Evening star., 1946-11-11
Congregation Strives
To Avert Church Sale
And Retain Dr.. 5izoo

Plans to save the edifice of st.
Nicholas Collegiate Church in New
York from sale and thus enable the
pastor, the Rev. DR.. Joseph r. Sizoo,
to withdraw the resignation he an
nounced yesterday, were underway
today. II,
Dr. Sizoo formerly was pastor Of
the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church of Washington and is widely
known as an author and lecturer.
The plans disclosed by leaders of
the congregation involve withdrawal
from the church's governing body,
the consistory of the Collegiate
Dutch Reformed Church of New
York. The consistory has insisted on
sale of the building despite the op-
position Of the pastors lay officials
and majority of st. Nicholas con-
gregation.
The move to withdraw from the
consistory and thus pave the way
for DR.. SMoo to remain will be
taken up at meeting of the con-
gregation tomorrow night.
Mortgage Is for $750,00O.
Confirming advance reports, DR..
Sizoo announced his resignation to
the church at the morning service
yesterday. This climaxed a con-
troversy of year over proposed
sale of the church property for a
reported $4,000,000 to pay off
$3.50, 900 mortgage.
ITO propose sale of this strategi-
cally located church for the purpose
of building up reserves and finan-
cial considerations, DR.. Sizoo said,
has always seemed to me and still
seems to me betrayal OF our
spiritual responsibility to the king
dom of Christ. 1t so obviously
places material considerations be-
fore spiritual commitments
The pastor added: Il cannot be
part of such a decision" In the
plans for the sale, he said, the will
of the congregation of st. Nicholas
was utterly disregarded."
This, he said. "is contrary to the
teachings of the New Testament,
to the genius of Professionalism and
to the spirit of democracy"
Plan for Withdrawal.
DR.. Sizoo called the consistory S
studied and determined policy of
selling the church a dagger point
ing at the heart of this congrega-
| ton"
The Rev. Donald H. Spencer, as
sociate minister of St. Nicholas,
then took the pulpit and announced: ::
After long and prayerful consider
alton, we have a workable plan to
withdraw from the Collegiate
Church Corporation and continue
our work in this church"
Mr.. Spencer read a statement
signed by the eight elders and dea-
cons of the church.
The plan, he pointed out, WOULD
mean the church would be con-
Quoted as free and independent
congregation" DR.. Sizoo and his
staff then could be invited to min
lister there, he added
Churches in Consistory.
DR.. Sizoo later commented: I'VE
believe that this is a house Of God,
and that we're entitled to it. There
is no alternative. If they turn us
down, this congregation will utterly
and literally disintegrate.
There are five churches in the
Collegiate Dutch Reformed Consis-
tory of New York, said to be the
oldest continuous Protestant body
in the country. The st. Nicholas
structure at Fifth avenue and Forty
eighth street is 79 years old
Church officials plan to ask the
consistory to turn over the building
to them free of mortgage or debt.
This would be st. Nicholas share
of the assets of the consistory and it
would claim no other financial in
| terest.
Gilmore D. Clarke, president of
the congregation, predicted it will
unquestionably" pass a resolution
supporting the deacons and elders
at the business meeting tomorrow
night. Mr.. Clarke is a member of
the National Capital Fine Arts Com
mission.