USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 41
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In 1853 a room in a private house served as a place of worship for the Roman Catholics of Oakland and nearly the whole of the present county of Alameda. A priest from the Mission San Jose occasionally made a visit to celebrate mass and administer the sacraments, but even these occasional visits had to be omitted during the rainy season, owing to bad roads. The first church was erected in 1853, through the exertions of a few of the congregation, and for some time was the only Roman Catholic place of worship, save the Mission of San Jose, in the whole of Alameda county. There was no settled pastor in Oakland until Feb- ruary, 1865, when Father King was appointed to the parish, which then included San Pablo, San Leandro and the Amador valley, as well as Oakland. Aided by Father Croke, the original building was enlarged by subsequent additions until it was capable of holding a congregation of several hundred. The next church was consecrated on June 23, 1872, the dedicatory services being conducted by the Most Reverend Archbishop Alemany, attended by Fathers Croke, Gibney and Casadera.
First Baptist church of Oakland was organized in 1854 with the following first members : Rev. E. J. Willis, Mrs. A. N. Willis, Mr. L. W. Taylor, Mr. S. Ayers, Mrs. Mary Potter and Mr. J. N. Thompson. Rev. E. J. Willis was chosen pastor, N. J. Thompson, deacon, and L. W. Taylor, clerk. In December, 1854, the first house of worship was dedicated and was the first Protestant church completed in the city. It was located at the corner of Fifth and Jefferson streets.
In December, 1855, the Presbyterian church presented a bill to the council for the use of a bell. A committee appointed to inquire into this subject reported "that the First Presbyterian church of Oakland's bill for a bell, now in use for school purposes, we cannot advise to be allowed, for the following, to us, very conclusive reasons: First-That the bell was bought by subscription of the citizens and not by the church. Second-That it was bought with the under- standing that when the large bell arrived (which was then understood to be on the way) it was to be placed on the schoolhouse and used for school purposes. Third-The money was collected from the people promiscuously and not from the church, some giving $1 and some $5, and the church at that time had no organization. The bell, as is well known, was used on the schoolhouse for church and school purposes, and has now reverted to its original intentional use on the school house; it is obvious therefore that the city ought not to pay for it again, the bell having once been paid for by the public."
The First Congregational church of Oakland was organized December 9, 1860. with a membership of seventeen persons. Its first place of worship was the Baptist church, then situated on the corner of Fifth and Jefferson streets. After-
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wards for a few months its services were held in The Pavilion, on the Plaza, Broadway, between Fourth and Fifth streets, the site of the county courthouse. Rev. George Pierson, then pastor of the Presbyterian church in Brooklyn, com- menced the first Sabbath service of the church in November, 1860, and continued to supply the pulpit once each Sunday until the arrival of the chosen pastor. This was Rev. George Mooar. Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D., came from Springfield, Illinois, on April 24, 1872, and was installed in the following June. A Sunday school was organized at an early day.
In December, 1863, Archbishop Alemany, assisted by Revs. Messrs. Harring- ton, Quinn and Gabriel, consecrated the new Roman Catholic cemetery, about four miles from Oakland. It was named St. Mary's and contained thirty-six acres, only six of which were at first inclosed. The ground was formerly known as the Mahoney ranch and was purchased from Thomas Mahoney.
In April, 1864, a Methodist church was commenced on the corner of Ninth and Washington streets. The building was 60 feet long and 38 feet in width, and to cost $5,000. The building was dedicated in August, 1864. . About this time ( 1869) Rev. L. Hamilton established an Independent Pres- byterian church. Charges of heterodoxy were made against him, and he was summoned to appear before the Presbytery, but, refusing to do so, was suspended. Upon the organization of the Independent Presbyterian church the following trustees were appointed: Prof. Henry Durant, Rev. David McClure, C. W. Howard, Judge S. B. McKee, George C. Potter, J. S. Emery, A. J. Coffee, W. C. Tompkins and J. R. Glascock.
A large portion of Mr. Hamilton's congregation, who were opposed to this decision of the Presbytery and Synod, organized another society, and secured Brayton hall as a temporary place of worship, where services were held until the spring of 1870, when the edifice, situated at the southeast corner of Thirteenth and Jefferson streets, was erected. The Sunday school connected with the church was organized March 6, 1869.
The Second Congregational church of Oakland was organized on May 31, 1868, in the West Oakland schoolhouse. Previous to this organization a Sabbath school had been held for some time in the schoolhouse, and a "Religious Society" had been formed, and preaching services had been conducted by Prof. Martin Kellogg of the College of California. J. A. Folger, O. P. Treusdell, C. C. Fisher, H. G. McLean and Dr. D. P. Fonda were the trustees of this religious society. On the 10th of May, 1868, this society was dissolved, and in its place the Second Congregational Religious Society of Oakland was formed, of which the same persons were elected trustees. The church building was dedicated in August, 1868. The church at its organization was composed of nine members. The Rev. Eli Corwin, the first pastor, entered on his duties in November, 1868. In 1871 a half block on the west side of Broadway was sold by the Congregational Society for $65,000. It was then covered with wooden stores worth about $10,000. The stores paid about one per cent a month on the investment until 1877 when the whole tract was sold for $160,000.
From about 1868 to 1872 the preachers of the German Methodist Episcopal churches of San Francisco came to Oakland on Sabbath afternoons to preach the gospel to the German inhabitants of this city. In the year 1882 the Rev. Hermann Brueck was sent here by the authorities of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
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Oakland and vicinity was taken up as a regular mission field. Mr. Brueck commenced holding meetings in the Congregational chapel on Second street, between Broadway and Washington street, where a few members were gathered, and a Sunday school instituted, which was attended by about twenty-five children.
The first movement of any prominence by the Seventh Day Adventist church in Oakland was in April, 1874, when a large tent was pitched at the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth street, and a series of meetings held. These meetings were conducted by Eld. James White, his wife, Mrs. Ellen G. White, Eld. J. N. Loughborough, and other ministers of the faith, all of whom had but recently come from the East. As a result of this effort, about thirty persons were baptized, which, added to a few individuals who had before embraced this faith, formed the nucleus of the first church. This company rented a hall at the corner of Broadway and Twelfth street, and continued to hold regular meetings, and were represented in the state conference the following September. In May, 1875, a permanent organization was effected. .
Many revival meetings were conducted in Oakland in April, 1875, by the famous revivalist Rev. Mr. Hammond, assisted by Rev. Mr. McLean, Congrega- tionalist ; Rev. Mr. McLafferty, Baptist ; Rev. Dr. Mooar of the seminary ; Rev. D. McClure, of the California Military Academy ; Rev. Mr. Pope, Congregationalist ; Rev. Mr. Hulbert and Rev. Dr. Eells, Presbyterian. The services were held in the First Congregational church, which was filled to overflowing every evening. The daily children's meetings were attended by packed and breathless congrega- tions of earnest parents and wondering children. Even street meetings were con- ducted by Mr. Hammond in person and the crowds that listened to his pleadings extended for whole blocks. Street singing of intense fervor and effect accom- panied the street services. Numerous Bible meetings, prayer meetings, experience meetings, children's meetings, ladies' meetings were held in April, 1875. Requests for special prayers were presented at all times. The meetings finally became so large that the church committee obtained permission from the Seventh Day Adventists to erect their mammoth tent on General Williams' lot at Fourteenth street opposite City hall. The tent itself seated only about three hundred, but when the sides were raised thousands could see and hear the proceedings. The commit- tee also tried to hire the Montgomery Queen Circus tent for the immense afternoon meetings. They failed to get the Stockton campaign tent. John Wilson of San Francisco offered his circus tent during the continuance of the revival of Oakland. This revival had no parallel in the religious history of the city. Thousands of people came by train and boat from other points to participate. At the meeting of April 23d over one hundred persons arose and gave praise to God for the new hope which inspired their souls. One speaker humorously noted that the church was filled in spite of the fact that it was the first night of the circus. Branch meetings were held in different parts of the city. At the close of Mr. Hammond's revival the local ministers without exception endorsed his extravagant style in the pulpit. All thought differently at first, but his popularity. his wonderful influence and his striking success drew them to him in spite of their previous convictions. Instead of a sensationalist they found him an unselfish and successful worker in the Lord's vineyard. It was admitted that his most striking character- istic was an irrepressible desire to do good. He did more than any other single cause to open their eyes to a united ministry and a consolidated church service for
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the redemption of mankind. All were taught to surrender denominational routine and service to religious fellowship and campaign. His meetings resulted in a broader and more practical Christianity in this community.
Early in 1875 a band of Paulist missionaries located on this coast and estab- lished missions at Oakland and other places in Alameda county. Among the fathers were Rev. George Desbon, Rev. J. P. Bodfish, Rev. W. J. Dwyer, Rev. A. L. Rosecrans, Rev. Walter Elliott and Rev. E. B. Brady. Father Rosecrans was a son of Major-General Rosecrans who resided at San Rafael at this date. Father Desbon was a graduate of West Point and was formerly an officer in the United States army.
At a meeting held in the First Congregational church early in June, 1875, pre- liminary steps to form a public reading room association were taken. There were present Revs. Pope, McLean, Anthony, Eells, McClure and others. The following committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions and have general charge of the movement, all the members of the committee being church members: W. B. Hardy, Mrs. Varney, Dr. W. A. Craig (secretary), Mrs. L. P. Fisher, J. L. Barker, Mrs. Dr. Selfridge, H. Rouse, Mrs. Moore, P. D. Morrell, Mrs. J. R. Mason and S. F. Page.
Early in March, 1875, the Catholics at Seventh and Jefferson streets held a series of enthusiastic meetings which were attended by crowded congregations. The meetings were called "missions" and were superintended by special mission- aries of the church. Fathers Cachan, Elliott and Rosecrans were in charge of the services. Morning and evening sessions were held. The exhortations and prayers were particularly impressive, instructive and effective, hundreds of persons seek- ing the good offices of the fathers. The spirit shown was equal to the revivals in many of the Protestant churches. The addresses of the fathers were extremely eloquent and free from bigotry.
Oakland had a church building mania in May, 1875-Methodist, Congrega- tional, Presbyterian, Episcopal, all were determined to have new buildings. Cen- tral Mission Sunday school was established in January 1876. The first regular session was held Sunday afternoon March 19, 1876. There were present twenty- six children and twenty visitors and friends. The early officers were: William R. Bentley, superintendent ; Benjamin S. Tower, assistant superintendent. January 13, 1878, the school moved to Pythian hall, on Broadway, but later moved back to the Academy of Music.
Late in February, 1876, a Sunday school teachers' institute was organized at the First Congregational church, there being present about fifty superintendents, teachers and laymen of all the Oakland Protestant congregations,-First Presby- terian, First Congregational, Methodist Episcopal, Plymouth Avenue Congrega- tional, Independent Presbyterian and Baptist. Rev. Dr. J. K. McLean was elected president and C. R. Clark, secretary. Messrs. Hoag, Craig and Chamberlain were appointed a committee to report on the advisability of organizing a normal class. The Christian Aid Union was organized by Rev. M. Hamilton's church in August, 1876. Its object was to extend help to needy strangers as well as residents and to establish a free library and reading room.
The First Presbyterian church of Pleasanton was duly incorporated in May, 1877, and was designed to take over the property of the congregation already formed there and in a prosperous condition. It owned two town lots and the
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church building thereon. John McRue, J. C. Gibson, J. A. Neal, George Cannon and T. A. Harvus were directors of the new corporation. Rev. C. W. Anthony was pastor of the church at this time.
On August 1, 1877, the following church property was owned in Oakland : Baptist, $11,000; Congregational, $31,000 ; Episcopal, $11,500; Independent Pres- byterian, $16,000; Methodist Episcopal, $24,900; Presbyterian, $50,400; St. Paul's, $14,200 ; Second Congregational, $5,650; Seventh Day Adventist, $9,000; Centennial W. E., $1,600; Hebrew Congregation, $1,600; African, $1,750.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Oakland was organized July 24, 1879, in the First Presbyterian church, with A. A. Dewing as president. It soon secured a room located at the corner of Eleventh and Washington streets, at a cost of $10 per month, and held meetings on Tuesday evening and Sunday afternoon, until August 13th, when they secured a room at Medical College hall, at a cost of $15 a month, which was occupied until June 1, 1881 when they moved to a store under the Masonic Temple, at the corner of Twelfth and Washington streets. Other buildings and rooms were occupied.
Previous to May, 1882, St. Mark's church, Berkeley, was conducted as an Episcopal mission, but on that date was changed from a mission to a parish, which act vacated the pulpit. Rev. Mr. Greene was then called to the rectorship of the parish, he having previously been missionary in charge. There was some irregu- larity in the change and charges of improper conduct were preferred against him. It required time and patience to reconcile conflicting claims and contentions.
Beulah Park Camp Meeting Association was incorporated in September, 1883, its object being the promotion of scriptural holiness. It had members in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda and San Francisco. At this time, also, the Baptist Chinese Missionary Society was incorporated, its object being the advancement of Chinese evangelization ; it likewise had members in all four places.
In September Rev. M. S. Levy applied to the council for a change in the holiday season so that the Jewish children would not suffer loss of credit in the schools by reason of absence. Under the recommendation of Superintendent Gilson, teachers were directed not to hold examinations on the days of Jewish holidays in October nor deprive children of credit on account of absence on those days. A spectroscope for the high school was secured. The schools were ordered sup- plied with supplemental reading under Mr. Gilson's management. School libraries were greatly encouraged and assisted at this time.
The Oakland Y. M. C. A. numbered about two hundred members and had a library of about one thousand volumes. J. M. Buffington was president and Mr. Fowler, secretary; their hall seated 400 persons. They held twelve meetings per week and had a branch in East Oakland.
Baboo Protap Chunder Mozromdar, a Hindoo of the Brahmin caste, deliv- ered an address at the First Congregational church in November. He was one of the leaders of a movement to reform Brahminism, which Max Muller described as the most important movement of the human mind of that day.
The annual camp meeting of the Pacific Coast Holiness Association was held in Beulah park in August, 1884. The one aim of the association was the ex- perience of holiness and all the meetings and movement had this object in view. Any person who enjoyed the grace of entire sanctification could become a mem- ber. This association was organized in 1881. It sought to establish a training
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school for evangelists in Beulah park at a cost of $25,000. Beulah park was purchased by the association a short time before and was on the Fruitvale House railroad. The park comprised 81/2 acres, enclosed by a high paling. On the grounds was a newly erected tabernacle which cost about $7,500.
The Pastors' Union of Oakland was organized late in 1884 for the purpose of reviving the penal Sunday law of the state. Though public opinion and political sentiment were against the law, the union felt its necessity and accordingly worked for its rehabilitation. Rev. Dr. McLean headed the work of the union. The law was repealed in 1882, but its reinstatement was earnestly urged by the religious element of this city. The democrats would have opposed the reinstatement and the republicans dared not take a positive position. The union decided that public agitation would accomplish the reenactment of the law. The evils of Sabbath breaking were publicly urged unless, it was argued, the people wanted the churches to go down with the desecration of the Sabbath. At a big meeting of the Min- isterial Union of San Francisco in January, 1885, a committee of five was appointed to act at once and vigorously in the matter; they were Revs. M. M. Gibson, Gray, Lines, McLean and Gitkens.
The seventeenth annual meeting of the State Sabbath School Convention assembled in the Congregational church, Oakland, on May 6th. H. C. Sigler of Los Angeles presided. Rev. F. A. Horton on behalf of the citizens welcomed the delegates to the city. There was a large attendance and advanced movements were planned.
In the old St. Anthony Catholic church of East Oakland hung a bell in 1885 that in Spanish days was tolled from the tower of the old Mission San Jose to regulate the worship and the work of the Indian neophytes. It was hung in the church at East Oakland about the year 1860, but previous to that time, for fifty-seven years, it had rung out over the mission fields and slopes. It was brought to California from Mexico soon after the establishment of the Mission San Jose. In 1885 it was cracked and not used, though it had seen service but a short time before.
When Archbishop Alemany left California forever in May, 1885, he visited the Oakland Catholics before leaving. With him were Archbishop Riordan, Vicar General Prendegast and other celebrities. Thousands who had learned to love him and regard him as the embodiment on earth of their future hope assem- bled to see him for the last time. Men and women poured into the car to shake his hand while tears ran down their cheeks. At the Sixteenth street station an unusual but impressive scene was witnessed. As the train stopped a crowd of three hundred or more gathered about the last car in which he sat. He arose and bowed at the window, but the people clamored for him to come to the platform. He complied and a hundred hands were stretched to clasp his and men and women crowded forward to kiss his hand. Quickly the train began to move, whereupon they all simultaneously fell on their knees-more than three hundred of them- some on the track, others on the rail and yet others on the walk. The men reverently removed their hats. The archbishop went to Rome to report directly to the hierarchy and to the general superior of the Dominican Order.
The course of educational lectures given at the Congregational church, Ala- meda, in 1885 included the following eminent persons, Rev. F. A. Horton, D. D., on "Rose, Shamrock and Thistle ;" Pres. C. C. Stratton of San Jose on "Some of
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the Dangers Which Threaten Our Country and Their Remedies;" Rev. J. K. McLean, D. D., on "Eight Hours of Europe from a Car Window;" Miss Emma Manvedel on "The Kindergarten." A stereoptican exhibit by O. B. Smith was on the program.
The sixth annual meeting of the Central Baptist Association was held at Bethel church, Oakland, in September, 1886. There was a large attendance and the proceedings were of great importance-affecting the growth and prosperity of the association and the church. Nearly all the distinguished Baptist divines of the state were here and participated in the proceedings. The Salvation Army under Mrs. Capt. Stilwell from Oakland invaded San Leandro in March, 1885. In 1886 a boys' branch of the Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Oakland and proved a great success. There was soon a large membership and at all meetings much fervor and enthusiasm were exhibited.
It is probable that Rev. Charles W. Wendte, pastor of the First Unitarian church from about 1885 to 1895, did more than any other person to soften and assuage the rigorous and .exacting teachings of orthodoxy in this community. His work was brilliant and monumental. He struck a death blow at creed bigotry and widened the faith and practice of the liberal Christians who were eager to advance in righteousness and spiritual light. He first preached in Odd Fellow's hall and then in Hamilton hall. He succeeded Mr. Hamilton and finished the work begun so well by the latter. His bold, radical and aggressive style, so like that of the Rev. Mr. Savage of Boston, attracted a large congregation and made his church a conspicuous power in the religious growth of the state. Rev. Mr. Wendte recommended the reading of Robert Elsmere by church members in a very strong sermon which he preached here in December, 1888. Among other caustic things he said was the following: "The clergy are so inbedded in their ecclesiastical establishments, like so many fossils in the post-diluvian rocks, that they cannot free their minds sufficiently from the external and mechanical func- tions of their office to look upon the signs of the times;" that they were the "totally blind leaders of the blind" and had "created an atmosphere of evasion, conformity and double-dealing." But Mr. Wendte was severely criticised by many ministers in all portions of the state. Dr. Horton was particularly severe.
In August, 1888, Horace Davis, president of the university, at the Methodist preachers meeting in San Francisco, reproached them for characterizing the university as a "Godless institution." He declared it was unjust. It was like every other public school in the land-sectarian instruction had been excluded, but all students could join or attend nearby churches without any obstacles being placed in their way. In fact nearly all the religious denominations had established homes and reading rooms near the university where sectarianism was taught and inculcated without hindrance. He ended by inviting the Methodists to establish more such homes. The Robert Elsmere discussion led to sharp criticisms of the university by the orthodox ministry of Oakland, but its effects were commended by the Unitarian ministers and the university faculty.
John Alexander Dowie, in 1888, denounced in scathing terms the pretentions and religion of the Christian Scientists. Other speakers here denounced his faith cures. As a matter of fact both were not far apart in doctrine, because both believed in Jesus and both practised faith healing and curing. The doctrines of Christian Science were explained to Oakland audiences by Rev. H. C. Waddell
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of Minneapolis, in April. Grace Congregational church was organized at Mission San Jose in March.
The presence in the city of a great religious revival and of Rev. Dwight L. Moody was the occasion for Rev. Mr. Wendte to oppose revivals generally as a great mistake in religious life. But the services of Mr. Moody at this time were attended by many more persons than could find seats or standing room. The interest of the people was thoroughly aroused. Hundreds arose to a con- fession of faith at each meeting. Oakland experienced a revival in religion that seemed at times to sweep all before it. By the last of the month there had been scores of conversions and the end was not yet. The ninth anniversary of the Oakland branch of the Y. M. C. A. was celebrated at the First Presbyterian church at this time and was the most notable religious event since the Robert Elsmere discussion. Rev. C. W. Wendte, Unitarian, and Rev. C. H. Hobart were powerful factors in church uplift at this date.
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