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The Mamaroneck society soon felt the need for
a permanent place of worship. On April 8th, 1813 the Society became an
institution, as the male members of the Society met at the home of Hester Sands to incorporate
the church. In the 1913 Centennial commemoration, Charles Holden described the day:
"The eighth day of April, 1813 was the
natal day of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck. The winter of 1812-1813 had been long
and severe, yet the labors of the Circuit Riders had been blessed and
so many were added to the little group of members, that it was determined
to found a church. The 8th of April dawned bright and clear; the harbingers of spring
were filling the morning air with their glad songs; the clear green meadow and field told the
husbandmen that the time for planting was upon them. In short the conditions were most favorable
for men and women to band themselves together to found a church where they enjoy the benefits of
public worship. Thus it was on that happy morning that well-filled democrat wagons could be seen
coming from Weaver Street and Scarsdale, from Harrison and Skunk's Hollow, to the house of
Hester Sands in Mamaroneck.”
Attendance Register
The resolution adopted under the New York
State law at the time reads:
"Be it known that on the eighth day of
April, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, agreeable to the public notice, the male members
of the Methodist Society, of said town, met at the house of Hester Sands, their Church not yet
built .... Elected officers as trustees at which time Ransom Burtis, John Bonnett, Absalom
Tompkins, Elisha Budd, William Mead, and William Allee were so chosen, which said persons so elected and their successors in office shall forever be styled and denominated Trustees for
the corporation of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck.”
All the trustees signed the document and then
on April 19th elected Elisha Budd as President, and William Allee, Clerk. The reason for this
incorporation was simple. A Methodist could not build a church building under New York State
law. Only an incorporated church was able to build. The first step toward a permanent church
building had now been taken. By law at the time, all the trustees had to be men. However,
it must be pointed out that the meeting of incorporation was held at the home of Hester
Sands, a women of great energy in the Methodist movement. The church’s history at the beginning
and to this current day, must continuously acknowledge the work of the women of the congregation
and their organizations that fully supported the work of the congregation.
The First Building
The first church building was erected during 1814.
"A chaste edifice of wood located upon the highest summit of Good Success Ridge facing the Post
Road and Bay. "This was later known as High Street and is now Prospect Avenue. Services were
held at 10 o'clock each Sunday. The congregation was served by two circuit riders who
were assigned to the congregations of Port Chester, Rye, and upper New Rochelle. While awaiting
the arrival of the preacher from other communities, the folks would gather and enjoy a beautiful
view of the harbor.
The first building was heated by two
iron stoves, with pipes running the length of the building. In the very coldest weather,
the members brought their foot stoves from home filled with hickory coals or a heated brick, to help keep themselves warm. Candle light served as the only means of conducting services
at night. The building has been described in previous historic works as of simple
architecture and plain design. The night of February 12, 1845, tragedy struck the congregation,
as this building burned to the ground. But the congregation took quick action and
built a new church as soon as spring arrived.
The Second Building
From 1959 Centennial Celebration.
In front of the 1845 Greek Revival Church
on Prospect Avenue
The
second church was raised on May 8, 1845 and dedicated on the 23rd of October of that year
by Bishop Jones.
This building stands today. It is the current
American Legion Hall. After the congregation built our current structure in
1859, the Greek Revival building on Prospect Avenue was sold to the Town of Mamaroneck in
1879
for $1000. From 1859 until 1879, the building referred to as Richbell Hall, though we are
not of its use or purpose. There was a
located here as well.
In order to sell certain parcels of land still owned by the congregation on
Prospect Avenue (then called High Street), a burial plot was purchased at Greenwood Union
Cemetery in Rye on March 14, 1900 for $196. A Mr. Louis Kolter was contracted to
transport the remains of those in the burial ground to Greenwood Union before May 7, 1900.
The land that then bordered the Town Hall was sold to Annie D. Hoffman in February of
1902 and to the Free Kindergarten of the Town of Mamaroneck for the sum of $2,000.
This is the corner-plot of Mt. Pleasant and Prospect Avenue, the site of the current Seventh Day
Adventist Church.
The Revivals
The spiritual foundation and growth of the congregation cannot be overlooked,
Mr. Charles Holden writes in the 1913 Centennial book:
"The early
Methodists were much given to revivals. The church in Mamaroneck seemed to
grow a good deal
by leaps and bounds. The year 1815
saw a large ingathering in the
Church. With their church built they could have started public services to which everybody might
feel free to come. Church-going, being a new experience, became a popular diversion with a
class of people whose un-godliness had long been proverbial in the county. But many of those
who came to scoff and scorn, remained to pray and became strong pillars of that early
church. In 1821 a wave of religious awakening spread throughout the entire New Rochelle
Circuit. Many were added to this church, to the churches in Rye, at King Street and in New
Rochelle. For three or four days in succession the ordinary occupations were suspended and men
and women assembled in the churches day and evening where, under the spell of the most
powerful preachers of that day, the strongest and most hardened sinners became convicted and
were moved to repentance and thorough conversion."
So continued the revival spirit. In 1846, another great series of services
led to the church adding 50 new members under the daily and nightly preaching of W. Gothard
and Philip L. Hoyt. This was a time of great religious fervor. Men and women
were transported by the Holy Spirit into trance-like states. People would shout and fall
to the floor, rolling in uncontrollable fits. Hence the term, "holy rollers". The church during
this period was often filled to capacity with people lining the aisles and the balcony.
The Third Building - Our Church
This continued growth led to the building of our Gothic Revival landmark
building, which was dedicated in 1859.
In the Zion Herald, a Methodist newspaper of the a reporter by the name of
Stanton wrote in the January 18th, 1860 edition:
"I allude to the new church dedicated a few days ago at . . I must say that
the church is a model structure. It is one of the Gothic form, pleasantly situated on the main
street of the village, very tastefully finished, and giving one a comfortable sense of
appropriateness and substantiality. The architect of this fine church, Mr. John Correja,
of New York, .. . has added very much to an already favorable reputation by this building . .
. the cost of the church, including the ground upon which it stands and by which it is
surrounded, was a trifle less than twenty thousand dollars. A good deal of money, it would
seem to invest in a country church, and yet not one dollar has been thrown away. It is just a
church as the society needed . . . and what is better than all, it paid for." (Mr. Stanton
continues that) "it will not surprise you to learn that the collections reached the noble
sum of seven thousand dollars, all the money that was asked for by the trustees. Just here it
is proper to say that so far as I could learn, things are managed in this society, that all
the members rich and poor, bear their proportion of the church's burdens. There is
nothing like exclusiveness or aristocracy."
The Rev. George Hollis was, pastor during preparations for the building
campaign . . . Solomon Gedney, a shipwright carpenter, was the foreman of the project.
The Annex
Church 1869
In 1869 an addition was constructed behind the church consisting of an
upper and lower parlor to house the growing Sunday School and provide additional space for
meetings. This building was built directly over the northern end of the church building. One can
crawl through the rafters of the church and see some of the original roof and building nestled
between the end of the sanctuary and the "parlor" building.
During the 1860's one of the most controversial issues involved the renting of
pews for $10 a year, which they tried to implement when the new church was built. Although pew
rental was a common practice during this period in other churches to help underwrite the costs
of a building, the concept proved both unprofitable and unpopular with our congregation, and was
therefore discontinued.
The
minutes of the official board of the church from January 9,1860, show the plan for a revival
conducted by Rev. Remington who had been invited by the pastor of the time, Rev.
Watkins to preach at a series of meetings, starting Jan. 22nd. These revival meetings
continued...there success was never noted except that in March and extra $25 was voted for the
sexton, Mr. Samuel Wright, for extra services performed, his salary being fixed at the time for
$150 for the year 1860.
Music
The 1870's could be called the era of music and its controversy. Apparently,
since the building of the church in 1859, there had been rancor and disagreement over singing
and music in public worship. At a meeting in the late 1860's, Brother E. T. Halstead
moved that a musical instrument be placed in the church for the use of the choir. A voice
vote was so close that a standing vote was asked for. Eight were found to be for the
motion, six against it, and two declined to vote. At the same meeting, Brothers S. Halstead
and Giles were appointed a committee to visit the disaffected members and invite them to
be present at the dedication and worship with the other brethren in the church. Subsequently
these two reported the entire success of their visits and the promise of certain members to
contribute to the music program.
Finally, on April 13th, 1870, the first pipe organ was installed. At $2,100 for
the organ, $5 for transport, and $40 insurance premium, the entire cost of 82,145 was
underwritten by six members, one of whom, Mr. George I. Seney, contributed $1,900.
A Mr. Carrington served as the organist.
Sunday School
The 1880's were notable for the growth of for the Sunday School. It was organized
in 1858 and Thomas L. Rushmore served as the superintendent for thirty-four years. Under
his leadership the Sunday School grew from 146 members in 1858, to 443 members in 1892.
Church excursion circa 1900
 To
many people in Mamaroneck and in the adjacent towns, the annual Sunday School excursion was the
main social events of the season. The annual sail on the Sound meant a day's frolic,
cooling breezes, and pleasant company. In 1888, the custom was initiated when the Sunday School
went to Idlewild Grove on the Sound by Barge. The subsequent trips were so popular that in 1891,
a steamer was hired. In all these excursions, refreshments were served on the boat, under the
direction of the ladies of the church. There was a band on board to liven the trip. Each member
of the committee wore a badge: a blue one indicating the safety and protection team a pink one
signifying the refreshments committee: red for ice cream; purple for soda water. The entire day
trip could be enjoyed at the small price of fifty cents for adults and 25
cents for children.
First Music Committee (1913-1915). L to R
A.C. Delanoy, Mildred Thomas (Organist),
Chas R. Ross (Pastor), Alma Harriot,
Mrs. B.C. Meighan, R.P. Brewer
 In 1878, Mr. James M. Fuller organized an outpost Sunday School,
erecting a building at the present corner of Weaver Street and Palmer Avenue. This was known as
the Weaver Street Chapel. A stone marker dedicated by Burt Meighan, remains at that site
today honoring the Weaver Street Sunday School Association.
Mr. Fuller contributed $2,400 for this enterprise. The purpose of the school was
to provide Christian instruction to the neighborhood, which was distant from the villages of
Mamaroneck and Rye Neck. Most of the people connected with it were Methodists, but it was
separately incorporated and it was understood that it was nondenominational. Mr. Fuller served
as the superintendent until his death in June of 1885. He was succeeded by Mr. William H.
Stiles, who was assisted by Mr. Bradford Rhodes. Fond memories of this chapel are
etched in the of Mr. Burt Meighan. There are also still recollections of the strawberry
festivals and "ten-cent" socials. The chapel building burned down in 1926 and the land
was subsequently sold to the Town of Mamaroneck.
The Parsonage
 In
the 1890's we have glimpses of parsonage life. In 1896, Rev. Holmes threatened to move his
family out of the parsonage as winter approached because of the unsuitable and unhealthy living
conditions. On September 8,1896, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Rhodes offer to pay half of the expense
of building a new parsonage on the same site, provided the church would raise the other half,
was graciously received by the board.
The Mamaroneck Paragraph of September 12th, 1896 reports"
"the official board (of the Methodist Church) accepted the proposition and
granted a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes. Rev. Mr. Holmes has already gone to work
soliciting subscriptions and headed the list with his name for $100. "
This gift by the Rhodes family was very generous, but one must also remember that
Rev. Holmes' salary was $1200. His gift was above and beyond his annual tithe. By December of
1896, the amount of money needed for the project had been raised. The old parsonage building was
sold to a Mr. Thomas Palmer for $250 provided that he move the building. A disagreement
arose as to whether that price included the furnace. An extra $10 was charged for the furnace.
Mr. Palmer moved that building which today stands on North Barry Avenue. In the summer of
1897,the plans for a new building were completed and the contract was awarded to Mr. Charles
Oakley for $6,321. The formal opening of the new parsonage, the current "church house" was
held on July 19, 1896
Another project of note in the 1890's was written up in the Mamaroneck
paper in the following manner:
"It is reported that extensive repairs are to be made on and about the
Methodist church, including a new roof on the church and new horse sheds. How much more will
be attempted depends upon the finances. Already quite a sum of money has been raised by the
finance committee, who will be called upon to make their report tomorrow morning. It would
certainly be a great improvement if the present horse sheds could be so remodeled as to make
them more sightly and less of a nuisance, for they are frequently the rendezvous of peddlers
and tramps, and ladies are afraid to pass by them after dark. Property owners in the vicinity
of the church ought to be willing to assist in this improvement." (Oct 12, 1895,
Mamaroneck Paragraph.)
Financial worries seem to be the focus of the official board minutes from the
late 1890's through the first few years of 1900. Deficits upwards of $1200 were
looming large. One of the meetings, from January 10th 1900, attempts to deal with the
utility cost of the gas lamp. An attempt had been made to negotiate a better contract for the
lighting and furnishing of the gas for the lamp at the stairs (by the current historic
marker). The committee headed by Mr. R. G. Brewer negotiated with Suburban Gas for them
to light at night and extinguish the lamp in the morning for $25 an entire year.
A Community Center
The church annex with its upper and lower parlors was the community's
entertainment center. Lectures, dramatic readings, and stereoscopic picture shows were the
highlight of the community and these events were excellent fundraisers for the church as well.
The ladies of the church would serve refreshments and organize these events. A play entitled "Ye
Olde Deestrick Skule" was performed on March 29th and 30th 1906.
The cast of characters has Hazel E. Delanoy (George Coffin's mother) as
Miss Dashaway, Nellie G. Brewer as Miss Sally Simple, and F. E. Bellows was Mr.
Uriah Perkins, chairman of the school committee. The Melodeon player was Miss Elsie Lyon.
The program bears advertisements from Elisha Gedney (Fire Insurance); John H. McArdle
(Clean sweep sale); the Charles W. Transportation Line (his steamer, "Mary E. Gordon" leaves
Mamaroneck for New Rochelle and New York, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 o'clock. Departs
New York at the foot of Jackson Street, Pier 54, East River at noon); E. S Halstead & Co.
(Manufacturers of all kinds of Second-Hand Bags, also handlers of all kinds of Second-Hand
Bags); Meighan & Necarsulmer (Attorneys, Money to Loan on Bond and Mortgage); Chew Ngon Wing
Chinese laundry. (Bring your laundry.)
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