Heroes & History
Purchase of the Property - The Vanderpoels
Reverend Samuel Hollingsworth served briefly as interim rector following the resignation of Reverend Frederick Tiffany. While little is known about Reverend Hollingsworth personally, one significant event in Saint Paul's history occurred during his tenure.
On the 15th of December 1856, the corporation known as the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry men of St. Paul’s Church purchased, for $3000, the house and the land on which our church now sits from Thomas Beekman. One thousand dollars were raised prior to the purchase and the corporation assumed a mortgage of two thousand dollars to be paid within six years. This purchase did not include the sexton’s house, the property north of the Parish Hall, the present parking lot nor the Columbarium area. These parcels were purchased at a later date. The house purchased from Mr. Beekman continues as the Rectory and the church building was moved here to Sylvester Street from its original location 10 years later.
Mr. Beekman, having no offspring, or “issue”, of his own, adopted a son and daughter from his wife’s side of the family. His wife was Lydia Van Schaack Beekman, the son was William Van Schaack and the daughter Adeline Elizabeth Van Schaack. William took the Beekman name and was thereafter known as William Van Schaack Beekman. Adeline Elizabeth Van Schaack married Aaron John Vanderpoel.
The Vanderpoel family gave many gifts to Saint Paul's and there were many gifts given as memorials to them. These include but are not limited to: the altar rail in memory of Aaron John [husband of Adeline] and the credence table in memory of their son Aaron Melgert, who died at age 27. The chancel windows are erected in memory of their daughter Mary, and a 1920 organ restoration was in honor of their daughter Margaret. The most significant gift of the Vanderpoels is the great Tiffany window given in memory of Adeline by her daughter in 1914. (It is noted that although their surnames are both Tiffany, this author has not found evidence of a family connection between the designer of our Tiffany windows, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Saint Paul's first rector, Reverend Frederick T. Tiffany.)
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2011 by Sue Brignull, RN
Reverend Samuel Hollingsworth served briefly as interim rector following the resignation of Reverend Frederick Tiffany. While little is known about Reverend Hollingsworth personally, one significant event in Saint Paul's history occurred during his tenure.
On the 15th of December 1856, the corporation known as the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry men of St. Paul’s Church purchased, for $3000, the house and the land on which our church now sits from Thomas Beekman. One thousand dollars were raised prior to the purchase and the corporation assumed a mortgage of two thousand dollars to be paid within six years. This purchase did not include the sexton’s house, the property north of the Parish Hall, the present parking lot nor the Columbarium area. These parcels were purchased at a later date. The house purchased from Mr. Beekman continues as the Rectory and the church building was moved here to Sylvester Street from its original location 10 years later.
Mr. Beekman, having no offspring, or “issue”, of his own, adopted a son and daughter from his wife’s side of the family. His wife was Lydia Van Schaack Beekman, the son was William Van Schaack and the daughter Adeline Elizabeth Van Schaack. William took the Beekman name and was thereafter known as William Van Schaack Beekman. Adeline Elizabeth Van Schaack married Aaron John Vanderpoel.
The Vanderpoel family gave many gifts to Saint Paul's and there were many gifts given as memorials to them. These include but are not limited to: the altar rail in memory of Aaron John [husband of Adeline] and the credence table in memory of their son Aaron Melgert, who died at age 27. The chancel windows are erected in memory of their daughter Mary, and a 1920 organ restoration was in honor of their daughter Margaret. The most significant gift of the Vanderpoels is the great Tiffany window given in memory of Adeline by her daughter in 1914. (It is noted that although their surnames are both Tiffany, this author has not found evidence of a family connection between the designer of our Tiffany windows, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Saint Paul's first rector, Reverend Frederick T. Tiffany.)
Excerpted from original research and report submitted September 2011 by Sue Brignull, RN