THE TOWN OF WHITE PLAINS. 549 



METHODIST CHURCH, WHITE PLAINS. 



Methodism was introduced in Wiiite Plains in the year 1775, by the 

 Rev. Cornelius Cook. The first Methodist Episcopal church was built 

 in 1795, when Revs. Thomas Woolsey, Albert Van Nostrand and Jason 

 Perkins were the preachers on the circuit which embraced White Plains. 

 This church was forty four feet square ; and when completed, ready for 

 dedication, it was burned. At a meeting, called on the evening of the 

 same day, it was resolved to rebuild at once, and six hundred dollars was 

 subscribed on the spot for that purpose ; and it is said that some of the 

 members were in the roads felling trees and preparing timber before the 

 smoking embers were extinguished. 



The first Methodist Episcopal church now standing on Broadway, 

 larger than its predecessor — sprang Phcenix-like from the ashes of the 

 old — and when dedicated was the second Methodist Episcopal church 

 north of the city of N ew York. 



In the year 1836 the third Methodist church was built next door to 

 the parsonage of the Memorial church — a little less than one mile south 

 of the old church. 



In 1863 the village was constituted a separate charge, and the Rev. 

 Gideon Draper appointed pastor, who remained two years. In the 

 years 1865 and 1866, Rev. W. M. Chipp was pastor ; Rev. J. P. Her- 

 mane, 1S67; in 1868 and 1869, Rev. J. W. Beach; in 1870, the Rev. 

 E. B. Otherman; in 187 1 the Rev. Richard Wheatley became pastor. 

 During his pastorate, which continued until the Conference, 1873, the 

 Memorial M. E. church was built. Great credit is due to the Rev. Dr. 

 Wheatley for his untiring efforts, good taste and sound judgment in this 

 really greatest enterprise of the M. E Church of White Plains. It con- 

 tains the memorial tablets of many of the great and good men who were, 

 indeed, giants in their day. The Memorial Church was dedicated on Sab- 

 bath, May 18, 1873; on the previous Saturday able and appropriate ser- 

 mons were preached by Rev. C. D. Foss, D.D., and Rev. Bishop Janes. 

 On Sabbath morning Bishop Simpson preached a very able sermon from 

 2d Peter i : 19. Rev. Dr. Eddy preached in the afternoon. In the evening 

 the Rev. Bishop Hasen preached an able and appropriate sermon from 

 Psalm 1:2. On Sabbath morning, July 13, 1874, memorial services, 

 appropriate to the unveiling of the tablets (placed at the base of the 

 church windows) were held. Rev. Daniel Curry, D.D., Rev. J. B. 

 Wakeley, D.D., and Elijah Miller, Esq., were the speakers. 



The Rev. W. F. Hatfield was the pastor of this church at the time it 

 was dedicated, and of the unveiling of the tablets. He remained three 



