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 48

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 48

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LEE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.

At a meeting of the First Baptist Church, held February 5, 1854, it was resolved: "That a committee of four persons be ap- pointed to procure subscriptions under the authority of this church, and to lease a lot in the neighborhood of Federal Hill for the accommodation of a Sunday-school, and when sufficient amount of subscriptions shall have been procured, to proceed to the completion of said object." At the same meeting the Rev. John H. Phillips was em- ployed as a missionary to work in this sec- tion of the city. The committee appointed went immediately to work. It hired a large barn on Hill street near Hanover and re- modeled it for Sunday-school use and for services. On March 26, 1854, the building was opened for public worship and a Sun- day-school was organized. The latter was

greatly increased by scholars from a mission which Dr. William Burlinghame, a member of the Seventh Church, had maintained for several years on the corner of Hanover and Montgomery streets. It had no church con- nection or support, and therefore languished until Doctor Burlinghame decided to aban- don it and to send his scholars to the new organization on Hill street. On April 30, 1855, the church was organized with twenty- seven members. The Rev. Mr. Phillips was elected pastor. It was admitted into the Association in November, 1855. For this congregation the Church Extension So- ciety bought an edifice on Lee street near Hanover, which had been used by St. Ste- phen's Episcopal Church. The new name was immediately adopted. The growth was rapid. In 1856 the membership had in- creased to seventy-five. For several years it had very short pastorates. In 1860 the Rev. Isaac Cole (formerly a Methodist min- ister) assumed charge and remained until 1865. The growth was so rapid as to call for a new church, which was built on the same site at a cost of $15,206, and was dedi- cated June 26, 1864. The Rev. James Du- bois was pastor a year and the Rev. S. C. Boston for two years. From 1870 to 1880 the Rev. John Pollard served the congrega- tion most acceptably and increased the membership to 407. In January, 1881, the Rev. H. M. Wharton entered upon a pas- torate of three years, which was attended by almost unparalleled success. His revival services brought many into the church, until when he left, in 1883, to engage in editorial and evangelistic work, the membership numbered 770. He also founded the River- side Church, developing it out of a little mission. The present pastor of the Lee

gr. langs.

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Street Church is the Rev. Weston Bruner. The membership is 628.

FIRST GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.

The first movement looking toward a German Baptist congregation was made in 1855. There were then about five German Baptists in the city, allied to various con- gregations. The Rev. K. A. Fleishmann, editor of the "Sendbote," Philadelphia, was invited by one of these, Mr. John L. Rap- pold, a member of the Seventh Church, to come to Baltimore and investigate the field. He came and preached and baptized two persons. From this time the German Bap- tists began to meet regularly, but it was not until January, 1859, when their number had increased to twelve, that they organized a church in a chapel on Hill street. The Rev. J. E. Meuri, formerly a Roman Catholic priest, became their pastor. In 1860 they numbered twenty-seven; in 1861, sixty-two. In 1860 the congregation joined the Asso- ciation. The Rev. Mr. Meuri resigned in 1862 to return to Germany. For three years the congregation kept together with- out any pastoral oversight and then fell into dissensions and dissolved.

An attempt was made in 1865 to revive this work. The Board invited the Rev. Henry Schneider, of Rochester, N. Y., to locate here as a missionary. A new church was organized with twenty-six members. It met first in Rechabite Hall, Fayette street, and afterwards at Wildey Hall, East Pratt street. Mr. Schneider met with great suc- cess and erected a church at the corner of Caroline and Hampstead streets at a cost of $4,000. He resigned in July, 1869, and was succeeded by the Rev. Henry F. Miller, who continued until June 1, 1874, when he

was compelled to resign through the loss of his voice. He brought the membership up to 120. For the next two years the Rev. J. Fellman labored faithfully. There were several short pastorates, with long intervals, until May, 1881, when the Rev. J. C. Craft accepted charge. The membership had dwindled to seventy-six. The present pas- tor is the Rev. George A. Sheets. The membership is seventy-two.

EUTAW PLACE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The steps leading to the formation of this important congregation and the erection of its church are to be found under the history of the Seventh Baptist Church, whose child it is. The corner-stone was laid on April 22, 1869, and the beautiful white marble edifice was dedicated April 2, 1871. The cost, including furniture and organ, amount- ed to $102,000. The Rev. Dr. Fuller, who was pastor of the Seventh Church, accepted the charge of the new congregation and un- der his able administration it entered upon its successful history with a membership of 133 persons. In 1871 the young men of the congregation organized a City Mission So- ciety and established two missions after- wards, one on Patterson avenue and the other in the northern part of the city. Both subsequently developed into churches. The second year's membership was an increase of seventy-one. Two years later the total number was 449, so marvelously did the congregation grow. In June, 1874, a new church was organized under the charge of the Rev. Miles S. Read. It took the name of "Shiloh Baptist Church," but this was afterwards altered to "Grace Baptist Church." On the 20th of October, 1876, the Rev. Dr. Fuller died, after a month's in-

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tense suffering. His funeral was almost without precedent in Baltimore, so largely was it attended. For a year the church was without a pastor, when the Rev. F. H. Ker- foot, a brilliant young man of Midway, Ky., was secured. He filled a most successful pastorate of five years. During his term of service 174 persons were baptized, the Ful- ler Memorial Chapel was built, and the Im- manuel Church constituted mainly through the efforts of the Eutaw Church. There was a second vacancy for a year, but in 1884 the Rev. Frank M. Ellis, D. D., who had gained a great reputation as pastor of the Tremont Temple, Boston, accepted the charge of the church and remained until 1895, when he removed to Brooklyn. His administration was marked by great pros- perity. The membership rose to 600 and the congregation was foremost in gifts and good works. In 1894 the Northi Avenue Baptist Church was organized by members of the Eutaw Church. The pres- ent pastor is the Rev. Junius W. Millard. The membership is 578.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored.)

In a stable-loft in Vincent alley a Sunday- school and prayer-meeting were inaugu- rated in the year 1874 by several members of the Union Baptist Church. The stable was remodelled and fitted for use, and on the 29th of September, 1874, a meeting was called to organize a church. Sixteen mem- bers of Union Church presented their let- ters of commendation. On November 5th. the new congregation was recognized by the Council and took the title "Macedonia Baptist Church." The congregation joined the Association and leased a lot on Sara- toga street. A brick chapel, accommodat-

ing 300 persons, was erected for $3,000, and dedicated June 24, 1876. The first pastor was the Rev. W. C. Lawson, who had been a deacon and done more than any one else to establish the church. In two years time the congregation increased to a member- ship of over 300, and the church debt was paid. The church grew rapidly until in 1885 it numbered 700 members, and steps were taken to erect a new edifice. The church started a mission in Whatcoat street in 1881, which has since developed into the Patterson Avenue Church. The present pastor is the Rev. A. B. Callis. The mem- bership is 761.

LEADENHALL STREET BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored.)

The development of this congregation has been most rapid. In 1870 a small flock was gathered in South Baltimore and took the name of the "Providence Baptist Church," of which the Rev. Lewis Hicks was elected pastor. A small place of meet- ing was secured and help from the Associa- tion obtained. This was so inadequate thiat the Association determined to erect a suit- able house of worship. A union meeting was called at the Seventh Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon, March 31, 1872, at which $8,000 was subscribed for a new building. A lot was secured on Leadenhall street and a commodious structure of two stories was erected. It cost $18,000. The church was dedicated in November, 1872. In this a new congregation was organized May 12, 1873, and it took the name of the "Leadenhall Baptist Church." The Rev. Thomas Henson was placed in charge for a year. The old "Providence Church" about this time disbanded and its members

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attached themselves to the Leadenhall con- gregation. In 1874 the membership was 147. In 1875 the Rev. Ananias Brown, of Newport, R. I., was called to serve this con- gregation, and has continued in charge until the present time, laboring with great success. The present membership is 821.

HAMPDEN BAPTIST CHURCH.

A congregation was gathered in this sub- urb as early as 1847. It erected a hand- some stone church at a cost of $5,000. It was dedicated April 23, 1848. After several years the members removed and the church died. The edifice was rented for a public school and afterwards demolished. The reservoir now covers the spot on which it stood. In 1874 several members of the Forest Church withdrew to form a congre- gation in Hampden. The first services were held in the U. B. Church. A hall was soon rented. In June, 1874, the Rev. J. H. Barnes took charge. The membership had grown from 20 to 54. The hall being too small, a large tent was procured and used during the summer. A church was erected at a cost of $4,300. The growth has been rapid. In 1885 it had reached 100 members. The present membership is 565. The pres- ent pastor is the Rev. J. J. Wicker.

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH.

From a small mission inaugurated by the Young People's Association of the High Street Church in a one-story building on Aisquith street, Sunday afternoon, April 14, 1872, this important church has sprung. A Sunday-school was at first begun which rapidly increased and required larger quar- ters. A dwelling, at 538 Aisquith street, was next secured where weekly prayer- meetings were also held. Messrs. Miles S.

Read and his brother, Wm. S. Read, mem- bers of the Eutaw Place Church, attached themselves to the mission, the former preaching every Sunday afternoon. In a short time forty persons professed conver- sion. It was decided to build a church. A lot was leased and a brick chapel erected at a cost of $4,000. On June 12, 1874, twenty- one members of the Eutaw Place Church and eleven from the High Street Church united and organized the "Shiloh Baptist Church." Mr. M. S. Read acted as pastor for one year, without compensation The Shiloh Church was admitted into the Asso- ciation in November. At the end of Mr. Read's year he was called to the pastorate and was ordained in the Eutaw Church for this special purpose. The congregation be- gan to increase rapidly. In 1877 Mr. Charles D. Parker, a licentiate of the High Street Church, became pastor. In this year the Orient Baptist Church, which was es- tablished in 1873, and had a checkered exist- ence, was invited to join the Shiloh congre- gation. It did so, and disbanding in De- cember, 1877, seventy of its members threw in their lot with the new congregation, thus giving it 125 members. In 1882 it was de- cided to change the name from "Shiloh" to "Aisquith Street." In 1883 the congre- gation moved to Bethany Chapel on Eager street. During a revival here two hundred persons were converted. The edifice was soon outgrown and it was decided to move elsewhere. With this in view the name.was changed to "Grace Baptist Church." In April, 1884, the Rev. J. B. English became pastor. A lot on the northeast corner of Caroline and Preston street was purchased in 1885, and a new and handsome stone church was erected in 1887 at a cost of $20,-

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

000. The present earnest and successful pastor is the Rev. J. C. Davidson. The membership is 3II.

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored).

This very large congregation had a very small beginning and is largely the product of one man's zeal and ability. A few mem- bers of Union Church had been holding meetings for several years, first on Oxford street, and afterwards in an old carpenter shop on the corner of Preston and Mason alley, where twelve persons constituted themselves a new body. In June, 1879, they called the Rev. P. H. A. Braxton from Rich- mond. His zeal soon told, and in two years the congregation increased to 125 members, and became self-supporting. They rented a hall on Linden avenue and Hoffman streets and occupied it about a year. In 1883 a large lot was secured at the corner of Park avenue and Biddle street and a new edifice begun. It was completed and dedicated in March, 1885. The building is a handsome one-of granite trimmed with red brick. The cost was $10,000. While it was be- ing erected services were held in a frame building which is still standing next to the church on Biddle street. The membership has gradually increased until now it is very large. In 1897 the interior was damaged by fire but was speedily repaired. The Rev. Mr. Braxton is still in charge.

FULLER MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH.

The honored name of the first pastor of the Eutaw Church has been perpetuated in a beautiful and suitable memorial-a church bearing the name of the "Fuller Memorial." It is the outcome of a missionary effort made by the Young Men's City Mission of the Eutaw Church, which in 1874 rented

Sewall's Hall, corner of Pennsylvania ave- nue and Patterson avenue, and organized a Sunday-school, on July 7th. Another school, conducted previously in a room on the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Fre- mont street, joined with it. Weekly meet- ings were also instituted and the growth of attendance at both was so great as to ne- cessitate a larger building. Subscriptions were raised to build a chapel on a lot leased at the corner of Patterson avenue and Cal- houn street, to be called the "Fuller Me- morial." It cost $3,000 and was completed on June 30, 1877. The Mission Sunday- school, which had borne the name of "Oli- vet," removed to the new chapel the next day, Sunday, and became the Sunday-school of the Fuller Memorial Church. In Octo- ber weekly meetings were begun. The Rev. Dr. Franklin Wilson preached frequently in the years 1878 and 1879, until a missionary, the Rev. J. E. Rapson, was secured. He entered upon his duties in the chapel Oc- tober 12th, and had a congregation of eighty-five persons. In July, 1880, nine- teen members of the Eutaw Church took letters and organized a new body. The Rev. J. Henry Brittain was called to the pastorate. His success was great from the start, until larger accommodations became necessary. In 1884 a large and handsome red brick building, with stone trimmings, was erected on the corner of Carey and Presstman streets. The new edifice was dedicated October 12th. The old chapel passed into the hands of the Patterson Ave- nue Colored Baptist Church. The growth has been great both in the congregation and the Sunday-school. It is now one of the most active congregations in the city. Membership is 386. Subsequently the con-

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

gregation has built a handsome church at the corner of Baker and Carey streets. The Patterson Avenue Colored Church, now called Sharon, purchased its former prop- erty for $20,000, and now occupies it. Pres- ent pastor, Rev. S. C. Clopton.

PERKINS' SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH (Col- ored).

The history of this church is remarkable. In 1880 the Wayman African Methodist Episcopal Church possessed a building on the corner of George streeet and Clinton avenue. In September of that year its pas- tor and twenty-seven of its members were converted from Methodist to Baptist prin- ciples and were immersed. This disorgan- ized the Wayman Church, and the edifice was used as a Baptist Mission. On July 22, 1881, the Rev. F. R. Williams and some of his former flock withdrew from the Union Church and founded the Perkins' Square Church. They purchased the building they had been occupying and elected Mr. Wil- liams as pastor. In the first year there were 160 additions by baptism. In 1883 the membership increased to 470. In 1884 the edifice was remodeled and improved at a cost of $1,000. In 1885 the membership was 600. The same minister is in charge and doing a marvelous work. The member- ship is I, IOI.

IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH:

On Sunday afternoon, November 7, 1880, a Sunday-school was opened in Cowman's Hall, corner of Boundary and Maryland avenues, with Joshua Levering, Esq., as su- perintendent. The officers and teachers came chiefly from the Eutaw Street, but some also from the First, Seventh and High Street Churches. A valuable lot was soon

secured at the corner of St. Paul street and Boundary (now North) avenue. The beau- tiful stone chapel was first erected, having a seating capacity of 500. It was opened for service on Sunday, December 10, 1882. A congregation had been organized in the lec- ture room of the Eutaw Church on October IO, 1882, and fifty-three persons, mostly from that church, constituted the "Imman- uel Baptist Church." The Rev. A. C. Dixon was called to the pastorate and met with great success. He served until 1890, when he resigned and went to Brooklyn. He was succeeded by the Rev. C. A. Fulton, of Norristown, Pa., who served as pastor, was successful until 1896 when he removed to Detroit, Mich. The membership is 466.

FULTON AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church is also the product of lay work and began as a mission, under the care of the Young Men's City Mission of the Franklin Square Church. It was in- augurated in 1875 in an old inn, on Colum- bia avenue near Carey street. In the sum- mer of 1876 the rooms were too small and the school occupied a tent on an adjoining lot. In 1877 the school was moved to a dwelling house on the corner of Pratt street and Addison alley. Here it was joined by another school, which had been started in Bowen Hall, on Frederick avenue near Mount street. The new organization took the name of the "West End Mission." In 1879 a lot was purchased on the northeast corner of Fulton avenue and Baltimore street and a chapel was erected at a cost of $3,300. It accommodated 300 persons, and was dedicated July 11, 1880. In 1883 the congregation was organized, when, on Oc- tober 10, fifty-five persons withdrew from

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

the Franklin Square Church for the express purpose of forming the Fulton Avenue Church. The first pastor was the Rev. A. C. Barron. The congregation grew so rap- idly that a new church was necessary, and in 1888-9 a commodious stone edifice was erected at a cost of $21,000. During its erection the congregation worshiped with the Franklin Square Church. The Rev. Mr. Barron resigned in 1895, greatly to the re- gret of his people. On May 5, 1895, the present pastor entered upon the charge of this growing congregation, which now has 424 members. A Mission Sunday-school is conducted at Payson and Ramsey streets. The present pastor is the Rev. Howard Wayne Smith.

RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1882 some members of the Lee Street Baptist Church, of which the Rev. H. M. Wharton was pastor, organized a mission Sunday-school in a private house on the corner of Hanover and McCann streets. The work progressed so rapidly that the Lee Street Church erected a chapel on Ran- dall street, opposite William street, for its use. The Rev. W. O. Thomas, assistant at the Lee Street Church, preached there for several months in 1883-1884. In Oc- tober, 1884, thirty-three members of the Lee Street Church constituted themselves into the Riverside Baptist Church, and the new congregation was duly recognized. Mr. W. J. Nicoll, a member of the Eutaw Church, who had been in charge for several months, was ordained and became its first pastor. Under him the chapel was improved and the congregation was increased. The pres- ent pastor is the Rev. F. R. LaBarrer and the membership is 220.

BRANTLY MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCHI.

This church was constituted on February 4, 1885, at a meeting held in a chapel on the corner of Schroeder and Pierce streets. This chapel had been purchased in 1881 from the Y. M. C. A. by Mr. Joshua Levering and others for $3,000 and given to the Young Men's Mission Society of the Seventh Bap- tist Church. The work of these young men culminated in the organization of the Brantly Church. The congregation organ- ized with thirty-two members and chose the name of the late pastor of the Seventh Bap- tist Church, the Rev. Dr. Brantly. At its first meeting the congregation decided to be self-supporting. A call was extended to the Rev. Dr. H. M. Wharton, who was the State Evangelist, having previously been pastor of the Lee Street Church. He en- tered upon his duties March 8, 1886, and is still in charge. The congregation began to grow at once. In a year's time the member- ship increased to almost 250 members. As the chapel accommodated but 500 persons, the need of a larger building was soon felt. The present splendid stone edifice, at the corner of Edmonson avenue and Schroeder street, was begun October 10, 1888, and the basement was occupied in December, 1889. The entire structure was dedicated September 18, 1892. It cost $50,000 and will seat 1,500 persons. The membership had increased to 600 in 1892 and now is 943. The Sunday-school has over 1,000 scholars on its roll, and all the agencies for church work are very vigorous. Under the untiring direction of the pastor meetings have been held in the various parts of the city, such as at the wharves, in the market houses and on open lots. Gospel wagons have also been employed. For several years

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

the Rev. Dr. Wharton has held a Sunday afternoon service at Ford's Opera House. He has also made extensive evangelistic tours throughout the South. His church is a living monument to his great zeal and marked ability. He has also been instru- mental in founding the Baptist Orphanage, located at 1002 West Lanvale, which has been adopted by the Baptist denomination. He also founded "The Evangel," the Bap- tist denominational organ; and also the National Evangelization Society.

SHARON BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored).

This congregation started as a mission of the Macedonia Church in 1880 and was or- ganized in 1883. It worshiped first in a chapel on Patterson avenue, built for the Fulton Memorial Church. By aid of the Church Extension Society this congrega- tion afterwards bought the large brick building vacated by the Fulton Memorial at the corner of Presstman and Carey streets for $20,000. The membership is 476. The only pastor has been the Rev. W. M. Alex- . ander. When the congregation took pos- session of its present edifice it changed its name from Patterson Avenue to Sharon Church.

ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored).

This congregation is in Waverly and was organized in 1887. Its only pastor has been the Rev. J. W. Scott. The church is a frame building, valued at $5,000. Member- ship, ninety-five.

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored).

This vigorous congregation began its his- tory in 1888 in a brick chapel on Aisquith street near Hoggman, which was first oc- cupied by the High Street Church. In 1892

it removed to the Annex, Oak and Fifth streets. In 1896, by the aid of the Exten- sion Society, it purchased its present build- ing on Twenty-first street, and occupies the second floor. Value, $10,000. Membership is 215. It is a very intelligent and active congregation. The only pastor has been the Rev. G. R. Waller, a graduate of Newton Theological Seminary, Mass.

ENON BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored).

This small congregation was organized in 1889, but has since ceased to be in fellow- ship with the Maryland Baptist Union As- sociation. Its pastor is the Rev. Jonas Wat- kins.

BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH (Colored).

This congregation was organized in 1890. It has a membership of 207, and its pastor is the Rev. Lloyd Reid.

SCOTT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Franklin Street Baptist Church started a mission some years ago, out of which the Scott Streeet Church has grown. It was organized in 1891, its first members coming from the Franklin Square Church. The church edifice is a frame building, sit- uated at the corner of Scott and Cross streets. The membership is 200, with 350 scholars in the Sunday-school. It is doing a very good work among the laboring class. The present pastor is the Rev. N. W. Kemp.

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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