New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-22
CHURCHES LOSING GROUND
New Campaign Enforced by Many
Stronu Social Features.

In the last twelve or fifteen years the
Brooklyn churches have been gradually
adoptina the methods OF the Young Mems
Christian Association in their efforts TO re-
tain the interest Of the younger generation,
and now each new church advertises It's
secondary attractions perhaps more widely
than It's primary feature. Good music
peoples forums and reading rooms for the
old and good gymnasums. brigades, KIN
dergartens etc, for the young are now
adays deemed almost as necessary az good
preaching and proper equipment for al
vancIng spiritual work While this Is
looked upon by the churches simply as an
adaptation of business methods. u may
have also another significance.
For a city that is widely known for us
churches and It's Sunday school parades
Brooklyn has met with some reverses re-
Gently. In the Williamsburg section church
after church has given up and closed It's
doors Only few days ago II was FOUND
expedient 70 close a chapel in the Brooklyn
Heights section. far away from Williams
burg after quarter OF century oil service
II IS doubtful II the growth OF churches IN
the newly settled portions OF the borough
such as Flatbush, is keeping pace WIN
the dissolution Of church organizations else
where In williamsburg the explanation
IS that synagogues have replaced the
churches But in other quarters the MIN
listers are talking Of the "overchurching
Of neighborhoods, where the Christian
population has not decreased and where
the churches have not appeared too numer-
GUS heretofore. At the same time the So
called "unchurched masses" are not de-
creasng, according TO the reports, and
everywhere are heard the old complaints
that the men and the young people gen.
eraIfy are dropping out of the churches.
Only a few days ago many OF the lead
ing Protestant ministers Of Brooklyn
| formed an organization 20 manage a per-
manent evangelistic campaign, when VIII
he the biggest undertaking Of the KIND even
! tried here The borough Will be dlVloeo
into sections, each church VIII look aller
/ q snecifed number CT blocks, local com
J r,Ittees will report to a general commit
tee and in the effort 10 hold their own and
regain their lost ground the churches prom
Use TO forget UNCONVENTIONAL differences
None Of the big political parties has ever
attempted such a campaign.
This church enterprise Is not the product
/ Of success, but Of a certain sense OF failure
! The churches are not growing as they nave
: eypected 10 grow The leaders Of the move
ment realize that new church people only
means that churchgoers have left their
I churches in one part Of the city and have
/ gone to a new section, where they want the
same privileges that the churches are work
] that thew race
| 70 face with an application OF the principle
| that when growth stops decadence begins
| In a way, the campaign Is recognillon
: OF the existence locally Of phase OF the
same movement that has appeared acutely
! and nation wide in France and Spain. Inc
/ recognition is neither new nor novel except
/ that # is now general. where formerly II
was not Brooklyn churches are, or course
not in danger from the city or the state
but the danger from decreasing supporters
is lust as real, especially in view OF tht
number Of Brooklyn churches that have
been brought TO an end, OF late through loss
Of membership.
In view OF the conditions which the
churches are called on 70 face, the reason
for their development Of the secondary az
fractions is clear, and few persons now
question the course Of the churches IN th'
prominence they give the secondary az
| fractions In another month the TRINITY
Baptist Church will erect its new structure
at Greene and Patchen avenues. IL VII
| have as it's secondary attractions a gym
nesium, drill room for it's brigade and bowl
! ing alleys The building will he or put
coIored brick, decorated with colored tiles
It's cost will be $500 The committee II
charge Of the building arrangements Il
paving considerable attention to the spe
cial attractions. which are depended upor
70 attract the young men Of the neishoor
hood from the local clubs and bowling al
Ieys into a superior moral atmosphere
The church Will he 70 feet wide and
feet long The main auditorium VIII sea
one thousand persons. The Sunday schoo
room will be 30 feet by IS feet. There WI
! be a room for meetings "a feet wide and !