USA > Illinois > Brethren in northern Illinois and Wisconsin > Part 8
USA > Wisconsin > Brethren in northern Illinois and Wisconsin > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
As a Christian service to the community the General Mis- sion Board in connection with the congregation opened a dis-
80
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
pensary under the supervision of D. L. Little. A little later Dr. George H. Van Dyke took charge and conducted the dispensary in the home of his family in the rear of the church lot. Later the house adjoining the church on the street was secured for this purpose. The dispensary found a large field for service among the most needy families of the community. The serv- ice grew to large proportions and was a chief factor in develop- ing church interest in city missionary activity. The Van Dykes and the women missionaries did a magnificent piece of work. Note the names of some: Alice Boone, chosen missionary on the very day the church was organized-she later became Mrs. Lantz; Bertha Ryan, who accompanied the Stovers to India, and became Mrs. Shirk; Elizabeth Howe-later Mrs. J. H. Brubaker; Cora Cripe-later Mrs. O. G. Brubaker and missionary to China; Susie Forney-later Mrs. Levi Minnich; Clara E. Stauffer- later Mrs. John Calvin Bright; and Mary N. Quinter, who laid down her life on the India field. The dispensary became their training school and opened the eyes of many as to what city missions really are.
In the fall of 1901 the church was entirely remodeled and raised to street level, a basement was added and rooms to the rear were equipped for residence of women missionaries and for the use of Sunday-school classes. Managing Chicago boys in Sunday school was no small task, as J. G. Royer once discov- ered. As an inducement the school offered an apple to each boy who would come to Sunday school on a certain day. The boys came in untold numbers-far beyond what had been anticipated. When there were not enough apples to go around the lads raised a roughhouse and the police had to come in and settle them. That was one time when President Royer admitted that he was not equal to the occasion in handling boys.
When Bethany Bible School opened its doors in 1905 some of the classes were held in the church. This continued until 1909 when the school moved into its new quarters on Van Buren Street This change caused the leadership to center at Bethany. As a result Hastings Street looked to Bethany for workers for a number of years. Douglas Park developed as an extension cen- ter from Bethany. Gradually the Van Buren location devel- oped as the main part of the congregation with Hastings Street and Douglas Park as mission points. Each point had its pastor
81
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
and was largely self-governing, but all were one organization under one leader.
The chapel at Bethany was no longer sufficient for the grow- ing congregation. In the fall of 1923 the church appointed A. F. Wine, W. W. Slabaugh, E. G. Hoff, J. E. Keller and Ralph W. Miller as a committee to study the needs of the congregation in the way of proper facilities for worship, and to report their findings. Two conditions helped shape their labors. In October Mrs. Mary Fahrney, widow of the late Dr. Peter Fahrney, pre- sented the Fahrney homestead as a gift to the Chicago church with the suggestion that it be sold and the proceeds be applied to the securing of a suitable church edifice. At the time the committee was appointed her intentions were not known. The United Presbyterian church edifice near Bethany was for sale. As finally arranged the Fahrney home was sold for $40,000. The Presbyterian plant was purchased, the interior was remodeled by the addition of a balcony, baptistry, and more Sunday-school rooms, and all was newly decorated at an approximate cost of $26,000, making the total cost $66,000. The parsonage is an integral part of the church building. The combined member-
ship of the Chicago churches is 868. The large and scattered membership, engaged in many activities, and the proximity of Bethany Hospital and of Bethany Biblical Seminary raise prob- lems that challenge the best in the strongest pastors of whom Chicago has had its full share. Harper S. Will became pastor in March 1941.
The usual auxiliaries are found in the women's organizations such as the Aid, Missionary Society, and the Friendly Circle, made up of the younger women, who promote friendliness and fellowship among the young women. These organizations are loyal supporters of the church activities. The Chinese Sunday school has long been a factor of influence and has won a num- ber of the men for Christ and the church.
The general brotherhood became interested in the church's effort to reach Chicago boys and girls when in 1904 the Chicago Sunday School Extension, a book of one hundred sixty pages, appeared and was given wide circulation. The authors of the book were W. R. Miller, Galen B. Royer, Mrs. D. L. Miller, Mil- lard R. Myers and Ralph W. Miller. The rising tide of enthusi- asm for the Sunday school throughout the church brought in
82
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
the means through which the Chicago school was able to carry on and expand in a marked degree.
A strong factor in the First Church is its music which is conducted by Alvin F. Brightbill from the seminary. The large and well-trained choir ranks among the best in the brotherhood. The choir, supported by a pipe organ, lifts the congregation to a high pitch before the pastor comes to his sermon. First Church has a large field, but the scattered membership engaged in so many different activities lays a heavy load on the shoul- ders of the ministry.
Sterling (1892)
The following story of the Sterling congregation is recorded largely as told by Jennie Hoak, whose father was a leader in the church and whose home was a familiar stopping place for Brethren preachers. She was not a charter member, but her attention was called to the faith and practice of the Church of the Brethren in 1888 through the conversion of her brother, Ira, at a revival in the Baptist church at Sterling. The father was deeply concerned about Ira's choice of a church home as he, Hoak, had been reared under German Reformed influence while several of his brothers and sisters were members of the Church of the Brethren. Together he and Ira studied the prob- lem and read the New Testament. One day Ira, returning from a visit, said: "Father, I have found the right church. I will join the Church of the Brethren."
Sterling members were then a part of Rock Creek. Rock Creek became interested and meetings were held in private homes and in available public buildings. Before this occasion- al meetings had been held by visiting ministers. Soon George D. Zollers held a successful revival, at which time Ira was baptized. The father had been baptized near Brookville, Ill., about 1889. During 1889-90 meetings were held quite regularly in the old Sterling Lutheran church on Sunday afternoons. Among the ministers who preached at these afternoon services were George D. Zollers, Jacob L. Myers, Ashley Fergesen, Dan- iel Dierdorff, Levi Trostle, Samuel Lehman, D. E. Price, W. H. Eisenbise and Enoch Eby. Andrew Hutchison held a revival in
83
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
the Lutheran church. He and Zollers did much towards estab- lishing the Brethren faith in Sterling.
All felt the need of a meetinghouse. Bro. Hoak solicited funds, the district mission board promising assistance, though some felt that the Brethren would hardly succeed in city work. Finding a building location proved a problem as there was some prejudice against the Brethren, probably because of some of their customs and manner of dress. When owners learned the purpose for which the lot was sought the price was raised. On October 17, 1890, title was secured to a lot at 507 Sixth Avenue. This opened the way for building. Samuel Horning and son of Rock Creek erected the house and made some of the furnish- ings. The house was 28 by 42 feet, without basement. The mis- sion board raised $1,653.96, about one half the cost of the house. The first service in the new house was held June 29, 1891.
The mission board agreed to furnish a pastor, though they had no one in mind at that time. It was while the board was in session in a college building at Mount Morris that one of the mar- ried students, P. R. Keltner, passed their door. "There," said one of the board, "goes the man." Keltner was chosen and on July 28, 1891, began his pastorate of fourteen years. At first he did not receive a stated sum but was "supported." This called for detailed accounts of all expenditures.
The little band of about twenty members rejoiced when they had their own house and pastor. They organized Sunday school, prayer meeting and young people's meeting. Thinking it not well to turn the latter over to the young people for full manage- ment, young and old met in one group. The members perse- vered, the Lord blessed their efforts, seven were added to the church by baptism and two families moved in. On July 16, 1892, the church was organized with twenty-eight members and Daniel Dierdorff as elder.
In 1901 they felt the need of a larger house and lot. Samuel Myers and wife exchanged their lot at the corner of Sixth Ave- nue and Seventh Street for the church lot. The meetinghouse was moved and enlarged under the supervision of J. A. Bru- baker, Peter Frantz and Samuel Myers. Later a parsonage was built hard by the church. In succeeding years J. G. Royer, Galen B. Royer, S. Z. Smith, A. C. Wieand and others held re- vival meetings. In the meeting held by A. C. Wieand twenty-
84
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
six were added to the church. Members moved in from Rock Creek, Mount Morris and Girard. The first minister elected was J. A. Brubaker and the first deacons, Ira Hoak and John Harmon.
In 1926 the church was again overhauled by enlarging the basement, installing a new heating plant and renewing the audi- torium. Speakers at this last rededication were D. W. Kurtz and W. W. Peters.
The women organized their Aid in 1899, holding the first meeting in the home of Mrs. Amos Grater. Their interests have been making quilts, comforters, garments, aprons, prayer veils for sale or gift, sewing for the needy and sick, serving public dinners, selling Scripture-text calendars and other useful ar- ticles, conducting mite box programs, canning fruit for college and hospital, mission work and social activities. Their earlier records have been lost but since 1910 their contributions total around $3,600.
Sterling furnishes an admirable example of the Church of the Brethren in a small industrial city. The church was started because Brethren from the country moved to town. The first resident minister was pastor and continued in that capacity for fourteen years. Except for a period of three years it has always had a pastor, the present and thirteenth pastor being Kenneth C. Bechtel. The average term of pastoral service has been a little over three and one-half years. The church has called three men to the ministry. The present membership is 171. A helpful factor in the growth of the congregation is the fact that some of the men have been engaged in the manufacturing business, which has helped the finances and has brought in other Breth- ren as workers.
Batavia (1896)
The third congregation organized in the eastern part of the district was Batavia in Kane County. The present membership is eighty-five. At no time has Batavia been a large congrega- tion. Possibly the location of the meetinghouse on the edge of town has had something to do with the growth of the church. The first members to settle in Batavia were Samuel E. and Mary Netzley, their brother-in-law, Michael O'Conner, and his niece, Mary Netzley, who hailed from Naperville. Having been regu-
85
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
lar attendants at church while residing at Naperville they greatly missed the Sunday services with those of like precious faith. Though the distance from Batavia to Naperville is not so great for the auto age, it was no small chore in the horse-and- buggy days to attempt that journey every Sunday with the poor roads then prevailing.
In spite of all obstacles, however, faith found a way here as faith always does find a way. These few members invited in their neighbors and together conducted prayer meetings in the privacy of the home, not failing to make use of ministers should any pass their way. In 1880 they held their first public meeting when they assembled in the Christian church, the ministers be- ing John Hollinger of Naperville and J. H. Moore of Lanark. Arrangements were made for monthly services in private homes. Thus they continued until 1885, at which time they rented a room on Church Street. The following year they were cheered when they received by baptism their first convert, Mrs. Susan Morter. During the following decade Daniel Dierdorff con- ducted a series of meetings in the old Methodist church, and George D. Zollers held a revival in the Evangelical church. The fact that they were able to secure these houses for meetings shows that the members were on friendly terms with their neighbors and that there may have been an oversupply of church houses. They met in the old Methodist church in 1888 for their first love feast, at which George D. Zollers and Simon E. Yundt officiated.
As their numbers increased the desire for a meetinghouse of their own grew. Naperville granted the request of the group to erect such a house. In 1896 a frame house, thirty by forty feet with basement, was erected. On July 12 J. G. Royer de- livered the dedicatory sermon to a full house. On the following October 3 the congregation was duly organized with Simon E. Yundt as elder. Being without a resident minister they were served by nonresident preachers, as before, chiefly from Mount Morris, Naperville and Chicago, and by whoever chanced to come that way.
In 1898 Alvin Pollock became part-time pastor while he man- aged a community grocery store at the same time. He contin- ued his pulpit ministrations for two years. Calvin McNelly fol- lowed him. The district rendered substantial financial assist-
86
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
ance to the congregation during the early pastorates. The sev- enteenth and present pastor, David R. Landis, began his part- time service in 1937.
The congregation secured a building in 1931, moved it to the lot adjoining the meetinghouse and converted it into a substan- tial parsonage at a cost of approximately $4,000. This has helped to stabilize the work by giving the pastor a home hard by the church. The membership is confined almost entirely to the city of Batavia.
Henry and Sadie Barkdoll were long pillars in the congre- gation. Their daughter, Kathryn Barkdoll Garner, with her husband, H. P. Garner, served for fourteen years on the India mission field. The Barkdolls were among the charter members.
About midway between Aurora and Elgin the color line be- comes a live question. In Elgin colored people may enter eat- ing places and hotels along with the white folks. Not so in Aurora. As Batavia borders on the dividing line the problem of colored children in Sunday school once became a troublesome problem.
The women organized the Aid in 1900. Mary Netzley, their first president, proved an efficient leader for many years. Their activities deal with carpet rags, quilts, comforters, food sales, bazaars and socials. The funds arising from these sources are distributed in relieving physical needs, supporting missions and assisting in local church expenses. In the forty years of the Aid's existence well towards $4,000 has been raised and dis- persed. The women observe special days like Mother's Day, and the World Day of Prayer, study mission books, and for social improvement hold luncheons, teas and other parties.
Elgin (1899)
When the publishing interests of the church were transferred from Mount Morris to Elgin in August of 1899 twenty-eight members of the Church of the Brethren took up their abode in Elgin, expecting to make it their family and church home. Prior to that time no members were residing in Elgin. Brethren can- not live together without worshiping together. These Brethren immediately began holding meetings, the first few in the home
87
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
of Samuel M. Eshelman, after which they assembled in the southeast room on the first floor of the Brethren Publishing House. It was in this same room that the group met on Octo- ber 1 and under the direction of D. L. Miller formed their church organization.
While this move deprived Mount Morris of some of its strong leaders it gave the new organization men and women well trained in building a new congregation. In the number were two elders, J. H. Moore and Joseph Amick; one minister, Galen B. Royer; three deacons, Lewis A. Plate, Samuel M. Eshelman and Grant Mahan; not to mention the able laymen. Officers chosen at the time of organization were: Joseph Amick, elder; Lewis A. Plate, clerk; John S. Flory, treasurer; Samuel M. Esh- elman, Lewis A. Plate and Grant Mahan, trustees, though at the time they had not yet acquired property. The Sunday school was organized with Grant Mahan as superintendent. On the day of organization James M. Moore was called to the ministry. The preaching, Sunday school, and Christian Workers' meeting all were held in the Publishing House building for about one year.
In the meantime the church was looking for a suitable loca- tion. As most of the membership lived west of the river, the west side received favorable consideration. Not only the mem- bership but real estate interests were concerned about the loca- tion of the church building. For a time two places were in the ascendency. One of these was the Christian church on High- land Avenue, the other farther to the west where a new settle- ment was being promoted. The former was chosen and has become the church home of the congregation. The Christian congregation was weak and had a hard time of making a go of its work. The property was purchased in 1900 for the sum of $2,250. This seems like a small sum for a brick veneer building in a growing part of the city in a section where most of the members were living. Besides, it was in a part of the city which was not overchurched. But the house was far from being equipped for regular services. There were no seats, the wood- work was unpainted, the floors not finished, the basement not cemented and the heating plant not efficient. Many were the things the plant lacked. This called for additional expenditures.
The plant that now serves the congregation is altogether dif-
4
88
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
ferent from the one that was first purchased, though all of the original house has been retained. Thousands of dollars have been spent in equipping, modernizing and enlarging the plant. There have been three periods to this transition: first, equipping the house when first purchased; second, adding a gallery, pro- viding additional classrooms and installing steam heat; third, erecting a two-story addition in the rear, with provisions for a third story when needed. In 1923 the residence on the corner lot adjoining the church was purchased at the price of $6,000 for a parsonage and future expansion. In 1940 the interior of the church was newly decorated in colors that are harmoniously restful and suggestive of worship.
Elgin has always stressed the Sunday school. As soon as services were held in the church house an earnest effort was made to reach the children of the community who were not in Sunday school. In a short time the Sunday-school enrollment was far beyond the church membership. This continued for many years. The children from the Larkin Home were sent to the Brethren Sunday school for two reasons: because it was convenient and because of the fine quality of work done by the school. This continued until near the close of the thirties when the managers of the Home decided to abandon the regimenta- tion idea in sending children to Sunday school and the public school, because it gave the youngsters a sort of inferiority com- plex. Many of the boys and girls both from the community and from the Home were baptized as a result of their training. Some of these have grown up in the church; some have moved else- where and so have been lost to our denomination. Many have become active workers in other denominations, but trace their Christian training and their conversion to the teaching they received in the Elgin Church of the Brethren.
Because Elgin is general headquarters for the Church of the Brethren many members have been brought in from other con- gregations. The number of college graduates is large. Among those brought in are three former seminary teachers and three former college presidents. For the same reason the number in the ministry is out of proportion to the membership. Because there were so many resident and able ministers the church was rather slow in taking up the pastor idea. On the other hand, because these ministers were the servants of the church at large
89
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
and were frequently called elsewhere they were leaders in urg- ing the congregation to secure a pastor. The first attempt in this direction was in 1912 when Carl W. Rarick took up the pastorate, in which he continued for two years. After that the resident ministers filled the pulpit until Mahlon J. Weaver was installed as pastor in 1921. The present pastor, J. Clyde Forney, began his period of service in 1934.
Elgin has been prolific in sending missionaries to the foreign field. To India went Drs. Raymond and Laura Cottrell, and Quincy A. and Kathren Royer Holsopple. To Africa went Ruth Royer Kulp, whose grave in Nigeria bears daily testimony to her supreme sacrifice. Both Kathren and Ruth were daughters of Galen B. and Anna Royer, the father having been for a long time the general secretary of the Mission Board.
The women are well organized and always on the job. They support local, district and national projects. The Aid has long been strong and does much useful work. When the new addi- tion was built to the church they contributed $500 and were as- signed a large room as their quarters. In more recent years the women have reorganized so as to include larger numbers and wider activities. The live Missionary Society renders a public program every month. The Homebuilders likewise meet monthly to discuss pressing home problems. Outside speakers are frequently called in for illustrated and other lectures. The Aid has grown into two groups-one for the younger and one for the older women. These service groups respond as the need arises. In these days of destructive war they support the Red Cross liberally by work and other contributions. In their spring meeting they make much of the mother and daughter banquet.
Nor have the men been idle. With little ado they respond whenever opportunity knocks at their door. In their number are some workmen skilled in different trades, but their greatest asset is their interest in the church and community welfare and their readiness to respond when called. Among their contribu- tions have been grading the lawn, removing and planting trees and shrubs, laying cement walks, painting and decorating the church. One secret of their co-operation is strong leadership and ready followership.
90
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN
Polo (1905)
The church at Polo is an example of how the Brethren, who originally clung to the farm, gradually found their way into town. Polo grew out of Pine Creek. Services were held in Polo as early as 1855, three years before Pine Creek was organized. At that early date Isaac Hershey held meetings in the brick schoolhouse in Polo. When Jacob Line settled in Polo in 1863 he asked for preaching once a month. His request was granted and in the schoolhouse just mentioned the Brethren held meet- ings. That old schoolhouse has been converted into a residence and is now the home of Mrs. Clara Treat on Franklin Street. A few years later D. L. Miller opened a store in Polo. Then the Brethren began holding meetings every two weeks in Funk and Petrie Hall, and also in the Methodist church at Buffalo Grove. In 1880 the Brethren rented the Episcopal church and held serv- ices every two weeks, alternating with Pine Creek. In 1885 they purchased this house, the price being $900. The resident members then numbered about thirty-five. About this time a Sunday school was organized, holding its sessions only on the Sundays when there was preaching in Polo. Interest grew and in the spring of 1893 Sunday school and preaching services were held every Sunday morning and ere long evening services were started. By 1898 the number of worshipers had increased to fifty.
At a council meeting held at Pine Creek on December 29, 1903, a new meetinghouse for Polo was on the docket. There was sufficient sentiment to warrant appointing a committee to ascertain the approximate cost and the possibility of securing the necessary funds. The committee made its report to the next council. Because of some opposition the project was deferred. Again it came up in council and again it was deferred, but on July 4, 1904, only seven months after the question was first con- sidered and after two failures, by a good majority the church voted to proceed with the new building. That was a complete face-about. The church meant business and appointed John Burner, John H. Stuff and Albert Gilbert as a building com- mittee. On July 31 they worshiped for the last time in the old meetinghouse, which was sold for $250 to be removed from the lot to make room for the new church. The architect's plans
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.