History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 42

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772

USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 42
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 42

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By the last report the society at Lansing numbered fifty- five members. Out of the Lansing Cireuit have been or- ganized two other circuits and one station, now embracing a membership of 300, including those on probation. The Sunday-school in Lansing numbers forty scholars, with ten officers and teachers. The schools, in what was originally the Lansing Circuit, now number 240 scholars, officers, and teachers altogether. The church edifice in Lansing is situated on the southeast corner of Saginaw and Seymour Streets.

African Methodist Episcopal .*- This church was orig- inally organized with the title of "Independent Methodist Church," in 1862, by Rev. William Douglas, a missionary preacher from Canada, who occasionally visited and preached in this region when the colored inhabitants were few and mostly in limited circumstances. The first membership comprised seven persons, to whom Mr. Douglas ministered at intervals of four weeks for a period of about eighteen

months. Succeeding him came Rev. James Neese, who continued for about two years, when he was followed by Rev. John Henderson, who continued until the reorganiza- tion in 1875. He was an energetie and efficient helper among his colored brethren and aided them in many ways.

In 1875, Rev. Robert Jeffers, of Battle Creek, who acted as presiding elder over the African Methodist Confer- ence, came to Lansing and reorganized the society, under the name of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Lansing, with thirteen members. Rev. J. P. Coates was the first resident minister after the reorganization, and con- tinued about a year and a half. Ile was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Crow, who also continued for a period of eighteen months, preaching half of the time at Lansing and dividing the remainder between Marshall and Mason. Rev. Jesse Bass followed Mr. Crow, and his successor was Rev. J. H. Alexander, the present pastor.

The first meetings of the colored people were held in the Free-Will Baptist church by the courtesy of that society. After the organization was effected the society held meet- ings in a building of their own. This building, which was an old dwelling, together with the lot on which it now stands, was purchased by Lord Nelson Turner, a prominent member of the church, at a total cost of $330. The build- ing was fitted up inside at a considerable expense, and is still used by the church pending the completion of a new house of worship.

Under the management of Rev. Mr. Alexander the society have undertaken the erection of a new building. The corner-stone was laid on the 12th of October, 1879, and the building has been erected and inelosed. It is sur- mounted by a symmetrical spire, and has an addition in the rear. It remains to be veneeredt and finished on the inside, and will probably have cost, when fully completed, some- thing over $2000. A circular appeal has been issued to the friends of the church throughout the country, asking aid to enable the society to complete their house, of which they stand in great need. When the new building was decided upon the old structure was moved to the rear of the lot, where it is doing service for the congregation. The present membership comprises the heads of about twenty families, and is the only colored church organization in the city.

A Sabbath-school has existed since the organization of the first society, but it languished, and was not kept up steadily until April 13, 1879, when Mr. Henry N. Law- rence, Deputy State Commissioner of Insurance, with other white friends of the enterprise, was induced to take hold and endeavor to place the school on a more substantial foundation. In this praiseworthy object he has succeeded beyond expectation. Principally through his efforts, aided by teachers and workers from the other Protestant Sunday- schools of the city, the school has been brought up to a comparatively high standard, and now numbers (average attendance) about fifty, divided into five classes, of which two are adult, two intermediate, and one an infant elass. Including Mr. Lawrence, who acts as superintendent, there

" Compiled from information principally furnished by Henry N. Lawrence and Lord Nelson Turner.

t The process of bricking up a frame on the outside is known in the Wert as veneering.

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CITY OF LANSING.

are five teachers, all white, and volunteers from the various churches of the city.

Knowing the value of good music, and especially among the colored people, Mr. Lawrence has succeeded in procur- ing a good second-hand organ, at a cost of about fifty dollars, which he has presented to the school. A white lady from one of the other churches presides at the instrument. The school is strictly a mission school ; and it is earnestly hoped that both the church organization and the Sabbath-school may be ere long placed beyond a peradventure, and take their places among similar institutions of the land.

Mr. Turner, whose curious name is mentioned in a pre- vious connection, has seen a checkered life. He was born in Clark Co., Ky., in February, 1815, and named after the celebrated English admiral who fell at Trafalgar. At the breaking out of the Mexican war, Mr. Turner followed the army in the capacity of a servant to Capt. Pridgett, of an Ohio regiment, marched with the regiment from Natchez overland through Texas to the Mexican boundary, and was present at the famous battle of Buena Vista, where he wit- nessed the death of young Henry Clay, of whom he speaks enthusiastically as a most gallant officer aud accomplished gentleman. Mr. Turner has been prominent in connection with the African church, filling at various periods the offices of class-leader, trustee, etc.

PROTESTANT METIIODIST .*

This society grew out of a Sunday-school which was established on Cedar Street, east of the river, in the spring of 1866 by Mrs. L. J. Hill and her brother, L. B. Baker, in the house where they lived, with a view to affording re- ligious instruction to that portion of the city lying near the confluence of the Grand and Cedar Rivers, which was popularly known as " Mackerel Point," and was supposed to bear about the same relation to the city generally that the celebrated " Five Points" in the lower portion of New York City bore to that metropolis. Many of the dwellers in that benighted neighborhood, and more especially the children, were decmed by Christian people to stand as much in suffering need of mission efforts as the heathen of foreign lands, and it was under this philanthropic view of the situa- tion that Mrs. Hill and her brother, who were members of the Presbyterian Church, undertook to furnish means of instruction. The school was soon transferred to the old " Michigan Hotel" building, situated in the midst of the benighted district, and the efforts seem to have been covered with abundant success. Interest became awakened, and soon a numerous congregation gathered in the venerable hostelry, until it hecame necessary to enlarge the operations by procuring the services of a minister, which was accom- plished by calling Rev. Alfred Bryant, a venerable apostle of his Master, who preached with so much effect that a revival of religion soon followed, and many were converted and became respectable and worthy members of society.

The effort was prospered beyond the expectations of those who had been instrumental in promoting it, and closely following the revival a church society was organized,

a lot was purchased, and a neat frame church erected near the corner of Main Street and Washington Avenue. The cost of the building was about $1600, which was largely contributed by Mr. Bryant, who held a lien on the property as security. Considerable sums were collected in other ways; friends in New Jersey furnished a bell, and Mr. A. J. Viele donated a fine cabinet organ for the use of the congregation. The church building was erected in 1867, and Mr. Bryant continued his labors until about 1870, when owing to many untoward circumstances the property was sold to clear off the debt due Mr. Bryant, which had not been liquidated.

About the same date a Protestant Methodist society, composed quite largely of members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Lansing, was organized, among its most prominent and efficient promoters being Messrs. Smith and Gibson, the former living south of Lansing, and the latter in Meridian township. The new Methodist society finally purchased the church property, and now own it clear of debt. From that time it ceased to be a Presbyterian society.

Since the change to a Methodist organization the society have had preaching most of the time, though there have been intervals when they were destitute of a settled min- ister. Among those who have officiated have been Revs. John Cromach, Samuel Reeves, - Shultz, E. G. Brum- baugh, and - Burghof, the present pastor. The society is small, and it is with considerable difficulty that a minister is supported. There is a Sunday-school connected with the church, which is a continuation of the original school of 1866.

PRESBYTERIAN.

Probably the initiatory movement out of which resulted the organization of the First Presbyterian Church in Lan- sing was made by those professing the doctrines of the Congregational denomination. On the 7th day of July, 1847, seven of these,t under the leadership of Rev. S. S. Brown, an agent of the Connecticut Home Missionary Society, met in North Lansing, then a part of the " Town of Michigan," and constituted a Congregational society ; but owing to removals and disagreements the organization was short-lived, and the minister in charge, Rev. Benjamin F. Millard, after a few months' labor, became discouraged, and certified to Rev. Calvin Clark, then agent for the American Home Missionary Society for Michigan, that the only hope for Calvinistic believers in Lansing was in the prompt or- ganization of a Presbyterian Church, and he recommended that steps be taken to that end immediately.

Agreeably to this recommendation, it was resolved to proceed with such an organization, and on the 17th of December, 1847, a meeting was held at the school-house in North Lansing, the following minutes of which are from the church record :

" DECEMBER 17, 1847.

" At a meeting of professing Christians held at the school-house in the ' Town of Michigan,' agreeable to previous notice, for the purpose of forming a Presbyterian Church, there were present, Rev. Calvin Clark, who acted as moderator ; Mr. Aaron Norris, from Presbyterian

* Compiled from information furnished by Mrs. L. J. Hill and Mr. L. B. Baker.

t Of the seven original members of this society two are still living in Lansing, and have never united with any other church.

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HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.

Church at Northville, Mich .; Mrs. Louisa Norris, from First Presby - terian Church of Plymouth, Mich. ; Mr. James Seymour, from Briek Church of Rochester, N. Y. ; and Mrs. - Randall, from Presbyte- rian Church, Hamilton, N. Y.

"Meeting opened with prayer.

"Voted, that a Presbyterian Church in connection with the Mar- shall Presbytery be formed at this time, and that it be called 'The First Presbyterian Church of the Town of Michigan.'#

" Voted, that the confession of faith and covenant adopted by the Presbytery of Geneva, N. Y., and now presented by Mr. Clark, be adopted by this eburch. Mr. Norris was appointed a deacon pro tem."

The society had Do stated ministry for several months, but in July, 1848, the Rev. Mr. Rice, from the Presbytery of Watertown, N. Y., visited Lansing with a view of set- tling, but after a few days returned to New York. On the Ist of September, of the same year, Rev. Calvin Clark, accompanied by Rev. W. W. Atterbury, visited the place and introduced his companion as a candidate for ministerial labors. After preaching one Sabbath, and visiting during a few days, he returned to Detroit. A meeting of the members was soon after called, and, upon consultation, an invitation was extended to Mr. Atterbury to become their pastor. This call he responded favorably to, and began his labors on the first Sabbath in November, 1848, under a com- mission from the American IIome Missionary Society, which guaranteed his salary, to the extent of $400 per annum, for one year. He continued his labors from that date as stated supply until the last Sabbath in April, 1854. During his continuance the church secured from the Home Missionary Society annually the sum of $200, the remainder of the $400 being collected in the field. Under his min- istry . sixty members were-added to the church,-twenty on profession of faith ; twelve were dismissed to other churches, three died, and one was excommunicated for suf- ficient cause.

During the first three years of Mr. Atterbury's continu- ance Sabbath services were held in the State Capitol in the morning, excepting about three months of the year 1849, when they were held in a tavern building then known as the " Ohio House," the minister using a flour barrel set on end for a pulpit. The afternoon services during the first year of the three were held in the school-house where the church was originally formed; after that in the chapel, which was used in common by the Presbyterians and Meth- odists at North Lansing.

On the first Sabbath in January, 1849, six persons united with the church by letter, to wit : S. R. Greene, P. S. Greene, his wife; John R. Price and Jane, his wife; James T. Kedzie, and Jane Caull. Of this number Mr. Greene and wife are yet members; J. R. Price and wife were dismissed to join the Franklin Street Church ; James T. Kedzie is now an elder in the church at Blissfield, Mich. ; and Jane Caull is since dead.

On the 12th of March, 1849, S. R. Greene and Aaron Norris were elected and duly installed as ruling elders, which completed the organization of the church. Elder Greene has been continned in this office to the present time. Elder Norris was twice re-elected, and finally dis- missed, in 1855, to join the Methodist Church. John M.

Chase was elected an elder in 1853, but after about a year's serviee left this church and united with one at Ann Arbor, Mieh.

The enterprise of building a church edifice began to be agitated in the winter of 1850-51, and in the spring fol- lowing the people of Lansing and vicinity pledged the sun of $2200, and about $1500 was raised among friends at the East towards the object. On the 1st of March, 1852, a contract was entered into between the church trustees and S. R. Greene and J. B. Price to erect the building. Work commenced in April of the same year, and the edifice, which was originally fifty-eight by thirty-eight feet in dimensions, was completed and dedicated on the last Wednesday of De- cember, 1852. The dedieation sermon was delivered by Rev. S. II. Hall, of Marshall, Mich. The expense of build- ing left the society considerably in debt, a burden which was not wholly removed until 1860.

In the autumn of 1856, mainly through the efforts of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, the first church bell in Lan- sing was procured and hung in the tower of this church. It was rung not only for religious services, but as a time- bell for the accommodation of the people for several years. The total cost of the edifice originally was something over $4000.

From 1851 to 1855, in common with other interests, this society suffered from the general stagnation of growth and business in Lansing.

In the spring of 1854, Mr. Atterbury declared his in- tention of resigning his charge, and his resignation was finally accepted, with much regret, to take effect from May 1st of that year. He was succeeded on the first Sabbath in May by the Rev. Benjamin Franklin, from the Presby- tery of Salem, Ind., who officiated as stated supply until the last Sabbath in October, 1855. During his miuistry- tions twenty persons were added to the membership, and about an equal number were dismissed to other churches.

From Nov. 1, 1855, to July 1, 1856, the church was without regular preaching. There was occasional preaching by candidates for the pulpit, and reading services, in the absence of these, were kept up by lay members.

In June, 1856, the Rev. Chester S. Armstrong, a grad- uate of Union Theological Seminary, New York, but not an ordained minister, with whom some of the members had become acquainted, was invited to officiate for the society, and began his work on the first Sabbath in July following. Ilis ministry proving satisfactory, a formal call was extended him to become the regular pastor in September, after a reg- ular meeting of the church and congregation, and the so- ciety resolved that henceforth they would be self-supporting. Up to this time it had been a mission church, and as such had received from $150 to $200 per annum from the American Ilome Missionary Society. The towa had once more begun to build up, and among the new-comers were several of wealth and influence who aided this church. Mr. Armstrong was duly ordained a minister by the Presbytery of Marshall, and installed pastor of the Lansing church on the 6th of November, 1856. Ile continued from that time until September, 1864, to discharge acceptably the duties of pastor, and during his term of service there were 120 ad- ditions to the membership, of whom 110 were by profession.

* When the Legislature, in 1848, changed the name of the place to Lansing, the church altered its title to suit the circumstances.

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CITY OF LANSING.

During the same time sixty-two were dismissed to other churches, two were excommunicated, five were suspended, and fourteen died. Mr. Armstrong finally resigned to ac- eept the position of chaplain in the 4th Michigan Cavalry Regiment.

A Sabbath-school had been organized at the beginning of Mr. Atterbury's labors, but having fallen off somewhat, a determined effort was made during Mr. Armstrong's min- istration, under the lead of Joseph Mills, since deceased, and the school was placed upon an improved standing; large additions were made to the membership, and much interest was manifested in its prosperity.

Early in the year 1863 a movement was inaugurated among the members living in the northern part of the city looking to the establishment of a second church. This was encouraged by prominent citizens and others, and a society, called the " Franklin Street Church," was organized. By this movement a large number of the members of the old church were drawn off, and the new one increased and flourished to a remarkable degree, and a cordial state of feeling was kept alive between the two societies.

About a year later, in the early part of the year 1864, the First Church suffered a further diminution by the with- drawal of about thirty of its members who had resolved to adopt the discipline and belief of the Congregational Church. From September to December, 1864, the church was again without a pastor.

In the beginning of December of this year Rev. J. Everts Weed, of Toledo, Ohio, was seeured to fill the pulpit for a season, and his work being satisfactory he was called, and formally installed as pastor on the 28th of June, 1865, and remained until May 12, 1870. During his ministry there were seventy-eight additions to the membership by letter, and forty-two by profession. The church edifice was also enlarged and repaired at a cost of something more than $3000 .*

In the early part of June, 1870, Rev. L. W. Chapman, from an Indiana Presbytery, commenced labors with this church as stated supply, and continued one year, during which two members were added by letter, and four on pro- fession of faith. In July, 1871, Rev. John M. Allis, of the Albany, N. Y., Presbytery, visited Lansing and received a call to this church which he accepted, and entered upon his labors on the 28th of August. He continued to fill the position until October, 1874, when, in consequence of the continued ill health of his wife, he was reluctantly com- pelled to tender his resignation, which was regretfully ac- cepted. During his stay the church had been remarkably well organized, and he was a most efficient and popular leader. It was during his pastorate that the fine organ was purchased and placed in the church, the enterprise being materially aided by the ladies of the congregation. Sixty-one new members were added to the church during his ministry.

Succeeding the removal of Mr. Allis for a period of about ten months the church was without a regular pastor.

Quite a number of candidates filled the desk, until in Au- gust, 1875, the Rev. Charles Simpson, of the Presbytery of Genesee, N. Y., was invited to preach for one year ; but at the end of that period, his ministration not having been satisfactory to all the members, he was not further en- gaged. During the year thirty-four members were added to the roll.

In November, 1876, an arrangement was made with Rev. George Duffield to supply the pulpit, and on the 5th of De- cember, in the same year, he was unanimously called to the pastorate, which call he accepted, and continued until the last of May, 1879, when he was succeeded by the Rev W. K. Spencer, the present pastor, who was regularly installed in September following.

The present membership of this church is 225, and the Sabbath-school has an average attendance of about 200.

Franklin Street Presbyterian Church .- This church is an offshoot from the First Presbyterian Church of Lansing. The members of the latter church in October, 1863, formed a society and commenced holding services in the old chapel previously occupied by the Methodists and Presbyterians. The Methodists had entertained the project of forming a second society in North Lansing, and proposed to erect a new church edifice at the foot of Washington Avenue; but after thoroughly considering the matter the project was given up as impracticable. About this time James Turner, a leading member of the Methodist Church, proposed to Rev. Mr. Armstrong to donate the lot at the foot of Wash- ington Avenue to the Presbyterians, provided they would undertake to supply North Lansing with gospel preaching. This very liberal proposition of Mr. Turner's was accepted, a board of trustees was appointed, and immediate steps were taken towards the erection of a commodious house of wor- ship.

In October, 1863, the Presbyterian Synod met at Lan- sing, and among the attending members was Rev. Alfred Bryant, whose services were secured for the new society for one year, beginning with November, 1863.

Early in 1864, under Mr. Bryant's ministry, "The Franklin Street Church" was organized and established on a firm foundation. The original membership was composed of twenty-five persons dismissed from the First Church, about twenty from other churches, and ten converts, the fruits of a series of meetings held early in the spring of 1864. The church organization was completed on the 20th of April, 1864. Mr. Bryant continued as pastor until August, 1865, when he resigned his charge preparatory to engaging in mis- sionary labor.

The work of erecting a house of worship was pushed vigorously under the supervision of Mr. Bryant, and the building was completed in October, 1865, about two months after the resignation of the pastor. In the mean time, Rev. C. S. Armstrong had resigned his chaplaincy in the army and returned to Lansing. Upon the resignation of Mr. Bryant, Mr. Armstrong's services were procured as stated supply, and he commenced his labors about the 1st of Sep- tember, 1865.

The new edifice was dedicated on the 3d of October, in the last-mentioned year, with appropriate ceremonies. Mr. Armstrong continued to perform the duties of pastor until

* The original planning and building of the church, and the en- largement and improvements mentioned, were under the supervision of Elder Greene.

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HISTORY OF INGIIAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

the month of April, 1869, when he resigned to accept a eall from Alton, Ill.

On the 3d of June, 1869, Rev. William Grandy, of Galt, Canada, accepted a call and served the society until September, 1870, when he was succeeded by Rev. Alfred Bryant, who became a second time pastor of this church. Mr. Bryant was regularly installed in December of that year, and remained until Sept. 1, 1874, when his resigna- tion was tendered and reluctantly accepted. Succeeding him, for a period of eighteen months, eame Rev. Coles R. Wilkins, who resigned at the end of that period, and re- turned to the State of New York.

From about midsummer of 1876 to the summer of 1877 the society was without the services of a settled pastor. The Sunday-school services were, however, continued regu- larly.

In the summer of 1877, Rev. W. H. Allbright, a student of Auburn New York Theological Seminary, occupied the desk by invitation for about three months, succeeding which there were no regular services until the summer of 1879, when steps were taken to procure the services of Rev. D. L. Munro, who was then in Europe completing his theo- logical studies. On the 24th of August, in that year, Mr. Munro began his labors as pastor elect. On the 17th of September following he was examined by the Lausing Presbytery, in session at Marshall, and being found accept- able, was duly installed on the 19th of September as pastor of the church, which position he still occupies.

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History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 42

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co. Number of Pages: 772

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772