USA > California > San Bernardino County > Ingersoll's century annals of San Bernadino County, 1769-1904 : prefaced with a brief history of the state of California : supplemented with an encyclopedia of local biography and portraits of many of its representative people > Part 55
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On November 26, 1879, the San Ber- nardino church, as appears from its rec- ords, "Voted that a communion service be held once in two months at the Lu- gonia school house on the first Sabbath of the month, to alternate monthly with the communion service held in the church." Also, "Voted that a committee of two from the Lugonia school district be appointed to act with the pastor in examining such candidates as may seek admission to the church at communion service in that district." W. R. Tolles and Mr. Humphrey were so appointed.
MRS. E. P. R. CRAFTS
With the growth of this settlement, the people became anxious to be identified with a church. At a meeting held in the Lugonia school house on March 7th, 1880, the Rev. J. T. Ford presiding, the congregation voted unanimously to take measures towards this end and appointed a committee to prepare a basis for organization. This committee promptly reported and recommended that a council be called to effect such an organization and further recommended the adoption of the Confession of Faith and Covenant, as set forth in the Hand Book of the Congregational churches of California. Accordingly the churches of San Bernardino and Riverside, with the Rev. Dr. Warren, Superintendent of Home Missions, were invited to hold a coun- cil, which was held in the Lugonia school house on April 17, 1880. After due consideration the council advised the organization of a church to be known as the "Second Congregational church of San Bernardino." Officers
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of the church were elected after the council. The first deacons were M. H. Crafts and Geo. A. Cook. Mr. Crafts retained the office until his death, September 12, 1886.
On Sunday, April 18, 1880, the church was formally organized with ap- propriate exercises. Sixteen members were received by letter from the San Bernardino church, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Crafts, Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. A. Cook, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs. Orson Van Leuven, Mr. and Mrs. Israel Beal, Mrs. Laura Strong, Mrs. Hattie N. Mossman, Geo. W. Beattie and John Bates. At the same time, Edward G. Judson, Brainerd W. Brown and Orson Van Leuven, Jr., were received on confession of faith. Rev. J. T. Ford was invited to continue in his pastoral relations and he ministered to both the First and the Second churches of San Bernardino until December, 1881, when he was succeeded by the Rev. J. G. Hale.
On the 8th day of September, 1882, the Second Congregational church of San Bernardino was duly incorporated. Steps were immediately taken for the erection of a suitable house of worship. Two of the members of the church, F. E. Brown and E. G. Judson, presented two and a half acres of land on the corner of Colton avenue and Church street, for a parsonage. Volun- tary subscriptions from the members of the church and congregation, to- gether with assistance from friends in the east and $500 loaned by the Amer- ican Congregational Union, provided for the erection of a substantial church edifice. At the same time the women of Lugonia and Crafton formed the "Ladies Aid Society," to furnish the church and purchase a bell. They were untiring in their efforts, some of them going from three to six miles to the dryer, where they cut peaches at five cents a tray in order to earn money for the church. Success crowned their labors, for the new building when com- pleted was furnished with blinds, carpets, chairs and chandeliers, and a bell, costing $200, was rung at the dedication. January 7th, 1883. The organ given by Mr. Mossman was brought to the church. The silver communion ser- vice was the gift of M. H. Craft's Sunday school class at the First Congre- gational church of Detroit, Mich. The seating capacity of the church was 150, and the cost about $2800.00. The meeting of the Southern California As- sociation of Congregational churches was held with this church in May, 1885.
As the lines of local distinction became more sharply drawn, it seemed fitting to identify the church more closely with the new settlement. Accord- ingly, early in the year, 1887. the members voted to change the name of the church to the "First Congregational Church of Lugonia."
The Rev. J. G. Hale continued as pastor of the church until the spring of 1885, after which the pulpit was supplied by Rev. F. Parker, Rev. D. Mc- Cann, Rev. C. A. Stone, and others until February 12th, 1888, when the Rev. Geo. Willett began his labors. During the early years of its existence this church received annual aid from the American Congregational Union, or the
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Home Missionary Society, but at this time it became self-supporting, al- though its obligation to the Board was not cancelled.
As the tide of population seemed to be steadily setting away from the church in Lugonia to Redlands, it was decided in June, 1888, to purchase the lot on the corner of Olive avenue and Cajon streets, and to erect a chapel there. The chapel was built during the following year. In January, 1889. it was voted to change the name of the church to the "First Congregational Church of Redlands," and to worship in the new edifice when completed. This church was dedicated March 9th, 1890. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. D. D. Hill, pastor of the First Congregational church at Pasadena. On this occasion more than enough money to cancel the indebt- edness was raised by collections and subscriptions. The handsome inlaid pulpit for the new church was made and presented by David Morey. The organ was presented by Mrs. Rebecca W. Brown, and the pulpit Bible was the gift of Samuel S. Smith. The Ladies' Aid Society paid for the assembly chairs and putting water on the lot. The expense of carpetnig the church was met by Mrs. David Morey. The new building was a plain but substan- tial frame structure, with a seating capacity of 250. The cost of the building was about $3800; of the lot about $2400. The parsonage was built in 1891, on a lot adjoining the church, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. David Morey.
When the new chapel was ready for occupancy, a minority of the church membership expressed a preference to continue service at Lugonia. Accord- ingly in November, 1891, letters of dismission were granted to twenty-three persons, who organized as the "Lugonia Terrace Congregational Church," and called the Rev. O. H. Spoor to be their pastor. The church thus formed received from the Redlands church a deed to the Lugonia church and lot with the provision that if the property should at any time "cease to be used for a regular weekly service of Congregational form, for a period of six months, the property should revert to the First Congregational church of Redlands."
The Rev. Mr. Willett tendered his resignation as pastor of the First church in September, 1892, and the pulpit was supplied for a year thereafter by Rev. Henry P. Higley and others. The steady progress of the church during this trying season was largely due to the wise counsels and the un- tiring labors of the Rev. C. A. Kingsbury, who was an active member of the church from 1889 to his death in 1893. In October. 1893, the Rev. John H. Williams entered upon his duties as pastor of the church and was regularly installed by council in February, 1894, the Rev. O. H. Spoor, of the Lugonia Terrace church, acting as moderator.
It was soon found that the seating capacity of the church was inade- quate to accommodate the increased attendance upon public worship, and on May 3rd, 1894, it was voted to enlarge the chapel. At a cost of $1200, a considerable addition was made to the church in the summer of 1894. the
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
seating capacity being increased to 400. A general fellowship meeting was held in the enlarged edifice in October and all the Congregational churches in Southern California were invited; this meeting taking the place of the srvices of re-dedication.
During the year 1897, the indebtedness of over $2000, incurred in build- ing the parsonage was raised by subscription. In the fall of 1898, the Rev. O. H. Spoor, who had continued as pastor of the Lugonia Terrace church since its organization, resigned his pastorate. On December Ist, the church voted to disband and adopted a resolution "to convey the church lot and building to the First Congregational church of Redlands, from whom the property had been received." On the same evening the First church sent the Lugonia Terrace church a hearty invitation to unite with them which was accepted, and on January Ist, 1899, sixty-one members from the former Lugonia Terrace church united with the First church by letter.
As the population of Redlands continued to increase the chapel was again found insufficient for the needs of the congregation and in January, 1899, a committee was appointed to consider the advisability of building a commodious house of worship on the lot adjoining the chapel on the south, and a part of the church property. This committee reported in favor of proceeding at once to raise the money and procure the plans for the church. On April 23, 1899, occurred a memorable service at which $15.000 was pledged for the building and this amount was afterwards increased to $16 .- 000. A building committee was appointed to secure plans and estimates. As a result plans were adopted which called for a much larger outlay than was at first contemplated. However, the generous donations, in excess of the sums pledged, the remarkable history of the church and the community and the conviction that provision must be made for larger demands in the future, all seemed to justify the larger expenditure and consequent deficit, and the expectation that the church would soon be free from debt again.
Ground was broken for the new church in August, 1899; the cornerstone was laid September 24th, and the church was practically completed the fol- lowing March, and was dedicated on Sunday, April 1, 1900. Rev. J. T. Ford. the venerable home missionary pastor who had been so intimately connected with the early history of the church, made the dedicatory prayer ; Rev. Geo. Willett, a former pastor, read the scripture lesson, and Rev. Geo. C. Adams, of San Francisco, preached the sermon.
The new church is a large substantial structure of red brick with trim- mings of granite. It is surmounted by a large square bell tower and a still more lofty clock tower. Attached to it on the north side is the old chapel. The main auditorium is fitted with oaken pews, with a seating capacity of 700 which may be increased to 1100 by the use of the chapel. The building contains all the appointments of a modern church edifice-pastor's study.
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
choir room, church parlor, Sunday school, primary and Bible class rooms and library, and in the basement a kitchen, pantry, dining-room, etc.
The entire cost of the building and furnishings was about $25,000. Of this amout, $21,500 was subscribed or donated. The tower clock and bell were given by Mr. Horace Cousins, of Newton Centre, Mass. The art win- dows are memorials given in memory of Rev. C. A. Kingsbury, Rev. C. A. Stone, Rev. S. W. Eddy, Mrs. Willett, Mrs. McPherron, Dr. Lockwood, Mr. Prendergast and the daughter of Dr. Hunt.
The estimated value of the church property is now about $40,000. About 750 names have been enrolled on the church books during the years of its history. The present membership is about 400. Many who have gone out from this church have been influential in building up other churches in South- ern California ; and several home missionary churches are the outgrowth of the work here, as, for example, the churches at Highlands, Mentone, San Jacinto, Moreno and Lakeview.
The Sunday school started by Mr. Brink in the Lugonia school house, has steadily continued all these years, and is now a flourishing branch of the church with a mem- bership of over 250 and an aver- age attendance of about 200. It is under the guidance of John P. Fisk, who has been identified with the school and the church for the past fourteen years. Mrs. J. V. A. Love has been teacher of the primary department for the same length of time. For the greater part of the past eighteen years, the singing in the school has been led by James S. Edwards, who has also rendered long and efficient service as superintend- ent. Rev. J. M. Eaton, better known as "Father Eaton," has been identified with the school for the past ten years and several DR. WILLIAM ELLISON LOCKWOOD of the early settlers, notably Mrs. Mrs. Crafts, still retain an active
E. B. Seymour, Mrs. P. R. Brown and interest in the school. One of the Bible classes is led by Rev. O. H. Spoor, the former pastor of the Lugonia Terrace church.
The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in the Lugonia school house in 1886, during the pastorate of Rev. C. A. Stone. The present mem-
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
bership is about 100, and the society has become an important factor in church life. There is also a Junior Society with a membership of about forty. The young women of the church have a society which raises funds entirely by free-will offerings, and which has had a large share in the improvements made upon the church and parsonage. The Young Men's League, recently organized, promises to be a strong force in the social and spiritual life of the church.
.All the women of the congregation are counted as members of the "Ladies' Union," which has two departments, Church Aid and Missionary, with officers for each. The work of this Union is thoroughly organized and has been most effective, both in the home work and in the missionary cause. Even the babies are organized into a missionary society known as the Cradle Roll. The annual Cradle Roll party in June is one of the established func -. tions of the social life of the church.
Such is the "plant" which has sprung from the seed sown by Christian pioneers, more than twenty years ago.
Mentone Congregational Church.
The growth of Crafton and the new town of Mentone, demanded a religious organization to care for the spiritual interests of the new settlers. A Sabbath school was first organized at the Crafton school house by Rev. H. P. Case, in 1899. This grew into a church organization. The church was formed May 20th, 1892, at Mentone, by a Congregational Council, by the advice of Rev. E. R. Brainerd, the pastor. S. R. Baker and Peter McPhee were chosen as deacons and S. R. Baker, L. G. Reinhart and Levi Hall were selected as trustees. Twenty-seven charter members were received.
The same year a church building costing about $2,000 was put up at Mentone. A neat parsonage has since been added and the entire value of the church holdings is now about $3,000.
The usual church societies are doing efficient service in this church. An especial feature of its work has been the circulating library and a literary society which has done good work in training the young people. A training class in music and a weekly Bible study class are also maintained. This church has taken an active interest in all vital questions which touch the moral and intellectual life of the place. The opposition to a saloon in the town has been vigorous and successful, and the church has entered with vigor into this opposition.
Young Men's Christian Association.
May 2, 1887, the first meeting looking to the organization of a Y. M. C. A. in the then new town, was held. The Rev. Mr. Stone acted as chair- man and Mr. Isaac Ford as secretary of this meeting, which was followed by a public session the same evening in the Lugonia Congregational church,
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
when the organization of the society was completed. Mr. Henry E. Brown, secretary of the International Committee, was present and aided in the or- ganization. Chauncey Hayes was chosen as the first president: Jas. B. Hayes, vice-president; Isaac Ford, secretary, and E. S. Foote, treasurer. On May II, the executive board submitted plans for a building ; a lot had already been donatd and work was at once commenced on the building which stood on West State street, and was a two-story brick structure. The Asso- ciation Hall was furnished by the Ladies' Auxiliary, which also provided the piano. The first service in the hall was held October 8th, and the first social on November Ist. Mr. C. S. Kemble was the first general secretary : the society, since its organization, has always kept a paid secretary in the field.
In 1892, the Association entertained the Ninth Annual District Con- vention ; July 29th, 1892, it became an incorporated Association. In 1893, the old building was sold for $7,500. The present location had been selected and funds were donated for the purchase of the lot and the erection of a new building. Citizens were generous in their contributions and in November, 1894, the corner-stone of the present building was laid, and the following March the building was dedicated and the first service held in it. The building cost about $20,000, and contained a number of office rooms aside from the Association hall and rooms. This property is now valued at about $40,000. Since its erection an addition containing gymnasium, baths, etc., has been added. The Association has always been a strong one and has carried on a vigorous work among the young men of the city. The follow- ing men have served as presidents of the organization: C. L. Hayes, J. P. Fisk, J. W. Lewis, Wm. Fowler, C. F. Bailey, F. A. Leonard, A. Harvey Collins.
First Presbyterian Church.
Dr. William Craig, who was one of the founders of the First Presby- terian church and one of its elders from the time of its organization until his death, prepared a history of the church down to 1896, which we quote:
During the winter of 1886-87, correspondence was had with Rev. Jas. S. McDonald, who at that time was synodical missionary, and as a result he visited us-Dr. Craig's family-arriving with Mr. Morrison of San Bernar- dino, on Friday, March 25th, 1887. He looked over Redlands and Lugonia on Saturday, and on Sunday, March 27th, 1887, preached in Redlands school house, the first service ever held in this community by a Presbyterian minister.
By invitation, Rev. William Donald, then of Colton, preached for us every two weeks on Sabbath at 3 p. m., until, by direction of the Presbytery, on Sabbath afternoon, July 7th, 1887, after a sermon by the Rev. Wm. Donald, from Hebrews VI, 1-2, a meeting was held for the purpose of or. ganizing a Presbyterian church, should the way be clear.
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
On motion the Rev. Wm. Donald was made moderator. After some discussion, it was resolved by unanimous vote that a church be organized and called the Presbyterian church of the East San Bernardino valley. The rotary system of eldership was adopted with a three years' term of office. Dr. W. Craig was elected elder to serve for three years. A Board of Trus- tees was then elected, consisting of the following persons: E. G. Judson. J. F. Drake, B. O. Johnson, C. R. Paine and R. J. Waters, to serve for one year. The following is a list of the charter members: Dr. Wm. Craig, Mrs. Dr. Craig, Mrs. C. R. Paine, Mrs. Scipio Craig, Mrs. J. Frank Hamilton, Mrs. WVm. Lynn.
Rev. J. F. Hamilton preached for us occasionally very acceptably and rendered very efficient aid during the early life of the church. On the 17th of March, 1889, Rev. Eugene R. Mills of Santa Paula, was, by a vote of the congregation, invited to supply the church at a salary of one thousand dollars a year. begining June Ist, 1889. An appropriation was asked from the Board of six hundred dollars towards his support. During this year the church built its first chapel, located on the corner of Orange and Vine streets. Jan- uary 23rd, 1890, the chapel build- ing was finished and virtually out of debt, and at a congregational meeting on the above date, the report of the treasurer was read. showing that the financial af- fairs of the church were in a very healthy condition. On Feb- DR. AND MRS. WILLIAM CRAIG ruary 2nd, the new chapel build- ing was dedicated to the worship of God, free of debt, the dedication sermon being preached by the Rev. Wm. Donald of Colton. On October 1st, 1890, Rev. E. R. Mills was released from his engagement wtih this congregation, having received a call from San Pedro and Wilmington congregations. At a meeting of the congregation held on December 21st, 1890, Henry F. Sewell was unanimously elected as pastor of the church. On May 12th, 1891, the relation existing between H. F. Sewell as pastor and this congregation was dissolved, and on July 31st, 1891, at a meeting of the session, Rev. J. H. Stewart, of Clarion, Pa., was requested to supply the pulpit and act as pastor pro tem until such time as action shall be taken to secure a permanent pas-
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
tor. At a meeting of the congregation held September 20th, 1891, Rev. J. H. Stewart was unanimously elected as pastor of this congregation-forty-six votes having been cast. On November 29th, 1891, he was duly installed as pastor.
On April 25th, 1894, a meeting of the congregation was held in the church, and by a vote of the congregation a committee was appointed to pur- chase the second fifty foot lot south, upon which the present sightly struct- ure stands, the purchase price being $600.00. At a meeting of the session held May Ist, 1896, it was the sentiment of said Board that necessary steps should be taken toward the erection of a new church building and that a committee be appointed to make a statement to the congregation on the coming Sabbath, relative to that action. The committee was appointed, the necessary steps taken, but after a canvass of the congregation, it was deemed advisable to defer action for a time. October 11th, 1896, the resignation of Rev. J. H. Stewart was submitted and accepted, and the relation then existing be- tween pastor and people was dis- solved, to take effect October 3Ist. Very appropriate remarks were made by the chairman of the meeting regarding the ex- pastor, and the very efficient work accomplished during his pastorate.
Although the church had no REV. J. F. HAMILTON pastor at the time, arrangements were made for building, and on June 29, 1898, the contract for building the au- ditorium was let, the contract price being $10,000 and the building was com- pleted and occupied the first time on January 22, 1899. A very handsome pipe organ, which was formally accepted on February 22nd, was presented and put in by Mrs. I. L. Lyon. July 17th, 1898, Rev. W. B. Noble, D. D., was called to the pastorate and entered upon his duties in October of the same year. He continued as pastor of the congregation until December. 1901. In 1902 the old chapel was sold to the Contemporary Club, but the use of it was retained for a time. After twelve months without a pastor, Rev. John A. Marquis, of Greenburg, Pa., was called and began his work November 16th, 1902. The Ladies' parlors were completed and opened for service in
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HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
1902. In August, 1903, occurred the death of Dr. William Craig, who had been so closely identified with the church since its organization, that his loss was a serious blow.
Plans are now under way for the construction of a Sunday school room and the enlargement of the auditorium at the cost of some $15,000. The auditorium, when completed, will have a seating capacity of 700, with seats for 300 more furnished by the Sunday school room. The present member- ship of the church is 350 and the Sunday school has a membership of 400. The church has had a steady growth and is active in all branches of church work. All the usual societies are supported and a missionary is maintained by the church in the Hawaiian Islands.
First Baptist Church.
This church was first called the Central Baptist Church of Redlands and Lugonia, and was organized in the Lugonia school house, Nov. 13, 1887, with the following constituent members: Russell Waite and wife, E. S. Foote and wife, Irma Foote, E. J. Fullerton and wife, Mrs. J. M. Lynn, Mrs. Green. Miss K. H. Candee, Lucius Owen and Isaac Ford. Rev. S. C. Nunn was called as the first pastor, but served only a few Sundays. Rev. Daniel Read, L. I. D., was his successor, commencing his pastorate June 2, 1888, and con- tinuing until Dec. Ist. of the same year. During these brief months the real foundations of the church were laid The lot on which the present church building now stands was purchased, a tent was pitched on it as a place of worship, the Sunday school was organized with twenty members, E. S. Foote being elected Superintendent, which office he still holds, and the first baptism occurred, A. Gregory, being baptised, by Dr. Read in a temporary baptistery in the church yard. Dr. Read, the beloved pastor, receiving a call from the First church of Los Angeles, closed his labors with the Redlands church Dec. Ist, 1888. Rev. W. W. Willis, took up the work Feb. 17, 1889, and served the church until April 1, 1890. A chapel 25x40 feet was erected to take the place of the tent, and the dedication occurred March 31, 1889. Rev. J. C. Thomas was the stated supply during the summer of 1890. Rev. J. D. Rumsey, entered upon the pastorate Sept. 28, 1890, and continued until May 4. 1893. During this time the Christian Endeavor Society, the Chinese Mis- sion and the Barton S. S. were organized. A. Humphrey, was elected Su- perintendent of the Barton School, and has continued in that capacity un- til the present. During the summer of 1893, the pulpit was supplied by dif- ferent ministers, and Dec. 17, 1893, Rev. W. F. Harper entered the pastorate and still continues his labors,
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