USA > California > Sacramento County > History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1913 > Part 35
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In February, 1854, however, Right Rev. Bishop William Ingra- ham Kipp paid his first visit to Sacramento. He preached in the edifice of the Methodist Church South, and confirmed six persons. This infused new energy into the parish. July 29, 1854, the parish was legally incorporated under the name of "Grace Protestant Episcopal Church of Sacramento." A call was sent to Rev. H. L. E. Pratt, of Perth Amboy, N. J., who accepted it at a salary of $250 a month, and held services for the first time on Monday, the 19th day of November. Bishop Kipp preached again in the same Methodist church on the morning and evening of September 24, 1854, and administered the Holy Communion to twenty-one communicants, it being the second time that sacrament had ever been administered by him in this city. Just previous to Rev. Pratt's coming, Hamilton hall, on K street, between Fourth and Fifth, had been rented by the vestry and fur- nished as a temporary place of worship. Services were held in this place for about a year, when a change was made to Pioneer hall, on J street, between Front and Second, and while still using that place, Mr. Pratt resigned, in the spring of 1856. Rev. W. H. Hill, at that time rector at Nevada City, Cal., accepted the call to succeed him. His connection with the parish began in May, 1856, and continued until June 1, 1870.
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A brick structure was erected on the lot on the corner of Eighth and I streets during the summer of 1856. It was capable of seating three hundred people and cost about $15,000. Rev. Mr. Hill preached the opening services September 7, 1856. Mr. Hill tendered his resignation in 1870, and in May Rev. J. H. C. Bonte accepted the call. The walls of the church built in 1856 having settled, the build- ing was abandoned after the first Sunday in March, 1871, and April 18, 1871, Bishop Kipp laid the cornerstone of a new church on Eighth street between I and J. A mortgage to aid in building the New Grace church was placed on the property at the time of its erection. The church cost $26,000, exclusive of the lot, and was mortgaged to the Odd Fellows' bank for a loan of $10,000. For several years the in- terest on the loan was paid regularly, and during that time $1000 of the principal was also paid. In 1874, however, owing to the removal from the city of some of the wealthiest parishioners, the closing of the church for several months on account of the absence of the rector, the revenues of the church were lessened. The interest being unpaid, the debt began to increase, and in 1877 the parish had become bank- rupt. The mortgage was foreclosed, and all of the property of the church was sold to satisfy creditors, and the name of the church and its organization were extinguished.
Realizing the crisis that had arisen, a number of the prominent laymen collected enough money to purchase the church from the bank, and the new parish of St. Paul's was organized March 23, 1877, and in May following Rev. E. H. Ward, of Marysville, was invited to take charge. He was succeeded January 1, 1882, by Rev. Carroll M. Davis, - and he in turn was followed by Rev. John F. von Herrlich. Under his charge improvements amounting to over $2000 were made, and later two fine stained glass memorial windows of beautiful design were placed in the church. The one in the chancel was the gift of Mrs. Charles Crocker, in memory of Mrs. Col. Fred Crocker, and a large side window was put in as a memorial for Mrs. Creed Haymond. These windows cost over $1000 each. Later Governor and Mrs. Stan- ford placed a memorial window for their son, Leland Stanford, Jr., who died in Rome during their visit in that city.
Rev. G. A. Ottman succeeded Mr. von Herrlich, and was in turn succeeded by Rev. C. L. Miel. Mr. Miel was very energetic and ag- gressive, and the work was extended under his rectorship. The church on Eighth street having been racked by a severe storm, was con- demned. The lot was sold, and a lot purchased at Fifteenth and J streets, on which a parish house was erected for temporary use. Later a stone church was erected on the corner of J street, of which the present rector is Rev. Charles E. Farrar. It is one of the few stone churches in the state, and one of the finest ecclesiastical edifices in the northern part of California. In March, 1897, Mr. Miel started a mis- sion church at Twenty-third and K streets, which was known as St. 19
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Andrew's, and a few months later Rev. Mr. Johnson was put in charge by Bishop Graves. Later Bishop Moreland purchased a lot on M street, and St. Andrew's was moved upon it and it became known as Trinity, Rev. George Swan being placed in charge. In 1909 Trinity pro-cathedral, a fine stone edifice, was erected on the rear of the lot by Bishop Moreland. The Good Samaritan Mission, on Seventh street, between N and O, was opened, but was closed about a year afterwards. St. Paul's Japanese Mission was established at No. 502 M street and was afterwards moved to Fifth street, Bishop More- land having purchased property there for it.
Christ Church, Episcopal, of Oak Park, is the third church for Sacramento of the jurisdiction of Bishop Moreland. Early in Febru- ary, 1908, Rev. Harry Perks, the present rector, conducted the first service of the church in Red Men's hall, Magnolia avenue. Interest continued, and in May of the same year the church was organized as "Christ Church, Episcopal." In September the new congregation was accepted by the Diocese of Sacramento. In July, 1910, the foundation was laid for the new church. The building has a Packard organ and is furnished with modern pews and kneelers. It was opened for wor- ship September 4, 1910. It is part of a plan which, when complete, will include a larger church, parish house, social hall and rectory.
St. Rose's Church: Rev. Augustine P. Anderson, O. S. D., a native of New Jersey, arrived in this city August 7, 1850. He at once began the organization of the Roman Catholics, procuring a building on L street, between Fifth and Sixth, which answered as a temporary chapel until the church could be erected at the corner of Seventh and K streets. October 28, 1850, ex-Governor Peter H. Burnett executed a deed to Anthony Langlois, in trust for the Roman Catholic Bishop of California, for lot 8, in the block between Seventh and Eighth, and J and K streets, and Angust 17, 1867, Governor Burnett deeded lot 7 in the same block to Bishop Alemany. During the terrible epidemie of cholera Father Anderson labored unceasingly, visiting the cholera hospital several times daily and seeking out the poor and afflicted in their tents and administering all the consolation and aid in his power and procuring medical assistance for those un- able to pay for it. His unceasing ardor in his work weakened his system and in his exhausted condition, having contracted typhoid fever, he succumbed to it, a victim to his self-sacrificing zeal, dying November 26, 1850. By this time the frame of the new church had been erected and the roof partially completed, but a severe gale aris- ing, the building was blown down and many of the timbers shattered. Rev. Anderson was succeeded by Rev. John Ingoldsby, who completed the church, but it was destroyed in the great fire of November 2, 1852, after which a frame building on Seventh street and Oak avenue was used for a church until the completion of the brick basement story of
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the new church. Rev. John Quinn succeeded Rev. Ingoldsby in April, 1853.
October 18, 1854, the cornerstone of the brick church was laid by Archbishop Alemany, and service was held in the basement on Christ- mas following. The church was sixty by one hundred feet; the base- ment, nine and one-half feet in the clear, cost $10,500, and the church, which was completed in 1861, cost nearly $50,000. The bell, which was placed in the tower, arrived on July 13, 1859, and weighed 2079 pounds. The earthquake which shook the state in the winter of 1871- 72 rocked the tower so that the great bell rang. It is now in the tower of St. Francis' church. In 1861 Rev. Eugene O'Connell was placed in charge of the northern part of the state. He resided in Marysville, as Sacramento was in the San Francisco bishop's juris- diction.
During the charge of Rev. James S. Cotter in 1866, some im- provements were made to the building, amounting to over $15,000. He was assisted first by Rev. M. McGrath and afterwards, in 1868, by Rev. Patrick Scanlan. Father Cotter, who was a great favorite with all classes, died in this city June 18, 1868. Rev. Thomas Crim- min, another priest here, died also in this city January 20, 1867, a few hours after being stricken with paralysis. Rev. James Cassin was pastor in 1861-62, assisted by Rev. N. Gallagher. Rev. Thomas Gibney was pastor in 1868-70. After that time Rev. Patrick Scanlan was rector, assisted by Rev. J. McSweeney, until July, 1881, when he went to San Francisco, being succeeded by Rev. Thomas Grace from Marysville, who was assisted by Rev. William Walshe until 1886, and afterwards by Father Leonard Haupts. Father Grace in 1886 was appointed rector of St. Rose's pro-cathedral by Bishop Patrick Manogue, the seat of the diocese having in that year been transferred from Marysville to Sacramento. When Bishop Manogue came to build the splendid cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in this city, he found that Father Grace had, during his ministry, made a host of friends who became zealous assistants in the work.
The Cathedral, begun in 1886 and dedicated in 1889, is a stately and imposing structure in the later Italian style of architecture. Its dome rising to a height of one hundred and seventy-five feet, its arches, and arched ceiling set in frames of varied frescoes, the har- mony of due proportion in dimensions, the storied windows, rare paintings, and the statnes it contains, endear both the structure and its venerable builder to Sacramento citizens of all classes. Its delicate spire, surmounted by a golden cross, that rises to a height of two hundred and sixteen feet, meets one's eye for miles outside the city. Its tower clock and massive dials, with its sonorous chimes, mark the hours as they pass. The building is cruciform, and is two hundred and eight feet in length by one hundred and fourteen feet in width, being by far the most spacious church in California, as well as the most
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elaborate and ornate in design. Bishop Manogue had the consolation of seeing it and his residence completed and financed before he passed away. A year after his death he was succeeded by Father Grace, who was consecrated bishop of this diocese and still fills that office. Bishop Grace was born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1841, and is of Norman lineage, being a descendant of Raymond le Gros, of the twelfth century.
Opposite the Episcopal residence at Twelfth and K street is the Christian Brothers' College. The brothers were induced to locate the school here by Father Scanlan in 1876, and many thousands of boys have since passed through their school. Father Scanlan, who re- cently died in San Francisco, was in charge here for many years and had a host of friends in this city.
St. Joseph's Academy, on G street, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, was established first in 1857, in a building connected with St. Rose's Church. There is an interesting incident connected with the coming of the little band of seven sisters, who came to San Francisco in 1854, with Mother Mary Baptist Russell as Superior, at the in- vitation of Archbishop Alemany. They had made arrangements to come on the ill-fated steamer Arctic of the Collins line, but on their arrival in Liverpool they found, to their great disappointment, that there was no room for them, and they were forced to wait for two weeks. Their disappointment was turned to rejoicing, later, when the news arrived of the loss of the Arctic, that they were not on board. They taught school in this city, visited the sick and prisoners, and when the cholera broke out, they nursed the sick fearlessly and lovingly. They hold a warm place in the hearts of the pioneers for their gentle ministrations, and their deeds should never be forgotten. The convent and school was soon moved from Seventh and K streets to its present location, the whole block being purchased. The orphanage carried on for several years by the Sisters was moved to Grass Valley in 1870, and the large and commodious school as carried on at present was erected and incorporated as St. Joseph's Academy in 1875, gradu- ates of which are living all over the state, and the reputation of which ranks high among educational institutions.
Under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy the church took up the care of homeless children in 1904, at the Stanford mansion on N and Eighth streets, which was a gift for that purpose by the late Mrs. Jane Stanford. A school for the inmates is carried on in con- nection with the home. In all, there are five Catholic schools now in this city, the Sisters of St. Francis carrying on the work of teaching in some of them.
When Bishop Manogue was in charge of the diocese he extended an invitation to the Provincial Council of the Sacred Heart Province of St. Louis to establish a parish of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi in this city. Accordingly, Rev. Angustine MeGlory, O. F. M., was sent
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here to establish the parish and arrived in Sacramento October 16, 1894. By agreement the new parish was to accommodate both the English and German speaking members by preaching in both lan- gnages. The northern half-block between K and L, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth streets was acquired as a site for the several buildings of the new parish, and a small cottage was remodeled for the Fathers. The first services were held in Union hall, Twentieth and O streets, and February 7, 1895, the work on the present church, school and monastary was begun.
On Palm Sunday, April 7, 1895, the first services were held in the new St. Francis church, and in the autumn of the same year, on November 5th, the St. Francis parochial school was opened by the Sisters of Mercy. The cornerstone of the present church of St. Fran- cis of Assisi was laid by Right Reverend Bishop Grace October 17, 1908. The church, which is a very handsome specimen of the Cali- fornia mission style, was dedicated on Sunday, October 23, 1910, by Bishop Grace. It has a seating capacity of nine hundred, and con- tains forty-six stained glass art windows from Innsbruck, Austria. Rev. Godfrey Hoelters, O. F. M., is the present rector.
The First Church of Christ in Sacramento (Congregational) was organized in 1849, the first preliminary meeting being held on Septem- ber 16 of that year in the original schoolhouse which stood near the northeast corner of Third and I streets. The chairman was Rev. J. A. Benton, and Rev. S. V. Blakeslee was secretary. A number of those present at the meeting were Presbyterians, which fact gave rise to a discussion. The question of organizing a Presbyterian church was raised, but Mr. Benton announced that as he was not a Presby- terian, he had no authority to organize a church of that denomina- tion. They therefore organized a church under the title of the First Christian Church of Sacramento, omitting purposely the word "Con- gregational" in order to preserve harmony and co-operation. As this absorhed about all the Presbyterian membership in the city, the Pres- byterians did not organize a church until 1856.
A confession of faith and a covenant were adopted September 23, 1849, and temporary officers were elected. A mannal was adopted early in the following year, and January 6, 1851, the permanent officers of the church were chosen as follows: Rev. J. A. Benton, pastor; James Gallup, J. W. Hinks, John McKee, Z. W. Davidson, A. C. Sweetser, deacons; W. C. Waters, treasurer; J. C. Zabriskie, clerk. May 5, 1850, an "ecclesiastical society" was formed in connection with the church, when they became able to build a church on the west side of Sixth street, between I and J. A frame building was erected there and was dedicated on the 6th of October following. It is claimed that the laying of the cornerstone, on September 4th, was the first public ceremonial of the kind ever held in the state. But the structure erected then was swept away in the great fire of July 13,
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1854. The congregation sold the lot for $1300, and the society pro- ceeded to erect the present brick church directly opposite. The church and society were so popular that they received very substantial aid from the public, both in building the structure and caring for it after- wards. The property was sold for a good price recently, and Mrs. Cornelia Fratt, relict of C. E. Fratt, donated to the church a valuable lot, 80x80, on the northeast corner of Fifteenth and P streets, where a fine church will be erected.
It is a fact worthy of mention that from the. organization of this church until 1890, only three pastors were in its service-Revs. J. A. Benton, I. E. Dwinell and W. C. Merrill, the latter assuming the pastorate. Since that time the pastors have been: J. B. Silcox, 1890-92; J. B. Koehne, 1892-94; Henry N. Hoyt, 1894-98; J. B. Silcox, 1898-1900; C. A. Dickinson, 1900-02; J. A. Chamberlain, 1903-04; Henry K. Booth, 1904-07; William H. G. Temple, 1907-10; Arthur B. Patton, 1910. The Sunday school of the church was organized August 26, 1849, thus being the first Sunday school established in this city. The Golden Jubilee of the church was celebrated with impressive serv- ices on the 22nd and 23rd of September, 1899. A resolution to incor- porate having been adopted, the church was incorporated on June 20, 1899, under the name of the First Congregational Church of the city of Sacramento, with William Geary, S. E. Carrington, L. Tozer, C. T. Noyes, D. W. Carmichael, P. R. Watts and A. H. Hawley, trustees. At present the trustees are: W. L. Witherbee, C. T. Noyes, O. G. Hopkins, S. S. Finney, C. L. White, Dr. E. H. Pitts and W. A. Friend. Deacons: C. T. Noyes, J. H. Stebbins, W. L. Witherbee, A. J. McKay, W. A. Friend. Deaconesses: Mrs. G. A. Stoddard, Mrs. M. E. Gal- lup, Mrs. C. L. White. Clerk, George A. Capen.
Westminster Presbyterian Church: The Presbyterians were the first to hold religious worship in Sacramento, Revs. J. W. Douglas, A. Williams and S. Woodbridge having preached here as early as March and April, 1849. The Presbyterians united at first with the Congregationalists, and no Presbyterian church was organized until 1856. The organization was named the First Presbyterian Church of Sacramento. The church failed to raise the necessary funds for the purchase of Philharmonic hall for a place of worship, during the years from 1860 to 1863, and disbanded. The Sunday school, however, was kept alive by the zealous and energetic efforts of W. S. Hunt. The present church was organized January 21, 1866, under the name West- minster Presbyterian Church, and has since that time enjoyed a period of steady growth. It has a large Sunday school, a Chinese mission school, young people's society and other organizations.
Since its organization the pastors have been: Revs. William E. Baker, P. V. Veeder, A. Fairbairn, N. B. Clink, Joshua Phelps, J. S. MeDonald, 1866-69; Frank L. Nash, 1869-72; Charles Schieling, 1872- 74; James S. MeKay, 1874-75; Henry H. Rice, 1875-86; J. E. Wheeler,
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1886-90; R. M. Stevenson, 1890-97; R. J. Johnston, 1897-1901; H. C. Shoemaker, 1901-04; Rev. J. T. Wills, D. D., succeeded Mr. Shoe- maker, January 4, 1904. For many years the church edifice was at Sixth and L streets, being built in 1866 at a cost of $18,000, and dedi- cated March 24, 1867. The building was sold a few years ago to the Roman ('atholic denomination and is now known as Serra hall. A new edifice was erected at Fourteenth and K streets.
During the various pastorates since 1886, in addition to the Sun- day school, various organizations have been added to the church, as follows: Chinese Sunday school, Ladies' Missionary Society, Gleaners, Ladies' Mite Society, Christian Endeavor Society, Boys' Brigade, Junior Christian Endeavor, Bethel Mission Sunday school, Young Men's Conservatory, Loyal Sons, Loyal Daughters, and Home De- partment. In 1911 Charles M. Campbell, who had loyally given his services as Sunday school superintendent for twenty-three years, re- moved from the city, and was succeeded by John Stein. The church membership is about four hundred and fifty.
Fremont Park Presbyterian Church: The Westminster Church or- ganized a Sunday school in July, 1868, and maintained it under the name of the Bethel Sunday school. It was on Fourteenth street, be- tween O and P, and in March, 1882, it grew into a church, becoming self-sustaining and free from debt in a few years. The church was instituted by Rev. Dr. Thomas Fraser of San Francisco, assisted by Revs. H. H. Rice and Nelson Slater, and Andrew Aitken of Sacra- mento. Rev. A. H. Croco acted as pastor until July, 1883, when he resigned, and Rev. George R. Bird was called. Mr. Bird had been pastor of the Hamilton Square Presbyterian church in San Fran- cisco, having previous to that had charge of the First Presbyterian church in Seattle, Wash. Until the past three years the church was known as the Fourteenth Street Presbyterian church, as it was located on that street. Two years ago a new church edifice was erected at Fifteenth and O streets, and it is now known as the Fremont Park Presbyterian church.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church: This church is familiarly known as the "Sixth Street Methodist church." It was first organ- ized under another local name October 28, 1848, at Dr. Miller's store, by Rev. Isaac Owen, and seventy-two persons enrolled their names. Mr. Owen was familiarly known as "Father Owen," and was the first missionary sent by his church to California. He and his wife and baby suffered many hardships in crossing the plains, and he was nearly drowned by the carelessness of a drunken crew in capsizing a schooner in Suisun bay. He managed to escape with the clothes he wore, which were rusty from crossing the plains, and came to Sacra- mento, preaching here October 23, 1849, under an oak at the corner of Third and L streets, and organized a church. A man of great energy, he had great plans for upbuilding the church in the state.
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One of his dreams was a university, and it was largely through his aid and energy that the University of the Pacific was afterwards built, being the first of its kind chartered in California. As material for a church 24x36 feet in size had been shipped for him from Balti- more by the conference, and had come by way of the Horn, it was soon put up, and the church was finished ready for use. It was plain, but as it was the first church building erected in this city, it was looked on as an elegant house of worship. Erected on a fine lot presented by General Sutter, at the southeast commer of Seventh and L streets, fronting on Seventh street, it was known as the Seventh Street Methodist church, and the society took the same name. Mr. Owen soon had a comfortable parsonage. In the flood of 1850 his church was carried from its foundations, and his house rendered untenantable, so he removed to San Francisco.
Later in the year he was succeeded by Rev. M. C. Briggs, who en- larged the church to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. It was known as the Baltimore California chapel. Mr. Briggs served this church three terms, being the only pastor who did so.
The cornerstone of a new brick edifice, 50x80, which cost $18,000, was laid June 22, 1852, Rev. S. D. Simonds making the address. Revs. J. A. Benton, Congregationalist; O. C. Wheeler, Baptist, and W. R. Gober, M. E. Church South, participated. It was to have been dedi- cated on Sunday, November 3rd, but a terrible fire broke out in the city on Saturday, destroying $5,000,000 worth of property, and the new church was swept away with the rest. The society was un- dannted, however, and hurriedly erected a cheap building, in which they worshiped until they could erect a frame church on the site of the Baltimore House. This was sold to the Jewish congregation in January, 1859, for about $3500. The society worshiped for a while in the hall over the old postoffice until they erected the present church on Sixth street. It is 52x100 feet and cost about $25,000. It was finished in 1874, when it was raised to a higher grade, and the tower and steeple built, at a cost of abont $15,000.
The pastors of this church were: Isaac Owen, 1849-50; Royal B. Stratton, 1851-53; Warren Oliver and Elijah Merchant, 1853-55; N. P. Heath, 1855; George S. Phillips, 1855-57; J. W. Ross, 1857-59; J. D. Blain, 1859-61; Jesse T. Peck, 1861-63; M. C. Briggs, 1863-65; J. W. Ross, 1865-68; J. H. Wythe, 1868-70; H. B. Heacock, 1870-73; A. M. Hongh, 1873-75; M. C. Briggs, 1875-78; R. Bentley, 1878-81; T. S. Dunn, 1881-84; E. R. Dille, 1884-87; Arnold T. Needham, 1887-91; T. C. George, 1891-93; C. V. Anthony, 1894; M. D. Buck, 1894-97; J. S. Carroll, 1897-1901; W. K. Beans, 1901-03; W. W. Case, 1903-06; J. H. N. Williams, 1906-07; Frank Kline Baker, 1907 until the present time. Mrs. Helen R. Peck is the deaconess. The church is prosperous, has a large membership and a number of societies that are doing effective work.
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