History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 90

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340

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Manning, and Pliny P. Ravlin, a son of the pastor, the first number of which appeared in January, 1874. This name was retained as long as the Church existed. Dur- ing his second pastorate Mr. Ravlin had as associate pastor, Rev. A. G. Eberhart, who received the whole of Mr. Ravlin's salary. In 1875 the Church was dis- banded, in part on account of the debt, and in part be- cause of the desire of most of the members to re-organ- ize upon a different basis. On the 25th of April, 1875. a series of preambles and resolutions were presented for consideration, and on the 7th of June, adopted. The principal preamble was as follows:

"WHEREAS, It is desirable thatan opportunity should be given all true followers of Jesus who may so desire, to unite with us in an effort to have the Gospel unshackeled by stated creeds, sectarian prejudice, or denominational bands, preached and sustained, but who are now prevented from so doing by reason of the present Church organization : therefore.

"Resolved, That the present organization, known as the Temple Baptist Church, be and the same is hereby disbanded and disor- ganized immediately upon the passage of the necessary resolutions following herein."

The necessary resolutions were passed, the trustees instructed to convey any property belonging to the Temple Baptist Church to any new organization that may be formed according to the statutes of the State of Illinois. A few of the members who did not approve of the disorganization of the Church, adhered to each other, and under the pastorate of the Rev. W. S. Ham- lin, continued religious services for a few months in the brick building. About twenty-five of those who had favored disbandment, formed an independent organiza- tion or mission, and under Mr. Ravlin's ministrations worshiped for six months at the northeast corner of Clinton and Twelfth streets. At the expiration of this period Mr. Ravlin accepted a call to the First Free-Will Baptist Church, located at the corner of Jackson and Loomis streets, where he remained nearly three years. He then started an effort in the West End Opera House, which was carried on about six months, when he re- moved to the Swedenborgian Temple, at the corner of Washington Street and Ogden Avenue, and finally to 431 Ogden Avenue, where he remained several months. He then accepted a call to a Baptist Church in San Jose, California, where he now resides, pastor of a large and flourishing congregation. The Temple Baptist Church building, after falling into the hands of the insurance company, was taken down and dwelling houses erected in its place.

THE OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH had its origin, in 1853, in the "Zoar Baptist Church," which was organized that year by Rev. R. J. Robinson, who came from Alton for that purpose, remaining with the Church about a month. He was succeeded by Rev. H. H. Hawkins, who was the first permanent pastor. The church building originally stood at the corner of Buffalo and Taylor streets. In 1856 the Zoar Church had one hundred and twenty members, and for a year or two the membership was considerably increased by the influx of numerous refugees from the Southern States, and with increased numbers came trouble in reference to the government of the Church. In consequence of this difficulty about fifty or sixty of the members in 1858 seceded from the Zoar Church and formed the Mount Zion Church, being organized by Rev. W. Hace Shelton. during the pastorate of Rev. D. G. Lett, who had been pastor of Zoar Church about three years. The Mount Zion Church leased, and worshiped during their sepa- rate existence, in a frame store building standing on Clark Street, near Harrison. Rev. H. H. White, who was the first pastor of the Zion Church, was succeeded

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HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

by Rev. Jesse Bolden. The Zoar Church, after the se- cession, had for its pastor Rev. Mr. Tansbury, who, after remaining a short time, went back to Canada. After this, through the influence of Rev. Jesse Bolden, the two separate bodies were re-united, but as neither Church would unite under the name of the other, both names, Zoar and Zion, were discarded and the name " Olivet Baptist Church" adopted by mutual consent in its stead. This re-union occurred in December, 1862, in the Edina Place Baptist Church. The Olivet Society went into a building at the corner of Harrison and Griswold streets, formerly owned by the Zoar Church, at that time having about one hundred and twenty members. Rev. Jesse Bolden remained after the re- union about three months, when he was succeeded by Rev. Richard de Baptiste, in June, 1863, who remained pas- tor of the Church nineteen years, retiring from the pul- pit February 1, 1882. He was succeeded by Rev. James Podd, who remained until January 10, 1883, and was succeeded by Rev. H. H. White. The church building mentioned above as standing at the corner of Harrison and Griswold streets, continued to be occupied until 1865, when this society, having purchased a lot on the east side of Fourth Avenue, between Taylor and Polk streets, erected a church thereon costing $18,000, worshiping for a few months in Witkoskey Hall, on the northwest corner of Monroe and Clark streets. This building escaped · destruction by the fire of 1871, but was destroyed by that of 1874, at which time the society was in debt only $2,500. After this fire the city passed an ordinance opening Dearborn Street to Fourteenth Street, which cut off twenty-seven feet from their fifty- foot lot, and rendered it necessary for them to purchase an adjoining lot in order to have room to re-erect their church building. This lot cost $4,500; and the new church building, which was completed in 1875, cost $20,000. It is a three-story brick building, with two fronts-one of stone on Dearborn Street, the other on Fourth Avenue, and was erected without any assistance from insurance on the building destroyed in 1874, only $2,500 having been received from that source, all of which was used in payment of debts. This building was occupied until October, 1883, the property having been sold some time previous to the Western Indiana Railroad Company, for $32,500. With this money the. debts were paid, and the balance used in purchasing a lot on Harmon Court, between State Street and Wabash Avenue, for which $13,500 was paid. At the time of selling their property to the Western Indiana Railroad Company, there were about five hundred members in the Church. It is their design to erect a new church edifice in the spring of 1884, a description of which will be inserted in the third volume of this History. At the time of the Rev. Mr. Podd's resignation, forty-six members were regularly dismissed from this Church to form the Bethesda Baptist Church under his pastorate, a sketch of which will be found in its proper place in this History.

FIRST SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH, was organized in 1853, in part by Swedes, who had up to that time been members of the First American Baptist Church. This Church purchased for their Swedish offspring a school-house standing at the corner of LaSalle and Erie streets.". Among those who united in organizing this Church were Ira J. Collings. Peter Peterson, Peter Modine, "Andrew Anderson, F. M. Wimmerset, John Uberg, Matthew Matson, Frederick Blonquist, William Wigland, Mr. Mullen, and their wives. Rev. L. L. Frisk was the first pastor. For about a year after thus organizing themselves into a Church society they wor-

shiped at the house of their pastor, and at the houses of various members of the Church. In 1854 they took possession of the school-house purchased for and pre- sented to them. This they moved to Bremer Street, in 1858, and continued to occupy it until 1860 or 1861, when it was destroyed by fire. 'T'hey then rented a school- house, which they occupied for some years. Mr. Frisk remained pastor of the Church until 1857, when he was succeeded by the Rev. G. Palmquist, who remained about six months. After him there was no regular pastor in this Church before its disorganization, which occurred in 1864, but the members themselves conducted religous services as well as they could with an occasional sermon from a missionary. But at length a portion of the members becoming scattered, the rest became discour- aged and abandoned the organization of the Church.

REV. LUTHER STONE was born in the northeast corner of the town of Oxford, Worcester Co., Atass., September 26, ISIS. He and his brother Lewis, who is still living on the old homestead, are twins, and the youngest of a family of six children. Mr. Stone is a descendant in the sixth generation of Gregory Stone, who came from Cousinston, Somersetshire, England, in the ship " Increase." to Boston, in 1634, and made his homestead in Cambridge, on what is now Mt. Auburn Cemetery. He brought with him his son John, then sixteen years old, and settled him in that part of Sud- bury, which is now Farmingham, on land purchased of the Indians. Here was born Hezekiah Stone, the great-grandfather of Rev. Luther Stone, who in company with seven others purchased the town of Oxford, fourteen miles long by about five miles wide, of the Huguenots, to whom it had been given by Massachusetts after

Luther Stone

their expulsion from France. John Stone, the son of Gregory, had two sons, Daniel and Nathaniel. Lois, a grand-daughter of Nathaniel, married Uriah Stone, Jr., a great-grandson of Daniel. Luther, a son of Uriah, Jr., and Lois, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He married Miss Abigail Bemis, who was born in Spencer, Mass., lost her parents when very young, and was reared and educated by her uncle, Captain Jesse Smith, of Charlton, Mass. Luther had the advantages of a common-school education, and was prepared for college at Leicester Academy, which he entered in 1833, where he was under the tutorship of Rev. Luther Wright, formerly tutor in Yale College. He entered Brown University in 1835, graduating in 1839. He then went to Newton Theological Institution, from which he graduated in 1842. He now spent his time for a year in preaching, and was ordained at Oxford, October 3, 1843, as an evangelist, designing to make the Mississippi Valley his field of labor. In the winter of 1843-44, he preached tempo- rarily at Ellsworth, Me., and in the spring of 1844 returned to Boston and made preparations to go West, leaving Oxford on Wednesday the Sth of May. He traveled by railroad to Schenec- tady. N. Y., thence by canal packet to Buffalo, by steamer to Cleve- land, by canal packet to Portsmouth, Ohio, spending a week between these two points at Granville College with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Going, its president. Reaching Portsmouth on Saturday, he preached on Sunday, taking a steamer on Monday down the Ohio for Cincinnati, Louisville and St. Louis, in which latter place he visited the Rev. Isaac T. Hinton, who had been one of Chicago's early ministers. From St. Louis he went up the Mississippi River to Rock Island and Davenport, reaching the latter place on Thurs- day, the 6th of June. On the following Sunday he preached for the First Baptist Church in Davenport, which extended to him a call to become its pastor. Declining the call, he made Rock Island his home until March, 1845, spending the eight months in preach- ing in numerous towns and pioneer settlements in the Mississippi Valley, and traveling in the meantime thirty-four hundred miles. During this time the Rock Island Baptist Association was formed, Mr. Stone being present and one of its original members. . About the first of March he went to Burlington, Iowa, and preached there on Sunday, the oth, the first Baptist sermon in the placc. He preached there four months, having as large a congregation as there was in the town. He then went back from the river about eight miles to a town named Pisgah, where there was a Baptist Church, and preached there several sundays. ffe then came up Rock Kiver to Sharon, four miles from Geneseo, in Ifenry County, Ill .. and there bought two hundred and fourteen deres of land, upon which he erected what he designed as a part of a larger building, the

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PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS.

whole to be used for an academy; but after remaining there several months. baving chills and fever every day for four and a half weeks, he concluded the climate was not a healthy one, so bought a two-year old horse and saddle and rode to Rockford, preaching at different places on the way and reaching there in March, 1846. The Baptist Church at Rockford gave him a unanimous invitation to become its pastor, which he accepted and remained there until July, 1847. He then, on account of the differences of opinion and sentiment in the Baptist denomination at large respecting the subject of slavery, came to Chicago to establish the "Watchman of the Prairies," the first number of which he issued on the roth of August of the same year. The majority of the Baptists were averse to the attitude of the general organizations of the denomination on this subject, and the Watchman was established in their defense. Mr. Stone continued the publication of the paper, as sole proprietor and editor, until June 18, 1853, when he sold it to John C. Burroughs, Levi D. Boone and A. D. Titsworth. From July, IS47, to Sep- tember, 1848, Mr. Stone discharged the duties as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Chicago. After disposing of his paper, Mr. Stone continued to preach in Chicago in the various institu- tions of the city, and to supply vacant pulpits until IS61, from which time to the close of the war he preached at the Soldier's Rest, at Camp Douglas, at the Marine Hospital and other places, con- tinning throughout this period his work at the jail and at mission schools. In 1863 be was made secretary, being one of the original fifteen trustees, of the Baptist Theological Union, which founded the Baptist Theological Seminary, now (1883) located at Morgan Park. This office he held until 1866. In September, 1864, he re- ceived an invitation to become the president of Central University, located at Pella, Iowa, but declined the honor. In November of the same year, at the request of friends of education in Iowa, he purchased college premises in the city of DesMoines, consisting of five acres of ground, beautifully situated upon which was a brick building. In order to do this he sold twenty acres of land south of and near to the city of Chicago, running from State Street to the present Grand Boulevard between Forty-eight and Fiftieth streets. Mr. Stone paid $8,000 for the college premises at Des Moines. The twenty acres above mentioned he sold for $6,000, and in 1868, only four years afterward, it had a market value of $200,- 000. In May, 1866, he went to Europe, accompanied by his wile and daughter, and spent over two years in travel. He visited Scotland, England, and all the principal countries and cities in con- tinental Europe, crossed the Mediterranean and entered Egypt at Alexandria, and ascended the Nile eight hundred miles to Nubia, and, returning, visited Jerusalem, the Jordan, the Dead Sea, Beth- lehem, Hebron, Damascus, Beyrout, Smyrna, Constantinople, and also through the countries and principal cities of southern Europe to Hamburg, whence he embarked for home, reaching there July 3, 1868. Since this time Mr. Stone bas lived the life of a retired minister, spending his days in that pleasantest of ways, perusing and studying the writings of the master minds of the past. He has read all'the works of all the great Greek philosophers and historians- Aristotle, Plato, Herodotus, Thucydides, Demosthenes and .Eschylus, the principal Roman writers from the earliest to the latest, and has made a special study of American history and politics, so that there are probably few American statesmen better read in the politics and history of their country than he. Mr. Stone was married January 26, 1354, to Mrs. Anna M. Jacobus, a widow lady who had two children by her former marriage. Her maiden name was Speer. Her mother was of Ilolland descent and one of the descendants of Anneke Jans, who for many years has been contesting the title to the Trinity Church property, New York, which, previous to the conquest of the Hollanders by the English, was her homestead. He has raised and educated, and assisted in raising and educating, several children not his own.

THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH .- Reference to the "Pre-Church" history of Chicago will show that the Methodists were the first in this city to form the nucleus of a Church society, and might without impropricty have been placed first in the list of organized churches, but as their regular and permanent organization was not effected until 1834, the sketches of the churches organ- ized in 1833 precede.

At Rev. Jesse Walker's first quarterly meeting in 1833, held in the Watkins school-house, which was locat- ed on North Water Street, between Clark and LaSalle, Rev. Henry Whitehead received his license to preach, and occasionally preached in the Temple Building. In the spring of 1834 Charles Wisencraft was appointed class-leader. For a time services were held in various places-in Billy Caldwell's log council-house, in Ches- ter Inger-oll's tavern, or in Watkins's school-house; but

as the membership of the Church increased, the neces- sity for a building became more pressing and measures for its erection were soon taken, It was built at the

· Henry Whitehead

corner of North Water and Clark streets, by Henry Whitehead and John Stewart. According to the origi- nal contract it was to be a "frame building twenty-six by thirty-eight feet; twelve-foot posts; sheeted and shingled roof; a neat pulpit; a platform for table and chairs; the whole to be done in a workmanlike manner." for S580. The contract was signed June 30, 1834. The building was finished, and religious services held therein until 1836, Rev. Jesse Walker preached regularly every Sunday most of the remainder of the year 1834, but about the beginning of the winter of 1834-35, he became superannuated and was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Mitchell. On October 4, 1835, Rev. Jesse Walker died at the age of sixty-nine years.

During the winter of 1834-35 a number of conver- sions and accessions to the membership was made. Chi- cago Methodism is largely indebted to the zeal and efficiency of Rev. John T. Mitchell. He gave to the Church a thorough organization and laid the founda- tions of its future stability. He was succeeded in 1836 by Rev. O. T. Curtis. The Church that year was struck off the list of missions, and erected into an independ- ent society. Mr. Curtis was a pious, amiable and quiet man, but not very energetic. In part for this reason the financial crisis that began to be felt that year had a peculiar effect upon the religious zeal of many of the members. At the loss of their wealth, they lost faith in God, and turned their backs on the Church. In ad- dition to this some members lost their integrity, and the fall of others was especially ignominous and sad. Blow after blow fell with quick succession and crushing effect upon the Church and, added to the financial em- barrassments, threatened to overwhelm it with confu- sion and shame. The faithful few were deeply humil- iated. They "gathered around their almost forsaken altars, and humbling themselves before God with tears and agonizing prayers, besought the World's Redeemer for mercy and help." In answer to their prayers, as they believed, the Conference of 1837 sent Rev. Peter R. Borein to them "for a Joshua to lead them out of the wilderness." * * "He came in the fullness of the Gos- pel, burdened with the love of Christ to dying men. He gathered his feeble flock around him and breathed into them something of his own mighty faith, and with them,

at the feet of the Redeemer, cried for help. Salvation was poured as in a mighty torrent upon the people." This effect was not produced, however, at once upon the arrival of Mr. Borein. It was a year afterward that the great revival occurred. So great was the interest awakened at this revival, still vividly remembered by many now living at Chicago, that about three hundred united with the Church ; the young city containing at the time a population of about three thousand. This revival commenced in December, 1838, and lasted till April, 1839. Mr. Borcin died soon after its close. Those who heard it will never forget his last sermon. His subject was the vision of the dying Stephen, and during the delivery of the sermon he pictured for the congregation his own conception of heaven. In the language of Rev. S. K. Beggs, " he believed that in

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HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

the next, as in this world, there were degrees in Christian attainments, and that in the land of glory some would occupy higher positions inan others ; that sometimes his imagination had pictured heaven as a vast amphitheatre, whose seats rose tier above tier, up to the very throne itself ; and when, from the lower seats, the white-robed struck the exultant song of redemption, it was caught up from rank to rank, growing louder and sweeter as it rose, while in unison the angel choir struck their lyres, and from every golden harpstring of saint, angel, cherubim and seraphim, was poured the raptur- ous, jubilant, adoring song and heaven was filled with an atmosphere of melody."

During the summer of 1838, the church was moved

FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

across the river, on scows, from its position on the North Side, to a lot at the corner of Clark and Wash- ington streets, purchased in 1836 by Dr. R. Tripp, for $3,250. The society purchased a portion of this lot, which was eighty by one hundred and eighty feet in size, but never paid for it, as before the payments were completed, eighty by one hundred and thirty feet of it was secured as a donation from the canal company. Subsequently a lot at the corner of Adams Street and Wabash Avenue was donated for a parsonage, by David Carver. The church building after removal was en- larged from time to time to meet the necessities of a continually increasing congregation ; and in 1845, through the influence of Rev. W. M. D. Ryan, a brick building, sixty-six by ninety-five feet, was erected at a cost of $12,000. The corner-stone was laid on the Sth of May, and the dedication occurred in November. This

church stood at the corner of Clark and Washington streets. It had a stone basement eight feet high, and walls thirty feet high. The apex of the spire was one hundred and forty-eight feet from the ground. The auditorium seated one thousand persons.

After the death of Rev. Mr. Borein in 1839, Rev. S. H. Stocking was appointed to the charge. He was succeeded by Rev Hooper Crews, who remained during the years 1840-41. In 1842 Rev. N. P. Cunningham was appointed, and in 1843 Rev. Luke Hitchcock. He was succeeded by Rev. W. M. 1). Ryan, in 1844 ; Rev. Chauncey Hobart, in 1846; Rev. Philo Judson, in 1847; Rev. Richard Haney, in 1848; Rev. Stephen P. Keyes, in 1850; Rev. J. W. Clark, in 1852 ; Rev. Hooper Crews, in 1854, and Rev. James Baume, in 1856.

An incident in connection with early Methodism may be appropriately introduced. It was in 1836 or 1837. There was considerable excitement in the country over the slavery question, and as there were some strongly pro-slavery Kentuckians in the Church, anti-slavery agitation was avoided. If any member in his prayers ventured to "remember those that are in bonds, as bound with them," he was at once branded as an abolitionist, and made very uncom- fortable generally. At the time there was present in Chicago a fugitive from slavery, whose name was William Brown. Having escaped in a box, he was known as William Box Brown. At one of their meet- ings, by prearrangement, William Box Brown delivered an anti-slavery address, much to the surprise, conster- nation and disgust of those not in the plot. Leading Methodists arose to their feet, and made frantic efforts to dismiss the meeting. "They buzzed around like en- raged bumble bees, and finally put out the lights." But Mr. Brown was not to be disturbed. He remained self- possessed and calm, and with telling power put in his words. At length he ceased and peace returned. It is not necessarily to be inferred from this incident that those who tried to keep out anti-slavery discussion were in favor of the continuance of the institution of slavery. Their main desire was to build up Methodism in Chi- cago, and to accomplish this most effectually they thought it necessary to exclude dissensions and pro- mote harmony.

This Church was incorporated November 20. 1835, as the " Methodist Episcopal Church of Chicago." Being located later on Clark Street, it was popularly known as the "Clark-street M. E. Church." On the 14th of February, 1857, an act of the Legislature was approved, changing the name to the "First Methodist Episcopal Church of Chicago."

REV. PETER RUBLE BOREIN was born on Sinking Creek, Washington Co., East Tennessee, November 17, ISog. His father, Greenberry Borein, was of English, and his mother, Mary ( Ruble) Rorein, of German descent. During his childhood and youth he was distinguished for an amiable and affectionate disposition, and for filial obedience. Ilis early education was from necessity very limited. In August, 1828, he attended a camp-meeting, became converted and resolved henceforth to devote his life to the gospel ministry. lle at once entered heartily into the social and religious exercises of the neighborhood, and conducted services in the upper story of his father's house. Previous to his conversion he had given no evidence of the possession of uncommon intellectual pow- ers, but from that time forward, an extraordinary development of mind was noticeable, and he became a very vigorous thinker. In the early part of the year 1530, he emigrated to Illinois and com- menced laboring in a brick yard, devoting to study every moment of leisure he could command. While thus engaged, the attention of Kev. Mr. Kirby, a Congregational minister, was attracted to him, and be was advised by this reverend gentleman to enter Jackson- ville College. Mr. Borein acted upon this suggestion, and con- tinned in connection with this college for some inne, pursuing his studies with great diligence and success, but through the importu-

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History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 90

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340