USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 64
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The present site of the church was occu- pied in 1857, the lower part of the edifice being used till 1862, when the upper part was finished and occupied without es- sential change till 1872, when both stories were thrown into one, and an extension of twenty feet added. The first pipe organ was brought to Waterloo by E.W. Burnham, Esq., in 1864, and placed in this church. It is a small but sweet-toned instrument, and now adorns the Congregational church at Independence. Mr. Burnham purchased the great organ in 1872, which is rented by the society. In 1869 the society built a commodious parsonage on the corner of Washington and Fourth streets ; this was first occupied by Dr. Geo. Thacher, pas- tor, subsequently president of Iowa State University. According to the records, the first member admitted to the church upon profession of faith, was Mrs. Wheeler, now Mrs. Wm. Robinson. The first baptism of
adults was Mary Manwell, and of infants, Roger Leavitt.
The ministers who have supplied the church are as follows: Revs. Thomas S. La Due, John S. Whittlesey, Orville W. Merrill, Smith B. Goodenow, Edward S. Palmer, W. H. Marble, George Thacher, D. D., late president of the State Univer- sity ; Alfred A. Ellsworth and Henry S. De Forest. The pastorate of the latter ter- minated in April, 1878. Rev. Clayton Welles took charge October 1, 1879, and resigned April 1, 1883, to accept the principalship of Wilton Academy, in Muscatine County. The last pastor was Rev. John H. Winsor, who left in the autumn of 1855. The mem- bership of the church is over 200.
ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The first Episcopal service in Waterloo was held on Sunday, August 3, 1856, at which time Rt .- Rev. H. W. Lee, then bishop of the Diocese of Iowa, made his first visit to this place. Services were held in the morn- ing at Capwell's Hall, on the west side, and in the Grout school-house on the east side in the afternoon. In the evening, a meeting was held at Capwell's Hall, and an organization of a parish effected under the name of St. Thomas.
The names of the persons subscribing to the Articles of Association were Charles Fiske, James S. George, J. C. Hubbard, J. H. Wilkins, William Haddock and Ed- mund Miller, and the first vestry elected consisted of the above gentlemen, with the exception of Mr. Haddock.
The first officiating minister was Benja- min R. Gifford, who commenced his labors the following year, the society holding its services in Day's Hall, on the east side. Mr. Gifford remained with the society until some time in 1859. Services were also held at Capwell's Hall, on the west side, and at the court-house occasionally, until the com- pletion of Russell's Hall, when that was se- cured by lease.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Rev. W. F. Lloyd succeeded to the rec- torship in 1860, and held regular services in Russell's Hall, and continued as rector until 1864. At a meeting held April 6, 1863, the name of the parish was changed from St. Thomas's to St. Mark's for irreg- ularities in the organization under the former name. At the termination of Mr. Lloyd's term the society was without a rector for some time, occasional services being held by Rev. Henry C. Kinney, who also officiated at Cedar Falls.
Rev. W. T. Campbell was called in Oc- tober, 1866, and remained with the parish for about one year, services still being held in Russell's Hall. In June, 1867, Rev. S. D. Day was called to minister to the parish, and in the year following the present church edifice was commenced. The building com- mittee consisted of the rector, R. Russell and A. T. Lusch. The foundation was not finished until late, and the frame was raised September 21, 1868. The work was prose- cuted as fast as possible, much of the plas- tering and inside work being completed during the winter. The ladies belonging to the society rendered valuable and effi- cient service in raising funds, and through their exertions most of the adornments were procured.
The first service in the church was held in the latter part of February, 1869, Mr. Day preaching the first sermon to a very large congregation. He retained his connection with the parish until 1871. For several months after Mr. Day's removal, the parish was without a rector. Rev. J. E. Ryan was called late in 1871, but did not commence his labors until January, 1872, and served until 1877, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. F. M. Bird. . Next came Rev. W. C. Mills. Then the parish was without a rector until June 1, 1885, when Rev. C. S. Percival began his work here. St. Mark's Church was somewhat weakened by the organization of Christ Church.
CHRIST CHURCH .- The parish of Christ Church was organized, with the approval of Rt. Rev. Wm. Stevens Perry, D. D., Bishop of the diocese, on the 3d day of January, 1881, Rev. F. M. Bird being the rector in charge. The first officers of the new parish were: J. H. Miller and T. W. Place, Wardens, O. Gable, Secretary, and A. I. Breckenridge, Treasurer. Services were held in the Railroad Mission Chapel. Mr. Bird resigned the rectorship in Febru- ary, and in April, 1881, Rev. G. H. Somer- ville was called. The lot for the new church building, situated on East Fourth street, was purchased April 19, 1881. At a meeting of the vestry, held August 19, it was determined to build a stone church, and plans for the edifice, furnished by George Josselyn & Son, architects, were adopted. On the 20th of August a con- tract for the stone work was let to Thomas Chadwick. Ground was broken August 22, and the corner-stone was laid, with ap- propriate ceremonies, on the 21st of Sep- tember. The building committee consisted of Rev. G. H. Somerville and Messrs. J. H. Miller, Matt. Parrott, J. W. Krap- fel, J. L. Cooley and A. I. Breckenridge.
The church was formally opened Sun- day, October 8, 1882, Revs. Kemp, Ryan, Stroh, Estabrooke and Hoyt assisting the rector, Rev. George A. Chambers, in the ceremonies.
The church is almost a pure gothic, with projecting tower on lower front corner, forming a side entrance and vestibule. The main portion is 37 x 60 feet. The rear part, 18 x 47 feet, contains the vestry room, chan- cel and choir, the wall projecting five feet beyond the side walls of the main building. There are outside entrances to vestry and choir, and a main entrance in front. The ceiling, open to the gable, is laid out in panels, painted in drab, and surrounded with deep blue borders. The trusses sup- porting both main roof and chancel are rich
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in harmonious colorings, presenting a very handsome effect. " The pews are finished in oil, the round on back and the arms stained to imitate walnut. The chancel window, in exquisite coloring, shows the figures of Faith and Hope, and was pre- sented by J. H. Miller and his sisters, Misses Lizzie and Addie Miller, in memory of their father and mother. The organ, built by S. S. Hamill, of East Cambridge, Massachusetts, is handsomely ornamented, and in beauty and tone will compare with any instrument of the kind in the State.
The ordinary seating capacity of the church is 250, although on special occa- sions this can be quite largely increased. The center aisle is five feet in width, with aisles on each side of three feet. In ar- rangement, equipment and finish the church will compare favorably with any Episcopal church in Iowa. The ground, organ, church and furnishing cost $8,524.96.
The present rector, Rev. G. A. Chambers, was called to this parish in June, 1882. The church has about thirty communicants at the present writing.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -Among the first Methodists of this city were James Virden, G. W. Hanna and Mrs. Mullan. In 1852 there was a regular ap- pointment for "circuit " preaching at James Virden's house, on the east side. Waterloo was made a station in 1855 ; Rev. A. Cole- man was presiding elder and Rev. S. W. Ingham, pastor. Mr. Ingham was a local minister, much beloved, and an earnest preacher. His son, Rev. S. W. Ingham, is still a member of the Upper Iowa Confer- ence. When the first school-house was built the preaching was done there.
During the year an extensive revival oc- curred and over 100 were added to the society. A Mr. Daggett, who taught the school, and who was a local preacher in the church, rendered the pastor efficient aid in the work. The meetings during the
revival were held in the old brick seminary, corner of Bluff and Ninth streets, west side.
Rev. J. G. Witted was appointed to the station in 1856, and occupied, as the place of worship, the stone hall then owned by John McD. Benight. The salary of the pastor at that time was $760, and all paid. This certainly was much to the credit of the society.
In 1857 Rev. Mr. Sessions was pastor, with the services held in Capwell's Hall ; a good revival was enjoyed this year. He was followed by Rev. H. Hood for the year 1858, and Rev. E. A. Hill, in 1859, succeeded Mr. Hood. In 1860-'61 Rev. R. Ridlington was pastor. During his pas- torate the society prepared to build a house of worship, and before his removal the lot was purchased and the foundation laid. Rev. Mr. Holmes followed Mr. Ridlington in 1862, and this year the church was en- closed. In 1863 Rev. Wm. M. Sampson was appointed pastor, but remained only a part of the year, the Rev. Dr. Thomas fill- ing out the time.
The basement of the church was occupied during the winter of '63-'64, and in the autumn of 1864, Rev. Bishop Scott presid- ed over the deliberations of the Upper Iowa Conference, which met in this city and held its sessions in the basement. At the close of the conference Rev. Dr. John Bowman became pastor. During his year of service the society was divided and the church on the east side was formed and their house of worship erected.
Rev. S. A. Lee was the minister for 1865 -'66, and during his pastorate the church building was finished and dedicated and the society was blessed with a gracious revival.
Dr. Fairall followed Mr. Lee for the year 1867. Rev. U. Eberhart served as pastor during 1868-'69. In 1870-'71, Rev. D. Shaffer was the minister, and the society was favored with a good revival. In 1872
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Rev. W. Frank Paxton was appointed pre- siding elder and Rev. S. A. Lee returned as the pastor. Rev. W. P. Watkins was ap- pointed pastor for 1873.
In October, 1874, Rev. J. T. Crippen was transferred from the Central New York Conference and stationed over this church. He was followed by Rev. I. K. Fuller, who only remained one year. Mr. Fuller was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Allen, who after- ward was transferred to Texas. He was followed by Rev. H. O. Pratt, who re- mained the pastor until 1881, when Rev. S. C. Bronson was assigned to the charge and remained until the autumn of 1884. At that date Rev. J. G. Van Ness, the present pastor, came.
About $500 was spent in repairing the church in 1885. J. W. Cook is superintend- ent of the Sunday-school, which has an attendance of about 110. The church has not far from 150 active members.
EAST-SIDE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- At an early day it became ap- parent that the division of the city by the river would necessitate the organization of a second Methodist Episcopal church, one on the east side, in addition to the one already in operation on the west side of the Cedar River. Accordingly, the records show that a Board of Trustees was organized and ar- ticles of incorporation adopted as early as March 22, 1861, by the following citizens : J. W. Hankinson, G. R. Benight, D. B. Gil- bert, Joseph Gorrell, J. W. Ayers, Albert R. Hale and David Edwards. Also, that at their first meeting the question of build- ing a church was proposed and discussed.
At their second meeting, June 16, 1862, J. S. Barbee, A. C. Bunnell and Thomas Brooks were elected instead of Messrs. Be- night, Gilbert and Edwards, and a com- mittee was appointed to inquire into the feasibility of securing church room in con- nection with the school building then about to be erected in East Waterloo. That be-
ing impracticable, at the next meeting, Feb- ruary 21, 1865, it was resolved to proceed immediately to take the necessary steps to build a church. The new members of the board were: E. P. Albee, Wm. Gilchrist, R. A. Whitaker and George W. Hawver. Messrs. Barbee, Hankinson and Hawver were the committee to estimate the cost, and Messrs. Hankinson, Gilchrist and Albec were to supervise the crection of said build- ing. The size resolved upon was 36 x 58. Proposals were received, and J. S. Barbee was assigned the contract. The church was finished and dedicated in September, 1865, and Mr. Barbee settled with in Octo- ber, 1865, paying him in full $4,600. Some of the subscriptions were not paid and had to be advanced, for which a mortgage was given, which mortgage and interest, amounting to some $1,300, was finally raised and paid in September, 1873, freeing the property from all incumbrance.
The parsonage, which, with the furniture, is valued at $2,500, was built in 1869, under the ministry of Rev. E. L. Miller-the building committee consisting of Edmund Miller, A. C. Bunnell and William Gil- christ.
The first Sunday-school met in a frame building on the bank of the river, known as Evans's building, officered by John W. Ayers and J. W. Hankinson, at which time J. G. Witted, the sailor-preacher, was pas- tor of the Methodist Episcopal church in Waterloo, thence to the court-house, with A. C. Bunnell, Superintendent. Afterward Day's Hall was the Sunday-school room, said hall being a brick building on the site where the Reporter block now stands. The Sunday-school remained in Day's Hall un- til it was removed to the new church, Sep- tember, 1865.
Among the ministers in charge of the church from its organization were Revs. E. L. Miller, D. R. Thomas, Elder John Bowman (under whose pastorate the
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church was dedicated), R. N. Earhart, J. B. Casebeer, E. L. Miller, H. S. Church, G. W. Brindell, J. R. Berry, A. C. Man- well, Rev. F. B. Cherington and the present pastor, Dr. J. H. Rhea.
Mr. Berry was assigned to the church in September, 1875, and the following year began to agitate the question of a new church edifice. The matter was freely dis- cussed, and on the Ioth of October, 1876, a resolution was adopted to make "a vigor- ous effort to build a new church." From this beginning the present Grace Church grew into shape. Ground was broken on the 19th of April, 1877, and the corner-stone was laid on the 4th of July following, Rev. Dr. W. H. Perrine, of Albion College, Michigan, delivering the address. The ded- ication occurred Sunday, December 30, 1878, Bishop Andrews, then resident at Des Moines, preaching the sermon from St. John iv : 24. The whole expense of lot, build- ing and furniture was nearly $1,800. From the description of the church, published in the Reporter, after the dedication, we make the following extract :
" The building is in gothic style. The foundations are of stone, rustic ashlar ; superstructure of brick, tastefully trimmed with terra cotta and white brick. The form of the building is nearly that of a Greek cross, the main axis, the entire length of the foundation, being 104 feet, and the transverse axis sixty-seven feet. There are three gables, each fifty feet from the base, with rear gable of thirty-feet elevation. The tower, with double front, is fourteen feet square, fifty-three feet above water ta- ble, surrounded by a mansard roof, eight- een feet, making total height of tower, from level of street, seventy-six feet. The apex of the entire roof is finished in iron crest- ing, with finials at corners. In each gable there is a large triple-sashed window 9 x 20 feet, in gothic form, supported by side win- dows of similar style, 2x 8 feet. There are
three double and two single entrances, all surmounted by gothic arches. The main roof is supported by seven trusses, seven- teen feet in vertical thickness, and each containing about 3,000 feet of lumber, rest- ing entirely on the walls, without lateral pressure. The roof is laid with shingles in imitation of tiling. The interior wood-work is finished in white and black walnut. The entire building is wainscoted in white, with base and rail in black; the ceiling is panel- work of white, with rails in black, and sham trusses in white walnut, likewise pews, chan- cel and choir, all finished in gothic style. The front projection contains the lecture or Sabbath-school room, and is 27 x 45 feet, with class-room adjoining, 15 x 15 feet, and separated by folding doors. The transepts contain the main auditorium, 45 x 62 feet, with front vestibule, II X II feet, and north vestibule, 6 x 15 feet. The chancel is a semi- circle, 9 x 18 feet, at the rear of which is the choir, 6x 18 feet, and back of this the organ loft, 8 x 18 feet. At the rear of the building, on each side, is a vestibule, 5 x9 feet, leading from the auditorium to the parlors, and also connected with outside en- trances. The parlors are fourteen feet square, connected by folding doors.
The pews are arranged in a semi-circle, the aisles radiating from a center just back of the pulpit. By this excellent plan every auditor in every pew in the house directly faces the speaker. There are 105 pews, with seating accommodations for 450 per- sons. By a simple and ingenious arrange- ment, the base board around the whole auditorium is hinged so that it can be easily raised and form a seat, thus adding about 150 more to the seating capacity. The lecture room, while it is directly in front of the pulpit, is separated from the main room by sliding doors of ground glass. These · are hung on weights, and can be dropped easily into the basement, thereby throwing the two rooms together, and making an au-
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
ditorium in extreme length 62 x 87 feet and capable of seating 900 persons."
The church has about 300 members. E. T. Corwin is superintendent of the Sun- day-school, which has an average attend- ance of 180.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. - The First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo was organized by Rev. N. C. Robinson, on the 17th day of September, 1854, with a membership of six, viz .: George Ordway, Mrs. George Ordway, Mrs. Marilla Bcau- chine, Mrs. Alvira Barrett, Zimri Streeter and Mrs. Charlotte Lake. Mr. Robinson continued to preach to the church once in two or three weeks until late in the autumn of 1854, when he accepted a call to the church in Vinton.
In the fall of 1854 Rev. James M. Phillips commenced his labors at Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Janesville, residing at Cedar Falls, and continued to preach at Waterloo once in two weeks for about one year. Mr. Phillips was succeeded in the autumn of 1856 by Rev. Moses Robinson, who de- voted his whole time to this society ; and during his ministry of about one year the erection of a church was commenced.
Rev. James Harrison was the next pastor of the church, commencing his labors in the summer of 1856 and continuing until the spring of 1868. At that time Rev. William Fithian assumed the pastorate, and contin- ued for several months in charge.
The first church building, now occupied by the Baptist society, was commenced in 1856, but was not finished until the follow- ing year, and was dedicated in the autumn. When the society began planning for the edifice the country was in a flourishing con- dition; settlers were coming in rapidly ; money was comparatively plenty, and no · one expected a sudden change, such as fol- lowed. The society planned for the future, and built accordingly ; but when the finan- cial crash of 1857 came, could not fulfill
their engagements. Aid that had been promised in the East failed to come, owing to a bank failure ; property began to de- preciate and members to scatter. With all these discouraging surroundings, it was thought best to sell the property, which was accordingly done. After the sale of the church, the society was for a long time without a pastor, and its usual services were suspended.
During the years 1860 and 1861 occa- sional services were held, and a small part of the time regularly once in two weeks, conducted by Rev. James M. Phillips, of Cedar Falls, and Rev. David Blakely, who then resided near Waterloo, on a farm, and by occasional supplies.
Late in the year 1864 Rev. Stephen Phelps commenced his labors with this church in Russell Hall, and continued to labor with great acceptability till his health failed, in the spring of 1869, when he re- signed his pastorate. The present pleasant and commodious brick church on the corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets was erected during the summer of 1867, and dedicated free of debt in November of that year. The building was not completed without a struggle, and only with the as- sistance of contributions from abroad and a donation from the Church Erection Com- mittee of the Presbyterian church. Promi- nent among the contributors was Myron Phelps, Esq., of Lewistown, Illinois, father of Pastor Phelps, a most exemplary and Christian man, who gave over $1,000.
In the summer of 1869 Rev. A. R. Ol- ney, just graduated at Union Theological Seminary, New York, commenced his labors as pastor of this church, and contin- ued with them one year. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. W. Thorp in the fall of 1870. During the year 1871 funds were raised for the purchase of a pipe organ, and an addition was built in the rear for an " organ loft " and pastor's study, with ses-
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sion-room, etc. The advent of the organ was celebrated with a concert at the church on the evening of November 22, 1871, at which the superior merits of the instrument were fully demonstrated.
Early in 1873 Mr. Thorp tendered his resignation, to take effect the first Sunday in March. After his departure there were only occasional services until in Au- gust, 1873, when Rev. I. E. Carey com- menced his labors. Since that time the pulpit of the church has been filled by Rev. Mr. Carey, Rev. A. K. Baird, Rev. George R. Carroll, Rev. Rockwood McQueston and Rev. E. N. Barrett, the present in- cumbent,
The church at present has a membership of 130. Mrs. L. H. Edwards is superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of 100.
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION .- In the year 1857 the Cedar Valley country was taken up as a mission field by the Illinois Conference of the Evangelical Association, and that year Jacob Shœffle and J. Mohr were sent by said conference to seek the German settlers in these regions, and preach the gospel of Christ among them, and as far as we can learn Shœffle was the first German mis- sionary who passed through Waterloo. Finding no opening in this place he passed on to Cedar Falls, where he found an open door.
In the following year H. Klinesorge, as successor to Shœffle, took up Waterloo as an appointment, but his mission field being too large, extending from La Porte City north into Bremer County, and west into Hardin County, and to Fort Dodge, and the Germans then but few in Waterloo, he did not preach here very often.
In 1861 H. Rinze was sent to this mis- sion, but he only preached occasionally in Waterloo. C. Pfile, also from the same conference, visited Waterloo at intervals. Then followed Jacob Keiper from the same 62
conference, who preached several times in Waterloo during the year 1863.
In 1864 C. Berner was sent to this field of labor. A conference had been organized in Iowa, and as the mission territory was more divided he could pay more attention to Waterloo and preached more regularly. Services were held in a hall owned by J. D. Weaver, formerly Day's Hall, but up to this time no church had been organized.
In the month of May, 1865, Joseph Har- lacher emigrated from Wisconsin and joined the Iowa Conference, and was by the same appointed to Cedar Falls and adjoin - ing appointments. He commenced to preach regularly in Waterloo in that year in the above-mentioned hall. About this time several families, members of the Evan- gelical Association, had moved to Waterloo from Illinois, and the same fall the first church of this order in Waterloo, consisting of about ten members, was organized by Mr. Harlacher. Preaching was continued in Weaver's Hall for some time, but later in the same year it was changed to Champ- lin's Hall. In this location the religious meetings were held for several years, dur- ing which period the church was strength- ened by several revivals, a goodly number being converted and added to the church.
In the year 1870, while C. H. Egge had charge of the society, a house of worship was erected, in which the society still wor- ship. Those who have had charge of the church since are: Revs. William Bucks, George Eckhart, Joseph Bossard, H. Brower and E. J. Schultz.
The church has about 100 members, and is free from debt. Charles Rickert is su- perintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average of ninety-five attendants.
FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH .- On the 22d of January, 1867, the following named persons were organized into a Free-Will Baptist church in this city: Rev. D. E. Champlin, Mrs. L. Champlin, Mr. and Mrs.
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