‘Passionate abolitionist’ and outfitter of the needy honored by Morristown church

Jan Harris, presented with flowers, enjoys a laugh, as she is honored at the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Jan Harris, presented with flowers, enjoys a laugh, as she is honored at the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
2

Video: The renovated Presbyterian Parish House, by Bruce Frazier

By Kevin Coughlin

Among the $3.2 million of improvements unveiled over the weekend at the Presbyterian Parish House in Morristown were a couple of new names that are priceless:

The refurbished parlor now is the Erdman Room.  And the basement Clothing Bank is now Jan’s Closet.

David Erdman, right, great-grandson of the late Pastor Albert Erdman, shares anecdotes while Pastor Dave Smazik listens. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
David Erdman, right, great-grandson of the late Pastor Albert Erdman, shares anecdotes while Pastor Dave Smazik listens. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Former Civil War chaplain Albert Erdman, pastor of the South Street Presbyterian Church from 1869 to 1907, was a “passionate abolitionist,” said his great-grandson, David Erdman, a resident of Charlotte, N.C., who did not let Hurricane Matthew stop him from attending Sunday’s dedication in Morristown.

David Erdman quoted an 1865 letter from the Rev. Erdman describing a speaking engagement:

“I spoke decidedly of the duty devolving in the nation to give the Negro the ballot. It’s no use to mince matters, and I didn’t,” the minister wrote.

The Rev. Erdman’s father-in-law, John Brooke Pinney, was the first Presbyterian minister to perform missionary work in Africa.

The Rev. Albert Erdman as a Civil War chaplain. Photo courtesy of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown
The Rev. Albert Erdman as a Civil War chaplain. Photo courtesy of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown

Albert and Agnes Erdman had eight children. Two became missionaries (in Hawaii and Lebanon), another married a pastor in Saranac Lake, NY (where President Calvin Coolidge attended summer services), and a grandson taught at the Princeton Theological Seminary and became a pastor.

Sunday’s ceremony would have thrilled Pastor Albert Erdman, said David Erdman, a lawyer and avid historian who was joined by his daughter, Emily Erdman Mauney, and her husband, Jon Mauney, of New York City.

“He could not help but be proud and astonished that the building over which he presided is still standing, and is being rejuvenated, with 200 people here today,” said David Erdman, who married into the Baptist faith.

David Erdman is flanked by his daughter, Emily Erdman Mauney, and son-in-law Jon Mauney, in front of portrait of the late Pastor Albert Erdman. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
David Erdman is flanked by his daughter, Emily Erdman Mauney, and son-in-law Jon Mauney, in front of portrait of the late Pastor Albert Erdman. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The three-year restoration of the Parish House, which dates to 1878,  was “first rate,” he added, admiring the cornice in Sheffield Hall.

A fresh coat of paint and a refinished floor are among the new touches in the rechristened Erdman Room, a parlor that has hosted numerous informal gatherings and seniors exercise programs.

Renovations to the building include air conditioning, fire sprinklers, a new music rehearsal room and transformation of a gym into a performance hall that the church hopes will become a center for community activities. Funded by member donations, these upgrades also will support church events and its burgeoning youth programs.

‘THERE IS A MISSION FOR YOU’

Others traveled from Alaska and Colorado to celebrate the dedication of Jan’s Closet, the new name for a thrift shop that has been providing free, quality garments for the needy every Tuesday morning since moving to the Parish House from the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer 20 years ago.

At the time, as a new member of the Presbyterian congregation, Jan Harris was hesitant when the pastor told her: “There is a mission in this church for you.”

“Tom, I am a mom, and I’m not sure this is for me,” she said.

But she agreed, and her “incredible, quiet service” as volunteer coordinator of the Clothing Bank has made a difference in countless lives, said the Rev. Dave Smazik, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown since 2010.

Jan Harris, presented with flowers, enjoys a laugh, as she is honored at the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Jan Harris, presented with flowers, enjoys a laugh, as she is honored at the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

“She has led more than 30 volunteers, knows the clients by name, and is sensitive to meet their individual needs. It may be a jacket, new socks, underwear, toiletries, clothes for a newborn, or a blanket to keep warm. The Clothing Bank is Jan’s personal mission and she serves with sensitivity, compassion and integrity,” according to the church.

Church committee members received this artwork by Mark deMos, a congregation member, as thanks for helping with renovations. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Church committee members received this artwork by Mark deMos, a congregation member, as thanks for helping with renovations. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Harris is retiring, and family members came from far and wide to salute her and her husband, Bob Harris.

A Saturday ribbon-cutting at the renovated Parish House also drew many well wishers, including Councilwoman Alison Deeb and Alice Cutler of the Trustees of the Morristown Green, the organization that has maintained the historic town square since the Presbyterian Church donated it for public use in 1816.

That bicentennial will be celebrated on Oct. 16, 2016, with special appearances on the Green by actors portraying George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette.

Our thanks to MG contributor Bill Lescohier for his help with this story.

Jan Harris, center, and husband Bob, to her right, are joined by family at dedication of Jan's Closet. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Jan Harris, center, and husband Bob, to her right, are joined by family at dedication of Jan’s Closet. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Pastor Dave Smazik and Dick Kaller of the capital renovation committee at re-dedication of the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Bill Lescohier
Pastor Dave Smazik and Dick Kaller of the capital renovation committee at re-dedication of the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Bill Lescohier

 

A tour of the rechristened Erdman Room at the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Bill Lescohier
A tour of the rechristened Erdman Room at the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Bill Lescohier
Alexandra Mead, director of Christian Education, speaks at re-dedication of the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Bill Lescohier
Alexandra Mead, director of Christian Education, speaks at re-dedication of the Presbyterian Parish House. Photo by Bill Lescohier
The gym will become 'South Street Hall.' Photo by Bill Lescohier
The gym will become ‘South Street Hall.’ Photo by Bill Lescohier
Church member Rick Bye, left, shows details of gym renovation to visitors as Pastor Dave Smazik looks on. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Church member Rick Bye, left, shows details of gym renovation to visitors as Pastor Dave Smazik looks on. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

2 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY