History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 87

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434

USA > Michigan > Kent County > History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 87

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PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church .- In the fall of 1836, 17 citizens of Grand Rapids signed an article entitled, "The Parish of St. Mark's Church." They elected Church officers, but as their ideas of statutory and ecclesiastical law were somewhat crude, the move- ment came to naught, and it is only a matter of record.

In 1838, 13 persons signed articles of association as "St. Mark's Church."" Of these 13 persons only four survive-Henry

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P. Bridge and Charles I. Walker, of Detroit, and Dr. Charles Shepard and Thomas B. Church, of Grand Rapids.

Nov. 18, 1839, the organization chose their officers, and accepted the invitation of Mrs. James M. Nelson, to meet for worship at a building on the northeast corner of Canal and Bronson streets, where is now Grennel's block.

In April, 1840, "effort was made to obtain recognition as a Church," and about the same time Charles H. Carroll and Lucius Lyon, proprietors of the "Kent plat," of the village of Grand Rapids, conveyed to the Protestant Episcopal Church a lot on the corner of Division and Bronson streets, the lot adjoining on the west being purchased by the Church, for $100, where now is the dwelling-house of Julius Berkey.

A wooden building was erected, 37x41 in size, and the deed dated April 5, 1841. This building is now used as a blacksmith shop, and is located on the corner of North Park and North Divi- sion streets.

In 1841, Rev. Melancthon Hoyt (now Dr. Hoyt, of Dakota Ter- ritory) was called to the parish, took charge of it, and the January following asked for the acceptance of his resignation. The resig- nation was accepted with much regret, and expressions of strong regard for his future welfare. May 24, 1842, Rev. Francis Cum- ing, formerly of Rochester, N. Y., and Ann Arbor, Mich., was called to the parish, and commenced his labors as rector, in . December, of that year. During Dr. Cuming's ministration the marsh, on which the church stood, was filled in and graded, the building lengthened about 20 feet, and used for nearly seven years, and finally abandoned Nov. 18, 1848.

The congregation then consecrated their present church building, which was of plain limestone, a parallelogram of the present width, and in length from the front to the side of the transept. The stone building was erected by Hilton and Winter. In 1855, it was enlarged by the addition of three transepts, and a small addition of brick in the rear for Sunday-school and vestry uses; the im- provements taking place under the personal supervision and labor of the rector. In May, 1861, Dr. Cuming received leave of absence to go with the 3d Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., to the front as its Chaplain, and the following 10th of November resigned his rectorship and ended his connection with the parish.

In July, 1863, Dr. Joseph P. Tustin assumed charge of the parish, officiating as rector until June, 1870. He was a learned man and a zealous churchman. The mission school, which had been established on the west side of the river, grew under his paternal care into St. Paul's Memorial Church, and he saw its consecration and reception of the parish into the Diocese of Michigan.

The plan of building a college, to be the property, and in the control of the parish, was projected during Doctor Tustin's minis- try; and to initiate the movement, to oversee its primary stages.

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and to lay its foundations in sound teachings and pious principle, the eloquent, scholarly and amiable Rev. Taylor was brought to the city. Doctor Clarkson, who retired from a chaplainship in the regular army, and made his home in Grand Rapids, was a patri- arch so benignant that, although his imposing presence inspired awe, his benevolence and goodness soon won him a large circle of friends.

The Rev. Samuel Earp was the next rector, and during his labors the enlargement of the chancel and attached rooms and a new arrangement of the front porch and entrances took place.

Times were now flush; men were sanguine, and assumed obliga- tions which, after the panic of 1873, were pronounced unwise. The extensive and expensive improvements of the church entailed an indebtedness of $20,000, which soon pressed so heavily on the congregation that St. Mark's parish seemed to be disintegrating, dissolving, dying!

Rev. George D. E. Mortimer succeeded Rev. Mr. Earp, and closed his labors in 1880. His piety, scholarship, zeal and sacri- fice, coupled with his uncompromising expounding of the whole truth, availed but little against the depressing agencies of debt and despair.

In December, 1880, Rev. Spruille Burford assumed the rector- ship of the parish, and during the short incumbency of his office, has placed his strong and willing shoulders under this mountain- ous mass of incumbrances and paralysis, until the light of life and joy have appeared once more, and at present the congregation is thriving and prosperous.

When Mr. Burford accepted the rectorship, a sum of $24,500 was due. Within the short period which has since elapsed, $23,- 000 have been contributed toward the liquidation of this debt. In connection with St. Mark's are the organizations known as Board of Directors of St. Mark's Home, composed of 20 ladies, St. Mark's Guild, The Industrial Band, Helping Hand and the Sewing School. St. Mark's Home for aged and infirm members of the church, was built in 1873. The property of this society is valued at $75,000, which if equally divided among its 500 mnem- bers, would yield to each $150.

The following are the churches of the denomination in the county : St. Paul's Memorial, founded on the west side, April 20, 1871; the Church of the Good Shepherd, on College avenue, Sept. 10, 1873; Grace Chapel, on LaFayette street; Cedar Springs Church, founded 1875; St. Paul's, Courtland, in 1860; Holy Trin- ity, Lowell, 1875; Christ's, Plainfield, 1851; Rockford Mission Church, 1874, and Sand Lake Church in 1875.

St. Paul's Memorial Church, Turner street, between Third and Fourth, was erected in 1869 under the supervision of Rev. J. P. Tustin, D. D., and was consecrated Feb. 2, 1870. It was organ- ized into a parish July 22, 1870, at which time Rev. Sidney Beck-

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with became rector. The membership at that time was 10. The Sunday-school was organized in 1869, with about a dozen pupils and two teachers. Rev. Sidney Beckwith resigned in 1879, and Rev. Eugene J. Babcock acted as minister in charge. In 1880, Rev A. Wetherbee, became rector. The present membership is 140. The Sunday-school is composed of four officers, 10 teachers, and 106 pupils.

The Church is free from debt, and in a prosperous condition. The value of the church and lot is $6,000.

The present officers are: Rector, Rev. A. Wetherbee; Wardens, Wm. F. Walker and Geo. S. Berry. The Vestrymen are : Alfred Crawford, Jos. Albright, M. D., James W. Hart, Charles E. Folger, and John W. Eaton. The officers of the Sunday-school comprise : Rev. A. Wetherbee, Supt. ; A. W. Johnson, Asst .- Supt. ; Wm. J. Turnbull, jr., Librarian ; and Miss G. W. Berry, Secretary and Treasurer.

LUTHERAN AND REFORMED.

First German Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Church was organized in 1856 with Rev. F. W. Richmann as first pastor, and 20 members. Meetings were first held on the corner of East Bridge and Ottawa streets until the present church èdifice was built in 1858. Following are names of pastors since organization : F. W. Richmann, 1856-'60; William Achenbach, 1860-'63 ; J. L. Daib, 1863-'70 ; August Crull, 1871-'73 ; Henry Koch, 1873 to present.

The present membership is 75. The society owns the parson- age next to the church, and the entire value of the church property is set down at $10,000. The parochial school is in charge of three teachers. This society is in a very prosperous condition with all debts paid. The expenses of Church and schools is about $3,000 per annum. The teachers employed at the present time are : Andrew Beyer, Principal ; F. W. Sellee and Miss Elizabeth Schust, of Fort Wayne, Ind. The number of pupils enrolled is 200.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, on Mt. Vernon st., was organized in August, 1880, by Rev. Fred. Miller, of Sturgis, Mich., with 25 members. The first officer was F. Faulhauber, Clerk and Treasurer. Meetings were held in Koch's block until the new church was erected. This building cost when finished $10,000, including lot. The membership at present is about 50. Rev. Mr. Miller has been the only pastor. The school in connec- tion with the Church is attended by 53 children.

The First Reformed Church .- On the 12th of August, 1840, a Church was organized at the house of Hart E. Waring, which, since greatly improved, still stands on the northeast corner of Bron- son and Ionia streets. The following 12 were the original mem- bers: Samuel F. Butler and Lydia, his wife; Hezekiah R. Osborn, and Emily C., his wife; Adelaide Waring, wife of the pastor; Billius Stocking and Mary H., his wife; George Young and Eliza,

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his wife; James S. Horton; Abraham Horton, and Daniel C. Stock- ing. The Consistory then chosen was constituted as follows: Elders, George Young and Samuel F. Butler; Deacons, H. R. Os- borne and Billius Stocking. The pastor was the president.

The Church thus organized first held its services for a year in the village school-house, a small frame building on what was then the hill on the south end of the site now occupied by Ledyard's block on Ottawa street, and next, for their greater convenience, hired, at 50 cents a week, the upper part of Col. Roberts' build- ing, still standing on the northeast corner of Fountain and Ottawa streets. There they worshiped nearly a year, next occupying for two or three months the second floor of a frame store nearly oppo- site the Rathbun House, on Monroe street.

There were then only two completed church edifices in the vil- Jage; one was located on the site now occupied by Porter's block, corner of Monroe and Division streets, which was built for the Catholics and used by them for a few years, until sold in 1841 to the Congregationalists, who had previously worshiped in the din- ing-hall of the old National Hotel, northwest corner of Monroe and Ionia streets, and later in the court-house, located on the public square, now known as the park; and the other was that of St. Mark's Episcopal church, dedicated in the spring of 1841.

At the end of the first year of the labors of Mr. Waring, the membership numbered 26, and the congregation from 40 to 75.

During the second year only two were added, but the Church had won the favor of the entire community, and the congregations were so large that, in the autumn of 1841, the necessity of secur- ing a suitable and permanent home was felt, whereupon they en- tered into negotiations for a church site near the northwest corner of Lyon and Ionia streets, then on the hill since graded down, for about $150, and immediately commenced drawing stone pre- paratory to building; but, as no building contract had yet been made, an interested party threw out a bait to them, which they unfortunately swallowed. The Kent Company, which had, since 1833, been the rival of the Grand Rapids Company, and hoped to succeed in drawing the population northward to the village plat it had laid out north of Bronson street, below the hill, to which it had given the name of " Kent," offered to donate a large lot on the southwest corner of Bridge and Ottawa streets, for a church site. Economy induced the Consistory, Jan. 3, 1841, to accept this offer, and to build, as soon as possible, on the grounds thus donated by Messrs. Carroll & Lyon, worth then probably $100.

The plan of the church edifice was at once drawn up; its di- mensions were to be "38 feet wide, 50 feet long, 10 feet clear in the basement, 20 feet in the main body;" Kendall Woodward was appointed chief architect; I. L. Wheeler, master mason; Elders George Young and Col. S. F. Butler, who was then one of the Vil- lage Trustees, also one of the County Coroners, were chosen as a building committee.

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

The material for this stone structure was taken from the bed of the river. Ground was broken for the basement April 25, and the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies.

In the autumn of that year the basement, being completed, was occupied by the Church. To obtain aid, Elder Young was sent East, and he returned with $946.93-$100 of which he had obtained by relating that Mrs. H. E. Waring had helped row across the river on the way to hold prayer-meetings in Walker. This fund, how- ever, was consumed in paying off old debts and expenses, and the main room remained as it was, the windows being boarded up.

Union meetings were held with the Methodists, who as yet had only an unfinished church building and no stationed preacher. The pastor was assisted by Rev. Larmon Chatfield, a Methodist preacher. Later, Rev. Andrew B. Taylor, who had for nearly a year been laboring as missionary, at Allegan, Mich., aided Mr. Waring in the protracted meetings held for six weeks.

Dissension crept into the society, and the pastor resigned Aug. 1, 1843, the number of the membership then being 38, the audience from 100 to 150, and a Sabbath-school of 50 scholars.

The following month, Rev. Dr. Taylor, Secretary of the Board, visited the Church, and informed the Consistory that Rev. A. B. Taylor had been commissioned to labor here as missionary for the term of six months. Mr. Taylor was an acceptable preacher and hard worker, and won the esteem of the Church and community; but several causes had conspired to hinder the progress of the Church.

The only change made in the Consistory until 1848 was the elec- tion of Elihu N. Faxon to succeed Deacon Osborn when he moved to New York in 1844.

In March, 1848, Mr. Taylor, seeing no signs of promise for the future of the Church, resigned, when Dr. Penney was asked to sup- ply the Church; but he declined. No successor being secured the Church, having a membership of 33, gradually disintegrated. At this result none could be more grieved than Elder Young, who with his wife had made such great and continuous sacrifices for its estab- lishment. Both he and Elder Butler, and also Deacon Osborn had for some time given $100 yearly to its support in those times of poverty. And now all seemed to have been in vain.

Practically the First Reformed Church is now dead; and yet during the ensuing 12 years, until its revival in 1860, there is an interest- ing history concerning it.

Elder Young interested the Holland emigration under Dr. A. C. Van Raalte, and in 1851 he organized the Holland Church in the basement of the old stone church, which they used until they built the brick church, now Van Driele's warehouse, on Bostwick street, in 1854, the Second Church having thus for more than five years used the property of the First Church, absolutely free of rent or expense of any kind, Elders Young and Butler meanwhile keeping up the property at their own expense.

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

In 1856 Elder S. F. Butler died, faithful to the end, and Elder Young was evidently extremely despondent, for he wrote to the Classis that he was about to sell the church, as he considered the prospects of resuscitating the organization very unfavorable.

The Second Reformed Church had, in 1854, obtained its first pastor, Rev. H. G. Klijn. He preached for a time in the basement of the old church, but at once urged building for themselves, and in that same year they erected the brick church edifice on Bostwick street, adjoining their parsonage.

The Second Church remained vacant until the arrival of Mr. Van de Wall, and it was therefore agreed that he should preach in English in the morning for the First Church, and in the Holland language in the afternoon for the Second. By this arrangement the congregation was large, and Elder Young was filled with sanguine expectations, because several young Hollanders now took an inter- est in the First Church; but it was soon found an unsatisfactory arrangement, and Mr. Van de Wall, being appointed to assist Rev. John Van Vleck, Principal at Holland Academy, moved to Holland, Mich., in September.

The church was completed and dedicated June 9, 1861, 19 years and one month after the placing of the corner-stone. Early in 1862, Marcus P. Brown. left the Congregational Church and attached himself to this society. Reading services were held until Pastor John Mason Ferris came in June. About the beginning of his second year the congregation vacated the old church-building and advertised it for sale, and moved into the old meeting-house, northeast corner Division and Park streets, where service was held until the end of 1866. During the war several regiments were encamped here, and in the summer of 1863, the auditorium was rented to the United States for hospital purposes, and became a scene of suffering and frequent death. Later the basement was occupied as a store-room and furniture factory for about six months, next as a ward school for about two years at $12 per month, a stated income hailed with joy by Mr. Brown, the Treas- urer, in those days of financial weakness. Later still a mission Sabbath-school was held there by others.

Rev. Ferris resigned July 1, 1865, and was succeeded by Rev. H. E. Decker. The old stone church was repaired in 1866, under the superintendence of John A. S. Verdier. Mr. Decker withdrew from the Church in September, 1867. Rev. C. Van der Veen was appointed pastor in March, 1868. Elder Young deceased in 1870. In December, 1870, Mr. Van der Veen resigned. Rev. Jacob Van der Muelen succeeded him, and continued as supply until April 28, 1872. The church was destroyed by fire, May 3, 1872.

In May, 1862, the present house of worship was bought of the Baptists for $7,000.

Rev. Mr. Moerdyk was called to the pastorate Aug. 25, and was. installed Oct. 28, 1873. This gentleman is still incumbent. The church has been remodeled and enlarged, and was dedicated Sept.

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11, 1881. The Elders are: Marcus P. Brown, Wm. Arnott, H. H. Van der Stoop and John Grootemaat. The Deacons are: J. A. S. Verdier, J. Van der Sluis, J. Snitsder and H. Vedders.

The Sunday-school officers are: J. A. S. Verdier, Superintendent; H. D. C. Vandsmus, Secretary and Treasurer ; Augustus Bartholo- mew, Librarian; H. H. Vanderstoop, Chorister; and Miss Julia E. Foren, Organist. There are 160 members belonging to the society, and 250 to the Sunday-school.

The Second Dutch Reformed Church was organized in 1850, with about 20 members. Rev. Klyn was the first pastor. The congregation first met in the building on the southeast corner of Bridge and Ottawa streets. The pastors who served the Church are as follows: Rev. Klyn, 1850 to 1857; Rev. Houbold, 1859 to 1860; Rev. Van der Meulen, 1861 to 1873, and Rev. N. H. Dosker, 1873 to present.

In 1854, the congregation erected a brick church on the west side of Bostwick street, between Fountain and Lyon streets. This building was occupied until 1869, when the present church was built, nearly opposite. It is of brick and stone, 120 x 60, and cost about $40,000 including the furniture. The present officers are : Rev. N. H. Dosker, Pastor; Elders, J. Kohe, F. Lanting, J. Van- der Velder, E. Welmers, and C. Verschoor; Deacons, P. Steketee, D. Lankerter, W. Moerdyk, C. Witman and D. Doornink. The society claims about 600 communicants. The Sunday-school in connection has 500 members.

The Christian Reformed Church was organized in 1870, by Rev Kloppenburg, with 40 members. This organization was perfected in the church on the corner of Lyon and Division streets. The present building was erected in 1872, on North Division street. This, with the parsonage on the samelot, cost $6,700. Rev. Mr. Kloppenburg was pastor until 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. Vorst, the present incumbent. The Elders are: C. Lind- hont and William Von Dike; the Deacons, B. Younker and C. Schriver, and Clerk, John Oom. There are 400 members be- longing to this Church at the present time.

The Holland Christian Reformed Church was organized March 1, 1857, by Rev. H. G. Klein, who is now a resident of Iowa. Fifty families formed the original congregation. The first officers were: Elders, G. Haan, John Geson and John Gelock; Deacons, Henry Moenman, Adrian Plums, C. Verburg and B. De Graaf. The congregation first met in the second story of Gunn's store on week days, then in Collins' Hall on Sunday. In the summer of 1867, the congregation erected a frame church on the corner of Allan and Ionia streets, which was used until the erection of a brick church building, on Spring street. This cost $4,000. . The parochial school on Williams street, which has an average attend- . ance of 100 scholars, is in connection with this Church. The pas- tors have been H. G. Klein, W. H. Van Leumen, R. D. Duiker, G. E. Boer, John Kremer and John H. Vos-the present pastor,

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who assumed charge in August, 1881. The present officers are: Elders, J. Geson, J. Gelock, C. Verburg and C. Dykstra; Deacons, A. Karreman, B. Vormsma, P. Van Houten, C. Boerendam and C. Krygen.

Some years ago, a congregation was established at Kallochs- ville, again at Jennisonville, then the East Street Church, and next Alpine Avenue Church.

PRESBYTERIAN.

The First Presbyterian Church was organized Oct. 26, 1855, with the following officers: Rev. C. Smith, Pastor; Elders, Sarell Wood, John Terhune, jr., George W. Perkins, Elihu Faxton and Henry Seymour; Trustees, John Terhune, George W. Perkins, E. Morris Ball, Boardman Noble, Sarell Wood, E. A. Faxton and A. H. Botsford. The other members were: Edward P. Camp, Martha Camp, Henry C. Marvin, Sarah Ferguson, Adelaide Waring, Mar- garet Nevins, Alson Adams, Amelia D. Farnham, Suphena R. Farnham, Mary A. Henman. Sarah M. Smith, Susan W. McIntyre, David Beebe, Sarah Beebe, Lydia Beebe, Harriet Hyde, Mary Ann Reid and Kate Terhune. The first building committee were: Sarell Wood, Boardman Noble and Benjamin Allen. The first place of meeting was at the site of the present "Novelty Works."

The present church, 90x108 feet, was erected in 1856, on the cor- ner of First and Scribner streets. Value of the Church property, $18,000; present membership, 158; present Board of Elders, Theodore F. Richards, James Dale, Adam Thomson, William B. Bennett, S. H. Ocker and Geo. McGinnis; Trustees, Geo. McGinnis, James Dale, Stephen Ocker, E. J. Hoppin, Theodore F. Richards, Harry Widdicomb and James Patterson. Pastors, from the first- Rev. Courtney Smith, 1855 to May, 1861; J. N. Ball, May, 1862, to November, 1862; Augustus Marsh, 1862 to January, 1866; J. Marsh, January, 1866, to November, 1866; E. B. Miner, Novem- ber, 1866, to March, 1868; H. H. Northrop, March, 1868, to April, 1869, and from October, 1870, to 1873; William A. Fleming, Jan- uary, 1874, to April, 1878; James Barnett, July, 1879, to July, 1881; H. P. Welton, the present pastor.

Westminster Presbyterian Church .- When this society was first organized, July 17, 1861, it was an eastern auxiliary society of the First Presbyterian Church, organized in 1855, on the west side, with Rev. Courtney Smith its first pastor and organizer. He re- mained in charge about five years, when he left for Courtland, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he now resides. He was followed by Rev. K. S. Goodman, who remained as pastor some six years. Rev. C. M. Temple took charge in 1872, and officiated three years. Rev. F. G. Kendall was the next pastor. He remained three and one- half years. Rev. D. E. Bierce, who remained 15 months, removed to his old home at Racine, Wis.

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY.

The society first met in the Swedenborgian church, northwest corner of North Division and Lyon streets. During Mr. Good- man's administration, a brick church was built on the southwest corner of Lyon and Division streets, now occupied by the Govern- ment building. This building was purchased by the Government for $14,000, and the congregation immediately erected a chapel on the corner of Island and Lagrave streets, and also built a foundation for a future church. The congregation is at present without a pastor, but will soon call to its fold an able man from the eastern shore of Michigan. The Church has a small indebt- edness, which will soon be paid. A beautiful building has been designed, and will soon occupy the site of the present chapel. The membership of the Church at the present time is 250.

THE SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH.

This society bases its worship on the teachings of Christ as under- stood by Emanuel Swedenborg. It was organized here in 1849, by Henry Weller, with Dr. Charles Shepard, Henry Dean, Robert Shoemaker, Robert Hilton, Geo. Coggeshall, J. W. Sligh, Trus- tees. The association first worshiped in a building on Canal street, rented of Ives & Luce, at $50 per year. Previous to this the re- ceivers and readers of Swedenborg's doctrine organized a society and held meetings in Irving Hall. The frame building, corner of Lyon and Division streets, was dedicated April 4, 1852. The cost of the house was $1,600. Lucius Lyon donated the lot. The society meets annually to elect trustees. The last election resulted in the choice of Dr. Charles Shepard, President; Alpha Child, Vice-Pres- ident; Lyman D. Norris, Geo. W. Thayer, Wm. N. Cook and Robt. J. Shoemaker, Board of Trustees. The Church at present is not in active operation. At intervals a missionary visits the city and,de- livers a course of lectures. The pastors since Mr. Weller's time have been George Nelson Smith and Rev. Mr. Goodner. Lucius Lyon was among the first receivers of the doctrine here.

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History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 87

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1434

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434