New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-27
NEARING CONSOLIDATION.
THE BRICK CHURCH AND THAT OF THE
COVENANT TO UNITE
4 COMMITTEE HAS TIE SUBJECT IN CHARGE
LACK OF SPACE APPARENTLY TIE
CIIEE OBSTACLE.

LAi IA VI SHAN fIiNh%N LII Ahr
CHIEF OBSTACLE.
Tho propoged consolidation Of the Brick Presby-
toran Church and the Church of the Covenant.
while not yet positively decided on, seems to be.
fro,, all that can be learned. only matter OF
,,,,e The problerr has been earnestly debated by
committees appo. by the two churches and
the result of the so;iatlons has apparently been
satisfactory to both congregations.
II Is posityely known that a meeting of the con-
cregaton of The Brick Presbyterian Church was
called for last W adnesday evening to listen to
the report OF the consolidation committee OF that
church. II is also positively asserted that 1.-The
c~rrrcCation heartily approved all that has been
thus far done in the matter" This information
comes from one who is prominent In Dr. van
Dykes church. but who does not wish his name
revealed.
The Church OF the Covenant which is at Park
ave and Thrty-ifth-st, has been in its time one OF
the most fashionable and influential Presbyterian
churches In this city At time it was regarded
as one OF the weaithicst here. or late however Its
power has been waning and early in the year over
lures toward a coalition were made to the Brick
Presbyterian Church. The membership OF the
Church Of the Covenant at low ebb, there
being not more than l25 in the congregation while
the other church had a membership of about 600
or 700 The Rev Dr. J. H.. .McIvaine Is the pastor
Of the Church of the Covenant, having succeeded
the Rev. Or. Marvin II. Vincent who became
professor in Union Theological seminary.
The Brick Presbyterian Church is at Fhtn-aVe'
and Thirty seventh-st, and II is one OF the Oldest
Presbyterian churches in the country. On New
Years Day the Rev. Or. Henry Van Dyke, me
pastor. preached the one hundred and twenty-hfth
anniversary sermon. The membership or the cnurcn
includes OF the best and oldest families IN
the city The proposal Of the Church Of the COY
enant TO come into the Brick Church was faVora-
bly, received. the only objection being that the &C
Communications insufficient for all of Or. NC
Ilvaine's parishoners. This. however, will be OBJ
Waited by doubling up"-that Is, having two lam
nies in one pew in some cases. .
1t Is understood that the negotiations are IN
such a condition that the Park Avenue Church
will probably be abandoned by the first of the
year. =. . ~.
DR. van Dyke was seen Mt his home, No IA West
Thirty-seventh-st last evening. lie disin-
clned to talk On the subject. and said that as
soon as all the arrangements had been made the
referred the reporter TO John +. Parsons; the
lawyer. who IL the chairman Of the Consolidation
Committee. Or. Dyke said. however:
II can only say that If the consolidation Is car
the forces of Presbyteriansm in this part OF the
city. but rather in an increase OF active ana EN-
cient church work. IT Will not be long before TINS
part of the city becomes downtown. but 1t VIII
stiu have need OF strong and vigorous churches to
preach the Gospel to those who remain, and II mas
always been my hope and intention that the Brick
Church should not b. one OF the churches that
follow the tide but should stand fast right hero
as a landmark for plain and practical christianity
Tn. Rev Dr. J. H. Mclvainc WIS seen at his
home last evening He said that no action what
ever in the matter of consol,titio1 had been laAcn
by his church. that he had never said on" wc'd
10 his congregation about it. and had never dis
cIssed the question with them The talk or con-
formal discussion OF the subject by officers Of the
church.