USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 44
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@ Since died in the work.
« Since die l in the work.
163
FLINT CITY.
The Conference of 1845 appointed Harrison Morgan and William F. Cowles to the Flint circuit, L. Chatfield still presiding elder.
At the annual Conference of 1846, David Burns was sent to Flint Station as preacher in charge, with Hoag as assistant. (Mr. Hoag only remained a short time on the work, being removed to some other field by the presiding elder. ) L. Chatfield, presiding elder. The following Conference of 1847 returned David Burns as preacher, and James Shaw presiding elder. This Confer- ence made Flint village a station entirely distinct from the circuit. Shaw remained on the district but one year. During Burns' administration some improvements were made in the interior of the church, and the inside was painted.
M. B. Camburn was returned to Flint Station as preacher in charge by the Conference of 1848, and again in 1849, and George Bradley* was sent to the district as presiding elder.
In 1850 the Conference sent Dr. B. S. Taylor to Flint Station. His health failing, he left early in the year, and the work was supplied by T. B. Granger, who had been appointed by the Conference to the Genesee circuit.
The Conference of 1851 returned William Mahon to the station, and Bradley returned to the district for his fourth and last year. Mr. Mahon was returned again for the second year by the Conference of 1852, and George Smith was again sent to the district as presiding elder. The Con- ference sent J. M. Arnold to the station in 1853, and returned him for the second year in 1854, -- George Smith continuing on the district. These were years of steady prosperity and growth. During Arnold's second year here 20 feet was added to the length of the church edifice. It was repaired and painted, and the session of the annual Conference was held in the church in September, 1855, Bishop Ames presiding. At this Conference George Taylor was appointed to Flint Station,-George Smith as presiding elder of the district.
The Conference of September, 1856, returned Rev. George Taylor to Flint Station for his second year, and Rev. S. Clem- ent was sent to the district as presiding elder.
The Conference of September, 1857, appointed Rev. John Russell to Flint Station, and S. Clement returned to the district as presiding elder.
The Conference of 1858 returned Rev. John Russell to the station for his second year, and James Smart was sent to the district as presiding elder. It was found, towards the close of his term, that the church accommodations had become entirely inadequate to the wants of the congregation, and the subject of enlarging the building or dividing the society was frequently discussed, though no definite action was taken npon the subject.
The Rev. John A. Baughman was sent to Flint Station by the Conference of 1859, and James Smart returned to the district. Baughman remained on the station but one year, but it was a year of great prosperity to all the inter- ests ut the church. A goodly number of persons were added to the membership ; the church building was entirely remodeled, greatly enlarged, and beantified ; the old par-
sonage was sold. The proceeds of this sale, together with the amounts raised by subscription and given at the time of the rededication, was reported to be sufficient to entirely relieve the church from all indebtedness. With one of the most commodious churches in the State, entirely free from debt, a large membership,-united and lively,-constant and increasing religious prosperity, and a most interesting Sunday-school, it did seem as if the church was just enter- ing upon a career of unexampled prosperity. Alas, how little we know of the future I
The Conference of 1860 appointed Rev. T. J. Joslin to Flint Station, and Rev. James Smart returned to the dis- trict as presiding elder.
For several years preceding this time the subject of tem- · perance had excited a good deal of interest in the commu- nity. The question of the practicability of mitigating or suppressing intemperance by the enactment and enforce- ment of prohibitory laws was discussed with great zeal and carnestness. Nearly all the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with their ministers, took sides with the advocates of prohibition, and the church was always opened for temperance-meetings. This aroused the evil passions of the men in the liquor interest, and threats were made that the church should be made to suffer. On Tuesday night, the 19th of March, 1861, the church was discovered to be on fire, and in an hour it was reduced to ashes, with all its contents, Sunday-school library, musical instruments, -in short, everything it contained, as well as the beautiful house, was consumed. There was no insurance. The fire was doubtless the work of an incendiary, probably incited to this dastardly aet by the liquor men, who considered themselves aggrieved by the activity of the Methodist Church people in the temperance movement.
Thus, after struggling for over twenty years, erceting a house at a cost of $4000, and repairing it at an expense of perhaps $3000, the society found themselves again destitute of a place of worship.
The court-house was secured temporarily for the purpose of holding meetings. Steps were immediately taken to scenre subscriptions both in Flint City and the adjoining country. The people responded liberally, and in a few weeks the society felt encouraged to commence the erection of a new brick church which should be larger than the one burned. The subject of location was earnestly discussed. By some of the members a more central lot was proposed, one that would accommodate, as was thought, the people on both sides of the river better than the old one. After a good deal of discussion, it was finally decided to erect the new edifice on the old ground. One of the first steps taken by the building-committee was the erection of a wooden building on the church-lots, which was soon in a condition to be used by the society, and they continued to hold meet- ings in this building until the completion of the new church, in the summer of 1862. This building has since been fitted up into a neat and commodious parsonage, and is now ocen- pied by the preacher.
Just at this time the members residing on the north side of the river revived the plan of dividing the society, organ- izing a new church, and erecting a building to be located on the north side of the river. Some feeling had grown up in
* Siver died in the work.
164
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the official board, a portion of the membership regarding the means used in locating the new church on the old lot, instead of selecting a more central location, as had at one time been decided on, as unfair. The result of this agita- tion was the organization of the Garland Street Methodist Episcopal Church and the erection of their present house of worship.
The Conference of 1861 returned Rev. T. J. Joslin to Flint Station for his second year, and James Smart was sent back to the district as presiding elder. These two years of Joslin's administration were years of toil, trial, and, we might almost say, suffering. The presiding elder, preacher, and the people bent all their energies to the one great business of church-building. As a reward for all this they had the satisfaction of seeing the new temple- steadily advancing towards completion. On the 20th of August, 1862, the present house was opened and dedicated by Bishop Ames.
Ths agent of the building-committee, in presenting the statement of the financial condition of the church before the dedicatory service, showed an indebtedness of a little more than $3000 (say $3200), for which there was no provision. A subseription was opened, and the sum of $3237.52 was subscribed on the spot, whereupon the house was presented by the trustees and dedicated.
Subsequent events have shown an amount of several hundred dollars' indebtedness that was not embraced in that report, all of which has since been paid.
It is not possible to estimate the first cost of the present church edifice; no doubt, however, it approximates $12,000. The structure is 80 feet by 50, with walls 30 feet in height. and will seat comfortably a congregation of 500 persons.
Rev. W. II. Perrine, A.M , entered upon his duties as preacher in charge of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal Church immediately after the Conference of September, 1862. This Conference returned him to the charge for the second year, and T. J. Joslin was sent back as presiding elder. The Conference of September, 1864, returned the Rev. Wm. E. Bigelow to Court Street, and the Rev. T. J. Joslin returned to the district as presiding elder. It was found very difficult to secure a suitable house for the occu- pancy of the preacher's family. To obviate this difficulty, Mr. Bigelow called the attention of the official board to the subject of building a suitable house. It was determined to begin the work as soon as an amount of subscription could be secured to justify them in so doing. Notwithstanding the financial and other embarrassments then existing, the work was soon well under way. The frame building which had been used for church purposes while the brick church was being erected, was moved, reconstrueted, and trans- formed into a neat and commodious parsonage house, which was completed and occupied by the preacher's family on the 13th day of July, 1865. The cost of this house, not in- cluding the value of the old building, was about $1700.
The Annual Conference of 1865 was held in the Court Street church, commencing September 13, and closing Sep- tember 18, Bishop Clark presiding. Rev. Wi. E. Bigelow was continued on the station, and T. J. Joslin returned to the district as presiding elder for his fourth year. At the commencement of this year a committee was appointed to
ascertain the indebtedness of the church, and devise a plan for the payment of the same. II. C. Fairbank and George W. Fish, with the preacher, were elected as the committee. A careful examination was made, and the debts were found to be $1550. Every dollar of this amount was raised and paid during the year, together with the ordinary expenses of the church, so that at the close of this year the committee had the gratification of reporting the church entirely out of debt. The Annual Conference of September, 1866, re- turned Rev. Wm. E. Bigelow to the Court Street charge for the third and last year. Rev. Geo. Smith was sent to the district as presiding elder for the third time.
The Annual Conference held in Saginaw City, September 4 to 9, 1867, appointed the Rev. Luther Lee, D.D., to the charge of Court Street Church, and the Rev. George Smith* was continued on the district. The presiding elder came to his work in feeble health, and, on the fourth day of the fol- lowing May, he was removed from the scenes of his toil and labor by death. The bishop appointed the Rev. E. 1I. Pilcher, D.D., to fill the office of presiding elder, made va- cant by the death of Mr. Smith, which he continued to do until the following session of the Conference, which was held in Ann Arbor, August 26 to 31. Rev. Dr. Lee was returned to the Court Street charge.
The Annual Conference of Sept. 1 to 8, 1869, held in the city of Detroit, returned Rev. M. Hickey to the dis- trict as presiding elder, and the Rev. T. C. Gardner, A.M., was sent to the Court Street charge. The following year, 1870, the Conference, which held its session in Fenton, August 24 to 30, returned the Rev. Dr. Gardner to Court Street, and the Rev. M. Hickey to the district.
The Conference of 1871 returned Rev. Dr. Gardner to Court Street Church for the third year, but, owing to some misunderstanding between the pastor and the congregation, he did not remain, and his place was supplied by Rev. J. F. Davidson, who had been appointed to Howell.
The Conference of 1872 returned for a second year the Rev. J. F. Davidson to the Court Street charge, and Rev. W. E. Bigelow was appointed presiding elder of Flint Dis- trict. Mr. Bigelow remained on the district the full presi- ding-elder term of four years, and served with great efficiency and faithfulness. He had served Court Street Church as pastor for three years, and was greatly beloved by the church and by the citizens of Flint generally.
In 1873, Rev. Dr. McEldowney was sent to Court Street, and remained the full term of three years. Dr. MeEldow- ney had for several years filled the chair of Latin and Greek in Albion College, and prior to that had occupied a similar position in one or two other universities. But this had not disqualified him for the pastorate. ITis three years at Court Street were years of great efficiency and usefulness, and no person could be more beloved by the people than he was in Flint. The Conference of 1875 was held in Flint, and the Court Street congregation and citizens generally did nobly in entertaining its members.
At this Conference Rev. W. E. Bigelow's term of presi- ding eldership expired, and his place was filled by the Rev. A. F. Bourns, who continues to fill it with much efficiency and acceptability.
* Since died in the work.
165
FLINT CITY.
The Conference of 1876 appointed Rev. W. H. Peace to the Court Street congregation, where he remained two years, and rendered valuable service to the church, especially during revival occasions. The lecture-room, class-rooms, and infant school-room were all either matted or carpeted, and fitted up with every comfort and convenience.
In 1878, Rev. J. Venning was appointed to Court Street Church, and has just entered upon his new field of labor. He has the reputation of being one of the most scholarly and original thinkers in the Detroit Conference. The pres- ent membership of the church is about 400. The church property, including parsonage, is valued at 821,000. The Sunday-school numbers about 341. The following is a list of the officers of the church : Rev. J. Venning, pastor ; Rev. Dr. Lee, superannuated minister ; A. Tony, W. J. Mongo- may, B. Lewis, local preachers; Ilon. O. Adams, Dr. Fairbank, D. Foot, A. Beardsley, W. R. Morse, P. F. Cleveland, C. Green, H. Wilson, E. Ilaver, members of the board of trustees ; Dr. Fairbank, A. Beardsley, C. Crawford, IIon. S. Howard, G. Bradt, C. Muma, A. Withey, E. Whitney, A. Ward, members of the board of stewards.
The Sunday-school officers are as follows : W. J. Parker, Superintendent; E. Whitney, Secretary ; F. Ford, Librarian. Ladies' Aid Society .- President, Mrs. E. L. Bushnell ; Vice-President, Mrs. A. Ford ; Secretary, Mrs. H. J. Fair- bank ; Treasurer, Mrs. J. Taylor.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FLINT.
The first settlers of Flint found church organizations on either side of them. On the Sabbath day they could eleet to go to meeting, either to Genesee, four miles north, or to Grand Blane, south.
May 7, 1837, at the " River House," occupied by Mr. Lewis Buckingham, 17 persons were organized into a Con- gregational Church, by Rev. Mr. Dudley. He was preach- ing at the time to the church in Genesee, and most of the members constituting this church were members there.
They were Jonathan Beach, Mrs. Martha Beach, Ezra N. Carrier, Lyman G. Buckingham, Mrs. Salome Bucking- ham, Wait Beach, Mrs. Euniee Beach, Harvey Andrews, Mrs. Andrews, Daniel Andrews, Mrs. Almira Andrews, Lewis Buckingham, Mrs. Ann Buckingham, Mrs. Eliza- beth P. Beach, Miss Emily Harrison, Mrs. Julia Ann Seeley, and Mrs. Mariah Stage.
There being no Congregational Association in this region, this church, in 1840, submitted its articles of faith to the Presbytery of Detroit, and was taken under the care of that body. Afterwards we find it appealing to this Presby- tery in a case of discipline, and submitting to its govern- ment.
The first place generally used for publie meetings in the village was the room over Stage & Wright's store, east of Saginaw Street, and near the river. For some reason the first communion was held in a barn standing near the east corner of the square west of Saginaw and north of' Kearsley Streets. The same season of the organization of the church, a house of worship was erected where the Henderson ware- house now stands.
Rev. Mr. Bates preached the dedication sermon of this house in the late fall or early winter. A religious interest
arising, he continued meetings, Rev. Orson Parker assisting and continuing the meetings after Mr. Bates left. As the result of that precious revival, 21 persons united with the church on profession of faith the 14th of December, and 7 by letter.
Of the original 17, 5 are still living and members with us. Of these original and first added members, many have ever been very active and useful members of the church ; and some became useful members of other denominations.
Rev. Orson Parker supplied the pulpit a part of the first year. He was succeeded by Rev. John Beach. He was succeeded in 1841 by the Rev. L. P. Bates. The same year, Aug. 7, 1841, the church, by its own resolution, changed to the Presbyterian form of government. Iliram Brown, Lewis Buckingham, and Ezra N. Carrier were eleeted the first board of elders. There is no record of the election of deacons under the Congregational form of gov- ernment.
In August, 1842, Rev. P. S. Van Nest became stated supply of the pulpit and aeting pastor. He labored in the congregation about two years. Under all of these four or five brief ministries of Messrs. Dudley, Parker, Beach, Bates, and Van Nest, in all eight years, 119 persons were received into the church.
In July, 1845, Rev. J. G. Atterbury was ordained and installed pastor. This was the first regular pastorate. In the mean time the first church edifice had been enlarged, and afterwards removed to the east corner of Saginaw and First Streets. Not long after Mr. Atterbury began his ministry here, the church entered upon the work of erect- ing a new house of worship; and Jan. 26, 1848, the present edifice was dedicated, Dr. Duffield, of Detroit, preaching the sermon. Mr. Atterbury resigned on account of ill health, May 5, 1851. There were added to the church during his pastorate $2 persons.
In 1852, Rev. II. HI. Northrop, having been called, en- tered upon his labors as pastor of this church. In April, 1855, 70 persons were added to the church, the largest number ever received at a single communion service. Dur- ing his ministry the church edifice was enlarged. At the close of the year 1867 Rev. II. II. Northrop, having re- signed, elosed his pastorate with this church. Three hun- dred and four persons were received into the church during his ministry.
In the year 1867 letters of dismission were granted at different times to 32 persons, who united in organizing the Congregational Church of this city.
In March, 1868, a call was extended to Rev. Archibald McSween to become pastor. September 9th, Mr. McSween was ordained and installed over this church and congrega- tion, Rev. William Hogarth, D.D., preaching the sermon ; Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Saginaw City, giving the charge to the pastor ; Rev. II. H. Northrop, the charge to the people ; and Rev. Thomas Wright offering the ordaining prayer. During Mr. MeSween's ministry the large and commodious lecture-room in the rear of this church was built. Mr. MeSween closed his labors the latter part of the year 1871. During his ministry 67 persons were received into member- ship with the church, and a parsonage was purchased and fitted up at an expense of $-1000.
166
HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.
In 1872, Rev. David R. Eddy was elected pastor. Aug. 2, 1875, after laboring with the church and congregation as pastor elect for three years, Mr. Eddy decided not to ac- cept an installation, and closed his ministerial labors here. Sixty-eight persons were received into membership with the church during Mr. Eddy's ministry.
On January 1st the present pastor commenced his labors with this church and congregation, from which time to this date (July 1, 1876) 14 members have been added to the church.
The whole number of persons received into this church as members from May 7, 1837, to July 1, 1876, is 724. Of this number 250 were reported as members to Presby- tery April, 1876.
The following is the summary of contributions to differ- ent causes of benevolence since 1853, no record of former contributions being found :
To Ilome Missions
$3,207
Foreign Missions,
3,088
Ministerial education ..
993
Publication ( Bible Society )
1,869
Church election.
1,440
Ministerial relief.
25
Freedmen
97
Sustentation
36
$10,755
A year and a half ago the church was largely damaged by fire, but was refitted in nearly or quite its former condi- tion.
The two senior members of this church in their family relations, and in each case by a former marriage, occupied a wide place in its organization and early history. The former, Jonathan Beach, had participated in the scenes of the Revolutionary war. At the East he had filled the office of deacon, and he exercised the same office in the young church of Flint. His son, Wait Beach, one of the origi- nal members, gave the land for the first house of worship of the Presbyterian Church ; also the land for the Methodist church and parsonage on Court Street; also the land for the first cemetery, and the land for the court-house.
His son, Harlow Beach, was the first clerk of the church, and the wife of the first acting pastor was his daughter. ITis sister, Mrs. Mary Miles, by marriage linked to the de- scendants of Miles Standish, with her son and his family came in four months after the organization of the church ; several of them were among the first to unite with the young church by letter and profession of faith.
Mrs. Martha Beach was, by a former marriage, Mrs. Buckingham. She had two sons with their wives among the original members. At the house of one of them the church was organized. Both at different times held the office of clerk. One was a member of the first board of elders ; and, in this line, her great-grandchildren are in the Sabbath-school at the present time.
Many other names among the members of this church on personal accounts-some of them of very fragrant memory-are worthy of special notice, but, from a lack of requisite knowledge, the writer of this sketch deems it un- wise to attempt further delineation in this interesting line of the church's history. Did he feel qualified for the ser- vice it would afford him great pleasure to make extended mention of several esteemed members who have gone to
their heavenly reward. Their " praise is in the church," and " though dead, their works do follow them."
It will not be invidious to put on record the statement that a very fair proportion of the esteemed and valued citi- zens of Flint village and city have been active members and officers of this church. To them and their fellow-Christian brothers and sisters, together with the faithful and devoted ministers whom, from time to time, they have called to their aid, the community has ever been ready to accord the spirit of recognition and general good-will and co-operation. We wish also to record the fact that from the beginning the denominational differences have been no bar to social intercourse or united effort to promote piety and genuine morality. From the beginning they have been laborers to- gether, with other evangelical churches, for the salvation of souls and the extension of the Saviour's kingdom. Many very precious seasons of religious revival have been enjoyed, the first of which is gratefully remembered to this day by nearly a score of the early members, beginning with the dedication of the first house of worship. In comparison with what was reached in after-years that day may seem small, " but," said one who was there, " it was one of the best seasons of religious interest I ever enjoyed, for a work having no more people to work upon."
The above sketch was prepared in 1876, and deposited in the library of the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, with sketches of other Presbyterian Churches written during the centennial year.
Since the above date 46 persons have been added to the church.
A floating debt of several hundred dollars has been paid, and the church-yard and the church-building re- paired and improved to the amount of several hundred dollars. The society is now out of debt, and current expenses are fully covered by the current income. The Sabbath-school numbers about 100, and is in a flourishing condition. H. P. Cristy is superintendent.
The officers of the church are Rev. George P. Tindall, pastor ; II. C. Walker, II. P. Cristy, A. L. Aldrich, Au- gustus Root, Selim Darling, T. G. Smith, elders.
There are three ladies' societies connected with the church,-a General Ladies' Society, which raises money for a variety of objects connected with the interests of the church and congregation; a Woman's Missionary Society, for both home and foreign missions ; and a Young Ladies' Mission Band, for foreign, home, and city missions.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FLINT.
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