USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Flint > The book of the golden jubilee of Flint, Michigan 1855-1905. Published under the auspices of the Executive committee of the golden jubilee and old homecoming reunion > Part 6
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In 1836, the Michigan Annual Conference was organized, which embraced the territory of Michigan, and part of Ohio. In the fall of that year Oscar F. North was appointed to Sagi- naw Mission, which still included this place. In 1837, Flint River Mission was established with L. D. Whitney, preacher ; afterwards it was changed to Flint Circuit, and then to Flint Station. The Society worshipped in halls and school houses until the summer of 1842, when they began the building of a frame church on the present site occupied by them. But the church was not finished until 1844, and was dedicated Decem- ber 21, of that year. On Tuesday night, March 19, 1861, that church was burned to the ground. The Society immediately proceeded to build a new church of brick on the same lot, which was dedicated August 20, 1862, by Bishop E. R. Ames. In the spring of 1888 this church was taken down to make room for a new and larger brick edifice, which was built and dedicated February 10, 1889, by Bishop Thos. Bowman. That beautiful structure was also burned in the afternoon of Sep- tember 24, 1892. Afflicted but not forsaken, the Society again roused itself to the task of building; and with each bereave- ment their energies grew and their ideas broadened till they
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presented to God and humanity this beautiful temple in which we are now assembled, and which was dedicated February 4, 1894.
From the first appointment in 1834 to the present time the pastors who have served the Court Street Church have been : Those who have died-Bradford Frazee, W. H. Brockway, O. F. North, L. D. Whitney, Larmon Chatfield, Ebenezer Steel, F. B. Bangs, Wm. Mothersell, Harrison Morgan, David Burns, M. B. Camburn, B. S. Taylor, William Mahon, J. M. Arnold, George Taylor, J. A. Baughman, W. H. Perrine, W. E. Bigelow, Luther Lee, T. C. Gardner, J. F. Davidson, John McEldowney, W. H. Pearce, James Venning, S. N. Elwood, J. P. Fryer. Those still living-John Russell, T. J. Joslin, W. H. Shier, J. E. Jacklin, N. G. Lyons, H. E. Wolfe, G. W. Grimes, C. E. Allen.
The number of members in the Court Street Church at present is 1,000.
GARLAND STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
After the burning of the first Court Street Church in 1861, and after that society had resolved to rebuild on the same site, the members who lived on the North side of the river, thought it would be for the interest of the common cause to organize a new society in that part of the town; hence the Garland Street Methodist Church was organized. The number of members who left the first church to join the new one was 68, leaving the first church 156. The corner stone of their church was laid on the same day on which the corner stone of the new Court Street Church was laid, but their building was completed and dedicated some time before the first chucrh was. This building was improved at different times, until 1888, when the society resolved to pro- ville better accommodations for their increasing congregation by building a spacious brick edifice on their present advantage-
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ous site. The corner stone of this second Garland Street Church was laid on the same day as was the corner stone of the Third Court Street Church, a parallel that does not often occur.
The pastors who have served the Garland Street Church since its beginning in 1861, are: Those who have died-Orrin Whitman, E. R. Hascall, W. Q. Burnett, Wm. Fox, G. W. Lowe; Those who yet live-Isaac Crawford, E. E. Caster, Jacob Horton, T. J. Joslin, A. F. Bowms, E. W. Frazee, H. S. White, G. W. Jennings, W. W. Washburn, G. N. Kennedy, G. H. Whitney.
The present number of members in this church is 400.
The Presiding Elders who have served the Methodist church since 1834, are: Those who have died-Wm. Herr, S. P. Shaw, Geo. Smith, E. H. Pilcher, Larmon Chatfield, Jas. Shaw, Geo. Bradley, Samuel Clements, J. S. Stuart, Manasseh Hickey, E. B. Bancroft. Those still living-T. J. Joslin, A, F. Bowms, Seth Reed, A. J. Bigelow, J. G. Haller.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The class which developed into this church, was located on Seventh street, was organized in 1875, at the home of Mrs. Nancy West, on Mill street, and under the supervision of Rev, John Furgeson. It was part of a circuit of which Saginaw was the head. A church building was early erected, which was called the Quinn Chapel Church. The paying for the building cost the society a long and severe struggle. For a time the young men of their congregation held a debating society to which they charged a small admittance fee that went towards paying their church debt.
Their pastors have been : John Furgeson, C .W. E. Gil, more, G. W. Brown, J. S. Masterson, Sandy Simons, Benja- min Roberts, J. S. Hill, D. A. Graham, W. H. Simpson.
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Their present membership numbers 62.
FREE METHODIST CHURCH.
This society was organized in 1880. Their church build- ing, which was a part of the old Presbyterian Church, was purchased and moved to its present site on Oak street, in 1885.
The following have served as pastors, all of whom are living : H. Voorhies, A. V. Leonardson, W. N. Pittinger, W. S. Haight, E. D. Hartley, E. Steere, W. Cuthbert, E. W. Harding, A. S. Andrews, J. M. Greene, W. W. Hoyt, H. Montgomery.
The society at present numbers 57 members, and 120 scholars in the Sunday school.
PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH.
This is the youngest church organization in the city, dat- ing its beginning in 1900. Immediately upon its organiza- on the corner of North Saginaw and Elizabeth streets, and which was dedicated March 18, 1901. From a small begin+ ning its membership has increased to 170.
Its pastors have been : W. H. Cole and M. J. Weaver, both living.
FOURTH WARD EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
This society dates its beginning to the year 1864, when it was detached from the Owosso Mission and constituted a Mission by itself. During the first few years, it was part of a circuit having six preaching places. In 1868, they began the building of their brick church in the Fourth Ward, which they dedicated in March, 1869, and which they have improved extensively during the past year.
For many years their society enjoyed great prosperity; but there came a time, as seems to be the case with most all German congregations in this country, when the language problem becomes a serious question. The children of German
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
families, growing up with our children learn our language and soon come to want their church services conducted in Eng- lish. Either their desire must be gratified, or their young peo- ple will go to other congregations where the language of the country is spoken. So this society was agitated for some years, till in 1897, they resolved to change all their public services from the German to the English language. Since then the society has enjoyed growth and better fraternal relations with other societies in the city.
Their membership is now 130 besides other regular atten- dants upon their worship. Their Sunday school has an enroll- ment of 225, and their Young People's Alliance, of 50.
The pastors who have served their church are: Those who have died-C. Deike, R. Roehn, Martin Speck, J. M Hong, C. Ude, J. K. Pontius, S. Henne. Those yet living- J. M. Fuchs, E. Weiss, L. Brumm, H. Voelker, W. A. Koeh- ler, E. Rath, J. M. Bittner, W. Berge, H. C. Feuerstenau, J. J. Schuknecht, E. M. Renner, C. C. Staffield, G. A. Hettler, F. Klump, W. A. Koehler, J. R. Niergarth.
BAPTIST CHURCH OF FLINT.
July 1st, 1853, the American Baptist Home Mission Society sent Rev. Alfred Handy to Flint, as a missionary for one year. On October 20, of that year, thirteen persons, includ- ing Rev. Handy and wife, organized themselves into a "Con- ference of Baptist persons." On November 2, the First Bap- tist Church was organized and recognized by a proper coun cil held at the Court House. The constituent members were Alfred Handy, Rhoda A. Handy, Alfred Olmstead, Caroline Olmstead, Josiah Firman, J. R. Walker, G. W. Armstrong, Lorenzo D. Morse, B. Jane Firman, Grace Armstrong, Clarissa S. Morse, Mary E. Palmer. On November 12, the first covenant meeting was held. December 11, 1853, the first
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candidate, Miss Minerva Selleck, was baptized in Flint river, and on the same day the first Lord's Supper was observed by the Baptists in Flint. Eben Adams was the first deacon, The first church, a frame building, was built after a hard strug- gle, and dedicated December 12, 1855, and was afterwards enlarged. This building served their purpose until in 1890 their numbers and ability had increased so they were enabled to erect the beautiful and commodious structure that stands at the corner of Second and Beach streets, a credit to themselves and the city.
The pastors who have served this church are as follows : ' Those who have died-Alfred Handy, A. K. Tupper, J. S. Goodman, Charles Johnson, S. Cornelius, James Cooper, W. L. Farnum. Those now living-J. S. Boyden, S. W. Titus, C. J. Thompson, L. D. Temple, W. W. Hicks, E. R. Curry, C. E. Lapp.
The present number of members is 639.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
This society was organized in 1875, as the result of a series of tent meetings held here. On December 27, 1877, they dedicated a church on Stockton street, near Third, which they are using still.
The society began with 46 members, and the number is now 87.
Their pastors who have died are D. A. Lamson, E. R. Jones, George Randall. Those yet living are-J. L. Edgar, B. F. Steurman.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
On May 7, 1837, in the River House, then occupied by Lewis Buckingham, seventeen persons met, and took the pre- liminary steps to organize a Congregational Church, Rev. Mr. Dudley, assisting, who was preaching at that time to a church
1
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
in Genesee. Most of these seventeen persons were, however, members of his Genesee society. It seems that the organiza- tion here was never perfected according to the forms of that denomination; and as there was no Congregational Associa- tion in this part of the state, in 1840 the society submitted their articles of faith to the Presbytery of Detroit, and were ac- cepted by them and came under their care. On August 7, 1841, the society by its own resolution, changed to the Presby- terial form of government and name.
For the next twenty-five years there was no Congrega- tional church in Flint, though several members in the Presby- terian cuhrch and some in other churches, preferred that form of faith and government.
On the evening of September 18, 1867, a meeting of nine- teen persons was held to consider the advisability of organizing a Congregational church. After earnest discussion a motion prevailed, with only one dissenting vote, in favor of organiz- ing, and the necessary steps to complete the organization were taken with but little delay. Rev. F. P. Woodbury, recently from New Hampshire, who was present, was invited to preach to the new society, which he did on the next Sabbath, and con- tinued to act as their pastor for more than two years. They rented Awanga Hall, and worshipped in it until November 22, 1868, when they dedicated and moved into a new church which they had built on the corner of Saginaw and Second streets. To this church additional conveniences were added from time to time. On January 13, 1901, the congregation entered and dedicated the new and beautiful edifice now standing on First street, a monument to their enterprise and devotion. Their church had a rapid and prosperous growth at first, but after a few years it went through a period of decline from various causes. Within the past few years, however, it has taken on
GARLAND STREET M. E. CHURCH
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
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new life, and its present outlook, with a membership of about 200 is promising.
The pastors of this church have been: Those who have died-E. W. Bacon, Richard Cordley. Those yet living- F. P. Woodbury, B. D. Conkling, F. S. Hayden, A. B. Allen, L. B. Platt, Henry Ketchum, A. J. Covell, Wm. A. Broad- head, H. L. Hoyt, J. G. Haigh, T. D. Bacon.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
So far as the religious element in a church is concerned, the First Presbyterian Church of Flint came into existence May 7, 1837, when the seventeen persons united in religious fellowship. But the ecclesiastical feature of that organization was Congregational, and that was its name until August 7, 1841, when by its own resolution, it changed its form of gov- ernment to that of Presbyterial, its articles of faith having already been accepted by the Detroit Presbytery. Its ecclesi- astical birth, therefore, reckons from the latter date.
The ministers who served the church as supplies under both its forms of organization previous to 1845, were: Revs. Dudley, Parker, Beach, Bates and Van Nest, all of whom have died. In July, 1845, Rev. J. G. Atterbury became the first regular pastor of this church.
The pastors whom from that date to the present have died are-J. G. Atterbury, H. H. Northrup, Archibald McSween, D. R. Eddy, G. P. Tindall, G. F. Hunting, J. G. Inglis. Those still living, are-H. H. Curtis, Henry Neill, C. A. Lippincott.
The first house of worship which the society erected was in 1837, on Kearsley street, east. A revival meeting was held in it after its dedication, and on December 14th, twenty-one persons united with it on profession and seven by letter. This first edifice was afterwards enlarged and still later was moved to the east corner of Saginaw and First streets. Not
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
long after, Mr. Atterbury entered upon his pastorate, the society began the erection of a new church building on the west side of Saginaw street, which was dedicated January 28, 1848, Dr. George Duffield, of Detroit, preaching the sermon. Later, during the pastorate of Mr. Northrup this church was en- larged. Yet in a few years, the growing congregation de- manded greater facilities, and in 1884 the present beautiful stone structure on the northwest corner of Saginaw and Fourth streets was dedicated.
A woman's organization in connection with this church was effected in February, 1850. It is believed this is the first organization of women in any church in Flint. Its early records are very interesting, especially because of the earnest spirit of piety and of Christian work which they indicate.
This church has had a strong influence in the community from the beginning of its history. Its membership now num- bers 314. -
SAINT PAUL'S CHURCH.
So far as is known the first minister of the Protestant Episcopal denomination who came to this place, was Rev. Daniel E. Brown, who came in August, 1839. He preached three times, which, it appears, was the beginning of a move- ment that resulted in the organization of the parish in this city. On the 23rd of November of that year, the following persons associated together "for the purpose of forming and organizing a Protestant Episcopal Church in the village of Flint, Genesee county, state of Michigan," viz : J. K. Averill, John Barton, C. B. Petrie, T. D. Butler, Milton Case, J. G. Mather, R. F. Stage, R. J. S. Page, Grant Decker, W. H. LeRoy, Geo. M. Dewey, G. R. Sayles, J. B. Walker, H. C. Walker, C. Roosevelt, W. B. Clifford, Jonathan Dayton, Ben- jamin Pierson, and J. Simpson. Immediate steps were taken
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to incorporate the organization into a legal body according to the statutes of the state and the canons of their church. The Bishop of the Diocese was notified, who gave his canonical sanction to the organization on the 15th of January, 1840, from which time the parish dates its legal existence.
At first the society worshipped in a rude, temporary build- ing, made of rough boards. In May, 1842, the society re- solved to build a church on the site now occupied by the Judd block. Delays, however, occurred in the building of it, so that it was not completed and consecrated to divine worship till July 30, 1843. In 1860, this church was repaired and the basement finished for Sunday school uses. At different times repairs and improvements were made in this building, till in 1871, after much discussion and many meetings and negotia- tions the society resolved to build a new church, to build it of stone, upon a site which they had secured, known as the "Beecher lot." On Ascension Day, May 9, 1872, ground was broken for the foundation, and on the 29th, the corner stone was laid. The work progressed with various interruptions, till August 24, 1873, when the present fine churchly structure was consecrated to the worship of Almighty God. During the earlier years of the history of this society more than usual difficulty was experienced in supplying the parish with rectors who seemed to find congenial relations. But those years are past, and the pastoral relations seem to be more permanent.
Following are names of rectors who have served this parish, viz: Those who have died-Daniel E. Brown, Charles Reighley, John Swan, John W. Birchmore, Marcus Lane. Those yet living-A. W. Seabreze, R. E. McDuff, W. D. Powers.
The present number of communicants is 480.
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
ST. MICHAEL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Though settlers with the Roman Catholic faith came at an early date, yet no organized effort was made for the erec- tion of a church until 1843, when a movement was commenced. It was several years, however, before the structure was com- pleted. The leading spirits in the enterprise were Bishop Le Fever, of Detroit, and Rev. L. Kilroy, a devoted priest. Rev. M. Monaghan was the first regularly installed pastor of the church, which was named St. Michael's. He remained but a short time, and was followed by Fr. Joseph Kinderkens, who, in turn, was succeeded by Fr. C. L. Deceunnick, in 1856. He was followed by Fr. Flanagan, who administered the affairs of the parish successfully for about two years, during which time he built a residence for the priest. He was succeeded by Fr. Gillise, a very learned and energetic man. He erected the present parochial school building and installed lay teachers. He was succeeded by Fr. Robert W. Haire, a convert to Roman Catholicism, and a man full of apostolic zeal, and a strong advocate of Catholic education. He gave over the parish residence to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, of Monroe, Mich., and installed them as teachers in the parochial school. Fr. Haire went to Dakota in 1881, and Fr. T. J. Murphy was called from Grand Haven, Mich., to the parish in charge of St. Michael's Church. On entering upon his work, he found himself without a residence to live in, with a church building falling over his head and everywhere evidences of decay.
Under Fr. Murphy's administration a new parochial resi- dence has been erected. The present large and beautiful brick and stone church has been built, at a cost of $30,000; the grounds have been graded and planted to trees, and last year, the beautiful hall just north of the church was built, at a cost
ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, PAROCHIAL SCHOOL AND FATHER MURPHY HALL.
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MORAL AND RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT.
of $14,000, to which his congregation and friends have access at all times. It is named the "Fr. Murphy Hall," and is capable of seating about 600 persons.
As an evidence of Fr. Murphy's popularity, and of the good feeling existing towards him and his society, more than two-thirds of the cost of the hall was donated by non-Catholics of all creeds.
The parish school has about 230 pupils, taught by the Sisters, and about 1,000 persons attend the two masses said in the church each Sunday.
The pastors of St. Michael's Church who have died are : Lawrence Kilroy, Michael Monaghan, Joseph Kinderkens, Charles L. Deceunnick, Francis Flanigan, and James Gillise. Those now living are-Robert W. Haire, T. J. Murphy.
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The Industrial Development of Flint.
By F. A. ALDRICH.
It would be interesting to know what might have been the fate, or the future, or the present condition of man if Adam and Eve had taken that memorable stroll into the wood-lot, the meadow or garden instead of into the orchard. Would ambition never have sprung into life; would competition have remained unknown ; would restlessness still be dormant? What of migra- tory races, what of peace seekers, what of love of conquest, what of the rover, the explorer, the trader? Aye, there's a familiar word, a coloquial term that stands out and marks the Alpha for Flint; there will be no Omega. Time was when the site of our beautiful city was primeval forest; our river was simply the route of least resistance selected by the waters that welled from earth's laboratory here, there and yonder, or were accumulated by the forests from the Heaven sent rains and peacefully followed nature's law to lake, and rapids, and the ocean. No regularity marked the place of any beautiful tree, and no human gardener planted and pruned the flowers and vines that grew at their base, or lovingly entwined them. To the roving Indian this spot was of no more moment than miles up, or miles down the stream, or to the north or south of it. If the river had fish for his meal, so had the forest deer, bear or turkey, and his larder was where hunger found him. His stomach, rather than his palate, dictated his meal and its hour. There was the antithesis of ambition yet not the shiftless- ness of the lazy ; primeval life knew no commercial competition; the restlessness of the Indian was of habitation only, and not 1xxviii
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INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
of propagation or in the pursuit of home or wealth. But the trader was representative of all that the Indian was not, and to him this spot, where the highway of incoming civilization crossed the pathway of the native hunter and trapper, was ideal for commencing a commercialism that has progressed and advanced step by step from the trader to the merchant and manufacturer of today.
Of all things there must be a beginning and a foundation. Industrial Flint began with a condition created only to supply necessities, and has developed as supplies surpassed the local demand, and a wider market was sought, or as new possibili- ties arose. The genius of far seeing business sagacity supplied pioneer history of such a community is a succession of Firsts, with conditions and ambitions, the alchemic compound of which the result was prosperity and progress. The ordinary. and Flint's first landmark was the Todd tavern erected in 1831; its first post office was established in 1836; the first store was built in 1836; the first school was opened in 1834; the first official organization-that of a Board of Supervisors-and the first election was in 1836; the first term of court was in 1837; the first organized religious effort was a Methodist Mission established in 1834. But ahead of all these "firsts" was a manufacturing industry,-a saw mill,-which commenced operations in 1828. While it was located on the Thread River, nearer the village of Grand Blanc than the city of Flint, it is accredited as being the first effort in a line of industry that gave Flint its initial prominence as a manufacturing city. A primitive water wheel supplied the motive power. We are told that to protect themselves from the rigor of seasons and the inclemency of the weather men first planted trees on end and then laid others across to support a covering, and from this simple hint came in sequential order the houses of the past, the
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
present and the future. To Flint belongs no insignificant part in supplying lumber for some of the houses of the world. The operations of this first saw mill were of that character, to pro- vide timber and building material for the first homes of this wilderness. Its market was entirely local and it probably was never dignified with recognition as a manufacturing enter- prise. Still it started an industry and was prophetic of what forty or fifty years later was of magnificent and tremendous importance. The proprietors were Rowland Perry and Har, vey Spencer. This venture, in supplying a great need to the setttlers, was really a temporary occupation while the owners were clearing lands that they had taken up and were preparing for their homes and for their life's work as farmers.
The increase of population in the vicinity of the city of Flint was very slow until after 1836, when a United States land office was opened in the hamlet. This promoted imigra- tion, and the first care of these pioneers was to provide sustenance for their families. The crops planted in the virgin clearings were naturally wheat and corn. Exceedingly primi- tive were the methods of those early days in making flour or meal, and the mortar and pestle were by no means confined to the druggist's store. The accumulations of succeeding years demanded better facilities for grinding and a market nearer than Pontiac or Detroit. This warranted the establishment of a grist mill in 1837, where the Thread river intersected the Saginaw turnpike. This mill, operated by water from the same stream that turned the wheels of the first saw mill, was of great importance in the early development of the section, Stretching toward the four corners of the earth, there was no other grist mill for many miles, and it served the population of a great area, and drew here the trade of all the settlers. One of the cherished incidents in this early life was the trip to mill-
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