History of West Hoboken N.J./Chapter 13
THE CHURCHES OF WEST HOBOKEN.
It would seem by this that the Presbyterian is the oldest church, but it must be borne in mind that the congregation of St. John's, as present constituted, is older than that of the Presbyterian, for the reason that the Presbyterian's Church congregation was at once time a Congregational Church, while the Episcopal Church has never been anything else but an Episcopal Church. Let it also be remembered that the Ecclesiastical Society of West Hoboken, which was the beginning of the Presbyterian Church, was organized in 1844, and the Episcopal Church organized in 1846, two years later. A fact that is not disputed by anybody, is that the first church building in our town was the old St. John's building on Clinton avenue and Warren street, but that old building is now torn down and the oldest church building to-day is that of the Presbyterian Church.
I will not venture to say which is the oldest church, and after reading the sketch of both churches, I leave the reader to draw his or her own conclusion.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
Clinton avenue and Hague street.
In the year 1844 a religious society, entitled the Ecclesiastical Society of West Hoboken, was formed by a few of the dwellers in the place, by which preaching on the Sabbath was regularly maintained, and by which also a Sabbath School, provided with a library and other requisites, was started. A minister was selected by this society each year, or oftener, when necessary.
It was entirely undenominational in its structure and aims until, in 1847, it was decided to constitute it a Congregational Church.
The organization, at which the Rev. J. P. Thompson, then pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle, New York, presided, took place at the house which stood on the corner of Spring and Demott streets, and was the residence of Mr. Nathan Brown. In less than a year this church was disbanded from some cause now unknown, but the members again constituted themselves an undenominational regilious body under the former title of the Ecclesiastical Society of West Hoboken.
Meantime the Rev. Wm. Bradford, then editor of the New York Evangelist, had come to the village to reside, having bought the house now used as a cork factory at the corner of Palisade avenue and the Paterson Plankroad. An earnest Christian minister, he at once became connected with this Ecclesiastical Society. At this instance, and through his influence, a meeting was held, at which it was resolved that the time had arrived for the erection of a church edifice, and measures were at once taken to secure the accomplishment of this object.
The result was the present building, the ground consisting of two lots, valued then at $250. which were given gratis for the purpose by Mr. John Syms.
During the process of erecting the church the congregation worshipped in MacCrea's silk factory, which stood upon the spot now occupied by the Davis Express office and yard, having previously met in the house at the corner of Demott street and Clinton avenue, and in the old township school at the intersection of the Weavertown road (now Boulevard) and Kerrigan avenue.
The work of building was begun early in 1850, and Mr. Bradford being a member of the Third Presbytery of New York, assured the people that they would receive the sympathy and help from that body should they consent to become connected with the Presbyterian Church. Their assent was at once and heartily given, and their request to be organized as a Presbyterian Church was sent to the Presbytery and was immediately granted, and the organization was accomplished on the 12th day of June, 1850. Thus it was that this congregation became a Presbyterian Church.
The size of the original edifice was 28 by 50 feet, and its cost, exclusive of the ground and bell was $2,590.27.
In connection with the church the property was held by what was known as the West Hoboken Lyceum and Library Association, and so involved and intricate was the relations thus established that embarrassments were continually springing up, until, having raised the money for the purpose, the congregation purchased the sole ownership of the property at a cost of $2,200. The church was dedicated on June 25, 1851. Among the ministers who officiated at the dedication was the Rev. Dr. Burchard, Rev. Dr. Campbell; Rev. Dr. Taylor, of the Bergen Reformed Church; Rev. Mr. Hatt, of the Baptist Church of Hoboken, and the Rev. Mr. Wiswell.
The first communion service was held in the basement of the church on July 14, 1850, the Rev. E. T. Hatfield officiating, and from this time on for five years the church was served by stated supplies, among whom may be mentioned the Rev. Messrs. Howe, Mandel and Parker.
On Sunday, the 8th day of April, 1855, the Rev. Jas. C. Egbert, while yet a student at Cornell University, preached for the first time in this church. On Wednesday of the same week, the 11th, Mr. Egbert was licensed by the Third Presbytery of New York and was ordained to the gospel ministry on the evening of the same day in the Allen Street Presbyterian Church of New York. Having received a unanimous call from this church, and on June 13, 1855, he was installed as pastor.
The church in 1855 consisted of sixteen members, among whom may be mentioned the following:—Mrs. Amanda Parker, Mr. Alsop Purdy, Mrs. Ellen Scott, Mrs. Helen Ryerson, Miss Elizabeth E. Dailey, Mr. Robert Campbell and Eliza, his wife, Mr. John Briggs and Marcella, his wife, Mr. John Robson, Mr. George Smith and Mrs. Eliza Davidson. There numbered in the Sunday schools that year 80 scholars, with no infant class.
The present membership of the church is 435. There are 600 scholars in the Sunday schools.
There are connected with the church several societies, among which are the King's Daughters, with a membership of about 20; the Christian Endeavor, with 60 members; the Junior Christian Endeavor, with 30 members; a Foreign Missionary Hand, which is 25 years old and has a membership of 100; the Ladies' Aid Society, and the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip.
Mr. Jas. C. C. Egbert continued as minister of this church for 40 years, resigning his pastorate on June 13, 1897. The congregation was loath to accept his resignation at first, but after due consideration the fact dawned upon them that their beloved and honored pastor was gaining in years, and that the increased work, which the fast growing church entailed upon him, was proving too much for him and they reluctantly accepted his resignation, making him pastor emeritus of the church, and to further show their appreciation of his long and faithful work, generously settled upon him an annunity of $800 per annum.
Considering the fact that we have among us in the honored presence of Jas. C. Egbert, a man who has the distinction of being the oldest living pastor (both as to point of service and as to age) of any church in North Hudson County, a word about himself in the story of this old church I doubt would not be misplaced.
Mr. Egbert was born in New York City on the 17th day of October, 1826, and there received his education, attending the public schools and afterwards becoming a teacher in one of them. Afterwards he continued his studies and also taught in the private school of Professor John Jason, of New York, and in 1848, having received a thorough preparatory training, then entered New York University. He was graduated with honors in 1852, receiving the degree of B. A., and on March 4. 1889, the university conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in recognition of his eminence as a minister and of his learning and standing as a scholar.
He has twice been moderator of the Presbytery of Jersey City; is a member of the Associate Alumni Club of the Union Theological Seminary, and is known throughout the State and in other Presbyteries as a man of broad culture, of great learning and of fine intellectual attainments.
Mr. Egbert, while acting as minister of this church, has married 389 couples and has ministered at 1,000 funerals.
The pastorate of this church has, since the resignation of Dr. Egbert, been under the Rev. Charles A. Evans, a graduate of Princeton Class of 1884. As pastor emeritus, however, Dr. Egbert continues to exercise a broad and wholesome influence in the church.
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Palisade avenue and Charles street.
The organization of this church took place on June 19, 1846, when a number of persons interested in the formation of a Protestant Episcopal Church in the village of West Hoboken, met at the residence of Mr. James DeLancey Walton, and, after organization, extended a call to the Rev. A. C. Patterson, who thereby became its first minister.
The people of St. John's had, of course, no church building at that time, but met every Sunday in the loft of a silk mill owned by Mr. Henry G. McRae, on Hague street.
After considerable difficulty, enough money was raised to erect a church building, and the corner stone of the old church building on Clinton avenue, recently vacated, was laid by Bishop Doane on June 29, 1848.
The population of the village at that time was so small and of such a transitory character that it was with difficulty that enough interest was maintained to keep the struggling little parish alive. As stated in another part of this story the only method of reaching the outside world was by means of stages, and the drivers of the stages used to rest their horses in the shade of the large trees in the church yard and tie them to the side of the old building.
Some time ago, during repairs to the old building, a large screw-eye, which had been used for that purpose, was taken out of its side.
Progress was slow until about the time of the war, and the old records show that as late as 1865 the rector then in charge received for his services the princely sum of $200 a year.
From that time on the parish gradually grew, keeping pace with the growth of the town, until it completely outgrew the accommodation of the old building, and it became necessary to build a more suitable place of worship.
The present handsome stone building on Palisade avenue is one of the most complete buildings of its kind in the town. It will seat 500 people, and the hall below the church about as many more.
Connected with the church is an athletic association, whose quarters are in a building in the rear of the church. The gymnasium is equipped with all the paraphernalia of such an organization, as well as club rooms of St. John's Union.
ST. MICHAEL'S MONASTERY.
The first Catholic Church in North Hudson was located within the present limits of the Town of West Hoboken, and before its establishment here the people of that faith either had to journey to lower Jersey City or to New York City, and many people worshipped in the old Catholic Church in Barclay street, in the latter city.
In the latter part of the year 1840, Father Cauvin, a priest who then lived in Hoboken, used to journey up the Hillside on Sunday mornings to celebrate mass for the scattered Catholics of West Hoboken, and the surrounding villages, coming even as far as from Guttenberg and Hudson County.
The building used as a church at that time (and which was in reality the first Catholic Church hereabouts) was the coach-house of Mr. James Kerrigan, on the old Homestead.
The people worshipped in the coach-house until the year 1851. Early in that year work was commenced on a frame church named "Our Lady of Mercy," more familiarly known as (St. Mary's), on the corner of Clinton avenue, and what was then known as Kerrigan's Lane, now High street. The land, half an acre in extent, was the gift of Mr. Kerrigan.
The parish was then in New York, the diocese of Newark not having been formed until October, 1853, and in the latter part of the year 1851, Archbishop Hughes, of New York, dedicated the church.
On the front of this old church, as old-timers will remember, was a framed inscription, as follows:—
"MATER MISERICORDAE."
"Mother of Grace, O, Mary hear."
"Mother of Mercy, lend thine ear."
"From raging foes our souls defend."
"And take us when our life shall end."
This church was presided over for ten years by Faithful Father Cauvin, and on Sunday, September 29, 1860, Fathers Gaudentius and Anthony, of the Passionist Order, opened a mission in St. Mary's Church. It was most successful, and soon after, the Rt. Rev. Bishop James Roosevelt Bailey, first bishop of the Diocese of Newark, invited the Passionists to establish themselves in his diocese.
The Fathers accepted his invitation and selected West Hoboken, then but a sparsely settled hamlet as their headquarters, and on April 27, 1861, they formally took charge of St. Mary's Church, with Very Rev. Father John Domenic Taolatini as pastor. Father Cauvin turned the keys of the church over to the new pastor and bade the people of St. Mary's farewell. He then retired to Hoboken to build a church in the latter city.
In the same year twenty acres of land known as "Kerrigan's woods," was purchased as a site on which to build a Monastery. The site, at that time, was not considered a very healthy one on account of the swampiness of the land. But the history of the Monks repeated itself, for to-day no finer spot could be found in North Hudson than the land surrounding the Monastery.
The new Mission of the Passionists being established, Very Rev. Father Victor Carunchio was appointed Superior.
The small house at the rear of St. Mary's being found wholly inadequate, was moved back, and a very comfortable frame building was erected in its place.
Such was the neucleus from which sprang St. Michael's Monastery parish.
Work was soon commenced on the new Monastery; a building of blue stone, 101 feet long by 36 feet in width. The corner stone was laid on August 9, 1863, and three sermons were preached on this occasion, one by Dr. McGlynn, in English; Father Cauvin, in French, and Father Stanislaus, in German.
In the latter year St. Mary's school was erected on a plot of ground opposite St. Mary's church, also the gift of Mr. Kerrigan.
On September 25, 1864, the Monastery was solemnly dedicated, and on the same day the little band of Passionists bade farewell to St. Mary's, just three years and five months after their advent in West Hoboken.
In October a wing 65 feet long by 50 feet wide was added to the Monastery, and on December 30 of the same year, the beautiful chapel erected in the new wing spoken of, was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bernard J. McQuaid, then elect and Bishop of Rochester, New York.
On June 29, 1867, Blessed Paul of the Cross, the Founder of the Passionist Order, was Canonized by Pope Pius the 9th. For this occasion a frame building, 150 feet long and 60 feet wide, was erected where now stands the magnificent stone structure, St. Michael's Monastery Church.
The number who attended the services was legion. There were present bishops and clergy from all parts of the States. This temporary building was torn down, and in November, 1867, the first huge stone was rolled in place for the new church, and actual building on the church was commenced in April, 1869. The corner stone was laid on Sunday, July 18, 1869, in the presence of the largest multitude that ever assembled in Hudson County for a similar purpose, and on July 22, 1870, St. Mary's Church, amid the lamentations of its old parishioners, was closed forever to divine services.
On July 4, 1875, the superb church of St. Michael the Archangel was dedicated amid all the pomp and splendor possible. At this time Very Rev. John Phillip Baudinelli was rector.
The dimensions of this magnificent church are as follows:—Extreme length, 195 feet; width of nave, 70 feet; width of transept, 104 feet; height of main aisle, 75 feet; height to top of dome, 190 feet; diameter of dome, 50 feet; circumference of dome, 140 feet.
The style is Basilican, being more on the Corinthian than Roman order.
The architect was Mr. P. C. Keeley, chief stone mason and builder; Mr. James Day, carpenter; Messrs. George Bove and Albert Durheim. The bells in the southeast tower are each named after a Saint, as follows:—St. Michael, 3,040 pounds; St. Paul of the Cross, 1,500 pounds, and St. Joseph, 900 pounds. They were blessed by Monsignor (now Archbishop) Setou, D. D.
The cost of this church at time of building was $250,000, but nearly $100,000 has been spent on it in the way of improvements and decorations since that time.
The following churches have from time to time been established by the Passionists:—St. Joseph's, Guttenberg, June 28, 1866; Holy Family, Union Hill, November 13, 1867; St. Paul of the Cross, Hudson City, October 16, 1870; Church of Sacred Heart, Shadyside, 1874; St. Anthony, West Hoboken, August 16, 1899.
The old St. Mary's Church, after it ceased to be a place of worship, was used as a school exhibition hall. It was finally removed to make room for the new St. Michael's school, which latter building was dedicated November 8, 1896.
This is a very handsome brick structure, consisting of three stories and basement.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Clinton avenue and Serrell street.
When the First Presbyterian Church was organized they numbered among their members a few persons who would have affiliated themselves with a Baptist Church had there been one in the village. Among these baptists was Mr. John Syms and Peter Bogart. One Sunday afternoon Mr. John Syms proposed to Mr. Peter Bogart that if he would canvas the hill and get the baptists together he would build a church or meeting house for them.
Mr Bogart, after canvassing the vicinity, found ten persons who were ready to help organize a baptist church.
The people, among whom were the following, besides the two first mentioned gentlemen, were: Mr. and Mrs. Van Arsdale, Mr. and Mrs. John Varrick, Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys and Mr. and Mrs. Smithson, met in the school house of Martin Ryerson, on Paterson and Clinton avenues, in the year 1854. and organized the present Baptist Church. A Sunday school was also organized, which, at first, consisted of six scholars, but which, in three years from the date of its organization, had grown to 150.
The congregation subsequently met in the same old silk factory on Hague street, in which the people of the Presbyterian and St. John's Churches had also met, and in the year 1855 Mr. John Syms erected a house of worship for them on Clinton avenue, corner Demott street. This old building was recently moved around on Clinton avenue and was until last year, used as a furniture store by Wm. Gulden.
The succession of the ministry of this church is as follows:—1st, Rev. C. A. Buckbee; 2nd, Rev. M. James; 3rd. Rev. Mr. Leghorn; 4th, Rev. Mr. McGonegal; 5th, Rev. Mr. Gilts: 6th, Rev. Mr. Frank Osborn; 7th, Rev. Mr. Nelson; 8th. Rev. Frank Fletcher; 9th, Rev. R. Rollins.
Previous to the installation of the first regular pastor the church had ministers from the Bible Society, Nassau street, New York, at 5 o'clock p. m. every Sunday.
The organization of the church took place through the kindness of the Presbyterians, in the basement of their church. Rev. Isaac Wescott, of New York, preached the sermon and Rev. Mr. Patton, of Hoboken, gave the charge. Mr. John Syms and wife, the organizers, were the first received in the church by baptism. A large stage was hired from the stage line and was packed full, inside and out, and journeyed down to the house of Mr. Sym's daughter, in Bayonne, New Jersey, and there they were baptised in the waters of Newark Bay.
In the early history of this church Mr. Thos. Keynton played the melodian, and Mr. and Mrs. John Syms led the choir.
The present stone church was erected in 1868, and was built from contributions, among the largest of whom was the Syms family. The chapel adjoining was built and donated also by Mr. Syms at a cost of nearly $20,000.
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH.
Hackensack Plankroad.
To write a sketch of this church it is perhaps proper to say a few words in regards the mother church, the Grove Reformed Church, situated on the Hudson Boulevard. The latter church was for a long time the regular place of worship of all the members of that denomination who lived in our town, and in fact of those who lived in North Hudson.
The old church was organized on April 12, 1843. Its early history is identified with the Reformed Dutch Church at English neighborhood, of which the people of New Durham were a component part, enjoying for several years the Sabbath afternoon services of their part in the building erected at New Durham, the lower part of which was devoted to the use of the district school. At the session of the classis on September 17, 1839, the Rev. Mr. Duryee, in behalf of the Consistory of English neighborhood, applied to the classis for a recommendation of the Board of Missions for aid in supporting the gospel at New Durham. This was referred to the Consistory of English neighborhood, and after due consideration they decided that "at present" they would not advance the interests of the church.
In a few years this course was reconsidered and on April 12, 1843, Rev. B. C. Taylor, A. H. Warner and R. Wells, met, and a formal expression of desire for a new church organization was given to the petition to the committee, signed by thirty-nine heads of familities and forty-five communicants, accompanied by a proper dismission of all the forty-five communicants from the church at the English neighborhood.
The Consistory of the last-named church had agreed to convey by deed, to the new church when organized, the lecture room and lot at New Durham.
On the 17th of September, 1844, this church presented to the classis of Bergen, for approval, a call upon the candidate, Wm. J. R. Taylor. On its approval Mr. Taylor announced his acceptance, thereby becoming the first minister of this old church.
The connection between Mr. Taylor and the church was dissolved on September 8, 1846. Mr. Taylor having accepted a call from the Reformed Dutch Church at Van Vorst (Wayne street, Jersey City.)
On September 15, 1846, the Rev. W. V. V. Mabon was installed as pastor.
The church continued to need a moderate amount of aid from the Board of Missions, but the plans of a liberal soul, devising liberal things for this church, were now about to be brought into operation.
James Brown, Esq. with most commendable zeal and liberality, although himself and family members of a New York Presbyterian Church, had purchased a tract of about four acres of beautifully located land on the western slope of the hill overlooking the village of New Durham. Here he erected with some aid from a few personal friends and about $1,000 from the congregation (of which Elder Abel I. Smith contributed $700) the present church.
The cost of this church at that time was $6,000, and besides the church building aforesaid, Mr. Brown also erected the parsonage at the rear of the church, and a school house, which at that time was used for the education of girls, the teaching being paid for by Mr. Brown and the Consistory of the church. This school subsequently became a pay school for both sexes, and with the advent of the public school, its use was discontinued.
Mr. Mabon continued his pastorate until 1882, when he resigned, and the present pastor. Rev. I. A. Gowen, was installed in the year 1885.
This old church has at various times established missions in various towns in North Hudson, at present maintaining them in Guttenberg, West New York and Weehawken, and it was in this manner that our present Reformed Church was established.
It is not known exactly on what day this mission was established, but it could not have been later than 1867, for in that year the present church building was erected on the land given for the purpose by Mr. Edwin A. Stevens, of Hoboken, New Jersey. At the solicitation of Mr. Jas. Brown, who erected the building at a cost of $8,000.
The preaching services and religious work of the chapel were in charge of the succession of pastors of the mother church for nearly thirty years.
In 1895 the Rev. W. R. Ackert was called by the Grove Church Consistory to take charge of the chapel. This action was made necessary on account of the marked growth of the chapel's congregation. Under Mr. Ackert's ministry the chapel work was characterized by marked and growing success. For many years an evening service and Sunday school were the only services held. During the new pastorate all of the present active auxiliaries were organized and efficiently carried on.
Between May, 1895, and April, 1901, about one hundred and thirty members were received into the communion of the church at the chapel. On June 1, 1901, Rev. W. R. Ackert resigned from the pastorate to accept a call from the Collegiate Reformed Church of New York City, to take charge of the Vermilye Chapel, and on June 1, 1901, the Rev. Edward Dawson,of the class of 1901 of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, was called to succeed him, and is the pastor now in charge.
On April 8, 1902, the church, as at present established, was organized. After due application of the classis of Bergen, the chapel, on the above date, was organized as an independent church with a membership of two hundred and three, to be known as the First Reformed Church of West Hoboken.
The following gentlemen constitute the Consistory:—
Elders.—Michael C. McCroskery, Henry C. Steinhoff, Alfred De Bevoise, Herman C. Steinhoff.
Deacons.—Henry Reiners, Walter Clum, Thomas Davidson, Louis A. Boehler.
The church at present maintains the following auxiliary organizations:—Two Sunday schools, with an average attendance of about six hundred: Ladies' Aid Society, Christian Endeavor Society, Junior Endeavor Society, Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, and a Boys' Brotherhood.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
Courtland Street.
On August 11, 1867, a number of our German speaking citizens met for the purpose of organizing a church where the services would be conducted in their language. Among the people who organized this church were Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Blumenberg, Mr. and Mrs. C. Baum, Mr. and Mrs. C. Baumann, Mr. and Mrs. C. Henze, Mr. and Mrs. D. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Ph. Luther, Mr. and Mrs. J. Luther, Mr. and Mrs. A. Murath, Mr. C. Broker, Mrs. H. Fischer, Miss A. Schwartz; 19 in all.
This congregation's first house of worship was the old church previously occupied by the First Baptist Church congregation, corner Clinton avenue and Demott street. After meeting here for a number of years, the need of a larger and more up-to-date meeting house, on account of the fast growing congregation, soon became apparent, and in the year 1876 the present church building on Courtland street was erected. This building also, became too small, and in 1899 it was enlarged to its present size.
The first and subsequent ministers of this church are given as follows:—1st, Rev. E. Austermuhl, 1868-69; 2nd, Rev. G. Knobloch, 1870-72; 3rd, Rev. J. M. Hoefflin, 1873-75; 4th, Rev. G. N. Thomson, 1879-1881; 5th, the {SIC|presetn|present}} pastor, Rev. E. Anschutz, was installed in the year 1882.
The present membership of the church, consisting of immersed believers on public confession of faith, is 175. The Sunday school has an enrollment of 250. The following societies are connected with the church:—a Woman's Missionary Circle, with a membership of 50; a Young People's Society, with a membership of 49; a King's Daughters Circle, consisting of 18 members. An Industrial School, with an enrollment of 100, is also connected with the church.
ST. MATTHEW'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Highpoint avenue and Clinton avenue.
This church originally belonged to the Town of Union, having been organized in the year 1884. Its first house of worship was on New York avenue and Jefferson street, that town. In the year 1889, the present building was erected and the congregation became one of our most prosperous churches. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. E. Bohm, who served until the year 1890, then the Rev. H. Heintz took charge until 1894, when the third and present pastor, Rev. A. Gurschke, was installed.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Clinton avenue and Oak street.
The above named church was organized as a mission in the fall of 1886 by the Rev. Chas. Reuss, at that time pastor of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, of Hoboken, New Jersey, and a few persons who met in the home of Mr. G. Barfus.
The meetings were conducted here until the following spring, when the Rev. A. C. Gabelein was appointed as pastor. Soon after his installation the congregation secured the privilege of meeting in the old Methodist Church building on Spring street, opposite Walnut street. After a short time this old building was sold and the congregation was compelled to seek new quarters. They hired a store on Spring street, where they remained until January, 1891, when they moved into their present cosy church building. In 1892, Rev. H. Meyer was appointed pastor. He served until 1893, when he was succeeded by the Rev. I. Pieringe.
From this time on the church continued to grow considerably, until, in the year 1894, it was organized into an independent church under the corporate name of the German Methodist Episcopal Church of West Hoboken. The same year the parsonage in the rear of the church was given by Mrs. Mary Schneider. In 1896, Rev. D. H. Pape was appointed pastor, and under his able administration the building was enlarged to its present size, by raising it and building a Sunday school underneath it. The Rev. Pape continued as pastor until the year 1899, when the Rev. E. W. Peglow, the present pastor, took charge.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
St. Joseph German Roman Catholic parish was established through the efforts of the Rev. J. N. Grieff, of the Holy Family Church in Union Hill, the corner stone of what is now St. Joseph's school, was laid on July 31, 1887, by Bishop Wigger, of Newark, and upon its completion was used for church and school purposes combined.
The parish grew so rapidly that after a period of twelve years it was found necessary to build a larger church, and steps were immediately taken to that end.
In the fall of 1898 the corner stone of the present handsome church was laid, and it was completed and dedicated in July, 1899. The present pastor is the Rev. Louis Gabriel.
ST. ANTHONY'S ITALIAN R. C. CHURCH.
Owing to the rapid increase of the Italian population of West Hoboken the Passionist Fathers of St. Michael's Monastery (whose church they attended), decided to oragnize them in a separate parish, and in May, 1899, the corner stone of St. Anthony's Church, on Morris street, was laid, and on August 16, 1899, the church was dedicated. The present pastor of the church is the Rev. Father Andrew Kenney, C. P.
PALISADE AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Palisade avenue and Oak street.
The above church was started as a mission in the year 1894, being fostered by the Rev. Arney S. Biddle, D. D., of Jersey City, assisted by the New York Presbytery. Among those who helped in its organization were the families of David Thorn and Robert Clemens, which families still remain in loyal connection with the church.
The first meeting place of this congregation was the upper floor of the Reporter building on Clinton avenue. After meeting here for a time a store was hired on Spring street, near Malone street. The civil organization of the congregation was effected in May, 1896, when its charter was obtained and the ecclesiastical organization was accomplished January 9, 1898, by the election to the office of ruling elders of Messrs. J. N. Demarest, Alex, Brown, Henry McIlvray and James Mehaffey.
In the year 1897 the congregation moved into its present church edifice, and during its existence has had two ministers, the first being the Rev. A. K. Duff and the second and present minister being the Rev. R. H. Acheson.
