USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 37
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During Rev. Wired Cornell's pastorate, many were added to the church membership by baptism or by letter, many were granted letters of dismission as they moved to adjoining places when new churches were formed. At the close of Reverend Cornell's first pastorate he was succeeded by Rev. E. H. Morrison, who remained with the church two years. Upon his resignation. Rev. Alfred Cornell was recalled and served the church for another two years, nineteen in all. Faithful in season and out of season, often preach- ing three times on Sunday, frequently riding forty miles to meet all these appointments, many times reaching lonia late at night, faint and weary, not having stopped to taste food after an early breakfast. It can be said of him that he presented himself a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.
In August, 1858. Rev. Levi Parmely accepted the call to the pastorate and remained four years. During his term of office, the present brick build- ing was erected just west of the old church, and was dedicated on January 7. 1872. Since 1872 the following pastors have ministered faithfully and (26)
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devotedly : Rev. John Rowley one year ; Rev. E. O. Taylor, two years ; Rev. John Donnelley, five years; Rev. D. Van Alstine, D. D., three years; Rev. T. S. MeCall, two years. In December, 1886, Rev. T. S. McCall was ordained in the Ionia Baptist church. Rev. P. S. Henson, of Chicago. preached the ordination sermon, and Rev. Kerr B. Tupper, of Grand Rapids. gave the charge to the candidate. Then followed Rev. J. J. Phelps, three years; Rev. F. O. Dickey, three years: Rev. E. M. Jeffers, three years : Rev. D. L. Martin, five years. Rev. F. E. Branch, the present pastor ( 1916) came to the church in 1905, and is still its devoted and loyal minister.
During these eighty-two years, the church has grown in strength and number; the building has been remodeled, the lighting system changed, the pipe organ installed, the church work broadened and strengthened. Two veteran ministers, Rev. John Van Vleck, and Rev. John Coe, lent their wis- dom and spiritual aid to the growing church in its earlier struggles. Two members of the church have entered the work of the ministry. Henry W. Powell and Herman J. Powell. So far as can be ascertained. this church was not only the first one organized in Ionia county, but the first of any dlenomination to be organized in this section of the state; antedating the first church in Grand Rapids by a. year or more.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PORTLAND.
In accordance with previous notice a few Baptists met at the Portland school house, May 2, 1840. for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church. Joseph Munn was appointed moderator and John Brown, clerk. It was then voted that Dean M. Tyler. Sr .. W. Z Blanchard, Isaac E. Tyler and John Brown be a committee to prepare a code of articles. At the following meet- ing, held on June 6, the committee presented articles which were submitted to eleven persons who presented letters of recommendation from the Baptist church of Walled Lake. Oakland county. The cleven persons were Dean M. Tyler, Joseph Munn. Matikla Munn, Phoebe Tyler, Isaac E. Tyler, Betsey A. Brown, Elizabeth Tyler, Sarah Tyler. John Brown, Laura R. Tyler and Caroline Tyler. These formed the Baptist church of Portland, and on February 6, 1811, engaged Rev. Moses Clark, of De Witt to preach for them one-fourth of his time. On April 2. 1842. Dean M. Tyler was chosen deacon and May 28 it was resolved to unite with the Shiawassee association. On November 12, 1842. it was voted that "in view of our destitute circumstances. we request the state convention to send us fifty dollars to aid in supplying the ministry among us."
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On September 4, 1843, the First Baptist Society of Portland was organ- ized and in the fall of 1843 Elder Sangster was engaged as pastor. Rev. Alfred Cornell, his successor, preached once a month for about three years and thereafter followed Revs. Caleb Rice and S. P. Town, after whom came Revs. J. G. Portman. (a few months ), David Osborn ( three years), Harvey Petit ( six years ), Alfred Cornell ( six years ), and A. E. Mather. T. N. Car- man. A. H. Jessup, S. G. Anderson, Leslie Bower. J. H. Stewart, H. Z. Davis, F. C. Fistler and C. F. Vreeland.
The first house of worship was completed in 1859 meetings having pre- viously been held in the village school house and the Methodist church. The corner stone of the brick edifice was laid on June 16, 1876, and the structure was dedicated in October. 1877. It cost approximately $18,000, measures one hundred by forty-eight feet, has a seating capacity for five hundred and is lighted by gas This is one of the active congregations of the Baptist faith in this county and at present has a membership of two hundred and two. Active auxiliaries of this society are the Sunday school, Baptist Young People's Union, Ladies' Aid Society, Ladies Foreign and Home Missionary Society.
BELDING FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist church of Belding was organized in 1875 with the following charter members: D. Newcomb and wife, Joel Cook and wife, Freeman Cook, buther Savery and wife. George Hutchins and wife, George Keeler and wife, Ansel Smith and wife, Mrs. H. Purdy and Mrs. Unger. This congregation began with only fifteen members, but the prosperity of the society was assured from the start. Rev. Robert Shafton was the first pastor to serve this charge. He has been followed by the following: Revs. Will- iam Buell. U. P. Barlow, O. F. A. Spinning. R. A. MeConnell, W. L. Munger, G. Quick, II. Spear, C E. Maxfield, F. B. Irving, and the present incumbent. WV. A. Riss.
Shortly after the society was organized a church lot was secured at the corner of Washington and Alderman streets and a building erected. In 1800 the present brick edifice was completed and is located on the same lot as the first building. This congregation has prospered equally with the town and at present has a membership of two hundred and ten. Active auxiliaries of the church are the Sunday school. Baptist Young People's Union, Ladies' Missionary Circle and Ladies' Aid Society.
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LYONS BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church of Lyons was organized on June 19. 1852, "by mutual association in church relation" of Russell Hervey, Joseph Rickey. Marvin F. Baker, Joshua P. Manning, Joseph Rickey, Jr., Smith Pruden, Eunice Rickley, Alice B. Baker, Lydia R. Hugg. Angeline Coolidge, Sarah Jane Todd, Eunice Bennett and Jane Pruden. The First Baptist Society was organized on May 7, 1855, and trustees chosen as follow: J. P. Mann- ing. J. R. Stone, T. L. Gilmore, G. Rockafellow and W. Z. Blanchard. In 1856 a church edifice was built. Russell Hervey, the first pastor, was suc- ceeded by Revs. Hiram Cornell, O. B. Call. James G. Portman, Doctor Smith, S. E. Fason, A. R. Hicks, J. 11. Roscoe, N. P. Barlow, Thomas Robinson, A. P. McDonald, Osborn, W. T. Woodhouse, A. F. Niles, W. W. Beardslee. W. R. Waters, W. P. Tompkins, D. L. Martin, Jacob Henn, W. H. Powell, Garrison Moore and D. B. Davidson.
The church buikling was remodeled in 1888 and the church society was re-organized and incorporated under the acts of the state Legislature passed in 1879. The present membership of the church numbers seventy-six active workers. The church supports an active Bible school, both junior and senior ; Baptist Young Peoples' Union, Ladies' Aid Society and Woman's Missionary Society.
PALO BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first religious organization formed in Palo and the first, perhaps in the township, was the First Baptist church of Palo, organized on March 18, 1846, as the Prairie Creek Baptist church. The Long Plain school house was the scene of the event, and Rev. B. B. Brigham, of North Plains, the moving spirit in it. The organizing members numbered twelve and were named as follow: Matthew Van Vleck, Deborah Van Vleck, John Van Vleck, George D. Tasker, Catharine Tasker, Alvin B. Smith, B. B. Brigham. James S. Sweeney and Patience Norton. On the 8th of April a church council, representing Lyons, Otisco and Jonia, assembled in the Long Plain school house and formally recognized the church, on which occasion Ekler John Van Vleck preached the sermon, and Sarah and Jane Van Vleck. J. J. Cronkite, Silas Norton, George W. Germain and Lucy Cronkite were received into membership. On the 12th of April George W. Germain and Silas Nor- ton were publicly baptized in Prairie creek.
School houses and private houses were used as places of worship until
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the fall of 1859 when a church building was occupied. Eller Brigham preached for the church every Sunday for a year or two and was succeeded by Rev. John Van Vleck, a resident of the town. Matthew Van Vleck, who was chosen the first deacon, continued to hold his office from 1846 uninter- ruptedly to the time of his death in April, 1880. He had at that time reached the good old age of eighty-six.
The ministers who have served this church since Rev. Van Vleck are D. B. Munger. L. Parmerley, H. A. Rose. W. L. Munger. A. Cornell. D. B. Munger, W. W. Beardsley, J. J. Bailey, George Lockhart, F. C. Fistler, E. Rushbrook, H. A. Essex. F. Wright, I. Buffum, and the present incumbent, Reverend Gould. This is one of the real old congregations in Ionia county and has had a very prosperous career. The membership at present numbers one hundred and twelve. The church also supports an active Ladies' Aid Society, Baptist Young Peoples' Union, and both Home and Foreign Mis- sionary Societies.
PEWAMO BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first entry in the Pewamo Baptist church records appears under date of April 17. 1847, and recites that "covenant meeting was more fully attended than for a long time, and there seems to be a growing interest in religion. Brethren felt to confess their faults one to another, each had more charity for other than themselves." Upon that occasion Edward Henderson was received into fellowship of the church.
.At a meeting at the house of Doctor Millard, Jannary 14, 1851, there were present Doctor Millard, Charles Millard, Hiram Hunt, Nathan Benjamin, Edward Henderson, John A. Millard, Sylvester Benjamin, Alvira Millard, Catherine Millard, Charity Millard and AAmanda Hunt, with Elder F. S. Batcheldor, of the Indian Creek church, in the chair. It was resolved that "As the Baptist church of Lyons has for nearly two years had no meeting as a church and whereas God in His mercy has revived us, therefore resolved, That the church now recommence, and that those of the former members of the church who are in fellowship one with another, and who desire to renew their covenant and henceforth to walk in church relation, shall be considered members of the church. That we endeavor to obtain preaching one-fourth of the time, and appoint brothers D). Millard, N. Benjamin and Hiram Hunt a committee for this purpose."
The records are not very clear as to the engagement of pastors, but it appears therefrom that Elders Cornell and Batcheldor preached in 1851, A. Cornell 1851-57. Charles Clute 1857-59. Others joined the church and were
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baptized in what was known as the Hathaway creek. On May 26. 1859. the church met in covenant. By the vote of the church appointments were changed from the Plains to the Red school house, north of Pewamo, near the Joseph Randolph farm, where they held Sunday morning service and had covenant meetings the last Saturday of each month. Preaching in the White school house on John A. Millard's farm, three and one-half miles northeast of Pewamo was held on Sundays, at two o'clock in the afternoon. One of the old members is living today, Mrs. John Millard, who, on the roth of September, 1915, was one hundred years old and was one of the early settlers.
Rev. J. J. Portman was pastor in 1860, Rev. D. Osborn supplied the church in 1862, and was also pastor of the Portland church. On August 13. 1864, "The first Baptist church of Lyons met and the majority of its mem- bers were present, and by a unanimous vote changed the name of the Baptist church of Lyons to the Baptist church of Pewamo and elected William Upton and Josia Green, deacons to assist Deacon Gourdan Millard and Doctor Mill- ard." By order of the church John A. Millard was elected church clerk. Rev. A. McLain was pastor from July, 1865, to June, 1867. From 1869 there is a blank in the minutes but not in the work of the church, for in 1866 the work was started for the present building, and in 1868 it was dedicated as the Pewamo Baptist church.
From 1866 to 1868 they held the church services in an old house of Doctor Millard, just east of where Mrs. Wedlas Green now lives in Pewamo village. In 1869 the church bought a piece of property owned now by Mrs. Il. Haskins Roes and Reverend Baker supplied the church. In 1870. beginning with the week of peace, Rev. D. B. Munger, of Palo, and C. C. Miller, of Oakfield, conducted the services of meetings to the glory of God. in the congregation of which twenty-one united with this church. George Wesselious came and preached in 1870 and was ordained on August 24, 1870. Rev. H. Petit was pastor from September 30, 1871, to March, 1873. On September 24, 1870, B. F. Hunt was appointed deacon, which office he filled until removed by death. April 30, 1901. Rev. D. D. Walken was pastor in 1874 for six months. Rev. A. R. Hicks was pastor from 1875 to 1876. and in 1877 the pastors were C. W. Parmer and Evans. On April 7, 1877. J. Blackmar was appointed deacon, which office he filled until removed by death, June 14, 1913. Rev. J. H. Morrison was pastor from August. 1877. to 1880. Rev. W. B. Northrop from October 2, 1880, to September 2. 1882. after which the church had no pastor until 1884. Rev. R. Monroe was pastor until April 18, 1885. Rev. D. Osburn became pastor from June. 1885 until September 6, 1885, after which the church had supplies until
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November 28, 1886, when Rey. D. B. Daveran became pastor until October 7. 1889. At this time the church sheds were built and the house of worship was remodeled, free from debt. and at a cost of eight hundred dollars.
On December 31. 1891. J. E. Gregory became pastor and remained until 1803. Rev. J. Marlk was pastor until September 1, 1894. Rev. W. B. Waters was pastor from September 17. 1900, to May 31, 1903. On June 18. 1903. Rev. D. B. David came as a supply and the house of worship was improved and reopened at a cost of $500. On December 4, 10044, W. B. Waters returned and remained until July 25, 1908, when he was called to his eternal home. On Jannary 9, 1900, R. H. McConnell came as pastor for an indefinite time, on October 8, 1909. In June, 1912, Rev. Ben Wregers came and was here one year and nine months. In January, 1914. W. P. Powell came and finished out Reverend Wregers' last year. Rev. J. H. Thedson came over from district No. 9, in July. 1914. Mr. Chatman was pastor until September 1, 1914. On October 1, 1914, Rev. J. A. Shape sup- plied the pulpit until April, 1915. On May 1. 1915, Rev. B. T. Johnson came as a supply from Kalamazoo College and is still here on Sundays, covenant meetings and prayer meetings.
Death and removals have reduced the membership of the Pewamo church but the present members are enthusiastic workers. The church clerks from 1845 to 1915 have been : John .A. Millard, Henry Loomis, John Penington, Luther Welcos, A. B. Blackmer and A. Somers.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LAKE ODESSA.
The First Baptist church of Lake Odessa was organized on July 20. 1800, with the following charter members: Z. W. Carter, Adelia Carter, J. Leon Carter, Ruby M. Carter, Grace P. Carter, Grace Lapo, Ruth Nickles, Orlando J. Kenion, Alida Kenion and J. Wesley Reeder.
In the summer of 1895 work on the present building was begun and this structure was dedicated on August 25. 1895. The members of this church have been untiring in their efforts The membership at present num- bers fourteen. Rev. Charles Sherwood was the first pastor to serve the Lake Odessa congregation. Later ministers are F. Carpenter, A. Niles, H. Ren- shaw, Charles Kendall, Tilley, Donovan and J. H. Davis.
BAPTIST CHURCH OF RUSSELL.
Rev. Elbridge Cilley formed a Baptist church at the Russell school house. The members were but few in number, yet they were earnest and
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zealous, and until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, meetings were regularly held and matters prospered. The first deacon chosen was David Disinger, a worthy man, and Rev. Riley Hess was the first pastor. Myron Tupper was a preacher, but for years he pursued the labors of an evangelist. preaching here and there wherever there appeared to be need of his services. He was an energetic and ambitious servant of the Lord, and preached freely without price. He is said to have ridden thirty and forty miles of a Sunday and preached two and sometimes three sermons. After awhile he gave np evangelical work and preached steadily to the church at his home. During his term of service in 1855 there was a three-weeks revival season in the church and through the efforts of Reverend Barker, an eloquent revivalist of that day, fifty-five converts were received into the church and baptized one Sunday in Duck creek by Ekler Tupper. That occasion was a notable one in the history of the Baptist church in lonia county and drew together from far and near a great crowd of people. In 1861 the church lost many of its members and in a short time thereafter passed out of existence.
IONIA FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The organization now known as the First Presbyterian church of lonia was formed on September 30, 18.12, in Lyons. by Rev. Lemoyne S. Smith, a missionary of the American Home Missionary Society. Rev. Calvin Clark had organized a Presbyterian church in Cass township in 1839, but its exist- ence was brief. The organization of the lonia county church was effected in the building used as a court house, and the membership was composed of William Babcock, Julia Babcock, Araminta Dye, Rebecca Dye. Lucretia Webster, Mary S. Lovell. Mary Lovell and Abbey J. Lovell. On October 9. Dolly B. Overhiser and Harriet \. Bates were received by letter and on October 20, Samuel P. Hodges, Rufus Dinsmore, Robert W. Stevens, Martha Stevens, George C. Overhiser and Olivia S. Babcock were received.
On the meeting of October 20. it was resolved to call the organization the "First Congregation Church of Tonia." and on the 30th the members met in S. P. Hodge's school room for worship. when Rev. L. M. S. Smith preached. Mr. Smith was engaged as pastor and remained in charge upwards of a year. William Babcock was chosen the first deacon of the church, but how long he served does not appear. Before Mr. Smith's departure the place of worship was changed to a building near where Pickhaver & Miller's store stood, and later to where Ethan S. Johnson formerly lived, west of the Bailey House. From there they moved to the Episcopal church, which
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they used until the occupation of the First Presbyterian church edifice, in 1857.
Although the church was organized as a Congregational church, appli- cation was made in 1845 for admission to the care of the presbytery of lonia. In 1848 a release was asked from this presbytery and a union effected with the Grand River Valley Congregational Association. In 1856, connection with the latter body was severed and in 1857, the Presbyterian form of government being adopted. the church became a member of the Presbytery of Grand River Valley. On January 31, 1857. David Irish, N. Williams and Gilbert Powlinson were chosen elders, and Nelson E. Smith and John Butler. deacons.
Reverend Smith's successors in the pastorate were Rev. Winthrop Wheeler, to 1844: Rev. George C. Overhiser. to 1847; Rev. Norman Ackley, to 1849: and after a season of stated supplies to 1854, Rev. Louis Mills, to 1855. In May, 1856, Rev. R. W. Landis became the pastor, and during his terin the erection of a house of worship was commenced in 1856. The structure was first occupied on July 26, 1857, and dedicated on August 12. 1857. on which day also the Presbytery of Grand River Valley was organ- ized. Rev. Courtney Smith preached the dedicatory sermon and Rev. Will- iam F. Ferry offered the prayer. Reverend Landis remamed the pastor until 1859. and after that Revs. L. I. Root and E. D. Newberry were the suc- cessive pastors to April. 1868, Mr. Root from the spring of 1860 to July. 1861, and Mr. Newberry from the autumn of 1861 to April. 1868.
At that time there was some dissension in the church, and the result was the withdrawal of a considerable number of members, who straight- way assisted in the organization of a Congregational church. Rev. Job Pier- son was called to the charge of the Presbyterian church and. although he found matters far from prosperous, succeeded, only by energetic and zealous labor, in not only right speedily restoring a brighter and happier condition of affairs, but pushed the church interests to a greater success than they ever before had met with. Mr. Pierson labored as the church's pastor for ten years, and in July, 1878, was dismissed at his own request. Rev. Charles Foote, Mr. Pierson's successor, was a man of more than ordinary ability as runs the average of suburban pulpit teachers and in the little time he was spared to serve the church gave abundant promise of fruitful efforts. In the full flush of his usefulness, however, he was stricken with a fatal illness and died in the spring of 1879.
Rev. James Lamb became the pastor, but not until May 31. 1881, thus leaving an interim of ahost two years without a minister. Reverend Lamb
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remained until August 31, 1883. William S. Potter then became actively connected with the church on October 1, 1884, and remained until August 1. 1888. He was followed by George D. Lindsay, May 9, 1889, who served until July 19, 1891. Rev. John T. Oxtoby. D. D., served from October 27. 1891, to September 1, 1900. W. H. McPherson, April 1, 1901, to April I. 1904: W. K. Spencer, D. D., November 1, 1904. to April 12. 1914, followed by Mark L. Marshall.
On June 28, 1908, the church building was destroyed by fire. Plans were immediately launched for the erection of a new edifice which shoukl be worthy of the town and congregation. Through the untiring efforts of Reverend Spencer, with the able assistance of the members of the congre- gation, the work was rapidly pushed forward. The building committee con- sisted of William Beals, chairman; Fred Cutler, Jr., secretary ; Thane Bene- diet, assistant secretary ; Milton MeGeary, treasurer : George F. Phelps. Frank L. Taylor, Terrance Dolan, Sherman Townsend and W. K. Spencer. The architects were Clark & Munger, of Bay City. The building was completed at a cost of $30,000 and was made ready for the dedicatory services which were held on March 13. 1910. This church cannot be surpassed in beauty and simplicity in this part of the state.
This church, although starting out under adverse circumstances and encountering several storms in its voyage which for the time threatened it greatly, yet it has come through all of these unscathed and at the present time has a membership of two hundred and fifty-four.
PORTLAND FIRST CONGREGATIONAL. CHURCHI.
On February 4. 1843. Rev. L. S. Smith organized the Portland Congre- gational church with ten charter members, namely: Mrs. John Knox. B. G. Cooley and wife, Stephen Pilkinton and wife, Mrs Willard Brooks, Mrs. E. T. Bates, Mrs Nancy N. Sullivan, Mrs. Rebecca Kilborne, and D. S. Soles. In 1867 there was a dismissal of thirty-five members, who proceeded to organize a Presbyterian church under the care of Rev. Augustus Marsh. This organization existed until April, 1876 ( Mr. Marsh being continuously the pastor ), when it dissolved and its members thereupon reunited with the Congregational church. B. G. Cooley was the first deacon of the Congre- gational church which continued to prosper from the outset, and became within a few years a religious power.
The first house of worship was built in 1853, and in the summer of 1877 it was removed to the present site and materially enlarged and improved at
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an aggregate expense of $6.000. The pastors who have served the church are: L. S. Smith, Henry Root, Lewis Mills, Samuel Sessions, David Wirt. A. Marsh, L. P. Spelman, Robert G. Baird, A. H. Flecher, G. L. Maile. G. W. Bothwell. D. P. Breed, R. M. Keyes, C. W. Bird, Isaac Terborgh. Wil- mont E. Stevens, James C. Hageman. Charles 1. Taylor and William H. Skentelbury.
In 1914 an addition was built to the church which gives a parlor. Sun- day-school rooms, social rooms, dining room and kitchen. The architecture is of the New England style and cost approximately $8,000. The present membership totals ninety-seven. In addition to the regular services the church also supports a Sunday school, Christian Endeavor. Ladies' Mis- sionary Society and Guild and the latest activities to be added to the church are the Boy Scouts.
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