Laying of the Cornerstone of the Parish House at Christ Church on June 10, 1928

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On Sunday, June 10, 1928, more than two hundred Pelhamites gathered for an historic event.  They gathered to lay the cornerstone of the Parish House of Christ Church.  As the local newspaper reported, "Another page of Pelham's history will be turned Sunday with the laying of the corner stone of the new parish house of Christ's Church at Pelham."  

Beyond the magnificent excitement of the laying of the cornerstone for such an important structure, there also was excitement for the installation of a bronze box "time capsule" inside that cornerstone to document a little of the history of the Town of Pelham's oldest church.  The ceremonies that included the installation of that time capsule were impressive and well documented.  Today's article describes a little of those ceremonies.  

The late spring day was picture perfect.  The foliage was bright green and the sky was a rich, deep blue.  Immediately following the morning service, everyone present formed into a procession.  First came the Cross.  Behind it were the girls', boys' and men's choirs.  Behind the choirs, came the church banner.  Next were the graduates of the program to train Sunday School teachers -- the "teacher graduates."  Alumni of the Sunday School followed next with the flag, followed by the master of ceremonies, the superintendent of the Sunday School, the church wardens, the vestrymen, and the donor of the land (Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, owner of the Priory adjacent to Christ Church).  Behind Mrs. Allen were members of the Young People's Service League, the Woman's Auxiliary, the Women's Guild and the Guild of the Nazarene.  Directly in the rear of the procession came the remainder of the congregation.

A platform had been built near the site of the cornerstone laying.  The procession reached the site and gathered round.  Rev. J. McVickar Haight, of course, first led the gathering in prayer.  Then, the Senior Warden of the Church, Albert Ritchie, delivered brief words of welcome.  Rev. McVickar followed with the day's address in which "he outlined the work of the various committees and all those taking part in the campaign" to erect the Parish House.  Rev. Haight closed his remarks saying the new Parish Hall "shall ever be a symbol of faith, especially dedicated to youth."

The cornerstone ceremony ended with two important events.  First, the Reverend B. J. Mortlock read an important poem written by William Jay Bolton, one of the sons of Christ Church founder Robert Bolton.  The poem was entitled "The Foundation Stone."  It is believed that the same poem was read at the laying of the foundation stone of Christ's Church in 1843.  Second, a list of the items to be deposited within the bronze box time capsule embedded within the cornerstone was read.  The ceremonies ended with a prayer and a blessing by Reverend J. McVickar Haight.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the simple Parish House cornerstone ceremony attended by so many Pelhamites near the intersection of Shore Road and Pelhamdale Avenue on June 10, 1928 is how similar the ceremony was to so many others in our town -- from the laying of the Christ Church cornerstone on April 28, 1843 through the laying of so many school cornerstones and other cornerstones throughout our town during the last 150 years.

"AS THE CHRIST'S CHURCH GROUP WILL LOOK AFTER

CONSTRUCTION OF THE PARISH HOUSE

The new building, the Corner Stone of which will be laid Sunday

is at the left of the picture.  The present Church structure is at

the right with the Nanette Bolton Memorial Building in the center."

Source:  Cornerstone of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday --

Rev. J. McVickar Haight Will Officiate at Ceremonies After

Commencement Exercises At Christ's Church -- Members Of

Sunday School Will Assist In Program.  Building to Be Erected on

Property Donated By Mrs. Allen, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 8, 1928,

p. 1, cols. 1-5 & p. 8, col. 4.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Cornerstone of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday
-----
Rev. J. McVickar Haight Will Officiate at Ceremonies After Commencement Exercises At Christ's Church
-----
Members Of Sunday School Will Assist In Program.  Building to Be Erected on Property Donated By Mrs. Allen.
-----

Another page of Pelham's history will be turned Sunday with the laying of the corner stone of the new parish house of Christ's Church at Pelham.  The Rev. J. McVickar Haight, rector of the church, will officiate.  He will be assisted by members of the Building Committee who raised the funds to build the parish house and members of the Sunday School, for whose interests the new building is being constructed.  The ceremonies will be well attended, as there are many who are interested in the Church.

The history of the Pelhams is most intelligently read in the history of its churches.  Christ's Church, established by the Rev. Dr. Bolton in 1840, has been termed the cradle of Pelham's history.  Its tradition is entwined in the history of the town, and those responsible for its progress were largely responsible for the progress of the Pelhams also.

The laying of the cornerstone will follow immediately after the Commencement exercises of the Sunday School.  There are eleven teacher graduates who will receive diplomas.  They are George Campbell, Marjorie Chittenden, Mary Knowles Higgins, Phyllis McV. Haight, Marion Lewis, Ruth Mortlock, Howard Mahler, Margaret Stobie, Ann Stobie, Gertrude White and Edward Pearson.  Gertrude Dyer is honor student.  She will be succeeded by Ann Elizabeth Dauchy.  Donald Mortlock will be Master of Ceremonies.

The property on which the new building is to be erected was donated by Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, of Bolton Priory, in memory of her mother, Adele Livingston Sampson and her daughter, Mary Dorothy Allen.

A bronze box will be placed in the cornerstone.  It will contain the following:  The name of the donor of the land; the names of the Building Fund Committee; rector, warden, vestrymen, curate, Sunday School Superin-
(Continued on page 8)

Corner Stone Of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday
-----
(Continued from page 1)

tendent, officers of Women's Auxiliary, Women's Guild, Young People's Service League, active members of the Guild of the Nazarene; Sexton, contributors to the Building Fund, officers, teachers and scholars of the Sunday School, and children who contributed to the Building Fund, copies of The Pelham Sun and New Rochelle Standard Star; a short history of Christ's Church; a short history of the Woman's Auxiliary; names of organist and senior choir together with picture; names of members of junior choir with picture; copy of order of service of laying of cornerstone; names of teacher graduates of Sunday School who received their diplomas at the exercises; copy of poem, 'The Foundation Stone,' written by the Rev. Robert Bolton and read at the laying of the foundation stone of Christ's Church in 1843, also read on this occasion by the Rev. B. J. Mortlock; names of the architect and contractor of the building."

Source:  Cornerstone of Parish House To Be Laid Sunday -- Rev. J. McVickar Haight Will Officiate at Ceremonies After Commencement Exercises At Christ's Church -- Members Of Sunday School Will Assist In Program.  Building to Be Erected on Property Donated By Mrs. Allen, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 8, 1928, p. 1, cols. 1-5 & p. 8, col. 4.  

"HISTORIC CHRIST'S CHURCH PASSES ANOTHER MILESTONE WITH LAYING OF CORNER STONE OF NEW PARISH HOUSE
-----
Impressive Ceremonies Of Dedicating Foundation Stone Follow Sunday School Commencement.  Rev. J. McVickar Haight Sets Stone In Place -- Sunday School and Congregation Assist in Program
-----

In a beautiful setting of Nature's handiwork, combined with the dignified robes of the choir and clergy, the cornerstone of the new Parish Hall of Christ's Church was laid on Sunday afternoon.  The blue of a perfect June sky, the green foliage and grass, the girls' choir in gray, the boys' and men's choir in white and black, and the black and blue regalia of the teacher graduates made a very colorful picture which was set off to advantage by the weatherbeaten walls of the old Church.  Over two hundred people were present to witness the ceremonies, which marked the passing of another milestone in the history of Pelham's oldest church.

At the Sunday School ceremonies in the church before the laying of the cornerstone, diplomas were awarded to the following teacher graduates:  Geo. Campbell, Marjorie Chittenden, Mary Knowles Higgins, Phillis Haight, Marion Lewis, Ruth Mortlock, Howard Mahler, Margaret Stobie, Ann Stobie, Gertrude and Edward Pearson.

First prizes for attendance for the year were awarded to the following members of the Sunday School for perfect attendance:  Marey Knowles Higgins, Genevieve Platt, Elmore Higgins, Roberta Higgins and Jean Costello.  Six children received second prizes for records of only one absence for the year:  they were Howard Mahler, Pomeroy Thurber, Frank White, Judson Lodwick, James Walker and Margaret Chenery.  Third prizes won by the following boys and girls:  Jack Costello, Helen Chenery, Willard Mahler, William B. Moore, Ruth Mortlock, Henry Reis, Richard H. Pratt, Millicent Platt, Robert Walker and John Douglas Walker.  Third prize was awarded for records with only two absences.  

After the service in the church, a procession formed which moved slowly and reverently behind the cross to the appointed spot.  Following the Cross were the girls' choir, the boys' and men's choire, the banner, the teacher graduates, the alumni of the Sunday School, the flag, the master of ceremonies, Donald Mortlock, the superintendent of the Sunday School, the wardens and vestrymen, the donor of the land, Mrs. Frederick H. Allen, the campaign committee, the building committee, the architect and contractor, the Young People's Service League, the Woman's Auxiliary, the Women's Guild and the Guild of the Nazarene.  Directly in the rear of the procession came the congregation.  

When the assemblage had reached the platform, Mr. Haight led gathering in prayer.  Albert Ritchie, the Senior Warden of the Church, spoke a few words of welcome, following which the Reverend J. McVickar Haight made the address, in which he outlined the work of the various committees and all those taking part in the campaign.

In closing, Mr. Haight said that the new Parish Hall shall ever be a symbol of faith, especially dedicated to youth.

Reverend B. J. Mortlock then read a poem, 'The Foundation Stone,' which was written by the Reverend Robert Bolton, the first rector of Christ's Church and read at the laying of the foundation stone of Christ's Church in 1843.  A list of the articles to be deposited in the stone was then read.  The ceremonies were closed with a prayer and blessing by Reverend J. McVickar Haight.

The younger members of Christ's Church will use the new Parish Hall almost exclusively.  Besides the office of the Rev. Mr. Haight, the new building will contain an auditorium and well equipped kitchen on one floor and a large assembly room, a choir room and a storage roomm on the other floor.  This hall will be connected to the Annette [sic] Bolton Memorial Building and is being constructed of native stone in the same type of architecture as that originally chosen by the Reverend Robert Bolton."

Source:  HISTORIC CHRIST'S CHURCH PASSES ANOTHER MILESTONE WITH LAYING OF CORNER STONE OF NEW PARISH HOUSE -- Impressive Ceremonies Of Dedicating Foundation Stone Follow Sunday School Commencement.  Rev. J. McVickar Haight Sets Stone In Place -- Sunday School and Congregation Assist in Program, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 15, 1928, p. 10, cols. 1-2.  

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I have written about the history of Christ Church on numerous occasions.  Below are a few of the many articles on the topic.

Thu., Nov. 12, 2015:  Charles Higbee, Eighth Rector of Christ Church in Pelham Manor, 1871-1893.

Tue., Oct. 20, 2015:  Address Delivered by Reverend Robert Bolton on April 28, 1843 at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of Christ Church.

Thu., Oct. 15, 2015:  The Creation of Christ Church and its Consecration on September 15, 1843.  

Tue., Sep. 29, 2015:  Christ Church's 80th Anniversary Sermon by Rev. J. McVickar Haight on November 18, 1923.

Fri., Nov. 21, 2014:  Another Advertisement for Fair Held in 1842 to Fund Construction of Christ Church.

Fri., Aug. 29, 2014:  Announcement of Two-Day Fair in Pelham in 1842 to Raise Money to Build Christ Church.

Fri., Feb. 28, 2014:  Brief History of the Role Churches Played in the Growth of the Pelhams Published in 1926.

Fri., Dec. 25, 2009:  1906 Christmas Day Celebration at Christ Church in Pelham.

Fri., Aug. 14, 2009:  The Consecration of the Nanette Bolton Memorial Chapel at Christ Church in Pelham Manor on April 28, 1887.  

I also have written extensively about members of the Bolton Family and the home they built known as the Priory, Bolton Priory, and Pelham Priory.  See, e.g.:  

Fri., Mar. 20, 2015:  Fire in 1932 Devastated the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.

Thu., Oct. 02, 2014:  Brief History of Grace Church on City Island in the Town of Pelham Published in 1886.

Wed., Sep. 24, 2014:  Where Was the Bolton Family Cottage Where Stained Glass Windows Were Created?

Thu., Sep. 04, 2014:  The Closing of the Pelham Priory School for Girls in 1882 and the Departure of Head Mistress Nanette Bolton for Europe.

Fri., Aug. 29, 2014:  Announcement of Two-Day Fair in Pelham in 1842 to Raise Money to Build Christ Church.

Wed., May 14, 2014:  Noted American Novelist Margaret Deland Attended Bolton Priory School in Pelham Manor. 

Thu., Sep. 03, 2009:  Advertisement for the Pelham Priory School Published in 1881. 

Thu., Aug. 13, 2009:  History of Bolton Priory Published in 1910.

Tue., Jan. 20, 2009:  An Account of the Rev. J. L. Ver Mehr Regarding His Brief Stint as an Instructor of French and Italian at Pelham Priory in 1843. 

Fri., Mar. 2, 2007:  A Brief Account by American Author Margaret Deland of Her Education at Pelham Priory in the 19th Century.

Thu., Dec. 14, 2006:  Items from Bolton Priory in the Collections of The Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture, The New-York Historical Society.

Thu., Nov. 16, 2006:  Robert Bolton, Jr.'s Inscription to His Father Inside Book He Authored That Was Published in 1855.

Fri., Jul. 28, 2006: Image of Bolton Priory in the Town of Pelham Published in an 1859 Treatise on Landscape Gardening.

Wed., Jul. 26, 2006:  A Brief Account of Visits to Bolton Priory in the Early 1880s.

Wed., July 5, 2006: Bricks Laid by Washington Irving and Ivy from Kenilworth Castle at the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor

Wed., March 15, 2006: A Biography of Cornelius W. Bolton Published in 1899

Wed., March 1, 2006: 1909 Real Estate Advertisement Showing Bolton Priory

Wed., Feb. 22, 2006: Doll Depicting Nanette Bolton in the Collection of The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham

Wed., Dec. 7, 2005: The Sale and Subdivision of the Bolton Priory Estate in the 1950s

Tue., Nov. 29, 2005: An Early, Interesting Photograph of Bolton Priory in the Village of Pelham Manor

Wed., Sep. 21, 2005: The Nanette Bolton Memorial Chapel Building at Christ Church in Pelham Manor

Tue., Aug. 23, 2005: Society Scandal: The "Strange" Story of Mrs. Adele Livingston Stevens Who Acquired the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor

Wed., Jul. 13, 2005: 11 Priory Lane: The Rose Cottage

Fri., Jun. 10, 2005: Pelham's Most Magnificent Wedding Gift: The Bolton Priory

Tue., May 3, 2005: Colonel Frederick Hobbes Allen, An Owner of Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor

Thu., Apr. 7, 2005: Another Volume of William Jay Bolton's Sketches and Ruminations Located?

Mon., Apr. 4, 2005: Art and Poetry of William Jay Bolton of Bolton Priory in Pelham

See also Bell, Blake A., A Brief History of Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No., 16, Apr. 16, 2004, p. 8, col. 2,

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Interesting Account of 1894 Graduation Exercises Conducted by Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor

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In 1889, Emily Hall Hazen who had taught at the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, opened a girls' school in Pelham Manor.  It almost immediately became one of the finest girls’ schools in the country.  The school closed twenty-five years later at the end of the 1914-1915 school year. 

Officially named "Pelham Hall," the school was known far and wide as "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  By the time the school reached its final academic year, it had served over a thousand students from forty-two States and over two hundred and fifty towns and cities throughout the country. 

I have written about Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls on many occasions. I have included a list of links to numerous such articles at the end of today's posting.

The year 1894 was a special year for Pelham Hall.  Since its founding, the school had been relegated to the use of small residential structures along Pelhamdale Avenue modified to serve as school buildings.  In 1894, for the first time, the school held its graduation exercise in its own assembly hall.  Before then, the school held its largest assemblies such as graduation in the nearby Manor Club building.  

During 1893, a large gray building facing Edgewood Avenue was built by Benjamin Corlies and was leased to the institution, affording larger facilities for the increasingly-famous school.  Among the many new amenities available in the newly-constructed Edgewood Avenue facility was a sufficiently large assembly hall to permit Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls to host its own graduation exercises for the first time.  

The faculty and students of Pelham Hall in 1894 decorated the new auditorium in a rather spectacular fashion with bunting and field flowers "in abundance."  Among the many important elements of the graduation ceremony was the original music (with singing) of original music prepared as a "recessional hymn" by Professor Louis C. Jacoby entitled "Forward Be Our Watchword."  

The most moving aspects of the 1894 Pelham Hall graduation ceremony seem to have been quite clear.  A description of the ceremony noted:

"An exceedingly pretty feature of the exercises was the entrance of the young ladies of the school, seventy or more in number after the rest of the audience was seated, and their withdrawal after the benediction in procession, dressed in white, and singing appropriate hymns."

During the late afternoon of the day, an important organization met.  It was the "Pelham Hall League," an alumni organization established very early in the history of the school.  That alumni organization continued to operate for many, many years (long after the school closed upon the retirement of Ms. Emily Hall Hazen Cunningham's retirement).  

"Edgewood House" Built Facing Today's Edgewood Avenue

(with Rear Toward the Esplanade).  Edgewood House, Which

No Longer Stands, is the Pelham Hall Building that Included

an Auditorium in Which the 1894 Graduation Exercises Were

Held.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is a transcription of the text of the article published in 1894 describing the graduation exercises of Pelham Hall in 1894.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"Miss Wells Gets the Prize.
[From the Tribune, Wednesday.]

The closing exercises at Mrs. J. C. Hazen's school, Pelham Manor, were held Tuesday in the large fine assembly hall of the additional building erected for this institution last year.  Heretofore these ceremonies have been conducted in the clubhouse of the Manor Club.  Bunting and field flowers in abundance constituted the decoration of the auditorium.  The Misses Catherine Fry, of Chicago; Bertha Swift, of New Britain, Conn., and Pauline Wells, of Brewster, N.Y., received full diplomas; and testimonials for excellence in elective courses were awarded to Misses Agnes Weed, Binghamton; Aria Avery, Detroit, and Sadie Furman and Lulu McAllister, of Rochester.  The Corlies prize for English composition was won by Miss Pauline Wells.  After the bestowal of these honors and the reading of reports on the standing of the pupils by the principal , an address was delivered by the Rev. R. R. Converse, Chaplain of Hobart College.  Mrs. Hazen was assisted in her duties on this occasion by the Rev. H. E. Adriance, of Pelham Manor.  Prayer was offered by the Rev. A. T. Tenney, of the same place, and the Rev. J. Nevett Steele, of New York city pronounced the benediction.  Professor Louis C. Jacoby conducted the singing, and furnished original music for the recessional hymn.  'Forward Be Our Watchword.'  An exceedingly pretty feature of the exercises was the entrance of the young ladies of the school, seventy or more in number after the rest of the audience was seated, and their withdrawal after the benediction in procession, dressed in white, and singing appropriate hymns.

In the afternoon there was a reunion of alumnae, whose association is known as the Pelham Hall League."

Source:  Miss Wells Gets the Prize, The Brewster Standard [Brewster, NY], Jun. 8, 1894, p. 1, col. 4.  

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I have written extensively about the private school known as "Pelham Hall" and "Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls."  For a few of the many examples, see:

Bell, Blake A., Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls: Pelham Hall, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 40, Oct. 8, 2004, p. 12, col. 1.

Wed., Mar. 18, 2015:  Account of Women's Cricket Match Played by Pelham Manor Women in 1898.

Tue., Feb. 03, 2015:  1907 Commencement Exercises at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Mon., Feb. 02, 2015:  The Three Houses of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in the Late 19th Century.

Tue., Nov. 25, 2014:  Too Smart for Late 19th Century Scammers: Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Tue., Mar. 11, 2014:  An Early History of Mrs. Hazen's School For Girls in Pelham Manor, Published in 1913.

Mon., Aug. 15, 2005:  952 Pelhamdale Served as a 19th Century School for Girls, Then a School for Boys. 

Fri., Oct. 14, 2005:  A Reunion of Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls. 

Tue., Aug. 22, 2006:  Early Advertisements for Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Wed., Sep. 6, 2006:  Pelham Hall Shelter, a "Refuge for Erring Girls", Founded by Alumnae of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.  

Thu., Jul. 12, 2007:  The Infamous Burglary of the Girls of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor in 1905.  

Mon., Mar. 3, 2008:  1891 Advertisement May Reflect Summer Rental of One of the Dormitories of Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.

Fri., Jul. 24, 2009:  Late 19th Century Photos of Students with Tennis Rackets at Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010:  Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.

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The First Service in the Nation's Only Centennial Church: Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church

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When the Little Red Church, then known as the "Huguenot Memorial Forest Church," was first opened on July 9, 1876 (the first Sunday after the nation's centennial on July 4, 1876), the picturesque little sanctuary building designed in the Norman style of architecture sat in the midst of an old growth grove of spectacular primeval chestnut trees and elm trees.  The quiet solitude, according to accounts of the time, was broken only by the sounds of birds and chattering cicadas during warmer months.  

The new congregation loved to worship in the church on lovely days with the windows open to allow the sounds of the birds and cicadas to mix with the sounds of their hymns and prayers.  Accounts indicate that the shady grove setting was chosen quite carefully.  Indeed, one account stated "The groves of Pelham suggest quiet rest and homely comfort."  The setting also was quite practical.  Another account emphasized:  

"The beauty of its situation is in elegant and striking contrast with some of the country churches, which are placed on shadeless eminences, apparently to see how much heat a congregation of summer worshippers can stand."

A Glass Lantern Slide Created by Pelham Town Historian

William Montgomery Between December 10, 1916 and

June 10, 1917. It Depicts the "Little Red Church," the Predecessor

Building to Today's Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church

Sanctuary. The Little Red Church was a "Centenary Church"

Opened in July 1876 in Part to Commemorate the Centennial

of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

From its very beginnings, the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor was a special -- some said "unique" -- place.  Always using superlatives, Pelham Manor residents in 1876 claimed that the church was the "only" church in America at the time dedicated to the Huguenots.  Local residents also claimed that the church was -- and remains to this day -- the nation's only "Centennial Church" opened in celebration of the nation's centennial celebrated on July 4, 1876.  

The church hosted an initial service on Sunday, July 9, 1876.  The dedication service was a beautiful affair about which I have written before (see list of links below).  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog includes the text of an article I previously have posted about the first service at the church, and collects brief accounts of the scheduling of that initial service held in the Little Red Church at Four Corners.

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"--The new Huguenot church at Pelham Manor is now finished, and will be opened with public services of great historical interest on Sunday, the 9th of July.  The Rev. Dr. Lord will assume the pastorate.  The church is a beautiful building of Norman architecture, standing in a grove of primeval elms and chestnuts.  The beauty of its situation is in elegant and striking contrast with some of the country churches, which are placed on shadeless eminences, apparently to see how much heat a congregation of summer worshippers can stand.  The groves of Pelham suggest quiet rest and homely comfort."

Source:  [Untitled], The Sun [NY, NY], Jul. 2, 1876, p. 4, col. 7 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required).  

"WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

There will be opening services on Sunday next in Pelham Manor in the Huguenot Memorial Forest Church, by the acting Pastor, Rev. C. E. Lord, at 10:30 o'clock.  Subject, 'The Religious History of the Huguenots of the United States.'  And in the afternoon at 5 o'clock there will be addresses by different clergymen from Mount Vernon, New-Rochelle, and Pelham Manor."

Source:  WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. Times, Jul. 7, 1876, p. 8, col. 5 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required).  

"A MEMORIAL OF THE HUGUENOTS.
-----
The Dedication of a Commemorative Church in Westchester County.

There was dedicated at Pelham Manor, in Westchester county, yesterday, the only Huguenot memorial church in America.  It is called the Huguenot Memorial Forest Church,, stands on ground that belonged to Huguenot refugees nearly two hundred years ago, and is surrounded by a pleasant grove of forest trees.  The edifice is wood, with a picturesque tower in the Norman style of architecture.  Its interior is plain, with neatly-carpeted aisles, oak and pine panelling and pews, with walnut trimmings, and a richly-carved walnut pulpit and communion table.  A small study and vestry are in the rear of the audience room.  The low, pointed windows have panes of beautifully-stained glass, and their effect is heightened by the checkered lights that fall through the surrounding foliage.  There are seats for between 350 and 400 persons, and the total cost of the church was about $8,000.  Its construction was begun about two years ago.  Previously there had been no church on the main land of Pelhamm except the Episcopal connected with the priory.  Several years ago land was reserved for a church edifice at Pelham Manor, and the Rev. Dr. Lord of the Brooklyn Lay College originated the idea of erecting on this historic spot a church in memory of the Huguenots, to be under the Presbyterian denomination.  Pelham Manor, until within four or five years, has been virtually inaccessible to New Yorkers who wish suburban residences, but recently railroad improvements have opened it to the outer world.  The idea of Dr. Lord was warmly seconded by Dr. Reed, Dr. Storrs, Dr. Budington, and other clergymen, and the residents of Pelham and the Pelham Manor Association contributed to carry it out.

The church is designed to commemorate the Huguenots, who, in the early days of the province, settled among these groves and hill, and named the village of New Rochelle, after their own beloved and devastated city of La Rochelle, in France, from which they were obliged to flee in order to enjoy the religious freedom with which they afterward helped to inspire the institutions of this country; but it is not a distinctive Huguenot church, intended to preserve or perpetuate any particular creed or form of worship.  It's doors are open to everybody who desires to worship God after the Christian fashion.  

The Huguenots of Westchester county, whose descendants compose about half of the population of New Rochelle and Pelham Manor, arrived first in New York from the West Indies and Great Britain, between 1686 and 1689, the city being the second stage in their long flight from persecution.  Soe of them seem to have come direct from England to the shore of the sound near New Rochelle, which they founded, and they landed at Bonnefor Point.  That was their Pilgrim's Rock, and there is a tradition that they habitually went to the place of their first landing every evening, led by a white haired patriarch, and turning their eyes toward France, sang one of Marot's hymns, and joined in devotions.  The land on which they settled belonged to an immense tract which Thomas Pell had procured in 1654 from an Indian chief, Ann Hook.  In 1669 this tract, the possession of which Pell had to dispute with the Dutch, descended to John Pell, who held the title of Lord.  In 1680 Jacob Leisler, the unfortunate self-appointed Governor of New York, who was afterward hanged for alleged treason, in order to provide for the Huguenots, whose devoted friend he was, purchase fro Lord John Pell 6,000 acres of land, which he gave to the Huguenots, many of whom removed from New York city to settle upon the land, which includes New Rochelle and Pelham Manor.  According to the terms of Leisler's agreement, the Huguenots for many years, on the festival of St. John the Baptist, presented a fatted calf to Lord Pell in token, according to feudal custom, of acknowledgment of his lordship of the manor.

During many years the Huguenots, numbering about two hundred in families, had no church building, and Sunday after Sunday men and women, barefooted, walked all the way to New York and back, to worship in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Pine street.  In 1709 the mmajority of the Huguenots conformed to the Church of England, and the next year they ereccted a stone church thirty feet square in the highway at New Rochelle, near the site of the present Trinity Episcopal Church.  There appears to have been a split among the Huguenots in regard to conforming to the Church of England, for another small church was built near the site of the present Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle, and a long flat stone in the foundation is said to have formed the doorstep of the Huguenot predecessor, every other vestige of which has disappeared.  The present Presbyterian Society of New Rochelle professes to be the final representative of the original French church.

The Rev. Dr. Lord assumed the pastorate of the new church and delivered the opening sermon yesterday.  The services began with music and the singing of 'Rock of Ages.'  Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Roosevelt, a descendant of the early Huguenots, and then an original hymn, by Prof. Twing, was sung to the tune of 'Old Lang Syne.'  Prof. Twing prayed for God's blessing on the new church.  Dr. Lord's sermon sketched the history of the Huguenots.  At 5 P.M. other services were held in the new church, consisting of music, and addresses of clergymen from the churches in New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and other surrounding villages.  A peculiarly beautiful effect was pronounced  while the congregation was worshipping, in this forest church, by the songs of birds and the chattering of cicadas floating in with the pleasant breeze through the open windows."

Source:  A MEMORIAL OF THE HUGUENOTS -- The Dedication of a Commemorative Church in Westchester County, The Sun [NY, NY], Jul. 10, 1876, p. 3, col. 4 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access link.)

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Periodically I have posted items to the Historic Pelham Blog regarding the fascinating history of the church known today as Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor.  For a few of many such examples, see: 

Thu., Sep. 03, 2015:  Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church Celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 1936.

Thu., Dec. 18, 2014:  Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church Celebrated Its 25th Anniversary In 1901.  

Fri., Nov. 07, 2014:  Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church Migrated to a "Free Pew" Seating System in 1919.

Fri., Aug. 22, 2014:  Brief History of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor Published in 1963.

Thu., Mar. 06, 2014:  An Account of the Dedication of the Little Red Church at Four Corners on July 9, 1876.

Fri., Feb. 28, 2014:  Brief History of the Role Churches Played in the Growth of the Pelhams Published in 1926. 

Tue., Sep. 18, 2007:  Installation of the First Full-Time Pastor ofHuguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor in 1877. 

Fri., Aug. 31, 2007:  Announcement of the First Services Held in the Little Red Church of the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church on July 9, 1876. 

Thu., Aug. 16, 2007:  Biographical Data About Rev. Charles EliphaletLord Who Served as Acting Pastor of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church,1874-79. 

Tue., Jun. 19, 2007:  A Brazen Burglary at The Little Red Church in 1904. 

Mon., Jan. 1, 2007:  Dating an Undated Glass Lantern Slide Showing the Little Red Church (Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church). 

Wed., Oct. 25, 2006:  A Biography of the Rev. Henry Randall Waite, Ph. D., a 19th Century Pastor of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church. 

Thur., Jun. 29, 2006:  A Biography of Lewis Gaston Leary, Early 20th Century Pastor of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pelham. 

Thu., Mar. 2, 2006:  A Lecture in 1877 to Raise Money for the New Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Manor. 

Fri., Jan. 27, 2006:  Lectures to Raise Money to Build the"Huguenot Memorial Forest Church" Building in Pelham Manor. 

Mon., Jul. 25, 2005: The Columbarium at Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Manor. 

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Pelham Manor's Most Famous Cow

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The little village of Pelham Manor is famous for many things.  It is world famous for the "Pelham Manor Trolley" that inspired cartoonist Fontaine Fox to create his tremendously successful comic strip "Toonerville Folks" that centered around the "Toonerville Trolley" and ran in syndication throughout the nation for about forty years.  It is famous as the site of the New York Athletic Club's Travers Island facility.  It is famous as the destination of Col. Delancey Kane's "Pelham Coach" once known as the "Tally Ho."  Indeed, Pelham Manor is famous for many more things including . . . a cow.

As late as the 1920s, Pelham Manor was still rural enough with undeveloped areas to permit some village residents to keep livestock and fowl including cows and chickens.  One such resident was E. H. Laing who kept a Jersey milk cow on his property in Pelham Manor.  Laing's Jersey cow, however, was a nomadic beast that loved nothing more than to break free and roam the Pelhams to the consternation of the Pelham Manor police, village residents, and Laing's neighbors.

Laing's cow first became famous when it broke free and wandered the village until it came upon an unidentified Pelham Manor policeman who reportedly was taking a little nap.  The cow couldn't resist showing a little affection and "kissed" the officer with a wet, slurpy lick, awakening him from a sound slumber.  (The news account of the incident was quick to question the veracity of the story since, as it said, "it is denied that the cops in the Manor ever sleep.")

Villagers became annoyed with the bovine because its long, low "mooings" were more like an extended honk.  The sound was easily mistaken for the honk of the village fire alarm when heard from a distance.   

E. H. Laing, it seems, bought the Jersey cow to ensure an uninterrupted supply of milk for his family.  As the local newspaper reported, in Pelham the "supply of milk is all right but not without trouble."  Laing did not fence his property or coral the beast.  Instead, he drove a massive stake into the ground and tied a hitching rope to the cow to keep it from wandering.

The wily bovine seems always to have consider the grass to be greener everywhere else, however.  The cow simply tugged and tugged to uproot the stake virtually at will and meandered however it wished.  

As complaints mounted, Laing added a second stake that was much heavier and larger than the first.  He then fastened his Jersey cow to both stakes with a hitching rope.   

Laing's Jersey cow, however, was not to be denied the greener grass or the delicious cud that followed each such meal.  Early one morning, the cow tugged and tugged until it uprooted both stakes and wandered onto a neighbor's yard where the grass seemed greener.  As the heavy cow grazed, its hooves sank deeply into the neighbor's lawn.  As it moved about the property, the heavy stake that it dragged behind it had a "turf-uprooting effect" that destroyed much of the lawn.  By the time the cow's antics had been discovered, the neighbor's lawn was "well nigh ruined."

Laing and his neighbor had some "discussions" about the matter.  In fact, those discussions were "heated" with the neighbor threatening Laing with a lawsuit.  Pelham Manor's most famous -- or, perhaps, infamous -- cow paid no mind to those discussions, however.  Instead, according to The Pelham Sun, it simply kept "giving milk and trouble daily."

Gone, of course, are the days when Pelham Manor residents kept livestock and fowl.  It may be surprising to learn, however, that those days were gone by the early 1930s.  Indeed, in 1931, one Pelham Manor resident wrote wistfully:

:Well, well, those robust days are over!  Gone from our midst are Mr. Laing's cow, which blocked traffic on Pelhamdale avenue, Mr. Cole's pigs and sheep, gone are chickens, goats; going are cats and pigeons."  

Source:  Blymer, Mary Hall, Overlooking The Sound In 1910, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 17, 1931, p. 13, cols. 1-2.  

Those robust days may be gone.  They are not, however, forgotten.  Instead, they provide a basis for amusing and quaint stories regarding the history of the Village of Pelham Manor during quaint times.

"Jersey Cow" by Anthony Forster.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Amusing stories such as that of E. H. Laing's Jersey cow serve as quaint reminders of a time not so long ago when large portions of Pelham retained a rural flavor despite Pelham's borders with the City of New York, the City of New Rochelle, and the City of Mount Vernon.  Today's posting is based on the article transcribed below that is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"Cow Wanders Away; Court Action Coming

-----

Laing Bovine Who Is Reported to Have Kissed a Cop May Appear In Court Action

-----

For some tie past the nomadic habits of a jersey cow in Pelham Manor have been the subject of much table talk.  The cow is the property of Edward H. Laing (of course, you've heard him or heard of him or know him) and its peregrinations have provided several ridiculous situations.  It is reported to have kissed a sleeping cop, but it is denied that the cops in the Manor ever sleep.  Its vocal 'mooings' have been mistaken for the honk of the fire alarm, so 'tis said, and it has made several other demonstrations of its irresponsible character and its disregard for the rights of others, in most disconcerting places.  

E. H. Laing was a notable Pelham Manor resident who was active in community affairs.  He served for a time as Treasurer of the Pelham Manor Taxpayers Association, a taxpayers' advocacy group in the village.  He was a member of the Men's Club of Pelham.  

Laing, it is stated, purchased the cow so that the Laing family could obtain a plentiful supply of milk without trouble.  The supply of milk is all right but not without trouble.  No matter how firmly staked to its hitching rope, the bovine seems able to uproot the stake and meander wherever it wills.

A while ago it started off, despite the additional heavy stake to which it was attached, and dragging the aforesaid stake to the lawn of a neighbor where it browsed in the early hours of the morn.  The neighbor was not satisfied with the new method of cropping the lawn, for the hoof prints of the Jersey cow and the turf-uprooting effect of the heavy stake which the cow dragged along with it, well nigh ruined the lawn.  There were heated discussions and it is rumored that court action will follow.  But of that more anon.  The cow is still giving milk and trouble daily."

Source:  Cow Wanders Away; Court Action Coming -- Laing Bovine Who Is Reported to Have Kissed a Cop May Appear In Court Action, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 30, 1922, p. 10, col. 2.

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Christmas Day Celebrations in the Town of Pelham in 1885

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The Town of Pelham, in 1885, was a very different place.  The entire population of the Town was about 3,000 people with most of the population living on City Island.  There were other population concentrations including Bartow (near the old Bartow Station along the Branch Line), Pelham Manor and Prospect Hill, and Pelhamville.  Unpaved country lanes criss-crossed the Town and horse-drawn transportation was the order of the day.

One thing about the Pelham of yore and the Pelham of today remains the same, however.  Much of Pelham experienced the joy of Christmas through the eyes of its youngsters and celebrated the holiday accordingly.  Interestingly, the tiny little settlement of Bartow (also known as "Bartow-on-the-Sound" and the tiny little Town Hall  built by Pelham at Bartow played important roles in the joyous Christmas celebration held in Pelham in 1885, one hundred thirty years ago today.

In 1885, Pelham's Town Hall was a tiny little brick building with a bell tower located on today’s Shore Road near the site of Pelham Bit Stables / Bronx Equestrian Center in Pelham Bay Park. I have written about that beautiful little Town Hall that was razed during the 1950s on previous occasions.  See: 

Wed., Dec. 03, 2014:  Pelham Proposed To Build A Town Hall and Post Office in 1857. 

Tue., May 11, 2010:  Mystery Solved - Pelham Town Hall That Once Stood On Shore Road Was Used as a School. 

Mon., Mar. 13, 2006:  Two Photographs of Pelham's Town Hall That Once Stood On Shore Road. 

Bell, Blake A., Pelham's First Town Hall on Shore Road in Pelham Manor, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 35, Sept. 3, 2004, p. 8, col. 1. 

Undated Photograph Showing Pelham Town Hall on Shore Road.

Detail from 1868 Beer's Map of Town of Pelham with Red

Circle Indicating Location of Pelham Town Hall.  NOTE:

Click Image to Enlarge.

Christmas in 1885 also was on a Friday.  Although Pelhamites throughout the Town celebrated with family in their homes early in the day, later in the day a festive shooting match was held at Bartow, a site that is an abandoned ghost town today with no structures remaining except the decrepit remnants of a later-built Bartow Station along the Branch Line tracks that once ran through the center of the settlement.  While a Christmas Day shooting match might strike us, today, as an odd Christmas celebration, the tradition was common in our region during the 19th century.  I have written previously about one such Christmas Day shooting match held in Pelhamville in 1875.  See Tue., Jul. 28, 2009:  Account of Christmas Shooting Matches in 1875 at the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville.  

The shooting match was sponsored by John Secord of Bartow.  Secord was the proprietor of a tiny hotel and restaurant known simply as "John Secord's, Bartow" that was located opposite the railroad depot at Bartow.  John Secord was a local entrepreneur who hustled for business and sponsored a host of events to attract people to his establishment.  He sponsored raffles, pigeon shoots, marksmanship shooting matches, and more.  Secord was an avid fowler himself and competed in many of his own pigeon shoots as well as others held in Eastchester and the surrounding region.  

Some of Secord's pigeon shoots were head-to-head betting matches between gunners who bet up to fifty dollars that they could hit the most of twenty pigeons released for each shooter.  Spectators, of course, wagered heavily on the results as well.  Other of Secord's pigeon shoots were of the "sweepstakes" variety where a large number of gunners paid to enter to compete against one another until a victor was declared.  Once again, spectators wagered heavily on the results.  

Secord's also was used as an occasional meeting place for the Republican Town Committee.  During summers, the facility was a popular stopover for fishermen and sportsmen arriving at Bartow Station on their way to City Island for sport.  

The shooting match held on Christmas Day, 1885 was well-publicized in advance.  Thus, according to a brief account, "the attendance was large."  The results of the match, however, do not seem to have been recorded so that we know them today.

After the Christmas shooting match was over, the Christmas festivities continued.  Pelhamites gathered nearby in the tiny little brick Town Hall building along Shore Road for a special treat.  Two Pelham residents, Michael Hogan and George Rothjen, gave "one of the most enjoyable entertainments given in the town of Pelham" for the benefit of young and old.  They hosted a "Punch and Judy" show in Town Hall.  (Michael Hogan was the Pelham postmaster, at least until his resignation in 1886 when he was replaced by Fred Vickery.)

"Punch and Judy" entertainments have been around for hundreds of years.  The entertainment is a "traditional, popular, and usually very violent puppet show featuring Pulcinella (Mr. Punch) and his wife, Judy.  The performance consists of a sequence of short scenes, each depicting an interaction between two characters, most typically Mr. Punch and one other character (who usually falls victim to Mr. Punch's club). . . . The various episodes of Punch and Judy are performed in the spirit of outrageous comedy -- often provoking shocked laughter -- and are dominated by the anarchic clowning of Mr. Punch."  See "Punch and Judy" in WIKIPEDIA - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Dec. 20, 2015).  

One hundred thirty years ago this evening, George Rothjen performed the Punch and Judy show.  According to one account, "For over one and a half hours he kept not only the children but the older ones, in one continuous roar of laughter.  Such a night!"  

With the end of the Punch and Judy show, however, the festivities were not complete.  After the puppet show, five Pelhamites sang for the crowd (Misses Johntry and Bowton, Mrs. James Bell and Messrs. Hogan and Rothjen).  After the singing performances, attendees were treated to "a fine display of pictures of the polyopticon."  

The polyopticon was a marvelous contraption that was very popular -- particularly with young people -- during the mid-1880s.  It was an early form of overhead projector, capable of projecting images of items onto a screen.  This allowed attendees at "Polyopticon Parties" to bring their own engravings, advertising cards, color images, and the like to see them projected onto a screen either as a simple amusement or as the basis for an associated lecture.  An advertisement for the wondrous contraption published in 1889 read as follows:

"THE POLYOPTICON.
A WONDER CAMERA.

Given as a premium for a club of 15 yearly subscribers at $1.00 each; or, for 10 subscribers and $1.25; or, for 6 subscribers and $2.25 additional.  Sent by express, charges to be paid by the receiver.

This is a wonderful invention whereby views from Newspapers, Magazines and Book illustrations, Portraits, Comic Cuts, Photographs, Chromo Cards, IN ALL THEIR COLORS, Flowers, etc., can be thrown onto a screen in the parlor, enlarged about 400 times.

In the Magic Lantern the display is limited to the glass slides, in the Polyopticon it is practically unlimited, since any small engraving, photograph or drawing may be used.  The instrument serves admirably for parlor use, throwing a disk upon the screen of from four to five feet in diameter.

POLYOPTICON PARTIES

have come to be very popular with the young folks.  Each guest brings a few of the ordinary picture advertising cards and their photographs, or natural flowers -- whereby an entire change of views can be seen every evening, which would be impossible with the Magic Lantern without a great expense in purchasing new slides for each evening.

OVER 300 PICTURES

which if painted on glass for use with a magic lantern would cost $30.00, are given with each Polyopticon, thus affording a lot ready for use including:

Around the World in 80 Sights; Bible Pictures -- Old and New Testament; Ancient and Modern Statues; Portraits of Prominent Persons; Illustrations from Robinson Crusoe; Illustrations of a Temperance Lesson; Over 100 German figures in Procession and Silhouettes.

We have sent out a large number of these instruments, and know they are found to be perfectly satisfactory over time.  We have received letters from all over the country asking if we would recommend it for exhibition purposes in large halls, etc. etc.  We know that by careful selection of pictures and a little practice, it is possible to make a bright picture circle of six feet across on the screen, but we do not advise nor recommend a Polyopticon where a $100 Stereopticon is wanted.

Price $4.25.  Sent by express, charges to be paid by the receiver."

Source:  THE POLYOPTICON [Advertisement], The Ladies' Home Journal, Dec. 1889, p. 13.  

Though the evening's festivities were fabulous that Christmas night many years ago, the people of Pelham still were not finished even after the magical polyopticon show.  After that show, the women of Bartow served attendees with a round of refreshments.  The refreshments, according to one account, "ended a most Merry Christmas for the children of Bartow."

Whether one hundred and thirty years ago or today, the happy sentiment remains!  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays, dear Pelham!

Punch and Judy Puppets.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from an Advertisement for a Punch and Judy Show.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Example of a Traditional Punch and Judy Booth.

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of a pair of brief references to the Christmas celebration in the Town of Pelham in 1885.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . . 

There were some fine displays of marksmanship at Secord's Bartow, on Christmas Day.  Plenty of notice had been given, and the attendance was large, which kept John in the best humor all day. . . ."

Source: PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 1, 1886, Vol. XVII, No. 850, p. 3, col. 4.  

"A MERRY CHRISTMAS AT BARTOW.
(COMMUNICATED.)

On Christmas night, at the Town Hall, Bartow, was given one of the most enjoyable entertainments given in the town of Pelham.  Messrs. M. Hogan and George Rothjen, thinking it would be the proper thing to do something for the children's pleasure gave a Punch and Judy show, Mr. Rothjen being the performer, and at this business he is a star.  For over one and a half hours he kept not only the children but the older ones, in one continuous roar of laughter.  Such a night!  There was some very fine singing by the Misses Johntry and Bowton, Mrs. Jas. Bell and Messrs. Hogan and Rothjen, followed by a fine display of pictures of the polyopticon, after which refreshments were served by Mrs. Hogan and Rothjen, and all the ladies of Bartow.  This ended a most Merry Christmas for the children of Bartow."

Source: A MERRY CHRISTMAS AT BARTOW, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 1, 1886, Vol. XVII, No. 850, p. 3, col. 4.  

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I have written before about Christmas celebrations in Pelham.  For a few examples, see:

Thu., Dec. 25, 2014:  Christmas in Pelham in 1926.

Fri., Dec. 25, 2009 1906:  Christmas Day Celebration at Christ Church in Pelham.

Mon., Sep. 21, 2009:  January 1882 Account of the 1881 Christmas Festival Held at the Union Sabbath School in Pelhamville.

Tue., Jul. 28, 2009:  Account of Christmas Shooting Matches in 1875 at the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville. 

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