History of the old Seventh-Street Methodist Church

Unknown Newspaper, New York
circa 1909

The Seventh-Street Methodist Episcipal Church was the scene yesterday of a series of services commemorative of the ninety-ninth anniversary of the society, and the Rev. A. C. Morehouse, the Pastor, was the subject of many congratulations on the spiritual and material work which he has done in his important field of labor. The society was established in 1786 and held its first meetings in the house of Gilbert Coutant. This house was just two miles from the old Federal Hall, in what was then the country, and the society was known as the Two-Mile-Stone Society.

Mr. Coutant used to sweep out his shoe store and sprinkle it with clean sand on Saturday nights, and on Sunday morning he would gather his apprentices and others who would choose to come in the store and read and expound the Bible to them. In 1810 the society purchased the timbers of the old John- Street Church, which had been pulled down, and with them built a house of worship on what was then Nicholas William street, now St. Mark's-place. The church was only 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, but quite large enough to accommodate the young congregation, which now took the name of the "Bowery Village Church," which is its incorporated title to this day. The next move was to a position on the north side of Seventh Street. Here a great revival was had, and the aristocratic people of the neighborhood, who objected to the shouting and rejoicing of converted sinners and happy saints, offered the society two lots on the south side of the street, nearer Third Avenue, if it would move. Mr. Coutant furnished two more lots, and the present church building was begun in 1836 and completed the following year. It was at that time one of the wealthiest and strongest churches of the city, but with the death of its members and the movement of population up town it has had to struggle hard of late years. Four years ago it was proposed to sell the property in Seventh-street, for which $70,000 was offered, and move up town, but this design was abandoned, and now, through the effecient work of Pastor Morehouse, all the mortgage debts have been paid off, and a bright future apparently awaits the venerable old church.

The anniversary services yesterday began with a class meeting at 9 A.M., in which Mr. A. G. Thompson led. A half hour later there was a reunion love feast, at which the Rev. Nathaniel Mead, of Stamford, Conn., who was Pastor of the church 40 years ago, presided, assisted by the Rev. E. S. Hibbard, who was converted in the Old Bowery Village Church, on the north side of Seventh-street, over 50 years ago. Interesting testimonies were given, interspersed with singing, led by the Rev. Mr. Edwards and the Rev. D. F. McFarland. The preaching service at 10:30 o'clock was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. D. P. Kidder, after which Bishop C.D. Foss preached a powerful sermon on "Faith." In the afternoon there was a Sunday school service of song in which about 800 pupils participated, and the Chinese class met in the church. At 3:30 o'clock there was a reunion of former Pastors, members, and friends of the church, the Hon. Chauncey Shaffer presiding, and the services concluded with a prayer meeting at 6:30 o'clock and preaching by Bishop Thomas L. Bowman.