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Historical Background of Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church 1900 - 2001
Vanderveer Park was the first residential development in this areas of Flatlands. The Germania
Real Estate Improvement Co. purchased the John C. Vanderveer Farm of 43 acres in May 1892 - a land
that had been in the Vanderveer family since 1600 and among the descendants of Dutch settlers.
This and other adjoining areas were renamed Flatbush by the Real Estate Developers.
When the family of Howard E. Sands came here in 1897, they had been active in Sunday School
work and had every desire to continue. There were no Sunday School nearer than the Dutch
Reformed Church at Snyder and the Flatlands Methodist at Bergen Beach. Their two children
attended the Dutch Reformed Church and several other Churches that were located at a
distance too far to commute by foot. This was all unsatisfactory to the Sands so they
talked it over and decided to do something about it.
Sometime before this, in 1899, the Congregationalists started a movement to form a church
in this area, but nothing became of it. One Sunday afternoon, Mr. Sands and his wife went
visiting among their neighbors to find anyone who would be interested in forming a Sunday
School. They found three men who joined them and formed a temporary committee. When they
returned home, they learned that their two young daughters were canvassing among the
neighbors seeking donations to build a Sunday School. They collected $5.20 - the first
money raised toward the project. The money was used to purchase postcards to conduct a
survey among the residents how they felt about starting a Sunday School. Thirty
favorable responses were received and the first meeting was held by Mr. Sands home on
August 24, 1900 at which 23 families were represented.
The idea at first was to form a Sunday School but they decided at this meeting that the
church and Sunday School should go hand and hand. On Augst 29th, at a second meeting
at Mr. Sands home, the committee recommended the rental of a store at 2007 Nostrand
Avenue as a temporary meeting place at the cost of $20.00 per month. On Wednesday,
August 29, 1900, the place was put in readiness and by the following Sunday, September
2, 1900 the first session of the Sunday School was held at 9:00 a.m. with 44 scholars,
followed by the first session of the church at 11:00 a.m. Several parents and friends
came to offer their services as teachers and helpers.
On Wednesday evening October 17, 1900, the church was formally organized in the Chapel
presided over by Rev. Dr. James E. Chadwick, Presiding Elder of the Brooklyn South
District. The church was named Vanderveer Park Methodist Episcopal Church.
With the history still in the making, the church was formally incorporated on November
14, 1900 under the supervision of Rev. Dr. Arthur Byrt, Superintendent of the Brooklyn
Aid Society. On May 29, 1901 a committee was appointed to purchase land at Glenwood
Road & East 31st Streets at the cost of $3,300. On July 5, 1901, purchase was made
and a 5 year mortgage was assumed. A large tent was constructed on the premises and
shortly thereafter, gave up the premises at 2007 Nostrand Avenue. On July 10, 1902
ground was broken for new church. On july 27, 1902 the cornerstone was laid. On
October 12, 1902, the Chapel was dedicated to the Services of God at the cost of
$6,000.00.
The history followed the ground breaking ceremony of the service building in 1925 with
the cornerstone being laid on March 15, 1925. Vanderveer members kept their faith in
God and he brought them through war and the depression of 1929. On June 28, 1974 a
three alarm fire broke out in the fellowship hall. The Rev. Alfred C. Thompson, who
at the time was pastor of the twelve years experienced the greatest tradgedy of
Vanderveer Park. The fire started at 11:30 p.m. and needed 120 firefighters to
extinguish the blaze. Rev. Thompson who also was once a fire department Chaplain
assisted in the three alarm. The roof, ceiling, church office and the frony half
of the church were destroyed. Rev. Thompson served as pastor of Vanderveer for a
total of 22 years.
Help came from many neighborhood churches who offered the use of their buildings to
provide a place for Sunday worship andchoir rehearsals for the choir to sing praises
to glory of the Lord. Mrs. Sydney Seevers, organist/choir director at the time was
dedicated and faithful to her music and to her God. She served as organist/choir
director of Vanderveer for over 50 years. Thus the members remained faithful, and
as Jesus promises "he'll never leave or forsake you" and Vanderveer Park
was restored once again in beauty.
As you can see the church went through many trails and tribulations over the years,
and we are still standing strong and tall. We have every reason to be proud of the
accomplishments we've endured. We pay great tribute to our founder Mr. Howard Sands
and all who labor to bring Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church into existence.
The Pastors Of Vanderveer Park
| George H. Gray |
1900-1901 |
| Melville E. Cunningham |
1901-1902 |
| Samuel E. Eaton |
1902-1903 |
| William Fartherly |
1903-1905 |
| Royal W. Raymond |
1905-1906 |
| William S. Winans |
1906-1908 |
| Henry D. Trinkaus |
1908-1911 |
| Henry Blatx, Jr. |
1911-1915 |
| George A. Bronson |
1915-1917 |
| Arthur Batchelor |
1917-1919 |
| George M. Brown |
1914-1923 |
| Henry C. Whitney |
1923-1926 |
| Earnest F. Neumann |
1926-1935 |
| C. Newman Hogle |
1935-1946 |
| John Duroc |
1946-1951 |
| Stephen L. Kiser |
1951-1956 |
| John T. D. Franzen |
1956-1962 |
| Alfred C. Thompson |
1962-1984 |
| James E. Fitzgerald |
1985-1999 |
| Glyger G. Beach |
2000-Present |
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Vanderveer Park United Methodist Church
