The Little Church Around the Corner

Recently, my friend and colleague Jeff Marshall sent me an article asking if a particular referenced building was the Makefield Monastery. The article was from September 11th, 1880 and the monastery only existed for a brief period in 1895 so I quickly surmised that it couldn't have been that. The article says

Adolphus Y. Watson having obtained possession of the Church building at Jericho, in Upper Makefield, so long in dispute, has concluded to remove it and make a wagon house of it. - Thus holy places are desecrated.

If it wasn't the Monastery, and it was too early to be Woodhill Chapel, then what church in Upper Makefield were they talking about? We went back and forth a few times, but the bottom line is that neither of us had heard of this before. I needed a new research topic, so I set about discovering what I could about this forgotten church.

Adolphus Y. Watson is on the 1876 Atlas owning the house that today sits at 100 Stonybrook Rd. The  surrounding property is now the Sycamore Farms development and extended across Stonybrook Rd to Brownsburg Rd, where it formed two triangle shaped parcels. The middle triangle has Stony Brook running directly through the center of that parcel and the upper is at the base of Jericho Mountain. 

1876 Atlas

If we look at the 2008 Upper Makefield Subdivision Map we see that the middle triangle parcel is still part of the property, though the upper is not. 

Modern Roads View

Note that we see an extension of today's Shannon Rd that no longer exists, which once connected Woodhill Rd directly to Brownsburg. In fact, that road once extended even further, over the mountain, and was the main thoroughfare before Eagle Rd was realigned through J. Merrick's (on this atlas) property, splitting the barn from the main house. This stretch of road over the mountain was known as "Chatter Lane", according to local historian Harry W. Van Horn, and once contained a village of log houses with stone walls to keep them from tumbling down the mountain.

Samuel Merrick Property 1916

General Nathaniel Greene made his headquarters in the Samuel Merrick house prior to the crossing of the Delaware. In this picture we see Eagle Rd leading to Jericho Mountain bisecting the farm. Today it is two separate properties, and the 1773 main house as well as the circa 1800 barn and carriage house are deservingly well-preserved.

Surprised I'd never come across this church before, and only knowing the ending to the story, I started a few searches in the Newtown Enterprise for the years surrounding the article and in no time had something to work with.

The first mention of any church in the neighborhood is on October 9th, 1875.

A new church is to be built on Jericho Mountain, near the Eagle. It is to be commenced at once, and finished by Christmas. It is to belong to the "Christian" society, but we have not heard who is to be its pastor, or any further particulars.

Three months later we see an advertisement for the opening of the church, with a Reverend James M. Burdick presiding over the dedication.

Jan 15, 1876 Newtown Enterprise

On January 22nd, 1876 the paper published an article about the opening of the church.

Opening Of A New Church - The new Church recently erected near "Jericho Hill", on ground generously donated by Mr. Adolphus Watson, and who also, together with other liberal minded citizens, contributed freely toward the construction of the building proper, was opened for worship on Sunday last, with fitting services. The edifice is said to be the result of the recent revival at Lurgen (sic), and we hear this new Church is undenominational - that is doors will be open to all who believe in Christ crucified. In appearance, the building is plainly constructed in pine boards, with a capacity for seating over a hundred persons. It starts forth under very favorable circumstances, and it is believed will do much good in the neighborhood, no other house of worship being nearer than three or four miles. The pulpit will be occupied during each service by some minister or layman at the command of the officers of the Church. Rev. Burdick and J.W.S. Johnson conducted the services. The building will be dedicated on Sunday.

There was excitement at the prospect of a new place of worship in a location that seemed convenient for the neighborhood, as there were no other churches in the vicinity. The papers reported on the dedication the next week, January 29, 1876.

Dedicated - The new Free Christian Church located in Upper Makefield, near the upper course of the stream of water known as Stony Brook, "where the rugged pine in its lonely price, leans groomily over the murky side", was dedicated last Sunday afternoon by the Rev. Mr. Burdick of Wilmington, Del., assisted by the Rev. J.W.S. Johnson, of Frenchtown, N.J. The attendance was surprisingly large, and had the weather been more auspicious, the belief is that the edifice would have been filled to overflowing. All the young men of this neighborhood were there with their sisters or somebody else's sister - and entered into the exercises with the true Christian spirit. In the rear of the pulpit, in bold and beautiful letters, were the words: "Come to Jesus," and "Ye must be born again."... Services have been held in this church every evening during the week. There is a small indebtedness yet remaining on the edifice, to liquidate which every worthy effort available is being made.

Five months later we find a notice in the paper that the church is going in a different direction and would now be known as the Congregational Methodist Church of Upper Makefield and would hold an "old-fashioned Methodist Love Feast" the next week. 

June 3, 1876 Newtown Enterprise

Shorty after the announcement of this denominational shift we find a lengthy article that gives a synopsis of the congregation and outlines some of the problems happening at the little church. A power struggle was brewing between some of the founders of the church and Burdick. June 10, 1867:

Congregational Methodist Church of Upper Makefield - Dissatisfaction Among the Pastors and Attendants. - For some time past, and in fact from the first commencement of the building of this edifice for church worship, numerous drawbacks and discouragements have attended the progress of  Christian work in this new field of labor. The history of the church, briefly stated, is as follows: By generous donation and liberal subscriptions of money the work was commenced with apparently good prospects. The church building was located, planned and built during last fall and winter under the supervision of Ralph T. Anderson, of Hunterdon county, N.J., assisted by Gardner Randall, of Easton, J.W.S. Johnson, of Kingwood, N.J., and William Scott and B. Sylvester Bennett of Newtown, Pa., official men in a new religious organization, known as the Free Christian denomination. A small strip of land, pleasantly situated in a delightful grove of majestic oaks on the bank of Stony Brook half way between the Eagle and Brownsburg, had previously been deeded gratuitously by Adolphus J. Watson, upon which the building was erected. The meetings were held from time to time under the supervision of the above named exhorters, until the 16th of January last, when Rev J.M. Burdick, of Wilmington, Del., was called to dedicated the house, but owing to improper discipline and by laws which had been selected, together with a large debt outstanding for work and material against the church, and not very bright prospects now in anticipation, Mr. Burdick refused to perform the dedicatory ceremonies. He, however, continued to preach in the house for some time. A discipline was subsequently compiled for the church government, embodying the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or so much thereof as would apply to a congregational or independent body. This was agreed to with one exception, which exception caused a division in the body, and the house was thereupon closed by the trustees. Subsequently the house was opened, and by invitation of the trustees and the remaining members of the congregation, Mr. Burdick preached a sermon on the evening of the 31st of January, and has been preaching there ever since. Ralph T. Anderson, the person formerly in charge, has also been about the neighborhood most of the time for the past six months, and since the call of Rev. Burdick to the pastorate, has been devoting his time principally to the selling of bibles, some of which we understand are now in the hands of the express agent at this place. On Sunday, the 28th ult., whilst Mr. Burdick was engaged in conducting the services at the "little church in the grove," Mr. Anderson came in and took a seat in the pulpit, and we are told that when Mr. Burdick sat down after the congregation had commenced singing the opening hymn, Mr. Anderson endeavored to gain the attention of the audience but without avail. This led to considerable comment after the close of service, and from that time until the present quite an excitement has prevailed from this quarter in the heretofore quiet and reserved regions about Jericho. Mr. Anderson is said to be supported in his course in the matter by some of the prominent members of the church, together with Mr. Watson, the donor of the land for the building, and while he is not endorsed by the trustees and the present attendants at the church, there appears to be a desire manifested by some that he shall have charge of the mission instead of Mr. Burdick. Many of his followers are those living in the vicinity of Brownsburg. However, on the morning of Friday, the 2d inst., Mr. Anderson brought two stout iron hasps over from Brownsburg, screwed them tightly on the doors, and securely locked them with padlocks, taking the keys away with him. Mr. Burdick hearing of this shortly afterwards, proceeded to the building and removed the fastenings, and again the church was opened. He then in company with Mr. Peter Weckerly, one of the trustees, went to New Hope, and before Johnson, J.P., had a warrant issued for the arrest of Anderson and one of his friends. Anderson hearing of this speedily departed from the neighborhood, and retraced his steps across the river into New Jersey, from Whence he came. In compliance with previous announcement services were held in the church on Sunday last, morning and evening, but the attendance was not so large as was anticipated, and the "noon lunch" was accordingly dispensed with. At the morning service the sacrament was administered to a number of communicants. Selections were read in the service from I and XXXVII Psalms and I and II chapters of Luke. All present seemed attentive listeners to the sermon, and the pastor, judging from his discourse, is undoubtedly a learned and earnest man. The church has been thoroughly reorganized and is now known as the Congregational Methodist. The trustees are Mr. Weckerly and Cadwallader, B.S. Bennet having resigned, leaving a vacancy unsupplied. The trustees have assumed the remaining debt of the church, and have taken a mortgage on the building as security. The portion of the congregation who followed the teachings of Mr. Anderson, have established themselves at Brownsburg, and hold services in the private dwelling of Mr. Carver regularly. Mr. Anderson hd been preaching there previous to his return to our sister State, and was being assisted in the work by William Scott of this place. We understand that the services will be continued at both points. Mr. Burdick is the inventor of the celebrated hay tedder, and a machinist of no little acquirements, having been previously in the employ of the Remington Gun Works and of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. We are sorry to be called upon to publish these statements, and hope that at no distant day we shall hear of a union of these factions, and that good feeling will be restored and everything transpire harmoniously in connection with the Congregational Church of Upper Makefield.

There's a lot to unpack in that article but the problem seems to have arisen when the congregation wanted to change to Methodist, there was one holdout, Ralph T. Anderson. Anderson was a founder and the man who supervised the building of the church, before Burdick entered the picture. Burdick soon took over as the de-facto head of the church, and eventually Anderson wanted the power back. While Burdick preached at the little church, Anderson and his followers assembled at a private residence in Brownsburg, where most of them lived. Anderson's desire to be the leader led him to attempt to lock Burdick out of the church, which didn't go as planned. Once the authorities were notified, he fled his congregation and went back to N.J., where he came from. Burdick resumed preaching in the little church and Anderson was out of the picture.

We also find out that Rev. Burdick was an inventor of sorts, as he is credited with inventing the hay tedder, and he had previously worked for some large corporations. In 1879 we see him winning an award at the State Fair.

Sep 27, 1879 Newtown Enterprise

Despite Burdick's successes in the secular world, his antics in the sacred were starting to wear on the normally quiet and reserved neighborhood of Jericho. On July 7, 1877 an article is written about a trip taken to the neighborhood, which leaves out any mention of the church. A flabbergasted Burdick anonymously, though it was clearly him, writes a letter to the editor titled A Blast from the Walls of Jericho! wondering why the church wasn't visited. He goes on to tell the editor of all that he missed out on, while he ruminates over why another preacher, this time church founder J.W.S. Johnson, was allowed to hold an outdoor meeting "within hearing distance of the church."

The next week appeared a rebuttal to Burdick's letter titled A Counter-Blast From Jericho. The author, Charles T. Clark, calls out Burdick for having penned the first letter and appeals to a third party to mediate the church difficulty that has raged twenty months. A week later we see William Scott preaching at the "out-of-doors" meeting at Jericho, presumably the same spot as Johnson near the little church, again annoying the hell out of Burdick.  

The question of who should have the right to preach at the church wasn't the only trouble Burdick found himself in the middle of. On October 19th, 1878, the Newtown Enterprise published the following article detailing a spat over the collection of shellbarks between the owner of the land and Burdick which happened the previous year. 

Before Our Justices - On Tuesday Adolphus Y. Watson of Upper Makefield, was brought before Justice Merrick upon a charge of assault and battery preferred by Rev. J.M. Burdick. It is alleged that the offence was committed during the month of Novemer, 1877, and grew out of a quarrel about trespassing and gathering shellbarks upon the premises of the Free Christian Church, located between the Eagle and Brownsburg. Watson was bound over for his appearance at Court. A similar case will be brought before Merrick to-day, the 19th inst., in which the trustees of the above named church will prosecute Watson, the Clark's father and son, and others, for the gathering of nuts upon the church premises this season. The "little church around the corner" seems to have been shrouded in difficulties from its very infancy. 

In 1878 and 1879 there are a few mentions of Burdick speaking or preaching at various locations such as Dolington and Doylestown but not much about the little church until early 1880, when we learn of its fate.

February 2, 1880 Newtown Enterprise

It seems as though the little church by the creek, corner and grove was no longer James M. Burdick's domain. He was unusually short in his assessment of the situation, choosing not to call out his enemies and simply give a run down of the accounting. After this, Burdick went to New York for a year.

On April 9th, 1881 he writes a letter to the Enterprise.

Remembrance of Jericho - It would have been a great pleasure to me to have worked a reform in Jericho, but the rum influence is so strong, and the better portion of the community so indifferent to any reform, that Time's reaper must do the most of the work. Those brought up under the shadow of the old still must first die off. The little church will probably be turned into a wagon house or some other common use. After over 30 years in missionary work, spending all my leisure for the benefit of those around me, this Jericho is the first failure. Here we have a strong temperance element, and this year the town voted "no license," giving 200 majority against Rum.

Burdick laments that alcohol was the reason for the churches failure, which is interesting as it's the first time we hear anything of the sort. He dedicates another paragraph to his recent marriage, to a woman of 253 pounds, which he found noteworthy. 

So now we have the story of the church, but where exactly was it located and what did it look like? We find some context clues hidden in the newspaper articles. 

• Near the upper course of the stream of water known as Stony Brook
• Little church in the grove 
• Little church around the corner
• Little church by the bridge
  
• The building is plainly constructed in pine boards

The little church is a frame building near the creek, in a grove, around a corner and by a bridge on the property of A.Y. Watson. Since the creek only runs through the triangle shaped parcels of Watson's property, it must be located on one of those. The church is by a bridge, of which there must be 2 on the property. One bridge on Brownsburg Rd and another on the extension of Shannon. Logically, one would think that the extension of Shannon would be the lesser traveled road, especially since it has disappeared completely. Also, Watson owned the property on both sides of Brownsburg Rd, where John O'Brien owned the other side of the Shannon extension, now Jericho National Golf Club. 

1937 Aerial showing outline of Shannon extension

If he were to choose a location to build, I would think that the best option would be off Brownsburg Rd, as it was well-traveled with traffic to and from Brownsburg. The church could've been built on either side of Stony Brook, and either side of Brownsburg we don't have enough clues to know for sure. Based on all of this, I think it was likely on the right before you cross the creek headed towards Brownsburg. 

Stony Brook from the Bridge Today

So that's the story of the little church around the corner. I keep getting discouraged by thinking there's  no story in Upper Makefield we haven't heard yet, but here we are. Thanks to Jeff for piquing my interest and leading me to this research.

The final story is from the Enterprise on May 7th, 1881.

It is under consideration to erect a creamery in Upper Makefield, at the site of the disused Jericho Church, on the land of A. Y. Watson. This is a place having many natural advantages; a shady situation, at the intersection of public roads, and where pure cold water can be brought by pipes from springs on the hill side, with sufficient elevation to flow to any part of the building. 

This was a time when there was a creamery boom in the county, though this one never materialized. To see what happened to the building we go back to the original article Jeff Sent me.

Adolphus Y. Watson having obtained possession of the Church building at Jericho, in Upper Makefield, so long in dispute, has concluded to remove it and make a wagon house of it. - Thus holy places are desecrated.

Thus holy places are desecrated.  

I sent this to my friend Clint Flack and he came back with some cool ephemera for James M. Burdick. First, a patent for his Hay Tedder.

1880 Patent

And next he found an amazing trade card for the Burdick Hay Tedder, when he was working out of Point Pleasant in 1886. 

Courtesy Clint Flack

The Many Schools of Upper Makefield

Today, Sol Feinstone Elementary School serves all of Upper Makefield Township. Over the years, there have been at least 15 different schoolhouses in Upper Makefield that served the grade school children. Most of these old schoolhouses still exist. 

Betts School - 466 Woodhill Rd. Built in 1827, the property was conveyed by William Lownes to the trustees of his neighborhood on February 21, 1798. Used as a school until the Taylorsville School was built, about a mile away, in 1854. After it's disuse as a school, the local Methodists conducted church services and sunday school in the building until the Taylorsville church was built. Today, it is a private residence.

Betts School Today

Betts School 1850 Map

Brookside School - 204 Thompson Mill Rd. Built and deeded to the school directors by Stephen Betts, Jr. in 1869. The school was discontinued due to low enrollment in 1929 and the property was purchased by Howard Walker. The schoolhouse was sold and some of the public weren't happy about it, as it was still in good repair. Currently a private residence. When you look at the 1937 aerial, you can tell why it was named Brookside, as Jericho Creek runs nearby.

Brookside School 2013

Brookside School 1937 Aerial

Sep 18, 1930 Newtown Enterprise

Brownsburg School - 1440 River Rd. Deeded to the trustees from Joseph Thornton April 1, 1834. Due to lower than required enrollment, the school closed in 1944. Neglected and disused, the building fell to ruins and was demolished to make way for housing in the 1980s.

Brownsburg School

Aug 24, 1944 Newtown Enterprise

Brownsburg School Stove

Brownsburg School 1980

Brownsburg School Rubble

Buckmanville School - 200 Lurgan Rd. From Joshua Smith to the school directors April 1, 1850. Built by William Starkey, the original foundations of the 1850 schoolhouse are still visible and the datestone bears his initials. The schoolhouse was rebuilt by Frank Heston in 1892. In 1930 a 1 1/2 story masonry and stucco addition was built onto the facade, the datestone was moved and incorporated into the addition. Disused as a school in 1946, but reopened from 1952 to 1954 for fourth grade. It was then sold to residents who formed a group to save it. It is currently used as the headquarters for the Jericho Valley Community Association.

Early Picture of Buckmanville School House

Buckmanville School

Buckmanville School as Community Center

Buckmanville School Today

September 9, 1948 Newtown Enterprise

Dolington School - 825 Dolington Rd. Deeded to the school directors by Cornelius Slack on Jan 6, 1860. This schoolhouse is two stories high and replaced a school on the Makefield Friends' meeting house grounds, a short distance up the road. Grade school was taught on the first floor, and high school on the second. The schoolhouse was sold in April of 1954, when Woodhill Elementary was completed. There was no longer a use for Dolington School. It is currently a private residence. 

Dolington School as residence

Dolington School

April 25, 1954 Newtown Enterprise

Ad for Antique Store in Dolington School

Fairfield School - 1083 Eagle Rd. Deeded from William Burroughs Heston to the school directors. Built in 1872, it replaced the old schoolhouse known as Hayhurst which stands a few hundred yards up Eagle Rd. It became disused as a school when Woodhill Elementary was built in 1954. Presbyterians later held Sunday school in the schoolhouse. After The Eagle, it was the polling place for Upper Makefield Township. Sold by the school directors in 1964, today it is a private residence.

Fairfield School

Fairfield School with addition

Fairfield School Today

Hayhurst - 1091 Eagle Rd. Built 1804 and leased to the trustees of the neighborhood by Benjah Hayhurst, November 12, 1805. Also known as the Eagle. Later uses included a shed for cattle salt, which gave it the nickname the "Salt Box". Still standing, well-restored, on the lane to Hayhurst's. 

Hayhurst School 1948 Pre-Restoration

Hayhurst/Eagle/Salt Box

Salt Box Today

First Highland School - 1599 Wrightstown Rd. The first Highland School was held in the John Reeder House. Reeder conveyed the property to the school directors June 7, 1851. School was held there until it was moved to a location a mile down the road in 1856.

John Reeder House - First Highland School

Locations of the Highland Schools

Second Highland School - 1699 Wrightstown Rd. Land from Kinsey Harvey to the school directors March 21, 1856. Replaced the Reeder School, about a mile away. Originally a frame building that was moved to the site, later removed off the side by Asa McNeal. Replaced by the stone building in 1879. School discontinued in 1921, sold in 1927 and is currently a (badly) remodeled dwelling. The students were bussed to Fairfield School.

Second Highland School 1926

August 12, 1922 Newtown Enterprise

Second Highland School Today

Lurgan School - Lurgan Rd. and Old Ln. In 1755 a school was erected at Lurgan that had a dual use as a Quaker Meeting House. It lasted until 1850, was later used as a dwelling and torn down around 1913. Nothing remains today. Oliver H. Smith, member of Legislature and Congress once remarked that he graduated from "Lurgan College." Of Lurgan School, Davis says in 1876:        

At the southern base of Bowman's hill, is a small hamlet called Lurgan, after the birth-place of James Logan. In a little one-story building, now used as a dwelling, was kept a day-school half a century ago, where were educated several prominent men. Among the scholars were the late Judge John Ross, Oliver H. Smith, Senator in Congress from Indiana, Dr. John Chapman, Edward Smith, a learned man, Seth Chapman, son of Dr. John Chapman, lawyer and judge, Dr. Seth Cattell, a student of and who succeeded, Dr. John Wilson, but died early, and others of note. Amongst those who taught at this primitive seminary, were Moses Smith, afterward a distinguished physician of Philadelphia, Mr. McLean, a noted teacher, fine Latin scholar and mathematician, Enos, the father of Hiram Scarborough, of New Hope, celebrated for his penmanship, and Joseph Fell, of Buckingham. The glory of Lurgan is departed, and most of her scholars, statesmen, and jurists have gone to the "undiscovered country."

Lurgan School House 1850

Lurgan School Location

Makefield Meeting School - 877 Dolington Rd. Prior to the erection of the Dolington School, there was a school on the grounds of the Makefield Meeting Property. Erected in 1755 it remained until it was torn down in 1830. After that it was replaced by a two-story building with classes on the first floor and the Dolington Library on the second floor from 1839-1840. The library was then discontinued and the books sold. The building was demolished in 1883.

Makefield Meeting

Sol Feinstone/Woodhill Elementary - 1090 Eagle Rd. Opened on September 20, 1954, on land donated by Sol Feinstone, this elementary school initially serviced the students in the vicinity of Woodhill, later the entire township. The name was changed from Woodhill School when Sol Feinstone built the school a library in 1963. Currently an elementary school, grades kindergarten to 6th and is the polling place for Upper Makefield Township. For more on the schools of Woodhill see this post. 

Woodhill Elementary School

Sol Feinstone Today

Taylorsville School - 1102 Taylorsville Rd. Deeded from Mahlon K. Taylor, prominent local merchant, to the school directors November 1st, 1854. Opened in the spring of 1855. Replaced the Betts School, about a mile away. The schoolhouse was condemned and school was discontinued on December 1, 1926. Students were moved to the new Washington Crossing School. Sold, along with the Highland School in 1927. Later a general store and currently a bank. It is said that many participants of the Civil War attended school there. 

Taylorsville School Class Pic

Taylorsville School

Taylorsville School as a General Store

April 22, 1927 Newtown Enterprise

Washington Crossing School - 1260 Lord Sterling Rd. On land deeded from A. P. Townsend, built in 1926 to replace the condemned Taylorsville School. Four room schoolhouse, closed in 1966. By that time Woodhill School had expanded and could accommodate all the pupils from the one-room schoolhouses in the township. Currently a nursery school. 

Washington Crossing Elementary

Washington Crossing Elementary Today

Wiggins School - 355 Pineville Rd. This springhouse was built in two sections, with the datestones 1798 and 1824. According to D. W. Atkinson and Mary Snyder Taylor, Benjamin Wiggins' daughter  Margaret taught school in this springhouse to about 20 students. It is still extant, now separated from the other outbuildings by Pineville Rd. It has recently been restored.

Wiggins Springhouse

Other Schools - During the time when schools were being closed and students transferred, third grade classes were held in the home of Lester Minkel, Taylorsville Rd, from 1952-1953. The next school year the classes were transferred to the Township Building.  There certainly could be other, yet undiscovered school locations.