USA 8. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS HISTORY WALK

Sunday September 7, 2014

There seems to be no place in Brooklyn Heights that isn't beautyful and full of noteworthy architectural and theocratic history. We just love walking around the Heights.

The Manhattan skyline across the East River just down from Bethel.

A typical former coach house converted into a beautyful home.

 

Typical Brown Stone building.

 

 

Possibly one of the oldest houses in Brooklyn.

This home once belonged to George Stores. The Watchtower article; "Let Us Compare Scripture With Scripture" (2006 w06 8/15 pp. 12-15, http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2006603?q=storrs&p=par) said about Storrs"

"Russell’s Studies in the Scriptures; Among those who became associated with George Storrs was a young man who was organizing a Bible study group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His name was Charles Taze Russell. One of his first articles on Scriptural themes was published in 1876 in the magazine Bible Examiner, edited by Storrs. Russell acknowledged that earlier Bible students had an influence on him. Later, as the editor of Zion’s Watch Tower, he appreciated Storrs’ giving him much assistance, by both word and pen."

Another former coach house and one time home of of Arthur Miller, author of "Death of a Salesman" and one time husband of Marilyn Monroe.

 

Henry Ward Beecher, first minister if the Plymouth Church who became a famous slavery abolitionist.

Here is some history; The Watchtower 2009 5/1 pp. 22-25 Brooklyn Bethel—100 Years of History states;

"With the move to Brooklyn in 1909, though, the new residence for the staff members was called Bethel.* Why Bethel? The property that the Watch Tower Society purchased at 13-17 Hicks Street was owned by the prominent clergyman Henry Ward Beecher and was known as the Beecher Bethel. Beecher’s former residence, located at 124 Columbia Heights, was also purchased. The March 1, 1909, issue of The Watch Tower reported: "It certainly seems very remarkable that we should get the old Beecher Bethel and then by accident get his former residence. . . . The new home we shall call ‘Bethel,’ and the new office and auditorium, ‘The Brooklyn Tabernacle’; these names will supplant the term ‘Bible House.’""

Lincoln never joined a church, never was actively involved in any kind of Christian organization; in fact, really had only the most minimal religious profile in his own day. And yet, as a foremost abolitionist, he worshiped here twice in 1860.

Further to the anti slavery history in Brooklyn, see the plaque on this house.

See the skylight in the pavement below.

Finally, this is the Romanesque Revival style Federal Building and Post Office, a historic main post office, courthouse, and Federal office building in Brooklyn where C.T.Russell and his associates were falsely accused before being sentenced to prison.

This has been our third visit to Brooklyn and each time we have believed it to be our last...

Lloydnalex

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