The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-05-12
CHURCH TRUST HAS BEEN
FORMED IN NEW YORK.
Presbyterian Churches Of the Metropolis
About 10 Pool Interests In
one Body.

( NEW YORK. May ii--An extraordinary
movement Is on foot looking 10 the con-
solldatiop OF Presbyterian congregations
IN ihis city. some OF them among the
richest In the United States, according
10 the Tribune.
The congregation Of the Madison
avenue Presbyterian church last night
unanimously decided in favor OF consoll-
dating with the Phillips Presbyterian
church. the former church TO be sold.
The Tribune says:
Conditions which have existed In the
church for some time past have rendered
1t impcraiively necessary that there shall
BE- some radical changes and general
strengthening.
Probably al no time in its history has
presbytcrlanism In this city been so
restless and perturbed as 1t is at the pres
ent time. Internal yariances have de-
pleted the congregations and consequent
ly the withdrawal OF existence OF many
churches OF this sect in New York
Moreover. the constantly increasing
migration up town have left the churches
which remain In the lower portions OF the
city sadly diminished In financial re-
sources. The majority Of them. in fact.
aud It hard struggle to hold on, and IT
is no secret that a number OF them are
laboring under monetary difficulties OF
more or less degree.
It was this state OF affairs that led
10 the Fourth avenue church inviting
the Thirteenth street church TO join wilh
Il, Should the project fail. there is
every likelihood that negotiations will
be begun for the bringing together Of
the Spring street church and the Thir-
teenth street church. The Spring street
church is without a pastor.
But a consolidation of much wider
scope and more important possibilities
that is being urged by influential Pres
byterianS, is the combining Of the Mad
ison Square church, Of which Dr. Park
hurst is pastor; the Brick church which
DR., Van Dyke will leave in the near fu-
ture TO take up the professOrship he has
accepted at Princeton. and the Fourth
avenue church. The properties upon
which these churches stand, Il Is pointed
out, are extremely valuable. and could
be sold for a sum that would provide
for the building Of great central Pres
by;erian church, and support branches
In various parts Of the city, such as
Trinity church is enabled to maintain
with the rich funds in It's possession.
The establishment of great church
movement Of this character is being /,
urged by prominent Presbyterians, for /
the reason, as they assert, that it would I
end not only to lessen the financial /
strain Of the other down town churches.
but would give Presbyterianism the I
strength and impetus which IL Is agreed
Il now stands much In need Of
That consolidation OF the three .
'hurches will come about some time
perhaps in a short time, is beyond Ques-
ion. Work has already begun to that
md and 1t is only matter Of certain
as to how long It will ee be-
ore II is pushed 10 completion.
1t Is equally certain that the Metropol-
tan Life Insurance company will sue
eed In purchasing the Madison Square
'hurch, 1t now owns the whole side of |
he block on Twenty-third street from
he Academy Of Design to Madison
square, and when the lease OF the Ly-
'eum theater runs out 1t will also ac-
luire that site. The company's aim Is
o secure the whole block, and ii is gen.
rally agreed thatat is only a question
II little patiencetto realize its purpose