USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it > Part 51
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GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The German Baptists of Meriden as indicated by the membership of their church, number at this writing about 100. Previous to 1874 when the society was formally organized, these good people in order to attend church where their language was spoken, went to a place of worship in New Haven. Andrew Stockburger, a staunch Baptist and a preacher but not a clergyman, and his wife, Christina, to a certain extent a missionary in Meriden, are justly called the organizers of the Ger-
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CHURCHES.
man Baptist church here. For some years meetings and Sunday school were held at their house on Gale avenue, at first but once a month, and gradually more frequently. Later meetings were held in the old school- house that stood on Broad street at the north side of the old burying ground. Meetings were also held by the German Baptists at the old
desirable building lots at the cor- ner of Liberty and Twiss streets. This land was purchased by the First Baptist church society- from Waldo C. Twiss at a very reason- able figure, and Edward Miller was one of the largest contributors in the purchase of the land, which was leased by that society to the German Baptists for a period of ninety-nine
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH AND PARSONAGE.
town hall and before the erection of their present edifice, in the east wing of the Main Street Baptist church. It was in 1874, a short time after a regular pastor in the person of Rev. Henry Moelman had been engaged and who was installed May 30, 1873, that they became possessed of two large and highly
years. The acquisition of this land and the popularity of the first regu- lar pastor enthused and encouraged the members to such an extent that the building of the present edifice was soon begun and this was dedi- cated on Christmas Day, 1876. The growth of the society was more pronounced in its early days
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
and although organized with but seventeen members or families, the first year thereafter twenty-five persons received baptism at the hands of Rev. Mr. Moelman. He remained pastor for thirteen years and during his pastorate the church thrived handsomely both spiritually
REV. J. C. HUBER.
and otherwise. His loss to the church was sadly felt for he was greatly beloved by his people. Some months after his departure Rev. Henry Weimar was engaged to pre- side over the church and as the sec- ond pastor remained four years. The third pastor was Rev. Henry
Bentz, who remained three years as did also Rev. Henry Meyers who became the next settled pastor. Later divines of this church were Rev. Emil Berger who served as such six years and Rev. F. Knorr who filled the pulpit from 1901 to 1904. The present pastor, Rev. J. C. Huber, was installed Sept. I, 1904.
In 1891 the present church par- sonage, owned by the society, was built and this with a few exceptions has been occupied by the several pastors and their families. The first deacon of the church was Andrew Schwab and the present deacons are Andrew Stockburger and John Luft. The clerk of the church for many years at intervals has been John Guenther, a neighbor of Deacon Stockburger and the treasurer is Andrew Stockburger, jr.
Some time ago the church became incorporated. There are 100 active resident members of the church and about 80 in the Sunday school. There is also a society of Willing Workers of twenty members and a Young People's society of thirty members, also a Ladies' Aid Society and Junior League.
Rev. J. C. Huber was born in Switzerland and at the age of seven- teen came to this country. He was educated for the ministry at the the- ological seminary at Minneapolis, Minn., where he resided for many years. His pastorates have been at Tomah, Wis., Danville, Minn., St. Charles, Minn., and previous to
I 57
CHURCHES.
coming to Meriden was located for seven years in Newark, N. J., where he preached in two different churches, one of which was the First German Baptist church of that city. He, like his predecessors, preaches in German although services are at times held in English. He is held in high esteem not only by the Ger- man speaking population who at- tend his church, but in the commun- ity at large. He has been blessed with a large family and the members of his household add to his efforts in behalf of Christianity.
THE SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Swedish Baptist Church of Meriden, Conn., under which name it became incorporated December 2, 1889, was organized February 16, 1887, with nineteen members who had withdrawn by let- ter from the Main Street Baptist Church, of Meriden. Some time pre- vious to this the Swedish people of this faith were banded together and held business meetings, calling them- selves a society as early as 1886, and several of whom came to this city from the American Baptist Church of New Britain. The first chairman of the society was Rev. O. Lindh, now at Cambridge, Mass., who officiated at the organization of the church.
The young society after having maintained a Sunday school in a small hall on Britannia street near the railroad crossing, and having
held preaching services both in this hall and alternately the Main Street Baptist Church, commenced building the present edifice at the Corner of Park Avenue and Frank- lin street. The following com- prised the building committee : Os- car Peterson, John E. Swenson, Bernard Swenson, G. Kjall, Hans Hanson and Rev. A. Rohnstrom, the last named being then pastor of the church. The corner stone of the new edifice was laid with appro- priate ceremonies July 6, 1890, and great was the joy in the hearts of the Swedish Baptists when the church was formally dedicated Nov. 21, 1890.
The church has been a growing institution from the start, and dur- ing its nineteen years of usefulness 297 have been given the right hand of fellowship, thus becoming mem- bers of the church. The member- ship of the church at the present day is 133. During its existence there has been paid for running expenses, charity and missions near- ly $25,000. The church, of which an illustration is shown, together with the parsonage, has a seating capacity of 250, and is valued at $8,000, and upon which there is no debt. The church corporation has also built a comfortable parsonage fronting on Park avenue, at a cost of $2,000, but upon this a debt of $1,500 still remains.
The services are held in Swedish but there are classes in the Sunday school in which English is used and
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
meetings of the different societies of the church, which are frequently at- tended by English speaking people. The members are enthusiastic and the services are well attended, while the Sunday school has a membership of about 100.
Several well known Swedish
he remained until 1893 when Rev. T. Clafford became the pastor, serving five years. Rev. W. Kohler was installed and held the pastorate un- til 1904, when Rev. Robert Lar- son was called to the church from Minnesota, and he has since guided the spiritual lives of its members.
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH AND PARSONAGE.
divines of the Baptist faith have The deacons of the church at the present writing are Hans Hanson, John E. Swenson, David Dahl and Olof Falk. presided over the church from time to time. The first regular pastor was Rev. A. P. Sword, who served in 1888-89 and was followed by Mr. Larson was born at Skarf- sjon, Stensele, Westerbotten, Swed- Rev. A. Rohnstrom, under whose pastorate the church was built, and en. Coming to this country at the
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CHURCHES.
age of twenty to seek his fortune, he finally entered the Theological Seminary of the University of Chi- cago, from which he was afterward graduated, and December 8, 1900 became an ordained preacher of the Baptist church, later becoming in- stalled pastor of the Swedish Bap- tist Church at Willmar, Minn. Since his coming to Meriden, the Swedish Baptist Church has continued to
Photo by Akers & Pigeon. REV. ROBERT LARSON.
grow in membership and prosperity and during his brief pastorate, a remaining debt on the church edifice has been liquidated. Mr. Larson is a man of scholarly attainments and is much beloved by those of his nationality in Meriden, and enjoys
the highest esteem of those who know him.
He is married to Anna Sophia Mattson, formerly of Daggett, Mich., and they have two bright infant boys, Charles Eben and Rolf Osmund. Rev. Mr. Larson and his family reside at the church parsonage.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.
The Episcopal parish of Meriden had its origin in the troubles in- cident to the Revolution. Moses Andrews, one of the brothers of the famous Parson Andrews of Wal- lingford, was a farmer in the west- ern part of the town. When the war broke out, in common with the rest of the Episcopalians, he became an object of suspicion to the ruling authorities. Though remarkable for the mildness and gentleness of his character, he was placed under heavy bonds and forbidden to leave his farm under any pretense what- ever, without the special permis- sion of the selectmen of the town. To Mr. Andrews the severest part of the punishment was the being forbidden to worship God with his brethren on the Lord's day and in the Lord's house. He therefore petitioned for permission to go to church on Sundays in Wallingford. The indulgence for which he would have been thankful was refused. In place of it he was graciously given permission to attend the Congrega- tional meeting house in Meriden. But
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
that was a favor which the sturdy old churchman did not appreciate. Finding that he would not be allow- ed to attend the church of his choice he determined to have a church in his own house, and that house is now standing at 424 West Main street. Slabs and blocks of wood were brought from the neighboring saw mill for benches, and the neigh- bors were invited to attend. Every Sunday the little congregation, pro- bably not more than fifteen or twenty in all, assembled to unite in the worship according to the prayer book and listen to a sermon from some standard author. Neighbor Andrews himself was the lay- reader. The services thus humbly commenced were continued almost a quarter of a century.
The organization of this time honored parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church, which makes Meriden somewhat famous church- wise, dates back to 1789, and ac- cording to an historical sketch by late Rev. G. H. Deshon, D. D., on April 13, of that year, a preliminary meeting was held during the pro- gress of which the following agree- ment was signed :
Meriden, April 13, 1789.
"We, whose names are underwrit- ten, do declare our conformity to the Church of England and desire of joining the worship and sacra- ments of said church, do consent and agree to support the same." Signed: Reuben Ives, clerk; Deni- son Andrews, Moses Andrews, Isaac
Atwater, David Andrews, Simeon Perkins, John B. Douglass, Ezra. Butler, Watt Hubbard, Seth De- Wolf, and Solomon Yale. This simple record of the first proceed- ings toward the formation of the society were the first steps taken by these early Episcopalians in Meri- den.
At a following meeting held in Meriden, December 28 of the same year the society was formally orga- nized, at which time Moses An- drews was chosen first clerk, and Denison Andrews and Isaac At- water, the society committee. Rev. Reuben Ives of Cheshire, who in the meantime had served as missionary was placed in charge of the parish thus formed and was engaged as the first rector by the following vote: "that we will hire Mr. Ives to preach four days for this year," "Voted: To keep up meetings for this year.". This vote according to Dr. Deshon was to have the ser- vices of a clergyman but for four Sundays during the year, the balance of the time to continue the lay ser- vices to which they had previously been accustomed. Mr. Ives, who remained in charge of the parish as its missionary from the time of its organization to 1824, sometimes preached as often as six Sundays a year. Although for several years the society was too small in mem- bership and too poor in purse to even think of building a church, yet in 1795 they proposed "to erect a church at the southeast corner of
II
Bertors of St. Andreas Church Deriden Conn. from the Organisation of the Parish in azzo to 1297.
Bm Robert H. hallo DD
:1780 - 1824
Bre. Aslibd Balomin 1894 -1386
+1900 -1822
1292-1139
Bro. Comand Ingersaff DD. 1835-1837
Rou John D. Guion DD. 1237-1830
Rev. Odandthen Fait DD. 1230 -1940
-1810 -48+1
Bres Charles ID. Everest 1841 - 1843
Riv: John T Cashing . 5843 - 1%++
"Bru. Comos Outson ->184+-1849
BI Re Abrem n, Littlejohn D.D. L.L.D. 1849 -1850
Rm. Arthur T. Randall
1850 *1883
CHURCHES.
16I
GROUP OF RECTORS OF ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
the green whereon the meeting house now stands" (meaning the Congregational Meeting house), "pro- vided the land can be obtained," but it was not until 1806 that they voted "that we will build a house for publick worship on ground be- longing to Joseph Merriam." This land was located on West Main street, directly opposite the house of
SECOND EPISCOPAL EDIFICE.
Almon Andrews, but a month later they changed their minds, and de- cided to build the church elsewhere, "within sixty rods of the meeting house in Meriden," which they after- wards did.
The raising of money for the first church edifice then became a serious problem and among the various
plans suggested was one to apply to the legislature for a grant of a lottery, a method of raising money as fashionable then as fairs of the present day. Another was to "build a house the doors of which should be opened to the Baptists and Pres- byterians when not occupied by the Episcopal Society." Both of these plans were almost immediately abandoned, and the society finally decided, and with laudable inde- pendence, to build a church by legit- imate methods, building it piece by piece, as fast only as they could pay for it. First they raised the frame, then they had it shingled, later they were enabled to have it plastered, and finally the pews and furniture were put in. All this was accom- plished after ten years of patience and self-denial, and the first edifice on Broad street was consecrated to God October 18, 1816, by Bishop Hobart of New York, under the name of St. Andrew's Church, and upon that occasion thirty-eight per- sons were confirmed by him. The building, a plain wooden structure with a frontage of thirty-six feet and a depth of forty-five feet, stood in marked contrast to the impos- ing edifice, the present St. An- drew's church, as is shown in a following illustration. The ex- terior was the personification of plain- ness, but the interior was neatly arranged according to the fashion of the times. Dr. Deshon described the interior as follows, "a gallery ran around three sides of the build-
a
to A K
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CHURCHES.
ing. A huge pulpit stood at the west end surmounted by a canopy, flanked on either side by an elevat- ed flight of steps, and cushioned and festooned most lavishly with crimson damask. In the front of the pulpit was a formidable struc- ture which served for a reading desk. In front of the reading desk was a small communion table en- closed by a small semi-circular rail. The space under the stairs in the lower part of the church, by the side door, was used for the vestry room."
Rev. Reuben Ives was, in 1825, succeeded by Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, one of the four candidates admitted to holy orders by Bishop Sea- bury at the first Episcopal ordina- tion ever held in America. He was followed in 1826 by Rev. Nathaniel Bruce who was called according to. the parish records by the follow- ing cautious vote: "to appoint a committee to wait on the Rev. Nathaniel Bruce, and see if he can be obtained to officiate two-thirds of the time for the year ensuing; to make his residence in Meriden, sal- ary not to exceed $200; to be insti- tuted our clergyman during the amity and friendship of the parties." His short term of service according to the church records is therefore somewhat significant. Rev. Robert A. Hallam followed Rev. James Keeler as rector of St. Andrew's parish, and residents of Meriden are fully aware of his successful pastor- ate extending over a period of three
years. He was known as a rector of "genial and winning manners, the brilliancy and beauty of his ser- mons and the earnest interest which he manifested in his work, rendered him a universal favorite, not only in the parish but among all classes of Christians. Much of the prosperity with which the par- ish has since been blessed may be fairly attributed to his labors."
Rev. Edward Ingersoll followed Dr. Hallam in ministering to the spiritual comforts of St. Andrew's parish, and later. in 1837, Rev. John M. Guion became the settled rector. Both of these men are said to have been preachers of "distinguished abilities." Melancthon Hoyt, "one of the most successful missionaries upon the extreme western border, known all over the land, even by the Indians," took charge of the parish in 1839.
Following Mr. Hoyt came Rev. Sabura S. Stocking, who became the rector in 1840, but was succeed- ed in 1841 by Rev. Chas. W. Ever- est, the latter of whom was distin- guished not only as a preacher but as a poet. Rev. John T. Cushing became the head of the parish in 1843, and in 1844 came the Rev. Cyrus Munson. Mr. Munson who was a lifelong friend of Dr. Desh- on, and his companion in his early ministry, was called to his heavenly reward while in the prime of life. just after his pastorate here. Dur- ing the year following the death of Rev. Mr. Munson in 1849, Rev.
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
Abram L. Littlejohn became the rector; and he was succeeded in 1850 by the Rev. Giles H. Deshon. At the time of the coming of Mr. Deshon as rector, the church had en- tered upon a new era of prosperity for a new church edifice of Gothic ar- chitecture had been constructed on
structed of brownstone. The build- ing was forty-five by eighty feet and its corner stone was laid June 8, 1848. It was consecrated by Bishop Brownell, February 6, 1850. On Easter day, 1850, the Rev. Giles Henry Deshon assumed his duties as rector. Under his care
Photo by R. S. Godfrey.
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.
Broad street by the parish and in this the princely generosity of a for- mer rector, Dr. Hallam, figured con- spicuously in the cost of the build- ing, which was $15,000. This, the second church occupied by the Episcopalians in Meriden, was con-
and oversight the parish made rapid strides in material and spiritual growth. About this time the growth of the town began to extend west- ward and in a few years it was deemed advisable to build a new church edifice nearer the center of
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CHURCHES.
population. The corner stone of the new building was laid at the corner of Liberty and Catlin streets on the 8th day of August, 1866. Many of the stones in the old church were used .in the con- struction of the new edifice, and the church was consecrated Nov. 7, 1867 by Bishop Williams. In 1871 the work of the parish had in- creased to such an extent that an assistant minister was appointed to help the rector. This first assist- ant was the Rev. Frank B. Lewis. Since his appointment there have been 16 assistant ministers in the parish, two of whom have been rais- ed to the Episcopate, viz : the Right Reverend Chauncey Bunce Brewster, D. D., Bishop of Connecticut, and the Right Reverend John Hazen White, D. D., Bishop of Michigan City, Indiana. For 33 years did the Rev. Dr. Deshon minister to the people of St. Andrew's-an earnest practical preacher, and above all a faithful, tender hearted and sympa- thetic pastor. He bound to himself with cords of love and friendship, not only his own parishioners, but all residents in the community as well. His was an unique and noble personality. In all his ministry he was zealously supported by that trio of noble laymen, long ago gone to their rest, Edwin E. Curtis, Lemuel J. Curtis, and George R. Curtis. The last official act of Dr. Deshon was on Christmas Day, 1882, when he attended the services of the church suffering intense pain
from an ulcerated tooth. His low- ered vitality could not withstand the inroads of the resultant blood-poi- soning, and on January 1, 1883, he passed to his reward. The growth of the parish under his administra- tion is seen in the following conven- tion reports :
1850 1883
Families
95
Families 300
Baptisms
8 Baptisms 27
Communicants II7 Communicants 510
Confirmed I3 Confirmed 22
Marriages
I Marriages 19
Funerals
3 Funerals 4I
In June 1880, Rev. Arthur T. Randall, just ordained deacon, took up his duties as assistant minister. He held that position until the death of Dr. Deshon, when he took charge of the parish. The combin- ed rectorships of these two clergy- men extend over a period of fifty-six years. The parish continued to grow until in 1888 the corner stone of a parish house was laid, and a few months later was completed at a cost of $16,000.
In December 1885 services were started in a dwelling house in the western part of the city with a view of ultimately forming a parish. The generosity of Mrs. Phoebe A. Hall- am, widow of a former rector of St. Andrew's, Dr. Hallam, made this feasible, as in her will was found a legacy of $10,000 to be used for the erection of a new church in Meri- den. The first service was held in the new church on Ash Wednesday,
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A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.
1893, and the edifice was separated from unhallowed, worldly, and com- mon uses, and consecrated for the worship of Almighty God on Nov. 17, 1893, under the name of All Saints' Memorial Church. The
REV. GILES H. DESHON.
Rev. A. Sprague Ashley, assistant minister, had already been elected rector of the new parish, and the rector of St. Andrew's transferred to his spiritual care and oversight, 123 communicants who resided in that part of the city.
It is worthy of record to note the harmony which existed between the mother church and the daughter. The canon law of the Episcopal church requires that if application be made to the bishop for the for-
mation of a new parish within the limits of an existing parish, the rec- tor and vestry of said existing par- ish should be notified of such appli- cation, by the standing committee. In this instance, before All Saints' parish had made formal application to the bishop, a special meeting of St. Andrew's Parish was called, and a resolution passed informing the Bishop that a new parish was about to be formed within the limits of St.
Photo by Akers REV. A. T. RANDALL.
Andrew's, and that the old parish extended to the new one its best wishes and benediction.
In the convention journal of 1905, the following report from St. An- drew's is recorded :
: 167
CHURCHES.
Families, about 525. Baptized persons, about 2,000. Communicants, 803. Parochial expenditures, $6,878.53. Offerings for purposes outside of the parish, $1,080.30.
The wardens of the church since 179I have been as follows: 1791, Jo- seph Merriam, Denison Andrews ; 1792, Joseph Merriam, Seth De- Wolf; 1793, Levi Douglass, Simeon Perkins; 1794, Joseph Merriam, Levi Douglass ; 1796, Levi Douglass, Simeon Perkins; 1797, Joseph Mer- riam, Simeon Perkins; 1805, Joseph Merriam, Moses Andrews; 1806, Joseph Merriam, Lemuel Bradley ; 1807, Joseph Merriam, Yale I Hough; 1808, Samuel Tibbals, Dan Andrews ; 1809, Samuel Tibbals, Asa- hel Merriam; 1810, Samuel Tibbals, Moses Cowles ; 1812, Samuel Tibbals, Dan Andrews ; 1813, Samuel Tibbals, Amasa Merriam; 1814, Samuel Tib- bals, Marvel Andrews; 1816, Samuel Tibbals, Asahel Merriam; 1823, Sam- uel Tibbals, Elisha Curtis, Asahel Merriam ; 1848, Edwin E. Curtis, Bry- ant Hotchkiss ; 1863, Edwin E. Curtis, Asa H. Churchill; 1869, Edwin E. Curtis, Lemuel J. Curtis ; 1885, Lem- uel J. Curtis, George R. Curtis ; 1888 George R. Curtis, Benjamin Page ; 1893, Benjamin Page, George M. Curtis.
The officers of St. Andrew's Church in 1906 are as follows: parish clerk, A. B. Mather ; senior warden, Ben- jamin Page; junior warden, George M. Curtis ; vestrymen, Samuel Dodd, John W. Coe, W. W. Mosher, W. W.
Clark, George S. Seeley, A. B. Mather, C. H. Fisk, E. B. Moss, W. J. Robin- son ; treasurer, George S. Seeley.
Rev. A. T. Randall, rector of St. Andrew's Church, was born at Poque- tannock, Conn., September 23, 1854, and is a son of Rev. H. C. and Mary . L. (Davis) Randall. He obtained his education at St. Stephen's College, An- nandale, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1877, and studied for the ministry at Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown, Conn., graduat- ing there June 2, 1880. Two days later he became the assistant minister of St. Andrew's parish in Meriden. He was ordained priest at Litchfield, Conn., June 7, 1881. Upon the death of Dr. Deshon, January 1, 1883, Mr. Randall became his active successor, and entered upon his duties as rector on Easter Sunday, 1884. From that time to the present writing Mr. Ran- dall has fulfilled the duties of rector of this important parish, and he has always held the love and respect of his parishioners and the community at large.
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