History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 98

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 98

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First German Church.

This society was organized August 18, 1864, and reorganized by a Council of Baptist Churches on January 18, 1869. The first meetings were held in the French Baptist Church, and then in the Clinton Avenue Sunday School building. Their church, on the northwest corner of St. Aubin Ave- nue and Mullet Street, was dedicated May 8, 1870. The lot cost $700 and the church $2,000. In the winter of 1882 and 1883 an addition was made to the front of the building. It seats 300. The par- sonage, on the same lot, was built in 1875, and cost $500. The average attendance in 1880 was 200. The pastor's salary was $450, and the total yearly expenses of the church $900. Value of the prop- erty, $3,000. Number of members in 1870, 51; in 1880, 130. The following have served as pastors : S. Thoms, from 1864 to 1868; C. Jung, from 1868

& FARMER PRO

FIRST GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.

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THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.

to 1876; H. Fellman, from 1876 to 1880 ; 1880-1886, F. C. Koehler; 1886- , R. Otto.

Zion Church (Colored).

This society has no building. It was or- ganized in 1870. meeting at the house of George French, 339 Macomb Street. Rev. George Hurlbut was pastor from 1870 to 1872, and they have had none since. Number of members in 1870, 45, in 1880, 25. The soci- ety incorporated January 25. 1871.

Eighteenth Street Church.

This church grew out of a mission estab- lished by the Lafayette Avenue Society. A meeting was held at that church on May I, 1876, to consider the subject, and on May 15 it was decided to establish the Eighteenth Street Mission. A lot on the east side of Eighteenth Street near Marquette was pur- chased at a cost of $1, 100, and a church, costing $3,400 additional, was erected. Rev. F. B. Cressey, the first pastor, began his labors May 15, and on May 20, 1877, a Sunday school was commenced with one hundred and sixty-two scholars. The building was formally dedicated June 3, 1877, and regular preaching services began June 10.

The average attendance at church in the morn- ing, in 1880, was 125. The salary of the pastor was $1,200, and the total yearly expenses, $1,300. In May, 1880, the church was enlarged, and the seating capacity increased from 275 to 500. The pews are all free.

The church proper was organized July 1, 1880. with one hundred and eighteen members ; reorgan- ized on July 6, and formal recognition service held on July 11, 1880. The property was then valued

EIGHTEENTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.

at $6,500. In March, 1882, Rev. Mr. Cressey re- signed, and on March 26 he was succeeded by Rev. M. H. Worrall. He died in 1887, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. H. Stiffler.

TWELFTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.

Twelfth Street Church.

This is the outgrowth of a Sunday school organ- ized in the fall of 1876 in the upper part of a store on Grand River Avenue between Twelfth and Thir- teenth Streets. The prosperity of the school led to the obtaining of a lot on the southeast corner of Twelfth and Linden Streets, and the removal thereto of the unused Park Street Baptist Church. On January 6, 1878, the school first met in that building. On May I Rev. S. W. Titus commenced his labors as pastor. On September 19 a church was organ- ized, and on September 29, 1878, the society was incorporated. Mr. Titus resigned, and was suc- ceeded on May 12, 1886, by Rev. R. E. Manning.

The society began with forty-one, and in 1880 had one hundred and nineteen members. The lot cost $800, and the removal and refitting the church, $550. The church seats 380. The pastor's salary in 1880 was $1,000, and the total yearly expenses $1,300. The value of the property was $4,000. The average attendance was 200. In the fall of 1883 the lecture room was enlarged and other improvements made, at a cost of about $600.

Second German Church.

This society had its beginnings in a German Sunday school, commenced February 20, 1876, in the

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THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.

Calvary Presbyterian Church. A church was then organized, and with twenty-five members was duly recognized on August 16, 1877, and on September 25 it was received into the Michigan Baptist Asso- ciation. The church building, located on the east side of Mt. Hope Avenue, between Michigan Ave- nue and Ash Street, was first used June 29, and formally dedicated December 16, 1879. The lot cost $400 and the building $420. The church seats 90. In 1880 there were twenty-four members, and an average attendance Sunday morning of 30. The property was valued at $1,000.

The church was organized by Rev. C. Jung, who served as pastor up to 1882. On January 1, 1883, Rev. A. Freytag became his successor.

SECOND GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.

Clinton Avenue Church.

The church building of this society is located on the southeast corner of Joseph Campau and Clinton Avenues. The society was organized November 30, 1880, with fifty-two members.

The chapel was dedicated on December 12, 1880. The lot cost $2,000 and the building $5,000. It seats 500. The first pastor, Rev. J. D. Pulis, began his pastorate November 30, 1880, and closed it April 1, 1885. He was succeeded on October 4, 1885, by Rev. C. E. Conley. The average attendance at the morning service in 1880 was 250. The pastor's salary was $1,200, and the total annual expenses $1,000. A church costing $13,000 was dedicated October 7, 1884. It seats 500.

Shiloh Church (Colored).

This society was organized December 1, 1831, by Rev. John P. Wills. Twenty-five members, mostly from the Second Baptist Church, united with the society. Mr. Wills died on May 14, 1882, and was

succeeded by Rev. T. C. Johnson, and he, in October, 1882, by Rev. John Spears, who continued the ser- vices where they were begun, in a private house, at 421 Hastings Street. In November, 1883, that prop-

CLINTON AVENUE BAPTIST CHAPEL ..

CLINTON AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

erty was sold; services were then held for several months in a hall at 258 Gratiot Avenue.

In the spring of 1884 a building on Columbia Street, between Hastings and Prospect Streets, was purchased for $1,300, and fitted up for church ser- vices. Rev. Louis Auger has served as pastor since August, 1885.

611

THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.

First French Baptist Church.

This church was organized September 20, 1857, and incorporated May 2, 1860. The first services were held in the old Congregational Church on Jefferson Avenue, which was used until their own building was completed. It is located on the north side of Sherman Street between Rivard and Russell Streets. The lot was donated by Gen- eral Cass, and the brick church was dedicated Feb- ruary 11, 1862. It seats 200 persons and cost $2,000.

THE FRENCH BAPTIST CHURCH.

The pews are free. The average attendance in 1880 was about 125. Number of members in 1860, 49; in 1870, 157; in 1880, 100. Rev. R. B. Des- roches is the pastor, and his salary is $700. The total expenses in 1880 were $800. The property was estimated to be worth $3,500.

Tabernacle Church. (Extinct.)

This society was a branch of the First Baptist Church. The first meeting was held July 17, 1849, and on July 21 a Council of Churches organized the society. On October 28, 1849, Rev. J. Inglis took charge. Services were held in the Detroit Institute, on the north side of Jefferson Avenue near St. Antoine Street, and in September, 1850, in Young Men's Hall. About this time General Cass donated a lot on Howard Street, between Second and Third Streets, and in the fall of 1852 a chapel thirty by forty feet was erected. In August, 1852, Rev. A. E. Mather succeeded Mr. Inglis, and soon after services were held in the new chapel. It seated 200. Mr. Mather remained a few months, and the church was then without a pastor for a year. In October, 1854, Mr. Inglis again took charge, but in the summer of 1855 he resigned. Rev. A. E.

Mather again served for two or three years, and then for some time the church was without a pastor. Rev. J. Campbell came next, and remained two years.

On July 20, 1859, it was decided to sell the chapel, buy a lot on Washington Avenue, corner of Clifford Street, for $6,000, and erect a church.

On October 1, 1859, the society laid the corner- stone of a brick church, and on August 26, 1860, it was dedicated with preaching by Dr. James in the morning, and Dr. Inglis in the evening. It cost $10,000, had sixty-nine pews, and seated about 500. In this church, from 1859 to 1864, Rev. James Inglis served as pastor, and in the fall of 1864 Rev. E. Curtis took charge. He remained through 1865, and was the last minister of the society.

On April 20, 1863, the old church on Howard Street was sold to a society calling themselves the "Howard Street Church of Christ," and on March 19, 1867, the church on Washington Avenue was sold for $17,000 to a Jewish congregation. The proceeds of the sale were used in liquidating debts, and the balance divided among those who had paid for the erection of the church.

In 1850 the society had 45 members and in 1860, IIO. After the sale of the church many of the members joined other societies. A year or two after the church was sold a few of the members began meeting for worship in the chapel built about 1869 by Dr. Richard Inglis on the south side of Duffield Street, near Woodward Avenue. The frame of the building had formerly been a barn, but was refitted and practically built anew. About twenty persons, remnants of the old Tabernacle flock, with some additional members were worshiping there in 1883. The building was owned by William Cowie.

Park Street Church. (Extinct.)

This church was organized by Rev. G. S. Chase in February, 1870, mostly from among members of the First Baptist Church. They dedicated their wooden church on the northeast corner of Park and Duffield Streets, on October 2, 1870. It cost $5,500 and seated 420. In 1870 they had 73 members. In 1872 Rev. John Matthews became the pastor, and in January, 1873, the society united with the First Church. In December, 1877, their building was removed to Twelfth Street, and became the property of the Twelfth Street Baptist Church.

Warren Avenue Church.

This society was organized in May, 1885, and first occupied their chapel in July of the same year. It is located on Fourth near Warren Avenue, and cost, with the furnishings, $700. The first regular pastor, Rev. John Matthews began serving the church in the fall of 1887.

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OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMINATION. "

North Baptist Church.

This society began seven years ago as a Sunday school, in a school-house, on the Holbrook Road, where it remained nearly four years. In October, 1884, Rev. E. M. Blanchard took charge, and the place of meeting was changed to the Bagg resi- dence, on the corner of Woodward and Horton Avenues. The society continued there one year, and then removed to Brown's Hall, on the corner of Woodward and Milwaukee avenues. It num- bers about 80 members.

OCCASIONS OF INTEREST TO THE DENOMI- NATION.

The semi-centennial of the organization of the Baptist Church in Detroit was observed on Septem- ber 25, 1877.

Sessions of the Baptist State Convention have

been held in Detroit as follows: At the First Church, beginning August 31, 1836, October 11, 1850, and October 14, 1864; at the Lafayette Church on October 8, 1869; and again at the First Church on October 19, 1875.

The Detroit Baptist Social Union was organized May 20, 1878. It was established to propagate and establish the principles and practices of the Baptist Church. The membership fee is $2.00.

The following have served as officers :

Presidents : 1878 and 1879, A. H. Wilkinson ; 1880-1881, C. C. Bowen; 1882, Rev. Z. Grenell ; 1883, D. A. Waterman ; 1884, J. D. Standish.

Secretaries : 1878-1881, Rev. F. B. Cressey ; 1881, S. C. Annabel; 1882- , J. T. Beadle.

Treasurers : 1878-1881, Solon Prentiss ; 1881, D. A. Waterman ; 1882- , George E. King.

The National Baptist Anniversaries for 1884 were held at the Cass Avenue Church, beginning on May 21, 1884.

CHAPTER LXII.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES .- NOTABLE CONGREGATIONAL GATHERINGS.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

First Congregational Church.

After the visit of Rev. David Bacon, we have no record of the presence of a Congregational minister in Detroit until 1843, when the following notice appeared in the Daily Gazette :

The Rev. E. McDowell, of the Eastern Congregational Asso- ciation of Michigan, will preach to-morrow (Sunday) in the City Hall, at 3 o'clock P. M. The public are invited to attend. Preaching may also be expected at the same time and place every Sabbath until further notice.

These services, which were soon discontinued, had no connection with the organization of the First Congregational Society, which dates its beginnings from the autumn of 1844, when a series of Sunday meetings was held at the City Hall and also in the Scotch Presbyterian Church, corner of Farmer and Bates Streets, by Rev. Henry L. Hammond.

On November 25, 1844, at a meeting held at the residence of C. G. Hammond, preliminary steps were taken to form a church. On December 8 following, at a meeting held in the City Hall, the plans were completed, and on December 23 the First Congregational Society of Detroit was incor- porated. A Council of the Churches was held De- cember 25, and the society duly organized with thirteen members. On January 5, 1845, a Sunday school was established. On March 31 a lot was pur- chased on the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Beaubien Street for $2,000, and the society com- menced the erection of a church. Services were held meantime, first in the City Hall, then in the Capitol, and finally in the Circuit Court room, on the corner of Congress and Griswold Streets.

On Sunday, December 14, 1845, services were first held in the basement of the new church. On August 30, 1846, the building was completed and dedicated. It was of brick, cost about $5,000, was forty-five by seventy-five feet in size, had 180 pews, and seated about 1,000.

During the first two years of the existence of the church, David Hale, of New York, paid $600 a year to the support of the pastor, Rev. H. L. Hammond.

On January 16, 1847, the noted revivalist, Rev. C. G. Finney, visited Detroit, and preached every eve- ning for the week following. Several were added

to the society. In his biography the fact of this visit is not mentioned. Mr. Hammond resigned his pastorate on July 5, 1847, and was at once succeeded by Rev. O. C. Thompson, who preached for about two months, when failing health com- pelled him to give up the charge. Rev. R. R. Kellogg then served as pastor for a short time, and on November 11, 1847, it was agreed to engage Rev. W. W. Atterbury to fill the pulpit for six months. During the winter evangelistic services

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Original building

were held in the church by the Rev. J. P. Avery. On July 10, 1848, Rev. H. D. Kitchell was called to the pastorate; on Sunday, October 1, 1848, he preached his first sermon, and on December 6 he was installed.

In the fall of 1852 the subject of a new church in a different location began to be agitated. On January 10, 1853, it was decided to locate on the southwest corner of Fort and Wayne Streets. The lot cost $10,000 and the building and furnishing

[613]

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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

$45,908. The church was dedicated September 21, 1854. The old church and lot sold for $9, 150.

On November 2, 1864, Rev. H. D. Kitchell re- signed, and on December 2, Rev. S. M. Freeland was called. He commenced his labors on March 20, 1865, and in less than a year a movement for a Second Congregational Church was inaugurated. Mr. Freeland resigned as pas- tor of the First Church, and over one hundred members went with him into a new organiza- tion. In April, 1866, Rev. A. Ballard began to preach for the First Church. He was called soon after, com- menced regular pastoral work in June, and on October 16, 1866, he was in- stalled.

On December 9, 1869, the quar- ter centennial of the organization of the church was observed with appropriate exercises. Dr. Ballard resigned on February 5, 1872, and the pulpit was sup- plied by Rev. Mr. McWil- liams, Rev. Pro- fessor Esta- brook, and oth- ers, until Sep- tember, 1873. Rev. Dr. Z. Eddy then be- gan his pastorate. He was installed October 10, and resigned just ten years later; his successor, Rev. W. H. Davis, accepted a call to the pastorate in April, 1884.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

In the summer of 1874 the church was extensively repaired and improved at a cost of $12,260. The number of sittings in the church is 940. The aver- age attendance at Sunday morning service in 1880

was 500, the pastor's salary was $3,500, the yearly expense of the choir $900, the sexton was paid $300, and the total annual expenses footed up $6,000. The value of the property was $50,000. About $5,500 is received annually from pew rents. The number of members in 1850 was 166; in 1860, 355; in 1870, 279; in 1880, 516.

Second Church.

The first ef- fort to establish a society called the Second Congregational Church was made by Rev. Orson Parker, and a society thus called was incorporated on January 24, 1850. It was proposed to build a church on Woodward Avenue to be called Detroit Tabernacle, and on February 14, 1850, a fair was held in a vacant store on Jeffer- son Avenue to obtain funds in aid of the enter- prise. The soci- ety held meet- ings for a time in Mechanics' Hall, but the en- terprise was soon abandoned.

The later and successful soci- ety branched off from the First Church in March, 1866, was incorpora- ted March 19, and organized by a Council of Churches on April 3. Rev. S. M. Freeland resigned as pastor of the First Church to become pastor of the new flock, which numbered one hundred and ten persons. The society first met in the church then known as the Tabernacle Baptist, on the corner of Washington Avenue and Clifford Street. In July, 1866, a lot was purchased near the corner of Woodward Avenue and Sibley Street for $5,000,

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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

and a chapel forty by sixty feet erected on the rear of the lot. It was completed at a cost of $6,000, and dedicated July 23, 1867. In 1870 the society had one hundred and ninety-seven members, and

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

this year they purchased an adjoining corner lot for $5,500, and in the fall of 1872 began to build a church. The basement was completed and first used August 23, 1874. The chapel was then sold to the African M. E. Church for $300. The body of the church was dedicated November 21, 1874. It seats nearly 1,200. The cost, including furnish- ing, was about $70,000.

Mr. Freeland resigned, and his pastorate ceased March 1, 1875. He was succeeded, on April 1, by Rev. George Porter, as special supply to October I. Rev. W. T. Sprole then entered upon the duties of the pastorate. He was followed in September, 1878, by Rev. R. DeWitt Mallary, who remained a year, and in October, 1879, Rev. Moses Smith became the pastor. In February, 1888, he resigned.

From the time the society built its new church it was heavily in debt, and · being unable to pay a mortgage on the property, on February 21, 1879, the church became the property of the mortgagee, and the society for a time worshiped in the chapel of the Cass Avenue Baptist Church. Arrangements were finally made to rent the church, and on Novem- ber 22, 1880, the congregation subscribed enough to purchase the church, and again became owners of the property.

The pastor's salary in 1880 was $2,500, the yearly cost of choir, $550, and the total annual expenses, $3,500. Four thousand dollars a year was received

from pew rents. The value of the property was $60,000. The average attendance was 375. Num- ber of members in 1870 was 197; in 1880, 279.

Trumbull Avenue Church.

This society is the outgrowth of the Ninth or Trumbull Avenue Mission School, which was estab- lished in 1868 on the west side of Trumbull Avenue near Howard Street. The building was dedicated November 7, 1868. The cost of the property was about $10,000. The school flourished, and on April 27, 1881, a church with seventy-three members was organized, with Rev. R. W. Wallace as pastor. He served until the fall of 1887, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. A. T. Swing. The building seats 500, and the average attendance at church services in 1881 was 100. The total yearly expenses were $2,500.

In August, 1881, the building was moved to a lot which cost $4,500, on the northeast corner of Baker Street and Trumbull Avenue. In its new location the building was dedicated on October 16, 1881. The property was then valued at $10,000, and at that time there was a debt of $3,000 on the property.

Springwells Church.

The building of this organization is located on the Crane Farm, on the west side of Lovers' Lane, about five hundred feet from the river. The lot, worth $600, was donated by George Jerome and other owners. The church cost $2,600, and while

CHY. Summer

TRUMBULL AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

in an unfinished condition, was first occupied by the Sunday school in December. 1879. It was seated with chairs, and could accommodate 300. It was gradually completed, and in January, 1881, was

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NOTABLE CONGREGATIONAL GATHERINGS.

turned over by the building committee to the care of the First Congregational Society. A church

SPRINGWELLS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

society was organized in the spring of 1881, with twenty-five members.

The enterprise is the outgrowth of a mission school established about 1868, under the care of the First Congregational Church after 1875. Preaching services were begun in November, 1880, with an average attendance of 75. In 1881 this and the Trumbull Avenue Congregational Church were both under the pastoral care of Rev. R. W. Wallace. On February 19, 1882, Rev. S. R. Bonnell became the first regular pastor; he resigned on October 15, and on March 15, 1883, Rev. A. B. Allen entered upon the pastorate.

Harper Avenue Mission.

This mission is located on the south side of Harper Avenue, between Woodward Avenue and john R. Street. The building was dedicated on March 4, 1883. The lot cost $1,600 and the build- ing and furniture $1,050. The building can seat 200. The school was established on July 23, under the care of Rev. O. C. Thompson. A church was organized May 19, 1885, with Rev. C. A. Wright as pastor. He was succeeded in September, 1886, by Rev. P. W. Sinks, who remained until August 7, 1887, and was succeeded on November 4 by Rev. Norman Plass.

Mt. Hope Mission.

This mission school is located on the west side of Mt. Hope Avenue, about one block south of Mich- igan Avenue. The building cost $400 and is on leased ground. It was first occupied on October 19, 1882.

Fremont Street Polish Mission.

This is located on the northeast corner of St. Antoine and Calhoun streets. The school was or- ganized in March, 1884. The lot cost $1,200 and the building and furnishing $1,000. In 1885 the building was enlarged at a cost of nearly $1,200, and will now accommo- date 450. The school is under the care of Rev. N. S Wright, and has an average attendance of over 200.

NOTABLE CONGREGATIONAL GATHER- INGS.

In May of the years 1845, 1854, 1859, 1864, and 1880 the State meetings of the General Association of Michigan were held in Detroit.

MT. HOPE AVENUE MISSION.

On October 17, 1870, the Triennial Council of the Congregational Churches began its sessions in the Second Congregational Church. Many distin- guished delegates were present, including Presi- dents Woolsey and Magoun and Rev. Dr. Storrs of New York.

On September 7 to 11, 1858, the forty-ninth meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was held in Detroit. Mark Hopkins, LL. D., Leonard Bacon, LL. D., and many other noted clergymen, were present. Twenty-five years later, from October 2 to 6, 1883, the sessions of the Board (the seventy-fourth), were again held in Detroit, at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, which was tendered for the meetings. There was a very large attendance, and much inter- est was manifested in the services.

CHAPTER LXIII.

THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

St. John's German Evangelical Church.

THIS society grew out of services first held by Rev. F. Schmid on August 18, 1833, in a carpenter shop owned by John Hais, located on the corner of Woodbridge and Bates Streets. On September 22 following, two elders, Valentine Ruehle, Jr., and David Striker, were elected. On January 30, 1836, the Governor and Judges sold the society Lot 54, in Section 6, on the northeast corner of Monroe Avenue and Farrar Street, for $40. Mr. Schmid preached until July, 1836, and then the society obtained the services of Rev. J. P. Schwabe as a pastor; the services were held in the Presby- terian Session Room on Woodward Ave- nue. Mr. Schwabe remained until January, 1837, and soon afterward died. During 1837 a wood- en church, thirty-five by fifty feet, was erected on the Mon- roe Avenue Lot, and in March it was near- ly completed.

On October 22, 1837, Rev. M. Schaad was called to the pastorate. He remained until June, 1841, and was succeeded in October by Rev. F. Herman, who served until August, 1852, and was followed by Rev. C. Haass, who arrived on August 19. Soon after this the church was sold, moved to the south- east corner of Beaubien and Beacon Streets, and turned into a dwelling. It was afterwards burned. A new brick church, fifty-six by seventy-five feet, was then erected. It seated 850, and was dedicated January 9, 1853. Rev. Mr. Hartman of Chicago preached the sermon.

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History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 98

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