USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume I > Part 43
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"The hall was occupied for a year or more while on the lot, and was then moved to a lot near the Northern Hotel and continued to be used as a place of worship until the new church was erected in 1834-44 and occupied the latter part of 1844. It was built of brick, about forty feet wide by seventy feet long, with two aisles, the pulpit being in the west end of the church and the organ loft and choir gallery in the east end, with vestibule underneath. It had a belfry and well proportioned spire, and from its prominent situation presented quite a pleasing appearance.
"In 1867, following a series of revival services conducted by the pas- tor, Rev. W. G. McGiffert, seventy-nine persons were received into the church, fifty-two on confession of faith. The present house of worship was erected in 1870-71. No expense was spared in its construction, the single item of pew cushions being $1,600. Later improvement such as electric lights, a hot water heating plant and others, have made it one of the most comfortable of churches.
The church has three times entertained the Synod of Michigan, in 1866, in 1891 and in 1908.
"The original members of the church, with their places of origin, are as follows : Samuel Murlin, Chili, New York; John Voorheis, Romulus, New York; Mrs. Mary Voorheis, also from Romulus; Ephraim Burge, Ovid, New York; Elijah S. and Fannie Fish, Buffalo, New York; Mrs. Mary Church, Salisbury, New York; Elisheba Dort, Rettsburg, New York; Mrs. Eleanor Ferguson, Detroit, Michigan; Marriet C. Haskins, Lucina Williams, Mrs. Julia Williams and Mrs. Roxa Bartlett.
"The ministers who have served the church from the time of its or-
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ganization to the present date are: I. W. Ruggles, 1824-28; George Hor- nell, 1828-32; Noah M. Wells, 1833; J. F. McEwen, 1834; George How- ell, 1835; L. P. Bates, 1841-45; Charles Rockwell, 1846; J. A. Clayton, 1847; Luke Stafford, 1848; William Hamilton, 1849; W. P. Jackson, 1850-51 ; Joseph Penney, 1852-53 ; J. W. Cooper, 1854-56; W. P. Mosher, 1857-61 ; J. H. Jennison, 1861-64; W. J. Parrott, 1871-73; C. R. Wil- kins, 1873-75 ; J. Mills Gelston, 1875-78; W. S. Jerome, 1888-1898; S. H. Thompson, 1898-1899; J. R. Mitchell, 1900-1902; Charles E. Blanchard, 1904 to 1911." Rev. J. R. J. Milligan is the present pastor of the church.
HOW THE FIRST CHURCH WAS BUILT
The following is vouched for, by an old settler (who told the story at a meeting of the County Pioneer Society in 1874) as the origin of the building of the first Presbyterian church in Pontiac :
"One cold, stormy night in the fall of 1831, Samuel C. Munson and E. P. Hastings-the former at present an honored citizen of East Sag- inaw, and the latter has passed away-having been visiting the pinery north of Pontiac, returned to that then little hamlet wet and chilled to the bone, besides being hungry as bears. In accordance with the usual custom of those days, our friends stopped at the village tavern, kept by Solomon Close, of happy memory, whose suggestive sign-'En- tertainment for man and beast'-had for them an attraction, the power of which, under the circumstances, was really not to be resisted. As they crossed the threshold of the room the glitter of the well-filled de- canters behind the bar and the genial warmth of the crackling fire in the old fashioned fire place made them feel that their lives had fallen in pleasant places. After their tedious day's tramp, being hungry as bears, as we before intimated, they concluded they would take supper with mine host before going home, which they accordingly ordered. Both being of a social nature, a further inducement to remain was a company of old chums, some of whom were seated around a table play- ing euchre. Among these were Daniel Leroy, G. O. Whittemore, H. N. Howard, J. J. Garland, Frank Darrow, E. W. Barber, E. Comstock, a Mr. Palmer, and a few others, making in all, including our two friends, seventeen individuals.
"After partaking of a hearty meal, Munson was invited to take a 'hand' with the card players. His companion having been, we believe, a church member 'down east,' did not choose to participate in their pastime. He, however, had something else in his head beside a game of cards- a project which he wished to have carried into execution, and it occurred to him then and there that this was the time to introduce the subject that had been long near his heart; and that was the building of a house of worship in Pontiac. And when we reflect that in these early days the name of Pontiac was synonymous with that of a certain hot location whose chief product enters into the manufacture of matches, we cannot but be impressed with the importance of the mission our Friend Hastings had in view. Therefore, clearing his throat he called out: 'Gentle- men, I have a few words to say to you this evening, and would like your attention a short time. You all have at some period in your lives
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known what it was to have enjoyed church privileges. Now here we are, a little community of us, far from the scenes and associations of our old homes, in the full enjoyment of many blessings, yet without a church among us. Now what I wish to propose is this: I want for one, to see a church in Pontiac, and I propose to assess each one of you, gentlemen, $100 apiece, which will make just $1,700 a sufficient sum, with close figuring, to build a neat church edifice. Here is my check for $100, and I will put down $100 for Judge Reeves, who is not here tonight, which, with yours, will make $1,800.'
"The gentlemen had stopped playing cards, and the proposition, made in such a place and at such a time, struck them as both novel and sen- sible, and without a dissenting voice every man present pledged himself in the required sum for the building of a church, to be called the First Presbyterian church of Pontiac. A building committee, consisting of Samuel C. Munson, H. N. Howard and E. Comstock, were appointed on the spot, and after some figuring, Mr. Comstock took the contract. Everything after this went along like clockwork, all putting their should- ers to the church-wheel with a will, so that by the next July a beautiful church, all completed and ready for public worship, reared its spire to- ward heaven, the pride of the entire community and the veneration of the few who went thither to worship God. And this is the way the First Presbyterian church of Pontiac came to be built, forty-three years ago."
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The First Congregational church of Pontiac was organized February 6, 1831, at the house of Samuel Bent. Articles of Faith and Covenant were adopted at that meeting, and those who became members of the church at the time were Samuel Bent, Mary Bent, Mary K. Bent, Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart. Rev. I. W. Ruggles was moderator of the meeting. On the second of July following, the newly organized church met at the courthouse, Rev. Ruggles and Rev. George Hornell being present, besides the members. In that month and year Rev. Robert McEwen began preaching under the patronage of the American Home Mission- ary Society, and on February 19, 1834, the little church was received under the care of the Detroit presbytery. According to the records, on the IIth day of May, 1834, the church dedicated the first building erected in Pontiac for the worship of God. From that time on, the church was supplied with a pastor at irregular intervals, sometimes long lapses existing between terms of service filled by occasional visiting pastors.
The following will give an approximate idea of the service of pastors and the main events in the church up to 1876. Rev. McEwen resigned October 18, and December 27, 1834, Rev. Aaron Williams was invited to preach, he accepting the call. He resigned in August, 1835. In 1836 Rev. William Page preached for a short time during the winter, which brief service witnessed a pleasing growth in membership. In the spring of 1837 a call was extended to him to preach, which he accepted, but in September he resigned because of ill health. In 1838 Rev. L. B. Bates came to the church, and he was assisted during the winter by Rev.
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O. Parker, an evangelist, and in that year ninety-four members were added to the membership. Mr. Bates left the service in 1840, but the records do not supply the exact date, and in 1841 the pulpit was sup- plied by ministers from other points until October 3d, when Rev. Miles of New York was present and occupied the pulpit. He was extended a call, which he accepted and he was duly installed by the presbytery. He continued until April 7, 1843, when at a meeting of the church and society he asked to be released, and his request was granted. From that time until March 28, 1846, the church was without a regular pastor, but at that time Rev. O. D. Hine commenced preaching as a stated supply, and he continued for five and a half years, closing his labors in August, 1851. Rev. H. A. Reed came to the church in September, 1852. In 1854 an attempt was made to unite the society with the Presbyterian church, but the attempt failed. Mr. Reed preached his farewell sermon on June 17, 1852, and a call was soon extended to Rev. A. H. Fletcher. He accepted the call and on October 24, 1855, was installed as pastor. He resigned in May, 1857, but the church declined to accept his resig- nation, but when he resigned a second time at the close of the year, it was accepted, to take effect April Ist following. Rev. G. M. Tuthill was next called and he commenced preaching in June. The years that followed were without unusual incident, until April, 1863, when resolu- tions were passed in favor of building a new church. Rev. Tuthill closed his labors in 1864, and Rev. Fletcher was asked to serve in his stead, and he thus continued until April 1, 1868. On June 1, 1868, Rev. C. C. McIntire was called to the church. In 1863 the agitation begun for the erection of a church, had been carried to a successful consum- mation, and on December 23, 1868, it was dedicated, Rev. Mr. Hough of Jackson, Michigan, officiating. The contract price of the church was $20,250, and when completed, a heavy debt remained to be taken care of. Again an attempt was made to unite the society with the Presbyterian denomination, many believing that the united strength of the two churches would be required to maintain their continued life. The union was agreeable to both parties, and would have been carried out but for the refusal of the presbytery to permit any change of government on the part of the Presbyterians, so the matter was dropped. With the close of Rev. McIntire's labors on June 1, 1871, the pulpit was vacant except for an occasional supply until January, 1872, when Rev. S. O. Allen was called to preach. In January, 1874, Mr. Allen resigned from the pastorate, and on July Ist Rev. J. Homer Parker was established as pastor, but he resigned in January, 1876. Rev. W. H. Utley was the next pastor. Nine pastors then served until 1907, when Wm. R. Kedzie assumed charge of the pastorate, Rev. M. E. Sweet, now in charge, having been with the church but a few months.
THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN THE STATE
An interesting account of the First Congregational church was pre- pared by Rev. W. Roscoe Kedzie in December, 1911, for the Press Gazette of Pontiac, which is here reproduced practically in toto: "The First Congregational church of Pontiac is the third oldest Congregational
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church in the state of Michigan. The churches in Rochester and Romeo were organized before this one, but all came into being at about the same time. In February, 1831, five persons met together in the Village of Pontiac in the home of Samuel Bent and were organized into a Con- gregational church by the Rev. Isaac W. Ruggles, and the actual record of that meeting more than eighty years ago is still the proud possession of the church. From that early day the church has persistently held before itself a high ideal of Christian life and service, and in spite of a great many hardships and reverses has continued in a steady advancement and growth until it has reached its present strength and position. .
"On July 1, 1831, the church began to hold public worship in the old wooden courthouse which stood on the site now occupied by our splen- did building. The congregation met here until May 1, 1884, when they dedicated the first church building in the then Village of Pontiac. The old building was used also by the Methodists and Baptists when they desired to hold service and continued to be used by the Congregational- ists for about thirty-five years, when it was decided that a new build- ing should be erected.
"That building, so familiar to all the citizens of Oakland county, was dedicated December 23, 1868, and was used not only by the church, but also largely by the city and county. The Women's Christian Tem- perance Union was organized there, as was the Young Men's Christian Association. Other notable rallies and conferences were held there, among them being the mass meeting that gave shape to the local option campaign four years ago. While this building was in course of con- struction the church again went to the courthouse for a place to hold the public meetings, as it did again in this past year when the new build- in so recently dedicated was being built. It was a fair exchange of courtesy that while the new courthouse was being built a few years ago the court should take itself to the parlors of the Congregational church to hold its sessions.
"In March, 1906, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the church was held, and it was a notable occasion both from its im- portance as a milestone in the history of the church and in the renewal of memories and fellowships made possible by the large number of older members and friends of the church who returned to take part in its exercises.
NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
"The present beautiful building at the corner of Mill and East Huron streets was dedicated September 17, 1911, and it is already prov- ing its worth, not only as a place of worship for the growing congre- gation, but also as a place of public meeting in the interests of the higher life of the city of Pontiac."
The church edifice, which is one of the finest and most complete in Oakland county, was put in course of construction on May 23, 1910, being erected on the Bell property on the corner of East Huron and Mill streets, diagonally opposite the postoffice. J. H. Prall, the Pontiac archi- tect who had charge of the building of the Oakland County Hospital, superintended the erection of the church. The structure is of paving
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brick of a dark color, with stone trimmings, and is sixty-four by eighty- four feet in dimensions. It has a main tower at the Mill and Huron street corner, with two smaller towers on the Mill and Huron street elevations. There are two larger entrances on the Mill street side, with a smaller entrance in the rear on Huron street. The auditorium and gallery will seat about seven hundred people. The auditorium extends north and south, while the church parlors occupy the north end of the building. The parlors are handsomely furnished, and in the basement are to be found a well equipped gymnasium, with Sunday-school room adjoining and a boys' club room, all of which are so arranged that they may be thrown into one large room. The kitchen, one of the most indispensable adjuncts to a well regulated church edifice, adjoins the gymnasium, and is complete in every detail.
On September 11, 1910, the corner stone of the church was laid in the wall just north of Mill street at the entrance. Rev. M. H. Wallace, of Brewster Congregational church of Detroit, a former pastor of the Pontiac church, delivered the dedicatory address, with Rev. D. H. Glass, Rev. R. M. Traver, Rev. C. E. Blanchard, and Rev. A. McCallum assisting.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S CHURCH
The history of St. Vincent de Paul's church dates from the year 1836, when Pontiac first began to be visited periodically by Catholic mis- sionaries, although that date did not mark the first advent of secular and regular priests of various orders in Oakland county, it being of record that missionaries visited these parts a century and a half ago. The first priest who came at regular intervals, however, was Rev. Fr. Missui, who was at the time assistant parish priest of the Cathedral of St. Anne in Detroit. He came once in each month and held meetings in a private house near Huron street, the home of a family of the name of Dennis. His ministrations were not continued beyond the space of a year and never extended outside Pontiac. In 1838 Father Kelly made his first appearance. His mission embraced a large portion of the adjacent ter- ritory, and he visited Pontiac at infrequent intervals. At that early day, it may well be believed that the conditions with regard to travel and en- tertainment were not of a high order, and the faithful priest performed his untiring ministrations under the greatest difficulties. Making his dis- tances always by horseback, through a wild and unclaimed waste of land, he met with discouragements sufficient to quench the spirit of many a stronger man, but he proved faithful to the end and about twice a year made his appearance in Pontiac where he would administer to the most pressing needs of his people, and move on to the next community, who always awaited his coming in eagerness. He died in 1860. In 1851 Rev. Fr. Wallace, who later became chaplain of St. Mary's hospital at Detroit, became the first resident pastor of this parish. He was succeeded by Rev. Fr. L. J. Wicart in 1863, who continued until November, 1876, when Father Baumgartner followed him in the parish. In 1904 Father Baum- gartner was promoted to the chancellorship of the diocese of Detroit and Father T. J. Ryan was named to succeed him in Pontiac. Since he came to Pontiac, Father Ryan has watched over his parish with every care and Vol. I-23
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under his ministry the parish has prospered happily, now being at a state far beyond the dreams of the early missionaries who gave so gen- crously of their help and who established the first church of the faith in this city. Father Ryan is ably assisted by Rev. Fr. George McDace, who came to the parish in 1906.
The church has a membership of three hundred and seventy-five families, and besides the fine brick church edifice, has a substantial brick school (St. Fredericks Parochial) which was erected in 1897; St. Thomas' House, built in 1911 for the instruction of music pupils, and the large parish house-all of which go to make up a most worthy representation of a church which had its beginning in Oakland county in the labors of the itinerant missionaries of various orders of the church.
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The first Protestant Society in what is now the state of Michigan was organized in the city of Detroit in 1817. It was a Union society, composed of the few Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians then residents of the place, each denomination being represented in the board of trustees.
The first clergyman of the Church of England who visited Michigan was Rev. M. Pollard, a missionary of the British Society "for the propa- gation of the gospel in foreign parts," who was stationed in Canada, and who on occasions visited Detroit and held services there. The first set- tled clergyman in Michigan was Rev. Alanson M. Welton, who, in about 1821, came from the diocese of New York, where he had been trained by Bishop Hobart for mission work, and he officiated until his death in the edifice erected by the Protestant Society previously mentioned.
- In 1824 the Rev. Richard F. Cadle was sent by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society from New York to Detroit. At that time Michigan comprised the entire region north of Ohio, Indiana and Illi- nois, west to the Mississippi river and north to the British line, includ- ing. existing settlements in Iowa and Minnesota.
Rev. R. F. Cadle writing from Detroit to the Society's committee ex- pressed himself thus: "I have regularly performed divine service and preached in the council house, which has been granted to the Protestants of this city by his excellency, Governor Cass.
"In addition to the usual service on Sunday I generally preach once in the course of a week. This city contains two thousand inhabitants. It has a Roman Catholic church, a Methodist meeting-house, and a build- ing, erected by the different denominations, styled the First Protestant church and at present under the control of the Presbyterians. An invi- tation was lately given me to occupy this pulpit, for a time specified, which, with the unanimous approbation of the Episcopalians of this city, I declined.
"The number of persons attached to our church is about forty. The communicants, I believe, are not more than three or four."
Again in December, 1824, he writes: "I am unable to state the precise number of persons attached to our church in this city. It is, however, greater than I supposed when I made my first report. I have adminis-
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tered the holy communion twice in the last three months ; at the last meet- ing there were several additions, making the whole number eight or nine."
The first parish of the church in Oakland county was St. Johns in Troy, organized in 1829 by Rev. R. F. Cadle. This was the third parish in the territory of Michigan ; St. Paul's of Detroit being the first and St. Andrew's at Ann Arbor, in 1827, the second. The church edifice in Troy was erected in 1837. The parish subsequently became extinct and the title vested in Zion church, Pontiac, which was organized September 23, 1837. The service of the church was first heard in Pontiac when Rev. Hollister, then rector of St. John's in Troy, in 1836, officiated in the court house. Permission was granted by Gideon O. Whittemore, re- gent of the University of Michigan, on organization of Zion church, to use the academy, then a branch of the state university, as a place of wor- ship, and services were held in that place from 1837 to 1841. In 1839 Rev. J. A. Wilson was sent as a missionary, and in 1840 the old records show that a committee was appointed to receive subscriptions with a view to building a house of worship. Most of the men who served as first vestrymen of the society and, in addition, Charles W. Whipple, A. Tread- way, F. A. Williams, Robert L. Heindlen, Samuel G. Watson, William Wilson, Thomas Bennett and Samuel Frost, were active in building the church. A site was chosen on West Pike street where stands the old brick church now occupied by L. J. Hosler as a plumbing shop. The frame of the old church still exists as the frame of the old Stout house on Williams street. The church was completed in July, 1841, and conse- crated by Rt. Rev. S. A. McClosky, D. D., Bishop of Michigan, on July 20, 1841. In the same year, Rev. John A. Wilson, then rector of Zion church, organized the parish of St. Paul's, Waterford, of which he was rector until 1847, when he was succeeded by Rev. William H. Wood- ward, who continued until 1850, when the parish became extinct. On July 24, 1854, the vestry of Zion church resolved to erect a new edifice, and on the 5th day of September, that year, the corner-stone of the pres- ent building was laid. The sum of five hundred dollars was paid for the lot. Today it is worth $1,500. The new church was opened and conse- crated on January 22, 1857, and the old church sold to the Methodist Protestant Society. The total cost of the church was $10,280, and it was freed from debt on March 28, 1864.
Rev. O. Taylor, who became pastor of the church in November, 1850, resigned in 1854, and for many years thereafter the rectorships were of short duration. The clergymen appearing as rectors are: Rev. Thomas Dooley ; Rev. John O'Brien, D. D., who died in Pontiac in 1864; Rev. Charles Ritter ; Rev. William R. Pickman; Rev. William Charles; Rev. J. R. Anderson, who died in Pontiac, 1874; Rev. Richard Brass and Rev. T. J. Broodles. Rev. S. L. Stevens was called upon to become rector and entered upon his duties December 18, 1881, his rectorship lasting until Easter, 1904, when he became rector emeritus. During his service the present rectory was secured. He was succeeded by Rev. P. G. Duffy, whose rectorship lasted only about eighteen months.
In September, 1905, the old church was destroyed by fire, and on June 23, 1907, the corner-stone for the new church was laid. In November,
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1908, the church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. C. D. Williams, D. D., Bishop of Michigan. At this time the church has 355 communicants, and a thriving Sunday-school organization. Rev. Herbert H. H. Fox became rector of the parish on November 12, 1905, and is still serving On September 23, 1912, the church celebrated the seventy-fifth annivers- ary of its organization.
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