USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 31
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On the 25th of June following, Elijah M. Morey presented his letter from the church at Preble, New York, which was received July 30 of the same year ; Joseph Young and Elizabeth his wife, and Jacob V. W. and Maria E. Young presented certificates from the Second Presbyterian church of Oneonta, New York, and were received as members of the church; also Fayette Cross and Sophia his wife, and Electa Cross, were received on certificates from the Presby- terian church at Wheatland, New York. Joseph Young was elected deacon.
From this time to the present the increase in the membership of the church has been steadily progressing, and the church liberally sustained, both through the struggling years of its incipiency and through those of its maturity.
The first baptism in the church was that of Lucy Jane, daughter of D. H. and M. Daniels, July, 1837. In September of the same year, Henry, son of Moses and Mary Hall, and Edwin, son of Deacon S. W. Leggett, received the ordinance of baptism. The first death from among the members of the church was that of Mary, wife of Moses Hall, which occurred August 12, 1838.
For the first few years after the regular organization of the church, public wor- ship was held in the log school-house, and afterwards in the frame school-house. which stood in what is now called the wood-market. In 1842, immediately fol- lowing the institution of the church society, a meeting of that body was held, in January, at which a motion was passed to the effect that the trustees (viz. : Joseph Young, Platt Gilbert, Moses Hall, G. F. Smith, and S. W. Leggett) be instructed to take into custody any funds, property, or subscriptions belonging to the church or society, and proceed to purchase a site and build a meeting-house for the said society. On the 31st of January, of the same year, a supplementary resolution was passed as follows :
"Resolved, That the trustees be instructed to purchase the Henry lots (site of present church edifice), provided they can do so on reasonable terms, not to exceed four hundred dollars."
The property above alluded to was purchased, and in 1842-43 a neat frame house was erected, which served the church until November, 1846, when it was destroyed by fire. Pending preparations for the building of another house of worship, the society held religious services in a room in Union block. At a meeting held March 1, 1847, the subjoined votes were passed :
" Voted, That the interest of this church requires prompt measures be taken for the erection of a new house of worship.
" Voted, That a general building and business committee be appointed by this meeting, whose duty it shall be to appoint a special building committee of five, whose business it shall be to collect the funds and superintend the erection of a new house of worship." The following gentlemen were appointed as such com- mittee : Samuel Flagler, T. M. Hall, Joseph Young, Wm. H. Coleman, S. W. Leggett, James Hutchinson, Charles Root, W. Brewster, Wm. Brooks, Miles Seymour, H. Cantine, A. Whitcomb, Eli L. Stillson, G. F. Smith, Charles Vail, Charles Bartlett, and Moses Hall.
" Voted, That our contemplated house of worship be built of brick."
The committee for the collection of funds, etc., was composed of W. H. Cole- man, Miles Seymour, and Charles Vail. These were afterwards substituted by Samuel Flagler, William Brooks, and Tolman W. Hall. The former gentleman was appointed to superintend the erection of the house.
84
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
February 19, 1849, the slips in the new church edifice were sold at auction by T. W. Hall. No. 12 sold for one hundred and thirty dollars, to Mr. Seymour, which was the highest price paid. The balance up to No. 69 sold for from fifty to one hundred and twenty-seven dollars, according to location.
In 1868 the church edifice erected in 1847 was partially demolished, and a large addition made to the remaining portion of it, at a cost of nearly sixteen thousand dollars. The house as now standing has a seating capacity of eight hundred, and is valued at twenty thousand dollars.
Supplies and pastors .- The first stated supply was Rev. Calvin Clark, who served the congregation in 1837; he was followed in 1838 by Rev. S. M. S. Smith, and he by Rev. Justin Marsh the same year. In 1839, Rev. Stephen Mason officiated, and in 1840, Rev. H. Hyde; in 1841, Rev. M. Knapen; Rev. R. B. Bement, in 1843; Rev. Alex. Trotter, 1845; Rev. Joel Byington, 1846; Rev. S. D. Pitkin, 1848; Rev. Charles Jones, 1858; Rev. E. L. Davies, 1861 ; Rev. S. E. Wishard, 1867 ; Rev. W. C. Dickinson, 1871 ; Rev. H. H. Haloway, 1873-77. Church at present without a pastor.
Statistics .- At the close of the year 1836 the roll contained the names of twenty-one members ; in 1846 it had increased to one hundred and thirty-eight, and in 1877 the membership was two hundred. The present officers of the church are-Deacons, C. B. Hubbard, S. W. Leggett, and Wm. H. Skinner ; Church Committee, Tolman W. Hall, Wm. Brooks, Wm. H. Skinner, T. A. Chadwick, C. C. Peavey, S. W. Leggett. The present officers of the Sabbath- school are-Superintendent, Hon. Charles Austin ; Assistant Superintendent, Gar- rett Decker; Secretary, Miss Mary Mott ; Treasurer, Miss Ella Skinner; Li- brarian, Frank Peaslee. The membership is about three hundred; number of volumes in the Sunday-school library, three hundred.
Of the original members of the church only four survive, namely, Tolman W. Hall, David H. Daniels and Mary his wife, and John S. Van Brunt. Of these only the first named is now a member of the church, having sustained his con- nection with it for forty-one years.
ST. THOMAS' EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first preaching according to the tenets of the Episcopal church in Battle Creek was in 1839, by the Rev. F. H. Cunning. Public worship was again held soon after by Rev. Samuel Buel, who was kindly entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel W. McCamly and Mrs. Barton, the only Episcopalians in the place. After the lapse of nearly two years (in August, 1841), Rev. Montgomery Schuy- ler visited the village and held service; and in December following he preached regularly every alternate Sunday. His services were largely attended. In the afternoon of the 21st of April, 1842, the Right Rev. Samuel McCoskey, bishop of the diocese, visited the place, preached in the Methodist church, and admin- istered the apostolic rite of confirmation to six persons.
The Rev. M. Schuyler continued to preach frequently after the bishop's visit ; and the interest in the services still increasing, it was thought advisable to organize a parish, which was accordingly done August 7, 1842, under the name and title of "St. Thomas' Church of Battle Creek, Michigan."
On the fourth day of December, 1843, the parish extended a call to the Rev. R. G. Cox, who accepted the same, and remained several months. At the solici- tation of the vestry, Rev. R. S. Adams took charge of the parish on the 1st of May, 1845, and continued its rector for nearly three years. During his pastorate, a neat and substantial church edifice was erected and dedicated to the service of Almighty God. This house served the parish, with some repairs, notably those of 1862, until it was torn down, in 1875, to give place to the larger and more beautiful church building now rapidly nearing completion, of which more here- after will be noted. The rectors who have followed Rev. R. S. Adams, with the dates of their respective ministries, are :
Reverends H. Safford from June 14, 1849, to February 18, 1852 ; D. B. Lyon, June 1, 1852, to April 1, 1855; George Willard, April 15, 1855, to April 9, 1860 (when he left the ministry and the church, and joined the Pres- byterians) ; Augustus Bush, September 23, 1860, to August, 1866; Charles Ritter, October 1, 1866, to October 25, 1867; Josiah Phelps, February 4, 1867, to February 17, 1871 ; George Washington Wilson, June 1, 1871, to March 15, 1874. For a few months in 1874 one I. E. Jackson was installed as rector, but not being satisfied or giving satisfaction, he resigned; since which time they have had no regular rector.
In 1875 the question of building a more commodious church was agitated among the members. And at an adjourned meeting of the building committee, held in the William Andrus block on the 1st of June of that year,-at which all the members were present, viz., William Andrus, C. Wakelee, J. M. Werd, Edward Cox, M.D., and C. F. Bock,-the following resolution was offered by Mr. Bock, and unanimously adopted :
" Resolved, That the financial committee be and are hereby instructed to make
every effort in their power to raise by subscription a sufficient sum of money to enable us to build a new church, and that we hereby pledge the said committee every aid and support possible for the furtherance of the same."
On the 7th of June, 1875, the financial committee began taking subscriptions, and on the 20th of August following they reported thirteen thousand seven hundred and ten dollars subscribed. On the 23d of the latter month the com- mittee met Mortimer S. Smith, an architect from Detroit, with whom they made arrangements for plans and designs, paying him two hundred and fifty dollars for those they selected. They then purchased additional ground, adjacent to the old church lot, for fifteen hundred dollars, and in July, 1875, commenced work on the foundation of the building. When completed, it is estimated that it, with grounds and furniture, will cost about twenty thousand dollars. Its dimensions are forty-three by one hundred and twenty feet, including the chapel. It is built of brick, on a solid stone foundation, will have a spire and belfry, and will be one of the finest sacred edifices in the city. The present communicant membership of the church is about one hundred, while the congregation numbers about three hundred and fifty.
The present church officers are-C. S. Gray, senior warden ; Charles F. Bock, junior warden and treasurer of the building committee ; vestry, William Andrus, Edward Cox, M.D., J. W. Wood, F. D. Dibble, W. H. Noble, W. N. Gleason ; E. B. Fisher, clerk ; J. W. Wood, treasurer.
A Sunday-school was organized contemporaneously with the church, and has flourished ever since. The present number of teachers is sixteen; number of scholars, ninety. Superintendent, Charles F. Bock.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.
Meetings of this society were established in this town as early as 1854. In 1855 a small house of worship was built on Cass street, between Van Buren and Champion, at a cost of less than two hundred dollars. The material was wood. Size, sixteen by twenty-four feet. The early preachers were Elder James White, Elder J. N. Loughborough, Elder J. B. Frisbie.
In 1857 the congregation had so increased that it became necessary to erect a more commodious house of worship. The material of this building was also wood. Size, twenty-eight by forty-two feet. It is still standing, on Van Buren street, near the corner of Cass.
No permanent organization of the society was established until October 24, 1861. The " church covenant" was then signed by seventy-three persons. Elder James White was the first pastor. Geo. W. Amadon was chosen elder ; Myron J. Cornell and Wm. Hall, deacons ; Uriah Smith, clerk.
The increasing membership of the church called for a still larger place of wor ship, and September 26, 1866, their present church building was raised near the corner of West Main and Washington streets, and was opened for meetings in May, 1867. It is a wooden building, forty by sixty-five feet, and twenty-three feet high inside. Including the gallery, it is estimated that it will seat seven hundred persons.
The present membership of the church is two hundred and seventy-five. Elder James White is still pastor; Uriah Smith and Professor S. Brownsberger, elders; M. J. Cornell and James Sawyer, deacons ; M. J. Cornell, O. B. Jones, and J. G. Whipple, trustees ; Wm. Sisley, treasurer ; R. H. Coggeshall, clerk.
The Sabbath-school was organized about 1857. Merritt G. Kellogg was the first superintendent. The present officers are Prof. G. H. Bell, superintendent ; Wm. K. Loughborough, assistant superintendent ; Miss Ella Davis, secretary. Number of scholars, two hundred and twenty-five. Number of books in library, two hundred.
FIRST SOCIETY OF SPIRITUALISTS .*
Previous to the year 1860 there existed in Battle Creek a flourishing society of Universalists, also a society of Friends, or, as they are more commonly called, Quakers. These societies numbered among their members many of the most respected citizens and earliest settlers of this portion of Michigan.
It is well known to those familiar with the history of the last forty years that the idea and possibility that the mortal still holding his place in this world could hold systematic and intelligent communication with those who had passed to the immortal shores originated in Rochester, New York, in 1848, under the cognomen of " spirit-rappings." For several years the belief in this intercourse had been spreading " far and wide" over the country, until every city, town, and hamlet held its converts, numbered in the aggregate by millions.
During the years from 1848 to 1859-60, occasional " trance" speakers had visited Battle Creek, addresssing large, intelligent, and most attentive audiences, while in the city and neighboring country had been developed, from among those possessing no natural or educational advantages beyond the farm-house and district-
# Communicated by Mrs. Jeremiah Brown.
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL.
Joseph WoStewart
Lucy Stewart 0
RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH W. STEWART, BATTLE CREEK TP., CALHOUN CO., MICH.
E.A. S. DEL.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES H. STEWART, BATTLE CREEK TP., CALHOUN CO., MICH.
RESIDENCE OF ALEX . L. CLARK, BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.
85
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
school, some who, in the trance condition, exhibited rare powers of elocution, and giving forth most instructive and elevating sentiments of religious and moral duty. These speakers won attention the more, because they were often boys and girls in their teens, who, in their normal condition, possessed no capacity or comprehension to enable them to utter the profound ideas and scientific deductions that flowed so freely from their unaccustomed lips. Their hearers listened and wondered as " Truths divine came mended from their tongues." They taught no creed but love to God and love to our neighbor, perfect purity of life, a strict subordination of the lower or animal propensities to the spiritual or higher, and the very highest culture of the spiritual ; that we are ever attended by spirits, elevated or degraded, as our habits of life and surroundings attract good or undeveloped ones to our side. They also taught that every act or thought in our lives was weaving our future, that no " vicarious atonement" could save us from the consequences of a transgression of divine law, but each one must stand or fall by their own merits. These teachings, promulgated, as was believed, by spirits, were so in accordance. with the tender mercy and loving kindness of God the Father that they were readily accepted by the Friends and Universalists, and, in 1860, they determined to unite under a legal organization, and form a new religious association, the following " Article of Association," forming the basis of action.
" We the undersigned do hereby associate ourselves together, for the purpose of organizing a religious society at the city of Battle Creek, Michigan, by such corporate name as we may adopt at the regular meeting to be hereafter called ; and for the purpose of acquiring and holding in our corporate capacity real and personal property, and for using the same for such legitimate purposes as the law authorizes, and for the further purpose of enabling us, as corporators, and our successors, to promote rational freedom, both religious and political, and to enable ourselves and our successors to labor for the moral improvement and elevation of our race, and to promote the best interests of the divine and spiritual nature of man, both here and hereafter. "February 11, 1860."
The Rev. J. M. Peebles, of Baltimore, Maryland, was the first settled preacher, and he occupied the desk of the society for about seven years, with the exception of a few months' absence by permission, for the purpose of recuperating his health in the genial climate of California. During his ministration his congregation was the largest of any in the city, and he and his most excellent wife were the centre of a large, attached, and appreciative circle of friends, and it was with deep regret that these friends, and the community in general, saw them depart when circum- stances made it necessary for them to return to the east.
After a few years, it was deemed advisable by the society to change its name to that of the " First Society of Spiritualists of Battle Creek," and by this name it is still known. It was also thought incumbent on its supporters to issue a " declaration of principles," as the society had been greatly slandered, and com- promised by the conduct of some who had subscribed to the articles of association, and professed to believe in the pure teachings of spiritualism, but whose daily walk in life belied their profession, and brought disgrace on those who were associated with them. A committee was appointed by the officers to arrange a declaration, and one was proposed and accepted as indicating the spirit, aims, and intentions of the societies.
Let none hold this organization responsible for the conduct of individual members, for, as in the family, while the shortcomings and crimes of one may cast gloom and sorrow over all, yet each must stand or fall by their own merits, of which we do not constitute ourselves the judges, but will say with Christ, " Go and sin no more," or, " Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."
The officers of the society are as follows : President, A. A. Whitney ; Secretary, E. C. Manchester ; Treasurer, Wm. Merritt; Trustees, Mrs. M. Cummings, Mrs. L. E. Bailey, Mrs. G. S. Cole.
FRIENDS' MEETING.
Among the early settlers of Battle Creek and vicinity were quite a number of members of the society of Friends, or, as commonly called, " Quakers." As early as 1836-37 that body had formed themselves in a meeting, and a few years sub- sequently, in 1843, had erected one of their neat but plain meeting-houses, in which they worshiped for nearly a quarter of a century.
Among the early members of the meeting were Joseph Merrett and Phoebe his wife, Isaac Merrett and Esther his wife, Jonathan Hart and Mary his wife, Eli Lapham and Rachel his wife, Isaac Sutton and Sarah his wife, Jacob Frost and Jane A. his wife, Jacob Stringham and Sarah his wife, Abraham Lockwood and Mary his wife, William Knowles and Gulielma his wife, Joseph Kirby and Salome his wife, Ambrose Cock and Phoebe his wife, Erastus Hussey and Sarah E. his wife, Reynolds Cornell and Deborah his wife, John Meachem, Lindley Bowne, and Dr. Archelaus Harwood.
In 1860 they sold their meeting-house to the Catholics, by whom it is now
used, and about the same time erected one in the Stringham neighborhood, in Bedford township, and in 1871 they built a small house in their burying-ground in Battle Creek, where they have occasional preaching.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
was organized in 1863. Repeated efforts failed to procure the necessary data for its history.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
There can be no more certain index to the sociological condition and progress of any community than the history of its public schools. There is no other pub- lic enterprise which is so purely an outgrowth of these fundamental principles which refine and elevate society as is the public school, and there is no other so sensitive to any modification of those principles. Since ignorance and intelligence, using the terms most comprehensively, are the opposites of mental condition, the essential character either of the individual or of society must be determined by reference to an educational standard. The public school affords an easy applica- tion of this standard. It is the exponent of the popular appreciation of the value of education, and thus of the grade of the popular intelligence.
In looking carefully over the history of Battle Creek,* one cannot fail to note that its schools have ever been the most prominent of its public enterprises. From the earliest settlement of the town they have been its chief care and its greatest pride. As compared with other communities, Battle Creek has been foremost in providing facilities for the education of its youth ; and by a generous outlay of money, and a wise administration of its educational affairs, it has sought to make its schools of the very highest order. The following epitome is designed to show the development of those schools from their rude beginnings to the present time. It is of necessity brief, in order to note the more important facts.
So late as 1831, what is now Battle Creek and the surrounding country was an unbroken wilderness. In 1834 the first school district was organized, and a tax of sixty dollars was levied for the purpose of building a school-house. This was constructed of logs, and stood on what is now the corner of Main and East Canal streets. Mr. Warren B. Shepard, until lately living near the city, was the first teacher.
This log house accommodated the children of the district until the years 1837- 38, when five hundred dollars was voted for the erection of a larger and better building. This was located in the open space now used as a hay and wood market, on the east side of South Jefferson street. A small library was purchased for the school in 1840.
In 1844 the more progressive friends of education proposed a Union school for the village and some of the contiguous districts, but meeting opposition, they were unable to carry out their plans. In 1845, the board of school inspectors, in oppo- sition to the Union school project, attempted to divide the district, but after a somewhat exciting controversy they were unsuccessful. In 1847 a union of the village district with fractional parts of school districts of the townships of Emmett and Bedford was effected, the whole including territory equal to five and five- eighths sections. The boundaries of the district thus created were very nearly coincident with those of the present district of the " public schools of the city of Battle Creek." At the annual meeting in the following year the sum of two thousand dollars was voted for building purposes, but after the tax was partly paid the enemies of the school succeeded in arresting the collection, and in having the money already paid refunded. At the next annual meeting, however, the money was again voted, and in 1850 the building was erected. It was a brick structure, forty by sixty feet, three stories high, and cost six thousand dollars.
At the annual meeting in 1868 an effort was made to raise money-this time sixty thousand dollars-for a new house on the site of No. 1, but without success. But the old building, which had done so good service for twenty years, had now become so dilapidated that action could not be delayed much longer, and in 1869 a resolution, offered at an annual meeting, authorizing the trustees of the graded and high school of the city of Battle Creek to issue the bonds of the district for seventy-five thousand dollars, for the purpose of erecting a new school building on the site of the original building, was carried by a large majority. At a subse- quent special meeting plans for the building were decided upon, the board of trustees was made the building committee, and in March of the next year ground was broken for the new structure. The work was pushed rapidly forward, and on April 10, 1871, the building was opened for school purposes. A view of this building, together with a detailed description, will be found on page 86. Competent teachers were employed, and the schools in all the departments moved forward with healthsome vigor. At about the same time, the schools were incorporated by a special act of the legislature, under the name of " The Public Schools of the City of Battle Creek."
# See early history of Battle Creek.
86
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
In the spring of 1875 the high school was recognized as a preparatory school by the University of Michigan, and its graduates are now received into that insti- tution without examination. The first graduating class, consisting of two mem- bers, Misses Ella E. Badgley and Estella L. Campbell, graduated in 1869. The whole number of graduates to the present time is ninety-four. The whole num- ber enrolled for the present year is one hundred and fifty-six.
The museum in the central building now contains several thousand specimens, and is receiving constant additions. It is a valuable aid in teaching and an object of interest to the general visitor. The school library now contains about two thousand volumes, and is being rapidly enlarged by means of the income of the Denman fund. This is a fund of ten thousand dollars bequeathed to the public school library in 1875 by the late Henry B. Denman, the income of which is to be perpetually devoted to the purchase of books for the library. It will enable the schools of Battle Creek to possess, in a few years, one of the finest libraries in the State.
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