New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06
THE QUESTION HERE DIS
CUSSED By MANY
CLERGYMEN.

TO what extent Is a church justified IN supporting
iseh by carrying a businessp
This Il q question which is presenting itself to-
day 10 the clergy and OF certain churches
IN New-Tork. which fighting against the up
town" tendency. that Irresistible force which
draws the well-to-do families OF a congregation
away from the neighbOrhood OF the church which
they have attended for many years. because Of the
encrcschment OF business houses where once all
were residences.
Shall the church be transplanted further uptown
Or shah 1t remain and maintain the good work
emeg the poorer class OF people who now sur
roune ~" is the way the problem presents itself
Christianity says: Remain where your influence
IL most needed" Common sense asks: IF you re-
main where VIII the funds necessary for your sup
pert cone fuom7 The people OF large means have
moved away. Only the people OF small means re-
man, and they cannot sive enough TO support
yoa"
Nov. most OF the churches which have 90 face
tnA dilemma at present occupying building
et1s which have been made extremely valuable by
ehAi very encroachment OF business which has
~lyen their Weather communicates away.
WY not solve the difficulty by erecting the
cnnrch site a many STORED business structure.
Swing one OF two flOors for church purposes and
,ouilnE the other floors for business purposes OF
az 1F.ng Rpsrtments7 many ask
Az italian Roman Catholic priest IN Orange.
= = runs 5unkshqp in connection with his
pce o. worship IN order 20 Increase its meagre In
.e' but Father Lavelle. rector OF ST. Patrick's
snsor@- IN this city says such enterprise lowers
osui1 OF the church.
m. N Rev. d.. J. Lewis Parks. rector OF Calvary
s.''pa Church. who has not tried the scheme.
80 mat 1T would be most undesirable for
49, be IN business for fl would necessarily
49, uem the reverence; yet the Rev. Peter A.
,sth OF the First Church OF Salem. Mass.
1a tired T. takes an absolutely contrary view.
80 The Rev. DIR. Henson. OF fremont Temple.
NJ who has also tried the experiment
e.. Stead. the London Newspaper proprietor.
~. That every church should manage theatre
~ saloon. and Il is reported that William X.
A,aeroilt once gave two ministers who came 20
soActing big subscription a buSinesslike
,Ae 70 the ACCESSIBILITY OF churches making
-1ssFss sef-suppOrting.
- new OF these facts. The Tribune has gathered
-, interviews upon this interesting question from
s'Hen who view it from different aspects.
81. OF the very Oldest, II not the Oldest Of all
=. Ses'snt churches IN America Is the First Church
n. ZEN ZEN Mass. CCnItarisnl. which viii celebrate
4@p anniversary next August. Its pastor the
s.s Fster A. Goldsmith said:
- e'ts after las this church established stores
49,. easement, which were let at good figures for
,,e purposes This was considered ct the
- az revolutionary in some quarters and in 9TH
~ DAD taste sad even sacrilerioas hut the church
n. solsuon thought differently. and specified that
49,. "'on Tor 40 doing 70 establish fund 70
'..petnats the church forever
financial proposition this move has proved
We Ihe present property is worth $4,000.
h,. p@'ish house valued at $1,000 The property
-. essh 90 wei conducted that while there Is a
-. " u yet the income is SUFFICIENT 20 osy inter
.ne taxes and leave a considerable amount
a. supporting the church
~. NC building occupies a prominent position in
sra a. % sAlem, az Essex and Washington sts..
80 n desirable piece OF pronertv T-bs husldsne
s' plain rec brick structure Of no .pecial
a. % architecture II is three stories IN height
On ~. enorcs proper is located above the stores
On, ~ .easous thought and feeling are ss deep IN
busne.. - % eise"hers. and ths combining Of
eHe religious departments in the church