New-York tribune., 1870-10-01
THE OLDEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN


The oldest Presbyterian Church III America
is at Jamaica Long Island This organization has been
2Os years in The 6rst pastor Zacharah
Walker who received eco year. In 1907 present OF "a
load Of wood from every church member given in
addition to the abcve compensation. From the time OF
its organization the church las had 20 pastors, and the
elders and dedcoIs Of the present day the descend
ants OF the Old stock OF centuries ago The old
stone church Was erected in le shown by the date
the whCh taken from the -tceple, because
very much injured by the muskct balls Of British soldiers
during the Revolution Ibe church was 0f quadrangle
lar form, with pyramidal roof and befy IN the center
and used as house OF worship until 1873, when the
present churcl ednce was Duil lrlhg thc pastothte
OF the Rev John Hubbard the sixth pastorof the church.
the memorable controversy for the church property com
lnenced AitGr the ministry act passed 10y Col Fletcher
IN 1893 Few Episcopaians moved into the town, and az
the town vote by which the church had been erected
contained no glSSe 10 prevent s beng used by any
other sect the Epsropaian formed the design Of selling
the church. Soon after the removal OF the EPscopGians
INTO the town Cornbury then Governor OF re-
Treated 20 Jamaica 90 escape the yellow fever MI Hub
bard who resided In the best house in the town. at once
oieIeu Ii- uNtuH Va tue Governor ahd ms FAMILY,
which offer was readily accepted. few SUNDAYS after
the arrival OF the Governor Mr. Hubbard and his
eregatlon entered their church 10 begin worship they
found the pnpit occupied BY an Episcopal minister and
the seats by The Governor and his dependents. The
pastor and his mock had no ntimation Of TINS move nn
they entered the church and az once left the Epsco
psian III sole possession. Mr. Hubbard and his congre
CATION retired to al orchard, aud held their usual
Nlcet. All the congregation, Il appears, were not 70
passive their pastor for many Of them remained and
tore up the family seats, for which they aferward
vigorously prosecuted by the Governor. Not long after
the key and locked mp the church. retaining possession
untl the parson attended the public The Pres
bytellans after this made several ftles attempts
gam possession OF the church, but the proseeutoYs
wmch ensued were SO heavy that they obliged TO
desist and the Epscopaians held IL for years On the
return OF Cornbnry 10 Newfork. notwithstanding the
kiadness OF MT Hubbard IN allowing him the of his
pc.sesss p@sas s?S asSy I4s Iss flie party IN
Every attempt 10 recover their rights plunged them
h.3 @ new as liteI They were fined and imprisoned;
anu was ho nnt l7E that they recovered their prop
erty from the EpscOpaans In due course Of law This
verdict wac gwen In favor of the Presbyersns by Gov.
motifs, who Wac then ChieJustce o the Supreme Court
OF New-fork. Such The resentment If the Church
party that Gov Morris did not escape their malignant
the charge Of partiay on the trial contained I'm pub
Iie representation sent TO England Mr. Hubbard died in
monument or headstone marks the spot his ashes
Gp"Seo GGpoSse, he was succeeded 10y the Rev. Francis
Soodhne' Prom llA until the completion of the
Coutt-House at North Hampstead the Queens County
Courts were held In the Presbyterian Church The
IN 70 Il6 II set To the Presbytery of Long
aGd %neh n was organized at southampton in 777 aud
vac tne hrst Pres6ytery constituted the Province OF
Islsnd TSs united with the eastern part o New Jersey
10Th q May I774 In the synod Of SewYors and Phis
wa. brought from tue Presbyrery OF
congregation OF Jamaica whose late minister the Rev
ns oei9nsed 70 the presbytery of suffolk, may be
,hkoh Under helr care ss they formerly were and they
TeTe Sgh taken under the of the Presbytery OF
new iork BY me last named Presbytery the Rev Mr.
BuIheu Ti Wa 0rdalned pastor In l77A In 1890 the
Prseytery OF Suffolk was dissolved and a new one
,oiinon uhueI ule original name OF the Pres
nyley OF Long Island, and this church was
attached 70 n In 1909 the minister and congregation
again requested to be detached from the Pres6ytery Of
t isu S xha placed under the OF the PTesby-
NOV iseo ths Chnrch has been attached 10 the Prcsby
VI Sasst az which date said Presbytery was organ
hed The Following are the nanes OF the pa.tors OF he
aI Hpm I nhe Iiine oi ITS organization: Zechnrah
"hA1I JOHN iTuuden, William Woodruff, George Pull
lips jeremiah Hobart John Hubbard George McNish.
sna%d EoDert 'T, matter Wilmot, David Bostwck Eha
rpehoef' N u bonom Bradnor, William Mile Mnthlns
Burneti NJ ID, George Fa.touic. Henry n We,d Al f.
IoteI d Oakoy- - -