"The Rev. Pelatiah W. Jenks, who was called to the richest pulpit in New
York in 1912, succeeded within less than three years in building up an
unrivalled system of dancing academies and roller-skating rinks for
young people. Under him the attendance at the Sunday afternoon sparring
exhibitions in the vestry rooms of the church increased from an average
of 54 to an average of 650. In spite of the nominal fee charged for the
use of the congregation's bowling alleys, the income from that source
alone was sufficient to defray the cost of missionary work in all
Africa, south of the Zambesi River. Dr. Jenks's highest ambition was
attained in 1923 when the Onyx Church's football team won the
championship of the Ecclesiastical League of Greater New York. It was in
the same year that Dr. Jenks took the novel step of abandoning services
in St. Basil's Chapel, now situated in a slum district, and substituting
a moving-picture show with vaudeville features. Thereafter the empty
chapel was filled to overcrowding on Sundays. To encourage church
attendance at Sunday morning services, Dr.
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