USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume I > Part 57
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care and education of the young people of the church. To furnish them a place for social gatherings and for wholesome entertainment "Library Hall" was built, containing a large room for gymnasium and concerts, a library and reading room, billiard room and kitchen.
In 1891, services in English were instituted for the benefit of mem- bers and to give the citizens of Monroe opportunity of becoming acquainted with the doctrines and practices of the Lutheran church. The membership had steadily increased and the old church, becoming too small, a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for a new church. In a short time $13,000 had been subscribed, and the society decided to erect a brick building on the site of the old church. On May 8, 1893, the contract was awarded to Thomas Keegan, who began work at once according to plans of Mr. Walker, of Cleveland, Ohio, and fin- ished the church in the fall. The beautiful and inspiring building, which is a credit to the builders and architecturally an ornament to the city, was dedicated to the service of God on December 10, 1893. On November 10, 1894, Trinity Lutheran celebrated her golden anni- versary, Prof. Otto Hattstaedt, of Milwaukee, a son of the former pastor, delivered the jubilee sermon, and Rev. G. Spiegel, president of the synod for Michigan, gave an address in English.
Trinity Lutheran was also active in establishing Altenheim, or "Old Folks' Home" and it was largely due to the efforts of F. C. Deinzer, Chas. E. Greening, and Rev. Carl Franke, that the Home was located at Monroe.
After a successful ministration of eleven years, Rev. Franke was forced by a serious chronic throat trouble to resign his pastorate, much to the regret of the parish. The Rev. Henry Frincke, of Lincoln, Nebraska, accepted the call and is faithfully serving the parish at this time.
Trinity Lutheran always was and is today a strong moral factor in the life of the community and has been strong in religious life, in sup- port of good government and promoting good citizenship. The last report of Secretary Meyer, shows a membership of 155 voting members, 1010 souls all told, 772 communicants and 120 pupils in the parochial school.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MONROE
Previous to the year 1830, but one Baptist was known to reside in Monroe; this was Mrs. Fannie Stoddard, who came here in that year from the East, where she had been trained under the ministry of such eminent men as Rev. B. T. Welch, D. D., and Dr. David Benedict. It was not until 1831 that another member of this denomination arrived, at which time, Deacon Samuel Stone of New York, settled in the little suburb of Monroe called Waterloo, and began to look around them for Baptist neighbors; they soon learned of Mrs. Stoddard, and these three formed the nucleus of the First Baptist church, and prayerfully resolved to assemble regularly; and "here to lift up in the name of God the banner of Christ." These meetings were faithfully continued in the home of Mrs. Stoddard, and it was here, also, that the first sermon ever preached by a Baptist minister in Monroe was delivered, which was in the winter of January, 1832. The growth of this infant church was very slow, but its members were loyal and indefatigable in their work, aided from time to time by Rev. E. B. Carpenter, and Rev. Bradbury Clay, who preached as often as their home church duties permitted. The first converts baptised were : Mr. D. Curtis and Mrs. Cynthia Skellinger on February 16, 1834, and Mrs. Joel Kellinger and Mrs. Pauline Miller, March 6, 1834, who were immersed in the waters of the River Raisin, by Rev. Mr. Clay. In November, 1833, a formal organization of the Baptist
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church took place in the old log courthouse, which had been the scene of other organizations by religious bodies, the service being conducted by Elders Powell, Randall, Lamb and Swift, and joined by Deacon Samuel Stone, D. Whitcomb, Judson Wheeler, and their wives, a total of eight members. From 1834, for several years, the church was without a pastor, but prayer and covenant meetings were regularly sustained. There were occasional supplies by Elders Bradbury Clay, Eber Car- penter, Thomas Bodley, A. Tucker and Marvin Allen. In 1836 an effort was made to provide a house of worship and a lot was purchased on the corner of First and Scott streets; owing to lack of funds and the busi- ness depression of 1837 following, this effort was unsuccessful and the frame which had been erected was removed, and the lot sold.
In 1843 the first permanently settled pastor who resided in Monroe, Rev. David Barrett was installed, and continued in the pastorate until 1846, during which many additions were made to the church, and its affairs were prosperous. At this time the society leased the brick church built by the Presbyterians at the corner of First and Cass streets, which they occupied for a few years.
In the year 1847 there came a discouraging experience to the little church, its numbers weakened and lack of interest in its welfare devel- oped and after many vain attempts to maintain an organization under the pastorate of Elder Parks the society decided to disband ; this resulted in a scattering of the congregation among other denominations. Eight years of inactivity followed during which no meetings were held except when Rev. Marvin Allen, then publisher of the Michigan Christian Herald, in Detroit, made occasional visits and preached to the faithful few who stood by their colors. Mr. Allen was mainly instrumental in reorganizing the church, which was effected in November, 1857, and recognized as a regular Baptist church by the Ecclesiastical Council February 26, 1858. Rev. Dr. Cornelius was chosen its first pastor and served about seven months; during this time the first Baptist Sunday school was organized and a church library established in the same year. In 1859 Rev. W. R. Northrup of Ohio, settled in Monroe, and became pastor of the church, at the same time supplying a number of out- stations ; his efforts were very successful in every line of church work, the membership of the church was doubled, and a great many conversions took place among the country out-stations. The membership of the church at this time was fifty-six. After another period of indifference and discouragement covering two years or more, the church took on a new lease of life, principally owing to the energetic efforts and liberality of Mr. Caleb Ives and his family who removed to Monroe from Detroit in 1864. His encouragement and financial aid enabled the society to ·erect a pleasant and commodious house of worship on Washington street, and to furnish it with all the comforts and elegancies of a modern church of the first class including a fine organ. The pastors who served the church from 1865 to 1870 were Rev. L. J. Huntley, Rev. J. Butterfield, Rev. S. J. Axtell.
In November 1870 Rev. T. M. Shanafelt succeeded to the pastorate, under whose ministrations the church enjoyed a degree of prosperity and usefulness, not equalled by it up to this time. The main portion of the church building was completed, and dedicated, a fine $1,200 pipe organ installed, and a chorus choir established under the leadership of Mr. N. W. Reynolds, which was regarded one of the best in the city. The congregations were large, the social and religious life, excellent. Rev. Mr. Shanafelt was exceedingly popular among all denominations as well as with non-church-goers; during his pastorate in this church the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater.
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He was a man of superior education and charming personality, so that when his resignation was offered to the church in 1874, it was with a sense of personal loss that the church as well as the city considered the rupture of ties such as it is the lot few pastors to have formed in a community in so short a period.
Following Mr. Shanafelt, short pastorates were held by Reverends F. N. Barlow, Taylor Crum, J. N. Lewis, David Moore, P. F. Ogden, J. A. Davies, R. H. Covert, S. Batchelor, and Otis Wheeler.
During the pastorate of Rev. F. N. Barlow, the church passed through an experience most disastrous and discouraging, occasioned by the extraordinary and wide-spread financial depression of 1875-77, which affected this church with great force, because its most liberal financial supporter, Caleb Ives, was forced to succumb to the unwonted pressure, and failed in his business enterprises-being largely interested in man- ufacturing. He subsequently removed from the city, and the church was a long time in recovering from the staggering blow which it had received. Temporary supplies have kept the church together, and on December 1, 1912, Rev. Wesley F. Dissette, who had served as supply since October, 1911, moved to Monroe with his family and became regular pastor.
EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION OF MONROE COUNTY, IN 1880
The Evangelical Association began operations in this county about fifty years ago, the first appointment being on Port creek, some ten miles south of Flat Rock, where the first missionary in the state was taken sick and died. The people being few in number and poor, the first ministers were obliged to travel over a large scope of country and preach almost daily. The circuit to which the work in this county formerly belonged extended originally from Ann Arbor to the Maumee river, and from Monroe to Adrian. On account of these circumstances the society in the city of Monroe could not be properly supplied, and finally disbanded, some joining the Methodist Episcopal church, and a few still belong to the Evangelical church in other parts of the county, and still others, having finished their course, have entered into rest.
The Evangelical church began work at Erie in 1856. The first mem- bers were Mr. M. Blouch, Sr., and wife; Mr. M. Blouch, Jr., and wife ; Miss Nancy Elliot, Thomas Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah Light, Rev. R. Spots and wife. Rev. J. Borough and wife soon moved into the neigh- borhood and visited with the church, and others.
In 1866 the society purchased the Free Will Baptist church, which is located one mile south of the north line of the township, and one-half mile east of the west line.
The society is in a healthy condition and maintains an interesting Sunday-school, at the head of which stands Mr. Holser, as the able superintendent. The school has an attendance of about eighty; church members, forty-five.
The ministers who served the churches in Monroe county, from the . beginning up to the present time, are as follows : Rev. Altmore, R. Spots, C. Munk, Shafer, D. Rosenberg, J. J. Kopp, L. George, J. Borough, G. Doll, H. B. McBride, J. Paulin, S. Copley, J. H. Keeler, D. W. Shafer, W. Remkie, A. A. Scheurer, C. S. Brown, S. Hilbert, J. A. Frye, D. P. Rumberger, F. E. Erdman, S. Heininger, H. Spitle, J. Gramley, J. J. Bernhard, J. W. Loose, B. F. Wade, F. Mueller, and the present pastor, P. Scheurer. The presiding elders who have had the general supervision of the work in the county, were C. Munk, D. Strawman, M. J. Miller, A. Nicalai, E. Weiss, J. H. Keeler, and S. Copley, the latter serving seven years in this capacity.
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YOUNG PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE MEMORIAL EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF MONROE
This church was located as the Young People's Alliance Memorial church of the Michigan conference. It was upon their request that conference located the mission. Rev. W. L. Martin being sent to Mon- roe as the first pastor, in 1905. During the month of June, 1905, two lots were purchased on the corner of Third and Harrison streets, and the District Tabernacle pitched there and services held for some days. On July 1st, a society was organized with twenty-nine charter members, and prayer meetings were held each week at the homes of the members, as it was impossible to secure a suitable place to conduct public Sunday services.
In December a building was secured at 21 E. Front street and meetings were held, in which a number were saved and united with the church, and a Sunday-school was organized with forty-two members and regular services were held then until the dedication of the new church. During the winter a building committee was elected composed of Rev. S. B. Hippard, president ; E. M. Loose, secretary; Thos. Hans- berger, Jr., treasurer. In April, 1906, J. A. Lane, contractor of Caro, Michigan, was engaged to supervise the work of erecting the new church. The church built of cement blocks, was completed and dedicated in September, 1906. This occassion was graced by the annual convention of the Young People's Alliance of the state. Bishop S. C. Breyfogel was present and officiated. The church is one of the prettiest and most attractive in the city.
Rev. W. L. Martin's pastorate ended with his fifth year and he was succeeded by Rev. E. E. Wood, who resigned after about six months of service, the remainder of the year being supplied by Rev. C. D. Finch. In June, 1911, the present pastor, Rev. Edwin G. Frye, took charge, who proceeded to the erection of a very neat and well built parsonage which stands next to the church. The growth in membership of the church has been continuous and reached the highest mark at the close of the last conference year. The congregations are large and the church prosperous.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH Contributed by Miss Katherine Ilgenfritz
In the early part of the year 1899, Christian Science was brought to the attention of a small group of persons in Monroe who began reading the text-book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy and other Christian Science literature, at first independently of one another and later they united in reading together the Lesson Sermon from the Christian Science Quarterly. The first meetings were held in private homes until September, 1900, when it was thought advis- able to hold regular services on Sunday morning and Wednesday eve- ning in a public hall for the benefit of others, who were becoming inter- ested.
The society was organized and service was held in the rooms in the Commercial building located on the corner of Macomb and Front streets Sunday, September 30, 1900. The attendance increased in numbers and interest and a Sunday school was organized.
In April, 1905, the society removed to the Triquet building, located on Second street between Macomb and Washington streets, where they remained until May of 1908, when the new Chamber of Commerce build- ing was completed and the rooms on the second floor looking north and
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east on the river have provided a pleasant and commodious Christian Science hall, well adapted to the needs of the society up to the present time. The room is also used as a reading room open to the public two afternoons in the week.
Two lectures on the subject of Christian Science have been given to the public by members of the Board of Lectureship of the Mother church in Boston, Massachusetts, under the auspices of the Monroe society.
THE MONROE COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY
was organized in Monroe in February, 1820, by the following citizens of Monroe and immediate vicinity : Col. John Anderson, Dr. Harry Conant, Col. Oliver Johnson, Jeremiah Lawrence, Thomas Wilson, David Jacobs, Timothy E. Felt, Luther Smith, William Goodale, Henry Dis- brow, Wolcott Lawrence, Samuel Felt, Joseph Farrington, John Cook, Charles Noble, William A. Town, and Luther Harvey. The first meeting was held in the court room of the courthouse, which occupied the south- west portion of the public square, slightly north of the present site of the Presbyterian church. The membership fee was fixed at fifty cents, which upon resolution of the society could be paid either in cash, wheat or corn, as should best suit the convenience and means of members; the grain to be disposed of by the directors to the best advantage and the proceeds deposited in the treasury of the society. Notwithstanding the very great difficulties that surrounded this attempt to establish the work of spreading the gospel among the scattered families of the settlements, the lack of money to carry on such a work, the indifference of some, and the opposition of others, such was the perseverance and ardor of the founders, that the society prospered and became a most useful factor in establishing a religious sentiment as a forerunner; and adjunct to the formation of churches and Sunday-schools in the county.
The entire county was thoroughly canvassed and a copy of the Bible was placed in every family that would receive it. Auxiliary societies were organized in many of the townships and a systematic effort made to provide every family with a copy either of the Bible or the New Testa- ment. During the year 1835, two thousand three hundred and twenty Bibles and Testaments were distributed by the society and its auxiliaries. Its work was vigorously extended into the adjoining counties of Wayne, Washtenaw and Lenawee. Within five years, more than seven thousand Bibles and Testaments were distributed among the families in this territory.
Notwithstanding the auspicious beginning of this society, which 'lacked but four years of the age of the great American Bible Society, and its half a century of great usefulness and activity, it gradually declined, until in 1890, it appears to have vanished altogether and no evidence now remains of its existence.
THE ALTENHEIM, (OLD FOLKS' HOME)
This admirable institution was established in Monroe some twenty years ago by citizens connected with the Lutheran denomination in Monroe, Adrian, Detroit and Wyandotte. The association was incorpo- rated under the laws of Michigan and proceeded to select a site for its permanent home. There was quite a spirited contest by members living in the four towns represented to secure the location, in which J. H. Kurz, F. C. Deinzer, Chas. E. Greening and others in Monroe were quite active in efforts to have this city designated for the site. Their efforts were successful and the Northrup property on Monroe street, near the southern
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city line was chosen and purchased and a convenient and commodious structure was erected. The career of this beneficent institution has been successful, under careful and judicious management and the beauti- ful grounds and substantial buildings are an added attraction of that part of the city. At the annual meeting of the association in Monroe in the spring of 1912, there were represented delegates from seventeen Lutheran congregations. The reports of trustees and other officers showed that the past year had been a prosperous one and that progress had been made in all the lines along which the Home is working; every- thing is in splendid condition. With property valued at $27,442.95, there is but a small incumbrance not exceeding $450.
The meeting was presided over by the president of the society, Rev. R. Smukal, of Detroit. Among the statistics given by him were : Present number of inmates, 51, of whom 25 are men and 26 women; during the year seven were admitted, while twelve were lost through death and for other reasons.
Financial Secretary Adam Wagner, of Monroe, read his annual report which showed aggregate receipts of $9,647.79 for the past year and expenses of $9,205.84, leaving a balance of $241.95. The cash contribu- tions from the congregations comprising the society amounted to $921.01.
While during the year the directors had been authorized to take steps toward the erection of a commodious addition to the building, the board had not exercised this authority, preferring to defer action until such time as the need for enlargement becomes more urgent.
The election of officers resulted in the choice of the following : President, Rev. R. Sinukal, Detroit; Vice President, Fred C. Deinzer, Monroe; Director, Julius Knak, Detroit.
Votes of thanks were extended to the Ladies' Aid Society of the Altenheim, the Ladies' Committee, the physicians of Monroe for gratu- itous services, and to Rev. H. Frincke, of Trinity Lutheran congregation, for acting as spiritual advisor.
THE MONROE HOME FOR BLIND BABIES AND GENERAL HOSPITAL
This worthy institution was established in January, 1910, by the society for the care and training of blind children, under the direction of some of the charitable and benevolent people of Monroe, prominent among whom were Hon. Carl Franke, judge of probate; Miss Helen Boehme, Mrs. W. VanMiller, Miss Jenny T. Sawyer and others to whose active efforts and painstaking interest is due the successful inauguration and maintenance of this meritorious provision for the care and comfort of unfortunates. It is national and unsectarian in its scope, being affiliated with the International Sunshine Society of New York.
The Society in Michigan first took form in Monroe, when the pressing need for an institution of this kind was made manifest by an incident of unusual nature. Foundlings are not uncommon in every city, but a totally blind baby left to the tender mercies of strangers of unsympa- thetic and unchristian impulses, is by no means of frequent occurrence, but in this case the mute appeal to the best in human nature was met by a warm response. The event in Monroe was the leaving upon the doorstep of a warm-hearted family, of a two-weeks-old blind baby, which aroused the entire community to a painfully realizing sense of the neces- sity for some proper place for a helpless blind child deprived of its natural home. The state makes no provision for blind children under seven years of age, the period when they most need the careful nurture, medical care and judicious education. This Monroe home is fortunate in being specially equipped for receiving and caring for blind babies, Vol. I-29
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and fostered by people of cultivated tastes and sympathetic natures, as well as by men of business judgment and ripe experience. Parents who have blind, crippled, nervous and backward children will best realize what a blessing such a home as this is, offering even better, because expert care which is impossible in the family home.
The society in 1912 purchased the residence and grounds of Mrs. Julius Weis on Vine and Fremont streets which are large, pleasant and commodious, admirably adapted to the purpose and have fitted them up in a most attractive manner, and equipped the patients' apartments and the operating room with every comfort and surgical appliances neces- sary to a perfectly appointed hospital and sanatorium. Receiving no state financial aid, the management is dependent upon the voluntary contributions of the generous, humane and charitable public. The home has the official endorsements of the State Board of Charities and Correc- tion. The officers and trustees of the society are as follows: Hon. Carl Franke, president, judge of probate; Rev. Chas. O'Meara, vice-president, rector Trinity church ; Miss Helen Boehme, secretary; Miss Jenny T. Sawyer, treasurer, secretary Civic Improvement Society ; J. S. McMillan, superintendent, president McMillan Printing Company; B. Dansard, Jr., cashier B. Dansard & Son's State Bank; George A. Amendt, presi- dent Amendt Milling Company ; Mrs. W. Van Miller, president Civic Improvement Society ; Wilbur F. Ilgenfritz, president I. E. Ilgenfritz' Sons Company.
CHAPTER XXXV THE MASONS AND ODD FELLOWS
MASONRY IN MICHIGAN-MONROE'S FIRST GRAND LODGE-FIRST LOCAL LODGE-FIRST WORTHY MASTER, SENECA ALLEN-MONROE LODGE NO. 27-DUNDEE LODGE NO. 74-MONROE COMMANDERY NO. 5, No. 4 AND No. 19-ROYAL ARCH MASONS-LODGES OUTSIDE THE CITY-HONORS TO MONROE MASONS-FIRST ODD FELLOWS LODGE-LINCOLN LODGE No. 190, I. O. O. F.
The full and exact number of the secret societies of Monroe is made up from the latest information received from the secretaries, up to the time of the publication of this history : Monroe Commandery of Knights Templar; Monroe Lodge of F. & A. M .; German Workingmen's Asso- ciation; Knights of Pythias; Valentine Lodge No. 209, Knights of the Maccabees; Custer Tent No. 116, Catholic Knights and Ladies of Amer- ica ; Lotus Lodge; Degree of Honor; German Aid Society; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Monroe Lodge No. 19, German Beneficial Order; Monroe Council No. 1266, Knights of Columbus; St. Michael's Com- mandery No. 93; Knights of St. John, Monroe Camp No. 8066; Modern Woodmen of America; Royal Arch Masons, River Raisin Chapter No. 22; Order of Eastern Star, Monroe Chapter No. 266; Pythian Sisters, Monroe Temple No. 85; Ladies of the Maccabees, Floral City Hive No. 519; Ladies of the Maccabees, O. T. W. Lotus Monroe Hive No. 60; Ladies Catholic Benefit Association, Monroe Branch No. 587; all of these have well appointed lodge rooms either independently, or jointly with others.
MASONRY IN MICHIGAN .*
Organized masonry has a history in Michigan dating back to the year 1764. Historical material accumulated around the mystic temple of the order, unfortunately not in a consecutive record, nor preserved in per- manent forms, but it has existed in fragmentary papers and documents, which has necessitated, on the part of the historian, no little research and persistent labor to rescue the mass of material from permanent loss, and to prepare it in a form to establish facts, dates and historical landmarks in the true order of masonic chronology.
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