USA > Arizona > A history of the Church of the Brethren [southern California & Arizona] > Part 5
USA > California > A history of the Church of the Brethren [southern California & Arizona] > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
Peter Forney pioneered the cause here and also organized a few members at Camp Verde, and this little flock was cared for by Elder C. E. Gillette.
Charles Ronk.
63
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Elder D. A. Norcross of Lordsburg, California, had charge for awhile in Glendale. He was followed by Elder Durr, and he by Charles Ronk, who is doing very efficient work at this time.
The membership is at present eighty-nine; the enrollment in the Sunday School is sixty with an average attendance of fifty. Their contribution for all purposes during the year 1916 was $279.42. They had one hundred and ninety-two preaching services during the year.
Brother Charles Ronk now has the work in hand, and the 1916 report shows the Sunday School enrollment to be 60, the offerings $92.76, and money contributed for all purposes $279.42. Six were converted, 192 preaching services held, 30 being revival sermons, 40 prayer services and 4 children's meetings.
PEARCE CHURCH
Sunday School was organized in August, 1909, in a school house. Five families were represented; G. Roper of Lords- burg, Cal., being chosen first Superintendent and Sister O. S. Pratt Assistant. Brethren literature was adopted. Later a Sunday School was organized three miles south from Brother Pratt's home, and of this organization Sister Pratt became Superintendent and had charge until June, 1912, when Fred Williams became Superintendent and Sister Pratt Assistant. About this time Brother Yoder held a series of meetings and some were added to the flock. Kate Lidsay became Secretary and Earl Schearber Treasurer of the Sunday School. From fifteen to thirty were in attendance. Christian Workers services were also held. At the organization of the Church there were twenty-five members. The organization was effected under the direction of W. E. Trostle. It is gratifying that members are opening the work of Divine Grace in Arizona at various points. It is a hopeful field for active workers.
For some years the Mission Board of this Dis- Phenix Mission. trict has assisted in a mission in Phenix, and at this time Elder Levi Keltner has charge. The work has been prosperous under both Brother Keltner and Brother C. W. Guthrie, who preceded him.
64
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
SOUTH LOS ANGELES CHURCH
June 24, 1904, Sunday School was organized in the south- ern part of Los Angeles and a committee appointed to look after its interests. October 18 the District Mission Board asked East Los Angeles Church to raise $200.00 to aid in establishing a permanent mission.
The Mission Board then purchased a lot at Fiftieth Street and Hooper Avenue and secured Wm. H. Wertenbaker and wife to take charge of the work, which they did November 15, 1904.
A chapel was erected and dedicated January 1, 1905, Elder P. S. Myers preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Christian Workers Society was organized at this time. The dedication was followed by a three weeks' revival under the direction of Brother Wertenbaker. Within three months a larger house was needed. In May, 1905, an addition 24x34 was erected.
During the year 1905 the Cradle Roll and Home Depart- ments were added to the Sunday School. July was a time of rejoicing when the first converts, Edward Hess and wife, were received.
In February, 1906, Elder Levi Winklebleck held a revival and baptized one.
April 15, 1906, the Mission was organized into the South Los Angeles Church with fifty-three charter members, as fol- lows: Wm. H. Wertenbaker and wife, David Priddy, George Browning, Al L. Elmer, and Laverne Davison, Alice Cheney, Pearl, Jessie, and Fred Stevens, Asa J. Trostle and wife, Wm. H. Keim and wife, Emma Boone, E. J. Hill and wife, Stewart Cline, Dollie Hunton, Henry Guthrie, Elmer Rench, Edward Hess and wife, Harvey Snell, Eunice Horning, Elizabeth, Daisy, Raymond and Earl Evans, Andrew Hastie and wife, Frank Cheney, Edna McClanathon, Mary Peak, Isaac Long and wife, Josiah Sparks and wife, Mary, Bertha and Lottie Stauffer, Bertha Barklow, Peter Carlson and wife, Eddie, Mable and Fannie Carlson, Wm. Davie and wife, Phronie Peters, Matilda and Ellice Laycock.
65
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
W. E. Trostle was elected Presiding Elder, A. J. Trostle Clerk, Wm. H. Keim Treasurer. Trustees : David Priddy, Wm. H. Keim and A. L. Davison.
The Official Body was composed of Elder W. E. Trostle of Pasadena, who was chosen Presiding Elder ; Wm. H. Wer- tenbaker, Pastor; Josiah Sparks, Deacon, and A. L. Davison and Harvey Snell, who were elected Deacons at this time.
The South Los Angeles Church.
The year 1907 was one of growth. In April was held the first love feast, at which fifty members communed.
Harvey Snell was elected to the ministry and Harvey Frantz and David Priddy to the Deaconship; Wm. H. Werten- baker was ordained to the Bishopric in May. Having again outgrown the Church building it was demolished and a new one erected at a cost of $2800.00.
The Building Committee chosen were C. W. Guthrie, Wm. H. Keim, A. L. Davison and W. E. Trostle, the latter representing the Mission Board. The Mission Board having contributed to the building fund, George H. Bashor superin- tended the construction of the building.
66
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Elder W. F. England of Lordsburg preached the dedica- tory sermon on the 26th of July.
A Ladies' Aid was organized and eight received into the fellowship of the Church as a result of revival efforts con- ducted by the pastor, Wm. H. Wertenbaker and his wife. December closed the year by seeing Brother C. H. Page elected Deacon.
In 1908 C. W. Guthrie was called to the ministry. During this year and 1909 series of meetings were held by Elders W. E. Trostle, S. W. Funk, and W. F. England. Twelve were added to the church making a total membership of one hun- dred. The need for more help on the official board was met by electing N. J. Brubaker to the ministry and A. J. Trostle and A. O. Cropper to the Deaconship in 1910.
From January, 1912, until December, 1914, Wm. H. Wertenbaker served both as Elder and Pastor. During this period the annual offerings given to the district and general boards of the Brotherhood averaged over three hundred and forty-four dollars. The Pastor conducted a teacher training class from which sixteen graduated. The Sunday School grew from an average attendance of one hundred and thirty-two to one hundred and eighty-three.
Wm. H. Keim and Merrill Q. Calvert were added to the Deacon body by election. In 1915 George F. Chemberlen became Presiding Elder. J. W. Cline who had been called to the superintendency of the Sunday School the previous year, continued to direct its activities. As a result of the efforts put forth by him and his co-workers twenty-three were led to unite with the church. Following this Elder Isaac Frantz directed a series of evangelistic meetings during which ten more were received by baptism. Elder J. Z. Gilbert had the oversight of the Church during 1916.
Nineteen seventeen comes to us with George F. Chember- len for Presiding Elder and Robert H. Miller, the son of Elder R. H. Miller, as Pastor.
19/15
CHURCH
1910 ELCENTRO
1000 IMPERIAL VAL
1907 POMONA. CHURCH
PHOENIX
1912
11/3 PEARCE
1892 GLENDALE CHURCH
1912 SANTEE.
12 COVINA
COVINA
COVINA
1907 LONG BEACH
LOMITA
1896 INGLE WOOD CHURCH
LOMITA:
1897 CHANNING ST. MISS.
REDONDO. M. HERMOSO. M.
IST CHURCH - LOS ANGELES
1907 SOUTH LOSANGELES
PASADENA
1910 BOYLE HEIGHT. M.
SANTA FE
HA HOLLISTON. M.
M.
CHURCH.
w. I. T.
1890 TROPICO CHURCH
1892
LORDSBURG CHURCH
1893 EGAN CHURCH
1891
1889 CANAEJO
GLENDORA CHURCH
1903 SANTA ANA ENUREN.
CHURCH
COVINA - THE FIRST CHURCH
AND THE DIVISIONS AND SUB DIVISIONS
TROPICO CHURCH
SOME LIVING TRUTHS FROM THE DISTRICT CON- FERENCES
The First District Meeting of California was held April 6, 1889, in Covina. Covina and Conejo (ka-na-ho) being repre- sented. Christian Wine was Moderator, Jacob Whitmore a transient, Reading Clerk, and D. A. Norcross, Secretary. Covina was designated as church number one and Conejo num- ber two.
The first general topic was upon missions. The General Church erection and Missionary Committee, now the General Mission Board, was requested to contribute twenty-five dollars toward the evangelist's (Jacob Whitmore) expenses, then doing work in Southern California.
The second paper related to the efficiency of evangelists.
A preamble and resolutions from Covina, the substance of which set forth that the principles of the Church should be maintained by the General Church Erection and Missionary Committee, taking steps to guard against unfitness and un- worthiness of traveling evangelists.
The Conejo Church asked that the following query be sent to Annual Conference: "This Church petitions Annual Meet- ing to reconsider the decision made in 1881 in regard to elec- tions and that Annual Meeting authorize the churches in the Brotherhood to elect hereafter by a majority of all the votes cast.'
This indicates that the churches had no desire to run ahead of Annual Conference by adopting methods contrary to Con- ference and thus break the unity of the Spirit.
1890
District Meeting was held on February 22, 1890, on East Workman Street, Los Angeles.
Churches represented were Covina, Conejo, Tropico. Elder Peter Overholtzer was Moderator, Elder J. S. Flory Reading Clerk and Aaron Wolf Secretary.
Why use unfermented wine to represent the blood of
68
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Christ in redemption? Referred to Luke 22:17, 18, 22; Mark 14:23, 24, 25 ; Matthew 26:29 and 1 Corinthians 11:23.
"Is the admotion of Paul in 1 Cor. 16:2 binding on the Church today? Answer: "Yes." It is the duty of every mem- ber to lay by in store for the replenishing of the Church Treas- ury as the Lord has prospered him."
This indicates that the District was helding close to the apostolic method of securing God's means for God's uses.
A strong resolution was adopted extending an invitation to Elder R. H. Miller to visit the churches in California. Death claimed him before he could accept this brotherly request.
The number to constitute District Mission Board was changed from five to three. D. A. Norcross, David Over- holtzer and W. H. Hepner were chosen.
The Third District Meeting was held in Conejo 1891 (Ka-na-ho) Church April 10th. J. S. Flory, Mode- rator; T. J. Nair, Reading Clerk ; M. M. Eshelman, Secretary. Delegates: Covina, J. S. Flory, J. H. Miller ; Canejo, C. Wine, George F. Chemberlen; Lordsburg, T. J. Nair ; M. M. Eshelman. Lordsburg Church became the fourth in the District.
Here the first rules for the government of the District Meeting were adopted.
The missionary spirit was extant. Covina asked that steps be taken to secure a good minister and his wife to be at work constantly, and that means be procured to forward the work. The following answer was adopted :
"The local churches should urge the members to be liberal in contributing and to aid the ministers to do more preaching of the gospel wherever there are openings." Referred to a committee on Plan of Work.
Provision was made that either J. S. Flory or M. M. Eshel- man should represent the District at the Annual Meeting of 1891.
Three dollars were appropriated to meet Annual Meeting expenses and forwarded to S. H. Myers of Timberville, Va.
D. A. Norcross was to serve three years, W. H. Hepner two years, Darius Overholtzer one year. There being no defi-
69
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
nite rules whereby the Board could work, a committee was chosen to prepare a plan of work. The Committee presented the following, which was adopted :
1. The New Testament to be the constitution for the guidance of the Missionary Committee.
2. Five members shall constitute the Committee.
3. Since D. A. Norcross and W. H. Hepner are members of the Commttee, they are declared a part of it.
4. At the first meeting of the Missionary Committee the terms of service shall be determined by lot.
5. The Committee shall employ such faithful ministers as it can secure for the means at hand.
6. Officers shall be chosen from among their number.
7. In case local churches shall not appoint solicitors, then the Committee may appoint them.
8. The Committee shall observe the following in its report :
(a) Who were employed to preach and where.
(b) The number of members received into the Church by confession and baptism or otherwise.
(c) The condition of the congregation or congregations organized.
(d) Congregations assisted in building church houses.
(e) Amount of money received and from whence.
(f) Expenditures and for what purposes.
(g) The Committee to make rules for its government and suggest to District Meeting improvements to advance the work.
Committee-M. M. Eshelman, J. S. Flory, W. H. Hep- ner, George F. Chemberlen.
Dstrict Meeting Board-D. A. Norcross, W. H. Hepner, M. M. Eshelman, J. H. Miller, Darius Overholtzer.
J. F. Neher was chosen as State Evangelist.
The officers of the Meeting were authorized to prepare and forward a letter to Annual Conference at Hagerstown, Md.
The amount of money received was $146.61 and expended $74.01. Two persons were received at the Olive Heights Mis-
70
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
sion at East Riverside. Fifteen dollars' worth of tracts were used.
Annual Meeting of 1894 was asked to meet in California.
1892
The District Meeting was held in Lordsburg Feb- ruary 8th in the College Chapel.
Delegates: Covina, Peter Overholtzer, D. A. Norcross; Conejo, By letter; Tropico, J. E. Megie, Aaron Wolf ; Lordsburg, Dr. S. S. Garst, Peter Hartman.
J. S. Flory served as Moderator, T. J. Nair Reading Clerk, B. F. Masterson Secretary.
The Conejo Church asked Annual Conference if a letter of membership could be withheld from a brother because he was in debt, yet willing to pay as soon as he could.
The last Saturday in March of each year was named as the date of holding District Meetings.
Where there was more than one Elder in a congregation there should be no distinction as to rulership. Each had the same authority in oversight.
It was agreed that no local church had the right to vote the Sunday School to first place in service and preaching to second place. Sunday School was not to have priority over preaching services.
This petition asked Annual Conference to repeal all grants of insurance of any kind and to trust the "church for pro- tection." Refused.
"Since the tendency of short sermons and short services is growing, will this District Meeting say whether this tendency is leading to Gospel or Apostolic examples?" The answer is: "We advise that brethren use discretion in regard to long or short sermons."
The California Mission Board was asked to discontinue naming brethren to fill appointments alternately and designate a better system.
General Conference was asked to require officers of any local church to sign certificates instead of the Clerk doing it for them.
Elders J. S. Flory and J. F. Neher filled appointments alternately each four weeks in East Riverside, and Elders P. S.
71
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Myers and S. G. Lehmer did work at 119 South Spring street, Los Angeles.
The amount received, $119.86; from last year, $76.01. Total, $195.87. Ependitures, $76.75. Balance, $119.12.
M. M. Eshelman having resigned during the year and the time of J. H. Miller having expired, S. W. Funk and Peter Hartman were chosen to the vacancies on Mission Board.
Elder P. S. Myers was chosen State Evangelist. J. M. Gibbel was named as member of Standing Committee.
1893 The District Meeting convened March 25th in the Covina Church. The delegates were : Covina, Peter Overholtzer, George F. Chemberlen; Tropico, S. G. Lehmer, Aaron Wolf; Lordsburg, B. F. Masterson, E. A. Miller. Conejo was not represented as near all the members of that place had moved to other regions.
Moderator, J. S. Flory ; Reading Clerk, E. A. Miller ; Sec- retary, B. F. Masterson.
The renewal for Annual Conference to come to California in 1894 was adopted.
Mission in Los Angeles steadily growing under the care of P. S. Myers and S. G. Lehmer. One received into the Church.
East Riverside, under the care of J. S. Flory. Series of meetings by Elder Andrew Hutchinson. New field near Perris given some work by Elders John W. Metzger and B. F. Masterson.
Receipts, $348.99; last year's balance, $119.12. Total, $468.19. Expenditures, $113.00. Balance on hand, $355.19.
With this balance on hand the Missionary Committee asked the General Mission Board to "lend substantial aid" in prosecuting the work.
The District Meeting made an especial appeal to the local churches for more funds. D. A. Norcross was re-elected. Aaron Wolf and William Overholtzer, S. Hartman and J. H. Miller.
Elder J. S. Flory was sent to the Annual Meeting.
72
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
District Meeting of 1894 was held March 31st in 1894 Tropico. Covina was represented by Darius Over- holtzer, D. A. Norcross; Tropico, by P. S. Myers and J. E. Megie ; Lordsburg, by E. A. Miller and B. F. Master- son; Egan, by I. M. Gibbel and Jonathan Brubaker.
Elder P. S. Myers was given the Moderatorship. E. A. Miller did the reading and S. G. Lehmer Secretary.
A letter from the members at Glendale, Arizona, asked admittance, hence a resolution was adopted extending the ter- ritory so as to include Arizona.
The Conejo Church having failed to represent at District Meeting for several years, was encouraged by a revival in associations.
Lordsburg Church asked that Annual Conference come to California this year, and if not then to be held here in 1895. There was a commendable persistency to secure Annual Con- ference on this coast.
Tropico Church desired to know whether a local church should give permission to her minister to go elsewhere to hold series of meetings, because by going her own interests were neglected.
Lordsburg petitioned that the District employ an evan- gelist for one year and create means to meet the expenses. Covina also sought the same. The Meeting granted this and the Board employed Elder John S. Mohler of Kansas.
Work has been continued at Perris under the care of B. F. Masterson, and at East Riverside by J. S. Flory, and in Los Angeles by P. S. Myers and S. G. Lehmer, and at Monrovia by E. A. Miller.
On hand from last year, $355.19; from other sources, $218.68. Total, $573.87. Expenditures, $322.45. Balance in treasury, $251.42.
Darius Overholtzer was re-elected to Mission Board.
Elder J. W. Metzger was chosen to Standing Committee.
Elder S. G. Lehmer was elected State Evangelist; Elder J. S. Mohler, was Moderator, E. A. Miller, Reading Clerk, B. F. Masterson, Secretary.
73
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
The District Meeting convened in Lordsburg March 1895 29th. The Delegates were: Egan Church, I. M. Gibbel; Lordsburg, E. A. Miller, B. F. Masterson ; Covina, George F. Chemberlen, Darius Overholtzer; Tropico, A. Bush, J. D. Buckwalter; Glendale, Arizona and Merced, California, were represented by letters.
J. S. Mohler, Moderator ; E. A. Miller, Reading Clerk ; B. F. Masterson, Secretary.
Elder J. S. Mohler having done some work during the few months past desired to be relieved from further services. This was granted and he returned to Morrill, Kansas.
A request was made that Annual Meeting be held in Cali- fornia in 1896.
B. F. Masterson reported well of Perris Valley Mission. The Monrovia Mission was given the labors of George F. Chemberlen, D. A. Norcross and E. A. Miller. One was added to the flock. East Riverside was given the services of J. S. Flory. The Mission was transferred to Colton, and B. F. Masterson given charge. Los Angeles was cared for by P. S. Myers during part of the year. Funds failing, the work lapsed. Tropico Church assumed charge of City Mission. Enoch Eby did some work in Tropico.
Elder J. S. Mohler labored as follows :
In Egan, twenty meetings, one accession; in Monrovia, eighteen services, one accession; in Glendora, thirty-one meet- ings; in Lordsburg, thirty-one meetings, seven accessions.
Receipts, $664.94; balance from last year, $251.42. Total, $916.41. Expenditures, $422.88. Balance, $493.53.
During the year two hundred and forty-five services were held and ten added to the Church.
A summary of conditions was given. During the past five years twenty-two have been added to the church. The receipts were $1470.77.
On the Missionary Committee B. F. Masterson was chosen to fill the unexpired term of E. A. Miller, resigned: J. C. Whitmer succeeded S. W. Funk, Wm. Overholtzer was elected for three years.
Elder P. S. Myers was chosen on Standing Committee.
B. F. Masterson was chosen State Evangelist.
74
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
1896
The conference was held March 26th. in Glen- dora. The Delegates were:
Egan, I. M. Gibbel
Lordsburg, Samuel Henry, B. F. Masterson
Covina, Geo. F. Chemberlen, Darius Overholtzer
Tropico, Andrew Emmert, Aaron Wolf
Inglewood, Wm. J. Thomas, M. M. Eshleman
Merced and Conejo, California, and Glendale Arizona were not represented.
This was the eighth year since the beginning of District Meetings and seven local churches existed.
Wm. J. Thomas served as Moderator, E. A. Miller, as reading clerk and Darius Overholtzer as secretary.
COLTON had the care and help of B. F. Masterson and Wm. J. Thomas and the outlook was not very encourag- ing. Monrovia had the teachings of D. A. Norcross and Wm. J. Thomas. All the missions seemed to have lapsed some this year. The work under the supervision of Elder J. S. Mohler gave some results in the churches. His sermons were at Col- ton, Twenty-one, Compton eight, Covina, eighteen, Pomona thirteen, Lemon eleven, Redondo, seventeen, Los Angeles, nine- teen. One hundred and fifty-five sermons were delivered, and two added to the church.
These various funds had, by this time been created :-
Evangelist Fund, General Purpose Fund, Los Angeles County Fund, Los Angeles City Fund. The total funds at the time were $781.95,
Expenditures were $427.06. Leaving balance of $354.89.
$100.00 of this amount came from the General Mission Board. Jas. F. Thomas and Samuel Henry were chosen as members of the Missionary Committee.
The Committee recommended the employment of a min- ister who could give all his time to the work. The principal things recommended were constancy in work in Sunday School lines, visiting, meeting with the Missionary Committee, preach- ing. His compensation was fixed at $1.25 per day.
75
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
At this time, the first church of the Brethren
1897 or East Los Angeles Church was admitted out of the Tropico Church and enrolled in this District Meeting in Los Angeles.
Egan Church, C. J. Brandt.
Lordsburg, E. A. Miller, B. F. Masterson
Covina, D. A. Norcross, Darius Overholtzer
Los Angeles, J. D. Buckwalter, M. M. Eshelman
Inglewood, Philip Moore,
Not represented Merced, and Conejo, California and Glen- dale, Arizona.
Elder J. S. Mohler, Moderator, E. A. Miller, Reading Clerk, M. M. Eshelman Secretary and D. A. Norcross, assistant.
The Monrovia Mission gave good promise. Elder S. C. Holsinger was employed during the year and he preached one hundred and thirty eight sermons and two were received into the church. A special mission fund had been created and an educational fund started. The total receipts for the year were $413.11. Balance from last year $346.09. Total for the year $759.20. J. D. Buckwalter was placed upon the committee in place of Darius Overholtzer. Samuel Henry resigned and Geo. F. Chemberlen placed in his stead.
Covina called a Bible School somewhere in the District. Its features were to be : Location of easy access for ministers. Ministers to be used immediately at its close in local congrega- tions. A committee chosen recommended
1. A committee of Arrangements.
2. Committee on Program.
3. Session of one week at least.
4. Work to embrace preaching, Sunday School and Bible Outlines.
5. Reports from Sunday Schools.
6. Lessons to be distributed prior to the meeting.
7. Missionary sermon to be preached in each congrega- tion prior to Bible School.
8. Chairman of Committee of Arrangements to preside at the School.
76
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
9. Name of School to be "The Bible School and Missionary Meeting."
10. One day to be given to Sunday School.
11. Committee of Arrangements, P. S. Myers, J. D. Buckwalter, Homer Milton Baker.
12. Committee on Program, M. M. Eshelman, S. G. Lehmer, E. A. Miller.
These meetings were herd in Los Angeles, 234 S. Han- cock Street, the attendance was large. Elder Andrew Hutch- inson edifyingly preached each evening. E. A. Miller gave but two lessons and M. M. Eshelman taught two lessons each day for one week giving outlines on blackboard. The Missionary lesson was given on comparative religions by means of colored chalk on blackboard and cards on a string stretched across the platform. Here a collection was given for a house at Chan- ning Mission. Enough was secured to erect a neat house. Elder J. W. Metzger gave the first dollars-ten of them!
The call for Annual Meeting was based upon the rate that might be offered by the railways to passengers from east of the Rocky Mountains. The call was for 1898.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.