USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne > Part 2
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He was a fine scholar, a strong, judicious instructor, and a stern, rigid disciplinarian; he most forcibly impressed his ideas and teachings upon the minds of his scholars, and, not infrequently with equal force, upon their bodies.º
Many resented Mr. McJunkin's methods. But one of his pupils, George Brackenridge, wrote at the turn of the century:
Mr. McJunkin was capable of teaching any branch of a col- lege curriculum. A noble man, he was respected and held in fond remembrance by the many who went out from his school fitted to engage in any profession or business. 9
CHURCH DISCIPLINE
The early Presbyterian Church imposed definite religious and social obligations upon its members. Failure to conform not infrequently brought censure and discipline upon the nonconformist.
A case in point involved one of the first two elders of the First Presbyterian Church. In 1838 the Session, which then con- sisted of six elders, considered the charge of intemperance against John McIntosh. His confession of guilt to the Session and his promise to reform saved him from further punishment at that time. Unfortunately, Mr. McIntosh continued in his erring ways; in 1841 the Session felt duty bound to take action. At that trial he was found guilty of the unchristian conduct of visiting tippling houses and being inebriated on a particular Saturday evening. The Session therefore resolved that he be suspended from communion with the Church until he should repent.
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The National Assembly of the Presbyterian Church directed each minister to preach at least once a year on temperance and Sabbath observance. Since many families lived isolated at consid- erable distance from any church, colportage (distribution and sell- ing religious books or tracts) was important in backwoods settle- ments. Some churches maintained Sunday-school libraries. Deep- ly religious people questioned the character of currently popular books and expressed alarm that much reading was done merely for entertainment and not for moral improvement.
A COMMUNITY CHURCH
For several years after the organization of the Church, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists worshiped together; their respective ministers preached on successive Sundays. The limited number of churchgoers could easily worship in one building, which was supported by the membership of the three faiths.
An incident occurred during these early years that attracted no little attention in the press and throughout the town.
Since the Court House had become unsafe due to faulty con- struction, the authorities secured the privilege of holding court in the Presbyterian Church until suitable buildings could be built on the square. One day, when court was in session and a large crowd was present, a rumor gained currency that the steeple of the church was not securely supported and would come crashing down on all below. At this session there came a crash and a roar, and the people rushed to the doors and windows to escape the ruins. One man clasped the Bible in his arms and crawled under a bench. Discovering that the steeple was still in place, the crowd came back to find that the long stove pipe, which stretched from front to back, had fallen."
The Church continued to grow and expand its program. The first step toward organized music was taken in 1839; the elders appointed O. W. Jeffords choirmaster and named B. H. Tower and N. Farrand his assistants. The Session minutes read:
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-
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. . . the people rushed to escape
They are earnestly requested to accept the appointment and hold meetings for improvement in singing at such times and places as will be convenient for the people to attend."
A newspaper item in the spring of 1841 reads:
Fair on Wednesday evening by ladies of the city at the Washington Hall; the proceeds will help furnish the Presbyterian Church.12
In 1842 another notice called all citizens of Allen County to a meeting at the Church to elect delegates to a meeting regarding the dedication of the Canal. This notice was signed by William Rockhill, Joseph B. McMakin, and Samuel Hanna.
This little frame Church saw the organization of the Synod of Northern Indiana within its walls in October, 1843. The Rever- end John Wright of Logansport, who had helped organize the Synod of Ohio twenty-nine years before at Chillicothe, preached the open- ing sermon of the Synod. The Presbytery of Fort Wayne was es- tablished in January, 1845.
INCORPORATION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH
In 1843 the First Presbyterian Church was incorporated under a special act of the Indiana General Assembly. The act was signed by Governor Samuel Bigger. The Act of Incorporation pro- vided that a board of trustees be elected to assume the legal re- sponsibilities of the Church. The first board members named were Samuel Hanna, Allen Hamilton, John E. Hill, John Cochrane, and Dr. Charles E. Sturgis. They were charged with the respon- sibility of guiding financial affairs and administering church prop- erty. The first business of the new trustees was to pay Reverend Alexander T. Rankin for past and present services. Although his salary was only four hundred dollars annually, Mr. Rankin was obliged to accept a portion in credit at Hamilton and Williams.
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First church building, 1837-47
First church building
Reverend Daniel Jones
Reverend Alexander T. Rankin
Second church building, 1847-63
Second church building Dr. Jonathan Edwards
Reverend H. S. Dickson
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Third church building, 1864-82
Third church building
Reverend John M. Lowrie
Reverend Thomas H. Skinner
红教學
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Fourth church building, 1886-1955
1.
110
H/11
.FT
Fourth church building Dr. David W. Moffatt
THE CONTROVERSY WITHIN THE CHURCH
The National Assembly of the Presbyterian Church was at this time divided between "Old School" and "New School" factions, which may be loosely characterized as conservatives and liberals. The Old School party, alarmed at the infiltration of liberal New England theology, opposed the Plan of Union with the Congregation- alists. The Plan of Union (adopted in 1801) permitted Presbyterian and Congregational ministers to serve in churches of either de- nomination; it also provided for co-operation in foreign and home missionary fields. Many New Englanders belonged to the New School party, which approved the Plan of Union. Many "New Schoolers“ advocated a firm abolition position in the slavery con- troversy.
When the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne became vacant in 1844, the New School group thought they saw an opportunity to add the prominent congregation to their cause. Hence, Henry Ward Beecher, one of their most popular and prom- ising clergymen, was persuaded to come to Fort Wayne to win the allegiance of the First Church members. The church officers, anticipating such strategy, persuaded Dr. William C. Anderson, an English professor at Hanover College, to come immediately to fill the pulpit through the emergency.
He arrived in Fort Wayne April 14, 1844, took charge of the church, preached on the same day, and thus became pastor. The following Saturday Mr. Beecher arrived in a bespattered con- dition from Indianapolis. He had ridden horseback through the rich Indiana mud. Hitching his horse, he hurried into the Jesse L. Williams home. Mr. Williams was away, and Beecher an- nounced to Mrs. Williams, "I have just come to divide your church!" 13
A gifted, silver-tongued orator, Henry Ward Beecher had been reared in an intellectual atmosphere amid frequent theologi- cal discussions. Revivals and doctrinal debate afforded him keen delight. (Four of Henry's five brothers became ministers. Two sisters, Catherine, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, were famous members of the clan.)
Anderson and Beecher fought a determined battle for con- trol of the church. Although Beecher preached daily for two weeks
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in the old Court House and visited the homes of church members, he did not persuade a majority. He did win enough proselytes to warrant the later formation of a Second Presbyterian Church (later renamed the Westminister Presbyterian Church). The new group consisted of twelve members; six of these were dismissed from the First Presbyterian Church at their request.
On November 8, 1844, the Second Church group heard a sermon by Dr. Lyman Beecher (father of Henry Ward Beecher and president of Lane Seminary at Cincinnati) and proceeded to organ- ize with three ministers and one elder present. Charles Beecher, a brother of Henry Ward Beecher, was ordained as the minister. This was quite a Beecher occasion. Their New England background, their theological liberalism, and their advanced social views (es- pecially regarding slavery) made them rather unpopular with the Old School branch of the church.
SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE
By 1844 the membership of the First Presbyterian Church had increased from the twelve charter members to one hundred thirty-nine. The original frame building was no longer adequate, and the congregation began plans for a new building.
Samuel Bigger, former governor of Indiana, agreed to serve as chairman of the committee to select the new site. At the close of his term of office in 1844, ex-Governor Bigger moved to Fort Wayne, practiced law, and affiliated with the First Church. (He was a faithful and active member until his untimely death in 1846).
His committee first purchased a lot at the southwest corner of Clinton and Berry streets for six hundred dollars. In 1845 the committee traded this lot for two lots on the southeast corner of the same intersection and paid an additional sum of five hundred fifty dollars.
Samuel Hanna, then president of the Church's Board of Trustees, headed the Building Committee. The trustees instructed this committee to plan a building at least fifty feet wide and eighty feet long; they requested that the basement house the Sabbath school and lecture rooms. Cost was not to exceed seven thousand dollars.
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This estimate proved unduly optimistic, for the site and the com- pleted building actually cost thirteen thousand five hundred dollars.
John Cochrane, building superintendent, followed the wishes of the committee and designed a beautiful Colonial structure with a seating capacity for three hundred twenty worshipers.
The pastor, Reverend H. S. Dickson, laid the cornerstone with prescribed ceremonies in October, 1845. The basement was first used for public worship in 1847. The church proper was completed and solemnly dedicated for divine worship in November, 1852. Reverend Thomas E. Thomas, D.D., President of Hanover College, delivered the sermon at the dedicatory ceremonies.
The old church building was sold in 1846 to the newly or- ganized Evangelical English Lutheran Church for eight hundred dollars. The purchase price included the lot, building, bell, pews, and pulpit, but not the stoves, lamps, and blinds, which the Pres- byterians reserved for their new church. The sales contract pro- vided that half the purchase price might be paid in materials for the new building; the other half in two two-hundred-dollar notes, payable a year apart.
As was the custom of the day among Protestant groups, the Board of Trustees raised the building fund through the sale of church pews to the highest bidders. One-fifth of all pews were reserved for poorer members of the congregation and visitors. Members valued some pews higher than others because of their location. Samuel Hanna, for example, paid three hundred dollars a year for a choice pew. The church authorities deeded another choice pew near Mr. Hanna's to John Cochrane as a gift. Members frequently paid pew costs and assessments in land and materials rather than cash. William G. and George W. Ewing, members of the congregation but not members of the Church, deeded eighty acres of land to the Church (valued at two to two and one-half dol- lars per acre) in payment for a pew. Annual assessments for each member were determined by the value of his pew. The practice continued for many years.
The trustees hired a sexton for the Church in December, 1845. The minutes for the December 12 meeting follow:
Resolved, that Mr. Mershon shall be employed as sexton for the present at one dollar per week. The sexton shall ring the
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bell at all meetings -- twice when there is preaching and once for all other meetings or whenever an alarm of fire is given. It shall be his duty to scrub the church once a quarter and always on the Friday preceding the communion Sabbath; he shall sweep and dust the church every Saturday. It shall be his duty to fill, clean, and light the lamps when necessary, attend the fires, see that the house is comfortable, and furnish wood in the basement ready for burn- ing. He is to be allowed extra for scrubbing the house."
PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL AND ACADEMY
Since the public school system did not come into existence until a number of years later, the First Presbyterian Church, like other churches, conducted academic classes in its basement rooms. Martha Brandriff Hanna, who came to Fort Wayne as a child in 1852, recalled later,
We all, big and little, attended school in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, where the post office now stands (at the southeast corner of Berry and Clinton streets). At play- time, we some times nearly scared the wits out of the new pupils by our prank of playing ghost in the furnace room. We had play- houses in the deep-seated windows, which the pastor and elders benevolently smiled on during the weekly prayer meeting. Occa- sionally a doll would be left in a pew, but it caused no reprimand."
The Presbyterian Academy opened in 1845 in a small build- ing on the north side of Wayne Street between Calhoun and Clinton streets. It was a one-story frame building, with a hall, cloak- room, and two classrooms. The last-mentioned rooms were sep- arated by folding doors, which, on occasion, were thrown open to provide a large assembly room. The classrooms had good desks and were well lighted and ventilated. The illness of the Academy's founder, Mrs. Lydia Sykes, forced its closing after a few years, but Reverend Jonathan Edwards reopened it in August, 1853.
Although sponsored by the Church, the Academy was gov- erned by a board of trustees distinct from that of the Church. The
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first men teachers were Henry McCormick and Jacob W. Lanier, both college graduates. George A. Irvin, a young Kentuckian and a graduate of Hanover College (later first superintendent of the city public schools), who had administered a ladies' seminary at Paris, Kentucky, assumed charge in the late 1850's. He seems to be remembered as a liberal user of the switch and chewing tobac- co. In 1863 Mr. Irvin resigned his post to become a chaplain in the Union army. Some years later the old Presbyterian Academy building was moved to Harmar and East Jefferson streets and re- opened as the Harmar School and thus became part of the public school system. The first Fort Wayne High School later occupied the old site.
THE LADIES AND CHURCH FAIRS
The ladies of the First Presbyterian Church evidently en- joyed holding fairs. On February 22, 1847, one such fair netted five hundred fifty dollars for the church.
Unfortunately, the social affair stirred up a bitter contro- versy in the local newspapers. George Washington Wood, who had served as Fort Wayne's first mayor in 1840-41, was founder and editor of the FORT WAYNE TIMES AND PEOPLE'S PRESS. Shortly after the fair on February 27, Mr. Wood editorialized rather strongly against the practice. He commended the church women for their taste, skill, and industry and then charged them with "forcing money out of the pockets of the people, without the con- sent of their sober and enlightened judgment" and with "selling goods at a much higher rate than would be considered honest for merchants to charge in the regular course or trade." Finally, Mr. Wood accused the ladies of "pious swindling"!
The editorial was a complete reversal of his stand toward church fairs just two months previously. At that time he had warmly commended the First Presbyterian ladies, whose Christ- mas Eve Fair had earned four hundred fifty dollars. He had re- joiced in their success and had thought it worth trying again.
Reverend H. S. Dickson, pastor of the Church, read the editorial with astonishment and hastened to the defense of the fair
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sex. He addressed his gallant defense of the ladies' fair in a letter to the editor of a rival newspaper, the FORT WAYNE WEEKLY SENTINEL. That paper published Mr. Dickson's lengthy reply to the attack of Mr. Wood.
After noting Wood's charges against the ladies, the minis- ter quoted the editor's fulsome praise of a church fair in his Janu- ary 2 issue. The following paragraphs are excerpted from the letter:
It appears then that this guardian of public morals was not awake on the second of January to the evils of fairs. His keen moral sensibilities did not detect anything wrong in them at that period. On the contrary, he was happy to hear that the ladies had succeeded in raising four hundred fifty dollars. He rejoiced at their success and thought it worth trying again!
We presume, however, that this editor's morality is of a very accommodating character and that he can readily become all things at all times. But we confess we did not expect to see, at this enlightened day, and among these intelligent people, such slanderous and abusive charges published against those who are loved and esteemed by all.
The abusive article was altogether uncalled for. The fair was conducted on strictly honest and honorable principles. A committee of ladies marked the articles at their supposed value, and two intelligent and experienced merchants were invited to ex- amine the prices. The latter pronounced them too low -- so low that if the materials had been purchased from the stores, there would remain no adequate compensation for the labor. True, he may differ with them as to the real value of such things, and they, no doubt, would differ with him as to the intrinsic value of his paper.
We doubt the morality of making these unjust charges against the innocent, who, from their position in society, cannot defend themselves; these allegations are not only without proof but are contrary to all the evidence in the case.
This editor is also very anxious about the welfare of the churches. He is afraid that they will lose their Christian charac- ter! Truly, if they had no more character to lose than a certain nameless one, his anxiety would at once be quieted and his fears removed.“
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The acrimonious exchanges between these men in the local papers entertained the community for weeks. Probably personal differences accounted for the bitterness of the attacks. In July, 1847, the pastor accepted a call from a church in another city and tendered his resignation to the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church.
The ladies of the congregation began to seek more influence in church affairs. During the November, 1847, annual meeting, Allen Hamilton made the motion that the ladies be allowed to vote on congregational matters. Samuel Hanna, Smallwood Noel, John Cochrane, and Dr. Henry P. Ayers supported Mr. Hamilton; James H. Robinson opposed him. After lively discussion the resolution was adopted. The First Presbyterian women had the suffrage in their Church seventy-two years before they were granted the same right by the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1919.
CHURCH GROWTH AND PROGRESS, 1850-1880
In 1856 natural gas became available in Fort Wayne, and the congregation installed gas-lighting to replace the oil lamps. During the following year the Church added a belfry costing twelve hundred dollars. Jesse L. Williams secured timber from the old fort for that purpose. An earlier bell which had been purchased in 1848 proved faulty, and the Church purchased another of ap- proximate size from a bellmaker in Troy, New York. A contro- versy over the cost of the new bell dragged on until 1862, when a legal settlement was made.
Prominent citizens frequently made public addresses at the church under Presbyterian auspices. Speakers included Samuel Hanna, Hugh McCulloch, and Jesse L. Williams. In 1860 the last mentioned leader delivered an address on the history of early churches of Fort Wayne.
Steady increase in church membership necessitated a larg- er building. On July 27, 1863, the congregation held a special meeting and adopted resolutions to enlarge and modernize the church by adding a new wing. Samuel Hanna again served as chair-
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man of the Building Committee, which accepted a bid of sixty-three hundred dollars for the work from John Cochrane.
When completed, the building was called the third edifice, although, strictly speaking, it was an enlargement and complete renovation of the second.
The sale of pews to the highest bidders raised the building fund. The number of pews increased from three hundred twenty to six hundred forty. After considerable discussion, it was decided that current pew assignments be returned to the Church in exchange for stock which would then be used to acquire new pews. Some friction and confusion developed. The trustees' records note:
Amicable arrangements have been made by the parties in- terested. The trustees now agree that Pew No. 90 shall belong to Willis Hanna instead of the one sold him at the public sale. No. 93 and No. 94 shall belong to Pliny Hoagland. No. 96 shall belong to A. P. Edgerton, since he paid a premium of one hundred sixty dollars. No. 97 and No. 101 now belong to John E. Hill; he is re- leased from the premium bid on No. 96. No. 98 and No. 99 shall belong to Samuel Hanna. No. 100 is assigned to the pastor's fam- ily. Other sales and assignments of these pews are hereby made void.17
The ladies formally organized the Missionary Society in 1871. Through this agency, they raised money and supplies for the missions and for the Church. In many instances, missionaries and their families who endured great hardships were relieved through the unobtrusive aid of these ladies.
In 1871 the First Presbyterian Church installed a new pipe organ at a cost of thirty-five hundred dollars, raised by private subscription among the members. A local newspaper comments on the new organ:
It has long been a matter of astonishment to the public that the First Presbyterian Church did not pay more attention to its musical affairs. The sentiment of the congregation has long de- manded the use of an organ in the musical services of the Church, and this sentiment took practical shape last spring in the move- ment which led to the purchase of the magnificent organ, which
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was yesterday used for the first time in sounding praise to Al- mighty God.
The choir was under the direction of Professor Hodgdon, who sings bass. Miss Jennie Snively sang soprano, Miss Clara Goodwin, contralto, and Amelias J. Lang, baritone. The organist, Professor Charles Meyers, did not attempt to bring out the full power of the instrument. Its rich tones, combined with the pow- erful union of voices, produced an inspiring effect. All expressed themselves as delighted with the tone and compass of the instru- ment, although some were disappointed at not hearing its full ca- pacity.18
Organized in 1878, the Haydn Quartette was invited to as- sume the duties of the choir in January, 1889. So successful was its efforts that the members served in the choir for almost a quar- ter of a century.
This quartette consisted of Edward F. Yarnelle, tenor, Charles L. Olds, second tenor, Charles H. Worden, baritone, and Amelias J. Lang, bass. Messrs. Olds and Worden were blenders, although they carried solo parts when necessary. Most of the solo work was done by Mr. Yarnelle with his clear, golden tenor and by Mr. Lang with his deep, booming bass.
Mr. Yarnelle made an outstanding contribution to the Church with his music. He had a voice that, without question, could have provided a musical career had he desired it. He sang with great feeling, expression, and beautiful tone. For probably twenty or thirty years, he led the music in the Sunday school.
Mr. Lang was not over five feet tall. There was always a box for him to stand on in the choir loft to bring him up within reach of the others. He had a voice that sounded as if it ought to have a body three times his size. A powerful, very low, true bass, he never had to reach for the lower notes. The voices of these men blended extremely well, and the old-timers all remember them with much pleasure. These were all men of affairs, but they found time to sing on hundreds of occasions outside the Church. Concerts, weddings, funerals, and many other occasions brought them out."
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THE FIRE OF 1882
On December 16, 1882, fire completely destroyed the First Presbyterian Church. Let excerpts from the rather flamboyant account in the SENTINEL tell the tale:
On Saturday evening, the First Presbyterian Church, one of Fort Wayne's landmarks, burned. The fire was first discovered about half-past six by the janitor, William Shoemaker, who came to look after the fires in the three large furnaces. He had built the fires about half-past four to heat the Church for Sunday services. Shoemaker saw a bright light shining through the Clinton Street windows. Entering, he made the appalling discovery that a con- flagration was raging within the sacred walls. He hastened to the enginehouse and notified Chief Henry Hilbrecht.
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