Presbyterian Conference at the Little Red Church in Pelham Manor on March 20, 1889

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The Little Red Church was the first sanctuary of The Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor. Opened in 1876, the little wooden church stood on the site of the present sanctuary of the Church at "Four Corners" -- the intersection of today's Boston Post Road and Pelhamdale Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor.

On March 20, 1889, the Little Red Church hosted a Presbyterian conference devoted to "promoting the cause of religion." A brief article about the conference appeared in the March 22, 1889 issue of the New-York Tribune. The text of that article appears below.

"PELHAM MANOR. - At the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday evening there was an assembling of Presbyterians from Mount Vernon, New-Rochelle, Pelhamville, Yonkers and adjacent villages for the purpose of eliciting an exchange of views as to the best means of promoting the cause of religion. The Rev. Messrs. Allison, Freeman, A. T. Sebauffer and Lane made brief remarks on the subject. At the close of the meeting those present were hospitably entertained by the Presbyterian ladies of the place."

Source: Pelham Manor, New-York Tribune, Mar. 22, 1889, p. 10, col. 4.

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Photograph of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Published in 1914

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Throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, St. Paul's Church in Eastchester was the principal church attended by residents of the sparsely-populated Manor (later Town) of Pelham. A book published in 1914 included a lovely picture of the church and a brief account of its history. Both appear below, followed by a citation to the source.






"One of the most interesting small churches still in existence in the United States is St. Paul's at East Chester, near Mount Vernon, New York. The first church building at this town was erected in 1692, and the permission of the Governor of the province was asked for the installation of a rector. It was refused, and the congregation appealed to the Assembly for permission to separate from the parish, of which till then they had formed a part. This was granted, but by order of the Bishop of London, confirmed by Queen Anne, it was rescinded, and the church was continued as a chapel until 1795. The present building was begun in 1764, and completed in 1776; and the storms of war at once broke over the new building. It was used as a hospital by the British, who destroyed part of it. Its congregation was much scattered, and it was years after the war before it again became a strong organization."

Source: Embury II, Alymar, Early American Churches, p. 100 (NY, NY: Doubleday, Page & Company 1914).

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Lord Cornbury Installs John Bartow as Rector of the Parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham in 1702

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Wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York, contain entries other than wills. Examples of such entries include material regarding Lord Cornbury's installation of John Bartow as Rector of the Parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham in 1702.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes abstracts of those records published in 1893. The abstracts appear immediately below, followed by a citation to their source.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS - LIBER 7. . . .

[Mandate of Lord Cornbury in Latin.] To all Rectors, Chaplains, Curates and ministers, and to Caleb Heathcote, Henry Hunt and Josiah Hunt, Church Wardens of the Parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and Manor of Pelham, commanding them to induct the Rev. JOHN BARTOW, as Rector in the said Parish, now vacant, and to put him in possession of the Rectory, Glebe, and Church property. Given under the Prerogative seal of this Province, November 9, 1702.

Cornbury.

[Latin.] By virtue of the above written mandate, and in the presence of Hugh Farquhar and Thomas Hunt, Joseph Haviland, Daniel Clark, and Edward Collier. We William Vesey, Clergyman, and Josiah Hunt, Church Warden of the Parish of Westchester and Eastchester, have inducted the Rev. JOHN BARTOW, in the Parish Church of Eastchester, Westchester, Yonkers, and Manor of Pelham, and put him in possession of the Rectory, Glebe, and Parish property. In Testimony whereof we had subscribed these Presents, December 6, 1702.

We whose names are underwritten, doe certifie and declare, that on Sunday the 6 day of December, anno Domini 1702, JOHN BARTOW, Clerk, after his induction, did in the Parish Church of Westchester, read the morning and evening service, according to the exact form by Act of Parliament prescribed, and immediately after the reading of ye aforesaid service did declare his unfeigned assent and consent to all contained and prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer, as the Law in such cases directs, before ye Congrega- [Page 361 / Page 362] tion on the said day assembled, and also did read ye books of ye 39 Articles of the Church of England, with the ratification. And immediately after ye reading of ye aforesaid Articles and Ratification before the Congregation, did declare, at the above said time and place, his unfiegned assent and consent to them, and to all things therein contained. In Testimony whereof we who were present have hereunto subscribed our names this 6th day of December anno Dom., 1702. William Vesey, Joseph Haviland, Edward Collier, Thomas Hunt, Hugh Farquhar, William Willett, Josiah Hunt, John Williams."

Source: Pelletreau, William S., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York, 1665-1707 in Collections of the New-York Historical Society For the Year 1892, pp. 361-62 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1893).

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