New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-24
AN OLD CHURCH REFITTED.
AFTER BEING HANDED AROUND FOR YEARS IT
FINDS A CONGREGATION WHICH
WILL OWN IT.

At OrmOnd Place and JeTersOn-ave stands one Of
! the oldest churches in the city. which has passed
| through the hands Of number Of owners TO come
last the possession Of congregation organized
before it built, and which, after a series OF VT
r,situdes, has entered last The building originally
intended for its occupancy. In 1853. when the Bed
ford region Of the city sim suburban village
and a few houses were scattered among the farms
lying about the centre Bedfordave. and FultOn-st
an euierprisnG land owner. whose property had been
cut up into city lots by the opsng Of streets,
bilt the subs tantial church building lie Offered IL
any Protes congrc gaion ormei In thc neisbor-
hood. Negotiations we're opened with the East Re
formed Society, then worshppins In chapel. and it
was expected that thc congregation would take the
now church, when rival real estate dealers
fearing an undue advantage the churr builder al
tered tho plan. and The project fell through little
later the Central Congregational Church formed
and hired Tie building. After desperate effort 10
raise funds 10 buy The property with the aid of
Plymouth Church and the Church Of the Pilgrims the
purchase effected. The sOriety fourshcd in lis
home until 1872 was compelled 10 build the
present large structure ia Hancock-st.
Tho old building WAS purchased by an Episcopal
society known tho Church of the Mediator The
rector and his people extremely High Church
and failed 10 get the approval Of the bishop and the
enterprise languished. Repeated efforts 10 pay for
tho building were unsuccessful, and finally another
purchaser stepped IN and secured II for baptist
church 10 be formed for the Rev. Emory j. HAYNES
Extensive changes were made in the interior and In
place of the altar and choir stalls a baptstery and
plain reading desk put In. The cross was taken
down from the chanccl arch and other cnblruls on
the walls were oblileraed But before the Baptist
society was organized flaw IN The tile Of the new
purchaser found and he WAC Gus ted The
Episcopal society rallied and resumed possession.
tearing opt the Baptist arrangements and replacing
what had been theie before
But after few more years Of struggle tbe En,sco
pal church. reorganized as the Church of the
lnc%nation. finally died The old y'rIcurc
was unused for time Then the
old East Reformed Church now known
as the Bedford Reformed Church purchased the
ProRety i3f $4,000 This society. under the Rev
- haisead Carroll, erected IN 1870. at edford ave
anu Mad,On.sty 0ne OF the finest churcle. IN the
upper part Of the city, but 0itunalely The ro.r
STARE OF the cost Of over 500 900 was unnsf u,hen
,He panic OF 1873 ruined many Of the mcnihers A.
result, the New T0rk Life lnsuranc. GSy,1s ~
.pnPeIIeu " ioreclose The mortgage Il held ,'I ,,ia
.he S properly The congregation rented the ch"rcI
anu ne" "e"'hst until an effort was made q, 49,. q,
tack for much less sum than the or gi,ai 10 ..y u
>u'uuOus attempts were made under lie nov 49,,
H.'nIi ~ 200 .he money and complete the prcbsse
blt "lhout success Finally, the building was hn',r,
about three years ago and converted into Imr"r E
Cathedral 10, several Masonic lodges The nenr,
Of the church MA not lose all heart and ,'olcs
n occupy tho building under lease LAT s,rr, nued
Rev II. c. Berg becano pastor. ana SET on 70 -, me
movement for securing a permanent church hon
IN purchase The OrmOn1 Place structure wrs srIyai
Besides the cost Of 10000 about s. 900 has hrcr
spent 10 rentiing n. once more the rmallsuc en-
blems have been removed from IT, aud the unAdOrned
service Of the Reformed denomination has taken the
place Of liturgy. The old building Is solid brick
structure. with square tower u has been painted
seUis smart appearance The interior has been neatly
dec Grated and furnished IL will scat about 500.