USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 18
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A hall that stood on the corner of Jefferson and Main streets was the meeting place of the new society under the pastorate of Rev. E. I .. Briggs, who served the charge from 1869 until 1871. He was followed by Rev. J. C. Brown, who remained here one year, when his successor came in the person of Rev. S. S. Murphy, who began his labors in 1873. It was during Reverend Murphy's administration that the present church edifice was built and dedicated.
Following the pastor just named came into the pulpit as resident min- isters, Revs. C. Bevin, F. W. Cowles, W. N. Groome, John W. Pool, J. C. Kendrick, W. E. Wing, J. G. Barton, Fred B. Tucker, A. B. Cadwell and the present incumbent, Charles A. Field.
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CATHOLIC CHURCH, OTTUMWA
FIRST M. E. CHURCH, OTTUMWA
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
WILLARD STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The above named church is located on the corner of Willard and Church streets in South Ottumwa, and the congregation was organized in 1891, when the South Ottumwa members of the Main Street organization with- drew for the purpose. This change took from the Main Street Church half of its membership and financial support. D. H. Michaels, Revs. W. M. Brooks and W. M. Groome were leaders in the movement. Lots had pre- viously been secured and in 1891 a small brick veneered church, 32x52 feet, was erected, with accommodation for an audience of about three hundred persons. J. M. McClelland, a divinity student in Iowa Wesleyan College, assisted the Reverend Groome the first year in holding regular services in both the Main Street and South Ottumwa churches, and in September of the year last mentioned, the new church was in its present status as a separate organization and Rev. W. S. Gardner was appointed pastor. Under his administration the parsonage was built. He was succeeded by Revs. T. P. Teter, W. H. Heppe and D. C. Smith, who came in the fall of 1899. Under the last pastorate the audience room of the church building was remodeled and enlarged. An Epworth League room was added and made to open into the audience room ; also a parlor 18x24 feet was added. These additions doubled the capacity of the building. Reverend Smith's succes- sor in the pastorate was Rev. R. L. Patterson. He was succeeded in Sep- tember, *904, by Rev. E. J. Snook, who remained seven years. He greatly improved the church property and also built a neat and commodious chapel on Madison Avenue.
The present pastor, Rev. J. F. Robertson, took charge of the work in this field and now has a membership in his church of probably five hundred and fifty.
SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the youngest orga- nizations in the city. It was organized March 18, 1904, by Rev. Carl Nord, pastor, and Rev. A. R. Miller, district superintendent. The incorporation articles were dated April 2, 1904, and the trustees are Charles Peterson, Bernard Pearson and P. O. Hoaglund. Prior to this the Swedish members of the Methodist faith listened to visiting pastors but no definite steps were taken toward an organization until the advent of Rev. Carl Nord, who was appointed to a circuit including Hiteman, Buxton and Ottumwa. The latter place was his residence. Meetings were held at various places until 1905, when beautiful buildings, including a church and parsonage, were erected at a cost of $11,000. Reverend Nord remained in this charge until the fall of 1909, when he was succeeded by Rev. T. J. Adrian. The present pastor is Rev. Andrew E. Swedberg.
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AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant, Keosauqua and Albia, prior to 1868, formed an African Methodist Episcopal Church circuit but in the fall of that year Rev. J. W. Malone, at the home of Essex Horne, gathered a number of his people and organized the local Methodist Society. Soon thereafter a lot was purchased on Center Avenue, with the object of erecting thereon a church building. However, before the lot was fully paid for, arrangements were made with the school board, who agreed to build a schoolhouse for the colored children and give the congregation the privilege of worshipping in it. The plan was adopted and the building was used for the purposes intended for some time and then was converted into a dwelling house. In 1893 this people erected a house of worship on the corner of Grant and Jefferson streets and the church now has a membership of something over one hundred.
Some of the ministers who have presided here are Revs. J. W. Holmes, George Benson, B. P. Hutchinson, J. W. Malone, George Freeman and G. W. Rhinehart. The present pastor is M. I. Gordon.
FREE METHODIST CHURCH
A Free Methodist Church was organized in this city in 1894 as the result of a series of evangelistic meetings. Rev. S. S. Stewart was the first pastor and during his ministrations a house of worship was erected at the corner of McPherson Avenue and Fourth Street, which was dedicated by Rev. E. E. Hall, of Walker, lowa. One of the chief movers in the organiza- tion of this congregation was a Mrs. White, who has long since passed away. Mrs. James Wachtler and Mrs. Malinda Eaton are two of the charter mem- bers still associated with the church. Among the ministers who have occu- pied this pulpit regularly may be mentioned Revs. G. A. Anderson, J. P. Dowd, J. Q. Murray, Charles Kirkland, T. J. Fuller, T. M. Fenwick, W. J. Trimble and W. W. Vinson.
In 1905 following a series of tabernacle services by Rev. W. E. De Harp- part, and others, a society of this faith was organized in South Ottumwa. In May, 1906, a frame church building was erected at the corner of Hancock and Finley Avenue and was dedicated by Bishop Burton R. Jones. For a num- ber of years the pulpits of the two churches were supplied by one pastor, assisted by local ministry, but in 1911 the two societies merged and selected the south side church for regular services. This resulted in the sale of the old building on McPherson Avenue; also the parsonage on West Main Street. A residence for the pastor was secured on Wabash Avenue near the church and is occupied by the officiating minister, Rev. W. W. Vinson.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A committee of the Des Moines presbytery, made up of the Revs. L. Y. Bell and S. C. McCune, started the movement toward the organization of
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this church, December 21, 1853, and at that time perfected their purpose. A house of worship was erected at the corner of Second and Main streets, where the congregation met until 1889, when the present building, at the corner of Washington and Fourth streets, was completed. The main audi- torium of the building has a seating capacity of 450. At the time of the dedication the membership numbered 235 and there was a Bible school with an attendance of 175. This has been greatly enlarged and the mem- bership today will almost reach six hundred.
The first regular pastor of the First Presbyterian Church was Rev. J. M. McElroy, who prepared most of the timbers for the first church building and seasoned the product in his own stable loft. He was suc- ceeded by Revs. Hervey B. Knight, D. D., Ben E. S. Ely, D. D., F. W. Hinitt, D. D., F. S. Stoltz, D. D., and Rev. R. Ames Montgomery, D. D., who has presided over this charge since May, 1909. Four regular services are held in the church every week while the different societies-Ladies, Ladies' Missionary, Martha Westminster Guild and Rebecca Westminster Guild-hold regular meetings in the homes of the members and at the church building. Among the members well known in the history and life of Ottumwa were Dr. W. L. Orr, A. W. Buchanan, W. W. Pollard, W. H. Fetzen, J. G. Hutchison, S. H. Harper, mayor of the city at the time of his death, and C. E. Boude.
BENTON STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
For a number of years a Sabbath school was conducted at the corner of Benton and Main streets by the members of this church. The school flourished and it became necessary to construct a building for the housing of the children and the carrying on of the work. In 1909 the present build- ing, with excellent accommodations for the different classes and depart- ments of the Sabbath school, was erected on Benton Street between Main and Second streets and dedicated. Rev. E. W. Faris Holler was employed as assistant to the pastor of the First Church and placed in charge of the work at the Benton Street Church. The cost of this property was about $4,500, over $3,000 of which was raised at a single service on a Sunday morning at the First Church. Regular preaching service was begun here in May, 1910, and the evening service was soon supplemented by a morn- ing service.
WEST END PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A Sunday school class was organized in 1889 by Job Pollard, who taught its members in a building used as a tool house and dining room at Morrell's ice house. Here the work was carried on until 1892, when the
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school was transferred to Willow Chapel and placed under the auspices of the First Presbyterian Church. This chapel had been built for a United Brethren Church, on the site now occupied by the Ottumwa Box Car Loader Company, but owing to certain complications it remained unused until the advent of Mr. Pollard's Sunday school class. After its removal to the chapel, George A. Brown and J. F. Sterrett became associated in the work and before the expiration of a year the need of a larger building was apparent. To this end it was decided to erect a church building on a site donated by Captain Caldwell. Thereupon a committee was appointed, with George A. Brown as chairman and treasurer, and the sum of $1,281 was raised, and in the summer of 1894 a temple of worship was built on West Second Street, on a lot across from Caldwell Park. This was occu- pied by the Sunday school in the fall of the year. The chapel was sold and converted into a residence.
Evening services began to be held in the new church building and in the spring of 1895 the edifice was dedicated, at which time a sum of money was pledged to secure the services of Rev. D. W. McMillan through the summer months. At the close of the pastor's work it was decided to organ- ize as a church. An evangelist was called to hold two weeks' special meet- ings, at the conclusion of which a petition for the organization of the church was sent to the Presbytery. This body appointed as a committee of organization, Rev. F. W. Hinitt, Rev. A. F. McMillan, Reverend Foster, George A. Brown and L. H. Ayer. The committee met December 2, 1895. and organized the West End Presbyterian Church, with a membership of eighteen. One of the charter members, A. R. Rundell, has since entered the ministry. Services were held here under the patronage of the First Church until a regular pastor could be secured. This great object was consummated in April, 1896, when Rev. T. W. Russell accepted a call. To the great regret of his parishioners he only served about five months, when he suc- cumbed to the final call, September 20, 1896. His successor was Rev. D. A. Murray. Under him an attempt was made to unite the East End and West End churches under one pastor, but it did not meet with any success, Mr. Murray eventually going to the East End Church. The West End Church was then without a pastor for a year, when Rev. A. M. Work was called in March, 1899, and for eight months carried the burden, followed by Revs. C. R. McMillan, T. E. Sherman and George H. Duty. Rev. J. E. Cummings came in 1905 and began the next pastorate in the history of the organiza- tion. Under his administration the church was several times enlarged to meet the demands of the rapidly-growing work. Two chapels were organ- ized-the McCurdy Chapel at Rutledge, and the Bear Creek Chapel. After evangelistic meetings held here by Billy Sunday, the membership reached its highest mark-230. The present pastor is Frank W. Throw.
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EAST END PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In 1886 the East End Presbyterian Church was organized, being largely aided by T. D. Foster, and a house of worship was erected in that locality. Rev. D. A. Murray was one of the first pastors. The present minister in charge is Rev. Carl A. Montanus. The church building is situated at Second Street and Iowa Avenue.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
It was on the 14th day of March, 1855, that a little band of seventeen people met and entered into the organization of the First Baptist Church of Ottumwa. They were John Ballard, Elizabeth Wellman, Avia Wellman, Samuel Harper, Mary Harper, Anna Michael, Eliza Alcott, Daniel Barrett, Elmer Harper, Melissa Fisher, Barbara Ann Monk and J. L. Cole. At first meetings were few and held at irregular intervals until the year 1858, when in November, Rev. S. H. Worcester came as regular pastor and from that time on services were held in the old Presbyterian Church, and later in the courthouse. Reverend Worcester was succeeded, in 1866, by Rev. S. L. Burnham, who in turn was followed by Rev. R. A. Clapp. It was during Reverend Burnham's pastorate that the church erected its first building on the corner of Fifth and Court streets, upon the site now occupied by the present building. The successors to Reverend Clapp were Revs. Charles Darby, William L. Brown, who was here but a short time, and J. Sunderland, who came in 1875. Under his administration a lot was secured on Third Street, on which a building was subsequently erected. After five years' serv- ice Reverend Sunderland resigned and was followed by Reverend Doctor Bailey, under whose pastorate the church building was erected on Third Street, where is now the home of the Young Men's Christian Association. Doctor Bailey also served five years and then resigned, after which there were a number of pastors, each of whom was here but a short time. Among these were Reverends Price, Wiggins and Tilden. Rev. Henry Williams took charge in 1888, and his ministry continued nine years-a period that meant for the church progress and material growth. Rev. F. E. Davies began his pastorate December 14, 1896. By this time the old church building on Third Street had been outgrown and, lots on Fifth and Court streets where the original church had stood being for sale, it was decided to buy them and erect a new building thereon. The money was raised and the present church edifice was erected and dedicated in 1904. On the day of dedication enough money was raised to make it entirely free from debt and the congregation now owns a handsome house of worship. Reverend Davies remained as the pastor until 1910, when Rev. B. F. Patt, the present pastor, accepted a call to minister to this charge.
Vol. 1-12
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FINLEY AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
In South Ottumwa, on Finley Avenue and Willard Street, stands the Finley Avenue Baptist Church building. The society was organized in 1890, and since then the church has grown from a small following to strength and influence, until now it has a membership of about 360. The first pastor was Rev. H. G. Crofford, who has been followed, in their order, by Revs. J. M. Wood, J. M. Bush, John Hastie, who remained nine years, J. T. Under- wood, and the present minister, Rev. Jonathan Lee.
SECOND (AFRICAN ) BAPTIST CHURCH
Mrs. Maria Ladd, a white matron of most worthy motives, gathered a number of the colored children of Ottumwa in a building on Main Street and organized a Sunday school in the spring of 1867. Soon after the in- auguration of this movement the older colored people began to attend and a year later those of the Baptist faith organized the Second Baptist Church. Only two of the charter members survive: Mrs. Charles Owen and Mrs. Anna Lee. For a while, after the organization, services were held in a build- ing on Main Street, but after a few months a lot was secured on Center Avenue, upon which a house of worship was erected. The membership grew and soon the church debt was paid. For twenty years the old building answered its purpose, but in 1888, the present building on the corner of Fourth and Green streets was purchased from the First Presbyterian Church and here the colored people of the Baptist persuasion have since gathered for religious exercises.
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
The Church of the Brethren, or German Baptist, was organized in this city in 1899 by Elder Edward Wolf, who took up his residence that year on South Moore Street, and held services in one room of his house. After locating all the members who were living here, and baptizing others, this little group of goodly people was organized and equipped for work in the Lord's vineyard. With the aid of some of the Brethren in Southern Iowa, a house of worship was built at the corner of Moore and Wabash Avenue in Southern Ottumwa, and dedicated in 1901.
Rev. Mr. Wolf remained in this charge nine years and was succeeded by George W. Burgin, who remained until 1912, and under whose adminis- tration the church continued to grow until it numbered about one hundred, but on account of the value of western land many moved in that direction. Notwithstanding the exodus the church is in a prosperous condition, has a substantial meeting-house and parsonage, and its members are sincere, earn- est and faithful in their work. The present pastor, Rev. S. L. Cover, ac- cepted a call and took up his work here in January, 1912.
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TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
In the parlor of the old Curlew Hotel, the first services of the Episco- palians were held in the year 1857, and at the same time a class was confirmed, consisting of William Daggett, E. H. Stiles, Sarah A. Simmons, Cordelia C. Beach and Frederick George. This small group of men and women from this on held services on the second floor of the old Warden store, which was then situated on the lot now occupied by the Ottumwa Hard- ware Company's building. In the year 1865 the cornerstone of St. Mary's Church, at Fourth and Market streets, was laid, but the dedication of the temple did not take place until 1879. During this period the parish grew rapidly and several large classes were confirmed by Bishop Henry W. Lee, under Rectors D. F. Hutchinson, B. R. Gifford, W. F. Lloyd and J. E. Ryan.
In 1871 Reverend Ryan was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Mills, who re- mained here two years and then gave way to Rev. Arthur C. Stilson, whose pastorate lengthened out to a period of thirteen years. He was compelled to resign by reason of failing health and Rev. James H. Lloyd was called to take his place. Then came J. Hollister Lynch, who served from 1895 until 1906. His successor was Rev. William C. Hengen, the present incumbent.
In 1894 St. Mary's Church had become too small to accommodate the growing congregation, and it was decided to build a new one. The sum of $30,000 was raised at a meeting of the parish and a lot was bought on the corner of Market and Fifth streets, on which the edifice was erected; the dedication taking place as Trinity Church, in 1895. The old building was sold to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, who now worship in it.
Soon after the church was built a rectory was put up a few doors east of it. Trinity Parish now has a list of communicants numbering 300 souls, and among the names prominently connected with its early history may be mentioned the Morses, Daggetts, Washburns, Merrills, Arthurs, Loomises, Burkmans, Pinneys, Hoylands, Platts, Beaches, Flaggs, Setchells, Loves, Scoverns, Ainleys, Mahons, Mosses, Carpenters, Musselmans, Daums, Bakers, Eichelbergers, Boozes, Sinnamons, Grubes, Wolfs, Boultons, Tem- ples, Fields, Flaglers, Kittredges, Uphams, Nortons, Hendershotts and Graves.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
In a log schoolhouse three miles north of Ottumwa, in March, 1845, gathered together nine persons, namely : Hugh Brown, Nathaniel Bell, M. J. Bell, Eliza Halloway, J. Anderson and wife, H. H. Hendrick and wife, and a Mr. Potts, who organized a society of the Church of Christ, which became known as the Union Church of the Disciples of Christ. Regular meetings were held without the presence of a minister until H. H. Hendrick was or- dained evangelist in the fall of 1847. During the next decade several
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evangelists visited the community and preached to the society, among them being Elders Aaron Harlan, Michael Coombs, Job Cooms, George Flint, Solomon Mckinney, who history has it "was whipped by a party of pro- slavery men in Texas for preaching by request upon the relation of master and servants. Three hundred lashes were administered upon his bare back, but the terrible persecution. did not prove fatal."
The society had a membership of thirty-six in 1852, and was led by the evangelist, Aaron Harlan. By 1853 there were fifty-four members and in 1858 the society bought the old frame courthouse which stood on the corner of Third and Market streets, for $600. The deed for the same was issued to Hugh Brown, John Pumroy and Erastus Day, as trustees of the Christian Church of Ottumwa. On the third Sunday in September, 1856, Hugh Brown and Erastus Day were ordained elders by Elders Solomon Mckinney and Wright. The old courthouse was sold to one Grimes, who converted it into a wagon shop and in 1872 a lot was bought on West Second Street for $700. The following year a chapel was erected thereon at a cost of $3,500, and in September, 1873, the building was dedicated free of debt. Elder G. T. Johnson was the first pastor to preside in this building and filled the pulpit with universal satisfaction for several years. About 1880 L. H. Dowling took charge and during his ministry the congregation became divided into two factions. The one remaining in the church called Rev. N. M. Browder as pastor. Elder L. H. Dowling led the outgoing faction. The contending forces were later brought together through the efforts of George Pierce and E. B. Criley. Prof. A. J. Beatty, president of Oskaloosa College, filled the pulpit for a number of years, besides carrying on his col- lege duties. After him came S. B. Ross, Mr. Semones, E. T. C. Bennett, Morgan Morgans, N. E. Corey, A. F. Sanderson, M. S. Johnson and N. G. Brown.
Once more the congregation felt the need of a new building and during Mr. Brown's ministry a building fund was started, to which was added a fund of $11,000, gathered together under the ministrations of Revs. J. M. Bailey and W. J. Lockhart. In the spring of 1907, Rev. L. H. Otto was called as minister and it was during his term as pastor that the present building on the corner of Second and Marion was completed. The dedication took place June 23, 1907. Reverend Otto was succeeded by Reverend Elsea, who served but a short time. After supplying the pupit five months Edwin S. Priest was regularly called to this charge. The present pastor is Dr. Morgan E. Genge.
FINLEY AVENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
A dissension in the Christian Church in 1891 was the cause of the organi- zation of the Finley Avenue Christian Church, which is located at the corner of Finley Avenue and Adella Street. Elders T. J. Hall, Hugh Brown and
Y. W. C. A. BUILDING, OTTUMWA
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, OTTUMWA
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OTTUMWA
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Joseph Black were the moving spirits and they decided to withdraw with twenty-two other members. The organization was effected March 13, 1891, and after two years' worship in the houses of the various members a chapel was erected on the corner of Finley Avenue and Adella Street, on a lot let to the church by the late William Smith. The chapel was built and financed by T. J. Hall, who with C. W. Parker and J. C. Shepherd are the present elders of the church. The membership of the church has increased many times since its founding, showing that the simple tenets of Christ on which the service of the church is based are still popular. The present pastor is Rev. Joseph Andrews.
DAVIS STREET CHRISTIAN CHURCH
On January 12, 1900, the Iowa Christian Convention established the Davis Street Christian Church, with a gift of $500. Since then this organ- ization has grown to a remarkable degree, its members numbering something like 800, and owning a church building which has one of the most spacious and attractive auditoriums in this section of the country. The first divine to preside over this congregation was Rev. David Sellands, who was followed by Rev. C. E. Chambers. Then came Rev. S. Isaac Elder, who resigned the pastorate in 1911. The church was built and dedicated in the year 1911 under Reverend Elder's administration. The present pastor is Rev. Wil- liam O. Livingstone.
WARD STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
The origin of the Ward Street Church in South Ottumwa, dates back to about the year 1891, and sprang up under what was then considered rather peculiar circumstances, and with a small membership numbering, perhaps, less than a dozen men and women, the most of whom were entering the shadows of old age. It was a movement under trying circumstances and the meetings for some time were held in private homes. Eventually it became possible to erect and own a church building and a site was chosen for the purpose on Adella Street, near Finley Avenue. Among the charter mem- bers of this small congregation were Elders Hugh Brown, who passed away some years ago; G. T. Johnson, T. J. Hall, J. R. Mckay and others whose names cannot now be recalled. This nucleus of the present Ward Street Church received of William Smith a lot on Adella Street, on which was erected a building for church purposes. Unfortunately, Mr. Smith died be- fore a deed to the lot was issued, but his heirs purchased and gave to the church another lot on the corner of Adella Street and Finley Avenue. The house was then moved on to that lot.
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