History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 82

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan > Part 82

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On May 15, Dr. Justin Rice and Gen. D. Northrup were elected Elders, and Dr. Rice, Deacon. On May 16, Gen. Northrup was elected Clerk.

Rev. O. C. Thompson says of this organization: " There was no church nearer than St. Clair at that time. I speak advisedly on this point. I say, positively, this was the first; and there was no other for more than a year after this."

From 1840 to 1858, there was no installation of pastors.

Rev. Orin C. Thompson, the first teacher and organizer, was also the first pastor. The congregation assembled regularly on the Sabbath, and, in addition to the charter members, the names of L. M. Mason, Ira Porter and Dr. Noble, Maj. Gardner, Mrs. Gardner, Lieut, Drum, Sergt. Townsend, Sutler Jenkins, of the garrison at Fort Gratiot, with their wives, were regular attendants. In 1840, Mr. Thompson brought his family to Port Huron, and during the year held morning, afternoon, and sometimes evening services. After some time, the afternoon service at Port Huron was discontinued, owing to the fact that the pastor estab- lished a Sabbath service at Wadham's Mill. Again, he preached at Sarnia, and may be called the organizer of the Presbyterian Society at that point.

During his labors at Port Huron, twenty-three members were added to the congregation, seven were dismissed, and one died. Eighteen children were baptized by him from the begin- ning of his ministry here until its close, May 17, 1843.

Rev. Peter Boughton arrived in January 1, 1844, and continued his labors here until Oc-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

tober, 1850. During his administration, thirty-five members united by letter, and seventeen on profession.

Rev. J. H. Benton served the church from October, 1851, to October, 1853. During the two years of his ministry, fifteen members united by letter, and three on profession.

Rev. William P. Wastell was pastor from October, 1853, to October 21, 1855. At that time, their house of worship was on Butler street. Thirteen members united by letter, or on profession.

From the close of Mr. Wastell's ministry to December, 1856, the pulpit was filled by Rev. Jesse Gurney, Rev. Newton, Rev. Charles Kellogg, Rev. Elkanah Whitney, Rev. L. B. Fifield and Rev. Mr. Cheever.

Rev. Sylvanus M. Judson served the church from December, 1856, to December, 1857. After he left Port Huron, during the winter of 1857-58, the church was closed; yet the Sunday school and prayer meetings were sustained. The church and society found a temporary home with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and both societies shared in the revival meetings of that period.

Rev. James S. Hoyt, D. D., a graduate of Yale in 1851, and of the Union Theological Seminary in 1858, was ordained at Stamford, Conn., May 25, 1858, and began his eighteen years' term of Gospel work at Port Huron June 1, same year. His engagement for this dis- trict was due to the fact that Dr. C. M. Stockwell wrote to an acquaintance at Binghampton, N. Y., regarding a suitable pastor for the church at this point. Inquiry reached Mr. Hoyt, together with a letter from the trustees at Port Huron, March 11, 1858. The student searched the map in vain for Port Huron, but succeeded in learning from a Michigan student that the village was "somewhere north of Detroit, and one of the hardest places in Michigan." Not deterred by this representation, he agreed to supply the pulpit April 11 and 18, on condition that his expenses should be paid. The society acceded to this proposition, and Mr. Hoyt preached to the people on the days named. April 16, 1858, the society met, and voted that the church and society give him a call to supply the pulpit for one year in consideration of $800 salary. On April 26, this call was accepted by Mr. Hoyt, who at once returned to the seminary to graduate, graduated, married Miss Martha A. Osborn, ordained, and arrived at Port Huron, to assume the pastorate of the church, June 6, 1858. October 22, 1858, the soci - ety tendered him a unanimous call. This call was accepted December 8, 1858, and on the same day Mr. Hoyt was installed by the Council of the district churches then assembled at Port Huron.

Rev. Mr. Hoyt tendered his resignation of the charge, January 2, 1876, to take effect May 31, 1876, the closing day of his eighteen years of service.

Rev. A. Hastings Ross entered on the duties of his office the day following the retirement of Dr. Hoyt. Mr. Ross is a native of Winchendon, Mass., a graduate of Oberlin, Ohio, 1857, and of Andover Theological Seminary, 1860, taking a full course of study in each of these in- stitutions.

He preached before the church, March 12 and 19, 1876. A call was extended to him March 31, 1876, and on January 4, 1877, he was installed pastor by an Ecclesiastical Council convened for the purpose. Revs. Minor W. Fairfield, W. H. A. Claris, Ward I. Hunt and W. P. Russell participated in the ceremony of installation.

The church may be said to be inaugurated at Port Huron in October, 1839, when the American Home Missionary Society sent agents into the village and neighborhood. During the ten years succeeding, that society expended $1,250 on this mission, to which must be added $300 subscribed for building a hall and enlarging the meeting house. July 29, 1853, the church adopted the present articles, except No. VI, setting aside the articles adopted at organization.

The first Ladies' Sewing Circle in connection with the church was organized under Mrs. Boughton in 1847 or 1848.

The worship of praise was, from the beginning, a volunteer choir, under the direction of Martin S. Gillett and Mrs. Elizabeth Gillett.

The instrumental accompaniment was a boxwood flute, played by Dr. Noble. During his

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

absence, John Miller performed on a black flute with silver keys. Subsequently, an accordion and a bass-viol were introduced, with Messrs. Forbes and David Bryce musicians. Watts' and Select Hymns were sung from 1840 to 1843, when the Church Psalmist was substituted. All this old-time music has given place to a regularly organized choir of talented musicians.

The Congregational Sunday School was organized in October, 1838. Meetings were held in a hall, which was destroyed by fire. The Sunday school, as now organized, has a useful library and rooms in the new church building. The gift of 275 books from Rev. Dr. Savage, Chicago, and of $3,000 from the late Mrs. Sweetzer, aided much in improving the society.

The Ecclesiastical society was organized March 27, 1843, under the title of The First Congregational Society of Port Huron. Gen D. Northrup, Amasa Bottsford, Martin S. Gillett, E. B. Clark, John Miller, were elected Trustees. Newell Avery, John P. and Peter Sanborn presented a 2,031 pound bell to the society on the completion of the new church.

The salary paid each pastor, in early times, was $500 to Rev. O. C. Thompson; $600 to Mr. Wastell the first year, and $700 the second; $800 to Rev. S. M. Judson. When it is re- membered that the County Judge received only $400, the County Clerk $250, the County Treasurer, $500, and the Prosecuting Attorney $300, the salaries paid to these early pastors seem large.

The church built in 1838 by Justin Rice. Alanson Shelley, and others. In 1844, Maj. Thorne offered a site for a Congregational Church, provided the society should locate it on the corner of Fort and Butler streets. The proposition was accepted, and the building moved to the southwest corner of the streets named. The church was lengthened, a belfry erected in 1844, and the first church bell introduced into Port Huron placed therein. This was the house of worship until December 25, 1859; when the congregation took possession of the brick church building. The German-English School Association purchased it and used it until 1870. Subsequently it was used for business purposes until burned in 1878.

In 1856, the site on which the Congregational Church building now stands was located, and purchased February 14, 1857, at a time when that vicinity was minus any improvement. In April, 1859, ground was broken for the building, and on January 4, 1860, the building was dedicated. Regular worship began therein on January 7. In 1868, a new roof was placed on the building, which was re-dedicated October 11 of that year. The edifice cost $18,500. The parsonage was built in 1865-67, at a cost of $5,000.

Among the members of the congregation who served in the war of the Union were C. M. Stockwell, M. D., Surgeon Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry; James Allen. Assistant Sur- geon; Edward C. Avery, Third Michigan Infantry; Samuel B. Carl, Lieutenant Second and Sev- enth Michigan Cavalry; James Eckels, Seventh Michigan Cavalry (died in service April 28, 1862); H. P. Holland, Third Michigan Infantry; John Sackett, Twenty-second Michigan In- fantry (died December 30, 1862); Lieut. William Thompson, Third Michigan Infantry; Eben W. Beach, Seventh Michigan Cavalry; and Lieut. William J. Mulford, Third Michigan Cav- alry.

The associations connected with the church are flourishing. They are, the Ladies' Aid Society, the Woman's Missionary Society, the Ecclesiastical Society, the Sunday school and the Choir.

It is said that this church society is one of the best governed and most influential in the State.

The pastors of the church since 1840 are named as follows: Rev. O. C. Thompson, 1840- 43; Rev. Peter Boughton, 1844-50; Rev. J. H. Benton, 1851-53; Rev. W. P. Wastell, 1853-55; Rev. S. M. Judson, 1856-57; Rev. J. S. Hoyt, D. D., 1858-76; Rev. A. H. Ross, 1876-82.

The Ruling Elders were Justin Rice, M. D., Gen. D. Northrup, Edwin Thompson.

Deacons-Justin Rice, E. Thompson, Nelson George, D. Northrup, W. R. Mulford, Allen Fish, Jr., Perley Morse, Joel Whipple, Enoch Carver, Christian G. Meisel and John McKeand. Clerks-Gen. D. Northrup, M. S. Gillett, George Barrett, J. S. Hoyt, F. A. Fish, A. H. Fish, John McKeand.

Treasurers-John Miller, 1850; Allen Fish, 1858-82; Gottlieb C. Meisel and Dr. H. R. Mills.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Leaders of the Choir -- M. S. Gillett, Perley Morse and Nicholas Cawthorne.

Society Clerks-Gen. Northrup, E. B. Clark, S. A. Jones, W. T. Mitchell, W. R. Mul- ford, W. L. Bancroft, S. A. Jones, Edwin Thompson,. John Miller, Laban Tucker, John John- ston and C. M. Stockwell.

The Sunday School Superintendents were: Allanson Shelley, 1838; N. D. Horton, 1839; Justin Rice, 1840; Nelson George, Eben W. Beach, Laban Tucker, Allen Fish, B. C. Farrand, 1855-66 and 1860-63; John Johnston, Perley Morse, F. A. Fish, W. J. Mulford, George Bar- rett, Gottlieb C. Meisel, Justin R. Wastell, E. V. W. Brokaw and H. W. Chester.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The first meeting to organize the Baptist Society of Port Huron was held at the residence of John Lewis, December 5, 1859. Articles of association were signed, and John Lewis, John Howard, J. J. Scarritt, J. B. Hull and C. Ames were elected Trustees. Religious services were held from that time, but it was not until 1861 that steps were taken to erect a house of worship. Not much was accomplished until 1862, when Rev. C. R. Nichols came to the city. Through his endeavors, a subscription of $2,300 was made, and he gave encouragement to the work by becoming the first pastor, the Ladies' Society becoming responsible for his salary, $550 for a year. Lots on Superior street, between Butler and Broad, were given to the society by Messrs. Lewis, Shelley and Ames, on which to build a church. M. E. Dodge became contractor to build the church for $2,600, but this did not include finishing or furnishing.

A Sabbath school was organized, beginning with fourteen scholars, but rapidly increasing in numbers each Sunday. Church services and Sabbath school were held in the old Congrega- tional Church on Butler street, until December, 1862, when they moved into the basement rooms of their new house, which they occupied for one year. The audience room above was finished and carpeted in December 1863.

Up to September, 1863, only a Baptist Society had been organized, so at this time the following named persons, who were baptized, met and organized themselves into a regular Bap- tist Church :

Rev. C. R. Nichols, Pastor; F. E. Manley, Clerk; William H. Sanborn, James Gleason, Michael Dove, Mrs. Nancy Howard, Mrs. P. E. Nichols, Mrs. Harriet Hubbard, Mrs. Sarah Ford, Mrs. Sophronia Lewis, Mrs. Catharine McIntyre, Mrs. Anna M. Manley, Miss Julia Wilson, Miss Margaret Gardner, Miss Juliette Petit.

On October 4, 1863, the church observed the ordinance of the Lord's Supper for the first time. The church being organized and the house of worship finished, a council of Baptist Churches was called, and the church recognized, and the house dedicated on the 8th of Decem- ber, 1863.

Rev. A. E. Mather preached the sermon. The address to the church was delivered by Rev. J. C. Baker, of Romeo, and the " Right Hand of Fellowship " extended by Rev. E. Curtiss, of Kalamazoo.

The first baptism took place April 1, 1864, when Mrs. Henry Howard and Miss Sarah Howard were buried beneath the baptismal wave. In May following, the pastor, Rev. C. R. Nichols, resigned, having acted as pastor, and completed the erection of the church edifice and rendered invaluable services which will never be forgotten.

In 1864, about the 1st of June, the Rev. J. Donnelly, Jr., was called, and accepted the pastorate at a salary of $750. At this time the church numbered twenty-nine members.

From this day of small things the church has prospered and increased in membership. In September, 1866, a bell was bought for $700, and in 1868, a parsonage was purchased of E. M. Carrington for $4,000. The church edifice had also been enlarged and repaired, making the whole amount expended for church property to May, 1868, about $12,000. The membership at this time was about 150. Rev. J. Donnelly resigned his long and successful pastorate of nine years in 1873, leaving a membership of 186 and a Sabbath school numbering 206.

The church had no regular pastor during the remainder of 1873, but the pulpit was sup- plied by various ministers of the denomination. During the last three months, Rev. John Matthews, of Detroit, supplied acceptably while the church was waiting for the arrival of Rev.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Alexander Macfarlane, who had accepted a call to be pastor. He entered upon the duties of the pastorate January 1, 1874, and a revival interest was immediately awakened under his preaching, and an increase of about sixty to the membership was obtained. Other additions were made each following year. The church was very prosperous during his whole pastorate of three years, baptism being administered to sixty-eight candidates, and thirty-nine received by letter and on experience.

Mr. Macfarlane, having received a call to the Hanson Place Baptist Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., resigned his pastorate here, to take effect December 31, 1876. His resignation was sor- rowfully accepted, and the church was once more without an under shepherd.

After various candidates had supplied the pulpit, a call was extended to Rev. D. Bald- win, of Strathroy, Ont., who entered on the pastorate June 1, 1877. During Mr. Baldwin's service, the church edifice was burned. It was on Sunday, January 12, 1879, a sharp, cold day in midwinter, after the people had returned to their homes from morning service and Sunday school, and after announcements had been made that the coming week would be devoted to revival services, that the sharp clanging of the fire bells brought all to the fact that the Baptist Church was in flames, and was soon lying in a heap of blackened ruins. Since then, the church has held its services in Red Ribbon Hall, until the resignation of its pastor, February 1, 1880. Mr. Baldwin labored faithfully through many trying circumstances, and severed his relation with the church with many expressions of regret from the members.

Steps were taken to procure suitable lots. and a plan for a new house of worship was made. A committee was appointed, and after some delay the lots on the corner of West Butler and Ontario streets were purchased for $1,500, of Dr. Hartsuff, of Detroit, and the contract let to J. Spalding to construct a brick church on the lots according to a plan agreed upon, for about $11,000, some necessary changes, together with heating apparatus and furnishing, bringing the entire cost to about $14,000.

Thursday, the 15th of July, 1380, the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the new Baptist Church, on the corner of Butler and Ontario streets, was performed. About 250 people gath- ered to watch the ceremonies, and disposed themselves about the speaker's stand, which had been erected at the southeast corner of the edifice, and in the center of which the corner-stone, bearing the figures 1880, hung suspended. The platform was occupied by the Revs. Alexander Macfarlane, H. S. White, T. W. Monteith, A. H. Ross, Rev. Mr. Johnson, from Sarnia, the Rev. J. McDonald from Brigden, Ont., and the choir, for whose benefit a small organ had also been placed on the stand. The exercises were opened with music by the choir, which was followed with prayer by the Rev. A. H. Ross, after which came the reading of the Scriptures by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Sarnia. Another selection was then rendered by the choir, at the con- clusion of which the Rev. Alexander Macfarlane took the stand and delivered the address.

Dr. A. A. Whitney then read a list of the articles to be deposited in the corner-stone, which included a manual and list of membership of the church, short histories of the various societies connected therewith, a copy of the Sabbath School record, copies of the Daily Times and Journal, and some specimens of coin. These were put in a tin casket, sealed, and placed in the excavation in the stone covered by the corner stone, which was then placed in position

The church is built in the English Gothic style of red brick, with basement and ground floor, presenting an enduring and solid, as well as a handsome and truly proportioned exterior. George Wardell, of Grand Rapids, was the architect. There are four entrances, the main one being at the southeast corner. The projection at this corner forms the vestibule. The area of the audience room is 60x52 feet, with an inclined floor. The wood work is of oak and cherry, finely polished. A graceful arched alcove forms the choir, in front of which is the pulpit. On either side of the choir is an ante-room, connecting with smaller vestibules that compose the south and west entrances to the church. The baptistry is so arranged that two diagonal sec- tions of the choir floor and railing and the whole of the pulpit floor swing back on hinges, dis- closing steps leading down from the ante-rooms to the zinc-lined basin. Pipes for conducting hot and cold water to the basin have been placed. The ingrain carpeting, of which 400 yards were used, was purchased of G. R. Shatto. The room contains 365 comfortable chairs, with iron frames and maroon plush upholstery. They were furnished by A. H. Andrews, Chicago.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

The windows present silent sermons, in their symbolical flowers and designs, and glowing poems are revealed in their harmonious forms and colors. Few external objects could have a tendency to develop veneration and spirituality more fully than this appeal to the æsthetic perception-sunlight streaming through stained glass, filling the room with a soft radiance, and here and there visible patches of rainbows. The most matter-of-fact could not fail to be impressed by the wondrous effects of these blending, shifting colors in a place of divine wor- ship. The large south window, presented by the Young People's Society, represents at the top a dove, a lily and a sheaf. The east window was presented by Messrs. Albert Dixon and S. L. Boyce. This is covered over with conventional designs of typical flowers and emblems. The long, narrow window back of the choir is a delightful place to rest the eyes; not that the others are tiresome, but because the varied tints of green, and the semi-transparencies, remind one of green pastures and living waters. The glass came from the firm of Frederiech & Staffen, De- troit. The buttresses are gracefully formed to support the vaulted ceiling, all of which await frescoing at some future time. The chandelier, from Mitchell, Vance & Co., New York, has thirty- six gas jets in a circle and an opal glass reflector. Three large arched doors on the north side, sliding upward, disclose the lecture rooms, 47x28 feet, neatly furnished with matting, plain chairs and the belongings of the Sunday school. The numerous windows here are also very

tasty. To the east side of this is the infant room, 22x16 feet, connected by large sliding win- dows. It is pleasant to observe that, in the new arrangement, the little ones have been remem- bered with new chairs suited to their size. In the basement is an airy kitchen, with the neces- sary furniture, and back of this the furnace which heats the last two upper rooms described. A boiler has been ordered, to heat the audience room by steam. A dumb waiter works between the kitchen and upper story, as a convenience for church socials and festivals. The infant and Sunday schoolrooms open into a hall, through which is the east entrance from the street. From this hall, a noiseless double door on reversible hinges connects with the main part of the church. It is a noticeable fact, that throughout the church there is no attempt at superfluous ornamentation; there is a happy combination of beauty.

The dedicatory service was opened May 21. 1882, by the choir singing "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," followed by a prayer by the pastor and the reading of a psalm, singing of an anthem by the choir, a Scripture lesson by Rev. John Donnelly, of Coldwater, and a prayer by Rev. D. Baldwin, of Mason. The choir and congregation then sang the hymn, " In the cross of Christ I glory," after which Rev. L. Kirtley, of Jackson, preached an excellent sermon; his text being a portion of the twenty-first verse of the first chapter of the first epistle to the Cor- inthians-" It pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believed." A quartette was then sung, and the pastor announced that one of the practical parts of the serv- ice and been reached-the raising of money. Mr. Harris then read the following financial statement, after which contributions were received:

EXPENDITURES.

Site.

$ 1,550

Building.

16,619

Furnishings 4,495

Total

$22,664

RECEIPTS.

Insurance on old building.

$ 4,000

Land sales.

1,140

Subscriptions.

7,814

Mortgage.

5,000

Note

600

Total .

.$18,554

Balance

$ 4,110

AMOUNT OF INDEBTEDNESS.

Mortgage

$ 5,000

Note .. .

600

Floating

4,110

Total

$ 9,710

Led. Meisel

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

The congregation responded liberally, and in a short time $3,300 was contributed. The dedicatory prayer was also to have been made at this service, but owing to the late hour it was deferred until the evening. The service concluded by the choir singing one verse of the hymn "Coronation," and the pronouncing of the benediction.

The afternoon service commenced at 3 o'clock by the choir singing an anthem. Rev. J. Grinnell, Jr., of Detroit, then read a psalm, Rev. L. Kirtley, of Jackson, offered a prayer, and the choir and congregation sung "Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah." Rev. John Donnelly, of Coldwater, then delivered an address. He was pastor of the Baptist Church for nine years and four months. He preached his first sermon in the old church eighteen years ago next Sun- day. When he first came here, in 1864, the membership of the church numbered 26 persons, 18 being women. The first winter, nine or ten converts were received, and during his pastor- ate about 200 were added. The speaker referred to the noble women who helped to bear the burdens of the church, and credited them with being the foundation stones. The five trustees who were then in office also received much praise. They labored under the most adverse cir- cumstances, but always met the church's obligations in good spirit. All the work done in the old church would not be known until the resurrection morn. Rev. D. Baldwin, of Mason, also made a brief address. He was pastor here when the old church was burned, and well remem- bered the 12th of January. 1879, the Sunday the church was laid in ruins. It was at a time when Port Huron's business men were passing through one of the darkest financial peri- ods that they ever experienced. When the church was destroyed, the congregation were re- joicing in a revival season, and their joys were mingled with sadness when they found they were without a house of worship, but they soon regained their faith and resolved upon doing more work. Remarks were also made by Rev. T. W. Monteith and Rev. Thomas Stalker and Rev. Mr. McAaron, of Brockway. A quartette was then sung, after which subscriptions to the amount of $200 were received. The services closed by the congregation singing, "O, could I speak Thy matchless Word," and a prayer.

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History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 82

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818