, 1874-'76; J. O. Peck, 1878-'80 ; Wm. V. Kelley, 1881
-'84.
Rev. William V. Kelley, D. D. (Wes. Univ.), born in
Plainfield, N. J., 1843 ; grad. Wesleyan Univ., 1865 ; Prof.
Math, and Sciences in Pennington Sem., 1866 ; Pastor, Burl-
ington, N. J., 1867; Camden, N. J., 1868; New Brunswick, N.
J., 1870; Buffalo, 1873; Phila., 1874; Newark, 1878; Brooklyn,
1881-'84.
This cliurch has been aptly styled "The School of the
Bishops," three of its Pastors, Foss, Andrews, and Warren,
having become Bishops, while Bishop Harris was once one
of its class-leaders; and Rev. Dr. Payne, under whose influ-
ence the present edifice was erected, is President of a Western
Methodist College.
Fleet Street M. E. Church, corner of Fleet and La-
fayette streets, originated in the action of certain members
of the Sands street and Washington street M. E. churches,
at a meeting in the early part of March, 1850. During the
same month, land was purchased for $4,000, and the erection
of an edifice, fifty by seventy feet, and two stories high, com-
menced. The congregation was organized in May, 1850, and
the new brick lecture-room was dedicated in September of
the same year.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1035
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1036
HISTORY OF KTN-QS COUNTY.
„ 1SW.
.1^
FLEET STHEET M. E. L'HUKCH.
In June, 1852, the Rev. E. M. Hatfield was appointed Pastor,
and the church edifice commenced. It was completed and
occupied in the early part of 1853, at a total cost, exclusive of
ground, of |27,000. In May, 1854, the Rev. J. S. Inskip was
appointed Pastor ; and was followed, May, 1855, by the
Rev. Dr. James H. Perry; April, 1867, by Rev. William
Lawrence; April, 1859, by Rev. C. D. Foss; April, 1861, by
Rev. J. F. Booth; April, 1863. by Rev. R. M. Hatfield (second
term); April, 1865, by Rev. B. M. Adams; 1868-'9-'70, S. H.
Pratt; 1871-'2-'3, B. M. Adams (second term) ; 1874r-'o-'6,
W. C. Steele; 1877-'8-'9, J. Simmons; 1880-1, John Pegg, Jr.;
1882-'4, Rev. J. Pullman.
In 1859, the parsonage was erected and the lecture-room
enlarged for Sunday-school purposes. In 1872, tliorough
repairs were made on the church and lecture-room, costing
about |4,000. The value of church, chapel and parsonage
with furniture and ground is estimated at .f 80,000, free of debt.
Rev. Joseph Pullman, D. D., born in Ireland, 1839; grad.
Wesleyan Univ., 1863; jirevious locations. New York, New
Haven, Ct., came to Brooklyn, April, 1882.
Summerfield M. E. Church. — Early in 1851, Messrs. Robert
Ibbotson, James De Gray, J. H. Havens and Daniel J. Darling
united in erecting a churcli on the corner of Washington and
Greene avenues, at a total cost, including furniture, of
15,800.
The present church was erected in 1856, and ded.
Feb. 22d, 1857. Its entire cost, including the parson-
age and two additional lots, was about $40,000; the
property being now wortli $75,000. The seating capacity is
1,000. Tlie eflScient services of Rev. J. M. Reed in superin-
tending the erection of the church are remembered.
Ministry: Revs. Chas. Fletcher, 1851-52; David Osborn,
1853-'54; John M. Reed, 1855-56; William S. Studley, 1857-
'58; George R. Crook, 1859-'60; Thos. J. Osborn, 1861; Chas.
B. Sing, 1862-'63; Levy S. Weed, 1864-'65; E. L. Janes, 1866;
J. M. Buckley, 1867-68; William S. Studley, 1869-'70-'71; J.
M. Buckley, 1873-'73-'74; Albert H. Wyatt, 1875; Gea F.
Ketell, 1876-'77-'78; C. M. Sims, 1879-'80; W. L. Phillips,
1881-83.
Rev. W. L. Phillips was born in Troy, 1850; grad. Wes-
leyan Univ., 1872; studied Boston Theo. School; located So.
Yarmouth, Mass.; Fall River ; New Bedford; Brooklyn,
1881-'84.
St. Paul's M. E. Church was formerly known as the Wil-
liam St. M. E. Church. Its buildings having been sold, the
society was partially disbanded, being
without a jiastor. In April, 1879, the
Rev. W. W. Bowdish, D. D., Pastor First
Place M. E. Ch., was appointed to look
after the societ}-. He met with them in
private houses until the present place of
worship was secured and fitted up for
Divine services. On the 1st of May,
the Hall on Van Brunt street was
opened.
The Sunday-school was org. May 4th,
with an attendance of about 60, the pas-
tor acting as superintendent. Jas. Boyd
soon became supt.; under his direction
the Sunday-school prospered greatly and
. , in membership increased to 250. Too
^' I great honor cannot be given to him for
' '' his devotion to this work. During the
first year, the pulpit was supplied by
'~ students from Drew Theological Semi-
nary who contributed much towards the
success of tlie work. At the close of the
year, 62 members in full connection and 20 probationers
were reported.
Rev. Wni. Burt was appointed as Pastor in April, 1880. He
remained three years doing efficient work. At the close of
his pastorate, he reported 117 full members and 19 proba-
tioners. The Rev. Millard F. Compton succeeded as Pastor
in April, 1883. The church has been a great blessing to this
part of Brooklyn. Statistics cannot represent the work of
this heroic band of Christians. It is situated in the 12th
Ward of the city of Brooklyn, upon emphatically missionary
ground. The woi-k is among the men who follow our canals;
sailors; the men employed in the Atlantic Dock, the Erie Basin
and the ship-jards and factories that line the shore of the
12th Ward.
The congregation worship at present in a " hired room " on
Van Brunt st. The society expects to build a church, in the
near future, on their property, corner of Richards and Sullivan
streets.
Warren Street M. E. Church.— Prior to 1852, a small
room, for religious meetings was fitted up at 313 Baltic St.,
by Caleb Leverich. In 1852, he set ajiart the upper stories of
three contiguous houses, in Butler St., for the use of tha
Hedding Mission, which was established during that year.
In 1853, the mission was united with that of Hicks St.;
but, on the formation of the Hicks Street Church, it was left
alone; and, in 1855, it removed to the old Reformed Dutch
Church, on the corner of Court and Butler sts. ; soon after-
ward, to a hall, cor. of Court and Sackett sts.; and in 1858,
to the parlor of a house on Warren st.
In 1859, the church was incorporated mider its present
name, and the site of the present church building, on War-
ren St., was purchased for !i;7,150. The corner-stone of the
church building was laid Nov. 10th, 1859, the basement was
dedicated June 24th, 1860, and the audience-room July 14th,
1861. Its cost was about $22,750.
In 1869, it was renovated and refurnished at an expense of
$2,600. It is a brick structure. While the society was a
mission it was sup])lied by the Local Preachers' Association,
and Matthias E. Willing, 1852, William F. Collins, 1853, Al-
bert Nash, 1854-55; Joseph Palmer, 1856-'57, ofHciated.
The first Pastor, after the organization of the church, was
Joseph Law; succeeded by Revs. John Mitchell, 1861; Abram
S. Francis, 1862-"63; Elisha Sands, 1864-'65; Wellesley W.
Bowdish, 1866-'67-'68; George A. Hubbell, 1869-'70-'71; Ed-
win F. Hadley, 1872; J. V. Saunders, 1873; John Parker,
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATION'S
lOSY
1874-'75-'76; C. W. Gallagher, 1877-'78-'79; Spencer H. Bray,
1880; A. Stevens, 1881; A. S. Kavanagh, 1883-83.
Summerfield M. E. Mission, Park ave., bet. Spencer and
Wahvortli sts., is the continuation of the East Brooklyn First
Mission Sabbath-school and Society, founded in Oct., 1851,
by the Rev. Harvey Newcomb. The first building occupied
by it was an academy building in Skillman st.
In 18r)3, the society was org., and lots purchased on Park,
ave., bet. Spencer and Walworth sts., where a wooden chapel
was built, and opened first in Feb., 1861. This was enlarged
in 1869, and will now accommodate 300 people.
From its foundation to 1874, it was conducted by workers
cliiefly from the Franklin Avenue Presbyterian Church.
During nearly the whole of this time, the Sabbath-school,
which was its chief feature, was superintended by Mr. John
C. Cook, of that church.
In 1874, it was relinquished to the M. E. Ch., a society of
which denomination was org. in it, largely by the labors of
the late Rev. A. S. Francis, in recognition of which, the
church that was formed was called the Francis M. E. Church.
Ministry: Revs. Brower, 1877; Nathan Hubbell. 1878; J.
Pilkinton, 1880; J. S. Whedon, 1881. W. Platts, 1883.
In the spring of 1883, the organization, which had strug-
gled under great difficulties in its history, was taken under
the care of the Summerfield M. E. Church of Washington
are., and its name changed to its present style, the Summer-
field Mission. Its present Pastor is the Rev. William Platts.
Its membership is 60. The membership of tlio Sabbath-
school is 200.
The South Third M. E. Church, cor. Union ave., E. D.,
was org. 1854, by members from the old South 3d Street
Church. Ministry: 1854-'55, A. S. Francis; 1856, L. C.
Cheney; 1857, Daniel Curry; 1858-'59, Sam. W. King; 1860-61,
J. S. Peck; 1863, Benj. Pillsbury; 1864-'65, J. S. Inskip;
1866-'68, A. C. Eggleston; 1869-'70-'71,W.T. Hill; 1873-'73-'74,
F. W. Ware; 1875-'76, I. Simmons; 1877-78-'79, W. C. Steele;
1880-'81-'83, A. S. Graves; 1883, F. Brown.
The First German M. E. Church of Brooklyn, was org.
in 1855, with about 25 members. They vv'orshiped first in a
private house in Atlantic street.
In 1857, the present house of worship was built on Wyckoflf
street, bet. Smith and Hoyt sts. It is a brick building, with
300 sittings. The church is now called the Wyckoff Street
M. E. Church.
The Pastors of this church have been Rev. J. W. Freind,
1858-'59; Frederick F. Zimmerman, 1860-'61; Henry Rasten-
deick, 1862-63; Frederick Bonn, 1864; William H. Kurth,
1865-'66-'67; Francis G. Gratz, 1868; F. Rey, 1869; George
Abele, 1870-'71; Christian F. Grimm, 1873-'73-'74; Jacob
Wolff, 1875-'76-'77; C. Jost, 1878-79-80; C. A. Brockmeier,
1881.
The New York Ave. M. E. Church originated in a prayer
meeting which was established in the latter part of 1855, on
the old Clove road, near the present Eastern Parkway, by
John McKillop, a local preacher, and his wife. Meetings
were at first held in a private house; but, in March, 1856, a
house was hired for a temporary chapel. In June of the
same year a church organization was effected, under the
name, "Nathan Bangs M. E. Church." A plain church
building was erected on what is now Nostrand ave., between
Butler and Douglass sts., and ded. in March, 1857. Its cost
■was 14,376. In 1873, the property of St. Andrew's P. E.
Church, on New York ave. was purchased for $13,500, and
the present name adojited.
In the latter part of 1880, the building was thoroughly ren-
ovated and enlarged, and a chapel, 90 by 24 feet, erected.
The seating capacity of the church is about 500.
While the church was known as the Nathan Bangs Church,
it was served by the following Ministers : 1857-'8, Rev. S. H.
Piatt; 1859-60, A. S. Hunt; 1861, A. C. Eggleston; 1862-3 ;
W. F. Hatfield; 1864. John McKillop (local preacher); 1865-'6,
H. P. Shepherd; 1867-'8, John McKillop; 1869, A. S. Francis,
1870, to April, 1873, D. McMullen. Subsequent Ministry: H.
B. Hibben and D. H. Hanebergh, till April, 1874; 1874-'5-'6,
G. L. Westgate; 1877, T. R. Sheer, J. T. Gracey; 1878-'9-'80,
D. A. Goodsell; 1881, L. S. Weed, D. D.; 1873, N. G. Chee-
ney.
Hanson Place M. E. Church, Hanson place, cor. of St.
Felix St., was first Dean St. M. E. Church, which was reorg.
January 3, 1858, under its present name. In that year a
very neat and commodious church edifice was erected, and
dedicated by Bishop Janes Jan. 3, 1858. When it was
opened, there were but seventy members of the church.
There are now 1,100. Pastors: Rev. Joseph Law; 1859-60,
James H. Perry; 1861-'2. Cyrus D. Foss; 1863-'4-'5, G. W.
Woodruff; 1866-'7-'8, W. F. Watkins; 1869-70-1, A. S. Hunt;
1873-'3-'4, Emory F. Haynes; 1875-'6-'7, Geo. E. Reed; 1878
-■9-80, J. M. Buckley, D. D.; 1881-'2-'3, J. O. Peck, D. D.
In 1873, the church was taken down and a larger edifice
erected on the same site; and the new house was dedicated,
also, by Bishop Janes, on the first Sunday in January, 1873.
This building is faced with Philadelphia brick, and trimmed
with Ohio free-stone. The auditorium is of the ampliitheatre
form, and has two galleries. Its seating capacity is 1,500.
At the rear of the church is a Sabbath-school room and
chapel, with accommodations for 1,000, and with the usual
class-rooms, etc. The Christian- Union connected with the
church numbers 180 members, and presents attractive pro-
grammes at its semi-monthly meetings. OFFICERS, 1883-'4 :
R. E. Selmes, Pres.; E. M. Travis, Vice-Pres.; Chauncey W.
Browne, Rec. Sec; Louise Gilbert, Cor. Sec; Chas. R. Ran-
dall, Treas.
Rev. J. O. Peck, D. D., born in Groton,Vt. ; grad. Amherst,
1862; author of published sermons; located at No. Amherst,
1860; Chicopee Falls, 1861; Chelsea, Mass., 1863-3; Lowell,
1864-'6; Worcester, 1867-9; Springfield, 1870-'2; Chicago,
1873-5; Baltimore, 1H75-8; Brooklyn, 1878-83.
Janes Methodist Episcopal Church, Reid ave., cor. Mon-
roe St., had its origin as Janes Mission, in a Sunday School
organized in a private house in June, 1858, by Daniel North-
rup, of Washington Avenue Metliodist Episcopal Church.
Ebenezer Willson and wife, of Nathan Bangs' Church on
Clove road (now New York Avenue Church), afterward hired
a house on the cor. of Patchen ave. and Madison st., where
the Sunday-school was continued with class-meeting, prayer-
meeting and occasional preaching. The building was desig-
nated by a white flag by day, and a lantern by night.
The preaching was for several years provided by the Local
Preachers' Association of Brooklyn, prominent among whom
was Rev. John McKillop, of Nathan Bangs' Church. Rev.
Job G. Bass, a local preacher, was acting pastor for about
two years. During his ministry lots were bought on the
south-east cor. of Reid ave. and Monroe St., and a frame
church erected (36x60 feet), at a cost of |3,600.
The first Board of Trustees were: Jabez Ross, John W.
Brush, Gilbert Draper, David B. Morehouse, John McKillop,
Ebenezer Willson and William Taylor.
The churcli was ded. by Bishop Janes, Nov. 30, 1859. A
year afterwards. Rev. Charles Packman was appointed to
take charge of the church, which then consisted of eleven
members and twelve probationers. He remained until the
spring of 1863.
The Pastors succeeding him were: Rev, A. C. Eggleston,
1863; Rev, Wra. H. Simonson, 1863-'4-'5; Rev. Henry C.
1038
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Glover, 1866-'7-'8; Rev. Wm. H. RusseU, 1871-'2-'a; Rev. J.
H. Stansberry, 1874-"o-'6; Rev. Geo. L.Thompson, 1877-'8-'9:
Rev. I. Simmons, 18S0-'l-'2; Rev. Robt. W. Jones, 1883-"4.
In 1868, a Sunday-school room was added, and the audito-
rium improved.
New lots were bought on the south-west cor. of Reid ave.
and Monroe st., in 1882, for $4,100. Plans were drawn for a
new church in June, 1883, by Mr. John Welch, architect,
90x6.5 feet, of brick with stone trimmings, to cost $30,000,
with a seating capacity for 1,000 persons.
The Sunday-school, which was really the mother of the
church, has kept in advance of her interests and now num-
bers 600 scholars.
Its superintendents have been Daniel Northiaip, Ebenezer
Wilson, Gilbert Draper, Peter Backman, Wm. A. Fitch,
Samuel B. Terry, Allen R. Jollis, J. T. McFall, Alfred E.
Pearsall, H. C. Stoothoff, Charles L. Potter, Hiram Bedell.
James H. Mcintosh.
Rev. Robt. W. Jones, born in Bethlehem, Pa. ; grad. Wes-
leyan Univ., 1871; located in Cochranville, 1863-3; Enter-
prise, Pa., and Philadelphia, 1864-'5; Windsor, Ct., 1868-'70;
Hartford, Ct., 1871-'3: Norwalk, Ct., 1874-'6; B'klyn, 1877-'9;
Flushing, L, I., 1880-"2; B'klyn. 1883-4.
Rev. Job Gabdiner Bass, bom 1816, in Charleston, S. C,
was Chaplain 90th N. Y. Vols., 1861-5; of Seaman's Friend
Soc. two years; of Kings Co. Jail and Penitentiary, 1867-84;
located B'klyn, 1855.
Nostrand Avenue M. E. Church. ^ — A mission was estab-
lished, in 1860, at the residence of Ebenezer Wilson, on
Quincy st., near Nostrand ave. In 1861, it was removed to
a building, erected for the purpose by Mr. Wilson, on Gates
ave. , near Nostrand.
In June, 1862, the mission was org. as the Gates Ave. M. E.
Ch. Having again outgrown its accommodations, it was re-
org., in 1865, under its present name. A place of worship
was erected on the corner of Quincy st. and Nostrand ave.,
which was occupied in April, 1867.
In 1876, a parsonage was built ; and, in 1881, the present
edifice (see opposite page) was completed, at a cost of $31,750.
Tlie total value of the church property is $70,000. The seat-
ing capacity is 1,225. The acoustic arrangement of the audi-
torium is one of the best in the country.
Ministry: Revs. Stephen Rushmore, 1861; S. M. Hammond
(1st Pastor appointed by the conference), lS65-'66-'67; R. S.
Rust, 1868-'69 ; C. E. Glover, 1870-'71-'72 ; M. Griffin, 1873-
'74-'75; James Pullman, 1876-'77-'78; Geo. W. Woodruff,
D. D., 1879-'80; Geo. E. Reed, 1881-83.
Rev. Geo. E. Reed, born at Brownville, Me., 1846 ; grad.
Wesleyan Univ., 1869; and Boston Tlieol. Sem.; located at
Fall River, Mass., Stamford, Ct., and Bklyn., 187.5-'78-'81- 83.
Fleet Street Bethel (colored) Af. M. E. Church was an
offshoot from the Wesleyan African M. p;. Church, Bridge
St., about 1861. In that year, the church edifice of St.
Mark's Church (Episcopal), was purchased at $6,500. The
congregation was, from the first, numerous. The first Pastor
was Rev. (now Bishop) R. H. Cain, followed, in 1865, by Rev.
Joshua Woodlyn, and he, in succession, by Revs. Theodore
Gould (now Business Manager of A. M. E. Book Concern), in
1868 ; Robert J. Wayman, 1871 ; J. B. Murray, 1874 ; C. T.
Schaffer, 1877; H. H. Lewis, 1881-'82; Geo. Dardis, 1883. In
1881, the church was enlarged, renovated, and refitted, at an
exi^ense of $4,000.
During the pastorate of Rev. J. B. Murray, the Metro-
politan Mission was established, by a portion of the members
of this society.
Greenpoint Tabernacle was commenced 1864, by members
of the M. E. Ch. of Greenpoint, under the leadership of Rev.
J. F. Booth. In January, 1870, a new and commodious
building was dedicated. It is of brick, massive in appear-
ance, surmounted by a high-peaked roof, is 90 feet in length,
by 60 feet wide, with a large extension containing class-
rooms, infant-class, and church parlors. The church affords
1,100 seats, with standing room for 200 more; while the base-
ment seats 700 persons. Value of real estate and building,
about $80,000. It is a prosperous church, with a very large
Sunday-school, and exerts a wide influence in the neighbor-
hood where it is located. Ministry: 1864, J. F. Booth ; 1866-
'67, D. A. Goodsell; 1869-70-71, Freeman P. Tower; 1872,
C. E. Harris ; 1873-'74, T. H. Burch ; 1875-'76, J. S. Brecken-
ridge ; 1877, S. H. Piatt ; 1878, J. W. Barnhart : 1879-80, W.
H. Simonson; 1881-'82-'83, W. D. Thompson.
THE WILLOUGHBT AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.
Th e Tompkins (or Willoughby) Avenue M. E. Church. —
In 1865,-^ many members of DeKalb Ave. M. E. Church
were dissatisfied with the Pastor sent them by conference,
the Rev. Gad Smith Gilbert, and, on March 16, forty-two of
his adherents withdrew and organized John Wesley M. E.
Church, but were incorporated as the "Tompkins Ave. M. E.
Church.''
Lots on the north-west corner of Tompkins and Willoughby
avenues were secured, and a Tabernacle, costing $1,900, was
immediately erected and occupied ten days later. Rev. Gad
Smith Gilbert became the first Pastor. The corner-stone of
the present edifice was laid April 25th, 1867. On August 2,
1868, it was dedicated by Bish. Janes. In 1872, a chapel was
added. These are frame structures in the modern gothic
style, with stained-glass windows. They occupy land front-
ing 100 feet on Tompkins ave., and 120 on Willoughby ave.
The church is 75 by 60 ft. in size, with galleries on three
sides and a seating capacity of 1,200. The chapel is 33 ft. wide
by 60 ft. deep. The entire cost of buildings and land was
$46,169.84.
On Aug. 6, 1868, a number of the members, who were dis-
satisfied with the conference appointment of pastor, withdrew
and held their first service as the Greene Ave. M. E. Church.
The Wesley Church became more and more involved in
debt. The membership increased to 230. The Sabbath-school
numbered 270.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1039
NOSTRAND AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.
1040
BISTORT OP KIJSTGS COUNTY.
Ministry as follows : 1865, Rev. Gad Smith Gilbert; 1866-
'69, Rev. Francis C. Hill; 1S69-'71, Rev. J. W. Barnhart;
1871-'74, Rev. C. B. Ford; 187-l-'77, Rev. Frederick Brown;
1877-79, Rev. J. H. Stansbury. In 1879, the debt was
nearly ^=40,000.
In March, 1879, the property was sold under foreclosure,
and purchased by the Williamsburgh Savings Bank for
$15,000. Subsequently, Miss Anna Oliver contracted with
the bank for its purchase for $14,000. The first thousand
wa-s paid by voluntary contributions from four men and
the New York East Conference. It was decided to postpone
the raising of the purchase price untU the church should
have demonstrated its ability to continue. The church and
donors of the first thousand requested Miss Oliver to hold
the property in her name. This she reluctantly consented
to do, at the same time declaring that she lield it for the
church.
A bill was sought from the Legislature to vest the title to
the property in the following Board of Trustees : Rev. Wm.
H. Warren. D. D., Pres. Boston University; Rev. J. E. Lati-
GRACE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
two women. A storm of persecution burst over this
woman's enterprise. Miss Oliver is a graduate of the School
of Theology of the Boston University, with degrees of A.
M. and B. D., and a license to preach from the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Boston.
ReUgious services commenced under the new regime the
first Sabbath in April, and about two weeks later a church
organization was effected in accordance with the doctrines
and discipline of the M. E. Church, known as the Willoughby
Avenue M. E. Chuixh, but which was never recognized by
mer, D.D., Dean of M. E. Sch. Theol. Boston Univ. ; Rev. L. T.
Townsend, D. D., Dean Chat. Tlieol. Inst.; Samuel B. Terry;
Mrs. Harriet Skidmore, Sec. W. F. M. S. of M. E. Church,
and J. C. Taber, M. D. The bill did not pass in three years.
Prominent official members of the clmrch were : Gilbert
E. Currie, Samuel B. Terry, Hester A. Chasty, Cornelia G.
Mitchell, Wm. M. Parrish, G. H. Hinds, G. P. McClelland,
Mary P. Tracy, Helen M. Weekes, J. B. Whitby, K. H. Cad-
doo, D. Lawsou, Laura E. Peden, Caroline Aspinall, Martha
Dibble, J. Leonard.
ECGLESIASTIGAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1041
The principles of the church were : 1. No debts to be con-
tracted. 3. No money to be raised by means of fairs, festi-
vals, or any similar projects. 3. No distinction of sex to be
made in any of the offices or work of the chiircli.
These principles were immediately put to the severest test,
for the church was stripped of every article of furniture,
gas fixtures, reflectors and furnaces, and tlie buildings were
much out of repair. The young society, at first of eight
members, used only the money voluntarily contributed by
the congregation that gatliered. They refurnished, gradu-
ally, the church and chapel, and repaired the buildings.
Meanwhile, the church became thoroughly organized in
every department, with Sabbath-school, prayer-meetings,
class-meetings, young people's societies and meetings, and
children's service. A temperance organization secured about
400 signatures to the pledge in four years; and is still in exist-
ence, having recently canvassed the Ward and obtained more
than 1,100 signatures against renewing liquor licenses.
The Sabbath-school was org. Aug. 24, 1879, with 1.50 mem-
bei's, and increased to 380. In the spring of 1883, on the
completion of her three years' pastorate, which is the full
Methodist term, Miss Oliver resigned. The cliurch would
not accept her resignation, and, in the fall, made a move to-
ward the erection of a parsonage. However, in March, 1883,
Miss Oliver again sent in her resignation, giving as her only
reasons that they were not recognized by their own denom-
ination — the M. E. Cliurch — and the consequences which flow
from a want of recognition.
The churcli voted to disband, and also directed their Pas-
tor to sell the cliurch property, as she held it only for them;
and to appropriate to herself the excess over |13,000 yet un-
paid. They liliewise directed her to sell the furniture, the
proceeds to be devoted to the poor of the church. She de-
clined to dispose of tlie sacred edifice for business purposes.
It was finally sold for |18,000 to the Brooklyn Reformed
Presbyterian Church; the congregation was disbanded, and
tlie larger part of the Sunday school united with the East
Congregational Churcli.
Embury M. E. Church, Herkimer street, corner of Schenec-
tady avenue, began Dec. 10th, 1865, when twenty -seven per-
sons assembled at the house of Mr. James Dundas, corner of
Fulton and Howard avenues, and listened to a sermon by
Rev. J. G. Bass. On tlie same day a Sunday-school was org.
with five officers and teacliers, ;iud ten scholars.
The first board of trustees was elected April 6th, 1SG6. The
church edifice was dedicated June 9th, 1S67, by Bishop
Janes.
It was enlarged in the autumn of 1876. The church num-
bers 275 and the Sunda3'-school 300.
Umhiry: 1 867-'68-'69, Thomas Stephenson; 187r-'71-'72,
S. A. Seaman; 1873-'74, Isaac J. Lansing; 1875-'76-'77, Charles
E. Miller; 1 878-'79-'80, Charles Bachman; 1881, Charles W.
Millen.
Grace M. E. Church. — The Seventh Avenue M. E. Church
was org. about 1866, by members of tlie Hanson Place Society.
The first place of worship was a small wooden chapel at the
corner of what was then Butler street and Seventh avenue.
In 1869, a chapel of brick, witli stone front, 98 by 56 feet in
size, was erected on the same site.
Grace Church was organized Jan., 1878; bouglit the chapel
formerly owned by the Seventh Ave. Church on Sterling
place; afterwards five lots, corner Seventh ave. and St. John's
place were purchased; a new church erected and dedicated
Jan. 21, 1883, at a total cost of about $80,000. The building
is of light drab stone with terra cotta trimmings, in the Gothic
style of the 13th century; the auditorium is 60 by 90 feet,
with 600 sittings. The Sunday-school room is 34 by 94 feet,
and adjoins the church, the two opening together. The in-
terior trimmings of the church are in ash and cherry, with
fine frescoes in the Gotliic style. (See opposite page).
Ministry: 1867, G. A. Hall; 1868-'69-'70, C. M. Giffen; 1871-'3,
E. E. Andrews; (now Bisliop); lS73-'74-'75, Dr. Wild; 1870-'7,
Emory J. Haynes; 1878-'79-'80, John S. Breckenridge;
1881-'83, George P. Mains; 1883-'4, J. E. Thompson.
Trustees, 1883-84: George Copeland, Pres.; M. J. Goode-
nough, Treas.; J. C. Haddock, .S'ec. ; J. H. Stevenson, W. H.
B. Pratt, M. D., J. N. Kenyon.W. E. Smith, Jr., C. M. Brown,
Thos. Atkinson.
CENTRAL M. E. CHURCH.
Central M. E. Church. — This Society was org. by Rev. E.
L. Janes, in April, 1867, and commenced its services in the
building on South Fifth street, near Fifth, formerly occupied
by the Society now constituting the St. John's Church on
Bedford ave. The original valuation of the church property,
including the Parsonage, was .f 33,000. The membership at the
beginning was about 130, and the names of the original Trus-
tees were: James A. Bradley, John S. Shelley, James H.
Briggs, William H. Hanford, John Gav, Daniel Maujer, Jr.
Its successive Pastors, after Rev. E. L. Janes, have been:
Rev. Benj. M. Adams, Rev. Spencer Bray, Rev. Dr. J. L.
Peck, Rev. B. M. Adams, Rev. Dr. Thos. Burch, Rev. Dr. F.
S. DeHass, Rev. Dr. J. E. Cookman. The present member-
ship is about five hundred, with a Sunday-school of five hun-
dred scholars on register.
Its classes and prayer-meetings are large and spiritual.
Rev. John E. Cookman, D. D., born 1836, at Carlisle, Pa.;
grad. Philadelphia College, 1854, and at School of Theology,
Boston University; previous locations. New York, Boston,
Poughkeepsie; settled in Brooklyn, April, 1880.
Leonard Street M. E. Church, Leonard, cor. Conselyea,
org. in November, 1867, in a room at the cor. Skillman
and Leonard, which was dedicated Dec. 8th. The church
was incorporated as the Hatfield M. E. Church ; and its
corner-stone was laid in Octolier, 1868. The edifice is a
frame structure, 63 by 75 feet; seats 600; cost about $10,500,
and was ded. Feb. 14, 1869. Ministry: Revs. H. Hatfield,
1042
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
J. L. Hall, 1869-'71; H. C. Glover, 1873-'3; W. H.
Russell, 1874; S. C. Keeler, 1876-7; J. C. Thomas, 1877; G.
Hollis, 1877-9; H. Baker, 1880; W. HamOton, 1881-3. The
church has 130 members; the Sunday-school, 300.
The Mariner's Church (M. E.) was established, as the
name indicates, for the benefit of sea-faring men. The first
church edifice, cor. President and Van Brunt sts., was dedi-
cated June 2, 1867. This building was occupied about
twelve years. In 1879, a lot on Van Brunt st., between
President and Carroll sts., was purchased ; the present
house of worship was erected thereon, and dedicated, Feb.
1, 1880.
A Sunday-school was organized, at an early date, under
the supervision of the Pastor. The present Superintendent
is William B. Hoyt. Rev. Edmund O. Bates has been Pastor
from the begmning to the jiresent time.
Rev. Edmund Ogden Bates, born in Westchester Co., 1808;
joined Me. E. Conf. 1837; located at various places; at Wil-
liam Street Bethel, 1855-'62; Chaplain Amer. Seamen's
Friend Soc. 1863-'84; located Brooklyn, 1855-84.
Greene Avenue M. E. Church was org. Sept. Cth, 1868,
with 30 members. It was an offshoot from the Wesley M. E.
Chtirch of Tompkins avenue. The first place of worship was
a building on the corner of Lafaj'ette and Tomiikins ave.
The present church edifice, on Greene avenue, near Tomp-
kins, was erected in the summer of 1869. It has a seating
capacity of 400, and its cost was about $7,000. A parsonage
adjoining the church was erected in 1874, at a cost of
$4,500.
Ministry: Revs. A. H. Mead, 18C8-'9-'70; C. Kelsey, 1871-2;
G. A. Hubbell, 1873-'4; F. W. Ware, 1875-'6; C. E. Harris,
1877-8; Geo. F. Retell, 1879; Marcus D. Buell, 1880-'l; J.
W. Barnhart, 1882-'3.
Rev. John W. Barnhart, born in Marlborough, N. Y.;
grad. Wes. University, 1861; Pres. Fairmount Female Coll.,
1862-6; located Sag Harbor, 1867-'8; B'klyn, 1869-'71; New
York, 1872-'4; B'klyn, 1875-'8; New Haven, 1879-'80; Sag
Harbor, 1881; B'klj-n. 1882-'3.
The Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church was first a part
of the work of the New York Bethel Association. During
many years class-meetings and prayer-meetings were held
among the Swedes at their residences. About 1868, a small
chapel was erected on Pacific street, near Flatbush ave.,
and preaching was furnished frona the Bethel Mission.
In 1871, the present church edifice was erected on Dean
St., near 5th ave. It is a brick building, with a seating
capacity of 500. In the same year a church organization,
under the New York East Conference, was effected.
Rev. Albert Ericson was the first Pastor, succeeded in 1880
by the present Pastor, Rev. A. J. Anderson.
Cedar St. M. E. Church grew out of a Sunday-school in
Evergreen ave. , nearDeKalb. ; org. in 1871, with 8 teachers
and twenty scholars, and C. W. Cook, Supt. The following
winter they removed to Mr. Brundige's store, on Broadway,
and were known as the " Broadway Mission." There the first
Minister, Rev. Mr. Pease, commenced preaching. Soon
after, he hired a church building in Kosciusko st. , and re-
moved the society there. He was followed a year later by
Rev. John Perrine, 1872-'3; Rev. R. P. Christopher, 1873-'5.
During his pastorate, the society took steps towards purchas-
ing their present building from the Protestant Methodists.
The building was purchased for about $2,600; soon after, the
Rev. A. B. Sanford (1876) was appointed the Pastor. The
society incorporated under the name of the Cedar St. M. E.
Church, and removed to their present home and place of
worship, the first Sunday in July, 1876. The school now
numbered about 150 scholars.
Ministry: Revs. Mr. Sanford, 1876-'7; R. K. Diossy, 1877-'8;
C. K. True, 1878; W. C. Wilson, 1878-'81; Wm. Platts, 1881-8;
C. P. Corner, 1883-'84.
The school, from its small beginning, has gained in num-
bers, and now has (1883) an average attendance of 325. The
church is a vpooden building, seating about 350. In 1883, a
new infant-class room and lecture-room were built.
Rev. Charles P. Corner, born 1834, in Ontario, Can. ; at
Victoria Univ., 1857-"8; was at Baldwin's, L. I., 1866-'7;
Rockaway, 1868-'70 ; Rockwell Centre, 1871-'2 ; Thomaston,
1873-4; Bklyn., 1875-6; New York, 1877-8-9 ; Greenwich,
Ct., 1880; City Island, N. Y., 1881-'2; Bklyn., 1883.
Carroll Park M. E. Ch. was org. in the Spring of 1872, its
principal originators and largest contributors being Henry
Du Bois, Chas. Bedell, and W. J. Bedell. While building,
they worshiped in a store on Smith, near Carroll st. The
church was ded. by the late Bp. Janes, Dec. 22, 1872. It is
of brick, with Nova Scotia stone trimmings, and is 40 by 71
feet deep, with an L across the rear, 25 by 52 feet, contain-
ing class-rooms and parlor for social meetings. Its cost was
about 130,000, and it seats about 450 persons.
Ministry: 1873-'4, Revs. L. S. Weed; 1875-'6, W. W. Bow-
dish; 1877, R. C. Putney; 1878-9, A. B. Sanford; 1880, W. C.
Blakenian ; 1881, H. H. Beale ; 1882, W. H. Simonson ; 1883,
Jno. L. Gilder (till his death). Membership, 100; with an
average of 150 in the Sunday-school.
Forty-Fourth Street M. E. Church. — A Mission was or-
ganized April 24, 1874, in South Brooklyn, and rooms secured
in 39th st., between 3d and 4th aves., where the first session
was held, May 17, with 11 teachers and 21 children present.
Isaac S. Bogart was elected Superintendent. Soon after,
preaching services were instituted, and a room on 40th st. se-
cured.
About the 1st of January, 1876, it was accepted as a IMis-
sion by the 18th M. E. Church, and the Pastor, R. C. Putney,
preached there on Thursday evenings. In the following-
year, two lots in 44th st., near 4th ave., were secured.
April 2, 1877, Rev. Jesse Povey was authorized by the Quar-
terly Conference to take charge of the Mission. A frame
building, 25 by 50 feet, was erected in the fall of 1877, which
was dedicated October 14, 1877. The congregation and
Sunday-school increased, and the church building was
lengthened to 85 feet, in January, 1881. March 31, 1880, five
stewards were appointed, and the church became an inde-
l)en(lent organization. The first Trustees were: J. Bradshaw,
J. Bedell, H. L. Spicer, F. Purdy, and L. N. Haskins. Rev.
J. Povey was followed as Pastor, April 17, 1881, by Rev.
Nathan Hubbell, who remained two years, and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. George Dunbar, April 16, 1883.
Rev. John Johns was born in England, 1835 ; preached in
England, 1856-'72, and in New York, 1873-'9; came to Brook-
lyn, April, 1883.
Zion M. E. Church, corner of South Third and Eleventh
.streets, was dedicated Feb. 12, 1884. The new building is con-
structed of brick and is a substantial edifice. It has been
erected for the use of the Zion M. E. Church, of which Rev.
George E. Smith is the Pastor. The new structure is without
a steeple, though its front is relieved by ornamental brick
work. A large vestry extends under the entire building,
with class-rooms and kitchen and all modern church ap-
pliances. The audience-room has a seating capacity of about
five hundred. At the coming of the present Pastor to the
ohurch^the] society was found to be incumbered with a debt,
while the church building was in a state of dilapidation that
made it almost unsafe. The Pastor set himself to work at
once. The various churches were enlisted in a union fair,
which was held ia the basement of what is now the Lee ave.
EC CLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA IIONS.
1043
Academy of Music, which proved successful enough to pay
off the entire debt. A new church was at once proposed,
a building committee of leading citizens was selected, and a
vigorous canvass inaugurated. One gentleman generously
gave $1,000, and an anonymous benefactor in the Eastern
District gave $5,000, conditioned on the whole amount being
raised. Tlie cost of the church, embracing the adjoining
jjarsonage, was $10,400, and it was dedicated free of debt.
Zion's Chapel. — This chapel is attached to the Zion Home
for the Aged and Infirm on Dean St., between Albany and
Troy aves. Both organizations are under the care of A. M.
E. Zion Church of New York city. Tlie lots were bought
Sept. 20, 1873, and such alterations made in the buildings as
to adapt them for use as a Home and a chapel. Rev. John
H. Smith was the first Chaplain, and was succeeded by Rev.
H. M. Wilson, and he in turn by Rev. Abram Anderson, wlio
was followed by Rev. T. Wilhams, the present incumbent.
The Norwegian Bethel Ship Mission of the M. E. Church
was originally tlie Scandinavian M. K. Bethel Ship Mission of
New York. About 187.5, the Betliel Shij) was moored at the
foot of Harrison street, Brooklyn; and services were held
there till February, 1879, when the place of worship was re-
moved to a hall on the corner of Van Brunt and President
streets. In 1881, a new church building was erected on the
site of this hall, at an expense of $16,000. This house was a
donation to the mission, from Edwin Mead of New York. The
present name was adopted in 1881.
The Pastors of this Mission, since the removal of the Bethel
Ship to Brooklyn, have been: Revs. O. B. Peterson, B. Jo-
hansen and the present Pastor, Christopher Freeder. The
principal work of the Mission is among Morwegian sea-
men.
Sheepshead Bay M. E. Church. — The certificate of incor-
poration of a Methodist Episcopal CImrcli at Sheepshead Bay
was filed in the County Clerk's office Aug. 9, 1883. Trustees
and incorporators are: Supervisors John G. McKane. Alan-
son Tredwell, Obadiali S. Aumack, James McKane and John
Colwell. The presiding officers for the first year are: Alan-
son Tredwell and Obadiah S. Aumack.
METHODIST (NON-EPISCOPAL) CHURCHES.
The First Methodist Protestant Church, being the third
ecclesiastical organization in Williamsburgh, originated in
the withdrawal of thirty-five members from tlie existing
Methodist Episcopal Churcli of the place. It was organized
in 1833, at a meeting held in the residence of Brown Suttle,
on North Second St. The firet Board of Trustees was: Fred-
erick Dickerman, John Snyder, Benjamin Doxey, Peter Mer-
rit and Stephen Baker. A small but comfortable wood edi-
fice was erected and dedicated in the autumn of 1833; which
was replaced in 1850 by a brick structure, 45 by 70 feet, with
lecture-room. Rev. Ruel Hanks was installed Pastor in 1835,
followed by the Revs. William H. Johnson, P. K. Whitsel,
J. J. Smith. Samuel Henderson, William Millar, and the
present Pastor, Rev. R. Woodruff. The membership of the
church has been small, but is now increasing, while the Sun-
day-school is flourishing.
Rev. Robert Woodruff, born in Elizabeth, N. J., 1809;
circuit preacher in Meth. Prot. Church over 40 years; located
Brooklyn, 1879.
The Fourth Methodist Prot stant Church was organized
in September, 1879, with 14 members. The Rev. F. Kratz
became Pastor in October, 1879; succeeded in March, 1880,
by the present Pastor, Rev. Thomas BuUer.
The first place of worship was Greenwood Hall, on Fifth
ave., near Ninth st. ; then a store on Fifth ave., bet. Tenth
and Eleventh streets. The present church edifice is on the
corner of Fifth ave. and Eighth st.
The First Free Methodist Church of Brooklyn was org.
in April, 1874, mainly through the exertions of Joseph Mac-
key, who purchased the house of worship of the North Dutch
Reformed Church for $18,000.
In October, 1878, the church was reorganized under the
name, Brooklyn Free Methodist Church. In 1881, a new
church building was erected on Sixteenth st., bet. Fourth
and Fifth aves. It is a framed structure, with a seating ca-
pacity of 400, and its cost, including site, was $5,000.
Ministry, since 1874 : Revs. James Matthews, Thos. La
Due, William Gould, George Ekin and Fred. Wurster.
Rev. Fred. Wurster born in Freudenstadt, Germany,
1841; grad. Theol. at Phil., 1879; located New York and
Brooklyn, 1883-4.
PAUK AVE-M E rin.MrrivK mhtiiouist chukcii
Park Avenue Primitive Methodist Church, cor. N. Elliott
place. The congregation formerly worshiped in the frame
structure on Bridge st., which they sold in 1872, and built
the handsome brick church, 48 by 80 feet, on Park ave.,
%vhich they completed in 1873, at a cost of $40,000, includ-
ing site and adjoining parsonage. Ministry: Revs. Fred. Bell,
1873-'6 ; Joseph Odell, 1870-80 ; J. Finch, 1880-3 ; E. Hum-
phries, 1883-4. The church system has no bishops or pre-
siding elders, but is governed by the Annual Conference and
Executive Committees ; it maintains an itinerant ministry,
but pastorates are not strictly limited to three years. The
congregation numbers about 300, and the Sunday-school the
same. E. L. Frost, Supt.
The Brooklyn Primitive Methodist Church has existed
since 1839. In church government it is entirely democratic,
and all matters of progress and discipline ai-e settled by the
will of the people. The church is situated in Bridge st., bet.
Concord and Tillary sts. It is a wood frame building, the
inside plain and neat, and the religious devotions are ener-
getic and lively. All the seats in the church are free. No
further information concerning this church could be ob-
tained.
Orchard Primitive Methodist Church, Oakland st., near
Nassau ave., was commenced by a few earnest Christians,
1044
HIS70RY OF KINGS COUNTY.
who rented a store-room, cor. of Oakland st. and Nassau ave.,
and org. a SundaT-school July 4, 1874, witli the following
Officers: S«p<., Thos. Butler ; ^Isst, W. J. Hoyt; Treas.,
Jas. H. AVhitehorne; Sec, Jas. H. Bennett. Preaching ser-
vices were instituted the same month. In May, 1875, a
church organization was eflfected, and the following ap-
])oint«d Trustees: Thomas Butler, Jas. H. Whitehorne, C.
Montross, James H. Bennett, W. J. Morrison, Jacob Weiss,
Abraham Gamble, John Davis, Atkins Stover.
Ministry: Rev. Thos. Butler, 1877-9; J. A. McGraham,
1879-'83: W. H. Yarrow, 18S2-'4.
In 1877, two lots were leased on Nassau ave., and a neat
one-story church, 35 by 60 feet, was erected and paid for.
In 1883, two lots were purchased on Oakland st., and the
church building moved on to the same, raised 12 feet, and a
commodious lecture-room built under it. A neat parsonage
house was also erected.
The membership at the last conference numbered 103, and
the congi-egations are improving. Tliere is a good Sunday-
school, numbering 150, in excellent working order.
Rev. William H, Yabrow born in London, Eng., 1830;
located London till Sept., 1876; Shepardvale, Pa., 1876-'8;
Hazleton, Pa., 1878-83; B'klyn, 1881-'4; SiXxihoT oi Theology
Made Easy; History of Primitive Methodism; Life and Works
of Charles Spurgeon.
Protestant Methodist Ghurch, originated in a schism
which took place among the Primitive Methodists in 1839.
The secession first assumed the style of Wesleyan Methodists,
and hired tlie building that had been erected by the Primi-
tive society, and sold for the debt with which it was encum-
bered. The preacher of the original society went with tlie
secession. For a while the new organization apjieai-ed to pros-
per, and numbered nearly one hundred members. They
purchased a lot of ground on Kent St., on which they erected
a church edifice, which they occupied from 1841 to 1845,
when it was sold to tlie Roman Catholics,
It is understood that the society is dissolved. Fred. W.
Holland was Pastor, 1839-'40; George Parsons, 1841-'2; Wm.
Birch, 1844-'5.
Metropolitan Mission (Independent African M. E. Church)
was organized May 28th, 1878, with 60 members, most of
whom had been members of the Fleet Street A. M. E. Chui-ch.
The congregation first worshiped in the Brooklyn Lyceum,
Washington street. In September, 1879, they purchased from
St. Matthew's (Evangelical Lutheran) Church their house of
worship on Atlantic avenue, between Third and Fourth ave-
nues, for |8,000. It is a brick stnicture with a seating ca-
pacity of 500. The church prospered, and now numbers
300 members. Rev. J. B. Murra}- has been Pastor from the
time of its organization.
The following M. E. Clergymen reside in the city;
Rev. I. Simmons, born 1831, in Duxbury, Mass.; grad. Wes.
Univ. 1860; studied Concord Bib. Inst.; stationed Lynesbury,
Conn., 1860-'62; New Haven, 1862-"64; Bridgeport, 1864-'66;
Birmingham, 1866-'69; Norwalk, lS69-'72; Brooklyn, 1872-
'84; is Presiding Elder of New York East Conference.
Rev. Gf.o. a. Hall, born New Castle, N. Y., 1837; grad.
Wesleyan Univ., 1867; Pastor 7th Ave. M. E. Ch., 1866-'67;
State Sec'y Y. M. C. A., 1876; Special Agt. U.S. Christ. Com.,
one and a half years.
Rev. WiLBERT C. Blakeman, born at Bridgeport, Conn.,
1847; grad. Wesleyan Univ., 1870; located at Rockland, Ct..
1877; Whitestone, L. I., 1878-'79; Brooklyn, 1880; Parkville,
L. L, 1881-'82; Brooklyn, 1883-'84.
Rev. Alonzo F. Selleck, born in New York, 1806; has
been 30 years in itinerant ministry; located Bklyn, 1877,
Rev. Jasies Porter, A. M. (Wes, Univ,, 1847), D. D.
(McKendrix Coll. 1856), was born in Middleboro, Mass., 1808;
was trustee Wesleyan Univ., 1855-71; Overseer Harvard;
Trustee Concord Theol, Sch.; author of Compendium of
Methodism, 1851; Spirit Mappings, 1853; History of Method-
ism, 1876; and many other pub. works; located N. E. Con-
ference, 1830-56; Local Sec'y. Nat. Temp. Soc, till 1881; came
to Bklyn, 1S64.
Rev. E. Humphries was bom in England, 1853; studied
theol. with Rev. E. Mill ward, Eng. ; is Publisher and Gen. Sec.
of Conference; previous locations, Shamokin, Pa., 1874-'76;
Mahanoy, 1876-78; Tamaqua, 1878-83; came to B'klyn, 1883.
Rev. McClintic R. Barnitz, ord. as Bapt. Min., at Sag
Harbor, 1866; Agt. Amer. Bible Union, 1868-78; settled over
18th St. M. E. Ch., 1883.
Rev. William Burt, born in England, 1852; grad. Wes.
Univ., 1879; Madison Theol. Sem., 1881; located B'klyn, April,
1880.
Presiding Elders of the M. E. Church in Brooklyn and the
Long Island District; — 1785, Thomas Chew; 1786, John Tun-
nel; 1787, Thomas Foster; 1788, Henry Willis; 1789, Freeborn
Garrettson; 1790, Thomas Morrell; 1791, Robert Cloud; 1793
-'3, Jacob Brush; 1794, Freeborn Garrettson; 1795, George
Roberts; 1796, Freeborn Garrettson, Sylvanus Hutchinson;
1797-'9, Sylvester Hutchinson; 1800-'3, Freeborn Garrettson;
1804-6, William Thatcher; 1807-'10, Joseph Crawford; 1811
-'14, Freeborn Garrettson; 1815-18, Samuel Merwin; 1819,
Nathan Bangs; 1820-'3, Peter P. Sandford; 1824-'7, Labau
Clark; 1828-'31, D. Ostrander; 1832-"5, Samuel Merwin; 1836
-'9, D. Ostrander; 1840-3, S. Martindale; 1844-'7, J. J. Mat-
thias; 1848-'50, Labau Clark: 1851-4, Seymour Landon; 1855
-'8, Buell Goodsell; 1859-'61, Wm. H. Norris; 1862, Wm. H.
Norris; 1863, John Kennaday. * L. I. South Dist.:—186i,
Daniel Curry; 1865-'7, B. Pillsbury; 1868-'71, E. E. Griswold;
1873, T. G. Osborne; 1873-5, Chas. Fletcher; 1876, A. S.
Graves. L. I. North Dist.:—18U-'5, H. F. Pease; 1866, N.
Mead; 1867-'8, H. Bangs; 1869-70, J. B.-Merwm; 1871, H. F.
Pease; 1873-'5, C. B. Sing; 1876, J. L. Peck. N. F. Dist.:-
1877-8, J. L. Peck; 1879-80, J. W. Beach; 1881-'2, Thos. H.
Burch; 1883-'4, Benj. M. Adams. Brooklyn D/sf.;— 1877-9,
A. S. Graves; 1880-'l, G. F. Kettell; 1882, W. T. Hill; 1883-4,
Ichabod Simmons. In 1800, the M. E. population of the
U. S. was 64,894, with 387 preachers. Brooklyn statistics
for 1883: — Churches, 39; Church members, 12,885; Sunday-
schools, 91; Sunday-school scholars, 19,833; Valueof Churches,
11,367,700.
List of M. E. Preachers in L. I. Circuit, from 1784 [till
1845:— 1784, Philip Cox; 1785, Ezekiel Cooper; 1786, Thomas
Ware; 1787, Peter Moriarty; 1788, Robert Cloud; 1789, Wm,
Phoebus, John Lee; 1790, David Kendall; 1791, Wm. Phoebus,
Benj Abbott; 1793, John Ragan, James Boyd; 1793, Joseph
Totten, Geo. Strebeck; 1794, E. Cooper, L. McCombs; 1795,
Joseph Totten; 1796, John Clark, Jacob Rickhow, David
Buck, Wm. Phcebus; 1797, Andrew Nichols, Josejih Totten,
Wm. Phoebus; 1798, Andrew Nichols; 1799, Cyrus Stebbins,
Jas. Campbell, John Wilson; 1800, David Buck; 1801-'3,
*The churches were all In the Long Island District until 1864, when
they were divided into the Long Island South and Long Island North
Districts, the former containing the Sands st., York st., Washington
St., Johnson St., Pacific St., First place, Carroll Paric, Warren St., Wil-
liam St., 18th St., 7th ave., Hanson place, Fleet St., New York ave.,
Embury, Nostrand ave., Greene ave., Janes Swedish Miss., Norwegian
Miss. The latter contained Summerfield, Simpson, Park ave., Miss.i
De Kalb ave., Tompkins ave., Broadway, St. John's, Central, South
2nd. South 3rd, Gothic, Cook St., North 5th, Leonard St., St. Mark's
Miss., Greenpoint, First, Tabernacle and Orchard Miss. In 1877, the
former were made part of the New York District, the latter the
Brooklyn District,
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1045
David Buck, Peter Jayne; 1801, Billy Hibbard; 1803, John
Fjnnegan; 1803, Ezekiel Caufield; 1804, Cyrus Stebbins;
1805-'6, Ezekiel Cooper; 1806, Samuel Thomas; 1807, Elijah
Woolsey, John Wilson; 1808, Daniel Ostrander; 1809, Reu-
ben Hubbard; 1810-11, William Thacher; 1812-13, Lewis
Pease; 1814, Samuel Merwin; 1815, Nathan Emory; 1816-17,
Joseph Crawford; 1818, William Ross; 1819-'20, Alexander
MoCaine; 1821-'23, Lewis Pease; 1823-4, William Ross; 1825
-'6, Thomas Burch; 1826-"7, S. L. Stillman; 1827-'28, Samuel
Luckey; 1828, S. Landon; 1829-'80, Noah Levings, James
Covel; 1831-2, John 0. Green, Charles W. Carpenter; 1832,
J. Tackaberry; 1833-"4, Thomas Burch, J. Kennaday, J.
Luckey; 1835-6, B. Creagh, 1st ch. ; R. Gilbert, 3d ch. ; 1835, ■
S. Remington, 3d ch. ; 1836, J. B. Straiten, 3d ch. ; 1837-'8,
Wm. H. Morris, 1st ch. ; J. L. Gilder, 2d ch. ; Robert Seney,
3d ch.; 1839, Fitch Reed, 1st ch.; 1839-'40, E. E. Griswold,
2d ch. ; 1839, Benjamin GrifTen, 3d ch. ; 1840, Peter
C. Oakley, 1st ch. ; James Floy, 3d ch. ; Benjamin Griffen,
Centenary cli. ; J. Le Fevre, C. Foss, Williamsburgh and
Newtown; 1841, Peter C. Oakley, Istch. ; Seymour Landon,
2d ch. ; James Flo}', 3d ch. ; Jarvis Z. Nichols, Centenary
ch.; J. W. Le Fevre, Charles B. Sing, Williamsburgh; 1843, L.
M. Vincent, 1st ch. ; S. Landon, 2d ch. ; James Sewell, 8d
ch.; J. Youngs, Centenary ch. ; H. F. Roberts, Williams-
burgh; M. Richardson, Bushwick and Wallabout; 1843, L.
M. Vincent, 1st ch. ; J. Poisal, 2d ch. ; J. Sewell, 3d ch. ; J.
Youngs, Centenary ch.; H. F. Roberts, Williamsburgh ch.;
O. States, Wallabout ch. ; 1844-'5, H. F. Pease, Sands street
ch. ; B. Goodsell, York street ch. ; C. W. Carpenter, Wash-
ington street ch. ; J. M. Pease, Centenary ch. ; O. Starr,
Ebcnezerch.; Paul R. Brown, Williamsburgh; A. F. Beach,
Bushwick.
The names of ministers in years following 1845 will be
found in the sketches of the respective churches.
M. E. Churches in the Newr York District of the N. Y.
East Conference, 1884:— Summertield, Francis, Cook street,
Cedar street, St. John's, Central, So. 2d street. So. 3d street
"Gothic,'' No. 5th street, Leonard street, St. Luke's, First
(Greenpoint) Tabernacle.
M. E. Churches in the Brooklyn District of N. Y. East
Conference, 1883:— Sands street, York street, W^ashington
street. Pacific street, Johnson street. First place, St. Paul's
Mission, Carroll park, Warren street, 18th street, 44th street,
Grace, Hanson place. Fleet street, DeKalb avenue, Simpson,
New York avenue, Embury, Nostrand avenue, Greene
avenue, Janes, Swedish Mission, Norwegian Mission.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
The history of the Roman Catholics t>f Brooklyn, as a
body, begins in the second decade of tho present century.
Before that, the Catholics of Brooklyn were compelled, for
religious worship, to cross the East river, to attend St.
Peter's Church, in Barclay st.. New York, the first, and long
the only Catholic church in that city. The present Cardinal
of New York, the Most Rev. John SIcCloskey, is a native of
Brookl.yn, and remembers the time when he, as a boy, thus
crossed to the neighboring city. The Rev. John Power,
Pastor of that church previous to 1832, caused mass to be
celebrated occasionally here, in such rooms as could be ob-
taine<l. It is said that mass was first celebrated in Brooklyn,
at the residence of Mr. William Purcell, on the north-east
corner of York and Gold sts., by Rev. Philip Larissey.
Among the clergy who ministered to the Catholics of
Brooklyn in these early days, were : Revs. Slich. O'Gorman,
Patrick Bulger, McCauley, and McKenna, the latter of whom
died and was buried in Brooklyn.
When, on Jan. 7, 1833, a meeting was held to consider the
erection of a church, it was found by a careful census of
the Catholics in the village, that only 70 were able to help,
either in money or labor. Mr. Cornelius Heeney offered lots
on the comer of Court and Congress sts., as a site; which,
however, were declined as being too far out of the village.
St. James' Church. — March 2, 1833, eight lots were pur-
chased on the corner of Jay and Chapel sts., $400 being paid
in cash, and $300 more secured by a mortgage. The ground
was blessed by Rev. Mr. Bulger, April 35th. Just two
months later, a Iniilding committee was appointed; and, not-
withstanding tho difficulties attending the work, tho edifice
was so far completed that it was dedicated under the name
of St. James, August 38, 1833. The building cost, including
fences, $7,118.16. A school was at once establislied, but for
some time all efforts to secure a resident Pastor failed.
The Clergy of the church from its organization havo been :
1835-'33, Revs. John Farnan, Pastor ; 1833-'43, John Walsh,
Pastor ; 1836-'7, P. Dougherty ; 1839, PhiUp Gillick ; 1840,
Patrick Danaher ; 1841, J. McDonough ; 1842-'47, Charles
Smith, Pastor; 1845-'0, Jerome Nobriga ; 1847-'8, Patrick
McKenna; 1848-'53, Jas McDonough, Pastor ; 1849, Eugene
McGuire; 1849-52, John Quinn.
At this time, the Roman Catholic churches on Long Island
had so increased from the small beginning at St. James', that
the Holy See formed the island into a Diocese, and the Very
Rev. John Loughlin, then Vicar-General of New York, was
appointed Bishop of Brooklyn. He was consecrated October
3, 1853, and made St. James' Church his cathedral.
Clergy : 1852-'7, Revs. Eugene Cassidy, Rector ; 1852-'4,
Samuel .A. Mulledy ; 1856-'7, Thomas W. McCleery, D.
Whelan ; 1857-9, Thomas Walsh ; 1857-'60, John F. Turner ;
1857-8, Bartholomew Gleason ; 1859-'00, Robert McGuire ;
1859-'60, Robert V. Moyce ; 1864, Joseph Giraud ; 18(i4-'(i,
Francis J. Freel, D. D. ; 18fi5-'8, Thomas J. Gardner, D. D. ;
18(!7-"S, Eugene McSherry ; 1870, Michael Hickey ; 1873-'3,
John Kelly; 1872, P. Sheridan ; 1873-'78, P. F. O'Hara; 1877-
'78, M. J. Murray ; 1877, Richard Foley ; 1878, Ed. McCabe,
John O'Donohue; 1879-83, James T. Woods; 1879, M. McCabe;
1879, Wm. Dougherty ; 1879, John Joseph Mallon ; 1880-3,
Jas. F. Mealia, Jas. H. Mitchell. The parish has, from an
early date, maintained a school for boys.
Bishop Loughlin has secured a fine site for a cathedral on
Lafayette ave., between Carlton and Vanderbilt aves., and is
now erecting a splendid chm-ch, which will be the finest
ecclesiastical structure on Long Island.-'"
*The corner-atouo was laid with much pomp and ceremony, by the
Rt. Rev. Bishop Loughlin, on the 21st of June, 1808 ; and an address
was delivered by the Most Rev. Archbishop McCloskey, of New York,
in the course of which tho speaker thus alluded to his own earlier
recollections of Broolilyn: "And well may you rejoice on the day and
on the occasion which is to bo ever memorable to tho Catholics of this
city and of this diocese, a day which recalls so many memories, such,
in part at least, as were awakened in the hearts of oid ; for many there
are who had hardly hoped to sec this day. Of that number I can men-
tion one, and it is he who now addresses you. His first and earliest
memories jiro hero, lie first saw tho light of heaven and breathed the
1046
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
St. Paul's Church, -Court, cor. Congress st. Tlie plot of
ground originally ofifered by Cornelius Heeney, Esq., to St.
James', became, in time, the site of the second Roman
Catholic church in the city of Brooklyn. In 1836, the church
of St. Paul was erected here. It was a substantial brick
building. 73 by 135 feet, and cost about $30,000 ; the land
being then valued at §S,000 more.
The Pastors and Clergy of this church have been : Revs.
Richard Waters, 183^"40 ; Nicholas O'Donnell, O. S.A.,
1840-'7 ; James O'Donnell O. S. A., 1840-'4 ; William Hogan,
1845-'8; Joseph A. Schneller, 1848-60; Hippolyte De Luynes,
S. J., 1849-50 ; Joseph Regan, 1851-"3 ; Timothy Farrell, 1852
-••3 ; John Curoe, 1852 ; John McShane, 1854-'7 ; M. O'Reilly,
1854-'5 ; B. Allaire, 1857-"8; Peter C. Fagan, 18o8-'C0 ;
McGerrish, 1862-3; Robert J. McGuire, 1 863-80 ; V. Dallis,
1863-'o : P. Reddy, P. IMcGuire, John R. McDonald, 1863-4 ;
Ed. O'Reilly, 1870-'3 : Wm. Lane, 1870-3 ; Jno. McCarty,
1873 ; Henry J. Zimmer, 1873 ; Wm. Connolly, 1874 ; Peter
Maguire, 1875 ; John Hogan, 1877-8 ; John Loughran, D. D.,
1877; PhiUp J. Kinuey, 1877-9 ; J. J. Marvin, 1878-'80; Wm.
Giles, 1879-81 ; Wm. J. Lane, 1880-83 ; M. S. Boylan, 1881-
'82 ; Wm. J. Hill, 1883-'4 ; Peter H. Plunkett, 1882 ; Edwd.
M. Gannon, 1883-'4.
A school was early established in connection with this
church, and it was regularly maintained. The boys and girls
are under the Sisters of Charity.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
York and Jay sts. Corner-stone laid October 27, 1831, by
Rev. Father Farnliam, as an independent Catholic Church,
who afterwards abandoned his undertaking. It remained
unfinished for many years, when it was finally purchased by
Bishop Hughes, in 1840, who placed it in charge of Rev. D.
W. Bacon. He completed it, and, on June 10, 1842, it was
dedicated under the above title. Father Bacon remained its
Pastor until 1855, when he was consecrated First Bishop of
Portland. During his pastorate, he was assisted by the fol-
io wing clergymen: Revs. P. McKenna, I844-'5; Hugh Maguire,
1845-6; J. Viera, 1851-'2; B. Farrell, 1852-'3, when the present
Pastor, Rev. William Keegan, became assistant, and suc-
ceeded Father (now Bishop) Bacon. His assistants have
bean : Revs. P. Bradley, P. Kelly, Benjamin Allaire, P. V.
Moyce, Gaudentius Ballestrini, Thos. Farrell, T. Eeid, 1865 ;
Owen O'Brien, 1869-75, when the present assistant. Rev. C.
J. Gallagher, was appointed. The Very Rev. W. Keegan
was appointed Vicar-General of the Diocese, in 1880; but still
retains his position as Pastor, and still resides at the parochial
residence, cor. of Jay and York sts. He has built a mag-
breath of lite in what was then but the little village of Brooklyn. He
well remembers the clay when there was neither Catholic church nor
chapel, neither priest nor altar, within all these surroundings. He
1 jmembers when, as a youth, when Sunday morning came, he, as one
of a happy group, wended his way along the shore to what was then
cahad Hicks' forrj-, to cross the river, not in elegant and graceful
steamers as now, but In an old and dingy horse-boat ; going, led by the
band of tender and loving parents, to assist at the sacrifice of mass in
the old brick church of St. Peter's, In Barclay st. How little could he
then have dreamed ever to have witnessed a spectacle such as this ; to
have stood here In the capacity in which ho now stands, in such a
presence; to see the foundations laid and the corner-stone blessed and
consecrated by a bishop of Brooklyn, surrounded by prelates from
other sees and dioceses, by a numerous clergy from far and near, and
by such a vast and innumerable concourse of people, brought together
to take part, as it were, in the beginning of such a glorious work ; a
work which is to rear itself up in grand and goodly proportions before
the eyes of men, and stands a nioniiment of your Catholic faith, your
Catholic generosity, and your Catholic zeal; stands as a monument,
too, of Catholic genius, Catholic architectural taste and skill, and to
be, besides, looked upon, as it will be, as adding a newer beauty, and
another glory, and another honor, and another source of pride to
what Is already the renowned city of churches."
nificent school, a hall for the young men of the parisli; and,
at present, there is nothing wanting to complete all the de-
sideratum of a well furnished jiarish. The venerable church
has been recently provided with a new roof, and the interior
decorated in a most artistic and devotional style.
The Very Rev. William Keegan, Vicar-General
of the K. C. Diocese of Brooklyn. — The story of a life
devoted to duty in the heart of a great city, can be
neither romantic nor exciting, unless under very excep-
tional circumstances. Novelists may indeed thrill
their readers with the imaginary exploits of imaginary
characters, discovered active in the routine of ordinary
experience; but when for the eye of fertile fancy we
substitute the observation of plain common sense, it is
found that, even as navigable rivers have few falls,
perilous straits or whirlpools to be described, the careers
of men who carry forward the abiding work of society,
are rarely marked by amazing incidents. Moral and
material forces have at least this in common — that they
operate, as a rule, steadily, rather than by unexpected
manifestations. Perseverance, rather than audacity,
progress effected step by step, and without any of the
noise of battle, rather than a series of leaps and bounds,
mark the records of the men who, upon the whole,
have in settled states of society been helpful to their
day and generation, lay this, of course, no reflection
is cast, so to speak, upon the valuation of the thunder
storm. It is both sublime and serviceable. But the
chief debt of the farmer, none the less, is to the rain that
falls in due season, and the winds that are never rude.
The very reverend gentleman, whose work and
character are in this sketch outlined, rather than
described, falls within the unromantic category
just alluded to ; the category of tho.se who by pa-
tience, peace, good will, charity and an unwaver-
ing faith in justice, make the world better by liv
ing in it. This, however, we need hardly say, does
not involve a trivial or negative outcome. On the con-
trary, if the result be duly weighed, we shall see that
the need of an unostentatious labor is an imposing fab-
ric, made all the more enduring by the quiet sincerity
of the builder. Emerson, referring to the Abbeys of
England, says : " they grew as grows the grass," and
so, too, has the growth of the structure, in which Vicar-
General Keegan has been concerned, gone on.
In 1853, when he was ordained, there were in the
diocese of Long Island but 14 Roman Catholic
Churches, and 14 priests. One jiarish school alone rep-
resented the system of parish education, destined to
reach the proportions already attained. There was no
Catholic asylum, nor any Catholic hospital. To-day
there are 90 churches, 37 chapels and stations, wliere
mass is celebrated ; 160 priests; 75 parish schools; 20
academies and select schools; 2 colleges and 1 seminary,
IC asylums and 4 hospitals
When his work began in Brooklyn, the Catholic
population of the diocese numbered not more than
f
9mf ^fe^
SCGLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATION'S.
1041
26,000. The number is now over 226,000. This, as-
suredly, is an impressive tale told in few words.
Had this been wrought by the sword, historians would
have been swift to give the narrative to the world; and
the world would have treated the record with the skep-
ticism reserved for whatever transcends ordinary ex-
perience. But, due as it is to the unremitting efforts
of men and women, well content to have their deeds
unheralded and unsung, no other weapons than those
befitting gentle minds, it is accepted as if it were an
outcome of nature, as familiar as the rising of the sun,
or the rounding out of the moon. If the statistics
before us speak to any purpose with clearness, it is to the
effect that in no other field has the Catholic Church in
modern times gathered honor, power and confidence
more rapidly, and by methods more amiable, than in
the diocese of Brooklyn.
What Father Keegan's part has been in this cannot
be told. Nor to him, or to anyone alone, is the credit
due; though indeed, if comparisons were in order,
special commendation could be given to those who,
more than their fellows, have been distinguished for
their zeal, skill aud unwearying toil.
The record answers our purpose in illustrating the
magnitude of the task in which the subject of our
sketch has been, with others, engaged heart and hand,
and as to which he can properly say : " All of which I
saw, and part of which I was." It also indicates the
variety, complexity and importance of the interests,
which must be mastered and managed by the mind,
which demand the attention of the Vicar-General of
Long Island diocese.
If the Very Reverend Wm. Keegan was the most
commonplace of men (instead of being, as he is,
distinguished for breadth of mind, large sympathies,
and that art of arts, the art of ruling without seeming
to command), there would be reason enough for writing
about him, in the fact that over a quarter of a million
Catholics look to him as the right hand of their vener-
able and justly celebrated Bishop.
So far as dates go, here is the biography of the Vicar-
General :
In the year 1824, he was born in Kings County,
Ireland; a county by name, at least, significant of the
field in whicii he was destined to make a name in the
world. While yet a child his parents emigrated to
the United States, and fixed their abode in the city of
Brooklyn, in the year 1842, where the boy William
soon began the work of fitting himself for his chosen
calling. The family came here to remain, and it
still is represented in the citizenship of Brooklyn, as
well as in the priesthood. After a course of prepara-
tory education, William entered the Jesuit College,
then but recently established at Fordham, New York,
and was duly graduated from it in 1849, having made
a record for scholarship, and the other qualities which
secured for him, at the hands of the college authori-
ties, a teachership in the institution. As a teacher
he remained, until 1853; pursuing meantime, with ardor
and j)rofit, the theological studies in which he still de-
lights, and upon which he has been recognized as an
authority in the provincial councils of the church. In
the year 1853, he was ordained by Cardinal Bedini,
then Papal Nuncio to the United States; and, almost
immediately thereafter, was appointed to the assistant
pastorate of the Church of the Assumption, at York
and Jay streets, Brooklyn. ~ ^
When Father Bacon, Pastor-in-Chief of the Assump-
tion Church, was consecrated Bishop of Portland,
Maine, in 1856, Father Keegan was promoted, and has
continued from then until the present time in charge of
the parish. In 1880, he was appointed Vicar-General.
Although the life of Father Keegan has been spent
in the discharge of his priestly duties, and for the wel-
fare of his people, yet snatching a moment now and
then from this never-ending work, he has composed a
few lectures and addresses, which are rare gems of wit
and eloquence, and can be read at all times with plea-
sure by the lovers of true and genuine English litera-
ture. ~ -^
On the IGth of October, 1878, occurred the twenty-
fifth anniversary of his ministry, and likewise, almost, of
his pastorship. The event was made the occasion of a
Jubilee; and, whether at the mass of the morning,
where were assembled the bishops and priests of the
diocese, or, in the more popular demonstration of the
evening, where were gathered all the civic dignitaries
of Brooklyn, the men of letters and of social standing,
the address of the congregation but expressed the gen-
eral verdict — " Surely no words can frame a more
glowing eulogy, a nobler panegyric, than this assem-
blage." Hon. James Howell, then Mayor, abandoned a
birthday celebration in his own home that he might
unite with his fellow-citizens in this personal tribute to
Father Keegan. Hon. Thomas Kinsella, editor of the
Brooklyn Eagle; Mr. Andrew McLean, the present
editor of the Eaglej Mr. George M. Nichols, Alder-
man at Large; Mr. Dewey, editor of the Union; Mr.
Barclay Gallagher, agent of the Western Associated
Press; Corporation Counsel De Witt, Police Com-
missioner John Pyburn; Controller Burrell; Alder-
man Murtha and Assemblyman Clancy ; Doctors
Bodkin, Young and Griflin; Colonel David T. Lynch,
Mr. P. J. Regan, President of the St. Patrick Society,
and its other ofiicers, were all present ; and many other
notables ; while a great number of the reverend clergy
occupied chairs within the sanctuary. The Brooklyn
Eagle, in an editorial upon this jubilee, used the fol-
lowing lauguage:
" It is difficult to estimate the influence which such
a man must exert, placed as Father Keegan has been,
in twenty-five years. The men and women who have
been brought directly under his influence are numbered
by tens of thousands. To-day, there are gentlemen
distinguished in all the walks of life, who received from
1048
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTT.
him their earliest lessons in manly duty, coupled with
their first introduction to English education. In hun-
dreds of households the matrons were girls subject
to his guidance years ago. It needs a very mean soul
to take other than delight in the proof that opportuni-
ties so vast have been used as becomes a priest, a citi-
zen, a friend and a neighbor."
The programme opened with a procession march,
dedicated to Father Keegan, the music being furnished
by Professor William 11. Nolan's orchestra. This was
followed by " Gloria " (Twelfth Mass), by Mozart, Mr.
Thomas Ward officiating at the organ, and a full choir
assisting. The Rev. Father Malone then followed in an
address, in which he especially dwelt upon Father Kee-
gan's remarkable ability in the guiding and education
of young men. Rev. Henry V. Gallagher, who was
trained to the priesthood by Rev. Father Keegan, was
the next speaker; expressing the obligations of the
younger clergy to Father Keegan for the si)iritual
training which they had received at his hands. " The
Heavens are Telling " was then excellently rendered
by the choir, after which an address from the congre-
gation to their pastor was read by Rev. Charles J.
Gallaghei', as follows:
" Reverend and Dear Father Keegan :
" On this the twenty-fifth anniversary of your elevation to
the priestliood, and, it may be said, the twenty-fiftli year of
your pastorate, the congregation of tlie Cliurcli of tlie As-
sumption united tliis morning with the venerable Bishop and
the reverend clergy at a mass of jubilee and thanksgiving.
To-night we again meet to offer our congratulations on this
hapjjy day, and to give you thanks for the many favors
which we have received at your hands.
" This morning we returned thanks to Heaven for the zeal-
ous pastor; to-night we thank the prudent counsellor, the
faithful friend, the kind, indulgent father.
" You are, in yourself, in your life and labors, an epitome of
Catholicity in Brooklyn — its foundation, its progress, its full
and grand development. As a boy, you assisted at the first
mass celebrated in this church; as a priest, here, on this al-
tar, was offered your first mass; and here, first, your pastor-
ate commenced, which long may Heaven to us continue.
" Stauding thus as it were by the cradle of Catholicity, you
guided its steps in infancy, watched over its youth, guarded
and directed it in its progress; and whatever there is now in
its maturer years which finds favor in the sight of Heaven or
commands the admiration of men, is largely due to your ear-
nest, zealous and untiring ministration.
' ' Words — fervent and heartfelt though they be — can do but
faint justice to such a life. The children in your schools, the
young men in your halls, the thousands that crowd this sacred
edifice on each recurring Sabbath, speak more eloquently
than any words of your entire devotion to the duties of your
sacred calling and of the many claims you have to our love
and reverence.
" To you belongs the credit of erecting the first building de-
voted to the education of the Catholic children of this city.
There, education and religion, both in their highest develop-
ment, are found to be not antagonistic, but mutually self-
sustaining and elevating.
" Assumption Hall is another monument to 3'our priestly
zeal and prudent forethought. There the youth who has left
school and entered upon the battle of life, is not only afforded
every facility for self-improvement; but has likewise oppor-
tunities to form acquaintances agreeable and beneficial. If
to the average youth, the path of duty may seem rugged and
uninviting, wliat greater inducement to perseverance unto
tlie end than tlie assurance of good company and cheerful
converse on the way.
" But, while ever zealous among j'our own, while ever anx-
ious to promote their real spiritual and temporal welfare,
your labors have not been circumscribed by any mere paro-
chial boundary line. Any appeals made to you were ever
pn nii)tly answered by the generous hand responsive to the
warm heart. One instance out of many: the Star of the
Sea — a church, which, as far as mere human adornment can
attain, is not unworthy the grand and solemn purposes of its
erection.
" But why speak your praises in the presence of those who
know you so well? to this congregation, to whom your worth
as a man, your fidelity as a friend, your zeal as a priest, are
familiar as household words; to those young clergymen here
present, who, walking faithfully in your footsteps in their
youth, are now endeavoring to emulate your many virtues;
to the reverend clergy, your co-laborers, who, knowing now,
even in this period of comparative quietude, the trials and
difficulties, the obstacles and discouragements which the con-
scientious pastor has to encounter and overcome, can alone
truly estimate what trials and difficulties you overcame, with
what obstacles and discouragements you were surrouaded;
to our venerable and venerated Bishop, who so soon himself
will have completed the twenty-fifth year of his episcopate.
His presence, surrounded by his clergy, at the mass of the
jubilee this morning, showed that he is fully satisfied with
you as a priest and pastor; his presence hereto-night, joining
with the laity in their congratulations, proves the high per-
sonal esteem and regard he entertains for you.
"Nor is this knowledge of your great worth — your many
virtues — confined to tho.se associated with you m the sacred
ministry, nor to the members of your congregation. Your
good name and fair fame have spread far and wide, and to-
night a whole city — its highest otficials, its social leaders, its
men of letters — come here, and deem it no derogation to of-
ficial position, to literary rank, to social standing, to join with
the humblest Catholic in grateful testimony to one who has
been, in his holy calling, the good and faithful servant of his
Master.
" Surely, no words can frame a more growing eulogy, a
nobler panegyric, than this assemblage.
" On the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St.
Paul's, is this inscription: Si quceris moiiumentujn circumspic.
So, in a similar spirit and with equal truth, may it be said of
you, reverend sir, that no greater nor grander tribute can be
paid to these last twenty-five years of your life, than to see
you here to-night surrounded by so manv grateful hearts,
warm friends and sincere well wishers."
At the close of this address, a handsome purse, con-
taining $2,500, was, amid the applause of the congreg,a-
tion, presented to Father Keegan.
This interesting ceremony over, the Te Deum was
rendered with fine effect. At its close the Rev. Father
Keegan thus addressed the congregation :
" My dear Friends : There have been so many and such
pleasant things said of me to-day, and during this evening,
that I am at a loss how to respond to them. I never thought
for a moment that I could be painted in such brilliant colors
as the wording of your address has just presented me. You
might, in framing it, have had some more worthy subject
before your imagination, for I assure you I cannot discover
in it a vestigo of the original. It is not necessary that I
JSCOLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATION'S.
1049
should now go through the formality of expressing my thanks
to you upon this memorable occasion, and human language
could not, at tliis moment, convey to you the gratitude tliat
swells within my bosom. Tliis is the most important, as it
will be tlie most clierished, event of my wliole life. I can
only hope and wisli that my character were lialf what your
address has so elegantly expressed, and that ni}- life had been
such as to merit the munificent offering which you have just
presented me. It is true that we have spent together many
happy years, the best and most precious period of our exist-
ence.
" Twenty-five years of unbroken friendship and undimin-
ished confidence, between priest and people, is something of
which any man might well bo proud. We have worked to-
gether, we have consulted together, and we have knelt and
prayed at the same altar. And I, at least, am not anxious to
sever, at this moment, the golden link that has l)Ound us so
long in such harmony and love. We all have had our faults;
we have made many false steps. But we have endeavored,
to the best of our abilities, to perform the work and the duties
assigned to us. We may have been thought rash in many of
our enterprises, in trying to educate and cultivate the minds
of the youth of this parish. But let me tell our outside
friends, who, this evening, have honored us with their pres-
ence, that we have never entered upon any good work when
failure was possible.
" During this quarter of a century, I say it with pleasure,
I never appealed in vain to this congregation. We are, in
deed, very few in number, and our means are limited. But
a united congregation — a people with one heart and one mind
— is able to surmount every difiiculty ; and we always i-eceived
every kindness from our many friends outside of the Parish
of the Assumption. We have had the sanction and confi-
dence of one to whom we shall ever look with the most pro-
found veneration and respect, one who, under God, has been
the mainstay of all our ambition ; who never yet cast a frown
or uttered a harsh word toward us, no matter what faults
we might have committed. Our beloved Bishop has buoyed
us up, and always cheered us by his kind and fatherly advice.
We have had the sympathy and good wishes of our brethren
of the priesthood; for, I must say it in all honor to that dis-
tinguished body of gentlemen, that no angry, or unkind, or
bitter expression has ever escaped the lips of either young or
old towards me.
" But. my dear friends, it would be too tedious for me to
dwell at length upon the various topics alluded to in your
kind address. 1 can only hope that the bond of friendship
may be yet more firmly cemented as we advance in years.
And, if God spares us, we shall start again with renewed en-
ergy, and renewed zeal, in the cause which we all have so
much at heart.
"I will now merely thank you, one and all, in the name
of the Assumption congregation. I thank you, brethren of
the priesthood, in the name of our venerated and beloved
Bishop; and the laity at large, I thank in the name of its
chief civic officer, the iieople's choice of ruler, His Honor,
Mayor Howell."'
The exercises were brought to a close with the bene-
diction by Bishop Loughlin. As the congregation
slowly dispersed, the choir rendered the " Hallelujah
Chorus," and the orchestra performed a grand
march.
The jubilee at the cliurcli was supplemented by a
splendid banquet at the pastoral residence, to which
over one hundred j>ersons had been invited. The long
tables were loaded down with substantials, and the
hospitality was generous in the extreme. Bishop
Loughlin presided, and was supported on his right by
Mayor Howell, and on his left by Mr. Thomas Kinsella.
The speeches were by Bishop Loughlin, Mr. Thomas
Kinsella, Mayor Howell, Henry C. De Witt, Esq., Rev.
Fathers Keegan and Fransioli, Mr. Geo. M. Nichols,
Felix Campbell, Arthur Crooks, Vice-President of the
St. Patrick Society, and David T. Lynch.
Mr. Andrew McLean offered the following " Tribute
in Verse," which was loudly applauded. Songs were
sung by Messrs. Fitzharris and Thomas, and after an
evening memorable for its wit, eloquence and kindly
associations, the company dispersed.
When basking in the calm pure light
Of gentle hearts and kindly deeds—
Of souls that over tend aright
Through all the shifting shades of creeds.
We feel the joy the soldier feels
When, resting at the battle's close.
The uprolled cloud of smoke reveals
Strange allies where he counted foes.
'Tis well for us a generous power
Makes difference fade and manhood rise;
That not the most impatient hour
Will pass unless some discord dies;
That distance renders harshness sweet,
And time makes dull the edge of strife;
That every wrong grows obsolete.
And charity is Lord of life.
To-night I count ray difference naught
On any subtle schoolman's theme;
I banish wholly from my thought
The questions jarring minds esteem.
And stand 'mid friends w*ho love you, sire.
To blend with theirs my friendly mood;
To own with them how deeds inspire
That blossom into stainless good.
A thousand little children fair.
Who cannot plead with Heaven in vain;
To-night send with their evening prayer
For thee a pure beseeching strain ;
A thousand matrons, trouble-tried.
But cheered by hopes that baffle woe.
Kneel by the crib and cradle-side
To speed the prayers that trembling go.
Youths round us here with ardent look
Bent on the Future's mystic face,
Attest thy kindly past'ral crook
And patient, tireless teaching grace ;
I know, too, strong men at their toil.
From strangling passion lifted free.
Who, standing fast on honest soil.
Do in their manhood honor thee,
But as the beacon on the hill
That lights some shepherd to his spouse.
May guide a hundred feet from ill
Unthought of in the shepherd's house.
The annals cannot tell, dear friend.
How many lives thy goodness praise ;
'Tis only known the beams you send
Have lighted countless darkened ways.
Nor can it matter much to one
Who lives for good because he must.
If, like the radiant-hearted Sun
Who shines on all the stellar dust.
He hear not of the flowers that long
A thankful incense to return ;
Nor of the birds that in their cong
To chant his gifts with music burn,
1050
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Yet, well It is that after years
Ot labor In a noble cause,
Some noble, generous fruit appears—
Some echo comes of right applause,
To prove that he who sows the seed
For other hands to reap and bind.
Hath trreater glury in the deed
Than any selUsh soul shall find.
1 fain would add with furtive hand
Some trilling token to the mass.
Built high by those who understand,
The father thoughts that through you pass,
Some token that shall only say.
As chance eyes choose to turn it o'er.
He swept some mists of hate away
And made men trust each other more.
Rev. Henry A. Gallagher, Rev. Charles J. Gallagher
and Rev. David A. Hickey, the three clergymen who,
in their youth, were altar boys in the Church of the
Assumption, surprised Father Keegan with new furni-
ture for his bedroom. The Sisters of Charity of St.
Joseph and of the Visitation, and the Little Sisters of
the Poor, each made elegant presents. Dr. John S.
Thome sent a picture of high value and richly framed.
The floral offerinars were many and handsome.
St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, Seconil street, near
South 3d, E. D. — The first mass celebrated in Williamsburgli
(about 1838) was in a stable on Grand street, west of
Third, by Rev. Dougherty, of St. Mary's Church in New
York.
The first church erected in Williamsburgh was St. Mary's,
corner Nortli Eighth and First, org. 1841, and under charge
of Rev. Mr. O'Donnell. In 1844, Rev. Sylvester Malone took
charge of St. Mary's, and soon set about building a new
church. The corner-stone of the Church of Saints Peter
and Paul was laid May 11th; 1847, and the church was dedi-
cated in May, 1848. Rev. Sylvester Malone has been its
Pastor; with the excei)tion of part of 1881 and 1882, when
he was abroad, and his place was stipplied by Rev. Mr.
Gallagher.
Clergy: Rev. Jno. N. Campbell, 1870-'78; Rev. John
Fagan, 1870-'74; Rev. Henry Gallagher, 1875-'83; Rev.
Michael Killahy, 1879; Rev. Hugh Ward, 1881-84.
While Father Malone has held in strict regard the disci-
pline and order of the Roman Catholic Church, in respect to
the order aud relation of its priesthood, he has ever recognized
the duties growing out of the progi'essive civilization of the
age. And while enforcing religion on the consciences of his
people bjT the logic of its power, he has been careful that the
claims of religion aud of his church should not enroach on
tJie civil rights of tlie citizen, either to restrict or control his
dut}' to tlie State.
Tlie community of Williamsburgh owe a debt of gratitude
to Father Malone for suppressing the turbulent spirit of his
people during the draft riots in New York.
REV. SYLVESTER MALONE.
Pastor of Sts. I'etcr and I'dul's R. C. Church.
Father Malone, as he is called (not alone by his parish-
ioners, after the manner of Catholics, but also by the whole
bod}' of non-Catholics in the city, in which for forty years
he has labored with grand purpose as true man and true
priest), was born in the inland town uf Trim, about twenty
miles from the city of Dublin, County Meath, Ireland, May
8th, A. D. 1821.
All the conditions environing his early life, from bis birth
onward, naturally led to the adoption by him of an intellec-
tual pursuit, and to forming and develojiing him into the
broad, strong, earnest, hard-working, intellectual aud Chr.s-
tian man he is known to be.
His whole family had a bent for the higher callings and
duties of life. His fatlier was a country merchant in Trim,
but also discharged the functions of a civil engineer and sur-
veyor. His mother was possessed of fine executive ability
and strong intellect — both possessed in large degree by
Father Malone. She died only recently, at the age of ninety-
four years, with unimpaired faculties. It is said of her that
she was the wise counsellor of the country people through-
out a wide circuit. One of his brothers now follows, in
the old town, his father's profession as an engineer; and
another has been a 'eading physician in Brooklyn for manj-
years. ^
At an early age, tlie subject of this sketch was entered as a
student of mathematics and classics in the Academy of Prof.
Matthew Carroll, a non-Catholic, and a Fellow of Trinity
College. This gentleman was one of the most accomplished
and erudite instructors of j-outh of that day. If results may
be taken as determining fitness, the successful careers of his
then pupils serve to clearly prove that he was admirably
qualified in his vocation.
These pupils were divided as to religious opinions and
creeds. Many of the Catht>lics entered professional life ;
some became missionaries in the colonies of Great Britain;
one is still Bursar in the College of Maynooth. Of the non-
Catholics, several achieved distinction in the civil service
of Great Britain, in India; and one. Dr. James Hanbury,
was recently Chief of the Medical Staff with the English
army in Egypt.
Of his term at this Academy, and of his observations and
experiences at this period of his life, Father Malone has im-
])ressively written in a letter to a friend :
" My early life was toned by association with non-Catho-
lics. The kindliest feeling was cultivated among i^eople who
followed different religious beliefs. The Catholic priest and
the Protestant minister walked arm-in-arm through the pub-
lic streets of the town. No doubt such an example was a
l)0werf ul agency for harmony and peace. Its influence, on
both sides, was calculated to destroy prejudice and inspire
confidence among citizens of the same nationality. To this
I lovingly turn as the school that has fitted me for the proper
ajipreciation of what citizens owe each other in America,
where religion is left as an individual interest which no one
has the right to iaterfere with."
All the good of those days that touched him found in liim
a heartily sympathetic aud responsive subject for its influ-
ence. The impressions then made upon him were deep and
abiding. Nurtured by such parents, aided by his happy asso-
ciations, he formed habits and purposes, and niade for him-
self an ideal, neither of which has ever been abandoned. On
the contrary, each has been strengthened and confirmed
.c
QZ^/^£dMA. ^/fc
Ci /!-^^t^'
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1051
with his growth. His preliminary preparation and experi-
ence liad made him ready to accept tlie opportunity soon to
be offered to him for entering tlie priesthood.
In 1838, Rev. Andrew Byrne, Pastor of St. James' Catliolic
Church in the city of New York, was in Ireland, seeking
young men desirous of entering the Catholic priesthood, for
the American Mission. Tiiis priest, a few years later, was
elevated to the new Bishopric of Little Rock, Arkansas;
and died during the war, regretting the sad state of the
country he loved so much. With him, young Malone, then
in his seventeenth year, sailed for the United States, land-
ing in Philadelphia. The first acquaintance he made there
was with a friend of his companion. Bishop Kenrick, who,
later on, was transferred to Baltimore, created Archbishop
of that See, and thereby Primate of America. From Phil-
adelphia, Sylvester soon came to New York. He was at
once presented to Archbishop Hughes, and, by his advice,
entered the temporary seminary at Le Fargeville, Jeffer-
son county, N. Y. After one year's study there, he entered
St. John's Seminary, Fordham, where he completed his
course of studies and, on August 15th, 1844, was ordained
a priest of the diocese of New York by its present Arch-
bishop, His Eminence Cardinal McC^loskey, who was then
coadjutor to Bishop Hughes. This was the first ordina-
tion of a priest by him, and Father Malone claims the honor
of having been the first priest so ordained. Immediately
after his ordination, Father Malone was sent on the mission
in Williamsburgh, where he has ever since remained.
Into the then scattered village of Williamsburgh, having a
population of only ten thousand, of whom not mi re than
five hundred were Catholics, if, in fact, there were so many.
Father Malone came on a Saturday night in September fol-
lowing.
There and then was begun in reality the sacred work to
which his life had been devoted, and immersed in which it
was to be filled out. And wlio shall say that he was not well
equipped for it ? He was robust in constitution and health,
imbued with piety, zealous in purpose — that i^urpose being
of the loftiest — untiringly industrious, admirable in energy,
wholly self-reliant, resolute, well-educated, studious and in-
tellectually well balanced.
Quickly perceptive, judicially calm and searching in all
his mental processes, he at once apprehended the nature and
range of the duties devolving upon him, and correctly esti-
mated the difficulties to be overcome. How onerous the
former, how grave the latter, can be discerned at this time
only by those of his flock who can recollect the events of that
period, and who remember the humble little jjarish church
of St. Mary's and its young Pastor.
His first sermon was almost prophetic of what was to be
the most controlling influence in his life. Of that sermon,
Father Malone in liis farewell address to his people, on
May 29, A. D. 1881, prior to his departure for Europe, said:
" The first sermon I preached, as I remember, was on char-
ity, its principles and teachings; and I have tried to make
this virtue the star guiding me in my course of life, as I was
called to minister to not only the physical wants of depend
ent members in society; but still more to be charitable in
word and thought, to those who were not seea to worship at
the same altar with me."
How completely the prophecy has been fulfilled. St.
Mary's parish comprised all the territoiy bounded by Hallet's
Cove on the north, Middle Village on the east. Myrtle ave.
on the south, and the East River on the west. From these
remote points Catholics found their way to the services of
the church in the littl(^ wooden building surrounded by the
graves of their kindred, at North 8th and 2d St., almost
the northerly line of Old Williamsburgh. The old church
building has been razed, but the church-yard, with its
memorial stones testifying to that past and dead genera-
tion, is still a landmark.
To these points, too, toiled Father Malone in his ministra-
tions to the sick and dying; for in those days, he had no
assistant in the care of the parish.
Those were busy days for him. When he took charge of
St. Mary's, it was burdened by a debt of .$3,300. Father
Malone immediately set himself to the payment of it, and in
two years he rejoiced with his people in having paid off the
entire sum.
Meantime, there had been a gradual and steady increase in
the number of worshijiers at St. Mary's, but not till his
people had been freed from the oppression of the debt,
would lie permit his mind to dwell on the project of build-
ing a new church edifice, and in the Thirteenth Ward. Nor
did he, until the way before him seemed to be reasonably
favorable for its successful execution.
Ways and means were subjects of serious consideration
for him. In the address already referred to he spoke thus:
" It was then only we conceived the idea of a new church;
but to accomplish this in a Ward, where as yet none of the
Catholic people seemed to have found homes, was thought
by many a rash undertaking. It was my judgment that the
location was well selected and convenient for the Catholics
of the 14th, as well as those of the 13th Ward, which were
the only settled sections of Williamsburgh. "
He did not advert to the fact that the land for the new
church was not obtained without difficulty. Anti-Catholic
prejudice was feverish and aggressive in its assertion, and
the proposal to erect a Catholic Church in the 13lh Ward,
was unfavorably considered by the holders of that prejudice.
But land was purchased; the title to it secured by a
friend of the church and Pastor, and on a day, bright in the
memories of Father Malone, and those of his old flock who
survive (May 11th, A. D. 1847), the corner-stone of the
present Saints Peter and Paul's Church, was laid by Arch-
bishop Hughes. The superstructure was speedily forwarded
to completion, and one year later was dedicated by the same
prelate.
In the address, already quoted, Father Malone said further:
" I may here state that we never collected a cent to help
us in our then great undertaking, save only from the people
who were immediately benefited by the erection of the
church."
It was the first church built in the diocese of New York, in
the Gothic order of architecture. The architect was Mr. J.
J. Kelly.
For five years, from 1844 to 1849, Father Malone had la-
bored unceasingly. A period of rest came to his labor that
almost proved final. In the latter year, in the discharge of
his duty, he attended a woman, from whom he contracted a
virulent disease, that can-ied him far within the shadow of
death. There is almost cynical irony in what followed. The
woman was soon after murdered by her husband, and for it
he was executed. Scarcely convalescent. Father Malone
was prostrated by cholera; the scourge of ship fever at-
tacked his weakened system; and finally he was burned out
of house and home, losing in the fire his library, manu-
scripts, and the whole of his worldly possessions.
He had been ten years ordained; had removed the debt of
the old church, erected the new one, the parochial school,
and the handsome pastoral residence; had inaugurated the
Academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph ; established a church
library; organized a literary association of the young men
of his parish, many of whom have become prominent and
successful in professional and business life, and had gathered
around him a large and loving congregation, when, in
1854, he visited Europe; chiefly to witness the grand assem-
1052
HISTORY OF KINGS GOUISTTT.
bly of the Bishops of the whole world, then convened at
Rome, by the late Pope Pius IX., to proclaim the dogma of
the Immaculate Conception, and to be present at the making
of the proclamation.
During his absence in Em-ope, political and religious
prejudices became much embittered in Williamsburgh, as
elsewhere, and induced acts of physical violence. In No-
vember of that year, a mob attacked the church and en-
deavored to destroy it by fire, or to wreck it. It was saved
by the prompt and resolute action of the civic and military
authorities, who guarded it for several days, and until the
danger to it had passed, almost as much from jiersonal re-
gard for Father Malone, who had already made his impress
as a good citizen, as from convictions of duty.
Returning in 1855, Father Malone bent himself anew to
his work, but the next few following years were un-
marked by any event of special significance in his pas-
torate.
It was not until the dreadful coming of the Rebellion that
his power and energy were fully put forth and wrought
with. During the dark days and years of its continuance,
no man did more in his place, and of his ability, to contrib-
ute to the maintenance of the Union and the success of its
anns. By voice and pen in his daily mingling with the people ;
from the pulpit; from the platform; every where that opportu-
nity afforded, he declared for the cause of the nation, cheered
and encouraged the loyal, reproved and discouraged the dis-
loyal. He aided largely in the success of the Sanitary Fair for
the soldiers in field and hospital, and donated one-quarter of
his small salary to the fund for soldiers' wives and children.
"When rumor came, on that memorable April Saturday after-
noon, that rebels were about to fire on Sumter, the flag that
symbolized the unity of the nation was, by his direction,
thrown to the breeze from the spire of Sts. Peter and Paul's
Church, and astonished the eyes of early church-goers next
morning. It was the first flag displayed on a churcli in the
United States at the beginning of the long struggle, and was
afterwards carried to the front by Williamsburgh men.
With an eloijuent address, citizens presented to Father
Malone a flag to replace it. This one, often afterwards, from
the spire of Sts. Peter and Paul's, signaled victory to the
people — never more welcomely than on the 1st day of Jan-
uary, A. D. 1863. All the previous night had been passed in
anxious waiting for news of the result of the three days' fight-
ing at Murf reesboro. It came at last through the dark and
stormy morning of that day, and the flag went up to its place
with fervent gratitude to God, in symbol that the nation had
won, what Father Malone believes the philosopher in history
will find to have been, the most radically decisive battle of the
war. It was in symbol also that African slavery in the
United States went to its death on that day, and that four
jnillions of freemen had been raised out of that death.
At the close of the war, Father Malone, being in need of re-
spite from his arduous duties, made a journey through the
South with his friend. Rev. Thomas Farrell, of St. Joseph's
Chiirch, New York, since deceased. He fully studied the
condition of affairs there, and expressed his views on it in
able letters, then published. After his return from tlie South,
he resumed his active work in the care of his parish, and
continued it with all his old-time vigor and ability until, in
1881, he was compelled to take entire rest, and seek change
of scene and climate. The necessity for his doing so had
long been manifest — he was overworn — but he yielded to it
reluctantly, and only under the imperative orders of his
physician. In taking leave of his people, in his farewell ad-
dress before quoted, he stated some of the results of his labors
in his thirty-seven years' pastorate. Ten thousand discourses
(he might have added hundreds of addresses on civic occa-
sions) ; eighteen thousand baptisms; three thousand five hun-
dred marriages; half a million i)enitents prepared for com-
munion; five thousand applicants prepared for confirmation
and first communion; one thousand converts; all debt on the
church and parochial school paid, and the debt on the paro-
chial house and St. Joseph's Academy reduced to a small sum.
Referring to Catholic growth and exi)ansion in the interim,
particularlj' alluding to four churches that had been built, he
continued:
" And twelve churches besides, where the English tongue
is spoken by Priests and people. All tliese find good support
on territory where I stood alone, the representative of Catho-
lic interests in the early years of n\j ministry. AVithin the
same area there has sprung up seven other churches, in
which the language spoken by a thrifty and hard-working
race is that of Fatherland. "
He paid high tribute in his eloquent address to his non-
Catholic fellow citizens, and to his adopted country; tenderly
advised his deeply-moved congregations, and concluded in
these words:
" And finally, may you live in charity with all your fellow
citizens; though you have necessarily to differ with many
in religious belief, and may or may not agree in your judg-
ments of men, and in those questions that are constantly oc-
cun-ing in civil life. There is one thing which will ever dis-
tinguish you — charity — loving God above all things, and
loving your neighbor for Christ's sake."
He had come to them thirty-seven years before in the sign
of charity, and in that sign he departed. A few days later
he sailed. His tour was an extended one, embracing Eng-
land, Ireland, Scotland, Continental Europe, Egypt and the
Holy Land. Letters from his Bishop, Cardmal McCloskey,
the LTnited States Secretary, and other leading men, brought
him into intimate association with our ministers, diplomats,
and the leading men abroad, and his reception was as cor-
dial and enjoyable as it was deseri'ing, in all his journey-
ings.
Probablj' no incident or experience of, or in them all, so
much affected him, or will be so enduring to his memory, as
will be that of the celebration by him of mass on Mount Cal-
vary. He returned to his people early in September, 1883,
and again took vip his work. His welcome home by the
whole community was earnest and grateful. His first ad-
dress indicated that he had looked on in Europe and else-
where with intelligent appreciation of men and events. Here
it may be remarked, that he made voluminous notes of ob-
servation and comment on both, and that he may hereafter
arrange them for use and reference. They may well lie es-
teemed, by those who know him, as valuable.
This address was in part a criticism on the separation abroad
of priests and peojjle. He deplored it, and argued for a more
close identification of the clergy with the everj--day life of
the people everywhere.
The address provoked some adverse criticism, and gave
him an opportunity to restate his position with greater em-
phasis.
Sincerely believing in the people, he argues that their ad-
vancement will lift the clergy to a higher place. Banquets
were tendered to him. The leading newspapers contained
warm expressions of affectionate regard. Extracts from
one of these will suffice to express the tone of all:
"Upon all occasions in the pulpit he has enforced strongly
the brotherhood of man as man. and the sacred duty of obe-
dience to law and public-spirited citizenship. He is sincerely
attached to his adopted country, and no voice during the re-
bellion was more patriotic than his. No word ever uttered
by liim has ever given offence to Protestants, many of whom
are to be found occasionally among his Sunday congregation,
drawn thither by esteem for the man. ... In days like
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1053
our own, when there has been so much ecclesiastical disturb-
ance in many of the countries of Europe, it is refreshing to
find an in-eproachable priest, who has consistently exh.bied
in his own career the true modus '^'f '^'^^,^'*^^^een C uroh
and State. His has been the loyal and spiritual Catholic sni,
which has chiiaoterized so many illustrious American
Catholics. Like the late Archbishop Bayley, he has always
Len reco-iiised bv Americans as thoroughly in accord w,th
the fundamental principles of the Republic. ■ Handsome is
that handsome does,' is his estimate of human con-
duct- and he would neither detract from virtue, because
he found it in those of a different belief nor white-
wash crime because it was done by those of his own reli-
gion."'
Never a self-seeker. Father Malone has not sought prefer-
ment to higher office in the church, but has serenely abided
in his sphere as a parish priest with the people he has guided
from infancy to mature age, and they are very dear to Inm.
In May 1«52, at the age of thirty-one, he attend, d the
First Plenary Council of the Church in the United Statts, at
Baltimore. On the suggestion of Archbishop Hughes, he
was appointed Theologian in that council to Bishop Reynolds,
then Bishop of Charleston, S. C. Later, he prepared and de-
livered the address to Bishop Loughlin of Brooklyn, on be-
half of the priests of his diocese, accompanying the pre-
sentation to him of a purs., to defray his expenses, on the oc-
casion of his first visit to Rome. In 1866, he attended the
Second Plenary Council, held at Baltimore, as Theologian
to the same Bishop.
On the 30th of October, 1878, the twenty-fifth anniversary
of the consecration of Bishop Loughlin, he prepared and pre-
sented the address of congratulation to him of the priests of
Brooklyn on the event. Though brief, It contained an inter-
esting and permanently valuable view of the growth of the
church in its spiritual and material interests in the diocese,
and was an eloquent testimony to the Bishop's administra-
tion. He has been for many years a member of his Bishop s
council. <• ,u T>
In politics, Father Malone has been a member of the Re-
publican party since its organization, and has given to it
hearty support. He never acted with the Democratic party.
His love for his kind, his eagerness for human progress,
would not permit acceptance by him of its policy or methods.
These were uncongenial to him, and in his view obnoxious
to just principles of government, and therefore dangerous to
the well-being of the nation.
His affection for his native laud has caused him to take ac-
tive interest in the movement by the Land League to amelio-
rate her condition.
The foUowing extract from one of his addresses from the
pulpit, in reference to it, will serve alike to define his position
on this point, and his clear, strong style:
•' A people have the right to inhabit their own land, and to
inherit all the benefits and happiness ot living which may
come to them in it. When this is denied to a people, every
on" sh:?uW give his aid to them in putting -f the misgovern-
ment which allows and continues such a condition ot attaus.
On that account I am with tlie present Land League move-
men I be U eve n it and look upon it as the most promising
Zvemeat that has yet stirred the thoughts of n.en evei-y-
where for justice to that land. But I go no further than the
agitation of the Land League question on its merits. Those
wl o cZsel and call for an uprising with arms are no those
wo seek the proper and moit effective w'ay to arouse the
people to the justice of the questions embodu.d m ^le Land
Leaoue movement. Be wary of those people f Si'aff * "^
uuest on on its merits, and the great press of the countiy
'i"u mak^ known the justice of the cause. ^^^ move a speedv
rectification of the wrongs. Whatever is done, b^ oaielul
that vou do nothing to interfere with your line ot duty as
ritiJ." ..f \merica. Exaggerated statements and exagger-
ated t^hreats only prove deu^mentalto your positions as citi-
zens and dcliimental to the cause you would see advanced.
" I have no word of approbation for any movement that
contemplates an appeal to armed force. Agitate the ques-
tion, create a moral sympathy for the oppressed of Ireland,
and your movement will accomplish what an appeal to
force would not— success. .
" We here in America must not do anything which will
bring this country into complications with a friendly govern-
ment; and we must ignore those who hope by fire-crackers •
to make a stand against cannon, rifles, and all the improved
implements of destruction in the hands of a strong govern-
ment When we become citizens of this great country-
Frenchmen, Germans, Spaniards and Irishmen— we swear
allegiance to it, and for it we must ever be ready, even
against the country we have left, to fight, and hght to con-
quer."
In physique. Father Malone is of full average height and
corpulent. He has a large, symmetrical head, and a strong
face that in repose is very grave, but lights up on occasion
with rare brightness. Dignified in manner, without being
austere, he has in large measure the faculty of putting one
at ease.
He is a close student and keeps in line with the leading
thought and thinkers of the day. A thinker in the best
sense, superficial men have no use for him. He has a very
complete wi.rking library. There is not a book in it for
show, and he knows his books as old friends.
Being a man of refined and cultivated tastes, he is, as may
weU be expected, a patron of the arts, and he is at once a
generous and discriminating one. He has always caused a
high standard of excellence to be maintained in the musical
services of Sts. Peter and Paul's; and is a warm admirer
of fine painting and sculpture which he studies with critical
acumen and appreciation.
In private life he is genial, unostentatious, simple and tem-
perate To one who should know him there, it would n rt be
difficult to believe of him, as he has stated, that retirement
would be more congenial to his natural and acquired habits.
The worn and weary priest has always found in his house
a place of rest and bountiful hospitality. To young men he
has freely given witli a parent's generosity and tenderness.
His beneficence has helped forward many such in then-
chosen pursuits, more especially to the priesthood. To the
unfortunate, the dependent, the shiftless and the weak, he is
as a loving brother, a strong staff, a wise helper and a merci-
ful chider; and he can be. to the wilfully corrupt, the sternly
reproving judge. There is no weakness in his gentleness-
no hardness in his resoluteness-no mere obstinacy. All
true himself, he has a wide-reaching detestation of shams.
His pulpit addresses are wholly extemporaneous. In them
all mere display of rhetoric is studiously avoided. Uttered
with definite aim and objects, they are practical, rich in
pregnant suggestion, argumentative and logical; but they are
always attractive, persuasive, and hold closely the attention
of his hearers, so rife are they with the genius of his person-
ality fine manhood and true priestly character.
Often eloquent, he is always felicitously so in his funeral
discourses. These latter would serve as excellent models in
statement of matter and in style. , , , • «
But it is in his altar talks with his people, that his fine
mind and hearty and cultivated powers are best revealed to
them, and by which they are most closely drawn to him. He
exercises inthesetalksa never-weakening charm.
With crreater significance and force than even he used them
in his address to his Bishop, on the latter's twenty-fifth anni-
versary, might his people deliver to him the testimony held
in these words:
" They cannot but look up to their Priest as one most ex-
emplary in his devotion to his sacied office: ever at his post;
abvavs accessible to every member of his tlock, young or old,
hiXoi lowly, wlio claimed his fatherly eai- or sympathy;
1054
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
always most willing to give to everyone the benefit of his
couusels, and the light of his own experience.
Whed we say <.le\otion to your high and sacred office, we
mean tidelicy to its dulies in the strictest sense. Thus has the
light of your e.xample been a guide to all, priests and people.
Thus hai the iufluenceof yourchjracterserved to form others
to priestly fervor and apostolic zeal. We now look back over
these pregDaut forty years, and finding in your life and labors
so much to be grateful for to the Eternal Shepherd of souls,
we come in this presence to pay to you, who have been so long
our good Shepherd, the homage of our congratulations and
our gratitude. May God brighten the remaining years of
your most useful life."
German Church of the Holy Trinity. — This church, Mon-
trose avenue, near Ewen street (E. D.), was established in
July, 1841, for the German Catholics. It was reliuilt in 18.53,
the cornerstone having been laid by Ai'chbishop Hughes,
June 29, in that year. The site and edifice were obtained at
the sole expense of first Pastor, Rev. John Ratfeiner, who
direcleJ it till his death, July 17. 1861.
The church proving inadequate to the wants of the con-
gregition, in 1882, the f\)undation was laid for an elegant
stone edifice in the Gothic style of the 13th century, which
has a front of 75 feet on Montrose avenue, by a depth of 180
feet. This new church, which is not yet completed, will be
finished in the finest style, and will cost $350,000. The fami-
lies in the parish number about 900. The schools in connec-
tion with the church contain 1,700 scholars. The boys are
taught l)y lay-teachers, and the girls by the Sisters of St.
Dominic.
Clergy: 1. Very Rev. John Raffeiner, V. G. Pastor, 1841
-"61; assistants, John Raffeiner, Jr., 1848-'49; Rev. John
Rauferisen, 1849-"50; Rev. Maurus Ramsauer, 18j0-'51; Rev.
Frederic Jung, 1851-52: Rev. Casper Metzler, 1853; Rev.
Joseph Huber, 18o3-"56 ; Rev. Alois Enders, 1856-'57; Rev. P.
Albrecht, 1857-59; Rev. Michael May, 1859-'61: Rev. John
Hauptman, 18")9-'61. 3. Rev. M. May, Pastor, 1861-'83; as-
sistants. Rev. Jolin Hauptman, 1861-'63; Rev. Anthony
Arnold, 1862-'66; Rev. Joseph Uh-ech, 186.5-66; Rev. Gustav
Kamerer, 1866-69; Rev. Peter Deaffenbach, 1869-'75; Rev.
P. J. Schwarg, 1869-75; Rev. C. Muller, 1870-'74; Rev. J.
F. Hanselman, 1877-80; Rev. F. X. Pauletigi, 1877-79; Rev.
J. B. Willman, 1877; Rev. Geo. Feser, 1880-'83; Rev. Geo.
Kaupert, 1881-84.
Rev. Michael May, born in Bavaria, 1826; came to Brook-
lyn May 80, 1859, as assistant to Father Raffeiner at Holy
Trinity; appointed Pastor, July, 1862; founded Ch. of An-
nunciation, 1862; built parish sohooh later, St. Nicholas' Ch. ,
and All Saints Ch. ; built an Ori)han Asylum, St. Catharine's
Hospital, and new church, 1881-'88, of stone, 88 feet by 170,
and 70 feet in height, with two towers, 200 feet high; cost
$200,000.
St. Patrick's Church. — -This church, cor. of Kent and
Willoughby avenues, was the first R. C. Church in East
Brooklyn. It was commenced in 1848 by the Rev. Hugh
McGuire, and was for some years known as the Wallabout
Churcli. It was dedicated in honor of St. Patrick, August
3d, 1856.
Clergy : Revs. Hugh McGuire, 1848-"60; Patrick O'Neill,
1853-54; John Dowling, 18.54-"o5; Henry O'Neil, 1857-'58;
Peter C. Fagan, 1803-'64; Edward Fitzpatrick, 1870-72; J.
Conlon, 1870; Francis Lennon, 1870-'71; John Purcell, 1871
-'72; John McCollum, 1872-'75; Thomas Taafe, Pastor, from
1873 to present time; Andrew O'Connell, 1873-'77; M. S.
Boylan, 1877; Henry J. Zimmer, 1877-'79; Jno. McCloskey,
lS78-'83; "Wm. Giles, 1878; M. Goodwin, 1879; Jas. Bobier,
1830-83: James Taafe, 1880-83; E. J. McGoldrick, 1883-"83;
Thomas A. MacCaffrey, 1883,
Rev. James Taafe, born at Dromard, Ireland; grad. Clon-
gowes Wood College, 1872; studied at Coll. de Ste. Marie,
Toulouse, and S.'m. St. Sulpice, Paris; ordained 1878: app.
curate in Brookhn, 1879.
Church of St. Charles Borromeo. — The Episcopal Church
on Sydney place was purchased by the Roman Catholics in
1851; and the Rev. Charles Constantino Pise, then Pastor of
St. Peter's Church, in Barclay street. New York, was sent
over by Archbishop Hughes to take charge of the new church
and parish. Dr. Pise was a gentleman of tlie most refined
tast-'s and scholarlj' attainments, and he soon gatliered tohis
church a congregation of the elite of the Catholic population
of the citj'. Dr. Pise died in l>fi6, and his successor, Dr. Freel,
purchased, at a cost of .$25,000, ground adjoining the church
and pastoral residence for a church site. In 1868, the old
church, with its valuable organ, its superb frescoes and fine
collection of music, was burned. Measures were at once in-
stituted to build a new church which is 130 feet in leugtli Ijy
75 in widtli, and cost al)0ut |70,000. The walls of the old
church were turned into lit. I'liilomena's School on Sidney
place. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that on one occasion
the Rt. Rev. Levi Silliman Ives, as Episcopal Bisiiopof Nortli
Carolina, ordained in this church the Rev. Donald Macleod,
as a minister of the Episcopal Church; and that, not many
years after, they met again, both Roman Catholics, in this
church, which had also like them become Roman Catholic.
Clergy: Rev. C. C. Pise, D. D., 1851-66; Rev. Joseph Fran-
sioli, 1857-'59; Rev. David G'Mullane, 186.3-64; Rev. F. J.
Freel, D. D., 1866-81; Rev. Thomas F. McGivern, 1866-'71;
Rev. Jas. Doherty, 1870; Rev. Chas. Hubert, 1872; Rev. Jas.
S. Dufi'y, 1873-78; Rev. Ignatius O'Brien, 1874; Rev. Denis
A. Tivenan, 1875; Rev. Thomas Ward, 1875-'84; Rev. Jere-
miah Brosnan, 1878-'83. Dr. Freel died in March, 1884.
St. Joseph's, Pacific street, near Vanderbilt avenue, is a
brick edifice, with a seating capacity of fifteen hundred. It
was erected in 1853, and afterwards enlarged. There are large
schools connected with it; the boj's' school of 600 pupils
under the care of tlie Franciscan Brothers, and the girls'
school with 450 children in attendance conducted by the
Sisters of St. Joseph.
Clergy : Rev. P. O'Neill, 1853-'67; Rev. Edward Corcoran,
1867-83. Assistant Pastors : Rev. Peter Kearney, lS67-'72;
Rev. WiUiam O'Donnell, 1870-71; Rev. P. J. McGlinchey,
1876; Rev. Patrick McNamara, 1871-74; Rev. James O'Rourke,
1873-'75; Rev. Bernard McHugh, 1874-'75; Rev. John Hogan,
1875; Rev. Thos. S. Rellly, 187.5-78; Rev. John Loughran,
1879-'81; Rev, C. J. Curtin, 1881-"83; Rev. P. J. McGlinchey,
1882-84.
St. John's Church, 21st st., was org. about the year 1846,
and a wooden edifice erected. For several years there was no
settled Pastor. Rev. Peter McLoughlin was Pastor in 18.5.5-'6;
Rev. Francis McKeou, 1856-57; Rev. J. McGovern, 1857-60;
Rev. Hugli McGuire, 1860-'73; and the present Pastor, Rev.
James O'Beirne, since 1873. The Assistant Pastors have been:
Rev. Peter Daly, Rev. John McGuire, Rev. Michael Hickey,
Rev. Patrick Mulligan, and Rev. Bernard A. Plunkett. The
church building was enlarged in 1872, and now has a seating
capacity of 1,280. Near the church is a convent of the sisters
of St. Joseph, erected by Father O'Beirne in 1876. Two
schools are maintained: one for boys, under the charge of
the Franciscan Brothers, and one for guds, under the Sisters
of St. Joseph. The average attendance at these schools is 900.
The church property is valued at $60,000.
Rev. James O'Beirne. born in Ireland, 1822; grad. St. Pat-
rick's Coll., Maynooth, 1852; located Flushing, L. I., 1853-'73;
B'klyn, 1873-'84; Rev. Bernard A. Plunkett, died Nov. 1883;
succeeded by Rev. Michael A. Naughton.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1055
Church of the Immaculate Conception. — This church, sit-
uated on the CDrntT of ilaujer and Lc^oaard streets, was com-
menced ill 1853, tlie corner-stone liavinK been laid August 1st.
It was a substantial brick structure, on a solid stone foundation ,
61 feet by 103. The interior is neatly and tastefully deco-
rated, and the altar and organ are both line. Including the
lot, the church cost |30,000. Clergy: Rev. Peter McLaughlin,
18.')3-"54; Rev. Anthony Farrelly, 1854-'55; Rev. A. Bohan,
1855-'61; Rev. John R. McDonald, 1864-78; Rev. William Mc-
Closky, 18G6-'67; Rev. Thomas Shanley, 1867-69; Rev. Flor-
ence McCarthy, 1870; Rev. T. Reynolds, 1871; Rev. M. Nevin,
1872-75; Rev. M. Brennan, 1872-75; Rev. James Woods,
1877-'78; Rev. John Crimmins, 1879-'88; Rev. M. F. Murray,
1879-83; Rev. A. J. O'Rourke, 1883-'84.
Church of St. Boniface. — In 1853, the Episcopal t^hurcli cf
St. Thomas, cor. of Willoughby and Bridge streets, was pur-
chased by a German Catholic congregation, and was dedi-
cated to Roman Catholic worship, under the above title, Jan.
29, 1851. Its Pastors have been: Rev. JI. Ramsauer, 1855-'6;
Rev. B. Keller, 1857-58; Rev. Joseph Bruncmann, 185S-'59.
Rev. John G. Hummell, 1859-"G4; Rev. Michael J. Decker,
1864-"68; Rev. W. Oberschneider, 1868-"69; Rev. F. Earitfi,
1870; Rev. P. DeBerge, 1871-75; Rev. P. Schwarz, 1877; Rev.
J. B. Wittman, 1878-84.
There are two flourishing schools connected with the
church.
St. Benedict's Church (German), Fulton ave.^ near Raljjh,
is a handsome brick edifice, 137 by 65 feet, built in 1874, at a
cost of $60,000. The church was organized in 1852, and wor-
shiped first in a building on Herkimer st., which, since the
new church was completed, has been used as a school-house,
under the charge of tlie Sisters of Christian Charity. Its
Pastors have been : Revs. M. Ramsauer, 1855-6; B.Keller,
1856-8; A. Enders, 1857-8; Joseph Tuboly, 1858-'63; T. Al-
brecht, 1861-3; F. Klosterbauer, 1863-73; M. Koehren,
1874-'5; Henry Zimmer, 1875-6; Ignatius Zeller, 1877-'83;
Michael N. Wagner, S. T. L., 1881-4.
St. Mary's Star cf the Sea. — This church. Court st., cor.
of Luqucer, was erected chiefly through the exertions of
Rev. Mr. Bacon, afterwards Bishop of Portland. It is one of
the largest church edifices in the city, having a seating capa-
city of nearly 2,000. It was dedicated April 29, 1855. The
interior was frescoed, and the spire finished in 1872. Father
Bacon was succeeded as Pastor by Revs. James McGinnis,
from 1855 to 1857; Eugene Cassidy, from 1857 to 1876; Law-
rence Toner, Curate in charge, 1876-"7; and the present Pas-
tor, Henry O'Loughlin, 1877-'83. The Assistant Clergy have
been: Revs. J. McKenna; Stephen Cassidy; J. M. Reilly;
John Hefifernan, 1871; Florence McCarthy, 1872-'3; Felix
O'Callaghan, lS72-'4; Daniel Sheehy, 1874; Lawrence Toner,
1875-3; Peter O'Neill, 1875; Peter McGuire, 1877-81; Michael
Dennisoa, 1878; Ed. Wm. Dulles, 1879-80; Joseph Kilpatrick,
1880-'1;P. Kenny, 1881.
St. Mary's Parochial School was established in 1855, and
was kept in the chapel, and in the basement, till 1868, when
the present brick structure was erected, through the exer-
tions of Father Cassidy. The average attendance is 1,000.
St. Francis' Church, Putnam ave., near Bedford, was
started in 1857 as a Cierman church, Rev. Bona venture Keller
being its Pastor for two years. The building is of brick, 75
by 25 feet. So many of its German paiichioners removed
that it was closed for five years. In 1866, services were
a^ain commenced, with Rev. N. Balleis, O. S. B., as Pastor,
who still continues in charge.
The property was devised by its owner, Father Keller, to
the Orphan Asylum of Hoi}' Trinity Church, and is still held
in trust for that institution.
I Church of the Visitation of the Blessed 'Virgin Mary. —
This church, ou Ewen and Van Urunt sts., was begun in
I 1854, and dedicated Oct. 29, 1855. A handsome building,
I about 75 by 90 feet, of blue-stone, was commenced in 1880,
and finished the following year, except the towers. Clergy :
Revs. Timothy O'Fariell, 1854-69; John Cummings, lS65-'0;
Isaac Miguely Diaz, 186S-"9; T. O'Farrell, 187C-7; T. Rey-
nolds, 1870; E. McCarty, 1871-'4; Florence McCarthy, 1871;
Hugh Hand, 1875-83; M. Riordan, 1877-81; John M. Kiely,
1878-'81; Wm. J. Lane, 1881-4.
Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Debevoite place, near De
Kalb ave. The parish was formed and the first church dedi-
cated in 1857. The present edifice was erected in 1857 and '8,
of brick, with lime-stono trimmings, ia the mixed Gothic
style. It is 150 feet deep and 65 feet in width, and has seat-
ing accommodations for 1,900 persons. The exterior of the
building is plain, but the interior is in remarkable contrast.
It cost about $70,000, and was dedicated Feb. 7, 1869. Clergy:
Revs. John McCarthy, 1857-8; John McKenna, 1858-'68;
Bernard Gerrety, 1859-'60 ; Martin Carroll, lS65-'8 ; M. J.
Goodwin, 1867-'8; Thomas Taafe, 186£-';2; James McElroy,
1868-'77; J. McNamee, 1870-'4; M. Ritrdan, 187C-'5; F. O'CU-
laghan, 1875-'84; J. Coughlin, 1S75-7; J. Galvin, 1877-8; P.
McNamara, S. T. D., 1878-'84; T. McGivern, 1878; James
Donohoe, 1877-81; Felix O'Callaghan, 1882-'4.
Rev. Patrick J. McNamara, born in Ireland, 1844; grad.
St. Francis Xavier's Coll, New York, 1867 ; St. Mary's Theol.
Sem., Baltimore, 1870; located B'klyn, 1870-4; East New
York, 1874-7; B'klyn, 1877-'84.
Tlie Society of the Holy Name has been connected with the
church about seven j-ears. James Donohoe, Spiritual Direc-
tor.
Church of St. Anthony. — About the year 1857, a church
with this title was commenced on India St., by the exertions
of Rev. John Brady, and was finished in the jear following.
Its Clergy have been : Revs. John Brady, 1857-'72; A. J.
Dorris, 1871-2; W. J. Lane, 1873-9; C. Fairelly, 1873-5; W.
Connolly, 1875; J. J. Mouin, 1877; E. Smith, 1877-80; John
Loughran, D. D., 1878-83; B. Plunkett, 1879; Michael J.
Murphy, 1880-'3; John Hogan, 1880; E. W. Dullea, 1881; J.
O'Reilly, 1881; John F. Baxter, 1882-'C-"4; Wm. J. H-^milton,
1883. ''
St. Peter's Church. — Thirty-five years ago that part of
South Brooklyn, between Amity and Sackett streets, Henry
street and the river, was occupied by a rough population with-
out church privileges in thtir midst. The Rev. Joseph Frans-
ioli, a native cf Ticino, Switzerland, having seen the needs of
the district, rec^uested that a parish be set off embracing that
district; which was accordingly done in April, 1859, and
Father Fransioli appointed to undertake the great work of
christianizing the people. A stone-yard, corner of Hicks and
Warren sts., was purchased, and after long and jjersistent ef-
forts the church was completed and dedicated Nov. 4, 1860, at a
total cost of $65,000. The congregation numbered about 3,000,
and has since largely increased. In 1866, Father Fransioli
built the Academy which adjoins St. Peter's Church, at a
cost of $60,000, where 1,300 children annually receive free in-
struction. During the war he purchased a house, corner of
Hicks and Congress sts. , as a home for the children of soldiers
and for orphans. Afterwards a larger building was erected,
and the whole made into a hospital known as St. Peter's
Hospital, which has accomplished a great work during its
existence. In 1878, the Bacar estate was purchased, which
gave to the church the whole of the block; and all the build-
ings thereon were devoted to charity. A few years later
Father Fransioli secured the chapel on Warren st., formerly
a mission of the Church of the Pilgrims, and instituted special
1056
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
services for the Italiaus. A brick Imildmg GO by 70 ft. is in
course of erecliou for the use of the different young men's
societies attached to St. Peter's C'liurch. A handsome build-
ing, 03 by 100 ft., at 12-16 Warren st., has been erected for
library, school and kindergarten use. The influence of the
church and its surrounding institutions has completely
changed the character of the populatiortpf that portion of the
city, and great credit is due to Fatlier Fransioli for his long
and arduous labors. He is still at his post enjoying the rever-
ence and afl'ection of the entire community. The Assistant
Clergy have been as follows: Revs. A. (Jeraud, 1860-"62; L.
Strain, 1862-'63; A. J. Dorris, 186S-'66; M. J. Goodwin,
ISOG-'OT; W. Gualco, 1867-'68: J. H. Pollard, 1867-73; J. A.
Casella, 1869-'70: J. McMeel, 1869-'74; M. Mm-phy, 1870-74;
P. A. 'Walsh, 1873-'82; E. McCarty, 1874-'76 ; J. Bobier,
1875-78; M. Kevin, 1877-'81; M. J. Malone, 1876-'81: M. J.
Boylan, 1879-"80; M. Galvin, 1881-'84; M. L. O'Connell,
1876-'84.
St. Anne's Church. — August 21st, 1860, ground was
broken for tlie erection of a Roman Catholic Churcli on the
S. W. corner of Front and Gold streets. It was a brick edi-
fice, 60 feat by 122, with a tower 130 feethigli. It was erected
under tlie superintendence of Mr. P. C. Keeley, and cost
$15,000, excU:sive of the site. Clertjy: Rev. Bartliolomew
Gleeson, 186C-'7o; Tliomas Shanley, O. S. H., 1860-'07; Wil-
liam McCIoshey, 1867-"72; J. Kelly, 1871; E. Smith, 1877; J.
McMeel, 1878-'83; B. McHugh, lS78-'83; Jas. Durick, 1882-'83.
St. Vincent de Paul. — In 1863, a church of this name was
begun on North 6th street, near 5th, under the direction of the
Rev. Bernard McGorisk. Rev. David O'MuUane, with his as-
sistant, Michael Moran, began preparations for erecting a new
edifice. The corner-stone of the new building was lit'd July,
1868. The church i^ Gothic, 68by 156 feet, of Belleville gray-
stone, with Ohio stone trimming. It was dedicated Oct. 17,
1869, and cost about ^130,000. Clergy: Revs. Bernard Mc-
Gorisk, 1863-'C6; David O'MuUane, 1865-'72; Michael Moran,
186.5-'66; Thomas McXally, 1800-'67; John Crimmins, 1867-1);
M. Farelly, 1870-80; J. O'Rourke, 1871; M. Carroll, 1873-84;
T. Adams, 1874-'75-'76; J. Growney, 1881; E. McCabe, 1880-4;
John T. Woods, 1883; born in Brooklyn, 1860; graduated St.
John's College, Brooklyn, 1880; and Theo. Sem., Our Lady of
Angels, Niagara, 1883; located in Brooklyn, Dec, 1883-84.
Rev. Martin Caeboll, born in Ireland, 1841, grad. Coll. of
Our Lady of Angels, Niagara, 1864: Pres. Alumni Assoc; In-
cated Brooklyn, 186.5-84.
Rev. E. J. McCabe, born in B'klyn, 1853; grad. Seton Hall
Coll., N. J., 1874; and Theol. Sem., Our Lady of Angels,
Niagara, 1S77; located B'klyn. lS77-'84; founder and editor
of Tlie Catholic Youth.
Church of the Annunciation, B. V. M., is a German church
at the comer of North Fifth and Seventh streets. The first
church erected in 1863 by Rev. John Hauptmann. gave place
in 1870, to a handsome edifice of brick, 125 by 05 feet, built
at a cost of $65,000 and |70,000 for the lots. Rev. Mr. Haupt-
mann is still Pastor. There is a large school attached ; also a
convent of the Sisters of St. Dominic. The Clen/ij have been
as follows: Rev. J. Hauirtmann, 1870-84; H. Zimmer, 1874-'5;
L SchaBfer, 1877-79; B. F. Kurtz, 1880-81; W. Guhl,
1873.
St. Stephen's Church. — Soon after the formation of this
parish in 1866, a church on Carroll street, near Hicks, was
purchased from the Episcopalians, and lots on Hicks street,
between Carroll and Summit, were bought for future Iniilding
purjjoses. In a few years the erection of a new church at the
comer of Summit and Hicks was commenced. In July, 1S73,
the corner-stone was laid, and the dedication occurred in Oct. ,
1875. The edifice is built of brick, with Belleville free-stone
trimmings, and in the Modern Gothic style. Its dimensions
are 166 feet in length by 78 in width. Its spire is 225 feet in
height, surmounted by a cross, which is often illuminated at
night. The old church is used for schools in which there are
800 children taught liy the Sisters of charity. Pastoin: Rev.
O. J. Dorris, 1866-'(19; James Moran, 18(>9-'72; Edward
O'Reillj-, 1872-'84. The assistants have been: Rev. Louis
Rhatigan, 1867-'70; N. Doran,. 1870-83; Jas. McMeel, 1875;
O. O'Brien, 1877-83.
St. Nicholas' Church (German), cor. of Powers and Oliver
sts., E. D., is a brick structure, 100x40 feet. The corner-
stone was laid in 1865, and the t'hurch dedicated May 13th,
1866. The congregation was organized by the Very Rev.
M. May, of the Most Holy Trinity Church. In 1877, the
church was enlarged. Tliere are two schools connected with
the church, under the charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic.
Pastors: Rev. C. Peine, 1866-'77; Rev. J. P. Hoflfmann,
1877-'83. Assistant Clergy: Revs. F. Bariffi, 1868-9; L.
Fuchs, 1869-'72; J. P. Hoffmann, 1872-84; M. J. Michels,
1877-84.
Rev. John P. Hoffmann, born in New York. 1848: grad.
St. Francis Xavier's Coll., 1867, and Sem. of Our Lady of
Angels. Niagara, 1872; located B'klyn, 1872-'S4.
St. Francis de Sales', Broadway, near Hull st., E. D. ;
built in 1875; is of brick, 100x40 feet.
Pastors: Revs. Mr. Lenneuf, 187.5-6: E. H. Porcile.
1876-84. Clergy: Revs. J. M. Miller, 1873-'5; F. Guicheteau,
1873-'9: T. Vaudray, 1873; A. Kohboo, 1877; T. Lynn.
1878-9; E. H. Porcile, S. P. M., 1883-'3; H. Barker, S. P. M.,
1882-'3; Patrick F. Carr, 1882-'3: A. Galland, 1882-'3; William
J. Smith, S. P. M., 1883.
Church of St. John the Baptist. — Rev. E. M. Smith of
the Congregation of the Mission, was sent, in the spring of
1868, to Brooklyn, to establish a house of his order.
A large ]ilot of ground was secured on Lewis and Wil-
loughby aves., and a small cottage situated thereon served
as a residence for the Pastor. One of its small rooms was
fitted up as a chapel. Mass was said for the first time on
July 12th, 1868. Ten or twelve persons from the sparsely
settled neighborhood, constituted the first congregation.
On the same day the foundation-stone of the ])resent
church was laid. During the following September, Rev.
John Quigley, C. M., took charge of the parish; the church
was dedicated Aug. 29th, 1S09. Tliis church being designed
as temfjorary only, is a plain, wooden structure, with a seat-
ing capacity of 800. Pastors: Rev. E. M. Smith, C. M.;
J. Quigley, C. M., Sept., 1868, until his deatii in Jan.. 1872;
E. M. Smith, 0. M., Jan., 1873, to Sept., 1873; P. V. Byrne,
C. M., Sept., 1873, to Jan., 1876; J. J. Maloney, C. M., Jan.,
1876, to Sept., 1877; A. J. Myer, C. M., Sept., 1877, to Feb.,
1882; Rev. J. A. Hartutt, C. M.
A parochial school for girls, under the care of the Sisters
of Charity, is attached to the church. The attendance is
about 250.
Chur h of All Saints (German).— Soon after the formation
of the parish, Rev. M. Maj' commenced tlie erection of a
church on Thornton st., near Throop ave., which was dedi-
cated on the last day of 1867; the building is of brick,
49x94 feet. Rev. Anthony Arnold was appointed first Pas-
tor, and came to the charge on the first day of Jan., 1868,
which position he still occupies. The Assistajit Clergy have
been as follows: Revs. Alfred Kreutzer, John Schmetz. J.
Amman, C. Eisolay, 1876-'81; Bernard Kurtz, 1881~-'83. The
basement of the church is occupied by a school for boys:
behind the church is a girls' school, both conducted by the
Dominican Sisters, and containing 700 scholars. About 550
Catholic families reside in the pai'ish. The church owns a
EC CLESFA STICAL OR GANIZA TIOJSTS.
1057
lot on Throop ave. and Thornton st., 100x147 feet, on which
a handsome new structure will be built in the near
future.
Rev. Anthony Arnold, born in Bavaria, 1831; grad. St.
Vincent's Coll., and Theol. Sem., Pa.; previous location at
Holy Trinity, B'klyn, 1863-'8.
Church of Our Lady of Victory. — In 1868, the site for a
new Roman Catholic Church was obtained on Throop ave.,
between Macon and McDonough sts. , and a temporary frame
structure, 70x40 feet, erected and dedicated July 26, 1868.
In 1883, this was replaced by a handsome stone structure in
the Gothic style, and of larger dimensions. A flourishing
scliool is maintained hy the church. Rev. P. Creighton,
Pastor, 186S-'84.
Church of the Nativity. — The parish was organized Sept.,
1871, and Rev. M. J. Jloran appointed Pastor. Fifteen city
lols, on the soutli-east corner of Classon ave. and Madison
St., were purchased Dec, 27, 1871, for $30,000.
First mas3 was celebrated March 17, 1872, in the liouse that
is now the parochial residence. The new church was com-
menced April 32, 1872, and dedicated Oct, 20 of the same
year. It is of brick, with seating capacity of 600, at a cost,
including furnishing, of alxiut $3.5,000, Clergy: Revs. M,
Moran, 1871-84; M. Hickey, 1873-5; W. McGinnis, 1877-84;
W. J. McGuire, 1881-4; P. J. Kenney, 1881-'4.
St. Bernard's Church (German) was formed about the
year 1873. The congregation met in the Temperance Hall
on Hamilton avenue, for a couple of years, when the brick
building, 40x83 feet, on the corner of Hicks and Rapelye
streets, was purchased and fitted up for a church, with
school-rooms below. Rev. John J. Ammann has been the
Pastor since its beginning. Four hundi'ed children are
taught in the schools.
Rev. John J. Ammann, born in New York, 1840; grad, St,
Francis Xavier's Coll,, 1868; St. Mary's Baltimore, 1873;
located Bklyn, 1872-84,
Church of the Nativity, Madison avenue, near Classon, is a
brick edifice, 100 feet by 40, erected in 18T2, through the
labors of Rev. M. J. Moran, who stdl continues to officiate as
Pastor. The other Clergy are : Revs. M. Hickey, 1873-75;
W. McGinnis, ]877-"81; W. McGuire, 1882-83; P. Kenney,
1 882-83,
Church of St, Louis (French), McKibben, near Leonard, is a
wooden structure, 75x45 feet, erected in 1860. Rev. Jules
JoUon has been its Pastor from 1869, Services in French and
English are held and a French and German school is con-
nected with the church.
St. Vincent's Chapel is attached to .SY. Vincent' s Home for
Boys, at 7 Poplar street, and was established in 1872, for the
benefit of the inmates of the Home, by Rev. Maurice Hickey,
its present Pastor.
St, Augustine's Church was organized in 1870, with about
eighteen members, and Rev, Lewis J. Rhatigan, Pastor.
Messrs. Bennet, Dougherty and Rorko were chiefly in-
strumental in procuring its organization. Services were at
first held at the residence of the Pastor, in Warren street.
The present -hurcli edifice, on the cornerof Fifth avenue and
Bergen street, was dedicated March lOtli, 1871. It is a brick
structure, with a seating capacity of eight hundred, and its
cost, including site, was $43,000. In 1873, a parsonage was
erected, at a cost of $12,000. Father Rhatigan died in 1874,
and was succeeded by the present Pastor, Rev. Edward W.
McCarty, Under his wise financial management, the debt
on the church and parsonage Ips been nearly discharged.
The other Clenjy have been : Revs. J. E, Bobier, 1873-4;
D, J, Sheehey, 187.5-'83; D, Hickey, 1878-'83; James F.
Crowley, 1883.
Church of St. Leonard of Port Maurice.— In 1871, Rev. J.
J. Raber was appointed to the charge of this parish, then
newly formed. In the same year, a church was commenced
on Hamburg street, corner of Jefferson, and dedicated the
year following. It is a substantial frame structure, 97 by 50
feet, finely decorated inside, with a beautiful painting of the
Madonna and child in the center of the ceiling, and the four
evangelists in the corners, also a fine painting of St, Leonard
above the altar. The parish now conlains abovit 400 fami-
lies.
The schools connected with the church contain some 600
children, and are in charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic.
New buildings will soon be erected. There is also an Orphan
Asylum, with 80 inmates, occupying a handsome brick build-
ing near the church. Father Raber has been the Pastor from
first, and by arduous labors has built up and paid for the
lots and buildings.
Church of the Sacred Heart. — In 1871, Bishop Loughlin
established the parish of the Sacred Heart, in that portion of
Brooklj'n which is liounded by Ryerson and Canton sts, , and
Flushing and Myrtle aves., appointing Rav, Thos, F, McGiv-
ern. Pastor. A chapel was opened in Vanderbilt ave., Dec. 3,
1871. About the same time nine lots extending from Cler-
mont ave. to Adelphi st., near Park ave., were purchased, to
which three more ivere afterwards added, at a total cost of
$30,500.
The erection of a church was soon commenced, its corntr-
stone being laid May 10, 1874. In May, 1875, Rev. Mr.
McGivern resigned, and Rev. John A, McCuUum was ap-
pointed pastor. He hastened the work on the new church,
occupying it for divine eervice in thi-ee weeks after assuming
the pastorate, finishing it for dedication June 24, 1877. It i-i
a brick edifice, 64x137 feet, handsomely frescoed within, and
possesses a very fine painting of the Sacred Heart. The .l.s-
sixtant Pastors have been: Rev, John F, Nash, Rev. Chas, F,
Wightman, 1882; Rev. P. O'Mallon. 1883. The girls' Sunday-
school is taught by the Sisters of Mercy, and the boys' by
lay superintendent and teachers. There is no day-school at
present, but it is the intention to erect one.
St. Cecelia's Church. — This parish was organized in 1872,
and, in the year following, a frame edifice, a' out 50x80 feet,
erected on North Henry and Herbert sts. The congregation
increased rapidly, now numbering some 300 families. Rev,
Florence McCarthy was Pastor from 1872-83, when ho was
succeeded by Rev. James Taaffe,
St. Alphonsus' is a German church in Kent ave,, near
Manhattan, built in 1873, of wood, at a cost, including site,
of $21,000. Rev. W. Guhl has been the pastor since tne form-
ation of the parish. The number of families is nearly 500.
There is a large school attached, which is taught by the Do-
minican Sisters.
Church of the Transfiguration: — The parish was formed in
1874, with Rev. John Fagan its first Pastor. Lots were se-
cured at the corner of Hooper st. and Marcy ave., and the
erection of the pi-esent church was commenced ; meanwhile
services were held in a carpenter's shop on Hooper st. The
church was finished in 1875; it is of brick, 40x75 feet, and is
intended to be used for schools after a larger church shall
bo built on the corner adjoining. Father Fagan died i,. 1879,
and was succeeded by Rev. Wm, J. Hill, now of f3t. Paul's,
and he iu turn by the present Pastor, Rev. Jnp. M. Kiely,
who came to the parish in February, 1881. Rev. D. A, Tive-
nan was assistant from 1877-"81. The Catholic population of
the parish is 4,000 souls.
Rev. John M. Kikly, born in Ireland, 1847; grad. Mt. Mel-
leray Coll., 18G4; grad. Theol., Dublin, 1869; located in
B'klyn, 1869; St. James' Church; Church of Visitation; is
1058
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
contributor to relipc. journals; published sermons and lec-
tures.
Church of the Holy Name— Tlu' parisli was founded by
Bishop Loushlin, March 15, 1ST8. A building on Ihe corner
of 18th St. aud llth ave., called McCami's Stable, was Iho
only available place of worship. I^i this humble abode the
first service was held March 31, 1878, and continued ou every
Sunday until the following December. In the meantime at-
tention was given to ths jturchase of land and the erection
of a church. The site was secured April 29, 1878, at a cost of
$6,000, by Mr. John Collins, Park place, who paid and pre-
sented the first $100 of the purchase money. The following
day. May 1, work was commenced; August 11, the corner-
stone was laid: December 2.5, same year, it was completed
and occupied.
The present church edifice, situated on the cor. of 9th and
Prospect aves., is of brick and stone, and has a seating
capacity of over one thousand people. It was erected by the
present Pastor, Rev. Thomas S. O'Reilly, who is the first and
only one since the foundation of the parish. The market
value of church property in tliis parish, including church,
parochial house and grounds, is about $40,000.
Rev. Thomas S. O'Reilly, born in Ireland, 1844; grad. Mt.
Melleray Coll., 186j, and Theol. Sem., Our Lady of Angels,
1871; located in Flatbush. 18Tl-'4; Bklyn., 1874- '84.
Church of the Holy Family (German). About the year
1870, Rev. F. Henselmann gathered a congregation in a hall
at the corner of 27th st. aud Fourth ave. In June, 1880, the
corner-stone was laid for a new frame structure, 90 by 45
feet, on 13th St., near Fourth ave., which was completed in
the following year. There is a flourishing school attached,
in charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic. Rev. Mr. Hensel-
mann continues in the pastorate.
St. Patrick's Church, at Fort Hamilton, was established
as a mission in 1849. Services were first held in the residence
of Peter J. Murphy, on United States ave., between Lafay-
ette and Church sts., and afterwards in a new barn on Third
ave., near Shore road. In 1853, a frame church was built on
the corner of Stewart ave. and Lafayette st., with a seating
capacity of 350. Rev. J. McLaughlin was Pastor during the
first year, when ho was remove,]. Rev. Mr. McKeon, of St.
John's Church, Gowanus, jjorfornied pastoral duties until
March 10, 1854, when Rev. Mr. McGuirc succeeded as
Pastor. ,
He built a Pastor's residence adjoining the church. His
deatii occurred in 1856. Rsv. Cornelius J. McCarney was the
next Pastor, and was succeeded, ia 1861, by the present in-
cumbent, Rev. John Tanzer. There \i a school connected,
which is under the care of the Sisters of St. Dominic.
St. Michael's Church was established in November, 1874.
The first place of worship was a private house on Third ave.
In 1876, the present church edifice was erected an the corner
of Fourth ave. and 42d st. It is a wooden structure, with a
seating capacity of 900 to 1,000. Rev. M. J. Hickie %vas the
Pastor about three months, in 1875, and Rev. J. P. O'Connell,
D. D., from 1876 to the present time ; Rev. J. J. McCusker,
Assistant Pastor, from 1878-'84.
St. Theresa's Church was organized March 29, 1874, under
the present Pastor, Rev. Joseph McNamee. Ground on the
corner of Butler st. and Classon ave. was jjurchased, in
April of the same )-ear ; and, in the following August, the
corner-stone of the present church edifice ■was laid. The
building was opened for divine service in February, 1875.
In September, 1876, Rev. L. J. Guerin became Assistant
Pastor, in which capacity he still continues.
St. John's Chapel, of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral
of Brooklyn, is situated on Clermont ave., bet. Ijafayette and
Greene aves. It is of dark, rough-dressed stone, with light
trimming, and is 97 feet long by 38 wide. It was opened for
divine service December 27, 1878. It is the largest of the six
chapels which will adorn the future Cathedral of Brooklyn —
a cathedral which, in size, will be unequalled by any church
yet erected on this continent: and in art istic beauty, impress-
iveness, and ecclesiastical utility, will be without a modern
peer. The first Priest appointed to the charge of St. John's
Chapel was the Rev. Patrick F. O'Hare, who is assisted by
Rev. I. I. Mallen and Rev. Martin I. Loftus.
St. Agnes' Church. — This parish was formed in 1879,
and placed in charge of Rev. James Duffy. The congrega-
tion increased rapidly; it first worshiped in a small frame
stiticture on Hoyt St., near Sackett, where lots had been
secured for church purposes.
The cornerstone of the new church was laid by Bishop
Loughlin ia the sju-ing of 1881. It is a massive Gothic structure
of brick, brown-stone and polished marble, and located on the
north-cast corner of Hoyt and Sackett streets. The interior
dimensions are 73} feet wide and 180 feet long, and from the
ground to the tower tlie height is 130 feet. Seven large
arched windows on each side, a rose window in the front,
and three grand windows in the chancel, provide an ample
supply of light, through stained-glass panes, which were
made in Munich. The entire cost of the structure was $135,-
COO, and the grand organ, built by the Jardines, cost $20,000
more. The parish is a very large one, and the money for the
building was raised before work was begun. Bev. James S.
Duffy is Pastor; Rev. M. T. Kilahj-, Assistant.
Rev. Michael T. Kilahy, born in Brooklyn, 1854; grad.
St. Francis' Coll., Brooklyn, 1873, and Niagara Theol. Sem.,
1877; located B'klyn, 1878-'84.
St. Bridget's Church. — The parish was org. October 9th,
1882, and Rev. Father McCloskey placed in charge. Lots
were secured on Linden st. , near Myrtle ave. , and the corner-
stone of a church laid June 17, 1883; first service, Christmas,
18S3. It is a frame structure, 90 by 50 feet, with vestry and
basement, and seating 600. The basement is used for a jiaro-
chial echool. The cost of the building was about $16,000.
St. Ambrose's Church. — In the eailypartof 1883 a num-
ber of promine:;t Catholic families, f, eling that a church was
ncces.sary in their neighborhood, met, after the appointment
of the Rev. D. J. Sheehy, formerly Curate of St. Augusline's
Church, Fifth ave., as their Pastor, in a private dwelling in
Kosciusko street, where services were regularly held. The
congregation increased rapidly, and it was finally deemed
v.-iso to select other quarters, and, according!}-, a very desir-
able site, comprising 150 feet on Kosciusko street, 200 feet on
Tompkins ave., and 50 feet on DeKalb ave., was jjurchased,
and a handsome little Gothic building, which cost between
$5,000 and $6,000, was erected. A flourishing Sunday-school
is established.
Rev. D. J. Sheehy still remains Pastor. He was born in
Ireland, 1850; grad. Mt. Meller.ay Coll., 1868, and Niagara
Coll., 1873; located Brooklyn, 1873-'8I.
The following Roman Catholic Clergymen reside in Brook-
lyn:
Rev. Thomas Adams, bor:! in Ireland, grad. Coll. de los
Nobles Irlandeses, Salamanca, Spain, and ord. 1866; lo-
cated Ballymena, 18H6-'72; B'klyn, 187.'-'76; author of ATora/-
ity of ilic Irish Land League.
Rev. M. J. Hatton, born y.i France, 1838; ord. 1861; was
Prof, in Sem., and Asst. Piiest in France: located B'kljn,
1872, in charge of Homes fen- Aged of Little Sisters of the
Poor, in U. S. A.
ECCLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
1069
THE VERY REV. JOHN LOUGHLIN,
Bishop of the R. C. Diocese of the City of Brooklyn, N. Y.
A little more than thirty years ago, in October, 1853, the
city of Brooklyn was raised to the dignit}' of an Episcopal
See. On tlie 30tli of that month, Very Rev. John Loughlin,
then Vicar-Cxeneral of New York, was consecrated first
Bishop of Brooklyn. The ceremony of consecration was
performed in St. Patrick's Cathedral by Archbishop Bedini,
the Pope's Nnncio, assisted by six bishops, and the consecra-
tion sermon was preached by Archbishop Hughes. On the
9th of November, Bishop Louglilin's installation took place.
The Clatholics of Brooklyn made the occasion a gala day,
and turned out en masse, to welcome him who was hereafter
to be their spiritual director. Catholic societies paraded,
banners waved, bands played, and over one hundred priests
Were present. Catholic writers termed \i a great day for
Brooklyn.
It is entirely unnecessary for us to refer, at any length, to
the great administrative ability of Right Rev. Bishop Lough-
lin. The condition of the Catholic Church in his diocese to-
day speaks ])lainer than any written words, of the work
that the Bishop has done. A plain, unassuming man, gifted
not with ability alone, but also endowed with sound, prac-
tical common sense, to a degree that fe'v men are; he has
labored for the honor of God and the glory of his church,
and his lalnirs have been abundantly blessed with gi'eat
fruits.
Upon the advent of Bishop Loughlin, the episcopal resi-
dence of the diocese was fi.xed at St. James", where it has
since been. He entered immediately upon the duties of his
high position. The spiritual affairs of the diocese were then
circumscribed. The number of churches in the diocese
could bo almost counted on the fingers of a single hand.
Since his coming, the average of new parishes created has
been over one for each year; and the Bishop has fairly earned
the title of the " Church Builder."
Bishop Loughlin was born in Albany, N. Y. ; was educated
at Emmettsbargh, Md., and was then appointed Assistant to
the Bishop of the city of New York. When we have stated
these facts, and presented the following resume of the con-
dition of his diocese, after his thirty-one j'ears' administra-
tion of its spiritual and temporal affairs, we have written
his biography. Words can do no more.
When he came to Brooklyn, the churches of St. James,
St. Patrick, St. Paul, and of the Assumption, comprised
the bulk of the Roman Catholic membership of the city.
It is true there were a few other scattered congregations,
but they were generally insignificant in point of numbers;
the great bulk of the people having clustered in the lower
part of the city.
By 1856, seven new and fine churches had been erected
and dedicated; besides one in Queens county; and, in the
same year, the corner-stones of another one in Queens
county, and one in Greenpoint, were laid. The work thus
vigorously carried on in the early years of Bishop Loughlin's
administration has never been allowed to stop, and to-day is
being as earnestly prosecuted as ever in the history of the
diocese.
Catholic societies of all kinds have also grown and pros-
pered with the church in Brooklyn, and have done much hi
the vai'ious parishes m which they are situated, to asssist
their respective Pastors. Almost every church has its
" Holy Name," and its "St. Vincent de Paul's " Society; and
both of those societies have effected great good. In addition
to tliese, there are numerous other societies having various
aims and ol)jects, and all doing good in their respective
fields. The Voung Men's Literary Soeieties in Brooklyn num-
ber about fifteen, and have an aggregate membership rang-
ing from 1,200 to 1,500. Most of them affiliate with a Na-
tional Union of all the Catholic Literary Societies in the
United States. The President of this National Union is a
Brooklyn clergyman. Rev. J. H. JMitchell, of St. James'
Cathedral.
Temperance societies exist in man^- parishes of the city.
Those two beneficial organizations, the Catholic Knights of
America, and the Catliolic Benevolent Legion, both very strong
in Brooklyn, have the unqualified approval of the Bishop. Tlie
Knights have eight branches in Brooklyn; the Legion seven-
teen councils. Both are in a flourishing condition. Other
societies of lesser importance our lack of space compels us
to refrain from mentioning. Bishop Loughlin lias not been
slow to approve of good societies; but he has steadily refused
to encourage any whose aims were not thoroughly Catholic.
The increase of opportunities for Catholic education in
Brooklyn has kept pace with the growth of the church.
That every Catholic child in his diocese should be provided
with a Catholic education has always Ijeen Bishop Lough-
lin's earnest desire.
Upon his arrival in Brooklyn there were but two Catholic
schools in this city; one attached to the Church of the As-
sumption, and the other to St. James' Church. The Chris-
tian Brothers of New York were invited to take charge
of the new school. The desire for Citholic education was
so great even then that the school was overcrowded on the
opening day. The Brothers are still in charge, and fully sus-
tain their reputation as educators of Catholic youth. Very
many of their pupils liave become prominent in mercantile
or public life; and not a few have been, and are to-day,
zealous priests, exercising their ministry in this diocese and
elsewhere.
At the invitation of the Bishop, the Sisters of St. Joseph
came to Brooklyn iu August, 1855. In September of the
same year, the Sisters of Mercy, and the Sisters of tlie Vis-
itation also ci\,me; and in 1858, Bishop Loughlin applied for
a few Franciscan Brotlters to ass'st in the work of Catholic
education. Two Brothers came in May of tiiat year, and
aided by the Bishop, they multiplied in numbers, and be-
came prosperous and flourishing. Tlieir headquarters is the
Monaster}- of St. Francis of Assissi, in Butltr street. They
are now educating about 5,000 children in this diocese eacli
year. Today there is scarcely a chun h that has not a
scliool adjoining. Church and school have been simultane-
ously erected, and we can say, without fear of contradiction,
that to-day no city in this broad land has better facilities
for Catholic education than Brooklyn. These schools, as a
rale, are well attended. In the diocese there are 73 ijaro-
chial schools, 18 academies and select schools, and 2 col-
leges. The parochial schools are attended by 9,173 boys and
9,825 girls: the aggregate attendance being 18,997. The se-
lect schools are attended by 3,030 scholars, of whom 1,680
are girls, and 350 boys. St. Fi-ancis' College is attended by
2J5 pupils, and St. John's by 185. By this it will be seen
1060
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
that the total number of scholars attending Catholic schools
of all kinds in this city is 21,437.
For thirty years Bishop Loughlin has lived in this com-
munity; and, during that time, his life has been as simple
and open as that of the least of his flock. His heart has al-
ways been with his people, and his door has ever stood open,
that tl:e meanest and most wretched of them might come to
him for the relief not to be elsewhere found. He found the
Catholics of Brooklyn few iu numl>er and weak in resources.
To-day, in 90 churches and 37 chapels and stations, 150 priests
I
minister to the spiritual needs of 200,000 Catholics; in nearly
100 schools and colleges more than 30,000 children are being
carefully instructed ; and witliin the confines of his diocese,
four hospitals and sixteen asylums stand with tlieir doors open
to the poor, tlie sick, and the unfortunate. Deeds are more
eloquent than words, and the administration of Bishop
Loughlin has been big with deeds.*
* We acknowledge our indebtedness to Tlie Catholic Examiner oj
October 6, 1883.
REFORMED CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
The movement of late years to return to the primitive
Christianity which recognizes tlie Bible as the only authorit}'
in religious matters, instead of the decrees of councils, found
a number of adherents in Brooklyn. Its mission is to
reach, with Bible tniths. the Roman Catholic element. In
this, success has teen achieved by not becoming identified
with any particular denomination, but by standing aloof,
and as ex-Roman Catholics, stiU retaining the name and
character of Catholic; tluis having a greater influence,
speaking more directly to Roman Catholics. During the
past two 3'ears of this church in Brooklyn, 09 persons have
identified themselves with the First Reformed Catholic
Church. This church is under no episcopal jurisdiction
whatever, but conducted on a purely congregational basis.
Rev. E. H. Walsh, of New York, formerly a Trappist
monk in the Church of Rome, formed the First Independent
Catholic Church in this city, Sept. 25th, 1881, in Bridge St.,
between Tillarv' and Concord.
Rev. J. F. McNamee was the Pastor in charge until March,
1883, when be took a portion of the church and established
a congregation in Central Hall, known as tlie First Reformed
Catholic Church. At the same time Rev. Mr. AValsh camo
to Brooklyn and took charge of tlie Bridge street church,
which was incorporated in October, 1883.
Rev. J. V. McNamara has charge of the Tndejmndent Re-
formed Chnrch, which holds it meetings in Everett Hall, and
was organized in June, 1IS83.
Jan. 7, 1884, a branch was org. at Masonic Hall, Grand st.,
for the Eastern District, of which Father McNamee is
Pastor.
These churches are all the outgi'owth of a movement that
took form about six years ago, and which throws off from
churcli organization everything of human origin, and aims
to return to the Apostolic form, and to the simplicity of the
Uospel.
Rev. Jas. F. McNamee, born in Ireland, 18.57; grad. Coll.
de Beaucamps, Lille, 1879; located Newark, 1881: Brooklyn,
1881.
Rev. Edmund H. Walsh, born in Ireland, 18.58; was in
Bridge St. Ch., and in Ind. Cath. Ch., Harlem, N. Y., from
Sept. to Nov., 1881; Ind. Cath. Ch., Brooklyn, Nov.,
1881-84.
Rev. Charles F. Gaegan, born at Fairfax C. 11., Va.,
1857; grad. Mt. St. Mary's Coll. (Md.), 1875, and New York
Theol. Sell., 1880; located Newark, New York, Hartford.
Boston, 1879-'83; lecturer, Gen. Miss, and Gen. Sec'y, Ind.
Cath. Ch.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
First Presbyterian Church (New School). — The ground
upon which the Plymouth Church now stands was purchased
in 1832, by John and Jacob M. Hicks, for the erection of an
edifice for the use of the First Presbyterian Church. The
population of Brooklyn was then less than ten thousand,
and the church located in the midst of cultivated fields,
and far out from the settled portion of the village. It was or-
ganized with ten members, by the Presbytery of New York,
March 10th, 1832, and incorporated e:i the 13th of the same
month. The new organization was admitted to connection
with the Presbytery of New York, April 10, 1833; and on the
15th of the same month, the corner-stone of a substantial
church edifice was laid. This building was ninety feet in
depth, by fifty-five feet in width. A lecture-room, including
a Sabbath-school room and study, was attached to the rear
of the church, fronting upon Orange street, in 1831. The
first Pastor was Rev. Joseph Sanford, installed Oct. 16th,
1833, and dismissed Jan. 11, 1829. He was succeeded by Rev.
Daniel Lynn Carroll, installed Mai-ch, 1829, and dismissed
July 9, 1835. The pulpit then remained vacant nearly two
years: until, on the 8th of May, 1837, the Rev. Samuel Han-
son Cox, D. D., was installed as Pastor. In November, 1838,
the division of the Synod of New York was followed by a
corresponding division of the membership of this church.
About forty families, including three elders and nearlj- one
hundred members, claiming to be the legitimate representa-
ti^'es of the original founders of the church, in their reli-
gious opinions and sentiments, preferred to retain their con
nection with the Presliytery of New York (which remained
attached to the Old School Synod and General Assembly),
and asserting themselves to be the First Presbyterian Church
of Brooklyn, withdrew from Dr. Cox's charge. The Pastor,
seven elders, and about five Iiundied and fifty members, ac-
knowledging the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Brooklyn,
continued on the even tenor of their way. On the 28tli of
July, 1846, the corner-stone of the present elegant house of
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1061
worship was laid ; the edifice being first opened for service
on the Cth of June, 1847. The old church in Cranberry street
had been sold, in June, 1846, for the sum of |20,000, to
parties who subsequently conveyed it to Plymoutli Church.
The Rev. William Hogarth, D. D., was installed as Pastor
on the 15th of March, 185.5. On the 20th of Marcli, 1860, the
Rev. Charles S. Robinson, D. D., was installed, and resigned
March, 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. Norman Seaver,
D. D., installed December 1st, 1869. Dr. Seaver resigned
in 1876, and was succeeded, in April, 1877, by the present
Pastor, Rev. C. Cuthbert Hall.
Second Presbyterian Church (Old School) was organized
by the Presbytery of New York, October 35th, 1831, from a
colony of the First Church, consisting of thirty-one members.
They first erected a lecture-room on Adams street, near
t'oncord, which was opened May 1st, 1833. During the years
of 1833 and '34, a brick church edifice, of the Grecian Doric
order, one hundred and three feet by seventy-five, was
erected on Clinton street, near Fulton, at a cost of aliout
124,000, and |4,000 for the ground. It was dedicated May
4th, 1834; a lecture-room was subsequently built, ou an
adjoining leased lot, at a cost of $6,000: the old one, in which
they had first worshiped, having been disposed of for $8,000.
Pastors: Ichabod S. Spencer, D. D., March 23d, 1833, till
his death, Nov. 23, 1854, aged fiftj-six years; "Willis Lord,
D. D., 1854 to Aug., 1859; Dr. Nathaniel West, 1860-67.
In July, 1870, this church and the Third Presbyterian
Church were consolidated; and the united society retained
the name, Second Presbyterian Church, the house in Clinton
street continuing to be the place of worship. Rev. J. M.
Green, Pastor of the Third Church, continued as Pastor of
the consolidated church till 1873, ia which year Rev. A.
Crosby was called.
In Sept. 1877, a lecture-room, church parlor and vestry
room were fitted up in the church building, and reduced the
seating capacity of the auditorium from 1.100 to 900. In
Dec, 1882, this church was consolidated with the Clinton
Street Church, and the two Pastors, Revs. H. J. Van Dyke
and A. Crosby, retained as Collegiate Pastors.
Third Presbyterian Church (New School). — In the spring
of 1831, a few members of the First Presbjterian Church
(Rev. Dr. Carroll, Pastor) commenced a mission Sabbath-
school in the iqiper room of a dwelling-house, cor. Nassau
st. and Hvidson ave., then Jackson st. In January, 1833, a
framed building was erected at 153 Nassau st., nearly oppo-
site Stanton st., for a school and for occasional religious
meetings. April 13, 1835, the Third Presbyterian Church
was there org., with 34 members, and Rev. RoUin S. Stone
was installed as first Pastor. Mr. Stone resigned in 1837,
and the congregation removed to Classical Hall, in Wash-
ington St., near Concord. Rev. William Beale Lewis was
installed Pastor Oct. 10, 1837; and a church edifice was
erected in Jay st., between Sands and High, in 1840. Mr.
Lewis resigned m Oct., 1848; Rev. Daniel P. Noyes, installed
April, 1849, resigned Sept., 1854; Rev. William S. Karr, in-
stalled Sept. 2Sth, 1854, resigned Nov. 15, 1867. Rev. Joseph
M. Greene was installed May 12th, 1868.
July 5th, 1870, this church was consolidated with the
Second Presbyterian Church, Clintou St., and Mr. Greene be-
came the Pastor of the united congregation.
Tabernacle Presbyterian Church (formerly Central, Old
School), Schermerhorn st., near Nevins st. July 19, 1834,
the Prince St. Mission School was established under the
direction of the Second Presbyterian Church, then under thef
pastoral charge of Rev. Ichabod Spencer. That school, of
which John Morris, senior Elder of the church, was the first
Superintendent, and 0. C. Mudge the last, resulted in a
church organization April 13, 1847. After worshiping for
a time in a school-room in Prince St., the building at the cor-
ner of WUloughby and Pearl, formerly occupied bj- the Fifth
Presbyterian Church, was i)urchased. This was sold in 1853,
and a frame building on the corner of State and Nevins sts.
was erected and first occupied Ajiril 30 of the same year.
The corner-stone of a permanent edifice was laid on Scher-
merhorn St., near Nevins, which was dedicated Dec. 10, 1854,
at a cost of about $30,000. Rev. Nathaniel C. Locke was the
first Pastor; succeeded April 13, 1851, by Rev. Edson Rock-
well. He resigned in 1868, and was succeeded by the present
Pastor, Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, who was installed March
23, 1869. The church, by reason of controversies, was nearly
extinct at the time Mr. Talmage was called to its pastorate.
In 1870, a church edifice, called the Tabernacle, was erected
on the same block with the one erected in 1874. This build-
ing had a seating capacity of 3,000; it was destroyed by fire
December, 1872. The present Tabernacle was erected in 1873,
and dedicated Feb. 22, 1874. It is in the Gothic style, built
of brick, with stone trinrmings, and has a seating capacity of
5.000 at the ordinary services. The auditorium has the
amphitheatre form, and its acoustic i)roperties are excellent.
The membership of the church exceeds 3,100, while the Sun-
day-school contains nearly 2,000.
TABERNACLE ORGAN.
The organ is one of the largest in the country. A series of
" fifteen-cent admission " popular organ concerts were org.
during the winter of 1883-84 by Mr. Henry E}Te Browne,
the organist of the Tabernacle, partly to defraj- the expenses
of certain improvements, and partly to afford the people of
Brooklyn first-class music at reasonable prices. At these
concerts appeared many of the best vocalists in New York
and Brooklyn. At each concert were produced five different
pieces, without repetition of a single selection, a record never
before made by any organist in this country ; and the music
performed has always been of the classical order. These con-
certs had an average attendance of 2,000 persons, and proved
a great success, both musically and financially. The singing
at the services is assisted by a male quartette and led by a
cornet
1062
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
REV. THOMAS DEWITT TALMAGE, D. D.
Thomas Dewitt Talmage, D. D., was born at
Hound Brook, N. J., January T, 1832, the youngest of
a family of five girls and seven boys. He was reared
in a Christian home, from wbicli three brothers jire-
ceded him in the Christian ministry. His preparatory
education was acquired in the common schools, and at the
Academy in New Brunswick., He then went through a
thorough course of reading for the law, which was first
hie chosen profession; but, feeling it a duty and a priv-
ilege to preach the Gospel, he entered the New York
University, took a degree of A. B., with the class of
1853; and, three years later, graduated from the Theo-
logical Seminary in New Brunswick, N. J. His first
charge was at Belleville, N. J., where he preached for
three years to one of the oldest societies in the State;
and was then called to Syracuse, N. Y. After a pas-
torate there of three years also, where his .preaching
grew tonic and free, as the preacher learned humanity
and his own heart, he went to the Second Reformed
Dutch Church in Philadeljjhia. He attracted large con-
gregations, and his preaching was fruitful in spiritual
results, during his seven years' stay in that city.
There his powers became "set;" he had the courage
of his convictions, and realized his duty and mission in
the world to preach the Gospel in his own way, and to
compel men to listen and to heed. The church was
not to him a select few, in organization a monopoly,
but it was meant to be the conqueror and transformer
of the world, and his the responsibility of arousing and
leading his people in the great conflict. He also ac-
quired wide-spread fame as a lecturer, being invited,
far and near, to occupy the platform. Meanwhile, the
Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn was without
a pastor, and, by reason of controversies, had dwindled
to nineteen voting members; these signed a call to Mr.
Talmage to become their Pastor. At about the same
time, invitations came to him from churches in Chicago
and San Francisco. He came, however, to Brooklyn,
and was installed March 22, 1809. The old t^entral
Presbyterian edifice, on Schermerhorn street, near
Nevins, a cramped, brick rectangle, capable of holding
twelve hundred, was used until it became evident that
a larger house must be provided. In 1870, he laid
before the trustees of the church his plan for a new
edifice. The plan was accepted, and an iron structure
erected, with raised seats, the interior curved like a
horse-shoe; the pulpit, a platform bridging the ends.
It was dedicated in September, 1870, and accommo-
dated three thousand persons, but within the first year
was enlarged to accommodate five hundred more. The
spiritual growth of the church kept pace with its in-
crease in numbers. But on the 22d of September,
1872, the Tabernacle was destroyed by fire. When Dr.
Talmage arrived on the scene, his characteristic re-
mark was — " Well, the Tabernacle never was large
enough, now the people throughout the country will
help us build a more roomy structure." ^Vhile the
fire was still burning, arrangements for the future were
discussed, and the sympathy of others M'as shown by
the generous offer of several churches for the use of
the Tabernacle congregation, but the Academy i)f
Music was secured as a temporary place of worship. A
new and larger Gothic structure of brick and brown-
stone, cathedral-like above, amphitheatre-like below,
was dedicated February 22d, 1874. It holds five
thousand as easily as one person, and all can hear and
see equally well. Dr. Talmage's ideal in the ])lan was
that of a great family gathered around the hearth-
stone. Even this, the largest church building in this
country, is now insufticient to accommodate the thou-
sands who throng to attend its services.
Next to a free church, dispensing a free gospel. Dr.
Talmage had at heart the enlistment of laymen in
Christian work; he was anxious to arouse and direct
the dormant energy of the church to the work of evan-
gelizing the world. To this end he formed and success-
fully carried out a plan for training and educating
Christian workers. From this beginning grew up the
Tahernavlc lay College, with organized classes, com-
petent teachers, and able lecturers in their special fields.
The work was undenominational, productive of in-
creased activity in the churches, and in the establish-
ment of new mission and Sunday-school enterprises,
but of late years has been discontinued, owing to the
multifarious duties which demand Dr. Talmage's time
and energies in other directions. In 1879, Dr. Tal-
mage went abroad for the third time, visiting and
preaching in the cities of Great Britain and Ii'eland,
and speaking ninety-six times in ninety-four days, also
making a short tour upon the Continent. His reception
among the English-speaking 2>eople was a continuous
ovation; his public appearances, the occasion of great
gatherings of people; while a large public meeting in
Brooklyn welcomed him on his return home.
Dr. Talmage has been termed a "sensational"
preacher, but a more erroneous judgment could not be
made, in the sense in which that term is commonly
used. He is an earnest, impassioned speaker; and his
extraordinary imagination, descriptive powers and
humor; his great art in grouping and arrangement; his
wonderful mastery of words to illumine and alleviate
human conditions, to interpret and inspire the harmo-
nies of the better nature, are appreciated by all who can
put themselves in sympathy with his high consecration
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1063
Rev. THOMAS DEWITT TALMAGE, D. D
of purpose. His mannei* mates with his nature. It is
each sermon in action. He presses the eyes, hands, the
entire body, into the service of illustration; gestures
are the accompaniment of what he says. As he stands
before the immense throng, without a scrap of notes or
manuscript, and no desk before him, the effect pro-
duced cannot be understood by those who have never
seen it. His power to master an audience, from text
to peroration, is marvelous. No man was ever less con-
scious in his work; he preaches the Gospel literally as
he finds it, with a simplicity and thoroughness that
withhold nothing. He fears and defers to no prejudice,
interest or istn; he manifests the closest sympathy with
nature and humanity. His mantle of charity is so
broad, and covers the failings of others so completely,
that no enmities or resentments linger in his memory.
His language is clear, terse and epigrammatic; his vo-
cabulary noticeably from the Anglo-Saxon. The prac-
tical test of the value of his preaching is given in the
great numbers that gather aroxmd him in the Taber-
nacle, Sunday after Sunday, where there is a congrega-
tion of more than five thousand regular attendants, in-
cluding business men and their families, young people,
and those who had previously given up the habit of at-
tending church, besides a multitude of strangers from
all parts of the land; and, best of all, a church of more
than thirty-one hundred active members, the largest in
the world. Type gives him two Continents for a
church, and the English-speaking world for a congre-
gation. One hundred papers in Christendom statedly
publish his sermons and " Friday-night talks," exclusive
of the dailies of the United States. To pulpit labors
of this responsibility should be added considerable pas-
toral work, constantly recurring lecturing and editorial
labors, to fill out the public life of a very busy man.
He is the author of Crumbs Swept Up, The Abomina-
tions of 3Ioderti Society, Around the Tea-table, and
many published volumes of sermons. He was also editor
of the Christian At Work, of the Advance, and now
edits the Sunday Magazine, contributing likewise to
other periodicals.
Personally, Dr. Talmage is unassuming and a man
of vivacious temperament, of pleasant address, easy
to approach, and a sincere friend
10C4
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUITTY.
Clinton Street Presbyterian Church ilVninerly First Pres-
1)> teriau Cliurcli— Old School).— That portion of the congre-
gation of the First Presbyterian Church whicli seceded in
1838, woi-shipeil in the Court-house for about a year. In
1839-'40, they erected a new church edifice on the comer of
Fulton and Pineapple sts. It was a Gothic brick structure,
8"i by 6.") feet, and cost, including the ground, .|40,000. It
was one of the finest churcli edifices in the city. In 1850, it
was taken down, and the materials used in the construction
of the present church, on the corner of Clinton and Remsen
sts. , which -was completed in 1853. Tlie seating capacity is 900.
Kev. Melancthon Williams Jacobus was installed as the
Srst Pastor of this congregation in the autimin of 1839, and
was dismissed, on account of ill health, Oct. 21, 1851. His
labors liere were faithfully prosecuted, in the midst of diffi-
culties which few young ministers have encountered and
overcome. During nearly two years after his dei)arture tlie
pastorate was vacant, and the congregation in a very unset-
tled and distracted state. The present Pastor, Rev. Henry J.
Van Dyke, was installed on the 29th of June, 1853, and within
ten years the society expended about §13,000 in tlie im-
provement of the church building, and extinguished their
debt. Id 1868, the interior was remodelled, at an expense of
about $18,000. ^
This Firr.t Presbyterian Church (Old School) and the Soutli,
Presbyterian Church (New School), which worshiped at the
corner of Clinton and Amity sts., and was for 28 years under
the jjastoral care of Rev. Dr. Samuel Spear, in December,
1875, were consolidated. Both churches technically dis-
banded, and reorganized under the title of the Clinton. Street
Presbi/terian Church. For eighteen months the congrega-
tion worshiped in the two buildings alternately, and then
voted to have their permanent home at the corner of Clinton
and Remsen sts. Some time after, the building at the corner
of Clinton and Amity sts. was sold to St. Mattliew's Lutlieran
Church. The object of the consolidation was to reduce the
number of Presbyterian churches on the Heights. Dr. Van
Dyke remained Pastor of the consolidated church.
In December, 1882, at the request of the Second Presbyte-
rian Church, on Clinton st., near Fulton, another consolida-
tion was effected, and the two were united under the title of
the New Second Presbyterian Churcli, with Rev. Dr. Van
Dyke and Rev. Arthur Crosby as collegiate Pastors.
The Fourth Presbyterian Church (New School) was or-
ganized at Gowanus, by the third Presbytery of New York,
in February, 1838. A house of worship was erected soon
after, and llie Rev. Robert R. Kellogg was installed .June 4,
1839, by the Presbytery of Brooklyn. He was dismissed in
December follo%ving, and the congregation being few, and
oppressed witli debt, the church was dissolved by the Presliy-
tery, May 9, 1842, and, subsequently, the l)uilding was pur-
chased by the Third Dutch Church.
The Fifth Presbyterian Church (New School), which was
first organized in Brooklyn, was entirely distinct from the
congregation which subsequently existed under the same
name. It had its origin in the schism which occurred in the
infancy of the Second, or Central, Dutch Church.
The seceders, with their Pastor, Mr. Tappan, organized as
a Congregational body, and subsequently removed to a
church which Samuel A. Willoughby built, and ded. May 30,
1839. At the same time, the church changed its order, com-
in<j; under the care of the Brooklyn Presbytery, as the Fifth
Pres. Church. Mr. Tappan left in 1839, and was succeeded
by Rev. Absalom Peters, D. D., as supply. After a fe\.r
weeks, preaching ceased; and the church was disbanded.
The Fifth Presbyterian Church (New School) was an en-
tirely distinct organization from the preceding. The Rev.
George Dufiield, Jr., was ordained in January, 1841, in the
church on the corner of Pearl and Willoughby sts., built in
1837, by S. A. Willoughby, Esq., and occupied by the first-
mentioned Fifth Presbyterian Church. Shortly after, a
church was formed of twenty members. The building is 70
by 40 feet, and cost §10,000, Imt is now used as an auction
sales-room.
The Sixth Presbyterian Church (New School) was gath-
ered, but never legally organized, at tlie Wallabout, January
26, 1840, by a committee of the Brooklyn Presbytery. Rev.
James Knox labored here about three months. After his
departure, the church became extinct, although it continued
to have a nominal existence for about three years, two of its
elders and most of its members giving the Wallabout that
church.
The Free Presbyterian Church (New School) was oi--
ganized Marcli 22, 1841, and the Rev. Russell J. Judd in-
stalled Pastor the 1st of May following. He was dismissed
in the autumn of 1843 ; and, in the spring of 1844, the Rev.
Edward Reed was installed, and served about a year. Sub-
sequently, this congregation purchased the edifice erected by
the Second Baptist church, on the corner of Tillary and Law-
rence sts. In the spring of 1845, the church, having become
vacant, unanimously agreed to change their order and be-
come Congregational.
The First Presbyterian Church (New School), E. D., org.
with fifteen members, under the Presbytery of Brooklyn,
May 20, 1842. Shortly afterwards, its members became
divided on the subject of abolitionism, which resulted in the
dismission of four male and three female members, who sub-
sequently united in the formation of a Congregational so-
ciety. At first dependent upon occasional supplies, the con-
gregation received an element of permanence, by the instal-
lation, June 13, 1843, of Rev. Joseph Rawson Johnson, who
had labored witli them during the previous November.
In Feb., 1844, when their number amounted to eighty-six, ,a
proposition to transfer their relation to the Old School Pres-
bytery, of New York, again divided the feelings and
opinions of the church; and, finally, three elders and twenty
members were, at their own request, dismissed, March 2i),
1844, for the purpo.se of organizing another church, to he
placed under the New York PresV)ytery. In April, 1845, Mr.
Johnson was dismissed from his pastoral relations, and was
succeeded by the Rev. James W. McLane, who was installed
September 2, 1845. During his pastorate, in 1848, a new
church edifice was erected on South Fourth, comer of Sixth
St.. of brick, and with a lecture-room on the rear, two
stories high and facing on Sixth st. Dr. McLane died in
Feb., 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph H. Robinson
1864 to 1865; Rev, Samuel Carlisle, 1866 to Oct.. 1870; Rev. J.
Glentworth Butler. D. D., 1871 to May 1, 1873; Rev. S. Jliller
Hegemau preached, June 1873, to .July, 1874, but was not
settled as Pastor; Rev. William Guthrie Barnes, Dec, 1874,
till Nov., 1876; Rev. Thomas Crowther, from April 3, 1877, to
his death, Oct. 10, 1877 ; Rev. Aaron Peck, from 1878 to Oct.
16, 1881. Rev. H. H. Northrop is the present Pastor.
South Third Street Presbyterian (Old School), cor. of
Fifth St., orig. in the second secession from the First Church,
previously mentioned. They first assembled for divine wor-
ship, on the 7th of April, 1H44, in the public school-room of
District No. 1. The (Old School) Presbytery of New York,
on the 19th of April, org. a church of twenty-seven mem-
bers, and Rev. N. S. Prime w.is engaged as stated supply.
April 22, 1844, trustees were elected and the congregation
incorporated as Tlie Presbyterian Church of Williamsburgh.
Rev. Eugene P. Stevenson was installed as Pastor February
20, 1845; meetings being held in the public school-house, cor.
ECCLESTASTICAL ORGAJSTIZATIOWS.
1065
SOUTH THIRD STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
So. Third and Fifth sts. A new c}iurch edifice on So. Third
and Fifth sts. was first occupied on Thanksgiving, December
4, 1845, and dedicated on Sabbath, May 10, 1840. This edifice
is of brick, G'i by 75 feet, with a projection of 13 by 20 feet
for a tower and steeple; the land costing $6J0, and the build-
ing $16,000, together with a parsonage costing 13,800. In the
following year, the house adjoining the church, and occu-
pied as a parsonage house, was built. Mr. Stevenson was
sucoee led bj- the Rov. John D. Wells, who was ord. October
9, 1849, and is still the Pastor.
In 1S52, and several times since, extensive repairs and im-
provements have been made in the interior of the church.
From this church have been colonized the Cliristie St., the
Tliroop Are., and the Ro.is St. Pres. churches; yet the parent
has lost none of its vigor or influence. Rev. N. W. Wells has
been As-istant Pastor since 1881.
Rev. John D. Wells, D. D., born at Whiteborough, N. Y.,
1815; grad. Union Coll, 1838, and Princeton Theol. Sem.,
1844 ; Trustee of Princeton Theol. Sem., 1878 ; on Board of
For. Miss., 1861; Vice-Pres. of same, 1877; on Board of Con-
trol, N. Y. State Colonization See. ; preached in private chapel
of J. Lenox. Esq., 1844; Mission Chapel, N. Y. City, 1845-6;
author of Ltist Week in the Life of DaviK Johnson, Jr.,
Little WnJter of XyohisiiKj: sermons and pamphlets ; lo-
cated in Brooklyn, Jan., 1850.
The South Brooklyn Presbyterian Church
(New School) was org. Sept. 18, 1842. witli sev-
enty-two members, and tlie Rev. Samuel T.
Spear, Pastor, May 14, 1843. Their first place of
worship was a school-house on Pacific street,
which they purchased and occupied till their
beautiful edifice, on Clinton, corner of Amity
street, was completed in August, 1845. Its
dimensiuns were sixty by one hundred and fif-
teen feet, including a lecture-room in the rear,
and its whole cost was about |28,000. In 1875,
it was consolidated with the first Presbyterian
Church (Old School), and the United Society took
the name of Clinton Street Presbyterian Church.
The Wallabout Presbyterian Church (Old
School), now Franklin Ave. — The Wallabout
village, now East Brooklyn is nearly a mile to
the eastward of the Navy Yard, the ancient
Waale-boght. Prior to the years 1828 and 1830,
this territory lay in farms. The Primitive Meth-
odists, in 1836; the Episcop.aliaus, in 1837 ; and
the Presby'erians (New School), and Dutch Re-
formed in 1840, attempted to occupy the ground,
but all fa led. In 1842, Rev. Jonathan Green-
leaf commenced missionary labor here, and in
December, 1842, a church was organized imder
the above name. In January, 1843, it was legally
constituted ; and, in February, Mr. Greenleaf
became the Pastor. He was succeeded, after
his death, Ar)ril 24,1865, by Rev. Wm. A. Fer-
guson, and ho, January 1, 1868, by Rev. Samuel
P. Halsey. A lot of ground on Franklin, near
Myrtle ave., was presented for a church edifice,
by Mr. Greenleaf and wife, on condition that no
debt should be incurred in the erection of the
house. The building was commenced io March,
1844, and dedicated in March, 1845. The cost
was 155,000, exclusive of bell, chimneys, carpets,
lamps, fence, etc., which were contributed by
individuals. It is now known as the Franklin
Avenue Preshyterian Church. Rev. Samuel P.
Halsey. Pastor, until June .30, 1883.
Siloam Presbyterian Church (colored), org. July 25th,
1847, under the Presbytery of Brooklyn with about ten mem-
bers. The congngation first worshiped in a hall in Fulton st.
Then the house of a mission in Prinise st. was purchased by
the Presbytery, in 1854, for |4,000. In 1868, the house was
enlarged, and a basement was built, at an additional cost of
$4,000.
Ministry:— Bevs. A. N. Freeman, lS52-'fiO, and 1803-'84;
Charles H. Thompson, 1860-'3.
The church has been uniformly prosperous, owing to the
nntu'ing efforts of the Pastor, Rev. A N. Freem.\n, who was
l)orn in New Jersey, 1809; ordainet' ni Portland, Me., 1841;
came to Brooklyn, April, 1853.
The City Park Chapel, originally org. as the City Park
Union Mission Sabbath-school, July, 1848, at a prayer meet-
ing held at the residence of Mr. Kellogg, in Willoughby st.
Its first officers were: Isaac N. Judson, Superintendent, John
T. Davenport, Assistant Sujjerintendcnt, and Thomas S.
Simmons, Secretary and Treasurer. Its first session wns
held on the third S.ibbath in July, 1848. Its rapid increa o
demanded larger accommodations; and, in the springof 1851.
the association was organized which purchased lots on Con-,
cord, near Gold st. , on which was erected the building now
occupied by the Children's Home. The first board of trustees
of this association was composed of the following geutlemeri
J066
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
THE OLD FRANKLINf AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (See inevious page).
viz.: Austin Melvin (Congregational ist), Thomas S. Simmons
(Metliodist), Silas R. Beebe (Baptist), Jolin T. Davenport,
Timothj' Dauncy and Isaac N. Judson (Presbyterians). Mr.
Judson, after six years' service, was succeeded in the super-
intendency of the school by Mr. Nathaniel M. Terry, for
about six years; followed by Mr. A. A. Smith for a year; and,
in May, 1864, by Mr. A. M. Earl; and in May, 1868, by Mr. R.
J. Dodge. Then the vicinity began to be occupied by the
schools of individual churches, so that the union principle
became less effectual, and those interested in the P. M. U. S.
School felt that a church organization would better accom-
modate the people of the neighborhood in which the school
was located. Accordingly, an organization was effected,
composed of persons mostly from the First Presbyterian
Church, but was eventually disbanded, the teachers continu-
ing to labor in the mission school. In the spring of 1862, the
school was transferred to the charge of the First Pi'esbyter-
ian Church (Henrj' St.), which had furnished a greater part
of the teachers, and most of the funds for tiie mission. In
Feb., 1806, a new building was erected by the trustees of the
First Pre8b3-terian Church, on lots adjoining the old one, at a
cost (including a handsome oi-gan) of nearly |21,000. In
.lanuary, 1867, tlie tession of the First Cihurch extended a
unanimous call to the Rev. Charles Wood, who accepted the
call, entering upon his charge in February following, and
still continues Pastor. Since that time the enterprise has
continued to flourish. More than a hundred members have
been added to the Fir^t Presbyterian Church, bj' profession
of their faith, tiirough the instrumentality of this chapel.
In 1874, the chapel was enlarged b}- an addition to its au-
ditorium, making its seating capacity about 400; and it was
further improved by the addition of rooms for infant classes,
and alcoves for adult and Bible classes. The cost of these
improvements was $6,000. A commodious reading-room was
fitted up, in 1880, at the expense of Mrs. James Sheldon.
In this room, which is comfortably warmed and cheerfully
lighted, many young men gather nightly, some of whom
formerly spent their evenings on the street corners, or in
more demoralizing places.
Rev. Charles Wood, born in Salem, N. J., 1819; grad.
Lafayette Coll. (Pa.), 1846, and Princeton Theol. Sem., 1849;
was Vice-Pres. of Alumni Assn., 1878-"9: located at Fox
Hill, Blackwood, N. J.; City Park Chapel, B'klyn, 1867-'83.
The Lawrrence Street Presbyterian Church. — In 1852, the
Associate Reform Presbytery of New York established a
mission in Brooklyn, where they soon organized a church.
The young organization not having been supplied with reg-
ular preaching, or a fixed iilace of worship, was frequently
reduced to the verge of dissolution.
In 1858, the church called the Rev. Adam McClelland to
become their Pastor, and moved from their hall in Front
street to an edifice purchased from the Congi-egational Meth-
odists, cor. Lawrence and Tillary streets.
In 1875, a union was eflfected witli the Fort Greene Presby-
terian Churcli, Dr. McClelland continuing as Pastor of the
united congregation. Shortly after the consolidation the
united congregation sold the edifice in Lawrence st. to St.
Casimir's (Catholic) Church.
German Evangelical Pres. Church. — In 18.53, Rev. John
Neander, a German missionary among the Jews in New
York city, at the request of seven Germans in Brooklyn,
commenced a series of religious meetings here at private
houses. And, being authorized by the Board of Foreign
Missions, in whose service he then was, he org. a church in
1853, under the care of the New York Presbytery. Lots
were secured cor. Leonard and Stagg sts. (E. D.). on which
a neat brick biiildhig was erected, and dedicated Oct. 14, 1855,
at a cost of $9,000, mostly furnished by George Douglas,
Esq., of Flushing, L. I. It has since been enlarged, and is
now called the First German Presbyterian Church.
Ainslie St. Presbyterian Church was organized Oct. 22,
1854. It has had to date six Pastors: 1854-'56, Rev. C. W.
Hodge; 1857-"58, Rev. Alljert Biglow; 1859-66, Rev. Jas.
McDougal, Jr.; 1866-'70, Rev. John Hancock; 1870-78, Rev.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1067
J. M. Buchanan; 1878, to date, Rev. Jos. G. William-
son, Jr.
The congi-egation, since its organization, has worshiped
in but one building, a frame structure, enlarged from time
to time, at the corner of Ewen and Ainslie sts. It was
erected in 1854. Tlie property consists of five lots, a church
edifice and a i)arsonage. Tlie .seating cajjacity of tlie church
is 500. The present membership is about 600. The Sabbath-
school has 500 sclioLirs and 50 teachers.
The Westminster Presbyterian Church (New School),
org. in a liall on the (;orner of Court and Sackett sts., Jan.
31, 1850, with 61 members. A frame cliapel was first erected
on the present site, and dedicated on tlie third Sabbath of
May, 1856 ; the enterprise received a strong impetus in
its early work from the able ministry of Rev. Roswell D.
Hitchcock, D. D., wlio supiilied tlie pulpit from the first
Sabbath in Feb., 1856, until the first Sabbath of May, 1857.
In Oct., 1857, the Rev. Hugh S. Carpenter w.as installed,
and dismissed May, 1870. lu 1858, the jiresent building was
commenced, and with a temporary roof and front, the au-
ditorium was occupied for divine service the second Sabbath
in October of that year. In October, 1807, the new church
edifice, facing on Clmton street, corner of Fu'st place, was
finished and dedicated.
Mr. Carpenter was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. J.
Clement French, D. D., installed March, 1873, dism. Nov.,
1876; and he by Rev. James M. Ludlow, D. D., installed
Oct., 1877.
Rev. James M. Ludlow was barn at Elizabeth, N. J., 1841;
grad. from Princeton Coll. in 1861; and from Princeton Tlieol.
Sem., 1864. In the fall of 1864, he was called to the First
Presbyterian Church at Albany. In 1868, he succeeded Dr.
Durj'ea in the Collegiate Reformed Church, New York, dur-
ing whicli time their elegant church was erected. Dr. Lud-
low is a scholarly man, earnest and persuasive, stimulating
and effective. In 1881, he visited Europe and the Hoh- Land;
he is a contributor to various religious papers and periodicals.
The John Knox Presbyterian Church was commenced on
the corner of Fulton avenue and Adelphi street, May 4th,
1856; and a church organized June 12th, by the Presbytery of
Nassau, with sixteen members, eight of whom were males.
Tlie Rev. Lorenzo Wescott was ordained Pastor, October
16, 1856.
Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church.— May 16th, 1857, a
meeting of several gentlemen was held at the house of Mr.
Edward A. Lambert, Clinton avenue, to consult in reference
to the formation of a Presbyterian church in the 11th Ward,
to bo under the care of the Presbytery of Brooklyn. A com-
mittee was appointed, and on the 16th of June a public meeting
was held in the church on Carlton avenue, occupied by the
Park Congregational Society, when it was unanimously
resolved to organize a Presbyterian church, as contemplated
in the resolution of May 16th, and arrangements were im-
mediately made to purchase and occupy the building in
Call ton avenue, near DeKalb; the Park Congregational
Church (worsliiping there) having resolved to disband.
Trustees were elected, and the congregation organized
under the corporate name of " The Park Presbyterian
Church." On the 29th of June, a constitution was adopted,
and a petition was presented to the Presbytery of Brooklyn
to organize said church.
The Presbytery, on the 9th of July, met in the church,
Carlton avenue, and duly constituted the church — 16 males
and 32 females being received from various churches.
Messrs. N. W. Burtis, Josiah Widnell, and Harrison Teller,
M. D., were chosen Elders, and John Rhodes and Ralph
Hunt, Deacons.
Soon after the organization, the church engaged the ser-
vices of the Rev. Roswell D. Hitchcock. D. D., who continued
to occupy the pulpit until January, 1859. In the spring of
1858, the congregation had so increased that it was found
necessary to enlarge the accommodations, by extending the
building toward DeKalb avenue, thus furnishing seats for
some 750. On the termination of the services of Rev. Pro-
fessor Hitchcock, the Rev. Lyman Whiting, of Portsmouth,
N. H., occupied the pulpit until August, 1859.
On the 7th of February, 1860, the Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler
was unanimously elected Pastor, and, having accepted the
call, entered upon the duties of Pastor on the 8th of April,
and was installed by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, on Tues-
day evening, April 24tli.
In the spring of 1861, a new church edilli-e was commenced
on the corner of Lafayette avenue an<l Oxford street, and
was completed in March, 1862. The building is of Belleville
free-stone, and in thj Romanesque style; it is one hundred
and forty-six feet in length, and eighty-six in width. The
lieight of the spire is one hundred and ninety-five feet. The
auditorium contains three hundred and four jsews, and will
accommodate 1,800 persons; with seats in the aisles it holds
2,300. Above the lecture - loonK and Paslor's study are
spacious Sabbath-school rooms, ninety feet in length. The
whole cost of the ground and of the edifice did not exceed
$60,000 .
After the completion of the new edifice, the name of the
church organization was changed to that of the " Lafayette
Avenue Presbyterian Church." Its present membership
numbers 1,575.
"Olivet Mission" has a chapel on Bergen street, near
Sixth avenue, and a flourishing Sabbath-school. "Cumber-
land Street Mission," long connected with this church, has
been organized into the Fort Greene Presbyterian Church,
under the pastoral charge of Rev. Dr. McClelland. Over
one hundred members of the Lafayette Avenue Church w sre
dismissed to form this organization, and "Calvary Chapel"
was i^resented to them for their use.
The chapel erected as a memorial of the revival of 1866, in
Warren street, near Fifth avenue, and opened in November
of that year, was organized into a church by the Presby-
tery of Brooklyn in 1867, as the Memorial Presbyterian
Church.
In the summer of 1881, a house near the church was pur-
chased and taken down; and on its site, church parlors
were erected. Over these, and over the lecture-room, a Sun-
day-school room was added, 100 by 55 feet, with a seating
capacity of 1,000. This was open.9d on Christmas, 1881. The
cost of these improvements was |35,000.
Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, D. D., born in Aurora, N. Y.,
1822; grad. Princeton Coll., 1841; Princeton Theol. Sem.,
1846; located in Burlington, N. J.; Trenton, N. J.; New York
city; came to B'klyn, April, 1860; author of Empty Crib,
Thought Hives, Pointed Papers, Nile to Norway, Cedar
Christian, Stray Arrou-s, Heart Life, etc. ; also of published
sermons; is widely known as a powerful worker in cause
of temperance, and of Sunday-schools.
The Cumberland Street Chapel (near Myrtle avenue) was
established in connection with Lafayette avenue Presbyterian
Cluurcli, and was afterward erected into the Fort Greene
Presbyterian Church.
The Genevan Presbyterian Church (Old School), Gates
avenue, corner of Hunter street, was org. by the Presbytery
of Nassau, June 12, 1856, under the name of the Greene Ave-
nue Presbyterian Church, and so continued until June, A. D.
1864, when its place of worship was removed from Greene
avenue, corner of Clermont avenue, to its present place, where
1068
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
LAFAYETTE AVENUE PKESBVTEKIAN CHURCH.
MGCLE8IASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1069
the church edifice was completed and dedicated, June 19,
1864, and at the request of tlie cliurch, and hy order of the
presbytery, the title was changed lo the name of the Genevan
Presbyterian Cliurch of Gates avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
The fii-st Pastor was Rev. William B. Lee; succeeded by
Rev. Alonzo Clark, under whose pastorate a portion of the
congregation formed a union with the Tompkins avenue
Presbyterian Church. The remnant continued for a time to
worship in the church on Gates avenue, but finally dis-
banded.
The Ross Street Presbyterian Church (Old School) was
org. April 2Sth, 1864, in the chapel of Christ Church, Division
avenue, by the Presbytery of Nassau with forty-three mem-
bers, of whom twenty- seven wei'e from the South Third street
Presbyterian Church, and the remainder from the First Re-
formed Dutch and first Presbyterian Churches. On the 15th
of October, 1864, the Rev. Charles S. Pomeroy was duly in-
stalled as Pastor. Lots were purchased for a church edifice
on Ross street, between Lee and Bedford avenues, and also
lots in the rear on Wilson street, for the erection of a chapel
and Sabbath-school room. The chajiel was completed and
dedicated Sunday, May 14, 1865. Its size is eighty-five feet
by forty; substantially built of brick and brown-stone, with
a school-room upon the lower floor and an audience-room
above, seating, with the galleries subsequently added, about
six hundred. It was furnished with a fine large organ, and
all the appointments of a modern church edifice. The expense
of this chai>el (furnished) and the ground, was about $35,000,
free from debt. On June 5, 1871, the corner-stone was laid
,#•'4 If hU/,'^'
ROSS STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
of an c^legant church edifice, upon the lots belonging to
them in Ross street, cor. of Wilson. It seats comfortabh'
with boxes, 800; as originally with pews, 1,000. Mr. Pomeroy
was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Jlr. McGinley, who
i-emained two years. Rev. Archibald McCidlagh became
Pastor March 17th, 1878. During his pastorate the church has
been greatly prospered. It has a flourishing Sunday-school of
GOO scholars.
The growth of the Ross Street Church has been rapid and
healthful. Its present membership is 430. May, 1809.. the
Pastor and session organized a mission-school on the north
side of the city in Grand street, as a branch of the home
school, and conducted by members of the Ross Street
Church. Mr. Frederick A. Thompson was the first superin-
tendent.
Rev. Archibald McCullaGii was born in Armagh, Ireland.
1842 ; grad. Princeton Coll., 1868 ; and Princeton Theol.
Sem. , 1871; was located Germautown and Phd. , 1871-8;
Brooklyn, 1878-83.
First Presbyterian Church of Greenpoint (E. D.), Noble,
cur. of Guernsey street, org. with fourteen members at a meet-
ing held in May, 1869, at Masonic Hall, under the auspices
of the Presbytery of Nassau. Lots were purchased for f 10,-
000, on which they proceeded to build a neat one-story frame
structure, thirty-five by seventy-five feet in size, seating U|i-
wards of four hundred and fifty persons, and costing 14,000.
It was dedicated July 18th, 1869. Officers: Deacon, George
Brinkerhoff; Elders, J. N. Stearns, David Joliue; Trustee.i,
D. H. Furbish, Henry Dixon, David Joline, George Campbell,
John N. Stearns. A thriving Sunday-school, under the super-
intendence of Mr. Stearns, was a feature in connection with
this enterprise.
Christie Street Presbyterian Church, organized October
23d, 1854, by eighteen members from the South Third street
Presbyterian Church.
Throop Avenue Presbyterian Church. — In 1853, a mission
Sabbath-school was org. in a small room, cor. Throop avenue
and Bartlett street, in a sparsely settled German neighbor-
hood.
In 1854, the school removed to Broadway, between Flush-
ing and Yates avenues, becoming known as the Broadway
3Iission Sunday-school. It increased in numbers, so that
preaching and other religious services were maintained.
Nov. 14th, 1861, the corner-stone of the Mission build-
ing on Throop avenue, bet. Hopkins and Ellery streets, was
laid, whither the school removed in 1863, assuming the name
Throop Avenue Mission Sunday-school. The same month
measures were taken to org. a Presbj ,erian Church from the
Mission, which was completed by the Presbytery June 8th,
1863. The membership was 27, of whom 18 came from the
Sunday-school, and 17 from the South Third Presbyterian
Church. Rev. John Hancock was Pastor, from 1863 to Dec,
1866; Rev. John Lovvrey, from May, 1867, to April, 1873.
In 1867, a new edifice was built at the cor. of Throop and
Willoughby avenues, on land given by Hon. Darwin R. James.
It was intended as a temporar)' building only, and has since
been twice enlarged, at a total expense of about $36,000, and
seats about 900. (See engraving on following page. )
Rev. Lewis Ray Foote was installed Pastor, Dec. 31st,
1878, and still occupies the position. The church is prosper-
ous, having 737 members, and annually expends more money
upon benevolent %vork than for its own current expenses. It
has under its care in the home Sunday-school, and in the two
branch schools, 2,300 children.
Rev. Leivis R. Foote, born in So. New Berlin, N. Y., 1844;
grad. Hamilton CoU., 1869; and Union Theol. Sem., 1872;
served as private in 61st N. Y. Vols. ; wounded at Fair Oaks,
and honorably discharged; located B'klyn, Nov., 1873.
Classen Avenue Church. — On December 10, 1866, the ses-
sion of the First Presbyterian Church on Henry st., and of
the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, appointed a
joint committee of two to inaugurate the movement for a
new Presbyterian Church, in the section of the city now oc-
cupied b)' the Classon Avenue Church. At the in itation of
this committee, a number of gentlemen met on December
20 th, at the x-esidence of Mr. Olin W. Walbridge, on Down-
ing St., when the organization of the new church was fully
resolved upon. On January 27, 1867, church services were
held morning and evening, and a Sunday-school was organ-
ized in the building No. 174 Gates ave. Lots on the north-
easterly corner of Classon ave. and Monroe st. were pur-
chased for $9,000, and a frame chapel was built, which was
dedicated June 30th. On the 8th of July, the church was
constituted by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, with 59 members.
lOTO
HTFiTOUY OF KTN'GS COUNTY.
THKOOP AV1;NUK I'KESUVTKKIAN CHUKCH. (See previous page.)
Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, D. D., was unanimously chosen the
first Pastor on December 3, 1867, and he was installed on the
36th of December. Ground was broken by the Pastor for
the new edifice on May 13, 1868, the corner-stone was laid
December 1, 1868, and the edifice was dedicated on Sunday,
January 2, 1870. Previous to the completion of the church,
the chapel was enlarged to its present size. A mission Sun-
day-school was established on Atlantic ave. soon after the
commencement of Dr. Duryea's pastorate. In 1879, the
church purchased the building formerly occupied by Dr.
Nyes' Cliurch, corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic aves., and
the mission school removed to this building, which has since
been known as Dutyea Cliapcl. On April 7, 1879, the pas-
toral relations of Rev. Dr. Duryea were dissolved. Rev.
David R. Frazer, D. D., was installed March 4th, 1880. Dur-
ing his pastorate, the remaining mortgage debt of $28,000
was paid; and a large proportion of the pews, which liad Ijeen
held by individuals, were surrendered to the church. Rev.
Dr. Frazer"s pastorate terminated January 31, 1883.
Dr. Ijeander T. Chamberlain accepted the call extended to
him by the Classon Avenue Presbyterian Church to become
its Pastor, and was settled in October, 1883.
The church in Classon ave. has a seating capacity of 1,500.
It is elegantly finished inside, and free from debt. Its mem-
bership is over 700. The Home Sunday-school and the Mis-
sion Sunday-school, which hold their meetings in Durjea
Chapel, on Clermont ave., are in a prosperous condition, un-
der the able management of their respective superintendents,
Messrs. E. B. Bartlett and E. P. Loomis. The membership
of the latter school amounts to 400.
Dr. Chamberlain was born in Massachusetts about forty-
five years ago. He received his classical training in Yale
College, where he delivered the valedictorj oration. He
went to Andover Theological Seminary, in Massachusetts,
to prosecute his studies for the ministry. He enjoys a wide
reputation for biblical scholarship and eloquence in the pulpit.
Memorial Presbyterian Church. — In the spring of 1866, a
movement was set on foot Ity some members of the Lafay-
ette Avenue Presbyterian Church, and others, resulting in
the organization of a Sunday-school, which met for a time in
a room on Baltic st. In the autumn following, tlie School
took possession of a chajjel which had been provided in War-
ren St. (now Prospect place), near Sixth ave. Preaching ser-
vices were occasionally held, the Rev. Mr. Mason, of East
Tennessee, officiating for a time. February 19, 1867, a Board
of Trustees was elected, and the chapel and properties were
transferred to the Board, to be used for a Presbyterian
Church. March 28, 1867, the Presbytery of Brooklyn (N. S.)
met at the Chapel, and organized the Memorial Presbyterian
Church, with 34 members, of whom the majority were from
Lafayette Avenue Church. James Craikshank, C. C. Mudge
and Jacob S. Denman were elected Rttlhig Elders, while
Ithamar DuBois and John H. Wilson constituted the first
Board of Deacons.
Rev. Theodore S. Brown, of Plainfield, N. J., was installed
as the first Pastor of the church April 23d, 1867; he remained
for six years. During the year following Mr. Brown's resig-
nation, services were maintained by supplies, the way not
appearing clear for the calling of a Pastor adapted to the
work. In June of 1874, the Rev. C. K. Jones was engaged
as stated supply for one year, but retired from the work
somewhat before the expiration of that time.
On the 1st of May, 1875, tlie Rev. Thomas Crowther, of
Pittsfield, Mass., commenced his labors. In the .spring of
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATlGlTS.
1071
Js. ^;^ "-^
MEMORIAL PRESnYTERIAN CHURCH.
1877, he was dismissed at his own request. On the 23d of
June, 1877, a call was extended to the Rev. T. A. Nelson, the
present Pastor, who was then completing his studies in the
Union Theological Seminary of New York. He began his
labors on tlie first Sabbath of August following, and was
ordained and installed as Pastor on the evening of Wednes-
day, Sept. 2fi, 18TT.
The steady growth of the congregation rendering both a
change of location and increase of accommodation desirable,
a movement was inaugurated for the purchase of an eligible
site and the erection of a new edifice, which resulted in the
present propertj- on the corner of Seventh ave. and St. John's
place. Ground was broken for the present church edifice on
the morning of March 13, 1882, and the corner-stone of the
new building laid, with appropriate ceremony, on the 1st day
of .June following. On Sabbath morning, Februaiy 18, 1883,
the church was first opened for worsliip.
The style is the pure Gothic of the early decorated period,
which flourished in the beginning of the fourteenth century.
The church is faced throughout with gray-rock Belleville
stone, the windows having stone tracery throughout. The
buttresses are surmounted by stone pinnacles; the parapets
pierced with open tracery, and the roof is of blue slate, ridged
with ornamented terra cotta. The tower serves as a porch
with double entrancp, the other entrances being on Seventh
ave. and St. John's jilace. Tlie pews in the auditorium are
circular in form, and the woodwork generally is of stained
cherry. The dimensions of the structure are 95 by 67; the
height to ridge, 47 feet; and to the apex of the spire, which
is of stone, 117 feet high. There are seats for about 800 peo-
ple in the edifice. It is proposed in the early future to build
a chapel closely adjoining, for lecture-room and Sunday-
school purposes.
Rev. Thomas A. Nelson was born in Montreal, Canada.
In early life he ^vas engaged in the mercantile business in
Indianapolis. In 1866, he entered Asbury Universit}', to
prepare for the ministry. He was Secretary of the Y. M. C.
A. of Toledo, 1871-'4, when lie entered the Union Theol.
Sem., New York, graduating in May, 1877; and the follow-
ing month he accepted a call to the Memorial Presbyterian
Church of this city. His pulpit discourses are noted for
clearness and precision of expression ; he claims no advanced
ideas in religious theory, but his mind is naturally liberal
and his views cheerful. His earnest, sincere and manly
characteristics have won the esteem of a large circle of
friends.
1072
HISTORY OP KINGS COUNTY.
Bethlehem Mission was commenced November 1, 1868, in
the livery stable of Mr. Witty, at the junction of Fulton and
Flatbush aves. The mission took its name because of its or-
ganization in ,- stable. It wa-s org. by A. M. Earle and Eev.
D. M. Heydrick, whose life has been devoted to mission labor
in this city, and who has been intimately connected with the
organization of many missions. After five Sundays in this
place the mission was removed to Prospect Hall (now Music
Hall), at the junction of Flatbush and Fulton aves., and sub-
sequently to a room over Nos. 635 and 637 Fulton st., where
it has since been held.
The first suiierintendent was A. M. Earle, followed by Mr.
Hawley, Mr. Kimball and Mr. G. A. Brett, who, with his ex-
cellent wife, carried on the work there at their own expense
during five years. Mr. Heydrick has been the Pastor of the
mission from the first, and since 18T9, both Pastor and Super-
intendent.
The German Evangelical Mission Church (Presbyterian),
Hopkins st., was org. as a mission in 1868, and as a church
in 1870. Its ])lace of worship, while a mission, was the
Throoi) Ave. Mission School building. In 1871 the present
church edifice was built, on Hopkins st., near Throop ave.
It is of brick, with 1,400 sittings. A jjarsonage adjoins the
church. The cost of the church ]iroperty was |02,000.
Rev. John Meury has been Pastor from the time when the
church was a mission.
A ]iarochial school is maintained in the basement of the
church, where instruction is given in both German and Eng-
lish. It has an average attendance of 160. Two teachers
are employed.
NOBLE STIIEBT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Noble Street Presbyterian Church. — This church was
formed by the Presbytery of Nassau, in April, 1809, and
consisted of fourteen members. The first place of meeting
was the Masonic Hall, corner of Manhattan and Meserolo
aves. A short time after, a small frame building was erected
on the corner of Noble and Lorimer sts., the Presbytery giv-
ing the lots for the jjurj^ose. Subsequently this was removed,
and the present brick edifice was erected in its ])lace. A
large lecture-room and parsonage were added.
Rev. William Howell Taylor was installed the first Pastor
in 1870, and continued to 1875, when ill health compelled him
to seek a more salubrious climate, and a less arduous field of
labor. Rev. John T. Lloyd was installed in 1870, and con-
tinued Pastor nearly one year. Rev. C. F. Taylor, D.D., was
called from Le Roy, N. Y., and installed in 1878.
The church has grown, in spite of many discouragements,
till it numl)ers over three thousand members.
Its Officers now (1884) are: Rev. C. F. Taylor, D.D., Pas-
tor; David Joline, Geo. P. Wilson and John A. Jenkins,
M.D., Elders: Mervin Briggs, Supt. of the large and flourish-
ing Sabbath-school.
Fort Greene Presbyterian Church. — The Lafayette Avenue
Presbyterian Church established a mission in Cumberland
St., known as Calvary Chapel. The flourishing Sunday-
school was the nucleus of a church which the Presbytery or-
ganized in 1873, with Rev. William Guthrie Barnes the first
Pastor. Lots were bought for $10,000, and a handsome brick
church, about 70x120 feet, was erected, costing about $45,000.
Its seating capacity is about 750.
In 1875, Dr. Adam McClelland's church, the Lawrence
Street Church, corner of Tillary, was sold to the Roman
Catholics, and the congregation united with the Fort Greene
church under the pastoral care of Dr. McClelland, who re-
signed in 1888. Dr. McClelland was, from 1855, principal of
the New York Institution for the Blind. In 1858, he began
his work as Pastor-elect of the Lawrence Street Presbyterian
Church, and was ordained on SeiJtember 33 of the same year.
He remained Pastor of the Lawrence Street Churcli until the
time of its union with the Fort Greene Presbyterian Church,
in February of 1875. He has since been in quiet possession
of his pastorate. At the time of the union of the two
churches his whole congregation went with him.
Greene Avenue Presbyterian Church — In 1874, A. M. Earle
erected on Greene ave., between Reid and Patchen aves., an
edifice, which subsequently became the house of worship of
this society, which was organized May 19th, 1874, with about
twenty members. It was but a temjiorary structure, but
served their purpose until they took possession of their
present church building, which is a wooden edifice, with
about 500 sittings.
During a portion of the first year of its existence, the
church was supplied by James S. Evans, D. D., a Sy nodical
Missionary. The present Pastor, Rev. William J. Bridges,
was installed May 30th, 1875.
The First United Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. — The
Rev. H. H. Blair, then Pastor of the Associate Presbyterian
Church, of Charles St., New York, first began missionary
work, in connection with his own p.astoral labors, in Wil-
liamsburgh, by preaching occasionally in a hall. He thus
gathered a nucleus, from which an organization was effected
about 1849. The first Pastor was the Rev. Wm. Cleeland, a
licentiate from the Irish Presbyterian Church, installed, Oct.
11th, 1849, in Butterman"s Hall, Williamsburph. Tliis pas-
toral relation continued till April 32d, 1854. On the 18th of
May, 1854, Rev. Andrew Thomas was installed PartDr, but
soon accepted the charge of a church in Providence, K. I.
Nov. 15th, 1855, Rev. Samuel Farmer was installed Pastor.
John Robb and James Smith were Ruling Elders ,at this time.
During Mr. Cleeland's pastorate, the congregation bought a
lot, and built a small brick church on the corner of 8th and
So. 1st sts., but, under the ministry of Rev. S. Farmer, this
was sold, and a new and much larger church edifice was
built, on coi-ner of 8th and So. 8tli sts. This, however,
proved almost fatal to the existence of the congreg.ation.
The financial crisis of 1S57 came; the Pastor demitted his
charge, and an efl^ort was made to foreclose a mortgage of
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1073
about $14,000. They exchanged their new church and
grounds for :i little frame cliurch in No. 5th st., between 4tli
and 5th sts., with the grounds, three full lots. This was
nearly ruinous to the congregation. The organization, how-
ever, was not broken up, though thoroughly discouraged and
disheartened.
Rev. J. T. Wilson was installed in 1867, and worked suc-
cessfully for a few years; but feeling that his church was
overwhelmed with debt, and that it was badly located, he
made an effort to take the congregation out of it, and leave
the property to the parties having mortgages against it. But
this effort was opposed by part of the congregation, and re-
sulted in a division. Those who went out with Mr. Wilson,
worshiped in a hall for some months, and Mr. Wilson soon
was released. From this nucleus was afterwards foi-nied
what is now known as the 2c( Reformed Presbyterian Church,
Brooklyn.
Those remaining in the church were few and feel)le. Three
short pastorates, however, viz., that of Rev. Martin Ross,
Rev. H. Brown, and Rev. R. T. Wylie, intervened between
that time and May 15th, 1876, when tlie present Pastor, Rev.
J. H. Andrew, was installed. With the aid of the Bd. of
Home Missions, they were able to pay him a salary of only
$1,300. In less than two years they became self-sustaining.
They have now' almost paid their church debt, and the con-
gregation numbers about 160 members, and ia increasing.
In the year 1858, a union was formed between the Associate
and Associate Reformed Presbyterians. Ami uhis little con-
gregation which belonged to the Associate Church, went into
that union, hence the present name United Presbyterian
Churcli.
The present eldership of the church is as follows: John
Patterson, William Ramsay, Robert Moore, John Ward, John
McLean.
The Second United Presbyterian Church. — In response to
the petition of sixty-five citizens of Brooklyn, desirous to be
taken under its care, and supplied with preaching, the Pres-
bytery of New York, of the United Presbyterian Church,
in July, 1858, consented to the request, and approved of the
organization of this congregation, which wno effected Sept.
1st of that year. The new church immediately commenced
public worship in the Brooklyn Institute, under the pastoral
charge of the Rev. David J. Patterson; installed Feb. 1,
1859, and who had labored in Brooklyn during the previous
ten years, in charge of another church organization.
About Nov. 8, 1863, the congregation purchased the church
building previously occupied by the Reformed Presbyterians,
on the corner of Atlantic ave. and Bond st., and here they
have since worshiped. It is of brick, 40x70 feet iii size, and
accommodates about 500 persons. The principles anc forms
of govenmient of this church are those formulated in the
Westminster Confession of Faith, etc. Rev. Mr. Patterson
continues in pastoral charge, and the church is prosperous.
The First Reformed Presbyterian Church was an off-
shoot from a church of the same name in New York city.
Several families in connection with that church resided in
Brooklyn, and this led to the establishment here of a church,
which was organized April 3, 1848.
Lots were purchased, and a house of worship was erected
in Duffiold st. , near Myrtle ave. Here the congregation wor-
shiped till 1S79, when the building was sold to the Church
of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal), for a chapel. The congrega-
tion then worshiped in Granada Hall, Myrtle ave., till Oc-
tober, ISSl, when they j)urchased the chapel of the Memorial
(Presbyterian) Church, in Prospect place.
The Or.st Pastor was Rev. Bavid J. Patterson, followed in
suci'cssion by Revs. G. A. McMillan; J. ^Vgnew Crawford,
Jan., 1861 ; Alexander Clements, Nov., 1868; Nevin Wood-
side, installed Jan. 17, 1867 ; and John C. Mackey. Rev. T.
J. McClelland was installed Pastor, Jan , 1884.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized June
17, 1857, and its first house of worship was at the corner of
Atlantic ave. and Bond st., with Rev. J. M. Dickson as the
Pastor for tix years. The building is now occupied by the
United Pretbylerian Church. Its second house of worship
was at the corner of Lafayette ave. and Ryerson st., and Rev.
J. A. Boggs was Pastor for sixteen years. Dec. 7, 1881, Rev.
S. J. Crowe was installed Pastor. In 1888, the congregation
pm-chased the Willoughby ave. M. E. Church building, corner
of WUloughby and Tompkins aves. The congregation, then 75
strong, now numbers 104 ; and has purchased the edifice in
which it now worships, corner of Willoughby and Tomp-
kins aves.
Rev. S. J. Crowe, born 1843, near Pittsburgh, Pa.; grad.
Westminster Coll., Pa., 1866, and Ref. Pres. Theol. Sem. at
Allegheny, 1871; was Pres. Geneva Coll., Pa., 1867-71 ; lo-
cated at Newcastle, Pa., 1872-'81; B'klyn, Dec, 1881-4.
Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, Ninth st., Brook-
lyn, E. D., between South Second and South Third sts., was
org. about 1869. The people worshii^ed for about seven years
in a Hall. Its first Pastor was Rev. Alexander Moffat, who,
after four years, returned to Ireland. Rev. W. J. McDowell
then became the Pastor, until the 23d of May, 1883, when he
resigned. In 1876, a church edifice was erected, mainly
through the exertions of Mr. McDowell, who was materially
encouraged and assisted by the late J. B. Guthrie, Esq. The
building is 85 by 60 feet in size, neat and tastef idly furnished,
and has a seating capacity of 2.50, and cost $11,000, includ-
ing the ground. Beside the auditorium, is a good basement,
lecture-room, and Sabbath-school. It is at present without
a Pastor.
Rev. Wm. J. Macdowell was born in Ireland, 1837 ; grad.
Royal Belfast Acad. Instit., 1845, and Paisley (Scotland)
Theol. Sem., 1847; located Canada, 1848; Lisbon, N. Y., 1858;
So. Ryegate, Vt., 1863; B'klyn, 1873-'84 ; author Scripture
Catechism, 1880, and Ch. Magazine Arts.
February 3d, 1869, at a meeting held in one of the rooms of
the Masonic Temple, corner of Seventh and Grand streets, E.
D. , a new congregation was organized in connection with the
General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Chm'ch. Messrs.
John B. Guthrie and Thomas M. Stewart were chosen elders,
and Messrs. Dunn, Black, McFadden, Hawthorne andMartiu
were elected trustees. This enterprise is under the supervision
of the Northern Reformed Presbytery.
There are two churches in the United States called Re-
formed Presbyterian. The one is known as "The General
Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church," to which this
church belongs, and to which the First Reformed Presby-
terian Church, in Prospect place, belongs. The other Ke-
formed Pi'esbyterian Church is known by the designation of
"The Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church." The
only material difference between them is, that the General
Synod allows its people to vote at municipal, state, and presi-
dential elections. The other organization forbids all fra-
ternization with political affairs. The division took place in
the year 1833. The only church of this denomination is lo-
cated on the corner of Tompkins and Willoughby aves.
Mr. Crowe is its present Pastor.
The First Free Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn was
organized May 31, 1881, with Rev. W. J. Clarke as Pastor.
During five months the congregation worshiijed in a mis-
sion chapel, in Clifton jilace. The present i)lace of worship
is Granada Hall, in Myrtle ave. This is the only church in
Brooklyn where the psalms and paraphrases are sung.
10T4
niSTOUT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Tlie following Presbyterian clergymen are residing ia
Brooklyn :
Eev. James H. Callen, D.D., born in Ireland, 1834; grad.
Lafayette Coll., Pa., 1846; Alleghany Theol. Sem., 1848.
Previous locations, Uniontown, Pa., and Trenton, N. J.,
184&-'64.
Rev. LVMAK Gu.BEKT, born at Brandon, Vt., June, 1798;
grad. Middleburv Coll., 1824, and Andover Theol. Sem., 1827.
Pastor Congl. Ch., West Newton, Mass., 1828-'56; at Malden-
on-lhe-Hudson, 18.59-'63; came to B'klyn, 1863.
Eev. Ben.iamin Parsons, born in Bloonifield, N. J., 1826:
grad. Yale, 18.50, and Hartford Theol. Sem., 1854; was Mis-
sionary of Amer. Bd. C. F. Missions in Turkey, 6 yrs.; located
Le Roy, N. Y., B'klyn, 1883-'4; was with Army of Cumber-
land in U. S. Chr. Com.
Rev. William M. Martin, born in Rahway, N. J.; grad.
N. Y. Univ., 1837. and Union Theol. Sem., N. Y., 1840; lo-
cated Woodbridge, N. J., 1852-'63; Columbia City, Cal., 1863
-4; Virginia City, Nev., 1864-'7; Sec'y B'klyn Y. M. C. A.,
1868-'76; Supt. B'klyn City Miss, and Tract Soc, 1878-'84; in
1863, in Cluis. Com. Works.
Rev. John Abeel Baldwin, born in New York, 1810; grad.
Yale Coll., 1829, and Princeton Theol. Sem., 1834; located in
Flatlands and New Lots, 1886-'53; Lancaster, Pa., 1853-'6;
New Providence, 1857-'63; came to B'klyn, 1863; Pastor at
Woodhaven, L. I., 1869.
Rev. Da\id \j\y\s., born in Perthshire, Scotland, 1810; grad.
St. Andrew's Univ., 1828; in theology, at St. Mary's Coll., St.
Andrew's Univ., 1832; licensed to preach, 1833; Prof. Mathe-
matics, etc., in Columbia Coll. Gram. School; Principal
j B'klyn Pub. School No. 7, 1849-53; of No. 6, 1853; was Prin.
of first evening sch., 1852; opened Eng. and class, sch., 1862;
retired in 1871. •
! Rev. Benjamin G. Benedict, born in Patterson, N. Y., 1838;
grad. La Fayette Coll., Pa., 1859, and Princeton Theol. Sem.,
1866; located in Hopewell, N. Y., 1866-'74; B'klyn, ]876-'84.
Rev. Oliver S. St; John, born in New York, 1814; grad.
j Amherst Coll., 1838; studied Hartford Theol. Sem., 1840-'l;
located Elizabethport, N. J., 1841-'50; Prof. Latin and Greek,
1850-'4; located B'klyn, 1865-'84.
Rev. Charles W. Taylor, born at Candor, N. Y. ; grad.
Union Coll., 1848, and Princeton Theol. Sem., 1853; was tutor
in Union Coll. ; located Ballston Center, t 'ambridge, Le Roy,
B'klyn, 1878-84.
i Rev. John Gottfried Hehr. born in Germany, 1853; grad.
Acad. Dep't., 1878; Theol. Sch. Bloomfield, N. J., 1881; lo-
cated B'klyn, 1883.
Rev. Loois EULNER, born in Hessen Cassel, Germany,
1815; Missionary Amer. and B'klyn Mission and Tract Soc,
1843-'84.
Rev. William J. Bridges, born in Baltimore, Md., 1835;
grad. Princeton Theol. Sem., 1875; located B'klyn, 1875-'84.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The First Baptist Church, cor. of Pierrepont and Clinton
sts., represents, since April, 1873, two organizations, viz.,
the First Baptist Church, formerly located on the corner of
Nassau and Liberty sts., and the Pierrepont St. Baptist
Church, which formerly occujiied a i)art of the present site.
John Ellis, a Baptist preacher from Oyster Bay, L. I., seems
to have attempted, during the winter of 1819-'30, to establish
a church of this denomination in the village of Brooklyn.
We have no further record of the results of his effort; but,
during the prevalence of the yellow fever in New York, in
the summer of 1833, among those who sought refuge in
Brooklyn were two Baptists, viz., Eliakim Raymond (father
of the late John H. Raymond, LL. D., first president of the
Polytechnic Institute, and afterward president of Vassar
College) and Elijah Lewis (father of Elijah Lewis, Jr. , the
well-known Long Island naturalist and active director of the
L. I. Hist. Soc), who subsequently became one of Brooklyn's
promiaent merchants. Finding in the village five other Bap-
tists, they commenced a prayer-meeting, occasionally pro-
curing preaching for the twenty or thirty persons whom they
could gather to hear a Baptist minister. Despite the subse-
quent return of these two brethren to New York, after the
pestilence had ceased, they still continued to strengthen the
hands of the little band they had left in Brooklyn by fre-
quent visits, often crossing the East River in open boats, in
all sorts of weather ; and by supplying preachers at their
own cost, in which they were afterward joined by Mr. Wm.
Winterton. On the 19th August, 1833, a church was finally
organized, with the following members : Charles P. Jacobs
(Cleric), Richard and Hannah Jones, Joshua and Margaret
Evans, Maria Cornell, Sarah Quereau, Elizabeth Jacobs,
Margaret Nostrand and Eliza Ann Rust.
Messrs. Raymond and Lewis continued their membership
iu New York, but gave their counsel and labor to the new
enterprise. The first communion service was held Sunday,
Aug. 24, 1833, and the church was formally incorp. on the
16th of the following October, with Eliakim Raymond, Elijah
Lewis, John Brown, Richard Poland and Chas. P. Jacobs as
Trustees. Meetings continued to be held at private houses
until 1824, when the use was secured of the First District
School -house, on the site of the present Pub. S. No. 1, corner
of Concord and Adams sts., and Rev. Wm. C. Hawley was set
apart to the charge of the church in March of that year.
Afterwards the congregation occupied the public school-
house in Middagh St., until early in 1827, when (by the man-
agement and strenuous exertions of Messrs. Raymond, Lewis
and Corning) they had completed an edifice, 40 by CO feet,
without galleries, but ample for their wants at that time,
which is still in existence, being occui)ied as a synagogue by
the Jewish Congregation of Beth Elohim. Mr. Hawley was
at thi3 time receiving for his pastoral services at the rate
of $11.32 a month. The first deacons of the church were
Elijah Lewis, Gersham Howell and E. Raymond. Mr. Haw-
ley was succeeded in the pastorate by Eev. Jos. A. Warne,
1828-'29; Rev. Geo. Colt and Rev. Josiah Denham, 1829-'30;
Rev. J. E. Lascalle, 1830-'31; Rev. Leland Howell, 1833-'37.
During his term (1834) the building was sold to the Calvary
Free Episcopal Church, and a new one, cor. of Liberty and
Nassau sts., was dedicated May 3, 1835. In June, 1857, the
bass viol was ousted from the choir by an organ, not with-
out great opposition from the older members. In 1857, Rev.
Sdas Ilsley became Pastor; and, in April, 1840, 33 members
were dismissed to form what was first known as the East,
and later as the Pierrepont St. B. Ch., which was reunited to
the parent church in 1873. In 1837, the Central B. Ch. was
org. from tlus congregation, which, in 1848, with many
others, suffered the loss of its edifice in " the great fire." But,
by Nov., 1849, a new building was ready for use, costing
£:C GLEHIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONii.
loVs
KIKST BAPTIST CHURCH.
$16,000. Colonies were sent fortli from the church, which
establislied the Washington Ave. B. Ch. in IS.')!; and the
Hanson Place B. Ch. in 1854.
The Pastors which succeeded Mr. Ilsley (who resigned Nov.,
1841, to take charge of the Wash. Ave. enterprise) were :
Revs. Jas. L. Hodge, O. W. Briggs, in 1853; D. J. Yerkes, in
July, 1860; H. M. Gallaher, in Sept., 1864, during whose pas-
torate the church edifice was twice enlarged and imijroved,
and a parsonage purchased. In Sept., 1873, Mr. Gallaher
was obliged by ill health to resign. Elijah Lewis, Sr., after
a service of 35 years as Superintendent of the Sabbath-school,
died in August, 1860, and was succeeded by Edward L.
Brown.
In April, 1873, the Pierrepont St. B. Cli. was reunited with
this church, and, in November following, the united body
extended a call to Rev. J. B. Thomas, D. D., of Chicago, 111.,
former Pastor of the former church, wlio commenced liis du-
ties Jan. 1, 1874. In Dec, 1873, the edifice was partially
destroyed by fire, so that the church was obliged to worship
in the Pierrepont st. building; and, in 1880, the property was
sold, and the site is now occupied by the jjublishiug estab-
lishment of A. S. Barnes & Co.
Rev. Jesse B. Thomas, D. D., was born at Edwardsville,
111., July 29, 1833, a son of Judge Thomas, of the Supreme
Court of Illinois. He grad. at Kenyon Coll., O., in 1850;
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1855. He after-
wards entered Rochester Theol. Sem. . but ill health obliged
liim to leave after a short time. In 1868, he entered the
ministry at Waukegau, 111. His subsequent locations were
in Brooklyn, San Francisco and Chicago, returningto Brook-
lyn Jan. 1, 1874. Dr. Thomas is a pungent and forcible
speaker. He has a judicial mind, with great logical powers,
and is very systematic. He is known as lecturer aud author.
The Second Baptist Church, org. about 1830, with seven
members, who at first worshiped in the '• Brooklyn Acad-
emy " on the corner of Henrj' and Pineapple streets. In 1834,
a church edifice was erected on a leased lot, cor. of Tdlary
and Lawrence, at a cost of about |4,000. The Rev. Jacob
Price, C. F. Frey, John Beetham (1839-40), and Octavius
Winslow (1836-'37), successively labored here; but whether
any of them were settled as pastors is not ascertained. In
the autumn of 1838, this church was dissolved, and the build-
ing sold to the Free Presbyterian congregation.
PIERKEPONT STREET BAPTIST CHtTRCH.
Pierrepont Street Baptist Church was org. April, 1840,
with 33 members from the First Church (See p. 1074,) by the
name of the East Baptist Church. A building was hired at
the cor. of Tillary and Lawrence sts. , and the Rev. E. E. L.
Taylor, under wnose labors the enterprise had commenced,
became its Pastor. On the 30th of July, 1843, at the cor. of
Pierrepont and Clinton sts., the corner-stone was laid of a
brick edifice (Gothic style), on Pierrepont st., seventy-seven
by sixty feet, which was finished in March, 1844, at a cost in-
cluding lot of over |19,000. The church was org. as The
Pierrepont St. B. Church, May 24, 1843, with the following
Ti^stees: John Speir, Wm. T. Dugan, Amos Allen, John West,
Joseph Steele, John H. Smith, Geo. Gault, Gilbert Beam and
Adam T. Tiebout. In 1847, thirty-eight members left the
church to aid informing the Central B. Church. In 1849, the
Pastor, Rev. E. E. L. Taylor and fifty-foiu- members left to
form the Strong Place B. Church, and in 1854, others aided
in establishing the -E/a/isoft Place B. Church.
In November, 1848, the Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Welsh, of
Albany, N.Y., succeeded Mr. Taylor, and was followed June,
1854, by the Rev. John S. Holmes. He was followed by Rev.
J. B. Thomas, D. D., who was installed July, 1864, and re-
signed January. 1868; and he, by the Rev. Walter W. Ham-
mond, who was installed September 10, 1868, and officiated
until Feb., 1870, from which time, until 1873, the church was
without a regular Pastor.
In 1873, this church and the First Baptist Church were con-
solidated under the name of First Baptist Church. (See
account of that church).
Soon after the consolidation, the interior of the church
building of the First Church in Nassau street, in which the
united congregation worshiped, was burned out, and the
Gothic edifice on the corner of Pierrepont and Clinton streets
was occupied. Within a year the insurance company re-
paired -the church in Nassau street, and the cougrLgation re-
turned to it. In 1877, the erection of a new building on the
love
RISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
site of the 0:1 ? iu Pierrepont street was coaimenced, and, in
1880, it was completed and dedicated.
It is a brick structure, trimmed with Ohio free-stone, cost-
ing witli furniture, $(i5,000, and having a seating capacitj' of
1,800. The auditorium has the form of an amphitheater, with
the pulpit and ($7,000) organ in one corner. The acoustic ar-
rangement of this audience-room is nearly perfect, and the
church is in many of its features unique. This is tha only Bap-
tist church in the city witli an open Baptistry. The building
was dedicated free from debt. The seats are free, and contri-
butions voluntary.
The Young People's Association of the church numbers
300, and from it came the Y. P. B. Union, having selected
organizations in all the Baptist churches in Brooklyn. The
Sabbath-school (H. C. S. Jervis, Sui)"t) ha? 500 scholars, of
whom 200 are in the Adn!t Bible Classes, and over 2.5 Chinese
scholars.
WiUoughby Avenue Baptist Church. — Tlie first meeting of
the Baptists of Bushwick was held April 5, 18.51, for the pur-
pose of organizing a Baptist Church in that vicinity. On
April 25, 1854, a regular Board of Trustees was elected and
incorporated, and the church was organized with 25 consti-
tuent members, and known as the First Baptist Church of
Bushwick. They purchased their first house of worship
from the Ej^iscopal Society, for $1,600, and occupied it for
twelve years, when it became so dilapidated that they could
use it no longer. They then moved temporarily to what
was known as J. Whittlesey's Omnibus House, on B'way,
(near the present Railroad engine house, near Sumner avenue.)
which they occupied nearly one year. In the meantime,
five lots were purchased on WiUoughby ave., near Broadway
(ninth Ward), on a i)ortion of which the new church was
erected and fitted up, at an expense of nearly $8,000. It
is a framed structure, 74 by 35, one story in height, and
capable of seating about four hundred persons. The interior
is finished off in a neat and substantial manner, well heated
and lighted, aad in everr respect well suited to the purpo.se
to which it is devoted. In the rear of the main building
is an extension, 14 feet deep, running entirely across, and
divided into two apartments, the library and infant-class
rooms respectively.
InMaj, 1866, they changed their name to Gethsemane Bap-
tist Church: on Jan. 20, 1877, dedicated the new church
building, situated onWillough by avenue, near B'way; on Jan..
1873, enlarged the building to about the jiresent size; August
1878, changed the namj to WiUoughby Avenue Bajitist
Church. Sabbath-school was organized May 2, 1854, and re-
organized Jan. 9, 1862; at dedication of the new Church, in
1867, numbered 164 scholars, and now numbers about 800
scholars. The church edifice is 65x65; extension, 20x65; is
a frame building; its seating capacity 500; apinoximate cost,
$10,000.
Nov. 19, 1882, a mission-school was opened at Eidgewood,
which now numbers over 100; and steps have already been
taken towards building a church in that neighborhood.
Posiors : SJas Ilsley, 1854; J. W. Daniels, 1856; W. H.
Pendleton, 1857; J. B. Morse, 1861; G. W. Folwell, 1862;
Matthew C. Kempsey, 1863; Beriah N. Leach, 1865; Henry
S. Stevens, 1867; A. D. Gillette, 1872; A. Stewart Walsh,
1873; A. H. Burlingham, 1878; Geo. T. Stansbury, 1879; R.
B. Montgomery, 1880-'84. Present membership of Church,
525.
First German Baptist Church of Williamsburgh was or-
ganized 18.53; recognized by council, Jan. 10, 1854. Jere-
miah Grimmell had gathered the first members. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. W. Fashing who was Pastor for two years.
It had grown to 70 memliers in 1873, when Rev. J. C. Grim-
mell was called, and the ]>resent house of worship on Mont-
rose ave. was secured for a sum of $12,000. The church
since then has grown to a membership of 310, besides giving
letters of dismission to 60 members now forming the Har-
rison Avenue German Baptist Church. Rev. Zachaiiah
Martin entered upon the pastorate, Oct. 1, 1883.
The East Brooklyn Baptist Church (Bedford ave., north
of Myrtle) was commenced by the labors of liev. Mr. Wil-
liams, and afterwards of Rev. Mr. Ballard, assembling first
at the Academy, and subsequently at Temperance Hall, in
Graham st.; was org. January 27, 1847.
In 1852, the church purchased three lots on Bedford ave.,
betw. Jljrtle and WiUoughby avenues, and erected thereon
a church edifice, in the basement of which they commenced
worship, Feb. 12, 1853. The edifice was completed and ded-
icated on the 11th of October, 1855.
The following have been Pastors: Rev. William Hutchin-
son, 1847; Rev. Henry Green, 1847; Rev. Arris Haynes, 1848;
Rev. W. J. Goodno, 1852; Rev. Stephen Remington, 1854,
and the present Pastor, Hiram Hutchins, D. D., 18.59.
Lefferts Park Mission is also under charge of this church.
The South Baptist Church. — A church with this name
was org. with seventy members, jjrincipally from the First
Baptist Church, in April, 1845 ; and a small lecture-room
building erected on Livingston st. The church, however,
dissolved in the fall of 1847.
The present South Baptist Church is the youngest Baptist
Church of this city. At a meeting of the Lee Avenue Bap-
tist Church, i){ which Rev. J. Hyatt Smith was Pastor,
held January, 1883, a unanimous call was extended to Rev.
N. B. Thompson, late of Newport, R. I. The call was ac-
cepted at a meeting held Febnaary '33, 1882. The Lee Ave-
nue Baptist Church adjourned sine die. The body pres-
ent, without Christian organization or name, was at once
called to order; and, upon the election of jiroper oSicers for
such a meeting, the same liody at once declared themselves
by vote and the permission of the Law of the State as the
Soiitli Bap. Church of Brooklyn. Services were held in the
building on Lee ave. imtil July, when the church held service
in the chapel of All Souls' Universalist Ch. until Sept. Then
Knickerbocker Hall, on Clymer st. , near Bedford ave., was se-
cured, where the church continued to worship. In the mean-
time, the 2)ro]ierty of the Fifth Bap. Ch., corner of Hooper st.
and Harrison ave. was purchased and occupied Sept. 1, 1883.
The building is of stone, sulistantially btiilt; will seat about
500 people. It cost the South Church $3,200. There are 336
names on church roll, and a Sunday-school of nearly 200
members.
The Central Baptist Church, Bridge st., between Myrtle
ave. and WiUoughby st., was org. 4th of October, 1847, with
90 members, a Sabbath-school having been formed, and
preaching services and prayer-meetings sustained since the
early part of the preceding spring. The congregation, which
had previous]}- occupied the second floor of " Granada Hall,"
on lilyrtle ave., between Bridge and Duifield sts. , secured
during its first year the lots which it now occiipies, and erec-
ted a lecture room, sixty-two by tliirt.y-two feet, at the rear
of the property; the main building, fifty-eight by sixty-eight
feet, being finished aViout the end of the second year, the
whole costing about $18,000.
John Wesley Searles, D. D. was Pastor of this chiu-ch till
1879. Rev. Theo. A. K. Gessler assumed the pastorate Jan. 1,
1880; since which time about one hundred persons have
been added to the membership of the church. During
the simimer of 1882 the church building and lecture-room
were improved and enlarged, at an expense of about .$5,000;
and the present estimated value of the propertj- is $35,000.
ECCLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
10^
CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH, E,
Suiukiy-sfhool, CfiO; N.
D. (See page 1081).
cf officers and
No. of scholar^
teachers, 31.
Rev. TllEODOEE A. K. Gessleh was bora in Phila., 1841;
grad. Lewisbm-g Univ., 18G4; Pres. N. J. Bapt. S. S. Union,
18T4-'80; located at West Farms, N. Y., 1864-'68; Elizabeth,
N. J., 1S68~'80; enlisted in invasion of Pa., 1863.
The Strong Place Baptist Church. — In the month of
October, 1847, some of the residents in South Brooklyn, then
a rapidly growing section of the city, established a Sunday-
S(^hool in a vacant house on Degraw st., near Columbia.
Among them were Wm. M. Price, Truman Richards, Dr.
A. C. Burke, Mrs. D. P. Richards, Mrs. A. T. and Miss M.
Downer; and Mr. Geo. M. Vanderlip, a licentiate of the
Oliver St. B. Ch. and student in the University of New York,
preached for tlieni during the year 1848. In Oct., 1848, the
church was duly org., with Edwin C. Bui-t, James E. South-
worth and E. Darwin Littlefield as trustees. This was the
beginning of the Strong Place Baj)tist Churcli, the organiza-
tion of which was completed in 1849. Most of the members
at its organization were from the Pierrepont Street Baptist
f'hurch. In that year, a lecture-room, on the corner of
Strong placo and Dograw st., was so far completed that ser-
vices were held therein in January, 1849. This continued to
be the place of worshiji till 185G, when the present cluu-ch
edifice was erected in front of the lecture-
room, which was enlarged. This church is a
brown-stone structure, finished in the Gothic
style. The church has no debt.
In 1S.~)8, a number of members of this church
were dismissed, to form the Greenwood Bap-
tist Church, and in 1863, fifty -five were dis-
missed to participate in the formation of the
Tiibernacle Baptist Cldirvli.
The first Pastor was Rev. E. E. L. Taylor,
in Nov. 1848, who resigned, on account of
iU health, after serving the church efficiently
dui-ing many years. He was succeeded by
Rev. Dr. Wayland Hoyt, who remained six
years, and was followed by Galusha Ander-
son, D. D., who resigned, after a pastorate of
three years. Mr. Hoyt then became Pastor
again. ^
In Feb., 1883, Rev. T. H. Kerfoot, D. D.,
accepted a unanimous call. During the nine
years Rev. Dr. Kerfoot has been actively
engaged in the work of the ministry, he has
acquired a national reputation as a learned
and eloquent i^reacher; and, from the outset of
his career, he has exerted an influence of
more than ordinary \\eight in the denomi-
nation of which he is now conceded to be
one of the leaders. He has been honored by
being elected President of the Southern Bap-
tist Convention. During his five years' labors
in Baltimore the Eutaw Church grew so
rapidly that two new churches were sent out,
and great success attended his efforts in other
directions.
The Strong Place Church is large and influ-
ential, having a membership of 900 persons,
and there are no pecuniary incumbrances on
its property. It has a large and well organ-
ized Sunday-school, and in addition to other
beneficent works the members of the Strong
Place Church contribute the money necessary
for the maintenance of the Carroll Park Mis-
sion Chapel. ^
Strong Place (formerly known as Carroll St.) Mission was
established by this church at an early day. The Chapel of
the Mission, on Carroll st., near Hoyt, was dedicated on the
ITth of January, 1864. It is a Gothic stiticture of brick, cap- ■
able of holding .500 persons. Its arrangements are for con-
venience rather than architectural beaut^'. Its cost was
$6,400, and it was dedicated free from debt.
The Washington Avenue Baptist Church originated in the
efforts of Deacon Hepburn Clark, at whose house meetings
were first held. In 1851, the property of a Dutch Reformed
Church, on the comer of "Washiogton and Gates aves., was
purchased for $7,000, and the church was fully organized in
December of that year. A church edifice was erected adjoin-
ing the lecture-room in whicli the clnirch had worshiped,
and it was dedicated in February, 1860. In 186.5, the old lec-
ture-room was taken down, and in its jilace was erected a
chapel combining Sunday-school room, church parlor and
other rooms. In addition to their own Sunday-school this
chui-ch has supported the Van Buren St. and the Herkimer
St. Mission Schools. ,
In 1873-'4, the exterior of the church building was com-
pleted, by the erection of two graceful spires; and, since that
time, much has been expended in beautifying the interior of
the church. The structure has a seating cajjacity of 1,650.
1078
BISTORT OF KINGS COUNTY.
t
WASHINGTON AVENFE BAPTIST OHITRCH.
Tlie church lias no debt, and during raany years it has dis-
pensed large sums for charitable and benevolent purposes.
Its donations sometimes reach the amount of $100,000 in a
year.
In 1873, the Marcy Avenue Mission was established by this
church, and it soon became an independent church.
lu April, 1881, a colony froui this church was organized as
the Emmanuel Bax>tist Church.
Ministry: Rev. J. L. Hodge, Sept., 185', to Dec, 18.56; Rev.
Courtland D. AnaWe, Dec. 11, 18.56, to March 1, 18(i4; Rev.
David Moore, Jr., March 1, 1864^'77; Rev. Emory J. Haynes,
1877-84.
Rev. Emory J. Haynes, born at Cabot, Vt., 1846; grad.
Wesleyan Univ., 1867; special four year course ia theol. ;
Author of Are These Things So? and Tlie Fairest of Three;
located at Norwicli, Ct., Fall River, B'klyn, 1872-84.
The Tabernacle Baptist Church Avas organized June 26,
li^2. It occupied the edifice on the corner of Rapelyea and
Hicks sts., until it built the structure now standing on the
corner of 3d place and Clinton st. The first Pastor was Rev.
T. Edwin Brown, D. D., from November, 1862, to October,
1869. Rev. A. C. Osborn, D. D., December, 1869, to October,
1873; May, 1874, to April, 1878, Rev. Thomas Rambaut, D. D.
December, 1878, the present Pastor, Rev. Frank Rogers
Morse, D. D., assumed charge of the church.
Since its organization this chuich has had connected with
its memberehip nearly 1,400 different ]iersons; and it has
raised, for all jnirposes, nearly $200,000. It has always sus-
tained a lar^e and flf)urishing Sunday-school. For many
years its sujierintendent has been Deacon Tlieodore Shotwell,
a well-known citizen of our city. The President of its Boai'd
of Trustees is George B. FoiTester, Esq., a prominent Baptist
layman, and a rising business man.
Rev. Frank Rogers Morse, bom in Warner, N. H., 1839;
grad. Dartmouth Coll., 1861; Newton Theol. Sem., Mass.,
1865; previous hjcations, Cambridge, Lowell, Fall River, Al-
bany; is editor-in-chief of N. Y. Watch Toicer ; came to
B'klyn, 1878.
Hanson Place Baptist Church. — In the latter part of 1853,
a Sunday-school was commenced in a vacant store on the
south side of Atlantic ave., near Nevins street. From this
beginning resulted the Atlantic Street Baptist Church, which
was organized June 18, 1854, with twenty-five members. The
congi-egation immediately proceeded to erect a chapel on
Atlantic st , near Powers, at a cost, including site, of $6,000.
It was dedicated May 1, 1855. It was a brick structure, with
300 sittings.
Four years later lots were purchased at the corner of Han-
son place and Portland ave., and a large structure was erected
there. It was dedicated in November, 1860. On its removal
to its new location, the congregation assumed its present
name of Hanson Place Baptist Church.
To enlarge the auditorium the partition walls between it
and the lecture and Sunday-school rooms were removed, the
floors were lowered, and galleries were constructed, and the
audience-room is now capable of seating 2,000 ])ersons. A
lecture and Sunday-school room stand on the easterly side of
the house, and connected with it.
The first Pastor was Rev. Marvin C. Hodge, who entered
on his labors in November, 1854. His successors have been
Revs. Robert LowTy, 1861; George F. Pentecost, 1869; Justin
D. Fulton, D. D., 1873; Alexander McFarlane, 1877, and
Henry :\1. Gallaher, L L. D., 1879, who resigned in 1883.
Greenwood Baptist Church. — In 1856, Rev. Hei ry Brom-
ley, a missionary from Strong Place Baptist C'huich, with a
few co-laborers, opened a Sunday-school and estalilished
religious services in a hall on Tliird ave. Their work was so
successful that, on the 28th of Sejitember, 1858, thirty-one
persons united in a church organization, under the name of
the Greenwood Baptist Church.
Rev. H. T. Love was chosen Pastor; followed, December 5,
1859, by Rev. E. H. Page. Ground was bought on 15th st.
and Fourth ave., and the erection of the present lecture-
room begun. September, 1, 1864, Rev. A. P. Graves became
Pastor; succeeded, March, 1, 1867, by Rev. A. G. Lawson,
who still remains. A brick chapel on 15th st. was dedicated
in April, 1803; and the growth of the church was such that
the corner-stone of a new edifice was laid August 4, 1874,
which was dedicated, February 22, 1875. It is located on
4th ave. and 15th st., and is built of brick, trimmed with
Coignet stone; the auditorium is 70 by 72 feet, semi-circular,
with bowled floor, and a seating capacity of about 800.
The entire property, 2 buildings and ground, 100x225 feet, is
free from debt, and valued at .$70,000.
From 1 school and 87 scholars, there are now 3 schools and
1,000 connected; from 31 members, the church has grown
to 700, and only 20 non-resident. In 35 years but one officer
has died. Of 31 constituent members, 22 now live, and in
the 25 years only 71 have died; less than 3 a year, with an
average membership of over 400.
The church is noted for its steady growth, its temperance
and missionary work; Dr. Lawson, the Pastor, being especially
active as a temperance editor and speaker.
Rev. Albert G. Lawson, D. D., born at New Hamburgh,
N. Y., June, 1842 ; was Sec. Bapt. Nafl Conference, 1882 :
Clerk L. I. Bapt. Assn., 1869-"83 ; Moderator, 1873; located at
Perth Amboy, 1862-'6 ; Po'keepsie, 1866-'7; B'klyn, 1867-'83 ;
author of Church Temperance Work, 1877 ; Tlie Holy Spirit,
1880 ; Ambition in the Ministry, 1883 ; is temp. Ed. of Na-
tional Bapt., Phila.
Clinton Avenue Baptist Church (near Myrtle ave.) owes its
origin to the benevolence of the late Wm. D. Mangam, a
successful and liberal merchant of New York, who died at
his residence on Clinton ave., Ai)ril 3, 1868. His life, alter
his conversion, was marked by the noblest generosity to-
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
10V9
GREENWOOD BAPTIST CnURCH. (See previous iiage).
warJs all religious au<l charit-ible causes; and, hearing about
18(i7, that a lady of Brooldyu had offered to the Baptist de-
nomination a valviable lot on Clinton ave., if they would
build a chapel thereon, Mr. M. bought eight lots adjoining,
and at once proceeded to build a chapel. It was his purpose
to erect the main church edifice, with the proceeds of his
business, on the lots adjoining the chapel, and towards this
he worked diligently and energetically, but death claimed
him before his work was completed. His family, however,
took up the work he had commenced, and finished the
chapel, which is one of the most complete in the country,
being a brick structure, 50 by 90 feet in size, with brown-
stone trimmings, aiid of remaikable simjjlicity and beauty
of finish. Its cost, including that of grounds, was $70,000.
Rev. E. T. Hiscox, D. D., was Pastor. He was succeeded by
Rev. S. H. Pratt.
By reason of an imperfection in the title, the
church lost its property, and disbanded. The mem-
bers united with others from the Hanson Place
Baptist Church, and formed the Centennial Baptist
Church, which was organized December 14, 1875,
with 185 members. The present Pastor, J. D. Fulton,
D. D., was called and entered upon his duties .January
1, 187G.
The property on Clinton ave. was purchased, and
here the congregation worshiped till 1879, when the
Brooklyn Rink, on Clermont ave., near Myrtle (the
cost of which was $127,000), was purchased for
§50,000, and fitted up for a free house of woi-ship, at
an expense of $9,000. It was dedicated in December
of that year.
Rev. .TUSTIN D. FiTLTON, D. D., came to Brooklyn,
in 1873, as Pastor of the Hanson Place Church.
Having his own A-iews as to the manner of reaching
the people, and not meeting with the favor which
he desired, he resigned and org. the Centennial
Baptist Church. In 1879, the Rink was bought and
refitted for a place of worship. The church numbers
500 members, the Sabbath-school about the same.
The work of the church is supported entirely by
voluntary contributions.
Sands Street Mission. In 1858, Peter
Balen hired a room over a cooper's shop, in
Jolm St., near Bridge, and established a mis-
sion school there. The mission was taken
in charge by the PieiTepont Street Baptist
Chui'ch, and, after two years, was removed
to a house in Prospect st. , that had been used
as a dance-house.
It then took the name of Prospect Street
Mission. In the midst of vile surroundings,
the mission continued its work till 1868,
when the building was sold to the Board of
Education, and the children were taken to the
church school, cor.Pierrepont and Clinton sts.
In 1869, Rev. John Toomath, a blind man,
who had been a missionaiy here since 1863,
engaged a room in Sands St., that had been
used as a lager beer and billiard saloon ; and
the mission was removed to this place,
where it has since continued.
The Superintendents of this mission, from
the first, have been : John L. Plummer,
Thomas Vernon, Isaac Davis, J. Leland,
Richard Oliver, E. H. Loud, E. Sniffen, W.
R. Anderson, W. J. Oliver, J. Schriever,
and the present Sup't, Richard Oliver.
Herkimer Street Baptist Church oi-iginated in a Sundaj-
school that was established bj- Washington Avenue Chui-ch,
in Fulton st., near Tro}' ave., about 1861. A chapel was
erected for this mission at the corner of Troj' ave. and Her-
kimer st., and in this the Herkimer Street Baptist Church
was organized in 1865. In the summer of 1876, this chapel
was enlarged to meet the growing wants of the congrega-
tion, and it now has a seating capacity of 435. It is a wooden
structure on a brick basement.
The Pastors of this church ha\-e been: Revs. Giscard,
Baker, D.D., Henry Waring, Wm. Reid and John Evans.
Rev. William Reid, born in Ayrshire, Scotland. 1812;
grad. 1839, Conn. Literary Institution; located at Wethers-
field, 1839-40; Tariffville,.1840-'44; Bridgepoit, 1845-54; New
London, 1854^'61; Grcenpoint, 1861-7; New York, 1867-75;
Brooklyn, 1876-'83.
CENTENNIAL IJAn'IST cnUllCII.
lOSO
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
SIXTH AVENUE BAPTrST CHURCH.
Sixth Avenje Baptist Church. — The nucleus of this church
was a mission Sunday-school, wliich was established in 1864,
at 195 Flatbush ave. , by a few members of the Hanson Place
Baptist Church. Soon afterward, two lots on the corner of
Sixth ave. and Lincoln place were purchased, at a cost of
§4,000, and a chapel was erected at an expense, including
furniture, of about |6,000. Preaching was added to tho Sun-
day-school services, and Rev. Henry Bromley becanae preacher
and missionary.
January 16, 1873, the church was organized with 43 mem-
mers; and re-organized Feb. 8, 1872.
Pastors: J. B. Cleaver, Feb. 12,1872, to Oct. 23, 1874;
Rev. Rufus B. Kelsay (the present pastor), D. D., Nov. 1,
1875. The present edifice commenced March 17, 1880; ded.
Dec. 28, 1880; of brick, with stone trimmings, 100 by 110 feet,
and seating 650 persons; value, $55,000. Present membership,
260. The Sunday-school, org. 1805; has 37 oflBcers and teachers;
400 scholars on the roll; average attendance, 251; 566 ^'ols.
in library.
Rev. R. B. Kels.\t, D. D., born in New Jersey, 1843;
studied with Rev. Samuel Haren, and theology with Rev.
Daniel Kelsay; previous locations, Meadville, 1864-'7; Balti-
more, 1867-70; Albany, 1870-2; Passaic, 1872-5; came to
Brooklyn in 1875; in late war, was captain for short time.
Marcy Avenue Baptist Church. — When the Washington
Avenue Baptist Church had appointed a committee to surve}'
the field and look out for a favorable opening to begin a new
enterprise in the then Twenty-fii'st Ward, the Centi-al Con-
gregational Church intimated a willingness to convey their
mission interest to th? Baptists. The property, corner of
Marcy ave. and Monroe st., consisting of lots 50x190 feet,
with the chapel and Sunday-school furniture, was conveyed
to the Washington Avenue Baptist Church, for .|5,000.
Mr. Theodore M. Banta became superintendent of the mis-
sion. The first regular session of school was held on the 7th
day of July, 1872, with 9 teachers and officers and 55 scholars.
On Tuesday evening, July 2, 1872, the first prayer-meeting
was held. The services were conducted by Rev. A. A. Pin-
ney, and the following were present, namely: Henry A.
Caldwell, Garret Ditmars, H. B. Porter, Wm. S. Durbrow,
Wm. C. Chapman, Theodore M. Banta, L. P. Brockett, Geo.
R. Graves, Myron Tanner, and George S. Farmer, the six first-
named becoming identified as members with the church sub-
quently organized. September 29th, 1S72, preaching services
were held for the first time by Ro^'. Dr. Moore, of the Wash-
ington Avenue Baptist Church. January, 1873, arrange-
ments were made with Rev. J. A. Appleton to preach every
Sabbath evening until the fii'st of May. Subsequently,
Brother Delavan DeWolf, was engaged for six months to
preach every Sal^bath evening, and take general charge of
the interest. In October, 1873, the prospects appeared
sufficiently encouraging to warrant the formation of a chui'ch.
On the evening of November 10, 1873, a meeting was held,
whereat forty-five persons presented letters of dismission
from various Baptist churches (twenty-seven being from
Washington Avenue Church).
An organization was effected under the name of the Marcy
Avenue Baptist Church of Brooklyn; and, at an adjourned
meeting, held one week subsequently. Brethren Edwin Ives,
(jarret Ditmars, and William B. Fox were elected Deacons.
H. A. Caldwell was elected Treasurer, and Rollin O. Smith,
clerk. December 2, 1873, an election for Tmstees was held,
whereat the following-named persons were chosen: Henry
A. Caldwell, John Hills, John T. Davies, Chas. B. Wyckoff,
and Theodore M. Banta.
At a meeting held December 8, 1873, to consider the subject
of calling a Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeffery received the unanimous
vote of all present, and he entered upon the pastorate the
following Sabbath, December 14, 1873.
The next evening, December 15, a council was held in the
chapel, composed of delegates from all the Baptist churches
of the city and vicinity, which recognized the church as a
regular Baptist church, and the hand of fellowship was ex-
tended to the church, through its Pastor, by the Rev. Dr.
Moore, of Washington Avenue Church.
In January, 1874, it was determined to enlarge the church
accommodations. Three additional lots were purchased,
giving 125 feet on Marcy avenue, by 100 feet on 5Ionroe street,
and a commodious chapel was erected by Deacon Garret
Ditmars, under the plans and superintendence of Wm. B.
Ditmars. The chapel was dedicated on the 11th day of
October, 1874. The property cost, for lots, buildings, and
furniture, i}!21,000, and consists of lots, 163 feet on Marcy
avenue, by 100 feet on Jlonroe street, with a frame building,
76 feet wide and 100 feet deep, the whole costing over $32,000.
Ministry : Rev. Dr. Jeftery, 1873-'80 ; H. O. Pentecost,
1881 -'83.
Present number of church members, 894 ; in sunday-school,
1,018.
The First German Baptist Church of South Brooklyn
was organized in 1873. The first place of worship was a hall
on 32d St., near 3d ave. This building was purchased in
1873, and converted into a church. In 1877, this property
was abandoned, and the congi'egation removed to Strong
Place Chapel, in CaiToll sti'eet, near Hoyt, where they wor-
shiped till 1881, when they removed to a building on the cor-
ner of Si-xth and Prospect aves.
The first Pastor was Rev. R. Hofflin; followed, in 1876, by
Rev. C. Damm, and he, in 1881, by the present Pastor, Rev.
Hironemus.
Calvary Baptist Church (colored). — Marion Street Mission
was first established in East New York in 1875; and during
the same year Calvar\' Church was organized. In the spring
of 1879, the congregation removed to 210 Marion st. , where
the}' have since worshiped.
The first Pastor was Rev. Oscar Ritter, succeeded, in 1879,
by tlie present Pastor, Rev. Josiah Jolinson.
Trinity Baptist Church was organized in 1875, with about
tlmty members, many of whom were from the WiUoughby
Ave. Baptist Church. They first worshiped in Ridgewood
Hall, at the junction of Broadway and Lexington and Ralph
aves. In 1877, ihe present house of worehip was built on
EG GLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIOJSTS.
1081
Greene ave. , between Patchen ave. and Broathvay. It is a
wooden chapel, capable of seating 450.
Rev. Dr. Hodge was Pastor during a year after the organi-
zation of the chm'ch; followed, in 1876, by the present Pastor,
Rev. O. E. Cox. The cliurch lias been uniformly prosperous.
First Church of Christ. — A few yeai's since, a- number of
Baptists withdrew from tlieir churches, to organize a society
on a more liberal basis. This organization was effected, witli
Rev. J. B. Cleaver as Pastor. Their first place of worship
was a chapel in Lincoln place, near Sixth avenue. Here the
congregation worshiped till the autumn of 1881, when they
purchased the house of worship of Grace M. E. Church, in
Sterling place, near Seventh avenue. It is a brick structure
with a brown-stone front, and it has a seating capacity of
about 1,000. Its estiuiated value is .f65,000.
Emmanuel Baptist Church was organized in October, 1881.
It consists of 20J members, mostly from the Washington
Avenue Baptist Church. Their present place of worship is
Adelphi Academy', on Lafayette Avenue, corner of St. James'
place. The church has purchased lots on Lafayette avenue,
opposite this Academy, at a cost of $60,000, whereon to erect
a church building in the near future.
Pastors: J. Wheaton Smith, D. D., of Philadelphia, until
1883 ; Rev. John Humpstone until ;)resent time.
Rev. John Humpstone received his education at Madison
Tjniversity and the Crozer Theological Seminary at Upland,
Penn. He has presided over churches in I'hiladelphia and
Albany with rare acceptability, and has a reputation for elo-
quence and scholarship not wholly confined to the ecclesias-
tical organizations which he has heretofore represented.
The Central Baptist Church, So. 5th st., cor. 8th, E. D. In
June, 1865, forty persons obtained letters of dismission from
the First Baptist Church, Williamsburgh, for the purpose of
organizing a new church. July Tth the church organized
under the name of " The Central Baptist Church, Williams-
burgh. (See illustration, page 1077.)
The first Pastor was Rev. Thomas S. T. Hanna, who began
his pastorate Aug. 1st, 1866. He was ordained Sept. 13th, in
the house of worship previously owned by the Reformed
Church, on the corner of So. 2d and 4th streets, which the
church had previously purchased. Mr. Hanna resigned his
pastorate in March, 1870.
The church united with the Hudson River Association
South, June 18th, 1866; but united with the Long Island Bap-
tist Association at the time of its organization, June 27th,
1867.
The Rev. John Duncan, D. D., of Fall River, Mass., became
Pastor of the chm-ch July 3d, 1870, and remained in that posi-
tion until May, 1873.
The cliurch edifice and lots were sold in Jlay, 1873, from
which date services were held in the hall over the gas com-
pany's office, corner of So. 2d and 4th streets, until May,
1874.
Rev. Christopher Rhodes, of New York city, became Pastor
Jan. 1st, 1874. At that time the church numbered 147 mem-
bers. The congregation becoming too largo for the hall, a tent
was erected the following May on Broadway, in which the
church met duiing the summer.
Ground was broken for the new meeting-house corner of
So. 5th and 8th streets, May 4th. The corner-stone was laid
June 1st. The first service was held in the lecture-room, Sun-
day Sept. 27th, and the house was dedicated April 13th, 1875.
The house is of Gothic style of architecture, 60 by 100 inside;
is of PhUa. pressed brick, trinmied with light-colored stone;
seats 850; and cost, with the adjoining parsonage, $85,000.
The church numbers 550 communicants. The Sunday-
school, of which F. C. Linde is the superintendent, numbers
629 scholars, and 59 officers and teachers, with an average at-
tendance of 470.
The church contributes liberally to various benevolent ob-
jects, being exceeded in the amount of its contributions by
six only of the churches in the L. I. Association.
The church entered their new house with about 200 mem-
bers, with a debt of $45,200. The debt has been reduced grad-
ually to $3,000, all of which will be paid in Sept. next.
Rev. Cheistopheb Rhodes, born in Providence, R. I., 1831;
located in Phenix, R. I., 1855-'61; Providence, 1861-'4; New
York, 1866-'74; Brooklyn, 1874-'84; author of address bef. N.
Y. S. S. Assn. Semi-Centen. Sermon of Stanton street Church,
New York.
GKEENPOINT BAPTIST CHTJBCH, 105 NOBLE STREET.
The First Baptist Church, Greenpoint. — In 1847, there were
about thirteen Baptists living in Greenpoint, who, feeling the
need of worshiping according to Baptist usage, organized a
church with nine members in the old Origen house in Frank-
lin avenue. Rev. Mi\ Jones and others supjilied the pulpit
untU 1849, when a small house was built, costing about $700,
seating one hundred persons. Preaching was continued for
two years. Mr. Peter Boyce officiated from July, 1851, to
April, 1853, when he desired to relinquish the charge; but the
church voted that "Mr. Peter Boyce be continued as our
Pastor for an unlimited time." Mr. Boyce was ordained
Feb. 23d, 1855, but resigned soon after. During his ministry
the house was enlarged to 40 by 80 feet, at a cost of $800, and
the membership increased to 41. Rev. J. Y. Aitchison was
Pastor from July, 1855, to Sept., 1856; Robert Carr to Sept.,
1857, Kelsy Walling, to Sept., 1859; Alfred Harvey, 1860-1;
William Eeid, Sept., 1861, to March, 1857; during his pastor-
ate new lots were secured, and a neat brick edifice buUt, and
large numbers added to the church. He was succeeded by
Rev. J. W. T. Boothe, from 1867 to 1875, and the present
Pastor, Rev. D. Henry Miller, D. D., from 1875 to 1884. The
church numbers about 500 members, besides a large and
flourishing Sabbath-school. It sustains several missions.
Rev. D. Henry Miller, D. D. , was born in the Isle of Jer-
sey, 1837; was educated in High school, Boston, and Phiner's
Clas. Acad.; grad. Wesleyan Univ., 1845; Pastor at No.
Stonington, Ct., 1847-9; Yonkers, 1849-'57; Meriden, 1857-63;
Ti-enton, 1864-'7; Elizabeth, 1867-'73; Lowell, 1873; New York,
1873-5; Brooklyn, 1875-84. He was in service as Chaplain of
15th Conn. Vols., 1862-'4. Editor Baptist Memorial several
years; author of History of Early Baptists of Mercer County.
Concord Baptist Church (Colored) was organized May, 1847,
in the house of Sirs. Maria Hampton, then residing in Fair st.
The membership consisted of five persons only, and Rev.
1082
niSTOBT OF KINGS COUNTY.
Sampson "White was their Pastor. They hired the Uris Hall,
then opposite the City Hall, for about a year. Lots were
bought on Concord st. , where a meeting-house was erected
which yet remains.
The membership increasing beyond the limits of the old
building, the church, in 1873, purchased their present property
on Canton St. of the Central Baptist Church, at a cost of
^8,000, and renovated and furnished it anew. The member-
ship, Dec, 1883, is 560, with a very interesting Sunday-school.
There is also connected with the church a Female Home
Missionary and Do>-cas Society, a Mutual Relief Society, a
Young People's Social Union, and a Foreign Mission Society.
The Pd.tlors have been : Revs. Sampson White, whose
pastorate commenced in 1847; Leonard Black, 1851; Simon
Bundick, 1.S53; Sampson White, 1857; Wm. J. Barnett, 1862;
and the present Pa.stor, Williaui T. Dixon, 1863.
Rev. William T. Dixon, born in New York ; licentiate of
Abyssuiian Bap. Ch., N. Y.; located Bklyn, 1863; Cor. Sec.
N. E. Bapt. Mission Convention.
The Harrison Ave. German Baptist Church, originated
in a ^Mission Sunday-school, undertaken by some of the mem-
bers of the German Bap. Ch., of New York, in a private
house on Harrison ave., E. D. In 1878, they rented the
chapel — specialh' built for their use — which they still occupj'.
The pulpit was supplied by Rev. C. Damm, then Pastor of
the Ger. Ch. of South Brooklyn; and by other preachers
from New York city. Althougli few in numbers and weak
in means, they finally called the Rev. H. Trunipp, Pastor of
the Ger. Bap. Ch., in Albany, N. Y., who entered upon this
charge May 1, 1881. On the 23d of same month, they org. as
a church, with 47 members; and in the next month were
duly recognized by a council of the Bap. Church of Brooklyn
and vicinity. The growth of the church, since that date, has
been very steady and encouraging. The membershiji is now
(July, 1883) 99. The chapel seats about 200; but is too small
and insufficient for their purposes. The Sunday-school is in
a flourishing condition, with an enrollment of 350 scholars
and 24 teachers; and would be larger, if it bad larger accom-
modations. The church is a self-sustaining one — united in
action — in much need of a larger edifice, and deserving of
the sympathy of its sister churches.
First Swedish Baptist Church of Brooklyn was organized
Jan., 1884, with a membership of 94, who withdrew from the
Swedish Baptist Church in New York to organize a church
of their own in Brooklyn. Services are held in a hall at 16
Smith street. Re\-. Mr. Lundin is the Pastor.
The First Baptist Church, Brooklyn, E. D., was formed
March 19, 1839; of 14 members. Rev. John Jones was
Pastor, 1839-'40, and Rev. C. F. Frey, 1840-41, the church at
that time numbering 30 persons. Meetings were held in the
District School-house, and the Village Court-house, until a
frame stracture was erected on the corner of 5th and South
1st streets, and dedicated June 29, 1843.
Ministry : Rev. Lawson Muzzey, Sept. 15, 1841, to Nov. 8,
1843; Rev. A. P. Mason, 1844-49. Under his ministry, the
church erected the fine structure on the corner of 5th and
South 5th sts.. Dr. Spencer IL Lowe preaching the sermon of
dedication June 1, 1849; Morgan J. Rhees, D. D., 1 850-53;
Samuel Baker, D. D., 1854-'65; John B. Brohett, D. D., 1865
-73; Daniel Read, LL. D., 1877-'80; Daniel C. Eddy, 1881-
'84.
In 1883, the church purchased lots of land on Lee ave.,
corner of Keap street, where it proposed at once to erect a
new church edifice.
The present membership of the church is 531. The church
edifice is valued at $40,000; will seat 800 persons; is of gothic
style, and has all the conveniences of such a stracture. The
FIRST BAPTIST CHUHCH. oth AND SOUTH 5th STS.
church supports the Hope Mission, and a flourishing Sunday-
school in a chapel on Maujer street.
The following Baptist Clergymen are residents of BrooklyiK
Rev. BuFUS Lewis Peeey, born in Tenn., 1834; studied at
Kalamazoo Coll., Mich; grad. Kal. Theol. Sem., 1860; located
at Ann Arbor, Mich., 1861; St. Catherine's (Ont.), 1863-'4 ;
Buffalo, 1865; Editor and pub. of Xatioiial Monitor, formerly
Ed. of Peojile's Journal and American Baptist, N. Y. ; located
in B'klyn, 1868.
Rev. D. C. Hughes, born in Great Britain; grad. from
Madison Univ., N. Y., 1877; previous locations. Glens Falls, N.
Y., 1860-3; Oswego, N. Y., 186C-'9; Newark, N. J., 1869-'74;
Brooklyn, 1874-'84; author of Studies in Mark; contributor
to Homiletic Monthly, N. Y.
Rev. Samuel Williams, born in CorneUsville, Pa., 1802;
grad. West Theo. Sem., Allegheny (Pa.), 1830; located Pitts-
burgh; Akron, O. ; Springfield, O. ; was School Director, Pitts-
burgh, Pa. ; author of Mormonism Exposed, On Baptism, and
other works: ed. Christian Witness, Pittsburgh.
Rev. Jeremiah B. Taylok, born in New York; grad. N. Y.
Univ. 1848; was engaged in Mission Work in Kansas, 1860-'7;
Author of Berean Articles, 1875-'83.
Rev. Francis Arthur Douulass was born in Ticonderoga,
N. Y., 1824; grad. Amherst Coll. 1851, and Newton Theol.
Sem. 1854 ; Sec. Amer. & Foreign Bible Soc, 1879-'83; previous
locations, Nellore, India, 1855-65; Champlain, N. Y., 1865-'9;
Piqua, 0., 1869-'73; Lebanon, 0., 1873-'5; Cincinnati, 1875-'9;
came to Brooklyn 1879.
Rev. Joseph B. Breed, born in Salem, Mass., 1807; grad.
Newton Theol. Sem. 1839; located Virginia, New York, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island ; came to Brooklyn 1877.
Rev. Henry L. Morehouse, born in Stanford, N. Y., 1834;
grad. Univ. Rochester, 1858; Rochester Theol. Sem., 1864;
Trustee of Kalamazoo Coll., 1870; Cor. Sec. N.Y. Bapt. Union
for Ministerial Education, 1877-'9; Cor. Sec. Amer. Bapt. Home
Mission Soc, 1879; located E. Saginaw, Mich., 1864-73;
Rochester, 1873-'9; Brooklyn, 1879-84; author Baptist Home
Missions in America.
Rev. HaLSEY W. Knapp, D. D., born in New York; grad.
Conn. Lit. Inst., Suffield; was trustee of Madison Univ., 1859-
"68; locatedat West Farms, 1858; Jersey City, 1859-'65; New
York, 1865-70: Brooklyn, 1875-83.
Rev. Henry Beomley, born in Norwich, Ct., 1813; grad.
Hamilton Lit. and Theol. Inst., 1838; located in Comi. 15
ECOLESIASTtCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1083
years; 80 years ia New York, Philadelphia and Brooklyn;
engaged in Church extension and Sunday-school work.
Rev. C. G. Roberts, born in Savannali, Ga. , 1843; grad.
Liberia Coll., 1862; located at Sinoo, Liberia, 187&-'80; came to
B'klyn, 1880; pastor, 1880-'4.
Rev. John Flavel Bihelow, A. M., (Roch. Univ., 1856),
D. D. (Vermont Univ. 1864); was born inPaxton, Mass., 1818;
studied Brown Univ., Columbia College, and Univ. Berlin,
Germany; located Bristol, R. I., 1848; Middleboro, Mass.,
1853; Keeseville, N. Y., 1860; St. Albans, Vt., 1866; was
Pres. Ti-ustees, Pierce Acad., Mass., and other institutions;
As.sistant Prin. Athenaeum Sem. for Young Ladies, B'klyn,
1868-'80; author of pub. sermons and Synthetic Method of
Study.
Rev. J. D. Bengless, bom Del. Co., Pa., 1836; grad. Lewis-
burg (Pa.) Univ., 18G0; Pres. New York Cremation Society,
1881-'3; located Pa\Ytuxet, R, I.; Chaplain 2d R. 1. Vol. Inf.,
1864. Chaplain U. S. Navy, 1864-'84 ; author of Jdam and
Ottoman Empirt, 1876, Incineration, 1883; located Brooklyn,
Sept., 1877.
EVANGELICAL AND LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The German Evangelical Church, Schermerhorn Street. —
In 1843 a few German residents of Brooklyn began religious
services in their own language at the Brooklyn Institute.
From this beginning sprang the fii-st German church in the
city, which was org. in 1845, under the above name; the
members being from the Lutheran and German Reformed
denominations. During their occupancy of the Brooklyn
Institute, a house of worship was erected on Schermerhorn
street, near Court, of brick, and seating 300. In 1863 the
building was enlarged to 45 bj^ 80 feet, increasing the sittings
to 500.
Pastors : Walzer, Dr. Winklemann, 1845 ; Revs.
Miller, 1846 ; Herman Garbechs, 1847-'65 ; J. Bank, 18G6-'71 ;
C. F. Hausmann, 1871-'75 ; and the present Pastor, Theodore
Dresel, 1875-'84.
The basement is occupied by an English Sunday-school, on
Sunday morning, with 300 scholars, and by a German Sunday-
school in the afternoon, with 200 scholars. A private German
and English day-school is kept by L. Goebel, with 50 to 60
scholars. ^
St. Johannes' Evangelical Lutheran Church, cor. Graham
avenue and Ten Eyck street, org. 1843, by the Rev. Mr.
Delke. At first the congregation worshiped in tlie Pastor's
house. No. 128 Scholes street. In 1844 they met in a wooden
building, at the corner of Graham avenue and Remsen street.
In 1846 funds were raised for a new church, mostly from the
congregation itself, and the building completed in 1847.
In 1883 the corner-stone of a new church on Maujer street,
near Humboldt, was laid, which is of Philadelphia brick, in
pure Gothic style, 60 by 100 feet, with belfry and spire 165
feet high. The interior is severely Gotliio, with hardwood
finish. The cost was 150,000.
Ministry : Revs. Delke, 1843 ; Schwarz, 1843-'50 ; Beisel,
Mengat, 1850 ; Pole, 1850-'54 ; Christian J. Weisel, 1854-'76 ;
Tucker, 1876-'78 ; P. Beyer, 1880-84.
Rev. C. J. Weisel was a man of deep piety who had felt it
his duty to go out into the world and preach the gospel to
every creature, and went as a missionary among the Jews of
New Y'ork. In 1854 he was called as Assistant Pastor to St.
Johannes' Church; misunderstandings arose, so that Rev.
Pole, with a portion of the congregation, withdrew in 1855,
and formed a new church on the corner of Scholes street and
Union avenue, leaving Rev. Mr. Weisel Pastor of the old
church. He served with great acceptance for 24 years, and
died April 13, 1876, universally mourned.
A large school is connected with the church, of which G.
Oexle, Wm. Grietzmacher, C. Leune and Mr. Use, have been
the teachers.
The St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was
organized in 1867. Some of the more active members were :
Christian Koch, Henry H. Lettmann, Heiny Feis, James L.
Jensen, David Plath and Henry Gundlach. They at first
held divine services in Union Hall, on Manhattan avenue ;
then in a small churcli on Leonard street. Li 1869 the
foundation of their church was laid; material, wood; cost,
!il;16,000; seating capacity, 350; church membership, about
600 communicant members; Sunday-school, 300.
Ministry : Rev. O. Kaselitz, 1867-'76 ; Rev. Theo. Heisch-
mann, 1876-'83; Rev. F. W. Oswald, 1883.
There is also a parochial school, having 60 scholars and 2
teachers. Since April, 1883, services are held in the English
language on Sunday evenings. A Ladies' Missionary Society
is also connected with the church.
The Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Henry
street, near Clark, resulted from the efforts of Rev. Frederic
William Tobias Steimle, aided by Jacob troedel. A room
for worship was first hired in Franklin Building, cor. Nassau
and Fulton streets, in 1855; when in 1856 more ample quarters
in the Juvenile High School on Wasliington street, and then
Concert Hall oa Henry street, was purchased, and dedicated
November 30, 1856. The cost of this building was $14,000;
and about |12,000 were expended on repairing and refitting
it. Mr. Steimle was Pastor till his death, Feb., 1879. In the
following June the present Pastor, Rev. J. F. C. Hennicke,
was called. A school has been maintained (both in German
and English) in connection with this church.
St. Matthew's English Lutheran Church, corner of Clin-
ton and Amity sts., was organized in 1858, and first wor-
shiped in a hall; then in the church building on Atlantic
ave. ; then in State st. Having purchased, in 1879, the build-
ing corner of Clinton and Amity sts., from the South Pres-
byterian Church, they now hold regular services. The fol-
lowing have been its Pastors : Revs. William Hull, 1858-'61 ;
John Kuhns, 1861-3; L K. Funk, D. D., 1863-'72; A. Stewart
Hartman, 1872-'4; J. 1. Burrell, 1874-'6; M. W. Hamma, D.D.,
1877-'82 ; J. C. Zimmerman, since December, 1882. Seating
capacity, 800. Present membership, about 300. The Sunday-
school numbers over 300. This church has English services,
and belongs to the General Synod of the United States. The
American Lutlieran Church accepts the Augsburg Confession
as a correct exhibition of its creed. This church, though
conservative, is evangelical and progressive, being identified
witli the cause of Home and Foreign Missions, and taking an
active part in questions of moral reform. Its present Pastor,
Rev. J. C. Zimmerman, was born in Ohio, 1851 ; grad. Mt.
Union (O.) Coll., 1874, and Wittenberg Sem., 1876 ; previous
location, Osborne, O., 1876-82; came to Brooklyn in 1882.
On Nov. 10, 1888, the 400th Anniversary of Martin Luther's
Birthday was celebrated in this church, in which many
Protestant clergymen of Brooklyn participated. The call
1084
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
ST.
LiH,..» ^ i:,NuLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
■was signed by 300 ministers. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher,
Drs. Thomas, Peck, and Behrends made the principal ad-
dresses on the Me and work of the great Reformer. The
church was too small for the large audience, and many wei-e
turned away.
St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran Church was or-
ganized in 1866. The congregation worshiped in a Methodist
church in Third ave., till 1867, when their present house of
worship was completed and dedicated. This is in Prospect
ave., between Fifth and Sixth aves. It is a wooden struc-
ture, with a brick basement, which is used for a parochial
school. The church lias a seating capacity of 350.
The first I'astor was Rev. A. Reidenbacli, followed, in 1868,
by Rev. E. J. Geise, and lie, in 1873, by the present Pastor,
Rev. J. Helmuth Sommer.
The i)arochial school was established in 1866. Instruction
is given in both the German and English languages, and it is
both re Igious and secular in character. The average attend-
ance is 125.
St. Peter's German Lutheran, Walworth st. and DeKalb
ave., was organized in 1865. Services were first held in a
small chapel in Skillman St., near Park ave. In 1868, the
church removed to Park Avenue Chapel. The present church
edifice was bought in May, 1870, from the Puritan Congrega-
tional Society. It is a frame structure, 50 by 110 feet, in-
cluding the school building in the rear, and has a seating
capacity of 600. The number of communicants is about 900.
There are two Sunday-schools of over 500 children. In 1870,
a gallery and organ-loft were added, and a new organ pur-
chased. In 1880, the auditorium was frescoed and decorated.
In 1868, a parochial school was established ; and, in 1878, a
new school building erected, adjoining the church. This
school, in English and German- 'las 3 teachers and 100
scholars. ^
Ministry : Revs. John Zapf, 1865--8; Dr. Schubert, Jan.-
Oct., 1868; Robert C. Beer, 1868-'G ; Chas. Goehling, 1869-'78 ;
John J. Heischmann, 1878-'84.
Rev. John J. Heischmank, bom in Lyons, N. Y., 1858;
grad. Bloomfleld (N. J.) CoU., 1876, and Phila. Theol. Sem.,
1879 ; is Sec'y of Home Jili^sion Soe. of Luth. Ch., of N. Y. ;
editor of B'klyn Luth. CIi. News, 1878-'83; European Letters,
1882; located in B'klyn, 1878.
St. Luke's German Evangelical Lutheran Church was or-
ganized in 1870. Tlie first place of worship was a hall in
Cumberland st. , bet wen DeKalb and Lafayette aves. During
the year 1870, the congregation purchased from the Simpson
M. E. Church, for $14,000, the church building on Carlton
ave. , near Myrtle. Tiiis building was repaired and renovated
at an exjjense of about .^3,500, and an organ was purchased
at a cost of .^S.OOO. In 1879, $1,000 were expended on the
Smiday-school rooms.
A parochial school was commenced in 1870 ; and, in 1878,
a school-house, adjoining the church, was built, at a cost of
$5,000. In this school, instruction is given in German and
English. The school has four teachers and seventy scholars.
Rev. J. H. Baden has been the Pastor from the organization
of the church.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church was organized in 1873. Its
first place of worship was a hall in (Columbia street, near
Woodhull. In 1876. a church edifice was erected at the corner
of Henry street and Third place. It is a brick structure with
a seating capacity of 000. Its cost, including site, was
$15,000.
The first Pastor was Rev. Robert Neumann, who was suc-
ceeded in 1878 by the present Pastor, Rev. John Huppen-
bauer.
The Norwegian Seamen's (Lutheran) Church was organ-
ized in July, 1878. The first place of worship was a hall on
tiie corner of Van Brunt and President streets. In February,
1879, the church property of the William street M. E. Church,
between Richard and Van Brunt streets, was purchased for
about $11,000.
In addition to the church services a reading-room is main-
tained here for such Norwegian sailors and others as may,
from (ime to time, be in the port. Here they are kept from
the evil influences that so generally surround that class of
people.
Rev. O. Asperhem was the first Pastor, succeeded August,'
1880, bj' the present Pastor. Rev. A. Mortensen.
Our Saviour's (Danish) Evan. Luth. Church, for Brooklyn,
New York and vicinity. The Danish Evan. Luth. Mission
had its beginning in July, 1873, when the Rev. A. L. J.
Silholm, from Denmark, org. a congreg.ation at Perth Aml)oy,
N. J. His labors, though extended to various places in tlie
States of N. Y., N. J. and Slass., were yet mostly devoted to
this Perth Amboy enterprise, and to the Danish emigrants
arriving at Castle Gardenr In Perth Amboy, a little frame
church (St. Stephen's Danish Luth.) was erected; and Mr. S.
labored there until May, 1878, when he removed to Wau-
paca, Wis., to take charge of the Danish Luth. Church there.
He was succeeded at Perth Amboy by Rev. R. Andersen; but
as the congregation had mostly gone to the West, the church
there was broken uji. Mr. Andersen, therefore, tui'ned his
attention to Brooklyn, where he held his first mission ser-
vice to his countrymen, July 10, 1878, in a house (previously
used as a Ger. Bap. Cluu'ch), No. 137 Twenty-second st., near
3d ave. Sept. 15, he opened a mission in Harmonia Hall,
Van Cott avenue, Greenpoint, E. D., preaching also in N. Y.
to emigrants and seamen. Subsequently the Greenpoint
meetings were held in St. Johannes' Ger. Evan. Luth. Church,
in Leonard street, between Greenpoint avenue and Colyer st.
In the Spring of 1879, he commenced mission meetings in 23d
street, Brooklyn, in a hall called "Augsburg Chapel," occu-
pied by the Mission S. S. of the Eng. Luth. St. Matthew's
ECCLESIASTICAL OH GAJSTIZA TIONS.
1085
Church in Amity street. Mr. Andersen went to Denmark in
Jan., 1881, returning in May to the care of the " Augsburg
Chapel " mission (which was afterwards transferred to the
Dutch Ref. denomination in connection with the 13th St. Ref.
Cluircli) and the Greenpoint Jlission. In 1883, a regular mis-
sion was begun in Jersey cit}', and in the same year the
"Augsburg Chapel" enterprise became established in its own
building (a two-story brick liouse), No. 193 Ninth street, the
first floor being converted into a neat little t-hurch, and the
second floor occupied as a parsonage. This new liome was
dedicated under its present name, on Sunday, Feb., 1883; and
at the first confirmation held witliin its walls, April 15, four
persons were confirmed. Two days later the mission was duly
org. as a congregation, wliichwas incorporated June Gth, and
now numbers about 40 families and some single persons. Its
membership extends over New York, Brooklyn, Greenpoint,
Iloboken, &c., and its affairs are managed by nine trustees.
The church seats 100 persons, and though plainly furnished,
possesses (hy gift of a friend) a fine altar-piocr^etc. There is,
also, a prosjierous Sujiday-school. ^
This church stands in connection with tne jjanish Luth.
C'hurch, both in Denmark and America, and with the Luth.
Church in general. Its work is jirimarily among the Danish
and Swedish churches, and those who remain about the ports
of New York, Brooklyn and Jersey city for awhile, before
going West.
Rev. Rasmus Andersen, born 1848, at Vcdelshave, Den-
mark; grad. High school in Ryslinge, 1871; came to this
land in June, 1871, as the missionary of "the Society for
Preaching the Gospel to Danes in America," and a similar
society for preaching to Danish sailors; completed his theol.
education at the Augsburg Sem. at Marshall, Wis.; was
ordained June 26, 1872; was one of the fomiders of Danish
Evang. Luth. Churcli in America, 1872; and Secretary of
Synod for some years ; author of History of Evang. Church:
formerly in Waupaca and Three Rivers, Wis., 1872-'78;
te'itled in Brooklyn September, 1878.
Grace English Evangelical Lutheran Church, at present
worshiping in a hall on the N. E. cor. Broadway and 4th
St., was org. March 17, 1881. It is the on]y Englixli Luth.
Chui-ch in Eastern Dist., and the second in Brooklyn; St.
Idatthew's being the other. The communicant-members
number about 50, although a much larger congregation is in
regular attendance. Sunday-school has about 50 scholars,
and is growing. The church is connected with the Synod of
N. Y. and N. J., and is supported by the Home Mission
Board of the Gen. Synod of the Evan. Duth. Ch. OlTlCKRS :
Rev. G. F. Behringer, Pastor; John Brissell, J. Fi'ed. Van-
denfauge. Elders; Geo. Meier, Jacob MoUer, Geo. Tonjes,
Charles Niemeyer, Deacons; L. R. Stegman, C. R. Henry, J.
H. Fahrenliolz, J. A. Beyer, G. Tonjes, H. Dick, Trustees.
Sunday-school: Supt., G. F. Behringer; Asst. Supt.,C. R.
Henry; See., Geo. Meier; Treas., Chas. Niemeyer.
Rev. George F. Behringer, born in New York, Oct., 1846;
grad. Cornell Univ., 1869, and Univ. Leipzig, 1873; was Ass't
Prof. German, etc., at Cornell, 1869-'70, and Prof. Rhetoric
at Howai-d Univ., 1874-'75; previous locations, Indianapolis,
1877-78; Des Moines, 1879-'81; author of Life of Luther;
came to Brooklyn, 1881. '
Harrison Ave. Church of the Evangelical Association of
North America was org. January 10. 1870, through the labors;
of Rev. E. Glaesen, Missionary, who preached at first in
Winter's Hall in Harrison ave. Messrs. G. A. Seboliner,
Philip Stork, Ernest Boelun, F. Boyen and Ulrich Barth were
its founders and first trustees. Tln-ee lots were secured in
Harrison avenue, between Gwinnett and Mi<ldleton streets,
March 1, 1876; and the erection of theiweseut parsonage com-
menced (cost $3,500), in the second floor of which church-
services were held. These accommodations soon proving too
small, a church edifice, 90 by 43 feet, frame, in a partly
Gothic style, was erected. The comer-stone was laid July 8,
1877, and the church ded. Sept. 13, 1878. It has a seat-
ing capacity of 500, and cost about $13,000. The fii-st Pastor,
IVIi-. E. Glaesen, was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Sehnatz, May 1 ,
1879. He remained two years, during which the chui'ch
prospered; and was followed by Rev. F. Kurtz, the present
Pastor; the congregation having increased, in two years,
from 120 to 170 members. The church sustains a Sunday-
school of over 400 children. The services are all in the
German language. ,
St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Evergreen ave.,
op. Jefferson, org. 1868. The church is a wooden structure,
seating 500 persons, with a parsonage; is worth about
.?20,000, and is free from debt. Rev. G. A. Schmith, Pastor,
from 1868 to Jlarch, 1871; Rev. August E. Frey, from March,
1871, to 1884. The church has prospered, and numbers now
1,000 commimicants; 500 Sunday-school scholars; sustaining
St. ^Mark's pai'ochial school of six teachers and 300 scholars.
Mr. Frey, a native of German}', born in 1844; educated in
Basse, Switzerland. He was first located in Ghent, Columbia
Co., N. Y., 1868-'71. He is the author of Chrstl. Volks-
Biblidhek and Missions Bibliotheli; History of the Reforma-
tion, also Editor of the Evang. Luth. JiHssion Blait for 8
years, and oiVergissmeinnicht.
Evangelical Lutheran Emmanuel Church was foimded in
January, 1875, by Rev. F. T. Koerner, with twenty members.
Services were first held in Tuttle's building; afterwards the
church on South Eighth and First streets was purchased. It
is a brick structure, 35 1)}' 50 feet, and had been first a
Presbyterian and next a Jewish church. ',
The edifice was refitted, and the congregation now number v
six hundred; while the Sunday-school has two hundred and
fif tj- members, and the day school has a hundred pupils.
The congi-egation helps support the German Home for the
Destitute and Hospital, at East New York, and Mr. Koerner is
a member of the Board of both Institutions. The church*
belongs to the S\^lod of Missouri, Ohio, and ( >ther States, i
which includes about a thousand ministers. .
German Evangelical Mission Church in Hopkins St. — The,
first attempt for the gathering of a German mission in the;
21st Ward in Brooklyn was made in the year 18G8. In;
Tliroop ave., between Hopkins and Ellery sts., the English^
brethren have a Mission Chapel (Sunday-school building)
which they offered to the Germans for their services. Mis-
sionary Hones was called to the work, but he was not suc-
cessful. The second attempt was made on the 5th of July,
1868, when Rev. Hemy Loesch was called as a minister;
but he had to resign in a short time (Feb. 10, 1870), for want
of hearers and success.
On the 15th of July the present Pastor, Rev. John Meury,
accepted the call. Ho is a man of uncommon energy, pow-
erful oratorical talent, and high cultivation, together with
personal cheerfulness and piety. He went to work with zeal
and courage. The meetings and services were attended vvith,
growing interest, and soon the locality was too small to hold;
the hearers. On Jan. 6th, 1871, the session resolved to biiild
a church edifice. In May, 1871, the congregation was incor;.:
porated under its present name. Three lots in Hopkins st. , be-
tween Throop and Sumner aves., were purchased, and the
building commenced. On the 23d of Feb., 1872, the new
church was consecrated and occupied. Tlie building is
constructed in the most solid manner, thoroughly, of brick,
50x85. The spacious main hall has wide galleries all around
and can accommodate 14,000 persons. The basement consists
1086
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
of large lecture-room, and two school-rooms for IGO scholars
of the parochial school. The congregation also owns a par-
sonage, 20x50; lirick building with French roof. TJie church
and parsonage were erected at the cost of $40,800. The con-
gregation numbers at the present time about 675 members.
The Sunday-school is regularly attended by 700-800 children.
The parochial school, with a frerman and an English teacher,
has 180 scholars now. The church is (connected with the
Presbytery of Brooklyn; is in a flt)urishing condition, and
fully self-sustaining.
Other Lutheran clergymen residing in Brooklyn are :
Rev. J. P. Beyer, born in Germany, 1833; grad. Concordia
(Mo.) College, and St. Louis Theol. Sem., 1855; was Pres. of
Eastern District Synod of Missouri; formerly at Memphis,
Tenn., 1855-'5S; Altenburgh, Mo., 1S58-'G3; Chicago. IKCS-'TO;
Pittsburgh, 1870-'80; Brooklyn, April 8, 1880-'84; editor Ui-
theran Child's Paper.
Rev. H. Daeoener, born in Brunswick, Germany, 1833;
grad. Holzminden, 1841; and in theol. at Univ. Gottingen,
1844; ilemb. Exam. Com of Ministorium of New York.
Pastor St. Mark's, N. Y., 185G-'82; in Brooklyn as Emeritus,
Oct., 1882.
Rev. Carlslen Hausleex, born in Norway, 1856; grad.
Christiana Coll., 1874, and Christiana Univ., 1880; located
Brooklyn, 1883.
Rev. Andreas Mortensen, born in Norway, 1849; grad.
Giertsen's Coll., Christiana, 1873; in theol. at Royal Fredrik's
Univ., 1877; teacher of Theol. Hist, and Lang., Christiana;
Pastor Norweg. Luth. Seamen's Ch., in New York, 1880.
Rev. Albert Rodei.l, born at Grand Island, N. Y., 1853;
grad. Augustana Coll. (111.), 1875, and Augvistana Theol. Sem..
1877; editor Augusfan<i Observer, New York; located in Kan-
sas City, Mo., 1877-'80; Brooklyn, 1880-'84.
UNITARIAN CHURCHES
CHURCH OF THE SAVIOUR. (rrxiT.ir.iAN.)
First Unitarian Congregational (Church of the Saviour),
north-east cor. Pierrejiont st. and Monroe PI. Unitarian ser-
vices were first held in Brooklyn in 1833, before which time,
those of liberal religious views %vere accustomed to attend the
First Unit. Ch. in Chambers st.. New York. Several meetings
of those interested were held in the summer of 1833, and a
church org., comprising the following among its members:
Josiah Dow, Seth Low, John Frost, W. H. Gary, Al?x. H.
Smith, Win. H. Hale, Chas. "Woodward, Henry Leeds,
Thos. Woodward, Geo. Blackburn, (Jeo. S. Cary, P. G.
Taylor, Rich. W. Dow, Jas. Walters, Joshua Jolford
and Geo. B. Archer. The first public services were
held Aug. 17, in Classical Hall, Washington st. Rev.
David Hatch Barlow was installed Pastor Sept. 17,
1834. He was a graduate of Harvard; "a preacher
and pt)et too, of no ordinary gifts. Able, cultured
and graceful, he won sincere respect for his talents,
as also affectionate esteem for his devotion to his
parishioners." Ill health compelled him to resign in
July, 1837. He was succeeded by Rev. Frederick
West HoUand, from April 1, 1838, to April 1, 1842;
who also was a graduate of Harvard and of Cambridge
Divinity School, "and by excellent gifts, intellectual
attainments, earnest piety and great energy, was well
fitted for his work in life." Meanwhile, through some
differences which had arisen, a Second Unitarian
Society was formed Dec. 3, 1840, by twenty-two
persons, in the Brooklyn Lyceum. Rev. F. A. Farley
was installed Pastor of the new society Aug. 1, 1841 ;
and it was incorporated Nov. 1, 1841, with these
Trustees; Wm. H. Cary, Chas. Woodward, Thos. A.
Morrison,'Geo. Collins, Ben. Blossom, Wm. K. Tucker,
L. W. Thomas, Joshua Atkins and Joseph L. Brigham.
Mar. 33, 184'2, the two churches were united under
Dr. Farley as Pastor and worshiped in the Hall of
the Brooklyn Institute until April 2, 1844. The
Trustees of the United First Unitarian Church were:
Seth Low, President; William H. Cary, Peter G.
Taylor, Davit Felt, Charles M. Olcott, L. W. Thomas,
Joseph L. Lord, John Greenwood and George B.
Granniss. A plot of land on Pierrepont st. and
Monroe Place had been purchased, and a new and elegant
church erected, which was consecrated April 24, 1844, as the
Church of the Saviour. In Nov., 1863, Dr. Farley preached
his farewell sern^on, after twenty years' pastorate. His suc-
cessor. Rev. A. P. I^utnam, the present incumbent, was
installed Sept. 28, 1864. In 1865 the society established its
Furraan st. Mission Scliool, and about the same time, aided
largely in forming the Brooklyn Christian Liberal Union.
ECCLESIASTICAL OR GANIZA TIONS.
1087
In 1865-6, a beautiful chapel adjoining the church was
erected, at an expense of $30,000, besides extensive repairs
to the church. In 1867, it dismissed a number of its families,
for the purpose of establishing a new society of its faith in
South Brooklyn, and gave |10,000 for the erection of Unity
Chapel. It has about 300 communicants and a Sabbath-
school of thirty teachers and 200 scholars.
Rev. Frederick Augustus Farley, born in Boston 1800;
grad. at Harvard 1818; studied law; admitted to the bar 1821;
grad. Harvard Divinity School, 1827; settled at Providence
1838-41; came to Brooklyn 1841; author of Unitariaiiism. in
v. S.; Unitarianism Defined; Histofy of Brooklyn and L. I.
Sanitary Fair, 1804; resigned pastorate 1863.
Second Unitarian Church. — The society org. Nov. 5, 1850;
held its first public service April 20, 1851, in the Brooklyn
Female Academy, and continued to meet there until the
building was burned in January, 1853. Tho society then
occupied tlie Brooklyn Institute for a few months; and next
the Brooklyn Athenaeum, until March, 1858, when a church
edifice on the corner of Clinton and Congress streets was
completed. Of cruciform shape, in the Anglo-Italian style,
with fine stained windows and beautiful interior decorations,
it is an attractive building, and was the first departure in
Brooklyn from conventional church architecture. Rev.
Samuel Longfellow, a younger brother of Henry W. Long-
fellow, served as Pastor, with great acceptance, from Oct. 26,
1853, till April 29, 1860, when he resigned for rest and re-
cuperation. Rev. N, A. Staples succeeded him Nov. 6, 1861,
and served as Pastor until his death in Feb., 1864. Rev. John
W. Chadwick was ordained and installed as Pastor in Dec,
1864, and continues to ofiiciate till the present time. His
ministry has been highly successful and the church is pros-
perous. This society has always represented the more ad-
vanced and rationalistic element of Unitarianism.
Rev. John White Chadwick was born in Marblehead,
1840: grad. Bridgewater Normal School 1859: Cambridge
Theol. Sem. 1864; author of The Man Jcsuk; Faith of Reason;
Bible of To-Day; Some Aspects of Religion ; Belief and Life;
Origin and Destiny; Booh: of Poems.
Third Unitarian Congregational Society (Unity Chapel).
— September 30, 1867, thirteen persons assembled at a private
house in Ryerson st. (to take the initiatory steps towards the
establishment of a society of the Liberal Faith in Central
Brooklyn), in response to a call published by the Rev. A. P.
Putnam, Pastor of the First Unitarian Society. The first
Sunday services were held October 6, 1867, in an upper room,
over a fish market, on the corner of Classon and Fulton
aves.. Rev. Dr. F. A. Farley preaching in the morning to au
audience of fifty, and Rev. A. P. Putnam in the evening, to
about the same number. At tho same place, on Dec. 3, 1867,
some thirty persons org. the Third Unitarian Society. A
Sunday-school had been organized on the 29tli of October
previous.
Revs. E. J. Gal via and H. C. Badger supplied the church
during its earlier months. The preaching of Rev. Robert
Collyer, Oct. 11, 1868, gave impetus and influence to the new
organization. It was materially aided by the First Unitarian
Society, in its beginnings. Seven lots on Classon ave. and
Lefferts st. were purchased, and the corner-stone of Unity
Chapel was laid Sept, 4, 1868. The dedication services were
held Dec. 9, 1868. The chapel and lots cost |25,716. Rev.
Stephen H. Camp was installed as the first Pastor, Oct. 6,
1869, and has since continued to ofliciate in that capacity
with marked success.
Rev. Stephen H. Camp was born in Windsor, Ct. , 1837 ;
grad. Meadville (Pa.) Theol. Sem., 1863 ; Pastor, Toledo, O.,
1864-'9 ; came to Brooklyn, 1869 ; was Chaplain Corps
d'Afrique in late war.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES.
For many years previous to the establishment of a Univer-
salist church in Brooklyn, there were those here who be-
longed to the society and congregation in New York city,
and for whose convenience meetings were held from time to
time, on this side of the river, under the ministry of the Rev.
Messrs. Mitchell, Sawyer and others. Finally, in 1841,
Messrs. William Burbank, Hiram K. Haskins, Wm. Raynor,
Edwin Smith, and Monis Reynolds decided to rent a hall, on
the corner of Fulton and Cranberry sts., owned by Hon.
George Hall, which they occupied for several Sabbaths, with
preaching by Mr. Sawyer and others. This experiment
proving successful, they applied for the rent of the hall for
the term of a year. By this time, however, much oj^position
had been aroused among the orthodox denominations in the
city, and the further use of the hall was denied them by its
owner, on the ground that " Brooklyn was bad enough with-
out having Universalisni preached in it." At this juncture,
however, the First Unitarian Society offered the use of their
church, <a small frame building, in Adams St., with organ
and furniture included. This was accepted ; and, under the
preaching of Rev. Abel C. Thomas, the society gained mem-
bers, and determined to have a building of their own. Not
being strong enough to effect this, however, eight gentle-
men, viz., jVbner Chichester, A. C. Thomas, Wm. Burbank,
Wm. Raynor, Hiram K. Haskins, E. Winchester, B. A.
Brewster, and Morris Reynolds, acting on the suggestion of
the last named, purchased lots on the north-west corner of
Fulton and Pineapple sts., on which, in January, 1843, they
commenced the erection of a building, the lower part of
which was used as stores ; and the upper part, including a
small building adjoining, for Sunday-school purposes, was
leased to the society for twenty-one years, with renewals, at
.$600 per annum. This building was first opened and occu-
pied June 23, 1843, by the newly incorporated society.
The First Universalist Soci:ty (Church of the Restora-
tion).— The Rev. Abel C. Thomas officiated, from the Fall of
1842, until about 1844, and was succeeded by the Rev. T. B.
Thayer. In the great fire of 1848, the building was burned ;
and the societ}', having disposed of their lots on favorable
terms, purchased lots and erected an elegant new edifice, on
the south-east corner of Monroe place and Clark st., at a
cost, including lots, furniture and organ, of about $30,000.
In 1851, Rev. Mr. Thayer was succeeded in the pastorate by
Rev. H. R. Nye, who remained imtil 1857, and was, in turn,
succeeded by Rev. Henry Blanchard. During the early part
of his ministrj', another Universalist Society, called the
Church of the Redeemer, was formed by some of the younger
portion of the society. In the early part of 1868, a removal
farther up town, and nearer the centre of the parish, was
determined upon ; and, in October of the same year, the edi-
1088
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
lice was sold to the Swedenborgians for -^40,000, leaving the
society with a net balance of about $20,000. Mr. Blanchard
resigned the charge of the society, January 1, 1869.
The Church of Our Father.— In 1868, the Fourth Society
(or Churcli of the Redeemer) became consolidated with the
first society under this name. In the Spring of that year,
Rev. E. C. BoUes became Pastor, and a chapel was erected
on Clermont ave. He resigned in 1869, and Rev. H. R. Nye
was recalled in 1870. In 1879, the chapel was sold to the
Classen Avenue Presbyterian Church, and a church building,
on State st., near Hoyt, was occupied during one year. In
1880, Mr. Nye resigned, and the congregation removed to the
Conservatory Budding, corner of Fulton si. and Bedford
ave., where they have since worshiped.
Lots were purcliased at the comer of Lefferts place and
Grand ave., and a line church edifice erected in 1883. The
main audience-room is 70 by 80 feet, and the vestry, or
Sunday-school room, 30 by 60 feet ; and, as the latter is so
arranged tliat it can be made a part of the main room, the
total seatings will accommodate 1,300 persons. The pews are
arranged on the amphitheatre plan. The style of architec.
ture is Byzantine; the material used, Trenton pressed brick,
terra cotta trimmings, and ornamental stone. The roof is of
slate, and the ceiling of iron, resting on columns. The pews
and all interior fittings are of hard wood. The walls and
ceilings are tastefulh' decorated, and the windows of stained
glass. The church includes ia its plan commodious parlors,
dining-room and kitchen. The architect is Mr. L. B. Valk,
whose system of ventilation is used in the building. A
square tower, 100 feet in height, rises from the Fulton st.
side of the building. The entire cost is about |3.5,000. The
present Pastor, Rev. A. J. Canfield, entered on his duties in
May, 1881. The condition of the society is prosperovis.
About the year 1870, a mission was established, and a
chapel, called The Centenary Chapel, was erected in Nos-
trand avenue; and here services were held during several
years. This mission finally became united with the Church
of Our Father, and a mission school was established in
Broadway.
Mr. Canfield was born in Broome county, N. Y., 1840;
grad. Union Coll. Theol., Canton, N. Y.; ord. 1863 ; previous
location. Concord, N. H. ; frequent contrib. to The Leader,
etc., etc.
All Souls' Universalist Church, South 9th st., near Fourth.
— This society, originally known as the First Universalist So-
ciety of Williaitisburgh, was started with nineteen members,
in April, 1845, thi'ough the efforts of a few residents of the
village of Williamsburgh, who had formerly becu connected
with the Orchard St. (N. Y.) Society, of which Rev. Dr. Thomas
J. Sawyer was then Pastor. The first services weie held in a
small chapel on Second street. Tlie little band worshiped
there for three years, growing in numbers, until, in 1848, at
a cost of $7,000, a cburcli was erected at the corner of
Fourth and South Third streets.
The first Pastor was Rev. Henry Lyon, who served till
1849, succeeded by Rev. Day K. Lee, until 18.54. In 1856,
Rev. Bernard Peters, of Cincinnati, was called and served
with much efficiency until 1863. Rev. A. J. Canfield served
as Pastor for five years, and was followed, in 1870, by Rev.
Almon Gunnison, who yet occupies the pastorate.
In May, 1878, the present church edifice, known as AH
Souls' Church, was dedicated. Two years later, a new chapel
was erected. The church property extends tlirough the entire
block, the church facing on South Ninth st., the chapel on
South Tenth, the two joined together in the rear. The build-
ings are commodious, having all the apijointments necessary,
and were erected at an expense of eighty thousand dollars.
They are free from debt.
The first trustees of the society were : George Ricard,
William B. Miles, Joseph Stanley, William Dillingham,
Theophilus W. Smith, Milton Wooley, Amos Smith.
The first-named of these, George Ricard, was elected Presi-
dent of the Board, holding the office for thirty-five years until
hisdeath. A marble memorial tablet was erected by his rela-
tives in the church, commemorative of his life and works.
The church organization has, at the present time, uj)wards
of three hundred members, the Sunday-scliool numbering
four hundred.
The following are the present officers of the church : Rev.
Almon Gunnison, D. D., Pastor; B. W. Wilson, Wm. H.
Gaylor, E. S. Seeley, George H. Fisher, Wm. E. Bailey,
Clarence E. Lyon, James B. Perkins, Trustees.
B. W. Wilson, George E. Jloulton, Mrs. S. A. Jarvis,
Supts. of the Sunday-school. A Young People's Association,
and other auxiliary organizations, are maintained.
Rev. Almon Gunnison, D. D. (St. Law. Univ.), was born
in Hallowell, Me., 1844; grad. Tuft's Coll. and St. Lawrence
Univ. Theol. Dept., 1868; is Trustee of St. Law. Univ.;
located at Bath, Me., 1868-'71; B'klyn, 1871-84; author of
Rambles Overland, 1883; Assoc. Ed. of Christian Leader.
JEWISH SYNAGOGUES.
Congregation of Beth Israel. — To obviate the incon-
venience of crossing to New York to attend worship, a small
num)>er of Israelites, in 1856, organized an independent con-
gregation in Brooklyn, with M. Erlich as President. A room
was hired, and services were conducted by such clergymen as
could be procui'ed, till Rabbi Joel Alexander became Pastor.
A building for a synagogue was erected during the presi-
dency of Solomon Furst, Esq., on tlie corner of State st. and
Boerum pi., at a cost of $10,000. It was completed and
dedicated Aug. 31, 1863.
A school was established for the instruction of children in
the Hebrew language, and it has continued at intervals since.
The congregation was at first strictly orthodox; but, in 1879,
it adopted certain reforms. Rabbi Alexander was succeeded
by Rabbi Adolph liessler.
The Congregation of Beth Elohim, founded in October,
1861, by a secession from the Congregation Israel, is mainly
composed of German Israelites. Shortly after, they pur-
chased the edifice formerly known as Calvary Protestant
Episcopal Church, in Pearl, between Concord and Nassau
streets, at a cost of $5,100; which, together with an expense of
$3,000 for alterations, was cheerfidly borne by acongi-egation
of only fifty members. This edifice was dedicated March 30,
1863; and in February, 1870, the fine edifice previously oc-
cupied by the Central Presbyterian Church, in Schermerhorn,
between Powers and Nevins streets, was purchased, at a cost
of $55,000. Previously to this time, also, the congi-egation had
conducted their religious services according to the orthodox
ritual; but they adopted, and on the 19th of February, 1870,
inaugurated the moderate reform services.
ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.
1089
lu 1871, the building was repaired and remodeled, and
family pews were substituted for the former seats. Au organ
was at this time purchased. George Brandenstein has been
the Kabbi iu charge from the founding of the congregation;
and to Moses Hess, Samuel Hess and S. Rosenburg, this con-
gregation is largely indebted for its prosperity.
Temple Israel, in Greene ave., bet. Carlton and Adelphi. —
A number of intelligent Hebrews of Brooklyn assembled
Nov., 1869, at 30 Douglass street (A. Fleischauer's), and or-
ganized a temple whose services are ia English, except the
Psalms. Their first place of worship was the rooms now
occupied by the Y. M. C. A., Fulton ave. and Gallatin place,
occupied Jan. 1, 1870. The present temple was purchased
from the "Church of the Redeemer "in 1878. Its seating
capacity is 800. The membership is about 70 families. The
Sunday-school has 100 children. The first Rabbi was Rev.
B. C. Lewin, succeeded by Rev. Mr. Lasker, 1874-'76; Rev. S.
Moshe, 1876-80; Rev. E. M. Chapman, 1880-'84.
Rev. Edwaed Maurice Chapman, born iu London, Eng.,
1854; grad. Jews' Coll. inTheol. and London Univ., 1874; was
Prof, of Hebrew, East London College, 1872; Asst. Supt. Heb.
Orphan Asylum, New York, 1877-78; located at Hartford,
Ct., 1878-'80; B'klyn, 1880-'84.
Congregation Temple Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, E. D. —
The congregation Beth Elohim, now worshiping in the
beautiful Temple on Keapst., Brooklyn, E. D., was started
about 30 years ago, by 15 Israelites, wlio met every Sabbath
and holidays, in a modest place of worship on the North side
of Williamsburgh, for which the annual rent of $150 was
piid. To become a member of that religious society, the
payment of au initiation fee of $3, and the annual contribu-
tion of $6, was required. The first officiating Hasan (Reader)
of the Congregation was Mr. Barnard.
As the Jewish population increased in Williamsburgh,
this Congregation became stronger in membership, till they
were able to bu}-, in 1860, the building on the corner of South
First and Eighth sts., now the German Lutheran Church
"Emanuel." This the}' reconstructed; and it served to the
Congregation as a Synagogue till 1870, when it was sold to
the above-named congregation, and the Temple on Keap st.
was dedicated.
In the old Synagogue, Mr. Eiseman, au old member of the
Congregation performed the ministerial duties for a number
of years; and then, in succession. Revs. Gotthold, Rubin and
others officiated. The form of worship was conducted ac-
cording to the orthodox ritual. When the Congregation
resolved to adopt the ritual of the modern reform school, a
considerable number of the conservative members withdrew,
and formed a separate orthodox Congregation, whose Syna-
gogue is on Johnson ave. Since that time a new era has
begun for the Beth Elohim Congregation. The new Temple
on Keap St., near Division ave., was erected at a cost
of foOjOOO; its size, 60x100 feet; its seating capacity about
800; and its material, Philadelphia brick, with brown-stone
trimming. It is the largest and finest Jewish house of wor-
ship in Brooklyn, and is counted among the handsomest
edifices of the " City of Churches."
The first regular Rabbi and preacher of this Congregatic >n
was Rev, Dr. Grossman, who was succeeded by Dr. Schwab,
who resigned to accept a ministry in St. Joseph, Mo. The
present Rabbi of the Temple is the Rev. L. Wintner, Di-. Ph.,
who has occupied the Beth Elohim pulpit since October, 1878,
and is also the Superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
The number of Sabbath-school pupils has increased, mak-
ing necessary alterations in the lower part of the Temple for
the purpose of more school-room accommodations; and re-
quiring also more salaried teachers.
The present officers of the Congregation are : Pres., Moses
May; V. Pres., M. Hessberg; Treas., N. Bernstein; Se&y, H.
Meyers. Trustees : M. Kessel, Morris Adler. Ph. Strauss, I.
Igelheimer, Henry Newman, M. Levy. Rabbi, Rev. L.
Wintner, Ph. Dr.; Reader, Rev. E. Halff; Sexton, I.
Smith.
Rev. L. Wintner, Ph. D., A. M., born in Hungary, 1834,
studied in Imp. Univ., Vienna, and Jena Univ., Germany,
and Rabbinical schools ; grad. Univ. Tubingen, Germany;
came to America 1863; teacher theol. and modern languages
iu Mobile, Louisville, Jackson and St. Paul; minister in St.
Paul, 1871-'3; and Detroit, 1873-6 ; was in Europe, 1876-'8;
came to Brooklyn, 1878.
Other Rabbis residing in Brooklyn are: Rev. Dr. I. Mayer,
born 1809, in Bavaria; grad. Theol. Sam. at Fi-ankfort-on-the-
Main, 1834 ; former locations Cincinnati, Rochester, Hart-
ford, 1870; author of Ben Sirah, 1858; Hebrew Grainniar,
1856 ; Source of Salvation, 1874 ; located in Brooklyn, May,
1883.
Rev. Sal. Moshe, born in Germany, 1843; grad. from
Royal Sem. 1860, and Theol. Sem. at Breslau, 1863; previous
locations, Germany and New Orleans, La. ; came to Brooklyn
1874.
Ahavis Achim. — A society of reformed Jews of the Eastern
District was established, and their Sepher Tore, or Book of
the Law, dedicated at the hall, corner of Meserole and Eweu
streets, August 31, 1869
MISCELLANEOUS.
Christian Church of the Evangel. — In 1860, a movement
was inaugurated in the Sevsnteenth Ward of Brooklyn, then
the village of Greenpoint, to establish a religious body which
should be independent of existing sects, and, at the same
time, thoroughly in sympathy with all Christians and Chris-
tian work.
Through the efforts of Mr. W. H. Corwith and others, au
organization was effected under the name of the Greenpoint
Mission Society, which held its first meeting in a carpenter's
shop in Eckford st., on June 24, 1860.
A Sabbath-school was conn, cted with the enterprise, and a
number of i)ei-sons became identified with it by letter and
profession of faith. Elder Moses Cummings was connected
with the society for a year and a half, after which Ms place
was supplied by Rev. I. C. Tiyon and others until August 8,
1862, when E. W. Lock wood was cho"ien to preach. About
this time the old house standing on the cor. of Leonard and
CoUyer sts., formerly owned by the Baptist Church, was
hired by the society, which on Jan. 5, 1863, directed its pur-
chase. On March 1, 1863, the trustees were authorized to
buy two lots in Leonard, near Meserole st., and move the
building thereon. This having been effected, the house was
repaired, and on April 11, 1863, ded. At the same time
E. W. Lockwood was ordained to the ministry. He re-
signed June 12, 1864. Rev. S. S. Nason commenced his work
in June, 1865, but died iu the following August. Rev. E. G,
1090
HISTORY OF KIJSTGS COUNTY.
Haulenbeck, of Xew York City, ijreached six mouths, begin-
ning with January, 1866.
In July, 18G0, the society secured Mr. Martyn Suminerbell
for the remainder of the year; Dec. 20, 1867, he was or-
dained; !May 4, 1868, iive persons were baptized (by immer-
sion) by the Pastor.
To promote acquaintance in tlie now growing congrega-
tion, a "Ladies' Social" was inaugurated on July 15, and
Nov. 10, 1869. May 25, 1869, under a decree of the Supreme
Court, the (.ongrogation adopted tlie legal title of the First
Christian Concj. Chuixh, of Grecnpoint, and was consolidated
with the Suffolk St. Church of New York City.
In Nov., 1872, the church adopted its present Manual,
and, with permission of the Supreme Court, received its
present name. The Christian Church of the Evangel.
From this time forward the growth of the church under
Mr. Summcrbell's pastorate was constant and liealthful. In
1875, it was decided to erect a new edifice. In 1876, the old
house was removed to the rear and remodelled; and on Sept.
28, 1876, the corner-stone of tlie new building was laid, the
M isonic Order and the New York State Christian Asso. par-
ticipating in the ceremonies. Tlie plan of building only as
the bills were met was strictly adhered to; and, on Chi-istmas,
1878, the edifice, furnished and carpeted, was formerly ded.
for worship The building is semi-Gothic, covering two city
lots, and will seat about 400. It is substantially constructed,
with frame filled to the plates with brick, and finished out-
side with wood. The inside finish is of hard wood, chestnut,
odk and black walnut. It is conveniently supplied with
baptistery infant class, and retiring rooms, and is connected
with the chapel at the rear. The tasteful effect of its interior
furnishings, contrasting well with the stained-glass windows,
is much admired. The tower, surmounted with belfry and
gilded cross, rises to the altitude of nearly one hundred feet.
In July, 1880, Mr. Summerbell resigned to take pastoral
charge of the Franklin St. Christian Church in Fall River,
Mass., after a service of exactly fourteen years. In Septem-
ber, 1880, Rev. E. A. Hainer commenced his labors and still
remains Pastor.
Rev. Edwix A. Hainer, born in Burford, Ont., 1856; grad.
New Market High Sch., 1874; Christian Bib. Inst., 1880; lo-
cated New Market, 1874; West Eimelburg, 1875; Franklin,
1876; Brooklyn, 1880.
Other ministers of the Christian denomination are:
Rev. JdUN Ball Cook, born at Livingston, N. J., 1804;
grad. Succasunna Acad., N. J., 1829; and Newton Theol.
Sem., 1833; located Cincinnati, Middletown, Rochester,
Binghamtoa, Brooklyn, 1869; author of Reviews, Tracts,
and Diagram of Prophecy.
The Brooklyn Society of the New Jerusalem (Svyedenbor-
gian). — Lay services were commenced at private jiarlors in
April, 185(i, by some twenty-five Swedenborgians, and con-
tinued for about a year. In May, 1857, the hall of the Acad-
emy on Clinton street, near Pierrepont, was secured as a
place of worship, and the occasional services of a minister
were enjoyed. In Oct., 1858, Mr. James E. Mills, a licentiate,
of Boston, became minister, and a society under the above
name was organized June 15, 1859. The increase of members
rendered a removal to the Athenasum building, corner of
Clinton and Atlantic streets, necessary in 1860; and, at the
same time, a society that had worshiped at Dodsworth's
Academy united with this. June 5, 1861, Mr. Mills was in-
stalled Pastor. The society was accepted as a member of the
General Convention in 1862. In Oct., 1883, Mr. Mills resigned,
and for a year lay services were held, with occasional preach-
ing. January 8, 1865, the present Pastor, Rev. J. C. Ager,
entered on his duties. In February of the same j'ear, the in-
crease of the congregation necessitated another removal, and
the chapel of the Polytechnic Institute was secured. Here
the congregation worshiped during four years. The Church
of the Restoration, corner of Monroe place and Clark, was
purchased, with organ and furniture, at |40,000, and upward
of .'f;6,500 expended in repairing and decorating the interior,
and Feb. 21, 1869, the edifice was dedicated. Dr. R. C. Mofi'at
has, from the beginning of the society, been a i^rominent and
active member, and its leader whenever without a Pastor.
Rev. John Cuetis Ager, born 1835, at Warner, N. H. ;
grad. Urbana (O.) University, 1858; studied at Newton, Mass.
Theol. Sem.; was Prof. Mental Phil, and Eng. Lit. at Urbana,
1858-'61; previous location, Brooklino, Mass., 1861-"4; Editor
New Jerusalem Messenger; located i:i Brooklyn, 1SG5.
Rev. John Eschmann, born in Zurich, Switzerland, 1817;
grad. City Gymnasium, 1835; Zurich Theol. Sem., Switzer-
land, 1839; located New York, 1845; and East New York,
1869; was itinerant missionary in North-west; author of pub.
sermons, catechism and several translations.
The First Moravian Church of Brooklyn was organized in
1854, by some members of the Moravian Church in New Ycrk
city, who had become residents of Brooklyn. In that year a
frame building was erected on Jay street, near Myrtle avenue,
and consecrated September 10th. Seirt.mber 24, 1868, it was
destroyed by fire, and the present brick church structure, with
a i)arsonage, was at once erected on its site, at an expense of
$24,000. It was dedicated Oct. 10th, 1869. It has 400 sittings.
The Pastors of this church have been: Revs. Joseph Rum-
mer, 1854-'8, Edward Kluge, 1859-60; Edwin E. Reinke, part
of 1860; Herman Brickenstein, 1861-'4; Isaac Prince, 1865;
Edward Ronthaler, 1863-73; Charles B. Schultz, 1874-'7;
Charles Ricksecker, 1878; Wm. Henry Rice, 1879-'80; and
the present Pastor, Edward S. WoUe, 1880.
The Church of the Blessed Hope. — This society was org.
in 1S79. The members had Ijelonged to other Advt nt churches;
but they organized this society in accordance with views
which they had come to hold, different, in some respects, from
those of other adventists. Their jilaco of worship is a chapel
in Cumberland street. Rev. J. B. Cook has been the Pastor
from the organization of the society.
Rev. George R. Kramer, born in Baltimore, 1839; educated
Dickinson Seminary, Pa; located in Augusta. Ga. ; Staunton,
Va. ; Wilmington, Del.; built Independent Church in latter
place; came to Brooklyn, 1882; author of pub. sermons and
poems.
Life and Advent Church was organized about 1879. lis
place of worship has been Brooklyn Institute, on Washington
street. It has had no settled Pastor, but has maintained regu-
lar worship. The pulpit has been supplied by Revs. F. D.
Burbank, W. N. Pile, Brown and others. There are in Brook-
lyn several small societies of Adventists termed "Brethren,"
wlio maintain worship in accordance with their views.
Union Chapel was first established as Columbia Union Mis-
sion in 1848, in a hall ou the corner of Smith and Butler
streets. In 1852, it was removed to a small hall in Union
street, and during the warm part of the J'ear, services were
held in a tent on a vacant lot. In 1854, the mission was
burned out, and, during two years, services were held in
Hamilton avenue, in a room furnished by Anson Blake, Esq.
Thence it was removed to Columbia street, near Summit,
where services are still held. It is non-sectarian in its char-
acter, and during its long existence it has accomplished much
good. From the organization of the mission till 1881, a period
of more than thirty years, it has been under the pastoral
charge of Rev. Josiah West. He and his wife have given a
large portion of their lives to this self-denying work. The
mission is now known by the name of Union Chapel.
yfyr
HISTORY
OF THK
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK
IN
BROOKLYN.
THE development of the Sunday-school, as an institution
for teaching the Heaven-revealed truths of the Bible,
has occupied for both hemispheres but a little more
tlian a hundred years; sixty -six of these joars have
received the thoughts and the activity of the gentleman
whose portrait is on the opposite page.
The Sunday-school in a New England country town, in
1816, had strength enough to tempt the lad of eleven years
to engage in its ever-increasing work; and as age matured
judgment and strengthened reflection, this institution per-
meated his life with its influence, and caused him to devote
the whole of his time, talents and substance, in later yeai's, to
the Sunday-school cause.
While it is no part of the design of these volumes to write
history, much less biography, beyond the events that have
acted and reacted ujion our city life and development, society
and character, so subtle are these influences, and so inter-
twined that it is impossible to set forth either without tracing
them to some extent from their source to their issue. This
alone justifies a narration here of such examples as are
capable of imitation by any and every layman who would
mingle his higher obligations with the every-day transac-
tions of his life.
The individual who directs his efforts to the promotion of
the higher interests of his race is the only person who occu-
pies a normal position in society. It is the glory of the
Sunday-school system, as it is of the Gospel method, to mul-
tiply moral teachers; nay, to virtually resolve the community
into two classes — teachers and taught. Lessons are drawn
directly from the only text-book which contains motives of
sufiicient power to restrain the passions or affect the will.
Unfortunately, all human experience has shown how diffi-
cult is the task of influencing the adult mind in a way con-
trary to cherished wrong opinions, and of changing long-
fixed evil habits of thought or action. It is obvious, there-
fore, that the Gospel teachings must be brought to bear upon
the minds and hearts of the young, before evil has gained
supremacy there. The steel must be forged while it is plas-
tic, the streamlet must be turned before it has become the
liver. Whether the first attempts to gather in the children
for Sabbath instruction, a hundred years ago, were inspired
more by pity for their neglected condition or by a desire to do
good for the Master's sake, the result exceeded even the
hopes of the jjioneers.
Not speaking of the scliools of the catechumens, Luther's,
Knox's, Borromeo's or Haecker's, none of which were Sun-
day-schools in the modern sense, the first organization in
which the teaching was done by the lay element was founded
by Robert Raikes in 1780, at Gloucester, England, where he
at first placed twenty children under the care of Mrs. King,
for Sundaj^ instruction, in her cottage in Catherine street.
The progress of the Sunda.y-school system, from that small
beginning to this present time, when fifteen millions of
scholars are under religious instruction on the Lord's da}-,
has been truly marvelous. The advance that has taken place
from the ••shilling-a-day teachers," employed by Raikes, to
this period, at which something near two millions of volun-
tary teachers are engaged in Sunday-school instruction, is
the most wonderful movement of the nineteenth century.
Its origin was humble; it owes its success neither to lavish
expenditure, love of display, or the patronage of the great.
It is the result of Christian devotion consecrating tlie Sab-
bath to the religious education of the young. Its greatest
glory is that it is voluntary; free and Scriptural. Starting in
Gloucester, England, it has been carried to every quarter of
the civilized globe, itself being the greatest of civilizing
agencies and the means best adapted to that universal dif-
fusion of Christianity which is to usher in its ultimate
triumph. It has brought about the unprecedented recogni-
tion of the influence and importance of childhood that
characterizes this century. Robert Raikes and his com-
peers, mindful of the command — "Feed my lambs" — began to
pay attention to the wants of children; true religion in-
creased; the world grew more spiritual as the Sunday-school
work took hold of the people's time, thought and energies;
until after a single century. Pastor, adults and children meet
to study the Word of God, binding by one topic and one
text the nations of the wcrld in the international lessons.
The Sunday-school germ soon extended to America, where
schools are said to have been established by Bishop Asbury,
in Virginia, in 1786; by Bishop White, in Philadelphia, in
1791; by Katy Ferguson, a colored woman, in New York, in
1793; and by Mrs. Graham, in 1801, who had seen the schools
in England, and on returning, taught poor children in her
own house in New York.
About 1809 the churches in America assumed charge of the
schools and made the instruction more exclusively religious.
Since 1848 special attention has been given to planting and
sustaining Mission schools.
Brooklyn Sunday-School Union Society. A meeting wa i
held March 27, 1816, to organize a society in the village
of Brooklyn, similar to the Sunday-School Union Society in
New York, whose object was to give gratuitous religous in-
struction to children on the Sabbath day, and to unita
1002
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Christians in this benevolent imdertaking. As a result of
this meeting, the Brooklyn Sunday-School Union Society was
formed, adopted a constitution April 8th, and subsequently
a code of rules, issued by Joshua Sands, President ; Andrew
Mercein and Abraham Remsen, Vice-Presidents; Tliomas
Sands, Treasurer: Rev. Jolm Ireland, Secretary; William
Cornwell, Robert Bache, David Anderson, Jonathan G.
Pray, Joseph Harris, Robert Snow, and Alexander Young,
Directors. In July, 1821, circulars were issued, inviting the
people to join the Brooklyn Sabbath Union for the promotion
of Sunday-schools, offering instruction to all without price;
great attention was promised to tlie ' ' manners and morals of
scholars." The first celebration of the Union was held in
1829, at the Sands Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In
1838, Messrs. Charles Clark, R. J. Thorn, I. Peet, and some
others of different denominations, arranged to liold a Monthly
Teachers" Concert for Prayer, Reporting and Conference,
which was sustained for many years. Cyrus' P. Smitli was
President of their organization, Jno. N. Wyckoff, Jno. Bike-
man, Vice-Presidents, and Wm. E. Whitney, Treasurer.
As before noted, these earlier schools were largely missions,
to which business men gave of their time and means; while
delicate ladies did not hesitate to explore lanes and tenement
houses in search of new members for tlie scliools. ' ' Tliou-
sands of dollars were expended for clothing and food for
destitute children. Thanksgiving day was celebrated with
the zeal of which only the poor and hungry were capable.
It was not unusual to see a mission-school boy leave such an
entertainment with a lot of apjiles inside his shirt, belting his
body just above the waist-band, while caps were often util-
ized for secreting cake, candy, and even pumpkin pies; for
home consumption." Some of these schools still exist, wliile
many have gone into permanent church organizations, such
as the Prince Street Mission of 1832, from which came in 1847
the church which is now the Brooklyn Tabernacle; the South
Brooklyn Mission of 1840, out of which grew the South
I'resbyterian Church; the Navy Mission of 1844, now merged
into Mayflo%ver Mission; the Bethel Mission of 1841, now in
a commodious building on Hicks st., near Fulton; the Warren
Street Mission, begun in Freeman's Hall, Amity St., 1847, now
the Pilgi-im Chapel ; the City Park Chapel, organized as a
mission in 1841; the Bonder Mission, now Olivet Chapel ; the
Throop Avenue Presbyterian Mission; the Rochester Avenue
Mission, now the Church of the Mediator; besides many
others that might be named. ''^ f
The Sunday-School Union was reorganized in 18.54 upon
a different basis, and took substantially its present form. It
was divided into committees, thus : — Albert Woodruff, Chair-
man, Congregational: John R. Monis, Secretary, Presby-
terian ; J. il. B. Bogert, Joseph H. Field, Ellis S. Potter,
Peformed; Thomas R. Harvey, E. Marx, Moravian; A. D.
Matthews, John C. Smith, R. S. Slocum, Protestant Epis-
copal ; Peter Balen, Geo. W. Bleecker, J. Y. HaiTiott, Bap-
tist ; A. A. Smith, J. W. Judson, F. A. Fisher, Chas. Clark,
C. C. Mudge, R. M. Hubbard, Presbyterian ; Silas Daven-
port, Sidney Sanderson, H. N. Holt, Congregational : Samuel
Cirter, Wm. Edsall, Wm. H. Brown, Method ist.
The 2)residin.g officers have been as follows : Albert Wood-
mff, 1854-'6 ; E. A. Lambert, 185G; Andrew A. Smith, 1857-
"67; S. L. Parsons, 18G7-8; James McGec, 1869; A. B. Cas-
well, 1870-'l; Israel Barker, 1872-7; Benjamin Baylis, 1878-
'82; George A. Bell, 1883-'4. The present officers are: George
A. Bell, Pres.; Silas M. Giddings, Vice-Pres.; Edwin Ives,
Cor. Sec.; John R. Morris, Pec. Sec; James R. Lott, Treas.;
R. H. Underbill, Counsel. Monthly meetings have been
held, at wliich reports of the work of the Union are
given.
Systematic Visitation. — This important work of the
Union was carried into effect for several years, begin-
ning in 1854, and with excellent results, under the direc-
tion of Mr. Albert Woodruff, Chairman of the Missionary
Committee. The city was divided into districts and assigned
to the different churches, so that each visitor had (he sujier-
vision of eiglut or ten families, and every family had the
help of a sympathetic friend. Many neglected children were
gathered into Sunday-school, and the word of God carried
to those who did not attend church services; the Ciiristian
activity of the churches was greatly quickened and re-
warded, and a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit followed.
The work was so practical, so well adapted to engage and
reward Christian labor, to reach those who need to have the
gospel brought to them, that its equal has not yet been found.
We look in vain to a Bureau of Relief, to ingenious methods
of avoiding imposition, to outside associations of any kind,
however wisely and benevolently designed to take the place
of the body of Christ in bringing about the Ealvation of any
communit}'. Of late 3'ears, however, systematic visitation
has given place to the work of the Board of City 2Iissions
and its missionaries.
An interesting feature of the Sunday-School Union has
been its anniversary celebration and parade. The first was
held Tuesdaj', June 26th, 1838, when nineteen schools took
part; George Hall, the first Mayorof Brooklyn, was chairman
of the committee on arrangements. At the May parade of
1883, sixty thousand children were in line, from 173 schools.
In the spring of 1864 the Union was incorporated, and by
special act of the Legislature, in 1871, it was authorized to
erect and maintain a public building for its uses. It is pro-
posed to unite with the Young Men's Christian Association
in erecting an edifice suitable for the accommodation of both.
The Union is conducted by a board of thirty-six managers
divided into ten standing committees of six each, which have
their separate special work for the year. The value of the
chapels and buildings, used almost exclusively for the
schools connected with the Union, is many hundred thous-
and dollars. The libraries at last report numbered 86,219
volumes, and cost not less than $50,000, while the money an-
nually contributed for benevolent purposes reaches a large
amount. The Sunday-school scholars of Brooklyn are as one
in seven of the population, in New York as one in eleven.
Mr. Albert Woodruff's interest in Sunda.y -schools was
early awakened. When he came from his Massachusetts home
to New York Citj', in 1827, to begin his long and prosperous
career as a merchant, lie also entered into the Sunda3-school
work. First, he became Superintendent of the Sunday-
school in Dr. Spring's Cliurch, in Beekman St., then of the
one in Public School No. 1, Centre St., near the present site
of the Hall of Records. It is worthy of note, that in this
school were first heard some of the popular Sunday-school
songs that have since sung themselves around the world. A
little hymn-book was published containing the words and
music of "I want to be an Angel," "There is a Hajjpy
Land," "I think when I read that sweet story of old," and
"We won't give up the Bible." Thencrossing the river he was
superintendent in the Church of the Pilgrims; then of Mari-
ners' Church School in ilain st. ; of the one in Granada
Hall; then Warren St. Mission; several of these schools were
organized by him. Mr. Woodruff was diligent in business;
and his firm, which was first E. P. & A. Woodruff, and
then Woodruff & Robinson, became one of the foremost
in their line. Mr. Woodruff had thus come into prominence
as a Sunday-school worker; he was connected with the jVew
York Salibatli-School Union; was a long time Vice-Presi-
dent of the American Sunday-School Union, and was the
STTNBAY-SOHOOL WORK IN BROOKLYN.
1093
first President of the Brooklyn Sabbath-sehool Union, as else-
where stated; but for the past twenty years, lie is best known
by his work in connection with the
Foreign Sunday-School Association.— In 1856, Mr. Wood-
rulF laid aside the cares of business for a time, and, with his
family, made a pleasure tour in Europe; expecting, at the
same time, to observe the moral condition of the people
among whom he traveled, and to sow good seed by the
way. In Paris, he remarked the universal desecration
of the Sabbath, both by the government in carrying on
public works, and the people in their pursuit of business
and pleasure. Knowing the futility of any appeal to adults,
ho felt it a duty, as well as a privilege, to introduce into
pleasure-loving France the Sunday-school methods that had
proved so powerful for good in England and America. There
were but few Protestant Sunday-schools in all France, and
they imperfectly organized, notwithstanding the fact that
eighty years had elapsed since such schools had been opened
across the channel. Mr. Woodruff procured from America
a supply of oiu- Sunday-school music, children's papers, and
Sunday-school books adapted for use in France ; and, during
liis stay of six months, had the pleasure of seeing six schools
in active operation as the result of his efforts, and, which was
even better, the attention of French Protestants awakened
to the wondrous possibilities of the Sunday-school system.
Their gratitude to Mr. Woodruff took the form of a public
farewell meeting, just previous to his return to America.
In 1801, he again visited Europe, for the jmrposo of estab-
lishing Sunday-schools, remaining more than two years, ex-
tending his travels through several countries, and establish-
ing schools wherever practicable.
Italy was then ripe for the new movement, because of her
emancipation from the temporal power of the Pope, and the
progi-ess of civil and religious lil)erty, but tliere was not a
Protestant Sunda_y-school within hei; borders, and Sabbath
instruction by lay teachers was unknown. Mr. Woodruff
established the first Sunday-school in Naples, in connection
wiih a little Scotch assembly, whose Pastor, Mr. Buscarlet,
said: "Your Sablkith-school is just what I want. I have
been praying to the Lord these eight or ten weeks past, that
He would show me how to set my people at work, and here
I have the answer." At the firet meeting, the American mode
of conducting Sunday-schools was described through an
interpreter, and a number of young men and women signified
their willingness to become teachers. A school was formed,
wliich soon increased to eighty pupils, mostly boys ; for, at
that day, few women or gh-ls could be persuaded to attend a
Protes'ant meeting of any kind. Afterwards, an association
of young people commenced a systematic visitation from
house to house, and gathered together another school. In
Florence, the Italian patriot, Gavazzi, was preaching the
(lospel in his own hired house. He kindly acted as inter-
preter to the meeting that was called ; and, from his knowl-
edge of the schools in England and America, assisted mate-
rialh' in organizing a school.
Anti-Pro'.estant bigots afterwards prevented the securing
of a suitable place for holding meetings; and, during Gavaz-
zi"s absence, the congregation and Sunday-school were scat-
tered. Another scliool that was opened in Florence was in
connection witli a day-school. The teacher, Daniiano
Bolognini acted as interpreter in presenting the Sunday-
school idea to the people; became the Superintendent of the
school, and afterwards editor of the Youth's Journal, called
tlie Scuola della Dominica, or " Sunday-school," a little
weekly sheet, for whose publication Mr. Woodruff provided,
that soon attained a large circulation, and was of material
assistance in extending the new work.
After the lieginniug thus made in Italy, Mr. Woodrulf
passed through Southern Germany to .'\IunicJi. He found the
German nation, so great in numbers, power, learning .and
genius, to be sadly wanting in spiritual life. In his attempts
to establish a scliool in Munich, he met with the strongest
opposition. One said: ' Such schools cannot be wanted i:i
Germany; our children hate the name of school, for they arc
compelled to go at the point of the bayonet all the week, and to
the catechism on Sunday besides." At Heidelberg, Mr. Brockel-
mann, the interpreter, exclaimed: "This Sunday-school
is what we want to give religious life to Germany. This will
cure Germany of its s >cial, political and skeptical evils."' So
strongly was he impressed that he devoted himself wholly to
the Sunday-school cause, acting as interpreter for Mr. Wood-
ruff through the remainder of his travels in that countrj-.
In Stuttgart, a German friend was reijuested to call to-
gether some Christians, that they might learn the American
method of conducting Sunday-schools. When he was asked
why no ladies attended the meeting, he said in astonishment:
" Is it contemplated to make women teachers of religion in
Germany?" " Yes, certainly," was the reply. " In England
and America they do more than half the teaching." " Butit
would not be German to invite them," he answered, "and
would not be permitted."
In Halle, the effort to establish a school was successfully
made. Two hundred girls were soon under instruction.
There was at the University of Halle, a theological student
from New England, wlio had not lost sight of the children,
but boldly putting his hand to the work, soon brought in a
hundred boys to the same school. This union of the sexes,
for educating the conscience under the restraint of religion,
was quite a new thing in Germany.
In Berlin, the highest preacher in the realm gave a letter
recommending Sir. Woodruff to his clergymen, some of whom
called together their best membership, both men and women,
to inquire of them whether lay-teaching and Sabbath-schools
were a possibility in Germany. One lady of benevolent dis-
position had invited the servant girls of the neighborhood to
spend an hour each Sunday in social enjov-ment, light work
and reading. Among them was made the first attempt in
Berlin to organize a Sunday-school. It failed, but the good
woman caught the idea and spirit of the work, invited in her
friends for teachers, and the youth as pupils, and still re-
mains the successful superintendent of a large and flouiishing
school. Similar incidents occurred in various places.
Although Germany is the home of music, l.er i eligious
songs, for adults and children alike, were in heavy chorals.
Mr. Woodruff urged repeatedly that the Sunday-schools
must be enlivened by the introduction of the American soul-
stin-ing melodies, but met the reply " that would not be Ger-
man, and cannot be." " But," he insisted, "these melodies
have stirred the whole religious world through the Sunday-
schools." " No matter," was the answer, " they are only fit
for our beer-shops; nay, it was thence you Americans and
English imported them." "But," returned Mr. Woodruff,
'■ we have bajrtized them; and your own Luther says: the devil
must not have all of the best music." A visit to the great
organist, Haupt, won from him the opinion that "religious
worship by children was most appropriately performed in
melodies," which he consented might be published in the
children's paper, although, as he said, "it will bring the
musical wrath of Germany upon me." Marx, the great,
vocalist, approved the religious melodies like "There is a
happy land," which was soon published in Die Sonntags-
schitle, with the tune also of " I want to be an angel;" and
now the children throughout Germany, where there are to-day
about 3,000 schools, 30,000 teachers, and 300,000 scholars, arc
1094
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
siDgiQg Sunday-school melodies. Money was needed for the
support of the Sabbath-school paper. " Could it be raised in
BeriioV" "No, not in all Germany," was the reply. "Ger-
mans do not give money to such things." But a few days'
effort, and the help of some English architects, procured the
necessary funds, and to-day the paper is more than self-sus-
taining. Mr. AVoodnitf remained longer in Germany than in
any of the other European countries, because of the import-
ance of the field. The geographical position of Germany, her
political prominence and influence, the extent and profound-
ness of her literature, her increasing commerce and her insti-
tutions generally, are all favorable for a restoration of those
evangelical principles wliich once placed her in the front rank
of reforming nations.
In Holland, a great deal of interest was felt upon the sub-
ject. One lady had just published, at her owu expense, a
Sabbath-school hymn book, containing some twenty tunes,
but not one of them had a note in it shorter than the semi-
breve. A large and influential assemblage gathered in
Amsterdam and resolutions were passed, since pretty well
kept, that Sabbath-schools should be introduced into ever}'
city and village in Holland. At Rotterdam, a Salibath-school
was established in the same room where the meeting was
held. While these meetings were held in the evenings, the
days were pleasantly and profitably spent with groups of
earnest individuals, anxious to learn all that could be known
by di scription of these schools. A Sunday-school Union is
now at work in Holland to give the system to the Nether-
lauds, where the seeds of civU and religious liberty were
germinated for the lilessing of mankind.
In Switzerland, Mr. Woodruff found that rationalism had
spread like a blight over the land of Zuiogle and Calvin.
Through his exertions, several well-organized schools were
established. There a Union committee was enabled, with the
lielp of Rev. Mr. Jaulmes-Cook and his good lady, to extend
Sabbath-schooU over the Canton de Vaud and afterwai'ds
over other parts of Switzerland. In Geneva, was organized
a school of more than a hundred boys and girls, superin-
tended by the pious and gifted wife of Merle d'Aubigne, the
histoiian of the Reformation. Later, the Sabbath-school
Union was placed among the National Societies, and its
meetings called together one of the largest religious assem-
l)lies in Switzerland.
Mr. Woodruff's return to America in no degree diminished
his interest in the foreign work th;it had been so happily
begun, and he was appointed by the Board of the American
Foreign and Christian Union an Associate Secretary, with
si)ecial reference to the Sabbath-school Department which
they crea'.ed at the same time.
The value placed on Mr. Woodruff's labors by those among
whom he labored is best shown by the spontaneous utter-
ances of various Continental speakers at the Sabbath-school
Centennial, held in London in 1880.
Dr. J. Prochnow, of Berlin, traced the rise of secular Sun-
day-schools in Germany, from the Revolution, through the
age of Voltaire, wlien they died out. He told how, through a
long and dark period, the nation passed, till Mr. Woodruff
came, and enlisting the sympathy of three clergymen, started
the organization that, in spite of much difSculty and oppo-
sition has kept on growing until the present day, as shown
by statistics below.
Speaking of Sunday-schools in France, Rev. H. Paumier
said: "Since the first visit of our dear friend, Mr. Woodniff,
there are 1,115 schools in France, with more than 40,000 chil-
dren." Rev. Mr. Brockelmann, from Germany, said: "For
many years it was considered highly improper in German}'
for anybody but clergymen and school-masters to explain
the Bible to children; but, in 1863, a Sunda} -jchool man
from the new world, Mr. Albert Woodruff of Brooklyn,
came over to Germany and blew the trumpet of Sunday-
schools from one end of the country to the other, stirring,
cheering, explaining all about the system, how to start a
Sunday-school and so on. Mr. Woodruff was a ijractical
Christian. He resembled those heroes in history who
conquered the world, because they did not come before
their time nor behind then- time, but just at the right
time. Meanwhile, Mr. Woodruff succeeded in establishing
the Foreign Sunday-school Association at Brooklyn, which
had afforded most useful help by ajipointing the ladies of
their committee to keep up a most encouraging correspond-
ence with German Sunday-school teachers, and to assist
them when needed. Next to our gracious Lord, Germany
owes the introduction of Sunday-schools to Mr. Albert
Woodruff, and to the Sunday-school LTnion of England."
Said Pastor Basche: "' While at the baths in Bohem'a for my
health, I became acquainted with an American family who
told me of a girl who was very fond of Sunday-schools.
Some weeks afterwards I received a letter from the young
lady herself, urging on me the duty of establishing a Sun-
day-school, Afterwards she wrote again, and at length I
determined to make the attempt. We established one Sun-
day-school, and the Lord has been with us."
At another time. Dr. Prochnow, from Berlin, paid a tribute
of praise to the work that was done by Mr. Woodruff,
stating that when he went to Germany some years ago,
there were only three clergymen to look after the children,
whereas, on a recent Sunday, 7,000 children assembled in
one church to celebrate the centenary."
On Mr. Woodruff's way home from his field of labor in
Continental Europe, he tarried awhile in London, urging the
Sabbath-school Union of that city to co-operate in furnishing
the continent with Sunday-schools. After several interviews,
that noble union of workers appointed nine members to co-
operate with the American friends, who, ever afterward, have
heartily continued their labors.
After Mr. Woodruff's return to America, his interest in the
Eurojiean work so auspiciously opened, led to the frequent
interchange of letters with the newly-awakened workers
there, which came from beyond the sea, some with joyful
tidings, and some with apjieals for help, a vast freight of
hopes and fears. So fast did they accumulate, and in such
diverse languages, that recotu-se was liad to the lady teachers
in Packer Institute, Dr. West's, and other schools, for assist-
ance in translating and answering them. The growing in-
terest and demands of the work, its wonderful expansion,
necessitated the organization of a society devoted exclusively
to the foreign Sunday-school work. Theiefore. in 18G8, Mr.
Woodruff withdrew from the Runday-School Department of
the Foreign Christian Union, and. with other earnest friends
of th(^ catise, organized
The Foreign Sunday-School Association, which was in-
corporated April 4, 1878, with Mr. Woodruff as President,
and a large membership among the best iie<jple in the cit}'.
It aims to extend to foreign countries the institution of the
Sabbath-school, which has quickened Christian faith and
zeal so mightily in Great Britain and America. There is in
every foreign country a scattered number, who in one way
or another, have become Christians, and in some degree have
yielded to convictions of self-restraint and duty. To search
out these, wherever they are, and set them to teaching in
cellars, parlors and garrets, or in the open air, on the
Sunday-school theory, and finally to work with them, is the
central idea of the Foreign Sunday-school Association.
Written communications with these scattered workers are the
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK IN BBOOKLTN.
1095
most available means, wherefore it becomes a prominent
aim of the Association to restore the letter-writing system
of the New Testament, which is itself so largely composed of
letters written to stir up, to exhort, to rebuke, to instruct,
and above all, to encourage, comfort and cheer the believers
who have yielded to the force of Truth, and started on the
Heavenly way.
The result of its work to April, 1884, is shown in thefollow-
iug partial statistics : In Germany and German-Switzerland,
there are: Sunday-schools, 3,915; teachers, 17,643; scholars,
338,677. There are 7,735 Sunday-school scholars in Italy;
and in Bohemia, 92 schools, 325 teachers and 3,875 scholars.
Late statistics from other foreign countries where the work
is equally prosperous, have not yet been received.
The officers of the Association for 1883-84 are as follows:
Piv.sidcnt, Albert Woodruff; Treasurer, C. B. Davenport;
Cor. Secretaries, Kev. O. C. Morse (Cleveland, O.), Rev. H. C.
Woodruff (Black Rock, Ct.); Ree. Sea., Miss M. E. Thal-
heimer; Asst. Sec. Miss Sadie Woodruff; Sec. of Committees,
Miss H. A. Dickinson.
After this cursory glance at the rise and progress of the
all-important Sunday-school movement in our own and in
foreign lands, which, it is hoped, will be of interest to the
churches, it only remains to look briefly at the beginning and
growth of this divine institution in the City of Brooklyn,
with the hope that historians to come may be able to chronicle
a future increase even more wonderful than the past growth
of the
Sunday-schools in Brooklyn. — From a pajier read by Mr.
John R. Dilorris, we take the following account of early
schools in Brooklyn:
In the Long Island Star of March 20, 1810, appeared this
advertisement : —
" Brooklyn Sunda.v-sohool. The attention of the enlight-
ened and benevolent inhabitants of Brooklyn are jsarticu-
larly inviteJ to this institution. It is now in operation; the
number of schtiiars is upward of seventy. The school is un-
der the management of four supermtendenls. a standing
committee of seven, and a number of nxale and female teach-
ers who have kiiidly volunteered their services. As it is the
design of this institution to combme religious and moral in-
struction with ordinary school learning, it is expected that
parents and guardians will give proper advice to their child-
en as to their behavior at school; to forward them in study
at home; to send them to the school in proper season; and
particularly express their wishes as to what catechism they
will have them to learn. It is requested that children may
be sent to school .us neat and clean as circumstances ma}'
permit. A subscription has lieen made to purchase a num-
ber of books, slates, etc.; still they fall short. Whatever the
citizens may contribute will be thankfully received by any
of the subscribers. The superintendents likewise invite
those who will assist as teachers to make their intentions
known and their offer will be accepted. The average num-
ber of children is about seventy. The managers hope to be
able to educate a much greater number; they, therefore, re-
quest the citizens of Brooklyn generalh- to exert their influ-
ence with the poor especially to perstiade them to send their
children; a number of poor children will be taken from that
most destructive of all places to the morals of youth — we
. mean the street — on Sabbath-day. We ought to have ob-
served that children are taught to spell, read and write.
They will, likewise, be taken to such church as their parents
may choose on the Sabbath-day."
This document is signed by Andrew Mercein, Robert Snow,
Joseph S. Harrison and John Murphy.
In the school district there Avere 978 children between the
ages of five and sixteen years.
In the Star of March 25, 1816, an advertisement appeared
as follows: —
"Notice is herebv given that at 7 o'clock on Wednesday
evening, 27th inst., "in the school-room of Mr. Evan Beynan,
will be held a public meeting, at which Christians of every
denomination in Brooklyn are invited to attend. The design
of these meetings is to organize a rocjetv in the village p.imi-
lar to the Sunday-school So(;ie!-y of Now York, and the ob-
ject of the society will be to establisli a school in which cliild-
ren or adults shall be taught gratuitousiv. on the Sabbath-
day, to read the Holy Scriptures, and shall receive other re-
ligious instruction. Monthly meetings of the society will be
held, and quarterly meetings, at whi'Ii reports as to the con-
dition of the school and ciass'es will be given. If the schola s
are disorderly or profane in their language, and if, after be-
ing admonished, ihey continue the offense, they will be ex-
pelled from the school."
The officers of this society were: Joshua Sands, President;
Andrew Mercein and Abraham Mercein. Vice-Presidents;
Thomas Sands, Treas.; Rev. John Ireland, Sec; AVilliam
C^ornwell, Robert Bache, David Anderson, Jonathan G.
Pray, Joseph Harris, Robert Snow and Alexander Young,
Examining Committee.
IntheSfarof April 10, 1816, is the Constitution and By-
laws of the Brooklyn Sunday-school Union Society, adopted
April 6. The school was divided into classes, graduated
according to the pupils' knowledge; first class, those who
knew not the alphabet; second, those who could spell
%vords of two or more letters; third, those who could read
one or two syllables; fourth, those who could spell three or
more syllables; fifth, of those who could read sentences;
sixth, of those who were capable of reading the New Testa-
ment.
The school up to this time had been held in Thomas Kirk's
printing office — a long, narrow, two-story frame edifice on
the westerly side of Adams st., between High and Sands —
but was afterwards removed to the district school-house, No.
1, cor. Adams and Concord sts. Robert Snow was stiperin-
tendent; succeeded by Joseph Herbert. In 1817, St. Ann's
Sunday-school was first organized. Rev. Hugh Smith being
Rector. The school was held in a school-house some distance
from the church, so that it was found impracticable to con-
tinue its sessions during the winters of 1818 and 1819, on ac-
count of the inclement weather. Its membership in the fall
of 1818 numbered 187; Rev. James P. L. Clarke, Superin-
tendent. Rev. H. W. Onderdonk, D. D., who was Rector of
St. Ann's from December, 1819, to October, 1827, was not an
advocate of the Sunday-school, so after a few years the
school was discontinued. He had regular catechetical in-
struction of the children of the parish on Sunday afternoons.
After his resignation. Rev. Mr. Mcllvaine became Rector in
1828. On Sunday, May 11th, the school was opened in the
Dutch Consistory rooms, on Middagh st. Fourteen adults
and twenty children assembled at the first session.
May 13th the Constitution and By-laws were adopted, in
part, as follows; " This school shall consist of male and
female scholars four years old and upwards. Its object shall
be to instruct j'outh in the knowledge of God's word, and it
shall embrace children of all classes without distinction.
Yearlj' selections of Scriptures and catechetical lessons shall
be arranged by the Rector and the Superintendents for the use
of the school, so that every class of readers shall receive in-
struction in the same lesson and at the samj time."
May 13th, Frederick T. Peet was elected Superintendent;
George A. Bartow, Secretary, and a committee of seven were
chosen to look after the school. As it increased, it was
found necessary to look for new quarters. The vestry ap-
pointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. Bache and Van
Bokelin, to co-oj^erate with the committee from the Sunday-
school, and the property cor. Washington and Prospect sts.
was bought. A building was erected which cost about
$1,500 and oix'upied in 1839. Frederick T. Peet was superin-
tenilent from 1828 to 1845, and A. D. Matthews from 1845 to
Oct. 30, 1870, when old St. Ann's School was closed. The
lOOfi
HISTORY OF KING a COUNTY.
present Superintendent of St. Ann's Sunday-school is Mayor
Low.
Before dismissing the subject of the early organization of
this f^chool, it may be interesiing to <iuote one of the rules,
whicli provided that '•><o teacher shall appear with a rod or
cane in his or lier class, but order shall h^ maintained iu the
several classes by the most temperate means. They shall
deliver over disorderly scholars to the superintendents."
In 1834, the only Sunday-school was the School Union, cor.
Adams and Concord sts. It ij supposed that this school was
in existence until 1834, when the various denominations sep-
arate! and organized schools in their different churches. As
most of those engaged ia llie Union School were Methodists,
it has been allowel that Sands St. is the oldest school, but its
o:irly records were destroyed i i the great fire. Tlie Superin-
t;indent3 have been: Robert Snow; Joseph Herl)ert; Thomas
Mercein; M. F. Odell (died Juno 13, 1860): John Collier
U^ Jan. 31, 1867; S. U. F. Odell (died May 6, 187.5): Samuel S.
Utter, until May 1.5, 1877; Henry G. Fay, until Feb. 19, 1878;
\Vm. I. Preston and John M. Espencheid, from Oct. 24, 1883.
In 1819, Mr. Nebemiah Denton org. a Sunday-school in the
kitchen adjoining his dwelling, near tlie old Yellow Mill on
Gowanus creek, which was removed after a year or two to
the school-house at the foot of the Post Road, cor. of Gow-
anus lane; it merged in the school on Third ave. and after-
wards in what is now the Twelfth St. Church. Tliis school
still has the old banner painted in 1839. Between the years
1832 and 1837, schools were also formed in tlie school-house
at lower Gowanus, at the foot of Pope's Lane, with Albert
Van Brunt. Su|ierintendent; also one in the scliool-house at
Bedford, and another in the school-house at Wallabout.
There was also a school for a few years in the old lecture-
room of the First Reformed Ch., then in Middagh st., where
Public School No. 8 now is.
In 1829, the First Reformed Dutch Church built a frame
lecture-room on Joralemon street, in the rear of the City
Hall, in which a Sunday-school was organized, with Andrew
Hegeman, Superintendent, till 1839; Samuel Smith and Mai'-
tinus Schoonmaker, Assistant Superintendents; Thos. Hege-
man, Sec'y; Mrs. Mary Van Brunt, Female Superintendent,
and Miss Harriet Silliman, assistant. Among the teachers
were: John W. and Archibald T. Lawrence, James M. Duf-
field, Abraham J. Beekman, John D. Prince, Joseph Hege-
man, Miss Mary Moon, Miss Alice and Miss Cornelia Moon,
Miss Aurilia Silliman and others. Other superintendents: A.
J. Beekman, till 1848; Samuel Sloa'j, Roswell Graves, Stephen
H.Wheeler, Henry D. Van Or Jen, tUl 1865; Bookman, 1865-'8;
Gustavus A. Brett, Henry V. Gilbert, Mervin Rushmore,
William H. Dike, Frederick B. Schenck, Rev. S. S. Wood-
hull, Abraliam Remsen, David Anderson and AV)raliam Van-
derveer, members of First Reformed Church, were workers
in the old Union School in Adams street. Mr. Beekman com-
menced his Sunday-school work in 1830 in a wheelwright shop
in Greggstown, Somerset county, New Jersey, established to
teach slaves; in 1838, he removed to BrookljTi. The Central
Dutch Reformed Sunday-school was organized in 1837, and
when the Reformed Church on the Heights was built, the
school was re-organized. East (now Bedford) Reformed
Sundaij-School was organized in 1854. Isaac Brinkerhoff was
Superintendent in 1858. This school afterwards moved from
its old building to one nearly opposite on Bedford avenue.
The present Superintendent is Mr. Henry Howland. The
North Reformed Sunday-school, Clermont avenue, was or-
ganized in 1851, with E. S. Potter, Superintendent for many
years. The Twelfth Street Reformed was formerly on Third
avenue and Twenty-third street. It has now a membership
of 1,400; Mr. C. H. Buckley, superintendent.
The First Presbyteria.n School was organized in a building
on the site of the lecture-room of Plymouth Church, ;n 1834.
Many of the teachers and scholars had been in the Union
School. The first Sujierintendent was Nathan W. Sanford.
Miss Margaret Cunningliam, was Assistant Superintendent;
Marvin McNulty, Secretary. The school used to unite with
the schools in New York, on anniversary day, at Castle
Garden. Tlie Superintendents were: Professor Greenleaf,
R. J. Thorn, George B. Ripley. Robprt C. O.^den and E. S.
Potter. Mr. R. D. Dodge is now Superintendent.
In 1838, owing to a division in the church, another school
was organized, called the First Presbyterian Sunday-school.
It was on the corner of Pineapple and Fulton streets, but
moved afterward to the corner of Remsen and Clinton streets.
Nov. 13th, 1831, a colonj- went out from the first church
and organized a church, and af terwanls a Sunday srliool,
known as the Seco)i(l Presbyterian School. The school met
in Classical Hall, Washington street, near Concord. John
Morris was Superintendent, assisted by John jVle.xander; Jlr.
Henry Hadden, Secretary; James Spies, librarian; witli
eighteen teachers; and at the first session there wei'e eighteen
scholars. About 1833, it moved to Gothic Hall, Adams street,
between Nassau and Concord streets; and in 1835 moved to
Clinton street, junction of Fulton. Rev. Dr. Spencer became
Pastor of tills church in 1832. Among those who have acted
as Superintendents of this school are: John Wright, Charles
Clark, Myron Goodman, Andrew A. Smith and Jasper
Corning.
When this school united with the Third Presbyterian, Jlr.
W. H. Hurlbut became Superintendent, and remained so
until his death. It was united with the Clinton Street Pres-
byterian, 1883, and known as the Second Presbyterian.
In 1831, another school was organized in Nassau street,
corner Hudson avenue. W. H. Hurlbut, with a few others,
left the First Presbyterian Sunday-school, whicli afterwards
became the Third Presbyterian Church and school. Mr.
Hurlbut then connected himself with that church, and be-
came the Superuitendent of the school.
The First Presbyterian was organized aliout 1841. It occu-
pied the building corner Willoughby and Pearl streets, where
Joseph liegeman's auction-room now is. In 1847, this school
was disbanded.
In 1835, the first mission school was organized. Mr. John
Morris, who organized the Second Presbyterian Sunday-
school, leased the ground (where Prince street now is) of
Messrs. Sackett & Fleet. A school-house seating 350 was
built on it, costing about $500. Myrtle avenue was not then
cut through, and there was not a house within a quarter of a
mile. Tlie school was opened July 19, 1835; Mr. Mon-is was
its first Superintendent. It was known as the Prince Street
Mission Sunday-school, and was under the care of the Second
PrcEbyterian Church. For tlie first three or four years, how-
ever, it was mainly sujiported by voluntary contributions.
The first teachers were: Daniel Colt, James B. Cochran, Isaac
Jaques, Augustus Butler, Elias Edwards, Joseph W. Camp-
bell, James Lawson, William Phraner, Louis Wheaton, Mrs.
Elizabeth Wheaton, Miss Sarah Smith, Elizabeth and Maria
Campliell, Mrs. S. A. Butler, Sarali and Jane Wheaton. Two
years later Mr. Jlorris retired, and Mr. Augustus Butler was
elected; in 1843, Mr. C. C. Mudge succeeded him.
After Myrtle avenue and the other streets were cut tlirough,
the building was moved to iJIyrtle avenue, between Prince
and Carll streets.
In 1847, a building was erected in Prince street, now known
as Siloam Presbyterian Churcli, in which the Central Presby-
terian Church was organized, tlie teachers and scholars mov-
ing from the old school-house.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK IN BROOKLYN.
1097
The church known as the Fifth Presbyterian, corner Wil-
loughby and Pearl, was offered to the Central Society for
$5,000, and was bought. Preaching services commenced
there in April. Rev. N. C. Locke was the first Pastor. The
school flourished under the administration of Mr. Mudge,
Rev. !Mr. Sloan and others. Finally, the buildinf^ was sold,
and school and church moved to Schermerhorn street, occu-
pying a temporary building, corner State and Nevins street,
until the Taliernacle was built, of which Rev. Dr. Talmage is
Pastor. From the Prince Street Jlission many teachers have
gone out and organized other schools and churches.
In 18-13, Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf organized a school in the
Wallaliout in Fi'anklin avenue, now known as the Franklin
Ai^enue Presbyterian Sunday-school.
In 1840, a mission-school was organized in Pacific street,
wliiih afterwards became the South Presbyterian Church.
Of the schools of the Baptist denomination, the first is the
First Baptist, organized in 1824, holding its sessions in the
public school building on Middagh street, on the site now
occupied by school No. 8, also in public school building, first
distiict, corner Concord and Adams streets. The first youths"
missionary society organized in connection with the school
was in 1831. Officers: Pres., Robert Raymond; Vice-Pres.,
Elijah Lewis; Sec, Alexander Lewis; Treas., Joseph Kutz.
In June, 1873, the school and the Pierrepont street Bajjtist
were united, adding about 120 teachers and scholars. The first
Superintendent was EliaJiini Raymond. He served two
years, succeeded by the following persons: Elijah Lewis,
John Bigelow, John Clark, E. L. Brown, Isaiah W. Raymond,
Sylvanus White, D. W. C. Taylor, J. D. Reid, H. C. S. Jervis,
J. W. S. Harding, and at present H. C. S. Jervis is Superin-
tendent. In the early history of the school, it occupied the
building in Pearl street, where the Jewish Synagogue now is.
Pierrepont Street Baptist Sunday-school was organized in 1838.
This church organized a mission in South Brooklyn, from
which sprung the Strong Place Baptist Sunday-school; it also
had a mission in John street for many years. After a number
of years strong Place Baptist established a mission in Colum-
bii street, near Hamilton avenue, now known as the Taber-
nacle Baptist; also a mission-school in Gowanus, now known
as Greenwood Baptist. The Tabernacle Baptist started a
mission in Hamilton avenue, which, after a few years, dis-
banded. Strong Place Baptist now supports a mission called
Carroll Park. Hanson Place Baptist was organized in 1853;
it first met in Atlantic avenue, near Fourth. East Brooklyn
Baptist was organized in 1846. The Pierrepont Street Bap-
tist established mission-schools and was the means of organ-
izing large churches in South Brooklyn. The largest school
in that denomination is the IMarcy Avenue Baptist.
York Street M. E. Sunday-school was organized in 1830. A
Mr. Booth was the first Superintendent, succeeded by Alfred
Mulford, George Hunt, Hon' Samuel Booth, Joshua Rogers,
Jr. , and others. Samuel Booth w-as Superintendent thirty-
nine years, leaving York st., in 1858, to take charge of Han-
son Place M. ¥j. Hon John French was Superintendent of
Hanson Place for nearly twenty-five years.
^\'ashintJton St. was the third Methodist school organized.
Judge Dykemau took an active part in the work, and Jere-
miali Mundell was never absent from school but twice in
twenty years.
After 1832, scliools began to multiply. The first Congrega-
tional school was the Pilgrim. In 1846, a school was org. in
the Mariners' Church, Main st., near Front, an old wooden
biulding. Mr. John P. Elwell was the first Superintendent,
and the school moved from there to the old Fulton Market,
James st., in 1844, and this school is now the Bethel in
Hicks st.
The Navy Mission was situated on the corner of Green lane
and Front st. Wlien it was first started, so strong was the
opposition that, when meetings were held on Sunday even-
ings, it was hardly safe to pass through the street. Stones
would often be thrown against the door. Members of the
Second Presbyterian Church would stand outside the door to
watch the boys.
The first Unitarian school was in 1838 ; the Universalist
about the same time; the first Roman Catholiem 1828. There
are five Jexoish schools, numbering about one thousand
scholars.
The first Lutheran Sunday-school was started in Williams-
l)urgh, in 1847. The Moravian Sunday-school was organized
in 1854. In 1853 in a small cottage, near wliere the present
chapel of Lee Avenue Congregational now stands, was or-
ganized the Lee Avenue Reformed Sunday-school. There
were no houses in the vicinity for a mUe or more ; on
either side open fields met the eye. The beginning was
feeble, consisting of three teachers and eight scholars. The
whole enterprise grew slowly for the first two years, when,
in 1858, it numbered 1,350, officers and teachers, Mr. Jere-
miah Johnson, Jr., being its Supt. They were the first
schools that had class banners. So noted was this school that
strangers came to visit it.
St. John's P. E. Sunday-school was org. in 1827, in Mr.
Kingsle\-'s school-room, Adams St., near Johnson. Judge
Morse was Supt., and John T. Sloore, Sec'y. Some of the
teachers were: Mr. William Hunter, Hon. John W. Hunter,
John H. Baker, Miss Hester Strang, Misses Ryerson, Rowley,
and Moysers; and some of the scholars, John Folk, John
Wiggins, Dr. Watson, Samuel Booth, Stephen Kidder,
Howard C. C^ady, Mrs. Alfred Emanuel. That year they
joined the schools in celebrating the anniversary at Castle
Garden. Tlie bamier carried on that occasion was a white
silk one, having the picture of an open Bible.
In 1828, they moved to the new school-room, corner John-
sou and Washington sts. About two hundred scholars were
then in attendance. The following persons have been Super-
intendents : Rev. D. V. M. Johnson, Rev. Henry Spafard,
Mr. S. D. C. Van Bokelin, up to the time of their removal
from Johnson st. to St. John's place.
The second school of St. Ann's was organized August 80,
1830; Mr. Charles Congdon, Supt; Mr. Wm. H. Carter, Sec'y,
with twelve teachers. In 1845, Rev. Charles Bancroft was
Supt; H. P. Morgan, Sec'y; Henry G. Nichols, Librarian; and
Abraham Halsey, Asst. Librarian.
Kings County Sunday-School Union, organized 1829. — In
the Long Island Star of April 8, 1839, mention is made of a
meeting in the Apprentices' Library, held the 6th inst., when
it was determined to establish a Sunday-school society for
Kings county, auxiliary to the Southern Sunday-School
Union of New York. The following gentlemen were elected
Officers: Nehemiah Denton, Pres.; J. Terhune, N. W. San-
ford, Vice-Presfs ; Rev. E. M. Jolmson, Sec; Abraham Van-
derveer, Treas. Managers : For Brooklyn, Rev. Mr. Rouse,
Rev. Mr. Carroll, Eliakim Raymond, Adrian Hegeman,
Henry White; Flatbush, Rev. Mr. Strong, John Lefferts, Dr.
Vanderseer; Flatlands, Rev. Mr. Crookshank, David Neefus,
James Remsen; Qravesend, Bernardus C. Lake, John S. Gar-
ritson ; Bushwick, Rev. Mr. Jleeker, Peter WyckofF, James
Halsey; New Lots, John Williamson, Juo. Vanderveer; Ak'W
Utrecht, Rev. Mr. Beattie and M. jVllen; also the gentlemen
who are Superintendents of schools, in connection with
American Sunday-School Union, are also ex-officers and
managers.
In the Star of June 20, 1830, notice is given of a meeting
of the Kings County Sunday-School Union, at Flatbusli,
1098
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY,
The churcli was crowded with the scholars and teachers
and friends, banners hung around tlie church, and a proces-
sion of 600 children took place.
June 3, 1830, a public meeting was held in the Sunday-
sclux)l room of St. Ann"s Church, for the purpose of estab-
lishing an African Infant Class Association. The object was
to establish an infant school for African children. P. W.
Radcliff was Pres. : F. C. Tucker and Robert Snow, Vice-
Prest's; W. H. Van Sindereii, Sec; Charles J. Aiding, Treas,
and fourteen Directors. The first colored school organized
was in High st. There are now about ten colored schools.
Sunday-school Statistics for 1883. — There are 279 Sunday-
schools in Kings county, containing a total membership of
100,597 officers, teachers, and scholars. These schools are
divided as follows: Presbyterian, 30; Reformed, 33; Baptist,
34; Congregational, 28; Methodist, 61; Protestant Episcopal,
47; Reformed Episcopal, 3; Lutheran and Evangelical, 15;
Friends. 2; Moravian, 1; Christian, 3; Union Mission. 15;
Unitarian, 4; Universalist, 3; Reformed Catholic, 1. The
total average attendance of the schools for the full term was
57,762, and the number of conversions or confirmations,
2,676. The moneys contributed during the year by various
schools, for benevolent and other purposes, amounted to
$81,589.80, the Methodist giving the largest part or $17,303.09
of that sum. The fifteen Union Mission Schools gave
$3,417.95 during the same period.
The following are some of the veterans in Sunday-school
service in Kings county:
Andrew A. Smith.— Born at Berlin, Ct., 1817; came to
New York in 1834, and entered Dr. Er.skine Mason's Pres.
Sunday -.school; visited Cirand Rapids, Mich., in 183G; no
Sunday-school, and stores open on Sundays; established a
Sunday-school in stoi'e loft, also a Sabbath service, reading-
room, etc. , and very soon gathered a regular congregation ;
a church was org. and pastor called; the ijlace grew to be a
moral, religious community, now a large city noted for
churches, etc. ; returned to Brooklyn in 1838; was a teacher in
Dr. Spencer's Church and Mission School; while teaching a
Bible class was called persistently to take charge of Bethel
Mission Sundaj'-school (now Bethel of Plymouth Church); in
this work fifteen years; left Bethel to build up City Park
Mission, now in Concord st., where, after a year or two, he
broke in health, and was compelled to leave and rest from all
Sunday-school work.
He was President of the Brooklyn Sunday-school Union
some twenty years; also President of ths Hamilton Literary
Association, and aided to organize the Young Men's Christian
Association ; was its first president for three years; also
aided in organizing State Sunday-school Convention; was
elected Superintendent of Dr. Dui-yea's Church Sunday-school;
employed there sonie two years, and then in prison-work
three or four years, till seized with rheumatic fever con-
tracted there ; is no w Sujit. , and active in the Chinese mission-
school on DeKalb ave.
organization and support of the State Sunday-school Associa-
tion, and Comity Secretary for a number of years.
AZEL D. Matthews.— Born in Hinsdale, Mass., 1809; when
the Sunday-school was first introduced, in 1820, he became a
scholar in the Congi-egational Church. In 1838, came to this
city and connected himself with the church and Sunday-school
of the First Pres. Church, in Cranberry st. In 1833 removed
church and school relations to St. Ann's Prot. Epis. Church,
continuing there as teacher and Superintendent until 1872;
then removed to St. Peter's Epis. Church, and now is teacher
of a young men's Bible class, not having left the Sunday-
school since 1820. He has been a manager of the Brooklyn
Sunday-school Union since its organization; was Vice-Presi-
dent of the Union for a number of years; was foremost in the
Charles C. Mudge. — Born in 1806; in 1827 he entered the
Sunday-school as a teacher of one of the younger classes;
this school was situated in the rear of the Quaker Meeting-
house in Rose st., New York City, his class being composed
of three t'olored ])ersons — father, son, and grandson — all
learning their letters; about two years later he entered the
Simday-school of Dr. Romeyn's Cedar St. Pres. Church,
wliere he continued as scholar, Ass't I>ibrarian and teacher
until 1830, when he took a class in a mission school in
Duane st., near Church. In 1841 he entered the Prince
Street Mission Sunday-school, Brooklyn, connected with
the Rev. Dr. Spencer's Second Pres. Church; this was
the first niissioiL-school started in Brooklyn, and was
originated by Mr. John Morris ; he was Superintend-
ent from 1843 until the school developed into the Cen-
tral Pres. Church (1847), now the Tabernacle, and con-
tinued as its Superintendent until 18.56; shortly after this he
started a mission-school at 317 Altantic st., and now kn(_)wn
as the Pacific Street Chapel, under the care of Dr. Van Dyke's
Church; resigned in 1863, on account of ill health.
In the fall of 1866 he entered a mission-school connected
with Dr. Cuyler's Church, now the Memorial Presbyterian;
he continued as Superintendent about two years after the
church was organized; was one of the managers of the
Sunday-school Union almost uninterruptedly since its organi-
zation : early in its history he was Recording Secretary, and at
a later period for many years its Treasurer; he died in 1883.
JoHX R. Morris. — Born in New York City, 1833; entered
the Sunday-school of the First Pres. Clmrch, Brooklyn, in
1828: took a olass in Prince Street Mission 1843; in 1853 was
elected Secretary of the Brooklyn Sunday-school Union ; the
management then was by an Executive Committee, consist-
ing of one from each denomhiation ; sulisequently the Board
was increased to 23 members, and then to 36, and he served
as Assistant Secretary; in 1868 was elected one of the
Managers, and in 1872 its Recording Secretary; has been
County Secretary over eight years; has been gathering
statistics for thirty years, and Secretary of the State Con-
^•ention six years; was a scholar when there were but six
Sunday-schools in Brooklyn; was one of the visitors when
all Brooklyn was districted out for systematic visitation,
twenty-five years ago, when every house was visited to see
who attended Sunday-school and who did not; he is still one
of the Managers of the Simday-school Union, and its Record-
ing Secretary, and County Secretary under the State Asso-
ciation of Sunday-school Teachers.
Rev. Samuel Bayliss came to Brooklyn, in 1853, as Pastor
of the Warren St. Mission, formerly a Sunday-school which
met in Freeman's Hall (cor. of Columbia and Amity sts.),
the school became a church, with a membership of over 175.
He was always present at the sessions of the school and at the
weekly teachers' meetings, and also habitually attended the
meetings of the Brooklyn Sunday-school Union. In 1868 or
1870, he became Secretary and Manager of the Association
for Improving the Condition of the Poor. His death took
place Feb. 12, 1879, in his 68th year. Mr. Bayliss frequently
visited the Sunday-schools of the city. His son, Benj. Bayliss,
was President of Brooklyn Sunday-school Union, from 1877
to 1883; is still a Manager; has been for 12 years Supt. of the
Memorial Presbyterian Sunday-school of Brooklyn. He
worked with his father many years as Superintendent of the
Warren St. Mission,
SUN-DAT-SCHOOL WORK lY BROOKLYN.
1099
Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., born June 37th, 1837, at the
Wallabout, Brooklyn; he is the son of Birnet Johnson and
the grandson of Gen. Jeremiah Johnson. May 1st, 1853, he
org. the Lee Ave. Sunday-school in a small cottage in the
vacant lots, cor. Bedford ave. and Hewes St., with three
teachers and 8 scholars. During his thirteen years' serv-ice
as Superintendent, he was absent but four Sundays. He
witnessed the growth of the Sunday-school from eight to two
thousand scholars, and the erection of the present commodious
and substantial buildings, largely through his own efforts
and liberality. He was Supt. of the Firet Pres. Sunday-
school, Eahway, N. J., for six years. He was Supt. of the
Madison Ave. Ref. Sunday-school for three years, from Dec,
1873, and secured the erection of a fine Sunday-school room
on 57th street.
He was elected Supt. of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Sunday-
school (Rev. Dr. Talmase"^): served two years and then in
October, 1883, resigned to become Supt. of the Leo Ave. Sun-
day-school, then somewhat demoralized, but now numbering
1,500. Mr. Johnson is a man remarkable for activity and
energy, which he has a great faculty of infusing into his
Sunday-school work.
William M. Pierson. — Born 1808, in Westfield, N. J.; liis
first recollection of the Sunday-school is the gathering of a
class of six on Sunday afternoon, his mother — the teacher —
and four brothers and one sister, forming it. the Bible and
the Westminster Shorter Catechism the text-books: in 1829
entered the York Street Methodist Sunday-scliool as a
teacher; in 1835 connected himself with the Prince Street
Mission; continued here until the Central Pres. Church was
organized, Sept. 5, 1847, and in this school (now the Taber-
nacle) he has continued up to the present time; Superintend-
ent one and one-half years; teacher of Bible class; had charge
for four or five years of tlie Sunday-scliool of the Protestant
Orphan Asylum, in Cumberland st.
Ili-.NKY R. PiBRCY. Born in 1798; in 1826 entered the
Sunday-school Union School, held in district school-house on
Concord st. ; this school consisted of members of the different
evangelical denominations; it soon became too large for the
building, and it was deemed advisable to separate and have
the schools in their respective churches; he was Superin-
tendent of Svmday-schools thirty-six years; is now teaching
in the Union Congregational Church, State st.
Samuel L. Parsons.— Born 1817, in West Springfield, Mass. ;
entered Sunday-school in 1827 or 1828; removed to Marshall,
Mich., in 1837, where he was Secretary of a Sunday-school;
for two years he occupied similar positions in Palmyra, Mo. ;
for two years from 1843 he did the same work in S])ringfleld,
Mass. ; in 1845 he was for four years .Secretary and Sui^erin-
tendent; removed to Brooklyn in 1851; served twenty years
as Supt. of Church schools, and five in a mission school; was
President of the Sunday-school Union from 1867 to 1869.
During this period he spent all his Sabbaths in visiting the
schools of the Union. In 1879 he opened a scliool for the
Chinese in rooms of Young Men's Christian Association,
where he gathered a goodly number of Chinamen to study
the Bible.
Israel A. Barker.— Born in New York City 1830; entered
the Sunday-school of the Willet Street M. E. Church in 1837;
came to Brooklyn in 1843, and joined the Centenary M. E.
Sunday-school; was teacher and secretary until 1848, when,
with about one hundred others, left the M. E, Church and
organized a Congregational Metliodist Church, corner Law-
rence and Tillary sts., wliere he served as trustee of the
church and secretary of the Sunday-school; went into the
.Sunday-school and became Superintendent till 1865; was
elected one of the Managers of the Brooklyn Sunday-school
Union in 1863; now belongs to the Park Congregational
Church, and teacher of a class of youn.g ladies, and still one
1 of the Managers of the Sunday-school Union,
Tl 1 K old Suydain house, of which a cut is given here-
with, is still standing, in good repair, and occupied
as a residence by Hon. A. M. Suydain. It is on the
corner of Evergreen and Woodbine avenues, and was
probably built in the early part of the last century,
since it was considered an old house in 1760, when Jacob
Suydam bought the farm on which it stood, and he re-
shingled and repaired it then. During the Revolutionary
War it was used by the British troops as their winter quar-
ters for a time. It is built of stone gathered from the
surrounding fields, which are covered with cement. Tlie
door is in two sections, an upper and a lower. The win-
dows have the small lights and heavy sash of the olden
time. It was erected in the clearing, before any roads were
laid out in that part of Bushwick; afterwards the old
" Bushwick road," now Evergreen avenue, was put through
from the little village beside East River to Flatbush.
The old house has been the home of three generations of
Suydams. (See biography of A, M, Suydam, page 201.)
OLD cUVUAM H0U6K.
MISSIONARY, BIBLE, TRACT
AND
OTHER ORGA-NIZATIONS
FOR CHRISTIAN WORK
THE practical fniits of Christianity are seen in the many
charities of the city, and the benevolent organizations
whicii look after the spiritual and temporal welfare
of the needy. Brooklyn, "the city of churches,"
is well supplied with these charitable societies. One of the
oldest is
The Brooklyn City Mission and Tract Society, which
was organized July 22, 18'3!l. in the Apprentices" Library. It
is wholly undenominational, and lias steadily pursued its
work of ministering to the spiritual, and often to the tempo-
ral, wants of the destitute. Up to 1848 the Society main-
tained its existence only by hard struggles.
From that time new efforts were made by its friends to
enlarge its resources, and extend its operations. The follow-
ing year three missionaries were employed , the numlier of
visitors was increased to 354, and the collections amounted to
$2,134.46. In 1850, four missionaries were employed, with
407 visitors, and $3,011.48 were received into tlie treasury.
In 1858, the constitution was amended, and the society was
named, in accordance with what it had in fact become, " The
Brooklj'n City Mission and Tract Society." The employment
of missionaries, in distinction from the simple circulation of
religious tracts, became thenceforth its principal work; and
the happ3' effect of the change upon its resources and opera-
tions, and on tlie interest felt in it by tlie churches, at once
became apparent. It has since gone on with continually in-
creasing prosperity and power. The first number of its
journal was issued in January, 1862
The society has had as Presidents : Rev. (since Bishop) C.
P. Mcllvaine, 1829-32; Rev. I. S. Spencer, D. D., 1832-8; Rev.
B. C. Cutler, D. D., 1838-"45; Jasper Corning, Esq., :845-'7;
Rev. B. C. Cutler, D. D., a second time, 1847-' 63; Rev. R. S.
Storrs, Jr., D. D., 1863-74; Wm. W. Wickes, Esq., 1874-80;
Alfred S. Barnes, Esq., 1880-4. Owing to hai'd times, from
1874 to 1880, the work was suspended, but resumed in the
latter year. Fifteen missionaries are now employed, besides
a large number of helpers and visitors.
In 1847 Mr. C. C. Mudge (see biography, p. 1098), became
General Agent and missionary of this society. If the Sunday-
school work was his hobby, the tract work was his life-work,
to which he devoted himself with unfailing love and faith-
fulness, winning for himself not only respect and esteem, but
the deep affection and love of liis visitors and associates.
Soon after his connection witli this society, as a natural
outgrowth of his work and the Bible work in connection with
it, he was appointed Depositary and Secretary of the City
Bible Society. In these two societies he served with loyalty
and devotion, till the Master said: "Stand aside and wait
awhile. " Tlien followed four years of gentle submission to
God's will, when, on the 22d of September, 1888, four days
before the completion of his 77th year, the call came and he
entered into rest. " And his works do follow him."
The Brooklyn City Bible Society was formed in 1841, as
auxiliary to the Long Island Bible Society. Its first Offi-
cers were : James Rutliven, President : Edward Corning,
David Stamford, Thomas Kirke, Geo. L. Sampson, Adrian
Hegeman. D. H. Arnold, David Coope and J. A. Sperry,
Vice-Presidents; Rev. M. W. Jacobus, Cor. See.; Henry C.
Bowen, Rec. See.; Henry Young, Treas.; and a board of
twenty managers. The first year's receipts were |469.09;
expenditures, $466.83, and 1,701 bibles and testaments dis-
tributed. In 1849, the Society became auxiliary to the Amer-
ican Bible Society; in 1848, 1856 and 1867, the whole city was
thoroughly canvassed; and, in 1867, the affairs of the society
were committed to the control of an executive committee of
twenty. Presidents : Geo. L. Sampson, 1843-'3; A. R. Moen,
1844 ; Daniel Ayres, 1854-8 : Chandler Storr, 1849-57;
Daniel Ayres, 1857-69 ; Richard P. Buck, 1860-'9 ; Rev.
N. H. Schenck, D. D., 1870-2; Rev. "SV. I. Budington, 1873;
Rev. David Inglis, 1874-77; Rev. Dr. A. S. Hunt, 1878-'84.
The present Vice-Presidents are : Sidney Sanderson and
John Barnier; Cor. Sec., Rev. Henry J. Van Dyke, D. D.;
Treas. , E. B. Wood. Mr. Chas. C. Mudge was Rec. Sec. from
18b4 till nis aeatli.
The Brooklyn Woman's Bible Society, auxiliary to the
above, was founded in 1850; also a \orth Brooklyn Bible So-
ciety was established in 1845.
Brooklyn Young Men's Christian Association, designed
to improve the siiiritual, intellectual and social condition of
young men, to bring them under Christian infiuence, and to
stimulate them to Christian effort, found inception at a
convention of some three hundred young men connected
with the several evangelical denominations in this city, in
June, 1853. It was organized September 15, 1853, with two
hundred and seven members ; a certificate of incorporation
was filed, and a suite of rooms rented in the Washington
Building, corner of Court and Joralemon sts., the regular
monthly and other public meetings being held in the lecture-
rooms of the Pilgrim Congregational Church, and the Henry
St. Presbyterian Church. Here a library and reading-room was
established and opened, free to all young men, irrespective
of membership in the association; while a Literary Society,
course of free popular lectures by eminent speakers, monthly
meetings for social reunions, stated conference and prayer-
MISSIOJSTARr AND TRACT SOCIETIES.
1101
meetings, educational classes, etc., lent their aid to further
the objects of the association. In 1854, the association inter-
ested itself largely and practically in the work of tract dis-
tribution and of mission-school enterprises, of which there
were, at that time, twenty in operation in this city. In
April, 1859, the Association removed to the Brooklyn Institiite
building, and remained until their removal, in August. 186.5,
to the building on the corner of Fulton ave. and Gallatin
place. After that time, the work of the Association, in all
its dei)artments, received a wonderful impetus, and its labors
were attended with a commensurate amount of good to the
community.
In August, 1872, the Association removed to the opposite
corner of Fulton and Gallatin place, which was fitted up
with a large gymnasium, a lecture-room seating 500, a libra-
ry of 6,600 volumes, and a reading-room containing two
hundred current journals and magazines, with cheerful par-
lors, reception aud class rooms.
Of the great work that has been accomplished by the
Young Men's Christian Associations in this country, the
Brooklyn society has done its full share. It now provides a
course of lectures, literary entertainments, instruction in
French, German, penmanship, book-keeping, phonography,
elocution, vocal nmsic, and other subjects.
In 1869, a charter was obtained, framed with a view to the
erection of a large building for the uses of the Association,
on the plan of the Cooper Institute in New York.
The bequest of the late Frederick Marquand, Esq., gave to
the Association $200,000 for a new building, on condition
that the further sum of |150,000 should be raised by the
members as an endowment for the Association. The condi-
tion is so nearly met that plans have been adopted for a new
building, to be erected during 1884, on Bond St., near Fulton,
with an entrance on the latter street. It will be of brick,
four stories and basement, 100 by 135 feet, with a 25 feet
wide extension to Fulton, conveniently arranged and espe-
cially adapted to the uses of the Association.
Its Pres JdeJtis have been: Andrew A. Smith, 1 8o3-'56 ; James
McGee, 1856-'57; George A. Bell, 18oT-'58; John M. Double-
day, 1858-59; Henry H. Lloyd, M. D., 1859-'G0; Robert S.
Bussing, 1860-61; James M. Ives, 1861-63; O. Vincent Coffin,
1863-"63; O. Vincent Coffin, Charles A. Righter, 1863-'64;
William Edsall, 1864-U8; Wm. W. Wickes, 1868-'69; Joseph
T. Duryea, D. D., 1869-70; D. G. Eaton, 1870-78; William
Edsall, 1873-'74; D. H. Cochran and Tasker H. Marvin,
1874-'76; D. D. MoWilliams, 1876-'77; John P. Adams, 1877
-'78; B. 11. Dillingham, 1878-79; D. D. McWilliams, William
Taylor, 1879-80; R. Fulton Cutting, 1880-83; Edwin Pack-
ard, 1882-'84.
Officers, 1884: Pres., Edwin Packard; Vice-Presidents,
Henry DaUey, Jr., F. H. Stuart, M. D.; Tieas., Daniel W.
McWilliams; AssH Treas., Henry G. Fay; See. Sec., F. A.
Parsons; Oeii. Sec., Thos. J. Wilkie; Ass't Sec, Wallace
McMullen; Librarian, J. Harry Gould.
BOAKD OF Directors: SUas M. Giddings, Alanson Trask,
A. A. Raven, Henry G. Fay, E. W. Hawley, Wm. Peck
Smith, Edwin Packard, Alonzo Alford, A. J. Newton, J.
H. Righter, M. H. Dorman, David A. Boody, F. A. Parsons,
Willoughby Powell, Jas. R. Cowing, F. E. Bassett, Edw. A.
Lovell, Noah Tebbetts, D. W. McWUliams, John J. VaO, F.
H. Stuart, M. D., A. Augustus Low, Henry Dalley, Jr.,
Oliver G. Gardner, W. P. Gill, R. E. Beers, Chas. L. BonneU,
M. D., Geo. F. Peabody, F. B. Schenck.
Board of Trustees: Alanson Trask, A. S. Barnes, John T.
Martin, John A. Tucker, George I. Seney, Thomas S. Moore.
The East Brooklyn Young Men's Christian Association,
Library and Free Reading Room, held its first meeting,
October 9, 1866, at the residence of Dr. Alexander Hutchins.
Its first rooms wei'e at 675 Myrtle avenue, whence in May,
1868, it removed to No. 693. The first number of the East
Brooklyn Oazette (monthly) was issued by the Association
in October, 1867. Presidents: 1866, Alex. Hutchins, M. D.;
October, 1867, Rev. John W. Leek; January, 1868, C. H. H.
Pannell; March, 1868, Alex. Hutchins, M. D.; July, 1868,
Rev. D. O. Ferris; June, 1869, Edgar A. Hutchins.
Union for Christian Work was formed in 1866, under the
name of the Brooklyn Liberal Christian Union, for the pur-
pose of uniting all denominations of Christians, without ex-
ception, in the work of mutual improvement and practical
beneficence. It first established its head-quarters in the
Hamilton Buildings, corner of Court and Joralemon streets,
where it opened a free reading-room, with a good library of
six hundred volumes, mostly the gifts of friends, and a large
variety of religious and secular magazines and papers; also
with suitable means for innocent, rational amusement. As
the institution grew in favor with the public, it was found
necessary to seek for it ampler accommodations. Its head-
quarters were accordingly transferred, Feb., 1870, to the new
and handsome edifice, known as Baxter's Building, 131
Fulton ave., opposite Elm place, the second, third and fourth
stories of which it devoted to the purposes of library and
reading-rooms, and apartments for gymnastics and various
other kinds of recreations. These quarters were dedicated to
the work of the union by public exercises on the evening of
Februai-y 14, 1870, when the organization assumed its present
name and adopted a new constitution.
In the spring of 1870, the Union rented and fitted up the
" Smith Mansion," on Smith st., near Fulton; a library and
I'eading-room were provided, also separate rooms for games,
conversation and correspondence. On the second floor are
the rooms for boys' evening school and girls' sewing school.
An emiiloyment bureau, industrial and relief departments
have been successfully conducted, and various courses of
lectures given from time to time. The Union is entirely un-
sectarian and undenominational, inviting all to enter its
membership, and at an annual fee so low as to be within the
means of the poor. Consequently, its rooms are largely fre-
quented by young and old, while its general operations have
become much extended. The first President was Isaac H.
Frothingham; his successors have been : Robert Foster,
Charles P. Gerrish, Ripley Ropes, Josiah B. Blossom, and
Robert Foster; the OFFICERS for 1883-84 are: Robert Foster,
Pres.; Joseph R. Blossom, Alex. Forman, Vice-Presidents;
Wm. C. Gardner, Sec; Isaac H. Gary, Jr., Treas.; Wm. A.
Butler, Supt.
The German Evangelical Aid Society. — A number of
Christian German ladies organized September 21st, 1877, a
Ladies' Mission Society, to alleviate the misery of destitute
Germans in the city. In their work they found many per-
sons who were too old and feeble to work, friendless, and
witliout means in a strange land. These ladies determined
to found a Christian Home for the aged, helpless, worthy
German Protestants of both sexes. They issued an appeal for
contributions, which met with a hearty response. Soon a
meeting of the German Evangelical Pastors of Brooklyn was
held to further the object. An organization was perfected
and incorporated iu April, 1877, as the German Evangelical
Aid Society of Brooklyn. Fourteen lots, at the corner of
Bushwick ave. and Fairfax st. , were purchased for |45,000,
on which suitable buildings are iu course of construction.
Meanwhile, the house. No. 79 Himrod st. , was rented, aud is
occupied by 15 inmates. The society is governed by a council
of Pastors of German churches and a Board of Managers,
consisting of ladies.
il02
BISTORT Ot KINGS COUKTT.
ELI ROBBINS.
Eli Robbins. — Among the men who have helped to
make Brooklyn respected as a residential city of
merchant princes, a high rank is due to the memory of
Eli Rohbins, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Robbins came of a stock in which some of the
best qualities of the New England character existed in
their happiest combination. Towards the close of the
last century Puritanism in New England had laid aside
much of its sternness and intolerance, and had com-
menced to reconcile itself with the milder charities of
life; retaining, however, amidst all classes of the popu-
lation, as much patriarchal simplicity of manners as
probably ever existed in a modern civilized community.
The Robbins homestead was situated in West Cam-
bridge, now Arlington, Massachusetts, on the road
rendered historic by the celebrated ride of Paul Revere.
The patriotism of the family is indicated by the fact
that the name of Robbins is found four times on the
roll of Captain Parker's company of " embattled
farmers," who faced the British at the famous Concord
fight. After the Revolution and the restoration of
social order, the qualities above mentioned speedily
adapted themselves to their new environment, especially
in the vicinity of Harvard College. The original
Colonial custom of providing variety for the table, by
a neighborly interchange of agricultural commodities,
called "barter," gave place to a more systematic
method of distributing produce, and public markets
were substituted for the primitive pork-barrel and
private poultry-bin.
Nathan Robbins, the father of the present genera-
tion of that name, was among the earliest to engage in
the regular market business, by exchanging meat for
other merchandise, such as shoes, snuff, cigars, choco-
late, and Continental money. In accordance with the
domestic regulations of those days, his home was en-
livened by the successive advent of nine children, the
youngest of whom was Eli, who was born September
22, 1821. He was not a strong child, but being healthy
and self-reliant, he soon mastered the rudiments of
such knowledge as was convenient to his circumstances,
and began his business career at an early age, by pro-
viding a horse and wagon for himself, and purchasing
poultry of the neighboring farmers, which he dressed
with his own hands and carried to Boston for customers.
Meanwhile, his brothers had established themselves in
Faneuil Hall market, and were building up a profitable
trade in the same kind of produce.
About the year 1836, Simeon Boj'den, who kept the
Tremont House in Boston, and had a high appreciation
of these industrious young men, became proprietor of
the Astor House, then the principal hotel of New York
city. He made overtures to Nathan, the eldest, by
remarking on the dearth of first-class poultry in Fulton
market, and suggesting that there was a fine opening
for some New England man, who could attend to busi-
ness and keep out of bad company. This was exactly
what the Robbins boys knew how to do; and Amos,
the next older than Eli, at once departed for the
metropolis. Three years later, in 1839, Eli followed
his brother to Fulton market, at first as an employee;
but in 1841 they entered into partnership, under the
firm name of "A. & E. Robbins," which has since
become familiar to all frequenters of the streets of
New York. It was a small beginning — two country
boys, aged 18 and 21, with a capital of only 236 dollars
each. But they had an advantage in the superior
style in which they dressed their poultry, and they
were not ashamed to work. Add to this their deter-
mination not to speculate nor run into debt, and the
result might easily have been predicted. They soon
distanced all competitors, and for more than forty
years have stood at the acknowledged head of that
line of business in the United States, thus affording a
notable instance of conspicuous success, attained solely
by honorable enterprise and strict integrity.
On the 13th of May, 1845, Mr. Robbins married Miss
Maria C. Farmer, of his native town, a young lady
with whom he had been acquainted from childhood,
and whose subsequent devotedness, as wife and mother,
amply justified the prophetic foregleams of his youth-
ful affection. Her love, like a jewel, hung for eight
and thirty years about his neck, yet never lost its
lustre. Possessed of a modest dignity, which created
an atmosphere of sweet content, and artless as a child,
she sought her own delight in making all around her
bright and happj^ The abundant means which her
husband furnished enabled her also to gratify every
hospitable impulse and refined taste. Their first home
in Brooklyn was on Washington street, where two dear
children came to work their mission of love; Warren,
born September 21st, 1846, and Clinton, December
27th, 1848. The birth of these children was a joy
which could only be adequately measured by the terri-
ble grief that followed their early departure. Clinton
died April 26th, 1864, and Warren November 12th,
1869.
Mr. Robbins had already become a rich man, and
saw in his offspring an adequate shrine whereon to
lavish all his paternal love and care. To this end he
erected the spacious and elegant mansion on the corner
of Smith and Livingston streets, which, although de-
prived of its expected chief attraction, has remained
the charming residence of Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, as
'7^^l'-ty~~yL
UtOGRAPHlES.
1103
well as a welcome resort for a host of relatives and
choice acquaintances.
Eli Robbins was, by nature and early training, in-
clined to economy and careful in bis investments. Yet
be was not indifferent to any worthy cause. His bene-
factions to private families and individuals were so
secret and unostentatious, that none but those who were
the recipients of it can compute the sums which he an-
nually bestowed among them. In religion, he was a
Universalist. On removing to Brooklyn, while yet a
young man, he became a member of the First Uni-
versalist Society, and remained ever after loyal to that
form of Christian faith. This furnishes the key to his
whole moral character. He never sought for novelty,
nor shrank from the dictates of duty. He had the two
things which make men strong — an intelligent con-
science and the quiet courage to obey it. True courage
is not noisy. It does not find its expression in defiant
manners or vapory speech ; but it does consist in a
quiet-determination to do right, because it is right, and
in traveling in a straight though unpopular pathway.
With such a conscience and with such a courage, Eli
Robbins entered upon the career which lay before him
and followed it successfully to the end. The end came
while he was yet far from being an old man. He died
on the morning of June 21st, 1883, in the 62d year of
his age, leaving, as the result of his life, a character for
business integrity, against which no word of suspicion
was ever breathed; a fortune approximating two mil-
lions of dollars, no portion of which was obtained by
questionable means; a wide circle of associates who
honored and trusted him; and a wife who, having passed
with him through every grade of society, is peculiarly
qualified to be the almoner of his generous intentions.
His will, which was written ten years before his
death, disposes of some three hundred thousand dollars
in various bequests, among which are legacies to the
Church of our Father, of this city, the Brooklyn
Orphan Asylum, the Blind Asylum of New York,
the Unitarian and Universalist Churches of Arling-
ton, Mass., and his native town, to which his body
was taken for interment.
The Montauk Fire Insurance Co. and the Firemen's
Trust Insurance Co., of both of which he was a trustee,
together with the religious society with which he was
long and intimately connected, passed appropriate res-
olutions of regret, and all who knew him were sincere
mourners.
AMOS ROBBINS.
Amos Robbins, who is mentioned in the foregoing
sketch of the life of his younger brother, Eli Robbins,
was born in West Cambridge (now Arlington), Massa-
chusetts, December 28th, 181 Y, and received a limited
education in the public schools of the time and
locality.
At the age of fourteen, he came a poidtry-buyer and
dresser for his brother, Nathan, who had then been for
some time established in Faneuil Hall Market, in Bos-
ton; and who, still living at the age of eighty, has been
in business sixty years, and is at this time president of
the Faneuil Hall Bank, besides being connected with
other important interests in Boston.
At the age of sixteen, Amos Robbins removed to Bos-
ton, and was employed in his brother's business there
until 1836, when, as has been stated in the foregoing
article, be went to New York to prepare and furnish to
the tables of the Astor House such poultry as was
desired by Mr. Simeon Boyden, who, at that time,
assumed the management of that since famous hotel.
Three years later, when Eli Robbins entered the em-
ploy of Amos, the latter had laid the foundation of the
subsequent immense business of the firm of A. & E.
Robbins, reference to whose almost unexampled career
has been made above. At the death of Eli Robbins,
in June, 1883, he was succeeded in the firm by his
nephew, Milton Robbins, son of Mr. Amos Robbins,
and the style of the firm was changed to A. & M.
Robbins.
Mr. Robbins was married, at the age of twenty, to
Miss Adelia Martling, of Tarrytown, N. Y., who has
borne him two sons, and two daughters who were
reared and married, but who died in early womanhood.
Mr. Robbins, in his declining years, is in the enjoyment
of well-earned wealth, and such has been his character
from boyhood that he is held in equally high regard in
business circles and among his intimate friends, and is
esteemed alike as an intelligent and influential citizen
and as a friendly and whole-souled Christian gentle-
man.
1104
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
FREDERICK LOESER.
Frederick. Loeser. — In the year 1853, Mr. Loeser,
impelled like many other young men by the desire of
getting a start in the world, resolved to leave the beaten
track and seek for better fortune in America. His
previous life had been but a repetition of an oft-told
tale. Born in the town of Mergentheim, in tlie southern
part of Germany, the eldest son of a poor silversmith,
he found himself at an early age under the necessity of
earning his own livelihood. When only a lad he lost
his mother, and was then obliged to leave school, much
against his inclination, for his desire was to become a
physician. He entered as an apprentice into the store
of a fringe-maker in the town of Wiirzburg, and lived
three years in his master's family, but his position there
was unenviable; hard tasks and short fare were the
rule, though of chidings and blows there was no lack,
so those days were a better schooling in patience and
suffering than in the loom an'd shuttle. His appren-
ticeship over, he started on his wanderings in search of
employment, with staff and knapsack and some ten
florins saved from his scanty earnings. This was the
course necessary for every young artisan to pursue in
those days; ere he could be counted among the
"masters" of any trade he must have spent three years
in wandering from place to place, becoming familiar
with the methods of trade in different countries. To
meet the requirements of these " journeymen," a sort of
guild or trades-union existed throughout the cities of
the continent, which provided the young fellow with a
position, helped him in distress or sickness, and were
friends and home to him wherever he might be.
Mr. Loeser's first trip was by way of Munich, through
the Tyrol and northern Italy to Verona. The whole
of the journey had to be performed on foot, for the
young man's means hardly sufliced to buy his daily
bread. Wages were small, and the war with Austria
caused all German-speaking persons to be looked on
with disfavor, so the young man turned northward
through Lombardy and Styria to Vienna, in 1850.
After a year and a half spent here and two years in
Zurich and Berne, he returned to his old home. He
had now reached the age when all able-bodied young
men were compelled to enter the army, but as he could
ill afford to call on his father's treasury for five years,
and be no better off at the end of that time, he resolved
to leave for America. Sailing from Havre, November
1st, 1853, he arrived in New York after a short
passage, with a capital of two and a half dollars and a
silver watch. As nothing was then known of fringe-
making in the city, he resolved to go west and find
other employment. In Morganfield, Ky., he found
some distant relatives, and there, after trading in furs
for a year, he earned enough to open a small country
store at Smith's Mills, Henderson county, Ky. His
prospects brightened, though after a time both he and
his clerk were taken ill with chills and fever. For-
tunately their days of sickness alternated, so that one
or the other could be in the store every day. In 1855,
he sold out and went to Louisville for a couple of
years, and then to New York city, where he obtained a
position with S. M. Peyser, the leading trimming and
worsted store in the city.
In 1800, he married, and the same year went into
business with Moritz Dinkelspiel upon a capital of $1 ,200,
opening a store at No. 277 Fulton street, Brooklyn, with
a small stock of worsteds, embroideries and trimmings.
Matters progressed well until the rebellion broke out,
and injured business for a time. In 18G3, Mr. J. W.
Jones entered the firm, and a branch store was opened
at No. 737 Broadway, New York. In 1866, Mr. Loeser
sold his interest in the New York business, and bought
out his partners in the Brooklyn enterprise. In addition
he started a button factory on Fulton street, Brooklyn,
which was very successful, but which other business
cares compelled him to dispose of after a few years. In
1870, the store was removed to its present site, Mr.
Louis Liebmann was received as partner, and the stock
of dry goods was largely increased. In 1872, his
brother, Mr. Hermann Liebman joined the firm, and in
1876, Mr. Gustav Loeser was admitted as a member.
The public of Brooklyn has always been appreciative
of their enterprise, Mr. Loeser says, and ready to re-
spond to the efforts of the firm to keep the trade at
home. Through its liberal patronage, they are enabled
to give employment to nearly seven hundred men and
women, while their establishment ranks as one of the
leading retail houses in the city.
It is mainly due to Mr. Frederick Loeser's energy
that the business has been developed to so large an ex-
tent. His close watch of the demands of trade, his
thorough system introduced into all departments, and
his careful attention to details, have enabled him to suc-
ceed where so many have failed. His features indicate
the possession of a strong, positive character, though
not haughty or self-willed; his courteous bearing marks
the gentleman, while his social qualities make him
highly esteemed among a large circle of friends and ac-
quaintances.
Notwithstanding the demands of business, Mr. Loe-
ser finds time to gratify his literary taste ; his resi-
dence contains a well-selected library ; he is con-
versant with current events, alive to the questions of
the day, thorough-going and honorable, and secure in
the confidence and esteem of the community.
^x
• .>en a small country
rson county, Ky. Him
iter a time bath Le and
chills and fever. ~li'or-
rnated, so that one
re every day. In 1855,
uisville for a couple ot
ik city, where he obtained a
'• ' -rling trimming and
ue same year went into
upon a capital of $1 ,200,
in street, Brooklyn, witli
lies and trimmings.
,. rebellion broke out,
jc In 1863, Mr. J. W.
In. branch store was >■
York. In 1866, Mr. L
■v York business, andbougi..
klyn enterpi'
■■'u F<uion SI _ ,
which ■. 'lich other hv
oi after
!o its I
'fcner, an
admitted as am'
'rays been appreciaii'. •
says, and re.idv to r^"-
Tho wi: hundred men and
iok Loeser's energy
1 to so large an ex-
.,. ..,, ...mands of trade, his
•luoed into all departments, and
•led him tosuc-
.... - atures indicate
II of a s .itive character, though
iii.-j courteous bearing marks
social qualities miike him
!o of friends and ac-
.od'nr the demands of business, Mr. Xoe-
' iterary taste ; his res>i-
iV: A ss"i -svit'fiod library; ho is con-
current events, alive to the questions of
•augh-going and honorable, and sec
I
THE PROGRESS
DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART
IN BROOKLYN.
BY
^^^/^Z-e5<^^M
THE PROLOGUE.— There are few cities in any
part of the civilized world where the Drama had
a longer or a harder struggle to obtain a foot-
hold than in the city of Brooklyn. To impute this to
the want of taste on the part of its inhabitants, would
be incorrect. The fact of Brooklyn being so adjacent
to the great metropolis was really the cause. For
many years after Brooklyn was looked upon as a city
of considerable magnitude, its inhabitants favored
New York for almost everything, whether it belonged
to commerce or amusements. The habit once formed,
it still continued long after Brooklyn was acknowl-
edged a great city in many respects. Even at the
present day, there is a prejudice so strong in favor of
everything in New York that it is detrimental, not only
to those who cater for the amusement-seeking portion
of the public, but to nuxny in all other branches of
business. With a population of over six hundred
thousand, and ranking in numbers a.s the third city in
the Union — there are but three places of amusement
that can be looked upon as respectable in architectural
proportions, or class of amusements furnished for the
people; these are the Brooklyn Academy of Munic,
Park Tlieatre, and Brooklyn Theatre, the first
named being only occasionally used for either the
opera or the drama. The Park and Brooklyn theatres
are invariably closed during the summer months, and
yet thousands of Brooklynites crowd the ferry-boats to
attend places of amusement in New York. There is
really more cause for this at the present period than
twenty years ago. The great improvements in con-
veyance from the several ferries in New York to the
up-town theatres, requiring but fifteen minutes by
elevated railway, and the great variety and superior
manner in which pieces are placed upon the
meti'opolitan stage, both in actors and artistic details,
must be admitted as great inducements. Many argue
that Brooklyn would not support what might be
termed a first-class theatre — like Wallack's — with a
picked company of artists, and mouths of preparation
for the production of a single play. This is not so;
for these very people who go to New York are the most
intelligent and respectable class of amusement-seekers,
and visit Wallack's, the Union Square, and the Fifth
Avenue theatres for the reason that whatever they go
there to see, is sure to be well done in every par-
ticular.
The Drama can only be built up to its highest condi-
tion by a local growth, and when the mMnagers give
proper attention to all the finer necessities of the
stage, together with a first-class comjiany.
Yet, with all the drawbacks and obstacles to a more
elevated condition of the stage in Brooklyn, it has a
dramatic history of great interest, arising from the
fact that nearly all of the great stars who have adorn-
ed the stage of the metropolis, have appeared in
this city. But it makes no difference what the drama
has been in Brooklyn : its future must be of necessity
far greater in many respects. The growth of the two
cities is so rapid that they are becoming farther apart
every year, and the localities of the theatres must ad-
vance with their boundaries. This will cause the Brook-
lyn people to seek their amusements at home in spite of
rapid transit; and the people will require and demand
more than one theatre managed on the principles of
Wallack's or the Union Square.
DoRAN, in his History of the British Stage, and
DuNLAP, in his History of the American Theatre, have
gone back as far as they could go, in the relation of the
smallest details in connection with their subject. If we
may be allowed the same privilege, we will begin the
history of the Drama in Brooklyn as far back as 1776.
"The Curtain Up."— After Washington had
made his masterly retreat to New York, leaving Bur-
goyne, Clinton and Howe, in disappointment, to wonder
at the magic change of scene made by the ever-watchful
American commander in the national drama which they
had expected to suddenly conclude; the British army,
from Bedford and Flatbush down to the water's edge,
1100
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
where now stands the City of Brooklyn, had a chance
for a long rest ou Long Island. With this rest came the
necessity for amusements of some kind for the officers
and men of the invading foe. Often they resorted
to the drama, and rigged up a stage of some kind,
even painted their own scenery, formed an orchestra
out of a regimental band, and performed some of the
lighter dramatic productions. At this period, Brook-
lyn became famous as the camp of the British army,
and soon followed all sorts of amusements at a stone
building situated on the north side of the " old road "
(Fulton street), near the corner of Front street. This
building had been known for thirty years or more as
"Corporation House," from the fact that it belonged
to the Corporation of the City of New York. The
building was about seventy by sixty feet, and two
stories high, containing a large hall ou the second
floor, with a tavern and ferry-rooms on the ground
floor. As soon as the British got possession of Brook-
lyn, the Corporation House changed hands and name,
and was known, as long as the British remained in
Brooklyn, as " Tlie Eincfs Head." It was now fitted
up in the most complete manner for the attraction of
the officers and men. At The King's Head all
sorts of games were given, from bull-baiting to lotteries.
The King's birthdays were celebrated by illuminations,
and hundreds of people came from New York to see
the different shows, and to partake of first-class " fish
dinners." In this building, no doubt, took plaee
The First Performance in Brooklyn.—
Among the pieces performed was an original farce sup-
posed to have been written by General John Burgoyne,
who was one of the commanders of the British forces
on Long Island. This same Burgoyne, after he had re-
turned to England, became a dramatic writer of con-
siderable reputation. He was the author of the " Maid
of the Oaks," "Lord of the Manor," the fine farce of
"Bon Ton," and the excellent comedy of "The
Heiress," which, at the time of its production in
London, stood almost as high as "The School for
Scandal."
The following title of the farce alluded to is from the
printed copy, published by J. Rivingtou, New York,
1776:
THE BATTLE OP BROOKLYN,
A Farce in Two Ads.
As it was performed on Long Island, on Tuesday, 27th day of
August, 177G, by the representatives of
— The Tykants of America, —
Assembled in Phikidelphia.
Published by J. Eivington, N. Y.
On the second page of the book is the following list of char-
acters :
Dramatis Persona;,
Men.
Washington,
Putnam,
Sullivan, i^"^^^ ^'"^/«-
Stirling,
Slasher, a Shoemaker of New Y'ork.
Clark, a Retailer of Rum in Connecticut, | ^ ,
Rcmsen, a Farmer of New Town, Long Island, ( *-°'o°elB.
Ebenezer Smtffle, a New England Parson, Chaplain to General
Putnam.
Joe King, Servant to Stirling.
Noah, Servant to Sullivan.
Women.
Zady Gales,
Betty, her Servant.
Officers and Soldiers.
Scene. — Partly within the Rebel lines at Brooklyn, and partly
at Gowanus.
The piece is not badly written. Its dramatic action
is good, and full of fun. It represents the American
cause in the most ludicrous light ; and, at the end,
makes a somewhat eloquent appeal to all Americans in
rebellion against His Majesty. It does not appear as to
who performed the characters, and, if performed at all,
it must have been in the large hall at the ' ' King's Head. "
An original copy of this scarce and remarkable dra-
matic production may be found in the Library of Con-
gress. A reprint of it is in the Library of the Long
Island Historical Society of Brooklyn.
For many years after the conclusion of the Revolu-
tion, the "King's Head " was known as the " Brook-
lyn Hall. '
1810 . — The next dramatic performance in Brooklyn
that we are able to record with any certainty, took place
May 5th, 1810, at Green's Military Garden, which was
situated where the County Court House now stands.
The entertainment was given by a " company of gentle-
men " from the City of New York. The following is
the bill of performance:
"The Wags of Windsor."
Caleb Quotem Mr. Biven
Captain Beaugard Mr. Haswell
with the song of "Go to the Devil, and shake j'ourself " After
which a scene from
"The Real Soldier. "
Captain Cringer Mr. MoCready
Nipperkin Mr. Biven
Lenox .Mr. Haswell
Major Tactic By a young gentleman
The whole to conclude with a patriotic song, written and sung
by Mr. Haswell, and a " Recitation upon the Relics of the un-
fortunate Americans who perished during the War, written and
spoken by Mr. Haswell."
1814.— August 4th, Mr. Robinson* and Mrs. Ent-
wistle gave an entertainment at Military Garden, which
they termed "Dramatic Olio," consisting of songs
and recitations.
The Mrs. Entwistle above named was the cele-
brated Mrs. Mason, who made her first appearance
at the Park Theatre, New York, in 1809.
* Mr. KoBrNsoN was an old member of the Park Theatre Company, New
York, and was highly esteemed as a gentleman and an actor. He was a mem-
ber of the Richmond Theatre, Virginia, at the time it was burned in 1811,
and by his presence of mind and noble daring he was the means of saving
a large number of lives. He died in New York, Nov. 10th, 1819, at forty-
eight years of age.
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1107
1820. — Nothing further is discoverable of a dra-
matic nature in Brooklyn till 1830, when two promi-
nent members of the profession gave a performance at
" Morrison's Hotel" in accordance with the following
programme :
Posilively for one night only.
At Mobeison's Hotel,
The ladies and gentlemen of Brooklyn and its vicinity are
respectfully informed that
Messes. Kilnek * and Spillek, f
(of the New York Theatre, )
at the suggestion of their friends in the village, intend doing
themselves the honor to present them on
Friday evening, January Uth, 1820,
( — with a novel entertainment entitled — )
"The Actoe's Ways and Means."
For particulars see small bills. Doors open at 6 o'clock, and
the performance to commence at half-past 6. Admittance one
dollar. Tickets to be had of Captain Young, J. K. Badell, and
at the office of the Long Island Star.
Mr. John II. Morrison kept a tavern and boarding-
house at the corner of Columbia and Cranberry streets.
1823.— The Slar of June the 5th stated that
Mr. Duflou, proprietor of the well-known " Military
Garden," was fitting up his place as a summer theatre,
where music, recitations and theatrical pieces would be
performed. The garden opened on the 14th of June,
with a concert ; nothing was said as to stage or dramatic
pieces. The Garden is advertised as a "delightful
resort, about three-quarters of a mile from Fulton
Ferry." It was situated on the spot of ground now
occupied by the County Court House and other public
buildings. At that time it took up the whole of tlie
block bounded by Joralemon, Boerum, Court and
Livingston streets. The entrance to the garden was
where the County Court House now stands. It consisted
of a long frame building, three stories high, entirely
void of any ornamentation, through the centre of which
was a broad hallway to the garden. The writer used
to visit this beautiful resort, when quite young, with
his New York chums, among whom was the well-
known James T. Brady.
1825.— December 15th, Mr. Hewlett, the "col-
ored tragedian," J informed the " Ladies and Gentlemen
* Mr. Thomas Kilnek was born in England ; made his first appearance
on tlio American stage at the old Park Theatre, New York, in 1816, where he
was a favorite aetor in such parts as *■ hearty old men." He became man-
ager of the Federal Street Theatre, Boston, Mass., and also was acting and
stage manager for Barrerc, who first put up the " Chatham Theatre." New
York, in 1824. He retired from the stage in 1831, and lived on his farm in
Ohio for many years, where he died.
t Mr. SprLLER was born in England, and" made his debut at the " Hay-
market Theatre," London ; first appeared in New York, April 2Gth, 1811, at
the Park Theatre, as Fretlerick in '' Lovers' Vows ;" died in NewYork iu 1827.
Mr. Spiller was a man of fine literary abilities. He was an actor most at
home in eccentric characters.
t Hewlett was a mulatto. His histrionic education was caught up by
being an attendant to the celebrated Cooper and Cook when traveling
through the country on their starring trips. His imitations of all of the
great performers were recognized as correct, and evincing great discrimina-
tion and dramatic genius. He was born at Rockaway, Long Island, and
died somewhere in Kurope.
of the village that he would give au intertainment at
the Military Garden, consisting of Scenes from Plays,
in imitation of the celebrated Cooper, Kean, Kemble,
and Matthews; interspersed with songs from favorite
operas." He styled himself " Shakespear's Proud Ee-
presentative."
1826. — This year was made somewhat memorable
by the fact that Mr. Roberts* and other actors from the
Chatham Theatre, New York, appeared with stage and
scenery at Mrs. Chester's Hall and Exchange Coffee
House. The performance took place on March 2d.
The pieces were Matthew's " Mail-Coach Adventure,"
and "Sylvester Daggerwood ;" Sylvester, Mr. Rob-
erts; Fustia7i, Mr. TurnhuW; Jo7«», Mr. Wray. Tickets
50 cents, to be had at the bar. Open at half-past six,
commence at seven o'clock.
The most complete dramatic performance up to
this time, in Brooklyn, took place on the 10th of
March. The following is a faithful copy of the printed
play-bill :
BROOKLYN THEATRE.
At Mrs. Chester's Hall.
The Chatham Theatre Company of Comedians beg leave to in-
form the ladies and gentlemen of Brooklyn and vicinity that
they will open a Theatre in the above Hall,
Feiday, Maech 10, 1826,
With Stage, New Scenery, Decorations, &c., &c., &c.
The evening's entertainment will commence with an admired
Tragedy, called
"DOCGIAS."
Towng Nerval (Douglas) Miss Riddle.
As performed by her at the Chatham Theatre, New York.
Glenavan Mr. Scott
Lord Randolph Mr. Walstein
OldNorval Mr. Herbert
Officer Mr. Elting
Trembling Coward Mr. Jones
Lady Randolph Mrs. Entwistle
j^nita Mrs. La Combe
After which, a comic song by Mr. Roberts, called the "Smok-
ing Club, or Puff ! Pufif ! "
A Song, by Mrs. La Combe
A Comic Song, by Mr. Wray
The above to conclude with the laughable Farce, in Two Acts,
called
" The Review,"
Or the Wags of Windsor.
Captain Beaugard Mr. Walstein
Looney McTwalter Mr. Andrews
As performed by him at Chatham Theatre, New York.
John Lump Mr. Herbert
Dohljs Mr. Wray
Deputy Bull Mr. Turnbull
* Mr. EoBEBTSmadeagreat reputation in New York by his excellent
performance of Bo!i Lojn'c in the comedy of "Tom and Jersey." He made
his first appearance in America, at the old Circus in New York, on the east
side of Broadway, between Grand and Howard streets, in 1823. He was so
attractive at one time as a comedian, that the manager of the Bowery
Theatre, New York, paid one thousand doUars, the penalty attached to his
articles'ofagreement with the Chatham Garden Theatre, to secure his ser-
vices in 1826. He was born in Scotland in 1798, and died in Philadelphia
in 1833.
11(»S
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Caleb Q'lolem Mr. Roberts
(As performed by him at the Chatham Theatre, with the songs
of " The Life, Birth, and Parentage of Caleb Quotem," and the
"Nightingale Club.")
Zuct/ Miss Riddle
Grace Oaylove Miss La Combe
Tickets fifty cents, to be had at the bar. Children half
price. Doors open at 6, and performance to commence at 7
o'clock. A band of musicians from the Chatham Theatre will
perform. No postponement on any account. Places may be
secured from 2 until fi o'clock on the day of the performance.
The old Brooklyn Stnr, a weekly paper, spoke of the
hall having beeu fitted up witii stage, scenery, &c., &c ,
and said the part of Lady Randolph was sustained with
great ability by Mrs. Entwistle, and that Miss Eiddle,
as young Norval, was indeed interesting, and gave
promise of great excellence in the future. Mr. Roberts
was highly extolled as Caleb Quotem, and the whole
performance spoken of as a great success.
On Monday evening, March 13th, the house was
filled to overflowing. " The Soldier's Daughter " was
performed with great applause. Mrs. Entwistle* was
the lively widow, and Mr. Scott, as " Frank Hartall,"
sustained his reputation as a fine actor, while Roberts
took the house by storm in his comic songs. " The
Spoiled Child" was the after piece, with Miss Riddle,f
as "Miss Pickle." On Tuesday evening, March 14th,
"The Stranger" and "Lover's Quarrels" made up
the bill. Thursday, March 16th, the tragedy of "Jane
Shore" and "Animal Magnetism" were performed,
with Mr. Scott;^ ^^ " Lord Hastings," Walstein § as
"Gloucester," Wray as " Radclifif," Elting as " Cates-
by," TurnbuU as "Lord Derby," Herbert as "Du-
mont," Andrews as " Belmour," Cadwell as "Officer,"
Mrs. Entwistle as "Jane Shore," and Mrs Walstein|l
as " Alicia."
March 18th, the same names filled up the cast of
"John Bull," and a favorite farce. At the bottom of
the bills it was advertised that the horse boats would
be in readiness at the Catherine Ferry, from 8 to 12
o'clock, to convey parties back to New York.
* We regret that we have not the space to apeak of Mrs. Entwistle in pro-
portion to her great merits. She made her first appearance in America at
the Park Theatre. 23d of October, 1809, as " Mrs. Beverly," in the tragedy of
" The Gamester." She was at that time Mrs. Mason, and was the leading
favorite in comedy and tragedy for many years. Her polished and elegant
deportment in her performances of women of fashion was extremely fascina-
ting. There was nothing forced, nothing studied, nothing which the most
fastidious taste would wish altered, nothing of the common-place artifice
called stage trick, none of that daubed over-doing which, like caricature in
painting, raises the coarse merriment at the expense of the natural pro-
priety and truth, but was of the refined, polite, yet natural and pungent
quality of humor which casts a mild sunshine over the heart, tilling it
with pure enjoyment. She was born in England, and died in New Or-
leans, La., 1835.
tMiss Riddle made her debut in the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia,
in i823. After playing many seasons in New York, Boston, and other cities,
as a great favorite, she retired from the stage for several years, but returned
to it at Laura Keene's Theatre, in 1856, as Mrs. 8mith. Her last engagement
was at Howard's Athenaeum, Boston, where she died in 1861. She was a lady
of eminent and spotless character.
t Mr. Scott was a very large man, and was known among the playgoers as
*• Fatty Scott." He was a fine actor, as the writer can testify, as he has
often seen him on the stage of the old Chatham Theatre, where Scott made
his appearance on the 10th of May, 1825. He often performed the part of
Thus we have the record of the first dramatic per-
formance in the City of Brooklyn, with stage, scenery
and decorations in full, and for a consecutive number
of nights with success.
Mrs. Chester's colfee-house was situated on Front
street, east side, and was known at the time as 28 and
30 Front street. The cofiee-house consisted of two
frame buildings, made into one, with a large room on
the second floor, which was appropriated for balls and
puljlic meetings and the same as was used on the occa-
sion of the dramatic performances above mentioned.
1828.— The Amphitheatre.— The next event
of importance in the dramatic history of Brooklyn was
the erection of an Amphitheatre, on leased ground in
Fulton street, east side, between Nassau and (Joncord
streets. The ground was broken for this building
on the 22d of May, 1828. Its front was of brick,
while the theatre itself was mostly of frame. It was
erected by Charles W. Saudford, lawyer, of New
York City, and for many years Major-General of
the First Division of the New York State Militia.
At the time he erected the Amphitheatre he was the
manager and owner of the Lafayette Theatre and the
Mount Pitt Circus, New York. His object in the
erection of the Brooklyn theatre was to find use at
times for a portion of his over-full company. This was
the first building ever erected in Brooklyn for theatrical
purposes. The wife of Mr. Sandford was an actress of
superior ability, and a vocalist of remarkable skill and
sweetness of voice. Her representation of the part of
Clari in Payne's opera of "The Maid of Milan " was a
splendid performance, and was repeated many times to
crowded houses in the City of New York.
The above Amphitheatre was first opened to the
irablic on the evening of July 17th, 1828, with great
feats of horsemanship. Among the company were the
celebrated Richie, De Forest, Whittaker and Master
Alexander; boxes 50 cents, pit 25 cents; open at 7,
commence at 8 o'clock. The Brooklyn Star remarks
that the new theatre "was a plain building, suited to
convenience rather than show. The drop curtain was
beautiful and the scenery very fine. The ring for the
horsemanship was directly in front of the orchestra,
while the seats for the occupants of the pit were under
the boxes." On the evening above mentioned, the melo-
drama of the " Broken Sword " was performed. " It
was well done, and attracted the silent and orderly
attention of the audience." The performances were
■• Fitz James," to H. WaUack's " Roderick Dhu," in the drama of •■ The
Lady of the Lake." Scott was born in Philadelphia, and died in New York,
in 1849. He was not related to the celebrated J. R, Scott.
§ Mr. Walstein was born in New York, made his first appearance at the
Chatham Garden Theatre in 1826. He was a good actor and had a fine per-
sonal appearance for the stage. He died in Philadelphia in 1836.
II Mrs. Walstein was the sister of the celebrated Mrs. Barnes. She made
her debut, at the Old Park Theatre, New York, April 17th, 1810. in the char-
acter of the " Nurse." in ■' Romeo and Juliet." She became so large a person
that she was unfitted for the stage. She retired from the profession Janu-
ary the 8th, 1839, and died in New York, AprU 1st, 1856.
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1109
given two or three times a week, and for a while did
rather well, through the attendance of country people
of the Island coming in to see the circus. On August
14th, Mr. Richie took a benefit. This was the last night
of the season. September 5tli, the place re-opened
as the Brooklyn Theatre. The ring was removed ; the
company was excellent. The following pieces were
performed, commencing with the musical drama of
" The Poor Soldier," and the ibilowing cast :
Patrick (with songs), Mr. Gainer; Darby (with two songs), Mr.
Eoberts; Dermoni (with a song), Mr. Blakely; Ca])tai)iFitzrot/,Mv.
Neilson; Father Luke, Mr. Quin; Bagatelle, Mr.Walstein; Boy, Miss
Fisher; Norah (with songs), Mrs SandforJ; Cathleen, Mrs. Fisher;
after which the laughable farce of the " Sleep Walkek " : Somino,
Mr. Eoberts (in which character will be given imitations of
Messrs. Kean, Maoready, Hilson, Simpson and Cooper) ; Sir
Patrick Maguire, Mr. De Camp ; IScilly, Mr. Blakely; Squire
Baitlepate, Mr. WoodhuU;* Mrs. De C, Mrs. Walstein; Ellen, Mrs.
Fisher.
The Miss Fisher, mentioned in the above cast be-
came the well-known favorite, Miss Alexina Fisher,
* Jacob Woodhull, whose real name was Hull, was at one time one of
the moat noted and remarkable men connected with the drama in New
York. He made his firtt appearance upon the public stage at the old Park
Theatre, in 1816, in the character of Jaffier, in "Venice Preserved," made a
success, and soon became a valuable addition to the Park company. He
was an educated and lively-hearted gentleman, and of versatile talents,
always ready to do a lavor, and made every one his friend whom he met.
One of the best critics of New York remarked " that no one man on the
stage could possibly fiU Mr. WoodhuU's place as a versatile actor, and that
while he was one of the most useful men to a manager, still he was the
most ill-used actor that ever trod the boards of a theatre. His good nature
was imposed upon, as he would consent to perform any part that would
accommodate the management. He played the blood-thirsty villain, misers
and young spendthrifts, graybeards and lovers, walking gentlemen, soldiers,
sailors. Irishmen, Scotchmen, Dutchmen, Jews, Gentiles, Turks. Indian
savages, the heroes of dramas, and aU with perfect satisfaction to his audi-
ence. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, he went
through his performances of all these various characters, with more
propriety and rationality than many would-be stars." Mr. WoodhuU pos-
sessed a remarkable memory, an assertion which one anecdote told of him
will serve to iUustrate. " One evening, after the performance, while standing
in a saloon with some gentlemen, enjoying a social intercourse, one of the
party inquired of Mr. WoodhuU, " How is it possible to commit to memory
80 many parts in so short a time ?" WoodhuU replied it gave him no trouble
whatever ; that he had frequently committed a character by once reading
it. This the gentleman doubted so emphaticaUy that Mr. WoodhuU immedi-
ately offered to wager a champagne supper for the party there and then on
the spot, that after reading a column of advertisements from any newspaper
only once over he could repeat the whole letter-perfect. The wager was
accepted, and Mr. WoodhuU was the winner." On another occasion, one of
the actors faUing to appear at night to perform the character of Ludovico, in
Sheilds' tragedy of " Evadne," he, on arriving at the theatre, was requested
to take the deUnquent's place. He consented to do so if the management
would keep the curtain down while he had time to read over the words of
the first act, and so on, between each act, that he might have a chance for
study. This, with the Uttle time he had between the scenes in which
Ludovico does not appear, was all the time he had to commit this difficult
blank verse part. .\nd yet it is stated that he not only performed the part
without a single prompting, but to the applause of the audience and the
astonishment of all the company around him. It was for Mr. WoodhuU's
benefit at the Park Theatre, New York, in 1826, that Edwin Forrest made his
first appearance before a New York audience. He performed the part of
Othtllo, and carried the house by storm. He was at that time a stock actor
at Albany, N. Y., and was aUowed this opportunity to do his friend
WoodhuU a service. The occasion made Forrest, as it was not long
after he was prevaUed on to play a star engagement at the Bowery
Theatre, where he made a great success, and soon had his pay raised from
forty doUars a week to two hundred doUars a night. Mr. Forrest himself
told the writer these facts, and spoke of WoodhuU in high praise. Mr.
WoodhuU left the Park company in 1832, and went with Mr. Barns as stage
manager of the Richmond Hids Theatre, N. Y., but the cholera, whose first
terrible visitation occurred in that year, caused his death on the 31st of
August, when he was only forty years of age. He was born in Greenwich
street. New York City, 1792.
and turned the heads and hearts of all the men who
saw her. They became wild in admiration of her
beauty, fine acting in comedy, and sweetness of voice
in singing.
It appears that a company from New York advertised
a performance to take place at the Amphitheatre on
the night of Sept. 23d; money was taken in at the
doors, and the audience, after waiting for nearly an
hour for the curtain to go up, discovered that neither
actors, or treasurer could be found ; on which the en-
raged audience took satisfaction by commencing to pull
the building to pieces, and did much injury before the
constables could quell the disturbance. The advertise-
ment did not mention who were the managers. The
press and people of Brooklyn looked upon it as a shame-
ful swindle. This had the effect of keeping all man-
agers away from Brooklyn, and nothing occurred in
the dramatic line for a number of years. The Amphi-
theatre was numbered among the things of the past,
and so ended the first attempt to give the drama a
local habitation in Brooklyn.
1840.— Colonnade G-arden.— A new place of
amusement made its appearance in Brooklyn under this
name, and was located on Brooklyn Heights, on Col-
umbia street, opposite to Pineapple street, on August
6th. The vaudeville of "The Lady and the Devil "
was presented, with Mr. Graham and Mr. Charles in
the cast. " The Rendezvous " was the after-piece.
The stage and scenery of this place was of temporary
construction. Several performances were given by good
actors, but the dramatic part of the garden soon came
to a final exit.
1842. — June 39th, Mr. Walcott* made an at-
tempt to introduce the drama at the Colonnade, and
appeared as " Hector Timid," in the "Dead Shot."
Mr. Collins, the Irish comedian, also appeared on the
same little stage.
1844. — Some actors from New York fitted up the
long room at City Hotel, Fulton street, with some
scenery, and performed the drama of the " Drunkard;"
the enterprise was a failure. The drama in Brooklyn
now became perfectly dead, until
1848.— When, in November, Mr. George Waldo
Hill, a personal friend of the writer, made an attempt to
establish the drama in Brooklyn. He became the
lessee of the large frame building that stood in the
grounds of " Military Garden," Duflon's old place, and
known at the time as the "City Hotel." The beauty
of the old garden had been destroyed for many years
*Mr. Walcott was a great favorite at MitcheU's Olympic Theatre in New
York; was for several years a member of Mr.Wallack's Company. His perform-
ance of " Lavator," in Planche's comic drama of that name, was a master
performance. He was the author of "Hiawatha, or the Ardent Spirits,"
and "Laughing Water," "Washington," " Giovanni in Gotham." "David
Copperfleld." " Richard the Third to KiU," " The Customs of the Country,"
and " Snips Snaps," aU exceUent burlesques. He was born in London, Eng-
land, 1816, and died in Philadelphia, May 13. 1808.
1110
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
past by the encroachmeat of buildings on the adjacent
streets, which had left only the centre part, containing
a few bushes and the building alluded to. Mr. John
Tremble, the celebrated theatre architect, transformed
this building (known as the Assembly Rooms) into
a beautiful little theatre, with a parquette and a
balcony circle, with seats for six hundred people.
Mr. Hill was under the impression he could make
the place pay under the form of a "Dramatic Asso-
ciation." There were a few unprofitable performances
given, when he closed the place for a few weeks and
re-opened it as a theatre, on the 19th of December,
with a small stock company of but little merit.
This second attempt soon became a failure, and the
place remained closed until
1849. — When, June 11th, it was opened with a
good company. The pieces were the '• Youthful
Queen," Count De Odenstein, by Mr. Bass. On the
12th, " Charles the II," Bass as Captain Copp. On
the 16th, " The Dead Shot" and "Wandering Minstrel,"
with Bass in the leading characters. On the 18th,
Mr. Walcott, of "Mitchell's Olympic Theatre," New
York, appeared as "Jeremiah Clip" in " The Widow's
Victim." Friday, the 22d, Miss Fanny Wallack ap-
peared as "Pauline," in the "Lady of Lyons," with
John Dyott as " Claude," and Bass as "Col. Dumas ;"
this was a splendid cast. Saturday, 28th, " Naval En-
gagements." On the 26tli, "The Married Rake" and
"Brooklyn in Slices," with T. B. Johnston in the
casts. As a summer season experiment, it was a fail-
ure. September 29th the place was opened again, with
Barney Williams as "O'Rafferty," in " Born to Good
Luck," and the after-piece of the "Secret," with the
celebrated George Holland as "Thomas." This was
the gentleman whom a professed Christian minister
refused to do funeral service over, because he was an
actor, and whose name became prominently associated
with "The Little Church Around the Corner." On
the 24th of September, J. R. Scott* made his first ap-
pearance before a Brooklyn audience. He performed
the character of " Michael " in the drama of the
"Adopted Child." There were not over a dozen per-
formances given, and the place was closed as an utter
failure.
In November, 1849, the writer was induced to play
six nights. The engagement was accepted with the
understanding that they should be made subscription
nights and giving two performances a week. The
plan was adopted, and made to pay. The piece se-
* J. R. Scott was an actor of splendid ability. In such characters as -Rob
Roy," and "William," in "Black Eyed Susan," he was unsurpassed. He
had a sjilendid stage appearance, and one of the finest-shaped heads that
ever sat upon an actor's shoulders. His voice was full and flexible, and he
always gave evidence of close study in the characters he performed. He
was born in Philadelphia, and died there March 22d, 1856. Fanny Wal-
lack, Dyott, and Bass were aU prominent members of the New York theatres,
whose interesting biographies must be sought for elsewhere, as our limited
space will not allow ua to do them Justice here.
lected for the opening night was the tragedy of
"Eyadke":
Zmlovlco, Gabriel Harrison; CoJonna, Mr. McDonald; King of
Jfaples, Mr. Connor; Vicentio, Mr. De Forest ; SpdUUro, Mr.
Rogers; Ecadne, Miss Mason; Olivia, Miss Norton.
On the second night, " Damon and Pythias," with McDonald
as "Damon," and Harrison as "Pythias." Third night,
" RoUa," Mr. Harrison; " Pizzaro," Mr. McDonald. Fourth
night, "The Wife," with Mr. Harrison as "Julian St. Pierre."
Fifth night, Harrison as "William Tell." Sixth night, as
" Carwin."
1850.— The Brooklyn Museum.— Messrs.
Chanfrau* and Burke (according to their advertisement)
" caused to be erected " a large brick building on the
northwest corner of Fulton and Orange streets, at a
cost of ten thousand dollars, which they called the
"Brooklyn Museum," containing a collection of pic-
tures, stuffed beasts and birds. On the top floor was a
room fitted up with a stage and scenery, styled a
"lecture i-oom," for the representation of " chaste and
moral dramas. This " lecture room " was nothing
less than a pretty little theatre. The Museum opened
its doors for the first time on Monday evening, July
1st, 1850, with the following company and pieces: —
" The Gambler's Fate."
Mr. Derance, Mr. C. Burke; Augustus, Mr. D. P. Bowers;
Amelia, Mrs. D. P. Bowers; Louisa, Miss Smith. Concluding
with the Farce of "The Dumb Belle." Vivian, Mr. Bowers; 0' Smirk,
Mr. Burke; Eliza, Mrs. Bowers. Price of admission, 25 cents.
On the second day of the opening, performances
were given on afternoon and evening. The manage-
ment continued the stock company till July 29th.
Mr. Couldock commenced a star engagement as "The
Stranger," with Mrs. Bowers as Mns. Haller. He
played for a few nights, when the Museum suddenly
closed its doors for the want of support. The edifice
was the finest place of amusement that had hitherto
been given to the Brooklyn public, and deserved a far
better success. The building was owned by Mr. Cam-
meyer. " Kimberly's Minstrels" reopened the place
on the 2Cth of August, with little or no success.
Chanfrau and Burke made another attempt at the
management of the Museum, and re-opened it Septem-
ber 9th, with a splendid stock company. Charles Dib-
din Pitt played a star engagement for one week, open-
ing in "Hamlet;" on September 16th, Mr. Charles
Kemble Mason appeared as a star. September 23d, on
the same night, T. D. Rice gave the people of Brooklyn
a taste of his peculiar genius in the character of
" Jumbo Jum." On the 30th, Mr. W. H. Reeves, an
English singer of fine ability, appeared in scenes from
the operas of "Maritana" and the "Love Spell."
* Mr. Chanfbau was born in New York, 1824. He commenced his dra-
matic life at the bottom of the ladder, and by his talents and industry he soon
advanced to higher positions. He made a great hit in the character of
"Mose." a local drama written by Mr. Ben Baker, entitled "Life in New
York." He performed this character to crowded houses for a whole season
at MitcheU's Olympic Theatre, New York. He was a man of versatile talent,
and in every way a credit to the profession of his choice.
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MU8IG AND ART.
nil
October 7th, James E. Murdock* made his entree on
the Brooklyn stage. He performed "Hamlet," " Claud,"
" Beverly," and his other best characters. Murdock
was followed by John Brougham. On Saturday, No-
vember 3d, Miss Mary Taylor, once famous at Mitchell's
Olympic Theatre, New York, appeared in the after-
piece of " Jenny Lind." She made a hit with her
audience. She appeared in "Cinderella" for twelve nights.
She proved the only great success that had as yet ap-
peared at the Museum, in spite of the fact of many
other superior artists that had gone before her. At
the conclusion of her engagement, Chanfrau and Burke
wisely gave up the management, with what little cash
they had made. November 33d, the names of Lovell
and King appear at the head of the bills as managers,
with Mary Taylor, continuing her engagement till
November 30th. Monday, December 3d, the celebrated
elder Booth appeared for the first time in Brooklyn.
The piece selected was :
" New Wat to Pay Old Debts."
tSir Giles Overreach, Mr. Booth; Lord Lovell, Mr. Lindon; All-
worth, Mr. Lovell; Justice Greedy, Mr. King; Marall, Mr. Kent;
Margaret Overreach, Mrs. Lovell.
The newspapers hailed Mr. Booth's appearance in
Brooklyn with much favor. The Star remarked the
ncvt day, "that this child of true genius renewed their
old impressions of his former days."
" Tuesday, December 10th."
" The Ibon Chest."
Sir Edward Mortimer, Mr. Booth; WUford (his first appearance
* James E. Murdock was one of the finest actors America has produced.
As a light comedian, in his own day he had not his superior. As a tragedian
he was flue, and of the Cooper school. He was a man of marked poetic feel-
ing, and an unusually mature scholar. His love of the dramatic art was a
love for its elevation. He was a student of close application, and his repre-
sentation of characters an intellectual treat. He had a fine figure, a rich
sonorous voice, was graceful in action, and with the exception of Edwin
Forrest, the finest elocutionist on the American stage. It is an unusual
thing to find actors and actresses accomplished elocutionists, for most of
them treat this branch of their profession with too much neglect.
Mr. Murdock was born in Philadelphia in 1812. He made his first appear-
ance at the Arch Street Theatre, that city, as '■ Frederick " in "Lovers'
Vows," In 1838 he appeared as " Benedict," and made a fine impression.
About 184-2, he withdrew from the profession for the purpose of completing
a college education, and after three years' hard study, he reappeared upon
the boards of the Park Theatre, in New York, Tuesday. October 21st, 1845.
On this occasion the writer performed the part of the " King " to his ' ' Ham-
let " He had a splendid audience, and performed a week's engagement with
great success. In 1856 he went to England, and appeared for the first time
before a select British audience, September 22d, at the Haymarket, London
as "Young Mirable," in which character he made a fine impression. He
performed the part of '■ Young Rapid," in " Cure for the Heart Ache," for
many consecutive nights to crowded houses. In 1857 he returned to the
United States, and performed in all the principal theatres throughout the
country, making admirers wherever he went. Mr. Murdock was also a
patriot, as the following anecdotes will show:
During the rebellion, and while he was playing an engagement at Milwau-
kee, hearing that his son had joined the Union troops and was on his way to
Washington, he immediately gave up his engagement, joined the army, and
declared he would not act again tiU the war was over. His health failing
him, he was forced to give up the active service of the field, and devoted his
four years to the cause by attending to the sick and wounded soldiers in the
different hospitals ; while doing so, he frequently gave readings for the
amusoment of the soldiers, and for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission in
Washington and other cities. He was appointed Volunteer Aid on the staff
of General Rousseau. After the war he reappeared upon the stage, and
performed several brilliant engagements. For several years past he has not
appeared upon the stage as an actor, but occasionally gives public readings.
At this time he still lives, honored and respected in his old age.
on any stage), Master Edwin Booth; Weiiterion, Mr. C. W.
Taylor; Lady Helen, Mrs. Lovell.
It will here be observed that Edwin Booth, the
famous tragedian, made his first attempt as an actor
upon the Brooklyn stage. Through the indisposition
of Mr. Booth, he was prevented from filling out his
week's engagement. In fact, the houses were so poor
that it was not worth the great actor's exertions to
continue. A few more nights of ill-success, and it was
found necessary for some of the prominent and liberal-
minded citizens, headed by the ever noble-spirited gen-
tleman and editor of the Star, Alden J. Spoonor, to
give the manager, Mr. Lovell, a complimentary benefit.
This took place on December the 30th, and we might
say that here the ill-fated Museum closed its public
career.
Upon the stage of the Brooklyn Museum, within a
few months, appeared the finest dramatic talent of the
country, and yet the managers and actors did not meet
with a success that might be expected in any country
town of five thousand inhabitants; Brooklyn's popula-
tion at the time was two hundred thousand. The only
solution we can give of this singular neglect to support
a well-regulated place of amusement is in the sup-
position that Brooklyn was too convenient to New
York, where abounded theatres and opera-houses of
more gorgous proportions, and performances of greater
attractions.
1851, — Fcliruary 7th, some of the principal citiz-
ens of Brooklyn and New York gave a complimentary
benefit, at Burton's Chambers Street Theatre, New
York, to Dr. Nokthall, of Brooklyn, the dramatic
author. They were John C. Vanderbilt, Gen. George P.
Morris the poet, Hon. Samuel Johnson, Hon. Edward
Copeland, Hon. John Greenwood, Hon. John A. King,
Hon. Henry C. Murphy, Arthur James, Alden J.
Spooner, and many others. The bill ofEered for the
occasion was Dr. Northall's dramatization of "David
Copperfield." The cast of characters comprised the
names of William E. Burton, Kufus R. Blake, Lester
Wallack, T. B. Johnston, Mrs. Russell, (Mrs. Hoey),
Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Skerret and Miss Hill (afterwards
Mrs. W. E. Burton). The after-piece was a burlesque
from the pen of Dr. Northall* entitled " Lucy-did-
Sham-Amour." Miss Caroline Chapman appeared in
her original character of Lucia.
* Dr. William Knight Northall was the son of William Knight Northall
of England ; his father came over to Brooklyn in 1830, and finding here
a promising field, sent for his son. who had been educated for a surgeon-
dentist. The Doctor soon got into an extensive practice, interrupted, how-
ever, by sickness and nervousness, which forced him at times to seek relief
in opium. He soon began to display his accomplishment as a writer, and
was the first editor of the " Brooklyn Daily Advertiser." Subsequently he
engaged as dramatist with Mr. Mitchell, manager of the N. Y. Olympic
Theatre, and Mr. Burton, of the Chambers Street Theatre, N. Y. He wrote
travesties for these managers, all of which met with great success. Many of
them embraced Shakespeare's pLiys. He had also great aptitude for sketch-
ing, as his capital portrait of Jacob Patchen, "The last of the leather
breeches," now in the rooms of the Long Island Historical Society will
attest. Besides editorials and plays in great numbers, he wrote the life of
1112
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
During the winter and spring of 1851, several other
attempts were made to revive the Museum, with J. R.
Scott in some of his hest parts, and Chanfrau as
" Mose," but to no effect.
On December 7th, several members of the profession
gave the Fire Department a benefit, on which occasion
C. W. Clark, Gabriel Harrison, Mr. Macdonald, Conner,
Mrs. J. K. Scott and Miss Mestayer appeared. It was
a success, turning in, as it did, over two hundred dol-
hirs.
1852. — The Museum now fell into the hands of
the amateurs, with an occasional performance by pro-
fessionals.
1853. — "The Brooklyn- Athenaeum" opened
its doors for the first time on May 2d. The building,
a very fine structure, stands on the northeast corner of
Atlantic and Clinton streets. It contains a fine, large
lecture and concert room, with a small stage and drop
curtain, but not convenient for dramatic perform-
ances.
During the early part of September, 1853, the writer
proposed and organized a society, called the Brooklyn
Dramatic Academy. The object of the association was
to educate ladies and gentlemen for the stage, and give
private performances twice a mouth. TJie Museum
was taken for the purpose, and after some renovation
they gave tlieir first performance to a crowded and select
audience. Among tlie members were several profes-
sional gentlemen, who had partly retired from the
stage. The organization had a prosperous existence
for several years. The press of Brooklyn spoke of the
Society in the highest terms, and on the day after its
first performance, one of the Brooklyn papers made
the following remarks : " The first dramatic perform-
ance of the ' Brooklyn Dramatic Academy' took place
last niglit, and was attended by an overflowing audience.
The stage and boxes were beautifully decorated for the
occasion. In front of the stage hung a large wreath
of flowers, in the center of which were the words, 'The
Drama.'' The columns on each side of the stage bore
the names in gold of the most celebrated American
George Frederick Handel Hill (the Yankee comedian), and lectures on den-
tistry. He at length accepted an invitation to visit New Orleans, and take
a position as one of the editors of the " Delta." He was there a short time
when the cholera appeared, and he attempted to return home to Brooklyn,
by steamer: when a few days out ho, with several others, was seized with the
frightful malady, and died. The Doctor was a most excellent companion.
His wit was always genial and playful. Miss Julia Northall. so well known
for a time as an admirable vocalist, was his sister. He was for several
years a member of the Brooklyn Hamilton Literary Association, and some
of his piquant papers are noted in its early records. He was a most excel-
lent dramatic critic, and was doubtless the best adapter of humorous pieces
at the time the stage had in the country. He was the first Brooklyn man
noted as a dramatist, and this (too inadequate) sketch of him, in connection
with the progress of the drama in Brooklyn, is eminently proper. He was
the author of the following pieces : " David Copperfleld." " She's come,*'
" Musical Arrivals," " Macbeth Travestie," " Virginius Travestie," *' Old
King Cole," "Magic Arrow," "Taming a Tartar," " Mount Cristey," "Lucy-
did-sham-amour," *' Here and There," "Jenny Phobia," " Arrival of the
Kings of Eurojie," " New York in Slices," "Three Gifts," "Two Dukes,"
" Magic Horse," and several laughable pieces for the negro minstrel stage.
and European dramatic authors. The scenery and all
the stage appointments were the finest ever wit-
nessed in Brooklyn. The opening play was 'William
Tell,' with Gabriel Harrison as 'Tell.' The characters
were well cast, and the performance excellent through-
out. Perhaps the organization will be able to accom-
plish its main object in trying to create a taste for the
drama in Brooklyn."
1854. — About the only thing of any note in the
way of the drama that was done in this year, was a
benefit, given by the members of the " Dramatic Acad-
emy," for the widows and orphans of the firemen who
lost their lives at what was called the "Jennings
Fire " in New York. The result yielded several hun-
dred dollars.
1855. — -The Howards took the old Brooklyn
Museum, wciA produced "Uncle Tom's Cabin," with
little Cordelia Howard, the original Eva, and Mrs.
Howard, the original Topsy, in the cast. It had a suc-
cessful twelve nights' run.
After a few weeks' absence, the Howards reappeared
at the Museum in "The Lamplighter," with little
Cordelia as the attractive feature of the jjlay. The
drama in Brooklyn was now dead in almost every par-
ticular. In 1856-57 and '58, there were some few at-
tempts at the drama on the little stage of the Brooklyn
Athenseum. The only prominent dramatic feature
that occurred there, was on February 2d, 1858, when
Mrs. Frances Ann Kemble read to a select but small
audience Shakespeare's " Cymbeline." On the 4th of
February, she read " Richard III," and on the 6th,
" Henry VIII." On the last two nights the audience im-
proved in numbers, and well they might, or Brooklyn
be eternally disgraced for the want of sufficient intelli-
gence to appreciate this woman's remarkable genius.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music—
Brooklyn now was growing rapidly, and many of its
citizens who did not like going to New York to seek
dramatic entertainment, began to talk about the want of
a first-class building in Brooklyn, where the opera and
the drama could both be performed. The writer, in con-
junction with Judge Greenwood, Alden J. Spooner,
and a few others interested in the progress of the drama
and music in Brooklyn, called a meeting at the old
Museum (which had now changed its name to that of
Music Hall) for the purpose of securing the erection of
an Academy of Music.
The idea met with general approval. Several other
meetings were called, and finally, on the evening of Oc-
tober 22d, 1858, about fifty of the first citizens of Brook-
lyn attended a public meeting to consider the necessity
of a first-class building for opera and concert purposes.
Mr. Whitehouse was called to the chair. Mr. A. A.
Low and several other gentlemen made strong speeches
in favor of amusements in Brooklyn, and Judge Green-
wood offered the following resolution :
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1113
Resolved, That the time has come when the citizens of this
rapidly growing city should have a building where they can ob-
tain the benefits to be derived from innocent and instructive
amusements. And instead of being obliged, as they now are, to
go beyond the bounds of their own city for such purposes, a
building should be immediately erected of sufficient capacity to
accommodate the largest audience which will likely be drawn
together.
Other resolutions provided for a joint stock corpora-
tion, with a capital of $300,000, whereon Mr. A. A.
Low, Edward Wliitehouse, Luther B. Wyman, S. B.
Chittenden, Judge Greenwood, A. M. White, H. E.
Pierrepont, E. D. Plymptou, J. Carson Brevoort and
others were appointed as a committee to make definite
plans for the object. On the 19th of March, 1859, the
act of coiporation was passed, authorizing a capital of
$150,000, with power to increase the sum to $300,000 ;
the stock to be held in shares of $50 each, with an
inducement ofEered that each subscriber to the amount
of ten shares should have free admission to all enter-
tainments without the right to reserved seats. Among
the largest subscribers were A. A. Low, S. B. Chitten-
den, Thomas Hunt and H. E. Pierrepont. In a few
weeks the desired amount was obtained ; and on May
the 18th, 1859, the following gentlemen were appointed
the Building Committee : A. A. Low, S. B. Chitten-
den, G. P. Thomas, H. E. Pierrepont, Luther B. Wy-
man, Arthur W. Benson, and E. I. Lowber. Mr. Eidlitz
was selected as the architect, John French rnason, I.
lleeves carpenter, and H. W. Calyo scenic artist.
The work of excavation commenced on October 6th,
1859. As the building advanced, the stock was in-
creased to $300,000, which proved to be the full cost of
the edifice when completed, allowing it to start free of
debt, a fact seldom occurring in the erection of an
opera-house.
1861.— The Academy of Music was duly inaugu-
rated by a grand concert on Tuesday evening, Janu-
ary 15th, and a ball on Thursday evening, January
17th. On the opening night, Mr. S. B. Chittenden, at
that time President of the Board of Directors, delivered
an address. The Committee on Entertainments were
Luther B. Wyman, S. B. Chittenden, A. Cooke Hull,
Judge John Greenwood, W. M. Kichards, and J. W.
Degrauw.
Progkamme
OF THE OPENING ENTERTAINMENTS,
Tuesday eocninij, Jan. 1-5, 1861.
Vocal and Instrumental Concert, under the direction of 3Ir.
Theo. Eisfeld, conductor.
The Committee of Arrangements take pleasure in stating that
the services of the following eminent artists have been secured ;
Madame Colson Soprano.
Signer Brignoll Tenor.
' ' Ferri Baritone.
Susini Basso.
Signor Muzio, conductor of the vocal part.
Jos. Noll, leader of the full and complete orchestra of the
Philharmonic Society.
(2)
Pakt I.
Overture— "Dec Preischuh Weber
Quartette de " / Par'itani,"—" A te Cara amor Focoso"
Madame Colson, Bkignoli, Ferei and Colletti.
Aria de " Don Giouanni ''— "Madamina" Mozart
Signor Cotj etti.
Belerode, '^ Vespers Siciliemies" Verdi
Madame Colson.
Duetto de " Don Pa.s-7iia(e"— E rimasto impietrato"
Madame Colson, Brignoli, Ferri and Colletti.
Part II.
Overture— "(ridiiaione Tell" Eossini
Duetto de " Don Giovanni"^" La ci darem la mano Mozart
Madame Colson and Ferri.
Eomanza de " Marlha." Floton
Signor Brignoli.
Chanson a vere de " Manon L'Escanl" Auber
Madame Colson.
Eomanza de " Ernani." Verdi
Signor Ferri.
Gran Finale de " Lucia." Donizetti
Madame Colson, Brignoli, Ferri and Colletti.
Duetto de " Belissario" " Ziberi Siete" , Donizetti
Brignoli and Ferri.
' ■ Schiller March." Meyerbeer
Second Entertainment.
Ihursday evening, January 17, 1861.
A Grand Promenade and Ball.
Tickets of admission for both evenings, $5.00.
Eeserved seats to the concert without extra charge.
The concert gave perfect satisfaction to the audience.
Although the night was disagreeable, yet the house
was filled to overflowing. At the close of the first
overture the drop curtain, representing the "Temple
of Apollo,"was slowly let down to the stage, in front of
the crimson one, wheii of a sudden the full force of over
a thousand Jets of gas was turned on, producing almost
an electric effect ; illuminating, as it did, the fine ef-
fort of the artist, and revealing more definitely the
splendid proportions of the house.
The Academy of Music fronts on Montague street, 250 feet
long, running parallel with the street, and 92 feet wide. There
are seven entrances on Montague street. The main entrance is
at the west end, towards Clinton street. The vestibule which
leads into the theatre proper is spacious, and decorated in the
same style as the interior, which is a sort of cross between the
Turkish and Gothic, done in stencil, with the coloring sombre
of brown and low key yellows, not wholly appropriate to a build-
ing of its nature. There are three entrances from the vestibule to
the lobby that forms itself around the auditorium. To the left
and right are two stairways, seven feet wide, one leads to the
gallery and the other to the dress circle. There are five en-
trances from the lobby to the parquette, which contains 425 arm
chairs.
The balcony around the parquette seats 460, and dress cir-
cle about the same number ; while the gallery contains room
enough to make the seating of the house number 2,300. There
are six large proscenium boxes, several private rooms for the
directors of the building, and a large assembly room over the
vestibule. The stage of this building is its finest feature, and
in size is almost equal to Drury Lane or Covent Garden Thea-
tres London. The width is 90 feet, depth 86 feet. The open-
ing between the proscenium is 55 feet, with a height of over 60
feet, while the accommodations of stage-traps, green-room, and
IIU
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
dressing-rooms are every ample for all purposes connected
wtth drama or opera. The whole building is a solid and fine
piece of masonry, and for its object has not its superior in the
cauntry ; and, whatever may be its faults as to interior coloring,
still it reflects the highest credit on all concerned with its incep-
tion and completion.
When this building was lirst opened, it was intend-
ed that the drama should not enter within its "sacred
walls," but that opera, concerts and balls would fully
occupy its stage and floor. This, however, proved to
be a great mistake ; operas, concerts and balls were not
so plentiful, or in sufficient demand to give continuous
support to the building. Besides, a large and highly
respectable proportion of the public desired the drama,
and demanded it. Several of the best managers of New
York had made application for the building for a large
number of nights, but their applications had been re-
fused, on the ground that the building was not intend-
ed for dramatic purposes ; while, at the same time, it
had every facility in scenery, etc., for opera or drama-
tic performances. It was, in fact, a first-class theatre.
Finally, the people's voice for the drama was so strong
and the applications of managers so numerous that
the matter forced itself before the Board of Directors,
and a committee was appointed, consisting of Judge
Greenwood, R. R. Raymond and Mr. Lambert, to de-
cide whether the drama should be admitted into the
building. To their honor and enlightenment be it
said, they reported favorably, and saved the city of
Brooklyn from a lasting stigma that would have dis-
graced the bigotry of the most stupid Puritan. It was
not long before the utterances of the great dramatists
resounded amid the pillars and archways of this fine
temple. The celebrated Hackett and Edwin Forrest
were the first applicants to introduce the drama into
the Academy of Music. These gentlemen had been re-
fused, while the Board of Directors allowed a " horse-
traiuer," by the name of Jolin S. Rarey, to disgrace the
building. However, prejudice soon hung her head in
shame,and the tragic and the comic muse, as developed
by the genius of a Shakespeare and a Sheridan, a John-
son, a Garrick, and a Siddons, were then accorded their
proper place within the walls of this splendid edifice,
and did more for its maintenance and success than
anything else that occurred there.
The first performance after the opening of the build-
ing was given by the Brooklyn Philharmonic Society,
on Saturday evening. Jan. 19th; after this many
operas and concerts followed in rapid succession, which
will be particularized in our chapter upon the His-
tory of Music in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn at this time had nearly 400,000 inhabi-
tants and, was still withouta permanently open theatre.
This is unprecedented in the histories of cities of the
same size throughout the civilized world. Yet, from
the fact of the opening of the Academy of Music, we
shall find the space at our command crowded with a
larger number of performances than hitherto; and can
notice only those entertainments which were of a superior
character; minor concerts and dramatic performances
can find no record here. The beginning of the dramatic
history of any city showing its struggles for advance-
ment and recognition, is far more important and inter-
esting than its history after it has obtained a proper basis.
The following is acopy of the bill of the inauguration
of the drama in the Academy:
BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
Lesee Henry C. Jarrett.
First Dramatic Peifornianee
ever given in this building will take place on
Monday Evening, December 23d, 1861.
When will be presented Shakespeare's great Tragedy of
" Hamlet."
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Mr. E. L. Davenport
Tlie Ghost of Hamlet's Father Mr. J. W. Wallace
Polonius Mr. Mark Smith
Laertes Mr. J. H. Allen
Horatio Mr. Henry Langdon
First Gravedigger Mr. T. Placide
Gertrude, Queen of Denmark Mrs. J. W. Wallack
Ophelia Mrs. .Julia Bennett Barrow
King Mr. Kingsland
Osrick Mr. H. G. Clark
Bernardo Mr. Matthews
fVancisco Mr. Proctor
Actress Miss Gimber
Rosencrantz Mr. Ferguson
Guildenstein Mr. Van Deering
First Actor Mr. Livingston
Marcellus Mr. Garland
Second Gravedigger Mr. J. Sefton
Prices of Admission.
Secured seats in Parquette and Balcony $1.00.
Balcony, Parquette, and Dress Circle .50c.
Family Circle 25c.
The piece was well placed upon the stage and well
performed. Davenport and Wallack were fine in their
respective parts. The house was crowded in every
part.
The Second Dramatic Performance
took place on Tuesday, December 34th, on which oc-
casion Sheridan's great comedy of The School for
Scandal was performed, with the following cast:
Joseph Surface, Mr. J. W. Wallack ; Charles Surface, Mr. E. L.
Davenport ; Sir Peter Teazel, Mr. Mark Smith ; Sir Oliver Surface,
Mr. George H. Andrews ; Qra}>tree, Mr. Thomas Placide ; Sir
Benjamin Backbite, Mr. J. H. Allen ; Careless, Mr. Langdon ;
Moses, Mr. J. O. Sefton ; [Lady Teazel, Mrs. J. B. Barrow ; Mrs.
Oamlow, Mrs. Brougham ; Lady Sneerwell, Miss Irving ; Maria,
Miss Gimber.
Third Dramatic Night. — Wednesday, December 25th, 1861,
Shakespeare's tragedy ot "Othello," with the following cast: Othello,
Mr. E. L. Davenport ; lago, Mr. J. W. Wallack ; Brabautio, Mr.
Mark Smith ; Cassio, Mr. J. H. Allen ; Montana, Mr. H. Lang-
don; Emelia, Mrs. J. W. Wallack; Desdemona, Mrs. Julia B.
Barrow; Boderigo, Mr. J. O. Sefton ; Duke of Venice, Mr. Kings-
land ; Gratiano, Mt. Ferguson; Ludouico, Mr. Van Deering;
Julio, Mr. Matthews ; Messenger, Mr. Garland.
The fourth performance was that of London Assurance; the
fifth that of Damon and Pythias, concluding with the comedy of
the Honey-moon.
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1115
These performances were great sucCfesses. Nothing
further of dramatic importance occurred at the Aca-
demy of Music in the first season of its existence.
1862.— Mr. James W. Nixon, manager, presented
the celebrated tragedian Mr. Edwin Forrest, for eight
nights, at the Academy of Music, with new scenery,
etc.
Mr. Forrest's first appearance here was on Monday,
February 10th, 1863, as King Zear, supported by John
McCullongh as Edgar, Miss Athena as Cordelia, Mad.
Ponisi as Goneril, and Mrs. N. K. Forrester as
Regan. The tragedywas remarkably well placed
upon the stage. Mr. J. R. Smith, one of the best
scenic artists in America at the time, painted
several new scenes for the piece ; and, indeed, it
was the first time that any effort had been made
to place a performance on the Academy stage
with suflBcient attention to make it worthy of public
remark. The house on this occasion was crowded in
every part, and the reception which the grand actor
received must have been even highly satisfactory to
him, who had so often stood before crowded audiences
in the largest theatres iii the world. On Wednesday,
Feb. 12, he played in Jack Cade, supported by the
same company, and with new and appropiate scenery,
by J. R. Smith; on Thursday, February 13, in Vir-
ginius; on Friday, February 14, in Richelieu; on
Monday, February 17, as Damon in Damon and Py-
thias; on Wednesday, February 10, in Metamora,
(never before performed in Brooklyn), with new
scenery, etc.; on Thursday, February 20 as Spartacus
in Tlie Gladiator; on Friday evening, February
21, he had a benefit, on which occasion he appeared
in the tragedy of Hamlet. During Mr. Forrest's en-
gagement the price of admission was 50c., reserved
seats 50c. extra.
Other combinations soon followed, with such stars as
John Gilbert, John E. Owens, Lester Wallack, Miss
Bateman, Matilda Heron, Hackett as Falstaff, etc.,
etc. Tuesday, Dec. 23, Mr. Edwin Booth appeared
for three nights, as Richelieu, Sir Edward Mortimer,
and Shylock.
After these performances followed all the best drama-
tic combinations and stars. Mr. Lester Wallack fre-
quently brought over his company from New York,
and presented the old English comedies with the full
strength of his company. Joseph Jefferson performed
his great character of Rip Van Winkle many times
to crowded houses. Miss Charlotte Cushman played
Queen Catherine, Meg Merrilies, and Lady Macbeth
with great success. Laura Keene frequently brought
over her Olympic company.
The Celebration of the 300th Birthday of
Shakespeare, 1864.— On April 23d, 1864, a "com-
plimentary testimonial" was given to Gabriel Harrison,
under the auspices of the members of the Long Island
Historical Society. The date of 23d of April happening
to be the three hundredtli anniversary of Shakespeare's
birthday, Mr. Harrison turned the occasion into a cele-
bration of the Bard's birthday, and, in order to make
the occasion befitting, produced a series of tableaux vi-
vants, illustrating scenes from Shakespeare's principal
plays. The groupings contained over one hundred
personsin costume. Between the play and the tableaux,
Sprague's great ode to Shakespeare was read by Miss
Ellen Grey, in the character of Melpomene. The
evening's entertainment commenced, for the first time
in Brooklyn, with Shakespeare's five-act comedy of the
Twefth Night, with the following cast : Viola, Mrs. Con-
way; Malvolio, Mr. Conway; Diike Orsino, Mr. J.
Duff; Sir Toby Belch, Mr. A. Vincent ; Sir Andreio
Aguecheek, Mr. C. W. Lewis; Gloion, Mr. H. Hawks;
Antonio, Mr. T. H. Dow; Sebastian, Mr. H. S. Mur-
dock ; Fabian, Mr. T. Duncan ; Valentine, Miss Bur-
nett; Roberto, Mr. Wilkes; Friar, Mr. Perry; Olivia,
Miss E. King ; Maria, Miss Mowbray.
1863, like 1861, will stand out in bold relief in
the history and progress of the Drama in the City of
Brooklyn. Even the inauguration of the Academy of
Music had not yet satisfied the people, or given them a
temple devoted to the Drama solely, where they could
nightly gather for the enjoyment of rational amuse-
ment. The performances at the Academy were but
occasional, and, frequently, the prices too high to suit
all classes. Besides, the place became the resort of the
fashionable, who vied with each other in the display of
dress, which was the means of shutting out a large
number of highly intellectual people, who could not
afford the display of silks and velvets, or roll in fine
carriages to the Opera, Grand Concerts, or the Drama.
The public, however, by the opening of the Academy
of Music, had been awakened to the desire for the
Drama, and had tasted from the magic goblet of the
tragic muse, as presented by the great Forrest, with
his magnificent figure, voice, passion and pathos ; or
Matilda Heron, in her wonderful rendering of Camille,
with her tender and mysteriously sympathetic depths
of human nature, and whose mantle as an artist was fit
to adorn the shoulders of a Rachel. Miss Bateman,
too, had touched the hearts of young lovers of both
sexes by her charming personification of Juliet ; while
Falstaff, as rendered by Hackett, cracked the sides of
his audience by his unctuously told lies. Indeed, a
new spirit was infused in the people for a theatre
proper in the city, and not a building devoted to all
kinds of entertainments. In 1862 the upper part of
the building at the corner of Court and Remson streets
was fitted up in the form of a theatre, and opened as
Hooley's Opera House, and was devoted
wholly to negro minstrel exhibitions. This place be-
came a success at the start, and acted as another incent-
ive for a theatre. The writer, who was always anxious
to have a theatre in Brooklyn, appreciated these fiicts,
at once called on Buckley T. Benton, Esq., who was
Ilia
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
finally induced to build a theatre. On the Ist of
May, 1863, the foundation for the building was com-
menced. The writer at once became an applicant,
among many others, for the lesseesliip, and accom-
plished his object at a rental of 86,500 per year.
The Park Theatre Opened.— On Monday
evening, September l-lth, 1803, the first regularly
established Theatre was opened in the City of Brook-
lyn. The writer named it the " Park Theatre," after
the old Park 'I'heatre of New York, for many years the
honored temple of the Drama in this country.
The location of the theatre is on Fulton street, directly oppo-
site the City Hall. The front is of N'lva Scotia stone, presenting
a handsome elevation of 60 feet, with a width of 56 feet. The
entrance is in the centre of this huilding, while the theatre ex-
extends 110 feet along Adams street. The auditorium has a
parquette and a dress circle, or gallery. The theatre seated
1,200 people, llr. Gabriel Harrison here introduced, for the first
time in any theatre, what he termed "sunken footlights," so that
the front edge of the stage was not interrupted by the scolloped
tins, which usually prevented a full sight of the actors' feet. This
was an innovation that was soon followed by almost every theatre
in the country. The ceiling was handsomely frescoed with the
representation of the patron-muses ; and, instead of the usual
brackets and globes of light projecting out from the side walls,
perplexing the sight, a large corrugated reflector hung from the
ceiling, imparting a mellowness of light that was perfectly
agreeable to the sight. The stage was GO feet broad by 31 feet
deep. There were two private boxes, and the whole theatre had
a bright and pleasing effect.
The object of the manager was to conduct the
theatre on the most refined principles, with a stock
company of excellent artists for the performance of
light and pleasing comedies, dramas, and musical
pieces of erery character. The following is the bill for
the opening night:
PARK THEATRE.
Fulton Street, opposite City Hall.
Lessee and Managee Gabriel Harrison.
Stage Manager Mr. B. A. Baker.
Scenic Artist Mr. George Tirrell.
Mr. Gabriel Harrison
Respectfully Informs the public that this New and Elegant
Theatre will open for the
ReGULAK SEA.SON
On Monday evening, September 14th, 1863, with a first-class
company, consisting of the following ladies and gentlemen :
Miss Henrietta Irving From the Western Theatre.
Miss Mary Shaw From the Baltimore Theatre.
Miss E. Couren From the Boston Theatre.
Miss E. Burnett From Niblo's Garden.
Madam Pozzoni From the St. Louis Theatre.
Mrs. Ty rell From Laura Keene's Theatre.
Miss Curtis, Miss Singleton and Miss Norton.
Mr. George H. Andrews From the Old Park Theatre, N. Y.
Mr. Delmon Grace From Winter Garden, N.Y.
Mr. George Metkiff From Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
Mr. Walter Lennox From Laura Keene's, N. Y.
Mr. T. C. Gonilay From Niblo's Garden, N. Y-
Mr. George Rea, Mr. S. Florence, Mr. H. Flood, and Mr. B. A.
Baker Of the Old Olympic, N. Y.
Together ■» ith a numerous Corps de Ballet.
On this occasion will be presented Buckstone's excellent
Comedy, in three acts, entitled
"Married Life."
Mr. Coddle Mr. George H. Andrews.
Mrs. Coddle Miss H. Irving.
Mr. Dore Mr. Walter Lennox.
Mrs. Dore Miss Mary Shaw.
Mr. Lionel Lynx Mr. Delmon Grace.
Mrs. Lionel Lynx Miss E. Couran.
Mr. Younghusband Mr. Metkifif.
Mrs. Tounghushand .^ Miss Burnett.
Mr. Dismal Mr. Gourlay .
Mrs. Dismal Mrs. Tyrell.
To conclude with the musical farce of
" The Loan of a Looer."
Feier Spyke Mr. Walter Lennox.
Captain Amesfort Mr. Metkiff.
Sirezsell Mr. Gourlay.
Deh-e Mr. Rea.
Gertrude (with song) Miss Mary Shaw.
Ernestine Mi.ss Burnett.
Orchestra, of 26 performers, under the leadership of John M.
Loretz, Jr.
Price of Admission.
Private Boxes $5.00
Orchestra Chairs 1.00
Parquette 75
Balcony 50
Family Circle 25
No Kzlra Charge for lieserved Seats.
The theatre was packed from parquette to gallery.
The following expression of the success of the opening
we take from the New YorTc Times :
"The charming little theatre, the first attempt of our sister
city in the dramatic line proper, was opened last night to the
fullest house we have ever seen. Long before the rise of the
curtain, the cheerful placard of ' standing room only ' was
placed conspicuously at the door, and hundreds were compelled
to go away disappointed. We have already given a detailed de-
scription of the house, which for neatness and elegance of finish,
is a credit to the city and an exception even in the long list of
metropolitan theatres. The bill for the first night included
' Married Life ' and 'The Loan of a Lover.' The company in-
cludes several well-known names, prominent among which are :
Mr. G. H. Andrews, " Old Park," favorite, and Miss Mary Shaw,
sister to Mrs. Hoey and Mrs. Watkins. It would not be fair to
criticise closely the initial performance of an opening night,
and yet it afibrds us pleasure to state that Mr. Harrison's cast,
scenery and appointments are by no means inferior even to
those which at Wallack's last season we so pleasantly remem-
ber. Mr. Tirrell's scenes are worthy of special commendation,
ranking far above those of ordinary establishments, and worthy
really to be examined as works of art. After the first piece, Mr.
Harrison, who was loudly called for, made a neat and telling
speech, thanking the audience for their generous patronage and
promising to do all in his power to deserve a continuance of
public favor. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Loretz,
Jr., was well balanced, plastic, and practically useful."
The house was well filled night after night to wit-
ness such pieces as "The Soldier's Daughter," " Beauty
and the Beast," "John of Paris," " Sketches in India,"
and such light pieces. On Monday night, November
16th, the style of the performance was changed to a
heavier class of plays, in which the manager, Gabriel
Harrison, appeared as Julieu St. Pierre in Sheridan
Knowles' tragedy of "The Wife," in which he was sup-
ported by Miss Irving as Marianne, with the rest of
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1117
the cast filled out to the best ability of the company.
It is always an unpleasant task to write in the personal
pronoun I, even when used with the greatest modesty,
but as the matter is one of history, the writer shall
allude to himself as if speaking of another person. On
Mr. Harrison's first appearance, the house was crowded
in every part, and he met with such a success as an
actor that he performed the one character for a whole
week. The second week he performed die character of
" Claud Melnotte " in "The Lady of Lyons;" third
week, " Carwin " in the drama of "Therese ;" fourth
week, in the drama of " The Impostor." This was the
first production of a Brooklyn dramatist on a Brooklyn
stage. It was a translation from the French, made by
John J. Eyan, one of the editors of the Nexo York
Herald, and adapted to the stage by Gabriel Harrison.
This drama had a run for ten nights, and was with-
drawn on account of the illness of Mr. Harrison.
Tlie New York Herald remavked that "Mr. Harrison conceived
and acted his characters with great power. He has a nervous
manner and an excellent voice, which he manages well. Per-
fectly at ease on the stage, he is also utterlj' without the affected
poses, exits and other traditional nonsense of the profession,
and is a valuable addition to our list of actors."
The Akw York World endorsed the above in saying:
" Mr. Gabriel Harrison has a firm appreciation of stage art.
He has a capital presence, enunciates finely, and furnishes
throughout excellent reading of his text. His actions are ani-
mated, easy and natural, and in some scenes he is surpassingly
fine. There is a taste and a gentlemanliness in all that he
does."
These remarks of the press were more than gratify-
ing to the writer. Success and fortune seemed to be
extending their hands, but sunshine can be obscured in
the brightest day. Mr. John J. Ryan, of the Herald, and
several other highly cultured gentlemen, suggested that
Mr. Harrison should introduce the English Opera upon
the boards of his theatre. The idea seemed a good one,
and Mr. Harrison immediately organized an English
opera troupe.
1864. — After some three weeks' preparation of
new scenery, dresses, &c., &c., at an expense of nearly
$3,000, he announced the engagement of Mad. Compte
Borchard, of the Italian opera, as sorprano, Mr. Wil-
liam Castle as tenor, Mr. S. C. Campbell, baritone, and
Mr. Theodore Thomas as leader of the orchestra.
Castle and Campbell were members at the time of a
minstrel troupe, and had never before performed in
opera. The orchestra had thirty in number, and the
chorus thirty-seven picked voices.
Monday evening, January 4th, 1864, was presented Balfe's
opera, in four acts, entitled the Bohemian Girl, with the following
cast, viz: Arline, Mad. Compte Bochard ; Gypsie Queen, Miss
Mary Shaw; Tliaddeus (his first appearance in opera), Mr. W.
Castle ; Count Arnheim. (his first appearance in opera), Mr. S. C.
Campbell ; Devilshoof, Mr. Geo. Kea ; Fiorstein, Mr. Pike ;
Captain of the Guard, Mr. Florence ; Tambourine Dance, Miss
Jennie Gourley ; Conductor, Mr, Theodore Thomas ; Master of
Chorus, Mr. Metzler, New scenery, dresses, &c., ko.
The houses were crowded for a few nights, and al-
though the press of Now York and Brooklyn spoke of
the i^erformance in the highest terms, still, with the
extraordinary expenses of the two companies, the man-
ager found it impossible after a few months' struggle to
keep his theatre open any longer. The operas of
"Maritani," "The Bohemian Girl," and "Era Diav-
olo " had been placed upon the stage in the best pos-
sible style to no other efiect than the ruin of the
manager; and, in the latter part of Eebruary, 1864,
Mr. Harrison retired from the management of the Park
Theatre. The house was then let out to Miss Fanny
Herring, who performed for a week; after her Mr.
Hackett had the house for a week, and the theatre
changed hands till April 2d, when Mr. and Mrs. Con-
way became the lessees, and opened with the play of
Ingomar, themselves taking the parts of Ingomar and
Parthenia. They met with some success. Their sum-
mei^ season, as they called it, lasted nineteen nights,
when they closed the theatre until the 3d of Septem-
ber, on which occasion they re-opened the Park Theatre
with the comedy of "School for Scandal" to a full
house, with Mr. and Mrs. Conway performing the
leading characters. The first season of Mr. Conway's
management was a struggle, but by hard work and ex-
cellent management (with an occasional introduction
of stars) the theatre became a marked success. At the
time they took the theatre, the great Rebellion was
over, and the people of the North flushed with victory,
and an immense amount of money, put into circulation
by the paying oft' of thousands of troops, gave the
masses means for enjoyment, and all kinds of places of
amusement gathered in rich harvests.
The Brooklyn Theatre.— The Conways ex-
tended their ambition, and after several years of
brilliant success in the little Park Theatre, they felt
that they must have a larger one. Upon their
application. Judge McCue, Messrs. Kingsley and
Keeney purchased the old St. John's Church projierty
on the southeast corner of Washington and Johnston
streets, and at once began the erection of a fine theatre.
It had a width of seventy feet on Johnston street and
one hundred and twenty-eight feet deep, parallel with
Washington street, with the entrance to the auditorium
on the extreme south end on Washington street. This
entrance was 28 feet wide by 40 feet deep. The face of
the building was constructed of Philadelphia brick with
brown stone trimmings, with no pretension to arch-
itectural beauty. The auditorium was well arranged
and the decorations were of the richest description. It
was equal in this respect to any of the finest theatres in
New York City.
Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Conway were the lessees, and the doors of
the Brooklyn Theatre were open for the first time on October 2d,
1871, with Lord Lytton's admirable character comedy of Money,
with the following distribution of characters: Alfred Evelyn,
Mr. Frank Koche ;* -Sir John Fesey, Mr. F. Chippendale ; Mr.
1118
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
Graves, Mr. E. Lamb ; Sir Fredrick Blount, Mr. M. A. Ken-
nedy ;* Capiain Dudley Smooth, Mr. R. C. White ;* Mr. David
Stoui, Mr. G. C. Charles ;* Lord Rosemore, Mr. C. Loveday ;*
Old Member, Mr. George Spear ;* Sharp, Mr. J. Mackay ; Sec
vant, Mr. F. Edwards ; Toke, Mr. A. S. Wright ; Clara Douglas,
Miss Ella Burns ;• Lady Franklin, Mrs. Farren ;♦ Oeonjiana
Vesey, Miss Maud Ernest.* Prior to the comedy, an opening
address, written by Mr. John Brougham, was delivered by Mr.
and Mrs. F. B. Conway, and at the rising of the curtain the
national ode of the " Star Spangled Banner " was sung by the
entire company.
The house was crowded with a brilliant audience,
and the future of the theatre promised prosperity; but
the Conways lost during their management, up to 1875,
over $12,000. After the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Con-
way, which occurred within one year of each other, in
1874 and 1875, their daughters managed the theatre
for a short time, but not successfully.
No two dramatic artists were ever connected with
the history of the drama in Brooklyn more deserving
of a biographical notice than Mr. and Mrs. Conway.
For years they worked night and day for the ad-
vancement ot the drama and the pleasure of the peo-
ple, and we deeply regret that our limited space will
not allow us to do them justice in full detail.
Pbedebick Baktleti Conway was born in Clifton, England,
February 10, 1819, and was at the time of his death .55 years of
age. His father— known in dramatic history as the Elder Conway
— was an actor of eminence, one of the proud names that adorn
the British stage. Frederick, a lad of unusual promise, was en-
tered at Oxford at an early age, in the expectation that he
would adopt the clerical profession. The histrionic instinct of
his race was strong within him, however, and would not con-
form itself to the vocation selected for him. He broke away,
and went upon the stage as soon as his majority was attained.
With that quick, manly intelligence and artistic impulse
which were among the distinguishing features of his subsequent
career, his advancement was exceptionally rapid, and at the
age of 24 he had become one of the favorite impersonators of
"leading juvenile" characters in his native country. He was
judged competent to sustain opposite parts to the brightest stars
of the theatrical firmament, and the record shows that his pri-
vate life was one of moderation, modest and manful persever-
ance, and the closest attention to the study of an art he held in
prolound reverence. His fame grew steadily, and when, in
1851, he accompanied the eminent comedian, Mr. William Dav-
idge, to America, Mr. Conway found that his good name had
preceded him. His welcome in this country was prompt and
cordial, and he at once took high rank among the most capable
and erudite members of his profession. His first appearance in
America was made at the Broadway Theatre, New York, where
he performed Charles Surface in the " School for Scandal."
About this time Mr. Conway formed the acquaintance of a
brilliant young actress just then ascending to fame. Miss Sarah
Crocker. The acquaintance, promoted by an enthusiastic devo-
votion to a common art-purpose, speedily developed a tenderer
feeling, and the beautiful and talented young artiste soon be-
came Mrs. Conway. It was a brilliant and prosperous alliance
of hearts, animated by the generous impulse that leads to renown
—devotion to each other and to their art. Mr. Conway was
one of the most pains-taking and sympathetic artists that ever
supported a star actor. His admirable support of Edwin For-
rest for over one hundred nights at the Broadway Theatre, New
York, met with the full endorsement of the press. Mr. Forrest
• First appearance.
was one of those artists whose keen, good judgment and great
heart always raised him above the pettiness of attempting to add
to his own lustre by the aid of colorless surroundings. That
great actor knew — as every truly great actor always knows — that
he shone best when his support was most competent and intel-
ligent; and the writer takes great pleasure in stating, that two
years previous to Mr. Conway's death, while taking Thanksgiv-
ing dinner with the great tragedian, at his residence in Broad
street, Philadelphia, Mr. Forrest remarked " that he never in
his life, as a star actor, here or in Europe, met with a more able
supporter, a more genial gentleman, or a more thorough dra-
matic scholar than Mr. Conway," and this was perfectly true. At
the time of his first appearance in this country, at the Broadway
Theatre, in conjunction with Mr. Davidge, on the 19th of
August of that year, when the Broadway Theatre was reopened
by Marshall, with Mr. G. Barrett as stage manager, the initial
performance was " The School for Scandal" ; Mr. Conway play-
ing the part of Cliarles Surface. During the season he essayed
the characters of Hamlet, Macbeth, Olhello, Claude Melnotte,
Captain Aljsolute, and Doricourt, in all of which he was emi-
nently successful. Tragedy and light comedy were equally con-
genial to him, and he soon became an established favorite.
He also appeared in "The Stranger," with Miss Charlotte Cush-
man as Mrs. Ilaller, and in "The Husband of My Heart,"
as the Count de Fromsac. In the intervals of their engagements,
Mr. Conway, with his wife, made extended " starring tours,"
visiting the principal cities of the East, West, and South, and
meeting with favorable receptions wherever they played. Ad-
mirable as Mr. Conway was as a " star," his greatest reputation
was achieved while supporting Edwin Forrest, and though en-
dowed by nature and gifted in a remarkable degree, the secret of
Mr. Conway's success rested in his pains-taking conscientious-
ness; with him whatever was worth doing at all, was worth
doing well. His motto maybe said to have been, "Whatever
thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." His por-
trayal of the character of Jacques was a very fine performance.
His Elijar, in "Lear," was unapproachable. His Rolando, in
"The Honeymoon," as a piece of epigrammatic acting, if it
might be so termed, was the best that has ever been seen on the
American stage, and was only equaled by his representation of
Pythias, in 'Damon and Pythias." A favorite character with
him was MalvoUo, in "The Twelfth Night." In all the attri-
butes which form the gentleman, the actor, and the scholar, Mr.
Conway was the peer of the brilliant galaxy with whom he was
contemporary. His social qualities endeared him to a large cir-
cle of friends and admirers, who all felt alike the loss of Fred-
erick B. Conway.
He died Sept. 7th, 1871, in Manchester, Mass., whither he had
gone in quest of health and strength. Mr. Conway had been
in ill-health for nearly three years previously. His funeral took
place, Thursday, Sept. 10th, from the Church of the "Savior."
The Eev. Mr. Nye preached the funeral sermon, and over a
thousand people attended the service. He was buried amid
the quiet and leafy intervals of Greenwood, and his death was
sincerely felt by thousands of citizens. The Edwin Forrest Club,
of New York, of which he was a member, took appropriate action
in regard to the loss which the dramatic profession had sustained
in the death of this excellent artist.
Mrs. F. B. Conway, before meeting and marrying Mr. Con-
way, was known as Miss Sarah G. Crocker. She was born in
Litchfield, Conn., and was the daughter of Rev. Mr. Crocker, an
Episcopalian minister of that place. At two years of age, the
family moved to New York. In this city she imbibed a taste
for theatricals, and at the age of fifteen she entered the profes-
sion of which a sister had already become a member. It is
quite a coincidence that her first appearance upon any stage
was made in this city, although not a resident. This appearance
was made in the theatre attached to Du Flon's Military Garden,
already alluded to. Whether this first appearance was successful.
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1119
and whether she manifested the abilities which have since won
her a distinguished place in the American drama, the records
say not, and the lady herself was too modest to tell. It is pre-
sumed, however, that she was appreciated, for she remained the
season out. From thence she went to Baltimore, Maryland, and
became a member of the company of which Mr. John E. Owens,
the distinguished comedian, was the manager.
Severing her connection with this company, the lady joined
Purdy's National Theatre, in Chatam street, New York, then in
its glory, in 1850. Playing here one season, she is next found
upon the boards of the Broadway Theatre, where she met Mr.
Conway, whom she married during the engagement. The next
season, that oi 1852, she joined J. W. Wallack's company, taking
the position of leading lady, made vacant by the defection of
Miss Laura Keene. The company at Wallack's at this time was
one of the best gathered under his distinguished management.
The cast of " Much Ado About Nothing" will give the best idea
of the ability of his company, and we here present it : J. W.
Wallack, Jr., Benedick; Lester Wallack, Pedro; Jno. Dyott,
Claudia ; F. Chippendale, Antonio ; W. R. Blake, Dogberry; Chas.
Hale, Verges; Mrs. F. B. Conway, Beatrire; Mrs. Hale, Hero.
In this play Mrs. Conway fairly divided the honors of the
evening with Mr. Wallack. Here she remained, a great favorite
with the critical audiences of this theatre, for one season, and
then Mr. William Wheatly, having conceived the idea of build-
ing up a Wallack's in Philadelphia, leased the Arch Street
Theatre, and engaged Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Conway as members.
The company was exceeding strong, and was noted for the abil-
ity of the ladies, and Mrs. Conway was the leading lady. The
company comprised the names of Mrs. Conway, Mrs. D. P.
Bowers, Mrs. John Drew, Miss Caroline Riohings, Mrs. Anna
Cowell, then known as Miss Cruise, Mr. Conway, Mr. H. Perry,
Mr. George Boniface, Mr. E. F. Keach, Mr. John and Frank
Drew, and Mr. John E. Owens. The company separated at the
conclusion of the season, and the subject of our sketch with
her husband joined the fortunes of the Walnut Street Theatre.
At the conclusion of this season, Mr. and Mrs. Conway set out
upon a starring tour. For ten years they traveled up and
down the country, considered by managers among the most
remunerative stars then before the public. They added to their
fame and fortune, but the romance of traveling soon wears out,
and ten years showed them the vanity of wide spread fame.
They finally came to Brooklyn, took the management of the Park
Theatre, opening on a rainy night to a small house, on April 2d,
1864. The first season was gloomy in its prospects and very un-
profitable, hut pluck, perseverance, ability, and managerial tact
made the Park Theatre a success, and brought them wealth . The
funeral of Mrs. Conway took place from the same church as did
her husband's. She died April 28th, 1874, forty-two years old.
Her remains were deposited in Greenwood, by the side of her
husband.
And so, within the little space of one year, these two busy
people of the drama, who looked forward to wealth and dramatic
triumphs, were put to silence by that inscrutable power as against
which we are nothing.
After the daughters gave up the theatre, it was next
leased to Mr. Theodore Moss, of Wallack's Theatre,
but, Mr. Wallack refusing to lend his name to the en-
terprise, Mr. Moss forfeited what he had paid, and for
a time the theatre went begging until 1875, when
Messrs. Shook and Palmer, of the Union Square
Theatre, New York, became the lessees, and continued
to run it as a branch of their New York establishment,
performing all of their most attractive stars and pieces,
with but partial success. Under these managers oc-
curred the most frightful calamity that ever took place
in the history of the drama.
The Burning of the Brooklyn Theatre,
on Tuesday night, December 5th, 1876.
The flames were first seen creeping along one of the flies on
the left-hand side of the stage, and in less than two minutes all
the drapery was in flames, and forked tongues of the devouring
element could be seen creeping along through the canvas of
which the roof of the scenic cabin was composed. Such scenes
of terror on the part of a panic-stricken audience and of cool
perseverance and courage on the part of a few others— the actors
on the stage— have rarely, if ever before, been chronicled, either
in this or any other city. The curtain had risen on the last act
of the drama of "The Two Orphans." Miss Kate Claxton, who
was acting the part of Louise, the blind girl, lay on her pallet of
straw on the left-hand side of the stage, the scene being the boat-
house on the river, the home of La Prochard. Near stood Mrs.
Mary Ann Farren, La Frochard. Mr. J. E. Studley, who was
acting the part of Jacques Prochard, and Mr. H. S. Murdock,
Pierre, the cripple. Miss Claxton had already heard it whis-
pered behind the scenes that the theatre was on fire, but even
though she could see the flames directly over her, with rare
presence of mind and courage, she went on with the perform-
ance of her part, as did her companions, not one of them betray-
ing by look nor word the agitation felt by all. The flames
spread rapidly, however, and when the appalling fact could no
longer be kept from the audience— for some of those in the or-
chestra chairs had already discovered it and were starting up in
their seats— the actors, with one accord in beseeching tones, called
upon them for " God's sake to disperse quietly." Some person in
the audience shouted that the theatre was on fire, and the alarm-
ing cry of "Fire ! Fire !" was caught up by those in the family
circle and the gallery, until it was echoed and re-echoed from pit
to dome. Those of the audience who could retain their presence
of mind, in response to the advice of the actors, resumed their
seats, but it was only for a few seconds, and then began an in-
discriminate rush for the doors. The books of the box-office
show that there were seated in the theatre over one thousand
persons, two hundred and fifty of whom were seated in the par-
quet and orchestra, three hundred and fifty in the dress circle,
and four hundred and five in the upper gallery. Within three
minutes after the discovery of the fire, this mass of human be-
ings was clambering over the seats and over each other, in their
frantic endeavors to reach the exits. The entrances and cor-
ridors to the lower part of the house, which lead out to Wash-
ington street, were by no means commodious, but nevertheless
the crush in them was small compared with that at the exit from
the upper gallery. When the worst became known, the ushers
acted nobly and endeavored to quiet the terrified people, their
chief, Mr. Thomas Rochford, going down to and opening the
door leading out from the auditorium to Flood's alley, in the rear
of the theatre. This door afforded a means of escape for many
who might otherwise have lost their lives, and in a very short
time nearly every person who had been seated in the lower part
of the house had reached the street in safety.
This, however, was but the beginning of the end, for black
volumes of smoke began to roll from the burning scenery of the
stage into the body of the house, almost totally shutting off the
light of the gae, and depriving those in the house, for a few mo-
ments at least, of air to breathe. The scene at this moment was
one which beggars description. The actors had rushed from the
stage to save themselves, and having managed to escape the
clutches of the flames, met again in the street in their stage cos-
tumes and congratulated one another. The unfortunate and
terrified people in the dress-circle and gallery were rushing
pell-mell toward the one door which gave egress from each, and
through which only two or three persons could pass at one time.
The house was filled with smoke, and the air was almost stifling.
Men shouted and rudely jostled delicate women in their efforts
to reach the doors. Strong men shed tears, and women and
boys screamed with fright, a large number fainting away and
1120
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
being trampled under foot by the rushing mass. Thus far the
audience had seen rery little tlame, but the stage entrances and
the scene doors having opened, a strong current of air was let
into the rear of the building, which drove the flames out from
the stage-enclosure, and as they licked up everything in their
path, the whole interior of the building was lighted up with the
lurid glare. Many of the unfortunate people who had, up till this
time, preserved their equilibrium, now broke forth with heart-
rending cries for help. A few there were among this mass of
terrified and struggling humanity who made noble endeavors to
prevent their unknown companions from crushing one another to
death, but fell sufl'ocated under the feet of those whose lives they
were endeavoring to save. The flames roared and crackled as
they rvished upward toward the dome, and the hot, blinding and
suffocating smoke poured down mercilessly on the poor unfor-
tunates, whose efforts already showed signs of weakening. All
this, it must be remembered, was only the work of a few min-
utes, and still the devouring flames mounted higher and higher.
Three alarms had been rung in quick succession, and the en-
gines could be heard nearing the vicinity. The streets were
£lled with a throng of excited people, who ran hither and thither,
calling aloud the names of dear ones, whose voices could not be
heard in answer. Many were hatless and coatless, their garments
having been torn from them by the pushing and jostling of the
crowd.
The police of the First Precinct, under the command of Ser-
geants Eason and Cain, were on the ground within three minutes
after the breaking out of the fire, and did very effective work in
quieting the fears of the populace. These gallant men, divest-
ing themselves of their outer garments, rushed into the burning
building and, pushing their way on beyond the main corridor,
ascended the stairs leading to the dress circle, and assisted a
number to escape. On reaching the top of the staircase, how-
ever, the blinding smoke forced them to retreat. They did not
give up the gallant fight, however, and returned again, this time
ascending the stairs leading to the upper gallery, where they
found a mass of people, and were compelled to use their clubs
to prevent them from trampling one another to death. Inside,
meanwhile, the flames made rapid progress, and had forced their
way through the roof, which had become one sheet of seething
flame. The cries of the doomed auditors for help could no
•longer be heard, and the stream of people that had hitherto
poured forth from the burning building was rapidly diminish-
ing. An awful hush fell over the multitude, for it was well
known that there were still hundreds of people within the burn-
ing structure. These victims, in their terrible haste to reach the
street, became wedged together in a short turn in the staircase,
and thus prevented those from behind from escaping. Frantic
in their terror, those in the rear having more room than those
ahead of them, jostled and trampled upon one another, and it is
thought that very many were killed in this way. The volume
of flame which issued from the roof, and shot upward into the
air, rapidly increased, and soon the entire upjier part of the
building was one lurid sheet. In less than twenty minutes after
the sounding of the first alarm, the mansard roof fell in with a
crash, carrying with it to the cellar both the upi^er gallery and
the dress circle, with their freight of human beings. By this
time the entire Fire Department was on the spot, and numerous
streams of water were being poured into the burning building
and upon the adjoining houses, to which the efforts of the fire-
men were directed, in the hope that these, at least, might be
saved. Before the falling of the roof, some of the inmates en-
deavored to get through the windows, but so far as known, only
one succeeded, and he jumped to the roof of the station-house.
Another, who was immediately behind him, only succeeded in
catching hold of the sill of the window, when the smoke and
flame forced him to relax his hold, and he fell back into the
burning cauldron beneath, to share the fate of those who had
not succeeded in getting even so slight a chance of safety. Soon
the major portion of the Johnson street or southerly wall fell,
crushing beneath it a brick house and covering the street with
debris. A few minutes later, the easterly wall fell, and the
Brooklyn Theatre was a heap of smouldering ruins. Some of
the three hundred unfortunate people who had suffered such a
terrible death might even now have been left in a condition to
be recognized bj' their friends, but the gas burnt fiercely, light-
ing up the scene and sending a cloud of white steam into the
air. Hardly an hour had elapsed from the time of the breaking
out of the fire before the building was totally demolished, and the
flames well under control. Streams of water were kept pouring
upon the ruins during the remainder of the night, and it was
decided that at daylight the search for the missing ones should
commence. Mayor Schroeder, Commissioners Jourdan and
Vyhun, were present during the conflagration, directing the
movements of their subordinates.
A few minutes after four o'clock in the morning, they reached
the box-oflice and found the first body. It was that of a large
woman, and was lying face downward. Even at that hour many of
the most experienced firemen were of the opinion no great num-
ber of persons had lost their lives. A few hours later, however,
when daylight began to break, all doubt had vanished, and the
terrible reality was revealed. The smoke and steam were still
ascending in dense volumes, but an occasional puff of wind
blew aside the clouds, and the horror-stricken firemen saw the
bodies of the dead who had fallen through from the gallery piled
up in heaps. Chief Engineer Nevins at once assigned a com-
pany of firemen to remove the dead. From the front entrance
on Washington street, for a distance of about thirty feet, the floor
remained unburned, and at this point the work of removing the
bodies was commenced, and they were piled in a heap in the
entrance-way. Hardly any were recognizable except by their
clothing. At this time, the extent of the calamity was not full}'
known, and the crowd outside could be numbered by hundreds.
An hour later, when a large force of undertakers had arrived
with wagons, and the bodies began to be removed to the Morgue,
the excitement knew no bounds. The police force was doubled,
but for a time it seemed as if the excited crowd would break
down all barriers and rush bodily into the ruined theatre. The
half-burned and broken glass doors were pulled partially to-
gether, and a group of sturdy policemen was stationed in the
gap, with orders to allow no person to enter. This course en-
abled the firemen to pursue their dangerous work with a little
less peril to themselves.
The floor, with the exception of the portion just inside the
entrance, had fallen into the cellar, and it was at this point most
of the bodies were found. The second bend in the stairs lead-
ing to the top gallery, was immediately over the corridor. When
the gallery gave way, it fell into the cellar. In order to get out
the bodies, it was found necessary to have a large ladder, the
top of which rested at the entrance to the corridor on the ground
floor and the end on the smoking ruins. The rungs were hastily
covered with boards so as to make a gangway for the passage of
the undertakers' men. For hours the firemen worked down in
the smoking ruins, amid the still burning beams of the floor
and galleries. A stream of water was kept constantly playing into
the cellar. As the work progressed and the smoke became less
dense, the undertakers' cases were pushed down along the gang-
way, and the bodies placed in them and decently covered before
being taken up. Many men who anxiously strove and even
fought to obtain an entrance, turned sick when they had looked
once on the ghastly heap of the dead. Passing down into the
ruins among the firemen, the sight was complelely appalling.
One's powers of thought and speech were paralyzed. Even the
firemen, used to similar scenes, moved about awe-stricken and
silent among the heap of dead, pulling aside the debris wherever
possible with their hands, without resorting to the implements
of their craft. In one place the bodies of twenty persons, most
of them young and of the male sex, were found closely wedged
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1121
together, lying over each other in layers. They were not much
burned, but so blackened and bruised as to be beyond recogni-
tion. About noon, the body of officer Patrick McKearon, of the
Sanitary Squad, was taken from the ruins. He was detailed in
the gallery of the theatre, and died in the performance of his
duty. But of the four hundred persons in the gallery, not more
than one hundred escaped. The stairway was very narrow, and
had a tortuous bend just over the entrance to the main corridor.
At seven o'clock, December 6th, all the bodies which had fallen
through this passageway when the gallery gave way, had not been
recovered.
As soon as it became too dark for the men to see what they
were about, calcium lights were procured and placed at different
points among the ruins, and with their light, no difficulty was
experienced in continuing the work. In order to give more
light at the entrance, the burner of a street lamp on Washington
street, directly opposite, was broken off, and the heavy stream of
gas was lighted. It gave out a brilliant flame about eighteen
inches high, illuminating the street from one end of the block
to the other. The flooring of the lobby of the theatre was the
only part of the whole, which had not fallen through, and on the
further end of this another calcium light had been placed in
such a manner, as to throw its rays down into the space between
the side wall and foundation wall of the partition, dividing the
lobby and the auditorium, where the greater number of the
bodies were found. On the east side of the ruins a third cal-
cium light was placed, its light falling directly upon the anterior
portion of the auditorium, where a large number of ladies were
also discovered. About a quarter past seven o'clock, the space
between the side wall and the foundation wall of the lobby par-
tition above mentioned, was completely cleared, and the labors
of the firemen were directed to the debris in the auditorium.
The scene, as viewed from the gap in the main wall in Johnson
street, was singularly weird. The bright glare of the lime-lights
threw the broken and rugged edges of the walls and arches into
strong relief, and the black and grimy figures of the firemen, as
they raised the bodies and bent over the coffins, was a scene
long to be remembered.
The scenes at the Morgue in the market on Washington street,
with thousands of persons viewing the charred remains, and
identifying the bodies, were indescribable.
As the bodies were taken from the ruins of the burned theater,
they were placed in undertakers' wagons and ambulances and
conveyed to the Market House. The first loads of fire-blackened
and disfigured bodies were taken to the City Morgue on Wil-
loughby street about six o'clock, where they were placed in
coffin like boxes, kept for the reception of the hospital dead.
There was then no supposition on the part of those who brought
the first dreadful load of dead, that there was to be so great a
demand upon the accommodations of the Morgue as aftei-ward
proved to be the case. But another and another load followed
quickly upon the first, until more than eighty bodies had been
strewn upon the marble floors. By eight o'clock, every spot of
available space had been occupied by the charred and ghastly
remains. The Morgue has but one dead-room in which bodies
are usually displayed for recognition, but the entire first floor
of the building in which the Morgue is situated, was devoted, on
this occasion, to the exhibition of its horrible occupants. The
crowds that collected by thousands were permitted to enter, after
satisfying the officers on duty that they came not from idle
curiosity, but for the purpose of identifying, if possible, missing
relatives or friends. Many came provided with passes, but some
who did not hold them, were allowed to enter, after pleading
with tears to be admitted.
Two actors stifled and burned while endeavoring toescape.— At the
moment when the fire was first discovered, Mr. Murdock was
before the curtain playing with Miss Kate Claxton. As soon as
the panic occurred and a general rush was made to escape, Mr.
Thrope, the stage manager, saw Messrs. Murdock and Bur-
(3)
roughs rush to their respective dressing-rooms, which were
on the same side of the stage, immediately in the rear of the
upper right-hand box, as viewed from the auditorium, and con-
sequently furthest from the stage-door. The dressing-rooms
were arranged in tiers, approached by a narrow stairway, which
led up to the painter's bridge which spans the stage. Mr. Mur-
dock's* room was on the second tier, and Mr. Burroughs'f on the
third. Changing their clothing, their stage-garments being very
scanty, and collecting what valuables they could, they made an
effort to descend together, but during the time thus occupied
the flames had made such headway, that when they made their
appearance, the stairway was one sheet of flame. All chance of
escape in this direction was now cut off, and the unfortunate
men were compelled to beat a hastj' retreat. There was still one
chance left— they might effect their escape from the other side
of the bridge, and thither they hurried ; but the hungry flames
were doing their work here also, and the young men were now
surrounded entirely by fire. Alone on the burning bridge— cut
off from all aid— their sufferings must have been intense.
Whether they made the frightful leap into the burning mass be-
neath them, or remained upon the burning bridge until the last,
meeting their fate as only men can, will never be known.
*Mr. Henrt S. Murdock was engaged in the cast of "The Two Orphans "
as Pierre, the cripple, and was the sole support of his widowed mother and
two sisters. Mr. Murdock was horn in Boston, Aug. 5. X845, and was con-
sequently in the thirty-second year of his age. He received his education in
Philadelphia, and made his debut at the Arch Street Theatre in that city, in
the winter of 1H64. During the season of 1865 he fulfilled an engagement
at the Boston Museum, and from there he went to Cincinnati, where he
performed at Pike's Opera House until its destruction by lire on March 22.
1866. In this case he narrowly escaped with his life, and lost his entire
wardrobe in the fire. He next went to San Francisco, where he played
with John McCullough at the California Theatre. He remained there two
years. 1S67-8. He then performed short engagements at Washington, Balti-
more, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. In 1872-3 he played at the Arch Street
Theatre, Philadelphia, uuder the management of Mrs. John Drew, taking
the parts of " Fop and Walleing Gentleman," and upon one or two occasions
played leading parts. The season of 1873-4 he spent in Chicago, and acted
at Hooley's Theatre, under the management of Mr. Fred. Williams, of Bos-
ton. He resigned his position before the close of the season, to support
Miss Clara Morris at the Academy of Music in the same city, theu under the
management of Mr. C. R. Gardner. During his engagement with Miss
Morris he made a decided hit as Armande, in the play of " Camille." At the
conclusion of his engagement in Chicago he returned to Boston, where he
remained one season, atter which he commenced his engagement with
Messrs. Shook & Palmer, when he played the part of Sandy Morton, in the
play of "Two -AI. n of Sandy Bar," at the Union Square Theatre, New York
City. From there he went to the Brooklyn Theatre, on October 9, 1876. Mr.
Murdock, whose real name was Hitchcock, was a nephew of Mr. James E.
Murdock, th" eminent tragedian, and a brother of Frank Murdock, the
author of • r^avid Crockett." He had a brother in New Orleans, also an
actor, whose stage ; .ime was WiUiam Wallace. Mr. Murdock was an ac-
complisheii .<^i educated gentleman, and a rising actor. During his en-
gagemc:' : : jston, he played snch characters as Charles MUldlewick, in the
play c ir 3oys," and Harry Spreadbear, in "Sweethearts." He gave
much BuUsfaction in Brooklyn in his interpretation of Eustace in "Con-
science," Charles Surface in " School for Scandal," and was giving a good
rendition oS Pierre, the cripple, in the " Two Orphans," at the time of the
fire. He was a ^"od vocalist, and an amateur artist. He had been suffering
from sciatica r. . ome time, and the malady 'had given him considerable
pain, during the six weeks previous to his death, causing him to limp
painfully at times, !e occupied apartments at 53 Concord street, Brook-
lyn, where his unc , .vlr. Henry Murdock, resided.
t Mr. Claude Bukrougk-' made his first appearance on the stage at the
■Winter Garden, New Yoi-i: ■ ';'.' i^i 1865, playing in " Hamlet" with Edwin
Booth. At the conclusion of his engagement with Mr. Stuart, who was then
managing the Winter Garden, he came to Brooklyn, where he played light
comedy parts in the Park Theatre, then un.l.v llrs. Conway's management.
Upon the opening of the Union Square The.itit. New York City, by Messrs.
Shook & Palmer, Mr. Burroughs was engaged to pb 'ight parts. His first
appearance at that theatre was as a Reporter in " Anues," the first piece pro-
duced in the house, and he had been in the cast of nearly every play produced
there. Upon a few occasions, when not playing in New York, he accepted
engagements in Brooklyn. He was the Fop in " .Uhorly Court," the Fop in
"Jane Eyre," Maxims in "Ferrol," and a very clever representative of
Talbot Champneys in "Our Boys." At the time of his death he was playing
Picard, the valet, in the "Two Orphans." He was but twenty-sis years old,
and unmarried.
1122
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The bodies of the two actors were found together, and it was
apparent that the_v had died at the same time — perhaps when
the Johnson street wall of the theatre fell, thereby depriving the
stage of its support.
Fortunately all the ladies engaged in the second and previous
act had left the theatre as soon as they had performed their
parts, and so escaped any danger.
Action of the Public Authokities. — In response to a call from
Mayor Schroeder, a special meeting of the Brooklyn Board of
Aldermen was held at four o'clock, Wednesday, December 6th,
1876. The Common Council Chamber was filled with citizens,
who took a deep interest in the proceedings of the Board.
The roll having been called, and considerably more than a
quorum of the aldermen having responded to their names,
Alderman French, the President of the Board, called for the
reading of a special message from Mayor Schroeder. The docu-
ment was as follows :
" Mayor's Office, Dec. 6, 1876.
To the Honorable the Common OouncU .•
Gentlemen, — I have called you together to-day to deliberate
and take action concerning the terrible calamity which has be
fallen the people of this city, in the burning of the Brooklyn
Theatre last night. It is impossible at this hour to estimate the
number of human beings who have perished in the conilagration,
though already over one hundred have been exhumed. From
such observations as I have been able to make among the ruins, I
do not think the relatives and friends of the dead will be able
in many cases to identify the bodies of those whose loss, under
circumstances of such horror, must be mourned with unequaled
grief. For this reason, it seems to me, arrangements, should be
made by the public authorities for the burial of the unrecognized
dead, in a manner becoming a sympathetic and Christian people.
To this end a committee should be at once appointed, and our
merchants and tradespeople should close their stores on the day
of the funeral, and participate in the obsequies. If, in addition,
it should transjaire that many homes have been deprived of their
support, by the loss of a father, brother, husband, or son, the at-
tention of our churches and charitable institutions and our
wealthy citizens should be promptly called to the fact, in order
that neither the reality nor apprehension of immediate want
may be superadded to an affliction in itself almost insup-
portable.
Kespectfully,
FREDERICK A. SCHROEDER, Mayor."
At the conclusion of the reading of the Mayor's message,
President Fisher arose and, after a few feeling words, presented
the following resolutions :
"Resolved, That a committee of nine be appointed to take into
consideration the duty incumbent upon the municipal au-
thorities, in view of the recent destruction of the Brooklyn
Theatre, and the calamitous results flowing therefrom.
Resolved, That there be a special meeting of this Board at two
o'clock, p. M., Thursday, the 7th inst., to receive report from said
committee and take action thereon.
Resolved, That said committee be authorized to confer
upon this subject with other organizations, ofhcial or other-
wise."
These resolutions were appropriately seconded by Alderman
Murtha, and unanimously adopted, and President Fisher ap-
pointed the following Aldermen as members of the committee
called for : Aldermen Fisher, Burnett, Black, Murtha, Arnot,
Rowley, Acker, Donovan and Guthrie.
Alderman Fisher announced that the Board of Supervisors
had met earlier in the afternoon, and had appointed a committee
composed of Supervisors Strong, Sexton, Curran,Harman, Brown,
•Ryder and Byrne to confer and co-operate with the committee
of the Board of Aldermen. He proposed that the committee, of
which he was the chairman, should meet in the Common
Council Chamber immediately on the adjournment of the
Board.
A motion that the Board of Aldermen should hold a special
meeting, December 7, at two o'clock p. m., was carried.
The Numbek that Pekished. — Two hundred and ninety-five
human beings were known to have perished in the flames of
this ill-fated theatre. One hundred and ninety-seven of the
bodies were identified and taken away by their friends, and the
ninety-eight unidentified bodies were buried by the city.
Immediately after the calamity, a Relief Committee of 250 of
the first citizens of Brooklyn commenced their earnest work to
assist the afilicted relatives of the dead. All of the theatres of
Brooklyn and New York gave benefits, which were liberally
attended, and over 840,000 was obtained by the united action of
the committee, and the dramatic performances. The number of
people who received aid from the fund was between five and six
hundred. In some cases there were as many as five and six
in one family. The highest amount paid to any one family was
$20 per week, which was the case of a widow with eight children.
The fund lasted over a year.
To do justice to all of the good citizens who showed their
deep sympathy and took an active part, would require more
space than here allotted. His Honor Mayor Schroeder, the
members of the Common Council, and many of the first clergy-
men of the city, including Henry Ward Beecher, did them-
selves lasting honor. Actors and managers of theatres every-
where through the country did nobly, and gave another evidence
of their proverbial disposition for deeds of charity.
The Funeeal in Cold and Storm. — At two o'clock on Saturday,
December the 9th, the gleam of bayonets was reflected from
the struggling sunshine that peeped out now and then between
the broken, dark storm-clouds.
The military were arrayed along Schermerhorn street. The
head of the procession was nearing the point of establishment
of the right of the line. .\.t Flatbush and Fulton avenue junc-
tion it halted for ten minutes while the disposition of the
various parts of the jiroces-ion was perfected. The Twenty-
third Regiment, that had marched up in hollow square forma-
tion, opened and rested at "order arms," while the Forty-
seventh Regiment passed through and took the right of the line.
Then the hearses and undertakers' wagons were broken from a
single to a double column, and the Twenty-third Regiment was
placed as a guard of honor, surrounding that portion of the
mournful cortege. Then the march was begun, and the boister-
ous cold winds bore fitfully the strains of the saddening dirge
played by a full band of sixty pieces, with the procession follow-
ing, at funeral pace and slow, in the following order :
Squad of Mounted Police — Sergeant Johnson, Alderman Fisher,
and Supervisor Quimby.
Committees, in Carriages.
Forty-Seventh Regiment Band.
Forty-Seventh Regiment.
Detachment of Fourteenth Regiment.
Gatling Battery, without piece.
Conterno's Band.
Twenty-Third Regiment, as Guard of Honor, leading the flank-
ing first Hearses.
Hearses — Seventeen.
Forty-five Undertakers' Wagons, with from one to four Coffins in
each.
Carriages with Relatives and Friends.
Carriages with Ministers and Officials.
Thirteenth Regiment and Drum Corps of forty pieces.
All along Flatbush avenue and the line of march, the side-
walks were crowded with spectators, all with sad faces, and
the DiEGE, which the band had been playing, ceased for a
time, while the roll of forty muflled tenor drums marked the
time of the military. Solemnly impressive as had been the
music of the band, it seemed less effective than the roll of the
drums. Now and then could be heard the deep knell of the
city's fire and church bells, as the bitter, violent north winds
swept from that portion of the city. This elfect had almost the
form of melody, and impressed itself on the heart as monotone
sobs; and the air grew heavy with the weight of those meas-
ured pulsations of half-voiced articnlatives that seemed to drop
TBE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
Wi^
down from the black fringing clouds of the heavens. Along
both sidewalks moved steadily a silent multitude; there was
no talking to beguile the weary way ; only a sullen resistance to
the frenzy of the gale, which, bitter as it was, seemed as a
bright contrast to the sutlerings of the helpless hundreds who
were had been roasted, like hecatombs, alive.
The drums ceased, and from the military bands wailed forth
another dirge, more weirdly sad than the first. A trembling,
thrilling cry, as of a stricken soul, voiced by a single cornet
in a high trembling note, accompanied the deep sub-sonorous
sounds of the base instruments, which seemed to utter sighs
as they kept time to the dramatic situation.
The march was a terrible one, for its deep oppressive gloom,
the deadly cold, the grief on every hand ; but that portion of
Sixth avenue to the ^ate of Greenwood Cemetery was in all re-
spects the worst. All the way across the wide vacant spaces to-
ward the bay, the ice-blast seemed the breath of death itself.
At three o'clock, the funeral halted on "Battle Hill," where
the arrangements for the interment of the bodies in one com-
mon grave had already been made. Here a circular trench had
been cut, seven feet deep and thirteen feet wide, surrounding a
round sodded space ten feet in diameter, upon which a monu-
ment was to stand. One by one, the hearses, and the undertakers'
wagons passed up the main avenue, each in turn stopping to
deposit its ghastly freight, and then moving away. Twelve
cemetery employees received the coffins and lowered them to
their last resting-place. They were placed in double row, the
heads all pointing toward the monumental centre. The work
was not delayed, but was necessarily slow. Meanwhile the ceme-
tery bell kept up its sad tolling, " rolling on the human heart a
stone." The fury of the gale soon made it evident that human
endurance would not be able to bear any protracted obsequies.
With wonderful fortitude, not less than five thousand persons
maintained their places around the grave. At length, the coffins
were all in place, containing 101 bodies. Sixty German singers,
members of the Brooklyn Saengerbund, South Brooklyn Quartet
Olub, Schuetzenfest, and Brooklyn Maennerchor, led by W.
Groschel, stood upon the centre plot and sang Abt's "Kepose."
The Rev. John Parker read the Episcopal burial service. The
Rev. Dr. Pvitnam, instead of the extended funeral oration
which he had prepared for the occasion, announced that the
extreme cold would preclude the possibility of its delivery, and
said a few brief words on the uncertainty of life and the blessed
hopes of immortality. Then a benediction was pronounced
by the Rev. Mr. Odell, and the ceremony concluded with the
sinking by the Germania choir of Kuhlan's beautiful choral,
" Above all summits there is repose."
The graves were soon filled in, and many of the spectators
took up handfuls of earth and dropped them reverently into
the trench before turning away for their homes. One man, a
stalwart Englishman named Weeden, a Long Island farmer,
stood on the central plot until all had departed, and with tear-
dimmed eyes bent upon the earth-covered coffins, he dropped
some flowers; for among that group of unrecognized dead rested
his son.
The early evening shadows fell upon the great mound rounded
over the unclaimed dead, with a fragile but beautiful monument
in the form of a large floral crown and cross, placed there by the
Germania Theatre Company. The wind had ceased its howling,
the night became clear and bitter cold, and the bright stars in
the dark blue of the heaven looked like crystallized tears quiver-
ing over the hill of the dead.
The Actors' Fotjekal. — On Sunday afternoon, December 10th,
the funeral services of the two actors, Mr. Haket Muedock and
Mr. Claude BnEBouoHs, took place in the " Little Church Around
the Corner," in Twenty-ninth street, New York City. Long be-
fore the hour of service, two o'clock, a large crowd was gathered
about the doors and in the church. The celebrated Dr. Houghton
conducted the service. At the words "Ashes to ashes," there
was a visible movement of agitation among the congregation,
which comprised nearly all the leading members of the dramatic
profession in the city. After the short burial-service had been
read, the musical portion of the sad rites took place. Mesdames
Gulager and Pappenheim, Conradi, Gomien and McDonald, and
Messrs. Fritsch and Sohst, had volunteered, with Carl Berg and
Louis Dachauer at the organ. " I know that my Redeemer liveth "
was given with tearful effect. At the conclusion of the service,
the coffins, which were covered with flowers, were carried to the
hearses, followed by the pall-bearers. The coffin containing the
remains of Harry Murdock was taken to the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Depot, at Jersey City. Claude Burroughs' remains were
conveyed to the receiving vault in Second avenue, in New York
City.
The Memorial Seevices, for all of the dead, were held on Sun-
day night in many churches of New York, and in Brooklyn at the
Academy of Music, Hooley's Opera House and Park Theatre. In
all of them, crowds of people assembled to do homage to the
memory of the lost. Among the speakers, Henry Ward Beecher
was prominent. He held forth at Hooley's Opera House, on
Court street, where now stands the new Dime Savings Bank.
The Rev. Dr. Storrs was at the Academy of Music. At the Park
Theatre the Episcopal burial service was read by Dr. D. N. Miller,
and Rev. Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler delivered a feeling address.
In many other churches throughout the city special services were
held ; in fact, the whole Sabbath day was devoted to the memory
of the heart-rending accident, and its afflictions to the living
relatives.
A Monument now lifts its tall and graceful
marble shaft where lie the congregated dead of this
frightful calamity. "There is no evil so great but
some good will come out of it." Every community
throughout the civilized world took a lesson from the
sad mishap by providing better safeguards for the es-
cape of large assemblies of people, whether in theatres,
concert-halls, or churches.
The ruins of the burnt theatre stood undisturbed
until 1879, when Messrs. McCue, Kingsley and Keeney
erected on the site, what is now known as
"Haverly'S Theatre." It opened under his
management, October 4th, 1879. The front of the
theatre this time was placed on Johnson street, and in
its construction every care was taken to make its
places of egress equal to the greatest emergency, so
that a full house can be emptied within the short si3ace
of five minutes.
We must now, in our condensed history of the drama
in Brooklyn, go back to the days when the Conways
left the management of the Park Theatre to risk their
little fortune in the ill-fated Brooklyn Theatre, in 1871.
Shortly after they took up their new dramatic abode,
Messrs. Carroll and McOluskey became the managers
of the little Park Theatre, at the head of which they
remained for about a year, performing melodramas and
sensational plays with but moderate success. After
these gentlemen came Mr. John P. Smith, who held
the theatre for about the same length of time, with
Uttle, or no better success. In
1873 the owner of the property leased the Park
Theatre to Mr. A. R Samuells, who, at a large expense,
1124
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
altered it so that the parquette floor was on a level with
the street (a great improvement), and the theatre was
made equal in appointments to the new Brooklyn
Theatre. It was then called the "New Park Theatre."
But it did not succeed under Mr. Samuells' manage-
ment. In
1874 Mr. Edward Lamb, a genial gentleman and
an excellent comedian, and a great favorite flith the
Brooklyn public, while under the Conways' management
of the Park Theatre, now became the nest lessee of the
New Park Theatre. He opened it with a good com-
pany, and played many of the best "star combinations,"
among wliom were John Broughatn, Jolm E. Owens,
Miss Lucille Western and others. Mr. Lamb's manage-
ment was of short duration.
1875. — Tlie lesseeship next fell into the hands of
Colonel Wiliiam E. Sinu, and up to the present time lie
still holds possession. Mr. Sinn was a man of great
energy and business tact, and it can be safely said that he
made more money during his management than any
person who ever controlled the destinies of the Park
Theatre. In rapid succession he played all of the best
stars in the country, whether of tragedy, comedy, or
English opera. It was a rare thing not to see the
house filled to overflowing. The little Park Theatre, of
which the writer had the honor of being the founder,
has been the most successful place of amusement in the
city of Brooklyn.
1876. — Mr. George Wood, for many years man-
ager of " Wood's Museum," New York, took Hooley's
Opera House on Court street, and, re-decorating the
whole interior, made it a beautiful little theatre. He
opened it in the early part of this season with a small
but excellent company. During his management, he
produced some of the best light comedies, and several
of the best combination companies 25erformed there,
with moderate success. Among these combinations
were Daly's Fifth Avenue company, of New York.
On February 25th, 1878, Mr. Gabriel Harrison pro-
duced for the first time his dramatization of Haw-
thorne's " Scarlet Letter." His daughter, Viola Harri-
son, made her first appearance upon any stage, in the
character of Hester Frynne. Mr. Harrison painted
new scenery for his own piece, and produced the drama
with every detail of stage effects. The play had a run
for an entire week to crowded houses, and the press of
New York and Brooklyn spoke of the drama and per-
formance in the highest terms. It is so seldom that
an American play, in plot, is produced, that the cast
of characters, &c., &c., becomes a dramatic fact worthy
of record.
"The Scaelet Lettek."
Roger Chillingworlh Gabriel Harrison
Hester Prynne Miss Viola Harrison
Bev, Arthur Dimmesdale E. E. Barry
Mr. Bellingham, Governor of Boston, Mass J. E. Howe
Bev. Mr. Wilson T. K. Hann
Master Townsman J. Montgomery
Citizen Baicson J. Warner
Master Brackett (Town Beadle) J. Greaver
Captain Goodwill W. Denny
Pearl, 7 years old Miss Florence May
Mistress Hibbins, Govevner Billingham's bister, and
a New England witch Mrs. Lemiene
Mistress Gossip Miss Edmonson
Mary Mercy Miss Nelson
Mistress Small Miss Storer
Witches and Indians:
Swamp-Fox J. Howard
Spear-Head B. Failes
Fleet- Wing D. Carroll
Blighted-Trunk, 80 years old G. Lentus
Weeping- Willow Miss Foot
Scenery and Incidents in Boston, A. D. 186-1.
Mr. Wood, though one of the most cai-eful mana-
gers in the country, failed to make this theatre a financ-
ial success, and closed its doors in the early spring.
1879.~The Hooley Opera House changed
its name to tlie Court Square Theatre, and successively
fell into the hands of several itinerant managers, who
all failed of success. It (hen was leased to a Mr. Bun-
nell, who turned the place into what he called a " Dime
Museum," which under his management, was a suc-
cess, and so it continued until May, 1883, when the
property was sold to the Brooklyn Dime Savings Bank ;
and, upon the spot of this once popular place of amuse-
ment, now stands the splendid building that is one of
the architectural adornments of the city.
The next place of amusement that started up in the
City of Brooklyn was
The Standard (or "Volks") Theatre,
situated on Adams street, west side, and a few doors
south of Myrtle avenue. This building was originally a
market. It soon failed as such, and remained closed for
several years. The upper floor of this building was at
one time used as a ball-room, with an entrance to it
on Myrtle avenue.
Messrs. Hyde and Behman became lessees of this
property, and taking out the upper floor converted the
place into a theatre, and opened it as such on May
19th, 1877. The class of amusements giyen therein is
known as " Varieties,'- and was visited by men and
boys only, and for tliis style of amusement the place
became a great success.
Music Hall. — -The next place of amusement that
calls our attention was a minstrel hall, on the corner
of Fulton and Flatbush avenues. It was a large frame
building, and was first altered into a theatre by Welch
and Hughes m 1872. The place never was a success.
In 1878, the building was taken down, and on the site
has been erected a fine brick building, called " Music
Hall. " This hall was first opened to the public in 1880,
and is used for concerts and lectures.
THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.
1125
The Olympic Theatre.— In 1^59 the Elm
Place Congregational Church, wishing to erect a larger
edifice in Elm place, where the Grand Opera House
now stands, leased a piece of ground, to the east of the
old Dutch Church burial-grounds, on the south side
of Fulton avenue, between Hoyt street and Gallatin
Place, and put thereon a brick building for their tem-
porary accommodation, which they called Brooklyn
Tabernacle. In it the Eev. William Oliver Bartlett
preached for several years, until the removal of the con-
gregation. May 1st, 1864, to the former location, when
the premises reverted to the owner, Mr. A. S. Wheeler.
They were then leased for five years to the county, as
an Armory for the Fifty-Second Regiment. The regi-
ment was disbanded before the termination of the
lease. After this, it was occupied by the " Constitution
Club," as a political wigwam. On May 1st, 1869,
Thomas L. Donnelly, in conjunction with R. M. Hooley,
entered into possession, and reconstructed the building
into a theatre, which for many years was known as the
Olympic Theatre. In 1870 Mr. Hooley retired, and
his place was filled for a short time by Edgar Dewell ;
upon the withdrawal of the latter, Mr. Donnelly con-
tinued as sole lessee until May 1st, 1876. Mr. Charles
Chevalier, Pierce L. Jarvis, Daniel Hatfield and John
S. Leese became the managers, January, 1879, when
the theatre was again remodeled. At this time a
frame house, which stood at tlie front of the theatre
was now removed, and a spacious brick entrance to
the theatre took its place. Shortly after this the
premises were assigned to Richard Hyde and Louis C.
Behman. It then became the Standard Theatre, and
was so retained till 1883, when it was again subleased
to John W. Holmes, as the Standard Museum.
The G-rand Opera House.— The last new
theatre, up to this present time, is situated on Elm
place, west side, south of Fulton avenue. It is erected
on the site of the Congregational Church, which was
destroyed by fire in 1878. This theatre was first opened
to the public in 1881. The first owners of the theatre
were Messrs. Barry Fay and Lewis, and from them
it was purchased by Messrs. Hyde and Behman. At tlie
present time, it is under the management of Messrs.
Rundles and Morris. The Grand Opera House, with the
exception of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, will seat
more people than any other place of amusement in
Brooklyn. The interior is pleasing to the sight, and is
well furnished with a good stock of scenery and every-
thing that pertains to a well-provided stage. The
management is in excellent hands, and, as a place of
amusement, has been a success from the start. It is run
on the "star" ijrinciple.
The Novelty Theatre.— The first theatre
that acquired any success in the Eastern District
of Brooklyn, was the Novelty Theatre. This build-
ing was erected in 185:i, by Messrs. Alfred and
Henry Kemp, builders. It was called the "Odeon,"
and was intended for a ball-room and public meet-
ings. At this time it was the largest public
hall in Brooklyn or Williamsburgh. Messrs. Kemp
subsequently failed, and the property was sold under
foreclosure, and passed into the hands of several own-
ers. After this a stage and some scenery was put into
the back end of the hall, and it was conducted as a thea-
tre by Alfred Theall, Samuel Lewis and others. At
the time of the Rebellion, the building was used as a
drill-room, etc. This, however, was before it was
used for theatrical purposes. In 1868, the building
passed into the liands of R. M. Hooley, who fitted it up
as a variety theatre; but not a success, he sold the place
in 1869. In 1870, it was sold under foreclosure again,
and purchased by the present owners, Thomas F.
Jackson, James Rodwell and Henry Waterman, who
fitted up the building as a ball-room, and named the
place Apollo Hall. In 1878, the building was entirely
reconstructed, and converted into a theatre in every
particular, named the "Novelty," and leased to Thomas
Theall, who subsequently formed a copartnership with
Henry Williams. The place is still under their man-
agement, and is run as a star-theatre.
We here close our history of the Drama inBrookl^'n,
having faithfully traced from the first known dramatic
performance in Brooklyn, 1776, to 1883. We have
been more particular in giving the details of the ear-
liest dramatic performances in Brooklyn, since tliey il-
lustrate the struggles of the drama to find a foothold in
Brooklyn ; and from the fact that every additional year
makes it more diflBcult to secure the data for the his-
torian to work from. At the present time, the city of
Brooklyn has several daily newspapers that not only
record every night's performances at the theatres, but
also give a general criticism on the characteristics of
the actors, and the manner the diflferent plays are placed
upon the stage. These papers will preserve and furnish
in detail abundant matter for the future historian of
the Drama and Music in Brooklyn.
The Drama is the most entertaining and instructive
amusement the people can have. It has always flour-
ished in the largest and most celebrated communities.
The growth of its refinement did, and must always,
keep pace with the advancement of civilization.
The dramatic art is a combination of all the sister
arts— music, painting and poetry blended into one ;
and the populous city that is without the charm and
intelligence of the drama, is without the most needed
nourishment of the human mind.
All that Brooklyn now requires to make complete
her places of instructive amusement is a well-appointed
theatre, with a first-class stock company, managed on
the principles of Wallach's or the Union Square Thea-
tre of New York.
THE
Progress of Music and Opera
in brooklyn.
THE history of the progress of Music with tlie growth
of any city or country is always interesting. It is
a language of the soul, felt and understood by
every class of human beings; and, in accordance with
the civilization of a people, so will it advance to a higher
and a more scientific condition. In this respect, large
cities have an advantage over the smaller ones, because
they can better afford to support the best talent— thus
ofEering an example and an incentive to musical cul-
ture.
The first musical performances that were given in
Brooklyn were at the time when the population was
too small and too poor to encourage the best artists,
by frequent exhibitions of the highest class of music.
Therefore, the earliest encouragement that music re-
ceived in Brooklyn was through the medium of the
church choirs.
1810.— The first musical performance
in Brooklyn, worthy of notice, was an " oratorio"
given by the vestry of St. Ann's Church for the bene-
fit of Mr. Pierson, the leader of its choir. On Thurs-
day evening, October 4th, "a grand selection of sacred
music, vocal and instrumental," was advertised to take
place, but no mention was made as to who the perform-
ers were. The price of admittance was fifty cents.
Mr. Pierson was long and favorably known in New
York and Brooklyn as a leader of church music.
Another public musical entertainment followed at the
same church on the 13th of May. After these there
were no other public performances until
1813, when a concert was given for the benefit of
the Loisian Seminary for the education of " forty poor
female children." The performers were volunteers
from New York City. Mr. S. P. Taylor presided at
the organ. The public were admitted free, and a col-
lection was taken up between the first and second parts
of the jjrogramme.
The first concert given outside of the church was at
Mr. Stockofi's " Military Garden," spoken of elsewhere
as "Green's Military Garden," and afterwards " Duf-
lon's." This concert was given by the Panharmonic
Society of Brcoklyn, on the 3d of December. This
society was organized on the 1st of May, 1813. Mr.
Taylor was its first president, and perhaps its last. The
society gave three public performances, and then
nothing more was heard of it. After this there was
another long interval until
1819, when Mr. Cartwright, the celebrated per-
former on " musical glasses," gave a concert on the
37th of October, at Columbian Hotel, " tavern and
tea garden," 137 Fulton street. Mr. Cartwright was
an Englishman, who came to America in 1818. He
was an exquisite performer, and attracted large audiences
througliout the United States.
1823.— Mr. Duflon fitted up a little stage at "Mili-
tary Garden" (formerly known as Green's), and open-
ed on the 1-lth of June, with a concert. Mr. Bristow
acted as leader of the band.
1825. — January 38th, a "Grand Sacred Concert"
was given at the First Presbyterian Church, for the
benefit of the " holy cause of Grecian emancipation
from bondage." It was under the direction of Mr.
L. P. Cole, of New York ; Messrs. Dyer, Riley and
Moran were among the singers. Selections from
Handel, Mozart and Beethoven were performed. All
of the first named gentlemen were well known in New
York as leaders of church music.
1829.— The Sacred Music Society of Brooklyn,
attached to the Cranberry Street Church, gave three
public concerts at St. Ann's Church this season. The
names of Mr. Taylor, Pearson, Coats, Miss Humbert,
Miss Pearson and Mrs. Whelply were on the pro-
gramme.
1830. — Mr. Bristow gave two concerts for the be-
nefit of the Appentices' Library. Mr. Bristow acted as
conductor. On this occasion Mr. Solomon, of London,
appeared, assisted by Mr. B. Colby, Thornton and
others. The Apprentices' Library stood on the comer
of Cranberry and Henry streets ; the building was of
brick. The corner-stone was laid by General Lafayette
on July 4th, 1825, while he was at that time on a
second visit to this country.
1834.— December nth, a "Grand Oratorio" was
given at St. John's Church, for the benefit of the Sun-
day school, at which Miss Watson, Mrs. Franklin and
Mr. Trust were the principal artists. Both of the
ladies mentioned were at the time prominent concert-
singers in New York.
1835. — Mr. Trust gave a fine concert, at " Clas-
sical Hall," Washington street, January 16th. Sig.
Gambarti, the celebrated cornet-player, who had made
a great sensation in the city of New York, now per-
formed for the first time in Brooklyn. Mr. Kyle (flute),
THE PROGRESS OF MUSIC AND OPERA IN BROOKLYN.
1127
Mr. Phillipson (piano), and Mrs. Franklin (soprano)
filled up the programme. July 4th, Miss Watson, Sig.
Montressor* and Mr. Trust (harpist) gave a concert
at the same hall. This was one of the finest musical
exhibitions that had ever been given in Brooklyn.
1837. — Mr. Henry Russell, a fine tenor, gave a
concert at Classical Hall, April 25th, on which occa-
sion Mr. Edwinf and Mr. Thomas Scott made their
first appearance in Brooklyn. Both of these last named
gentlemen were excellent artists.
In September of tliis year, a Sacred Mtisic Associa-
tion was formed for the " practice and performance of
sacred music, and particularly of anthems and chants."
Mr. Adrian Hegeman was elected president of the
society ; and Mr. Joseph Sprague, 1st vice-president ;
Cyrus P. Smith, 2d vice-president; H. B. Duryea,
secretary ; P. T. Arcularius, treasurer ; and 0. D.
Burtis, librarian. The first performance of this so-
ciety took place on the 6th of October, 1837, at the
residence of H. B. Duryea, Esq., No. 10 Front street.
On Monday, December 4th, Madame Caradori Al-
lenj gave her first concert in Brooklyn, at the Ly-
ceum.
1839. — January 4th, Madame Otto, Mrs. Munson
and U. G. Hill {violinist) appeared at the Lyceum.
May 9th, Mr. E. C. Horn, an excellent tenor singer,
appeared for the benefit of the Apprentices' Library.
Mr. and Mrs. Seguin§ made their first appearance at
a concert in Brooklyn at the Lyceum. Botli of these
artists were great public favorites.
After the Segnins followed Henry Russell || with a
concert at the Lyceum, assisted by Mr. Knight.
* Sig. Chakles Montressor was an Italian, and an artisi of splendid abili-
ties. He made his first appearance on the .\merican stage at the Chestnut
Street Theatre, Philadelphia, June 2a. 1833, in Italian opera.
t Mr. Edwin made his debut on the stage at the Surrey Theatre, London,
in 1834, and his first appearance in this country, November l>Jth, 1836, at the
Park Theatre, New York. He afterwards became a great favorite at Mitchell's
Olympic Theatre, N. Y. He was a fine actor, and had a beautiful tenor
voice, which he managed with remarkable skill. He was born in London,
and died in New York, 1842.
J This lady made her first appearance in the United States at the Park
Theatre, in 1833, as Rosini in " The Barber of Seville." She was an artist of
fine ability, and for several years attracted great houses in all the principal
cities in the United States. She took her farewell of the American stage at
the Park Theatre, April 15th. 1848, and returned to Europe. She died in
England, October loth, 1865.
§ Mr. Seguin had a remarkable bass voice. He was born in London, April
7th, 1809. He was a member of the London .\cademy of Music, from which
he retired in 1830. He made his first appearance on the London stage, July
3d, 1831. In 1838, he came to this country, and appeared for the first time
in' America October 18th, 1838, at the National Theatre, Church street. New
York City. He died in New York, December 13th, 1852.
Mrs. Segcin's maiden name was Ann Child. She was born in London,
and made her first appearance at a grand concert of the Philharmonic So-
ciety of London. She was a member of the Italian Opera Company for over
three years. She first appeared on the American stage, October 15th, 1838,
at the National Theatre, New York. She traveled as a star through the
United SUtes, much admired as an artist, and much respected as a lady of
cultivated manners.
II Mr. KussELL was, at the time, the most prominent tenor singer this
country had ever produced. He was born in Philadelphia, and made his
debut May the nth, 1839, in opera, at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadel-
phia, in the character of Ktiino in "La Sonnambula." He visited Eng-
land' in 1844, and was complimented by being invited to sing before the
Queen at Windsor Castle. He was the first American singer that met with
marked attention and success in England.
1840. — In January, Mr. E. Horn gave a concert
at the Lyceum, introducing to a Brooklyn audience, for
the first time, Madame Manncelli and Mr. Masset,
both excellent artists. On March 3d, The Brooklyn
Sacred Music Society gave a concert at the Presbyterian
Church on the corner of Clinton and Fulton streets,
and repeated the concert, with great success, on the
28th of April, at Rev. Dr. S. Hanson Cox's church in
Cranberry street. In April, a new place for amuse-
ment was opened on Columbia street, opposite to Pine-
apple street, called "Colonnade Garden," and on
August 6th, was presented the vaudeville of " The
Lady and the Devil," in which Mrs. Charles and Mr.
Graham did the singing.
At a concert of sacred music, December 30th, at the
Lyceum, Mr. Braham,* the celebrated tenor singer,
made his first appearance before a Brooklyn audience.
1841. — Mr. Duflon, of the Military Garden, com-
menced, on July 12th, to give concerts, " vocal and
instrumental," at a shilling admittance. He must have
met with considerable success, as they were continued
until the latter part of September.
1842. — Mr. Braham gave a farewell concert at the
Lyceum, and had a crowded house.
1843. — March 2d, the Mozart Association, anew
organization, gave a concert at the Brooklyn Institute
(Lyceum). Mr. Charles Holt was conductor. This
year, Mr. Duflon retired from the management of
Military Garden, and Mr. Isaac Burtis became lessee.
He gave concerts through the season. Other concerts
were given at the Institute, with the names of N. C.
Hill and Mr. Timm on the bills.
1844.— "The Hutchinson Family" appeared in
Brooklyn this season, and gave several very successful
concerts at the Institute. Monday, May 20th, Vieux
Temps, the great violinist, assisted by his sister Fanny,
an accomplished pianist, gave a concert at the In-
stitute.
1845.— The most noteworthy concert of this sea-
son was given at the Institute, 14th of August. Mr.
Templeton,t William Francis Brough.t and Mr.
Dempster, all fine artists, ajipeared for the first time
in Brooklyn, and gave the public great satisfaction.
* Mr. Braham was an artist of fine culture. He had a strong, clear tenor
voice, and in London, for many years, he was the favorite baUad-singer. He
was said to be the finest Harry Bertram, in the musical drama of "Guy
Mannering," that ever walked the English stage. He performed this part
with great success at the Park Theatre, New York, in 1840. He was born in
London. He died in England, February 17th, 1856.
t Mr. Templeton was born in Scotland, and made his first appearance in
this country as a tenor singer at concerts. His voice had great power and
sweetness, with a fine articulation Ho went to England in 1832, and
became a great favorite. He was a member of Drury Lane and Covent Gar-
den Theatres. He returned to this country, and gave an interesting enter-
tainment entitled " Nights with Burns and Walter Scott." As a ballad
singer he had few equals.
t Mr. BROtJGH, born at Wexford, Ireland, in 1798, appeared first on the
stage as a bass singer in Sussex, England, 1818, and was afterwards a fa-
vorite at the Haymarket Theatre, London. Ho came to the United States in
1128
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
1847. — The most prominent concert given this
year was at Gothic Hall, for the benefit of the suffer-
ing people of Ii-elantl, at which Sig. Lesto Beneditti,
Mr. Phillips, Mr. Beams, Mr. Bowkiid and Miss Julia
Northall (daughter of Dr. Northall, the dramatist) ap-
peared
1848. — "The Hutchinson 'Family" gave several
very successful concerts at the Institute. This troupe
was at one time the most successful concert organiza-
tion that ever traveled in the United States. Not so,
however, from their possessing any extraordinary abili-
ty, but simply that they sang old-fashioned songs, in
costumes, and in a quaint and old-fashioned way.
December 21, Madame Anna Bishop,* wife of Sir
Henry Bishop, the well-known composer (and who
arranged the old Sicilian air to John Howard Payne's
words of " Home, Sweet Home"), gave her first concert
in Brooklyn, at "The Brooklyn Female Academy."
The concert was made up of cavatinas and songs from
the best composers.
The Brooklyn Sacred Music Society gave the "Ora-
torio" of " The Seven Sleepers" at the " Female Acad-
emy." The orchestra was composed of over one
hundred performers ; Mr. J. Zundel was director.
There were no unusual musical performances given
in Brooklyn during the year 1849.
1850.— February 18th, Mrs. Emma Gillingham
Bostwick gave a concert at the Female Academy. This
lady was for several years the leading voice in Grace
Church, N. Y. The Hutchiusons returned to Brook-
lyn this season, and performed to crowded houses for
a whole week at Plymouth Church.
1835, and first appeared at tbe Park Theatre. September 4tli, as Dandini.
He met with great success, and was, for many years, the bass singer of the
English opera troupe of Mr. and Mrs. Wood (Mrs. Wood was formerly the
celebrated Miss Ann Paton). He traveled with them through the United
states, and became a great favorite wherever he appeared. He had a rich,
deep voice, and managed it with remarkable skill. Brough was one of those
whole-souled and kind-hearted men that carried sunshine with him wher-
ever he went. He was a most excellent actor, and was always greeted with a
round of applause as soon as he appeared upon the stage. He was over six
feet high, of a fine figure, and had a genial face that at once drew yon
towards him and made you his personal friend.
Mr. Brough was the author of several burlesques, one of which. " The
Field of the Cloth of Gold," had a long run at Mitchell's Olympic Theatre,
New York. At different periods, he was the agent and manager of Miss
Maggie Mitchell, the Webb sisters, and the celebrated Mr and Mrs. Charles
Kean, with whom he traveled throughout the United States during their
last visit to this country. He was for a long time a resident and a property-
owner in the city of Brooklyn. His health failing him, he undertook a trip
to England, and died just as he arrived there. May 21st, 1«67. His body was
brought back to this country in February, 1868, and buried in Greenwood
He had a very large and highly respectable funeral.
* Mbs. Bishop made her debut in London, July 5th, 1839. In 1843, she trav-
eled through Europe with success, and closed a brilliant engagement at
Naples in 1845. She made her first appearance in this country at the Wal-
nut street Theatre, Philadelphia, in the opera " Norma," November 22d,
1847. Sir Henry Bishop, her husband, died April 30th, 1855. In 1858, she mar-
rried Martin Shultz. She went to Europe in 1859, soon returned to the States,
and has since sung in almost every important city or town on the globe. Her
last appearance was in the spring of 1883, at a concert given to Harry B, Dod-
worth, Steinway Hall, N. Y., January 30th. This lady, after a short illness
of two days, died in the City of New York, March 18th, 1884. Her remains
were deposited at Red Hook, N. J.
1851. — The celebrated Catherine Hayes* gave her
first and only concert in Brooklyn, which took place
at the Female Academy. Mr. Braham and ilr. Bassford
assisted. Her selections were mostly from Donizetti
and Wallace. The hall was packed, and the recipts
amounted to over seven hundred dollars ; tickets one
dollar each.
Thursday, Nov. 4th, Madame Henrietta Sontagf gave
a concert at Plymoth Church, assisted by Pozzolini,
Carl Eckert, and other prominent artists. Her selec-
tions were from Eossini, Schubert and Hayden.
* This remarkable vocaUst was bom in Limerick, Ireland, in 1828. Bio-
graphers have given her a place among the "queens of song." When she
was only ten years old, her ptire soprano voice and pathetic style of singing
attracted the attention of the Eight Rev. Edmund Knox, Bishop of Limerick,
who happened to overhear her singing. He invited her to his house, and
she at once became the star at the musical re-unions given by her patron.
She soon took up her residence in Dublin with her selected teacher, and
made a successful appearance in this city, in 1841, Lablache heard her,
and predicted for her a great future. As soon as she heard Madame Grisi,
she made up her mind to study for the opera, and at once commenced her
studies with the great teacher Garcia. At the end of two years, he declared
that he could not add another grace to her voice. On May 10th, 1845, she
made her first appearance in the Opera House of Marseilles, as Elvira in
" Puritani." She labored through the opera until she reached the latter part,
when, as if by inspiration, she gained fuU confidence, and made a great
success. She then appeared in "Lucia de Lammermoor," and other first-
class operas. Three months after this, she made a great sensation in "La
Somnambula," and even a greater triumph in the part of Ophelia in the
piece of " Othello." Her conceptions of characters were strongly dramatic.
She was tall, of a fine figure, graceful and lady-like. She made her first ap-
pearance in America, at Trlpler HaU, N. Y., on Sept. 23d, 1851. After she
left Brooklyn, she went through the States, thence to the Sandwich Islands,
Australia, and back through England. Her success was beyond all prece-
dent. While in New York City, she married a Mr. Bushnell, who was acting
as her agent. She did not give up her maiden name until she returned to
England. He soon died, while at Sydenham. She retired from the stage
for a while, and died August 11th, 1861. She was a lady of the most refined
culture and noble character, and was much beloved by all who knew her.
She left a property of nearly one hundred thousand dollars, which was be-
queathed in handsome legacies to her relatives and friends.
t HenrieitaSontag ranks among the finest artistsof the lyric stage. She
was born at Coblentz, May 13th, 1805. She was intended by her parents for
their own profession, and, when only six years old, she appeared on the stage
at the Court Theatre of Hesse Darmstadt, in an opera entitled " Donau
Weibchen." Her prettiness and silver-toned voice made her a favorite at
once with her audience. In her ninth year she lost her father, and im-
mediately after, her mother took her to Prague, where she performed the
parts of children, under the direction of the celebrated Weber. At fifteen
years old, a sudden illness of the prima donna gave her the opportunity of
taking the part of the Princese de Navarre, in the opera of " Jean de Park,"
and being very small for her age, the little vocalist was furnished with heels
four inches high, so when the prodigy appeared on cork pedestals the house
was filled with acclamations, and she left the stage that night with a repu-
tation which never faded. In 1834 she appeared in Leipzig, and made a
brilliant success. Her voice was a pure soprano, reaching from A orB to D
in alt. In her high octave from F to C in alt, her notes rang out like the
sound of silver bells. Her inventions were displayed in brilUant flights and
lavish floriture. Her rare flexibility of voice was a natural gift, but fully
cultivated by her taste and by incessant study and practice.
Sontag was of middle stature, with a face full of delicacy and sensibility.
She had light-colored hair, fair complexion, and large blue eyes. As an
actress, though not great, she justly claimed applause.
In 1826. she appeared at Paris in " H Barbier di SevigUa," and made
a decided success. In 1827, she was at Berlin, and in London the next
season, always gaining new laurels wherever she went. She left the stage
for several years, and when she returned to it still found public favor.
In 1850. she was prima donna under the management of Lumleyatthe Drury
Lane Theatre, London, In 1852, Sept. 19th. she arrived in New York City,
and gave a series of splendid concerts at Metropolitan Hall, assisted by Sig.
Silvi She next appeared in Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia and New Or-
leans. She then returned to New York, and in July, 1853, appeared in opera
under the baton of the celebrated Max Maretzek at the Castle Garden. In
1854 she went to Mexico to perform an engagement of two months, for
which she was to secure ten thousand dollars, but shortly after she arrived
there, she died of the cholera, on the 17th of June. 1854. She had an im-
mense funeral; all performers of both theatres assisted at her funeral service.
Her remains were sent to Germany, and buried in the Abbey Marienstem.
THE PROGRESS OF MUSIC AND OPERA IN BROOKLYN.
iiao
1852. — Whatever minor concerts were given this
year in Brooklyn were attended with a better success
than formerly. The excitement created by two such
great artists as Miss Hayes and Madame Sontag ap-
pearing in Brooklyn, gave a new impulse to the desire
on the part of the people for other musical entertain-
ments of high order, and almost demanded the return
of these excellent artists to the " City of Churches."
1853. — This year is made notable from the fact
that a new hall, " The Athcnmum," opened its doors
for the first time on the 2d of May. The building is a
fine structure, standing on the north-east corner of At-
lantic and Clinton streets. It contains a large liall on
the second floor, and will seat twelve hundred people.
It has a parquette floor and a gallery, both well
arranged. The interior is finely frescoed, and has a
small stage, a drop-curtain and a few scenes, better
adapted to concert purposes than to the drama. Sev-
eral fine concerts were given the early part of the
season at this hall. On October 14th, Henrietta
Sontag appeared at the Athenteum. This was her
second and last api^arance in Brooklyn. She was
supported by Sig. Kocco and Paul Jullien.
1854. — Madame Isidora Clark, an American prima
donna, and who for many years had been a resident of
Brooklyn, gave a concert at the Athenai'um November
39th. Mr. Henry Appy, the celebrated violinist, and
Mr. Wells, pianist, assisted. The well-known Mr.
Henry Timni acted as conductor.
1855. — "The Pyne and Harrison English Opera
Troupe " gave their first concert in Brooklyn at the
Athenteum, April 5th. Miss Louisa Pyne* was assisted
by her sister, Mr. William Harrison, and Mr. Henry
Horncastle. The selections were from the most pop-
ular operas. The concert was rej^eated on the lltli of
the same month with increased attendance.
*Miss LoDlsA Pyne was a great favorite with the American public. At au
early age, she was placed under the instructions of Sir George Smart. When
only ten years old, she appeared at the Queen's Concert-Room, London, and
met with much applause, and soon became a favorite concert singer. In
18i7, she visited Paris, and met with success. In 1849, she made
her iirst appearance in opera at Boulogne, as Armena in "La Son-
nambula," and was greeted with loud applause on the fall of the
curtain. Two months later, she performed at the " Princess's " Theatre,
London, as Zeilina in " Don Giovanni." In 1851 she was prima donna
at the Haymarket Theatre, London. It was here that she first appear-.^d in
the opera of "The Crown Diamonds," the music of which she sang with
exquisite taste and briUiaucy. Her fame was now made, and she soon
appeared, by request, before Her Majesty Queen Victoria, at Windsor Castle,
and at Buckingham Palace. In 1854. from Liverpool, she embarked for the
United States, and made ber first appearance at the Broadway Theatre, Oc-
tober 9th, the same year, intheoperaof "La Sonnambula." The theatre was
crowded almost to suffocation, the admittance being only fifty cents. She
made a most decided hit, and performed for several weeks to crowded
houses. After this, she traveled through the States with like success. Her
voice was a soprano of excellent quality, remarkable for compass and flexi-
bility. In her appearance she was petite and blonde, with a most agreeable
expression of face that almost sparkled with intelligence. After remaining
in the States for three years, she returned to England in 1857, and at the
Lyceum Theatre, London, she made a great hit in "The Rose of Castile," a
new opera by Balfe, which was produced for the first time, October 29th,
1857. In 1860 and 1861, Miss Pyne crowded Drury Lane and Covent Garden
Theatres by her delightful singing in Wallace's new opera of " Lurline." In
1862, she took the place of Miss Kellogg at Her Majesty's Theatre, London.
Mr. William Harrison, a fine tenor, and who always sang with Miss Pyne,
died in England, 1868, 63 years old. Miss Pyne was born in England in 1835.
September 14th, Madame Theresa Parodi made her
first salutation to a Brooklyn audience at the Athe-
naeum. Madame Amelia Patti, Strakosch, Sig. Barvidi,
and Mr. Gardiner composed tlie list of artists. The
selections were from Meyerbeer's "Prophet," "Casta
Diva," "Norma," with the duettino called "Love's
Approach," composed by William Wallace, and were
sung by Madame Parodi.*
1856. — January 16th, the celebrated Gottschalk
gave his first " Piano-forte Soiree " in Brooklyn, at the
Polytechnic Institute, Livingston street. This gentle-
man came to Brooklyn with a splendid reputation,
which he had recently made in the City of New York,
yet, on this occasion, he performed to almost empty
benches. He was a wonderful artist. The piano in his
hands seemed like a spirit of music that answered in a
peculiar and thrilling way to his fingers as they floated
over the keys, as if by magic. There was a melancholy
of tone and pathos of melody which at times he expressed
that would force tears to the eyes. He made the piano
talk to you as the poet talks in his written verses.
You understood his effect of sounds as you understand
the forms of words. He could express sentiments so
strongly and picture the descriptive so vividly that
one could almost see the colors of the sunset, and hear
the rippliugs of water, see the flashings of the light-
ning and hear the mutterings of the thunder, the
swayings of the forest in the storm, and the meanings
of the afflicted. If ever the human soul was expressed
through the medium of the fingers upon an instrument,
Gottschalk attained tlie height of that expression, f
*This lady was the pupil of the great Pasta, who was the most prominent
of all lyric tragediennes. She was to the operatic stage what Siddons was
to the dramatic stage. Parodi made her first appearance on the stage at the
Grand Opera House, London, April 10th, 1849, in " Norma," and achieved a
perfect success. A critic, who used to write many years ago for the Netv
Yorker, a weekly paper, over the nom de plume of " D ", and was present at
her [?e&w^, describes her performance in the following terms; "I well re-
member the eager scrutiny which the whole performance underwent, to
ascertain how much of the Pasta leaven it contained, and how far her Norma
would bear comparison with that of Grisi, the acknowledged great 'diva;'
but Parodi's interpretation was entirely different in many respects from
that of Grisi. There was more of the lovely yet slighted woman, and less of
the tragic queen about it. Not only were the great outlines of the character
more strongly developed, but all of the nicer shades were filled in with more
artistic skill and dramatic effect, which gave tone and coloring to the whole
picture. In this the teaching of Pasta and the great scholarship of Parodi
were alike evident. There was the same beauty of declamation in the reci-
tative, the same frequent sacrifice, though but momentary, of composer to
author, and the same abandon of style which her great teacher had manifested
in her own wonderful performances."
Madame Parodi arrived in New York City, October 25th, 1850, and made
her appearance under Max Maretzek, Nov. 4th, 1850. She was warmly
received by the New York press, and was frequently compared to Grisi.
Her voice was pure and sympathetic, with a fine quality preserved through-
out. She was not brilliant in execution, but she put in those embellish-
ments that attracted, for the reason that they belonged to the sentiment of
the music, and not to mere tricks of the voice to gain applause. She pos-
sessed an intellect that gave great power and artistic thought and weight to
her conception of character — ^just such a mind as could grasp the meanings
of such a character as Lady Macbeth, and expound the meanings of deep
thoughts. She had a fine figure, and a face better fitted to the work of a
tragic actress than a prima donna, to whom we generally look for voice-cul-
ture only, and not to those mental acquirements that are absolutely neces-
sary to make a great actor or actress. On leaving the theatre, one was more
apt to remember Parodi as the great actress, than as the great singer.
t This great genius of the piano was born in New Orleans in 1829, and
died at Tijuca, a plateau, about two miles from Rio, on the 18th of Decem-
ber, 1869.
1130
HISTOllY OF KINGS COUNTY.
On the 22d of January, Louisa Pyue made another
visit to the Athenasum. January 29th, Gottschalk made
his second attempt at the Polytechnic Hall, and on
this occasion the people of Brooklyn redeemed their
reputation for musical culture by giving him a fine re-
ception and a full house. February 33d, Louisa Pyne,
Gottschalk and Paul Jullien all appeared at the Athe-
naeum. May 8th, Madame La Grange and Gottschalk
gave a concert at the Athenaeum. Oct. 15th, La
Grange gave her second concert at the same hall. On
the 33d, Parodi, Gottschalk, Tamberlini, Bernaidi and
Morini all appeared at the same concert at the Athe-
naeum. Selections were given from Rossini, Donizetti,
Verdi, Balliui and Malibran. This was the greatest
display of musical genius that had ever appeared on the
same night in the city of Brooklyn.
December 1st, Thalberg appeared for the first time
in Brooklyn.
1857. — January 5th, Mr. William Mason, an
American pianist of fine ability, captivated his hearers
at the Athenffium. On the 16th, Gottschalk gave a
concert at the same hall, assisted by Parodi, Ooi-a "Wil-
horst, and Madame Amelia Patti. February 5th, the
Pyne and Harrison troupe. March 14tb, Carl Prox
gave what he called a " Philharmonic Soiree," at the
Athena3um. April 4th, Olo Bull, the great violinist,
gave a concert at the Athenaeum to a crowded house.
April 30th, many of the first citizens of Brooklyn gave
a grand complimentary concert to Miss Louisa Pyne,
at the Athenaeum. Every seat in the house was
filled.
Philharmonic Society.— On Monday evening,
April 13th, 1857, a number of gentlemen met, pur-
suant to notice, at the Brooklyn Athenaeum, to organ-
ize a Philharmonic Society. The Hon. Judge Green-
wood was called to the chair, and Luther B. Wyman,
Esq., was appointed secretary. Judge Greenwood
stated the object of the meeting, alluded to the power-
ful influence arising from the cultivation of music, and
tendered his hearty co-operation with the gentlemen
present in the formation of an institution so much re-
quired in the city of Brooklyn. Professor Raymond
then offered a set of resolutions, wherein it was stated
that the first duty of every community was to advance
its own moral and spiritual condition; and, that the
most effective measure to this end was an institution of
pure and elevated recreation for the people, and no other
institution could so perfectly accomplish the object as
one devoted to the sublime Art of Music. The com-
mittee appointed to draft a plan of organization and
constitution; consisted of Robert R. Raymond, John
Greenwood, Luther B. Wyman, and Edward White-
house.
May 5th, a second meeting was held at the same
place. A Board of Directors was immediately formed,
elected to serve for one year, consisting of Edward
Whitehouse, Charles Christmas, Robert R. Raymond,
Luther B. Wyman, A. Cooke Hull, L. S. Burnham,
John Greenwood, P. K. Weizel, Alfred Large, George
G. Ripley, W. M. Newell, Charles Congdon, Samuel
Sloan, H. Mayren, Henry F. Vail, Robert M. Berdell,
E. D. Plympton, William Pool, Luke W. Thomas,
David M. Stone, R. H. Tucker, Lea Luqueer, George
G. Hastings, and C. M. Congreve. Luther B. Wyman
was elected President; Edward Whitehouse, \st Vice-
President; John Greenwood, 2d Vice-President; Rob-
ert R. Raymond, Secretary, and A. Cooke Hull, Treas-
urer.
.The society's first concert took place at the Athe-
naeum on Saturday evening, Nov. 14th, 1857. Con-
ductor, Theo. Eisfeld ; leader, J. Noll ; under whose
skillful management the following interesting pro-
gramme was performed :
Paet I.
Erucia — Symphony, No. 3 Beethoven
Hear ye, Israel, from "Elijah" Mendelssohn
Miss Henkietta Behrend.
Concerto for Cornet-a-Pision Schreiber
l. schkeiber.
Paet H
Ruy Bias — Overture Mendelssohn
Ave Maria — Cornet-a-pision Schubert
Ij. Scheeibee.
Aria from "Linda" Donizetti
Miss H. Beheend.
Oberon — Overture Weber
The orchestra consisted of forty excellent musicians.
The house was crowded to its fullest capacity ; the
concert was a perfect success, and was followed by an-
other, December 13.
1858. — The Haydn Quartet Olub gave four con-
certs at the Polytechnic Institute, January 30. Third
concert of the Philharmonic took place at the Athe-
nanum, Madame de Lussan, soprano; Aptommas, harp;
and full orchestra of forty instruments, with Theo.
Eisfeld as director. Symphony No. 7, Beethoven, was
performed.
The Brooklyn Harmonic Society, composed of the
vocal and instrumental societies of Brooklyn, with
Carl Prox as director, gave their first concert at the
Polytechnic. Selections from several of the best com-
posers were given.
October 1st, at the Athenaeum, Sig. Strakosch, with a
portion of the Italian opera troupe from New York,
gave a concert. Madame Pauline Colson, Brignoli, La
Bactta and Amodio made up the list of singers. The
first concert of the second season of the Philharmonic
was given October 30th, with Madame Gazzaniga as the
soprano of the occasion.*
* Want of space obliges us to condense much that had been prepared
concerning the Phitharmonic. Suffice it to say, that since 1877, five or
more concerts have been given every year. At present the season con-
sists of twenty performances — eight concerts, eight public rehearsals, and
four matinees.
Performances were given in the Brooklyn Athensum till 1862; since
then at the Academy of Music. The first president w;is Mr. Luther B.
Wyman, who held the office until his death ; since when Mr. Henry K.
Sheldon has been president. Theodore Eisfeld was the first conductor,
THE mOGRESS OF MUSIC AND OPERA IN BROOKLYN.
1131
Italian Opera in Brooklyn.— The first per-
formauce took place at the Atheiifeum, Saturday,
November 2(ith. A stage had been erected at
the west end of the room, furnished with scenery, foot-
lights and drop curtain. The stage was about thirty
feet wide inside of the ^irosceuium, by twenty-two feet
deep; and, although small and cramped, in comparison
with the required amount of sj^ace, when all tlie char-
acters and chorus were on the stage; still that could
well be overlooked in the exciting thought that Brook-
lyn had really reached an Italian opera performance.
It was, indeed, an epoch in the history of Brooklyn,
and caused at the time quite a sensation among the
elite. The following is the programme in full :
BROOKLYN ATHEN^UM.
Saturday, November 20th, 1858.
Italian Opera, performed with Chorus, Orchestra, Costumes.
A Speciai. Stage,
with new scenery and footlights, having been built and painted
Viy Allegri and Calyo.
Piccolomini, Gazzaniga, Formes, Florenza, Tamaro, Mag-
giorochi.
Doors open at 7.30 ; opera commences at 8 o'clock.
The performance will commence with the second act of
"The Daughter of the Regiment, "
Preceded by an overture — Orchestra.
Mile. Piccolomini, Carl Formes, Tamaro, Marra.
To be followed by the second act of
" LucKEZiA Borgia. "
Gazzaniga, Florenza, Tamaro.
Previous to "Lucretia Borgia," the orchestra will perform the
overture to " Der Freischutz." The performance to conclude
with the entire opera of
' ' La Serva Padkona. "
Mile. Piccolomini, as the Housemaid.
During the^comic particcio of "La Serva Padrona," will be in-
troduced " The Quarrelling Duette," from Auber's comic opera
of "The Mason and the Locksmith," and, at the end of the
opera, "The Piccolomini Waltz," especially composed for her
by Signor Muzio. Previous to " La Serva Padrona," the orches-
tra will perform the overture of " Massaniello."
Reserved seats, S2.50. General Admission, SI. 50.
Card to the Brooklyn Pdblic.
As one-third of the Athenteum will be occupied by the stage,
there will be lost over three hundred seats. In view of this cir-
cumstance, and of the great expense attending the performance,
the price charged will not be remunerative to the director. His
principal motive, however, in giving opera in Brooklyn, is to
stimulate the citizens of Brooklyn toward hastening the rapid
construction of the contemplated Brooklyn Academy of Music,
which, Mr. UUman trusts, will be closely united, under one
management, with that of New York.
November 25th, the second operatic occasion, was
the performance of The Barbiere di Seviglia. Madame
until 1865; Carl Bergmann was conductor for 1865-6; Theodore Thomas
was conductor from 1866-1870; Carl Bergmann .again, 1870-1873; Theodore
Thomas, 1873 until the present time. The orchestra at first numbered
40. Now its regular force is 100, and is, on some occasions, increased to
140. Board of Directors : — President, Henry K. Sheldon; 1st vice-presi-
dent, Lyman S. Burnham; 2nd vice-president, Frederic Cromwell: treas-
urer, William R. Bunker; secretary, Benj. T. Frothingham; John T.
Howard, Henry N. Whitney, William H. Cromwell, John D. Elwell, Wil-
liam U. Husted, Camden C. Dike, Frederick A. Ward, F. H. Cowper-
thwaite, Horatio C. King, Jos. P. Holbrook, Frederick D. Blake, John F.
Praeger, O. H.Prentiss, W. W. Goodrich, William B. KendaU, C. T. Christ-
ensen, Chauncey Low, Edward B, Bartlett, Herbert Seymour, John S.
Frothingham.
La Bord (from the Grand Opera House, Paris), Ro-
sina; assisted by Maggio, Rochi, Florenza, Lorini,
Dubruie, Collotti and Morra; director, Muzio.
On the first evening, the audience, though brilliant
in fashion, was not so full as on the last occasion.
The price having been reduced to $1.50 for reserved
seats, and $1.00 for general admission, gave more satis-
faction to the Brooklyn public. On both occasions the
perfoi-mauce was very fine. Tiie entire company was
from the New York Academy of Music. Madame La
Bord gave the utmost satisfaction, and although Pico-
lomini had just been creating a great /z<rore in New
York, La Bord at once became the favorite with the
audience, which she justly deserved, for she was in
many respects the far superior artist.
1859. — The third concert of the second season of
the Philharmonic took place, June 29th,at Athenasum;
Miss Maria S. Brainard, soprano. February 17th, Miss
Elizabeth Greenfield, the " black swan," a colored
woman, who Jiad sung with great success in Europe,
gave her first concert in Brooklyn. Miss Greenfield
possessed a sweet and powerful soprano voice of great
compass, e.xecuted well, and sang with good taste.
Among her selections were t\\QGavatina from the opera of
" Ernaui," Visions of Rest, from "Trovatore," and
others from the best composers. She gave several con-
certs in this city, and drew good houses. March 5th,
Madame De Lussan, and March ICth, Madame Gaz-
zaniga, were the sopranos at the two Philharmonic con-
certs. The Philharmonic this season tendered a com-
plimenty concert to Madame Gazzaniga, for which Sig.
Steffani Amadio and Carl Formes volunteered.
I860. — This season was filled up with several
good concerts. The Philharmonic Society had in-
creased so rapidly in its popularity that the Brooklyn
Athenffium was no longer large enough to hold the
number that flocked to the rehearsals and concerts.
The purpose of having an Academy of Music in the
City of Brooklyn incited the people to foster the Phil-
harmonic, which had also become the fashionable re-
sort. The Academy of Music (of which a full history
will be found in the dramatic chapter of this book),
was the offspring of the Philharmonic Society.
1861. — The first concert of the Philharmonic that
was given at the Academy took place on Saturday
evening, January 19th, 1861. Madame Colson, Signor
Ferri, and Mr. L. Sclireiber were among the artists,
with an orchestra of sixty performers. Theo. Eisfeld,
conductor, and Mr. J. Noll, leader.
January 22d, the first Italian opera performance was
given at the Academy of Music. This was termed the
"Inauguration of the first season of six nights."
The opera originally .selected for the opening night
was "Traviata," but tlie directors of the Academy object-
ed to the story of the opera, on the ground that it was
not of a moral character (?). The management were
forced to produce in its place, Mercandante's II Giu-
1 ] 32
BI8T0RY OF KINGS COUNTY.
raniento (the curse), Elasir (1st time), Madame Col-
son ; Bianca, Miss A. Phillips ; Viscardo, Sig. Brig-
uoli ; Manfredo, Sig. Ferri ; conductor and director,
Sig. Muzia. This was a great musical occasion for Brook-
lyn, as the house was packed from parquette to dome
with one of the most brilliant and fashionable audiences
that ever graced a theatre. The opera was beautifully
placed upon the stage, with new scenery, properties and
costumes. Madame Colson appeared to her best ad-
Tantage. Her pure vocalizations, aud tlie finest of
execution, together with her fine acting, were worthy of
the applause she received. Miss Phillips seemed to
feel the importance of the occasion, and captivated
her hearers with her fresh aud j)owerful contralto
voice ; while Brignoli's fine tenor voice held the at-
tention of his audience as if they were in a dream.
Ferri was a fine actor, and appeared to great advantage
in the part oi Manfredo. The orchestra, though small,
only twenty-seven pieces, did their work well, under
the leadership of Sig. Muzio. Price of admission,
$1.00; reserved seats, $1.50.
Among the distinguished persons present was Mrs.
Abraham Lincoln, wife of the President of tiie United
States, accompanied by her sons. The party occupied
one of the private boxes, and divided the attention of
the audience.
January 26th, second opera-night, with the debut
of a new prima donna. Miss Isabella Hinkley, on
which occasion was produced Donizetti's opera of "Lu-
cia de Lammermoor" : Lucia, Miss Hinkley ; Edgardo,
Sig. Stefani ; Ashton, Sig. Ferri ; Ramundo, Sig. Co-
letti.
Miss Hinkley* made her first appearance in New
York Academy of Music, on tlie Wednesday evening
previous. It was admitted by the entire press of
New York, that she was a success, and a young lady of
great promise. Her appearance met with the warmest
encouragement. It was so rare a thing to have an
American prima donna, that all present felt that a
generous warmth of encouragement was no more than
proper. Her voice was a pure soprano, reaching readily
to high C, in alt, clear and ringing in the upper re-
gister, and with an uncommon quality of chest and
lower tones. Her careful training was evident in the
manner she changed from the lower to the middle
register, and the clear delicacy with which the ex-
treme high notes were enunciated, while the staccato
upper passages were remarkably well done.
* Miss HiNKLET was the daughter of a physician in Albany, N. T. Her
father saw that his daughter possessed a fine soprano voice, and while she
was quite young, placed her under the best instructors in his vicinity. He
died before she had attained to any great proficiency in her difficult art.
Her mother, feeling that her daughter should pursue her studies, tooli her
to Italy to complete her musical education. .She remained there for over
two years, receiving instructions from some of the best masters, and ap-
peared in opera in several European cities. On her return to this country,
she appeared in New York and Brooklyn. In 1861, she became the wife of
Sig. Susini. She died of typhoid fever, at her residence in New York City,
July 5th, 1862. Her sudden death was a great shock to her friends and the
musical public. No .American prima donna ever before or since has ap.
peared, possessed of so many of the requisites for the operatic stage.
January 28th, third opera night at the Academy,
"The Sicilian Vespers" was performed, with Colson,
Brignoli, Ferri, Susini, and Coletti in the cast. Janu-
ary 30th, fourth night, "II Trovatore," with Miss
Hinkley as Leonora, and Miss Phillips as Azu-
cena. This was something new to have the two prin-
cipal characters represented by American artists. Miss
Phillips' acting and singing in the "Gipsy Mother"
were remarkably fine. Her full, rich voice and vocali-
zation were exhibited to great advantage in the " Stride
la Vampa," and so completely did her dramatic inten-
sity carry away her audience that she was summoned
before the curtain at the close of the opera:
Brooklyn, at this time, was having tliree opera nights
per week, while New York had to be satisfied with two.
This caused considerable comment by the New York
press.
February 1st, the opera of "' Martha " was per-
formed, with Colson in her great original character
ci Lady Henrietta. February 5th, the " Barber of
Seville," with Miss Hinkley as Rosena. February
9th, "Ernani" — Elvira, Madame Colson; with the
last act of " Lucia Lammermoor" — Lucia, Miss
Hinkley. So great was the success of the first season,
that Sig. Muzio was induced immediately to commence
six additional nights. February 12th, "Lucrezia Bor-
gia," with Signorina Elena as Lticrezia. This lady
was one of Sig. Garcia's pupils, and was a success.
February 15th, eighth opera night, and Miss Hinkley
as Leonora. February 19th, "Mr. Ballo in Mas-
chera," — Anclia, Madame Colson; Oscar, Miss Hink-
ley. This opera and "Trovatore" were both
performed in the United States before they were in
England. The " Masked Ball " was repeated on Feb-
ruary 23d. On the 26th, "1 Puritani;" March 2d,
" Don Giovanni ;" March 5th, the first appearance of
Miss Louisa Kellogg in Brooklyn,
RiGOLETTO,
With the following cast :
Gilda MissKeUogg
Magdalena Miss Phillips
Due of Mantua, Sig. Stigalli
Rigoletto, Sig. Ferri
Sparafucile, Sig. CoUetti
Miss Kellogg was the third American lady who made
her debut this season as a prima donna. This was an
extraordinary harvest of fine singers reaped from Ameri-
can soil that the public did not expect, and up to this
time has not been equaled. Miss Kellogg at onee be-
came a great favorite with the public.
March 9th, the fourteenth opera night, and benefit
of Miss Hinkley, — Norma, Colson ; Adelgia, Miss
Hinkley. The performance on this occasion con-
cluded with Miss Kellogg as Oilda, in one act of
"Rigoletto." Thus ended the first opera season in the
city of Brooklyn, with the receipts averaging $2,300
per night, while they did not reach $1,600 in the city
of New York.
TSE PROGRESS OF MUSIC AND OPERA IN BROOKLYN.
1133
The Philharmonic Society and these performances of
the Italian opera had established a taste for miisic in
Brooklyn, which has increased in its growtli every year;
until Brooklyn is looked upon by all operatic and
concert managers as being the most appreciative city
in the Union, and where they are always certain of re-
plenishing their coffers. From 1861 to 1883, all the
great lyric artists that have appeared in New York
City have, also, appeared in Brooklyn, and frequently
with a greater monetary success than in any other city
of the Union. Having now pictured the first strug-
gling efforts for the establishment of music in the " City
of Churches," we are compelled, for the want of space,
to notice only the most prominent musical events that
have occurred up to the present time, and that in
brief.
March 14th, Mr. George F. Bristow, son of the
Mr. Bristow mentioned in the early jjarts of this
article, performed at the Acaden-y his oratorio of
" Praise to God," with a full chorus of two hundred
picked voices. April 9th, Sig. Muzio's opera troupe
appeared for three nights at the Academy. Jladame
Colson, Miss Hinkley, and Miss Kellogg were the stars
of the occasion.
May 18th, the Pliilarmonic Society gave a " Grand
Extra Concert " at the Academy, in aid of the " Patri-
otic Eelief Fund." Miss Hinkley, Miss Kellogg, Sig.
Brignoli, Mr. Schreiber, Mr. George Warren, and
others volunteered. George P. Morris, the poet, wrote
a song for the occasion, eutited " The Union, Right
or Wrong;" music by Muzio, and sang by Miss Hink-
ley.
1862.— January 10th, the first grand opera night,
"U Barbiere di Seviglia," Miss Hinkley and Sig.
Brignoli in the leading parts. This season, " II Tro-
vatore," ""Martha," "La Favorita," "Betty," and other
first-class operas were performed, with Miss Hinkley
and Miss Kellogg the favorite prima donnas. May 1st,
Mrs. Grace brought before the Brooklyn public, at the
Athena3um, Miss Carlotta Patti. Miss Emelia J.
Boughton made her debut at the Academy, as Violetta.
October 2d, a musical and dramatic performance was
given at the Athenfeum for the benefit of the sick and
wounded soldiers. Mr. Gabriel Harrison performed the
part of Fazio, to Miss Osgood's Bianca. Mr. John
M. Loretz, Mr. and Mrs. John Abbot, and Mrs. Prior
all Tolunteered, and took prominent parts in the mu-
sical programme.
Nov. 25th, Madame Guerrabella made her first ap-
pearance at the Academy as Leoyiora. On the 27th,
Signora Lorini as Norma. Dec. 4th, Mile. A. Cordier
as Dinorah, with new scenery and costumes. Many
other operas were performed this season with great
success.
1863. — January 8th, Gran gave his first opera-
night of the new season, with Miss Kellogg as Pao-
lina, making her first of a series of farewell perform-
ances, prior to her departure to Europe.* This season
the German Opera Troupe gave several performances,
with partial success. March 19th was Max Maretzek's
first night of his Troupe. On this occasion, Mile. Or-
tolani Brignoli appeared as Violetta. This artiste
had made considerable reputation abroad, but did not
meet with the success she deserved in this country.
She wa,s petite and very graceful, had a good voice, and
was quite charming as an actress. After this lady fol-
lowed Madame Guerrabella as Amelia in the "Masked
Ball," and Miss Kellogg as Martha.
November 4th, Mrs. Van Zandt (Miss Jennie Blitz),
a lady who had resided in Brooklyn nearly all her life,
made her first appearance in Brooklyn at a concert
given at the Academy, and when the curtain fell upon
her performance, she stood an accepted artist and
favorite, f It is an astonishing fact, that since the open-
* Clara Louise Kellogg won her way into public esteem by hard
work and a soul devotion to her glorious art, and occupies at the present
time the proudest position ever reached by an American singer. The
forcing process so well known to speculative management was never ap-
plied to her. She was of a purely natural growth, and, step by step, has
made her way up the rounds until she is an acknowledged triumph, and
in every sense an ornament of the lyric stage.
Her fame preceded her to Europe, and opened the doors of the principal
opera-houses for her. as to the most honored guest. She sang before the
worshipers of the great Patti, Nilsson and Lucca, and still retired covered
with laurels. The brothers Strakosch, while hunting in Europe for their
annual novelty, could find no singer abroad more desirable as a means of
cis-Atlantic speculation thau the fair young American. This was turning
the tables ; they sent to catch a foreign songster, and brought home a
native bird. It takes but a few words to explain her abilities as a singer.
"She does not astonish you; she does what is far better— she delights you."
She is natural in every particular of voice-management. She is sympathetic,
and has an almost faultless method, and while we cannot say that she is a
dramatic artist of any startling effects, wo always feel perfectly satisfied
with her quiet style of acting, which leaves a good impression upon her
audience. As any one can admire a rose or a lily, or can be impressed
with the glory of a sunset, or feel awestruck with the grandeur of an
Alpine scene, so it is with native worth on the stage. An audience is
magnetized just as promptly and as truly by the flash of genius; and the
popular heart always knows when it is thrilled in sympathy with the true
genius of song, and appreciates its real value, and the power that breathes
it forth, as the humble Swiss peasant appreciates the sublimity of his
mountains of eternal snow.
t Mrs. Van Zandt was born in the City of New York, .January 1st, 1845.
She studied in New York xinder Sig. Barili and Sig. Abella. She made her
first appearance upon the stage at a concert a few months previous at the
Brooklyn Academy. Her complete success before crowded houses, composed
of the musical dilettanti and the best critics, more than sustained the an-
ticipation of those who had frequently heard her in private. The press
spoke of her efforts as delicately artistic performances, and predicted for
her a glorious future, which has been fulfilled. Subsequently she appeared
in the " Bride of Lammermoor" with increased success. In 1865 she went
to Milan, and there placed herself for instruction under the well-known
Lamparte. Her progress was so great that she was soon offered an engage-
ment at the Royal Opera House, Copenhagen, where she appeared with the
most flattering success. After this she entered into an engagement with
the Russian Government to sing during the winter months at the Imperial
Opera House. In the winter of 1867 and 1868 she appeared for five months
at the far-famed La Scala, Milan, and the/wro?-e she there created attracted
the attention of Mr. Gye, the manager of the Royal Italian Opera, at Covent
Garden Theatre, London, where she appeared in April, 1868, making a great
hit in "Don Giovanni," and proving herself a most fascinating Zfr/ina.
She was here engaged for the seasons of 1869 and 1870. After this, she was
engaged by Gye for a lengthened tour through Great Britain, visiting
Glasgow, Dublin, Liverpool, and all the large cities, receiving marked at-
tention and favors wherever she went. After winning many laurels
abroad, during her absence of six years, she returned to her native city.
New York. She was immediately engaged by Mr. Rosa as a prima donna
soprano for the Parepa Rosa's "Grand English Opera Troupe," and made
her first appearances in English opera on the 9th of October, at the New
York Academy of Music. Balfe's opera of "Satanella " was chosen for the
occasion; Madame Van Zandt was received with great applause, and the
press spoke of her in the highest terms.
1134
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
iug of the Academy of Music, in less than three years,
no less than four American prima donnas made their
first great success in Brooklyn, and were recognized
wherever else they went, as artists of marked abilities.
The residue of this season was filled up with many
fine operatic performances. The Philharmonic con-
certs were attended by crowds of people, and, on many
occasions, even the Academy was not large enough to
accommodate them.
1864. — The most important event this season in
tlie opera line, was the first appearance in Brooklyn
of Mrs. Jennie Van Zandt on the operatic stage, which
took place November 19th, she having made her debut
at the New York Academy a few evenings previous.
She chose the part of Gilda in " Rigoletto." On both
occasions her success was decided.
Madame Van Zandt is still f)oi3ular with the Ameri-
can pul)lic. Her voice still retains its freshness and
many beauties of execution, and wherever she appears,
in concert or opera, slie is welcomed witli all the marks
of respect and apj)roval.
In the season of 1864, Signora Carozzi Zucha per-
formed frequently at the Academy in " Lucrezia Borgia,"
" Don Giovanni," " II Polinto " and '•' Don Sebastian".
This same season Miss Kellogg made a great impression
in the character of Marguerita in " Faust," drawing
immense houses whenever she apjjeared.
After the advent of three such American artistes as
Miss Hinkley, Mrs. Van Zandt and Miss Kellogg, it is
impossible for foreigners to say that this country has
not produced artists of high merit ; which fact they
should ever feel ready to admit, and of which every
American should feel Justly proud.
As years have passed, the Philharmonic Society has
increased in fiublic favor, and no musical organization
in America can compare with it for the great work it
has done in building up a refined taste for music. The
society has always kept its faith with the public by
giving the best talent they could obtain, whether native
or foreign, vocal or instrumental. To one gentleman
in particular are the citizens of Brooklyn indebted for
the great success of this society and the progress of
music in Brooklyn. This gentleman was Luther B.
Wtman, and to this statement no one can take excep-
tion. If any man in connection with the history of
music in Brooklyn deserves a recognition and bio-
graphic mention, it is he.
LuiHEB B. Wyman. — This gentleman was born in Massachu-
setts, in February, 1805. He passed the first twenty years of his
life on his father's farm. At the age of twenty, he went to Boston,
aud soon after he became a member of the Handel and Haydn
Society. He possessed a superior bass voice, and with some
hard work in its culture, he gained the position of one of its
principal solo singers, and frequently appeared in public, and
was s^joken of as a careful and painstaking artist.
In 1830, he started West. On arriving at Troy, a friend took
him to see the then just completed Erie Canal, and here, by ac-
cident, he met a young lady, daughter of the Eev. Dr. Warren,
who afterwards became his wife. This caused him to remain in
Troy, where he obtained a position in the office of the Troy
Towboat Company. He had been but a few weeks in Troy when
he was appointed to take charge of the choir of the Second Pres-
byterian Church, which he conducted for two years. Subse-
quently, and for several months prior to his departure for New
York, he became quite famous as a violoncello performer in the
Kev. Dr. Berrian's church. At the end of three years, Mr. Wy-
man moved to New York. He at once joined the New York
Sacred Music Society. His connection with this, the only
musical society of note in the city, lasted for over fifteen years,
and for the last five years of this time he acted as its president;
his choirs gave superb performances of the most noted vocal
compositions, assisted by such soloists as Madame Cazadori
Allen, Mrs. Austin, and Mrs. and Mr. Joseph Wood, and all of
the great artists of that day.
In 18-10, Mr. Wyman removed to Brooklyn, then a city of less
than forty thousand inhabitants. At this time, he sang bass in
the Church of the Messiah, Dr. Dewey's, New York. However,
he soon resigned this position, and accepted the appointment of
musical director in the newly-erected Unitarian Church of the
Rev. Dr. Farley. This position he held until 1870, at which
time he was presented with a handsome silver service as a testi-
monial of their high appreciation of his great labors in accom-
plishing an advanced condition of church music. Soon after
joining Dr. Farley's church, he was elected president of the
Brooklyn Sacred Music Society, and superintended the produc-
tion of the oratorios " Samson " and the " Messiah " at Plymouth
Church, and the "Seven Sleepers," by Karl Lowe, in the hall
of the old Academy, on the site where the Packer Institute now
stands. This office he held for three years, and in this Society
he made the acquaintance of Miss Frances N. Hall, who became
his second wife in 1819, his former wife having died some
years before.
In 1857 he took the initiative of forming the Brooklyn Phil-
harmonic Society. Theretofore, Brooklyn had been mainly
dependent upon New York for instrumental music of a high
order. On the evening of April 15th, 1857, a committee of gen-
tlemen met at the Brooklyn .\thenreum to organize a society for
the purpose of giving in Brooklyn a series of concerts similar to
those so long enjoyed by the citizens of New York under the
auspices of their Philharmonic Society. A committee, com-
posed of Luther B. Wyman, Robert E. Raymond, John Green-
wood, Edward Whitehouse, Carl Pros, Leopold Bierwirth and
Mr. Siiies, was appointed to draft a plan of organization and a
constitution. On the following 5th of May, the committee re-
ported, and the society was permanently organized. Luther B.
Wyman was appointed its president. It is sufficient to say, that
from the inception of the Philharmonic Society, Mr. Wyman
held, by annual re-election, the position of president almost up
to the hour of his death, and was, without doubt, its most active
.and efficient manager. The great success of the Philharmonic
Society at the Athenaeum rendered it absolutely necessary to
have a large hall to admit the crowds that attended its concerts.
The Philharmonic Board, with Mr. Lyman at its head, was the
first to propose the erection of the Academy of Music. A board
was formed, stock was subscribed, Mr. Wyman was elected sec-
retary of the Building Committee, and the work proceeded
without delay. In June, 1860, while the erection of the Acad-
emy was in progress, Mr. Wyman had a narrow escape from
death. On the 2',lth of that month, he was in the unfinished
building, to fulfill an engagement with the master mason, Mr.
French. He was some few minutes in advance of his engage-
ment, and while on the main floor, watching the raising into
position the immense trusses, weighing nine tons each, which
were to support the roof, he observed a storm gathering, and
suddenly a squall arose, and striking the first truss on the Clin-
ton street end, which was not fully secured, it fell, carrying the
whole ten trusses one after the other with it, and falling with a
THE PROGRESS OF MUSIC AND OPERA IN BROOKLYN.
1135
frightful crash into the interior of the building. Mr. Wyman,
unable to escape, was buried beneath the debris. After being
extracted from his dangerous situation, he was carried home,
and, lingering between life and death, was confined to his bed
for over two months.
It has been the intention of this sketch to trace Mr. Wyman's
connection more particularly with musical matters, and the
various projects with which he has been indentified for the ad-
vancement of music in the city of Brooklyn. It is well to remind
our readers of the prominent part he took during the War of the
Rebellion in the organization of regiments, in "sanitary fairs,"
in patriotic concerts, and every other movement for he further-
ance of the success of our armies and the saving of the Union.
In such matters, no citizen of Brooklyn was more active, and
when he could not give in the way of wealth, he made himself
doubly serviceable by personal devotion to the great cause. We
can truthfully say that in every position of public trust he
proved himself an unselfish and public-spirited citizen and an
honorable gentleman, whose character would adorn the proudest
of cities. For over three years previous to his death, he was an
invalid from paralysis. No man ever died in Brooklyn who was
more highly respected, or whose death was more deeply re-
gretted, than Luther B. Wyman. He died in Brooklyn, on Sun-
day, July 27th, 1879, at the age of seventy-six years. His re-
mains were laid at rest in Green-Wood.
In mentioning the nu,mes of tlie celebrated artists
who have visited Brooklyn, and who have, by their
remarkable talents, lent the city of Brooklyn pages of
musical history worthy of the greatest cities in the
world, there are two singers who deserve more than a
passing notice ; tliese are Parepa Kosa and Madame
Albani.
Of all the singers that have appeared upon the lyric stage,
none was more beloved for her personal character than Parepa
Kosa. Man, woman and child, on meeting her, at first sight took
her into their hearts. There was a freshness and a truthfulness
about her that captivated every one who met her on, or ofif the
stage. And to her lovely character may be attributed as much
of her fame as to her musical genius.
Euphrosyne Parepa was born in Scotland in 1839. Her mother
was the daughter of Mr. Seguin, and was the sister-in-law of
the celebrated Mrs. Seguin. Euphrosyne gave evidence of mu-
sical talent when she was quite young. At the age of sixteen
she made her first appearance in Malta in the character of Ar-
mina in "La Sonnambnla." She was a success. She then went
to Home, Naples, Genoa, Lisbon, and Madrid. In 1857, she ap-
peared in London with the great Ronconi, and there held a very
high position in the Italian opera. In 1863, she married Captain
Carroll, of the East India service, who left her a widow after six-
teen months of married life. In 1866, Parepa accepted an en-
gagement from Mr. Bateman, father of the well-known actress.
Miss Kate Bateman, who brought her to this country. She made
her first appearance at Irving Hall, New York, on September
nth, same year. Mr. Bateman, through bad management, did
not make her a success. He then passed her over to the man-
agement of Mr. Lafayette Harrison, owner of Irving Hall at that
time. He soon introduced her to the public in oratorio and
opera, when she at once took position in public opinion as one
of the finest queens of song that had ever visited the United
States; and she nobly maintained that position till the hour of
her death.
In 1866, she married Carl Rosa, the violinist. In 1872, they
organized an English opera-troupe of their own, which was so
great a success that their profits inside of two years amounted
to $150,000. Flushed with wealth and fame, she returned to
England to rest for a few months; but shortly after her return
to her native country she suddenly died on the 22d of January,
1874.
Her voice was pure and sympathetic in every note, and was
ample in volume, but possessed no dramatic quality of expres-
sion. Her great charm as a singer lay in her simple truthfulness
of note and manner of modulating its compass. Wherever she
went, she flooded the land with melody, and gladdened the
hearts of all who heard her.
Madame Albani is an American artist, whose ability as a singer
has lent additional glory to the limited circle of American sing-
ers who have given the "New World ''a reptitation in musical
art. It was while she was studying for the operatic stage in
Milan that she attracted the attention of her old maestro, and
he wrote to the manager of the Theatre "La Pergola," at Flor-
ence, that he would send him the most accomplished and the
most finished singer in style that had ever left his studio. How
well she redeemed all he had promised, the Florentines soon
testified. Her fame spread rapidly, and she soon appeared at
the Covent Garden Theatre, London, and made a decided success
in the character of Armina in "La Sonnambula." It was con-
ceded by press and public that she was worthy to take rank with
the foremost prima-donnas of Europe. After an absence of some
ten years, she returned to her native country, where she soon ap-
peared in the concert room and on the operatic stage. She was
fully endorsed by all as a great artist, and she still holds her
position as such, having become a fixed favorite with the best
critics.
To particularize the advancing steps of Music in the
city of Brooklyn, from 1865 up to the present writing,
1883, would require a volume of five hundred pages.
The rapid succession of the appearance at the Academy
of Music of all tlie musical celebrities, Italian, French,
German and American, would indeed be interesting to
detail, and would further prove the fact that Brooklyn
has done as much to encourage the advancement of
music as any other city in the Union. Among the
great artists who have appeared in Brooklyn in the
last twenty years may be named Pauline Lucca, Patti,
Nilsson, Parepa Rosa, Zucchi, Aimee, Geistinger, De
Murska, La Grange, Gerster, Albani, Rozetti, Krebs,
States, Silly, Gary, Charles Santley, Wachtel, Rubin-
stein, Ronconi, Formes, Thalberg, Strauss, and many
other fine lyric artists.
1136
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
The Art-Association Building, Montague Street, Bkooklyn.
The Fine Arts in Brooklyn.
BY
't:^^^ic^^^<t^^rrT-^^^^
ART is the beginning, the substance, and the end-
ing of civilization. The first line of grace
drawn, or the first graceful adjustment of a fold of
drapery, belongs to the beginning of art. Art is innate
and instinctive with all human beings to a greater or
less degree. The barbarian, though savage and brutal,
has the conditions of art in his wild nature. The first
human being that breathed the breath of life, though
a barbarian, was simply a man with the elements of grace
in his soul, which ultimatelj' lead to the expression of
art, and from which spring civilization.
The wild Indian of the Far West demonstrates the
existence of the germs of art within him by the decora-
tions of his garments, by the feathers that flaunt
upon his head, the wampum that hangs from his belt,
and the colors of paint that adorn his face. None
other than the born fool can see things of grace with-
out an emotion; therefore all things of grace indicate
art, for the reason that emotion is the mother of grace,
and so long as the human mind is able to distinguish
the difference between a curved and a straight line, art
will exist, and civilization will go on. Form was the
first-born child of art. Next came light and shade,
twin children, and then followed harmony of color, the
three producing the picturesque, which is the highest
condition of art.
But few cities in the world are celebrated for art-col-
lections; but few cities can afford a proper encourage-
ment for a high art-culture; for here we must admit
that art ultimately becomes the greatest of luxuries, as
it takes years of study, labor, and even genius on the
part of the artist to reach an eminent degree of success,
and he must accordingly be well paid for what he has
accomplished. However this may be, Brooklyn has
done quite as well, all things considered, as any other
city in the Union.
London had no permanent art-school, or an academy
of design, until it was over seven hundred years old,
and yet it was surrounded with the great art-marts of
the world. Taking these facts into consideration, the
Americans have no cause to complain for what they
have, or what they have not, done for art. They have
had none of the surrounding art-examples of ages,
accumulated in galleries, nor has the Government re-
sources or ecclesiastical wealth, as among the nations
of Europe, to assist the American artist to advancement.
The churches in this country do absolutely nothing
for art beyond the mere frescoing of the walls in the
modern bcd-quilt pattern, through the cheap medium
of stenciling, and this frequently so inharmoniously
done that one wonders at the lunatic condition of the
mind that invented the grotesqueness. The Govern-
ment many years ago purchased a few pictures for the
Rotunda at the top of the Capitol at Washington.
Either for the want of good judgment, or through po-
litical peculation, many of these pictures are repulsive
to the intelligent mind, for the ignorance the artist has
shown of the historical situation and condition of
things which he has portrayed in what he calls an his-
torical picture. A simple examination of several of
these pictures is all that is required to prove their
worthlessiH'ss as historical pictures, especially so in the
one styled "De Soto Discovering the Mississippi."
From the style of costume and the physical condition
of De Soto and his men, one would be led to suppose
that they had been fattened for the occasion and turned
out for a dress parade, after having consulted a Chinese
laundry and a first-class French barber, while the direct
opposite was the condition of De Soto and his squalid,
fagged-out, half-roasted, and half-starved little band of
heroic followers, when De Soto gave one glance at the
river of rivers, fell sick, died, and was buried in the
mud of the fickle stream.
Another painting in the Capitol, entitled " Washing-
ton Crossing the Delaware," is faulty with like impossi-
bilities. Amidst blocks of ice, falling snow, and a stiff
wind, the Father of his Country is standing up in the
centre of the boat that is in rough motion, holding an
American flag. The position of Washington is such
that he could not keep it under such circumstances, and
there is no poetical or historical license to warrant it,
or the melodramatic position of General Washington,
whose manner was always that of an unostentatious
gentleman.
The picture entitled "The Baptism of Pocahontas"
is alike faulty in its costumes and surroundings. She
was baptized from a common wooden trough in the
little stone church at Jamestown, Va., with everything
in the most primitive condition, as would attend the
early settlers in a strange country, which was yet a wil-
1138
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
derness. But the picture alluded to represents the
scene as one of luxury. The native romance and poetic
effects that might be thrown into a composition of the
baptism of Pocahontas, are of the finest order; and any
artist of ability ought to see enough in the truth of the
situation, without having recourse to falsehood and the
flummery of things that are introduced only to catch
the eye. There is no necessity for untruthful historical
picture representations. The historian has given the
facts of American history with sufficient exactness to
prevent the artist making any mistakes, provided the
artist has sought for truth.
The nation's history is replete with fine subjects for
the ai'tist's genius. The romance of situations involved
in the discovery by Columbus, the settlements in Vir-
ginia, and the darings and sufferings of the Pilgrim
Fathers on the wild coast of Massachusetts, the strug-
gles of the Revolution, the Rebellion — opening the flood-
gates of rich battle compositions of every nature, from
the merest skirmish to the gigantic proportions of the
Gettysburg fight — all give a marvellous fullness of sub-
jects to inspire the artist's pencil to great results.
Yet, after all such deductions, it can be safely said
that great credit is due to American art-progress when
we look at the fettered condition under which it has
been forced to fight and struggle. The early painters
of this country did great work, and in their own day
commanded high attention in Europe. We cannot
ignore the fact that West, Leslie, Washington, Allston,
Copley, Vandenlin, Malbone, Thomas Cole and Gilbert
Stuart did grand work. As artists they lent an undy-
ing glory to the days in which they lived, and brought
this country an art-fame of which every American
should feel proud. It is a fact that the early painters
of this country aspired to higher achievements in art
than do the artists of the present day. They not only
saw nature in form and color with an acute eye, but
saw, too, the ideal, and made the effort to combine
both, thereby demonstrating higher conditions of
thought as well as a higher expression of art-effects.
The works of Allston, West, Trumbull and Cole are
positive evidences of these facts. For, while they
painted histories and ideals, their paintings exalted
them as historical figures in the art-history of their
own country. It is the grandeur of thoughts that
make great men, and it is only great men that can
make a nation's history worth consideration.
Allston's " Dead Man Revived," " Belshazzar's
Feast," "The Bloody Hand," and "Uriel in the Sun,"
are works of art equal to the best productions of any
of his contemporaneous European artists. He was also
a poet of high ability ; his " Paint-King," and his
" Lines to the Genius of Edmund Kean," are among
the best efforts of English poetry. Col. John Trum-
bull has enriched his country with art-treasures in his
battle-pictures of the American Revolution, that should
be valued not only as painted history, but also as works
of art emanating from an American hand that was
highly respected in England and France. His " Death
of Montgomery," " Death of Wolfe," and " Sortie of
Gibraltar," as battle compositions, must ever rank with
the best works by the artists of any nation. Thomas
Cole stands alone as the poetic landscape painter. His
"Voyage of Life" is a poem — an ideal of a high
character — pictures that tell their enchanting story in
forms and colors as strongly as the verses of Byron or
Longfellow through the medium of words. Cole's pic-
tures create thoughts in the beholder as soon as the eyes
take them in. Their power over the raind in form and
color is even stronger than words ; they grasp the eye
and ignite the brain with thoughts of our own, added
to those suggested by the artist. That writer or artist
is the best who makes us think the most — who makes
us have two thoughts of our own to the one he gives
us. It is the unwritten tlioughts between the thoughts
that Shakespeare wrote that make his genius incompar-
able. And the pleasure we have in seeing or reading
lies in the sensation-nerves of our own brain which are
brought into action by the suggestions of others.
Cole's "Voyage of Life" and " Course of Empire" are
full of these suggestions, and are painted epics.
In speaking of Maleone, the American miniature
painter, we feel as if our ink should be dew ex-
tracted from the leaves of roses, and our pen as soft
and delicate as the brush with which he so exquisitely
touched the ivory. The writer of these words has
had the honor of holding in his own hands Malbone's
glorious miniature entitled, " The Hours ; or, the
Past, the Present, and the Future." He saw it in the
possession of old Mrs. Whitehorne, the sister of Mal-
bone, at Newport, R. I. The composition represented
three lovely female figures in one group — Girlhood
full of joy and expectation ; Womanhood (the centre
figure), full of dignified pride and satisfaction ; while
the third figure, expressing the approach of Age,
formed a composition replete with grave and deep hu-
man thought. The faces of the three figures were
luminous with feeling, and tbe harmony of colors that
pervaded the picture was like a sweet melody produ-
cing a repose and restfulness seldom produced by
pictorial effects.
The touchings of the brush in the execution of the
work are marvellously beautiful, and make one feel,
while viewirg the picture, that it was executed by fairy
fingers.
Benjamin West, the American artist, told Mr. Mon-
roe (afterwards President of the United States), when
in Europe, that he had seen a picture, " The Hours,"
by a young gentleman of the name of Malbone, which
no artist in England could excel. This was true, and
the picture, as a miniature on ivory, stands to-day un-
equaled.*
* Some unknown hand, inspired by tliis exquisite art- work, wrote
the foliowing iines, that were extensively copied at the time:
Whoe'er beheld thy rosy Hours,
And could unfelt their beauties see.
The mind is his where darkness lowera.
And his the heart that raine should flee.
AUT HtSTOitT.
1139
This young American genius of art, giving too close
an application to his inspiring profession, sickened and
died at the age of thirty-two years.
Stuart, Trumbull, Elliott, and George A. Baker
have not been excelled as portrait painters.
With these facts looking us in the face, it will not
do to say that the American people are not naturally
disposed to art-culture, or have not those sensbilities
that are necessary to make a nation celebrated in art
matters. We have evidences to the contrary in every
department of art, and in no one has this been more
empathically demonstrated than in the wonderful im-
provement made in this country in wood-engraving.
Its rise and progress knew no bounds until it absolute-
ly leaped into a new style of wood-engraving that ex-
presses in touch and effects everything that can be ex-
pected in black and white, and surpasses anything of
the kind done in Europe. Our illustrated magazines
have more value given to them through the wood-en-
gravings that adorn their pages than is contributed to
them by any of their writers. Harper's and the
Century magazines are almost galleries of art-gems,
and have became valuable as art-collections. The rea-
son for this vast improvement in this department of
art arises from the taste of the American people for il-
lustrated works. The engraver becomes valuable to
the publisher; he is in demand, and the artist strug-
gles to reach a higher standard of excellence, that he
may reach a higher standard of pay, and so long as this
disposition lasts, so will wood-engraving keep on im-
proving, if it is possible to improve any more. Every-
thing must be fostered that it may improve, and when
the Government of the United States wakes up to the
realization that an artist means something much more
than a carpenter, a bricklayer, a stone-cutter, who
puts up its public buildings, it will discover that even
a democratic-republican form of government can add
not only to the happiness of its people, but to the
glory of the nation. The affected disregard or con-
tempt for the paternal influence which should be ex-
ercised over the morals and the art-fostering of the
people is an insult to ordinary intelligence, and ob-
viously unworthy of the characteristics and policy of
a highly civilized nation.
Has the fact that the governments of England,
France and Germany having patronized art made
the people of those nations any worse ?— and has
not the fact of their governments having fostered the
art made the people happier, and the nations greater
in intellectual achievements ?
May memory to thy mind present
The past with Kentle, placid mien.
When Hope, prophetic spirit sent,
Waving her golden hair, was seen.
And may thy present hours be bright
As the fair angel smiling there;
Without a cloud to dim their light-
Without a thought that sets in care.
But for the future— Oh ! may they
Be crown'd with bliss, health, and fame !
And may this little, humble lay
Be lost midst songs that sound thy name.
When the representatives of the people at Washing-
ton are made to see something more than " river and
harbor" improvements, and are sufficiently developed
to estimate the difference of importance between the
work of a carpenter and of an artist, they will then
discover that there is something in art that is worth
the care of the government, and that such care cannot
in the least impair the dignity of the government, or
jeopardize " democratic-republican institutions." Let
our government make an occasional appropriation
from its overflowing coffers for the encouragement of
art. Let awards be offered for national historical
pictures. The appropriation of one hundred thousand
dollars would place upon the walls of the Capitol's
Rotunda at least four pictures worthy of art-fame.
In 1850, the few artists that resided in Brooklyn
felt that something should be done by organization to
uphold and advance a taste for art in the rapidly grow-
ing city. Among the Brooklyn artists of those days
stood prominently Mr. Thomas Thompson, the marine
painter, and at that period among the best in the
country. Mr. Thompson was born in London, Eng-
land, March 25, 1 770. He came to the United States
in 1817. For several years he resided in Baltimore,
and had his studio on Lexington street. In 1830, he
came to New York Citj% was highly esteemed by his
brother artists, and was for many years a member of
the New York Academy of Design. His marine pic-
tures were frequently on exhibition at the New York,
Philadelphia and Boston Academies. In 1840, he
moved to Brooklyn, where he remained until his death,
November 15, 1852. In 1818, while a resident of
Baltimore, he was commissioned by a gentleman of
that city to paint a view of New York Harbor.
Among his later works, the writer has seen two oblong
pictures representing the Battery, and taking in an
extended view of Governor's Island and the bay,
crowded with all kinds of ships and water-craft, as
was the case before the introduction of so much steam
navigation. These pictures are valuable both as to the
condition of things at that time and as works of art.
At the time Mr. Thompson was resident of Brook-
lyn, a Mr. Haskins was the teacher of drawing and
painting in the Graham Art School, in the Brooklyn
Institute. This gentleman, feeling that something
must be done to advance art taste, and to find a mart
for the sale of resident artists' works, called on Mr.
Thompson and suggested the formation of an Art
Union in Brooklyn, on the plan of the one in New
York City — the distribution of pictures by lottery.
Mr. Thompson joined hands with this gentleman, and
the first exhibition of the
Brooklyn Art Union was given in issi at
283 Fulton street, in the " Whitehouse Building," now
Loeser's well-known dry goods store. The exhibition
room was of good proportions and had a sky-light well
adapted to the purpose. The first drawing of the
1140
HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.
prizes took place at the Brooklyn Institute, Washing"
ton street, and Walt. Whitman, then the editor of a
small paper called the Brooklyn Freeman, delivered
the address on the occasion of the first distribution.
But the State authorities, looking upon this system for
the encouragement of art as nothing more than a
mode of gambling, enacted a law forbidding it, and
nothing more was heard of the Art Union.
The G-raham Art School.— This was the first
art-school Brooklyn had. It took its name from
Augustus Graham, an English gentleman, who left an
amount of money to be used by the Brooklyn Institute
for art-school purposes. The Mr. Haskins above-
mentioned was one of its first teachers. This school
has done a splendid work for art-progress in Brooklyn,
and too much respect cannot be shown to the memory
of Mr. Graham, who so nobly remembered the cause
of art, which is so seldom appreciated by men of
wealth in their dying bequests to educational institu-
tions of this class.
Quite a large number of prominent artists have
graduated from the Graham Art School. It has since
the time of its organization given free art-education to
over one thousand pupils, males and females, many of
whom had not the means otherwise to pursue the pro-
fession of their choice. The reader will find as he
follows this sketch through to the end, that a fuller
history of the Graham Art School will be given in
connection with other art events in Brooklyn.
The Sketch Club. — The next important move
in art-matters of Brooklyn was the formation of " The
Sketch Club," which took place in 1857. Its first
meeting was held in the Dod worth Building, 137 Mon-
tague street. The meeting was held in Mr. Cbappel's
studio. Mr. F. A. Chapman was elected president.
Among the members we find the names of the fol-
lowing artists: S. I. Guy, S. Coleman, Alonso Chap-
pell, J. G. Brown, John M. Falconer, .John William-
son, James Dick, John A. Parker, George Innis, J.
B. Whittaker, Rufus Wright, and Mr. Oertel. The
objects of this club were of a two-fold nature: for
social purposes and original compositions. The re-
sults were excellent both in oil and water colors.
It served also to fraternize the artists, and called the
attention of the public by their exhilntions to the fact
that Brooklyn had an art-circle, in which were some of
the most promising artists in the country. The ex-
hibitions of this club were held in the artists' studios,
Dodworth IJuilding.
Brooklyn Art A ssociation.— in isso, the
artists of New York City started what they termed art-
receptions, which was nothing more than a small col-
lection of pictures hung upon the walls of the Acad-
emy of Design, and invitations sent out to people of
wealth to inspect the same. The exhibitions took
place in the evening. The artists were present. In-
troductions took place, and the artists sold their pic-
tures. In a commercial point of view it was a success.
This led Mr. John Williamson to call a meeting in his
studio, Dodworth liuilding, to organize a similar
social club, with the additional feature of admitting
lay members, believing that this would be the means
of interesting a larger outside interest in art-matters
and occasion a more ready sale for the artists' produc-
tions. The sale was exceedingly limited at that time
in Brooklyn.
The first meeting was held on January 5th, 1801.
The following artists were present: F. A. Chapman,
J. B. Brown, S. I. Guy, John M. Falconer, J. A.
Parker, E. J. Whitney, P. P. Rider, W. Hepburn, A.
Berger, Mr. Oertel, Mr. Lundy, Mr. Patton, R.
Gignoux, and Mr. John J. Ryan, of the New York
Herald. Mr. F. A. Chapman was called to the chair.
The meeting resulted in an organization, and the
following officers were elected: President, Mr. R.
G 
