History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Detroit, Pub. by S. Farmer & co., for Munsell & co., New York
Number of Pages: 1094

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After Mr. Mumford's withdrawal the pulpit was supplied temporarily until 1862. Rev. S. S.

627

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

Hunting then became the pastor, beginning Janu- ary 1, 1862, and remaining until March 21, 1863. During his term, on January 19, 1862, the annual conference of the Western Unitarian Churches was held in Detroit. Rev. A. G. Hibbard became pastor October 17, 1864, and remained until March 25, 1866. Rev. Jason F. Walker then served for nearly two years, and was fol- lowed for a few months by Rev. C. Macauley. Rev. W. R. G. Mellen next entered upon the pastor- ate, was installed March 4, 1869, and continued for two years from that date. During his term, in 1871, extensive improvements were made to the front entrance of the church and to the basement, and the interior was fitted with new pews, organ, etc., at a cost of $17,500. On May 19, 1872, Rev. Calvin Steb- bins became the pastor, remaining until January 5, 1879. Rev. T. B. For- bush became pastor on May 5, 1880, and resign- ed on March 16, 1886. He was succeeded on De- cember 1, 1887, by Rev. Reed Stuart. The aver- age attendance on Sun- day morning in 1880 was 250. The pastor's salary was $2,500, the choir cost $1,700, and the total an- nual expenses reached $5,000 The amount re- alized from pew rents was $3,000 per year. The number of members in 1850 was 140; in 1860, 260; in 1870, 300; in 1880, 380. The debt in 1881 was $5,000, and the church property was valued at $46,000.

comb Avenue and Park Street. Their first Sunday evening service was held there on October 16, the building was dedicated on October 18, and will seat 750. The lot on which the building stands is leased for fourteen years at a nominal rental, the price of the lot to be fixed at the end of the lease. The church and furnishings cost $50,000. More than

CHURCH OF OUR FATHER - UNIVERSALIST.

Church of Our Father (Universalist).

This society was organized and incorporated in May, 1879, and in 1880 had one hundred and sev- enty-five members, with Rev. E. L. Rexford, !). D., as pastor. They held their first service in Whit- ney's Opera House on April 20, 1879, remaining there until October, 1881, and then moving into their stone church on the northwest corner of Ma-

half the total cost was paid by S. J. Murphy. The average attendance in 1880 at the Opera House was 300. The number of members, 180. The yearly expenses were about $4,000, of which $3,000 was for the pastor's salary. In 1883 a State convention of Universalists held its sessions in this church ; the opening session was on the 6th of October.

Unity Church.

This society was organized June 7, 1882, with

628

THE MISSION CHURCH .- JEWISH CONGREGATIONS.

fifteen members, with Rev. C. E. Hulbert as pastor, and incorporated December 14, 1882. It is evan- gelical in character, but not connected with any denomination. In 1882 it had twenty members,

ION SUNDAY SCHOOL

THIRD AVENUE MISSION SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDING IN 1884.

and on December 14 of that year was incorporated under the title of Third Avenue Mission Church.

On January 1, 1887, the name was changed to Unity Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The first services were held in the Third Avenue Mission Sunday School building.

In 1886 the society pur- chased three lots on the northeast corner of Brig- ham and Crawford Streets for $1,800, and erected a building at a cost of about $1,000, which they first occupied on August I of the same year.

Beth El Jewish Society.

This society was organ- ized in August, 1850, in- corporated on April 21, 1851, and reorganized in 1853. For the first two years they met in a private

house, and for the next three years over the store of Silberman & Hirsch, on Jefferson Avenue. The rabbi, at this time, was Rev. S. Marcus. He was succeeded, after his death in 1854, by Rev. L. Adler, who remained seven years. During most of his term the society met in a room over Dr. Scherer's drug store, at No. 39 Michi- gan Grand Avenue. On March 5, 1860, the society was incorporated anew, and in 1861 bought the old French Methodist Church on Rivard Street, between Croghan and Lafay- ette Streets, and dedicated it on August 30. Rev. A. Laser now served three years, and was followed by Rev. Dr. I. Kalisch, who remained the same length of time. After he left, the old place of worship was sold, and the forms of service modernized. The temple on the corner of Washington Ave- nue and Clifford Street was purchased for $17,000, and dedicated on August 30, 1867. Rev. E. Eppstein was the first rabbi of the new temple, remaining till 1870. His suc- cessor, Rev. Dr. K. Kohler, served two years. Rev. E. Gerechter served for one year, Rev. L. Wudner for three years, and in Septem- ber, 1876, Rev. Dr. H. Zirndorf took charge. He was succeeded on December 1, 1884, by Rev. L. Grossmann.

Only men are admitted as members of the society : the number in 1850 was 12, in 1860, 40; in 1870, 60; in 1880, 100. The church seats 600. The average attendance at service in 1880 was 500. The salary of the rabbi was $2,500, and the total annual expenses were $5,50. The property was worth $25,000.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE.

629

GENERAL CHURCH STATISTICS.

Connected with the church is a Hebrew Relief Society, of which the presidents have been : D. J. Workum, E. S. Heineman and Simon Heavenrich. The congregation is known as Reformed Hebrews, and their service differs but little in method from that observed in Protestant churches.

Shaary Zedec Jewish Society.

This society was organized September 27, 1861, with a membership of seventeen. It met over Dr. Scherer's drug store, on Michigan Grand Avenue near Bates Street.

In 1864 the society bought the old St. Matthew's Colored Episcopal Church, on the southeast corner of St. Antoine and Congress Streets, for $4,500, and on September 23, 1864, it was dedicated for their use. In the fall of 1876 the old church was sold and torn down, and the erection of a new one, to cost $15,000, begun. The congregation, becom- ing divided in sentiment, was unable to pay for the

SYNAGOGUE OF SHAARY ZEDEC.

new building, and on April 1, 1879, it was turned over to the contractors. After the sale of the old church the congregation separated into three por- tions, meeting in Kittelberger's Hall on Randolph Street, in Funke's Hall on Macomb Street, and at the corner of Gratiot and Hastings Streets. Late in 1881 a number of them united in renting the building they had been forced to sell, and used it as. a synagogue, and finally they purchased it for $10,- 500, and in February, 1885, it was dedicated for their use. They are known as orthodox Israelites, and observe many of the ancient forms and cere- monies. The number of members in 1870 was 48; in 1880, 35. The officiating readers have been : 1865-1868, Laser Kontrovitch ; 1868, A. Gold-

schmidt ; 1871-1874, B. Moscowitz; May, 1882- 1884, Joseph Rappoport; 1884- , M. Caplan.

Congregation of House of Jacob.

This society of Jews was organized in 1879, at the house of Mr. Kinsell, on Gratiot Avenue. On No- vember 14, 1883, they purchased, for $3,200, the church and lot of the Evangelical Association, on the corner of Hastings and Montcalm Streets. Their first regular minister, Rev. Reuben Brode, was elected in May, 1887.

GENERAL CHURCH STATISTICS.

The following tables, the first of the kind that have been compiled for Detroit, give a variety of interesting facts. All churches of the same general faith or practice are grouped together :

NUMBER OF CHURCH BUILDINGS.

1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880

Roman Catholic

Methodist

Presbyterian

Episcopalian

Baptist

Lutheran

New Jerusalem (Swe-

denborgiani

Christian (Disciples)

Congregational

Unitarian

Jewish

Undenominational

Totals

1 2

NUMBER OF MEMBERS.

1830

1840

IS50

1860

1870

1880

Roman Catholic 1

Methodist

281

5.39 810

821

2,489

Presbyterian

448

1, 137

1,471 1,661

2,902

Episcopalian

201

407

728

2,016

3,368

Baptist

168

390

440

1,019

1, 70I

Lutheran 2

New Jerusalem

Christian

175

£95

450

Congregational

166

255

476

795

Unitarian

140

200

3co

380

Jewish

108

135

Totals

214

1, 195

2, 562

3,856

7,416

12,290

PERCENTAGE OF CHURCH MEMBERS TO POPULATION.

1830

1840

1850

1860

1870

1880

Roman Catholic 1

Methodist

.035

.030

.025

.017

.016

.021

Presbyterian

.038

.048

.038

.024

.020

.025

Episcopalian

.018

.031

.019

.015

.025

.029

Baptist

.004

.018

.009

.012

.014

Lutheran 2

New Jerusalem

.001

.000

. 000

Christian

.002

. 003

.003

Congregational

.007

. 005

.005

. 006

Unitarian

.006

.005

.003

Jewish

.001

.OOI

Totals

.095

. 127

.116

.079

.085

.102

630

GENERAL CHURCH STATISTICS.

NUMBER OF SITTINGS.

1820

1830

1840

1850

1860

1850

1880

Roman Catholic.

850

1,300

3,300

4,434

7,384

12,012

Methodist

200

500

1, 700

3,600

4,305

6, 013

Presbyterian

3,155

32, 810

336, 750

Presbyterian

450

I,COO

1,600

3,800

4, 550

6,950

Episcopalian

350

700

1, 500

2,650

4,810

7,405

Baptist

200

650

1,275

2,445

3,545

Lutheran

350

550

1,600

2,550

6,350

New Jerusalem

1,200

15,000

Christian

350

900

21,000

Congregational

875

9,500

110, 000

Congregational

1,000

1, 000

1,240

2, 090

Unitarian

250

5,000

46,000

Jewish

500

5,500

25,000

Universalist

300

4,000

Totals

850| 2,050| 4.500

10, 300

18,897|

30, 184

47,145

Totals

25, 600

$204,219

$2,573,625

PERCENTAGE OF SITTINGS TO POPULATION.

1820

1830

1840

1850

1860

1870

1880

Roman Catholic

. 589

.382

. 14I

.157

098

.092

. 103

Methodist

.090

. 054

.080

.078

.054

.051

Presbyterian

. 202

.108

.076

.083

.057

Episcopalian

.157

.076

.07I

. 058

. 060

.063

Baptist

.000

.070

.030

. 027

. 030

.030

Lutheran

. 038

. 026

.035

.032

. 054

New Jerusalem

.002

. 002

Christian

.016

. 007

Congregational

.047

.021

.015

.018

Unitarian

.010

. 006

.004

Jewish

.0:1

.009

Totals

. 589

.921

.487

.410

.375

.411

Average At- tendance at Morning ser- vice in 1880.

Total Church Expenses in 1880.

Value of Church Prop- erty in 1880.

Roman Catholic

9, 450

$44,400

$774,000

Methodist

2,515

24,625

303, 000

Episcopalian Baptist

2,715

42,325

579,875

1,780

15,575

154,000

Lutheran

3, 630

18,384

209, 000 3

New Jerusalem

200

330

Christian

1, 300

900

Unitarian

488

500

Jewish

900

1,050

---

1 As the Catholic churches keep no definite record of the num- ber of families connected with their parishes, and no record of individual names, it is not possible to compute their numbers with accuracy. The total number of families reported from the several Catholic parishes in 1880 was 7,16?, and their authorities estimate an average of five persons to each family as adherents of the church.

. 060

2 The Lutheran churches keep their records with greater accuracy, but have no uniform method, some keeping lists of families, and others of communicants only ; their statistics are, therefore, not as satisfactory as one could wish. A grouping of the figures for some of these churches, and careful estimates from others, give a total of 6, 111 communicants of Lutheran churches in 1880.

3 Not including the school property of the churches.

CHAPTER LXV.

THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL. - MISSION SCHOOLS. - SUNDAY SCHOOL STATISTICS .- SUNDAY SCHOOL UNIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND CELEBRATIONS.

THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

WE know not how they became entitled to the name of "directors," but the following card, printed in the Gazette, fully identifies the founders of the first Protestant Sunday school in Michigan, and shows when the school began :

SUNDAY SCHOOL.

At a meeting of the Directors of the Sunday School Association of the city of Detroit, Mr. Lemuel Shattuck was unanimously appointed Superintendent thereof, and it was resolved that the school shall go into operation on Sunday, the 4th inst., to com- mence at half past 8 o'clock A. M.

The object of the Association is to instruct children and others in the art of reading, free of expense, and to stimulate them to exertion in acquiring the rudiments of knowledge. Rewards will be distributed to the deserving.

Much benefit has been received from similar institutions in most of the populous towns in the United States. The citizens of Detroit have contributed liberally for this establishment, and it is hoped they will now exert themselves to send every one, male and female, that needs instruction.

H. J. HUNT, A. E. WING, H. M. DICKEY, L. SHATTUCK, B. STEAD, Directors.

DETROIT, Oct. 1, 1818.

It will be observed that the modern idea of Bible instruction was not a prominent feature. A notice and report contained in the Gazette of January 7 and 14, 1820, gives details of some of the now obso- lete methods then in use, and reveals a state of morals that does not recommend the past as being better than the present. The notice reads :

SUNDAY SCHOOL.

At a meeting of the S. S. Association of the city of Detroit, held at the Academy on Saturday, the 25th inst., the president and vice-president being absent, the Rev. J. Monteith was called to the chair. The report of the school was presented by the Superintendent. For reasons appearing, the business of the annual meeting having been suspended since September last, the Association proceeded to elect the following officers to serve through the ensuing year : Hon. William Woodbridge, president; Henry J. Hunt, vice-president ; Levi Brown, treasurer : John J. Deming, secretary ; directors, Rev. J. Monteith, Maj. J. Ander- son, B. Stead, A. G. Whitney, and D. G. Jones.

Resolved, that the report of the superintendent be read in the Presbyterian Church of Detroit, on Sunday, the 29th inst., and that he be requested to furnish such parts of it for publication as he may think proper .- Minutes of Association.

J. J. DEMING, Secretary.

The report reads :

The degraded state of the learning and morals of a great por- tion of our citizens has long been a subject which deserved the commiseration of the well-wishers to the good of society and the prosperity of religion. Being till recently deprived of the means of the general diffusion of knowledge, and especially that of a moral or religious character, and exposed to all the demoralizing influence of war, without the sufficient means to check the force of that influence, our youth have been usually left to grow up in the practice of vice without restraint, and uninfluenced by the motives a religious education inculcates. The Sabbaths have been profaned by companies of noisy boys, and an improper and unlawful course of conduct pursued by certain classes of people, disgraceful to the community which permits it. The people of color have also attracted much attention.

Being excluded from the usual privileges of society, and espe- cially of our ordinary schools, the condition of most of them was that of extreme ignorance and degradation. That such evils have existed in Detroit is no reproach on the virtuous part of the community ; but so long as we suffer them to continue without emotion, or desire not their removal, they will stand a monument of our disgrace as men, citizens, or Christians. While facts like these were daily presented to our view, motives, powerful and commanding, urged us to concentrate our influence in mitigating the evil by promoting a knowledge of the doctrines and practice of the duties of the Christian religion. In accomplishing such desirable ends, the good effects of Sunday schools in various parts of the United States had been attested ; and under the impression that such an institution would be equally beneficial as well in bettering the condition of the poor children as those of the wealthy, the Sunday School Association of the city of Detroit was formed in September, 1818. The object of this association, as expressed in its Constitution, is to establish schools for the in- structing children and others in a knowledge of the Holy Scrip- tures, and in the art of reading when necessary, of aiding and stimulating them in a profitable employment of the Lord's Day, and of inculcating the principles of religion and morality. Though our means would not allow that systematic and extensive exertion which is made in more populous and highly favored towns, yet the pecuniary aid and personal assistance necessary to the commencement of a school was promptly and liberally sup- plied. The school was opened the first Sabbath in October, 1818, and the services of some respectable and benevolent individuals were tendered as teachers. Necessity has, however, compelled us to carry on the labor of the school with fewer teachers, and a greater variety to each class, than would have been desirable, and doubtless the progress of the children has, in many instances, been retarded by having teachers with whom they were unac- quainted. * * *

Some books have been procured for the benefit of the school, but it has been a subject of regret that we have been able to pro- cure but few of such as we desired. The attendance of the children has been so irregular as materially to retard their pro- gress in the studies assigned them, and at times to discourage and almost overthrow the design of the teachers. There have been many, however, whose punctuality at school has shown how valuable the instruction they receive is deemed, and how careful

DETROIT, Dec. 25th, 1819.

[63x]

632

SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

`are the parents that they go so seasonably as not to lose those lessons which a punctual attendance secures to them.

The time of holding the school has varied from the morning to the afternoon at several times, to conform to the public religious exercises, but there has been uniformly one school each Sabbath. It has been the invariable regulation of the school that it should be opened with reading a portion of Scripture and prayer. There have been two general divisions among the scholars, - such as were entirely illiterate, and such as could read. To the former have been taught reading, spelling, etc. To the latter have been assigned portions of Scripture, hymns, catechism, and other select lessons, which contain the leading truths of morality and the Christian religion, to be committed to memory. To some have been proposed questions or tasks, on which they were to exercise their judgment and give in the result in writing. The task of communicating religious instruction to the illiterate is extremely difficult.

As soon as the scholars were capable of receiving it, either by reading or conversation, it has been the usual practice to give it. Of this class have been most of the people of color, who have been found as equally destitute of a knowledge of the most obvious truths of the Bible as they were of the first rudiments of reading. But the greater part of the school has consisted of the children of respectable families who enjoy the privileges of ordi- nary schools. The school has been divided into ten classes, to each of which, when we could be supplied, a teacher was assigned; and to stimulate the pupils to exertion and improvement, printed tickets have been given to the deserving. These tickets have a nominal value attached to them, and have been redeemed in books, tracts, and religious periodical works, particularly The Guardian, or Youth's Religious Instructor, which is regularly received from New Haven.

Regular minutes of the attendance, behavior, and recitations of the scholars, as well as of the attendance of the teachers or visi- tors, have been kept by the Superintendent, and it has been the usual practice at the close of each school to report the number of verses in Scripture, hymns, questions in catechism, etc., that were recited during the time.

Since the commencement of the school, about one hundred and fifty scholars have been admitted, of whom twenty-two are people of color. The average attendance each Sabbath forty- eight, of whom about thirty have been able to recite lessons to their teachers.

Some idea of their improvement can be formed from the follow- ing statement : Those of the people of color who have learned to read since the commencement of the school are now able to recite from twenty to fifty verses of Scripture at each attendance. Among the other classes, a girl of seven years of age has recited 1,793 verses in Scripture, 570 verses in hymns, and 776 answers in catechism, - in all, 3,139. Another of ten years, 2,063 verses in Scripture, 1,248 verses in hymns, and 1,061 answers in catechism, in all, 4,369. Another, who attended twenty-four Sabbaths only, recited 3,829 verses in Scripture, comprehending the four Gospels and Proverbs, besides other select portions of the Bible, 1, 105 verses in hymns, and 250 answers in catechism,- in all, 5, 184. These are a few out of many similar instances which might be selected from the records of the school to show the industry and emulation of the scholars. The greatest recitation in one day, by thirty scholars, was 1,737 verses in Scripture, 735 in hymns, and 3) answers in catechism, - in all, 2,492. Recited by the whole school since the commencement, 38,445 verses in Scripture, 1, 140 verses in hymns, 10,321 answers in catechism, 462 answers to Cumming's questions, given in writing, and 48 prayers. Total, 60,686. This will make an average of 35 verses per day to each scholar. * * *

It is particularly understood that no tenets peculiar to any religious denomination are taught in school. There appears to be a visible improvement in the morals and manners as well as intellectual knowledge of the scholars ; and instead of idle pro- faners of the Sabbath, many of them observe the day, and become diligent seekers of religious knowledge. The difference between

those children regularly attending the Sunday School and those who do not, even while enjoying equal advantages on other days, is very apparent ; and it is to be regretted that every class of our youth cannot be induced to spend the Sabbath in so profitable a manner. It is hoped and earnestly requested that more exertion be made by parents, guardians, and masters, to have those under their care attend regularly and punctually at the hours of school, and to co-operate with the teachers in enforcing, by precept and example, the instruction they receive from them. It is presumed other similar schools might be advantageously established in Detroit or vicinity. Few children consider attending the school a confinement. * * *

We cannot conclude this report without gratefully acknowledg- ing the pecuniary aid that has been bestowed and the patronage which has been given to the school by the citizens. No other institution recommends itself for its cheapness so well as ours, and those small expenses which were necessarily incurred will doubtless be defrayed by a liberal public. But to those who have devoted their time and talents to the laborious duties of teaching, much more is due. You have merited the approbation and grati- tude of the whole community. If other reward is necessary, we must refer you to that satisfaction which you now feel in your own breasts in a review of the great good you have done. Your deeds are known and remembered in Heaven.

Out of the number of those who have been engaged in the institution, one has been called from us to the eternal world. It is but just that a tribute of respect should be paid to the memory of the pious and benevolent Hugh M. Dickie, for some time one of the directors and teachers of our school. He enlisted his feel- ings ardently in the work. He had the affections of his scholars and was an able support of the institution. While we bow with submission to the will of God, in all his righteous dispensations, teachers and scholars should be impressed with the importance of being prepared for death. Joyful indeed will be the lot of that teacher who is the honored instrument of leading a child from the ways of ignorance and vice to a knowledge of the religion of Jesus Christ, and of saving his immortal soul. Teachers ! what a motive to persevering diligence in the discharge of duty.

By order of the Board of Directors.

L. SHATTUCK, Superintendent.

The whole expense of the school, including books, stationery, tickets, and fuel, for the fifteen months of its existence, has been only $31.00.

About a year after the school began, the follow- ing advertisement appeared in the Gazette :

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

Mr. Rowe will teach persons of color, of both sexes, from 3 to 25 years of age, on Sundays, gratis. Those who wish to attend are desired to call on Mr. Rowe for a ticket previous to their entrance into his school as pupils.

DETROIT, July 22nd, 1819.

It would appear that this separate school was not long maintained, for the report shows that colored children were in attendance at the main school.

The second annual meeting was held December 6, 1820, and at this time the report showed that 160 different scholars, from three to nineteen years of age, had attended during the year, nineteen of them being colored. The smallest attendance on any Sunday was 35, and the largest 83. The average attendance was 57, and an average of 30 had lessons, the recitations averaging 543 verses of Scripture, 24

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History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902 Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Detroit, Pub. by S. Farmer & co., for Munsell & co., New York Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Detroit, Pub. by S. Farmer & co., for Munsell & co., New York
Number of Pages: 1094