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Gc 977.302 C43chke 1895/97 1823878
M. C.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02342 807 8
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MANUAL
OF THE
Kenwood Evangelical Church
GREENWOOD AVENUE AND PORTY-SINTH STREFI
CHICAGO 1895-97
Triennial RReports 1895=1897
Compiled by the Prudential Committee Issued January 1, 1598
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128462. 165
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1823878
2) MANUAL
1875.92
OF THE
Kenwood Evangelical Church 1
.... CHICAGO ....
1898
,
+
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you all.
ORGANIZED, NOVEMBER 17, 1885 CORNER STONE LAID, NOVEMBER 26, 1887 BUILDING DEDICATED, NOVEMBER 18, 1888
P.54 ,5
Contents.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE 4
DIRECTORY 6
HISTORICAL STATEMENT 8
TRIENNIAL REVIEW: The Church 11
The Ecclesiastical Society - 13
The Sunday-School 16
The Ladies' Society 19
Book and Blazer Club 22
The Junior Christian Endeavor
STATISTICAL 26
CONSTITUTIONS The Church 33
The Ecclesiastical Society . 43
The Sunday-School 47
The Ladies' Society
50
The Hyde Park Christian Union
54
Young Women's Missionary Society 56
FORM OF INFANT BAPTISM 58
ROLL OF NAMES: Officers 59
Members of the Church 66
Dismissals 76
Deaths 77
Members of the Congregation 78 -
Introductory Mote.
E VERY year it has been the custom of this Church to print in the January WELCOME, our monthly bulletin, statistical statements in regard to our mem- bership and the benevolences of the preceding year. On each third year we have presented a fuller state- ment in the form of a Manual, containing a sum- marized history of the Church, a triennial review of its various departments, the statistical reports, the Constitutions and Form of Government under which we live, and the names of our officers, mem - bers and pew-holders.
In accordance with the vote taken at our last annual meeting, the Prudential Committee have compiled this, our fourth triennial Manual, hoping that our congregation will find herein many facts which will prove useful to them in the Church work, and that friends of the Church may gather here such information in regard to our methods and history as they desire.
In behalf of the Prudential Committee,
ROBERT B. BOAK, Clerk.
Kenwood, January 1, 1898.
Directory.
Sundays.
MORNING SERVICE at 10:30 o'clock; the EVENING SERVICE at 7:30.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL and Bible classes, at the close of the Morning Service.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEETING at half-past three.
Tuesdays.
THE LADIES'. DEVOTIONAL MEETINGS, in the Pastor's Study at three o'clock.
Wednesdays.
LADIES' SEWING MEETING at ten o'clock on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
THE LADIES' MISSIONARY MEETING at half past two, on the same days as the Ladies' Meeting.
GENERAL PRAYER AND CONFERENCE MEETING at 8 o'clock in the church parlors.
Thursdays.
YOUNG WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY on Thurs- day, following the first Sunday of the month, at ten o'clock.
The Sacraments.
THE LORD'S SUPPER is regularly administered on the first Sunday morning of February, April, June, August, October and December.
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BAPTISM of infants or adults may be adminis- tered on Communion Sunday and on Children's Day. Parents will please confer with the pastor before presenting their children.
THE SERVICE PREPARATORY to the Communion, is held the Wednesday evening previous. Per- sons who desire to become members of this Church may remain to meet the Prudential Committee after that meeting.
Annual Meetings.
OF THE CHURCH: The Wednesday evening after the first Sunday in December.
OF THE SOCIETY: The third Monday evening in December.
OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL: The week preceding the annual meeting.
A BENEVOLENT OFFERING is taken at each Com- munion Service for the Deacons' Fund. Also on the third Sunday of each month for the following causes:
January-For our own Sunday-School. February-For Presbyterian Home Missions. March-For the M. E. Freedman's Aid Society. April-In aid of Union Church Work. May-For American Board of Foreign Missions. June-For the Chicago Bible and Tract Societies.
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July -For the Chicago Tract Society. August-For the Evangelical Church of Italy. September-Second Offering for Home Missions. October-For Bohemian Work in the City. November -- Second Foreign Mission Offering. December-To support a Missionary of the American Sunday-School Union.
THE MISSIONARY TOPICS, considered at the Wednesday evening meeting, after the first Sunday in each month, are the following:
January-General Survey of Missions. February-China, and the Chinese Missions. March-The Colored People in the South. .Ipril-India and Ceylon. May-Our Exceptional Populations. June -- Africa and its Development. July-Our Country: Past, Present and Future. August-Reciprocal Influence of Missions. September-Japan and Corea. October-Chicago and Its Mission Forces. November-The Turkish Empire. December -- Review of the Year.
THE MONTHLY MEETING of the Prudential Committee is held on the Monday evening after the first Sunday in the month.
historical.
T HIS Church was organized November 15, 1885.
It sprang out of a union Sunday-School which was opened the first Sunday of the previous June, and which had been the Sunday-School of the neighborhood. Excepting one Episcopal Church, there was then no religious organization existing between Fortieth and Fifty-third streets. The school was greatly needed, and it brought together in christian fellowship and labor, people of vari- ous denominational connection, making them acquainted with one another as fellow-workers and disciples of Christ. This Christian companionship proved very delightful.
Preaching services were held from the first, and were attended by increasing numbers. When it was realized that the neighborhood was ripe for the organization of a Church, the question of denomi- nation inevitably became a principal issue. Each one naturally favored his own; and many felt that if another denomination were chosen they would remain with the organization only until a Church of their own sort was established.
The Sunday-School, however, had been illus-
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trating the fact that Christian fellowship could not be bounded by denominational lines, and that in the esssentials of the faith and in spirit we were all in sympathy. It seemed sad that a neighborhood which had so much in common should be divided where most of all it ought to be united, namely, in the worship of God and in the work He had com -. missioned it to do.
As a consequence of such sentiments as these, at a meeting held September 5th, it was decided to make a trial of a Church of the Neighborhood, on the basis of the Christian faith common to all evangelical believers. Trustees were chosen the 19th of the month, and a committee was appointed to arrange for organization. Two months later the new Church was formed. The following April the Rev. John P. Hale was called to the pastorate, and began his labors the first Sunday of June. Councils composed of ministers of the Congrega- tional, Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches were called, both for the organization of the Church and the installation of the pastor.
It was agreed that during the first year the spiritual affairs of the Church should be adminis- tered by four deacons. But at the first annual meeting, the Prudential Committee was chosen, in the manner prescribed by the Articles of Govern- ment, and have since been in charge of our spir- itual affairs. Various benevolent causes, some of
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them denominational, some of them general, were adopted by the Church; one of which is presented to the congregation each month for their support. The departments of devotional and benevolent activity were organized as soon as was practicable, so that the Christian energies of the congregation might be enlisted and wisely directed.
For twelve years now the Church has pursued its steady, quiet course, maintaining the public worship of God, the teaching of the Word in the Sunday-School, the cultivation of personal piety and character, and all those helpful missionary and benevolent ministries which ought to center in, and to emanate from, God's house. While not organically connected with any denomination, we have always believed in the unity of Christ's Church and in practical co-operation with sister Churches. In Foreign Missions we are connected with the American Board, in Home Missions with the Presbyterian Church, in the education of colored people in the South with the Methodists, in City Missions with the Congregationalists and others, and in Bible and Tract and Sunday-School work with the great undenominational societies. The aim which we hold before our eyes, to be real- ized in the Church life and in each individual, is the kingdom of our Lord, which He established and for which He taught us to pray. We believe that in its due time it will fill all the earth.
Triennial RReview.
The Church.
The steady course of our Church life during the past three years has been evenly pursued. The period has been one of trial and anxiety in the business world, and the effects of its wear and strain have been felt somewhat, not only in reven- ues but also in general tone. This tone has not been one of depression, but rather of steady deter- mination, as of those who in the midst of many daily cares were bearing bravely the heat and bur- den of the day. As will be seen by the report of the Ecclesiastical Society and by the tables of our benevolent gifts, the Church has admirably passed this period of strain from which we are now emerging. For there has been a palpable improve- ment and upward movement in most departments noticeable during the past six months.
The Church in November, '85, celebrated its tenth anniversary with appropriate services, and entered into the second period of its history. Up to that time there had been no denominational Church in our immediate neighborhood. In that
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year, however, the Presbyterians organized a Church where the Lake Avenue Union Church had been. In the same year the St. James' M. E. Church was formed, and became at once large and influential. The building was located in the same block with ourselves. The entrance of new Churches in this field was timely and necessary, owing to the rapid growth of the community during the last decade, and indicates how conditions have changed in our neighborhood since the Church was organized.
The lines of our own work remain mostly the same as in previous years, and are indicated in the following reports. The chief enlargement has been in the direction of our systematic relief of the poor in the district west of us. Our Church has been one of the foremost in sustaining the Relief Dis- trict. Our pastor has been its treasurer, and many of our ladies, under the direction of the Friendly Aid Committee, have been constant in the friendly visits to the homes of poor families which have been assigned to them by the Bureau.
The Senior Society of Christian Endeavor was discontinued over a year ago, and that field was left to the Junior Society. Its place, however, was partly occupied by the Book and Blazer Club on the social side, and on the missionary side by the Young Woman's Missionary Society, which was organized November 18, '97, and which meets monthly for missionary study and effort.
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The benevolences of the Church reached the highest mark in 1891, when they ran high up in the eleven thousands. The next year they dropped into the ten thousand column. During the three following years they ranged in the nine thousands, then rose into the ten thousand column again, and last year passed once more the eleven thousand mark.
In the meetings of prayer, especial attention is given to Bible study. One evening a month is regularly called the Bible study evening. For over a year and a half, the various books of the New Tes- tament were studied in order on these evenings; and for the past year the discourses of our Lord have been analyzed and their principal teachings discussed.
In its various departments the work of the Church is pursued with system, perseverance and energy, without strain after temporary effects, but with the aim to accomplish the high ends which God has set before us.
JOHN P. HALE, Pastor.
The Ecclesiastical Society.
When it was determined to establish this Church, the first definite step taken, was the organi- zation of the Kenwood Evangelical Church Society, to care for its temporal concerns. This occurred
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September 19, 1885. As long as the Church remained in the chapel and until the present auditorium was occupied (in November, 1888), the revenue was obtained by voluntary contribution. Since that time the pews have been rented, and the increased expenditure involved in the occupancy of the new building has been provided in this way.
The building, including lot and furnishings, cost $65, 423.92. Of this sum $20,000 was obtained by the sale of interest-bearing six per cent. bonds, maturing in five years. These bonds, however, were not allowed to mature, for at Christmas time, 1891, the whole debt was liquidated by subscrip- tions then made, and paid during the following year. The trustees now hold in trust a property valued at over eighty thousand dollars, free from all incumbrance. The property has a frontage of one hundred and twenty-nine and one-half feet on Greenwood avenue and of one hundred and ninety- seven feet on Forty-sixth street.
For some years past the Church has felt the pressure of the times in common with all other Churches. For some five years the pew rentals have not quite sufficed to pay current expenses, which have included some heavy special items, particularly in 1896, when Forty-sixth street was paved and the Church was re-carpeted and many of the walls re-decorated. No special effort was made, however, in the matter, the trustees believ-
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ing that any little deficiency would be cared for by the natural income of the Church, when times improved. There were, therefore, notes amount- ing to $1, 400, which the trustees carried three years ago. And subscriptions were taken quietly in '96 and again in '97 to meet expenses and extra calls for improvements. In this way the Church has promptly met all bills, and has reduced its floating debt out of available funds so that now but $250 of debt remains, and this will doubtless be paid out of the current income in the next few months. The trustees feel that the Society has occasion to congratulate itself on so fair a showing during a period of such long and severe financial depression.
The following list shows the names of those who have served as trustees of the Society since its organization:
Trustees: John B. Knight, 1885.6, '86-8, '88-91, '91-4; John M. Hamilton, 1885-6; Robert Stra- horn, 1885-6; Thomas G. Otis, 1885-6; David O. Strong, 1885-6; Nathaniel S. Bouton, 1885-6; James N. Steele, 1885-6, '86-7, '87-9, '89-92; Christopher B. Bouton, 1886.8, '88-91, '91-4, '94-7; Edwin F. Bayley, 1886-8, '88-90, '90-3; Mar- vin A. Farr, 1886-7, '87-9, '89-92; Julius Steele, 1886-7, '87-9, '89-92; Frank E. Spooner, 1888-90, '90-93; Lawrence A. Carton, 1892-95,95-8; Jonathan W. Brooks, 1892-95, '95-8; Albert L. Deane,
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1893-6, '96.9; William Jones, 1893-4; A. C. But- tolph, 1894.6, '97-00; Edward G. Shumway, 1894-7, 97-00; W. T. Brown, 1895-7; J. J. Dau, 1896-9; J. G. Shedd, 1897-8.
Treasurer: John E. Cowles, 1885-6; Julius Steele, 1886-92; Lawrence A. Carton, 1892-3; Albert L. Deane, 1893.8.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees,
ALBERT C. BUTTOLPH, President.
The Sunday School.
During the interval since the last manual was published, the sessions of the Sunday-School have been held, as previously, at the close of the morn- ing Church services. The general attendance of officers, teachers and scholars has varied but little from the years immediately preceding.
On the first of January, 1896, Mr. Fitch felt compelled to give up the superintendency of the School. His long service had been one of love, and the School consented to his retirement most reluctantly. His death, which occurred April 11, 1897, closed a life of the highest devotion and use- fulness. His memory is sacred to us and will con- tinue to stimulate us in the service of Christ.
Mr. C. J. Dodgshun was chosen to succeed
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Mr. Fitch, but absence and ill health compelled him to resign in July of the same year. He was succeeded by Mr. George H. Bliss, who still con- tinues to lead the School.
Upon the marriage of Miss Fitch, Mrs. A. W. Hoyt was called from the charge of the intermedi- ate department to the superintendence of the Pri- mary Department, which has flourished during the entire three years under her guidance. The Kin- dergarten method of teaching has been recently introduced for the six smallest classes with happy results. Mrs. L. A. Carton succeeded Mrs. Hoyt in the superintendency of the intermediate depart- ment, and has demonstrated beyond peradventure the wisdom of establishing this department of the School.
Considerable money has been wisely expended during the last year on the library, and it is intended to still further increase its utility.
The same system of collections and benevo- lence has been continued which has been practiced in previous years. The usual Christmas, Easter and anniversary services of the School have been also observed.
During July and August, when many of the scholars are absent, the regular lessons have been suspended and a series of special subjects taken. Both gentlemen and ladies from among the teach- ers, in response to the Superintendent's call, have
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taken charge of these lessons. The instruction has proved most interesting.
Occasional social gatherings of the officers and teachers have been held at the homes of the Super- intendents and of some of the teachers, in which the friendships of the teachers have been cemented and the interests of the School have been fur- thered. These meetings were largely attended and much enjoyed.
The most perfect harmony and co-operation prevails among the officers and teachers of the School. While the School has not grown largely in numbers its efficiency has been steadily main- tained. The outlook for the future is full of encouragement.
The following officers have served during the years 1896 and '97:
1896 - Mr. C. J. Dodgshun, Superintendent, January Ist to July Ist; Mr. Geo. H. Bliss, Super- intendent, July Ist to December 31st; Mr. M. D. Atwood, Dr. A. W. Hoyt, Assistants; Mrs. L. A. Carton, Superintendent Intermediate Department; Mrs. C. C. Prest, Assistant; Mrs. A. W. Hoyt, Superintendent Primary Department; Mrs. M. A. Farr, Assistant; Mr. E. W. Sedgwick, Secretary; Mr. L. E. Williams, Assistant; Mr. L. T. Turner, Treasurer; Mr. H. B. Squires, Librarian; Mr. Roy Nelligar, Assistant.
1897 -- Mr. Geo. H. Bliss, Superintendent; Mr.
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M. W. Atwood, Dr. A. W. Hoyt, Assistants; Mrs. L. A. Carton, Superintendent Intermediate Depart- ment; Mrs. A. W. Hoyt, Superintendent Primary Department; Mrs. M. A. Farr, Assistant; Miss Mary E. Higgie, Secretary; Miss Elizabeth Morse, .Issistant ; Mr. E. W. Sedgwick, Secretary; Mr. L. E. Williams, Assistant; Mr. Robert Boak, Jr., Treasurer; Mr. Roy Nelligar, Librarian, Jan. ist to Nov. ist; Mr. Sherman Bouton, Librarian, Nov. Ist to Dec. 31st; Mr. Harry Hansen and Mr. Sydney Crocker, Assistants.
The names of the officers for 1898 will be given in the usual place in this manual.
GEO. H. BLISS, Superintendent.
The Ladies' Society.
All the work officially undertaken by the ladies of the church is done through one society. The various departments are each placed in charge of a committee of ladies. The directors of these committees, together with the officers of the Society, constitute the Executive Committee, which plans out the work for the whole Society. Thus all its agencies are recognized as parts of one whole, and all its members hear the reports and appeals made to the Society from all departments. During the past three years which we are now to
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review, sewing and business meetings have been held fortnightly in the season. There has been a usual attendance varying from forty to eighty-five. Luncheon is served at each meeting by six ladies, and at the close of the season a reception has been held at which time tea has been served and a musical program rendered. The social life center- ing at these meetings has been delightful, while the business of the Society is transacted with thoroughness and dispatch immediately before lunch. The money raised by the Society during this period may be found in the statistical tables. The garments made at the meetings in 1894-'95 have been as follows: 136 garments for the Half Orphan Asylum, 70 for the Industrial School for Boys at Glenwood, 57 for the School Children's Aid Society, and 13 comforters were made to order. In the year 1895-'96: 49 garments for Boys' Industrial School at Glenwood, 28 for the Fresh Air Fund Children, 39 for the University Settlement Creche, 62 for the Half Orphan Asylum, 75 dresses for the School Children's Aid Society, 5 for the Friendly Aid Committee, making a total number of 307 pieces. During the period from Sep- tember 30, 1896 to April 7, 1897, the following work has been accomplished: 99 garments for the Boys' Industrial School at Glenwood, 55 for the School Children's Aid Society, 22 for the Univer- sity Creche, 6 for the University Settlement, 85
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for the Half Orphan Asylum, 136 towels for the Presbyterian Hospital, 19 comforters for different ladies of the Society, and for the church, 8 curtains and 48 napkins; a total of 478 pieces.
The devotional meetings of the ladies have been held weekly, the second and fourth meetings in each month being under the charge of the Home and Foreign Missionary Committee, when missionaries from various countries have addressed the ladies. The Committee on Foreign Missions co-operates with the ladies of the Congregational churches. They have supported Miss Stanley at Tientsin, China, while the ladies of the Home Missionary Committee, co-operating with the Presbyterian ladies, support Miss Clements as the missionary of this church at Antonita, Colorado. They also aid the Methodist Colored School at Morristown, Tenn., and send Christmas and missionary boxes each winter to the West and South. The work of the Committee on City Charities has been large and varied, as will be seen by a glance over the statistical tables. They have supported Miss Anna Scott, a Bible reader, whose time is now principally spent among the Italians on the West Side. The Social Committee have taken charge of the three church socials given each winter in our parlors, which are always largely attended and which serve to enlarge acquaintance and promote friendliness in the church.
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The officers for the present year are given on another page. Those for the two years previous were as follows:
1895-1896 .- President, Mrs. W. G. Coolidge; Vice-President, Mrs. C. L. Hammond; Secretary, Mrs. Charles Loughridge; Treasurer, Mrs. E. J. White; Executive Committee: Mrs. James Steele, Foreign Missions; Mrs. H. A. Costner, Home Mis- sions; Mrs. C. H. Blackman, City Charities; Mrs. C. D. Osborn, Social; Mrs. Lucius W. Wakeley, Devotional; Mrs. C. B. Ross, Friendly Aid; Mrs. E. A. Sherburne, Dorcas Committee.
1896-1897 .- President, Mrs. James Steele; Vice- President, Mrs. Robert C. Moore; Secretary, Mrs. Otis H. Waldo; Treasurer, Mrs. E. J. White; Executive Committee: Mrs. O. C. Ely, Foreign Mis- sions: Mrs. H. A. Costner, Home Missions; Mrs. George Tripp, City Charities; Mrs. C. L. Ham- mond, Social; Mrs. C. J. Dodgshun, Devotional; Mrs. Parmlee, Friendly Alid; Mrs. E. A. Sher- burne, Dorcas Committee.
In behalf of the Ladies' Society.
MRS. OTIS H. WALDO, Secretary.
The Book and Blazer Club.
The youngest member of the Church body is the Book and Blazer Club, which had its beginnings at a meeting held November 30, 1896, at the home
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of Mr. Spooner, where some fifteen young people met the pastor and members of the Prudential Committee for the purpose of discussing the forma - tion of a Church Club. Its chief object was to be the cultivation among the young people of the church of social and intellectual fellowship. We thus hoped to stimulate the activity of our young people in the direction of church interests. The plan met with the enthusiastic approval of those present and a temporary organization was effected. A meeting for a formal and permanent organization was called, at which nearly a hundred
persons were present. The officers chosen for the year were the following: Mr. F. M. Case, President; Miss Elizabeth Morse, Vice- President; Miss Ruth B. Steele, Recording Secretary; Mr. 1. P. Sewell, Cor- responding Secretary; Miss Franc Reese, Treasurer.
After a year of gratifying success along the line mapped out, the Club finds in its ranks a very healthy desire to broaden its usefulness in doing something more than "the promotion of social and intellectual fellowship" among its members. It has recently formally planned to organize and con. duct a class for Bible study, thus supplying a need which has been long felt in our church.
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