Description: Today
Plymouth Church of the Pilgrams looks elegant and sedate. Outside it consists of two, Victorian Era, red-brick buildings joined by a windowed arcade that passes behind a lovely garden courtyard. Inside the sanctuary has the pure white walls and simple architecture that typifies traditional early American churches.
But in 1847, it was the pulpit of the famed orator Henry Ward Beecher. He drew crowds of 2,500 every Sunday with opinionated sermons that opposed slavery, and favoured temperance and woman's suffrage.
At the center of the tree-shaded courtyard between the church and the school buildings there is a statue of Rev. Beecher holding the mock slave auction with which he raised northern consciouness.
He also raised funds to supply weapons to those willing to oppose slavery in the Kansas-Nebraska territories. These rifles became known as Beecher's Bibles. John Brown and five of his sons, were some of the volunteers who headed for Kansas.
His sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, which was called the book that started the Civil War.
The courtyard with its statue is visible through the wrought iron gate that runs along Orange Street.
While the church is not open for tours, it is possible to see it during services which are held at 11 on Sunday mornings.
There are also a variety of social and entertainment programs which you can attend. Call 718 624 4743 to check on dates and fees.
Monthly organ concerts at 5 on Sundays, $5.
Twice monthly dinner and cinema series at 6:30 on Fridays, $10.
Two or three times a year craft and rummage sales.
And in the summer the courtyard is used for "teas" and "ice cream socials".
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