Footnotes to Long Island History
Coram Church Story
Told
December 23, 1954
by
Thomas R. Bayles
(Editor’s
Note: This article is based on an unpublished manuscript of an address
by Mr. Bayles’ father, Richard M. Bayles, a well-known Long Island
historian. The address was delivered at the Coram church in 1893.)
In 1847 the
old Baptist meeting house, having served its day and generation, was
torn down, and its materials used in the construction of a house in Prot
Jefferson. The Baptist church had died out and no doubt a condition of
great spiritual indifference existed. It was time for a more decided
and aggressive work to begin.
At what
date the first services conducted by the Methodist preachers were held
in this vicinity we cannot definitely say. No organized attempt was
made towards establishing a church here previous to the decade 1830-40.
At some
time during that period meetings were held in the schoolhouse under the
shadow of the Presbyterian church at Middle Island. As was the case in
many other communities, the Methodists had here to contend with some
popular prejudices.
On one
occasion when the Rev. Mr. Martindale had appointed a meeting there he
and his hearers found the schoolhouse door locked against them.
However, the locked schoolhouse door did not prevent the religious
service from being held, for the minister gathered the hearers in the
street adjoining, and there beneath the twinkling stars of a pleasant
evening and the wide spreading branches of a group of centenary oaks the
proposed service was held. The society, which at that time numbered
about 16 members, now set about the work of building a house of
worship.
The new
church was completed in 1841, and its location was on the south side of
Middle Country road about 80 rods west of the Presbyterian church at
Middle Island. Directly after the dedication of this house of worship a
series of meetings, continuing for 15 days, were held in it, and the
church received six additional members.
About a
year later, in the latter part of December, 1842, a series of meetings
was begun, conducted by the Rev. Elbert Osborn, his opening address
being founded on the motto, “The Battle Is the Lord’s.”
This was
one of the most remarkable revivals ever witnessed in this locality.
Meetings were held daily at 11 a. m. in the morning and 6:30 p. m. and
continued for 33 days. In that time about 75 conversions took place,
and young men and women, middle aged men and those with gray hair were
brought to a turning point in their lives, and, extending through many
years of their lives afterward, proved that the reformation was deep,
earnest, real and lasting.
A half
century has passed, and nearly all the actors in that impressive period
have passed with the fleeting years, but verily their works do follow
them. The influence of that time may be easily traced to the present.
The church
remained on its site at Middle Island until the early part of the year
1858, when it was taken down and moved to its present location on the
site formerly occupied by the Baptist church. While the work was in
progress a revival of great power began, and the church not being in a
condition to accommodate meetings, they were held in the ballroom of a
former tavern. This house stood on the corner opposite and eastward
from the house now owned by Mr. Brush, formerly known as the O’Dougherty
place.
That old
ballroom was during the spring of 1858 the scene of great religious
interest. Meetings were held for several weeks and an awakening was
felt in other neighborhoods as well. Twenty-one members were added to
the church soon after.
We have
briefly given you some of the fragmentary items of the history of this
church. When we look at the efforts which have been made by those who
have preceded us to pass along the light of Gospel truth, and the
blessings of its influence to those who are to follow us, we should be
nerved and stimulated to serve our own day and generation so that those
who come after us may point with gratitude to the work that we have
done. May this little band of Christians prove themselves worthy
successors to the noble and vigorous characters who laid the foundations
of this church.