New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-15
RUTGERS CHURCH IN Difficulty.
TALK OF DIscoNTINUNG THE SERVICES.
THE PASTOR TO REsGGN-wHAr THE OFFICIALS
sAY-TnE MEMBERs GOING UP TOWN..

THE PASTOR TO REsIGN-wHAT THE OFFICIALS
sAY-rHE MEMBERS GOING UP TOWN.
The population of Manhattan Island not long
ago had its centre Cana-st. II has now reached
Fortieth-st. and is rapidly travelling toward Harlem
In this progress nor.hward the destruction OF church
buildings their Transformation into places OF business
perhaps inevitable One Of the latest
20 yield 70 the encroachment OF trade and 90 the shifting
OF population is the Rutgers Presbyterian Church at
Madisonaye and Twenty -ninth-st Tue church in its
present condition Il not se-sstainng, It's membership
having been gradually reduced by the removal uptown
OF many families whose places have not been filed by
the population that has succeeded them. The present
PASTOR the Rev. DR.. william stephenson, who has oo-
cuped the pulpit since November 1881 has signed his
intention request Presbytery, meeting
In APRIL to dissolve the pastoral relation now existing
on May l. The church felt the influence OF diminished
attendance during the pastorate OF the Rev. Dr. Nath
anIe W. COnkng who preceded Mr. Stephenson, and at
his withdrawal the advisabilty OF discOntinung the
services considered. 1t decided to make
strenuous effort the church to It's former
dton OF prosperity, and the present pastor called
and has received warm support debt OF $4,000 was
paid in full $4,000 OF which contributed by tour
members OF the church. and $40 900 received from
the estate Of John C. Green There Is present $1,000
owing, which represents the deficiency the receipts
during the last few years.
The five gentlemen who constitute the board OF trus
for many years. are: Joseph Stuart William Human,
Peter Moeller Charles Barrett and Lawrence Hutton
In conversation with TRIBUNE reporter Mr. Human,
treasurer Of the board % trustees who has been den
titled with the chur oh for forty years, said:
able to state anything definite regarding the future dis
position Of the church. The fact gradually
running behind I'm the finances OF the church. and that
many OF former members ha5e removed further up
town. has suggested 70 the trustees doubt 20 the
adyisabity OF attempting TO continue the services Of
the church any later than the first OF May But Dc
cisIye step has yet been taken, and unable state
uything deulte than this The property val
uao!e one worth pfOpaDy III tle uelShoOrHoO1 OF
$4,000 What disposition will be made or the pro-
ceeds Of the sale or the that such
sale should be- made-I unable % say. The matter
has not been considered. | should suppose however,
that the present owners Of pews would receive pro-
I1ld snare. mere are pfO3apy hoO more lutn uIlten
pcw-Owncrs do not remember the exact number, and
there hundred ana sixty pews that the sale
would leave the Duk OF the sum received IN the hands OF
the trustees. What disposition could or would be made
have 10 oe decided by the courts II WI be source OF
great regret TO II the church should have To be dis
sol' and the matter viii receive careful consideration
before such action Is decided upon"
3Ir stuart, president OF the board OF trustees, said
there will not Doe several weeks. About the division
oi the money proceeding from the sale Of the church.
should the matter come TO that am unable 70 give any
Information IL might be used to establish another
| church somewhere else"
said: II Mt epueusous relation 10 the church should
DE dissolved DO not know what would bee done II -
pit during May and June, and the church would be
closed during July and August and nothing decisive
would DE done I'LL september"
Mr. stephenson the pastor refused TO say anything IN
. regard To- the matter William Oud-TdOuk, one OF the
elders said: Nj -tepheusDu7 relations With the church
have been pleasant He mas worked hard % improve
matteIs ana his departure would be much regretted"
10 Is generally understood throughout the church that
Nj -tephcu-0n- relation with the church Will be dis
solved al d that the church properly Will be sold.
The society organized IN 1877, Colonel Rutgers
presenting with lot IN the street named after him
self The Rev. DR. Phillip M.udolor after ward pres-
dent Of Rutgers College was It's first pastor In 1910,
the Rev. Alexander Mcclellan was Installed pastor.
He succeeded by the Rev Thomas McAuy IN SD,
who followed by Rev. Or. krebs who OBLIGATED
TIL 967. In 1868 The church moved 20 Its present
location. January g. 1879 the present building
was erected, Dr. Nathaniel Conklng being pastor