yterian Church of the Sea and
Land, with thirty-two members. Dr. Phillips, Rev. Rice and Rev. A. E.
Campbell, and Elders A. B. Conger and A. B. Belknapp, were Presbytery's
Committee, and John Simmons and John H. Cassidy were the first elders.

Rev. Alexander McGlashan was installed as pastor, February 2, 1865,
serving for a little more than a year. Ill health was the reason for his
leaving. He died in 1867. The deacons were Henry H. Smith and Henry
Harrison; also Philip Halle, who served for only a short time.

[Illustration: 52 Market Street]

On December 26, 1865, the following trustees were chosen: John H.
Cassidy, John Simmons, Henry H. Smith, Henry Harrison, David Robb, John
Neal, and Jas. McGlashan. At this time there were 74 members and the
year's receipts were $2,372.67.

The Sunday school was organized January 1, 1865, 25 being present, soon
growing to 80. It had a library of 400 volumes, costing $122.25. John H.
Cassidy was superintendent and T. M. May secretary. Wm. McCracken was
president of the Temperance Meeting and Joseph W. Cassidy president of
the Band of Hope.

But the man that was most prominent at this time in the church's history
is never mentioned in the official records.

[Illustration: Hanson K. Corning]

Hanson K. Corning was a shipping merchant, who knew from his own
business connections the helpless condition of seamen when in port.

He was born in 1810 in Hartford. The Cornings conducted a large South
American import business, with offices at 74 South Street. Three
generations were active in it.

Hanson K. Corning lived in Brazil for a few years, paying special
attention to the rubber business and also acting as United States
Consul.

On his return to the United States he became a member of the firm, and
the business prospered greatly. Altho Mr. Corning in later life became
an invalid, he went to his South Street office until 1860. Thereafter
he gave his time completely to religious and philanthropic work.

When, in the early sixties, the decline of the Market Street church
became evident, Mr. Corning conceived the idea of making it a sailors'
church.

He entered into negotiations with the consistory and on May 1, 1866, he
became owner of the property, paying $36,500 for it. The Church of the
Sea and Land moved into the building about this time. The congregation
occupied the premises rent free, and in October, 1868, the property was
transferred to the Presbytery of New York, to