New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-12
THE UNION SURE TO COME.
PLANS OF PHILLIPS AND MADISON AVE
NUE. CHURCHES.
PERSISTENT TALK OF CONSOLIDATING
THE MADISON SQUARE. BRICK AND
FOURTH AVENUE CoNGREGA-
TIoNs AND THE FoRMA-
TION OF A CENTRAL EN-
DOWED CHURCH

DOwED CHURCH
Inquiries made yesterday among the official
.,a lay members Of the Madison Avenue and
pe,ups Presbyterian churches tended to show
that the consolidation of the two congregations
would be accomplished without opposition. The
asc,sion reached by the members of the former
church which was exclusively published in yes
,srday's Tribune. inviting the fusion. was con-
waved to the Rev. DR.. John r. Bushnell and
,he trustees OF the Phillips Church yesterday,
md will be considered at meeting to be called
soon. II is recognized, however, that this meet
ing will be in the nature Of mere formality,
that the invitation will be accepted. and after
the proposal has been ratified by full congre-
eational meeting Of the Madison Avenue church
nothing more will be necessary than to decide
nv Joint committee upon the conditions upon
which the amalgamaton shall be carried into
effect
Neither Dr. Bushnell nor the Rev. DR.. H. G..
Johnston pastor OF the Madison Avenue church.
was able to state precisely just what these con-
ditions would be. The possible general plan,
however. which was described in yesterdays
Tribune, It was ascertained. will undoubtedly be
adhered to. This provides for the disposal Of the
Madison Avenue church property ON which 1t is
expected $5O00O0 will be realized Two hundred
thousand dollars Of this sum will be devoted to
rebuilding and enlarging the Phillips Church, in
order to accommodate the combined congrega-
tions. The remaining 100000 will go to the
forming Of an endowment fund for the mainte-
nance Of the church, and to extend the East
Side mission work now conducted by the
Phillips Church.
As was TO be expected. numerous denials wero
forthcoming yesterday of The Trbune's state
ment that there is strong possibility in the
near future Of a coalescence OF the Madison
Square Church. of which DR.. Parkhurst is pas
tor: Of the Brick Church. which DR.. van Dyke
Intends soon to Vacate and of the Fourth Ave
nue. Church. But despite the assertions Of some
Of the people connected with these churches
that no such unificatiOn is contemplated, II can
be stated upon the authority of some of the
most influential members of the Presbyterian
Church that such a consolidation is being
quietly but vigorously urged, and will before
long undoubtedly be openly advocated The
project of an endowed central Presbyterian
church is an aim which many of the most prom
inent members Of the sect are seeking TO at
tain. II is recognized that something must be
done to strengthen the downtown churches,
which are each year becoming more strained in
financial resources, because Of the constantly
increasing migration Of the population to the
upper parts Of the city. Many Of these churches
find it difficult 70 exist There are many cases
where ministers are receiving a stipend almost
Inadequate TO their daily needs. and mainly be-
cause the church is unable TO support a pastor
There are at present at least three churches in
the crowded districts Of the lower section of the
city without occupants for their pulpits. 1t is
with a view to improve this state of things that
Presbyterians are urging the establishment of
endowed church, whose funds will allow 1t.
as In the case Of the Trinity corporation TO
maintain branch or affiliated churches in the
thickly populated portions OF the city. In the
opinion OF those who are in position to fore
cast happenings. the endowed church will be
formed by the merging OF the three churches
just mentioned.