Churches with Closed Doors - August 26, 1847

Forgot to upload this one back in 1847... Early reference to Coney Island as a place of sin.

CHURCHES WITH CLOSED DOORS.

During the hot season, many of your country readers may not be aware that the fashionable churches of New York are all shut up. A pious exclusive would as soon take a stroll on our beautiful "Battery," as be seen at church in July or August; so the doors of the sanctuary are closed. The spider spins his web in the pulpit; the dust settles think (sic) on the splendidly-bound Bible, the sexton drinks juleps at Coney Island; and the respectable pastor recruits his exhausted energies in the religious salons of Saratoga or Newport.

The National Era - August 26, 1847

I'd assume there is at least some exaggeration as to the state of churches. The New York Times did have a listing for religious services for July and August 1852 (the earliest the archives go for those months).