USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 46
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But a few weeks afterwards the parish met with a seri- ous loss in the death of the IIon. Henry M. Henderson. Ile was one of the original vestrymen, had been identified with the parish from the beginning, and had been, as the resolutions of the vestry read, " one of its oldest and most valued members " At a meeting of the vestry, held March 25, 1871, the subject of building a new church was duly considered, and the announcement made that Mrs. IIender- son would give $8000 to head the subscription list. At the same meeting it was
" Rexolred, That this vestry are of the opinion that of the several propositions submitted, the Beceher lot on Saginaw Street is the most desirable location available for the site of a new church."
A committee was appointed to secure subseriptions. At a meeting of the vestry, held Sept. 23, 1871, it was deter- mined to build upon the Beccher let. The rector and Mr. F. W. Judd were appointed a committee on plans ; Messrs. Judd, Deeker, and Denham, a building committee. At a meeting of the congregation, held September 25th, the reetor, wardens, and vestrymen were authorized to sell the church lot and the parsonage property.
The church lot thirty years before had been a gift from the proprietors of the village of Flint River,-A. C. and Sherman Stevens, who owned five-sixths, and Ira D. Wright, who owned one-sixth. The compensation fixed in the deeds, nominal, of course, was $400 in the Sherman deed, and $50 in that of Mr. Wright. There seems also to have been some flaw in the title, for some years after- wards Mr. J. B. Walker gave a quit-elaim deed of his right and title to the whole lot, compensation $100. This also was probably nominal.
The church lot, valued as it would seem in the beginning at $450, had in thirty years so inercased in value that its sale netted the parish nearly $6000.
The parsonage lot was exchanged for the Beecher lot, the parish paying $2000 in addition
The winter was spent in colleeting subseriptions, fixing up the new reetory, quarrying and hauling stone. The stone of which the new church was built was taken from the quarries of John Sutton, near Flushing, he having liberally donated the same, provided the parish " would get it out."
It took nearly 400 eords of stone to build the church, from which one can easily see the magnitude of the task undertaken. April 29, 1872, proposals having been invited, the bids were opened. The bids for mason-work ranged from $11,270 to $18,000, and the whole job from $26,000 to $34,626. Mr. Peres F. Cleveland, of this city, being the lowest bidder, the contract was let to him, the church pro- viding all material for the mason-work.
On Ascension Day, May 9, 1872, ground was broken for the new church, Mr. Judd, the chairman of the build- ing-committee, throwing out the first shovelful of dirt. May 29th the corner-stone was laid. October 14th a parish- meeting was held and the vestry were authorized to make a loan not exceeding $10,000. Under this authority the vestry borrowed $6000 from Miss Cumings.
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FLINT CITY.
Jan. 6, 1873, the rector and Messrs. Judd and Thomson were appointed a committee on stained glass. From this time on till the completion of the church the records show constant labors under many discouragements and many hard struggles, which resulted in the adoption of various expe- dients for the raising of the moneys needed, some of which were successful and some not.
While the wardens and vestry were thus laboring to get the new church completed, the Young Ladies' Society had undertaken to provide a suitable organ. They took the whole thing into their own hands, closed a contract with Messrs. Johnson & Co., of Westfield, Mass., and in due time raised the money and made all the payments, and placed the new organ in the church as their share of the work, and as a free gift to the honor and glory of Almighty God.
After it was supposed that the last service had been held in the old church, and before the new one could be used, came the unexpected death of the Rev. Daniel E. Brown, the first rector of the parish. The church was reopened and the last service in the old church was the funeral of its builder. Very strong and eulogistic resolutions were adopted by the reetor, wardens, and vestry, who attended the funeral in a body. August 24th the first service was held in the new church. Intending to give due credit to all engaged in this good work thus brought to completion, the writer would briefly state their several parts as follows : Architect, Gordon W. Lloyd, of Detroit ; Committee on Plans, the Rector and Mr. Judd; Building Committee, Messrs. Judd, Decker, and Denham; Stained Glass Com- mittee, the Rector, Messrs. Thomson and Judd; Contractor, Peres F. Cleveland, of Flint ; Painting, etc., Stephens Bros., of Flint ; Upholstering, Mareus, Stevens & Co., of Detroit.
The stained glass of the chapel was procured from Ham- ilton & Co., of New York, for the church from A. Fredrick, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Many of the minor details and little episodes connected with the buikling would be very interest- ing to the members of the church, but they would not be of like interest to the general reader. Hence they are here omitted.
Unfortunately with the new church came a church debt, which would never have been a great burden but for the general financial prostration of the whole country. The record of proceedings since would be a plain story of many and determined efforts to reduce it. These efforts have been so far successful that the debt can never be the burden in the future that it has been in the past. The total indebt- edness is now a little more than $12,000. On the 20th of April, 1878, it was $17,895.
The record of the spiritual work of the church, its gains and losses, are of little interest to the public. It is, there- fore, sufficient to sum them up. The present rector has had charge of the church nine years and eight months, the longest time of any reetor in its history. His official aets are as follows : Baptisms (infant, 165; adult, 71), 236; confirmed, 195 ; marriages, I11 ; burials, 129.
The foregoing sketch was prepared by the rector.
ST. MICHAEL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI.
Bishop P'. Lefever, of the diocese of Detroit, was the impulse which placed in form of organization the material
for a Roman Catholic Church in Flint. The first efforts date back to September 2, 1843, though the building was several years in process of erection. The ground on which it stands was deeded by Chauncey S. Payne, and Hon. George M. Dewey gave $200 towards the fund, while many leading citizens contributed more or less liberally, as their means permitted.
Among the first missionary clergymen to visit the field were Rev. Lawrence Kilroy and Rev. Martin Kindig, now vicar-general of Milwaukee, Wis., who figured so conspicu- ously in the cholera epidemie which decimated Detroit in 1834. The reverend father was indefatigable in his efforts to alleviate distress among all sects and classes, and used his private means so liberally as to impoverish himself and contract an indebtedness which it required years to liquidate. Ile died recently, after a long life of ceaseless toil and be- nevolenee, at the ripe age of seventy-two years. Among the friends from Detroit who rendered material aid to the struggling enterprise were Hon. Lewis Cass, Joseph Cam- pau, Bishop I'. Lefever, Peter Desnoyer, and many other names well known in olden times.
D. O'Sullivan, whose arrival in Flint occurred in July of 1834, was largely instrumental in the construction of the building, having contributed both in means and labor to the enterprise. The first regularly installed pastor was Rev. Michael Monaghan, who remained some time after the completion of the church, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Kinderkins, brother of Vicar-General Kinderkins, of Detroit, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. C. L. De- ceuninck, in 1856, who organized a school under the man- agement of two lay teachers. His pastorate extended over a period of fifteen years, during which time he was active in many benevolent enterprises and did much for the relief of the poor of the church.
His successor was Rev. Father Flanigan, who remained two years. The school during his administration was dis- continued. Rev. James Gillespie was installed as pastor in 1873. Ile organized a school, and occupied for this pur- pose the church and an adjoining building, and had as instructors a principal and two assistant teachers, and an average attendance of 200 scholars during the regular term of ten months. A substantial school building of brick was meanwhile erected, at a cost of $7000, with rooms in which the various societies of the church hold their meetings.
The present pastor is Rev. Robert W. ITaire, who was installed Aug. 1, 1875. Ilis administration has been sue- cessful, his energies being mainly directed to the main- tenance of the parochial school, to which he gives much of his time and attention. It at present numbers about 300 pupils, who are instructed by an efficient corps of teachers. The primary department is under the supervision of Sister Catherine, assisted by three religieuses, all of the order of the Immaculate IIcart of Mary, from Monroe, Mich.
The annual expenditures, which in the aggregate amount to $1300, are defrayed from the revenues collected from the congregation. The families who compose the parish number about 300, and the amount of current expenses incurred by the church reaches the sum of $4000. About 400 persons compose the congregation during the early
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IHISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
morning service, and 500 are present at the later service. The music of the church reflects much credit upon the choir. The Gregorian chant is about being introduced, which will embrace the finest male voices in the church.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
This society was organized as the result of a series of tent-meetings, held in Flint and its vicinity by Elders D. II. Lamson, of Armada, Mich., and E. R. Jones, of Battle Creek, same State. Their meetings began June 11, 1875, and eontinned with various intermissions until September 13th of the same year, when a district eamp-meeting closed their labors. On the 24th of October, 1875, a society comprising 46 members was formed. Prior to the forma- tion of this society, it is claimed that the only families of this belief residing in Flint were those of Elias J. Bump and John Ilarmon. Coggins' Hall was first used as a place of worship. Soon after Covert's Hall was leased for the same purpose at a rental of $100 per year. A reorganiz.i- tion took place April 30, 1876, and S. II. Daniels chosen elder, Allen D. Newbury and Robert W. Day deacons. The first board of trustees, consisting of Robert W. Day, S. II. Daniels, and Samuel Woodhull, was chosen May 20, 1876. In April, 1877, Mr. Elias J. Bump donated for a church-site a lot situated on the corner of Third Street and Stockton Avenue. Elder D. II. Lamson had received pledges for $1700, and the work of buikling a house of worship was immediately begun. S. H. Daniels, W. C. Althouse, 11. C. Thompson, and Horace Bristol formed the building-committee, and Dee. 27, 1877, the church edifice was completed and dedicated. The dedieatory services were conducted by Elders Uriah Smith, D. II. Lamson, and E. R. Jones. The house is a neat structure with Gothie roof, but without spire or bell. It is beautifully finished inside, and has patent sittings for 300 persons. The present membership is 75. They have no local pastor, and at present no elder. A flourishing Sabbath-school exists, which includes nearly all of the members. William J. Farrand, Superintendent ; Sarah E. Talliafero, Secretary.
GARLAND STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church is located on the corner of Garland and Second Streets, on the north side of the river. The society was organized in the early part of the year 1861.
Previous to this there had been but one church of this order within the limits of the city. The circumstances which called the new one into existence were at the time sorely afflictive to a majority of the good men and women connected with it.
The noble edifice of the parent society had substantially passed out of human hands a few months before, though the offerings of a people, mostly poor in this world's goods, were embodied in it,-offerings made in human interests, yet unto God alone ; and, though an eloquent memorial of the faith, prayers, and heroie struggles of Christians, yet its end was hastened. In the dead of night the cruel flames redneed it to ashes, with all its contents, in an hour. The black and smouldering mass that remained of the beau- tiful temple called for tears and prayers. The tears were not wholly restrained, and prayers went up from sad hearts,
imploring submissiveness of spirit, and courage, and wisdom. Before the morning sun had come to look for the first time on that scene of desolation the losers were saying, " By the help of God we will build again." The pastor, Rev. T. J. Joslin, was laid aside at the time by severe and pro- tracted sickness, but amid all the discouragements it was decided to build at once.
It was at this juncture that the pertinent question of lo- cation anchored itself in the harbor of a peaceful and united people. It was one of great importance to those at both extremes of city, north and south, and naturally swept with more or less touching force under other points of the com- pass. Members in the northern portion of the city pleaded for a central location, equally accommodating all parts of the town. Discussion retarded initial steps, yet discussion closed with a majority for the old site. This decision was as a signal at which a considerable number of men and women, young and old, including as good material in all respects as the old church ever contained, moved out of the old and honored lines, for the protection and upbuilding of Methodism in their own part of the eity. Thus to break up the pleasant associations of former years, and separate themselves from those with whom they had long walked and taken sweet counsel, was the most grievous and trying point of their associated history. But the action of others had made it necessary, and they were left to " cross the Rubicon," which they did promptly but kindly. Their first board of trustees was appointed without delay. It consisted of Daniel S. Freeman, William Stevenson, Joseph Kline, John Owen, and Dr. Wood. The first board of stewards was also composed of the same men.
The actual charter members were Rev. Daniel S. Free- man and wife, William Stevenson and mother ( Mary Ste- venson), John Sutton and wife and mother, and Helen, Josephine, and George (children of John Sutton), Sarah Freeman, Louisa Freeman, Mrs. Joseph Freeman and daughter ( Ellen), Mrs. Cynthia Abernethy, Joseph Kline and wife, Johanna Parrish, John Owen and wife, Charlotte Raymond, and Dr. Wood and wife, 24 in all .. By means of transfers from the old church, their numbers were soon swelled to 80.
The edifice in which the congregation has worshiped ever since was completed and dedicated before the close of 1861, which, being the year of the inception of the enterprise, shows with what celerity these brethren carried on their work. The late Rev. Dr. T. M. Eddy, then editor of the North- Western Christian advocate, of Chicago, Ill., offi- ciated at the dedication. The lots on which the church was built had been generously donated by Chauncey L. Payne and Charles P. Avery. The structure itself cost something over $2500, and was free from debt when dedi- cated.
The annual Conference of September, 1861, appointed Rev. Isaae Crawford as the first pastor of the new and then vigorous organization. He remained but one year, during which there were a number of accessions to the church, but not so many as might have been realized under other cir- cumstances.
The man succeeding Mr. Crawford was essentially differ- ent. Endowed liberally with nature's best gifts, well edu-
J. R. CHAMBERS.
MRS. J. R. CHAMBERS.
J. R. CHAMBERS.
Jeremy R. Chambers was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in December, 1816. When he was twelve years of age his parents moved to Jefferson. The family were poor, and Jeremy, the oldest boy, soon became the main support. Thinking he could better secure a home for the family in a new country, he and his brother William started for Michigan on foot, with only a few dollars. At Detroit he pur- chased an axe and pursued his journey ; arrived in Burton, Genesee Co., March 27, 1836, walking the entire distance from Jefferson Co., N. Y., in fourteen days. Arriving in Burton, he hired out for a year. In July his employer let him have one hundred dollars, with which he entered eighty acres of land in Richfield. Not being satisfied with the location, he continued to work by the month or job for three years, when he bought forty acres of land in Burton, and made improvements as best he could. In 1841 he built a house and sowed ten acres of wheat.
In the spring of 1842 his parents, with five chil- dren, came ou to live with him. In June a heavy frost killed his wheat, which was a serions blow, and he was obliged to sell the eighty acres of land in Richfield for thirty dollars, needed to buy seed-wheat the next fall.
The family struggled on for eight years, when the father and mother died, and the family was broken up. Mr. Chambers and two of his brothers engaged in fishing on Lake Huron for three years; from this enterprise he saved a few thousand dollars. Returning to Genesee County, he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in the town of Flint, and built a house on the land. From that time the improvements went on until he now has a fine farm, with such surroundings as indicate the wealthy farmer. In 1868 he sold the farm and moved to Flint, to enjoy a well- earned competency.
On the 25th of October, 1853, he was mar- ried. Mrs. Chambers was the daughter of Charles Johnson, formerly from Ovid, N. Y. He moved to Oakland Co., Mich., and settled on the bank of Elizabeth Lake, in 1824; in 1836 he moved to Burton, this county, where he died in 1864.
Mr. and Mrs. Chambers united with the Methodist Episcopal Church some twenty years ago, and have since remained consistent mem- bers. They have been the parents of two daugh- ters, one of whom died; the other lives with her parents.
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FLINT CITY.
cated, of extensive and careful reading, and experienced by more than a score of successful years in the ministry, he entered the field to give sermons of eulture and Gospel power, and to be a real pastor to his people and beloved by them. Such was the Rev. Orin Whitmore, who re- mained the full term of three years, and left under the benedictions of those he had served.
The close of this term brings us to September, 1865, when the Rev. E. E. Castor was appointed to the charge. Hle was eminently fitted for the place,-a good pastor, an earnest and eloquent preacher, crowding his house with hearers till enlargement became necessary, and was aecom- plished by adding 20 feet to the length of the auditorium, at a cost of $1200, which was paid in full before the sound of the hammer-strokes had fairly died. Mr. Castor left at the end of two years in response to an carnest demand else- where.
The fall of 1867 brought, under Conference appointments, the Rev. E. R. Ilascall to Garland Street, as its pastor, and the fourth one in number. Several names were added to the church list through his labors, but for some reason he remained but one year. lle was followed by the Rev. William Q. Burnett, who proved to be an irrepressible and successful worker. During his pastorate an addition to the church edifice, including three commodious rooms and a fine parsonage, located on the corner of Garland and Third Streets,-one block from the church,-was built at an aggre- gate cost of about $3000, all paid, and an extensive revival of religion was wrought. Of course such a worker re- mained three years.
Rev. Wmn. Fox was his successor, commencing his labors September, 1871, and after two years of judicious, dignified, and successful effort was called to the presiding eldership of Romeo district, and left the people regretting his depart- ure. Rev. Jacob Horton was next appointed to the charge, and, with a somewhat varying success, remained for two years. Ile was a fine preacher and a decided worker. Under his administration the church was internally repaired and beautified, at a cost of $700.
Rev. George W. Lowe came to the charge in September, 1875, and had a successful term of three years, considering the adverse circunstances which, independent of the pastor and beyond his possible control, connected themselves most unfortunately with the church. Mr. Lowe's qualities of mind and heart need no eulogy other than that of his life- work. This brings us to September, 1878, when Rev. T. . Joslin was appointed pastor, and now occupies the place. During these eighteen years of the church's existence, its several classes have been served at different intervals by the following list of class-leaders, namely : D. S. Freeman, Joseph Kline, R. W. Dullam, Moses Mann, L. N. Moon, Thomas Stiltson, Porter Fleming, John C. Vincent, Wil- liam Haver, Daniel Frost, and J. 11. Failing.
The present official board is composed as follows : Class- Leaders, D. S. Freeman, R. W. Dullam, J. II. Failing, and Joseph Kline; Stewards, John Sutton, Alanson Bradford, Dr. Bela Cogshall, J. 11. Failing, Lewis Kline, John An- drews, Albert Ilakes, Meno Ebe, and Joseph Freeman ; Trustees, D. S. Freeman, J. R. Chambers, John Whiting, John Armstrong, John Sherff, Cyrus Pomeroy, and J. D.
Ilaight ; Located Ministers, D. S. Freeman, Hiram Adams, and Erwin Wilder.
From the beginning there has been a fine Sunday-school connected with this church, and it is at the present time favored with a good corps of officers and teachers, and is in a fairly prosperous condition.
The degree of success realized by the Garland Street Church in leading souls to Christ, and in mutually edifying, guiding, and cheering on to duty and to heaven the ser- vants of our God, and seen also in the fact that a membership of nearly 300 is now within its pale, after an almost equal number have been removed by certificates and by death, is, at least, suggestive of high approval, and disarms criti- eism of those who at first led the way, and, with others, have carried on the work.
This sketch is prepared by the pastor.
TIIE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Congregational Church of Flint came into being during the fall of 1867. Its first membership was com- posed mainly of those who had been members of other churches of the same order elsewhere in the State, iu the Western Reserve (of Ohio), or at the East, and who since the impetus given to Flint by the building of the Flint and Père Marquette Railway had east in their lot with its en- terprising people. Many of these had connected themselves with the First Presbyterian Church of Flint, of which the Rev. H. IT. Northrop was then the able pastor; but their independent ways were hardly congenial to the staid habits of the old families, and in the summer of 1867 they be- came aware that in the opinion of the pastor and leading members it would be better for the old hive if they woukl swarm. After a few weeks' reflection and consultation a meeting was held, on the evening of the 18th day of September, 1867, at the house of Wm. L. Smith, Esq., to consider whether it was best to form a Congregational Church in Flint. The record shows there were present Mr. and Mrs. Wm. L. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Royal C. Rip- ley, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Ilolman, Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Lovell, Mr. and Mrs. Egbert L. Bangs, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Farrar, Mr. and Mrs. George R. Gold, Mrs. Sarah O. Strong, Miss Margaret T. Olcott, Mr. George Andrews, Mr. Aclotes Truesdel, and Mr. Thomas Smith, and with them, by invitation, Rev. Frank P. Woodbury and wife, late of Meriden, N. 11. The meeting was or- ganized with Mr. Gold as chairman, and Mr. Truesdel as secretary. After carnest consultation it was agreed-Mr. Ripley alone dissenting-that there was room and work for a Congregational Church in Flint, and that steps should be taken to form one. Rev. Mr. Woodbury was invited to preach at Awanaga Hall on the following Sabbath, morning and evening. A provisional committee of seven was chosen, consisting of Messrs. Lovell, Bangs, W. L. Smith, Holman, Farrar, D. W. Parker, and Goldl. To them was committed the full guidance of affairs, Notice of the intended ser- vices was given in the local papers issued on Saturday, and William Stevenson, Esq, was secured as organist. The weather was fine, and the hall was well filled in the morn- ing and crowded in the evening. After the morning ser- vice a Sunday-school was organized with about 25 children,
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HISTORY OF GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and Mr. William L. Smith was shortly afterwards made its superintendent. On the Monday following these services the committee made a formal contract with Rev. Mr. Woodbury to serve as pastor of the enterprise for one year, at a salary of $1500, of which it was understood the Home Missionary Society would pay $500, and to secure the regular payment of the remaining $1000 in monthly installments the committee gave the pastor their personal bond. Awanaga Hall was rented for Sunday services and other rooms for the weekly devotional meetings. The finan- cial support was secured by subscriptions payable monthly, and by Sunday collections.
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