History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 97

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

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I > Part 97

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On May 15, 1874, the Presbyterian Alliance se- cured the property, and on February 18, 1875, a church was organized with sixteen members. Rev. A. E. Hastings was appointed pastor, and continued as such until his death on November 28, 1880. Rev. Louis R. Fox succeeded to the pastorate on April 10, 1881.

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The building can accommodate 1,200 adults. The pastor's salary in 1881 was $1, 500, and the total yearly expenses, $2,000. Number of members in 1880, 105. Average attendance Sunday mornings, 100. Value of property, $20,000.

Memorial Church.

This church is the outgrowth of one of the oldest mission Sunday schools in the city. The school was first established on February 21, 1858, in the German Reformed Zion Church, on Russell between Sherman and Catherine Streets. On July 20, 1862, the school was moved to a hall on Clinton Street between Russell and Riopelle Streets, and on Octo- ber 19 of the same year it was moved to the Tenth

EARLTER ENG

CW. COMNE OrY.

UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Ward Public School building on Larned Street. The school did not flourish, and in the fall of 1854 it was transferred to the primary school building on Clinton Avenue near St. Aubin Avenue. In Sep- tember, 1866, the buildings near by, which had been used as barracks, were sold at auction ; the one which had served as a hospital was purchased for the school at a cost of $325. Lot 70 of the Chene Farm, on Clinton Avenue opposite the Duffield Union School, was leased for a term of fifteen years, and on December 31, 1856, the Clinton Avenue Mission Chapel Society was incorporated.

The building was fitted up, and first opened on January 27, 1867; and here the school grew and prospered.

During 1880 Mr. Leonard Laurense, who had been connected with the school for many years, conceived the idea of building a Memorial Chapel in memory of his deceased wife, who had been a zealous worker in the school. Rev. D. M. Cooper proposed to unite in the enterprise, and erect a church with the chapel, as a memorial of his

deceased father, mother, and wife. The project was entered upon, and the chapel was dedicated January 16, 1881, and on January 27, 1881, a church with fifty-one members was organized, with Rev. D. M. Cooper as pastor; he was installed on Novem- ber 21, 1883. The church was dedicated December 17, 1882. It is located on the northeast corner of Joseph Campau and Clinton Avenues. The total cost of lots, chapel, church, and furnishing was $35,000, of which amount $2,000 was received from the sale of the old property. To make up the balance, Leonard Laurense gave $5,000, Rev. D. M. Cooper $25,500, Adeline S. and Irene Sprague, each $1,000. In addition to the amount already mentioned, Mr. Cooper made provision

MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

for the erection of a parsonage adjoining the church, to cost not less than $6,000. The church is pro- vided with a chime of four bells, and several stained glass windows, which reproduce the ex- ceedingly elaborate emblems and decorations pre- pared at immense cost of time and labor for the ter-centenary Presbyterian celebration held at Phila- delphia in 1872. They have not been produced for any other edifice, and are artistically and historically the most valuable memorials to be found in any church in the country. Following the dedication, the pastor arranged for a series of memorial dis- courses, the first on December 24, 1882, by Leonard W. Bacon, D. D., upon his grandfather, David Bacon, and his father, Dr. Leonard Bacon, who was born at Detroit. On the day of this address, an elegant memorial tablet, placed in the church by himself and his relatives, was for the first time unveiled.

Addresses were subsequently delivered :

On Rev. John Monteith, by John Monteith, of Missouri.

On Rev. Noah M. Wells, by George D. Baker, D. D.

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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

On George Duffield, D. D., by D. Bethune Duf- field.

The subjects suggested by the memorial windows were discoursed upon as follows : Italy, by Rev. Henry C. McCook, D. D., of Philadelphia ; Scotland, by Rev. James F. Dickie, of Detroit ; Ireland, by Rev. James McLeod, of Buffalo; England, by- Rev. Wm. M. Blackburn, I). I)., of Cincinnati ; France, by Rev. Wm. P. Breed, D. D., of Philadelphia ; Switzerland, by Rev. H. A. MacCracken, D. D., of Pittsburgh ; Bohemia, by Rev. A. T. Pierson, D. D., of Indian- apolis ; Holland, by Rev. J. Ambrose Wight, D. D., of Bay City ; Germany, by Rev. Zachary Eddy, D. D., of Detroit ; Hungary, by Rev. David M. Cooper.

The average attendance in 1880, on Sunday morning, in the chapel, was 180. Total yearly expenses in 1880, $500. The church has accommo- dations for 500 persons ; the chapel for 300.

Trumbull Avenue Church.

This enterprise began with a Sunday school, organized March 18, 1877, in a small wooden build- ing at No. 484 Trumbull Avenue. The present building is located on the southeast corner of Trum- bull Avenue and Fulton Street. The lot is one hundred feet on Trumbull Avenue by one hundred and twenty-four on Fulton Street. The society was organized August 28, 1881, with 72 members. The lot cost $2,500, and the building and furniture $7,300. The chapel was dedicated July 3, 1881. It is of brick, forty-six by eighty-one feet, and seats 500. Rev. Allen M. Dulles became the first pastor in November. 1881. He resigned in 1887, and was succeeded in January, 1888, by Rev. R. J. Service. The church building cost, including the furnishing. about $27,000, and was dedicated February 26, 1888, It seats 800.

TRUMBULL AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL.

United Presbyterian Church. This society was organized May 8, 1853, and held

its first meetings in the old Wayne County Court Room, corner of Griswold and Congress Streets, moving from there to the old City Hall, and then purchasing, for $6,500, a church which had been erected by the Second Presbyterian Society, on the southeast corner of Lafayette Avenue and Wayne Street. The first service of the new owners was

CHURCH

CHEE.

CWSUMNER.D.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ORIGINAL BUILDING.

held on December 23, 1855. In 1869 the building was extensively improved, at a cost of about $1 1,000, and the seating capacity increased from 500 to 650. It was rededicated on September 12, 1869.

In 1887 the property was sold to the Government for $43,500, as part of the site for the post-office, and the church purchased a new site for a church on the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Gilman Street, at a cost of $13,200.

The first pastor, Rev. Samuel Patton, was in- stalled December 27, 1854. Mr Patton died after serving about two and a half years. Rev. J. P. Scott, D. D., began his labors July 29, was installed November 30, 1859, and on January 20, 1878, re- signed the pastorate, preaching his last sermon February 24. He was succeeded by Rev. R. Turn- bull.

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $1,500, and the total yearly expenses $3,000. The number of mem- bers in 1860 was 30; in 1870, 123; in 1880, 301 ; The average attendance Sunday morning in 1880 was 375. The church had a debt of $5,000, in 1880, which has since been paid.

An occasion of special interest to this society was

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the annual convention of the first synod of the West, which commenced its sessions in the church on Au- gust 28, 1883.

French, or French and German Presbyterian Church. (Extinct.)

A society known as the French Presbyterian Church was organized as early as March 3, 1854, and purchased on that day a lot on the south side of Catharine Street near Russell Street for $700. On September 1, 1856, a society called the French and German Presbyterian Church was incorporated, and on October 18 following the original society trans- ferred the lot to the new organization. A wooden church was then erected, which was dedicated Feb- ruary 22, 1857. The society did not prove har- monious or successful, and on April 22, 1861, a society in charge of Rev. H. Miller, a branch of St. John's Lutheran Church on Monroe Avenue, ob- tained the use of the building. It was subsequently sold to still another Lutheran congregation.

Hamtramck Church.

This church had its origin in a mission school held in the Marine Hospital. The school prospered. and a building was erected for it on the southeast corner of Frontenac Avenue and Congress Street. It was dedicated February 6, 1870. The lot cost $500 and the building $3.500. It seats 300.

On October 25, 1883, a church was organized with 26 members, and was cared for by Rev. T. D. Bartholemew, who took charge of the enterprise the previous May. On May 22, 1886, he was suc- ceeded by Rev. H. S. Jenkinson, who was regularly installed at that time.

Third Avenue Church.

The school, of which this church is the successor, was incorporated on March 17, and organized on May 11, 1867. The lots were given by F. J. B. Crane, and a building, costing with furnishing about $4,400, was erected. It was dedicated on May 10, 1868, and during its entire history had an attendance of 200. The property was controlled by five trustees, elected by the Sunday school.

On November 5, 1886, the school voted to organ- ize a Presbyterian church, and on November II following, a church was organized with 21 members. About $1,500 was then expended in alterations and repairs, and on February 21, 1887, the building was dedicated as the Third Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Rev. J. M. Barkley installed as pastor. The building seats about 400.

Reformed Church of America.

This society was organized in December, 1872, with 42 members. In August, 1874, they dedicated

their church, which is on the south side of Catharine Street in the middle of the block between Dequindre Street and St. Aubin Avenue. The lot cost $650 and the building $1, 100. The building seats 200. It is held in trust by the Board of Home Missions. Rev. H. R. Boer was the first pastor, serving from 1872 to 1874. Rev. M. Kirkenoeld took charge in 1875, and on account of failing health resigned in 1877. The church remained without a pastor until June 25, 1882, when Rev. G. Niemeyer became pastor and served until June, 1884. The number of members in 1880 was 38.

OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO PRESBYTERIANS.

1833, October 12 .- Meeting of Synod of Western Reserve in Detroit.

1837, October 23. - First meeting of Synod of Michigan in Detroit.

1842, October 14 .- Synod again met in Detroit.

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.

1845, June 19 to 24 .- Joint Convention of Con- gregational and Presbyterian ministers and delegates from churches in northwestern States.1 Dr. Lyman

1 It is a curious fact that in the second volume of Dr. Beecher's Autobiography, edited by his son, Rev. Charles Beecher, this meeting is stated to have been held in Chicago. The narrative says, "In June, 1845, Dr. Beecher attended a convention at Chicago, of Congregational and Presbyterian Churches. *

* The convention was a great and good one, whose influence will be felt powerfully for good through all coming time. It will, I trust, avert a schism between Congregational and Presbyterian Churches and consummate and perpetuate their union. * * * I preached for the Methodists on the Sabbath, on justification by faith, with great delight and multiplied Amens, and the other

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Beecher and Professor Calvin E. Stowe were pres- ent.

June 9, 1848 .- Meeting of State Synod.

May 16 to 29, 1850 .- The Presbyterian General Assembly convened at Detroit. Many distinguished persons present.

October 27, 1864, and July 12, 1870 .- Meetings of State Synod.

May 16 to 30, 1872 .- Presbyterian General As- sembly in session in Detroit.

In November, 1872, the Presbyterian Alliance of Detroit was organized, and in February, 1874, it was incorporated. It is composed of the sessions of the Presbyterian Churches in the city, together with such Presbyterian ministers and elders residing in said city as shall by election be admitted. Its ob- ject is the founding and establishment of Presby- terian churches, missions, and schools, and such

tokens of emotion and approbation ; and though my theories often swept across their track, the stream of feeling swept them along, and they still cried Amen ! It was a delightful time of boundless liberty and heart melting and flowing onward of the copious stream of truth."

other work as may promote the interests of said denomination in the city of Detroit and its vicinity. It is a consulting and advisory body, securing unity of opinion and harmony of action in matters of common interest. It is sustained by voluntary contributions. When money is needed an assess- ment is made upon the churches according to their several abilities. This call is usually presented to each church under the direction of its session after its own method.

The presidents have been : 1873, Rev. Wm. Ho- garth; 1874, Rev. Wm. Aikman; 1875, Rev. A. T. Pierson; 1876, Rev. George D. Baker; 1877, Rev. Robert J. Laidlaw ; 1878, Jacob S. Farrand; 1879, Elisha Taylor; 1880, George W. Hoffman ; 1881, Rev. James Dickie ; 1882, John Cameron ; 1883-1885, Rev. G. W. Barlow; 1885, Rev. J. F. Dickie ; 1886, E. A. Fraser ; 1887, Elisha Taylor.

Treasurers: 1873-1876, James H. Muir; 1876- 1884, George E. Hand; 1884-1887, J. S. Farrand ; 1887, James Joy.

Secretary : Rev. J. G. Atterbury.

1880, October II. Synod of Michigan met in Detroit.

CHAPTER LXI.

THE BAPTIST CHURCHES .- OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMINATION.

First Baptist Church.

THE Rev. Henry Davis, a Baptist minister, is said to have conducted services in the old University Building, on Bates Street, in the spring of 1826.

ORIGINAL. BUILDING OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

This date is, probably, one year too early, as the rec- ords of the trustees of the University do not show that the use of the building was granted prior to May 28, 1827 ; on that date a resolu- tion appears on record, "that the Baptist Society may have lower room for minister for six months." On July 3 following, the Detroit Gazette contained a notice that the "trustees of the University had given the Baptists per- mission to use the lower room of the academy. Preaching by Rev. Henry Davis.'

On August 19, 1827, Mrs. Nancy Cobell was baptized, this being presumably the first baptism by immersion in Detroit.

The society was fully organized on October 20, 1827. Mr. Davis was compelled to resign on account of failing health in April, 1828, and on June 10 of the same year the city donated to the society the lot on the northwest corner of Fort and Griswold Streets. In May, 1829, Mr. Browning announced to the church "that he had concluded to go forward and build a house of one story, twenty-two by thirty-five feet, as a meeting room for the church, upon the lot granted by the city council last year," and in November, 1830, the old records speak of a proposition to meet in their house of worship.

After Mr. Davis left, the church was without a pastor for several years, but was kept together largely through the faithful efforts of Francis I'. Browning. In 1831 the society was admitted to the Michigan Baptist Association, and in July Rev. S. Goodman became the pastor, remaining one year, after which, notwithstanding they were now left without a shepherd, the members of the flock were not hopeless; for in September, 1833, the old frame church was sold to James Witherell, and a new church was begun on the original site. The old building was moved to the site now occupied by the Detroit Opera House. In the spring of 1834 Elder Loomis, agent of the New York Baptist Conven- tion, was employed three months, and in November following Rev. Robert Turnbull commenced his labors.

On January 11, 1835, the new church was dedi- cated. It was of brick, fifty by seventy feet, with a steeple one hundred feet high.

On August 31, 1836, delegates assembled in

FIRST BRICK BAPTIST CHURCH, CORNER FORT AND GRISWOLD STREETS. [605]

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THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.

Detroit, and the Baptist State Convention was organized. The pastorate of Rev. R. Turnbull lasted two years and a half. He then went East, and as an author achieved extended fame. It was during his pastorate that Mrs. Jameson visited Detroit ; she attended service here, and thus records her impression of the church and its services :

The church is one of the largest in the town, plain in appear- ance, but the interior handsome, and in good taste. The congre- gation was not crowded, but composed of most respectable, serious, well dressed people. * * * On closing his sermon, he commenced a prayer, and I have seldom listened to one more eloquently fervent. Both the sermon and the prayer were extemporaneous. He prayed for all people, nations, orders, and conditions of men throughout the world, including the King of Great Britain, but the prayer for the President of the United States seemed to me a little original, and admirably calculated to suit the two parties who are at present divided on the merits of that gentleman. The suppliant besought the Almighty that if Mr. Van Buren were a good man, he might be made better, and if a bad man, he might be speedily regenerated.

SECOND BRICK BAPTIST CHURCH, CORNER FORT AND GRISWOLD STREETS.

After Mr. Turnbull left, the church was pastorless until February, 1838, when Rev. O. C. Comstock was settled over it and remained until September, 1839. He was succeeded in February, 1841, by Rev. Howell Smith, and in September of the same year Rev. Andrew Ten Brook was ordained and settled as the pastor. In 1844 Mr. Ten Brook was called to the chair of Mental and Moral Science in the Michigan University, and in September, 1844, Rev. James Inglis was ordained as pastor. He remained until the spring of 1847. In October fol- lowing Rev. Samuel Haskell accepted the pastorate. In 1849 several members organized the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Rev. Mr. Haskell left in March, 1852, and Rev. Mr. Colver became pastor in April, 1853. He remained until March, 1856, and was

succeeded by his son, Rev. Charles K. Colver, who remained until June, 1857. After he left, the church was supplied by Rev. G. W. Harris, editor of the Christian Herald, and Rev. S. Cornelius. On Janu- ary 1, 1858, Rev. J. W. Taggart was settled as pastor.

In the summer of 1859 the old church was torn down, and the erection of the third church on the same site was begun. The corner-stone was laid September 8, 1859. While the church was building the congregation found temporary quarters, first in the old Congregational Church on Jefferson Avenue and then in the hall in Coyl's building on Wood- ward Avenue, above State Street.

In 1860 several members of the church organized the Lafayette Street Baptist Church. Rev. Mr. Taggart's labors closed in June, 1861. In July Rev. J. H. Griffith commenced pastoral work, and in November following he was ordained.

After about two years the congregation began to use the basement of their new church, and on October 11, 1863, the main audience room was dedicated. It had an average width of sixty-six feet and was seventy feet long; the width across the transepts was eighty feet. The tower was not completed, but the cost of the church and furnishing reached $25,000. It seated 650 persons.

Mr. Griffith resigned on April 14, 1867. Rev. G. S. Chase succeeded him in De- cember, 1867, and remained until Febru- ary, 1870. He, with other members of the church, then withdrew and formed the Park Street Baptist Church.

About this time it was decided to sell the Fort Street site, and build a new church on the corner of Cass Avenue and Bagg Street. The lots were bought and a brick chapel erected, which was first used in May, 1872.

Rev. L. M. Woodruff, who succeeded Mr. Chase, remained until July, 1872. In January, 1873, the First and Park Street Churches were united, Rev. John Matthews, of the Park Street Church, serving as pastor from February to November, 1873.

In July, 1874, Rev. N. C. Mallory commenced his pastorate. He resigned in 1879, and was suc- ceeded on July I by Rev. Z. Grenell.

On April 25, 1875, the new church on Cass Avenue was dedicated. The lot has a frontage of one hundred feet on Cass Avenue by one hundred and fifty feet on Bagg Street, and cost $9,000. The length of church and chapel is one hundred and thirty-eight feet, and width seventy-four feet. The ‘ main audience room is sixty-five by one hundred

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feet. It has 122 pews and seats 700. The chapel cost $10,000 and the church $50,000.

The length of church and chapel is one hundred and thirty-eight feet, and width seventy-four feet.

STARMER & CO

CASS AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $2,500; the choir cost $250; and the total annual expenses were $4,500. The pew rents amounted to $5,000. The property was valued at $75,000. The average at- tendance on Sunday morning was 400. Number of members in 1830, 10; in 1840, 153; in 1850, 265; in 1860, 350; in 1870, 266; in 1880, 421.

Second Baptist Church (Colored).

This church was organized in 1836, and held its first services in private houses. As early as March 30, 1836, the society contracted for a building to cost $480. The church, however, was not built, and in 1839 the society held meetings in a building also used for school purposes, on the south side of Fort Street, between Beaubien and St. Antoine Streets, subsequently known as Liberty Hall. On March 18, 1839, the society was incorporated.

From August 16 to 20, 1850, the church was occupied by the annual meeting of the Amherstburg Baptist Association, to which the society belonged. In September, 1851, the society was received into the Michigan Baptist Association. On June 26, 1854, the church was burned. Services were then held for a time in an old school-house on the south side of Fort near Hastings Street. In February, 1857, the society bought their present property on the north side of Croghan near Beaubien Street for $3,800 of the First German Reformed Zion Church, which society had built it in 1851. In 1881 it was extensively repaired, at a cost of $3,000. In 1875 the church adopted J. Newton Brown's Baptist Church Manual.

Number of members in 1840, 15; in 1850, 80; in 1860, 221 ; in 1870, 165; in 1880, 306. Number of sittings in the church, 275. The average attend- ance at morning service in 1880 was 150. The pastor's salary was $700. The total yearly expenses were $875. The property was valued at $18,000, and encumbered with a debt of $12,000.

Rev. W. C. Monroe, the first pastor, served from 1836 to 1847. Rev. S. H. Davis was pastor from 1847 to 1851, and was succeeded by Rev. D. G.

SECOND BAPTIST COLORED CHURCH.

Lett, who remained until 1856. In 1857 Rev. Wil- liam Troy was pastor. He was followed by Rev. G. W. Anderson, who served from 1859 to 1861. Rev. S. Chase served from April 1, 1861, to April I, 1874, and Rev. J. P. Wills from May 1, 1876, to December, 1881. He was succeeded on October 1, 1882, by Rev. W. R. Davis, who remained only one year.

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ORIGINAL LAFAYETTE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

Woodward Avenue Church.

The first steps towards organizing this church were taken at a meeting held on June 3, 1860; and on June 15 following, fifty-six persons, mostly from the First Baptist Church, united together as the Lafayette Avenue Baptist Church.

The society first met in the Tabernacle Church, on Howard near Second Street. In October, 1860, the church was received into the Michigan Baptist Association. On Wednesday, February 13, 1861, Rev. John Matthews was installed as pastor, and on December 12, 1862, the society was incorporated. In 1863 a lot seventy-five by one-hundred and thirty feet, on the south side of Lafayette Avenue between Cass and First Streets, was purchased for $3, 125, and a chapel seating 250 was erected. It was first used on January 31, 1864. On October 6, 1865, Mr. Matthews resigned, and on December 28 following. the main church was dedicated. The total cost of the church, chapel, and furnishings, was $26,000.

On January 29. 1866, Rev. M: Taylor was called as the pastor. He resigned on September 29, and was succeeded on November 21, 1866, by Rev. Alfred Owen, who was installed January 20, 1867. In May, 1876, the society projected a mission which developed into the Eighteenth Street Baptist Church. The pastorate of Mr. Owen closed July I, 1877, and for a time Rev. F. B. Cressey supplied the pulpit. He was succeeded on October 22 of the same year by Rev. W. W. Hammond. He resigned

in December, 1881, and the pulpit was temporarily supplied by various persons until July, 1882, when Rev. C. R. Henderson was called. He preached his first sermon as the pastor on September 3.

The church has 500 sittings. The average at- tendance at morning service in 1880 was 300. The pastor's salary was $2,000, the choir cost $1,000, and the total annual church expenses were $4,400. The property was valued at $35,000. Number of members in 1860, 60; in 1870, 242 ; in 1880, 386.

In 1883, lots for a new church building on the southeast corner of Woodward Avenue and Winder Street were purchased at a cost of $22,500. In 1886 the Lafayette Avenue building was sold, and on the first Sunday in August of the same year the chapel on Winder Street was dedicated. The church, which is built of Ionia stone, is deemed the hand- somest in the city, and was dedicated on January 19, 1887. It cost, including the furnishing, $132,500, and will seat 1, 500 persons.

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History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 97

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