New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31
LITTLE OLD NETWORK.
Some odd Phases of Her March
TO Greatness.
xviii.

The history OF the Lutheran Church IN New
York IN the early part OF the seventeenth CEN
fury is extremely meagre. Whatever records
were kept OF the struggle Of the sect to obtain
q foothold IN the colony are in the keeping Of
the authorities in Amsterdam, Holland. 1t is
known, however. that Dutch Lutherans came
70 America with the first settlers on Manhat-
tan Island in 1923, and that the first German
Lutheran arrived in 1914 The followers OF
Luther had the same trouble with Governor
stuyvesant other religious denominations
not Of his belief. for IN 1860 he refused them
permission to build a church in New-Amster-
dam. and was supported by the West India
Company on the ground that so dangerous a
precedent would soon be followed by the other
dissenting sects and thus would the esta blished
religion OF the province be destroyed. This re-
fusal OF Stuyvesant is considered by historians
70 be the first manifestation OF religious bigotry
in the province.
When the English had succeeded in expelling
the Dutch from their American possessions. IN
1864, and the affairs Of the province were IN
the hands Of Colonel NicoIls, as Deputy-Gov-
ernor, the Lutherans were permitted TO erect a
church and TO send 10 Europe for preacher OF
their own denomination. In February, 1869,
Jacob Fabrcius arrived, and was the first TO
preach to them in their own language, in what
was known the first Lutheran Church, which
stood outside the fort, about where Bowling
Green nov is. When the town came once more
into the possession Of the Dutch, in 1870 this
building was RACED for military purposes, and a
lot was given TO the congregation at what is
now the southwest corner Of Broadway and
Rector-st
The religious zeal Of the Lutherans IN the sew
enteenth century was confined more to Penn
sylvania than to New-York. as IN 1894 a band
OF German Pietists settled on the Wissahickon
a short distance from Germantown and proved
q powerful factor in UNFOLDING the orthodox
Lutheran faith in the province OF Pennsylvania.
In 1Iol Ancreas Rudnan arrived in New-York
from Pennsylvania and began TO gather up and
organize the German. Dutch and Swedish Lu-
therans who we're scattered over a large terri
tory. Including parts OF Long Island and East
Jersey In the latter part OF the year Dominic
huoman and his family We're stricken with
yellow fever, which broke out with fury In the
Tort and in the town The dominies second son
cleo rom the scourge, and urgent appeal
was sent TO Pennsylvania in August for assist
1nce Dominies Bi0rck and Sandel were sent
10 aid him. but because Of the imperfect means
OF communication at the time IL was the mid
die OF September before they reached New-York
The dominic recovering from his illness
but concluded that on account Of the rigor OF
the climate it would be impossible for him to
continue in charge another winter. Not wish
Ing to leave the field uncovered. he wrote to
Justus Falclner. one Of the Lutheran COM
munity In pennsylvania, that he had decided to
leave the province, and that he considered him
more suitable than any one else m safel,, com
nit MS sheep to. He told him he world trv 70
persuade the Ministerium to initiate him into
the ministry Falckner had not been ordained
at the time. but was devout member Of the
little band Of German pietists on the wissa-
hickon. He consented TO receive the cu,a
dish ordination and to take charge NJ prs
mans flock. On October %, 1903 the cb,,~oh
council Of New-York wrote him TO coma and
preach trial sermon. but as the congregation
were not insistent in the matter OF trial SER
mon. formal call was sent to him to serve
them as pastor. The Ministerium evidently
granted the appeal OF Dominic Rudman as on
November q, 1903, Falclkner was ordained in
the old Swedish Lutheran Church. Gloria Del
at wicacoa. in Philadelphia, German. swede
and HolIandcr combining to furnish regularly
ordained pastor as missionary among the scat
tered Luthe-ans in the province OF New York
and East Jersey. and assisting In the first regu-
lar ordination OF an orthodox clergyman in the
Western world
The ceremony. we are told by his biographer.
julius Friederich Sachse. Lit D., 10 whom
me writer is indebted for most Of the infor-
nation regarding the development OF the Luz
'Hsfan Church in New-York, was enacted
upon that bleak November day within the bare
wails OF the Swedish church on the banks OF
."e delaware. The sacred structure. yet
pS'e anc unfinished. lacked both tower and side
pio'eeuoas Earthen floors and hard benches in
'"s ih'eflor well matched the unadorned altar.
opon mis- occasion no pealing organ. with a
.S1uos OF stops and pedals, vestured choir or
'e music made melody for the service.
no long procession of ROBBED clergy. with r1itred
D-aHOp surrounded by acolytes and led by the
o'' Dearer' were present to add dignity to the
eNe ana impress the beholder with awe. The
AeoS00n'cal Brotherhood partly clad in the