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 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
A brief synopsis of the personnel of its pastors may not be amiss.
List of pastors : Alvin Billings, Allen Staples, Elijah Crane, Rev. Davidson, Rev. Lawrence, Peter Savin, Roswell Parker, Joseph Jen- nings, Resin Sapp, F. Gage, E. N. Pilcher, W. Jackson, Richard Law- rence, O. Mason, N. B. Camburn, Wm. Kelley, R. C. Crawford, Enoch Holdstock, F. B. Bangs, Jacob Odell. All restricted in service by the short time limit, and all pastors in the old frame church, none of whom are now living.
The pastors of the second church were: N. S. Fassett; D. D. Gillett; Thos. Jacokes, 1867; L. W. Earl, 1868; J. I. Buell, 1869; E. Cooley, 1872; L. H. Pearce, 1875; A. A. Knappen, 1877; D. F. Barnes, 1879; A. P. Moors, 1882; Thos. Cox, 1884; Geo. S. Hickey, 1884; James Ham- ilton, 1887; Geo. B. Kulp, 1890; Wm. Denman, 1895; M. L. Fox, 1898; D. D. Martin, 1898; P. J. Maveety, 1903; W. H. Phelps, 1907.
The membership has largely increased and only a very few of the old, long time members remain. It is a pity not to name many noble men and women who have served the church so faithfully but it is impos- sible. We may name the organists. Mrs. Belle Hinman-Ward, now of Evanston, Miss Franc Brookins of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Carrie Skin- ner-Cooper of Detroit, Miss Elizabeth Simpson of California, Prof. Ed- win Barnes, Paul Esterbrook, Mrs. Wm. Denman, Mrs. Lissa Hunger- ford-Ackley, Fred Farley, Prof. Wm. C. Columbus now of New York City and at present Miss Mabel Landon of this city.
From this mother church have gone out two other strong churches in different parts of the city, and we still have a membership of seven hundred and seventy.
Upton Avenne church occupies a beautiful church home in a most strategic place in the city, and has a membership of two hundred. Rev. Chas. Nease is now the pastor. Maple Street church has two hundred and eighty members and is located in the residential part of the city. Rev. M. D. Carrel is pastor. The three churches have property valued at $122,000.
MAPLE STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
is located in one of the most beautiful and rapidly growing portions of the eity, at the corner of Maple and Merritt streets. It originated in a mission Sunday-school, which was started in that part of the city by members of the First Methodist church in the summer of 1888. In De- cember of the same year the work had developed such interest and strength as to warrant the procuring of a building for the use of the mis- sion, and a board of trustees was elected by the quarterly conference of First Church for that purpose. Soon after the present site was secured.
400
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
The work of raising funds for a church building was successfully prose- cuted and on the 31st day of August, 1890, the completed building was dedicated by Bishop E. G. Andrews, of New York. At the confer- ence, which met in September, the Rev. E. O. Mather was appointed first pastor of the new charge. In October a church society was organized, consisting of forty-five members, forty-three of whom were transferred from the First Methodist church, and two probationers. The society now numbers nearly three hundred members, with a vigorous, growing Sunday-school, an active Epworth League, Ladies' Aid Society, and Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. The original church building has been greatly enlarged and improved, and a beautiful and commodious parsonage erected adjoining the church. The property is now valued at $20,000. The society contributed to all benevolent purposes last year $1,236.00, and paid for ministerial support and other current expenses $2,455.00.
UPTON AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Like many an other church, this society had its inception in a Sun- day-school, which was organized as a Mission Sunday-school by Rev. James Hamilton, April 4, 1889, he being at that time pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Battle Creek. The sessions of this school were held in a small rented building at 219 S. Kendall street. Mr. James Tuttle was its first superintendent, and Mrs. A. M. Smith was secretary, and M. Edward Keith was treasurer. This was known as the Kendall Street Mission Sunday-school. It had an attendance during the first year of an average of eighty.
At the end of five years the school had outgrown the building and something had to be done. Under the supervision and help of the First Church, the Rev. Geo. B. Culp at that time pastor, a lot was purchased of William Dumphrey, at the corner of Upton avenue and Frederick street, and on this lot a chapel was built. This was dedicated September 2, 1894. The first sermon in the new building was preached by the Rev. John Graham, the presiding elder of the Albion district.
The Sunday-school held its first session in the new building September 9, 1894, with Charles H. Gillis as superintendent and O. T. Morgan, secretary. Thereafter the school was called the Upton Avenue Metho- dist Episcopal Sunday-school.
During the month of September of this year, fifty members were transferred from the First Church and united in organizing the Upton Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, and at the conference the Bishop appointed Ralph Newman its first pastor. From that time on this church has been self-sustaining. During the two years of Rev. New- man's pastorate the society greatly prospered, the membership increasing to nearly one hundred and fifty.
At some time during these two years the Ladies Aid Society was organized and Mrs. M. M. Maynard was elected its first superintendent. Mrs. C. A. Webster was elected secretary and Mrs. M. L. Smith treasurer. This society has ever since been of great assistance to the church.
In the first year of this pastorate the Epworth League was organized
401
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
with fourteen charter members. Mrs. Kate Smith was president, Mrs. O. T. Morgan first vice-president, Mrs. Gertrude Wilson was second vice- president, O. T. Morgan was third vice-president, Ralph Newman was fourth vice-president and Miss Cora Lewis was secretary.
In September, 1896, the Rev. Wm. F. Kendrick was appointed to succeed the Rev. Newman, and during his three years ministry the church bought a lot at 300 Upton avenue and erected a parsonage there- on. The Ladies Aid Society came to the relief of the trustees and prac- tieally payed the full amount of the cost of this building. Since its ereetion the parsonage has been under their supervision and it has been kept in repair by them.
The Junior League was organized October 31, 1898, with Mrs. W. F. Kendrick superintending. Miss Margaret Snyder is the present superintendent. The league holds a devotional meeting every Sunday afternoon, except during the summer months, with an attendance of about fifty.
The Rev. A. T. Cartland succeeded the Rev. Kendrick, and his pastorate continued through one year. In September, 1900, he was sueceeded by the Rev. Thomas Laity. In September, 1901, the Rev. J. W. Foy took up the work and was with the church for three years. During these years the membership had increased and the Sunday-school now numbered over two hundred enrolled members, and they were again asking for more room.
In 1904 the Rev. W. I. Elmer became pastor, and during his four years pastorate the present church was built. The corner stone was laid October 27, 1907, and the church was dedicated January 12, 1908. The Rev. W. M. Parr preached the dedicatory sermon. On Monday of dedication week Dr. F. E. Day, pastor at Albion, gave his lecture, "Why I am a Methodist. " Tuesday evening Dr. D. D. Martin preached. Wednes- day evening Professor Goodrich of Albion spoke, and on Thursday evening Dr. W. M. Puffer preached. On Friday evening the Ladies Aid Society gave a banquet in the church parlors, laying three hundred covers, and for three years this was made an annual affair.
At the dedication of the church the Ladies Aid Society again came to the reseue and pledged three thousand dollars on the church debt. At this time Dr. Kellogg of the sanitarium offered to give the church a banquet at the sanitarium, he furnishing the menu and the church to sell the tickets. The ladies took the work and the banquet was served, but the Doctor kindly gave all to the church, amounting to about two hundred and fifty dollars.
The Upton girls, Mrs. Bathriek and her sister, Mrs. Strong, gave the church the large, beautiful memorial windows and also subscribed five hundred dollars on the debt.
In September, 1908, the Rev. Geo. A. Brown was appointed to this charge, and he proved to be the right man for the place. And his three years pastorate proved to be a spiritual uplift to the church.
Jannary 3, 1911, a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society was organ- ized, and Mrs. Geo. A. Brown was elected its first president. The officers of the society are : President, Mrs. Ettie Unmiston ; first vice-president, Mrs. Alice Waite; second vice-president, Mrs. Effie N. Enos ; correspond- Vol. 1-26
402
HISTORY OF CALIIOUN COUNTY
ing secretary, Miss Marcia Jones; recording secretary, Mrs. Frances Sprague; and Mrs. Kate Caine was elected treasurer. Mrs. Henry Halladay was elected superintendent of the mite box department.
In September, 1911, the Rev. Charles Nease was appointed pastor. Under the direction of the pastor, Miss Zoa Mitchell, deaconess, with the help of the women of the church made a house to house canvass, this with the follow-up work of the pastor and faithful women of the church, has resulted in a large increase in the membership of the Sunday-school. Thus far during the year, thirty-five new members have been added to the church roll, making the present membership number two hundred and twenty-five.
The Sunday-school has at the present time 385 members enrolled, and 130 babies on the cradle roll, making over five hundred in all.
The Sunday-school is organized into a missionary society, with Miss Grace Darling as superintendent, and also is organized into a temperance society, with Mrs. Mary B. Austin as superintendent. William Cart- lidge is the superintendent of the Sunday-school.
The Epworth League is doing good work with a membership of sixty-five. Charles W. Wheeler is president. Mrs Kate Caine is first vice-president; Miss Millie Emhuff is second vice-president; Mrs. F. L. Seage is third vice-president and Miss Opal Armour is fourth vice- president. Mrs. C. W. Wheeler is secretary and Frank Darling is treasurer.
Seven hundred and fifty-five dollars have been paid on the principal of the indebtedness and the interest, which amounted to $434.00, during this year. The prayer-meeting and Bible study, held each Thursday evening is exceptionally good, as are also the sermons. The city is grow- ing very rapidly and the outlook for this society is very promising for larger membership and wider influence.
THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST TABERNACLE
One of the most prominent of the old landmarks of the city of Bat- tle Creek, is the Seventhi-day Adventist Tabernacle, located on Wash- ington and Main streets, just opposite MeCamly park on Washington street. This is the largest auditorium in the city, having a seating capacity to accommodate thirty-two hundred people when the spacious galleries and all the vestries are thrown open. The auditorium alone will seat about twelve hundred people and it forms the place of wor- ship of the ordinary congregation, the vestries on all sides of the house being separated from the auditorium by movable partitions. The ves- tries are used by the kindergarten and other divisions of the large Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath-School, which meets every Sabbath (Sat- urday) at 9:30 A. M., before the regular preaching service which takes place at 10:45 A. M.
The Tabernacle has been used for the graduating exercises of the Battle Creek high school for many years, also for temperance conven- tions, and other large public gatherings of a religious character. It was the meeting-place and general headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination until the removal of the Review and Herald,
403
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
the denominational organ of the Seventh-day Adventists, to Washing- ton, D. C., in consequence of the burning of the office buildings of the paper which occurred in the year 1902.
The Tabernacle was erected in 1878 on the site previously occu- pied by the old Seventh-day Adventist church which was too small to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation of that time. The old church building was removed to the rear of the Review and Herald office, and was finally incorporated with, and became a part of that building.
The Tabernacle is the fourth church building erected by the Seventh- day Adventists in Battle Creek since they first eame to the city. As
ADVENTIST TABERNACLE
early as 1852 there were a few Seventh-day observers in the village of Battle Creek, but this number was largely increased by the removal of the Review and Herald to this place from Rochester, New York, in November, 1855. Hence the necessity of providing a honse for public worship. In December, 1855, a small chapel 18 by 24 was erected on the west side of Cass street, midway between Van Buren and Champion streets. At that time there were about forty Seventh-day Adventists in Battle Creek, but this number soon increased to the extent that a larger place of worship became a necessity, and a second church build- ing, 28 by 42, was erected in 1857 on the north side of Van Buren street, just off of Cass street. This building served the purpose of a place of worship for four or five years when the congregation had again outgrown its seating capacity, and it was disposed of to the A. M. E.
404
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
people who still occupy the site. The membership of the Seventh-day Adventists at this time was about one hundred.
The publishing business of the denomination increased so rapidly that on May 3, 1861, the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association was legally incorporated. In the year 1866, another enterprise was estab- lished in Battle Creek by the Seventh-day Adventists. This was the Health-Reform Institute, now known as the Battle Creek Sanitarium. This institution was incorporated in 1867. This drew a large number of people to Battle Creek, and the need of a more commodious house of worship soon became apparent. Accordingly a third, and larger building was erected in 1868, 44 by 60 feet in size, on the present site of the Tabernacle. The membership of the congregation at this time was about three hundred.
In the year 1874 the Battle Creek college was established, and the remarkable patronage which it received from various states of the union, and from foreign countries, so increased the size of the congre- gation that by the year 1878 the church for the fourth time found itself in need of a larger place of worship, and by liberal contributions from the resident members of the church in the city, added to by a multitude of contributions from other places as well as from many who were not members of the denomination, the magnificent structure known as the Tabernacle was built. It was known at the time as "The Dime Tabernacle," from the fact that it was the design of the originators of the building to construet it from dime contributions of the people in all parts of the world. The present membership of the Tabernacle con- gregation is something over nine hundred.
THE INDEPENDENT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Being organized on the 26th of March, 1836, in a log school house by eight persons presenting letters from churches in the East, and electing officers, its history began. For eight years there seems to have been no stated preaching in the young church. Its dependence for what it called "the preaching of the word and the administration of the sealing ordi- nances" was upon the somewhat precarious and uncertain supply which itinerant Presbyterian and Congregational missionaries furnished. Within those eight years at different intervals the names of Silas Wood- bury, William Jones, Calvin Clark, Stephen Mason, H. Hyde, R. B. Bement and S. H. Ogden all appear as having preached and admin- istered the church sacraments. In 1844, Alex. Trotter beeame the regu- lar minister of the church. Following him in the order named, and remaining from two to six years, the pastors were-Joel Byington, S. D. Pitkin, Chas. Jones, E. L. Davies, S. E. Wishard, W. H. Dickin- son and W. W. Halloway. Reed Stuart became pastor of the church on the first Sunday of July, 1877. In 1883 during his pastorate, the organization became modern and shortly after adopted the name of the Independent Congregational church. In December of that year artieles of faith in accordance with the new position were adopted and the work of the church as a progressive organization was thus formally
403
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
begun. Mr. Stuart's pastorate terminated in 1886. Then followed the pastorates of T. W. Haven, 1886-1888; W. D. Simonds, 1888-1894; T. J. Horner, 1895-1897; S. J. Stewart, 1897-1904; in April, 1905 F. H. Bodman became and is still the pastor of the church. During his pastorate a beautiful new church building has been erected, costing, together with the lot and furnishings, in the neighborhood of eighty thousand dollars.
At no time since the organization has this church belonged to a denomination. Made up originally of Congregational and Presbyterian elements, it sustained fraternal relations with both bodies but remained essentially independent of each. Since the beginning of the pastorate of Reed Stuart, in 1877, the church has welcomed the established con- clusions of natural science, made such adjustments in its theological and philosophical thought as the facts of science necessitated, adopted the principle of evolution as a working hypothesis, followed the lead of a reverent biblical criticism, been loyal to the life, spirit, principles, ideals, leadership of the Man of Galilee and has stood fast in the liberty where- with the spirit of Christ hath made it free. It has always occupied a leading position among the churches of the city.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST
Attention of this community was first drawn to the principles of Christian Science, as taught by Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, about the year 1883, the first to adopt the faith being actuated, as having been the larger number of its adherents, by the physical healing that fol- lowed the application of the teaching.
From small beginnings the number of those interested in Christian Science grew until a society was formed and meetings were regularly held, the society giving place in 1898 to the present church organization.
In 1906 an opportunity came to secure a most desirable building site, at the corner of Maple and Adams streets. The large residence on the lot was easily remodeled to accommodate the requirements of the congregation. Eventually it is planned to erect a new edifice adequate for future needs, and one that will be a credit architecturally to the community.
Services are held on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, the former being identical with those held in all other Christian Science churches and comprising readings from the Bible and the Christian Science text book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mrs. Eddy, the latter being devoted to giving of testimonies of healing
IMMANUEL APOSTOLIC HOLINESS CHURCHI
By Rev. George B. Kulp
The Immanuel Holiness Church was incorporated April 14, 1899. according to the laws of the state of Michigan, and on April the 20th, the following persons were elected trustees: I. E. Strong, J. A. Ross-
406
IHISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
man, Annie R. Kulp, Asa Martin, W. S. Keet, Ella Martin, C. M. Beebe, Angie Keet and James Gilbert. The board organized by electing the following as officers : vice-president, W. S. Keet; secretary, J. E. Strong; treasurer, C. M. Beebe. By an unanimous vote of the board Rev. George B. Kulp was called to the pastorate of the church.
September 20, 1900, at a special meeting of the church, it was unanimously voted "we adopt the manual of the 'International Apos- tolic Holiness Union,' and by this action the church became a society of the denomination known as 'The International Apostolic Holiness Union,' " founded by Rev. M. W. Knapp and his co-workers in Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1897. The meetings of the church were first held in the building owned by the German Evangelical Church on Adams street. Here the work prospered to such an extent, that the building was too small to accommodate those desiring to attend. The services were all evangelistic and were all conducted by the pastor, the one aim being to win men for God and to advance the interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom. The doctrines for which the church stood and which were preached and upheld forcibly by the pastor, were the regeneration of sinners, Sanctifi- cation of believers, healing in the Atonement, and the pre-millennial com- ing of Jesus. all being neither more nor less than old-fashioned Methodism, as held and practiced by John Wesley, the father and founder of Methodism. The church held to the scriptural method of finances, "free will offerings," no other methods being resorted to, socials, fairs. festivals, rummage sales, and entertainments of all kinds for the revenue being condemned as contrary to the plain teachings of the Word of God and detrimental to the spirituality of the church.
The pastor of the church receives no stated salary, accepting the pastorate upon his own suggestion adopted unanimously by the church that "there shall be no other method of finanees then free will offerings, that all current expenses, such as light, heat and fuel be paid first and the balance be paid to the pastor at the end of every month. This has been adhered to strictly through these years and the church has no indebtness, the pastor has been well cared for, and all interests, home and foreign, have been looked after.
On January 26, 1903, the board of trustees resolved to purchase a lot on which to build a church house, to be dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, "said building to be preserved forever, inviolate from all desecration by worldly methods of providing revenue and reserved solely for the worship of God, according to the doctrines of holy scrip- tures, as set forth in the manual of the Union." February 1. 1903, after a sermon by the pastor, an offering was taken in the method peculiar to this society, no subscriptions being called out publicly, but each person after prayer advancing to the open Bible laid upon the altar and placing thereon a paper, on which was written the amount of the pledge or the cash in lieu thereof was put on the Bible. The first offer- ing amounted to $2,583.00, three gold watches and five wedding rings. On February 19, the lot on which the church now stands, was purchased at a cost of $1,980.00, from Madison Barr.
March 16th the work of laying the foundation of the new building he- gan, Frank Stampler being the contractor. Rev. George B. Knlp, Jay
407
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
E. Strong, James Gilbert and Smith Hiekman being the building com- mittee in charge of the work. On August 18, the main audience room and prayer room were completed, five months and two days from the date of breaking ground. On August 18, 1903, the dedication services were held at 10:30, the Rev. George B. Kulp, the pastor, preached the dedicatory sermon, at 3 P. M. the Rev. Allie Irick preached and Rev. C. E. Roberts at 7:30. During the day an offering to the Lord for the expense of building was taken, amounting to $2,708.00, making a total of $5,571.00, given as free-will offering towards the $7,500 paid for lot and building. Four persons were at the altar during the day. The pulpit in the church was a love offering from Mrs. and Mr. J. E. Strong in memory of the sainted mother of Mrs. Strong, Mrs. W. T. North. Several state conventions of the Apostolic Holiness Union have been held in this church, and in 1906 the general assembly of the In- ternational Holiness Union was held here from November 30 to Deeem- ber 9th.
Owing to the fact that the pastor, Rev. George B. Kulp, having been elected general superintendent of the International Apostolic Holliness Union in December, 1905, and the work at large increasing, making de- mands upon him that took him away, the board of trustees elected Miss Sadie Kulp, the daughter of the pastor, and an ordained minister to be assistant pastor. She had previously assisted in revival work on sev- eral occasions in the church, and also had been pastor at Orleans, In- diana, in the Holiness church, the church in this way thus generously assisting other churches and camp-meetings their pastor is called to attend or conduet.
The Immanuel church has at different times contributed as much to aid in foreign and home mission work as in its own immediate work in Battle Creek. Africa, India and Japan have been gladdened by re- ceiving its contributions direct. Rescue homes have been helped to the extent of hundreds of dollars in single offerings. Men and women converted and sanctified at its altars are out preaching the Gospel. The financial methods of the church have stood the test of the years, at this time fourteen years of experience find the church without any in- debtedness and money in its poor fund to help the needy and deserving. Three hundred and thirty-five persons have been upon its rolls, some during the years have passed beyond the skies, but a good number strong in the faith are still continuing the battle looking for the coming of Him whose right it is to reign. The present offieiary of the church is as follows: Rev. George B. Kulp, pastor; Rev. Sadie Kulp, assistant pastor; Mrs. Wesley Clark, clerk of the church; Jay E. Strong, treas- urer. Trustees, Ella Martin, Frank Bodine, Geo. Quick, Wesley Clark. Annie R. Kulp, Blanche Clarke, Mrs. Charles Kennard and Henry Jacobs.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.