New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-09

THE MISSION IN HARLEM WHICH GREW TO BIZ
THE PROSPEROUS CONGREGATION OF
ST JINFS

A mission was begun in 1882 on Manhattan Island
called the HARLEM Mission Harlem nj that time
covered a territory which l. described "cmbradnc
all OF upper Greenwich and BoNc-y Village" Bishop
lIedding presided al the meeting Al which the mis-
sion was established. and assigned the Rev. Ira Fer
ris to take charge Of It. To his vast territory
Mr.. Ferris went from part 10 another on horse
back and sometimes foot prea ching at different
points wherever ne could gather CONGREGATION some
times on the stoop of tavern, sometimes preaching
on horseback and sometimes svooping down upon a
gang OF Sabbah breakers who rcSorcf ihr unset
tied parts Of tie island for sunday car0u-ing. The
mission AZ first did not advance rapidly As H.,
promoters desired. a. VII be from tie twelfth
annual report Of Missionary Socctr. which ,ays
I'VE regret 10 say Mat This mission las not realized
the hopes Of lis friends
In 1899 the Rev. Richard Seaman. then pastor Of
tho church reported that he found three ca.sr,.
containing fity-fye members, three prcac Ing place,
and six appointments. two sabbath school, and ms.
,ionary societies We suffer much inrcnvoni'n-c for
the want OF meeting houses. Many Of IN" inhah
tants are not disposed attend religious worship In
schoolhouscs or private dwellings, It Is also very
difficult to obtain congregation on any day of ih"
week except the sabbath
On December L. I-3g the dedication Of The meet
Ing house in Onch ndret an i-twcnty hfht.. between
Third ava Fourth ayes. took place. The Re-. Dr.
John Kennedy olii,iatod. The building was an or
binary 1wO-.tory wooden house. with Tish basement
built Of brick Thl, budlns was uscd for MANY wears
by the Methodist congregation In Harlem. and al
special meeting 81 tie Board Of Trustees on June -
1850 II was decided 10 enlarge the bal1nc. ana ih'
following report was handed in That In the opinion
Of this meeting the necessity exists FOR increased a'
conmodations 20 those who desire 10 attend public
worship In t-is church. and that recommend Tho
trustees to take such measures they NAV deem
proper for the same
An attempt was made 10 build church III
1866 The proposition was heartily indors"d and some
money was raised. but the trustees unabl" 70
carry tho prOjcci. several other frtl"s, "hnr'S
we're also made to build now structure, but II was
not until the fall 81 1aG9 when IN" Rev. Dr. '"'r@"
H. Corey Wa pastor. that III" site In Madi-oiiN"
and Onc-undrrd ana twenty siNih.st. was purchased
and the present handsome building and parsonage
erected.
~ originally constituted. tn" church had !ofiv
wooden spirc. but after II had been up few years
doubts expressed 10 IT. safety AMI was re-
moved. The present pastor Of -. James, Church.
the Rev Dr. Jacob r.. Price !, ono Of The best known
Methods, ministers n III" New York Conference. som"
of III" other well known men who have been prSiorS
Of this church are the Rev. Dr. james NJ King Bishop
Dr. Henry l.. RidCcway. the Rev. Dr. william II.
Ferris the Rev. John +. Goodman the Rev. Benjamin
NJ Adams. and the Rev. Thomas Brinbndee