New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-30
THE PURCHASE OF PLYMOUTH CHURCH.
4 NOTEWORTHY CHAPTER IN THE RELi'ioo'
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

4 NOTEWORTHY CHAPTER IN THE RELlOiouS
HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.
TO tnc Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The facts about the original purchase OF INC
Plymouth Church property have never been toIi' inc
article in The Tribune Of May o. In some points ho
correct seems now to afford occasion to give mem 10
know them TO be on the authority OF men stil 'N"s
who took part in them. The edifce long klo"h d.
the First Presbyterian Church, The Tribune says
was built in 1923 and the lecture room In loJ. IN
1871 after the First Presbyterian Church Lad re-
moved to ITenry-st, the properly was puThas'u ~
John T. Howard. and was turned over 10 inc hc"i'
Organized Plymouth Church The facts are these:
one day in 1s47 Mr.. David Hale, at that time one
Of tho editors and proprietors Of "The Journal OF
Commerce. called on Mr. Henry C. Bowen Of the firm
Ct Bowen McNamcc. at his place Of business, at tho
corner OF William and Ecavcr sts. in Ncw-fork, ana
stated 10 him that The property Of the First ITc'Dy
tcrian Church. In Cranberry ST., Broohlyn, was Tor
SALE and that IL could be bought at the low prec vi
SO. OOO-for the whole property-inrirdhg churo"
edIncc ecturc-room and all the fixtures. furniture
etc. cxcept the bell ard the communion table NJ
Hale further stated that he thought plump cash
OFFER Of 10000 would buy IT, ~ This tire the
new Church OF the Pilgrims with It's young pastor Mr.
Richard s. storrs, the only prosperous Cong"en
tional church in the city. Now sAM VT. h"ic'
let us buy this church and organize in that Desirable
position another Congregational church, thus greatly
strength cning the denomination in Brooh'yn.' MI.
Bowen said he could not assent. II II Involved the
rcincsal Of himself and family from the Church OF
the Pilgrims the establishment OF which church baa
cost him 50 much time and money that he coaH not
leave il TO engage in any new enterprise flliiV'
after half hours persistent urgency, Mr. Bowen con-
srned to Join Mr.. Hale in the purchase Of III" prper'y
ut the price Of $4,000 provided seth Il. Hunt, OF
the drycood house Of Hunt BROTHERS would cIn thcm,
taking nm equal share in the prr'haSc. Accordingly
Mr. Hale and Mr.. Bowen Immediately went together 10
confer with Mr.. Hunt. In ton minutes ihtefNi'"
Nr Hunt heartily consented to be 4 three 10 MAKE
the purchase. Mr. Hale then the chief financial
cornerstone Of the broadway Tabernacle Church In
Ncw-York, the only important Congregational church
IN that city, Mr. Bowen and Mr. Hunt were then both
connected with the Church Of the Pilgrims II should
b. said here that Mr.. Hunt stntci positively that his
attachment to that church and 10 its pastor woull
prevent the removal If himself and family TO the new
church nov Plymouth Church, in case the new move
ment was successful. IIc kept his resolve. and when
tho church and society organized he declined to
change his relations with the Church q the Pilgrims
At that time a good deal had bc1n said By DIT.
Samuel H. Cox pastor Of tho First Prc,brierian Church
In Brooklyn and Of its leading members against
the new Church Of tho Pilgrims. II was said thst II
Congregational church was not wanted In Bro0uyn'
and hat the Plan u Unionr adopted ard in foce for
some time previous between the Presbyterian ana TIE
Congregational churches ought 10 have prevented the
establishment OF such a cburclI-to "cause division
among hri,tau,- I'm Brpllyn. In Wow u thes"
facts Ne,srs Hale Bowen and Hunt thought II best
to keep the matter very quiet in regard 10 the pur-
chase Of property for another church. so they de-
cded to employ John r. Howard to act broker
for them. Mr.. Howard accepted the appointment.
saying lie could not then De- partner in such pur-
cha,c but would act broker without any fec or pay
whatsoever lie said that as his family ATTENDED q
baptist church, and hi, wife a member Of one ut
that time would suspect who the buyes were.
Mr.. Howard sought an interview WIN tNlus
I. smith. president 81 the Board Of Trustees 81 the
First Presbyterian Church ard offered ~ purchase the
property provided IL cJnld be Obt1ncd Or 10000.
The oier was laid before the Hoad OF Trustees and
was promptly accepted. and Mcssrs. Hale. Bowcn and
Hunt paid the money and became the provisional ard
sole owners Of the bndiAgs and ground Of the First
Irc.bycrian Church one else contributing donar
10 The purchase
When Mr. Bcecler invited to come from In
dlanapOlS to preach q cnidiiat" In the now church
the owners II the property became personally re-
sponsblo for MI expenses until the church was or
ganized ard Furthermore. by written contract they
became responsible for Mr. c'chcrS salary Of ~ 800
for three Years. a NJ that time neither church nor
society had been organized. when The society was
legally organised tho whole properly turned over
by lis owners the now oraaiZation which took the
name ~ plymouth Church. SENIOR.
Brooklyn, May %, l,92.