Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1892 — PIONEER PRESBYTERIANS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PIONEER PRESBYTERIANS.

Jamaica, L. 1., Ha* the Vint of Thais American Edifies*. The town of Jamaica, L. L, ten piles from New York City, boasts of being the first home of Presbyterianism in America. The Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, still a flourishing and wealthy body, was the first organization of its kind in this country. The records in the Town Hall furnish evidence that Jamaica was founded under a grant given by Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherlands, March 21, 1656. The ground was purchased from the Rockewa tribe of Indians, who in the deed of purchase inserted these words: “One thing to be remembered, that noe person is to cut downe any trees wherein Eagles doe make their nests.” Hempstead was already established and had a Dutch church. The ministers from this town often capj; over to Jamaica to preach the gospel to the new townsmen. It was not until 1661, however, that the Jamaica people decided to have a minister and a church of their own. The first thing they did, even before building a church in which to worship, was to build a home for the “minister, ’’ and “Goodman Benedick and N'athanell Dinton” were appointed to supply the minister’s wants. A religious body, to worship aocording to the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, was then formed, and Mr. Walker, a young licentiate, was brought over from England in

1692, at the town’s expense, to preach for them. The house which was built for him was* given to Mr. Walker, his heirs and assigns forever. For his maintenance they added “three score pounds per annum,” to be “paid in corn.” The summons to the meeting was by a drum, for the beating of which Abraham Smith received thirty shillings a year. Mr. Walker left a few years after this, and his place was taken by several other ministers. In the meantime a house of worship had been provided. In 1663 the town ordered “that a convenient pew should be made for the minister to preacn in,” and a humble temporary building was erected. Here the pious of the town worshiped until 1693, when, after five years of agitation, the “old stone church” was built. It was forty feet square, built of rough stone. The roof was of hewn shingles, and was surmounted by a square cupola, over which a bell swung and a weather vane indicated the direction of the wind. This vane, the records say, had to be taken down, because of the excessive desire of the British soldiers to use it as a mark for their bullets. During the revolution the old stone church served the Royalists as a prison in which they confined many a man who professed loyalty to the American cause. Later these same Royalists determined to destroy the church, but Rev. Mr. Burnet, who had some influence with the officers, saved the old building from destruction. After the war it was used for several years as a town hall. For over a hundred years the old stone church stood, a monument to the piety of the people. In 1813, however, it was torn down

and some of its stones used in laying the foundations of a new structure, in which the Presbyterians worship at this day. The new structure was dedicated on Jan. 18, 1814, under the ministry of Rev. George Faitoute, who died almost a year and a half afterwards. The building is 90 long and 46 feet wide. It contains 144 pews, besides a gallery on three sides. In nothing but years is the church old. Its foundations are firm and the building is steady. With later years the interior has been refitted until it is now elegant, for among its communicants are some of the wealthiest families in the town.

THE OLD STRUCTURE.

THE PRESENT STUCTURE, BUILT IN 1813.