THE TOWN OF RYE. 1 95 



The old church was erected in 1788, and has since been sold ; and 

 now stands on the Milton road, and is used as a private residence. 



A new parsonage was commenced in 1878, and finished in the Fall of 

 the same year. It is built of stone, in Queen Anne's style, directly op- 

 posite, on the south side of the church. 



There is Grace chapel at Milton, where services are held regularly by 

 the rector of Christ's church, Rye. 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RYE. 



According to report, Methodism was introduced into this part of Rye 

 about 1802. The marriage of Esther, widow of John Griffen, of Mam- 

 aroneck, to Ezekiel Halsted, of Rye, in that year, was the occasion of it. 

 Mrs, Griffen had united with the Methodist Episcopal church before her 

 marriage to Mr. Halsted. Whilst Mr. E. Halstead was a member of the 

 Congregational church in Greenwich, soon after his marriage he identi- 

 fied himself with the Methodist. 



The Methodists for many years occupied the Presbyterian church in 

 connection with that body ; but differences springing up between them 

 in 1832, they ceased to use the church ; and the same year a lot, com- 

 prising half an acre, was bought and a church erected. 



In 1853 a house and four acres of land, situated on the turnpike, 

 about half a mile from the church, were bought for a parsonage. In 

 1855, the trustees bought eight acres of land for a cemetery; to this, 

 nearly seven acres have been added. 



In 1855, the trustees sold the parsonage; and in i860 bought land di- 

 rectly opposite the church and built a parsonage. In March, 1864, the 

 church was remodelled at an expense of $4,000. Lately the property 

 adjoining the church, consisting of two and a half acres, was bought for 

 $10,000. A Sunday-school room was built, a house on the premises 

 was altered for a parsonage, and other improvements made at a cost of 

 about $5,000, and the old parsonage was sold." 



South of the village lies Peningoe Neck, commonly called Brown's 

 Point, one mile and a half in extent. The extremity of the point in the 

 neighborhood of the Scotch Caps, has been considerably undermined by 

 the constant action of the waves. The eastern shore of the neck has 

 also receded, before the same destructive element. The beach, on Rye 

 flats, is a well-known and favorite bathing place. It also commands an 

 extensive view of the Sound. The name of Parsonage Point has been 

 conferred on the south-east projection. At present the principal propri- 



a Baird's History of Eye. 



