Page 69
History of Orange County
Town of Newburgh
Page 69
The deed for the grounds is dated 1797, and executed by James Renwick of Newburgh, Ulster County, to Wm. Renwick, Doct. John Kemp, Rev. John Mason, Alexander Robertson, Alexander Hosack, John Turner, jun., George Lindsey, and Robert Gosman, of the city of New York, and Hugh Walsh, George Gardner, Robert Gourley, Daniel Niven, Robert Boyd, Robert Ferguson, Thomas Tait, Robert Jones and Alexander Murray, of Newburgh, appointed trustees by said James Renwick, for the Presbyterian church at Newburgh, in communion with the Associate Synod in the United States of America. The Lot was 200 feet square and the trust, for the sole use and intent that the trustees and members of said church should erect a church to assemble in for Christian worship, and also a school house for the education of youth.
There is an anecdote connected with the building of this church edifice, which, as it shows a heart to have been in the right place, we relate. The first building stood on the hill west of Renwick’s dock, on the lot above described, and was after war is taken down and removed to its present location on the corner of Grand and First streets as being more convenient. When the building was being finished, the trustees and others could not agree about placing a window in the garret:—some wanted it of the ground of appearance some that it would ventilate and preserve the building;— others objected to the expense and that it was not needed— one suggested that a blind or false window would answer all purposes of appearance and cost comparatively nothing.— Daniel Niven, Esq., in reply to this last proposition said— that as long as he had any thing to do with the church there should be no more hypocrisy outside than inside of it.’’ The argument was closed, and a very large window, more expensive than any in the building, placed in the garret.— When this edifice was taken down, the large window was preserved, and it now lies in the garret of the new church, embalmed in the pious fragrance of the above remark.
THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION.
The origin of this congregation may be traced to the self-denying and persevering efforts of a few individuals in the communion of the Reformed Presbyterian church, whose lot was cast by divine Providence in the village of Newburgh and its vicinity. Among these, Messrs. James Clark, Mr. Gailey, Robert Johnston and others were the first settlers. A society for prayer and other devotional services was formed and regularly attended, which proved the means of gathering together and combining the efforts of a sufficient number to warrant application for occasional preaching.
They were, in the meantime, members of the Reformed Presbyterian congregation of Coldenham. The pastor of that congregation, Rev. James R. Wilson, D. D., by an arrangement made in 1817, preached a part of the time in Newburgh. Gradually an increased proportion of his time was given, until about the year 1821, it was equally divided between this place and Coldenham.
At the first, public services were held in the Newburgh Academy, the use of which was kindly granted by the trustees of that institution. In 1818, arrangements were made for the erection of a church edifice, and the house of worship, still occupied by the congregation, was completed the following year. Increasing in numbers, and desirous of obtaining a fuller supply of ordinances, the members in the Newburgh branch of the congregation, as they came to be called, were, by deed of Presbytery, at their request, separated from the Coldenham congregation, and in 1824, organized into a distinct congregation. At this time, Messrs. Samuel Wright and John Lawson were the ruling elders, and William M. Wiley and John Crawford, deacons. Shortly after the organization, Mr. Matthew Duke was added to the eldership and Mr. William Thompson to the deacons. The congregation also took efficient steps for obtaining a pastor, and in 1825, Rev. James R. Johnston was regularly settled in the pastoral charge. His connexion with the congregation was dissolved in 1829. The present pastor, Rev. Mr. Roney, was installed into the pastoral charge of the congregation June 8th, 1830.
The number of members is now about one hundred and thirty, exemplifying in a measure the saying, “Though the beginning was small, yet the latter end should greatly increase.” The present officers of the congregation are Messrs. Mathew Duke, David T. Cavan, William Thompson, William Brown and David Stewart, ruling elders; and Messrs. John Little, Edward Wier and John Lawson, deacons.
We are indebted to the Rev. Mr. Roney, the present pastor, for the history of this congregation.