Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-07-08
CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH MARKS
ITS ANNIVERSARY
First lube Memorial Was Or
ganized Sixty Years Ago.
Has Noted History.

men. during independence week, and
particularly the devotees of the Con-
gregational faith, is the fact that the
First Congregational lube Memorial
Church, at Clinton avenue and Wright
street, has just celebrated the sixtieth
anniversary of it's birth, the flock law
ing been organized on July 2, 1851, just
two days before the observance of the
memorable Fourth. The event Is also
of exceptional Significance, as 1t is
claimed by the historians of the Con-
gregationalists that this city began as
q Congregational settlement. SO far as
the Protestants were concerned, and
that the First Presbyterian Church, the
lean of that denomination in this city,
vas originally organized on Congrega-
ttonal lines. later changing to its pres
sut creed.
Be that as 1t may, for opinions differ.
the First Congregational Church, un-
der the efficient spiritual guidance of
the present pastor. the Rev. 7. Arid
Moffat. has enjoyed the most encour-
aging prosperity. Every department in
The church is well organized on the
most optimistic lines and the Sabbath
school Is graded and thoroughly up-to-
date in its equipment. The early his
tory OF the flock is most interesting,
and. while its growth and influence
have been gratifying. there were times
during the past when trials and vicis-
STUDIES were borne by the faithful con
gregation In defence of their faith.
On July q, 1851, a small number of
members of the Free Presbyterian
Church. which was organized on May
%, 1884. seeded from that church and
formed the nucleus for the new Con-
gregational flock. The first pastor, the
Rev. Abraham Pierson, has been &C
corded the credit of having given this
city its name, Newark" but again
local historians question the anthem
ITCHY of that assertion. The second
pastor was a son of the first, being
the Rev. Abraham Pierson, jr., n his
stay was short with the flock, as he
developed strong leanings toward Pres
byterianism, which caused his retire.
ment.
On November 7 the Rev. Charles
Beecher. a brother of the noted clergy
man. the Rev. DIR. Henry Ward
Beecher, was called to the pastorate.
He resigned in February, 1854, being
succeeded by the Rev. William B.
Brown, Of Andover. Mass, on June 81,
1885.
The church ediice at this period wss
located in Clinton street, on the ste
OF the present Essex office building.
In 1858 a colony OF members from the
First Church were formally dismissed
for the purpose of organizing the Belle
Vile Avenue Congregational Church
From 1858 to 1878. a period of ten
years, many stirring event transpired
in the life of the Congregational faith
in this growing city. Many other de-
nominations had begun to get a firm
religious foothold and the Presbyterian.
Reformed, Methodist and Baptist
.creeds had largely expanded their in
fluence.
Nevertheless. after the retirement of
the Rev. DIR. Brown on April 81, 1878,
from the pastorate of the First Church
a call was extended the Rev. DIR. J. M.
White. On March 81. 1879. he accepted
and filled the pulpit until May Z. 1885,
being succeeded by the Rev. L. w.
Hainer, the Church building pastor.
who began his duties on January 1,
1888.
This period marked the crowning
epoch In the history of the Congrega-
tional church in this city, for. under
the optimistic passionate of the Rev.
DIR. Hainer. the building bee began its
buzzing. 1t had the effect of promot-
ing the erection of the handsome and
costly stone sanctuary at Clinton ave-
nue. and Wright streets, which is one
of the most stately church ediices in
this city. The cornerstone of the new
church was laid on December II. 1891,
and the dedication ceremony held on
December q, 1892. The ediflce derived
Its name, the First Congregational
Jube Memorial Church, through the
beneficence of John p. lube, the chair
man of the building committee, who,
on passing the keys of the church over
TO the president of the board of truss
tees. stated that the structure was free
of all debt. He had, through liberal
contributions, enabled the flock to be-
gin worship In their new church home
debtless.
It was In May, 1907. that the words
sJube Memorial were added to tho
name of the church as a tribute to the
of Mr.. lube, whose generosity
had proven unfailing.
The pastors who succeeded DR..
Hainer were the Rev. James A. Cham
berlain, who officiated for two years,
and the Rev. G. L.. Hanscom, who re-
manned for five years.
The present divine. the Rev. T. Arid
Moffat. is closing a four-year pastor
ate at the church and under his able
leadership the denomination has made
rapid forward strides. He promotes
a series of popular educative themes
In the pulpit that appeal to he con-
gregation, but which are purely re-
ligious in character.
The music is also of a high char
acter and on special occasions instru-
mental soloists assist the work of the
trained quartet choir. Those who
comprise the musical complement are;
Mrs. Phoebe Quimby Woolson, soprano;
Miss Margaret Armour. contralto;
Harry B. Ackerson. tenor; George s