USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 45
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GERMAN METHODIST.
Merged into the Methodist Episcopal.
AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH.
A large and thrifty congregation, have a commodious brick house of worship, built several years ago. Rev. R. W. T. James, pastor.
ISRAELITISH CHURCH.
For several years past, the Israelites of Henderson have held services either in some hall employed for that purpose, or at the residence of some member of the congregation. In the observance of holy days, they are more punctilious than any of the Christian denominations.
In pursuance to a call of the ladies of the church, a meeting was held on the fourth day of May; 1884, at the residence of Mrs. M Oberdorfer for the purpose of organizing a permanent Society to further encourage all good and noble objects of humanity, but more especially all worthy objects appertaining to their sacred and holy religion. To raise the necessary funds for the purpose of purchasing a lot within the limits of the city, whereon to erect a house to be used for the religious instruction of the Israelitish children of the city, and also for the religious worship on Holy days or other times when deemed proper, was another desired end. A subscription list was circulated and the following amounts given :
M. Bauldauf, $105; Isaac Mann, $50; Abraham Mann, $50 ; Peter Geibel, $25; M. Heilbronner, $25; H. Laucheim, $25; H. Schlesinger, $25; Mrs. B. Leiber, $25; S. Wertheimer, $25; Louis
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Oberdorfer, $25; R. Goldstein, $25; M. Levi, $25; Mrs. L. Schles. inger, $20; E. and G. Starr, $20; M. Metz, $10 ; E. M. Pollack, $10; Dr. Nathan Oberdorfer, $10 ; Mrs. H. Oberdorfer, $10; George Metz, $5; Nathan Oberdorfer, $5; Jos. Metz, $5; M. Wiener, $5.
Since that time, indeed, within the last two years, the Israelites have purchased a lot for church purposes in the city, and a beautiful cemetery site on the Henderson and Owensboro road, two and a half miles out of the city.
FOURTH STREET COLORED BAPTIST.
The history of this church is brief ; never the less, it goes to show how much can be accomplished by energy, earnest work, and united purposes.
The church was organized February 15th, 1877, by Elder R. D. Peay, pastor of the White Baptist, assisted by Judge P. H. Lockett. It had a membership at that time of forty-four members, and now numbers three hundred and twenty-five affiliating members.
On February 15th, 1877, the same day of organization Elder Lewis Norris was called to the pastorate and accepted the charge Just here it may be well to go further back in the life of this congre- gation. Originally, there was but one Colored Baptist Church-the First Baptist. In 1867, Elder Norris was called from Bardstown, Kentucky, to take charge of the First Baptist Congregation. He ac- cepted the same year, coming to Henderson and entering upon the duties of the charge. For ten years, he labored with this congrega- tion, and during the time purchased the lot on the corner of Elm and Washington Streets, and, commenced raising money for the purpose of building the two story brick, now standing as a monument to the liberality and industry of the colored people. He procured the plan and had raised over eight hundred dollars for building purposes, when some dissatisfaction arose in the congregation, and he resigned charge of the church He was then called to Bowling Green, but at the in- stance of several whites, declined the call, and remained in Hender- son. About this time forty-four members of the First Baptist se- cured letters of withdrawal, and immediately rented the Old Cumber- land Presbyterian church building, on Fourth Street, and organized what is now known as the Fourth Street Church. Elder Norris was called to this charge, and accepted. He immediately applied his whole time and energies to building up the new church, first buying from Mr. Joseph Adams a lot on the corner of First and Adams Street.
476
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
The Deacons of the church, Ephraim Marshall, Randall Bibbs, George Towles, Stephen Swope, Elias Cabell, Smith Posey and Thomas Payne, gave him every assistance, and worked with him in harmony and gen- eral good will. This and the continued unceasing and untiring labors of the pastor, deacons and members had the effect to very materially increase the membership of the church, and the prospect of soon building for themselves a temple they could call their own, subscrib- ing liberally themselves, and being materially aided by their white friends. Elder Norris and his deacons soon found themselves in a condition-financially as they thought, to undertake the building pro- posed. In 1879, the house was built and roofed in, and was occu- pied by the congregation in 1880. The church is a large brick with a towering cupalo, and a deep toned bell to correspond. The congre- gation have never had but one pastor. They have had many ups and downs, and are yet finacially embarassed, but hope by the blessings of a kind providence, to extricate themselves from all entanglements during this and the coming year.
Note-On the the third Sunday of September, 1884, the hand- some and imposing church edifice above referred to was burned about eleven o'clock in the morning, and the congregation turned out into the street.
Since the burning of the church, to-wit : on the eighteenth day of June, 1887, Elder Norris died and his congregation scattered to the four winds.
THE AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The African Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, in Henderson, Hen- derson County, State of Kentucky, began in log cabins, corn, and to- bacco fields ; the members assembled in barns, and under shade trees, to worship The Almighty Father. In 1840, they were admitted and re- ceived to membership in the " White Baptist Church," and baptised by Rev. H. B. Wiggin, and there provisions were made for them un- til 1845 ; then a committee of five white brethren was appointed to or- ganize an "African Baptist Church." Seventy members of colored, with white brethren and pastor met in the basement story of the pres- ent Baptist Church on the eighth of June, 1845. Rev. G. Matthews preached a sermon from Rev. 3, Ch. 8 vs. “ Behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." He explained the com- mission given the church, and the nature of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. At the close, Rev. Franklin, of the committee suggested Rev. F. Cunningham moderator, and W. H. Cunningham clerk. The ar-
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
ticles of Faith and Rules of Decorum were read and explained, the congregation accepted, and agreed to live in accordance with the teachings of the word of God. James Towles and Henry Alves, were chosen deacons, F. Cunningham, moderator, announced to them that you are now an African Baptist Church, to work by the directions of the committee.
Rev. George Matthews, pastor of the White Baptist Church, rose and offered an appropriate prayer to the Almighty God, that he would ratify in Heaven what was done on earth to his Honor and Glory, and then the hand of recognition was extended by the committee.
Rev. Willis Walker, who was a slave, was chosen pastor, and was afterward bought from his owner by the colored church at a cost of five hundred and twenty dollars. Rev. Walker preached as a Free- will Baptist for many years preceding his connection with Missionary Baptist, his labors being crowned with great success.
In October, 1846, the church held a protracted meeting, which resulted in the conversion of fifty persons. In 1849, The Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people and a number of seventy were obedi- ent to the Faith of Jesus Christ.
In 1852 Rev. Walker was joined by Rev. M. Taylor and Major Towles, and when the associational report of 1857 was made up, it was found that " The African Baptist Church " had increased to three hundred and seventy members, the entire membership of Henderson County being centered in this church.
Rev. Walker's last work, he had prayed to his Heavenly Father to permit him to be found at his post when death comes, so he was in the water and was baptising when the angel of death said unto him, " well done, good and faithful servant," and after a period of twenty- four years labor, he returned to his Father's embrace, and many sad hearts mourned the loss. The church finding herself without a pastor, invited Rev. Henry Green, of Danville, Kentucky, to visit here, and he came and pastored three years.
Charles Jenkins was licensed in 1860. In the spring of 1865, Rev. Washington Stander, was called and served two years. On the nineteenth day of August, 1866, thirty-three members were dismissed by letter to constitute the Race Creek Baptist Church, six miles north of the city.
For twenty-one years, the congregation had been worshiping in the basement story of the White Baptist. The great war between the North and South had just closed, and the colored people were .
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
thrown upon their own resources, with not a dollar to sustain them- selves, and the church finding itself without a house in which to wor- ship God. Suspicion ran high, prejudice and passions were the topics of the day, the thoughts of a dark prospect seem to chill the blood in every vein, but remembering the text of Rev. Matthews, " Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it," a reg- ular meeting for business was held on the twenty-third day of January, 1866, and after much discussion, a committee was appointed consist- ing of Thomas Gains, Sr., Peter Harris, John Mackey, Henry Smith and Charles Livers, with instructions to secure a place for worship.
At a business meeting February 1st, 1866, the Committee re- ported success, then the following brethren were chosen Trustees, Charles Livers, Thomas Gains, Sr., and John Mackey, and on the eighth day of February, 1866, entered into contract with E. W. Wor- sham for the old Methodist Church, corner of Elm and Washington Streets, with a seating capacity of more than four hundred persons, for a consideration of $3,030.
The first Lord's day in June, 1866, the congregation was asked to remain after preaching for the purpose of organizing a Sabbath School, after explanation given by G. H. Grant, Charles Livers. Paris McBride and others, it was agreed to proceed to the organization of a Sabbath School, and on motion G. H. Grant was chosen Superinten- dent, Paris McBride, assistant Superintendent ; Charles Livers, Secre- tary ; and George King, Treasurer.
In 1867, the church being without a pastor, G. H. Grant was chosen to supply the pulpit.
On the twenty-third day of October, 1867, Rev. Lewis Norris was called to take pastoral charge of the church, and he served eight years. During his administration, several new churches were organ- ized, and several preachers ordained to the work of the Gospel Minis- istry. In September, 1867, M. Taylor was ordained to the ministry ; in 1870, on the ninth day of October, G. H. Grant was ordained ; in 1871, March 10th, five members were dissmissed to constitute St. Paul's Baptist Church, in Corydon, twelve miles southwest of the city ; April 6th. eighteen members were dismissed to constitute the St. John Baptist Church, nine miles west of the city ; November 4th, nine mem- bers were dismissed to constitute the New Hope Baptist Church, seven miles south of the city ; in 1871, May 1st, thirteen members were dismised to constitute the Walnut Hill Baptist Church, five miles
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
southeast of the city ; in 1872, Joseph Bell and Primus Burris, were ordained to the ministry.
In 1871, Rev. Lewis Norris baptised one hundred and eighty persons, who were added to the church, and it was ascertained that the seating capacity of the house would not accommodate the congre- gation, and so $1200 were expended in building an addition, which seated seven or eight hundred persons.
In November, 1876, Elder G. H. Grant was chosen to take pastoral charge of the church. Finding it, and the Sabbath School, retrograding from its previous high standing, the church greatly con- fused, and Sabbath School numbering from ten to fifteen pupils, it was with reluctance he entered upon the work. The first official act of the church under Elder Grant's administration was the granting of forty-three members letters of dismission, on the ninth day of Febru- ary, 1877, to constitute the Fourth Street Baptist Church, in this city, giving them $250.
The members having agreed to erect a brick edifice to the honor of God's name, the officers suggested a plan to raise the money, which was heartily endorsed by all the members, and they raised from $60 to $100 per week. The Sabbath School increased to two hun- dred and thirty scholars. A resolution to purchase an organ was highly approved, and J. K. Mason was appointed to select the organ. A committee of ladies were appointed to solicit means for that pur- pose. In a few days the amount needed (one hundred and twenty- five dollars) was in hand. Peace and tranquility prevailed in all the departments of the church.
Rev. C. R. Ware was called to the pastoral charge, January 1st, 1879. He found the church in a fine working condition, both spirit- ually and temporally.
In the spring of 1879, the old frame building was removed from the lot, then the foundation for the new building was laid at once. The building committee were brethren of honesty, wisdom and energy. They were as follows: Junius Sneed, Thomas Gaines, Sr., Henry Glass, Peter Harris, Erasmus McCormick, J. A. Carr, J. E. McBride, B. R. Hughes, Winston Harris, Michael Brown, John K. Mason, and W. F. Gaines, Secretary. The dimensions of the new building is 45x75, two stories high, the upper story eighteen feet, basement eight feet. The corner stone of the new building was laid on the fourth of July, 1879. The contractors were three or four months building the house, and during that time the congregation was occupying the
·
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Benevolent Aid Society's Lodge room in Woodruff Hall. On the fifteenth day of September, 1879, the congregation removed to their new house of worship, which was so far completed at a cost of $4,900. Rev. P. H. Kennedy was called and entered upon pastoral duty, Jan- uary 1st, 1881. He found the congregation worshipping in the base- ment story of the building, the second story to be plastered, windows to be put in, and to be furnished with seats and pulpit. The people, yet led by a working spirit to complete their edifice, responded to every call until it was finished, at a cost of about $7,050. The fol- lowing persons are filling the office of deacons : J. E. McBride, H. Glass, J. Sneed, Thomas Gaines, Sr., Peter Harris, R. McCormick and J. A. Carr.
HENDERSON COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY,
Was recognized as an auxilliary of the American Bible Society, in February, 1831. Its first officers were Captain Daniel McBride, President ; Levi Jones, Corresponding Secretary, and Wyatt H. In- gram, Treasurer.
From February, 1831 to March 1883, the time this was written, the American Bible Society had received from the Henderson County Society, on purchase account, $4,331.09, and as donations for the general work, $220. Dr. Pinckney Thompson has been annually elected for fifteen years President of the Henderson County Society. The present officers are Pinckney Thompson, President ; William S. Johnson, Secretary; O. W. Rash, Treasurer; Revs. R. W. Barnwell, St. Pauls, D. O. Davies, First Presbyterian, Angus McDonald, Second Presbyterian, E. W. Bottomly, Methodist, William B. Taylor, Christian, Vice Presidents; Members of the Board, L. C. Dallam, James L. Lambert, Edward Atkinson, William Elliot, J. D. Robards.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
MASONIC.
BY CAMPBELL H. JOHNSON.
On the nineteenth day of September, Anno Lucis 5,804, Anno Domini 1804, a charter was granted, appointing Innis G. Brent, Mas- ter ; John Posey, Senior Warden, and Nathan Anderson, Junior War- den, together with all such other brethren as were then living in Hen- derson, a just, true, regular and · warranted Lodge of Free and Ac- cepted Masons, by the name, title and designation of "Jerusalem Lodge No. 9." All of the rights and powers incident to charters of this kind were conferred. The charter itself is too lengthy for inser- tion, but there are hundreds of glorious memories clustering around its faded face. This ancient document, which once graced the walls of a primitive log cabin, has passed through so many various changes it has become, in fact, a precious heritage, dear, indeed, to the Lodge. It now adorns the frescoed walls of the present handsome temple, the observed and most respected of all the gilded ornaments or re- minders of Masonic ties surrounding it. This charter was signed by George M. Bibb, Grand Master, and attested by Daniel Bradford, Grand Secretary, and was issued from Lexington.
On the ninth day of October Grand Master Bibb authorized and commanded the Worshipful Daniel Bradford and Jonathan Taylor, or either of them, together with such other true and past masters as could be assembled, to install the officers named in the charter issued for Jerusalem Lodge No. 9, to be holden at Hendersonville, as he called it. The wording of this charter is so peculiar to itself, and differs so much from those now issued to the Lodges from the Grand Lodge, that Past Grand Master Rob Morris, in his history of Free Masonry in Kentucky, published in 1859, refers to it as follows :
31
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY,
" The form of charter in use in Kentucky at this period (1800 to 1809), will be seen in the literal copy of that still used by Jerusalem Lodge No. 9. at Henderson, Kentucky. The original charter of Lexington Lodge No. 1 was destroyed by fire. that of Paris No 2 surrendered in 1802, that of George- town No 3 forfeited in 1804, that of Washington No. 6 forfeited in 1806, that of Harmony No. 7, at Natchez, Mississippi, forfeited in 1814."
Consequently, Jerusalem No. 9 is the fifth oldest Lodge on the rolls of the Grand Lodge, and its charter is likely the only original one in existence that is perfectly legible. In pursuance with the charter and proxy, a meeting was held on October 24th, A. L. 5,804, A. D. 1804. There were present, Innis B. Brent, Master Lexington Lodge No. 1; John Posey, Senior Warden Hiram Lodge No 4; Na- than D. Anderson, Junior Warden of Abram Lodge No. 8; James Wardlow, visiting brother from Solomon Lodge No. 5, Tyler pro tem .; Joseph Ficklin, visiting brother from Solomon Lodge No. 5; James Murray, visiting brother from Abrams Lodge No. 8; Hutchins G. Barton, visiting brother from Hiram Lodge No. 24, North Carolina. Worshipful Daniel Bradford, holding the before mentioned proxy from the Grand Master, rode on horseback from Lexington to Hen- derson, to carry out the order of the Grand Master. On the day above mentioned, he met the aforenamed officers mentioned in the charter, he proceeded to open a Lodge and install, and agreeably to ancient form installed them, and they were severally saluted as such. William Featherston was thereupon appointed Secretary and Philip Barbour Treasurer, who were respectively installed. It was then di- rected by the meeting that the charter of Jerusalem Lodge, and the dispensation under which Daniel Bradford installed the officers, be recorded at full length in the record book. Thereupon, a petition was received, signed Ambrose Barbour, praying to be initiated into the mysteries of Masonry. A ballot was taken and resulted in Mr. Barbour's election, and he was then and thereupon initiated accord- ing to ancient form. It was then ordered that Philip Barbour, John Posey, Nathan D. Anderson, Innis B. Brent and William Feather- ston -- any three of whom to act-be appointed a committee to draft By-Laws for the government of the Lodge. The Lodge was then adjourned. Signed, Innis B. Brent, Master, attested by William Featherston, Secretary.
It will be noticed that great changes have taken place in the con- duct of Masonic Lodges in the past seventy-five or eighty years-for instance, it was a custom then to elect officers twice a year ; now, only once. They not infrequently received a petition, referred it, had it reported, balloted for the candidate, and conferred, in some instances,
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
all three degrees at one meeting, with the simple statement, as the minutes in parenthesis, (He being generally known), (He living at a distance and not able to attend Lodge regularly, etc., etc.). Such things are now unknown and unthought of. Then, in those days, the business of the Lodge was done in the first degree. Entered appren- tice Masons enjoyed all of the privileges of Masonry. Now it is not so, only Master Masons enjoy the rights of voting for officers and other privileges of members. Only Master Masons are entitled to Masonic burial and Masonic charity as a right. We give a form of petition in 1804, which differs largely from those now used :
"To the Master. Wardens and Brethren of Jerusalem Lodge No. 9:
" The petition of Adam Rankin humbly showeth that your petitioner, be- ing desirous of obtaining part of the rights, lights and benefits of Free Ma- sonry, prays to be initiated into your Honorable Society. and, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
" November 3d, 1804 ADAM RANKIN."
As before stated, petitions were received, balloted for, reported on, and all three of the degrees conferred on one and the same even- ing. In fact, it is known where five degrees were conferred on one evening, and the Lodge adjourned at nine o'clock. That was as- suredly quick work as compared with the present ritual.
I here give a literal copy of several bills presented to the Lodge :
1804. JERUSALEM LODGE, NO. 9. To Joseph Fuquay, Dr.
December 27.
To 53 suppers @ 27 £ 5 60
" 15 dinners @ 16. I 2 6
" 9 lbs. Loaf Sugar @ 6 2 .4 0
12 qts. French Brandy @ 12 1 2 0
" 2 qts. Whiskey @ 2/3 . o 4 6
" 4 Nut Megs @ 2/3
90
Here is another of the same kind :
JUNE 28th, 1806.
Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9.
To Joseph Reed, Dr.
£o 50
" Paper
o
0
00
May 5. " Candles
0 12 12
O
2 5
April 12
quart Whiskey
o
2 5
June 24
pint Whiskey, at Fuquay's.
0 2 5
16 Tyling four stated Lodge nights 4 00
£5 70 1/2
July 3. .. Candles
To pint French Brandy
0
12 12
quart Whiskey
0 12 1/2
·· Candles ..
£16 80
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
And this :
DECEMBER 27, 18II.
Jerusalem Lodge, No 9. To C. Brent, Dr.
27th December, To 12 Bowles Toddy @ 46 each. $1 50
" Dinners of Masons 36 6 00
$7 50
DECEMBER 30, 1812.
Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9 .. To C. Brent, Dr.
December To Supper and Refreshments for 23 Masons $II 50
" Dinner " 66 66 20 12 50
" 4 Bowles Toddy 4 00
$28 00
Another bill to John Spidel for dinners, whiskey and toddies, and one to Wm. Sandefur for playing the fiddle, with a number of others of similar character, go to make up the debit side of the Treasurer's account from 1804 to 1820.
I find, however, that in late years, the brethren became more fastidious. Brandy and wine became too common and strong, at least, so I judge from the following account :
FEBRUARY, 1844.
Masonic Lodge. In acc't with Robt. Clark,
February 27th Candles, 3, (April 17th, ditto, 2 $1 00
April 22d. Ditto 3, 10 Bucket 2/3 . 97
January 17th, I Ib Candles, 3, (21st) 1 lb ditto 2. 1 00
24th, I box Claret Wine, 234 2 75
$5'72
While looking over musty rolls of accounts, I find one that is worthy of mention by way of contrast with similar ones of the present times. Our delegate to the Grand Lodge meetings now has a swift ride of a few hours by rail or a more pleasant ride of two days by boat at a trifling cost. His entire expense for actual travel and hotel bill is about $20. However, he receives from the Grand Lodge from $30 to $36.
In 1805, Dr. Adam Rankin went overland from Henderson to Lexington, on horseback, entailing much fatigue and at a loss of many days from his business and home. We find the bill for his ex- penses, dated September 4th, 1805, $37.50, the actual outlay for meals for himself and horse on the way and while in Lexington. Now our delegates fight against any reduction of their mileage and per diem, while they receive nearly double the actual outlay, to ,say nothing of the pleasure of travel as compared with eighty years ago.
485
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Another paper falls under my eyes, which more closely links the past with the present. Quite a number of our membership call vividly to mind the stately form of Colonel Edmund Hopkins, and a goodły number have sat in lodge with him. His petition, written in his own hand, is among the much prized papers of our Lodge. It reads :
HENDERSON, December 26th, 1820.
" To the worshipful. the Grand Master, Wardens and Brethren of Jerusalem Lodge, No.9, Kentucky:
"Your petitioner requests that he may become a member of your honor- able body if he is found worthy; his age is twenty-one years.
"Yours Respectfully, "EDMUND H. HOPKINS."
The plain blunt manner, characteristic of Brother Hopkins, shows itself in his petition, while it also shows he was unacquainted at the time with the proper title for the officers. In speaking of Brother Hopkins, I was reminded of a story which was quite frequently told when I was first made a Mason. In a controversy with another as to the particular verbage of part of the work, and of our past masters, af- ter some excited efforts to convince his opponent that he was right, he at length said "Well, I know I am right. I got it from Sol. Size- more, he got it from Colonel Hopkins and Colonel Hopkins got it from King Solomon." This was a clincher and the discussion at once ended.
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