The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1909-09-24
A STORY OF BROOKLYN.
Greater New York - Borough Of
Brooklyn.
PART II.
H. A. WILLIAMSON.

HlAtGI III.
Our subject is intended to be an
insight into the affairs Of the Ne
groes of Brooklyn. The first glimpse
will be at the religious side. While
there is a large colored population,
the number is not what might be ex-
pected in large city so close to New
York (being repeated by narrow
stream of water) where there are so
many, consequently large number of
churches is not required. 1t cannot
be said that the Negro churches are
edifices of particular beauty. A de.
sire to so construct them seems impos-
sible for unfortunately, as is the case
with most of our congregations, their
buildings always seem to be under
considerable debt When one mort
gage is destroyed, means are found to
necessitate another. There are per-
haps about half dozen buildings that
can be considered substantially built
and they at the same time are simple
in architecture. The others are most
ly frame structures and not in the
very best of condition, for repairs are
impossible, so long as it takes so much
money for principal and interest.
Our ministers are mostly men of
excellent character and stand well in
the community, although there are
several who cannot rank as being as
we'll educated as should be expected.
We have had in our midst several
whose method of living failed to be-
speak sincerity to the work in which
they were engaged, but fortunately
they have long since ceased to admin
mister to the spiritual needs of this
locality. The ministers coming into
such close contact with the masses,
should be men of the highest integrity
and a desire for purity of purpose
in the conduct of their work, for it
is within their power to either raise
or lower the general moral aspect OF
their profession.
The Protestant Episcopalian demon
ination has three parishes, namely
ST Augustine, Rev. George Frazier
Miller, rector located in Brooklyn
proper, is one Of the oldest colored
congregations in the city, owning q
small, but lwelladapted and prettily
decorated building on the interior;
st. Philips, Rev. N. Peterson Boyd
rector, is a rapidly-growing parish
about six years old and located neal
the old Weaksyille Village district; st
Barnabas, Rev. Walter McClane, rec
tor, very young and promising con
gregation in East New York district
where large numbers Of Negroes are
locating very rapidly.
The Methodist (BetheD connection
has several churches: Bridge Street
Rev. S. R. Cooper, pastor, is another
of the old congregations and has al
extensive membership; st. Johns, Rev
II. B. Cant, pastor, has been quite g
flourishing body; likewise the Payne
Memorial, Rev. G. P. Pierce, pastor
another old body is Bethel, Rev. w
H, Lacy, pastor; this church in the
past has been very active and seems
again to be putting a new lease OIL
life. Other denominations are repre-
scented here, but which do not com
prise a large circle of communicate
are the Adventists, the Moravians, the
Congregationalists with the Nazarent
Church, Rev. ]. e. London Isaacs
pastor, have recently invested in
quite a large piece of property. This
church was in very excellent condi
ton numerically and financially, but
about year ago had most unfor
tunate experience, which for some
while retarded its progress.
The Presbyterians are represented
by Sloan congregation, Rev. w. A
Alexander, pastor. This organization
is at present without its own place Of
worship, holding services in Fleet
Street Church. Its building was con
demned by the city authorities tC
make way for the extension of Flat
brush avenue, and it seems strange
the members have never been able tC
select a new location, for undoubtedly
a neat sum was realized from the sale
Of the old edifice some years ago. The
Zion Methodists have the Fleet Street
Memorial Church, also the Union
Church, Rev. Mccoy, pastor, near the
East New York line; this latter con
gregation was formerly known as
Zion and from its origin many years
ago and up until recently was located
in the Williamsburg district, which
at one time had a large eolored popu
lation. It also ranks with the older
bodies and like some others has had
to submit to the gradual change Of
population in its former location
which has been the means Of stimulat
ing life into what was becoming a