USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 38
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The first pastor of the church was the Reverend J. Ehrhart, who was succeeded in the early years by Reverends Christian Foltz, Conrad Foltz, C. Adam, Hugh B. Kuhn and Chris Eberhardt. The present pastor is the Reverend J. H. Westendorf, a native of this county, who was born and reared at Zilwaukee. He assumed charge in February, 1898, and in eighteen years of faithful service has witnessed a steady growth of the church, both in numbers and in spiritual life.
From the time this church was organized a parochial school has been maintained to afford religious instruction to the children and youth of the members. It also offers elementary education in English and German. In the early days the pastors were also the teachers of the school, and the old church building, upon completion of the new edifice, was devoted to school purposes. In 1883 the present school house was built, but owing to greatly increased attendance, it was enlarged in 1892. Three teachers are employed. and the average daily attendance is about one hundred and twenty-five in the eight grades. The graduates of the school pass directly to advanced courses in the Arthur Hill High School.
The Evangelical Association was formed in 1875 by the Reverend M. Heininger, of Flint, and Vincent Gaum, president ; Daniel Haller, secretary ; John Himmelbach, treasurer, and the Reverend J. M. Fuchs, pastor. In 1878 the old Baptist Church, at Fayette and Franklin ( Hancock ) Streets, was purchased by the association and improved for chapel purposes, for which it was used for nearly thirty years. The pastors of early years of the association were the Reverends J. M. Fuchs, C. C. Stiffield, W. F. Zanders and H. Schneider. In 1881 the membership had reached forty-five ; and the Sunday School was in charge of John Himmelbach as superintendent, Bar- bara Stengel, secretary, and V. Gaum, treasurer.
The First Church at East Saginaw
To the Methodists belong the honor of having organized the first church society at East Saginaw, at a time when the place was but a hamlet, built upon a marsh. Previous to the Fall of 1852 there was no class or organiza- tion representing Methodism on the east side of the river, but at the con- ference of that year the Reverend George Bradley was appointed missionary for the Saginaw Valley. On the sixteenth of December, 1852, he organized
328
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
the "Methodist Episcopal Church of the Village of East Saginaw," making a certificate for the appointment of trustees. At that day there was not a man, woman or child in the village who professed to be a Methodist, so Mr. Bradley named Charles Johnson, then a teacher in the Indian Mission School at Kaw- kawlin, Samuel N. Warren and Henry T. Higgins, of Flint, himself, as Meth- odists, and Norman Little, Charles T. Disbrow and John Moore, trustees.
The first Methodist sermon was preached by Reverend Bradley in the "Irving House," the leading hotel of the place ; and services were held there for some time thereafter. The pastor meanwhile purchased some lots on Water Street as a suitable site for a church, but they were never used for that purpose. In the summer of 1853 John W. Griswold took up his residence in the village, and soon made himself known as an earnest Methodist. He was a man of some means, and acting with Mr. Bradley selected the lot at the southeast corner of Washington and German Streets, now occupied by a part of the Hotel Vincent, as a suitable site for a church building. Soon after he purchased the lot in his own name and his own cost, and deeded it to the church society January 20, 1854. Such an act of generosity attracted considerable attention in the village, but the donor soon left and his where- abouts were unknown. Reverend Bradley thereupon started plans for the erection of a church building: but in the Fall he was superseded by the Reverend A. C. Shaw, who had been appointed to the charge of the churches on both sides of the river.
Reverend Shaw was a man of great energy, understood western life, and it was not long before he knew everybody on the river. He made a great stir, and early in 1855 had a church building under way. Many amusing stories have been told about this ardent missionary. He could preach and pray with the solemnity of a Bishop, could work on the church building with hammer and saw, cross the river on a saw log to meet appointments; and there was nothing reasonable or consistent with his following, that he could not, or did not do, in carrying on his work.
The style of the church building was pleasing, it was said, to only one member of the board of trustees, Norman Little, who represented the Hoyt interests and had great influence in such matters. The church was at length completed and dedicated in the Fall of 1855; and the Reverend Samuel Clemens was sent to take charge of the work on both sides of the river. He remained for one year and was followed by Rev- erend Belknap, whose pastorate was of only six months duration as he was obliged to leave on account of failing health. In the Fall of 1857 the Reverend Mr. Mosher came, and during the two years of his labors there was a great revival and increase in membership. He was succeeded by the Reverend H. N. Brown who remained for two years, then the Reverend H. O. Parker was pastor for one term. Late in 1863 the Reverend F. A. Warren became pastor and remained for one year. During these years of hardship and sacrifice, worship was still held in the little brown church on Washington Street. It was not a fashionable con- gregation - Methodists, Presbyterians and Bap- OLD METHODIST CHURCH tists - that gathered together in those early days; and they resorted to the use of candles to light the church for evening service, some brother or sister having the honor of hold- ing the candle during the singing so that those around them could see the music of the hymns. Other sisters brought scissors to snuff the candles,
TO THE MESTORY
JEFFERS FOUNTAIN
The Federal Building and the Elk's Temple in Background
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51
PORTRAIT GALLERY OF RESIDENTS OF SAGINAW CITY, 1860-1875
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42
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332
INDEX TO PORTRAIT GALLERY OF OLD-TIME RESIDENTS
Mrs. James Jerome
36 37 Mrs. Purmort
72 Newell Barnard, Sr.
3 Charles E. Wheeler
38 Augustine S. Gaylord
73 Mrs. Aaron Parsons
+ A. B. Paine
40 Mrs. J. H. Morley
75 Mrs. Hudson
5 Mrs. A. B. Paine
76 Jimmie Hay
6 David H. Jerome 1 Mrs. D. H. Jerome
41 42
Amasa Rust
77 Mrs. W. H. Taylor
8 Thomas S. Jerome
44
Charles A. Rust
80 Mrs. E. Ripley
10 Mrs. W. H. Carpenter
45
E. G. Rust
81 Mary Ann Ripley
11 Mrs. Anna Palmer
47 Father Vanderhayden
82 Anna Ripley
12 Dr. Smith
48
George T. Williams
83 Henry Ripley
13 Ezra Rust
49 Mrs. Winder
84 Fred Ripley
14 Mrs. Ezra Rust
50 Dr. Plessner
80 W. D. Carpenter
16 Mrs. C. L. Richman
51 Libby Benjamin
87 Mrs. W. D. Carpenter
17 Wheaton Carpenter
52 R. J. Birney
88 Frank Webster
18 William II. Taylor
54
J. Blackmore
89 Nellie Keevy
20 1
55 Mrs. E. R. Ayres
90 Hattie Wright
21 Mrs. G. K. Grout
56 Mrs. D. W. Briggs
(2 Rosetta Lewis ( Mrs. Wellington)
22 Harry Miller
57 Mrs. G. L. Burrows
23 Mrs. Charles A. Rust
58 Ed. Behan
24 Jay Smith
59 J. W. Penoyer
95 Mrs. Dr. Smith
25 Mrs. Jay Smith
60
Winnie Smith
26 Dr. J. B. White
61
Miss Nettie Ripley
27 Mrs. J. B. White
62 Unidentified
97
Misses Bither
28 Henry Miller
64
L. W. Wade
30 Mr. Bostwick
65
Unidentified
100
Frank Purmort
31 Miss Bernhard
66 Mrs. Bullock
101 Widow Penoyer
32 Miss Weigart
E. Ripley
33 John Moore
68 W. S. Green
103 Mrs. D. F. Paine
34 Mrs. L. T. Durand
69 James G. Terry
104 Mrs. J. F. Wider
35 Mrs. D. F. Paine
70 Mrs. J. G. Terry
71 Charles Burleson
[ 2 Unidentified
Mrs. John Moore
Mrs. A. S. Gaylord
43 Mrs. Amasa Rust
78 Daughter of Mrs. Taylor
79 Mrs. Ripley
Rev. Hough
46 A. G. Van Wey
85 Sarah Ripley (Mrs. Fraser)
15 Bird Richman
53 F. R. Potter
19 Sons of Mr. Taylor
91 Charles Stinchfield
93 James Jerome
94 Lizzie Merrill ( Mrs. C. L. Ring)
96 Daughter of Dr. Smith
S
Willie Armstrong
29 D. 1 .. C. Eaton
63 Mr. Frazee
98 99
102 Mrs. Smith Palmer
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
74 Captain Slenaw
39 Alrs. Isaac Parsons
333
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
thereby giving a little more light. The interior of the meeting-house was bare of carpet except in the pulpit and on each side of the altar, but the spirit of the Almighty was present, His power being displayed in the conversion of sinners and in the sanctification of believers. To afford better light for the pastor, a beautiful lamp was afterward presented by John P. Allison, for use on the pulpit ; and soon after oil lamps replaced the candles.
The Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist Church was organized in 1863, for the purpose of aiding the project for a new church. Mrs. A. M. Driggs was its first president and guiding spirit in years to follow. During the succeeding fifteen years, by personal solicitation, socials, church suppers and other activities, the society raised at least twelve thousand dollars, which was expended for furnishings, expenses and charitable work. During the Civil War its relief work for wounded soldiers was a notable feature of its labors; and in after years became the main stay of the pastors, and was an inspiration to the male workers of the church. For some years the society paid the insurance on the property, kept the organ in repair, paid the organist and sexton, bought fuel for heating the church, and dishes for the parsonage and the church kitchen.
In 1864 the Reverend R. R. Richards was sent by the Conference, and he worked in good earnest. By his special request Mrs. Mary West became superintendent of the Sabbath School, which position she filled for many years. During his pastorate the little church became over-crowded with worshipers, and in 1868 the building and parsonage were sold to the newly organized Presbyterian society. Services were then held in Penney's Hall, on Genesee Street, and later in Jackson Hall, on Washington Street. Rev- erend Richards retired in 1867, and was followed by the Reverend J. H. Mc- Carty. Meanwhile, the society purchased a new lot on Jefferson Street, and a subscription raised for the erection of a new meeting-house.
The corner stone of the new church was laid by Reverend Mccarty on March 27. 1867. but the building of so large and well appointed an edifice was a big undertaking, considering the resources of the society, and it was not until the fourth Sunday in August of the following year that the first services were held in the basement. The church was finally completed and dedicated by Bishop Haven, December 27, 1868, at which time there were one hundred and fifty members. The total cost of the edifice, including the spire rising to a height of one hundred and sixty-two feet, was fifty-one thousand dollars. In 1870 Mr. MeCarty was succeeded by the Reverend J. M. Fuller, and after two years of toil was superseded by the Reverend David Casler, who remained for three years.
Other pastors of the church were: Reverend Castor, 1875-78: Reverend W. E. Bigelow, 1878-79; Reverend J. N. McEldowney, 1879-81 ; Reverend John Wilson. 1881-84; Reverend Charles H. Morgan, 1884-87; Reverend George W. Hudson, 1889-90: Reverend Camden M. Cobern, 1890-91 ; Rev- erend William Dawe, 1891-93, and six years as presiding elder ; Reverend W. W. Washburn, 1893-95: Reverend George W. Jennings, 1895-98: Rev- erend J. S. Haller, 1898-1902; Reverend E. A. Elliott, 1902-07; Reverend A. B. Leonard, 1907-09; and Reverend C. B. Steele, 1909-11.
The present pastor is the Reverend Frederick Spence who came to this church in 1911. and will soon conclude his fifth year of faithful service to the congregation. In his pastorate extensive alterations were made to the church edifice, and refurnishing and other improvements added appreciably to the attractiveness of the audience and Sabbath School rooms. The parsonage directly back of the church on Warren Avenue is a valuable adjunct to the property, and is a comfortable home for the pastor, from which the various activities of the church are directed. In 1916 the membership was five hun- dred and fifty in good standing.
334
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
In 1873, through the persistent efforts of the Reverend James Riley, the Ames Chapel Mission was established on Penoyer Farm. This mission, in the midst of a new settlement directly across the river from the business section of East Saginaw, occupied a comfortable chapel on Fourth ( Hanchett ) Street near Lincoln ( Genesee) Avenue. As this section of the city built up a separate and independent congregation was formed from the mission, and regular church work and services have been maintained there since. The present pastor is the Reverend G. 11. Curts who came to the church in Sep- tember, 1912: and the membership is now one hundred and ninety.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
St. Paul's Parish, like other Catholic churches, had its origin in a mission established in the early days of settlement of East Saginaw. It was in 1854 that the Reverend Voltaire Spalding, who had charge of St. John's Church at Saginaw City, organized this parish on the east side of the river. No other church than the Methodist society then existed, so that St. Paul's is next in order of seniority. Like all the others this little company of churchmen and churchwomen was for a time without a church home, and was dependent upon public halls in which to worship.
At length Jesse Hoyt, who ever had the social, religious and cultural welfare of the city at heart, as well as it material progress, made the parish a gift of a lot at the northeast corner of Warren and Lapeer Streets, as a suitable site for a church building. The location was then well removed from the center of the settlement, being on the edge of the almost un- broken forest, but the ground was firm and solid. Upon this site which is now close to the center of the business section of the East Side, was erected in 1864 the first St. Paul's, a wooden building of the medieval style, comfortably furnished, heated and lighted. It had seatings for about four hundred persons and cost about twenty-two thousand dollars.
Among the early rectors may be named the Reverend G. B. East- man, the Reverend George W. Wil- son, the Reverend L. S. Stevens and OLD ST. PAUL'S, ERECTED IN 1864 the Reverend William A. Masker who assumed the duties of rector May 25, 1881. In 1874, under the ministrations of the Reverend G. W. Wilson, the membership was one hundred and seventy, and the Sunday school num- bered one hundred and fifty. St. Paul's was then keeping pace with the growth of East Saginaw which was fast becoming a lumber port of con- siderable importance.
On April 4, 1884, the parish suffered the loss of its church building by fire. This was a severe blow to the congregation, which was soon after enhanced by a disruption among the members over the selection of a more favorable site for the erection of the new church. After many heated discussions in which it was impossible to arrive at an agreement, the parish at length divided, the majority, comprising the older and more influential element supporting the okl organization.
335
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
The other and more radical element of the congregation, which was com- posed very largely of "high churchmen," thereupon organized the new parish of All Saint's, and called the Reverend Father Radcliffe to the rectorship. Ile was an earnest and faithful priest and drew many persons into the fold. A very appropriate location for the new church edifice and rectory was chosen at the northeast corner of Genesee Avenne and Burt Street, and the erection of the building begun. In due couse it was completed and furnished at large sacrifice by the devoted members of the congregation. For several years All Saint's Church did a good work in the eastern part of the city, but the burden of debt which had been assumed at the time of building the church was too great to be carried, and the parish sold its property and dissolved. Some of the more active members then allied themselves with Calvary Memorial Church at North Saginaw, to the work of which they entered with their accustomed zeal and faithfulness.
3
C
INTERIOR OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
The old St. Paul's congregation, meanwhile, had chosen lots at Wash- ington Avenue and Fitzhugh Streets, and in 1887. during the rectorship of the Reverend Isaac Barr, commenced the erection of a stone edifice for their church home. At this time Henry D. Wickes, his brother, Edward N. Wickes, John J. Wheeler and C. Stuart Draper were influential vestrymen of the parish, and gave most liberally of their time and means to forward the building operations. The beautiful new church was completed and dedicated in the Summer of 1888; and services of the Church have since been held within its walls.
The Reverend Isaac Barr was followed in 1890 by the Reverend William 11. Gallagher, a very able and devoted minister, who remained rector of St.
1
336
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Paul's for a period of twenty years. His broad and liberal Churchmanship. sturdy Christianity and good deeds without number, soon brought him into prominence in the religious life of the city, and few clergymen have enjoyed the universal esteem and high regard in which he was held by all classes of citizens, irrespective of creed or religious belief. Ilis preaching, though never sensational, was vigorous and masterful, and was marked by deep and thorough knowledge of the scriptures. He appealed to the reason and to the spiritual sensibilities of his hearers rather than to the emotions; and his beautiful reading of the church service will always be remembered with peculiar pleasure by the members of his congregation.
The present rector of St. Paul's is the Reverend Thomas E. Swan, who has filled the churchly office for the last four years, and is carrying on the good work of the parish and Sunday School.
The Congregationalists
In the early years of Christian endeavor in Saginaw there were a num- ber of persons professing the faith of the Congregational Church, but, for want of a separate organization they worshipped with the members of other churches. In Saginaw City they became strong enough in 1842, as we have seen, to change the established Presbyterian Church to their own organiza- tion, and, although the society later went back to its previous form of govern- ment, a few persons still adhered to the covenent and fellowship of the Congregational Church.
Among these true and zealous Christians was Chester B. Jones, who was yet a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church. In April, 1853. imbued with a true missionary spirit, he organized the first Sabbath School on the east side of the river, the sessions being held in the "Academy" on South Jefferson and Hoyt Streets. The few families which professed mem- bership in the Congregational Church, like the Presbyterians and Baptists, worshipped with the Methodists whom they had aided in building the first church edifice at East Saginaw.
At length it seemed advisable to have another church in this place, and the Congregationalists and Presbyterians united and began to look about for a suitable minister. In the Spring of 1857 Mr. Jones and a few others with- drew from the church in Saginaw City, in which they had labored for several years, and were instrumental in forming a new congregation on the East Side. On May 3rd the Reverend William C. Smith, of Lapeer, preached in the Methodist Church, which stood on the southeast corner of Washington and German Streets, and in the evening in Buena Vista Hall. He was immediately engaged by the society with much zeal, as their pastor, for one year; and services were held in the hall, which had been offered to the citizens by Jesse Hoyt, for public worship.
On the first Sunday of the following June Mr. Smith and a few others formed a Sabbath School, Mr. Jones being chosen superintendent. Within a few weeks the school numbered about one hundred and fifty scholars, and had a library of six hundred volumes, many of which were the gift of friends at the East through John P. Allison. Mr. Jones held the office of superin- tendent for six terms, and was succeeded by Henry M. Flagler, the school at that time having three hundred and thirty-six scholars. After three years 11. T. Collins was chosen to the office, and later was succeeded by Lucius C. Storrs.
When the society had been well established some of the members desired a church organization, and a meeting was held Tuesday, September 11, 1857. to consider the subject. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Warner, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob E. Vorhies, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Woodruff, Mr. and Mrs.
337
RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE
1
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Erected in 1860 at the Southwest Corner of Washington and German Streets
George Morris, Mrs. Norman Little, Mrs. Menzo C. Stevens, Mrs. William L. Webber, Mrs. De Witt C. Gage, Mrs. Robert Pearson, Mrs. Stephen B. Knapp, Mrs. Nancy Brown, Mrs. George Elseffer, Mrs. William MeKnight, Miss Catharine Lathrop, Solomon Lathrop, Edwin A. Moore, Horace B. Hubbard and Chester B. Jones.
Having decided upon a church organization the form of government was determined by ballot, eighteen votes being cast for the Congregational form and four for the Presbyterian. The name chosen was "The First Congrega- tional Church of East Saginaw:" and on October 7, 1857, an Ecclesiastical Council organized the church, the Reverend William C. Smith offering the Prayer of Organization. At this time Mrs. Smith, the wife of the pastor, and Miss Augusta E. Kimball were admitted by letter, and the Misses Ilelen R. G. Little, Amanda and Elizabeth Woodruff by profession. The first Preparatory Lecture was given October 31, and the Sacrament was first cele- brated November 1, 1857.
After a faithful and honored service of eight years Mr. Smith resigned the pastorate and closed his labors here on Sunday, April 30, 1865. Follow- ing him was a line of able and consecrated servants of God, who were: Reverend John G. W. Cowles, 1865-71: Reverend Joseph Estabrook, as sup- ply in 1871: Reverend William DeLoss Love, 1871-76; Reverend William F. Day, 1877-82; Reverend Franklin Noble, 1883-89; Reverend George R. Wal- lace, 1890-94; Reverend William Knight, 1894-97: Reverend Andrew Burns Chalmers, 1898-1901 : Reverend Nelson S. Bradley, 1901 to the present time.
To co-operate with the church the First Congregational Society was formed September 7, 1857, and the following were elected trustees: Norman Little, De Witt C. Gage, Chester B. Jones, Jacob E. Vorhies and George J. Dorr. Others serving later in this capacity were: W. L. P. Little, John H. Elseffer, Henry Woodruff, George W. Waldron, William C. Janes, Alfred T. Silsbee, George H. Newcombe, Henry M. Flagler, Dwight G. Holland,
338
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Erastus T. Judd, Charles K. Robinson, D. Forsyth Rose, William 11. Warner and Byron B. Buckhout. In 1911 the society and church were consolidated under the name of "The First Congregational Church of Saginaw."
The first house of worship used by this church was built on the south- west corner of Washington and German Streets, directly opposite the Meth- odist Church ; and the first effective work on it was performed in October. 1860. It was first used by the congregation for worship on February 3, 1861. The original cost of the structure was two thousand dollars, but in the fol- lowing year additional pews were provided and the gallery enlarged, bringing the cost of the church property, including heating and lighting arrangements, to forty-five hundred dollars.
In the Autumn of 1800, to provide for the increasing membership. measures were taken toward building the present church, and its dedication was held on Sunday, June 14, 1868. Professor Joseph Haven, D. D., of Chicago, preached the Sermon of Dedication, after which upwards of twenty- two thousand dollars was added to the subscriptions to the building fund ; and in the evening the Reverend J. W. Ilough preached, and more than six thousand dollars was added to the fund. The Prayer of Dedication was then offered by the pastor. In 1891 extensive repairs and alterations were made in the edifice and chapel, including a new elevated floor, new opera chairs, and perfect electric lighting and ventilating arrangements throughout. The organ was moved from the side to the center, back of the pulpit, thoroughly rebuilt, and a place provided for the chorus choir of about thirty voices. The total cost of the church property, including these improvements, has been seventy-seven thousand dollars.
The Men's Club of the First Congregational Church was organized October 30, 1907, for church extension and social purposes, and has had a useful existence since that time. The original officers were: William P. Powell, president; Robert T. Holland, vice-president ; Fred C. Roberts, recording secretary; Norman N. Rupp, secretary; William A. Brewer, treasurer.
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