The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-20
CENTENNIAL OF 4
 GREAT CHURCH. Fifth Avenue Presbyterian of
 New York TO CELEBRATE FOUNDING Lonq Known as "Dr. Halle Church." Jonathan Edwards Preached
 There-owns Property
 Worth $2,ooo,ooo.
TO CELEBRATE FOUNDING
By J. w. WHARTON.


 byterian Church, is today December G0th) celebrating its one hundreth anni- versary. From all parts of the Uuited States the survivors of it's roll of 10000 members and their grandchildren and even great grandchildren have come to New York to hear Dr. J. Ross Stew enson preach his centennial sermon and to share in the Lords Supper, which will be administered at the communion service this afternoon. Also tribute will be paid to the memory of a. long list of Presbyterian preachers famous for their eloquence and pastoriai achievement. First among these is Jonathan Edwards, who while not pastor in the church, preached as newly ordained minister to the congregation in Cedar Street which a few months later became the congre- gation which century later was to worchip in the brownstone structure on Fifth Avenue,
 The first pastor of the church after its admission by the Presbytery in 1908, was pr. John Broadhead Romeyn of AL bany. The congregation had become dis satisfied with the introd uction of Watts Hymns and also found the three collegiate
 
 scriphon and sale of pews raised enough money to erect a. church in Cedar Street worth $5o0OO. In those days what is now busy Cedar street, crowded with insurance and financial institutions and made canyon-like by skyscrapers. was a narrow peaceful street.
 But it was 50 narrow that the noise of nd the peace of the worshippers and during the services 1t was closed with a chain. In fact 1t was so narrow that In few years later 1t was widened and this forced the congregation to seek a new home in Duane street, during the pastor ate of pr. George Potts of Mississippi, who had succeeded the Rev. Cyrus Mas son, its second pastor. Duane street, how ever, soon proved to be too far down town and during the pastorate of Dr. James W. Alexander moved again to Fifth avenue and Nineteenth street, which in turn became business section.
 In 1859 pr. Nathan D. Rice was called and he served until the appointment of the famous Dr. John Hall of Dublin In 1867. pr. Hall left such an impress on the church during his pastorate, which clos ed with his death in 1898 that the church became known as "Dr. Halls Church," the country over. For Dr. Hall, the church at Nineteenth street was moved to Fifty-seventh street and Eleventh avenue and later the new church at Fifty-ffth street and Fifth avenue was built. pr. Hall was succeeded by Dr. George T. Purves of Princeton Theological semna- ry, and on his death in 1902, Dr. Steven son, the present pastor was called from Mccormack Theological seminary.
 The growth of the church from its early days, when it was known as the Federalist church, has been a source Of pride to Presbyterianism- Beginning with church property valued at $50,OO0, the church today owns its own home church, its mission and schools, property valued at $2000,000. And where it's contributions to church work were at the start $196.36 per year, it has contributed under its present pastor an average of S323,976 per year for the support of the home church, It's foreign missionaries, and its home charities, missions and settlements. During 1897. in spite of financial condi- dons. this church contributed to the support of Presby byterianism $352,00 It's m6InDeTBulp naS BrOWh IrOn 70 10 2,0SL It supports a Chinese Sunday school, large settlement on the east side, a summer home, day nursery, sewing schools, boys clubs, gymnasiums, industrial classes and three fourishing chapels. Within the church are scores of active societies, each carrying on some important work. Its Young Peoples So- ciety started by James A. Hawes and William Sloane support large settlement house on First avenue.
 Throughout its history. the church has been decidedly democratic in its work. Although located on Fifth oRvenue, it has been one of the most active Of New York's churches in evangelistio work. Last winter, it did everything in its pow CT to make the stranger in the metropolis feel that here he would find a welcome. In its evangelistio work it has called in its meeting for series of rallies, many of the worlds famous preachers.
 Among those who have conducted evan gelstio services at this historic church are: the Rev. pr. c. Campbell Morgan of Westminster Chapel. London, Eng land: Rev. Hugh Black, formerly of Ed insburgh Scotland; the Rev. Dr. w. J. Nawson, formerly of London; the Rev. Dr Reuben A. Torrey the Rev pr. J. Wilbur Chapman, famous evangellsts and the Rev Dr. Len G. Broughton of Atlanta, Georgia. In it's calls the church moreover was never beCliOudl. AL least two Southerners have filled it's pulpit, one during the war of the rebellion. And at one time a call was made to the fa- nous Dr, Palmer of New Orleans. And its present incumbent was brought from Chicago. The famous Dr. Hall was palled from Dublin.
 AS a result, its pastorate has always been one of the brilliant ones of the Un- tied States. In this the church has been aided by the fact that its pastors, in addition to their duties as preachers. have have under direction a magnitude of charitable educational, evangelistic and relief works which leave no room for complaint that there is not enough op- ~ortunity for personal contact.
 Among the we'll known divines who are to join in the celebration of the Centen- niAl are: the Rev. Baxton P. Fullerton D. D., moderator of the General assem- bly,; the Rev. John F. Carson, D. D.. mod orator of the Synod of New York; the Rev. George Alexander, D. D., modera- tor of the Presbytery of New York; the Rev. Francis l.. Patton, ID. D.. president of Princeton Theological seminary; and Dr. Henry M. McCracken, chancellor of New York university The following leaders of the Great Mis- sionary Movement will also take part in the service of the great missionary rally to be held tomorrow night: December nst); the Rev. A. F. Sch hauffler. the Rev. ,1ac T. Mr. L,