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 50

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 50

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Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The mother church donated the lot (133x66 feet) on the corner of Scott and Peter streets on November 23. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner on June 30, 1857. The lecture and Sunday-school rooms were dedicated by the same bishop on December 27, 1857. The parsonage was built in 1868 adjoining the church, and the primary Sunday-school room was built in 1890. The church became self-supporting in 1870. In 1893 the church was remodeled and repaired. The first pastor was the Rev. Nehemiah Altman. The present pastor is the Rev. A. H. Rice, who entered upon the charge in 1890. The congregation is strong and vigorous, and the Sunday-school has an enrollment of 500 scholars.

THIRD CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN.

This congregation began its history in 1869 and dedicated its present edifice on March 21 of that year. It is situated on the corner of Lombard and Fulton streets. The first pastor was the Rev. John A. Sand. The present pastor is the Rev. J. M. Wal- ters. Services are conducted in both the English and the German languages. The membership is 225.

FIFTH CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN.

At the corner of George and Clinton avenue. This small brick chapel was dedi- cated on July 7, 1872. The congregation has made slow progress, the membership being 100. It has a neat parsonage. The present pastor is the Rev. J. R. Jones.

SALEM CHURCHOF THE UNITED BRETHREN.

This congregation was organized as a mission on February 22, 1871, by the Rev. H. A. Schlicter. Its temporary chapel was built near the corner of Francis and Retreat

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

streets. In 1874 the present two-story brick edifice was erected at a cost of $19,500. The Rev. S. A. Mowers became the pastor in 1875. In 1888 the mission declared itself self-sustaining and thereupon became an in- dependent congregation. In 1897 an annex was built for the Primary Sunday-school. This was dedicated in January, 1898. The Rev. Mr. Mowers is still in charge.

OTTERBEIN MEMORIAL CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN.

This is situated at the corner of Roland and Fifth avenues. A small chapel was first erected on Sycamore street in 1874. This was called "Sweet Air" Chapel. The pres- ent stone Gothic church was erected at a cost of $18,000 in 1893 under the pastorship of the Rev. J. L. Grimm. There is a neat frame parsonage owned by the congrega- tion. The congregation is still a mission, but is rapidly growing toward self-support and independence. Its membership is 212. The present pastor is the Rev. H. A Schlicter, who took charge in 1897.

SCOTT STREET MISSION.

A mission was started by the Rev. A. H. Rice, pastor of the Scott Street Church, in 1894. A lot was secured at the corner of Franklin and Monroe streets, and on the Monroe street side of this a neat brick Gothic chapel was erected at a cost of $4,- 000. The first pastor was the Rev. J. C. Gardner. The present pastor is the Rev. Joseph Daugherty. The membership is 100.

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.

In the year 1783 a new body of Christians was formed in London, having for its reli- gious belief the teachings of Emmanuel

Swedenborg, who lived in Sweden from 1688 to 1772. Not quite a decade later, on April 1, 1792, the Rev. J. J. Wilmer, a min- ister of the English Church, who had es- poused the doctrines of Swedenborg, came to Baltimore and asked for permission to explain the teachings of Swedenborg in the Court House. His request was granted and a goodly congregation gathered to hear his expositions. So successful does he seem to have been, that in two weeks time, on April 15th, regular services were instituted in "The Old Theatre." Just when the Rev. Mr. Wilmer left the city is not known. But in 1792 the Society was established. About this time Mr. Robert Carter, of Nomony Hall, Virginia, who had also received Swedenborg doctrines, moved to Baltimore and held services at his own house in Greene street. In 1793 the Society pre- sented a formal address to President Wash- ington. In 1798 Mr. John Hargrove re- signed his connection with the Methodist Church, and the same year was ordained

a minister of the New Church, and became the pastor of the Baltimore Society. In 1799 he and others erected the New Jeru- salem Temple at the corner of Baltimore and Exeter streets. He was the pastor of this Society until 1830. The Rev. Mr. Hargrove has been styled most justly "The Pioneer of the New Jerusalem Church" in America. He preached before President Jefferson and Congress on De- cember 26, 1802, on the "Leading Doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church." He preached again before both Houses of Congress on December 25, 1804, on "The Second Coming of Christ and the Last Judgment." For over thirty years he was the faithful

Alian Sontw

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

pastor of this "First Society of the New Jerusalem Church."

In 1866 a new church was erected on North Exeter street, under the administra- tion of the Rev. J. W. Hunt. But this was sold in 1873. Another congregation under the name of the Third New Jerusalem Church came into existence about 1860, and worshiped for a time in a hall on the corner of Eutaw and Madison streets; but on Janu- ary I, 1866, it dedicated its church edifice on Orchad street near Madison, nowthe Chapcl of St. Mary the Virgin. These two congrega- tions do not seem to have grown very rapid- ly, so that in 1873 they agreed to unite and form one strong body. Both of their church properties were sold and a new edifice was erected on Calvert street, near Chase. It was dedicated March 21, 1874. It is an at- tractive stone edifice. The membership is II7.

A Mission School is maintained by this congregation at the corner of Light street and Fort avenue.

Among the pastors who have served this congregation have been: The Rev. Nathan Clarke Burnham (1843); the Rev. Richard de Charmo (1848); the Rev. Samuel How- ard Worcester (1851); the Rev. A. J. Bar- tels (1859); the Rev. J. W. Hunt (1866); the Rev. W. G. Day (1875); the Rev. Thomas A. King (1881); the Rev. Hiram Vrooman (1893. ) The present pastor is the Rev. G. Lawrence Allbutt, who assumed charge in 1895.

FIRST GERMAN NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH.

The distinguished evangelist of New Church doctrines, the Rev. Arthur O. Brick- man, founded this church in 1855. It was incorporated on August 24th of that year.

He became the first pastor and remained in charge until December, 1861, when he re- signed in oder to enter the Union Army as chaplain. The early life of the congregation was associated with the English New Jeru- salem Church, in the chapel of which the German services were held for two years. This was at the corner of Baltimore and Ex- eter streets. In 1857 a new edifice was erected by the congregation on Lombard street, near Lloyd. This was dedicated on October 4, 1857. From December, 1861, to 1865, the Rev. Louis C. Carriere served the congregation; but upon the conclusion of the war the Rev. Mr. Brickman entered upon his former charge and served it most acceptably until December, 1870. He was succeeded by the Rev. George Gieser, who became pastor in June, 1871, and remained in charge until January 18, 1872. For over three years the congregation was without a regular pastor, and then the Rev. Peter Faber was elected to the position in Sep- tember, 1875. He resigned in June, 1879, and was followed by the Rev. Adolph Roeder, who served from December 22, 1879, to May 1, 1882. During his adminis- tration, in the year 1880, a church edifice on the corner of Fayette and Aisquith streets was purchased and remodelled at a cost of $15,000, and the old property was sold. The new property was purchased from the East Baltimore Methodist Protestant Church. From 1882 to 1886 the congregation was without a pastor, but on February 28, 1886, the Rev. Faber re- turned to the pastorate and continued in charge until his death, February 17, 1897. He was succeeded by the present incum- bent, Rev. F. E. Waelchli, who entered upon his duties as pastor on September 19,

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

1897. The membership is 67. The ser- vices are conducted every Sunday morning in the German language, and in the even- ing in English.

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH.

While this congregation is now entirely independent it began its history, and for many years continued a quasi-relation with, the Presbyterian Church. It was organized in 1797, and had its first house of worship on the corner of Fayette and Aisquith streets. This was erected in 1803. The first pastor was the Rev. Robert Annam, of Philadelphia. In 1813 the second church edifice was built on West Fayette street, be- tween Charles and Liberty streets. It was a large, though plain, brick structure. It continued to be used for about eighty years, when the encroachments of business ren- dered it inconvenient for church purposes. A few years ago it was decided to remove to the northwest corner of Maryland avenue and Preston street. The present handsome stone buildings were im- mediately erected upon the very ample lot there purchased, at a total cost of $137,000.

In 1837 this congregation publicly with- drew from all connection with the Presby- terian Church in the United States. This was during the pastorate of the Rev. John Mason Duncan, a very able, but a very in- dependent man. The most conspicuous pastor was the Rev. Dr. John Leyburn, whose long incumbency and marked abili- ties won him universal admiration. He served from 1866 until 1893, when he was made pastor emeritus. He died a few years later at a ripe old age. He was succeeded by a brilliant young man, who greatly ad-

vanced the interests of the congregation, materially as well as spiritually, the Rev. Wayland D. Ball. It was under him that the new site was selected and the new building erected. He died while pastor, and though he had been in charge of the congregation but a few years, he had won the esteem of the city at large. His early death was much lamented. The Rev. C. H. Cator was next pastor, but remained only a short time, when he was succeeded by the Rev. M. C. Lockwood. He died in 1896, having been in charge about two years. In 1897 he was succeeded by the Rev. Oliver Huckle, who is now in charge. The pastors of this con- gregation have been selected from different religious bodies; but they all seem to have worked heartily and successfully for the well being and advancement of this inde- pendent organization.

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.

There is but one congregation of this denomination in the city, its church edifice is situated at the corner of Franklin and Charles streets. On the 12th of October, 1816, the Rev. Dr. James Freeman, of Kings Chapel, Boston, preached a sermon at the house of Mr. Henry Payson, on South Charles street. The result of this was a meeting called on the 10th of February, 1817, for the purpose of organizing "a reli- gious society modelled upon the simple principles of the Gospels" and taking into consideration the best means of erecting a building for public worship. June 5, 1817, the corner-stone was laid. October 29, 1818, the building was dedicated; the Rev. Dr. James Freeman preaching the dedica- tory sermon. Thus the First Independent Christ's Church was established.

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Here on the 5th day of May, 1819, Mr. Jared Sparks was ordained. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Dr. Wil- liam Ellery Channing, of Boston. It was a notable discourse, for it occasioned the great controversy which forced Unitarians to become a separate religious body.

The Rev. Jared Sparks was the pastor of the church for four years, when ill-health compelled him to resign. He was after- wards chaplain of the House of Represen- tatives, Professor of History at Harvard, and later President of Harvard University; while the lives of Washington and Frank- lin, beside other biographies, are monu- ments of his ability as a writer and his- torian.

During an interval of five years the church had no regular minister, Doctor Greenwood, of Boston, and Dr. W. H. Fur- ness filling it part of the time.

The Rev. George W. Burnap was or- dained the second minister of this church, April 23, 1828, and remained its faithful pastor for thirty-two years. He was widely known in literature and theology. Doctor Burnap died September, 1859, and was succeeded by the Rev. Nathan A. Chamberlain, who resigned in 1863 to enter the ministry of the Episcopal Church.

The fourth minister was the Rev. John F. W. Ware, an eloquent orator; his pas- torate of the church itself lasted three years, 1864-67, but he continued to preach at the Masonic Temple, Ford's Opera House, and other places, for three years longer, when he accepted a call to the Arlington Street Church, Boston.

After the Rev. Mr. Ware left the church, Drs. Bellows, Furness, A. P. Peabody, Dewey, Lothrop, Ellis, and Farley supplied

the pulpit for a time, until September, 1869, when the Rev. Edward C. Guild was called to the pastorate of the church. At the end of three years he resigned.

Mr. Charles Richmond Weld, B. D., who had just graduated from Harvard Univer- sity, was called to the church and ordained its minister, January 2, 1873. During the twenty-five years in which Doctor Weld has been the pastor, the society has entered upon a new life in many and varied activi- ties, making a marked success of its work among poor boys and industrial teaching for girls.

The church building is quite unlike any in the city. It is of Graeco-Roman archi- tecture, and was designed by the distin- guished French architect, Maximillian Godefroy. In 1893, the interior was entire- ly rebuilt under the direction of Mr. J. Evans Sperry. A new organ was also pre- sented to the church by Mr. Enoch Pratt, and in 1897 the chancel was further adorned by an exquisite mosaic of the Lord's Sup- per, designed by Mr. Frederick Wilson, of New York City. The new christening font is made of Caen stone, and modeled after the famous Saxon one in St. Martin's Church, Canterburry.

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPIS- COPAL CHURCH.

This branch of the Methodist Church came into existence early in the present century, and the first organized conference was here in Baltimore. The first Annual Conference was held in this city in April, 1817. It has a large and growing member- ship throughout the South. In Baltimore there are ten congregations belonging to this connection. The strongest of these is:

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

THE BETHEL CHURCH.

This congregation is eighty years old. The present edifice is the second erected on the same site, the first in 1817, and the sec- ond in 1847. It has been an influential church from the start, and among its pas- tors there have been some men of high at- tainments and strong character. The most conspicuous of these is one of the ten bishops of the African Church, Rev. Dr. James A. Handy, who was baptized, con- verted and ordained in this church. He was also a trustee and afterwards the pastor of the church. The Bethel Church has now a membership of 856. In its Sunday-school are 376 pupils. It also possesses a parson- age. The pastor is the Rev. John W. Beckett.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

This is another large and important church. The membership is 520; Sunday- school scholars, 250. Of this church the Rev. J. T. Jenifer, D. D., is the pastor. He was born in Upper Marlboro, Md., March 10, 1843. He first entered commercial life. He was licensed to preach at New Bedford, Mass., February 5, 1862. Since then he has held important charges and done unusual work. At Chicago he built Quinn Church at a cost of $95,000. His present church is growing rapidly.

The other congregations are as follows :

Trinity Church .- Pastor, the Rev. D. G. Hill. Membership, 609; Sunday-school, 350.

Allen Church .- Pastor, the Rev. D. G. Warner. Membership, 202; Sunday-school, 160.

Ebeneser Church .- Pastor, the Rev. J.

W. Norris. Membership, 1,211; Sunday- school, 480.

Waters Chapel .- Pastor, the Rev. John Hurst. Membership, 486; Sunday-school, 508.

Mt. Calvary .- Pastor, the Rev. J. W. Bowser. Membership, 32; Sunday-school, 50.

East Baltimore Church .- Pastor, the Rev. Jos. A. Martin. Membership, 60; Sunday-school, 124.

Waverly Church .- Pastor, the Rev. W. H. Stewart. Membership, 33; Sunday- school, 75.

Wayman Memorial .- Pastor, the Rev. J. G. Martin. Membership, 30; Sunday- school, 52.

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPIS- COPAL CHURCH ZION.

There is only one congregation of this connection in Baltimore. It is located on the corner of Cross and Warner streets. The church building is a small brick edifice. There is a membership of 110. The pastor is the Rev. M. M. Bell, who was pastor twenty-seven years ago, and has just re- turned to serve this congregation. He is now endeavoring to repair the building and to buy the ground on which it stands.

THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This denomination also bears the name of the Covenanters. It is made up almost exclusively of persons from Scotland and the North of Ireland. It was organized in 1818 and chartered in 1821. Its church edifice is situated on the corner of Aisquith street and Harford avenue. It is connected with the Philadelphia Presbytery. The

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

style of architecture and the forms of wor- ship used by this denomination are almost as plain as those of the Quakers. Its edi- fices are devoid of steeples, bells, and or- gans. No instrumental music is ever al- lowed, and only the Psalms of David are sung. The congregation is not strong.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

This body also bears the title of "The Disciples of Christ." It traces its history back to Scotland, where in 1799 a few per- sons organized themselves into a body for the purpose of restoring what they called "The New Testament Church." In this year, at Edinburgh, a church was founded with this end in view. It consisted of 310 members, and had for its pastor James Haldanes. Similar movements took place at the same time in England and Ireland; but they do not appear to have had any knowledge of each other. Certainly they effected no union. At Edinburgh these re- formers were commonly called "The Hal- danes" from their zealous pastor. They founded a Bible School, in which, free of all charges, young men were educated for the ministry. From this school two young men, named George Forrester and John Tassey, came as missionaries to Pittsburg, Pa., in 1817; and about the same time a young man by the name of Ferguson came to Baltimore. This young man addressed a little Baptist congregation, which met in a sail loft at Fell's Point, and which was presided over by a Mr. Healy, a dyer by trade. He spoke several times to this small body but for some unknown reason his preaching was not acceptable to them. He next began services in his own hired house, to which followed him five members of the

Baptist congregation. Among this num- ber was Wm. Carman, who had organized the first Sunday-school in Maryland, and Allen L. Innes. These five persons or- ganized themselves into a congregation and ¢

continued to worship at Fell's Point for sev- eral years. Next it removed to a house on Saratoga street; then to one on Baltimore street near Lloyd; then in a bazar on Har- rison street; and then to a church edifice which was erected by the congregation on North street. The date of the erection of this church is not known, but in all likeli- hood it was between 1825 and 1830. The congregation was greatly strengthened, while on North street, by the accession of some of the most influential members of the First Baptist Church, who withdrew from the Sharp Street Church and united with it. Prominent among these was Henry Metzel, Esq., who left the Baptist Church in 1834 and united with the Chris- tion Church.

In 1835 this independent movement here ' in Baltimore was brought into contact with a similar movement which had begun in Western Pennsylvania under Thomas Campbell and his son Alexander. The for- mer had been a "seceder" minister in Ire- land and had come to America in 1807 and settled at Washington, Pa. He began to make a plea for Christian union based on the word of God as the only rule of faith and practice. He was persecuted for heresy and immediately withdrew from the seceder ministry, though continuing to preach. In 1809 he organized "The Christian Society" at Washington, Pa., and issued a "Declara- tion and Address." Shortly after this dec- laration had been issued Mr. Campbell's family came from Scotland to America, and

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

among these was his oldest son, Alexander, who had just graduated from Glasgow Uni- versity. While in Scotland he had become acquainted with the tenets of the Haldanes and espoused their principles. " He identi- fied himself with the cause of his father. They sought admission to the Presbyterian Synod but were refused. They then formed a separate organization. Alexander Camp- bell was immersed by a Baptist min- ister on June 12, 1812, and with him, his father and mother and wife and sister. Thus began what was known as the "Bush Run" Baptist Church. Alexander became a minister, and as such visited Baltimore to collect funds to erect a Baptist church at Wellsburgh, Pa. This was in 1816. The Campbells soon found themselves very much hampered in their views and purposes in the Baptist denomination, and became the objects of persecution. In 1827 ten Baptist churches of the Redstone Associa- tion voted to disfellowship thirteen churches because they refused to subscribe to a human creed. Among these was the "Bush Run" church. Forseeing this action, Mr. Campbell had removed his membership to Wellsburgh, which was within the bounds of the Mahoning Association. From 1827 the work of excommunication went on until every reformer was cast out of the Baptist churches. This necessitated organization on the part of these excommunicated con- gregations. When it was effected in West- ern Pennsylvania, the congregations found themselves on the same footing as the in- dependent congregations in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, New York and Balti- mor. Alexander Campbell came to Bal- timore in 1835 for his second visit. The Unitarian and Swedenborgian Churches in-

vited him to use their houses of worship; but they were not considered to be large enough, and so were declined. He held his meeting in Scotti's Hall. The first person to profess conversion to his views was Theo- datus Garlick, a student of the Maryland University. He afterwards became famous as a sculptor and as a plastic surgeon. Af- terwards he went to Ohio and founded the Christian Church at Youngstown. He died December 9, 1884.

Many others identified themselves with the Christian Church on North street. A little later, however, dissensions and aliena- tions sprang up in this congregation, until they sold their property on North street and in 1869 built an edifice on the corner of Etting and Dolphin streets. Here they worshiped for several years, but finally merged their membership into that of the congregation meeting at the corner of Paca and Lombard streets. Their church edifice became the property of the latter congrega- tion and was later occupied by the Second Christian Church (colored).

THE PACA STREET, NOW HARLEM AVENUE, CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

This congregation has known a varied and moveable career. In 1840 it was found that many "Disciples of Christ" were scat- tered in various parts of the city. An effort was made to bring them together into a new organization. This was successful and on July 26th, thirty-seven persons signed a document in which they agreed to form a new congregation. The first meeting was held on this date and occupied the Trade's Union Hall, on Baltimore and Gay streets. From thence the congregation moved to the Assembly Rooms, corner Fayette and

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Holliday streets. Next it moved to War- field's Church on St. Paul's street. Thence it went to Armitage's Hall, on Paca street, near Fayette; and thence to the Paca Street Church which was dedicated by the Rev. Alexander Campbell on May 26, 1850. In 1873 the edifice was enlarged and improved. The congregation continued to occupy it until August 28, 1887, when it removed to a new edifice erected at the corner of Har- lem and Fremont avenues, which was dedi- cated March II, 1888. Since this time the name of the church has been the Harlem Avenue Christian Church. Its present prop- erty is valued at $32,000. The present membership is 530. The pastor is the Rev. B. A. Abbott.

The succession of pastors has not been preserved; but so far as ascertainable, they have been as follows: George S. Elley, in 1840; A. Anderson, leaving 1861; D. S. Burnet, from 1863 to July, 1867; A. N. Gil- bert, who served ten years; I. J. Spencer, who served two years; H. D. Clark, five years; James Vernon, Jr., from 1885 to September, 1888; C. K. Marshall, for six years, and the present pastor, who assumed charge on October 1, 1894.

CALHOUN STREET CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.

In 1888 the Rev. James Vernon, Jr., then pastor of the Harlem Avenue Christian Church, together with some of the members of that congregation, organized a new con- gregation. This was accomplished on June 24th, in Denny and Mitchell's Hall, on Bal- timore street near Carrollton avenue. About thirty-five persons formed them- selves together as the "Third Congregation of the Disciples of Christ in Baltimore."

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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