An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day, Part 47

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > California > Los Angeles County > An illustrated history of Los Angeles County, California. Containing a history of Los Angeles County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day > Part 47

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).

The pastors of the church have been: Elias Birdsall, J. Talbot, H. H. Messenger, C. F. Loop, J. B. Gray, William H. Ilill until 1880, since which time Rev. E. Birdsall has been the rector.

The society continued worship in that build- ing until Christmas day, 1883, in the meantime selling the property to the county. It is now used temporarily for county offices. On the day mentioned the society began holding services in a new church on Olive street, between Fifth and Sixth, and fronting upon that beautiful city park; the edifice is still unfinished. The name of the society was changed in 1884 to "St. Panl's Church," and at present it comprises about 500 communicants. The vestrymen are: H. G. Lee, Senior Warden; J. F. Towell, Junior Warden; J. M. Elliott, James Onzner, Hugh Vail and C. J. Fox.

A very fine parsonage, in a commanding posi- tion at No. 955 Seventhstreet, was built in 1887.

The Episcopal churches in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights were established by Rev. Birdsall and his assistant, as off-shoots from St. Paul's; and at least three missions have been or are under its supervision. St. Barnabas Mis. sion, in Vernondale, is fully organized, and there are the Ellis Avenue and Alpine Street branches of the St. Paul's Sunday-school.

REV. ELIAS BIRDSALL was born at Hammonds- port, Steuben County, New York, February 21, 1831. Ile graduated at Nashotah, Wisconsin, and was ordained an Episcopal minister in 1856. He became rector of St. Paul's Parish at Evans- ville, Indiana, and from thence, in 1864, he came to California, arriving in Los Angeles on Christmas day. He came as a missionary, Los Angeles at that time being entirely destitute of Protestant religious service. Mr. Birdsall re- lates that before he came down here, he met at San José a Methodist clergyman who had been here, and who reported Los Angeles a hard field, and that the Methodists, who are nsnally pio- neers, had given it up, for the time being at least.

Mr. Birdsall held his first service the next Sunday after his arrival, January 1, 1865, at Odd Fellows' Hall, in the Downey Block. The few Protestants here then, who had erected the frame and roof of the building, corner of New High and Temple streets, now occupied by the county tax-collector, proposed that Mr. Birdsall, whom they liked from the first, should hold services, from the lack of any other suitable place, in this building. Of course he readily assented to this, on condition that it be trans- ferred to the Episcopalians. Everybody who had contributed to its erection was perfectly willing that this should be done. People here who had long been without religious services, except in a foreign and dead language, and who, unless they were Roman Catholics or Free- inasons, were deprived of all religious cere- monies at their marriages or funerals, cared very little about the petty differences of sects. Although the first Protestant church edifice in Los Angeles was erected under the ministra- tions of the Rev. Mr. Boardman, who happened to be a Presbyterian, the people would have contributed just as freely if he had been an Episcopalian, or a Methodist or a Congrega- tionalist. So the necessary legal proceedings for the transfer were consummated, and every- body then who was interested was perfectly satisfied; all the steps taken were regular, open

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and above-board, and every way honorable to all the parties concerned. The building was com- pleted and was occupied as a place of worship for many years, first by Mr. Birdsall as rector, and afterward by Revs. Messrs. Talbott, Gray, Burton, Loop, Hill, and then by Mr. Birdsall again, till it was finally sold and a new and more commodious edifice was erected on Olive street, where Mr. Birdsall is still rector.

Many old residents remember well the occa- sion of the funeral ceremonies of President Lincoln, held on the 19th of April, 1865, in the upper hall (then a theatre) of the old court- house, where a large concourse of citizens gath- ered to listen to a discourse which Mr. Birdsall had been invited to deliver, and which was one of the most admirable ones of the thonsands that were pronounced simultaneously through- ont the United States on that sad day. From 1866 to 1880 Mr. Birdsall was rector of a par- ish either in Stockton or San Francisco. In 1880 he returned to Los Angeles, and has re- mained here ever since. In 1860 he married Miss Bennett, and they have four children- three sons and one daughter. Paul, the eldest son, graduated at Trinity College, Hartford, Connectient; he is now attending the Berkley Divinity School at Middletown, preparatory to entering the ministry. He is the private secre- tary of Right-Rev. Dr. John Williams, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. Godfrey, the second son, was thrce years at West Point.

Mr. Birdsall is a very earnest as well as able clergyman, as he is also an admirable man in every relation of life. Ile is a logical thinker and a fine elocutionist. He holds-and most laymen will entirely agree with him -that every person who expects to make public speaking his life business, in whatever profession, should fit himself therefor by making a special study be- forehand of elocution., How many preachers and lawyers and legislators mar their labors and tire ont and disgust their anditors by ap- parently totally neglecting this most essential art!

Mr. Birdsall is still rector of the same parish which he organized in 1865, twenty-four years ago, which was then composed of but a few familics or persons of different Protestant sects ;. but which is now a strong, prosperons parish, composed almost wholly of members distinct- ively Episcopalian.

It is believed that the arrival of Mr. Birdsall in Los Angeles antedates that of any other Protestant clergyman now living here.

Christ Church was organized November 1, 1887, with about 125 communicants; there are now about 250 This is also an offshoot from St. Paul's Parish. The leading members in this organization were Judges Stephens and Ander- son, C. E. Thorn, William Pridham and others. The present vestrymen are: J. A. Anderson, C. E. Thorn, William Pridham, George W. Par- sons, Dr. A. E. Gresham, W. B. Shaw, W. F. Fitzgerald, J. D. Bethune and W. B. Hughes. Rev. Thomas W. Haskins, Rector. Meetings were first held in the A. O. U. W. Hall. Shortly afterward they leased for four years the Y. M. C. A. Hall, on Fort street, near Second; but at present they meet in the W. C. T. U. IIall, corner of Eighth and Fort streets.

Church of the Ascension, in Boyle Heights, on St. Louis street, near Brooklyn avenne, is a mission, and was established in 1886, by Rev. H. S. Jeffreys, with abont a dozen members. Rev. T. W. Haskins took charge in the spring of 1887, built the chapel and placed Rev. D. F. Mckenzie, the present pastor, in charge. There are now about sixty communicants, and the vestrymen are: O. F. Marx, Warden; H. F. Shorting, Secretary; S. P'. Owsley, Treasurer; J. H. Masters, E. A. Willis, C. R. Hodgers and J. D. Holdridge.

Church of the Epiphany, East Los Angeles, was first started some years ago as a mission, and in 1888 was organized as a parish by Rev. Henry 'Scott Jeffreys, who is now a missionary in Japan. The vestrymen are: II. G. Newhal, S. W .; William Ingram J. W .; E. A. Coxhead, W. E. B. Partridge, Robert Pollard, and Mr. Pymer. Their house of worship, which will

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HISTORY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

seat 130 or 140, on the corner of North Sickel and Patrick streets, was erected early in 1888, and the society began holding services therein during the month of July, that year. The present rector is Rev. Charles A. Kinsley, recently from Colorado.

St. Paul's Hospital, on Sand street, near Philadelphia street, was incorporated in Sep- tember, 1887, under the auspices of the Episco- pal churches of Los Angeles and vicinity, and is under the immediate supervision of "Sister Mary." The present building, occupied only temporarily, is full of patients, having a capacity for only twenty-five. The corporation has about $15,000 worth of property, a donation from St. Paul's Church, which will be used in the con- struction of a good building. J. F. Towell is the active man in this enterprise.

Room 35 in the California Bank Building is maintained as a kind of headquarters for all the Episcopal churches in the community.

METHODIST.

Fort Street Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first Methodist sermon in Los Angeles was preached in June, 1850, by Rev. J. W. Brier, at the adobe residence of J. G. Nichols, where the court-honse now stands. Mr. Brier was an emigrant of 1849, on the Salt Lake route. At Death Valley, on the desert, he had to put his wife and two children on an ox, himself afoot, and so entered Los Angeles. In 1853 Rev. Adam Bland was sent by the California Con- ference to this, the "Southern California Mis- sion." At this time Mr. Bland and J. W. Potts constituted the entire membership. In these early days meetings were held in the court-house. The pastors in charge of the church have been: Revs. Adam Bland, 1853; J. McHenry Calwell and W. R. Peck, 1855; Elijah Merchant, 1856; David Tuthill, 1857; C. Gillett, 1866; A. P. Heruden, 1867; A. Coplin, 1868; A. M. Hough, 1869-'70; P. Y. Cool, 1871; S. H. Stump, 1872; J. W. Camp- bell, 1873; George S. Hickey, M. M. Bovard and E. S. Chase to October, 1883; P. F. Brazee to October, 1886, and R. S. Cantine thenee to

the present time. The membership has varied greatly on account of spasmodic impulses of immigration and formation of separate churches. The number now remaining is 1,405.

The church edifice, on Fort street between Third and Fourth, when erected in 1875, cost $18,000, but $14,000 was expended in 1887 in enlarging and improving the building. On ac- count of the rise in real estate, the whole prop- erty in October, 1888, was valued at $75,000. A good parsonage is at 425 Fort street.

Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, at 445 East First street, was. erected some five or six years ago. The building and lot in the fall of 1888 was valued at $23,860. The parsonage, at 37 Banning street, was built in 1887. There are probably about 200 members in connection with this church. The pastors have been Revs. Vandevender, Learned, and since September, 1886, William A. Knighten.

Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church, named in honor of the late Bishop Matthew Simpson, was incorporated February 26, 1887, and has now a membership of about 175. Rev. A. C. Williams, D. D., is the pastor.

The church edifice, popularly known as the "Simpson Methodist Episcopal Tabernacle," is located at 666 Hope street, and has a more im- posing style of architecture than any other in the city. It is now (September, 1889,) about completed. It cost about $40,000, and the lot, 134 x 165 feet, cost $9,000. In lot and building, Judge R. M. Widney alone has contributed nearly $20,000. The structure is of brick, terra cotta, granite and iron, no wood being used excepting for floors and joists. The terra- cotta work cost $5,000, and the pressed and matched briek-over a million · in number- about $3,000. The bricks are pressed closely down, instead of being loosely laid upon the mortar, as is the custom, and the masonry throughout is said to be the best in Southern California. The window lighting and the tran- somns are of Venetian, cathedral and opalescent glass. There are two galleries, making the total seating capacity of the Tabernacle abont

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2,500. The seats are opera chairs, "style No. 4," with self-adjusting backs, from the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Furniture Company. On the main floor are large double parlors, for minor and social mcetings, especially those con- ducted by the ladies. To the audience room are eight broad exits. Well equipped library and reading rooms are also furnished, and in the basement are several commodious rooms eventually to be used for calisthenic and gym- nastic exercises -- one of the leading ideas of the corporation being the encouragement of young people in such entertainments and men- tal and physical development as are in keeping with the strictest rules of Christian propriety.

The fine parsonage, on the same lot, will be, when completed, of a style of architecture simi- lar to that of the Tabernacle.

Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church was organized September 12, 1885, in the theater at Washington Gardens, with only "two" (twelve?) members, out of a mission that had been started there the year previously. There are now 100 members, of whom the Class-Lead- ers are: A. Z. Taft, S. J. Lamphere, Theodore Kemp, S. II. Kingery, G. E. Johnson and II. E. Sisson. Rev. I. L. Spencer was pastor from 1885-'88, and Rev. Edward Thomson, D. D., thence to date. This minister is the son of the late eminent University president and bishop, Edward Thomson, of Delaware, Ohio. The house of worship, 30 x 50 feet, was erected in 1886-'87, on Main street, near by, and removed to Celis street, near Main, in 1888, and im- proved. The church property in October, that year, was valued at $2,000.

University Methodist Episcopal Church is at the University, for the accommodation of the professors and students of that institution.

Vincent Methodist Episcopal Church was organized May 1, 1889, with abont thirty mem- bers. Rev. W. B. Barber is pastor. The church building, 45 x 85 feet, on Shaw avenne, near Main, was erected this year, and dedicated July 14, by Bishop J. II. Vincent, after whom it is named. Having a gallery at each end its

seating capacity is about 800. It has also a library room, pastor's study, and other small rooms.

Bellevue Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, corner of Pearl, was organized in Octo- ber, 1887, and has now nearly 180 members. Value of church property, $6,500. Pastor, Rev. Frank L. Morrill.

The Central Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church was organized March 18, 1888; charter members, twelve; present membership, seventy- one. The corner-stone of the church edifice was laid June 17, 1888. The lecture room was finished and furnished in Angust following. The main church, which was estimated to cost $8,000, is not yet built, though the foundation, 36 × 48 feet in dimensions, was all complete at the corner-stone laying. The size of the lecture room is probably about 24 x 38 feet.

The lecture or Sunday-school room will hold the relation of transept to the main building. The cost of the lecture room was $2,850; its seating capacity, including gallery (end), is abont 250. Its location is on Vernon avenue, near the corner of Central avenue. Dr. Daniel Cobb organized the church, and has been its pastor since February, 1888. They have a Sunday-school, organized the 22d of April, 1888, with thirty-two scholars, officers and teachers. At the present time there are 125 on the general roll. The church also has a " Band of llope," numbering over 100 members. This church is incorporated according to State law and has a promise of coming strength. It also has two lots, giving 100 feet front and 165 feet in depth. "There is abundant room for a parsonage."

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, in East Los Angeles, was organized several years ago; Rev. Daniel Cobb, D. D., was the first pastor, followed by Revs. E. S. Chase,

Robinson, and Henry Cox since October, 1887. There are now about 260 members, counting also the probationers. The membership has nearly doubled within the last year and a half. Their house of worship is a neat frame struct-

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ure located on the east side of Workman street, north of Downey avenue. The building, erected several years ago, has been considerably im- proved within the last year. The parsonage is at 44 North Sichel street.

Boyle Heights Methodist Episcopal Church was organized abont four years ago. A Sunday- school, however, had been commenced in a building where a saloon now exists, at the junction of Chicago avenue with First strect. The membership of the church has increased from eighteen to 150. The church building, a neat frame, is located at the intersection of St. Louis street and Pennsylvania avenue. The ministers have been: Revs. P. Peterson, Charles Shillings, J. A. Wachob, F. W. Johnson, and J. B. Holloway, the present pastor. Mr. Sanborn is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

German Methodist Episcopal Church .- This denomination was first represented in Los An- geles County in July, 1872, and the first services held in Los Angeles, the first Sunday of that month and year, were conducted by Rev. G. H. Bollinger. In 1876 Mr. Bollinger was appointed by the Conference to organize the mission into a church, which organization was perfected the second Sunday in November, 1876, in the old Fort Street Methodist Church. The church when organized had nine members. The building which they now occupy, on Fourth street, between Hill and Fort, was dedicated the second Sunday in November, 1879; cost of the edifice and lot, $6,000. The Sabbath- school, also organized in November, 1876, has now a good attendance, with John Fuhrer as superintendent. The present membership of the church is 130; Class-Leaders: Dr. Carl Zahn and F. Maeder. The pastors since Rev. Bol- linger's time have been: Revs. William Schuldt, L. E. Schneider, and, since September, 1887, G. J. Schultz. The parsonage is at 246 South Hill street.

The Los Angeles German Methodist Episco- pal Mission embraces three "appointments,"- Pico Heights, Hyde Park and Main street German Methodist Episcopal Church; on Celis

street,-which are now served by Rev. William Schuldt, just referred to.

The German Methodists, while holding their membership in the old English-speaking con- ferences, have their work in this State, since the fall of 1888, distinctly organized.

Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church was organized December 25, 1887, with thirteen members, by Rev. Angust Peterson, who served as the first pastor until September, 1888, since which time Rev. John O. Wahlberg has been in charge. This people began holding their meet- ings in the German Methodist Episcopal Church on Fort street, but now worship in the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South, on the same street, near Sixtlı. They have a lot, upon which a parsonage is built, at 38 Earl street, and they contemplate the erection of a church building at no distant day. Sunday nights they have services at Grand Army Hall, 25 North Main street. - The present membership numbers forty- seven, of whom John Peterson is the leader. The church is in a flourishing condition.

Wesley Chapel (colored) Methodist Episco- pal Church was organized Angust 24, 1888, with twenty-three members and eighteen pro- bationers; now there are fifty-six members and seventeen probationers. They hold services in a hall on Los Angeles street, near Boyd street. They are mostly from Texas,-a few from other Southern States. Rev. F. H. Tubbs (white) has been the pastor from the first to the present time.

There was formerly an African Methodist Episcopal Church. Religious services were first held by this domination in Los Angeles at the house of Robert Owen (familiarly called " Uncle Bob ") in 1854. A church was organ- ized and a honse erected on the corner of Fourth and Charity streets, in 1869, and dedicated by Bishop T. M. D. Ward. The first members of the church were: Mrs. Winnie Owen, Mrs. B. Mason and Miss Alice Coleman. Rev. -- Moulton was the first pastor.

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South. -As early as 1871-'72 ministers of the Meth-

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odist Episcopal Church, South, began to preach in Los Angeles and vicinity. Meetings were first held in private houses and in the old county court-house, under. the direction of the Rev. Abram Adams, now of Savannah, and others. Later the congregation assembled in a small hall, rented for the purpose, on Spring street. It was, however, not until the year 1873 that a permanent organization was effected. The Rev. A. M. Campbell was that year transferred from the East and became the first regular pastor. A lot was then purchased on Spring street, near the intersection of First, and in 1875 the origi- nal " Trinity " Church was erected. Under the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Campbell the church enjoyed signal prosperity, but his health failing in 1876, before the conclusion of his term, he was relieved from the work and Rev. H. W. Featherstone, of the Mississippi Conference, was transferred to fill the pastorate. He was succeeded in the following year by the Rev. M. J. Law, who occupied the pulpit until October, 1879, when Rev. Thos. R. Curtis, now of Downey, was appointed his successor. Mr. Curtis filled a full pastoral term of four years, and was succeeded November, 1883, by the Rev. W. B. Stradley, of the Halston Conference. Mr. Stradley also filled the fall term, and under his energetic supervision the church grew to be one of the largest and most prosperous congre- gations of the city.

During his pastorate plans were matured for the erection of a larger house of worship in a more eligible location. The old church and lot on Spring street were sold and the present site on Fort, between Fifth and Sixth streets, was secured. In 1885 the present elegant church was erected, at a cost of some $50,000 or more. A handsome organ was also placed in the choir loft, at a cost of $4,000. In 1887 the Rev. D. C. Browne, of Kansas City, became pastor by appointment of Bishop Hargrove. That year the second church, known as " Bellevue Avenue Church," was organized from the congregation of Trinity, with Rev. Stradley as pastor. Rev. Fitzgerald l'arker, son of the late Bishop Par-

ker, was inade temporary pastor October, 1888, and filled the pulpit two months. In Novem- ber, 1888, the Rev. Horace M. Du Bose, the present pastor, was appointed by Bishop Gallo- way.

During the present year three new churches have been organized under the auspices and from the congregation of Trinity, viz .: Wash- ington Street, with Rev. Geo. Bough, Pastor; San Mateo, on Mateo street, and the congrega- tion at Pasadena, with Rev. J. A. Harmon, Pastor. The first two named have erected bean- tiful and commodious houses of worship. The Pasadena congregation worships in Webster Hall. This church now has twenty-one mem- bers. Three hundred and twenty-five yet re- main as members of the old Trinity Church, and the number is constantly increasing.

The German Evangelical Association of Los Angeles was organized in 1884, by Rev. Her- mann Brauer, who served as its pastor one year, followed by Theodore Suhr three years, and John Berger, from Wabash, Indiana, since May, 1888. There are now abont seventy-five mem- bers, of whom Ervin Althaus is leader, George Gehring is an exhorter, and J. J. Kocher is the superintendent of the Sunday-school. The church building, about 34 x 56 feet, was erected in 1885, under the supervision of Rev. Suhr, and is located on Olive street, east side, between Seventh and Eighth streets. A fine parsonage, built by Rev. Braner, adjoins the premises.

PRESBYTERIAN.

In November, 1854, the first Presbyterian service was held by Rev. James Woods, in a little carpenter shop on Main street, where the Pico House now stands. The first permanent organization of the First Presbyterian Church was in March, 1855. In the old adobe building on Spring street, Mr. Woods held regular Sun- day services for one year. When organized there were just twelve members. Mr. H. D. Barrows furnished music with his flute, and Mr. Granger (a lawyer and ex-Baptist minister) led the singing. Rev. Mr. Davis succeeded Mr.

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Woods and remained one year. Rev. J. M. Boardman (anthor of the " Higher Life") suc- ceeded and remained several years. The church pulpit was then vacant for some years, save when occasional services were held, until the year 1875, when Rev. F. A. White, LL. D., re- suscitated the church and preached for several years. Rev. F. M. Cunningham (since deceased) came next and remained about a year and a half, and was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Ellis. From the fall of 1885 to October, 1888, Rev. W. J. Chichester, D. D., was the pastor, and since that time Rev. Mr. Russell, from Pennsylvania, snstains that relation. In October, 1888, there were about 800 members of this body, but on the formation of Immanuel Church soon after- ward abont 100 were taken away; a number, however, have since joined. The Ruling Elders are: Angus Polson, Wm. B. Herriott, J. B. Hunt, E. S. Fields and A. B. McBurney.

This church assisted in the erection of what is known as the St. Athanasius Episcopal Church, located on the corner of Temple and New High streets, which was built in 1864 by the First Protestant Society. They held serv- ices in this church until 1864, when they were refunded the amount they had contributed for its erection, and the building was transferred to the Episcopalians.

Their house of worship is a fine large edifice at the corner of Fort and Second streets.

The Second Presbyterian Church is in East Los Angeles, worshiping in their building, 45 x 50 feet, on the southwest corner of Downey avenne and Daly street, and beginning here six or seven years ago. At present there are 150 members. Pastor, R. Mayne Irvine since Jan- nary 1, 1888, who is a native of California, but graduated in the London (England) Presbytery; Stated Clerk, Robert Strong; Ruling Elders, Thomas Meredith, Dr. A. C. Stephenson and W. F. Poor; Sunday-school Superintendent, D. B. Sumner.

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092