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 51

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 51

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Captain Bohannon was the recognized leader of this movement. He began a Sun- day-school several weeks before this or- ganization was effected and preached every Sunday evening until September Ist, when the Rev. James Vernon, Jr., became the pastor. They then removed to Hollins' Hall, for which they paid a rent of $365 a year. In September, 1889, the Rev. Mr. Vernon resigned. The pulpit was supplied by Captain Bohannon and Frank Morgan, a student of the Johns Hopkins University, until January 1, 1890, when Rev. Thomas Munnell accepted the charge. In December of this year a contract for a church edifice to cost $6,000 was given. They had no money in hand for this large expense and could raise only $500 among themselves. On April 6th, the edifice, which cost $8,000, was finished, and the Rev. C. P. William- son preached the dedicatory sermon. The building consists of Sunday-school rooms and a church parlor on the first floor, and an audience room seating 500 persons on the second. Several beautiful stained glass windows have been placed upstairs, one by Mrs. President Garfield in memory of her husband, who had been a student under the Rev. Mr. Munnell. On September 30, 1891, Mr. Munnell resigned and on October Ist was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Ainslie. The indebtedness at this time was over $5,000 and the membership was less than a hundred. A revival was started in No- vember, which lasted over four weeks, and added an hundred people to the church. On February 16, 1894, the church was par- tially destroyed by fire. For three months the congregation worshiped in Hollins' Hall again, which proved a serious drawback to its prosperity. On May 13th, the edifice

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was ready for use, the insurance having met the expenses. Gradually the debt has been reduced until it is now only $2,000. The property is valued at $12,000. The Rev. Peter Ainslie is still in charge.

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

The Methodist Protestant Church took its rise in Baltimore in the year 1839. Its originators were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church who contended that the laity ought to enjoy equal representation with the ministry in the Annual and General Conferences. So strongly did some of them hold and express this view that they were expelled from the M. E. Church; while others seceded. These disaffected Metho- dists decided to form a new body and in November, 1830, called a convention for this purpose. It was held in Baltimore. A new constitution and discipline were formu- lated, based upon this principle of repre- sentation. Congregations have gradually arisen in various parts of the city in the following order:

St. John's M. P. Church .- This was the first Methodist Protestant church to be or- ganized. It is located on Liberty street, near Fayette, and was organized in 1829. For a number of years it has maintained an independent relation officially, although its pulpit is supplied from the Maryland Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church.

East Baltimore M. P. Church .- This con- gregation was also organized in 1829. It is located at the corner of Preston and Bond streets. Its membership is 220, with 278 Sunday-school scholars. The value of its

property is $23,500. The present pastor is the Rev. J. M. Sheridan.

West Baltimore M. P. Church .- This church was organized out of St. John's Methodist Protestant Church in 1843 and is located at the corner of Lafayette avenue and Gilmor street. The pastor is the Rev. J. W. Kirk. Its membership is 487; Sun- day-school scholars, 560. Value of prop- erty, $36,500.

South Baltimore M. P. Church .- This church is on Light street extended. Its pastor is the Rev. J. E. T. Ewell. The membership is 163; Sunday-school scholars, 180. Value of property, $23,000.

Allnut Memorial M. P. Church .- At the corner of Chester and Lombard streets, this church is located. It has a membership of 468, and a Sunday-school of 435 scholars. The property is valued at $54,000. The Rev. T. M. Holmes is the pastor.

Starr M. P. Church .- This is located on Poppleton street, near Lombard. Its pas- tor is the Rev. F. T. Little. The member- ship of the church is 275, and of the Sun- day-school, 250. The value of the property is $45,000.

Broadway M. P. Church .- At the corner of Broadway and Monument streets, this church is situated. It is built of brick and has a membership of 203, and the Sunday- school numbers 500. The property is val- ued at $25,000. The Rev. F. H. Lewis is the pastor.

Hampden M. P. Church .- On the Falls Road, near Third avenue, is this church situated. Its membership is 632 and its Sunday-school has 630 scholars. The pas- tor is the Rev. W. J. Neepier. Value of church property, $16,500.

Eutaw M. P. Church .- This church is lo-

James a. Para

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

cated at Hall's Spring, near First Tollgate. The pastor is the Rev. W. S. Phillips and it has a membership of 66, with 87 scholars in the Sunday-school. The property is valued at $4,000.

Faith M. P. Church .- At the corner of Madison and Independent streets this church is situated. It has a membership of 127; Sunday-school scholars, 154. The property is valued at $3,000. The Rev. J. W. Paris is pastor.

Remington M. P. Church .- Situated at the corner of Huntingdon avenue and William street, is the Remington Methodist Protest- ant church. Its property is valued at $5,000. The membership of the church is 163, and of the Sunday-school 100. The pastor is the Rev. H. O. Keen.

Bethany M. P. Church .- This is located at the corner of Washington and Townsend streets and has a membership of 148, with 250 scholars in the Sunday-school. The value of the property is $3,175. Pastor, Rev. J. F. Bryan.

Payson M. P. Church .- This church is at the corner of Payson and McHenry streets. Its property is valued at $1,900 and its mem- bership is 75, with a Sunday-school of 150 scholars. The Rev. G. W. Hines is the pastor.

St. John's M. P. Church .- At the corner of Lancaster and Robinson streets, this church is located. Its membership is 105. Its Sunday-school has 200 scholars. Prop- erty is valued at $1,500. The pastor is Rev. A. A. Bichell.

Fairview M. P. Church .- Near Loudon Park, this church is situated on the Fred- erick Road. The pastor is the Rev. H. E. Nelson. The membership is 131, with 175

scholars in the Sunday-school. . The prop- erty is valued at $2,700.

Christ's M. P. Church .- On Baker street near Fulton avenue, is this church situated. It has a membership of 123 and a Sunday- school of 250 scholars. The value of the property is $2,700. The pastor is the Rev. W. H. Litsinger.

Evergreen M. P. Church .- This church is at the corner of Cedar avenue and Roland Park. The pastor is the Rev. N. O. Gib- son and the membership of the church is 42, of the Sunday-school IIO. Value of property is $1,500.

North Baltimore M. P. Church .- This beautiful stone church was erected in 1895 on Mt. Royal avenue, near McMechin street, and not far from the Park. Its growth has been rapid until it now numbers IIO members and has a Sunday-school of 100 scholars. The property is valued at $20,000. The pastor is Rev. A. N. Ward.

Totals .- Number of churches in the city, 19. Membership, 3,618. Sunday-school scholars, 4,423. Value of church property, $268,975.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

The first Universalist minister to visit Baltimore was the Rev. Paul Dean, of Bos- ton, who preached several sermons here about 1830. In 1831 the Rev. Otis A. Skin- ner, D. D., took up his residence in the city and established the First Universalist Church. In 1832 a Sunday-school was or- ganized. Services were held in the Branch, or Warfield's Tabernacle, on St. Paul street. Violent opposition was encountered in the promulgation of Universalist views, inso- much that the first attendants upon the pub- lic services were only men. Interest in the

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

new congregation grew gradually. The Rev. Dr. Skinner's ministrations were very acceptable and successful, as he was a man of unusual gifts. Such numerous enquiries came to him regarding the tenets of the new faith that he established a religious news- paper to aid him to spread them abroad. This bore the title of "The Southern Pioneer and Gospel Visitant." It was published simultaneously in Baltimore and Rich- mond. Doctor Skinner became the editor- in-chief of this publication, and later on, the proprietor and publisher. Under the heavy burdens of his manifold labors his health gave way, and he was compelled to seek rest. He resigned the charge of the Balti- more congregation and was succeeded by the Rev. Linus S. Everett. Under his suc- cessful pastorate a large church edifice was erected at the corner of Calvert and Pleas- ant streets in 1837-1838. He served only two years but did an acceptable work, greatly advancing the interests of his flock. In 1839 the Rev. I. D. Williamson became the pastor, and through his marked intellec- tual gifts attracted wide attention. It was in his day, for certain financial reasons, that the First Universalist Society disbanded, and the Second Universalist Society was formed. The latter was composed very largely of the same members as the former. The Rev. James Shrigley succeeded to the pastorate in 1841 and remained in charge until 1849. Though of gracious personality and consecrated life, his work was greatly hampered by a constantly increasing indebt- edness which at last amounted to $15,000. Upon his resignation in 1849 a heroic effort was made by the congregation to remove this incubus. These efforts were nobly sec- onded by the new pastor, the Rev. J. M.

Cook, who became pastor in 1849. A mort- gage of $7,000 was cancelled by generous subscriptions. Mr. Cook next attacked the "Floating Debt" and made considerable ad- vance, when he was suddenly stricken down and died after a short illness. He had been in charge but a year and yet had done a great work, both in the pulpit and else- where. The next pastor was the Rev. G. T. Flanders, D. D., who served from 1851 to 1855. His incumbency was not specially notable, though he was a man of good abili- ties. From 1857 to 1859 the Rev. J. M. Peebles, who had been a Lutheran minister, was in charge. He was succeeded in 1859 by the Rev. J. R. Johnson, under whom many changes and many advances were made. The "Floating Debt," which the Rev. Mr. Cook had not removed before he died, had been gradually increasing, until it now became an unbearable burden. It was deemed best to sell the property on Cal- vert street, inasmuch as it was becoming more and more unsuitable for religious pur- poses owing to the encroachments of shops and stores. The building was accordingly sold and the indebtedness paid. Seven thousand dollars remained after all claims had been met. For two years following the congregation worshiped in a hall until a new site could be secured and a new edifice erected. A lot was secured on Baltimore street, near Central avenue, upon which a ground rent was placed of three hundred and sixty dollars. In April, 1860, the cor- ner-stone was laid and the dedication oc- curred on March 24, 1861. The total cost was $16,000. The Civil War greatly im- peded the progress of the congregation and before it was over a serious secession from the church took place.

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

The Rev. H. R. Walworth succeeded the Rev. Mr. Johnson in 1866 and was in charge three years. For about one year the Rev. Alexander Kent was pastor. In 1872 the Rev. G. W. Powell was chosen pastor and continued in charge until 1876. Near the close of his pastorate an unfortunate divi- sion sprang up, and when Mr. Powell re- signed he took with him a considerable fol- lowing and established a new congregation, taking the title of the "Third Universalist Church." A building was erected on Greene street, but after a few years it was sold and the congregation disbanded. Only a few of these seceders returned to the old fold, so that here was a distinct loss through this unfortunate movement. For six months after the withdrawal of Mr. Powell and his followers from the parent church, the Rev. William Taylor, M. D., did faithful service, until the Rev. Royal H. Pullman, D. D., entered upon the pastorate, May 1, 1877. The Rev. Dr. Pullman had long been the General Secretary of the General Conven- tion of Universalists, and brought to his new field signal abilities and wide experi- ence. He found but a small band of adher- ents but these were possessed of marked zeal. The spiritual life of the congregation was weak and the financial condition de- plorable. The annual ground rent and an indebtedness of several thousand dollars weighed the people to the earth and there seemed little hope of improvement. But under the long and faithful pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Pullman the whole situation has been transformed. Early in his administra- tion it was deemed wise to sell the edifice on Baltimore street, as many of the people had removed from that neighborhood. This was done in the spring of 1886 and brought

$21,000, the ground rent being assumed by the purchaser. After all the debts had been paid a balance of $12,500 was left in the treasury. The farewell services in the old building were held in October, 1886, at- tracting large congregations. The follow- ing Sunday the congregation worshiped in McLaughlin's Hall, at the corner of Balti- more and Eden streets, and occupied these premises for almost two years, while the new church was being erected. On Thanks- giving Day, 1887, the corner-stone of the present edifice was laid. The lot is situated at the northwest corner of Guilford avenue and Lanvale street and is owned in fee. The beautiful edifice was dedicated on October 20, 1888, amidst great rejoicings. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Pullman. The building commit- tee reported that $2,216.48 were needed to meet all obligations. Immediately the sum of $3,217.48 were subscribed, so that the congregation started on its new career with a handsome property, entirely free from all encumbrance. The church is built of gran- ite and presents an attractive appearance. The congregation has largely increased and is greatly given to good work. In the year 1890 a band of teachers organized to form a mission. This was accomplished on Christ- mas Day of that year. A site was secured on Ann street, near Federal, and a substan- tial chapel was erected. This was dedi- cated on October 9, 1892. It cost a little over $2,000. The first pastor was the Rev. U. S. Milburn, who served for a year and a half; the second, the Rev. C. P. Hall. The mission is called All Souls' Mission. It is making steady growth in numbers and in- fluence.

In 1897 the Rev. Dr. Pullman deemed it

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

wise to give way to a younger man, and greatly to the regret of his people, pressed his resignation. It was reluctantly ac- cepted. He still continues to reside in Bal- timore almost opposite the church for which he has labored so long and so successfully. The present edifice is a monument to his zeal and devotion. He was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. A. Bilkovsky.

The membership is 381.

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

This religious body has but few congre- gations in this city. It was much stronger a few years ago than it is now; but owing to a contention which arose in 1893 several congregations separated from the Evangeli- cal Association, and allied themselves with a new body which took the name of the United Evangelical Association.

In organization and government, both of these associations are very much like the Methodists, having bishops and an itinerant ministry. None of their churches are strong numerically. Those attached to the Evangelical Association in this city are all German, and they have all been organized in comparatively recent years.

FIRST EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

The annals of this church begin with a resolution passed in 1840 at the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangeli- cal Association, in pursuance of which the Rev. Jacob Boos came to Baltimore to do missionary work among its German resi- dents. He preached his first sermon in the house of Mr. Haupt, who then resided on Dover street. In a short time he rented the small chapel of a Methodist church at Fremont and Raborg streets. This build-

ing is now used as a feed store. Mr. Boos' followers numbered by this time 42, and the chapel was named "Emmanuel." The congregation bought the chapel before the end of the year. It was soon decided to build a new church edifice. This was done at the corner of Camden and Eutaw streets. It was consecrated on December 12, 184I. It was 40 feet by 60 feet in size. On Sun- day, December 14, 1851, this building was destroyed by fire. It was decided to re- build. The new edifice was almost com- pleted when, in July, 1852, .the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bought the site from the con- gregation for $9,000, not including the ma- terials. The pastor at that time was the Rev. D. Berger. A new site was selected on Greene street and Cider alley and the present edifice erected. It was dedicated in 1853, and the name changed to the First Evangelical Church, though it is still popu- larly called the Emmanuel Evangelical Church. It is a two-story brick building. In 1874 a new front was placed to the build- ing, a new gallery erected and a new roof. An organ was also purchased. These im- provements cost $14,000. In 1879 a sex- ton's house was erected on Cider alley. It has accommodations also for religious gatherings. A suitable parsonage is also owned by the congregation. There are 250 communicants and 150 Sunday-school scholars. The present zealous pastor is the Rev. A. Pfost.

In 1887 this congregation purchased two lots, at West Cross and Nanticote streets, and erected a chapel thereon. It was dedi- cated in 1887, and grew to sufficient strength to be declared independent in 1897, as the Third Evangelical Church.

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SECOND EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

In 1848 a plain two-story brick church edifice was erected by this congregation at the corner of McElderry and Short streets. It was dedicated in February, 1849. On September 5, 1869, it was rededicated, hav- ing been extensively improved. It was again improved in 1895. The communi- cants number 150, and the Sunday-school has 120 pupils. A parsonage is owned across the street from the church. The present pastor is the Rev. H. Weisshaar, who entered upon the charge in 1897.

THIRD EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

This congregation started as a mission of the First Evangelical Church. Its brick chapel was erected in 1887 at a cost of $5,000. It is situated on Cross and Nanti- cote streets. The present pastor is the Rev. T. Weber, under whom the congregation is making slow progress. It now numbers 45. It became independent in 1898.

UNITED EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA- TION.

NUMSEN MEMORIAL UNITED EVANGEL- ICAL CHURCH.

This very attractive stone edifice was dedicated on September 14, 1873. It is sit- uated on Clark street near Fremont. It has known a slow growth. Though originally connected with the Evangelical Association it separated from it in 1893, and is now at- tached to the Central Pennsylvania Confer- ence of the United Evangelical Association. This congregation is composed of English speaking people, as is the case with the others of the United Association.

GRACE UNITED EVANGELICAL ASSOCIA- TION CHURCH.

This congregation has a neat brick edi- fice at the corner of Preston and Ensor streets. The congregation is now numeri- cally strong, but is making some growth.

OLIVE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

At the corner of Charles and Fort ave- nues this congregation has a small brick edifice. It is not strong. The pastor is the Rev. Mr. Bailey.

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This ecclesiastical body came into exis- tence in the year 1858 by the union of the Associate Reformed and the Associate Churches (branches of the Presbyterian Church). Some three-quarters of a century before they had been united but they sepa- rated on minor points. At the last reunion they took the name of the United Presby- terian Church. In Baltimore this body has never attained to much strength or known rapid growth.

FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This congregation was organized in 1826. The first edifice occupied by it was situated on Courtland street, between Saratoga and Pleasant streets. It was erected in 1828. The first pastor was the Rev. Archibald White, who served from 1828 to 1838. The change of location to the present site at the corner of Madison avenue and Biddle street was made later. The building is two stories in height and of plain appearance, in keep- ing with the forms and customs which this denomination observes. For in its worship it is most simple, using as few forms as pos-

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

sible. No hymns or sacred songs are per- mitted, except the Psalms of David.

The present pastor is Rev. J. B. Wilson. In 1894 the Christian Endeavor Society of this church organized a mission on North avenue which is now self-sustaining.

NORTH AVENUE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.

The Christian Endeavor Society of the First United Presbyterian Church started a Sunday-school at the corner of Walbrook avenue and Pulaski street in June, 1891. Preaching services were begun in Decem- ber, 1894. A temporary building was erected on the northeast corner of Payson street and North avenue, in March, 1895, to which the frame building was removed in October. The congregation was here or- ganized January 29, 1896, with twenty-eight members. In the autumn of 1897 a stone chapel was erected on this lot at a cost of $7,000. The property is now worth $14,- 000. The present membership is sixty- seven and the Sunday-school numbers 325 scholars. The Rev. Charles H. Robinson has been the pastor since the organization. The church was dedicated in January, 1898, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. W. J. Robinson, of Allegheny, Pa.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.

This body came into existence in the year 1844, but had no congregation in Bal- timore until the time of the Civil War. Up to this time the Baltimore Conference ad- hered to the parent Methodist Church. In 1860 the General Conference, which met at Buffalo, N. Y., so altered the Book of Dis- cipline that the Baltimore Conference at its session held at Staunton, Va., in March,

1861, determined to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the General Conference of the Methodist Church. The war followed immediately upon the adjournment of this Conference, and during the four years of its continuance the Baltimore Conference maintained an independent position. Mean- while, several new congregations were es- tablished in the city altogether independent of the Methodist Church. Some of these have remained independent until this day, while others identified themselves with the Methodist Church, South, which was for- mally organized here in 1866. In the month of February of this year, the Balti- more Conference met at Alexandria, Va. At this meeting the names of those minis- ters who had not answered to the roll-call were stricken off; and those present re- solved as follows: "We do hereby unite with, and adhere to, the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, and do now, through the President of this Conference, invite Bishop Early to recognize us officially, and to preside over us at our present session." Thereupon Bishop Early took the chair and the connection with the Methodist Church, South, was established.

TRINITY M. E. CHURCH.

Sometime in 1863 a number of members of Strawbridge M. E. Church (then situated on the corner of Linden avenue and Biddle streets), withdrew from that church and organized an independent Methodist Sun- day-school. It was located in a building on Biddle street now used as No. 4 Truck House. Here they worshiped until a lot was secured and the present edifice erected in 1863. The church was dedicated in November, 1864; the first pastor was the

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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

Rev. Alpheus W. Wilson, now a bishop of the M. E. Church, South. The congrega- tion was not incorporated until July 13, 1868. The church was conducted as an in- dependent body for a number of years and it was not until 1884 that an amendment to the original charter was filed changing the name to the present one. The most prom- inent pastors beside Bishop Wilson have been: The Revs. Robt. A. Holland, D. D .; Samuel Rogers, D. D .; Wm. W. Wads- worth, D. D .; John Hannon, D. D .; Felix R. Hill, D. D .; March B. Chapman, D. D. The present pastor is the Rev. J. H. Young, Ph. D. The membership is 537. This congregation has always been notable for its missionary spirit and offerings. Through its Sunday-school its annual collections for Home and Foreign Missions have been from $1,500 to $2,500 every year since its organization.

EMMANUEL M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.

This congregation is an off-shoot of Trinity Church, South, and it has known1 two places of worship. The first was on Mosher street, near Myrtle avenue, where its first church edifice was dedicated on Oc- tober 24, 1869. This property was after- ward sold and the present edifice was erected at the corner of McCulloh and Presstman streets. Its membership is 383 and the pastor is the Rev. Wm. S. Ham- mond.

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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