USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens > Part 37
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (Essexville). -In April, 1879, Rev. John B. Dawson came to Essexville at the request of the Genesee As- sociation to see what the possibilities were for establishing a Congregational Church. He visited among the people for a month, during which time he held meetings in Hudson Hall. On May 6th of that year a church was organ- ized with 30 charter members, and the follow- ing week the Sunday-school was established. The first Sunday of the following August the church commenced holding meetings in what is now K. O. T. M. Hall, and worshiped there for two years and a half. In 1881 they com- menced building their present house of worship, and held the first meeting there in February,
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1883. The edifice was dedicated the first of the following June, and at that time the church was out of debt. Rev. Mr. Dawson was called as pastor as soon as the church was organized. After six years of service, he was compelled to resign and to retire from the ministry on ac- count of failing health, although he has preached occasionally since that time. Rev. W. B. King was called in the early summer of 1885, and remained with the church five years. Then Rev. Mr. Scott was engaged to supply the pul- pit for the next six months, and was succeeded in 1891 by Rev. E. M. Counsellor who minis- tered to the congregation for two years. At the close of his pastorate, the mills, in which most of the male members of the church were employed, were destroyed by fire, and the church remained without a pastor for about a year and a half, the members feeling that they could not assume the burden of maintaining a minister. In 1895, Rev. J. H. Haller, who had charge of the city mission, began supplying the pulpit on Sunday mornings, and continued his labors for a year. Then Rev. Charles T. Pat- chell preached to the congregation on Sunday evenings for a year, and for the next 12 months the church was ministered to by Rev. Mr. Woodruff, a retired clergyman of Saginaw. From the close of his labors until November, 1901, the church was again without a pastor. At that time Rev. Charles W. Jones, of Zanes- ville, Ohio, was called. He was succeeded after 21 months by Rev. O. A. Alexander, who stayed with the church only 10 months. In November, 1904, Rev. R. S. Hartill was called from Sprague, Canada. The present member- ship of the church is 51.
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.
ZION EVANGELICAL CHURCH .- In 1878 this church was organized. Among the original
trustees were Herman Meisel, Henry Meisel, August Meisel, Max Hildebrand and Fred Koch. At first a small church building was erected, but as the society flourished it was found necessary to build the house of worship on Monroe street, which they are now using. The old church was removed to the rear of the lot, where it is used as a chapel and for school purposes. The church had 26 charter members: The first pastor was Rev. F. Hamp, who re- mained about two years. The next three pas- tors, Revs. Frederick Schweitzer, Frederick Mueller and George Haller, each served the church three years. Then Rev. Frederick Klump had charge for two years, and was fol- lowed by Rev. Mr. Krueger, who was pastor for three years. This brings us to 1892, when a portion of the society withdrew from the de- nomination to form the Salem United Evan- gelical Church.
Soon after this event, a meeting was called in a hall on Washington avenue to organize a new society. Rev. N. Wunderlich was chair- man of this meeting and Rev. John Riebel its secretary. At this meeting about 30 people re- united with the church of the Evangelical Asso- ciation. The society that had withdrawn re- fused to give up the church property for a num- ber of years. In 1898, however, a decision of the courts gave the church to its present own- ers. The new society has now about 50 mem- bers. Its property is valued at $8,400. The pastors have been Revs. John Riebel, J. Ham- mel, N. Wunderlich, A. Halmhuber, J. M. Bitt- ner and W. M. Sippel, who is the present pas- tor. The Sunday-school services are held in English. The morning services are in German and the evening services are in English.
SALEM UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH is. the name that was chosen by the society that withdrew from the Evangelical Association in
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1892. They worshiped in what is now Zion Evangelical Church until 1898, when they were compelled by the courts to abandon the prop- erty, and at that time built their present church and parsonage at a cost of $10,000. The prop- erty is located at the corner of Madison avenue and Ioth street.
Their pastors, each of whom has served the church the prescribed limit of four years, have been Revs. Henry Schneider, Samuel Mueller and A. Lutz, whose pastorate expired in 1905, and who was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. C. M. Kaufman. The present member- ship is 126.
THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY was organized in 1864 under the labors of Rev. William Tompkins, who preached in Bay City every alternate Sunday for six months of that year. At first he had called the Universalists of Bay City together and developed their strength ; but at the close of his engagement it was thought the interest was not sufficient to warrant the continuance of his labors. Thus matters rested until the summer of 1865, when Rev. Z. Cook visited the city and preached to the congregation every Sunday for a month, as a candidate for settlement. The interest mani- fested did not seem sufficient to justify his en- gagement, and nothing more was done until the early spring of 1866, when Rev. C. P. Nash came to Bay City, seeking a settlement. He was assured beforehand that circumstances did not favor the settlement of any pastor over the society, but so great and unexpected was the interest shown upon his first visit that he was requested to renew it, and in the meantime a subscription was started to secure his services. The necessary amount was pledged, and on the first Sunday in April he entered upon the discharge of his duties as pastor.
The society, however, from having been so long without regular meetings, had well-nigh
dissolved; and hence a meeting was called on April 10, 1866, at which it was legally reor- ganized, and its organization entered upon the records of the county according to law. The necessity of a church building being apparent to all, in June the pastor commenced circulating a subscription to raise the necessary funds. Work on the building was commenced in Octo- ber, and it was dedicated on the first Sunday in January, 1867. Owing to financial troubles, meetings were suspended from January, 1868, to the following May, when an engagement was entered into for preaching half the time. The Sunday-school, however, did not suffer in- terruption. After a time, however, the society recuperated and enjoyed a more prosperous condition. In 1877 the building was destroyed by fire, and the lot was exchanged for one on the corner of Seventh street and Madison ave- nue, where the following year a church edifice was completed. The pastor at that time was Rev. Amos Crum, who remained with the so- ciety for several years. After he went away the pulpit was filled by a number of supplies, none of whom remained for any considerable length of time. The next settled pastor was Rev. S. Crane, who came in 1882. He remained, about one and a half years, and then the pulpit was vacant for a short time until Rev. S. H. Roblin took charge. He was followed by Rev. Frank J. Chase, who subsequently seceded from the denomination, and after that the pulpit was supplied by different clergymen of the Univer- salist denomination until Rev. Charles E. Tucker came to the church about 1893. The church building was destroyed by fire on March 10, 1895, Mr. Tucker at that time being away on a tour of the Holy Land. Soon after this second visitation by fire the pastorate was ter- minated. For about a year the society had no regular meeting place, and few meetings were held. Then Rev. Thomas Illman was engaged,
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and services were held in the Ridotto. About this time a building lot was secured on Center avenue at the corner of Sherman street, and the foundation for a new house of worship was laid. Rev. Mr. Illman's pastorate covered a period of two and one-half years. The pulpit again becoming vacant, services were held in- termittently until Rev. George B. Stocking was secured as pastor. He remained with the church about a year and a half. Since his resig- nation in June, 1904, no regular meetings have been held, the society being kept alive by the ladies, who hold meetings weekly from house to house among the members. There are now only about 40 or 50 families connected with the society, many former members having become identified with other churches in the city. Ow- ing to the weakened condition of the society, it appears doubtful if the new church on Center avenue will be completed in the immediate fu- ture.
CHURCH OF CHRIST (DISCIPLES). This West Side church was organized about eight years ago, with six charter members. The first meeting was held at the house of John Law. Services were afterward conducted in the houses of the various members until they came into possession of their present house of worship. This was previously owned by the Swedish Dis- ciples' Church under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Hollengrin, who constructed the building with his own hands. The property is now valued at $1,500. The present membership of the church is 36. The following is a list of the pastors to date: Revs. I. K. Law, September, 1897, to August, 1899; W. R. Seytone, November, 1899, to February, 1900; C. W. F. Daniels, May 6, 1900, to September 9, 1900; W. P. Squires, October 14, 1900, to February 28, 1901; A. E. Zeller, June 7, 1901, to February 19, 1905 ; and S. W. Pearcy, the present pastor, who took charge February 19, 1905.
SWEDISH FREE MISSION CHURCH.
About 1885, S. A. Sanbeck began holding prayer meetings from house to house among Swedish Christians in West Bay City. These meetings were kept up until 1891. During these years Swedish missionaries made occas- ional visits, and at such times meetings were held in various halls. In 1891 the present church society was organized, and the follow- ing year their house of worship was erected on DeWitt street between Jenny and Thomas streets. It seats about 125 people and is valued at about $1,000. The church has about 60 members. Their present pastor, Rev. Alberts Johnson, came in December, 1904.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST.
In the summer of 1889, Frank Armstrong began holding Sabbath-school on the West Side in the home of Mrs. J. B. Stewart. Soon after that he began holding services in his own house. During the winter of 1889, Elder D. H. Lam- son came here, and a hall was rented and gen- eral church services held, until the spring of 1890. The interest manifested did not seem sufficient to justify him in staying, but after he went away the Sabbath-school and prayer meetings were continued. Later the meetings were removed to Bay City and held for a time in the old Lutheran Church at the corner of Sixth street and Madison avenue. On Feb- ruary 1, 1890, the church was organized with 17 members. Elder Burrill moved his family here in the spring and remained with the church through the summer. Elder Basney came in the fall of 1890, and served the society until I895. Their present house of worship on South Dean street was completed in 1895, and dedicated on May 12th of that year. The edi- fice is valued at about $1,500 and seats about
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150 people. The church now has 61 members. Their next pastor was Elder Justus Lamson, who had charge of the services about two years. Their next pastor, Elder Conrad Weber, went away in 1901, and then they were without a pastor for quite a while. Their present pastor, Elder A. R. Sanborn, came in February, 1902. In the fall of 1902, the church opened a paro- chial school in the church. There are now nine children in the school. The first teacher was May Sanborn who had charge of the school for one year. Since that time the present teacher, Louise Krohn, has been in charge.
THE CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, whose taber- nacle is located at the corner of Michigan and Dean streets, on the West Side, was founded by Elder Walter Sims in 1879. In the fall of 1879 he came to Bay City on a business trip. One evening with a friend he went to hear a temperance address in Rouech Hall; the speaker did not put in an appearance, and Elder Sims was requested to address the assembled audi- ence. Up to this time it had always been his custom to preach the Gospel as opportunity of- fered, and so he gladly took advantage of the occasion to deliver a stirring Gospel address, and by request continued preaching on subse- quent evenings. These are the peculiar circum- stances which led to the establishing of this unique assembly which now numbers between three and four hundred members, who claim to gather in accordance with the customs of the Christian assemblies in the days of the Apos- tles, without a creed other than the entire Bible. After a time the meetings were transferred to West Bay City and held in the old St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church. Services were conducted in this building until 1880 when they began holding meetings in a building of their own, which was located opposite their present site. The building was 126 by 76 feet and cost about $2,000. In 1881 a large acad-
emy building was added to the church property at a cost of $3,000. The academy was con- ducted by Elder Sims and its curriculum in- cluded college preparatory courses, normal courses for teachers, commercial courses and other studies which might be selected by the student. The school prospered until 1892, when the entire property was destroyed by fire.
For a time, after that misfortune, services were conducted in the chapel now used by the Church of Christ. In the meantime the Sal- vation Army barracks were purchased, remod- eled inside and refitted so that it would seat more than 700 people. Including all improve- ments, it has cost up to this time between $5,000 and $6,000. Articles of incorporation as The Christian Assembly were executed February 12, 1902.
HEBREW CONGREGATIONS.
ANSHEI CHESED HEBREW REFORM CON- GREGATION was organized in September, 1878. Services were held in a lodge room on Water street until 1884 when they purchased their present temple on Adams street from a Ger- man Lutheran society, which had previously used it as a house of worship. Originally the congregation numbered about 25 male, paying, members, but as the number of Jewish famil- ies in the city increased the membership in- creased. In 1884 the congregation divided on questions regarding the manner of conducting. the services, so that now the male paying mem- bership is only what is was at the beginning. There are about 50 members of the congrega- tion. Dr. Wolff Landau was the first rabbi, and served the congregation until his death, August 29, 1903. He was succeeded after a few months by Dr. F. W. Jesselson, who is still in charge. He resides at Grand Rapids. The society is free from debt.
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SHAARY ZEDEK CONGREGATION .- In 1884 about 12 families who believed in adhering to the old forms and methods of conducting He- brew worship withdrew from the Anshei Chesed Reform Hebrew Congregation. Their first meetings were held in a hall on Center avenue. They continued there seven or eight years, and then moved into their present syna- gogue, which was built in 1889. The edifice will seat about 500 people. They have 45 vot- ing members, while the congregation numbers about 500 souls. In 1904 a private residence adjoining the synagogue was purchased, and is to be converted into a Hebrew free school. This property is worth about $1,000. The value of the synagogue, including furnishings, is at least $4,000.
In 1882 Rabbi Samuel Levine came to the congregation. He remained about three years and was followed by Rabbi Joseph Bernstein, who stayed two years. Next came Rabbi Jo- seph Taub, who served the congregation about six years. His successor was Rabbi L. Frisch, and after him Rabbi A. Rosenthal was here three years until 1903, when Rabbi Joseph Taub returned to the congregation and has re- mained since that time.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The association was organized June 19, 1885, with D. C. Smalley as president and W. 1. Sunley as general secretary. Mr. Smalley served the association two years. Mr. Sunley, after a much appreciated work, resigned Octo- ber 1, 1886. Mr. Baker acted as general secre- tary until September 1, 1887, when Mr. Hoag took charge. He was succeeded on May I, 1888, by F. Klumpf, and at the same time Hon. F. W. Wheeler became president.
During the incumbency of Mr. Klumpf, the association received from the philanthropist,
Alexander Folsom, $20,000 for a building and $10,000 as a library fund. With the money designated for that purpose the association pur- chased the building it now occupies on Adams street, which was originally known as the Wal- ton Block and remodeled it for its present uses.
Mr. Klumpf resigned March 30, 1890, and was succeeded by Mr. Black. Then followed a number of general secretaries who served one or two years each. In 1898 the present general secretary, Charles A. Day, began his work. He had come here the previous year as physical di- rector, and still continues to look after both departments of the association's work.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The association was organized in May, 1891, and incorporated the following Decem- ber. The aim of the work has been to promote the interest of young women in spiritual, edu- cational, physical and social work. At first meetings were held in the G. A. R. Hall : later, rooms were secured in the old library building ; from there the association removed to a private house on Washnigton avenue and still later to a dwelling house on Madison avenue. For the past five years the association has occupied quarters in the Root Block on Center avenue. There are six rooms,-office, assembly room, library, rest room, dining room and kitchen. Following is a list of the secretaries. each of whom held office about a year : Miss Humph- rey. Miss Obernauer, Miss Alice Pierce, Miss Belle Lemon, Miss Carey, Miss Strong, Miss Mary Angevine and Miss Myrtle B. Mills, who took charge as general secretary in 1904 and is still in office. Of these, Misses Alice Pierce and Belle Lemon were volunteer workers of the local association.
In addition to the religious meetings, regu- lar classes are held in the common English
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branches and in drawing, plain sewing, shirt- waist making, millinery, cooking and a limited amount of gymnasium work. All the best mag- azines are to be found on the library table, and on the shelves many standard works of litera- ture and the best of the late books, of which the members have free use. During the past year 9,105 lunches were served. The total attend- ance at the rooms, including classes, Gospel meetings and calls, was 21,833. The total mem- bership is now 500. The work is supported by. memberships and subscriptions.
HOSPITALS.
MERCY HOSPITAL. The stately structure standing on the corner of 15th and Howard streets, is one of Bay City's best testimonials that its citizens, in the hurry and bustle of the complex life of the present day, have not for- gotten that "sweet quality of mercy" which finds expression in tender, solicitous care for the weak, sick and helpless.
Mercy Hospital had its beginning five years ago, being established first in the old Nathan B. Bradley private residence, on the present site. It is entirely under the management of that noble body of Christian woman known as the Sisters of Mercy, Sister Hilda being then, as now, the superior. Michigan, from 1668 when Father Marquette, that great Catholic missionary, founded the first settlement, has been indebted to the same religious body for much of its educational and religious develop- ment as well as for the carrying on of some of its greatest charities. With the zeal which has always characterized the pioneers in establish- ing their schools and benevolent institutions, Sister Hilda, ably seconded by her assistants, so presented the claims of the proposed hospital, to the business men of Bay City, that a fund of $7,500 was rapidly raised and the present
property was purchased, so that when the hos- pital was opened, on September 26, 1900, it was entirely free from indebtedness.
In 1905 an annex was added to the original structure, a brick building, three stories and basement, making the accommodations larger and of more benefit to the public. Through private contributions and the interest taken in the work of the hospital by many citizens of various denominations, as well as the income derived from those patients able to remunerate generously for their care, the whole building has been thoroughly equipped with every mod- ern convenience and appliance and is recognized as the leading private hospital in the city. Many of its 20 private rooms have been furnished by private individuals or societies. It is, however, just what its name implies,-a refuge for the sick who have no means to procure medical at- tention. These are never turned away, but the good Sisters take them in, shelter and cure them and let them pass out again healed in body and refreshed in spirit. The charity patients aver- age about 10 a year, the accommodations be- ing for 35 patients. The hospital has a private ambulance. Mercy Hospital keeps 10 nurses for its work and from its training school has graduated 12 nurses, making no charge for tui- tion. Another admirable department of its work is the finding of homes for waifs. These are placed where conditions promise that they will be carefully reared in Christian households.
While this hospital is under the care of the Sisters of Mercy, it has the full sympathy and support of all the religious creeds of the city, for its work is entirely unsectarian and of so beneficent a character that its great usefulness can not be ranked too high.
LEWIS HOSPITAL .- Dr. LeRoy Lewis, while looking for a suitable location for a hos- pital, came in the latter "eighties" to Bay City, and there being at that time no hospital in either
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of the cities, he was encouraged by a number of leading citizens to decide upon Bay City as the scene of his future labors. He returned to his home in New York State to close up his busi- ness affairs there. This required a little longer time than he had anticipated, and when, in Sep- tember, 1900, he arrived in Bay City, he dis- covered that Mercy Hospital had been estab- lished. He was not discouraged by this, how- ever, as he felt there was room here for two such institutions, and it was his hope in time to make his hospital a public, if not a municipal institution. He secured what was at that time one of the most pretentious private dwellings in Bay City, erected by the late George Lewis at a cost of many thousands of dollars. Dr. Lewis furnished this home with every necessary ap- pliance of the most modern and approved type for performing surgical operations and every convenience for the care of the sick and con- valescent, and on November 16, 1900, the in- stitution, which had cost Dr. Lewis $10,000, was formally opened to the public.
The building is situated on a beautiful cor- ner lot, with ample grounds and an abundance of sunlight and air. Had the structure been erected especially for a hospital, it would not be more appropriate. The building contains spacious halls, drawing rooms and library, all elegantly furnished, and these cheerful places are at the disposal of convalescents. The din- ing room, kitchen, pantry and other domestic appointments are those of an elegant home. On the second floor are two wards, rooms for pri- vate patients, bath rooms and operating rooms. The third floor has a ward sufficiently large to accommodate 25 beds, and there is a maternity department which is complete in every detail. The building is heated by steam, and lighted by its own electric light plant. Dr. Lewis brought the first ambulance to Bay City, and this is at the disposal of any physician.
At the time the hospital was established, there were scarcely any trained nurses in Bay City, and it became apparent at once that in order to meet the demand for skilled nurses for the hospital and for the public, it would be necessary to establish a school. Accordingly, on July 25, 1901, the auxiliary board of the Nurse Association of Lewis Hospital was in- corporated. In addition to furnishing training for nurses, the association was formed for charitable work in furnishing attendance for and in nursing persons ill or helpless from acci- dents, who are unable to provide the heavy costs entailed by such services. This association controls the charity ward of the hospital and all funds given for the care of free patients. Below we give a list of the persons composing the board of directors, the officers of which con- stitute the board of trustees of the institution : Officers and trustees,-president, Mrs. May Stocking Knaggs; Ist vice-president, Mrs. Min- nie E. Ruelle; 2nd vice-president, Mrs. W. J. Daniels; secretary, Mrs. Fred Asman; treas- urer, Mrs. Mae Kenney Lewis. Directors: Mrs. E. B. Foss, Mrs. Theodore F. Shepard, Mrs. Mae Kenney Lewis, Mrs. Robert Beutel, Mrs. S. A. Baldwin, Mrs. M. S. Bird, Mrs. Anna Foote, De Vere Hall, LeRoy Lewis, John Daniels, George N. Ewell, Frank Walter, A. W. Herrick, Arthur Boynton and Arthur Strong. At the beginning of each year a med- ical staff is formed, comprising four physicians and four surgeons, each of whom serves three months of the ensuing year. Besides giving lectures to nurses, this staff cares for the pa- tients in the charity ward.
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