History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 43

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 43
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 43

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The membership of both church and Sabbath-school is large and the society is prosperous.

PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .*

The original Congregational Society in Lansing was or- ganized on the 7th of July, 1847, with seven members, by Rev. S. S. Brown, an agent of the Connecticut Home Missionary Society. Rev. Benjamin F. Millard was the first settled pastor, but remained only a few months; and most of the members were soon after merged in the Pres- byterian Church which was organized in the latter part of the same year. This was understood, however, to be a temporary arrangement ; but the different elements worked harmoniously together for a period of sixteen years.

No further attempt was made to organize a Congrega- tional Church until the 26th of April, 1864, though several of the members of the first society remained steadfast through all the intervening years, never giving up the cherished idea of one day secing a flourishing church in Lansing. At the date-last mentioned a church was organ- ized under favorable auspices and given the title of "The Plymouth Church of Lansing." The original members numbered twenty-seven. Nearly at the same time a Con- gregational Society was organized for the purpose of taking charge of the sccular and financial affairs of the church.

The Senate-chamber in the old Capitol was occupied for religious services until the autumnn of 1865, when a chapel was fitted up on a lot donated by the State lying west of the Lansing House, on the same block. This building was removed to the site of the new church edifice in 1870, and

enlarged and refitted for use until the latter was completed, since which it has been occupied for prayer-meetings and for Sunday-school purposes. It is thirty by sixty feet in dimensions, and comfortably and conveniently fitted up.

The ministers officiating previous to July, 1865, were Revs. J. B. Walker, A. II. Fletcher, F. Hurd, J. C. Arm- strong, Professors O. Hosford and G. T. Fairchild, and perhaps a few others. At the last-mentioned date Rev. C. C. MeIntire became the settled pastor, and continued for three years. IIe was succeeded by Rev. Stewart Sheldon, who remained one year. In January, 1870, Rev. S. O. Allen accepted the position and remained two years. In March, 1872, Rev. M. W. Fairchild entered upon his pastorate and continued until March 10, 1874, when he resigned, and the church was without a settled pastor until November in the same year, when Rev. Theodore P. Prud- den, of New Haven, Conn., accepted a call, and still con- tinues to fill the position, receiving a salary of $2000 per annum.

On the 6th of December, 1875, the preliminary steps were taken towards the ereetion of a new church edifice. The lots had been already purchased at an expense of about $1100, though a portion was subsequently sold at such an advance that the actual cost of the site was reduced to some $300. The lots formerly occupied by the first chapel were sold for other purposes.

The architectural plans of the new building were fur- nished by G. II. Edbrooke & Co., of Chicago, and it was commenced in 1876, and carried to completion as rapidly as possible. The church was formally dedicated on the 18th of March, 1877. Rev. T. P. Prudden preached the sermon, and Rev. T. C. Abbott, president of the Agricultural College, took part in the exercises. Professor Chadwick, of Olivet, presided at the organ.

The new structure, which stands on the southeast corner of Townsend and Allegan Streets, facing the State Capitol on the north, is in the Norman Gothic style, one hundred by seventy-five feet in dimensions, and cost complete, in- eluding furniture, organ, etc., about $22,000. The cost of the building proper was about $18,000. The principal material in the walls is red brick, manufactured in Lansing, with trimmings of sandstone from Illinois. The steps are from the limestone quarries of Joliet, Ill. The height of the roof from the ground is 72 feet, and of the tower, 160 feet. There are two entrances : the principal one, on Allegan Street, is ornamented by a fine portico, having four flanking columns with earved capitals. The windows arc of stained glass, and include a large and beautiful eir- eular one in front over the main entrance. The ceiling of the audience-room is elaborately frescoed, and the wood- work is of black walnut finely finished. The organ loft and choir, in the rear of the pulpit, are finished in carved wood-work by Mr. D. Edgar, of Lansing, and do credit to his taste and mechanical skill. The seats are arranged in circular or elliptical form upon a rising floor, and com- fortably accommodate 520 persons. The edifice was pro- nounced by the architect of the State Capitol one of the finest in the country. The organ is a very superior instru- ment, and the church supports an execlient choir.

The present membership is about 260, and the average

* Principally from information furnished by Deacon C. B. Stebbins.

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CITY OF LANSING.

membership of the Sabbath-school not far from 200. The latter possesses a large and well-selected library.

Among those who have served the church in the capacity of deacons are C. B. Stebbins, C. B. Seymour, P. C. Ayres, Ralph Camp, Justin Esselstyn, J. B. Porter, H. Phinney, N. B. Jones, and E. Bement. The superintendents of the Sunday-school have been C. B. Stebbins, J. B. Porter, E. Bement.

FREE-WILL BAPTIST.

First Free - Will Baptist .*- This church was organized May 30, 1848, by Rev. H. S. Limbocker and James Big- nall, at the residence of Cyrus II. Thompson, who was chosen the first deacon,-ten gentlemen and seven ladies uniting in the organization.

They met in their first "covenant"-meeting on the 24th of June following in the school-house, a small frame build- ing then "in the woods," nearly on the site now occupied by the Second Ward school building. Horatio A. Barker was the first clerk of the church.

Rev. L. J. Madden was the first pastor, commencing his labors July 1, 1848. His pastorate continued nearly a year, with some success, yet under many discouragements.

From the close of Elder Madden's labors until April +, 1852 (nearly three years), the church was without a pastor. They were visited occasionally by Elders Limbocker, Cur- rier, Parker, Bignall, and perhaps others. During this period the church was struggling, under much embarrass- ment, to build a house of worship. Considerable funds had been raised by Elders Limbocker and Bignall, through the Michigan Yearly Meeting, to assist in this effort. On the 29th of February, 1852, the work was so far advanced that the first prayer-meeting was held in the new house, and on the 5th of March following it was dedicated, Elder II. S. Limbocker preaching the sermon ; after which he continued a scrics of meetings, which resulted in a number of conversions, of whom several of the subjects were baptized and united with the church. Among these was Sister J. W. Barker, who has continued a faithful and working member, and is at this time the member of longest standing.

On the 4th of May, 1850, the church licensed Brothers B. C. Macumber and H. A. Barker to preach, and Brother Barker assumed pastoral relations with the church April 4, 1852. In October following he and Brother Macumber were ordained by the " Grand River Quarterly Meeting" at the request of the church. Brother Barker continucd as pastor for about one year.

On the 6th of August, 1853, Elder William Collins, from the State of New York, met with the church in " covenant"-meeting. He and his wife united with the church, and he was chosen pastor and filled the office faith- fully until removed by death, Jan. 11, 1854. The church was again left without a pastor, and its members were greatly discouraged, until Rev. J. C. Ferris came from the State of New York and became a resident of Lansing. On the 20th of February, 1856, himself and wife united with the church, and he was chosen pastor, and in that

relation labored until the 28th of February, 1857, when he resigned.

From this time the church had no preaching for more than a year, and by deaths and removals became much reduced in numbers and disheartened to the verge of dis- bandment. To this time fourteen members had been added by baptism.

On the 24th of April, 1858, Brother L. B. Potter met with a few who had gathered in covenant-meetings, and gave them some encouragement. He was a licensed min- ister, and had removed hence from Jackson Co., Mich., and with his wife united with the Lansing church. At that time the meeting-house was occupied by the Close- Communion Baptists, who vacated it about the 1st of June following, at which time Brother Potter commenced preach- ing every Sabbath as pastor,-which relation continued without interruption a little more than ten years. By re- quest of this church, Brother Potter had been ordained by the Grand River Quarterly Meeting, July 11, 1858.

At a covenant-meeting, held on the 6th of September, 1868, Elder Potter moved to extend a call to Rev. A. J. Davis to become pastor of the church, which motion was adopted. Brother Davis, being present, asked time until the next meeting to consider his answer. At a covenant- meeting, held Oct. 4, 1868, Elder Potter tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and Elder Davis was elected pastor at an annual salary of $600.

During the last pastorate a new roof had been put upon the house of worship and other needed improvements made; and long-standing indebtedness, incurred in the erection of the building, had been paid in full. The church lot, which was burdened with tax titles, had been freed from incumbrance, the membership had slowly but gradu- ally increased to about threefold the number when Mr. Potter commenced his labors, and the church was united. Twelve had been added by baptism to the membership during the same period.

Until this time the financial condition of the church had been such as to compel the necessity of every minister sup- porting his family, mainly by secular labor during six days of the week, leaving him little time to prepare for Sabbath services, or to attend to needed pastoral work.

Elder Davis labored as pastor until the close of 1874, a period of six years and three months, without intermission, and baptized ten persons who united with the church.

From Jan. 1 to Oct. 1, 1875, the church was without a pastor, but regular meetings were kept up by "supplies," aud during the interval five persons were baptized and united with the church.

About the 1st of October, 1875, Elder John Malvern began labor as pastor, which relation was mutually ter- minated in less than a year, in consequence of the failing health of his companion. During this short pastorate seventeen new members united with the church by baptism.

On the 15th of October, 1876, the church voted to call Elder L. B. Potter to officiate as pastor for one year, at the close of which term the church was again dependent upon supplies for about the period of another year ; Rev. C. M. C. Cook, a resident minister, officiating a greater part of the time. Rev. Horace Perry was then settled as pastor,

* By Rev. L. B. Potter.

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HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.

but continued less than a year in consequence of the fast failing health of his wife. During his pastorate four mem- bers united by baptism.

From the autumn of 1879 followed another season of " supplies," which continued until the second Sabbath in May, 1880, when Rev. I. R. Spencer, the present pastor, accepted a call and entered upon his labors.

During the existence of this church 187 persons have had a membership, of whom 62 united by baptism and 125 by letter. Of these, 20 are deceased, 15 have been excluded, 71 have gone out by letter, 25 have removed without letter, 45 remain as resident members, and 13 as non-resident members.

The number of persons connected with the Sabbath- school is at present 55 ; number of volumes in the library, 225 ; number of papers taken, GO; value of church prop- erty, about 82500.

There is connected with this church a " mission band," which was organized in June, 1879. It is largely con- ducted and managed by the ladies of the congregation, and supports a native zenana-teacher in India at an expense of twenty-five dollars per year. The Indian school was named the " Lansing School," in honor of this society, by Miss Phillips, daughter of an American Baptist missionary to India, who was born in that country.

BAPTIST.

First Baptist Church .*- The first meeting for the pur- pose of organizing a Baptist Church in Lansing was held in the school-house at North Lansing, Jan. 26, 1851. The original members were Nathaniel Glassbrook, Ephraim Can- field, J. D. Edwards, Hannah Quaekenbush, James Olds, Hannah Olds, Eliza N. Merrill, Susannah Canfield, Mary W. Dryer, Margaret P. Dryer, Eleanor Ann Welsh, Lavinia Simons, Eliza Glassbrook, and Rebekah B. Edwards. The first deacons were Elnathan Canfield and Nathaniel Glass- brook.

The first additions to the eliurch were William Sears, John A. Willoughby, Mary J. Dooty, Delilah A. Clapsad- dle, Harriet M. Tooker, and Sally Olds, who were received through the ordinance of baptism on the 2d of February, 1851. The society was recognized as a regular Baptist Church by a council of churches held March 26, 1851. The sermon on the occasion was delivered by Rev. C. A. Lamb, who also gave the "right hand of fellowship." An address to the new church was made by Rev. J. Gunder- inan.

The church extended a call to Rev. P. C. Dayfoot to be- come their pastor on the 1st of September, 1852, and he was regularly appointed to the charge on November 1st in that year by the American Home Missionary Society. He remained until the 4th of May, 1855.

On the 14th of December, 1856, a call was extended to Rev. L. H. Moore to become pastor of the society, which was accepted, and he commenced his labors Jan. 30, 1857. He continued until Jan. 1, 1860, and was succeeded, on the 5th of May following, by Rev. James MeLeod, who remained until Feb. 2, 1861. Following him came Rev. J.

C. Armstrong from June, 1861, to May 31, 1862, after which the pulpit was filled by Rev. Charles Johnson from June, 1862, to Jan. 31, 1863, and Rev. Hoagle from Jan. 3, 1863, to May, 13, 1863, as supplies, when Rev. William Tilley was installed as regular pastor, and continued in that relation until April 30, 1864, when he resigned.

Succeeding him, Rev. G. H. Hickox was pastor from Oct. 23, 1864, to Sept. 30, 1871. Rev. Daniel Crosby was pas- tor from March 2, 1872, until some time in March, 1877, in which month he was succeeded by Rev. E. J. Fish, who continued his labors for nearly two years, and was followed, on the Ist of March, 1879, by Rev. Andrew Murdoch, the present pastor.

The present membership is 224. Deacons, Jolin A. Crosman, R. C. Coryell, J. B. Lemley ; clerk, E. F. Swan. The Sunday-school numbers six officers, thirteen teachers, and 193 scholars. Volumes in library, 212.

Previous to the erection of their church edifice the mem- bers assembled for worship in different places, sometimes in school-houses and at times in other convenient buildings. The present church edifice was erected previous to 1860, at a cost of about $4000. It is a neat and substantial edifice of wood, surmounted by a spire, and contains a cabinet organ and bell. It stands on the southwest corner of Capi- tol Avenue and Ionia Street.

EPISCOPAL.

St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal.t-This church was organized in 1856, and the following-named persons were elected the first " board of vestrymen :" William II. Chap- man, Edwin R. Merrifield, Edwin II. Whitney, Thomas W. Meacham, Herman Hascall, George W. Peek.

Rev. John Bramwell, of Monroe, Mich., accepted a call from the vestry to become rector of the parish. Services were held in the old State Capitol until a church building could be ereeted. A lot on the southwest corner of Wash- ington Avenue aud Ionia Street was subsequently pur- chased; and a small frame edifice ereeted thereon in 1859 at a cost of about $2500. Services were held in this build- ing until 1872, when the lot, which was becoming valuable for business purposes, was sold to Daniel W. Buck, and the building to Messrs. Torrey & Williams, who removed it to the east side of Grand Street, near the foot of lonia Street, and transformed it into a shop for the manufacture and sale of marble monuments and headstones. It has since become the property of Messrs. Bement & Sons, who are now using it for the storage of agricultural implements.

Upon the lot was erected the fine Opera-House Block owned by Daniel W. Buek. After the sale of the property on Washington Avenue the vestry selected and purchased two lots on the northeast corner of Seymour and Ottawa Streets, fronting the Capitol grounds, on which, in 1873, was ereeted the Gothic edifice now occupied by the society, at a cost, including furniture, heating apparatus, carpets, organ, etc., of $8500. The sittings in the new edifice num- ber 350, and the building is a very neat and respectable one.

The rectors succeeding Mr. Bramwell have been the

* From materiats furnished by E. F. Swan.

+ Prepared by Mr. Edwin H. Whitney.

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CITY OF LANSING.

following : Revs. William Withington, William W. Hickox, Edward Meyer, II. Belding Burgess, Henry J. Brown, Henry Banwell, J. F. Walker, Joseph Wood, John W. Clark, Ebenezer Thompson.

The present number of communicants is about 100, and the parish supports a growing, prosperous Sunday-school.

CATHOLIC.#

St. Mary's .- About the year 1856 the Rev. Father Kuntel, of the Order of the Holy Redeemer, was sent by the Right Rev. P. I'. Lefevere to attend to the spiritual and temporal interests of the Catholic population living in and about Lansing, in all, at that time, some thirty fam- ilies. Soon after the foundations for a brick church edifice, thirty six by fifty feet, were laid, but from the want of thorough organization and the necessary means the work came to a standstill, and was not renewed until the year 1863, when another priest was sent by the same bishop. He found the few Catholics of St. Mary's Church very poor and almost discouraged in the work of finishing their house of worship; but after considerable exertion about $1000 were at length obtained, and the work of building was resumed. The sum was sufficient to carry up the walls, and the confidence of the people was restored. Both Catholics and non-Catholics came forward liberally, among the latter Hon. John A. Kerr, of the Lansing Republican, being prominent. In the autumn of 1864 the new build- ing was consecrated. After the lapse of nearly ten years, in 1873, it became apparent that the church edifice afforded insufficient space for the increasing congregation, and an addition, thirty-six by fifty feet in dimensions, was made. But as the number of Catholics kept increasing, two wings were added in 1879, each twenty by thirty feet, making the form of the building nearly that of a cross. During the present season of 1880 the tower and spire have been also carried to completion, and the finished structure is a credit- able specimen of the builder's art, and roomy and con- venient. A comfortable dwelling for the priest adjoins the church on the north, and a convenient building has been erected for a parochial school. The church and parsonage are of brick, the school building of wood. The present number of communicants is about 900, the average Sunday attendance of serviecs about 850 people.

UNIVERSALIST.t

The First Universalist Church of Lansing was organ- ized in the year 1849 under the Rev. C. W. Knicker- bocker, who was its first pastor. The pastors who have since officiated have been Revs. George Vibbert, E. Morris, M. B. Carpenter, J. Straub, T. N. Glover, W. Sisson, An- gustus J. Chapin, H. Slade, and George B. Stocking, the present pastor. The church edifice, a plain brick structure, situated corner of Grand and Allegan Streets, was dedicated on the 14th of October, 1863. The society have the finest church organ in the city. It is from the manufactory of Ilook & Hastings, Boston, Mass., and cost nearly $2000.

The yearly resources of the church amount to more than $2000. The present membership is 141, and about 100 families regularly attend public services.

A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained, which dates back to 1853. Its present membership is 140 scholars, 12 teachers, and the usual officers. It has a valuable library of 400 volumes, and an annual revenue of $150. The society is free from debt and in a prosperous condition.

LUTHERAN.

St. Emanuel's German Lutheran.t-Previous to 1856 there was no organization of the German Lutherans in Lan- sing, though there was a considerable number in the place. Rev. F. Schmidt, of Ann Arbor, had visited this portion of the State, and preached in school-houses and private dwellings for a number of years; and in June, 1856, he organized the present church, or congregation, with some twelve or fifteen members.

The present church edifice had been commenced in 1854 on a lot purchased for the purpose, and was gradually com- pleted by individual labor and donations of lumber, stone, sand, etc., by the congregation generally. At first a loose floor of common boards was laid down, and the seats were of rough boards laid upon blocks. The building was finally finished in December, 1857. A fine bell, costing between $300 and $400, was placed in the tower in 1868. The building is very neat and tasty, and has accommodations for 250 or 300 people.

The first settled minister was Rev. Chr. Volz, in July, 1856, who remained until May, 1857, when he removed to Buffalo, N. Y., where he now resides. Rev. Adam Burkle succeeded him in July, 1857, and continued until May, 1866, when he removed to Woodville, Ohio, and subsequently to Arkansas. He was followed on the 28th of October, 1866, by Rev. John Her, who remained until August, 1869, when he removed to the State of New York, and later to Kingsville, Md., where he now resides. Rev. R, Conrad succeeded him in July, 1870, and filled the position until June, 1873; and following Mr. Conrad was Rev. L. Zuber, who commenced his pastoral labors July 31, 1873, and officiated until Angust, 1876, when he was succeeded by Rev. John M. Eipperle, the present minister, who re- ceived the call on the 13th of August, and removed from Sturgis, Mich., on the 5th of September, in that year. In addition to his Lansing charge he also supplies his people at Okemos, in Ingham County, Laingsburg, in Shiawassee County, and Olive, in Clinton County, at stated intervals. At Okemos he occupies the Baptist church, which is rented for a portion of the time, and at Laingsburg and Olive preaches in school buildings.

A comfortable parsonage was erected by the congregation, on the lot with the church, in 1867 and 1868, and a small but convenient school building was also built in 1868, in which a school is taught during the six winter months by the minister. It is strictly a religious school, designed to prepare the children for confirmation. During the remain- ing months they attend the public schools. The average

* From information furnished by Rev. Louis Vandriss, the priest in charge.

t From information furnished by Rev. George B. Stockiog.

# From information obligingly furnished by Rey. John M. Eip: perle, pastor of the church.

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HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

attendance at this school is about thirty. A Sabbath- school is held on every Sunday, with an average attend- ance of 125 pupils, under the instruction of twelve teachers. The school has a small library. The three buildings are situated on the same lot, northeast corner of Seymour and Kilbourne Streets.

The Lutherans estimate their membership by families, of which only the names of the male members appear on the church records. The number of families at present con- nected with the congregation is about eighty-five, indicating a population of between 400 and 500.

The Trinity German Lutheran Society was originally formed by about fourteen members who separated from this congregation in 1869.

Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran .*- This church was organized in 1871 by Messrs. F. Yeiter, E. A. Reitz, C. L. Baier, H. Rabe, J. Maier, J. C. Schneider, and others. With the single exception of Mr. Schneider these gentlemen were formerly members of St. John's Evangeli- cal Lutheran Church of Lansing, which the seceding members claimed had become somewhat lax in church dis- cipline, more particularly in the matter of teaching the confessional books of the Orthodox Evangelical Lutheran Church.

When Rev. J. Her was elected pastor of the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, and had taken charge in 1866, he soon discovered what was wanting in his congre- gation and performed his duty accordingly. Some discon- tent arose, and he was complained of as being too severe in his sermons and too rigid in his discipline by a portion of the members, and the differences between the pastor and a section of his charge ·at length became serious, and even- tuated in a division of the church, the Rev. Her, with a portion of the members, withdrawing and forming a new society. This occurred on the 18th of August, 1869.

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History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 43

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