USA > California > Los Angeles County > Pasadena > History of Pasadena, comprising an account of the native Indian, the early Spanish, the Mexican, the American, the colony, and the incorporated city, occupancies of the Rancho San Pasqual, and its adjacent mountains, canyons, waterfalls and other objects of interest: being a complete and comprehensive histo-cyclopedia of all matters pertaining to this region > Part 59
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on Orange Grove Avenue, south. Rev. W. C. Mosher, Presbyterian, had preached there just the Sunday previous the first sermon of any sort ever delivered in this vicinage. The church people of the colony thus main- tained a union meeting for some months.
April 18, 1875, a Methodist "class " was organized by Rev. J. M. Campbell of Los Angeles, with I. N. Mundell as leader, and the following first members : D. H. Pike, Lucinda Pike, A. O. Porter, Anna Porter, P. M. Green, Hettie Green, W. J. Barcus, Elmina P. Barcus, I. N. Mundell, Anna Mundell, and Elizabeth Edwards. This of course was the beginning of a distinctively Methodist church ; and on July 18, this year, Rev. F. D. Bovard commenced preaching for them regularly every alternate Sunday. This continued until September, when the Conference made Pasadena a part of a circuit which included East Los Angeles, Florence and Vernon also, and Rev. C. W. Tarr was appointed over it. He preached at Pasadena once in two weeks until April 23, 1876, when he held his last service here in the then unfinished new Presbyterian church building on California street. Mr. Tarr returned east, and Rev. J. W. Stump of Los Angeles preached here until July. Then on July 2, 1876, Rev. Charles Shelling commenced his labors here, with a notable centennial sermon for that day, and continued as the Methodist pastor of Pasadena until September, 1878.
October 13, 1876, Rev. Shelling, A. O. Porter, D. H. Pike and P. M. Green were appointed a building committee to raise funds, buy a lot and let contract for a church building of their own. Times were extremely "hard " in California that year, and their numbers few ; yet by January 7, 1877, they had their new church dedicated, free of debt. It stood where now is the corner of Orange Grove Avenue and Palmetto drive. Mr. Shelling also procured a church to be built at Alhambra, which was in his circuit.
During the Conference year 1878-79, Rev. F. S. Woodcock was pastor at Pasadena and Alhambra ; and in September, '79, the Pasadena church reported 39 members. For the ensuing year Rev. E. S. Chase was pastor of the two places. Then in September, 1880, Rev. R. W. C. Farnsworth was appointed ; he served the two places two years, and the third year had Pasadena alone. [It was during this period that he prepared his book en- titled " A California Paradise," which was published in 1883. It took in Pasadena, Alhambra, San Gabriel, La Canyada, Sierra Madre and Duarte.] During Farnsworth's last year a parsonage was built.
In September, 1883, Rev. J. B. Green became the pastor ; and during his term the church was moved from its original site on Orange Grove Avenue to a lot on Colorado street next to Wiley & Greeley's livery stable. In September, 1884, Rev. A. W. Bunker became the pastor and continued two years.
January 23, 1886, it was decided to erect a new church and parsonage combined, after a design furnished by Ridgway & Ripley, architects-to
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cost $15,000. On Sunday, February 7, Rev. Dr. J. G. Miller preached a sermon on the subject; and then $7,000 was pledged, in addition to $600 cash on hand, and the other property of the church valued at $3,000. . A building committee was appointed, as follows: C. B. Ripley, Geo. E. Meharry, P. M. Green, C. W. Roberts, C. W. Buchanan, and the pastor. Work was commenced on the foundation March 8, 1886; and on April 16 the corner stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies. The stone itself was donated by A. F. Mills, and the box or sealing casket by F. D. Stevens. In the box were deposited twenty-eight different books, documents, papers, etc. At this time further subscriptions amounting to over $1000 were pledged for the building fund. The work went forward vigorously ; and the Union of June 25, 1886, gave this summarized account of it :
"M. E. church and parsonage, corner Marengo Avenue and Colorado street ; Gothic style of architecture. Ridgway and Ripley, architects ; John McCracken, superintending master workman. The combined building is 72 X 122 feet. The parsonage part contains eight rooms besides halls, closets, pantry, bath-rooms, etc .; the church area is 70x 78 feet; auditorium 45×45 on floor and 34 feet high, with front gallery. Also, lecture room, 4 class rooms, pastor's study, church kitchen, church parlors ; tower and steeple 140 feet from ground. Total cost, $15,000."
A report made on corner-stone day showed that 268 persons had been full mem- bers of this church since its organization. On July 9th this year they sold their church lot on Colorado street to Wiley & Greeley and David Evey for $6,000 cash. (These men afterward sold the building to the Uni- versalist people.) On March 20, 1887, the new church was dedicated, free of debt. December 1I, 1890, its great steeple was blown down. [See page 165.]
In 1888 the people of this church M. E. CHURCH. After the steeple was blown down. erected the historic building known as "The Tabernacle," 80x 90 feet, two stories, with seating capacity of 2,000, at a cost of $10,700.
In September, 1886, Rev. P. F. Bresee, D. D., became pastor, and was continued four years, till 1890; then Rev. J. W. Phelps was appointed, and continued three years. On September 26, 1893, Rev. Clark Crawford com- menced his work as the pastor, and still fills the place in 1895. In April, 1895, the roll of members in full connection was 973 ; probationers about 40. Number of class meetings, 11. Members of Sunday school over 600. The other auxiliary organizations are : Epworth League, Junior E. L., Boys' Brigade, Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Young Women's F. M. S., Wesley Band (missionary), Women's Home Missionary Society.
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These various missionary societies maintain the Chinese Mission on North Marengo Avenue; and also mission Sunday services at Lamanda Park and La Canyada.
The pulpit stand of the Tabernacle has been occupied by many famous people, among whom I mention these : Rev. Sam Jones in 1888. The next morning after speaking, Jones called on Dr. Bresee in his study and was smoking a cigar. The room being small was soon filled with smoke, which annoyed the Doctor, and he opened a window to get some unbefouled air. Jones remarked, "You Pasadena people don't favor smoking very much !" Dr. Bresee hesitated a moment, scratching his head for an idea, then replied, " No; we've repented of our sins."
On March 12, 1889, the world-famed evangelist, D. L. Moody, preached here, and was given a collection of $80. The attendance was reported at 2,000. August 5, 1890, the distinguished temperance orator of Kentucky, Col. Geo. W. Bain, spoke here. In 1891 Rev. B. Fay Mills, of preeminent celebrity in evangelistic work, conducted meetings for a week in the Taber- nacle. In September, 1894, Gen. Lew Wallace, whose masterful Christian story of "Ben Hur" has been translated around the world, spoke here. June 21, 1895, the world-famed Susan B. Anthony and Rev. Anna H. Shaw spoke here, on the Woman Suffrage question.
A printed report September 30, 1891, showed that the church had raised and paid for current expenses the preceding year $7,432.15.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- In 1882 Rev. G. H. Bol- linger, presiding elder of the German district which included Pasadena, commenced holding cottage services for the German people here, who were few and widely scattered at that time. In the autumn they organized a German M. E. church at the house of C. H. Biedebach, on north Santa Anita Avenue near Lamanda Park, with fourteen members. Of this organ- ization Mr. Biedebach was the class leader and local preacher ; and Chas. Brenner was steward. December 23, 1886, they incorporated under the name of "Emanuel Methodist Episcopal church," and bought a lot for a church and parsonage at corner of Worcester Avenue and Ramona street, where they erected buildings in the spring of 1887, at a cost of $3,500. Church can seat 225. The first board of trustees were : C. Brenner, A. Ruedy, and Henry, John and Conrad Biedebach. In April, 1895, the church had about sixty-five members. Its successive pastors have been : Rev. Bollinger, 1882-83; Rev. Wm. Schuldt, 1883 to 1886; Rev. L. E. Schneider, 1886 to 1888; Rev. Schuldt again, 1888 to 1891 ; Rev. Bollinger again, 1891, and serving yet- 1895.
NORTH PASADENA M. E. CHURCH .-- During the Conference year 1888-89, Rev. W. A. Wright was appointed to preach at the mission stations of Olivewood and North Pasadena. The next year, 1889-90, Rev. T. C. Miller was put on the same circuit. And then Rev. A. W. Bunker
31
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HISTORY OF PASADENA.
filled this appointment for the two years, 1890 to 1892. During these years the meetings had been held in a hired hall, but in 1892 this church bought the Free Methodist church building on Pepper street, and have since worshipped there. Rev. A. C. Manwell was the pastor in 1892-94. And Rev. J. A. Wachob in 1894-95.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- Rev. J. R. McClain held a meeting at the house of Silas Carnahan, who then lived at the west foot of Raymond Hill, about September 1, 1889, at which only four or five persons were present. But the next Sunday, September 5, a meeting was held and the church organized in the old City Hall building on Raymond Avenue, with the following first members: C. G. Lee, S. Carnahan, Hen- derson Boone, A. Lumis, Alfred Summers, Mrs. Sadie Wright, Miss Mamie Wright, Mrs. Penelope Prince and her sons Wm. and Frank M. Prince, Mrs. James Coleman, Cora Cambell. The officers then were : Rev. McClain, pastor ; Mr. Lee, superintendent Sunday school; Carnahan, Summers, Boone, and Albert Muse, trustees. After holding meetings in rented rooms at different points for several years, they finally secured a lot on North Fair Oaks Avenue near Villa street, and in 1892 built a church on it; then in 1895 they added a parsonage, the lot and buildings costing $1,700. In April, 1895, there were thirty-two members. Besides the Sunday school, they have a Literary Society and a Woman's Mite Missionary Society. Their successive pastors after McClain have been Rev. - - Curran, Rev. Chas. Augustus, Rev. C. W. H. Nelson, Rev. W. R. Green, Rev. S. S. Freeman. In 1894-95 the Pasadena pastor preached also at Duarte and Pomona, where classes had been organized - these three places making the "Pasadena circuit."
FREE METHODIST CHURCH .- During the month of May, 1888, Rev. C. B. Ebey of the Illinois Conference of the Free Methodist church came to Pasadena. Assisted by Rev. C. E. McReynolds he conducted a series of meetings in a tent on grounds owned by Dr. Reid, corner of Pasadena Avenue and Kansas streets, and on Sunday, June 17, 1888, Rev. Ebey organized the first Free Methodist church in Southern California. Names of first members : J. A. Bennett, Sarah W. Bennett, Maggie F. Bennett, E. E. Warren, Mrs. McReynolds, Mary McReynolds, C. M. Farr, Carrie Farr, E. C. Shipley, Eliza Shipley, Eunice Shipley, Mattie Ebey, Wm. H. Ball, Sadie Ball, Carrie Abbott. The first officers were : Rev. C. B. Ebey, pastor ; J. A. Bennett, class leader ; E. C. Shipley, local preacher ; C. M. Farr, J. H. Bennett, E. E. Warren, stewards. Later the tent was moved to North Pasadena, where a more extensive work was accomplished,-a lot purchased and a neat church built. In 1892 this property was sold to the North Pasadena M. E. church, and a lot purchased on Fair Oaks Avenue, near Chestnut street, on which a good church and parsonage were erected in 1892-93. The successive pastors after Ebey were : Rev. Chas. McReynolds,
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1889 .- Rev. Josephine Cowgill, 1890-[now, 1895, serving as a missionary in Jerusalem] .- Rev. David McLeod, 1891-92-now postmaster at North Pasadena : and the new church on Fair Oaks Avenue was built under his pastorate .- Rev. James Seals, 1894 .- Rev. J. S. Phillips, 1895.
M. E. CHURCH SOUTH .- Organized in May, 1889, with Rev. J. A. Harmon as pastor. It was kept up over a year, then abandoned, the mem- bers mostly uniting with other churches.
FRIENDS CHURCH.
In 1881 a Quaker minister named Adonijah Gragory and wife settled at Sierra Madre, and about August Ist they commenced holding Sunday
UNION ENG COL A
FRIENDS CHURCH. Photo. 1895.
meetings of their own order at their house. To these meetings several Pasadena families of the same persuasion frequently went, until June, 1882, when they held the first Quaker meeting in Pasadena, at the home of Wm. Sharpless on north Los Robles Avenue. There were present : A. Gragory and wife, Wm. Sharpless and wife, Edith Painter, Samuel Bundy, Emmor Rood, Tacy Rood, Robt. C. Hiatt and wife, and perhaps others. From this time the meetings were held alternately at Mr. Gragory's in Sierra Madre and in Pasadena at various private houses, as John and Edith Painter's, Lawson Hollingsworth's, Samnel Bundy's, Smith James's, etc.
In July, 1883, John H. Painter gave lumber and leased a lot on North Marengo Avenne above Illinois street, and a small building was erected in which to hold the meetings. Then a church was regularly organized, and
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a Monthly Meeting also, with 67 original members. This first meeting occurred on the first Saturday of March, 1884. A Sunday school was also organized, with T. K. Bufkin as superintendent.
In 1885, Rev. Jeremiah A. Grinnell became pastor of the church-the first to fill this office ; and he also served as a presiding elder, visiting, en- couraging and aiding all the churches of this order in Southern California. The successive pastors after Father Grinnell have been : Reuben H. Hartley ; C. C. Reynolds ; Dr. Wm. Nicholson ; Ruth B. Ridges ; Prof. C. E. Tebbetts-1895. In 1888 a Christian Endeavor society was organ- ized within the church, with C. C. Reynolds its first president. And before this a Woman's Foreign Mission society had been formed.
Early in 1886, a new church edifice was erected at the corner of Marengo Avenue and Mountain street, at a cost of $3,500, and seating over 300. It was dedicated November 28, 1886. In 1894 this church was moved to a more central location, corner of Raymond Avenue and Villa street, and considerably enlarged, at a cost of $2,800. Rededicated first Sunday in March, 1895.
In 1895 the Whittier Quarterly Meeting was divided, so as to establish a Pasadena Quarterly Meeting, composed of Monthly Meetings at Pasadena, Wildomar, Long Beach, San Jose and Berkeley. ('The original organization was incorporated May 16, 1891, under title of " Pasadena Quarterly Meeting Society of Friends, to assemble at Whittier.")
PASADENA MEETING, SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, under Discipline of Ohio Yearly Meeting .- The first meeting of this order was held December 5, 1886, at the house of Wm. Penn Evans, corner Walnut street and Los Robles Avenue -- the place now called "Rosedale," and owned in 1894-95 by R. M. Furlong. Those present at this meeting were : David Evans, Sarah T. House, Elisha Roberts and wife, Ann Sharpless, Mary Hanner, Josiah Stratton and family, Allen and Mary Lee, Caroline Cope, W. P. Evans and wife, Edward Sharpless, Wm. Shaw and family. Meetings were held at the same place for about a year ; and afterward at Wm. Shaw's house at Monks Hill, and other private houses, until the spring of 1894, when they built a goodly meeting house at the corner of Galena Avenue and Villa street. Mary Lee is a minister. Abram Cowgill is clerk of the society. There were about fifty-five members in April, 1895. The Daily Star of January 8, 1895, said :
"A committee from the Hickory Grove (Iowa) Quarterly Meeting of Friends, composed of Zacheus Test and wife (parents of our townsinan, L. L. Test), John Thomas and wife, Albert Emmons and wife, Anna Painter (sister of M. D. Painter), Nathan Satterthwaite and Joshua Smith arrived here Saturday night for the purpose of establishing a " Meeting of Discipline " in the Friends church on the corner of Villa and Galena. The visit will result in giving the society full power as the Pasadena Monthly Meeting, under the Iowa Quarterly and Yearly Meeting."
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first meeting to talk up organization was held November
7, 1883, in Good Templars' hall in the old Library building. Those present were Rev. J. J. Woolsey, Rev. S. S. Fisk and wife, Henry Fisk, W. P. Jacobson, Miss Carrie Jacobson, D. Williams, O. S. Barber and wife, F. C. Quarles and wife, Mrs. Mary E. Case, Mrs. Martin Mullins. The next Sunday, November 14, they met again and completed the organization by electing Rev. Fisk as pastor ; E. T. Pierce, clerk ; S. Washburn, treasurer.
May 1, 1885, pastor Fisk resigned. The church had now secured Wil- liams hall for its meetings, and preaching services were led by Rev. L. W. Hayhurst and others as "supply " until March, 1886, when Rev. T. N. Lord became the pastor. On March 23 articles of incorporation were adopted, and the first board of directors chosen, to-wit : S. Washburn, A. J. Brown, Dr. Theron Nichols, L. F. Miller, Joseph Wallace. At same time a lot 75x210 feet was purchased from Charles Legge at corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Locust street, for $1,800, and steps taken to proceed at once with the erection of a church edifice. This work was pushed to completion so that they held their first Sunday services within its walls on September 26, 1886. On February 27, 1887, the church was dedicated, free of debt ; and the treasurer's report (showing all bills paid) footed up the total cost as $7,777.77-a most singular sextuple tally of the Scriptural "perfect num- ber." In August, 1887, pastor Lord resigned. And January 22, 1888, Rev. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. Photo. 1894. C. E. Harris became the pastor, in which office he continued until his death, September 25, 1894. During 1893-94 a considerable addition was built to the church. The membership in 1894 was 212. Volumes in library, 305. The church auxiliaries, besides Sunday school, are : Ladies Aid Society, Ladies Missionary Society, Children's Mission Band, Baptist Young People's Union. Officers in 1894 : Pastor, Rev. C. E. Harris. Trustees : Milford Fish, J. W. Camper, Ernest Canfield, A. A. Chubb, C. A. Whitman. Deacons : L. F. Miller, E. Canfield, M. Fish, A. J. Brown. Clerk, Geo. Taylor ; treasurer, Milford Fish. Superintendent Sunday school, J. H. Merriam. Rev. C. T. Douglas entered upon the pastorate April 21, 1895.
A printed report of 1893 gives the value of the church property as $8,000. Amount of church expenses for the preceding year, $1,485.08 ; and other contributions for various branches of church mission work, mak- ing the total of funds raised and paid out, $1,855.53.
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HISTORY OF PASADENA.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH .- A Baptist Convention report of 1893 has in its list of churches, " Pasadena German ; Theodore Hansen, clerk - organized in 1887." But no other data are given. The Pasadena Standard of November 23, 1889, said : "The German Baptist or Dunkard society of Pasadena procured a lot and erected a church building, about two years ago, by borrowing money therefor and giving a mortgage of $3,300 on the prop- erty. The members were poor, many of them have moved away, the mortgage had to be foreclosed, and now the holder, Wm. H. Wood, has the premises in lawful possession."
Rev. F. C. Koehler, a German Baptist preacher, resided here at that time; and his name was still in the list of Pasadena clergymen in 1893.
FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH OF PASADENA (Colored) .- The first meeting to talk up organization was held at the home of Mrs. Maria Hill on Vernon Avenue. A Sunday school was commenced on the fourth Sunday in June, 1893, by Robert McDow; then a prayer meeting was formed, which grew into a church that was organized the third Sunday in Septem- ber, 1893. The names of the first members were: J. M. Fowler, R. Scott, Maria Hill, Mittie Scott, Rosa Fowler, Alice Griffin, Anna Fowler, Rowena Ballard, Henrietta Fowler. Rev. J. M. Fowler was the first pastor, and Reuben Scott the first deacon. The number of members in 1894 was 25. Rev. Fowler still pastor ; Scott, deacon, with Henry Griffin and James Coleman added ; W. C. Dent, clerk ; J. Coleman, treasurer. Superintendent of Sunday school, Y. M. Moulton ; assistant superintendent, Mrs. Cora Strother.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
All through the month of February, 1884, the Pasadena Union contained this notice in its weekly list of churches: "EPISCOPAL .- Services every Sunday, except first of month, at 3 o'clock. Sunday school at 2 P. M." No names mentioned nor place of meeting given. But in the paper of March 8th the notice was changed to read thus: "EPISCOPAL .- Services every Sunday, in Williams Hall at II o'clock."
Still no name given of who conducted the services. But the paper of April 5th announced that ou and after April 6th these services would be held in Library Hall at 3 P. M., by Rev. A. W. Macnab, the newly appointed missionary ; and on and after Easter Sunday the services would be held regularly at 1I A. M. (It appears that the services previously had been conducted by the Dean, N. G. L. Trew, of San Gabriel.) In the paper of May 10 it was first designated as "All Saints Mission, Pasadena, Branch of San Gabriel Valley Associate Missions."
In February, 1885, Rev. Macnab engaged Ridgway & Ripley to build a chapel for this mission. on East Colorado street, near where Euclid Avenue is now. In March Capt. D. R. Risley gave a Bible for the pulpit, and E. T. Hurlbut gave a communion service. The chapel was completed and first
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DIVISION SEVEN -SOCIETARY.
occupied for Easter services April 5, 1885, Rev. Macnab and Rev. J. B. Britton officiating. The next day the annual meeting was held, with Dean Trew present, and the building committee reported debts all paid. The first parish officers were: Dr. J. M. Radebaugh, warden ; C. Scharff, secre- tary ; W. S. Arnold, treasurer ; J. W. Hugus and Ben E. Ward delegates to diocesan convention. [This chapel was ultimately sold to the North Pasa- dena Congregational church, who moved it north, reconstructed and added to it, and have it now in use-1895.]
Succeeding Rev. Macnab, Rev. J. D. H. Browne was installed rector July 11, 1886. Early in 1888 the work was commenced for erection of their present fine Gothic stone church on North Euclid Avenue. In 1889 Rev. G. A. Ottman succeeded Rev. Browne in the rectorship, and started a local parish paper called All Saints Record. [See page 219.] In 1891 Rev. Wyllys Hall, D. D., succeeded Rev. Ottman as rector, and still fills the office- 1895.
Auxiliary societies within the church are : Saint Andrew's Brotherhood; the Woman's Guild-divided into eight chapters for special branches of church work ; the Choir Guild ; Daughters of the King. The rector is ex- officio president of each one. A report by the church treasurer, Dr. E. E. Gaylord, March 27, 1894, showed total funds raised by the church during the preceding year, $4, 167.41. Expended, $4,152.33. Besides this, there had been received for the building fund $1,653; and paid out from it $1,540.50. April 7, 1893, the Woman's Guild gave in the Grand Opera House an exhibition called "Pageant of Roses," composed and arranged for them by Mrs. C. D. Daggett, which was the most elaborate and gorgeous entertainment ever given in Pasadena by any church. It was for the benefit of the church building fund, toward which this guild contributed during the year $1,456.
January 27, 1895, an aluminum pipe organ, just completed in the church at a cost of $3,500, was first used and dedicated for Christian worship.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
(Also called "Disciples," or "Disciples of Christ.") The first meeting of this order in Pasadena was on May 1I, 1884, at the home of L. H. Bixby on South Los Robles Avenue. Those present were: L. C. Foote and wife, L. H. Bixby and wife, C. M. Phillips and wife, Mrs. Sarah J. Allen, J. M. Craig and wife, L. A. Evans and wife, F. A. Foote, and Miss May Phillips. These people kept up "Cottage Meetings" for nearly two years, then rented Library Hall and engaged Elder B. F. Coulter of Los Angeles to preach for them. May 17, 1886, they became incorporated, and in this step there were added to the above names those of F. M. Randolph and wife, P. A. Riggins and wife, Martin Davis and wife, Mrs. Edith Robbins, Mrs. John B. Hill, Mrs. W. H. Wiley, Mrs. Geo. A. Greeley. Their first board of
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directors were Luther Foote, Evans, Randolph, Bixby, and Phillips. They bought from A. F. Mills a lot on DeLacy street for $450, and pro- ceeded at once to build a house of worship. De- cember 11, 1890, this building was blown down. [See page 165.] The society then secured - a vacant store-room on North Fair Oaks Avenue FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Photo. 1894. and fitted it up for their use. But in 1892, under the energetic pastorship of Elder T. D. Garvin, they bought the lot and built the handsome little church in Norman style of architecture, on the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Mary street, as it stands in 1895. The successive pastors of this church have been : Elders B. F. Coulter, John A. Hedrick, F. W. Pattee, A. J. Wood, Wm. Bayard Craig, T. D. Garvin, H. Elliott Ward. The membership in April, 1895, was something over 300. Auxiliary organizations within the church are : Ladies' Aid Society, Ladies' Missionary Society, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Junior Y. P. S. C.E., Bible School, Chinese Mission School. .
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