USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 42
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"The first Methodist class was formed in Michigan in 1827 and be- longed to the Sandusky district, though I find in the record that John A. Baughman preached in Detroit in 1826. A little later Revs. Alfred Bronson, Samuel Baker, Elias Pattee and Alvil Billings, traveling and preaching in different parts of Michigan. Still later classes were formed in Farmington and Piety Hill, now Birmingham. All of the preachers up to 1842 have more or less preached, taken meals or lodged over night in the home of my father, Ira Donelson.
"Michigan belonged to the Ohio conference and the different preach- ers were sent from that state to lay the foundation of Methodism and Christianity in our new state, then almost a wilderness. At a session of the Ohio conference held at Chillicothe, in 1828, Michigan conference was organized; we now have two conferences, Michigan and Detroit.
"The nucleus of the Pontiac church was formed in 1828 in the log home of Fra Donelson ( where the home of Arza Donelson now stands) he being appointed class leader ; he served the church for thirty years as leader, as superintendent of the Sunday-school for seven years, and as trustee and steward of the church. The first members of this class were
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Asa Davis, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Merchant, Mrs. Merchant, Betsy Merchant, Charles and Susan Johnson, Samuel Merchant. Ira Donelson, Mary Donelson, Hlorace Donelson and Abel S. Donelson. The presiding elder at that time was Zara Costan and the preacher was William T. Snow. The Sunday-school was organized in 1828 by Josiah Brakeman, with Ira Donelson as superintendent and James Weeks. secretary.
"In 1830 the class was transferred from the home of Ira Donelson to the then village of Pontiac, and meetings hekt in a little red school- house situated on the ground where the Episcopal church now stands. A little later meetings were held in the old yellow courthouse, Rev. James Shaw preacher in charge and Resin Sapp, junior preacher. It was the custom at that time to have two preachers on the circuit, one a married man, the other unmarried, who boarded around the people and received the sum of $100.
"While we occupied the courthouse Rev. Miles Sandford, a man of education and refinement, was sent to Pontiac. He had married a wife who was a member of the Baptist church, and she thought her husband was of too much importance and too intelligent to be 'only a Methodist preacher,' and persuaded him to leave the church of his choice and join the Baptist church at Pontiac. This was'a sad blow and disappointment to the Methodist people, as he had become quite endeared to them and they felt the church had suffered a great loss.
"In 1842 Pontiac was changed from a circuit to a station, with but one preacher appointed, Rev. Thomas Fox. In 1841, during the pas- torate of Rev. James Shaw, the Methodist people determined to build themselves a church. They were a feeble folk, financially, but men of the town and vicinity, not members of the church, came nobly to their aid. Lot No. 5. Pike street east. opposite where firemen's hall now stands, was purchased at a cost of $200. W. M. McConnell, Roswell Ingraham and Ira Donelson were appointed a building committee. with James Weeks as secretary and treasurer. The church was dedicated in 1844 by Bishop Janes, Rev. Thomas Gardner being the first pastor.
"Following are the names of the members of the first choir in the Pike street church: H. B. Mash, leader : Miss Matilda Ingraham, Mrs. Caroline Whittemore, Mrs. Matilda Going. Miss Marie Little, Mrs. Elizabeth Swan, Willard McConnell, Henry Going. Martin Donelson and Charles Rinehart.
"Conference was held once in this little church, Bishop Janes presid- ing. The time limit for pastor was then two years, but in 1867 it was changed to three years. D. C. Jacokes was the first one to serve a three years' pastorate, he having served two years previous. In 1885 the time limit was again extended, this time to five years. Rev. T. C. Allen who had served three years before, now came again under the new limit.
"Had I the time and space how I wouldl delight to make special men- tion of the many noble, excellent, intelligent, consecrated men who have served this church. each in his turn, all these long. eventful years! Not to the disparagment of any of these dear brothers that I esteem so highly. I think I will take the liberty to make special mention of W. H. Shier. now of Detroit. He seemed as one born for us in due season, because of the peculiar circumstances surrounding us as a church. Great spiri-
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
tual and financial depression had come upon us, as much perhaps as at any time in the history of the church. Heavily in debt, small congrega- tions, the temperature of the prayer meetings below zero, we needed a leader to take us out of this wilderness and spiritual death. Conference sent us the right kind of a preacher and pastor, who speedily won the hearts of the people. In the three years' term he served this church, he, with the help of the Lord and the loyal people, raised and paid into the church treasury $12,000 and cleared off all indebtedness ; our fine organ was purchased and we paid the preacher a larger salary than now. Best of all we had a wonderful revival and brought into the church a large number of men and women who had ever been loyal to church and pastor, helpful in every direction in the interest of the cause, and en- riched us by their spiritually intelligent and Christian cheerfulness, and giving of their substance as the 'Lord has given them ability.' Brother Shier organized what is known as the 'Young Men's Praying Band," which has hield to its organization all these twenty-eight years. It has been very helpful to each pastor and a means of vital strength to the church.
"Rev. C. T. Allen, during his second pastorate, introduced the monthily love feast, which meets the first Sunday of every month at 9: 30 o'clock. This is also a soul refreshing season.
"In 1861, during the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Clements, the edifice which we now occupy was begun and dedicated by Bishop Simpson in 1864. In 1885 it was renovated by frescoing the walls, putting in new stained glass windows and new carpets. The parsonage, which was previously donated to the church by Willard McConnell, was greatly enlarged and improved, and is at present quite a modern and pleasant home for the pastor. In the same year the conference was held here, Bishop Warren presiding and Rev. J. S. Joslyn pastor. In 1892 during the ministrations of Rev. F. C. Pillsbury, our church was entirely re- modeled, enlarged, refurnished, and is now a very pleasant church, usu- ally well filled and sometimes crowded to its utinost capacity. Bishop Ninde and B. I. Ives, the popular dedicators of churches, were present at its rededication.
"Several young men have gone from this church as ministers, as follows : Sons of ministers-Arthur Stalker, C. H. Perrin, Ilenry Shier. E. C. and C. E. Allen ; sons of laymen-Ira W. Donelson, Detroit con- ference, Park S. Donelson, Ohio conference, both deceased; Hiram Col- vin and Parke Lyon.
"Willard McConnell was for thirty years superintendent of the Sun- day-school, C. B. Turner superintendent for fifteen years, while others served shorter periods."
CENTRM. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Central Methodist church had its origin in the Oakland avenue church four years ago. At that time a number of the residents of the northern part of the city felt the need of a Methodist church in that section. In the summer of 1907 about ninety members of the First church organized the Oakland avenue church, and in September of that
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year the annual conference appointed Rev. D. D. Idle as pastor. The work prospered during his pastorate and plans for a new chucrh were agreed upon. In September, .1909, Rev. D. H. Glass, the present pastor of Central church, was appointed to the church by the annual confer- ence. The matter of a new church was revived and definite steps taken to begin building when a movement to unite the two churches and build a central church was started. The movement failed, and the Oakland avenue congregation, augmented by a considerable number who felt committed to the central project, purchased the present site and started building operations late in the summer of 1910. The basement story is now completed and affords a comfortable auditorium with a seating capacity of six hundred. A large parsonage adjacent to the church building gives the pastor's family a comfortable home. The entire prop- erty has a valuation of $35,000.
The spirit and aim of Central church are incorporated in the archi- tecture of the building. Pontiac has no auditorium where great relig- ious conventions may be held. Central church proposes to meet this need by erecting an auditorium which will seat 1.500 people. The young people of the city have no adequate place for healthful recreation. Cen- tral church has provided one of the most attractive gynasiums in the state where a large number of young people meet for athletic games. The plant is provided with a modern fan system of heating and venti- lating.
Among the activities of the church are the Boy Scouts with a men- bership of about forty, and the Junior church for the practical instruc- tion of boys and girls in the principles of the Christian religion, by the pas- tor and his wife; a men's bible class numbering nearly 150; and all other lines of activity usually followed by modern, aggressive churches. The present membership of the church is 500 and the school has an equal enrolment.
The most interesting feature of the church life is the combination plan of service. By this plan the morning preaching and Sunday-school exercises are united into a single service occupying about the same time usually taken by the preaching service alone. It brings the entire Sunday-school into the preaching service and the entire congregation into the Sunday-school. The plan was originated by the pastor and is attracting wide attention. "The Open Church is our working theory." says Mr. Glass, "and we aim to keep the church open every day in the year. We try to avoid hobbies, both in faith and in practice, taking the life and example of Jesus Christ as our example and guide. Like Him, we would 'Come not to be ministered unto, but to minister.' And we seek to minister to the whole man-to the mental by placing due emphasis upon the teaching function of the pulpit ; to the physical by encouraging athletics in the gynasium and in the open air ; to the spirit- ual by stimulating wholesome atmosphere and maintaining the highest New Testament standard of experience and life."
A chorus choir of thirty voices, soon to be increased to forty fur- nishes special high-grade music for all public services and is enthusi- astically supported by the congregation. George \. Horner, the direc- tor, is a man of pronounced ability in conducting choruses.
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The dedication of the basement story on December 17, 1911, was an auspicious event. Bishop William F. McDowell of Chicago, one of the most brilliant men of the denomination was the principal speaker. The dedication program lasted the entire week and included among other interesting features, a banquet, a lecture by Bishop McDowell, a session of the Detroit Preachers' meeting at the church, a popular concert by the choir and a reunion of the church membership.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
In the summer of 1822 there was a meeting appointed one mile south- east of Pontiac for the purpose of forming what few Baptists there were into a church to be recognized as such at some future time. The meet- ing was held in Deacon Gibbs' house, which was a frame building with one room. The outside was covered with wide, rough oak boards. There was a loose floor and no fireplace, the cooking being done by the side of a log in the door yard.
In this house the first Baptist church in Michigan was organized. Mr. Douglas opened the meeting, read over the articles of faith and covenant and recorded the following names: Deacon Gibbs and wife; Orison Allen and wife; Mrs. William Phillip; Mrs. Samuel Castle; Dr. Ziba Swan and wife; Joseph Lee and wife: David Douglas and wife; Mrs. Enoch Hotchkiss; Mrs. Abner Davis; Judah Church and Amos Niles.
Rev. Elon Galusha of Whitesboro, New York, made a trip to the west in 1822 and visited at Pontiac. He preached at Deacon Gibbs' and recognized the members of the faith gathered there as a church. The meetings were held at Deacon Gibbs' for a year, when they came to the schoolhouse and finally to the court house in Pontiac, the covenant meet- ings being held at Deacon Allen's. In 1824 Rev. Elnathan Comstock became the first pastor of the church and for some time was supported by the New York Baptist Missionary Society. At that time there were not more than eight or ten families in Pontiac, with two hotels and one store. North of what is now Huron street there was nothing but bushes, save that the land of the Davis block was occupied by woods aside from the improvements made by a bush scythe.
Elder Comstock's health failing he resigned in September, 1831. Rev. Aristarches Willy became pastor October 2, 1831, and resigned No- vember 1, 1833. In January, 1832, a committee was appointed to con- sider the building of a place of worship, to draw plans and circulate a subscription list. Although the amount pledged reached $4,000, nothing resulted and the Baptists of Pontiac were compelled to continue wor- ship at the expense of the county in the courthouse.
Rev. Willy, was suceeded by Rev. Stephen Goodman, who served for two years. Rev. John Booth was the next pastor and served for one year. The next pastor, Rev. Gideon Simmons, began his labors October 14, 1837. A revival in the winter of 1837-8 brought the membership of the church from 63 to 123. and that winter the society determined to build.
For the lot on which the church was built, it is indebted to the Pon-
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tiac Company, by which the city was located. The organization gave the land to Deacon Orison Allen for the benefit of the Pontiac Baptist church, March 14, 1838. Deacon Allen and his wife deeded the lot to the trus- tees of the church, on February 26, 1839. Mr. Simmons was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Elliott, May 17, 1839, whose ministry closed February 8. 1841. The church was dedicated in the spring of 1841. Mr. Elliott bap- tized Rev. Miles Sandford, then pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pontiac, and he succeeded Mr. Elliott, resigning May 7, 1843. after almost two years of service.
The church then extended a call to Rev. John 1. Fulton, but it was not accepted. Rev. Kelly filled the pulpit for some time as a supply. The next pastor, Rev. James Pyper, began his pastorate on May 1, 1844, ending it in September, 1848. Again in November of that year a call was extended to Rev. John 1. Fulton. Rev. C. F. Frey filled the pulpit for a short time but was not able to accept the pastorate. Revs. Thomas Facer and John Mitchell were also supply pastors.
Rev. Samuel Cornelius Jr., was the next pastor and he served from February 18, 1849, to April. 1851. Rev. John Bray followed him, set- tling April 27, 1851, and resigning March 2, 1852. Rev. Alfred Hancey succeeded on June 20, 1852, and left June 4, 1853: Rev. C. R. Patterson was pastor from October 9, 1853, to August 1, 1855; Dr. Pyper was re- called to the pastorate December 2, 1855, and resigned April 26, 1857. The next pastor, Rev. E. A. Mather, began his ministry May 17, 1857.
In January, 1859, it was decided to enlarge the church by an addi- tion of twenty-two feet. In September, 1862, Mr. Mather was appointed chaplain of the Twenty-second Michigan Regiment and was absent a year. His place was supplied by Rev. George 11. Hickox, afterwards chaplain of the state prison at Jackson. Mr. Mather resigned on June 30, 1866. Rev. Robert C. Clapp was the next pastor, serving from Septem- ber 13, 1866, to May 20, 1868. Rev. William Remington began his pas- torate in September. 1868, resigning in March, 1871. Rev. William L. Sanders served from 1871 to 1873; Rev. E. B. Cressy from 1873 10 1877: Rev. C. W. Barnham from 1877 to 1881; Rev. F. F. Rea from 1881 to 1884: from 1884 to 1886 Rev. John Matthews and others filled the pul- pit as supplies. Rev. J. S. Thomas was pastor from 1886 to 1889; Rev. C. Miller from 1889 to 1893; Rev. A. M. Waxman from 1893 until his death in 1804.
Rev. Frank Barnet began his pastorate in May, 1894, and during his long term of service the church now in use was erected and substantial growth made in every department of the work. Rev. Thomas Cornish served as pastor only one year, but during the term the congregations were largely increased and a goodly number added to the church by bap- tism. Rev. Charles Irving followed Mr. Cornish as pastor, but resigned after four months' work to become state superintendent of missions.
The church building now is entirely free from debt. Two branch chapels are also used for Sunday-school and preaching services; the one at the corner of South Saginaw and Prospect streets and the other at the corner of Orchard Lake avenue and Green street. The enrolled member- ship of the church today is eight hundred and ninety. The Sunday-school has an enrollment at the First church of five hundred and fifty. The
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West Side Chapel has a Sunday-school with an enrollment of one hun- dred, and the Memorial Chapel has a Sunday-school of one hundred and fifty members. The entire property is in charge of the trustees of the First Baptist church, with representatives from the workers of the two chapels, who advise them in regard to the various phases of the work.
The superintendent of the Sunday-school of the First church is Jud- son Sibley ; the superintendent of the West Side Chapel is C. S. Johnson, while the superintendent of the Memorial Chapel school is John S. Bit- zer. Flourishing women's societies are found in connection with various organizations. The president of the Women's Missionary Society is Mrs. E. L. Maguire ; the president of the Wayside Gleaners is Mrs. James Hutton ; president of the King's llelpers of the West Side Chapel is Mrs. C. S. Johnson; the president of the Truth Seekers of the Memorial Chapel is Mrs. John Bitzer. The B. Y. P. U. has a membership of one hundred and fifty, with A. Lincoln Moore as president.
The present pastor,' Rev. R. M. Traver, began his pastorate here May 1, 1903.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In a comprehensive article written for the Press Gasette in Decem- ber, 1911, by Rev. Charles E. Blanchard, pastor of the First Presby- terian of Pontiac, a complete and accurate history of the church is given, and so thoroughly covers the growth and experience of this flourishing church that it is thought expedient to quote the article as written, or prac- tically so: "The First Presbyterian church of Pontiac was organized by Rev. E. W. Goodman, a missionary of the Presbyterian church, on Feb- ruary 26, 1824, at the home of John Voorheis, in the town of Bloomfield. and consisted of thirteen members. In 1833, nine years after its organ- ization, it had a membership of one hundred and five persons. During the early periods of its history, the country was very sparsely settled, and the members were scattered through the various townships, living far dis- tant from each other and from the place of worship in Pontiac. The length and roughness of the roads rendered it difficult for them to at- tend church at the county seat, and, for their accommodation, meetings were accustomed to be held in school houses and private residences in the various parts of the country, and on such occasions the Lord's Sup- per was sometimes administered.
"On September 8, 1828, the Presbytery of Detroit was organized and the Pontiac church was one of three churches uniting to form the new Presbytery. The other churches were those of Detroit and Farmington. The Pontiac church was represented on that occasion by its pastor. Rev. I. W. Ruggles, and Elder S. V. R. Trowbridge, the latter being elected temporary clerk of the body. It is now the oldest church on the roll of the Presbytery, with the exception of the First Church of Detroit.
"In 1831 several members of the Presbyterian church of Pontiac. who preferred the Congregational form of government, received letters of dismissal from the church for the purpose of enabling them to or- ganize a Congregational church.
"In 1835 the church removed to Auburn, but returned in 1841 to Pontiac. At the time of the removal of the church to Pontiac, Presby-
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terian churches had been organized at Troy and Birmingham. Conse- quenuy, as most of the members lived nearer these churches, they very naturally united with them, leaving the Pontiac church with but little more than its organization. The committee, appointed to secure a room in which to hold religious meetings, secured the Academy Hall Building. located on the lot on which the Davis building now stands, the title to which was subsequently secured for the church. The hall was in the second story of the building.and was in a state of dilapidation as a result of unuse. It was brightened up by the use of paint and whitewash and board seats installed, with a few chairs and a table for the minister, and the room was pronounced ready for use. At a meeting of the church, September 7. 1841, Weston Frost, E. T. Raymond, John J. Hall, Hugh Kelley, Olmstead Chamberlain, Horatio N. Howard, George Williams, Charles Elliott and Caroline Phelps, presented letters of dismissal and recommendation from the Congregational church of Pontiac, and were accordingly received into the church.
"At this time Rev. 1. P. Bates was invited to become pastor of the church. At a meeting of the church July 12, 1842, at the Academy Hall. E. T. Raymond and James S. Allen were elected elders and Weston Frost was elected deacon. The revenues of the church at this time were probably not more than six or seven hundred dollars, and the pastor's salary was represented by the munificent sum of $500 (he paying his own house rent and the expense of keeping a horse and buggy) and it was necessary to practice the most rigid economy in conducting the affairs of the church.
"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. MeGiffert, 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 1801 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 Ilor- nell, 1828-32: Noah 31. 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.
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