The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-04
DISMISS PASTOR.
English Evangelical Luther
an Church Of Holy Trim
ity In Trouble.
FACTION AGAINST Mr.. NEUDEWITz
Says He Doesn't Raise Money
Enough and Doesn't Learn
His Sermons.

the Holy Trinity EnglSh Lutheran Cnufcn
at Barrow and Montgomery streets, to de-
pose the pastor, the Rev. Eugene E. Neu-
dewitt. who was the organizer of the
English Lutheran movement in this coun-
ty about three years ago. The Council is
composed of nine trustees, three deacons
and three elders, fifteen in all.
The trouble arose over the alleged ina
bility of the pastor to raise funds. An
other reason info red from the various
rumors is that Mr.. Neuderwitz does not
suit some of the Councilmen as speaker.
1t has been said that he failed to memoir
ize his sermons and repeatedly made blum
ders. Further that he has shown par
tiality to certain members of the congre-
CATION and has failed to raise the funds
he promised to.
The controversy, although it has been
kept profound secret for several weeks,
has developed into a bitter row. A petit
ton was circulated not long ago, among
the members of the council, asking for
a new pastor. But four signed, eleven re-
naming loyal to the pastor.
4 meeting of the council will be held
this evening" when those who favor a
change of pastors will move that a reso-
luton to that effect be passed. If such
resolution werepassed, the pastor would
be forced to make the announcement
from the pulpit. A vote would then be
taken by the congregation on the matter.
1t is quite safe to say that such motion
would be smothered.
The faction arrayed against Mr.. Neude-
witz wants another clergyman. He is the
Rev. E. W. Fulper Mr. Fulper preached
IJa1 vi, a
his discourse was greatly appreciated by
the regular pastors opponents. They
lauded him to the skies Mr.. Fuper is
still member of the Gettysburg Theo-
logical Seminary and will not be ordained
until this summer. He is to take charge
of new congregation which is shortly
to be organized on the west side. He is
young man and he resides in Pennsyl-
vania. Interesting developments are an
ticipated at the meeting this evening.
Another matter which has caused more
or less bitter feeling in the Council is
sum of money the pastor wished to con-
tribute to the General Synod. The church
IS assessed at the ratio of sl-0e for each
member. However, it is not compulsory
for the church to contribute. Churches
that draw upon the Synod for funds in
order to exist are the ones usually looked
upon to reimburse the Synod
The pastor was very anxious to send the
sum of $257 to the Synod about two
months ago but the members of the
council would not stand for it, even those
who are his firmest supporters now. They
said that the church should be taken care
of first, as there was a big debt to be paid
on the property now being used and
which was purchased about year ago
from Mr.. John Mullins for $4,000. The
building Is the old McGee mansion. About
nf
are members of the council who think the
funds are not being realized fast enough.
Mr.. George Luhrmann, who, until quite
recently, was treasurer. of the. Council,
but who is still affiliated with that body,
was seen yesterday afternoon by a
News" reporter 1t is generally under
four, or the minority, faction. He spoke
in most fattering terms of the Rev. Mr..
Fulper and said that he wpas the kind
of a preacher one culd appreciate
Mr.. Neudewitz is a far better organizer
than a preacher said he ''As for the
talk of asking for a change of pastors. l
must say it is news to me. Mr.. NeudewitZ
promised to raise large amount of
money for our future home, but | cannot
say that / have seen it. His action in
wishing to contribute to the General
Synod. was a thing the members of the
council would not stand for. 1t caused
more or less disturbance. No money has
| been sent as yet.
LET the church take care of itself first
pO~
sition to send a contribution of s257 to
| the Synod with such a debt staring US
! in the face. I am told that it is the
intention Of the pastor to have the new
| church building started in the fall. Well.
| doubt seriously if the project can be
launched successfully by that time. I
! have been in the church since it was or
\ ganized and I have learned a few things.
| I resigned as treasurer and when my
! three-year term in the CoCuncil expires
next January, / will drop out of that
] body"
1 1t was inferred from the remarks of
| Mr.. Luhrmann. that Mr.. Neudewitz has
| commented on certain members of his
congregation while visiting others. Th1s
! reached the ears of those spoken about
and naturally a feeling arose against the
| clergyman.
4 Mr.. William Hoppman. member of the
! Council and Mr.. Neudewitzs firmest sup
/ porter, said he did not care to discuss the
/ matter.
.sThese people, he said, after much hes
itation, who are now against l st, our pas, pas
/ ago. They had petition ealing for a
new pastor, but four signatures was all
they got. If such a motion is put before
| the Council at this evenings meeting, ii
| will be showed out of sight"
''Our present pastor suits US and yor
may state, that these dissenters will never
1 gain control of the church as is theil
aim. Mr.. Neudwitz has raised. quite 9
sum of money. no easy task. After the
meeting Of the council, those who havt
4 started this controversy Will ltel LID
I their efforts have been in vain
! The Rev. Eugene e. Neudwitz came te
/ this city about two and a half wears ago
| He graduated from the. lGettysbers
| Theological Seminary shortly aftel
| organizing the Holy Trinity English
Iautheran Church in this city. This wa:
| the first church of that denomination II
Hudson County. After passing through
| more or less successful periods the church
finally located in the building about {
i year ago.
seThe old building which at one tim'
1 was the Headquarters of the Young Men:
! Christian Association on Wayne street
was the first meeting place OF the con
| gregation After some difficulty with th'
/ trustees of the ST. Matthew's German
/ Church, which body bought the old build
4 ing. Dr. q L. j. Gordon, of the Librar.
Trustees. let the new /church have th
i Abbett mansion on Montgomery stree
i and Jersey avenue This property be
longed to the library site. The churcl
j was forced to vacate this building whei
4 the plans for the proposed new librar.
were completed.
Mr. Neudewitz organized the Englisl
lutheran Church of the Redeemer OF
1 Linden avenue Greenvile. about a yeal
ago. The Rev. John e. Heindel Is Thu
pastor. This church is in a f1oErlshins
condition. Neudewitz also has plans OF
/ fot for organizing a church in Hobokel
and one in the vicinity Of the Boulevard
near Communipaw avenue.
MATTERs OF FdCE