The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-19
CHRIST /. /. CHURCH
Lafayette LHtherans Dis
turbed Over a Small
Strip Of Land.
A WON'T SELL
Will Build Close to The Church
WON'T SELL
Will Build Close to The Church
"A Little Place to Live In
News frem Pulpit and Pew.


Fhe members of Christ Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Of Lafayette, are much
perturbed over the actions Of Mr.. Rob-
ert McCauley, Familiarity known as
Bob" who is a well known citizen Of
that section. When the people Of the
church started to build their new church
at the corner Of Woodward street and
Gommunipaw ayenue, they well knew
that McGauley owned a small strip Of
ground adjoining their property.
inches in width at the building line and
angular piece Of ground IS causing much
talk and yorriment, among the Heck Of
the Rev. G.. b. RabboW
Some time ago, when the congregation
decided to build the church, two OF the
trustees, Messrs: Wittpenn and Kellar,
turesto secure possession of the ground.
When the trustees and McCauley met,
Mr.. Wittpenn informed that gentleman
that he had been authorized to offer Ssao
satisfactory. This offer did not satisfy
McCauley, and he FASTENED to make that
fact known to the visiting trustees.
mo-, he Is said to have replied, #
want $500 for that ground, and Il YOU
don't want to give that, why / can do no
business with you" The trustees saw
that was useless and so with
drew.
A short time after the above interview,
Mr.. McCauiey left this country for a
tour through Europe. He was gone sew
members of the church were anxiously
awaiting an answer from the trustees.
Those gentlemen were awaiting Mr.. Me
Cauley's pleasure.
He returned some time ago and Mr..
Wittpenn Immediately approached him
in regard to the land. Mr.. McGauley
s s9YSlS net Mr be w m9ysd from fPa,, his former po.
over and finally made the proposition
that he would give MeCauley $500. The
extra 800 he would subscribe personally.
Mr.: Wfttpenn said:@
II will give you five hundred for the
ronna T y9n VIII donate one hundred
Mr. Mccauley's views and the matter
dropped.
The work of building the church was
then started. The foundation was laid
four or FIVE inches short Of the dividing
line SO that when the steeple Is erected
no part of the building will intruae on
Mr.. Megauleyss greund The CONVERSIONS
was laid on last Sunday afternoon and
the work is progressing rapidly.
Now that the church IS near compile
ton the old trouble with Mr. McCanlsy
arises. No later than the day after the
aying Of the cornerstone, last Monday,
was the announcement made that Mr..
Bob McGauley intended building a
store of some kind on the property. Tine
announcement created dismay among the
congregation, who feared that Mr.. Nc
Cauley would erect a building that would
spoil the appearance of the church. a
rvInoT was then started that Mceauley
had said that # he could do no more hi
would build a high fence on his property.
Visions Of theatrical posters bearing pie
lures of scantily clad actresses danced
before the eyes Of the trustees. No such
thing should the members of their church
be forced to gaza ON Whita ON their Wa Il
to divine services. No, neveri
Mr.. was again sought, but no
terms could be agreed upon. AS q con-
gelieaI Lutheran Church are greatly dis
turbed.
Mr.. J. Wittpenn. ~ of the trustees,
vas seen ny 2 News" reporter yester-
Il have no fear that Mr.. Mccauiey will
do anything disagreeable. He is a fair
man, and hardly think he would build
be posted" Mr.. Wittpenn confirmed the
reperts concerning the interviews which
he had with Mr.. McCauIey while serving
as one of the committee from the Board
of Trustees and while acting individually.
nallbeWtkoso. Inn HIM hm Northumberland
The reporter then started to hunt Mr..
McCauley up, and after q long search To-
Gated him on Pint streetM. Mr.. McCauley
was pointed out to the reporter, who APP
preached and asked him
II lave been sent by The News to ask
you If you are going to build on the pro-
perty which YOU own adjoining the Christ
Evangelical Lutheran Chureh?H
Mr.. McCauley looked up from his paper.
He pushed back his hat and sat for a mo
ment in silence as If in deep Thought.
Finally. he said, 81 do Back went his
hat into position and he resumed his read
ing.
aWell, Mr. McGauley,. continued the re-
porter, would you mind telling me what
you intend building?s
Mr.. MeCauley again took his eyes from
the paper and with q tired hook, said. sDh,
just a little place for me to live in"
when will you start building?" he was
asked.
The answer came quickly, "As soon as
| warm weather sets NJ
Mr., McCauley then turned away and the
Interview ended.
The fight h. still on and all Lafayette
looks on, some amused and some indig-
nan at the action Of McCauley. Should
he attempt to build p fence for theatrical
| posters there Will be an upheavaE Mean
While Mr.. bob" McGau1ey awaits warm
weather te build a little place ror him
to live in.