Pastor Schlegel Proposes to Organize Uranians in the U.S.: August 1903

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The Earliest Proposal to Organize Homosexuals in the United States

The earliest documentation of the desire of a “uranian” to organize other uranians in the United States appears in 1903, in a periodical published in German by a Berlin homosexual emancipation organization, the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee.


This evidence is published on OutHistory for the first time in English translation. Also for the first time, OutHistory researchers identify the German immigrant who was the first to contemplate organizing homosexuals in the U.S.


Uranian is a nineteenth century term that originally referred to a person with "a female psyche in a male body," meaning, in the context of its time, a man who was sexually attracted to men. "Psyches" were then thought to have a sex, male or female. And those female or male psyches were thought to have a built-in, given different-sex object of desire.


The term uranian was later extended to cover women who sexually desire women. It was probably an English adaptation of the German word Urning, which was first published by activist Karl Heinrich Ulrichs in 1864, before the coinage of the term homosexual.[1]

Photo

A booklet issued on the occasion of the opening of a new building of the German Reformed Church, in New York City, in 1898, includes a photo of "Carl Schlegel. Pastor", the early proselytizer for a an organization of uranians in the U.S.[2]

Schlegel3.jpg


First Report: August 1903

The first item, from the Monthly Report of the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee (Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee, or WhK), the homosexual rights organization founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, in Berlin, was published at the end of August, 1903. It refers to the visit of

the Protestant Pastor Schlegel from New York, who proposes an organization of his uranian colleagues as well as the founding of a subcommittee [of the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee] in New York.[3]


Second Report: October 1903

The second item from the Monthly Report of early October 1903 says:

Pastor Schlegel from America, mentioned by us in the last Monthly Report, has been arrested in Schwäbisch Gmünd [a town in the eastern part of the German state of Baden-Württemberg], allegedly because he is said to have indecently touched a youth, and is awaiting a court-day this week, which hopefully will turn out favorably.[4]


Third Report: November 1903

The third item from the Monthly Report, published at the beginning of November 1903 says:

After a 24-day investigation, Pastor Schlegel has been set free and has returned to America. Hopefully this unpleasant incident will be without further fateful consequences for him professionally.[5]


Fourth Report: 1904

The fourth item, in 1904, from Hirschfeld’s Yearbook for Sexual Intermediate Types (Jahrbuch für sexuelle Zwischenstufen), lists Pastor Schlegel as one of those who have paid dues as a member of the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee. The item reads: “Pastor S. in the U.SA. 50 Mark.”[6]


Pastor Schlegel's Identity

Research by the late Joel Honig provides good evidence that the Pastor Schlegel mentioned was the Charles (sometimes "Carl") Schlegel listed in a history of the Reformed Church in America as born in Thullingen, Württemberg, Germany, March 20, 1863.


This source indicates that Schlegel graduated from the Bloomfield Theological Seminary in 1895. He was licensed as a German Reform minister and ordained in New York, in 1896.


He was the Pastor in the German Norfolk Street Church [and its later incarnation, the First German Reformed Protestant Congregation," 68th St between 1st and 2nd avenues], in New York City, 1896-1905.


He is said to have been “dismissed” from the ministry in 1905.[7]


Timeline

1863, March 20

Born, Thullingen, Württemberg, Germany.

1895

Graduated from the Bloomfield Theological Seminary.


1896

In a section on New York City religious institutions, under the heading “German Protestant”, this book lists: "149 Norfolk St. Rev. Charles Schlegel, 147 Norfolk St. Young People’s Society.”[8]


1896, April 21

On “April 21st, 1896, Rev. Charles Schlegel was received and arrangements made for his ordination and installation over the Northfolk Street Church."[9]


1897, June 21

A New York Herald story is headed: ”FAREWELL TO AN OLD CHURCH". The subhead is: "Dutch Reformed Congregation, in Norfolk Street Will Move Up Town." The story read:

A farewell service was held in the Old Dutch Reformed Church, in Norfolk street, in near Stanton, yesterday afternoon, at which Rev. Dr. David J. Burrell, of the Fifth Avenue Marble Collegiate Church, preached the sermon.
. . .Dr. Burrell preached a sermon from Ezekiel xxxiv., 1 and 2. . . . . Rev. Carl Schlegel, the pastor, also spoke.[10]


1898, February 21

A New York Times story is headed: “GERMAN CHURCH DEDICATED. Ceremonies in the First Reformed Protestant, in which the Astors and Baron Steuben Worshipped.” The Times says:

The members of the First German Reformed Protestant Congregation yesterday dedicated their new church edifice, in Sixty-eighth Street between First and Second Avenues, with imposing ceremonies.
…[Detailed church history.]
Of the old memorial tablets, only that of Baron von Steuben has been moved to the new church, and this has been placed in the vestibule. The present pastor is the Rev. Carl Schlegel and the Consistory is composed of Friedrich Nollmann, C. Schmidt, George Schnell, E. A. Hauser, H.W. Nollman, and John W. Hassel, Elders, and of George Bardorf, Andreas Speich, Valentine Hils, C. Tristsch, and P. Well, Deacons.[11]


1898, December

Under “Reformed Church in America” is listed: “Norfolk Street (German). Nofolk St., near Stanton St.; rev. Charles Schlegel, 147 Norfolk St.”[12]


1900, June

A "Carl Schlegel" is listed in the 1900 U.S. Census, taken in June of that year (E.D. [Enumeration District] #698, sheet 11.) He had been in the U.S. since 1878 and was a naturalized citizen. Occupation: Minister. Marital Status: single. Joel Honig points out that Schlegel was not listed as a widower, but as single, that is, never married.[13]


1900, November 13

An item in Christian Work: Illustrated Family Newspaper, published in New York City on November 13, 1900 says:

While preparing for the services on Wednesday evening, Rev. Charles Schlegel, rector of the Lutheran Reformed Church, at No. 357 East Sixty-eighth street, this city, found a six weeks’ old female child in a rear pew. A policeman was called in, and the child was taken to Bellevue Hospital.[14]


The same incident is reported in the New York Tribune, a few days later:


1900, November 15

A story in the New-York Tribune, November 15, 1900, is headed “FOUND A BABY IN A CHURCH PEW. LECTOR MAKES A DISCOVERY WHILE PREPARING FOR SERVICES.”

The paper reports:

While preparing for the services last evening the Rev. Charles Schlegel, rector of the Lutheran Reformed Church, at No. 357 East Sixty-eight st., found a six weeks’ old female child in a rear pew. A policeman attached to the East Sixty-seventh-st. station was called in and the child was taken to Bellevue Hospital. The baby was dressed in white. There were no marks or identification.”[15]


1901-1905

A “Carl Schlegel” is listed in New York City directories from 1901-1905 as born in March 1863, in Germany, and as a minister.


1903, August

First Report. See above.


1903, October

Second Report. See above.


1903, November

Third Report. See above.


1904

Forth Report. See above.


1905, February 25

The Evening Post: New York, Saturday, February 25, 1905, reports:

A special meeting of the Clasals of New York, the local governing body of the Reformed Church, will be held next Monday morning in the Reformed Church Building for the purpose of taking action on the resignation of the Rev. Charles Schlegel from the pastorate of the Second German Reformed Church, Sixty-eighth Street near First Avenue. His successor will be the Rev. William H. Boetcker, for a long time pastor of the German Reformed Church at Shelbyville, Ind.”[16]


1905, February 27

The minutes of a meeting of the Reformed Church in America, convened in New York City, reports: "February 27, 1905, Rev. Charles Schlegel resigned from the pastorate of the 68th Street German Church, and was dismissed to the Presbytery of New Orleans, of the Presbyterian Church in U.S.A."[17]


1912, August 17

A New York Herald report is headlined:

“Preacher Now A Spiritualist”

The paper says:

The Rev. Carl Schlegel, who says he has been a minister of the Reformed and the Presbyterian churches in this city, is preparing himself for the ministry of spirtualism, He will be a speaker tomorrow night at the New York Temple of Modern Spiritualism, No. 138, East Twenty-seventh street.

The Herald adds:

At the same meeting the Rev. Dr. Richard R. Schleusner will discuss “Heaven and Hell on the Resurrection Day.”[18]


On the same day, August 17, 1912, the New-York Tribune reports:

At the New York Temple of Modern Spiritualism to-morrow evening the Rev. Richard R. Schleusner will speak on “Heaven and Hell on the Resurrection Day.” He will be followed by the Rev. Carl Schlegel, former minister of the Reformed and Presbyterian churches, of New York, who is now a converted Spiritualist, and preparing himself for the ministry of Spiritualism.[19]


An affinity between spiritualism and homosexuals and homosexuality is noted by several historians. See: Spiritualism and Homosexual History Bibliography


1912, August 24

An item in the New-York Tribune reports:

At the New York Temple of Modern Spiritualism the Rev. Dr. Richard R. Schleusner has selected for his theme for to-morrow evening “Is Christ to Come Again to Earth?” He will be followed by the Rev. Carl Schlegel, now a convert to Spiritualism and preparing himself for the ministry of Spirtualism.”[20]

1920

The 1920 U.S. Census lists Charles Schlegel, from Wurttemberg, as living in a home for incurables in the Bronx.[21]

References

  1. ↑ See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranian Accessed December 11, 2009.
  2. ↑ See microfilm: author: German Reformed Church, title: Organisiert…. [in German], 1898. NYPL *Z1-346 no. 120. The last page of this copy of the pamphlet may include the signature of Schlegel. Jonathan Ned Katz is deeply grateful to the late Joel Honig for the research on Schlegel, and to Ron Van Cleef for additional research. OutHistory need a good new copy of this picture.
  3. ↑ Monthly Report of the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee (Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee), end of Auguest 1903, p. 15. Jonathan Ned Katz is grateful to Hubert Kennedy for first alerting him to Manfred Herzer’s publication of the three items about Pastor Schlegel, and for translating the items from the German. Research Request:What indicates this is from the end of August? Is there an exact date? Katz also thanks Manfred Herzer for information in his possession about Pastor Schlegel in the U.S. Herzer published the three items in German about Schlegel in Capri 26 (June 1998).
  4. ↑ Monthly Report, beginning of October 1903, p. 16. Research Request:How do we know this is from the beginning of October? Is there an exact date? If anyone wants to do further research on this, Manfred Herzer reports that there were two newspapers in Schwäbisch Gmünd in 1903, the Reichsstadt Gmündische Nachrichten and the Gmünder Tagblatt. Both of these are in the following library: Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Konrade-Adenauer-Strasse 8, 70173 Stuttgart. Herzer to Katz, email August 31, 1998. Additional research in the police court records of Schwäbisch Gmünd in Baden-Württemberg might provide more information about Schlegel's case.
  5. ↑ Monthly Report, beginning of November, 2003. Exact date?
  6. ↑ Jahrbuch für sexuelle Zwischenstufen, Vol. 6, 1904, page 737. Manfred Herzer email to Jonathan Ned Katz, 8/31/98.
  7. ↑ Peter N. VandenBerge, Historical Directory of the Reformed Church in America 1628-1978, The Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America No. 6 (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (1978), pp. 153, 308.
  8. ↑ Charity Organization Society of the City of New York, Community Council of Greater New York. Directory of Social and Health Agencies of New York City. New York: Columbia University Press, 1896, Volume 7, page 404.
  9. ↑ Reformed Church in America. Particular Synod of New York. Minutes of the Reformed Church in American Particular Synod of New York Convened at Tarrytown, New York, May 5, 1891. New York: Board of Publication of the Reformed Church in America, 1891, page 36.
  10. ↑ The New York Herald, Monday, June 21, 1897. Accessed December 30, 2011 from FultonHistory.com, a collection of historical newspapers.
  11. ↑ New York Times, Monday, February 21, 1898, page 10. Accessed December 30, 2011 from FultonHistory.com, a collection of historical newspapers.
  12. ↑ The New York City Mission Monthly, December 1898, Volumes 12, No. 1, page 28.
  13. ↑ Honig to Katz, August 12 and 21, 1998.
  14. ↑ Christian work: illustrated family newspaper, November 13, 1900 Volume 69, page 76.
  15. ↑ [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1900-11-15/ed-1/seq-5/ New-York tribune., November 15, 1900, Page 5, Image 5.
  16. ↑ This item was found by a search for “Rev. Charles Schlegel” (exact phrase), on the site [http://fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html Fulton History, a collection of historical newspapers.
  17. ↑ Reformed Church in America. Minutes of the Particular Synod of New York Convened at New York City, May 2, 1905. Kingston, NY: Daily Leader Printing Estabishment, 1905, page 33. Accessed December 11, 2009 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=GvsQAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA14-PA33&dq=Reverend+Charles+Schlegel&lr=&cd=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false
  18. ↑ New York Herald, Saturday, August 17, 1912. Accessed December 30, 2011 from FultonHistory.com, a collection of historical newspapers.
  19. ↑ “Church and Religious News Notes”. New-York Tribune, August 17, 1912, page 14. Accessed December 30, 2022 from FultonHistory.com, a collection of historical newspapers.
  20. ↑ “CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS NEWS”. New-York Tribune, August 24, 1912, page 14.
  21. ↑ Joel Honig to Katz, August 21, 1998, listing source as E.D. 404, Sheet 2/21. Re the home for incurables: "St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx was founded in 1866 as the Home for the Incurables, a place where people with cataclysmic strokes or crippling heart disease went to die." Ian Fisher, "Caring for Poor, and for Profit; Bronx Hospital Shakes Up the Medical Establishment," New York Times, March 9, 1998. Perhaps research in the archives of St. Barnabas Hospital would reveal information about Schlegel.


Bibliography and Research Notes

Bloomfield Theological Seminary (since 1961, Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, N.J.) Schlegel graduated from BTS in 1895. Katz to Bloomfield College Library, Dec 4, 2009, askiing for information and any pictures. Katz received no response.


Corwin, Edward Tanjore. A Manual of the Reformed Church in America (Formerly Ref. Prot. Dutch church) 1628-1902. Board of Publication of the Reformed Church in America, 1902.

"Schlegel, Charles, b. Thullingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, Mar. 20, 1863; Ger. Theolog. School, Bloomfield, NJ 95; lie. by Ger. Refd. Ch.; Norfolk St. (now 69th St. German), 1896".


Gasero, Russell L. and Erica McLaughlin, compilers. Guide to Local Church Records in the Archives of the Reformed Church in America and Other Repositories.

Research in this source might produce more data. Accessed November 29, 2009 at: http://images.rca.org/docs/archives/churchrecords.pdf


German Norfolk Street Church, New York City. Later the "First German Reformed Protestant Congregation," 68th St between 1st and 2nd avenues], New York City. Schlegel was pastor 1896-1905.


German Reformed Protestant Church. Organisirt 1758 [microform]. Neu erbaut 1897. Souvenir für die Einweihung der Deutschen Reformirten Protestantischen Kirche... [February 20th 1898.] (Translation: Souvenir from the German Reformed Protestant Church in East Sixty-Eighth Street.) New York: J. C. Hassel, 1898. New York Public Library Microfilm: NYPL *Z1-346 no. 120. The last page of this copy of the pamphlet may include the signature of Schlegel. Thanks to Ron Van Cleef for researching this document. Checked Worldcat for this source and the results were negative.

histref@nypl.org to Jonathan Ned Katz, December 5, 2009 12:34:18 PM EST Re: United States History, Local History and Genealogy E-mail Reference. "I was able to locate the original catalog record for the item and I double checked our shelves and our uncataloged miscellaneous collection of New York City church material, but I found no print copy of the Souvenir für die Einweihung der.... Chances are that the original was disposed of after it had been microfilmed, as this was not an uncommon practice during the early years of microfilming at the library. [New paragraph:] Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate any other repository that holds a copy of this item. Have you tried to see if the Church records contain any reproduction of this item, or perhaps a photograph of Rev. Schlegel? The Family History Library in Utah (which lends microfilms to local institutions) has reels of microfilmed records from the East 68th Street Reformed Church. But then again, since these are also microfilmed, perhaps the quality would leave much to be desired as well. Or you could contact the New Brunswick Theological Seminary as this institution is listed as the repository for the East 68th Street Reformed Church records (though perhaps it is only the records of individuals, not of publications.) Kate Cordes, Milstein Division of United States History, Local History & Genealogy, The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Room 121, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788, http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/lhg/genea.html


Herzer, Manfred and Friedemann Pfafflin. "Monatsberichte des Wissenschaflitch-humanitaren Komitees 1902 imd 1903," . [Three items about Schlegel] Capri 26 (June 1998. Email to Jonathan Ned Katz, August 31, 1998.


Honig, Joel, to Jonathan Ned Katz. August 12, 1998.


Honig, Joel, to Jonathan Ned Katz, August 21, 1998. Says that 1920 U.S. Census lists Charles Schlegel, from Württemberg, as living in a home for incurables in the Bronx. (E.D. 404, Sheet 2/21.)


Jahrbuch fur Sexuelle Zwischenstufen (Magnus Hirschfeld's Hirschfeld’s Yearbook for Sexual Intermediate Types) lists Pastor Schlegel as one those who have paid money as a member of the Scientific Humanitarian Committee. The item reads: “Pastor S. in the U.SA. 50 Mark.”


Kennedy, Hubert, to Jonathan Ned Katz. Email August 10, 1998.


Later Day Saints Microfilms. Research in this source might produce more data. Listed on LDS website as: Manhattan. New York County. LDS Microfilms. NYC Church Records. Reformed Churches. Church records (New York City, New York), 1823-1965 / East 68th Street Reformed Church (NYC, NY). The same source also lists: Church records, 1823-1965 / Reformed Church at East 68th Street (Manhattan, New York). The website includes directions for how to find the LDS Film numbers of the above church records. Accessed on Dec 4, 2009 at: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nynewyo2/LDSchurchrecords.htm


Monthly Report of the Scientific Humanitarian Committee (the homosexual rights organization founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, in Berlin), end of August, 1903: "the Protestant Pastor Schlegal from New York, who proposes an organization of his uranian colleagues as well as the founding of a subcommittee in New York."


Monthly Report of the Scientific Humanitarian Committee, beginning of October 1903, p. 16: "Pastor Schlegel from America, mentioned by us in the last Monthly Report, has been arrested in Schwabische Gmund [a town in Baden Württemberg], allegedly because he is said to have indecently touched a youth, and is awaiting a court-day this week, which hopefully will turn out favorably."


Monthly Report of the Scientific Humanitarian Committee, beginning of November, 1903: "After a 24-day investigation, Pastor Schlegel has been set free and has returned to America. Hopefully this unpleasant incident will be without further fateful consequences for him professionally.”


New York Church Records. Research in this source might result in more information about Schlegel. Accessed Dec 4, 2009: https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/New_York_Church_Records


New York City directories: A “Carl Schlegel” (evidently the same individual) is listed in New York City directories from 1901-1905 as born in March 1863, in Germany, and as a minister.


New York Herald. Katz checked Herald Index, volume: "Schiaparelli-Schlessinger."


New York Times, Sep. 13, 1897. "German Reformed Church. Historic Norfolk Street Building Abandoned, and the Cornerstone of a New Structure Laid." Accessed on line. Mentions Pastor Schlegel.


New York Times, Feb. 21, 1898. "German Church Dedicated. Ceremonies in the First Reformed Protestant, in which the Astors and Baron Steuben Worshipped." (Reports the dedication of the new church building of the "First German Reformed Protestant Congregation," 68th St between 1st and 2nd avenues, and mentions that the "Rev. Carl Schlegel" is pastor.) The dedication of the new church took place on Tuesday, February 20. Baron Steuben is said to have worshipped at this church in earlier days. Accessed on line.


Presbytery of New Orleans, Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (The minutes of a meeting of the Reformed Church in America, convened in New York City, reports: "February 27, 1905, Rev. Charles Schlegel resigned from the pastorate of the 68th Street German Church, and was dismissed to the Presbytery of New Orleans, of the Presbyterian Church in U.S.A.")


Reformed Church in America. Archives. Accessed Dec 4, 2009: . http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=230


Reformed Church in America. Minutes of the Particular Synod of New York Convened at New York City, May 2, 1905. (Kingston, NY: Daily Leader Printing Establsihment, 1905), page 33: "February 27, 1905, Rev. Charles Schlegel resigned from the pastorate of the 68th Street German Church, and was dismissed to the Presbytery of New Orleans, of the Presbyterian Church in U.S.A." Accessed December 11, 2009 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=GvsQAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA14-PA33&dq=Reverend+Charles+Schlegel&lr=&cd=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false


Schlegel, Carl Wilhelm. Schlegel's German-American Families in the United States: Genealogical and Biographical. Illustrated, Volume 2. American Historical Society. 1917. (Not, apparently, by the Rev. Carl Schlegel.)


Schlegel, Carl, ed. Schlegel's American Families of German Ancestry. American Historical Society, 1926. (Doubtful that this was edited by the Rev. Carl Schlegel who is reported to be in a home for incurables in 1920.)


Schlegel, Carl. A singer with the same name as the pastor Carl Schlegel was born in a different city in Germany, on a different and later year, and died in the 1940s, a New York Times obituary indicates.


Schlegel, Rev. Charles A. The Broad Ax, a newspaper published in Salt Lake City, Utah, reports on Dec. 21, 1901 about a Rev. Charles A. Schlegel, not the subject of this entry.

Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, Brooklyn, has just chosen for its pastor Rev. Charles A. Schlegel, 23, years old and totally blind. Mr. Schlegel has every qualification for his work except his sight and is a fine musician. Accessed from Chronicling America. The broad ax., December 21, 1901, Image 4.


Schlegel, Rev. Charles A. "Story of the Blind Poet." World, December 6, 1903, 10.1 Portrait of: World, Dec 6, 1903 10:1. (This seems to be from the Guide to Periodical Literature for 1903. This may not be the same Schlegel as the pastor of the 68th Street Church, but he sure sounds like it. Where did this reference appear?--JNK.)


Social Security Death Index. Checked Charles Schlegel and Carl Schlegel. No person with same birth date.


United States Census, 1900, June. Schlegel is listed in the 1900 U.S. Census, taken in June of that year (E.D. [Enumeration District] #698, sheet 11.) He had been in the U.S. since 1878 and was a naturalized citizen. Occupation: Minister. Marital Status: single. Joel Honig to Katz, August 12 and 21, 1998. Honig points out that Schlegel was not listed as a widower, but as single, that is, never married.


United States Census, 1910 ?


United States Census, 1920. Lists Charles Schlegel, from Württemberg, as living in a home for incurables in the Bronx. (E.D. 404, Sheet 2/21.) Honig, Joel, to Jonathan Ned Katz, August 21, 1998.


United States Passport Office. Schlegel must have traveled to and from the U.S. by ship. He must have applied for a passport. That should list a description, and maybe include a picture. (See the passport info discussed in one of the entries on James Orville Bloss.)


VandenBerge, Peter N. Historical Directory of the Reformed Church in America 1628-1978. The Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America No. 6 (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1978), pp. 153, 308. This indicates that Schlegel graduated from the Bloomfield Theological Seminary in 1895. He was licensed as a German Reform minister and ordained in New York, in 1896. He was the Pastor in the German Norfolk Street Church, in New York City, 1896-1905. He was “dismissed” from the ministry in 1905.


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