A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE ALLEN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
How lovely is thy dwelling-place,
O Lord of hosts to me,
The tabernacles of thy grace,
How pleasant, Lord, they be.
"Glorious things of thee are spoken, O city of God." This saying can be
emphatically applied to the above church, for the living truths
proclaimed from her pulpit have saved and sanctified many sons and
daughters, and clad in the beauteous garments of Prince Immanuel, have
gone forth to other churches and to other lands, to lead thousands to
the same Saviour that they had found.
Let us glance at its origin.
While Christ is the head of the Church, the tried corner-stone elect
and precious, yet his members are the living stones, and have built up
a spiritual house unto the Lord. The portion of "Zion" to which we have
reference, originated on the corner of Catharine Street, near Madison
Street. It was duly organized on Wednesday, May 28, 1819.
The seal of the church is an open Bible, and the words _Holy Bible_ upon
it, with the inscription surrounding it: "_Allen Street Presbyterian
Church_."
The location of the place of worship was changed to Allen Street in
1823.
The Rev. Ward Stafford was appointed by the New York Female Missionary
Society, who nobly toiled, and was succeeded by the Rev. William Gray.
During the first year of its history, twenty-one members were added to
the church-roll, and as an expression of her unfeigned gratitude to God
for this mark of kindness she became the mother of the same number of
ministers of the Gospel, who were called and commissioned, and who have
courageously proclaimed the unsearchable riches of Christ, in distant
parts of the country. Among them was the present pastor of the Church
of Sea and Land, Rev. Dr. Hopper. It is worthy of observation that this
church has been able to pay its running expenses by voluntary
contributions.
In a historical discourse delivered by Rev. George O. Phelps, he says:
"It is a source of untold satisfaction in this day of presumptuous
spires or burdensome church debts, that the Allen Street Presbyterian
Church has no such encumbrance--not one dollar of mortgage rests upon
it; that at the close of each fiscal year, by means of the voluntary
system, and the kindly aid of friends interested in the prosperity of
the church, and the maintenance of the preached word in this part of
the city, all obligations are fully discharged.
"For this, we most heartily thank our God to-day, whose favor is thus
constant.
"True as it is, that this church can be regarded at no period as among
the affluent--as there are those to-day who expend more for church
music than our entire congregational expenses, so there have ever been
those who could drop into the treasury of a single board, in a single
year, more than all our contributions to benevolent objects during
fifty years, we hope it may be equally true that we have been most
definitely, spiritually pronounced.
"Whatever may be said of her ecclesiastical loyalty, the evidences are
numerous of fervent loyalty to Christ, in doctrine, in the word
preached, in influence exerted, in means used for the extension of His
kingdom, and of consequent fidelity to man touching questions of social
and of national importance.
"A not unimportant element of influence and success, next to a becoming
spirituality, is the _social-religious_ element. This is proverbial of
the Allen Street Church."
Not to refer to the regular weekly prayer-meeting in this connection
would do great violence to a complete record as well as harm to many a
saint in Israel. For years this meeting has been a great power in
Christian life and work. Hundreds maybe said to date their first
serious impression, and very many their conversion, to the scenes of
that hour and place; and how perennial its influence, and refreshing
upon the host of God's people.
Among the most prominent pastors of this church, we may mention the
Rev. Henry White, D.D., regularly installed March, 1829. He resigned
March 9, 1837, and became the first Professor of Systematic Theology in
the Union Theological Seminary, New York City. He died August 25, 1850,
aged fifty years. A man of decided character.
Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D., was installed October 10, 1839, and was
dismissed April 24, 1844. He afterward became the pastor of the Church
of the Puritans on Union Square. He now resides at Englewood, N.J., a
man of vast resources, both personal and acquired, eloquent and
effective in address, in views extremely radical.
Rev. David Benton Coe, D.D., was installed October 14, 1844. He was
dismissed May 13, 1849. He became one of the secretaries of the
American Home Missionary Society. He was of a retiring habit, scholarly
attainment, instructive as a preacher, and devoted and sympathizing as
a pastor.
Rev. Dr. Newell was installed February 8, 1860. His pastorate ceased
February 2, 1874, being the longest pastorate of the church, embracing
one quarter of its history.
In this brother the pastor and the evangelist were happily united. Of
deep sympathies, ardent in faith, Christ crucified became the one theme
of his ministry. He was second to none in religious zeal, and untiring
in effort.
Each succeeding ministry has not been wanting in the evidences of the
Spirit, in which the being of the church seems to have been cast.
The pastorate of Mr. Lucas, for example, deserves more than a passing
notice. It was marked by two interesting works of grace: one soon after
his coming to the field (1855), and that of 1858. During these seasons
not a few of the best friends of Allen Street were brought to Christ.
Not all were equally favored, however, with beholding what men too
often regard exclusively as signs of success. In illustration of this,
it is enough to suggest that the loss experienced yearly during a large
period of her history has by no means been supplied through additions
by letter. This source of gain alone would not have spared her the
extinction which early threatened the church through removals. On the
contrary, as previously observed, the balance has been favorable
through all these years of depletion--a monument to the grace of God in
no general sense.
Perhaps it may not be disparaging to say that _the_ revival period of
the church is embraced in the pastorate of Dr. Newell, the fourteen
years of which were distinguished for their revival spirit. I think it
may be truthfully said, that he would have deemed his own ministry a
miserable failure in the absence of revival seasons.
With two exceptions each year of his ministry was marked with
ingathering. A large proportion of those now worshipping here were
brought to the Saviour within these years; while many others are known
to be justifying the spirit of their birthplace in other communions.
The most powerful work of grace, in many respects, occurred in the
winter of 1866-67.
On March 24, 1867, one hundred and fifty-four subjects of that work
publicly professed faith in Christ; upward of two hundred joined the
church during the year.
The following notice is taken from the New York _Evangelist_ soon after,
the editor of which was present:
"A goodly sight, indeed, and worthy the words of hearty welcome
uttered by the pastor. As he led the congregation in the song,
'There are angels hovering round,' the house seemed to be full of
heavenly influence. There were a large number of baptisms. There was
visible emotion as the symbol of purity was lifted to the brow of a
lady in deep mourning. Her husband (Mr. George Betts) had been an
elder of the church twenty-eight years. It was his constant cry to
God that he might not die until his wife became a Christian. Two
weeks before he had heard her examined and received by the session.
On his way from church he was struck with paralysis, and died."
He adds: "I have never seen a better appearing multitude stand in any
church. The sexes were about equally divided."
"These seasons," said the pastor, in his farewell discourse, "have not
been the result of accident. They were thoroughly planned and provided
for, and sought of the Lord. We have found that appropriate means was
wisdom, that persistent concentration was power; that enthusiasm for
souls was force; and that belief in God was success."
A complete history of that one revival would occupy a volume. It was
deep, wide-spread, and confined to no particular class. The official
capacity of the church recently has been largely exercised by men
converted at that time. Men holding trusts in the Society to-day were
without hope previous to that work.
It is gratifying to record the continuance of the gracious favor, that
this last year of the century, the fifty-seventh of our existence,
should be crowned with still another work of grace--gradual in
inception, first indicated by increasing interest in the ministration
of the Word, in the absence of special means, only finding in the Week
of Prayer an occasion for decided development--continuing with
deepening and widening interest, until attention was necessarily
divided between this and a more general work in connection with the
coming of Messrs. Moody and Sankey to our city. As visible proof of
this quiet work, fifty-seven have been added to the church--forty-six
making profession of their faith on March 12th, of all ages--youth from
the Sabbath-schools, adults, and several heads of families.
A church of such continuous revival record ought, indeed, to raise her
Ebenezer to-day. While as patriots we fling out our Centennial Banners,
let us, as subjects of the Lord Jesus Christ, set up a memorial to the
praise of His boundless, matchless grace.
During the ministry of the Rev. George O. Phelps, the blessing of the
Lord attended his untiring and loving labors.
We cannot omit mentioning here the kindness of the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel
Conkling, who cheerfully supplied the pulpit for eighteen months
without any remuneration; and during this time the pastor's study was
neatly furnished, and the church property renovated. Also a number of
young persons were led to Christ and united with the church; some of
these young men are to-day actively engaged in the Lord's work in the
lower part of the city, at the Church, and in connection with the
"Young Men's Institute," on the Bowery.
It only remains for me to speak of the _Sabbath-schools connected
with this church_.
Imperfect, indeed, would be this narrative, without a record of this
department of Christian work.
Mr. Samuel Kennedy was its first superintendent, which office he held
for twenty-three years. He was a man of great kindness of heart, strict
in discipline, and devoted to the interest of youth.
The present superintendent is Martin Ralph.
The following named gentlemen have held the office of Superintendent in
regular succession: John D. Camp, Benjamin N. Goldsmith, Daniel O.
Caulkins, Amos P. Hawley, Lewis S. Benedict, Mahlon T. Hewitt, William
C. Bradley, H. C. Southworth, Joseph W. Lester, Edward P. Tibballs, H.
G. Fraser, and G. A. Koos.
There is also related to this church a Mission-school, superintended by
one of its elders--Mr. J. H. Owens--known as the "_Ludlow Street Mission
Sabbath School_," at present occupying the public school building on
Ludlow Street, between Rivington and Delancey.
The superintendents are tireless in exertion, and fully devoted to its
interest, encouraged by a zealous band of officers and teachers, the
influence of whose work upon the children and the families they
represent in that locality, eternity alone can tell.
Next to Elder Knowles, as the ruling elder, we might mention the name
of Joseph W. Lester, of whom it may be said that he endeared himself,
by an unusual force of character, to a large acquaintance, best known
in connection with the Allen Street Church, but a pillar of strength to
every good work throughout the city; of strict integrity, a judicious
adviser, largely benevolent, prompt to act, of wonderful energy,
reliable everywhere, zealous to win souls, esteemed for his business
qualities, and a true patriot.
But amid all the changes to which both the church and school have ever
been subject, there remains one, who, as a dutiful son, and an apt
scholar, took his place forty-seven years ago; so now his fidelity and
constancy are no marvel, since, with the Psalmist, he is a "door-keeper
in the House of the Lord," and like John the Baptist, "An
_unshaken_ Reed."
* * * * * *
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS ON THE REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH.
The _New York Times_, of Monday, May 9, 1887, gives a brief account of
the origin of the church:
The Allen Street Presbyterian Church had its beginning in Madison
Street, then Bancker, in 1816. A missionary society in 1817 built a
wooden structure at a cost of a little over two thousand dollars,
near the corner of Catharine Street. The society was incorporated
as the "Mission Church in the City of New York," and that title has
never been changed, except by common usage. In 1823 an edifice was
erected at a cost of about three thousand dollars. For years the
church did not prosper, and was on the point of selling its
property, when the Rev. Absalom Peters offered to act as Pastor for
a time without salary. He pulled the society through its troubles.
The present building was erected in 1833 at a cost of twenty
thousand dollars. Since then the church has been humbly prosperous.
For the present, until a site is secured, the congregation will
worship in the Church of the Sea and Land, in Market Street.
On the same date, under the heading of "After Fifty-four Years," and
"The Last Services in the Old Allen Street Church," the same paper
says:
Another of New York's old churches will soon be torn down.
Yesterday the last services were held in the Allen Street
Presbyterian Church, near Grand Street. For many years the church
has been a sort of half-way house between up and down town, and its
congregation has been an ever-changing one. It has never been a
large nor a rich church, although it has had among its members many
who are to-day wealthy, and its total membership, since its
organization, is much greater than that of many a larger church.
The last services were made interesting, not only by the presence
of nearly all the present members, but of members of twenty and
twenty-five years ago, who came from churches further up town and
from Brooklyn. In the afternoon there was a union service of the
church, Sunday-school, and the Ludlow Street Mission. Later the
young people held a prayer-meeting, and in the evening reunion
services were held. The pastor, the Rev. D. McNeill Young, read
letters from many former members who had left New York, all
regretting the necessity for demolishing the old building. The
reading of the letters was interrupted by the puffing and rattle of
the elevated trains directly in front of the door--one of the
principal causes of a change of location--that made more prominent
the fact that, though sentiment might desire to save the church, it
could never again be a pleasant place of worship. After the letters
were read familiar hymns were sung, and, without any formality, the
older members and their former associates gave reminiscences of the
early days of their church.
As a proof of its spiritual power not less than _fourteen hundred and
forty-three_ persons have been connected with it in the service of the
Master, the number of active members at the time of changing location
being _five hundred and sixty three_, showing that though old in years
it still retains its usefulness.
The _New York Evangelist_ of April 21, 1887, under the heading of
"Another Land-mark to be Obliterated," says:
The old Allen Street Presbyterian Church building, where God's
people have continued to battle against sin and Satan for some
sixty-four years, has at last yielded to the pressure of the
advancing tide of business on Grand Street, and been sold. The
present expectation of the Church is to remain in the neighborhood,
and it is hoped that a more desirable location may be obtained, and
a building, suited to the times and the needs of the people, erected
thereon. Farewell services will begin on Friday evening, May 6th,
with the preparatory lecture, to be followed by an earnest season of
prayer for the divine blessing on the exodus. On Sabbath, May 8th,
the farewell communion service will be held at 11 A.M. A union
meeting of the Home and Ludlow Street Sabbath-schools will be held
in the main audience room of the church building at 2 P.M. The
exercises of the Young People's Prayer and Conference Meeting will
take place at seven o'clock, followed by the closing farewell
service in the Church at 7.45 P.M. Then the last good-by will be
said in the dear old home which has been the spiritual birth-place
of many, many precious souls. It is earnestly hoped that these
services will bring together many who can tell of former refreshing
times from the presence of the Lord, and of hallowed associations
within the sacred walls of the old Allen Street Church. It is
expected that some of the former pastors will be present to add
interest to the occasion. It is well understood that this well-known
church property has been purchased by Messrs. Ridley & Co. for
$75,000. They thus secure large additional space for their enormous
mercantile business. It should, perhaps, be known that the building
of the Elevated road, just in front, has greatly injured "Old Allen
Street," as it was popularly called, for all church purposes. The
noise of the passing trains was very annoying, especially in warm
weather, when windows and doors were open. The sum realized will, it
is hoped, enable the congregation to build elsewhere in the
neighborhood.
The New York Daily _Tribune_, of the same date, thus comments on the old
church:
LEAVING THEIR OLD CHURCH HOME.
Yesterday the Allen Street Presbyterian Church held their last
service in their present home. The building has been sold to
Messrs. Ridley & Sons for mercantile purposes. The church moves
temporarily to Market Street, where they will worship with the
Church of the Sea and Land. There were the regular morning
services, followed by communion. The church was tastefully
decorated with flowers, the gift of the Bethany Society of the
Church, in commemoration of their last services. On May 28, 1819,
the church was organized, although the building had been dedicated
on October 25, 1817. This building was in Madison Street, and when
it became too small they moved to their present place in 1834.
In the afternoon the home Sunday-school and the Mission school in
Ludlow Street held a reunion in the home church. The programme in
the afternoon and evening consisted of short addresses and music.
It was a reunion of old members and new, of old pastors and people,
of old officers and those whom they were accustomed to oversee. The
Rev. N. D. Conkling, assisted the pastor, the Rev. D. M. Young in
the services, preaching the morning sermon. There were twelve
persons received into the church on profession of faith.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE ALLEN STREET CHURCH.
NEW YORK, March 2, 1887.
_Whereas_, It has pleased Almighty God, our kind and compassionate
heavenly Father, in the solemn dispensations of His providence to
remove from our midst by death, our dear and highly esteemed friend
and brother, Elder James Knowles, and his wife, Matilda Knowles, of
the Allen Street Presbyterian Church; and
_Whereas_, It becomes us not only as brethren in Christ, but as a
Session of said church, to express our hearty appreciation of their
work in and worth to the cause of Christianity, which they so dearly
loved; and while we bow in humble submission to the Divine will,
nevertheless we strongly realize that, as co-workers together with
them in the Master's vineyard, we have sustained a severe and
irreparable loss by this sad bereavement;
Therefore be it _Resolved_, That as a Session now assembled, we do
hereby tender our heartfelt sympathy and sorrow to the bereaved
family in their great grief; and we do earnestly and sincerely
commend them to God and the Word of His grace, that is able to keep
them from falling, and to give them an abundant entrance into His
everlasting kingdom; and be it further
_Resolved_, That the Clerk of Session be requested to enter these
resolutions on the records of the church, and that a copy be
immediately forwarded to the family of the deceased.
(Signed),
DUNCAN M. YOUNG, _Pastor._
J. H. ALLEN, M.D.,
J. M. MORRISON,
J. R. BATTY,
MARTIN BRAITMAYER,
_Elders._
JEROME H. OWENS,
_Clerk of Session._
[Illustration: MATILDA KNOWLES]
GATHERING JEWELS.
MATILDA KNOWLES.
BEING THE RECORD OF A CONSECRATED MISSIONARY
WOMAN'S WORK FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY
IN THE TENTH WARD OF NEW YORK CITY.
"She hath done what she could."