USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 65
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SABBATH SCHOOL OF THIS CHURCH.
The first Sabbath school in Cedar Rapids was organized early in the Summer of the year 1845, with Mr. A. L. Ely as Superintendent, and Mr. Joseph Greene as Secretary. This school was sustained principally by persons afterward associated as a Presbyterian Church, and was the only public religious service held in the town for some months. Nearly all the residents of the place were members and attendants.
The sessions of this school were first held in the dwelling and cabinet shop of Mr. John Vardy, on the northeast corner of Adams and Brown streets, then the first and only frame build- ing in Cedar Rapids. Afterward, upon the decease of Mrs. Vardy, and until the school house was built, the Sabbath school was held in the store room of Mr. Joseph Greene, on the north- east corner of Washington street and Iowa avenue. In January, 1851, the school was removed to the Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Eagle and Adams streets, where it continued as a Union school for a number of years, and until several denominational schools were organized, when it became the Sunday school of the First Presbyterian Church.
In 1869, it was removed to the new church edifice, where its sessions were held until January, 1877, when it was again removed to the new chapel, where it now convenes. The school has from the beginning maintained a good degree of interest, and has during much of the time taken the lead in point of numbers of all other church schools in the city, and the Lord has blessed its work in bringing from time to time many of the scholars into the fold of Christ. The average attendance of the school for the present year is about two hundred.
The following gentlemen have, at various times, acted as Superintendents of the school : Mr. A. L. Ely, Dr. J. F. Ely, Mr. W. W. Walker, Mr. A. B. Hull, Mr. E. E. Leach, Mr. E. F. Pomeroy, Mr. A. L. Adams, Dr. E. R. Hutchins, Mr. Chas. E. Walker.
THE MISSION SCHOOL.
The Mission School, now known as " Hope Mission," was organized in the Summer of 1868, in the Second Ward school house, and continued to hold its sessions there until the Fall of 1869, when it was removed to the old First Presbyterian Church building on Adams street near Eagle, where it remained until the Fall of 1872, when, from lack of interest on the part of the teachers,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
and other apparently insurmountable obstacles, it was abandoned. Up to this time the school, although almost entirely sustained by the First Presbyterian Church, was not.considered as alto- gether under its care, as there were teachers in the school from several of the other denomina- tions in the city. Its first Superintendent was Mr. J. S. Dickenson, now of Chicago, then followed in succession Mr. E. E. Leach, Mr. E. F. Pomeroy, Mr. W. A. Olmstead and Mr. L. G. Wheeler. Its average attendance up to this time had rarely exceeded 65 to 70.
In the Spring of 1873, our late beloved Pastor, Rev. James Knox, became very deeply impressed with the importance of the work which the Mission School had undertaken, and he resolved, by the help of God, to re-establish it upon a permanent basis, and after presenting the matter at the weekly prayer meeting several times, he announced that at the next meeting he should call for volunteers who would pledge themselves to enter upon the work, and to faithfully labor and pray for its success. At this meeting fifteen persons responded, and for the most part they have since fulfilled their pledges. Mr. E. F. Pomeroy was chosen Superintendent, and late in the Summer the school was again re-opened in the Mission Chapel, and this time distinctly as the Mission School of the First Presbyterian Church. Under the impetus given by the labors of faithful teachers, the school soon began to grow, until its average attendance was about 100. Late in the same year, Mr. T. M. Sinclair offered to fit up a suitable school room on his own premises and at his own charge, if the school desired to remove. In consequence of the fact of the Mission Chapel being so far removed from the homes of the scholars whom it sought to influence and instruct, it was unanimously decided to accept the generous offer ; and very soon thereafter, in the Spring of 1874, the removal was accomplished. A new name, " Hope Mission," was then given to the enterprise, which it still retains. The location proved to be the right one, and the school grew rapidly, so that the new room has often been too small to accom- modate the scholars ; its average attendance being about 200, and at times its numbers have exceeded 300.
As a sample of the liberality of the First Presbyterian Church, we give the contributions to the various funds for the year ending with the church year of · 1877 :
Home missions
$1,740
Foreign missions
1,063
Education
123
Publication
39
Church erection.
85
Ministerial relief.
139
Freedmen.
65
Sustentation.
149
Congregational
6,215
Miscellaneous
168
Total
$9,786
There are few church organizations in the West, we think, that show so large a benevolence for so wide a range of worthy objects.
Grace Episcopal Church .- The first services according to the ritual of the Episcopal Church, in Cedar Rapids, were held in the old school house on Eagle street, in the Spring of 1850, by the Rev. James Keeler. During the same year, the parish was organized, under the name of Grace Episcopal Church, by Mr. Keeler, who came from Muscatine for that purpose.
The corner-stone of the present church was laid with public services by Bishop Kemper, in October, 1851; but the building was not completed so as to be used for worship until some time after that date.
While the building was being erected, the public services of the church were held in such places as could conveniently be procured. The lower part of the frame building on the bank of the river near Park avenue bridge, now used by Mr. Tisdale as a carriage factory, was used for public worship for some time. Å relia ble historian, the Rev. Mr. Butler, says that the upper part was used at the time for the storage of grain, which percolated through the cracks of the floor into the lower room. Often, in warm weather, the solemnity of the services was interrupted by the entrance of genuine Western porkers, with their attenuated snouts in search of this grain. At other times, the upper room was occupied by a family, and the rocking of a cradle beat a monotonous refrain to the tenor of the services.
505
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The following extracts from an address of the Rev. Mr. Butler, delivered in 1877, will throw considerable light on the early history of the church :
At the close of Rev. Mr Keeler's rectorship, there was a break in the church's services for some months ; but in the Summer of the following year, 1852, he was succeeded by Rev. C. C. Townsend, a peculiar man in some respects, but a missionary of large faith, of devoted self- sacrifice and of most ardent zeal. Meantime, the little congregation had been increased by the removal to Cedar Rapids of Mr. S. C. Bever and family, who brought with them from Pittsburgh a 750-pound bell for the new church. Services were still held in the second story of the brick building on the river bank, and the bell, placed upon wooden blocks to elevate it above the side- walk, was sounded by striking it upon the outside with a carpenter's hammer. About this time, the parish received the gift of a small melodeon from Judge Greene This was a great help in the services, and with Mr. Bever to start the tenor and the melodeon to keep it, the delay which sometimes occurred, of stopping and beginning over again, was done away with, and the congregation felt rich and happy.
The first festival of the parish was held this year, July 4, 1852, in a new barn, the faithful women of the church, with the girls of Mrs. Rock's school, doing the work. They were rewarded by clearing $100, an amount which exceeded the expectations of even the most hopeful.
Some two hundred communicants, representing one hundred families, are members of the church at present.
United Presbyterian Church .- The United Presbyterian Congregation of Cedar Rapids was organized April 19, 1851, Rev. John D. Cunningham offici- ating. The following members were received: John Stuart, Tabitha, his wife, and Margaret J., his daughter; William and Rosanna Matthews; Robert and Rachel Matthews, and daughter Martha; David McKinnon; Margaret McKin- non and daughter Janet. David McKinnon and William Matthews were chosen and ordained first Elders. First sacrament observed November 9, 1851, Revs. J. B. Forsythe and Samuel Anderson officiating. The former preached for the society for several years, as did also Rev. J. T. Tate and others. Rev. Hugh Sturgeon was settled as Pastor, and remained until 1858. Next came Rev. J. L. Fulton, in 1863, who continued until 1867. „ Rev. D. M. Gordon followed, and served until 1873. Rev. James Duncan began his ministrations in November, 1874, and is still acting as Pastor. The society is prosperous, and owns two very nice lots on the corner of Park avenue and Second street, on which is a comfortable church edifice and a fine parsonage. About $3,000 were expended in improvements in 1877, and still further changes are contem- plated.
The Second Presbyterian Church was organized May 27th, 1855, by Rev. Joshua Phelps, by authority of the Presbytery of Cedar, in connection with the General Assembly commonly known as Old School.
It was organized under the corporate title of " The Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids," it being the only church in the place in connection with that assembly. Since the union of the Old and New School assemblies in 1869, it has been commonly known as the "Second" Church, the First or New School Church, being the first organization.
The church was organized with twenty members, as follows: Joseph T. Walker, Annie M. Walker, John P. Conkey, Emily S. Conkey, William M. Torrence, Jane L. Torrence, Johnston Williams, Elisabeth Williams, Alexander Cummins, Margery Cummins, Nancy Ann Cummins, Peter Snyder, Catharine Snyder, George M. Burrell, Eliza Jane Burrell, Aster C. Kinsman, Sarah Kinsman, Esther Wylie, Killian Listebarger and Charlotte Milligan. Of these, but two, Johnston Williams and Elisabeth Williams, are now in connection with the church. The total number received into the membership of the church since its organization is 354. Deducting the number removed by death and dismission, leaves the present membership 151.
506
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
From the time of organization until the first church building was erected, the congregation worshiped in a room on the third floor of a business block known as " Daniels' Hall." The first building, a small brick structure, with a seating capacity for about one hundred and seventy-five persons, was erected in 1857, at a cost, including ground, of about $3,600. The present building was begun in December, 1870, and dedicated in December, 1872. It has a seating capacity for about five hundred persons, and cost about $15,000.
Rev. R. H. Morrow, the first Pastor, was called in October, 1855, and in- stalled over the church in April, 1856. In the Spring of 1859, he resigned the pastorate on account of failing health, and removed to Pennsylvania, where he was soon after called to his rest. The succeeding Pastors and supplies are as follows : Rev. James A. Reed, D. D., now of Springfield, Ill .; Rev. D. H. Mitchell, now of Georgetown, Colorado ; Rev. J. B. McBride, now of Prince- ton, Ill .; Rev. Samuel W. Miller, now of Mansfield, Ohio; Rev. John Froth- ingham, deceased ; Rev. A. N. Keigwin, now of Philadelphia; Rev. J. M. Cockins, now of Lawrence, Kansas ; Rev. Thaddeus McRae and Rev. John Hood.
The first session of the church consisted of but one Elder, Mr. Joseph T. Walker. The following persons have been elected and held the office for vari- ous periods of time since, to wit: J. P. Conkey, Elihu Baker, John Snodgrass, Peter Snyder, Thomas Elder, Thos. Rodgers, Wm. Stewart, Dr. A. H. Taylor, S. L. Dows, George W. Wynn, Joseph C. McClelland and J. Buell Moore. The five last named constitute the present acting session.
The following named persons constitute the present Board of Trustees : W. W. Higley, J. C. Broeksmit, Geo. C. Haman, E. K. Larimer, J. B. Moore and S. L. Dows.
This church, during the twenty-three years of its existence, has not been without the trials, discouragements and "hard times " incident to all frontier benevolent work.
It is one of the pioneer churches, and, with other similar institutions, its existence is due largely to the hard and protracted effort and self-denial of its founders and early supporters.
Roman Catholic Church .- The Catholic Society of Cedar Rapids dates back to 1857. In the Summer of that year, the first mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Emons (now of Iowa City), in the house of Alexander Hager. The following year, 1858, the Catholics of Cedar Rapids organized and built a church on leased ground, on the corner of Park avenue and Jackson street. The church was a frame building, 24x50 feet, was remodeled in 1873 and is now used as a parochial school.
Father Emons labored in this mission about three years, and had the usual difficulties and disadvantages attending new missions in the West.
The number of Catholics in Cedar Rapids, and for several miles around the city, were few, being only about twelve families, among whom may be men- tioned Mr. Peter Flynn and family, Mr. James Barrett and family, Mr. Alex- ander Hager and his brother, Martin Hager, Mr. Charles Cannon and family, Mr. James McDonald and family, Mr. Frank Couver and family, and Messrs. Maurice and Patrick Noonan.
Two years later, in 1860, the ground upon which the church was erected- two lots, 60x140 feet each-was purchased from Mr. Wm. Green, of whom it had been leased. Father Emons did remarkably well in accomplishing so much in so short a time, when we consider the opportunities and the small congrega- tion at that time. In 1863, a mission was held and conducted by Rev. Father
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Weniger, and much good was accomplished. The congregation at this time increased to about thirty-five families.
Rev. Fathers Mclaughlin and Shields in turn succeeded Rev. Father Emons in the charge of the mission until 1867, when the Rev. Father Lowry, the pres- ent worthy pastor, was appointed to take charge. Shortly after the arrival of Father Lowry, the congregation increased and the church was found to be too small. The perseverance, the kindness and gentlemanly courtesy of Father Lowry soon won the esteem of all, and the hearty co-operation of all Catholics. In 1868, two lots were purchased on the corner of Park avenue and Jackson street, directly opposite the lots purchased by Father Emons in 1860, and preparations were made for the erection of a new church. The foundation of the new church was laid in 1869, and the building erected in the following year. It is built of brick, trimmed with cut stone, and is 45x100 feet and will comfortably seat about 600 people.
In 1874, Father Lowry erected a large and commodious convent, 45x90 feet, three stories high, on the lots purchased by Father Emons, and supplied it with modern improvements. In 1875, the convent was taken charge of by the Sisters of Mercy, and is under the immediate direction and management of Sister Mary Isidore, whose ability and talent are well known. The good Sisters deserve great credit for the success they have earned, when we consider the difficulties and opposition that an institution of this character often meets with in a new place, and this place is no exception in this regard. The good Sisters have labored hard in the interests of the pupils, and success, of course, must follow. Sister Mary Isidore, the Supervioress, is deserving of great credit for the effi- ciency and good government of the academy.
Father Lowry's labors were not confined to Cedar Rapids alone ; Marion and Fairfax were regularly attended by him, and in 1869 the erection of a church in Marion was commenced, and finished in the following year. It is a substantial brick building, about 24x50 feet, the interior neatly finished. The Catholics of Marion, at the time of the erection of the church, were not numerous, being about fourteen families. They were, however, possessed of a liberal spirit, and responded cheerfully to the demands made on them by their worthy Pastor and the interests of their church.
Father Lowry also built a neat frame church, 30x50, in Fairfax, in the year 1875, and attended to the spiritual wants of the congregation until 1876, when he was succeeded by Rev. John Zlipzic, who was also succeeded by the Rev. Father Farrell, the present Pastor. The congregation at Cedar Rapids being increased to the number of about ninety families, and the pastoral duties corre- spondingly increased, compelled the Rev. Father Lowry to devote his entire time to the spiritual wants of his people there, who are fortunate in having such a pious and devoted Pastor.
The Baptist Church .- The Baptist Church of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was organized June 3, 1860, with a membership of twenty-eight, viz .: Tebina War- riner, Mary E. Warriner, Charlotte Warriner, A. A. Gillett, Lydia Gillett, Alansing C. Churchill, Lucy A. Churchill, Julia A. Churchill, Henry N. Churchill, Emma F. Churchill, James Lewis, Magdalene Lewis, J. W. Eades, Agnes Eades, Lucy A. Andrews, Cornelius Andrews, Lucy Mansfield, Sarah Stow, Maria Ketring, Maria L. King, Clarinda Mallory, George Putman, Martha Putman, Giles Mabie, Lucy Mabie, Rebecca Angle, James Anthony and Marilla Anthony. Twelve of these are still members of the church.
During the whole history of the church the aggregate membership has reached the number of 658, of whom 279 are now members.
508
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The church has had eight Pastors, as follows : Rev. A. G. Eberhart, pres- ent Pastor at Muscatine, Iowa, was the first Pastor, beginning his pastorate in September, 1860, four months after the organization of the church. He con- tinued in this relation until November, 1861, when he accepted a chaplaincy in the Twelfth Regiment Iowa Volunteers. Rev. N. F. Ravlin was his successor, and remained with the church until April, 1864. Mr. Ravlin has kindly remembered the church since his departure, in the gift of the gas fixtures now in use in the church building. Rev. J. Y. Atchison succeeded him, serving one year. After an interregnum of a year, during which the church was dependent upon supplies, in October, 1866, Rev. Henry R. Wilber became Pas- tor, continuing one year. December 1, 1867, Rev. D. H. Cooley became Pas- tor, continuing in office three years. Since the close of his successful and, in many respects, eventful pastorate, the church has had three Pastors. Rev. J. W. Daniels served the church one year. Rev. Wm. Wilder succeeded him in the longest pastorate the church has ever had-three years and eight months. Mr. Wilder left the pastorate to assume the superintendency of the Iowa Baptist State Missions. The present incumbent, Rev. Wm. H. Stifler, has been with the church two years.
The present house of worship, corner of Eagle and Adams streets, was begun in October, 1866, and dedicated April 11, 1867. The cost of the build- ing, grounds and furniture approximates $20,000. The house is of brick, two stories-lecture room and Sunday School rooms in the basement, with an aud- itorium room above, whose ordinary seating capacity is 490, which can, by means of seats in the aisles, be increased to 800. Prior to the erection of this building, the church worshiped in halls on Commercial street.
The present officers of the church are as follows: W. H. Stifler, Pastor ; Justis H. St. John, Clerk ; A. C. Churchill, Collector and Treasurer.
Deacons-A. C. Churchill, James Lewis, J. J. Powell, E. T. Hooper and A. G. Phelps.
Trustees-Abel Evans, President ; A. J. Mallahan, Clerk ; A. C. Churchill, Treasurer ; A. G. Phelps, E. T. Hooper, House Committee ; George Dale, E. B. Smith, Auditing Committee.
The church has a large chorus choir, led by Mr. C. E. Ferguson, with Mrs. George Hackett as organist.
A Ladies' Mite Society, organized for the purpose of diminishing the indebt- edness on the church building, with Mrs. H. R. B. Smith as President, Mrs. B. F. Parks, Secretary, and Mrs. E. T. Hooper, Treasurer, gives semi-monthly musical and literary entertainments.
The Sunday School, conducted by the church, was organized June 17, 1869, with Dr. J. W. Eades as Superintendent. The present officers are as fol- lows :
A. J. Mallahan, Assistant Superintendent ; R. Austin Wallace, Secretary ; A. R. Wescott, Treasurer ; L. A. Bien, Librarian.
Teachers-Dr. J. W. Eades, J. J. Powell, J. H. St. John, A. J. Mallahan, A. R. Wescott, E. B. Smith, Mrs. Kilborn, Mrs. Furgeson, Mrs. Cogswell, Mrs. Wescott, Mrs. Harriet R. B. Smith, Miss Cooley, Miss Cooper, Miss Cheney, Miss Stifler and Miss Prescott.
The average attendance during the past two months has been 164. Have a library of 450 volumes.
Lutheran Church .- The First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cedar Rap- ids was organized August 23, 1868, by the Rev. C. Baird. The membership enrolled at that time was : Rebecca J. Baird, Mary Hart, J. A. Hart, Ellen
Robert Ellis CEDAR RAPIDS.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
L. Hart, John A. Pulluson, Mary M. Pulluson, George M. Nusz, Susan M. Nusz, Philip Kuhn, Mary Kuhn, Adolphus Brash, Dora Brash, J. W. McEl- henny, Mary McElhenny, Elizabeth Hirgsheimer, I. T. Taylor, Mrs. Taylor, Magdaline Uplinger, Catherine J. Fordyce, C. H. Hollsbaugh, Margaret Weightman, Margaret A. Smouse, Joseph Kethledge, Mary Atwell, Miss Rile, Margaret Kroyr, Jane Shaffer, Isabel Ohler, David Ranch, W. J. Lislie and Mrs. Leslie.
The frame-building on the corner of Park and Adams street is owned by the society. They will purchase a lot and build a new church, before long.
The church now numbers 110 members, and the Rev. G. W. Snyder is the present Pastor. The society is in a flourishing condition. The Sabbath school connected with this church is large and growing, and in all benevolent and charitable work of the community, the church occupies a prominent place.
First Universalist Church .- The Universalist Church of Cedar Rapids was organized in April, 1869, by the Rev. W. C. Brooks, who remained as Pastor for several years. Services were held in a hall on Commercial street. The first records of the church are defective. Rev. B. F. Snook succeeded Mr. Brooks as Pastor, and in 1874 Rev. B. F. Rogers, of Dixon, Ill., was called and assumed the charge of the organization. To his indefatigable labors, sec- onded by the active work of the few members at that time, the church owes much of its present prosperity. The lot upon which the fine church now stands, an ornament to the city, was purchased, and the corner-stone laid with appro- priate ceremonies in 1875. The Rev. H. V. Chase succeeded to the pastorate in 1876. The present Pastor is the Rev. W. W. Nutting.
The basement of the church was completed and the first services held therein, in 1875. During the present year the main auditorium was finished, and the dedication services took place June 16th, 1878. At that time, the church debt of $4,000 was entirely liquidated, and the church starts out under favorable auspices, with a good membership, thoroughly united and enthusiastic in the work of the Master. The congregation is large and growing, and the organi- zation occupies a proud prominence in the field of evangelization.
Among the original members of this church were the following : F. J. Upton and wife, A. Mann and wife, J. C. Adams and wife, A. G. Plumb and wife, J. P. Rollins and wife, C. W. Burton and wife, John Thomas and wife, Dr. E. Bliss and Dr. J. T. Smith.
Second United Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized in July, 1874, and the Rev. W. J. McCallister ministered to the society for the first three months. The names of the original members are: W. S. Cooper and wife, John Vance and wife, William McBurney and wife, Hugh Beatty and wife, James Parks and wife, Sampson Hawthorne, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Donney and daughter, Thomas Stevenson, wife and daughter, Matthew Henry and wife and William Sampson.
The building, corner of Franklin and Jefferson streets, formerly occupied by the Methodist society, has been used as a house of worship. When Mr. McCallister's three months expired, the society employed the Rev. J. T. Wilson, who preached acceptably and faithfully to the church and congregation for three years. After Mr. Wilson severed his relations with the church as Pastor, there was an interregnum, during which the regular preaching of the Word was sus- pended. The Rev. J. H. Niblock, of Canada, preached a portion of the time. At present, the Rev. W. J. McCallister is again at the helm. The membership has increased to about forty. The Sunday school connected with the church is prosperous and increasing in numbers. W. S. Cooper is Superintendent.
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