Historian's Message: History of Grace Church
from the booklet, Historical Society of the Massapequas
Celebrates the Anniversaries: 140th Grace Church, 325th Meadowlands (1984)
Celebrates the Anniversaries: 140th Grace Church, 325th Meadowlands (1984)
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Major Thomas Jones and his wife Freelove, our first non-Native American settlers, built their brick house in 1697. For almost 150 years thereafter the family traveled to St. George's Episcopal Church in Hempstead. Surely the distance of this horse and carriage journey prompted the local families to gather in 1844 for talk of organizing a church here in South Oyster Bay. Thomas Lawrence was Chairman, Henry Hone took over as Secretary, and Elbert Floyd Jones was in charge of collecting monies to build a church. His father, General Thomas Floyd-Jones, the great great grandson of Major Thomas Jones, donated the land.
As first built, the exterior of the building was clapboad with etched diamond shaped leaded glass windows. Decorative wood drim outlined the interior. It stood back from a tree shaded road bordering fields and meadowland that ran to the waters of our south shore. The north side of the road was dotted with the Victorian splendor of gracious homes, some bearing Algonquian names such as Unqua, "The Furthest," Sewan, meaning "shell," and [the] Massapequa Manor. The church was closed from Christmas to Easter as most of the congregation wintered in New York City. The first rector to be called was William A. Curtis. Until 1862 there were five more staying from three months to two years, some were traveling clergy only coming by for |
services. The Reverend S. Stebbins Stocking was next in line staying until 1890. The Reverend William Wiley, according to his gravestone in the cemetery alongside the church, spent 36 happy years with us. It was during that time that a growing church family prompted renovation that enlarged the church to hold 150 people. The clapboad was replaced with shingles, the trim was added, and the church looked as it does today. In 1905 letters of thanks were written to thoses who gave the memorial stained glass windows. In 1928 Edgar E. Brice became our Rector. In 1933 Edward E. Rogers came to stay for ten years. Edward J. Bubb was Rector from 1944 to 1946 and the Reverend Rogers returned until 1948 when John Malcolm Haight replaced him. Father Haight was with us for 26 years, and John X. Jobson just celebrated his 10th anniversary at Grace Church.
And so Grace Church grew. We moved into the new building in September of 1960, and when it became apparent that Old Grace Church oulived its original purpose it was rescued by the Historical Society of the Massapequas and given "National Landmark Status." Now at the 140th Anniversary of Grace Church, as the new church turns to its 25th year, we continue to look toward the future. Across Merrick Road, Old Grace Church stands as a precious reminder of our past and the pride that the people of the Massapequas have in their heritage. |
- Lillian Bryson -
(1984)
