Page:History of West Hoboken NJ.djvu/105

 FIRST REFORMED CHURCH.

Hackensack Plankroad.

To write a sketch of this church it is perhaps proper to say a few words in regards the mother church, the Grove Reformed Church, situated on the Hudson Boulevard. The latter church was for a long time the regular place of worship of all the members of that denomination who lived in our town, and in fact of those who lived in North Hudson.

The old church was organized on April 12, 1843. Its early history is identified with the Reformed Dutch Church at English neighborhood, of which the people of New Durham were a component part, enjoying for several years the Sabbath afternoon services of their part in the building erected at New Durham, the lower part of which was devoted to the use of the district school. At the session of the classis on September 17, 1839, the Rev. Mr. Duryee, in behalf of the Consistory of English neighborhood, applied to the classis for a recommendation of the Board of Missions for aid in supporting the gospel at New Durham. This was referred to the Consistory of English neighborhood, and after due consideration they decided that "at present" they would not advance the interests of the church.

In a few years this course was reconsidered and on April 12, 1843, Rev. B. C. Taylor, A. H. Warner and R. Wells, met, and a formal expression of desire for a new church organization was given to the petition to the committee, signed by thirty-nine heads of familities [sic] and forty-five communicants, accompanied by a proper dismission [sic] of all the forty-five communicants from the church at the English neighborhood.

The Consistory of the last-named church had agreed to convey by deed, to the new church when organized, the lecture room and lot at New Durham.

On the 17th of September, 1844, this church presented to the classis of Bergen, for approval, a call upon the candidate, Wm. J. R. Taylor. On its approval Mr. Taylor announced his acceptance, thereby becoming the first minister of this old church.

The connection between Mr. Taylor and the church was dissolved on September 8, 1846. Mr. Taylor having accepted a call from the Reformed Dutch Church at Van Vorst (Wayne street, Jersey City.)

On September 15, 1846, the Rev. W. V. V. Mabon was installed as pastor.

The church continued to need a moderate amount of aid from the Board of Missions, but the plans of a liberal soul,