FPC History: Rev Dr William C Alexander (1889 - 1893)

William C Alexander

Reverend Dr William C Alexander was minister at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan from 23 Apr 1889 to 1893.

Through his 2 January 1892 sermon, Rev Alexander stirred the congregation to support a $6,000 capital campaign to renovate the Main Street church. Not unlike the recent Nike sneaker ad, the Reverend told the congregation, "The best way to do anything is to do it."

Presbyterians Pioneer At Matawan describes the results of the campaign thusly, "Alterations included new, semi-circular pews, mullioned windows of cathedral glass, and [a] new organ. . . . New pew cushions were bought and a beautiful carpet of terra cotta. Agra covered the floor." Crystal chandeliers from France, pulpit lights, and a choir rail with plush curtain were all donated by members and groups. Finally, a new tower designed by the noted American architect Stanford White was added to the church.   

Note: With the help of fundraising by the church's women and from the proceeds of the capital campaign, the church was able to acquire a new $2,000 organ.  It was placed behind the pulpit, which required some internal alterations. A blind member of the congregation operated the pump for this manual instrument from a small room behind a partition.  The church sold the old organ to the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church.

Rev Alexander subsequently served at Georgetown Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC from 1893 to 1908. He was replaced at Matawan in Jan 1894 by the Reverend Dr Alexander H Young.

The 1900 Federal Census for Washington, DC showed William C Alexander was born in September 1850 in Pennsylvania to parents born in PA. His occupation was listed as clergyman. His residence was on Newark Street. His wife of 24 years was Mary R Alexander, born in October 1850 in New Jersey to a NJ father and a PA mother. Their three children were living with them: Lewis R Alexander (Aug 1877), Elizabeth J Alexander (Feb 1880), and William C Alexander, Jr (Dec 1885). Also living with them was a black servant named Henrietta E Briggs born in Dec 1882 in Georgia.

The 1880 Federal Census for Pennsylvania showed William Alexander, age 29, born in Pennsylvania to parents born in PA living in Salisbury in Lancaster County. His occupation was minister. His wife was Mary C Alexander, age 29, born in New Jersey to a NJ father and a PA mother. Their son Lewis R appeared as Reese, age 2, born in PA, and daughter Elizabeth J appeared as Bessie, age 2 months, specified as February 1880. (Note: I could not find an online history of Presbyterian churches in the Salisbury area, but the current Salisbury Presbyterian Church was founded in the 1960's. Perhaps Rev. Alexander labored at the Pequea Presbyterian Church in nearby Gap, PA?) 


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    Pequea Church

The 1860 Federal Census for Pennsylvania showed a William C Alexander at age 10 living in Derry, Mifflin County with John Alexander (age 62) and his wife Jane (age 58).