USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 36
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This church building was afterward sold to the Lutheran congrega- tion and was situated where their beautiful new church now stands. This same building is now used as a shop and was moved to south Hamilton street near State street.
Services were kept up in the little church for a couple of months or so and then lay services were held until the calling of the first rector, Rev. Samuel Buel, in February, 1838. Mr. Buel remained nearly two years, resigning in October, 1839 and afterward occupying the position of Professor of Systematic Divinity in the General Theological Semi- nary in New York City, which position he occupied for many years.
At the time that Rev. Mr. Bnel left there were twenty-eight names on the list of communicants. For the next year and a half Rev. W. N. Lyster held monthly services; on other Sundays lay services were held.
On May 27, 1841, the vestry of Trinity Church extended a call to the Rev. Montgomery Schuyler to become a rector. He was one of the founders of the parish, had served as a lay-reader and had begun his studies for the ministry while yet a business man in Marshall. During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Schuyler the Sunday school was doubled in number and the congregation grew to such an extent that the church had to be enlarged. In the spring of 1884 Rev. Montgomery Schuyler resigned his successful rectorship to go to Grace Church, Lyons, New York.
June 3, 1846, the annual diocesan convention was held in Trinity Church, Marshall, Michigan, presided over by Rt. Rev. Samuel Allen MeCoskry, first Bishop of Michigan. J. Wright Gordon and Dr. John H. Montgomery represented the local church in this convention. Rev. E. A. Greenleaf was at this time rector of the church though his resigna- tion had been tendered "from causes wholly beyond my control" as he writes in his report tendered as rector to this convention.
In 1849 Rev. Hiram Adams was rector. At this time there were 81 communicants upon the list.
In 1850 the parish was without a rector, 88 communicants were reported by Daniel Hudson, warden.
In 1851 Rev. A. Guion was rector.
In 1852 Rev. Henry N. Strong became the rector. Rev. Mr. Strong remained as rector until 1858.
In the year 1854 Rev. Strong in his report to the convention records the death of General Isaac E. Crary, who, he states, is a great loss to the church as he was a liberal supporter and member of the vestry.
In 1858 Rev. Charles Jones beeame reetor and he remained until 1860 when Rev. S. S. Chapin was called to the rectorship.
Bishop MeCoskry in his convention address of this year notes for April 15, 1860-"I preached in Trinity Church, Marshall, and con- firmed thirteen persons. The services were held in a large hall, filled
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to overflowing with the most attentive hearers. It was one of the pleasantest service I ever held in this parish."
In the Bishop's address under date of June 27, 1861, he writes : "I laid the corner stone for a new church edifice for Trinity Parish, Marshall. The congregation had disposed of their old church building, as it did not meet their wants. The sum received, with a liberal sub- scription from the members of the parish, will enable them to erect one of the most beautiful stone edifices in the diocese. A large number of the clergy aided me in the pleasant work, several of whom made ad- dresses on the occasion. I also confirmed six persons."
In the rector's report to the convention of 1863, Rev. S. S. Chapin writes :- " If a punctual attendance upon the services of the church and sacraments are an indication of temporal and spiritual prosperity, or if unity of feeling and action are truthful witnesses, there is great cause for thanksgiving to Almighty God, for there are few parishes where the spirit of peace reigns more felicitously than in Trinity Church, Marshall."
In the Bishop's address to the convention under date of March 16, 1864, he writes :- "This was my first visit to this parish since they had occupied their new church edifice. It is most substantially built of stone. The pews are of black walnut and the whole arrangement of chancel and nave is in entire keeping with the architectural symmetry of the whole building. I felt thankful that we had in the diocese such an architect as Mr. Lloyd of Detroit, who had not only raised such monu- ments of his skill and taste, but had done so much to aid the devout worshipper in an humble and reverential approach to God." It is but fitting to here record the faithful and accurate carrying out of the architect's specifications by the contractor, Mr. Nathan Benedict.
The substantial manner in which the church was built and the way it is standing up in the face of time is a splendid monument to that loyal churchman Nathan Benedict, even though his name does not appear anywhere in or about the edifice.
Rev. S. S. Chapin's rectorship terminated in 1866 and he was suc- ceeded in 1867 by Rev. John K. Dunn. In his report to the convention Mr. Dunn writes :- "On the 6th day of April, 1867, I entered upon my present charge, and although the parish has been without the services of a permanent pastor for a large part of the past year I am happy to be able to report that everything promises well. The pews have readily rented at advanced prices, the congregations are large and well sus- tained and a great degree of interest is manifested by young and old in the truths of religion and the claims of the church. With the help of his true hearted parishioners the rector has strong hopes, under God, of being enabled to accomplish a good work in this portion of the Lord's vineyard. He has also the pleasure of reporting that the seminary for young ladies in this city, under the charge of the Misses Baeon, will hereafter be conducted as a church school of the higher order, under the spiritual supervision of the rector of the parish. The school is already in successful operation with competent instructors and with present accommodations for a hundred boarding pupils in a large, commodious building furnished by the generous munificence of a citizen of Mar-
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shall. It is the design of the faithful churchwomen who have it in charge, who have had a large experience as teachers and have an exten- sive acquaintance with the best systems of eastern church schools, to make it a thorough church institution, and to bring the influence of the church to bear alike on the minds, hearts and manners of the pupils." The building used for this school was then owned by H. J. Perrin and known as the Marshall House. A portion of it now standing is used as a dwelling house by Mrs. Lewis Perrin.
Mr. Dunn remained about two years and he was followed by Rev. Wm. H. Moffett. Mr. Moffett's rectorship was also short (less than two years) but he had one of the largest confirmation classes ever con- firmed up to that time (20). In his report to the convention of 1870 he writes :- "During the year an attempt was made to organize the members of the congregation for work among the poor, for church ex- tension, for missions, etc., and a society was formed called the 'Parish Union.' As only a few of those whose help was desired showed any real interest in the movement it was found impracticable to carry out the full design and after a few months it was thought expedient to give up the organization altogether. I place here for permanent record some of the results of its short but useful existence. A church school of primary grade was established and carried on for three full terms with a degree of success that was unlooked for and with most beneficial effects. The school is now continued in charge of a thoroughly competent teacher and the attendance is limited only from lack of room. Other members of the Union gave their special attention to the decorations of the altar. No Sunday or festival has gone by without giving some evi- dence of their care and devotion. A super-frontal and red and white frontals, all beautifully embroidered, have already been obtained. The work on the white frontal, all done by one hand, is particularly beau- tiful, a fit ornament for the holy place. The Union has paid necessary repairs on the furnace and contributed liberally towards buying a new one. Under its direction also the Christmas decorations were prepared and a splendid Christmas tree for the children of the parish. Alto- gether the Union has raised for parish purposes $396.23 of the amount reported above." ($3,553.85.)
In 1871 Rev. Geo. P. Schetky, D. D., became rector. He reports to the convention as follows :- " A new organization has recently been in- stituted, under the name of 'The Ladies Church Aid of Trinity Parish.' This society is instituted for the purpose of aiding its members, through mutnal co-operation, prayer and advice, in doing with system and order, under the direction and guidance of the divinely appointed ministry, such works of love for Christ's Church as poor and Christian women may engage in. As a part of such works, a committee has been appointed to collect weekly mite subscriptions for the parsonage fund. A bi- monthly paper is issued by the rector as a Parochial Record having for its object the increase of a general interest in all Parochial matters, and an incitement to the more earnest and united work in all things connected with the church. It is also designed to serve as a medium for communicating matters of information and suggestions in regard to parochial affairs and interesting items of diocesan and missionary intel-
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ligence. There are gratifying indications of the Divine Blessing upon the several departments of pastoral and parochial work. The parish is united and harmonious and all its affairs are in a prosperous condition. The attendance of Holy Communion during the last six months has averaged more than one-half of all the communicants. 'Cottage Lectures' were held weekly at private houses during Lent, with large attendance, and we trust spiritnal benefit. On the first Sunday after Easter the rector opened a mission school at the Fourth ward school house, Capitol Hill. There has been an average attendance of fifty pupils, and the enterprise is increasing in interest. The teachers assisting the rector are all mem- bers of the Bible class."
In the rector's report to the convention of 1872 is the following :- "By an exchange of the old organ which had been in use nineteen years, and from the avails of a legacy by the late Miss Harriet M. Mann, we have purchased a new and superior instrument, full, rich and powerful in tone, as well as pleasing in quality and built with reference to en- largement at some future time. The mission school in the Fourth ward is steadily inereasing in interest. The faithful labors of those associated with me in the good work are evidently appreciated by the class of children whom they are instrumental in training in the ways of our Iloly church."
Our congregation very generously contributed an amount exceeding five hundred dollars in addition to supplies in large quantities of pro- visions, wearing apparel, ete. for aid to the sufferers by the calamitous fires in Chicago, Wisconsin and our own state.
In the year 1873 one of the most important conventions of the diocese of Michigan was held in Trinity Church, Marshall. By a vote of the elergy of 39 to 16 and a vote of the lay delegates of 53 to 17 it was decided to divide the diocese of Michigan into two dioceses.
In the rector's report to this convention is the following :- "The larger proportion of removals from the parish finds its eause in the transfer of the railroad shops to Jackson, which oceurred shortly before the convention. A still further rednetion from the same eanse may be expected, but with the introduction and establishment of other branches of mechanical skill (of which there is now some expectation) we may hope for accession and a proportionate return for our losses. It will be seen from the foregoing statement of contributions that the Ladies Church Aid Society has been actively employed during the past year in adding to the parsonage fund. The mission school under the superin- tendenee of M. H. H. Meriam (whose removal from among us we greatly regret) has continued to exercise a very happy influenee upon the children who are evidently much interested in the instruction imparted by the faithful corps of teachers who there aid me in that truly missionary work."
The rector reports to the next convention as follows-"The year past has been one of continued disaster to the parish in the losses we have sustained by removals. Our finances have been, as a natural con- sequence seriously affected, and plans for church work, especially the erection of a parsonage, have been suspended. The parish is free from debt. In our very interesting mission-school I have had the assistance
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of several young ladies of the parish. In years to come the labor in that field, bestowed in humble faith, must produce blessed results."
Dr. Schetky resigned from Trinity church, Marshall, to go to Bay City and he was succeeded by Rev. H. B. Whittemore who remained until June 30, 1880. The wardens made the following report to the convention of this year: "The Rev. H. B. Whittemore resigned the rectorship of the parish June 30, 1880. Rev. M. S. Woodruff officiated for us for the first month. We then had lay reading for three months in the morning and Rev. J. T. Maerath officiated for us at evening service save one Sunday each by Rev. H. J. Cook, Rev. M. Noble and Rev. J. E. Walton. The Rev. J. E. Walton entered upon his duties as rector the first of November.
J. H. M. C. P. D. Wardens
The rectorship of Mr. Walton was the longest, most peaceful, most happy, most prosperous and the most spiritually uplifting of any within the writer's memory. It was indeed a benediction to have him walk the streets of Marshall. His influence upon the church and in the com- munity will be felt for many years to come in the lives of those who were so fortunate as to have been under the benign influence of his eloquent and soul-inspiring sermons. It was not only the scholarly preaching that moved one, but it was the consciousness that behind the sermon was a life that was living every word that he uttered and this fact made his sermons ablaze with pentecostal fire.
During his rectorship in 1885 the pretty and commodious rectory was built at a cost of $3,400.00.
Rev. J. E. Walton remained until 1887 when he resigned, much to the regret and against the wishes of the parish but from a belief on his part that a change would be for the best interests of the parish.
Mr. Walton was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Morrell who remained as rector until 1890 when the Rev. Wm. H. VanAntwerp became the rector. The rectorship of Dr. VanAntwerp was a very successful one from every point of view, the church prospering under his leadership.
Dr. VanAntwerp was succeeded in 1894 by the Rev. Sidney Beck- with who remained until 1898 when the vestry again called back their former beloved rector, Rev. J. E. Walton.
Rev. Mr. Walton's second rectorship lasted until 1902 when the Rev. C. O. S. Kearton took charge of the parish. In 1904 Rev. Mr. Kearton received a call to the diocese of Albany and having resigned the parish the Rev. W. J. W. Bedford-Jones became the rector. During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Bedford-Jones the beautiful chapel and parish house were built (1905) an account of which is given a little later in this sketch.
In the year 1908 Rev. Frederick Hewitt took charge of the parish and had a very prosperous rectorship of three years. During his rector- ship the parish house debt was paid off and the Way Memorial organ placed in the church. Mr. Hewitt was succeeded in 1911 by the Rev. John Hartley, Ph. D. Of this unfortunate period in Trinity's history
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the less said the better. Dr. Ilartley's resignation took effect September 30, 1912, and it is hoped that the parish will speedily regain its former position after that date in spite of the terrible condition both spiritu- ally and temporally in which he left it.
No sketch of Trinity church would be complete without a reference to the various and numerous beautiful memorials erected therein by the faithful supporters and builders of the parish. In so far as I am able I will mention these memorials in the order of their presentation to the church though it is largely from memory that I do so, as I have no data at present at hand.
The first memorial placed in the church (it has been there as far back as I ean remember) was the Schuyler memorial window, probably placed when the church was built. It was placed in memory of Anthony Dey Schuyler and Sarah A. Schuyler, his wife, and given by their sons and danghters. Rev. Montgomery Schuyler D. D., the second reetor of the parish, was one of the sons as were also Wm. R. and Anthony D. Schuyler, who were active in the work and growth of Trinity church and were members of the vestry and delegates to the Diocesan eonven- tion. The window is of rich stained glass and contains several churchly symbols in colors.
During the rectorship of Rev. Dr. Schetky, his daughter Lena passed away. The doctor, when the chancel was being rearranged, rebuilt the prayer desk and gave it as a memorial of his daughter, who had been a great deal of help to him in his work at the Mission Sunday school on Capitol Hill. It is made of black walnut and is now placed in the chapel.
The beautiful decorations of the chancel of the church, the carved oak reredose, the handsome chancel windows, are the gift of the Dibble family in memory of their beloved father, who was one of the original subscribers to the new church, and who served as vestryman and junior warden for many years. Their reredose is a beautiful piece of oak carving, very churchly in design (it was designed by Mr. Lloyd of Detroit, the architect of the church) and is surmounted by handsome stained glass windows, each of the windows representing by symbols one of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Dibble family also contributed a perpetual fund of $2,000.00 (by the eare- ful management of Mr. W. J. Dibble now amounting to $2.400.00), the income of which, after keeping the chancel in repair, is to be applied in the running expenses of the church as directed by the vestry. This fund is known as the Hetty J. Dibble Memorial Fund, and was given in her memory. There is also a most beautiful and artistie window to the memory of Mrs. Hetty J. Dibble, and represents Christ among the doctors in the temple in one of the windows, and the raising of the daughter of Jairus in the other window. The coloring in this window is especially beautiful.
In the year 1884 Mrs. Mary T. Curtiss left by will $1000.00 toward a rectory. $1000.00 toward a chapel, and $1000.00, the interest on which was to be divided equally between missions and the poor of the parish. The $1000.00 for the rectory was used during the rectorship of Rev. .J. E. Walton by the vestry toward building a rectory for that beloved
-
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rector. The interest on the second thousand dollars has been used annually for missions and for the rector's alms fund equally.
By the careful management of Mr. W. J. Dibble, for many years treasurer of the church, the chapel fund increased so that in 1905 it amounted to considerably over five thousand dollars, when the vestry called a special meeting of the parish, at which time they were authorized to proceed with the building of a parish house and chapel. Mr. J. M. Redfield was employed as architect and drew the plans and the beauti- ful building used as a parish house and chapel was constructed of stone from the same quarry that supplied it for the church. The corner stone of the parish house was laid by Bishop Gillespie on Sunday, May 6, 1905, at 4 P. M. On the platform were the vestry, Sunday school, work- men on the building and Mrs. J. C. Frink and Mrs. Mary Wheeler. Mrs. Frink was present in a similar way when the corner stone of the church was laid in 1861. The contractor for this building was Mr. O. J. Reniger who, under the careful and painstaking supervision of Mr. Geo. H. Southworth, brought the building to a splendid finish. As a token of their appreciation of his work the vestry, acting for the parish, presented Mr. Southworth with a slight token.
The children and widow of Dr. J. H. Montgomery presented the parish as a memorial to that beloved physician and for many years senior warden of the parish, a very expensive and handsome lecturn. It is made of solid brass and is in the form of an eagle. They also pre- sented a beautiful solid silver alms-basin most exquisitely carved.
A sterling silver paten and chalice having a solid gold bowl was given by the daughters and widow of Dr. Anthony D. Schuyler, in memory of one who was foremost among the workers in the church and who served many years on the vestry.
The handsome marble font and baptistry, situated near the chapel entrance to the church, was given by Misses Anna S. R. Eastman and Grace R. Eastman, to the memory of their mother Anna Louise Schuyler Eastman. It is a beautiful piece of marble carving.
The massive brass pulpit was the gift of C. S., L. S., C. R. and P. S. Joy, and is given in the memory of their father and mother, Dr. Henry L. Joy and Caroline Schuyler Joy, and their brother Dr. Douglas A. Joy.
The exquisitely carved and handsome white marble altar was given in memory of Mary R. Montgomery, wife of Dr. J. H. Montgomery, by her daughters Anna Louise Montgomery Fisk, Mary R. Montgomery Livingston and her son Charles H. Montgomery.
There is a beautiful memorial window, representing Jesus, Martha and Mary, Mary at Jesus' feet taking the better part, which is given in memory of Manlius Mann and his wife, Parmelia Mann, presented to the church by the daughters, Mrs. Van Vechten and Mrs. George Perrett.
The credence table was given by the Misses Sarah and Grace Schuy- ler in memory of their sister, Helen Schuyler, who died when a little girl many years ago.
The magnificent and expensive organ, which is very beautiful in tone, having 28 speaking stops and two manuels and a console with pneumatic action, was given in 1906 by Mr. Edwin C. Way to the greater glory of God and in loving memory of James A. Way ( for many years a leader
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of the choir and a member of the vestry ) and Anna M. Way, the parents of the donor.
The beautiful little solid brass prayer desk was given by Mr. and Mrs. George R. Perrett, in loving memory of their young son Richard. who died at the age of seven years.
One of the last memorials to be placed in Trinity is the artistie win- dow, placed there by Mrs. Mary Wheeler Miller in memory of her mother. Mrs. Mary Eliza Brewer Wheeler. The window was made in England and represents Christ the Good Shepherd. He has left the flock (ninety and nine) in the wilderness and is returning with the one lost on his shoulder. The coloring is beautiful and is a fit companion with the nu- merous other memorials in the church.
A little over a year ago, 1911, the church was left by the will of the late Miss Susan M. Jones the sum of $2,000.00, to be invested by the vestry and the proceeds to be used for the assistance of the poor of the parish. This legacy has not been received as yet, owing to a contest of the will by a distant relative. But as there is no apparent foundation for breaking the will, the vestry of the church are looking forward to receiving the legacy in the not distant future.
FIRST PRESBYTARIAN CHURCH OF MARSHALL
Contributed
The First Presbyterian church of Marshall was organized in "Mar- shall Academy" June 26, 1841, by Rev. Elias Child, of Albion "a mem- ber of Marshall Presbytery."
This church was the outgrowth of a Congregational church organized May, 1832, by Rev. John D. Pieree and over which he presided until 1836 when he was appointed superintendent of public instruction. Marshall was then a hamlet of about ten families.
In 1841 this ehureh dissolved and thirty-six of its communieants be- came charter members of the newly organized Presbyterian church.
For a time the new church found a home in the court house.
The first elders elected were Laban J. Aylsworth, Joseph J. Lord and Ira Nash, the last two named being also chosen deacons, and Mr. Ayls- worth being elected permanent elerk of the session.
The moving spirit of the organization of the church was Rev. John P. Cleveland, D. D., of the First Presbyterian church of Detroit, who was a kinsman of the late Ex-President Grover Cleveland.
It was the intention of Dr. Cleveland to found a college in Marshall. but it never reached beyond the preparatory department.
After two years of faithful service as pastor, and being suddenly bereft of a loving and faithful wife, he resigned, and was followed by Rev. Charles E. Lord, a good man, but very eccentrie and absent minded. of whom it is said that he once forgot when the Sabbath day came, and remained at home weeding his carrots and onions, while his pious parish- ioners solemnly assembled for publie worship and spent an hour wonder- ing what had become of their under-shepherd.
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