A History of Linden Baptist Church to 1886
From George Reeser Prowell's History of Camden County, New Jersey, 1886
Linden Baptist Church had its beginning November 22, 1863, when Rev. R. S. James, pastor, David S. Stackhouse, Joseph Truman and M. S. James were appointed a committee of the North Baptist Church to look after the religious needs of the northeastern portion of the city, and reported a dearth of and desire for religious privileges, on the part of the people of that section. Religious services were held December 10th of the year named. Mr. James conducted the services in the Paper Mill Schoolhouse, and the owner, John B. Thompson, granting its use for the purpose, a Sunday school was organized December 19th. The officers then chosen were: Superintendent, David T. Stackhouse; Assistant Superintendent, Robert Charles; Secretary, Addie McCully; Treasurer, Mrs. S. A. Tustin; Librarian, Edwin B. Robbins.
The work began December 27th, with nine teachers and thirty-six pupils. In April 1864, the school was removed to the office of Furbush & Gage's machinery factory, and from thence to the house of Hiram McCormick, where it remained until December 4th, when the new mission building at Tenth Street and Penn was first occupied. In 1866 J. H. Kain became superintendent, and, October 19, 1869, was succeeded by John T. Bottomley, who still fills the office. In 1872 J. Willard Morgan was made secretary, and has since performed the duties of that position. Under this management the school prospered, and through it the North Baptist Church received quite an accession to its membership.
In 1880 ground was purchased at Ninth and Linden, and a neat brick chapel erected, designed by Arthur Truscott, with a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty in the audience room. This chapel was dedicated free of debt, October 2, 1881. The mission had now become strong enough to walk alone and, December 17, 1885, the twenty-second anniversary of the mission, a meeting was held, at which it was decided to constitute a church, to be called the Linden Baptist Church. John T. Bottomley and B. M. Denny were elected deacons; Elmer E. Morton, clerk; William Hall, treasurer; and J. W. Morgan, F. W. Cramer, Dr. William S. Moslander, William Hall, Mary B. Howard and Agnes Nash, trustees. William H. Geistweit accepted a call to the pastorate, and was ordained January 25, 1886, by a council of Baptist Churches, which, at the same time, recognized the church, preliminary to its admission into the West New Jersey Baptist Association.
Additional Notes by Phillip Cohen — 2004
In the early 1900s Arthur Truscott was called on again to design a new church building for the Linden Baptist Congregation. The new church opened October 3, 1909. Besides founder John T. Bottomley, Mrs. Lucretia S. Read was deeply involved in the church during these years.
Linden Baptist remained a Camden landmark for many years. On July 23, 1954 the church and school were destroyed by fire. Three area youths were arrested and charged with arson. A church and school building were built to replace the lost edifice and is still in use. This building, however, is hardly the architectural equal of the Truscott-designed building.
Proposed Church Illustrations, 1907
Illustrations for the proposed Linden Street Baptist Church, 1907.
Linden Baptist Bible School and proposed New Church, Camden, N. J.
Linden Baptist Church — 1909
Right: Opening Day at the Church. Below: The 1909 Church.
The Original Linden Baptist Church, 1880–1909
The original Linden Baptist Church, 9th & Linden Streets, 1880 to 1909.
Certificate for Perfect Attendance 1887, awarded to Lilly Thompson. Miss Thompson later married future Camden police chief, Arthur Colsey.
* The will of William T. Read…
Philadelphia Inquirer —
* The will of William T. Read, a real estate broker, which was filed yesterday, leaves his estate, said to be worth $100,000, to his widow and son, except these legacies: Linden Baptist Church, $500; Mary Campbell, $2,000; John Campbell, $1,000.
William T. Read — Mary Campbell — John Campbell
Linden Baptists in Their Handsome New Home
Camden Post-Telegram —
Linden Baptist church, Camden
S. Conrad Ott. John T. Bottomley. The Rev. George W. Peck.
Yesterday was the day of accomplishment and the day of new beginnings for the Linden Baptist Church.
It was the day in which the church moved into its handsome new building at the northeast corner of Ninth and Linden streets. That was the accomplishment of a dream long indulged in. The new building gives greater and broader and better opportunities for work. That is the new beginning.
The church building is really one of the ornaments of this city. In every line there is beauty, symmetry and dignity. One of the visitors to the Bible-school’s portion of the services yesterday afternoon was Henry D. Moore, of Haddonfield. In the course of a conversation, Mr. Moore declared without doubt that Linden Church has the handsomest church building in the country. Rev. William H. Geistwelt, D.D., the first pastor of the church, was another visitor, and he declared that he had travelled all over the world and nowhere was there a building that was more beautiful. All Camden may well be proud of the achievement of this church, therefore, from an architectural and aesthetic point of view, in addition to the natural pride of all people in the achievement of increased moral force and the ability to accomplish more for the up(lift) of humanity.
The exterior of the new building is of brick, surmounted by a concrete dome of magnificent, sweeping proportions. This dome is of itself more or less of a curiosity because of the advance it marks in building. It is new; absolutely new, and it, too, is an achievement of skill. The main entrance to the building is at the corner of Ninth and Linden streets. Entering the church you find yourself passing through two vestibules, the outer one of which at once takes the place of the usual unsightly storm doors. The floors of these vestibules are tiles, the word “Linden” being a part of the design in the outer one. It is when you reach the main door to the audience room that you are almost swept off your mental feet by the sight that bursts upon you. Above stretches the great dome. In the very apex of this in ancient Hebrew is the word “Jehovah”, from which there radiates great bursts of light in gold. At each of the intersections in the panels of the dome there is in relief a large gold star - one hundred and twenty-eight of them in all of the dome. The dome is supported by sixteen great white columns and is itself finished in white. The thought here expressed is Jehovah in the centre of the firmament shedding over all the light of His love and grace. The walls are finished in a light canary and the maple floor is carpeted in green. The rich color effect is most striking and so decidedly harmonious as to be almost surprising.
The pulpit is in the east and the circular appearance of the interior is broken by the extending lines of the apse back of the platform and into which the latter is built. The choir is in the north and this platform will accommodate a chorus of fifty to seventy-five. In the northeast corner, between pulpit and choir, so to speak, is the baptismal pool. This is also something entirely new. It is built low so that those in the audience may look down into the water. The parlor [sic] and candidates in entering the pool walk down a gentle incline, so that the whole give the representation of walking down the banks of a river and is an effort to reproduce in a way the baptism in the Jordan. Over the pool is the test: “Repent and Be Baptized.” This text, too, is in gold.
The pews and furnishings are what is technically called “modern English,” but most people refer to it as “weathered oak,” “antique oak,” etc. It is dark green in color. The pews are arranged in amphitheatre form. The robing rooms for candidates for baptism are in the crypt under the pulpit platform. The pastor’s study is to the south of the pulpit.
The architect was Arthur Truscott, of Merchantville, who was assisted by Arnold H. Moses, also of Merchantville. It is a curious fact that twenty-eight years ago yesterday there was opened and dedicated the old building that stood on this corner, and which a year ago last July was torn down to make room for this. Mr. Truscott, when a young architect, planned that building. John T. Bottomley, then and now superintendent of the Bible-school told him that some day a handsome building should go there and that he should draw the plans. When the time came to draw the plans the promise of a quarter of a century ago was redeemed and Mr. Truscott planned the new edifice. The church itself built the building. Turner & Stewart, of this city, were the supervising contractors, but the church was its own builder, the work being in charge of the following committee: James J. Myers, secretary; Robert J. McAuley, treasurer; Rev. George W. Peck, Jr., John T. Bottomley, Victor S. Pike, Albert Adams, Albert Senemeck, Joseph W. Graham, Mrs. L. S. Read, Miss Agnes Naso, Mrs. Ellen Enwistle, Mrs. Matilda Crumley, William H. King, Edwin Hillman, Frank W. Cramer, Harvey L. Restrick, Harry E. Booz, Albert E. Heal, Jonn Hill [sic], G. Walter Lees, J. G. Reeves, Randolph Cramer, Lewis A. Linnekin and J. Willard Morgan.
And now to return to yesterday’s services. It was a red letter day that began with a men’s prayer service in the Bible-school building, led by Deacons Albert Scherneck and Joseph W. Graham at 10 o’clock in the morning and closing with an evangelistic appeal by Dr. Geistwelt at 10 o’clock at night. There was music and speeches all day long with a grand triumphal march of the Bible-school in the afternoon, when the scholars gave a thank offering amounting to nearly $500, and this, too, with no especial appeal - barely with announcement. In fact, the services lacked the element so frequently seen of making the day one of begging for funds. Not a special collection was taken all day and none will be taken for this fund during the three weeks that yet remain of services.
Pastor George Williams Peck presided at the morning service. The prayer was offered by Dr. Geistwelt and Rev. Dr. Milton G. Evans, president of Croz’er Theological Seminary, preached the opening sermon. At the close of the sermon Mrs. Elmer E. Morton called the roll of “Linden’s honored dead” and this was followed with a memorial prayer by Deacon S. Conrad Ott. The choir sang “Asleep in Jesus,” and thus was the memory honored of the pioneers who went across the river before seeing the fruition of their labors. One new member received the right hand of fellowship at the close of the service, the communion service concluding it all.
In the afternoon Superintendent John T. Bottomley had the Bible-school in charge, assisted by Associate Superintendents Edwin Hillma [sic], Randolph Cramer and S. Conrad Ott. Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Sophie R. Carter, the two who in 1863 made the house to house canvass to ascertain whether or not there was need for a Bible-school in the northeastern section of the city, spoke to the great host of assembled scholars telling of things of the early days. Then came a rousing address by Dr. Geistwelt, a talk full of inspiration and pointing to the greater things ahead. It was at this service that Architect Truscott was presented to the audience and received a Chautauqua salute.
In the evening Pastor Peck presided and preached a sermon that was fitted to the occasion and was a fitting conclusion to the great day, his theme being “The Church and the World.” At this service it was found that the building was all too small to hold the people who had come to see and hear. Built to accommodate in the sittings about 700 persons, fully 1,500 were crowded within the doors, many were turned away and an overflow meeting of some 200 young people who sacrificed their places in the church to make room for strangers was held in the Bible-school building. It was a great outpouring of people surely. It was at this service that the beautiful effects of the lighting scheme was seen. Great globes containing tungsten burners of high power are suspended form [sic] the dome by cords of white wire. The effect is most beautiful. This feature was designed by Richard T. Eschler, of Richter & Eschler of this city and is most effective.
Following the pastor’s sermon, fifteen candidates were baptized by him in the new pool and then came the closing evangelistic appeal by Dr. Geistwelt and the benediction.
The choir rendered its music most effectively under the direction of Chorister George K. McGonigle, Miss Caroline W. Colby presiding at the organ. The soloists of the day were Herbert J. Starn, Clarence Hope, Eugene Adams and John N. Young. At both serviced [sic] of the church the following poem by Pastor Peck was suns [sic] a “Linden’s Prayer:”
In humble thanks we gather here
To praise Thee Lord of Life,
For Thou has [sic] saved us from the fear
Of overwhelming strife.
And Thou hast brought us to this hour
When in our new church home
We recognise Thy salient power
And pray Thy Spirit Come!
Yea lead us Lord, we need Thee now;
To save our hearts from pride!
Such human splendor her [sic] below
May wean Thee from Thy side.
We rather would the closer draw
And harder work for thee
And teach some weaker soul Thy law
That they may too be free!
Oh God of light enthroned above!
Oh lord, o’er time and space!
We know Thee only, by Thy love
For none have seen Thy face.
But this our honest prayer we raise
And none can stronger be;
To do Thy will through all our days
To prove our thanks to Thee!
There will be special services all this week which is know [sic] as “Occupation Week.” To-night is “Old Linden Night” when John T. Bottomley will preside and Rev. William G. Russell, who for ten years was pastor of this church, will make the principal address. Mr. Bottomley and Associate Superintendents Hillman, Cramer and Ott, Secretary of the trustees Frank W. Cramer and “Emergency Pastor” Miles S. Read, will give some recollections. To-morrow night is Women’s Night; Wednesday, Young People’s Night; Thursday, Inter-Denominational Night, and Friday, Baptist Night.
Next Sunday marks the opening of “Evangelization Week,” which is really two weeks, as on Monday night of next week Rev. Dr. John J. Wicker, the well known evangelist, will begin two week’s work at Linden, services being held every night and concluding with a series of all day services on October 24th.
Photos
Rev. George W. Peck Jr. — John T. Bottomley
Left: Linden Baptist Church School Staff, 1917. Below left: Vacation Bible School, 1927. Below right: Interior of Church Sanctuary.
Linden Baptist Bible School — Interior of Church Sanctuary.
Camden at a Glance
Philadelphia Inquirer —
In the absence of Rev. John W. Lyell, who is recuperating after an operation for appendicitis, Rev. Robert Henry Middleditch preached at the First Baptist Church yesterday.
Members of Running Deer Council, No. 52, Daughters of Pocahontas, of Gloucester City, were addressed by Rev. William Grum at the Trinity M. E. Church last night.
Delegations from Trimble Lodge of Masons, Nonpareil Lodge of Odd Fellows, Ottawa Tribe of Red Men and other organizations yesterday attended the funeral of William I. J. Phillips, who was found dead in bed Thursday at his home at Third and Arch streets. Interment was made at Sharptown, Md.
Beginning tonight, members of the Andrews Baraca Class of the Linden Baptist Bible School will conduct evangelistic services all this week. Well-known spiritual workers are scheduled to address the meetings.
Here and There in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
“Food Control and the President’s Plea for Beer” was the subject of Rev. H. J. Vosburgh’s address at North Baptist Church last night.
The funeral of Mrs. Anna Greenan, wife of Hugh Greenan, who died Thursday took place yesterday from her home at 412 Viola street, interment being made at Harleigh.
Rev. Trela D. Collins, pastor of Linden Baptist Church, was the speaker at the service held yesterday afternoon at Forest Hill Park, under the direction of the Y. M. C. A.
Mrs. Elizabeth E. Davis — James L. Davis
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Mrs. Elizabeth E. Davis — James L. Davis. Click image for PDF file.
Christmas Music Popular
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden churches were yesterday marked by services appropriate to the season of Christmas, the various pastors preaching sermons and augmented choirs rendering special musical programmes. At the North Baptist Church there was a delegation of marines from the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Rev. H. J. Vosburgh, the pastor, speaking on “The Influence of the Invisible World.” Matthew’s cantata, “The Story of Christmas,” was given at the Linden Baptist Church with a large chorus. At the Emmanuel Baptist Church the Cornish male chorus gave Christmas music.
Linden Baptist Baseball Team
Camden Courier-Post —
Linden Baptist Basketball Team
Camden Courier-Post —
First Baptist Church Begins 120th Anniversary Celebration
Camden Courier-Post —
Congregation Organized in Camden in 1818; Seminary Head Preaches
Reunion Service to Be Held Friday
Organized February 5, 1818, when Camden was a village of fewer than 900 residents, the First Baptist Church of Camden yesterday began celebration of its 120th anniversary. It will continue with special services and music Wednesday and Friday nights. The program was arranged by Rev. Elwood A. Harrar, pastor since 1922.
A large congregation attended the opening anniversary worship service at 10.30 a. m., in the church edifice, Fourth and Arch streets, which succeeded the first meeting house built in 1818 and the second erected in 1839.
The anniversary sermon was delivered by Rev. Dr. James H. Franklin, president of Crozier Theological Seminary, Chester, Pa., of which Rev. Harrar is a trustee.
Citing the physical changes that have occurred in 120 years Dr. Franklin pointed out that the needs of man in respect to his moral character and human relationships have not changed and that the church is as necessary today as it ever was.
“The message of the church today must deal with all phases of human relationships, social, economic and political, as well as religious,” Dr. Franklin declared.
At this service there was music by the junior and senior choirs of the church.
Celebration in the Bible School, also in the morning, was prefaced by greetings from Randolph Cramer, president of the Camden County Council of Religious Education.
Mrs. Bennett Speaks
Mrs. Harold W. Bennett, wife of City Commissioner Bennett, spoke on missionary activities and exhibited curios from the Congo, Africa, where she was born, a daughter of missionary parents, and where a sister and a brother-in-law are now engaged in mission work. Rev. Chester A. Pennington was soloist and Miss Grace Hill violinist in a musical program.
The night service was a “Celebration in Music,” at which Rev. Harrar spoke on the place of music in religion. The Baseler Harp Ensemble, one of Philadelphia's notable musical organizations, and the church choir provided the musical features of the celebration.
On Wednesday night the program includes a spiritual fellowship service, reception of new members and communion service.
Reunion Service Friday
Rev. Ivan Murray Rose, D.D., pastor of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, mother church of the Camden body, will address the congregation at an anniversary reunion service Friday night. Greetings will be received from the churches which have grown out of the Camden church. These greetings will be extended by the pastors of the various churches. They are as follows:
Rev. Walter S. Dunlop, North Church; Rev. Walter L. Hunt, Tabernacle Church; Rev. Culbert G. Rutenber, Linden Church; Rev. C. W. Dannenhower, Parkside Church; Rev. Antonio Galloppi, Italian Church; Rev. Paul Bramball, Laurel Springs Church; Rev. David J. Davis, Oaklyn Church, and Rev. Gilbert L. Guffin, Merchantville Church.
Officers of the First Baptist Church of Camden are Atlie M. Ward, president of board of trustees; F. Y. MacCullough, president board of deacons; Frank B. Gail, treasurer; Ida M. Subers, financial secretary; Howard H. Westcott, clerk; Raymond B. Heston, organist and director of choir and J. Alpheus V. Harker, Sunday School superintendent.
Chinese Baptism Here Tomorrow
Camden Courier-Post —
Ceremony to Take Place at Linden Baptist Church
Tomorrow marks the close of the first year of the pastorate of the Rev. Eldon W. Koch at Linden Baptist Church, Ninth and Linden streets. Tomorrow also marks the start of the Happy Twilight Hour service at the church, with young people of the church in charge of the first half hour. Mildred Anderson will have charge of tomorrow's services. Dolly Wilson will read from the Scriptures, Catherine Chadwick will offer prayer and Florence Stires will be soloist. Francis Uffelman will be the tenor soloist at the morning service.
Rev. John Lee Young — At Baptism
Fifteen Chinese and one Occidental will be baptized tomorrow at 2:30 p. m. by the Rev. John Lee Young, of the Chinese Grace Faith Mission, New York City. The ceremony, which will be open to the public, will be held as in former years in the pool at Linden Baptist Church, Ninth and Linden streets.
The ceremony will mark the sixth Chinese baptism exercise held in Camden. Mr. Young, formerly of Camden, is a former pupil of Mrs. James Muir, of 598 Carman street, who has given religious instruction to Orientals here for 40 years. He is also prison chaplain.
Tomorrow's group will be the largest to participate in the ceremonies. In 1933, the first year of the service, six were baptized; in 1935, 13; in 1937, six; in 1938, 12, and last year, 12. C. Harold Lowden will play the organ and Bessie Wing will lead the singing. Those who will be baptized tomorrow are Miriam Helen Moshag, Priscilla Virginia Moshang, Dolores Frances Wilson, Kum Rose Wong, Alan Chin, Adelaide Chin, Mrs. Helen Chin, Timothy Theodore Ng, Daniel Edward Lui, Lincoln Ng, David W. Gong, Lillian Yet Yow, Judge George Chin, Paul Choy, Peter Wong, K. Jow. James Soi Chong.
Mrs. James Muir — Carman Street
Happy Twilight Hour at Linden Baptist
Camden Courier-Post —
At the happy twilight hour at Linden Baptist Church, Ninth and Linden streets tomorrow at 7 p. m. Virginia Raeuber will be in charge, with Miss Ethelwyn Walton reading the Scriptures, Vincent Taylor making the prayer, and Mrs. Ethel Richardson providing the solo.
The Rev. Eldon W. Koch, the pastor, took part in a Bible Conference in New York State last Monday and Tuesday. He will start his vacation the second Sunday in August, returning for the second Sunday in September.
Easter Baptisms at Linden Baptist
Camden Courier-Post —
Twelve persons, who were baptised on Easter Sunday night at Linden Baptist Church, Ninth and Linden streets, will be formally welcomed into church membership at 7:30 p.m., Sunday by the pastor, the Rev. B. Ellsworth Snoddy.
The Four-Alarm Fire That Destroyed Linden Baptist Church
The four-alarm fire that destroyed Linden Baptist Church, July 23, 1954. Camden Fire Department photos by Robert Bartosz.
The Day After — July 24, 1954
The four-alarm fire that destroyed Linden Baptist Church — the day after, July 24, 1954. Photos courtesy of Warren Fairess, from the collection of his mother, Marie Fisbeck Fairess.
Dr. Harrar Inducted as Moderator Here
Camden Courier-Post —
Installation Marks Final Session of Baptist Association’s 43d Conference
Dr. Elwood A. Harrar, pastor of First Baptist Church, elected moderator of the Camden Baptist Association, was installed last night, at the close of its forty-second annual session. More than 100 Baptist ministers and laymen of South Jersey attended the meeting, which opened Tuesday in Linden Baptist Church. Dr. Harrar succeeds Rev. R. B. Mahoney.
Yesterday’s session started with worship at 9.30 a. m., followed by reports submitted by Rev. John G. Fryer, treasurer and preacher; Hinson V. Howlett, resolutions; Mr. Hayne, evangelism; Rev. Raymond P. Wilson, permanent council, and F. I. Sigmund, obituaries.
There was a talk by Mr. Hayne, followed by an address by J. Milnor Wilbur, whose topic was “The Baptist Institute for Christian Workers.” Kate S. Thompson spoke on “Baptist Home for the Aged.” A symposium and discussion on Bible school work followed.
The afternoon session was opened with a report of women’s work by Mrs. Thomas N. Martin. Nannie Burroughs, president of the National Training School for Women and Girls, also spoke. The meeting concluded with a pageant, “A Dream With a Mission,” by the Missionary Society of North Baptist Church.
Last night’s meeting opened with a praise service, after which the new moderator was installed. A report of the committee on religious education was given by Rev. C. W. Dannenhauer, followed by a symposium on church problems.