Background
Church was born in Rochester, New York on August 11, 1836, to the Reverend Pharcellus Church. While still a youth, he helped his father edit and publish the New York Chronicle.
Church was born in Rochester, New York on August 11, 1836, to the Reverend Pharcellus Church. While still a youth, he helped his father edit and publish the New York Chronicle.
Brother of John Adams C. Educated Boston Latin School.
In 1860, he became publisher of the New York Sun and of the New York Chronicle. In 1861-1862 he was Washington correspondent of the He resigned his journalistic position on his appointment as captain in the United States Volunteers in 1862, and served for one year, receiving brevets of major and lieutenant colonel. He and George Wood Wingate established the National Rifle Association in 1871, and in 1872 he replaced its first president, the retired general Ambrose Burnside.
Church was government commissioner to inspect the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1882.
He wrote two biographies, of John Ericsson in 1891, and Ulysses South. Grant in 1899. He published the Army and Navy Journal.
In one issue he criticized the United States Ship Monitor"s living arrangements, a vessel built by John Ericsson. Church died on May 23, 1917 and his funeral took place at Grace Church in New New York
Church was also one of the founders of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, an original member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and became a lifetime member and director of the New York Zoological Society.
Married Mary Elizabeth Metcalf, April.