USA > Michigan > Montcalm County > History of Montcalm County, Michigan its people, industries and institutions...with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families Volume I > Part 31
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church. The next pastor was Reverend Spencer, who was followed in Janu- ary. 1877, by A. W. Walterman. Fourteen members were added during the following year, of which two remain, Mr. Edbergh and Mrs. Walling.
Rev. J. J. Monroe came to the church in 1878 and was ordained here on July 2, of that year. The next year the church was reorganized, but the record of the following ten years was destroyed in the fire of 1889, so a part of this history is taken from memory rather than record. However, the following pastors served in order: Rev. Mr. Frazier, Charles Baker, J. Spooner, Mr. Service, Charles Oldfield, Reverend Welker began a good work but his health failed him and he died shortly after leaving the field. Rev. G. A. Ames came to the field on October 1, 1890, and continued two and one- half years. A Rev. Miller supplied the pulpit three months and then Rev. Charles Oldfield again served the church. In August, 1893, Bro. A. M. Conklin was granted a license to preach. He made the best of his oppor- tunities and rendered the denomination a true service. He is now a field worker in the White River Association, where he has built five churches. Rev. William Templemen was called to the church in May. 1898, and remained a year and a half. Rev. J. H. Carstens came in March, 1900, and served acceptably one year. The church was then closed for much needed repairs. In the latter part of July, 1901. a call was extended Rev. W. H. Belfry to become pastor. It was accepted and he is now on the field.
There is not time or space to tell the story of the heroic effort and sacri- fice that has made and preserved this organization. Great credit is due J. R. Abbott, Mrs. C. A. Vandenbergh and others who have for so many years carried the burden of responsibility and given their time and service. There are now twenty-two members in the church. A spirit of unity prevails and the finances are in a satisfactory condition. Services are held every Sunday both morning and evening, and prayer meeting every Thursday night. All are fairly well attended. The Baptist church in belief does not differ materially from some others. They accept the Bible as the inspired word of God. They believe in the ordinances which are instituted in the New Testa- ment and none others. They have no creed. no catechism, nothing to sub- scribe to except faith in Christ and in his teaching. They are independent in government and preach a full gospel.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GOWEN.
The First Baptist church of Gowen was organized in 1880 with Rev. N. P. Barlon serving as first pastor. The church is a neat frame building
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constructed in 1880 at a cost of $1,500. The following named pastors have officiated up to the present time: N. P. Barlon, Mr. Osgood, Mr. Calla- han, Cole Van Gandt and A. J. Niles. Rev. C. M. Baker is the present pastor. The church was reorganized in February, 1909, by Mr. Hudson, a state missionary. Their present membership numbers seventeen.
BAPTIST CHURCH OF ENTRICAN.
The Entrican Baptist church was organized on April 15, 1882, with the following charter members: Samuel and Margaret Steele, Charles and Martha Blumberg, G. W. Evans and wife, Catherine Lamb, Simon Cummins and wife. Era Steele, Julia Steele. Effie Van Patten, Harrison Cummins, Hulbert Brooks and Lizzie Lamb. A. H. Parsons was the first pastor. and Rev. J. Bennett is now the pastor in charge. Other pastors are: Rev. Chimney, Dannam, H. Bennett, F. Youngs, Phillips, Schoonhoven, Gates, C. Sherwood, Sharp, Ellis and H. W. Powell. The first church building was dedicated on December 30, 1886, and was burned down in August, 1909. But in 1911 a new and more convenient building took its place. It is located in Douglass township in section 9, and is constructed of cement blocks at a cost of $15,000. There are thirty members that belong to this church, who also take part in making an interesting Sunday school and Ladies' Aid Society.
BAPTIST CHURCH OF BLOOMER.
The first meeting of the Baptist church society was held at the house of William Everest, in the year 1856. It was organized under the direction of Eller John Van Black, with the following persons as members: William Everest and wife. Milton Baldwin and wife, Hiram Hunt and wife, Theodore Everest and wife. The meetings were held in the school house on section 26 for a number of years. The one on section 10 afterward became the place of worship, after which Carson City became the place finally chosen. A fine church, costing about $3.000, was built in 1876.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF GREENVILLE.
At the session of the Michigan conference in 1850. Rev. Eli Westlake and Rev. Rufus C. Crane were appointed to Flat River circuit. then com- prising parts of Ionia, Allegan, and Kent counties, and Fairplain in Mont- calm county. They took an appointment in Greenville in the fall, and in
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January following, Rev. R. C. Crane commenced a series of special services in Fairplain, which resulted in the organization of a Methodist society in February, 1851. The meeting's were held in a school house then standing on the corner of Lafayette and Call streets. Among the first members were D. C. Moore and wife, George Loucks and wife, Dr. James Chamberlain and wife, R. K. Moore and wife, A. R. Adams and wife, Levi Makley and wife, Erastus Fisher and wife, and Mrs. Burgess. The first board of trustees was organized in April, 1851, and at once took steps towards erecting a church upon a lot donated to the society by John Green. The ground was situated on Cass street. James Kent and D. C. Moore were also active in the work. George Loucks and Rev. R. C. Crane were appointed a committee to pro- ceed with the erection of the church, and it was completed in the autunm of 1851. It was made of wood and located on the lot next to the present par- sonage on the west. During the pastorate of Rev. A. R. Boggs this building was moved to the corner of Cass and Franklin streets and considerably enlarged and other additions were made during the incumbency of J. W. Reid. In 1888, during the pastorate of Rev. Louis Grosenbough, the old building was removed to make way for the present edifice which is a very fine brick building and which was constructed at a cost of $30,000.
A list of pastors in order of service follows: Rufus C. Crane. Noah Fassett. A. R. Bartlett. A. Wakefield. George Bignall, A. A. Dunton, Francis Glass, W. F. Jenkins, J. L. Child, W. W. Rorke, J. W. Dayton, G. S. Barnes, W. M. Colby. W. J. Aldrich, A. R. Boggs, J. W. Reid. A. A. Brown, Delos Cronk. G. D. Lee, Louis Grosenbaugh, F. C. Lee. W. L. Davison, Addis Albro. R. S. McGregor. A. F. Hart, W. F. Kendrick. Joseph Dutton, Lonis De Lamarter and Thomas Cox. The first board of trustees was composed of the following persons: George Loucks, Adam Loucks, William Wells, James Chamberlain and Rufus K. Moors. The Sunday school was organ- ized in 1855. with William Van Loo, J. L. Rook, and Elias Kent as the first superintendents. John Lewis became superintendent in 1866, and remained in office until 1875 when he was succeeded by O. W. Green for two years. A. H. Bennett then took charge for a period of two years, and M. O. Gris- wold for one year. when A. IT. Bennett was again elected. The attendance was small at the beginning, and many of the appliances for successful Sun- day school work were meager. The school struggled on through the years gradually improving in numbers and resources until it now has a membership of four hundred scholars. An Epworth League. composed of fifty mem- bers. a Home and Foreign Missionary Society and Ladies' Aid Society. are auxiliaries of this church and do a vast amount of good each year.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CORAL.
In 1861 there was organized in Maple Valley the first Methodist Epis- copal church society together with the first Sabbath school. In 1862 the first class was organized with the following members: E. J. Blanding and wife, F. R. Ferguson and wife, Martin Phillips and wife, Thomas Pluim and wife, James Ferguson and wife, J. B. Reed and wife. The first minister was Rev. J. H. Tanner who was assisted by Rev. John Graham. Reverends Fry, Deitz, Johns and Saunders are among the early itinerants. The first class leaders were E. J. Blanding and E. R. Ferguson.
In the year 1873. after many struggles, a class was organized at Coral by a local preacher by the name of Montrose. The place of worship was in a small school house located on the site where Park House now stands. The circuit was then connected with the Big Rapids district. On February 1, 1873. Presiding kilder Peck sent J. W. Fassett to take charge of the work. In April of that year an organ was secured. A Sunday school was organ- ized. Uncle Henry and Aunt Hannah Holcomb opened their doors for services. Soon after the school moved to the hall over D. I .. Shook's dry- goods store. A great uplift came to the society upon the arrival of Brothers Robinson and Oaks, both earnest Methodists, from Detroit. Mr. Robinson was closely identified with the interests of the church. The society now felt that an edifice should be erected. Philip and John Holcomb gave the building site. Hart-Oaks Company gave $300 and all the members and friends were a unit to push the enterprise along. W. W. Robinson was appointed class leader and Sunday school superintendent and W. R. Hol- comb was made steward.
At the end of the conference year, 1873. Coral was united with the Pierson circuit. J. W. Hollowell was appointed pastor and lived at Pierson. Under his pastorate revival meetings were held and pastoral work carefully attended to. Temperance work progressed and a Womens' Central Temper- ance League was organized. The church was furnished with stoves, col- lection boxes, chairs, hymnals and Bibles. In January, 1874. the church was dedicated. Dr. Jocelyn. of Mbion College, preached the dedicatory sermon. In April, Rev. S. W. LaDu, of the Bay Quinte conference, of Canada, came here with his family and from that time on the history of his life has been the history of the circuit, a man of God whose heart burned with the love for souls and a tower of strength to the cause of Christ for twenty-five years.
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Rev. W. I. Cogshall was sent here as pastor in 1874 and remained for two years. The church prospered under his administration. The church was blessed with a great revival in 1875. In 1876 the district conference was held here. Rev. John Glover followed Mr. Cogshall and was with the church for one year. In this year Coral was set off from the Pierson cir- cuit and was made a circuit of Ionia district. During this year Windfield, Trufant and Maple Valley were organized into classes by Rev. S. W. LaDu. Rev. G. A. Buell, an earnest devoted minister of the Gospel, served the circuit for two years. The church was improved by an altar and pews were put in, the tower completed and the church decorated with a coat of paint. The years 1878 and 1879 were supplied by Rev. S. W. LaDu who had associated with him as assistant pastor Rev. J. C. Beach. In 1878 the parsonage building was purchased. During 1882 and 1883, Rev. D. S. Haviland served as pastor to the great profit of the charge. In 1884 and 1885 J. W. Davids. a brother beloved by the whole community, was sent here and lost his wife while here. The charge enjoyed prosperity under his pastorate.
The following ministers have served: 1886-87, W. R. Pierce; 1887-88, J. R. Bowen; 1888-89, S. W. LaDu; 1889-90, Mr. Wyant; 1890-91, N. S. Gibbs: 1891-92 ( part of the year supplied by S. W. LaDu) J. W. Sutton; 1892-93. S. W. LaDu (during whose term the annex was built, the church repaired. repainted and plastered at an expense of nearly $700) ; 1893-94, S. F. Tiny; 1894-95. J. I .. Tower : 1895-96, J. C. Dietrick; 1896-98, William Judd: 1898-1902, I. E. Reed; 1902-1904. A. P. Moors; 1904-1905, O. E. Wightman; 1905-1906. W. W. Chatfield; 1906-1907, Fred Deighton; 1907- February I. S. McDonald : 1907-1909, Frank James; 1909-1910. W. H. Hol- comb; 1910-1911. E. L. Prentice; 1011-1913, Carl Critchet; 1913-1914, J. W. VanGundy; 1914-1916. Charles Ostrom.
In 1896, during Mr. Judd's pastorate, Coral and Howard City were united. In November, 1898, the board of trustees decided upon some church improvements. The church was papered. a bell was placed in the tower, shed built, roof repaired. class room painted, new carpet put down, together with minor improvements, all at an expense of $400. Following was a great religious awakening in which more than sixty sought God. The spiritual interest has continued, culminating in a wonderful ten-days tent meeting now closing. The Coral Methodist Episcopal church has grown from a small society to a strong progressive evangelistic missionary church with bright hopes for the future.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF M'KINLEY.
The Coral circuit of the Methodist Episcopal church includes the church at Mckinley which is located in Maple Valley township in section 20. This is locally known as the Mckinley Memorial church and was organized in 1869 with the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. R. Taylor, Mrs. James Banks, Mr. Banks, William Fries, Mrs. Hinchman, Mr. and Mrs. Wright and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wiseman. The services were first held in the school house of Maple Valley, section 29. Among the first pastors who served this church were the Reverends Johns, Saunders, Cogshall, Beach, Buell, Davids, Pierce, Bowen, Gibbs, Haviland.
This church society was re-organized on January 20, 1902. The present building was dedicated on December 28, 1902. This is a plain frame build- ing which was erected at a cost of $1,200. This congregation has a men- bership of twenty-two at present and has a good Sunday school with an average attendance of thirty and also a thriving Ladies' Aid Society. With one or two exceptions this church has been connected with Coral as a charge.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF TRUFANT.
The Coral circuit also includes the Trufant Methodist Episcopal church. This is located in the village and was organized on February 11, 1901, with the following charter members: Ester Emery, Anna Idens, Estella Duvoo Mary Heath, Olive Simpson, Louisa Pierce. Iva Force, George Force, I. T. Simpson and Mabel Timmerson. This society first met in what was locally known as the old "Red Ribbon Hall." This church has been attached to the Coral circuit and served by the ministers of that place. The membership at present numbers eleven. A Sunday school and Ladies' Aid Society are active auxiliaries of this society.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF HEMMINGWAY.
Hemmingway derives its name from an inland lake at which was located a saw-mill connected with a large general store, postoffice, telegraph office, branch railroad, and many small boarding houses that usually follow such a business. Some of the enterprising citizens saw the need of religious wor- ship in the town, and in the year 1882 a Union Sunday school was organ- ized and services were conducted occasionally as it was convenient to do so.
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They were held in a board shanty near by. It was soon found that a much larger and better building was needed, and a subscription paper was circu- lated to raise funds to build a new church. The people were loyal to the cause, and the work commenced. and a neat, small church was completed, situated on section 18, township of Day. It was dedicated as a Union church by Rev. J. L. Patton of Greenville in the year 1884, and retained its local name. In 1895 the Rev. J. W. Davids, of Stanton, effected a new organization under the name Methodist Episcopal Church of Hemmingway. There were only ten charter members. They have a present membership of forty. and their present building is a frame structure erected at a cost of $1,000. A list of pastors who have served this church is as follows: J. W. Davids, Jones, Valentine, Wightman, Moore, Parsons, Frye, Pollock, Nichols, Bready, James, Hill, McDonald, Critchett and Johnson. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. Cramer.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF EDMORE.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Edmore was organized in 1878 by Charles B. Voorhees, who also served as the first pastor. The church build- ing was erected in 1884 under the supervision of Rev. D. C. Reihle. It was constructed of wood at a cost of $2,200. A list of pastors who have labored for this church are as follow: Charles B. Voorhees, T. B. Miller, A. T. Gray, R. H. Bready, W. W. Oldham, J. W. Rawlinson, D. C. Reihle, J. Gulick, O. J. Golden, W. J. Wilson, Samuel S. How. A. C. Carman, A. C. Parsons, F. W. Davis, U. E. Partridge, M. A. Oldt. A. H. Viner, J. H. Cornelius, Irving Eagle, George Traver, A. E. North and W. H. Holcomb. The membership is fifty.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF M'BRIDE.
The Methodist Episcopal church of McBride was organized about the year 1875. This church together with the Methodist church at Edmore forms a circuit which is served by Rev. W. H. Holcomb. It was organized by Charles B. Voorhees. The present building is a frame structure; built in 1885 at a cost of $1,800. Rev. D. C. Reihle, who was pastor at that time, supervised the work. The pastors who have this church are the same as those of the Methodist church at Edmore. The total number of. members is fifty-two.
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FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF LAKEVIEW.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Lakeview was organized in September, 1873, at the school house, under the supervision of Rev. N. H. Hall, who also served as the first minister. It was only six years before the people decided to build a church, and the lot was donated to them by M. French. The building cost about $2,200 and was dedicated in 1880. There were only ten charter members as follow: Oscar Kilborn and wife, David Kilborn and wife, J. H. Covey and wife, L. L. Bissell and wife, and R. P. Everett and wife. A list of pastors who have served this church since its organization is here given: H. M. Hall, Jacob Marzolf, J. H. Thomas, William Judd, D. S. Haviland, G. K. Fairbank, C. H. Jacokes. George Haight, J. W. Sutton, George Stinchcomb, W. D. Rowland, Fred G. Dunbar, C. T. Van Antwerp, L. B. Kenyon, W. Mooncy. John Delong. A. E. Tower, C. W. IToldlen, and N. M. Pritchard, who is the present pastor. The church has grown steadily until it now has reached a membership of ninety-two. In connection with the church is conducted a good Sunday school. an Epworth League, and a Ladies' Aid Society. The Ladies' Aid Society started about thirty years ago, with only seven members. The society is now doing some repair work on the church and a new furnace is also to be installed.
FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH OF GREENVILLE.
The first attempt made to organize a congregation of the Free Methodist church society was launched on February 23, 1892. This meeting is rather obscure and the only evidence we have is the filing of articles of incorpora- tion with D. C. Wolverton, Albert Day and Gilbert Hadley acting as the board of trustees. Nothing of importance came of this meeting and no more definite form was taken.
The next effort to organize a society of this faith was the following year when a board of trustees was elected, as follows: Abner Reed, Joseph Palmer and D. C. Wolverton. It is very apparent that this was merely a continuation of the first effort to establish a society of the Free Methodist "faith as the name of D. C. Wolverton is found serving as a trustee for both years. This society soon ceased to exist and the next step was not taken to form a society or rather to organize a congregation until September 20, 1905.
This society was incorporated with the following charter members : Bessie Brown, Arville Brown, Lucy Rowland, Ada Andeson, May Loper, Henry Wycoff, Charles Loper, Nels Johnson, all of Greenville, and Ellen
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Burns, of Belding. The first pastor to serve this newly organized society was W. H. Jury and the first meetings were held in a hall in the down- town district. Since the last organization this church has had a rather prosperous existence. The membership has increased from time to time and it is an earnest, busy little congregation. There is also a Sunday school as an auxiliary to the church. The present building is located on Pine street and is constructed of cement blocks. Some of the pastors who have served this church are as follow: W. H. Jury, F. W. Smith, C. G. Miller, G. W. Weidman, C. A. Callup. J. A. Linscott, A. A. Thompson, S. A. Whitmore and the present incumbent. Mary J. Finch.
FREE METHODIST CHURCH OF LAKEVIEW.
The Free Methodist church was organized in Lakeview in the fall of the year 1887 under the pastorate of Rev. M. Gilfrin, with a membership of seven, some of whom are still alive. Following are the names of the charter members : George Perkins and wife, William Clements and wife, Mr. Swear, Mrs. Hester Gaffield and Mrs. Mary Jensen. In its infancy it had a hard struggle for existence, but moved steadily onward; its growth has not been fast nor has it attained a very large size, but its members have stood stanchly for righteousness and truth, and many have finished their work and gone to their reward. For some time they met in private houses, principally at George Perkins, until they rented a store building on the outlet of Tamarack lake where the furniture factory now stands. A few months later they removed to a store building owned by Frank Perkins, where they remained until deprived of a home by the fire of 1894. They then worshipped in private houses until in 1900, when under the labors of Rev. J. A. Linscott the present building was erected. It is a good substantial building of brick veneer located in section 9, of Cato township 12 north, range 8 west. It has. a present membership of twenty-five and a good prosperous Sunday school.
HENKEL GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH.
The first German church in this vicinity was the one built a mile west of the line in Pierson township, two and one-half miles south of Howard City. It was built about twenty-one years ago, Henry Henkel donating the site and assisting materially in the building of the church by furnishing the lumber, shingles, etc. Mr. Henkel, Fred Fahner, and William Rader were the building committee, and others of the substantial German farmers of that
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vicinity assisted in promoting its prosperity. Rev. Henry Utt was the pastor in charge when the edifice was built.
Previous to that time meetings were held in the brick school house at Maple Hill, and also at an old log school house which used to stand on the corner, in front of Henry Henkel's home. Rev. Charles Staffeld practiced there quite a time, making his home at Mr. Henkel's. Rev. S. Henne, remem- bered having held meetings in the old log school house there over thirty years ago, before the completion of the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad. when he was a circuit rider living at Hersey, traveling from one lumber camp to another on horseback.
This church was formerly the German Evangelical Association but in later years was gradually transformed into the Methodist faith and now is known as the German Methodist. Reverend Schmidt is the present pastor. Other pastors who have served this charge are as follow: Reverends Henry Utt, John Miller. Bogan, Frev, Dill and Hess.
ST. PAUL'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF GREENVILLE.
St. Paul's Episcopal church was organized on January 20, 1872, with the following membership: William B. Wells, Willard N. Pettee, John Avery, C. Jesse Church, Talmadge Stevens, Ephraim Williams and L. Judd McComber. The first communion celebrated in the parish was held on Easter Day, March 31. 1872, and on this occasion there were sixteen com- municants. The first meeting of the parish was held on the same day when the following vestry were elected: W. B. Wells, C. Jesse Church, L. Judd McComber. James Cornwell. Andrew W. Hoffman, John Avery and Willard N. Pettee. At the first vestry meeting W. B. Wells was elected senior warden, and C. Jesse Church, junior warden and treasurer. A Sunday school was organized on Sunday. April 28. 1872, with W. B. Wells, superintendent; Mrs. S. R. Stevens, secretary, and Mrs. L. Judd McComber, treasurer. Several teachers were installed to take charge of the work. While the parish was a mission the congregation were under the ministrations of Reverends Morris and Wood. Later followed Rev. Sidney H. Woodford, 1872-74; W. H. Sparling, 1880: E. W. Flower, 1881-83; E. J. Babcock, 1884; E. G. Nock; Joseph W. Bancroft; J. N. Rippey, 1890-98; Thomas H. Henley; Thomas Beeson. 1899-1902; F. C. O'Meara, 1903; W. M. Warlow, M. A., 1905; J. Taylor Chambers; Harvey Bush, Ph. D., 1909-10; Floyd Keeler, M. A., B. P .. IQUI: Robert B. Evatt was chosen rector in 1913 and has served up to the present time.
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