USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 38
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SARANAC FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Congregational church of Saranac was organized in the autumn of 1871. in the edifice owned by the Baptist society, by Rev. D. L. Eaton, of Lowell. The organizing members included E. J. Turner and wife, Nelson Pratt and wife. J. N. Barbour and wife, Mrs. A. Houghton, Mrs. Mary E. Young. Mrs. Los E. Jones, Mrs. A. O. Wadsworth, Mrs. S. Smith, J. W. Lindsay and wife, E. A. Richards and wife and Mrs. D. M. Huntley. Mem- bership was at once sought with the Grand River association and Mr. Eaton engaged as pastor. He preached two years and was succeeded by Rev. S. E. Busser, who remained two years and was succeeded by Rev. S. E. Shaw, who was in charge nearly three years. Then came Rev. James A. Mckay. The Sunday school was organized in 1872, in which year a house of wor- ship was built, services having been held up to that time in the Baptist church. The school was in charge of E. A. Richards, who was assisted by a corps of seven teachers.
The church passed through a varied experience and in the course thereof has been called upon to struggle against adverse circumstances that sorely weakened it and threatened dissolution. The difficulties, however. were bravely met and surmounted and latterly there has been a steady and pros- perous growth. The ministers who have served the church since Reverend Mckay are: J. A. Watts. J. O. S. Worden, William Lindsey, William DePug. G. A. Wain. W. A. Flint, T. G. Baxter. A. Choates. H. C. Snyder, J. E. Teilford. 11. J. Barnes, F. P. Sprague, J. A. Bushnell. R. N. Pool,
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R. L. Wutz and E. Wooley. The church has a membership at present of thirty-five, with an active Sunday school.
CLARKSVILLE COUGREGAATIONAL CHURCH.
The Congregational church of Clarksville was organized on January 7. 1804, with sixty-six charter members. The time had become ripe for the organization of a Congregational church in this village and it became strong from the start. The first services were held in Scoville hall, but it was only a short time until plans were on foot for a new building. This was soon rushed through and on December 23, 1894. it was dedicated to the worship of God. Rev. J. W. Arney was the first pastor and was instrumental in placing the church on a firm basis.
The list of pastors who have served the church up to the present time is as follow : D. S. Arnold. J. B. Lully, William H. Flint. C. J. Taylor. J. W. Stacey. R. W. Bush. C. W. Clemo, Charles Carrick. W. Parker, Reverend Baker, Reverend Adler and E. Woolley. This congregation has experienced both prosperity and reverses, and at present is in a fairly good condition. The membership at present numbers thirty-five persons.
BELDING FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The First Congregational church of Belding was organized on Decem- ber 27, 1892. There were forty-three members in the class which organized this society and which made up the charter members. The first officers of the church were: Walter J. Hills, clerk: William E. Fisher, treasurer : Charles W. Putney and C. G. Loase, deacons: Robert M. Wilson, D. E. Wilson, H. 1 .. VauBenschoten, W. J. Hills and C. W. Crosby, trustees ; Nancy J. Mclaughlin, superintendent of Sunday school; W. J. Hills, assist- ant superintendent. The church building was erected at the corner of Wash- ington and Pearl streets. This was a frame structure thirty-six by seventy- eight feet and although this building is still serving the church it has been greatly improved by the installation of a $3.500 pipe organ and the interior of the church has been remodeled and redecorated. The congregation has also erected a beautiful parsonage. The entire church property is now valued at $12,000.
This church and society was formerly the Christian church and estab- lished in 1870. The first pastor of the latter church was Rev. E. Mudge. who was followed by Rev. D. E. Millard. This became the Congregational
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church in 1892, and all of the members of the Christian body voted to make the change. Among the first deacons of the Christian church were George A. Phillips. Richard Ellis and E. S. Jenkins, and it numbered among its early pastors Rev. William Buell and Rev. W. D. Clark.
The first pastor to serve this congregation as the Congregational society was Charles 1. Deyo, who served from 1892 to 1895. The pastors who have followed Reverend Deyo are as follow: B V. Childs, 1895-98: John J. Staley, 1898-1902: J. E. Butler, 1902-04: Albert Seerd, 1904-07; N. J. Myers, 1907-00: Edrie Collins, 1900-13, and the present incumbent, Allan J. Blair, who took charge of the congregation in 1913.
This congregation is in a flourishing condition and has at present a membership of one hundred and seven. It also supports a well-organized Sunday school and active societies, as follow : Christian Endeavor, Ladies' Social Circle, Missionary Society and Brotherhood.
IONIA CHURCH OF CHRIST.
During the summer of 1858 Elder Isaac Erret, who was at that time pastor of the Church of Christ at Muir, exchanged pulpits with Elder Lan- (lis. the Presbyterian pastor.
In the fall of 1858 Elder Erret held a protracted meeting in the Pres- byterian church. He preached the gospel as he understood it, and from the old Jerusalem standpoint. The leaders of the Presbyterian church became alarmed at what they considered the heresy of his doctrine, and the manifest disposition in some of their best members to accept his conclusions. From that church came as charter members the Powlisons, the Hosfords and Mrs. Marion Bliss.
Elder Erret preached the gospel in its simplicity and purity, with free- dom from mysticism and confusion, so that a wayfaring man could under- stand the way of salvation. The meeting was continued in Merritt's hall, on the ground now occupied by Dean & Eyster's grocery store; and on the 24th of January, 1859, the lonia Church of Christ was organized with forty- three members.
Soon after the organization of the church in Merritt's hall, they occu- pied the old Episcopal church, now used for a chapel. Brother Erret held Sunday service here in the afternoon. During the first year, in Erret's absence. Elder Eli Regal. a very able and eloquent man, occupied the pulpit most of the time. Benjamin Preston was one of the first elders, and did noble work in the care of the church. The next move was to the Baptist
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church, in the summer of 1859-the old one which was moved away to give place to the present building.
During the years of Elder Erret's pastorate the attendance never flagged ; houses usually filled to overflowing. Besides preaching here, he heldl meet- ings in Easton, in the Dildine. Goodwin and Welch school houses, as well as in Orleans, with very many additions. Late in 1859 the congregation again moved, this time to Smith's hall. in the third story above the store now occupied by Bert Lampkin. During the winter of 1859-60 Brother Erret held a series of meetings in this hall, remarkable for the attendance and results. In 1860 they moved into Dye's hall, the room now occupied by Beattie's shoe store. In the winter of 1860-61 the pastor held a protracted meeting in this hall, which was largely attended and fully as deep in interest as in former years, as was the meeting the following year. 1861-62. It was in this hall that James A. Garfield and Harrison Jones were heard.
In the early part of 1863 Eller Erret's labors were such that he could not remain longer as a pastor, and while he was often with this congregation for a longer or a shorter time he gave up the charge of the church to Brother J. B. Crane ( deceased), who remained a year and was succeeded in 1864 by W. B. Hendrix ( deceased ), who remained two years. I 1864 they occupied Amphlett's hall, over the present Beattie shoe store. It was in this hall that Professor Hinsdale, of Hiram College, held a series of meetings. In 1866 Bayard's hall was used for meetings and later the old Methodist church. Elder W. R. Spindler assumed the pastorate of the church in June. 1866, and remained two and one-half years. In the year 1867 and part of 1868 the church occupied Union hall, over the Stevenson store. As early as 1864, through the activity of Sister Marion Bliss (now Mrs. Grimshaw ) and Brother Benjamin Harter, the lots were purchased on which the church now stands. In the continual removals the members were hoping and plan- ning for a resting place. They had used every hall and church in the town. After a great deal of personal sacrifice and labor the society was able to so far complete the present building as to occupy the basement in 1868.
Ekler O. Ebberts commenced his labors in September. 1869. and remained one year. He held a very successful meeting, with over one hun- dred additions. Brother L. R. Gault ( deceased ) came to lonia as a pastor in September, 1870, and remained seven years; he was a man of ability and had the good will and esteem of the entire community. It was during his administration and on the igth of January, 1873, that the church buikdl- ing was dedicated. Brother Isaac Erret was present and preached the ser- mon on this occasion, Eller A. S. Hale ( deceased ) succeeded L. R. Gault
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in 1877, and remained two and one-half years. He was followed by Elder Kemp (now dead), who remained until September, 1882. In December. 1882. Elder Enos Campbell was settled here. Ile was the ripest Bible scholar that ever came to this church, having been in early life a student under Thomas and Alexander Campbell, and their contemporaries. He removed to Minneapolis, where he died. In September, 1883, Elder R. S. Groves ( deceased ) took his place and remained until December, 1886.
During this period of fourteen years ending with 1887 the church lost some of its valued members by death, with some important additions from other places, among them J. H. Tubbs and family, from New York; the Henry Hubbell, Henry Cheeney and Ambrose L. Smith families, from Woodard Lake: Duncan Robertson and G. A. Willet having come earlier. During the early part of 1887 the congregation was without a pastor. Dur- ing this period 1. N. Early, of Kentucky, preached for the church for some two months, followed by Martin, the evangelist, and Moore, of New Castle, Indiana.
In the spring of 1887 W. 11. Scott was engaged as a permanent pastor and remained about ten years. The church was prosperous during those years. Brother Scott was very popular with the people at large, and had the reputation of officiating at more funerals and weddings than any other minister in the county. During this period two very important revival meetings were held. The first with Evangelist Parsons in 1888-80, and the second in 1805. held by J. V. Updyke, with Brother Easton as singer. The result of the Updyke meeting was the addition of two hundred and fifteen to the church. In 1892, largely through the effort of Mrs. Engene Smith, the pipe organ was placed in the church, at a cost of $1,800.
After the Updyke meeting the church building seemed too small for the congregation and an addition was placed on the west side, at an expense of $2.565. of which the Ladies' Aid Society contributed $800. Arthur Hall superintended the erection of this annex.
After the resignation of Brother Scott, in the spring of 1807, the church was withont a pastor for some months. During the interim the following preachers occupied the pulpit : H. B. Taylor, of New York. now of Denver : A. M. Atkinson, of Wabash, Indiana, father of the Ministerial Relief Society : Doctor Clark, of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky: J. H. Garrison, Christian evan- gelist. of St. Louis, Missouri: Brother Growden. of Clarksville, Tennessee ; E. B. Bagby, of the city of Washington, and F. F. Cook, of Nebraska. In November, 1897. G. W. Berry was placed in charge of the church and remained until October, 1900. In January, 1899, D. R. Lucas, of Indiana-
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polis, then national chaplain of the Grand Army of the Republic, held a three-weeks meeting. I 1000, after G. K. Berry left, the pulpit was filled, in October, by Brother Orcutt, of Indianapolis: Brown, of Milwaukee, and MeNeal, of Ohio. A. B. Griffith was installed as pastor in November, 1900, and remained until March, 1902.
In December. 1901, the Wilson and Huston meeting was held. In the interim between pastorates in 1902. Brothers Rose, of Indiana: Renshaw and Crossfieldl, of Kentucky, and Muckley, of Missouri, filled the pulpit. In September, 1902, W. B. Taylor, of Chicago, came and remained until the last of August. 1905. resigning to take a professorship in Bethany College. West Virginia. In the fall of 1905 the congregation was accorded the pleasure of hearing Frank Taylor, as well as Brother Jordan, of Rockford. Illinois: Reed, of Spencer, Indiana: Kindred. of Chicago, and Purdy, of Coates Grove, Michigan. Rev. G. W. Moore took control in January, 1906. and served until October 15. 1911. George \. Reinhart came the second Lord's day in May, 1912, and remained until December 31, of the same year. R. B. Chapman accepted this charge the last Sunday in August, 1913, and is still laboring in the interests of this congregation.
BELDING CHURCH OF CHRIST.
The Church of Christ Society at Bekling was organized on August 15. 1903, and incorporated on December 19, of the same year. There were twenty-six members in the class which organized this church and are respon- sible for the building which was erected at the corner of Bridge and Center streets. This was a frame structure which was begum October 1. 1903, and opened for services on April 1, of the following year, although it was not dedicated until April 24. The first pastor was W. H. Kindred, who served from July 12, 1903, to June 1, 1904. The pastors who have served the congregation since that time are: F. J. Porter, June 26, 1904, to July, 1905: J. C. Meese, July 1, 1905. to September, 1907: (. W. Winter, October 6. 1907, to January 3, 1910: J. 1 .. Bussing, January 24, 1910, to October 13. 19)11 ; Mrs. A. L. Benedict, October 27, 1911, to December 7, 1913, and the present pastor, Charles M. Please, who began his pastorate on March 1, 1914.
In the summer of 1914 the church building was remodeled and redec- orated and an addition was also built to the rear of the church, which was converted into a kitchen. The church is growing and it can truly be said that it has always been a flourishing congregation with a membership at present of one hundred and twenty. An active Sunday school of over one
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hundred and sixty members, a growing Christian Endeavor Society, and a Ladies' Aid Society are auxiliaries of the church.
MUIR CHURCHF OF CIFRIST.
The Muir Church of Christ, or Disciples of Christ, was organized on September 7. 1856. The following were the charter members of this con- gregation : . A. L. Sonle, Sophia M. Soule, Isaac Errett, Harriet Errett, R. L. Robinson, Hanmah M. Robinson, A. B. Robinson, AAnnette Soule, Julia 1. Soule, A. L. Soule, Jr., Julius M. Soule, Clara M. Everestt (now Mrs. Spaulding ). Frederick Everestt, Jay Baker. Sarah Baker, Sarah Jane Mc- Kelvey, Ephraim Hatfield, Mary Hatfield, Solomon Slanker, Hannah Slan- ker, John Little, Lorna Little, Catharine Little and Isaac Moore.
The church building is located on Garden street, in Muir, and was erected in 1861 and 1862, at a cost of $3.215.06. Rev. Isaac Erret was the first pastor, and he was succeeded by Isaac A. Wilcox, O. Ebert, J. Lagrange, M. P. Hayden, G. J. Ellis, H. A. Palister, D C. Hanselman, R. M. Ams- worth, John A. Brenenduhl. William Ward, N. L. Sims, A. N. Cooper, H. N. Stephenson, Sterling G. Rothermel, F A. Shape, and C. M. Keene, who is the present pastor.
In 1916 this church has a membership of eighty-five. They have a Ladies' Aid Society, a live Sunday school and a Bible study class for teachers.
LAKE ODESSA UNITED BRETHREN CHURCHI.
In 1866 Rev. Michael Morthland organized a United Brethren class in "the school house on section 29. Odessa township, and received the following members: Ephraim Bretz. Philip Wachs and wife, Thomas Cooley and wife. Isaac Mower and wife. The class leader was Isaac Mower, and the first preacher was Mr. Morthland, who held services once a fortnight. Besides Mr. Morthland, the pastors of the church have been Revs. S. Fergu- son. G. W. Fast. G. S. Lake, W. T. Baldwin. James Carter, P. H. Mower, D. H. Shelley. W. Duryea and W. N. Breidenstein. The class-leaders have been Isaac Mower, Henry Bever, Richard Baker and Solomon Foght. In 1873 the society built a neat church edifice on section 20, at a cost of $2,400.
The Lake Odessa United Brethren church was organized in 1892 with the following charter members: P. A. Wachs and wife, Lulu Wachs, Mr. and Mr -. Abel Byrester. Julia Byrester, Christopher M. Eristberger, Henry
(27)
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Root and wife, Henry Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers, Mr. and Mrs James Bell, Mr. and Mrs, Orris Cooley, Henry Bowers, Pauline Shurnway Rosa Watkins, Jacob Beard, Hannah Rush. Dora Baxton and E. M. Rob- erts.
This church is the outgrowth of two societies known as the Myers Meeting House of the United Brethren in Christ, which was organized in 1851. This congregation built a frame building and dedicated the same on November 12, 1854, with Jacob Garber officiating. The other society was the West Odessa, the history of which was given in the opening paragraph. James Nixon was the first minister at the Myers meeting house, while J. W. Myers officiated first at the Lake Odessa church.
The ministers who have served the Lake Odessa congregation since its organization are B. H. Mowers, J. L. Lakes, L. A. Durber. M. F. Scanten. W. D. Statton, H. J. Green. 1. 1. Bicknell, Eli Good. O. L. Mease. E. B. Yost, J. A. Davis and J. E. Edwards, the present pastor, The church building is located at the corner of Main and Fourth streets, Lake Odessa. and was constructed in 1895 at a cost of $3.200. The past year has been one of the best since its organization. There were sixty-six conversions, which raised the total membership to one hundred and thirty-two. Active auxiliaries of the church are the Sunday school, Junior Society, and Young Peoples Christian Endeavor.
MAATHERTON UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The Matherton class of the United Brethren church was organized first on January 8, 1857, as a point in the Gratiot mission. At this early organi- zation H. W. Marsh was leader; W. H. Stone, pastor. and C. B. Patterson, steward. The organizing members were H. W. Marsh. C. B. Patterson. Susan Stone, W. Il. Stone, Garry C. Fox, Cynthia Fox, Sophia A. Parme- lee. Chester Warner, Laura P'. Marsh, Amanda Satterlee and Susan John- son.
In 1879 this society was reorganized as a separate charge and the fol- lowing were among the organizers: N. P. Johnson. S. Sefsion. P. Dommy. S. Dommy, N. Whitman, Mary Jessup. A. Jessup. J. Bennett, Ed Jessup. Jane E. Haight, William Stewart, E. Stewart, H. Fob, Mary Hopkins. P. Mills. M. A. Millis, 1 .. Loomis, O. Loomis, J. B. Coons, W. Baldwin, R. Baldwin, 1. Leonard, William Campbell. William Leonard, C. Clark and Ml. Clark. P. M. Crips was the first pastor to serve this congregation. He was followed by Revs. Watson, Bowles, Babbitt, Eymers. G. A. Bowles, D. C.
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Fleming. Miller. L. A. Kendall, 1 .. Spalding, F. Lanning, G. A. Bowles, J. S. Beers, 1 .. Stevens, A. J. Shultz. B. 1. Kinny and E. W. Dettweiler.
The present building was erected at the time the second society was organized. in 1879. It is a frame structure and was completed at a cost of $1,000. This congregation is in a prosperous condition at the present time and has an active membership of sixty-four.
IONIA EVANGELICAL, CHURCII.
The Ionia Evangelical church was formed in 1859 by Rev. Mr. Krieger, with twenty members, and a church was built on Washington street in 1866. in the city of Ionia. It is a lamentable fact that the early records concern- ing the organization of this church have been lost, and it is impossible to gather a great amount of the early history. In 1869 L. Herme took charge of this congregation. The church was originally exclusively German, but it has automatically become English, and the sermons are now preached in the English language. The ministers who have served this congregation since Reverend llerme, are W. Riemke. F. Sweitzer, J. G. Ilaller, C. Ude, F. Mueller, B. Bittner, F. Klump, H. Schneider, C. C. Webber, C. C. Staffeld, George Koeller, E. G. Frye, W. B. Currier, J. R. Niergarth, D. C. Ostroth, C. N. Lymun, and the present incumbent, C. F. Giese.
This congregation is the only one of the Evangelical denomination in lonia county. It has received excellent support from the members in this county and has experienced a prosperous growth. The present church build- ing was erected in 1885, at a cost of $8,000. It is constructed of brick and is located on Washington street, between Third and Denter streets. The membership numbers one hundred and fifty at the present time. This con- gregation also supports a strong Sunday school, Young Peoples' Alliance, Junior Alliance, Ladies' Aid Society and Evangelical Brotherhood.
IONIA GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran church of lonia was organized late in the sixties of the last century. Its early history is not unlike many congregations of those times. Faithful perseverance in a devoted cause over- came seemingly insurmountable obstacles and finally was crowned with well- carned success.
F. Niethammer, J. Her, M. Moll, H. Bauer and J. Bundenthal are names of Lutheran church pioneers that the records show to have been
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active in looking to the welfare of the small band in those early days of toil and struggle when divine services were held subject to short notice in dwell- ings or any available assembly place. Though their names occupy but small space in the records, they are written large in the hearts of grateful parishioners; though now passed to their eternal reward they are not for- gotten but often mentioned when the early days of joys and sorrows are reviewed in fond remembrance. For a time the congregation worshipped in Firemen's hall, that old landmark which formerly occupied the site of the present city hall. The congregation erected its own church building on North Jefferson street and dedicated it on the 7th of November. 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hass, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Karl Holtz, Mrs. C. Giermann, Mr. and Mrs. William Wodrich and Karl Krueger still take an active interest in the church that they helped build. Rev. Herman Speckhard was the first resident pastor, taking charge in 1885.
In compliance with one of the plain commands of God to parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, a paro- chial school was organized with that object in view at the earliest opportun- ity. The Lutheran church lays particular stress upon the education of its children, even to the extent of obligating its pastors to take charge of the instruction of children in a Christian school in case the congregation be unable to fully equip the school. A suitable parish school house was pro- vided in 1885, and since 1880 the school has been in charge of graduates of the Lutheran Teachers' Seminary. of Addison, Illinois, able men who make teaching their life vocation. Leonard Appold, O. Ulrich. Hugo Meyer, (). L. Wissbeck, R. A. Siegel and A. C. F. Winges have successively con- ducted the school, which is in a flourishing condition.
Rev. B. Henry Succop, the present pastor, was installed in October. 1804. His parish numbers one hundred and fifty families, three hundred communicants, the school has an enrollment of over fifty pupils. Ladies', young people's societies and other auxiliaries are actively engaged in their respective fields.
The congregation is closely affiliated with the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran church, which was founded in Chicago in 18447, when sixteen con- gregations and twenty-two pastors effected an organization in strict con- formity with God's word, as explained in the Lutheran Confessions: all articles of faith to be decided by the Bible alone, all other matters to be decided in Christian liberty and charity. It was the intention of the found- ers to lay down these rules for their own guidance. In spite of predicted
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early failure the Missouri Synod has experienced a remarkable increase, standing today as the largest of the numerous Lutheran church bodies in territory as well as in numbers of congregations, communicants and pastors. The Missouri Synod attributes its wonderful success solely to the grace of God. by virtue of which it was able to maintain unswerving fidelity to sound Lutheran doctrine and practice so plainly enunciated in the Lutheran Con- fessions, foremost among which stands the Augsburg Confession of 1530, the first public document on record to formulate that tenet, so highly import- ant in the United States: "A free church in a free land."
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