Andrew Van Vranken Raymond
Encyclopedia
Andrew Van Vranken Raymond (8 August 1854 – 5 April 1918) was an American minister, educator and author; raised in the Dutch Reformed Faith in upstate New York. He was a graduate of Union College (Class of 1875), and was a pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church
before becoming a Presbyterian minister. He later accepted the position as President of Union College
(1894–1907). He accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, NY where he served as pastor until his death.
) on 8 August 1854 he was the son of Rev. Henry A. Raymond, a minister in the Dutch Reformed
faith, and Catherine Maria (Miller) Raymond , he attended Troy
High School and entered Union College
in 1872 as a sophomore
. He was an earnest student and a talented athlete. He played baseball, edited the College Spectator, joined the Union Navy (boating club) and was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi
fraternity, graduating in 1875, he then attended New Brunswick Theological Seminary
in 1878.
Then on 24 September 1879, he married Margaret Morris Thomas of Middleville, NY, she died June 11, 1907; they had two sons and a daughter, Morris Thomas Raymond, Miriam Hotchkiss Raymond, and Andrew V.V. Raymond Jr. He was pastor at the First Reformed church in Patterson, NJ from 1878 to 1881 before accepting a call that same year as pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Plainfield, NJ from 1881–1887. It was at this time he left the Dutch reformed faith and became a Presbyterian
minister; he accepted a call to the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York
and was installed 10 March 1887.
Although Dr. Raymond felt ministry was his true calling, he struggled with a personal decision for several weeks; because he had been offered the position as Union College president. He finally came to a decision and accepted the offer as College President on May 5, 1894. On 8 June 1894 he resigned from both the General Alumni Association President and as Pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church and began his Presidency at Union College. He remained as president of Union College in Schenectady, NY officially from 8 June 1894 until 1907. While there, he was a member of the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce and not only was he able to restore Union College to sound financial health, but he boosted the science curriculum, by persuading General Electric's Charles Steinmetz to head the newly established Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics, however, he began yearning to return to the ministry. He offered his services as supply pastor and ended up taking leave of his burden to supply the pulpit at First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, NY
during his last years as president of Union College, while still supplying the pulpit as pastor, Dr. Raymond published his only book; “Union University, its history, influence, characteristics and equipment”. Shortly after its release, Dr. Raymond’s wife died. He was of course at that time engaged to preach as the stated supply pastor at First Presbyterian Church and still served as president of Union College. He finally resigned from the presidency on July 18, 1907 after finally being persuaded to accept the call to First Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Raymond quickly became active in Western New York; on 1 February 1910 he was named Manager of the Buffalo State Hospital to succeed the deceased William C. Krauss, to complete his term which was to expire December 31, 1916. This was no doubt because while serving at the Fourth Presbyterian church in Albany, NY he was appointed by Governor Higgins in 1905 as the manager of the New York State Hospital in Utica, New York
.
and the United States entry into the war in 1917, Dr. Raymond asked and received leave of absence to preach at military camps, leaving Rev. William M. Boocock, Associate Minister in charge. However, this schedule took its toll on Dr. Raymond’s health, under the strain of these duties. In January 1918 he visited Clifton Springs to better his health and on died in early April 1918, he died of a heart attack
in Tyron (near Spartanburg, South Carolina
) while visiting his son. His death was a great shock to the congregation and the community. In his pastime, Dr. Raymond enjoyed fishing, golf and was involved a variety of social clubs. Funeral services were held in the First Presbyterian Church on Monday, 8 April 1918 and were opened and conducted by Rev. William H. Boocock, D.D., with prayers offered by Drs. Holmes and Searle, with scripture readings by Drs. McLennan and Stone with an address by Dr. Alexander, a friend of over forty-five years, the benediction was given by retired pastor Rev. Samuel S Mitchell, D.D.. Prayers were also offered at the manse by Rev. P. T. Pockman, D.D. Dr. Raymonds’ body lay in state in the sanctuary under the great dome through the afternoon and evening.
Dutch Reformed Church
The Dutch Reformed Church was a Reformed Christian denomination in the Netherlands. It existed from the 1570s to 2004, the year it merged with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to form the Protestant Church in the...
before becoming a Presbyterian minister. He later accepted the position as President of Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
(1894–1907). He accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, NY where he served as pastor until his death.
Early life
Raymond was born in Visscher's Ferry (near Schenectady, New YorkSchenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
) on 8 August 1854 he was the son of Rev. Henry A. Raymond, a minister in the Dutch Reformed
Dutch Reformed Church
The Dutch Reformed Church was a Reformed Christian denomination in the Netherlands. It existed from the 1570s to 2004, the year it merged with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to form the Protestant Church in the...
faith, and Catherine Maria (Miller) Raymond , he attended Troy
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
High School and entered Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1872 as a sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
. He was an earnest student and a talented athlete. He played baseball, edited the College Spectator, joined the Union Navy (boating club) and was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi
Alpha Delta Phi
Alpha Delta Phi is a Greek-letter social college fraternity and the fourth-oldest continuous Greek-letter fraternity in the United States and Canada. Alpha Delta Phi was founded on October 29, 1832 by Samuel Eells at Hamilton College and includes former U.S. Presidents, Chief Justices of the U.S....
fraternity, graduating in 1875, he then attended New Brunswick Theological Seminary
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
New Brunswick Theological Seminary is a professional and graduate school founded in 1784, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to educate ministers for the congregations of the Reformed Church in America...
in 1878.
Then on 24 September 1879, he married Margaret Morris Thomas of Middleville, NY, she died June 11, 1907; they had two sons and a daughter, Morris Thomas Raymond, Miriam Hotchkiss Raymond, and Andrew V.V. Raymond Jr. He was pastor at the First Reformed church in Patterson, NJ from 1878 to 1881 before accepting a call that same year as pastor of Trinity Reformed Church in Plainfield, NJ from 1881–1887. It was at this time he left the Dutch reformed faith and became a Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
minister; he accepted a call to the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and was installed 10 March 1887.
Union College
Now close to his old Alma Mater, he became much more active in college activities and soon became president of the General Alumni Association too, a post that he maintained until he resigned his pastorate.Although Dr. Raymond felt ministry was his true calling, he struggled with a personal decision for several weeks; because he had been offered the position as Union College president. He finally came to a decision and accepted the offer as College President on May 5, 1894. On 8 June 1894 he resigned from both the General Alumni Association President and as Pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church and began his Presidency at Union College. He remained as president of Union College in Schenectady, NY officially from 8 June 1894 until 1907. While there, he was a member of the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce and not only was he able to restore Union College to sound financial health, but he boosted the science curriculum, by persuading General Electric's Charles Steinmetz to head the newly established Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics, however, he began yearning to return to the ministry. He offered his services as supply pastor and ended up taking leave of his burden to supply the pulpit at First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, NY
First Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, New York)
The First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, New York was the first organized religious body formed in what was then the western frontier of New York State. The town of Buffalo was sparsely populated when the church was organized on February 2, 1812; however having survived the War of 1812, the town...
during his last years as president of Union College, while still supplying the pulpit as pastor, Dr. Raymond published his only book; “Union University, its history, influence, characteristics and equipment”. Shortly after its release, Dr. Raymond’s wife died. He was of course at that time engaged to preach as the stated supply pastor at First Presbyterian Church and still served as president of Union College. He finally resigned from the presidency on July 18, 1907 after finally being persuaded to accept the call to First Presbyterian Church.
Pastor of First Presbyterian Church (1907-1918)
Dr. Raymond was installed as senior pastor at 1st Presbyterian Church on December 6, 1907 at an installation service presided by Dr. E. H. Dickinson of North Presbyterian Church; Rev. William Waith, D.D., (the father of First Church Organist Dr. William S. Waith), read the scripture passages, and returning to the pulpit in the “New” First Presbyterian Church to preach the sermon was former pastor Rev. David R. Frazer, D. D., now Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Newark, NJ., also assisting in the service was Rev. Henry Ward, D. D., of East Church who offered the prayer of installation; Rev. William R. Taylor, D.D., of Rochester, NY, gave the charge; and Rev. Samuel V. V. Holmes, D. D. of Westminster Presbyterian Church, gave the charge to the people.Dr. Raymond quickly became active in Western New York; on 1 February 1910 he was named Manager of the Buffalo State Hospital to succeed the deceased William C. Krauss, to complete his term which was to expire December 31, 1916. This was no doubt because while serving at the Fourth Presbyterian church in Albany, NY he was appointed by Governor Higgins in 1905 as the manager of the New York State Hospital in Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
.
World War One and an Unexpected Death
With the outbreak of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and the United States entry into the war in 1917, Dr. Raymond asked and received leave of absence to preach at military camps, leaving Rev. William M. Boocock, Associate Minister in charge. However, this schedule took its toll on Dr. Raymond’s health, under the strain of these duties. In January 1918 he visited Clifton Springs to better his health and on died in early April 1918, he died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in Tyron (near Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
) while visiting his son. His death was a great shock to the congregation and the community. In his pastime, Dr. Raymond enjoyed fishing, golf and was involved a variety of social clubs. Funeral services were held in the First Presbyterian Church on Monday, 8 April 1918 and were opened and conducted by Rev. William H. Boocock, D.D., with prayers offered by Drs. Holmes and Searle, with scripture readings by Drs. McLennan and Stone with an address by Dr. Alexander, a friend of over forty-five years, the benediction was given by retired pastor Rev. Samuel S Mitchell, D.D.. Prayers were also offered at the manse by Rev. P. T. Pockman, D.D. Dr. Raymonds’ body lay in state in the sanctuary under the great dome through the afternoon and evening.