USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 45
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As early as the year 1837* an attempt was made to secure the permanent organization of a Baptist Church in the village of Flint. Two efforts having failed, it was pre- dicted that a third effort, which was begun under the direc- tion of Rev. Alfred Ilandy, missionary of the American
# The first society was organized at Benjamin Pearson's hall, and met agrecably to a previous notice given out by Rev. Joseph Gambell, who presided as chairman of the meeting, while Robert F. Stago served as clerk. After adopting the title of the " First Baptist Church of the town of Flint," the following-named members were elected as the first board of trustees : Warner Lake, Jr., Alanson Dickinson, Ben- jamin Pearson, Sherman Stanley, and John A. Hoyes. The articles of incorporation were signed by Joseph Gam' ell and Josiah Walker.
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Baptist Home Mission Society, would share the same fatc. But the church was organized after deliberate and prayerful consideration, and its constituent members did not propose to let it die. In the first year of its existence an event occurred which contributed to strengthen and enlarge the influence of the church. This event was the disbanding of a church of 15 members five miles distant, in what is now known as the township of Burton, whose pastor, Rev. Wil- liam II. Fuller, spent cach alternate Sunday with them. The question of transferring their interest and pecuniary support to a new field, miles away, was anxiously discussed, and finally, but reluctantly, decided upon. Among the members who transferred their membership to the strng- gling church in Flint were Deacon Perus Atherton, now the senior deacon of the church, and aged eighty-three years, and Deacon Samuel R. Atherton.
Their first meetings were held in the court house, in a room over the jail. But they met under difficulties, for the noise and loud profanity of the prisoners disturbed them greatly. Then they removed into a room in the Crapo building, on the north side of the river, until the church edifice was built. A pleasing illustration of the spirit which pervaded the entire membership, and showing that the sisters had a mind to work no less than the brethren, was given by Brother Atherton.
In the building of their first meeting-house the brethren were compelled through poverty to give their own time and labor in order to secure its completion. Few in number, they had succeeded in raising the frame of the building, with the exception of the front part of the steeple. The timbers to be raised were about fifty feet long, and braced together by other pieces. The men set to work to raise "the bent" to its place, but above the height of their breasts it could not be lifted. They knew not where to look for assistance. By some means the sisters of the church, who were preparing dinner for the men close by, heard of the difficulty, and, moved by a common impulse, they all, twelve or fifteen in number, hastened to the spot, and by their help the heavy frame-work was lifted up to its place.
The history of the First Baptist Church of Flint, for the twenty-five years of its existence, is a signal instance of success, achieved in the face of great difficulties. The church was constituted Nov. 2, 1853, and the sermon of re- cognition was preached by Rev. Samuel Cornelius, of Troy.
The church edifice was dedicated-sermon by Rev. Na- thaniel Colver, of Detroit-Dec. 12, 1855. It was en- larged and rededicated-sermon by Rev. A. E. Mather, of Detroit-in November, 1868.
The constituent members were six brethren and six sisters. The whole number of members who have been con- nected with the church is 852. Of this number 414 were baptized-138 men and 276 women-into the fellowship of the church. The register of the dead numbers 40,-18 brethren and 22 sisters.
The present number of names on the roll is 372. One- sixth of the members are non-residents.
Eight pastors, including the present incumbent, have served the church : Alfred Handy, II. K. Tapper, I. S. Goodman, J. S. Boyden, C. Johnson, S. Cornelius, S. W. Titus, and James Cooper.
Five brethren were licensed to preach by the church : Thomas Robinson, A. C. Merritt, George Atchinson, I. B. Nunn, and T. Il. Bemish.
Seven deacons have served the church, viz. : Eber Adams, C. Laneton, P. Atherton, R. A. Carman, S. Carpenter, S. R. Atherton, and S. C. Church. The five last named still hold the office.
L. D. Morsc, J. Forten, and S. C. Church have served as clerks,-the last named since 1865.
The Sunday-school of the church has on its rolls the names of 250 scholars, with an average attendance of 175. The superintendent is W. P. Kingsley.
The following gentlemen constitute the board of trus- tecs : S. R. Atherton, C. C. Pierson, E. K. Jenkins, J. C. Decker, W. P. Kingsley, N. Bates, W. II. Piers. E. D. Pierson, treasurer.
The first seven years of the church were full of trials and discouragements. From 1869 to 1874 it enjoyed a high degree of prosperity. In those years 227 baptisms were reported, and its contributions for home expenses and be- nevolence aggregated $18,000. The war record of the church is worthy of notice. Some of its members enlisted in the army, and went forth with the prayers of the church. Two of the unmber, Jas. II. Atchinson and John Q. Adams, sleep beneath the soil of South Carolina. The church re- tained their pastor, J. S. Boyden, while chaplain of the 10th Michigan Regiment, and contributed to the Christian Commission. The church has suffered from the general financial prostration of the past five years, but there is a good degree of spiritual prosperity and of fraternal accord. The future is full of promise.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCIt.
In August, 1839, the Rev. Daniel E. Brown, having re- signed his appointment at Green Bay as missionary to the Indians, visited Flint on a kind of prospecting tour, to see if any Episcopal Church was wanted. He describes it as " indeed new ground," and says, " The voice of an Episco- pal clergyman in celebrating the services of our church had never been heard here." He gave a favorable report to the Missionary Committee, which resulted in a visit from the bishop on the 8th of October. He found everything in good condition, and remarks that " such zeal was mani- fested for the organization of a parish that I consented at once to the proposed measure."
Early in November the Rev. Mr. Brown visited Flint again and began his work. On the 23d day of November, 1839, 19 persons associated themselves together for the purpose of organizing a Protestant Episcopal Church in the city of Flint. Most of the nineteen have " fallen asleep," but there are yet living in our midst three, viz. : George M. Dewey, Grant Decker, and Henry C. Walker. It was determined to hold a meeting for organization on the 14th day of December. Notice was given, and the meeting held, at which the Rev. Daniel E. Brown was present.
At this meeting seven vestrymen and two wardens were clected, the wardens being T. D. Butler and Milton A. Casc. Of these wardens and vestrymen elected, Reuben McCreery is the only one now living. On this original vestry were also Jonathan Dayton, Henry M. Henderson,
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HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Chaunecy S. Payne, and James B. Walker, all of them names connected with the early history of Flint, and most of them pillars of strength to the church in later years.
The first meeting of the vestry was appointed to be held on the 21st of the same month. At that meeting the real work of the mission began iu the following resolution :
" Resolved, That the clerk he requested to draft a subscription for the payment of the incidental expenses of the service of St. Paul's Church."
On the 25th of that month, being Christmas-day, the holy communion was celebrated for the first time in the new parish. Sixteen persons partook thereof, of whom the following are still living here : Mrs. R. J. S. Page, Mrs. S. C. M. Case, Mrs. Daniel E. Brown, Mrs. H. M. Ilenderson, and Mr. Reuben MeCreery.
Notice of the organization was promptly communicated to the bishop, and rendered complete by his acceptance, dated Jan. 15, 1840. At a meeting of the vestry, held Jan. 25, 1840, it was
" Resolved, That the Rev. Daniel E. Brown he and he is hereby called to act as rector."
On the 20th day of April, 1840, the first annual parish- meeting was held, and a vestry elected, with Milton Case and Jonathan Dayton as wardens. Of the seven vestry- men, Reuben MeCreery, George M. Dewey, and Grant Decker are still living. The two latter are still vestrymen.
Mr. Grant Decker, the present senior warden, began his service as a vestryman at this time, since which he has had thirty-nine years of continuous service. Ile was first eleeted warden in 1854.
Mr. George M. Dewey also began his service as a vestry- man at this time. He has been a vestryman ever sinec, except in the years 1846 and '47, thus serving thirty-seven out of the thirty-nine years that the parish has existed.
At this parish election Benjamin Pearson's name ap- pears for the first time as a vestryman. He was, how- ever, one of the original petitioners for the organization of the parish.
On Sunday, March 22d, the bishop paid another visit to the young parish and confirmed three persons, -Jonathan Dayton, Mrs. Averill, and Miss Martha Lec.
ยท At a parish-meeting held on May 26th, Jonathan Day- ton, Milton A. Case, and George M. Dewey were appointed delegates to the Diocesan Convention. Jonathan Dayton was the only one who attended. At the convention the bishop speaks in high terms of his visit in March, and says, " A temporary building has been neatly fitted up for the accommodation of the congregation, and every kindness has been shown to their pastor." In his report to the same convention the Rev. Mr. Brown speaks of the prospect, and records the fact that besides his duties in Flint he had held service and preached several times in the town of Grand Blane and at other points.
Meanwhile, at Flint the people began to fear that they would not be able to carry out the plans already so well started for the building up of the parish. After much and anxious deliberation, the vestry took advantage of a visit from the bishop in December, 1841, to arrange for procur- ing help from outside. Accordingly it was determined that
the Rev. Mr. Brown should solicit help from the East for the feeble church. This he did with considerable success, gathering about $1700 over expenses. In his report to the next convention the bishop speaks thus of the parish : " At the time of my visit an effort was made by the vestry to build, as soon as possible, a church edifice. A most liberal subscription was obtained from the members of the parish, but not sufficient to authorize them to commence such an undertaking." He then deseribes briefly the rector's visit to the East, that his " appeal was not in vain," ete.
In his own report to the Convention the rector dwells feelingly upon the difficulties of his mission, owing to " gen- eral and almost universal prostration of business consequent upon the depression of the monetary systems of our coun - try."
In April, 1842, it was resolved to circulate two subserip- tion papers, one for a church on the north and one on the south side of the river, and plans were ordered for a church building, to be 38 by 54 feet, " with posts 22 feet long." Meanwhile, until the new church should be built, a cheap temporary building was erected of slabs and refuse lumber, near the corner where the store of C. M. Wager & Co. now stands, which the rector describes as follows : " For the past year we have worshiped in a tabernacle of rude construc- tion of rough boards, but which was comfortable in the summer season, and which we were enabled to make so to a limited extent in the winter." The name generally given to this building was " The Tabernacle."
The subscription papers mentioned above were duly cir- eulated, and the one on the south side was so far considered the most favorable that in May, 1842, it was determined to build a new church on lot No. 5, block No. 2, in the village of Flint River. This was what is now known as the " Old Church," having been situated on the lot now covered by the Judd Block and Pratt's store. It was determined to build a church " 34 feet broad and 48 feet long." Mr. Benjamin Pearson took the contract for the new church, to be completed by November Ist, but owing, as the rector says, " to unavoidable delays and disappointments," it was not completed until July, 1843. On the 30th of that month it was duly consecrated to the service of Almighty God. Of this event the bishop says, in his address to the Conven- tion, " July 30th, I consecrated St. Paul's Church, Flint, and preached twice in the same, and confirmed two persons. The Rev. Mr. Hollister and Rev. Mr. Welby, of Canada, were present and assisted in the services." In his report to the Convention, in 1844, the Rev. Mr. Brown speaks of lib- eral donations " received from the friends of the church in New York, of an elegant set of communion plate, also a superb copy of the Bible, and the Book of Common Prayer, for the use of chancel and reading-desk." May 30th of this year five persons were confirmed, among whom were Messrs. Grant Decker and Isaac Schram. When cold weather came in the fall of 1843 with it came the following resolution :
" Resolved, That each warden and vestryman bo required to furnish at the church door a cord of good wood, prepared for the stove."
This resolution curiously illustrates the shifts and de- vices often rendered necessary for the support of feeble parishes.
Feb. 16, 1845, the bishop confirmed eleven persons,
LITLF
GEORGE CROCKER.
George Crocker, son of Samuel Crocker, was born in Devonshire, England, April 19, 1808. The Crocker family were numerous and influential agri- cultural people in that part of England. George was the oldest of thirteen children. He came to America in March, 1832, stopping at Stafford, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he was married to Miss Susan Parkie, Aug. 8, 1835.
In the spring of 1837 he came to Genesee County and purchased from the government four hundred aeres of land in the township of Flint, and the following spring he went on to his land and began improving it. As it was covered with a heavy growth of timber, the progress was slow; the first five years a log house, frame barn, and twenty-five or thirty aeres cleared, was the result. At this time his
younger brother, Stephen, arrived from England and purchased of him one hundred and sixty acres of land for cash. With this capital, wielded by sagacity and good judgment, the road to affluence was en- sured. His principal business outside of farming was dealing in lands. He was one of the parties to organize the First National Bank of Flint; was one of its first directors, and vice-president at the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 30, 1874. He was a man of strong common sense, deliberate in coming to conclusions, but when his opinions were once formed, inflexible in his purpose. Systematie in busi- ness, and a man who made few mistakes, by his good judgment and judicious management he accumulated a handsome property. Politically he was a Demo- crat, but never a seeker after office.
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among whom were Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Henderson, Mrs. Elvira Roosevelt, and Mrs. E. H. Thomson. In his address to the Convention, the bishop says, " During my visit I met the vestry of the church, and was much grati- fied to learn from them that their condition, in every point of view, was most cheering. The church was free from all embarrassments, and its continued increase confidently ex- pected." During this year the congregation purchased and placed in the tower the bell which is still in use, having cost about $200.
There seems to have been nothing more of special in- terest to the public until on the 29th day of August, 1846, the resignation of the reetor was tendered, and accepted " with deep regret."
This closed the services of the Rev. Daniel E. Brown with this parish, having extended over a period of nearly seven years. His official aets during that period are as fol- lows : Baptisms (infant, 33; adult, 14) 47 ; confirmations, 24; funerals, 21 ; marriages, 12.
An active effort was at once made to fill the vacancy in the rectorship. Correspondence was had with several rectors. Finally, at a meeting of the vestry, held Sept. 25, 1846, it was
" Resolved, That the Rev. Charles Reighley be called to take charge of this eburch as its rector provided a subscription can be raised amounting to $100, besides the $300 pew or slip rent devoted to the payment of a clergyman."
The condition seems to have been complied with, for in October the Rev. Charles Reighley took charge as rector of the parish.
At a meeting of the vestry, held November 8th, it was
" Resolved, That the sexton be instructed to ring the bell on Sun- days for the benefit of the Presbyterian sveiety (who had no bell), if they request it, when the Episcopal society has no service."
At the same meeting it was resolved to lower the pulpit and the chancel railing. Until this time the pulpit seems to have been one of the old-fashioned kind set up about hall' the height of the room, from which the parson literally " looked down upon the people."
In November of the next year the assessment on the pews was raised to $500.
At the Convention held in Detroit the previous June, the rector reports that " soon after entering upon the duties of my new charge, nine families identified themselves with the congregation, by taking sittings in the church, and since that time the number has increased." He also anxiously inquires, " When will the bishop visit us?" The result was that the bishop visited the parish immediately after the Convention, on June 13th, and confirmed seven candidates.
On the 10th of May, 1849, the bishop visited the parish again, and confirmed five candidates. There were no further confirmations till 1853, under the next rector.
On the 18th of September, 1850, the rector sent in his resignation, having served a little less than three years. llis official acts for that time are: Baptisms (infant, 28; adult, 7), 35 ; confirmed, 12; marriages, 3; burials, 33.
Mr. Reighley was requested by the vestry to officiate in the church as long as he remained in the city, and no doubt did so.
The vestry seem to have had considerable trouble after this in filling the rectorship. In February, 1851, a call was extended to Rev. John A. Wilson, of Ypsilanti, at $500 per annum. He having declined, the Rev. George W. Hathaway, from the diocese of Rhode Island, was called in June, at a salary of $600 per annum. He having also de- clined, a committee was appointed " to obtain a clergyman," Meanwhile, at a meeting held Feb. 15, 1851, it was deter- mined to build an addition to the church of 24 feet, on the rear end, " provided sufficient funds can be raised." In August a committee was appointed to let the job. The job was duly let and the addition well towards completion be- fore the church had a rector again.
April 12, 1852, a committee was appointed to engage the services of the Rev. John Swan as rector, at a salary of $600 per annum. The committee was successful, and the Rev. Mr. Swan entered upon his duties July 1; 1852. The church was not fully completed until that time, when the pews were rented. In August the vestry met together, and having ascertained that there was a debt of $320.48 duc, they proceeded to open a subscription among them- selves, which resulted in a liquidation of the whole amount. The older vestrymen who are still living assert that this process was nothing new. In those days it cost something to be a vestryman. Feb. 17, 1853, the bishop visited the parish and confirmed nine persons. From this time on there is little more to record during the rectorship of Mr. Swan than the usual items of parish work,-so many bap- tized, so many confirmed,-until Oct. 11, 1858, when the rector sent in his resignation. This the vestry refused to accept. Finally, Oct. 17, 1859, the rector sent in a per- emptory demand that his resignation of the year before should take effect November Ist. This was finally accepted. A committee appointed reported very strong resolutions of regret and endorsement of character, prepared by it, and unanimously adopted by the vestry. This terminated the labors of the Rev. Mr. Swan, which included a period of seven years and four months. Ilis official acts were : Bap- tisms (infant, 66; adult, 18), 84; confirmed, 55 ; marriages, 28; burials, 47.
Nothing seems to have been done towards getting a rec- tor until January, 1860, when a committee was appointed to invite the Rev. Mr. Gillespie (now Bishop Gillespie), of Palmyra, N. Y., to visit Flint. The Rev. Mr. Gillespie having declined to " visit Flint," in March, 1860, a call was extended to the Rev. Mr. Birchmore, of Rochester, N. Y., to become rector at a salary of $900 per annum. Ile ac- cepted and took charge on Easter Day, 1860. On the 7th of May, when the rector had been in charge about a month, the bishop visited the parish and confirmed thirteen per- sous. Almost at onec a fund was raised, and the church repaired, the basement being plastered and floored for Sun- day-school use. The next year showed the confirmation of a large class (seventeen), the purchase of the fine font now in use, and also the new communion service, the whole costing between two and three hundred dollars. In his report to the next Convention, the rector speaks of the okl communion service that it " has been intrusted to Rev. Mr. Brown, for the parish at East Saginaw." There is very little in the next three years to be found, except items of
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IIISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
church work, with the results reached, and recorded as such. In April, 1865, the rector's salary was inereased to $1200 per annum. In the same year an organ built by the reetor was purchased and put in the church at a cost of $925. It was estimated by the builder to be worth about $1750. Early in 1866 the " limited accommodations" were deemed so serious a matter that the gallery was enlarged, giving twelve new pews. In his report to the Convention, the rector says that the ladies have purchased an eligible lot for a new church. It is worthy of note that the Congregational church now stands on that lot.
During the same year the reeter started a parish school, " having twenty-five scholars and four teachers." This school was kept up at considerable sacrifiee for several years, but was finally discontinued.
In the next year a rectory was bought in what was con- sidered an excellent location for a church, at a cost of $5000. The same property was afterwards exchanged for the present location. As an instance of the deeline in val- ues in real estate, it is interesting to note that the same property has sinee been sold for $2800.
In March, 1868, the parish school was given up, except a small elass which was taught at the reetery by the rector's wife.
As early as Feb. 4, 1867, it was moved in vestry- meeting by Mr. Geo. M. Dewey, and unanimously carried, " That it is expedient to build a new church," but when they began to take the preliminary steps it was found to be quite impossible. In July of that year the parish was ealled to mourn the loss of Benjamin Pearson, one of the original vestrymen who had held the office ever since, ex- eept one year (or twenty-eight years in all), having been a warden for seven years out of that time. The death of Mr. Pearson undoubtedly postponed for a time the project of building a new church.
In May, 1868, the ladies of the congregation were given permission to repaper and whiten the church, and a com- mittee was appointed to confer with them.
In the latter part of 1868 and the early part of 1869 an unfortunate dissension was created in the parish by some social questions which it is probable that the less that is said about them the better will it be. It resulted in the rector's accepting other employment, still retaining the nominal reetorship.
In September, 1869, the vestry finally received the res- ignation of the reetor. This closed the connection of the Rev. Mr. Birehmore with the parish after nine years and five months of service, the last five months being merely nominal. Ilis official acts were : Baptisms (infant, 179; adult, 53), 232 ; confirmed, 116; marriages, 38; burials, 102.
At a meeting of the vestry, held September 17, 1869, the resignation of the Rev. John W. Birchmore was re- ceived and accepted. At the same meeting it was
" Resolved, That the secretary be instructed to invite Rev. Mr. Lane to preach in this church ou the 26th inst."
The letter was sent and the present reetor officiated for the first time in St. Paul's church, Sept. 26, 1869. Ile was requested at that time to officiate the next Sunday and administer the holy communion. On the occasion of the
second visit, arrangements were made by which the church was practically placed under his charge till the ensuing Easter. On the 6th day of April the Rev. Mareus Lane was called as reetor, at a salary of $1200 per annum.
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