HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 193

to the eaves; the roof, as usual, ascending to a peak in the centre, capped with an open belfry, in which hung a small, sharp-toned bell, brought from Holland shortly after its erection.1 Its interior was plain, dark, and very gloomy; so that, in summer, one could not see to read in it after four o'clock in the afternoon, by reason of its small windows. These were six or eight feet above the floor, and filled with stained-glass lights from Holland, representing vines loaded with flowers.2 This church, the second which had occupied the same site, was built in 1766, in the middle of the road leading from the Ferry into the country, which road is now known as Fulton avenue, and immediately opposite to a burying—ground yet remaining on the west side of that avenue and between Bridge and Lawrence streets.3 It was unprotected by fence or enclosure. The road was spacious, and a carriage and wagon-track passed around each end, forming an oblong circle, remitting at either end.4

The old town, it will be remembered, comprised, at this time, several divisions or settlements, each possessing local names which yet cling to them, in spite of the streets, squares, and avenues of. the new city of Brooklyn—Gowanus, Red Hook, Bedford, Cripplebush, Wallabout—and for all these the old church occupied a very central position.

“The Collegiate Domines,” says Mr. Van Pelt, “had many pious people and firm friends in Brooklyn. Almost every house was as open to them as their own homes, and one in particular, opposite the church, was especially designated ‘The Domine’s House.’ This was convenient for rest between services on the Sabbath; for receiving applications for baptism, membership, etc; for meeting the Consistory, Church-Masters, and others; and for attending generally to official duties.”

The collegiate connection between the Dutch churches of the county, so far as related to the service in English, was gradually given up after the commencement of the present century. The Rev. John B. Johnson was called to Brooklyn in 1802 ; Dr. Bassett to

1 This bell was afterwards (1840) in the belfry of the district school-house in Middagh street, Third Ward of Brooklyn. See, also, page 143.

2 Furman’s MSS.

3 Ante, p. 166.

4 “And a miserable road it was, filled with mud-holes and large rocks.”—Furman’s MSS.