New-York tribune., 1910-04-25
French Church MOVES.
investments in Realty Supply
Funds for Great Work.
TWO HOMES FOR THE AGED
New Church Edifice, Too, To Be
Brilt-Self-Su Sustaining for
al Time.

The object sought for many wears by the
Rev. Alfred Y. Wittmeyer. rector since le's'
and by the trustees OF the French Episco-
pal Church du SAINT Esprit. in 9th street.
Just west OF Fourth avenue. viii soon be
realized j was the building Of two large
homes. one for aged Frenchmen and the
other for aged Frenchwomen on some suit
able site on Manhattan Island. both 10 be
sell sustaining for all time.
No generous legacies have been left 10
the church in recent years nor mas some
large gift been made 10 make possible the
attainment OF this am. In fact the cohgre-
cation is neither numerically large nor rlch'
Neither has the sum OF the Sunday collec-
tions been carefully boarded UP. for the
truth is that every penny OF the SUNDAY
collections has been given away immediate
lv TO poor French men and women VINO
sought shelter and spiritual comfort unoer
the roof OF the old church each Sunday
morning.
This is not the only Christian service
which the church has performed for many
wears. In the central West Side II has
maintained a home for French immigrant
Girls. and there they are cared for until
they are accustomed 10 the life OF their
new surroundings ana are able 70 earn
enough 10 properly support themselves.
There has been a constant outpouring OF
large sums Of money from the treasury OF
the church Nevertheless the church mas
made a sam sufhcient TO found and perma-
ncntly endow the proposed two homes and
20 sustain in Il proper nanne- house u
worship IN this city. besides continuing It's
old charitable work.
Wise Investments in Realty.
How il has done so other churches. strug-
gline along 20 maintain corporate existence.
may learn with profit. Some years ago the
church had a few thousand dollars in the
treasury At the present time IL might
turn its real and personal property into
cash equslling nearly N,9ooeeo
Many wears ago the church received
several leeacies Of money and land.
but its expenses and income usually bal
anced Not long ago was decided 10
curtal the expenses and 10 invest II pos
sible a part OF the income. The rector
and the trustees were favorably disposed
10 real estate as q safe investment and
the money was spent IN buying choice
properties on Manhattan Island. The rapid
rise Of realty values in many cases more
than doubled and trebled the real property
holdings OF the church. and its investments
IN this form now total sum sufficient
FOR the rector and trustees TO take steps
for the building Of the two homes and for
their permanent endowment. Not one cent
from outside sources viii he necessary 10
carry out this splendid charitable project.
The carrying out Of the plans TO provide
homes for aged French men and women
will result in bringing TO an end the realty
Investments Of the church and the removal
Of the congregation Of the church from
27th street 10 q more central and better
location for church purposes. The famous
French church property in 9th street is to
be sold. and part OF the money is to be
devoted TO building new edihce in another
part OF the city. 10 the establishment Of
the proposed homes and for the creation
OF second fund for the permanent main
tenance OF the new church building and its
charitable institutions.
Episcopal Church Since 1904.
In 1892 q French church was establish ID
on Manhattan Island. II became the repre-
sentative Hugucnot church Of New Yor.
As such il continued until lS34 when II be
came an Episcopal church n which form il
stil exists i'm the present French Church du
Saint Esprit According 10 historians, tho
first French divine service held IN New Am
sterdam was in 1925. and from the same
sources II is learned that among these eXil"s
4 for conscience sake were George de Rap
peiic and his wife. Catalina Trico. whose
daughter sarah. born in 1925. was the first
female child Of European parentage born
In New Netherlands
Among the Huguenot refugees who came
here in the latter part of 1867 was tho Rey.
Pierre Peiret 20 whom belongs the honor
O. having been the immediate founder Jf
the Huguenot church IN New York. IN Tho
following year De succeeded in erecting IL.
FIRST odifoe exclusively devoted 10 French
service. II was located in the street com
monty known as Potticoat Lane now Mar
ketfeld street The site once occupied by
thu, church is now covered by the New
York Produce ENchange. In 1903 that sir
was sold aad a new ediiice built in Pin.
street. which was opened IN l70i and was
used for divine service until 1881. ON Se;-
took The first steTs toward conforming with
tire Episcopal Church. and on NAY 80, 1909.
the church was conss Grated according 10 the
rites of the Episcopal church. The third
edince ~ the society was erected at Franf-
lin and church streets OF sing Sing mar
bic. u Was damaged by fire which de-
F1rOycd PalmO's Opc-a House. adjoining il.
o.. September %. 1899. In 1868 the churc n
moved from Franklin street 70 West go
street. and finally to It's present site in East
27th street.
C6EJD FALLS INTO BONFIRE