USA > Michigan > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Michigan; Volume I > Part 39
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In the fall of 1831 William Sprague preached to the White Pigeon society, and in the following summer Benjamin Cooper,
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Jr., assisted him. The charge was then included in the Indiana conference, Detroit district, but in 1840 became part of the Michi- gan conference, St. Joseph mission.
In October, 1839, Rev. James V. Watson was appointed to the charge, and became not only distinguished as a preacher, but as the first editor of the Northwestern Christian Advocate, of Chi- cago, where he died October 17, 1856.
In the summer of 1832 a small frame building was erected on the site of the present church, except that it faced south, and it was occupied by the society as a house of worship until the sum- mer of 1854, when a more commodious structure was built at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated by Rev. F. B. Bangs, former presiding elder of the circuit.
In 1839 White Pigeon circuit was divided, Constantine being included in it, and in September, 1841, the Michigan conference of the church was held at White Pigeon village, Bishop R. R. Roberts presiding. The year 1855 was marked by a great revival at both White Pigeon and Constantine, and another re-arrange- ment of the circuit, by which Mottville and White Pigeon were joined.
Rev. James Webster was pastor at White Pigeon in 1877, at which time the society had seventy-five members, and the organiza- tion at Mottville about thirty. By 1890 the second church build- ing had been so far outgrown that the society at White Pigeon commenced active operations for the erection of a large brick edi- fice, which was not completed until April 26, 1891, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. M. M. Cannon, of Jackson. At that time, Rev. H. H. Rood was pastor of the church. The present parsonage was built in 1873.
The Methodist church of White Pigeon now numbers about 100 members, and is in charge of Rev. William T. Hill, who has been an incumbent for two years.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church of White Pigeon dates from 1830, but as it was not organized until August 8th of that year, the Methodists claim priority as pioneers by several months. Rev. William Jones, who effected the organization, received, as ruling elders, Benjamin Blair, David Clark, Neal McGaffey, James Math- ers and James Blair; nineteen others were admitted as members.
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Thus was organized the first church of the denomination in western Michigan. Its membership was drawn from all parts of the county, as well as outside, and it afterward entered into the foun- dation of churches at Elkhart, Constantine, Prairie Ronde and even more distant points.
The society at White Pigeon was first organized under the statute January 16, 1833, when Elijah White, Nicholas B. Chapin, Hubbel Loomis, Charles Kellogg, Lewis B. Judson and William Rowen were elected its first trustees. The first two preachers, Revs. William Jones and Christopher Cory, were not regularly in- stalled, but were "stated supplies," as were others in after years. Among others who occupied the pulpit up to the time of the dedi- cation of the present church, in 1888, were Revs. P. W. Warringer, Julius Steel, H. H. Northrup, William Fuller, C. M. Temple, J. B. Hubbard and L. M. Gilleland.
An interesting sketch of the church up to the year and event named, was prepared for the local press by Rev. J. E. Fisher, and is reproduced as follows: "The First Presbyterian church of White Pigeon, is one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in south- western Michigan. There is but one church west of Detroit which may be older, that at Monroe. The organization was effected in the house now standing west of Mr. Clapp's residence, then occu- pied by Neal McGaffey. The White Pigeon church was organized August 8, 1830, with a membership of twenty-four. It is somewhat singular and worthy of note that she became a colonizing church very early in her history. In January, 1833, she parted with a number of her members who were given letters of dismissal and organized into a separate church at Elkhart, and again, in Novem- ber of the same year, a still greater number were dismissed to join in the organization of a Presbyterian church in La Grange county, Indiana. Some years later twenty-two others received letters for the purpose of organizing a Congregational church. It seems that the organization was not effected and several of the letters were returned without having been presented elsewhere. Again, in 1858 (a fourth time in twenty-five years) a number were dis- missed for the organization of the German Reformed church of this place.
"The first house of worship was erected in 1834, at a cost of $1,900. It had the distinction of having the first steeple and church bell west of Ann Arbor. The old church was remodeled in 1855, and when completed, re-dedicated. It had a seating capacity of
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300. This building remained in constant use until the present edifice was erected. At one time, during the Rev. Gilleland's pas- torate, the subject of erecting a new building was strongly agitated. Considerable interest and enthusiasm were aroused. Subscriptions were taken, and Elder Isaac Blue and Mr. L. Ferguson each pledged $500. Some $6,000 was subscribed. The pastor, on ad- vice of his physician, resigned his charge. The people, left with- out the leader whom they had been wont to follow, grew dis- couraged and the building project bore no apparent fruit.
"Elder Blue still cherished his desire to aid in the erection of a new house of worship, even though he might not see it in his day. After his death, about two years later, the following bequest was found in his will: 'It is my will that my executors be and they are empowered to make sale and convey by sufficient deeds, in such manner as they may deem best, my village property at White Pigeon, being about four acres of ground (now the Pike place) and out of the proceeds of said sale pay as follows :
" 'First, to the First Presbyterian church of White Pigeon, Michigan, for building a new church edifice, the sum of one thou- sand dollars, provided said church be erected in two years after my death, and provided said real estate be sold within that time. If the church however, shall be erected within two years after my death, but the real estate shall not be sold within that time, the said one thousand dollars shall be paid over when the said real estate is sold and thereon collected.' The congregation failed to comply with the conditions of the will, but the request no doubt had great influence in leading to the building of the church which was completed about a year after the time specified in the will.
"On a Sabbath morning, in 1887, the pastor broached the subject of a new building. After the sermon, it was proposed to begin at once to see what could be done in that direction. All were united in the desire to build. Pledges were taken, and four subscribed $250.00 each. Others followed with smaller, though equally generous subscriptions, and $1,600 was pledged before the close of the service.
"In due time the progress of building began and soon the edifice which is now an ornament to our community, was ready . for dedication. The dedication service occurred on the 11th of March, 1888.
"The Rev. Herrick Johnson, D.D., LL.D., of McCormick Sem- inary, Chicago, preached the sermon. The former pastors, the
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Revs. L. M. Gilleland and Judson Swift, were also present and participated in the services, as did Rev. Taft of the Baptist church. The pastor, Rev. J. Emery Fisher, who had labored with tireless energy, made the dedicatory prayer. The choir, under the leader- ship of J. M. Gragg, who has served as choirister for many years and for as many more sung in the choirs of this and other churches, rendered suitable music. That the church might be dedicated free from debt more than $3,000 was pledged at this service.
"The valuation of the church and grounds, including furnish- ings and the value of materials and labor donated, may be said to approximate $10,000 to $12,000."
Since the late nineties the following pastors have been in charge of the church : Revs. W. V. Te Winkel, T. A. Scott, William McPheeters, L. J. Eymer and Henry Arlen. Mr. Arlen was called to the pastorate in 1909, his service being devoted to an active society of about eighty members.
THE REFORMED CHURCH.
The Reformed church at White Pigeon was founded by Daniel Kroh in 1849, although the regular organization is generally dated from June 10, 1865, when the society was organized under Rev. Henry Wiegand, who continued as pastor until 1872. He was suc- ceeded by Revs. Daniel Latze and E. R. Willard. With the Luth- erans, the members of the Reformed church occupied the old Bap- tist church as a house of worship until 1880, when the latter erected a separate edifice. At the conclusion of Mr. Willard's pastorate in 1882, Rev. Mr. Oplinger was called to the pulpit and was suc- ceeded, in 1887, by Rev. Israel Rothenberger, who remained in charge for about two years. Rev. Henry S. Bailey served the church from 1890 to 1894, his successors having been Rev. Reuben Keller and Rev. Freeman Ware, the present incumbent. Mr. Ware has been pastor since November, 1892; present membership of the church about fifty.
ST. JOSEPH'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH.
The St. Joseph's mission of White Pigeon, was organized by the Fathers of the Holy Cross in 1848. The following were some of the earliest white settlers: J. Welch, Thomas Hogan, Geo. Argus,
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
Fenton Hogan, Thomas Kelley, John Probst, Mrs. Dickey, Michael McCarthy, Judith McGuire. Fathers Quentin and Shortus, of Notre Dame, attended the mission till 1856. In that year White Pigeon came under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Detroit. Father Ryckaert had charge of it until 1866. Father Korst re- placed him and visited White Pigeon monthly for ten years. Father Kroeger, Father Korst (for the second time), Father Duemmig, Father Slane, Father Loughran and Father Knoll attended the mission until Father Schaeper assumed charge in 1895. The church was built late in 1871, while Father Korst was pastor. On October 20, Bishop Borgess gave permission to build in the following note to Father Korst: "I am but too happy to learn that the good Catholics of White Pigeon in St. Joseph's county, entertain the good and laudable resolution to commence the erection of a church, and that the promise of success is very en- couraging. With pleasure, therefore, do I give the desired permis- sion." The church was constructed at a cost of $1,300, and when it was completed only a small debt remained on it. The mission was at its best about the year 1875; it then numbered twenty-five fami- lies. Only one-half this number worship at the church at present. Before the church was built divine services were held in private houses, and for a while in a Lutheran meeting house. The mission at one time owned a dwelling house, which was sold for a small consideration. In the year 1886 an addition of 12x24 feet was built to the church-one large room which still serves as sacristy and sitting room. Since 1903 Rev. H. J. Kaufmann of Mendon has had charge of the White Pigeon mission.
THE ALBA COLUMBA CLUB.
This widely known organization of ladies was formed Febru- ary 15, 1898, with the following officers: Mrs. Ada Phillips, presi- dent; Mrs. Martha E. Williams, vice president; Mrs. Cora Came- ron, second vice president; Mrs. Jessie A. Reynolds, recording sec- retary ; Mrs. Christine Drury, corresponding secretary. Mrs. Phil- lips was president the first year and has held the office two years since.
Present officers : President, Mrs. Mary Fogarty ; vice president, Mrs. Elizabeth Rhodes; second vice president, Mrs. Charles Rocker; recording and corresponding secretary, Miss Mary Perry;
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
treasurer, Miss Fannie Shade. The membership is about thirty- tive.
The Alba Columba was founded primarily as a literary club and is a member of the County Federation of Women's Clubs. Its activities have been extended so as to include such movements as the conception of the White Pigeon memorial, and its dedication in August, 1909, and the initiation and management of memorial exercises and camp fires for the G. A. R. In acknowledgement of the value of its historical investigations, and especially its work in connection with the White Pigeon memorial, the State Federation of Women's Clubs voted to the Alba Columba Club, the state prize consisting of thirty volumes of the "Michigan Pioneer and His- torical Collections."
SECRET, BENEVOLENT AND PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES.
White Pigeon Lodge No. 104, A. F. & A. M., was instituted under dispensation November 11, 1857; and chartered the follow- ing January. Hon. J. Eastman Johnson was the worthy master until 1860. In 1867 the lodge, with the organizations at Constan- tine and Sturgis, celebrated St. John's day with most elaborate ceremonies, Hon. S. C. Coffinbury being the orator of the occasion. No. 104 has now about one hundred members and the following of- ficers : Hugh Hutton, W. M .; Zera Zimmerman, S. W .; J. L. Smith, J. W .; F. C. Hotchin, secretary ; A. L. Reed, treasurer; H. F. Rey- nolds, S. D .; Theodore Musser, J. D .; Thomas White, tiler.
White Pigeon Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F., was chartered in 1859 and its first noble grands were T. E. Clapp and L. C. Laird, who both served in the year of its founding. Its membership num- bers, at present writing, about twenty-five, and its officers are Ed- win Rosebrook, N. G .; P. H. Weaver, V. G .; A. R. Gilmore, secre- tary ; L. C. Reed, treasurer.
The Maccabees of White Pigeon have a strong tent (No. 919) of eighty-five members, with the following officers : D. C. Caldwell, Com .; E. W. Beckwith, R. K .; A. L. Reed, F. K.
The Modern Woodmen of America are represented by White Pigeon Camp No. 6,066, of which O. A. Hendricks is consul and G. M. Dudley, clerk.
Elliott Post No. 115, G. A. R., has dwindled to about a dozen members, with Daniel Saunter as commander.
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