File:St. Philip's Church, Centre Street, Manhattan.png

“St.Phillip’s [sic] Church, Centre Street

“In the early days of New York, there was on the outskirts of the city, a small lake or pond, known as the "Fresh Water." A steep shore on the west side was called the “Kalck Hook," and the water was sometimes called the "Kalck Hook Pond." This name was changed or corrupted into " Collect." In later years the pond was filled up and the land thus formed belonged to the city, and was divided into lots called the "Collect Lots," which were sold to various parties. A large number of these lots were sold to George Lorillard. On June 25, 1818, he gave a perpetual lease for three of these lots, No. 18-19-20, to John Marander, John Bees, Andrew Rankin, Thomas Zabriskie, John Kent, Wm. Hutson, Samuel Class, and Linn Frances. These were all colored men, and organized an African Church. They resolved to join the Episcopal Church, and the Bishop of the diocese issued the following : "Whereas the Trustees of the African Congregation, who have erected a building for public worship, have dedicated the same to the worship of Almighty God, according to the rules of the Protestant Episcopal Church, be it known that on the 3d day of July, 1819, I, John Henry Hobart, Bishop, have consecrated the building erected in Collect street, by the name of St. Phillip's Church." Under the fostering care of the bishop and diocese the church flourished and its membership increased, and retained this building as their place of worship till about 1860, when they purchased the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Mulberry street. The same congregation now [in 1900] worship in a very commodious edifice on Twenty-fifth street. Collect street was afterwards changed to Centre street. The view here presented shows the entire front between Leonard and Duane streets. The front line of the lots of St. Phillip's Church was sixty-three feet. The building was fifty feet in width. The first church was burned in 1819, and the view shows the new church, erected soon after. The other buildings shown in the engraving were erected by various parties who leased lots from George Lorillard, the whole presenting an accurate view of the street as it appeared about 1830. The sight of the swine "embracing his opportunity" was very characteristic of that time, when these animals were suffered to roam at large. All the buildings have disappeared, and others more convenient, if not more picturesque, have taken their places.” At HathiTrust

Greenleaf writes:

“St. Philip's Church.

“The colored Episcopalians of this city commenced a meeting by themselves in the year 1809. They assembled for worship in a schoolroom, which stood next to the old church, on the corner of Frankfort and William streets, and Mr. McCoombs, a white man, officiated as a lay-reader until his death, in 1812. After the death of Mr. McCoombs, the congregation removed to a room in Cliff street, and Mr. Peter Williams, Jr., a colored man, was appointed lay-reader, and this arrangement continued for about five years. In 1817, the congregation removed again to a schoolroom on Rose street, on the site of the present Friends' meeting-house, where they remained two years. In 1819, three lots of ground were obtained on a lease for 60 years, and after that to be held in fee simple, as a gift. The lots were on the westerly side of Centre street, — then " Collect street," between Leonard and Anthony [Worth] streets. Here, aided by many gentle men, the congregation were enabled to erect a wooden building, at a cost of about $5,000, and this edifice was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, July 19th, 1819, and called « St. Philip's Church." In November of the following year, the church was incorporated according to the statute, and Mr. "Williams, having been ordained a deacon, was appointed to its charge. On December 24th, 1821, the church edifice was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt of brick in the following year, at a cost of $8,000. In 1827, Mr. Williams was advanced to the order of the priesthood, and became the regular Rector of the church, which office he sustained with much credit to himself, and usefulness to his people, until his death, which took place very suddenly, October 18th, 1840, after having ministered to this church for 28 years. Rev. Benjamin Evans succeeded Mr. Williams, officiating for about two years; and, in 1842, he was succeeded by the Rev. Alexander Frazer, the present [in1846] minister. More than 300 members are on the roll of communicants.”