The History of First Presbyterian Church in Englewood, Part III

 

The congregation had outgrown the chapel by the late 1860's, and the architect George Fletcher Babb, of New York, was commissioned to design a much larger structure. The new Church, in the High Victorian Gothic Revival style, was built of random-coursed red sandstone ashlar, and seated 800 worshippers. The first service in the new building was held on April 17, 1870. The Rev. Booth used a passage from the minor prophet Haggai as the basis for his sermon.

"The 1877-78 entrance tower of the Vermilye Chapel with its bichrome, finely carved stonework and interesting composition, is the finest example of High Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in Englewood and possibly in Bergen County."
Englewood Architectural Survey Bergen County Office of Cultural and Historic Affairs


In 1877-78, the Vermilye Memorial Chapel was built. Added to the east end of the 1870 building, it was the gift of Mrs. E.A. Brinckerhoff, in memory of her parents. Designed by architects Potter and Robertson, of New York, it was extensively altered in 1926,-Its' red and white sandstone entrance tower is all that is easily recognizable of the original structure. Additions and alterations were made to the 1870 building in 1880, and in 1884, the transepts being enlarged by the prominent New York architect J. Cleveland Cady.

Like other towns of its period (and ours) Englewood had to deal with thieves and other unsavory characters, most of whom came here from New York. As there were no police, burglaries were apparently quite common. In 1869, James W. McCulloh and others formed the Protection Society of Hackensack Township. The Society, whose members included most of the able-bodied men in Englewood, patrolled the streets and lanes on horseback, and also built a lock-up, the first jail, in 1872. Other residents, seeing a need' formed the village Improvement Society in 1868 to keep the streets in repair, plant trees, install sidewalks and provide lighting and other amenities. Englewood became a township in 1871 and among the organizations formed in later years were the Englewood Hospital in 1888, and the Womeds Club, founded in 1894 by Adaline W. Sterling, who later was the author of "The Book of Englewood." About this time, portions of the ancient basalt face of the Palisades were being blasted away by stone quarrying. Under the leadership of Miss Elizabeth Vermilye, the Women’s Club pressured members of the State Legislature in Trenton, and was therefore instrumental in preventing further destruction of this splendid natural landmark.

Many men active in Englewood held prominent positions in New York insurance, banking, and various mercantile circles. In addition, they conducted the affairs of the Church, and governed the town.

"The Pastor's salary was mere $5,000 and the sexton's $500. The organist (was) to have $600 yearly" (1885)-StuartLyman, 1935

From the records, at least, little dissent is noted. Deficits were met, charitable organizations were created to meet the needs of the poor, and improvements to the physical plant of the Church and the tower carried out. In general, a very close community spirit developed in the town, which the New York Daily Graphic called "the notable suburb.”

Rev. Dr. Booth, in his 25th anniversary sermon in 1885, noted that 673 persons had been received into membership and that the Benevolent offerings totaled $387,809.08. Energetic First Presbyterian Church members organized and directed Sabbath schools in Cresskill, Undercliff, Highwood, Teaneck and Englewood Cliffs. A Missionary Society and the "Helping Hand" were organized for New York charitable work, while Calvary Mission was established in 1880 to meet the needs of the local "colored" population. The Women’s Missionary Society supported schools in Schweifat, Syria. Other organizations were formed, including the Home Missionary Society, the Relief Committee, and the Wilder Memorial Society.

To the great regret of the congregation, Dr. Booth resigned his pastorate due to ill health on April 30, 1891. The Rev. James Eells (an Englewood native) was installed as the 3rd Pastor on September 24, 1891.

Englewood was legally incorporated as a City on March 17, 1899, becoming the first city in Bergen County. Elbert A. Brinckerhoff, the newly-elected Mayor, recommended that the police force be increased from 7 to 9, and urged that $35,000 be spent for a building to house the new city officials. Later, in 1905, Stagg's Hotel was purchased by the city. The frame building, probably built in the 1860's, was used as the City Hall until 1922, when the present structure was completed.

Englewood became home to men of national renown during the early years of the 20th century. There were some iconoclasts such as social reformer Upton Sinclair, author of "The Jungle", who experimented with communal living in Helicon Hall, a former school on North Woodland Street. This 62-member commune lasted 5 months until March 17, 1907 when the building burned. Another iconoclast was Bernard McFadden, the eccentric millionaire publisher, skydiver, and physical culturist whose home can still be seen on North Woodland Street.

There were others, somewhat tame by comparison, such as Montague Roberts, auto racer and winner of the 1908 Paris to New York Race.

Also Dan Fellowes Platt, an archeologist, art collector, a friend of Woodrow Wilson, liberal Democrat, and the 3rd Mayor of Englewood.

These ‘bohemians" contrasted strongly with First Presbyterian Church members Dwight W. Morrow and Thomas W. Lamont, who were partners in J.P. Morgan & Co. Because of these and other nationally prominent financial leaders who would come shortly, Englewood was known, for a time at least, as the "Bedroom of Wall Street".

In 1902, Julia Cady Cory wrote the Hymn "We praise you, O God, our Redeemer Creator" which appeared in the official Presbyterian Hymnal of 1933 and 1972, and is often sung at Thanksgiving services.

On May 2, 1899, the Rev. Samuel M. Hamilton, D.D. became the 4th pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. As the town continued its development into a modern city, the Board of Health was formed and the first apartment building (the Bergen Building) was constructed on Engle Street and the Public Library was established on Palisade Avenue in 1901, a gift of Donald Mackay. A prominent member of First Presbyterian Church, he was President of the New York Stock Exchange for a time and Mayor of Englewood from 1906 to 1909.

In the early years of the 20th century Liberty School was dedicated, the First Church of Christ, Scientist was built, and Ahavath Torah, the first Orthodox Synagogue in Bergen County, was completed. During the administration of Mayor Platt, a steam roller was purchased by the City for $2,500.00 which some felt was extravagant or unneeded.

The Rev. Robert Davis served the congregation from 1910 to 1919. Away on leave for much of the war, he served in Europe as a Major in the American Red Cross. During the years 1910 to l9L3 the first motorized fire engine was purchased, and the first paid fire department was established. The new Library building was completed under the provisions of the Carnegie Corporation, and the new St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church was dedicated. Woodrow Wi1son, during his campaign for the Governor of New Jersey, spoke at the Lyceum on October 29, 1910.

Activities in the City during World War I years are too numerous to mention. Many residents participated on a local level by making bandages and dressings for the Red Cross. Others formed a police dog unit for use on the battlefields and a motorcycle unit. Mayor Clinton Blake urged military training in the public schools, while 100 boys and girls raised crops for canning on a thirty acre tract on Liberty Road. Many soldiers from Tenafly’s Camp Merritt, an embarkation camp, were entertained in the homes of local residents. Large sums of money were raised in the drives for the war effort. In all, 24 Englewood men gave their lives in the War including 4 from the First Presbyterian Church.

A great community achievement during 1915 was the approval of a bond issue for $150,000 to finance the new High School on Engle Street. ($25,000 more was needed to complete the building in 1916.)

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Last updated: 11/25/02