Mr. Law, we need a church.

On Saturday, February 17, 2024, the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society (BMSHS) collaborated with the Briarcliff Manor Congregational Church on a presentation entitled “Mr. Law, we need a church”.

Pastor Todd Farnsworth gave the presentation, which took place at the Church. Around 40 people attended.

Todd discussed the origins of the Congregational Church in the Sunday School movement started in the United Kingdom in the late 18th Century, describing the roles played by: Mr. Robert Raikes; Rev. John Wesley and Dr. John Vincent. A key element of this movement was that it was composed of laymen belonging to different denominations of Christians, a cornerstone of the Congregational Church, which he then went on to describe in greater detail.

He then described some key players in the creation of the Church including: Mr. George A. Todd, Jr.; Mr. Walter W. Law; and his son-in-law; Friedrich (Fritz) Brockelmann (who tragically died aged 44 in 1902).

Pastor Farnsworth then highlighted some of the key figures in the Church’s more recent history including Dr. Ion Jackson; Ms. Ruth Stanley Farman (aka The Baroness de Luz); Ms. Julia Stimson; and the Rev. Richard Beebe.

The presentation was informative, often funny and at times touching (e.g. when he read a dedication delivered by the BCC’s first pastor, Rev. Alexander Mac Coll to Friedrich Brockelmann).