Footnotes to Long Island History
Manorville Presbyterian Church
by
Thomas R. Bayles
Another
landmark in Brookhaven town that goes back 150 years is the Brookfield
Presbyterian church in Manorville which was organized by the Long Island
Presbytery
on April, 19 1796, through the efforts of Jonathan Robinson.
Previous
to that time Mr. Robinson had been conducting services at his home for several
years as he realized there was no church in what was then an isolated settlement
in the middle of the island.
His
work was recognized by Presbytery, for in October, 1788, according to Prime's
history, "they expressed their approbation of the course Mr. Robinson had
pursued, and recognized him as a sort of catechist, to lead the devotions of
that retired and and isolated community, and besides reading well selected
sermons, to give them a word of exhortation."
On the 26th of November, 1807, the Presbytery met at the
"Brookfield Meeting House," which was
the home of Mr. Robinson, and ordained him to the work of the ministry as pastor
of the Brookfield church. He continued in this work until his death in 1824.
In 1839
the present church building was erected which was during the ministry of the
Rev. Thomas Owen.
The
first Sunday school was organized in 1840 with Captain Seth Raynor as its first
superintendent.
The
Rev. Phineas Robinson, son of the first pastor, was born here in 1798. He was a
graduate of Hamilton college and Princeton Theological seminary and was active
as a minister and teacher until his death in 1871 in Franklinville. He occupied
the pulpit in the Brookfield church at various times.
The
bell was added to the church about 1875.
Centennial
service was held in the church in 1896. Historical sketches of the church were
delivered by Thomas Thompson and Seth Raynor.
According
to Edward E. Raynor who is one of the oldest officers of the church, who is one
of the oldest officers of the church, services have been conducted throughout
all years of the history of the church.
Ministers
who have served this church during the one hundred years of its existence
included the following after the death of Mr. Robinson (The year listed refers
to the year each minister began his service.)
The
Rev. Edward Harris 1824; the Rev. Alfred Ketcham 1831; the Rev. Mr.Moase 1844;
the Rev. Joseph Nimmo 1836; the Rev. Ezra King 1836; the Rev. Thomas Owens
1838; the Rev. Charles S. Lord 1845
From
1845 to 1874 services were conducted by visiting ministers next came
The
Rev. William H. Seeley 1874; the Rev. Charles J. Young, The Rev. William B. Lee
and the Rev. Albert B. King from 1877 to 1887; The Rev. James S. Brockington
1887; The Rev. Samuel Whaley 1893; The Rev John Willis 1893.
Since
1933 the church has been under the leadership of the Rev. William Stewart in
connection with the churches in Middle Island and Yaphank. Services are held
Sunday morning with preaching at 9 o'clock and Sunday school at 10 am.