The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-10
a MEMORIAL OF THE BUG UENoTs.
The Dedication Of n Commemorative Church
IN Westchester County.


There was dedicated at Pelham Manor,
In westchester county, yesterday, the only
Buguenot memorial church 10 America. 1t Is
called the Huguenot Memorial Forest Church,
stands on ground that belonged to Hueuenot
refugees nearly two hundred years ago. and 10
surrounded by pleasant grove Of forest trees.
The edince is wood, with a picturesque tower
In the Norman style Of architecture. Its inte-
rior IL plaiD, with neatly-carpeted aisles, oak
and zine paneling aud pews, with walnut trim
mings, and richly carved walnut pulpit and
communion table. small study and vesiry
are In the rear u the audience room. The low,
pointed windows have panes OF beautifully
stained glass, ana their fleet is heightened by
the cbeckered lights that fall through the sur
rounding foliage. There are seats for between
$50 and 400 persons, and the total cost OF the
church was about $4,000. Its construction was
begun about two years ago. Previously there
bad been DO church on the main land u Pelham
except the FL iscopa connected with the priury.
Several years ago iand was reserved Tor church
edI0,e at Pelham Manor, and the Rev. DIR. Lord
Of the BrooSkn Lty College originated the idea
OF erecting on this historic spot a church IN
memory Of the Hueuenots, ~ be under the
Pres bytcr,an denomination. Pelham Manor,
until within four or Eve wears, has been virtually
Inaccessible to New Workers who wisn suuurban
res idences. but recently railroad improvements
have opened II to he QUEER world. Toe idea Of
d. Loru wis warmly second ed bv Dr. Reed DR.
Storrs, DIR. BuG inptuu, And her cltrgvmen. and
the residents OF Pelham and III Pelham Manor
Association contributed to cary II out.
he chur l. designed to commemorate the
HuguenOts. who, In the early DAYS Of The pro-
vince. settled among these groves aud hills, and
named the village OF New Rochelle. after tueu
own beloved ana devastated city Of IL Roch-
ellie In France. from which they were Obliged to
hce In order TO enjoy the religious freedom
with which they Aiterwsrd belDed to inspire
the institu tons Of this country hut IL h not a
distinctive Hueuenot church. intenued to pre-
serve or rerpetuate any particular creed or
body who desires TO worship God after the
Christian fashion.
The Hucuenots OF westchester county whose
descendants compose bout half Of the popula-
tion Of New Rochelle aud Pelham Manor.
rived first In New York from the West Indies
aud Great lirta betw 1873 and 1889. THIS city
being the second stage Ia their long hight from
persecution. Some OF them seem 10 have come
direct from Enel .nd to the SHORE OF the sound
near New Rochelle, which they founded, and
Phsrim's Rock. and there Is tradition that
they habiiu lily went to the place Of trelr nrst
landing every evening, led oy white haired
Frame, sang one OF Marors HYMNS, and
joined IN cevotions. The lana on
tr ct which Thomas Pen mad procured in 1854
from an Indian chief, Aun Hook. In 1859 this
tfac-, the possession o. whlch Pell had TO
1 II. VINO held the tide 81 Lord. In lds0 JACOB
Leisler, tue unfortunate self-appOiuted Gov
for alleged treason. IN order to provide for the
Hueuenots, whose devoted friend be was, pur-
which he gave TO the Huguenots, IN ny OF whom
removed from New York city to settle upon the
laud, which includes New Rochelle and PelnA
Manor. According TO the terms of Leis'er's
agreement, the huguenots for many wears. on
the festival Of 81. John the Baptist, presented
fstted caif TO Lord Pell IN token, according to
feudal custom, OF Acknowledgements Of his
IoIdsuip Of the manor.
During many years the Huguenots, number
ing about TWO hundred families. had no church
building, and SUNDAY after sunday men and
women, baIsfOOted, walked ali the way ~ New
York anu back, TO worship iu the Church 81 tue
Holy spirit IN Pine street. In 1869 the majoriiy
OF the huguenots confOfmed TO the Church OF
England. aud the next year they erected stone
church thirty feet square IN toe HIGHWAY al New
Rochelle, near ne tite OF the present lrlnl.y
Episcopal Church. There appears to nave been
"A spit among the Huguenots IN regard to con-
forming TO the Church OF England, for another
snail church Duiit near the site OF the pres
eut lr, sbSterian church at New Rochelle, aud
long dat stone IN the foundation IL SID to have
formed the doorstep OF It's Huguenot predeces-
sor. every other vestge Of when mas disao-
Feared. he PRESENT PTesDvtertan Society of
New Rochelle processes To be the iineAi repre-
sentative OF tue original French church.
Inc hev. Dr. LoTd Assumed thclp astOrate OF the
new cnurcn and delivered the opening sermon
yesterday. The services began with music and
the singing OF :" Rock Of Ages" Prayer
offered by the Rev. MIR. Roosevelt, descendant
OF the early Huguenots, All then and original
"Old Lang eyne." Prot. TwiDR prayed for Coos
bles sing ON the new church. DIR. LORDS sermon
sketcued the history 81 the Huguenots. AT
\. NJ. other services were held IN the new church,
consisting of music, ana addresses oy Clergy
men from tue cnuTcnes in New Rochelle, Mount
Vernon and other surrounding VILLAGES. A pecu-
harry beautiful eject was produced wniio tue
congregation was wor' nipping, III this forest
church. by tue songs Of Dirds and the cnattering
Of oicadas floating In with tue pleasant breeze
through The open windows.