History of Baltimore, Maryland, from its founding as a town to the current year, 1729-1898, including its early settlement and development; a description of its historic and interesting localities; political, military, civil, and religious statistcs; biographies of representative citizens, etc., etc, Part 45

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1344

USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Baltimore City > History of Baltimore, Maryland, from its founding as a town to the current year, 1729-1898, including its early settlement and development; a description of its historic and interesting localities; political, military, civil, and religious statistcs; biographies of representative citizens, etc., etc > Part 45

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).

CAROLINE STREET M. E. CHURCH.

This church has had a long and interest- ing history. Its beginning dates back to 1771, when the Rev. Francis Asbury preached his first sermon at Fell's Point. In 1774 Stawberry Alley Meeting House was erected, and for twenty-seven years continued to be the only Methodist Church in the eastern section of Baltimore. In 1816 the Wilkes Street Methodist Church was built. During the years 1817-1818 a great revival occurred under the ministry of the Rev. John Davis, and more than 600 persons were added to the church. A new edifice was hence necessary. In February, 1818, the present lot was purchased on

tobal 132k

J.K. Taylor

375

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Caroline street, and a committee consisting of Frederick Shaffer, Levin Hall and George Hall, was appointed to erect a new church. Subscriptions were made by 459 persons and the edifice was at once erected at a cost of $13,720. It was dedicated July 19, 1819. Until 1824 it continued a part of the Fell's Point Station, but its name was then changed to East Baltimore Station. In 1844 it became a separate station and was incorporated as the Caroline Street M. E. Church. In 1856 the large Sunday-school building at the rear of the church was erect- ed. In 1866 (the centennial year of Method- ism), the Lambdin Chapel, named in honor of Mr. Edward S. Lambdin, was erected. This church has been notable for its nu- merous revivals, and also for its simplicity of worship. The present membership is 486 and the Sunday-school numbers 453. The congregation also owns a parsonage, and its entire property is valued at $35,000. The Rev. William G. Herbert is the pastor.

SEAMEN'S UNION BETHEL.

The first work to be organized for the benefit of seamen was in 1823. The first chaplain was the Rev. Stephen Williams, who served from 1823 to 1826. The first service was held in a sail-loft on Pratt street. Next they were held in a room be- longing to Capt. Frazier, at Fell's Point. The work proved so successful that a church was erected in 1826 in Philpot street (now Block), near the bridge. The present edifice was erected in 1844, and dedicated February 23, 1845. Its work is exclusively among the seamen. A very helpful organ- ization is connected with the Bethel known as the "Society for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of Seamen." It is under a

board of managers, which is undenomina- tional, though the majority are Methodists. The present chaplain is Rev. G. W. Heyde, who has served for many years.

ASBURY M. E. CHURCH (Colored.)

This congregation has possessed two churches, both on the same site. The first was erected in 1824 on a lot purchased at the corner of East and Douglas streets. The second was erected in 1867. The con- gregation is active and growing, number- ing 685 communicants. It is connected with the Washington Conference.

WEST BALTIMORE STATION M. E. CHURCH.

This church is also called the Whatcoat Church, and was named after Richard Whatcoat, who came to Baltimore from England with Doctor Coke, and assisted at the ordination of Mr. Asbury in 1784. He was a most active and successful minister, and his name has thus lovingly been per- petuated in Baltimore Methodism.

This congregation was organized in 1833. For its first house of worship it erected a chapel on north Fremont street, near Penn- sylvania avenue. In 1870 a change of site was made to the corner of Stricker and Presstman streets, and on May 14, 1871 the new church was dedicated by Bishop Ames. The congregation is to-day very large and vigorous. It recently established a mission at Fearville.

WESLEY CHAPEL.

This important chapel was originally a part of the Baltimore City Station, of which the Light Street Church was the head. The first church building was on the corner of Sharp and Montgomery streets. In 1833 a new edifice was built on the corner of

376

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Sharp and Barre streets, and the old build- ing was given to a colored congregation. In 1840 the General Conference was held in the new edifice. This chapel remained attached to the City Station until 1860, when it became an independent station. In 1870 Wesley Chapel was rebuilt and great- ly improved. This congregation has been one of the most active in the city, out of which have sprung several missions that have developed into independent congre- gations. It has also sent numerous young men into the ministry. For a long time it numbered among its members many of the most prominent Methodist families in Bal- timore; but of late years these have removed to other parts of the city, so that the church is now struggling with down-town prob- lems, and although still strong is not as prominent as it formerly was.

FAYETTE STREET M. E. CHURCH.

In 1834 a new Methodist congregation was organized in the western portion of the city, and erected its edifice on Fayette street, near Fremont. Here its house of worship was dedicated in October of that year. It has gradually grown into one of the strongest congregations in the city, hav- ing the large membership of 736, and being greatly given to good works. Its Sunday- school numbers from 700 to 800 scholars. The present pastor is the Rev. C. H. Richardson, D. D.

SOUTH BALTIMORE M. E. CHURCH.

This church formerly bore the name of the William Street M. E. Church. In 1834 a new Methodist congregation purchased a church edifice then standing on the corner of William and Little Church streets. This building was occupied by the congregation

until 1851, when a new edifice was erected on the same site. It remains unaltered to the present day, and is the religious home of a very strong and aggressive people. The Sunday-school also is large. This church is notable for its old-time zeal and its loy- alty to primitive Methodism. Membership 600. .

MONUMENT STREET M. E. CHURCH.

This large brick edifice was erected in 1834 on Monument and Sterling streets. It is in the eastern section of the city and has always done a good work. Many promi- nent families have been connected with it, but latterly the population has so greatly changed as to seriously cripple its prosper- ity. Many stirring scenes in the history of the Methodist Church have been enacted within its walls. The membership is not as large as it formerly was, owing to the con- tinued exodus of its members to other parts of the city.

ORCHARD STREET M. E. CHURCH (Colored.)

This congregation has an interesting history. As long ago as 1825 a zealous and godly colored layman, named Trueman Pratt, began to hold religious meetings for colored people. At first they were held at different places but afterwards he conducted them in his own house on Biddle street, near Ross. After ten years a church was erected on the corner of Orchard street and Elder alley, and a congregation fully organized. Trueman Pratt continued to be a class leader until 1868, and after that served as a trustee until 1877, when he died at the age of 102. In 1853 the present edi- fice was erected in Orchard street near Ross. It was dedicated Dec. 4th. The first pas-

377

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

tor was the Rev. Jacob Gruber. The con- gregation has grown to a membership of 1,700. It is under the very efficient and successful administration of the Rev. A. M. Carroll.

COLUMBIA AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.

This congregation has possessed two edi- fices on the same site. The first was erected in 1840, soon after the organization of the congregation. The second, which is still in use, was dedicated by Bishop Waugh on Feb. II, 1844. This church is now far down town and is struggling against fre- quent removals. It has recently inaugu- rated special services, the use of gospel wagons, etc., and has awakened new life and growth. All this is largely due to the zeal of the present pastor, the Rev. C. E. Guthrie. The membership is 243.

FRANKLIN STREET M. E. CHURCH.

A new congregation was organized in the western part of the city on Franklin street and erected a chapel for its place of worship on that street near Fremont. It was dedi- cated Nov. 14, 1841. Ten years later this lot and building were sold to the Public School Commissioners, and a new lot was purchased on the corner of Franklin and Poppleton streets. Here a church was erected. The basement was dedicated Aug. 18, 1851, but the whole edifice was not dedi- cated until June 18, 1854. The congrega- tion has known a steady growth and is now in a fair condition. The membership is 304.

HARFORD AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.

The origin of this church was a Sunday- school, which grew so rapidly that in 1843 a chapel was erected at the corner of Har- ford avenue and Biddle street. This was

occupied for eighteen years, when in 1851, January 5th, the present church was dedi- cated. It is in a strong condition and is doing a good work in a populous com- munity. Membership, 314.

EMORY M. E. CHURCH.

A desirable lot for church purposes was presented by Mr. John Zimmerman on Pennsylvania avenue near Hoffman street. On this a church was erected in 1844-45 for a new congregation, which took the name of Emory, in honor of Bishop Emory. This congregation has had a struggling exist- ence for several years, and is now in a feeble condition. The membership is 166.

STRAWBRIDGE M. E. CHURCH.

The honored name of the first Methodist who came to Maryland has been perpetu- ated by one of the strongest congregations of Methodists in the city. The Strawbridge Church is the outcome of a successful effort to organize a Sunday-school about 1837 by Wm. H. Mittan, Capt. John G. Barry and Edward S. Frey. A few scholars were as- sembled in a school house on Howard street, near the present Richmond mar- ket. The growth was so rapid that a place of worship was erected on North Howard street, nearly opposite the school-room first occupied. In 1843, during the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Mer- cer, a new church was erected at the corner of Biddle and Garden (now Linden avenue) streets. Until 1881 this continued to be the religious home of the congrega- tion. In that year the Rev. J. F. Goucher, D. D., became pastor and under his leader- ship the present lot at the southwest corner of Park avenue and Wilson street was se- cured as a gift from Mr. Wm. Mittam, and

378

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

the church edifice and chapel begun. The old church was sold to the Trinity M. E. Church (colored) by which it is still used. The new chapel was first used on Dec. 31, 1881, for a "watch-night" service. The church was dedicated June 4, 1882, by Bishop Simpson. The total cost of the buildings and furniture was $32,000. Sub- sequently a parsonage was added. The church has enjoyed the ministrations of able men and grown in membership until it numbers 325. The present pastor is the Rev. E. S. Todd, D. D. The church build- ings are most beautiful and suitable. They are of stone, and the style of architecture is Gothic.

MT. VERNON PLACE M. E. CHURCH.

Forth from the old Light Street M. E. Church there went a strong colony in 1843 and established the Charles Street M. E. Church. It was organized on the 13th of April, and laid the corner-stone of its new and imposing building on May the 9th, fol- lowing, at the northeast corner of Charles and Fayette streets. It was opened for worship in April, 1844. It was a large two- story brick building in the style of a Gre- cian temple, with noble portico and pillars in front, reached by a high flight of steps. The first pastor was the Rev. Edwin Dor- sey, assisted by the Rev. John M. Jones. The church was conspicuous for the fact that it had pews and an organ, which were great innovations among the Methodists and created great excitement. The church was famous for its choir and music. The congregation grew rapidly in numbers and strength under the pastorate of ministers of marked ability, among the most eminent of whom were the Rev. Dr. Littleton F.

Morgan, the Rev. Dr. Wm. Hirst, Jr., the Rev. Thomas Sewall and the Rev. Thomas M. Eddy. In 1869 the Charles street con- gregation under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Eddy sold its property for $110,000 to the Light Street (or First) Church and pur- chased a beautiful lot at the northeast cor- ner of Charles and Monument streets. Here was erected one of the handsomest edifices in the city at the large cost of $375,- 000. The edifice includes church and chapel at the rear. It is constructed of green limestone, in the Gothic style of ar- chitecture. Its interior is rich and attrac- tive, and will seat 1,600 people. The church was opened for worship in 1874, and has had a most prosperous career down to the present time. The first and most notable pastor was the Rev. Dr. Thomas Guard, who served two terms, 1872 to 1875, and 1880 to 1882. The other pastors of note have been: The Rev. Dr. J. O. Peck, the Rev. Dr. John Van Meter (now dean of the Woman's College); the Rev. Dr. A. H. Tut- tle, the Rev. Dr. L. T. Townsend and the present pastor, the Rev. Joseph Edmund Smith, D. D. The membership is 543.

The old Charles Street Church was de- molished in 1897, having been unoccupied for many years.

JEFFERSON STREET M. E. CHURCH.

This congregation is a branch of the Caroline Street Station. Its first building, a chapel, was erected on Jefferson street near Caroline, in 1844. Its dedication took place on June 23rd. In 1854 a new lot was secured on the same street at the corner of Bond street. Here a new edifice was dedicated by Bishop Waugh in December, 1854. It has known a steady growth and is full of

379

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

zeal and progress to-day. The membership is 290.

HIGH STREET M. E. CHURCH.

At the corner of High and Stiles streets, a new church was erected in 1844 and dedi- cated on June 2nd. For a long time its con- gregation was large and active; but owing to the invasion of the Jews the population has greatly changed, so that regular services are not now maintained. The building is now given over to institutional and rescue work. A Sunday-school is conducted un- der the auspices of the Exeter Street M. E. Church, and the industrial work is under the supervision of the Deaconesses of the Methodist Church. The building is also the headquarters of the Florence Critten- den Mission for fallen women.

BROADWAY GERMAN M. E. CHURCH.

This congregation was organized among the Germans in 1844 by the Rev. A. Miller. Its first location was on Lombard and Bond streets, where its edifice was dedicated Jan. 26, 1845, by Bishop Waugh. In Septem- ber, 1849, that property was sold, and the congregation erected a new church on Ann street near Eastern avenue, which was dedi- cated April 22, 1855. Subsequently this site was sold and the present edifice on Broadway was erected. The congregation is making good progress and doing a good work.

THE SAILORS' CITY BETHEL.

In 1846 a Seamen's Floating Bethel was established in the old ship "William Penn." It was specially fitted up for this purpose and dedicated October 11, 1846. The first pastor was the Rev. D. H. Switzer. In 1852 the ship was abandoned and a Sailors'

Bethel erected on Lee street near Light. For sixteen years the Bethel remained at this location, but a change was found neces- sary in 1868, and a new lot was purchased on Hill street, between Charles and Light streets, where a new edifice was dedicated April 18, 1869.

JOHN WESLEY M. E. CHURCH (Colored.)

The old Wesley Chapel on Sharp street near Montgomery was presented to a col- ored congregation in 1833. This chapel was used until 1847, when the present edi- fice was erected. The congregation is very strong and active, though business is fast encroaching upon its property. The mem- bership is 1,312. This church is attached to the Washington conference of the M. E. Church.

CANTON STREET M. E. CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1847 by the Rev. Edward E. Allen. It was first known as the Clinton Street Church. A little band, securing a desirable lot from the Canton Company, built a chapel thereon the same year. It struggled on with a monthly ser- vice for a time and with more frequent ser- vices later, until 1869, when it became a station and had for its first pastor, the Rev. Philip B. Reese. Under the efficient min- istry of the Rev. J. W. Cornelius, a beau- tiful church' was erected in 1884 at a cost of $12,000 on a new lot, corner of Canton and Dillon streets. During the Rev. Mr. Miller's pastorate a parsonage was built, in 1887. The growth has been gradual until there is a membership of 265. The Rev. W. W. Barnes is the present pastor. Mem- bership, 265.

.386

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE GERMAN M. E. CHURCH.

This congregation was formerly known as the Western German Mission. It was established in 1847 by the Rev. Mr. Brenner. A lot was purchased at the cor- ner of Pennsylvania avenue and Mosher street and a building begun. The basement was dedicated Nov. 26, 1848, and the church Dec. 9, 1849. In 1873 this edifice was de- molished and replaced by the present struc- ture, which was dedicated March 1, 1874. It has now a steady growth under efficient pastors.

BROADWAY M. E. CHURCH.

On Broadway, south of Pratt street, a new M. E. church was dedicated by Bishop Waugh on February 27, 1848. The congregation had been organized a little before this, and for a time had worshiped on Eastern avenue. It has grown rapidly, until now it is the most important Methodist Church in East Baltimore. The congregation is very large and ac- tive, and the Sunday-school numbers 800 scholars. The congregation possesses a fine property, consisting of a double build- ing for church and Sunday-school purposes, and also a parsonage. The membership is 504.

UNION SQUARE M. E. CHURCH.

This very important congregation origi- nated in a very small way. It was a mission of the Fayette Street M. E. Church and be- gan its history in a school house. In 1853 a lot on the southwest corner of Lombard and Calhoun streets was presented by the Messrs. Donnel to the Fayette Street Sta- tion for a church. An edifice was begun, the basement of which was dedicated May

28, 1854. The whole building was dedi- cated March 4, 1855, by Bishops Waugh and James. The first pastor was the Rev. Thomas Sewell. Under the pastorate of the Rev. Joseph France, a great revival oc- curred, which lasted five months, and re- sulted in the conversion of one thousand persons. Five hundred of these joined the Union Square Church and gave it great strength. It still continues its vigorous his- tory. The membership is 540.

MONROE STREET M. E. CHURCH.

In October, 1856, a colony from the Union Square M. E. Church organized a congre- gation and erected a building on Ramsey street near Monroe. This was dedicated Oct. 14, 1856, under the name of "Cheno- with Chapel." It was enlarged in 1866 and dedicated on Nov. 25, under the new name "Parlett Chapel." A change of site was de- termined upon twenty years later and the present edifice was erected. It was dedi- cated by Bishop Waugh on Oct. 13, 1878, under the present name. In 1897 the building was thoroughly renovated. Great prosperity is attending the present pastor, the Rev. G. W. Cobbs. The membership is 222.

CHESTER STREET M. E. CHURCH.

On the corner of Chester and Orleans streets a lot was given by Mr. William Pat- terson for the use of a Methodist congrega- tion which was organized in May, 1857. A chapel was at once erected, and was dedi- cated in October under the name of the "Fairmount Chapel." This building was removed in 1871 and a larger edifice erected and called the "Patterson Chapel." This was enlarged in 1877. The church was in- corporated under its present name April 24,

381

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

1878. In 1895 the edifice, which was of peculiar shape, having two wings, was de- stroyed by fire. The congregation wor- shiped for a time in a hall. One wing has since been rebuilt and occupied; but the congregation is in a feeble condition, hav- ing but III members.

MADISON AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.

This church is justly considered one of the very strongest Methodist churches in Balti- more, if not the strongest. Its property is situated on the southeast corner of Madison and Lafayette avenues, and consists of a church and chapel at the rear. A parson- age is owned next to the church on Madison avenue. The church was erected in 1858-9. The basement was opened for use in De- cember, 1858, and the church was dedi- cated by Bishop Simpson on May 22, 1859. The seating capacity is very large and the membership is also large. Some of the most eminent men of the Baltimore Con- ference have been pastors of this church. Its Sunday-school is also very large. No Methodist church in Baltimore has had a more vigorous growth or a more honorable history than has this. Owing to the wealth and liberality of its members it has always been notable for its large offerings and gifts to all religious and charitable objects. It has combined the piety and zeal of Method- ism in a remarkable degree, and has long been conspicuous for its conservative posi- tion. Not long since it established the Clifton M. E. Church at the entrance to the park, near Fulton and Druid Hill avenues. The first building was frame. The lot was presented by Messrs. German Hunt and Francis A. Crook. The present building is frame and stone. It is in a most vigor- ous and promising condition. The present

pastor of the Madison Avenue Church is the Rev. O. A. Brown, D. D. The mem- bership is 792.

MADISON SQUARE M. E. CHURCH.

On June 9, 1867, there was dedicated a new Methodist church on the corner of Caroline and Eager streets, in a rapidly growing part of the city. . It took the name of the "Centenary" M. E. Church, and has had a most prosperous history. This name was adopted in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of the introduction of Method- ism into America, which was celebrated the year of its consecration. Subsequently its name was changed to the Madison Square M. E. Church. Its growth has been so great that about ten years ago it established a mission on North avenue, which has now become independent under the name of the North Avenue M. E. Church. The present pastor of the Madison Square Church is the Rev. E. L. Hubbard, and the member- ship is 600.

GRACE M. E. CHURCH.

This is among the leading Methodist churches of the city. It was organized at the private residence of Joseph S. Hagerty, Esq., on October 10, 1868. . A lot was at once purchased at the corner of Lafayette and Carrollton avenues, and a wooden chapel erected. It was dedicated Jan. 1, 1869. A new lot was secured in 1870 at the southeast corner of Lanvale street and Carrollton avenue, where a stone chapel was dedicated in June, 1872. The church was erected in 1874-5 and dedicated by Bishop Ames on Feb. 20, 1876. It is a very handsome edifice and cost $150,000, the lot included. The congregation is strong and active. The Sunday-school is also very large. During the pastorate of

382

HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

the Rev. Dr. Richard Harcourt a beautiful parsonage, with stone front to match the church, was erected adjacent to it on Lan- vale street. The property is one of the handsomest in the city and has a charming location. The pastor is the Rev. G. W. Miller, D. D. The membership is 850.

FORT AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.

On the corner of Fort and Battery avenues, this church was dedicated on Sep- tember II, 1870. It has known a prosper- ous history, and under the pastorate of the Rev. S. S. Greenwell the congregation re- placed the first building with the present one. Its outlook is most promising, as the congregation is full of zeal and activity. The present pastor is the Rev. Ezekiel Richardson. The membership is 180.

BETHANY M. E. CHURCH

This church was organized in 1868 as an Independent M. E. Church, and is situated at the northeast corner of Lexington and Calhoun streets. Its chapel was dedicated on April 12, 1868. The church, which is constructed out of iron, was dedicated March 4, 1873. Upon its organization the congregation adopted the rules of the Chatsworth Church. In 1872 it drew up and adopted a new set of rules, including discipline and ritual. In 1897 this congre- gation entered the Conference of the M. E. Church and thus ceased its independent position. It has a fine property. The chapel, at the rear of the church, is built of marble, and a fine parsonage adjoins. The congregation is large and vigorous, and its Sunday-school is also largely attended.

APPOLD M. E. CHURCH.

This memorial church, together with the ground, was the gift of the Messrs. Appold,

members of the First Presbyterian Church. It is situated at the corner of Chase and Washington streets. The chapel was dedi- cated by Bishops Ames and Harris on De- cember 1, 1872, on the rear of the lot. During the pastorate of the Rev. C. O. Isaacs, Messrs, Appold made a donation of $4,000, and a stone church was erected on the front of the lot. The congregation is making good progress and the membership is 300.

HARFORD AVENUE GERMAN M. E. CHURCH.

This church was started as a mission by the Broadway M. E. Church. It is situated at the corner of Harford avenue and Federal street, and was dedicated October 5, 1873. It has known a quiet growth.

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.

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1344

Author: Shepherd, Henry Elliott, 1844-1929, ed. 4n
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Uniontown? Pa.] S.B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1344