USA > Michigan > The history of the Church of the Brethren in Michigan > Part 6
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In the year 1914 it was decided to organize into a separate congregation. The present name, Elmdale, was adopted. The organization consisted of forty-two charter members, two ministers and two deacons, with S. M. Smith as elder- in-charge.
Brother C. H. Deardorff was chosen as the first pastor in March 1915. He was ordained to the eldership here in
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ELMDALE
September 1915, with Elders Peter B. Messner and J. M. Smith officiating.
Brother Martin Scholten served as pastor from Septem- ber 1934 to February 1938. During this period Brother Van B. Wright was the elder. Brother William H. Rivell became the pastor in 1939 and served for more than a year. He was succeeded by Brother William E. Tombaugh, who is now serving the pastorate on a part-time basis. The elder now is Brother Roy McRoberts.
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History of Congregations
In the year 1901 the church organized a Sunday school consisting of five classes, with a small enrollment. While the growth has not been large in numbers, the school has fulfilled its purpose in the promotion of Christian education. The enrollment at one time reached one hundred twenty with an average attendance of eighty-seven.
At the present time the church has one individual who resided there when the church was built, and who became a member in 1890 and a deacon in 1893. There are two others that became resident members soon after its first organization, namely, H. W. Blough and Minnie Deardorff. Brother Ovid Miller has been elected deacon in recent years. Brother Stephen A. Weaver was installed into the ministry here in September 1939. The Elmdale church has enter- tained two district conferences, one in 1879 and the other in 1925.
As a rural church it has the definite task of upholding the gospel in the community. The people have an opportu- nity to exalt the Brethren ideals so that the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man may become a living re- ality in human lives.
ELSIE
In the early 1870's, Zachariah Albaugh and family, Philip Albaugh and family, and Solomon Bigham and wife moved here from Indiana. Among the church pioneers here were Brother David Baker and family, then residing about five miles southwest of Ovid, Brother Heiser and family, Brother Godfrey Sprang and family, and Brother Adam Albaugh.
We have a record of the first meeting that was held in this northern part of Michigan, on June 21, 1874, by Elder Isaac Miller of Barry County and Elder George Long of Ionia County. The members met and organized a church,
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
having their services in the various houses, barns and schoolhouses. The first communion was held in Zachariah Albaugh's house on October 9, 1874. They also held several love feasts in the barns of Brethren Adam and Philip Albaugh.
Brother Zachariah Albaugh and Brother David Baker were the first deacons. Other deacons who served here
ELSIE
were Adam Albaugh, Noah Sullivan, Levi Baker, J. E. Al- baugh, Ezra Richard, Neri Shrider, and Clayton Albaugh.
Brother David Baker was elected to the ministry on March 17, 1879. He made special effort to fill his preaching appointments. When the roads were too bad for him to make the trip with horse and buggy, he came on horse- back. Brother Isaac Miller was the first elder. Brother Adam Albaugh, a deacon, and Sister Sarah Baker, were married in 1881. Both lived faithful to the church till they were called home. Brother Zachariah Albaugh was elected to the ministry on September 22, 1877, and ordained an elder
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in 1879. He was in charge of the work until he moved to Kansas in June 1885. He passed away there in September 1885, at the age of forty-two years. His family returned to Michigan that same year. Sister Albaugh was called to her Maker in October 1900. Solomon Bigham was janitor of the church. His seat in the church auditorium was sel- dom vacant. He never took an active part in the services, but he filled his place with a true devotion. He was called to his reward in 1915. His wife had preceded him in death about twenty-four years. When Brother Zachariah Albaugh left, Brother Daniel Chambers of Middleton, Michigan, was chosen elder. He served the church for about twenty years.
In 1889 the entire community donated their time, means, and lumber and in various other ways helped to build the present church house. It was dedicated the next year. It was to be controlled by the German Baptists or Dunker Brethren, to be opened free for all funeral occasions. It was known as the Saginaw church until 1917 when the name was changed to the Elsie Church of the Brethren. The dis- trict conference was held here in 1891, 1896, and 1900.
Several families moved into the territory, stayed a few years, then moved away again. Among them were: Brother Shrider and wife and daughter, Sarah; Brother Neri Shrider and family; Brother Fred Kilpatrick and family. Brother William Albaugh and family lived here for a while, then moved to Ohio. We must not forget the name of Charlie Randall, who lived across the road from the church, and who, though not a member, attended the services and helped financially. His home was always open to any who might wish to go there. His daughter Mattie was a faithful mem- ber of the church. She and Brother Clayton Albaugh have been in the church the longest of any of the members now residing in the congregation.
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
Brother J. E. Albaugh and Fannie Somers were married in 1885. He was called to the ministry in October 1885 and ordained elder in 1905. He took charge of the work that same year in place of Brother Daniel Chambers. He was elder-in-charge until the heavenly Father called him home in 1916. Sister Albaugh was called home September 28, 1930. Brother Levi Baker was called to the ministry in 1885: he married a Miss Somers in 1887. He was faithful to his calling until his death in April 1915. After Brother Baker's and Brother Albaugh's deaths, Brother C. L. Wilkins had charge of the work for some time. Brother Earl Starbard and family of Elmdale served here for a while. Then Broth- er and Sister D. P. Schechter and son of Chicago took up the work for three years. After an absence of a few years, they returned for a while and served until they were called to the pastorate of the Shepherd church. About twenty years ago Brother L. H. Prowant and family and Brother L. W. Shafer and family from Ohio located near Durand. Brother Prowant had charge of the work until about 1927. when he was put in charge of the Flint church. Brother J. F. Sherrick has had charge of the work during recent years. The brethren assisting in the preaching were Charles A. Spencer, Hiram W. Peters, and Hugh Warstler. In 1943 the mission board and the few faithful members co-operated in making some improvements on the building. The interior was refinished, and electric lights were installed. The roof was repaired. Two home-coming services, one in 1943, and the other in 1944, brought many people of the Michigan churches and the community together in this pioneer church.
Sister Myrtle French, daughter of Brother and Sister J. E. Albaugh, is one of the most influential members. It was her leadership that enabled the church to survive many dis- couraging years. The success of the work here can be attributed to her faithful service.
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History of Congregations
There are only a few members left. Those who remain are desirous that the church doors might be kept open so that the work once started by the faithful workers may not fail. An interested one writes: "We ask an interest in the prayers of the people that we too may prove faithful until the Master says, 'Enough, come up higher.'"
FLINT
Some people of the Church of the Brethren located in this industrial city about twenty-five or thirty years ago because of the employment situation. Reports of the work at Du- rand appearing in the columns of the Gospel Messenger be- gan to attract the attention of members living in Flint. In spite of the distance (twenty-five miles) members began to attend the services at Durand occasionally. As time went on the leaders received many letters from parents of children who were living in Flint. They were anxious for their chil- dren's spiritual welfare and requested the ministers to call on them. In this way and with the active co-operation of Sister Bosthwick, by 1925 it was known that there were as many members in Flint as at the other preaching points of the Elsie church.
About this time Brother E. E. Eshelman, fieldworker for the district, came to their assistance and helped to get the matter before the district meeting. It was planned in the fall of 1927 to call what they termed a "get-together meet- ing." This was held at the home of Brother Arthur Taylor at 1913 Cadillac Street. Brother J. Edson Ulery's services were engaged, and he came on the day after Thanksgiving of that year.
The meetings continued over Sunday. They were well advertised previously in the Gospel Messenger and the Flint Daily Journal. To the surprise of all, sixty-five members
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
attended the meetings, which closed on the following Sun- day. The Sunday school was organized with Calvin Leck- rone as the first superintendent. A committee of five Brethren was appointed to take charge of managing the work. A room in the Y.M.C.A. was secured for services, and the work started off with enthusiasm.
The next spring it was felt that to continue in the Y.M.C.A. was imposing upon them. Plans to build a house of wor- ship were considered. There was keen anticipation of the growth that would soon appear. They began to plan for a building adequate for their needs. At this point, Brother Arthur Taylor came forward with a plan. He had a lot on Corunna Road, and he would build on it such a building as could be turned into a dwelling later, or made into a parsonage. He would finance the proposition and would either sell to the church on contract or rent it. It was de- cided to buy, and the work was begun at once. The com- pleted building cost $4,080, and was paid at the rate of $40.00 per month. The finished building was dedicated on June 7, 1928. Brother Reuben Boomershine preached the dedicatory sermon. Thus, this is the one church in the district that dedicated their church building before they were organized into a congregation.
At the district meeting in 1928 permission was granted the Flint church to organize into a separate congregation. Brethren D. P. Schechter and Samuel Bowser were sent to do this in October 1928. There were about fifty charter members.
In 1936 the church, feeling that the present building was inadequate to meet the needs of the growing congregation, purchased four lots on Stocker Avenue. This was just one- half block from the little church on Corunna Road. A building program was started, and in May 1937 the ground was broken for the new church. Through the efforts of
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History of Congregations
the contractor, and the co-operation of most of the folks in giving generously of their means and their time, which included sweat and aching muscles, a very nice brick house was soon completed. It was ready to be dedicated as the Lord's house on the first Sunday in September of the same year. This building is forty by sixty feet. It has a balcony and a full basement finished with knotty cedar walls and a celotex ceiling. This affords a good place of worship
FLINT
for the children, and helps to get them in the right attitude to continue their worship in the main auditorium. The entire new building is well equipped for the advanced methods in church and church school work.
Now let us note those who served as pastors. Brother L. H. Prowant served the church as part-time pastor and elder from 1927 to 1938. Much credit should be given to him and Sister Prowant for their faithful and untiring efforts in helping to build a church program undergirded by
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
Christian principles. This stable foundation has enabled the congregation to achieve new goals. Brother Arthur Taylor was the pastor, giving part-time service since the time when Brother Prowant left until they secured a full- time pastor in September 1942. It was then that Brother Elvert Miller, a graduate of Bethany Biblical Seminary, and his wife accepted the call to the pastorate. Brother Miller labored with them for two years. He and his family then moved to the pastorate of the Beaver Creek church, Bridgewater, Virginia. Brother Walter J. Heisey accepted the call to the pastorate and moved his family here from Midland to begin his duties in September 1944. Those who served as summer pastors were: Brother Ralph Rarick, 1940; Brother Elmer Dadisman, 1941; and Brother Hugh Warstler. 1942. Brother Hiram W. Peters was the presiding elder from 1939 to 1944. Since December 15, 1944, Brother Heisey has been the presiding elder.
Brother and Sister Wilbur Shepherd and Brother and Sister Calvin Leckrone were elected to the office of deacon in 1940. An ordination to the eldership was held on Sunday, March 11, 1945, for Brother Hugh Warstler.
The church purchased a parsonage at 1202 Stocker Ave- nue in July 1943. A significant service of burning the mortgage on the church was held in December 1943. This was only six years after the completion of the building.
The Flint church has accepted its responsibility in Breth- ren service, general missions, and district work. It has always met its quota or gone over the top each year since its organization. It has accepted also its responsibility in filling a place in the community and is reaching and help- ing many non-Brethren homes. These accomplishments have been the result of the faithfulness of Brother and Sister Taylor and their coworkers to the church and the
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History of Congregations
cause of Christ. Men's work, women's work, youth and children's work have been given wholehearted support.
Many changes are constantly in evidence in this church. Industrial conditions affect the work to a remarkable de- gree, but there has prevailed throughout the years a kindly, brotherly, and Christian spirit. A number of revival meet- ings have been held, and many members have been re- ceived into the church. Many have been forced to leave the city because of economic conditions. A casual observer, who is not a member but who occasionally attends the services, some time ago was heard to remark: "I see here an honest, earnest, and sincere effort. This is not a work of the mushroom-growth type, but rather a steady for- ward-looking effort to establish here a church that the people of this community can look to with confidence." Co- operation is the key to whatever success has come to the Flint church. As long as such a spirit is manifested, it will continue to grow.
GRAND RAPIDS
For many years prior to the opening of any permanent mission in Grand Rapids, a few scattered families lived in and near the city. Among these were the families of Elder J. C. Overholt and Oliver Putt. Brother Overholt lived near Dutton, about ten miles southeast of Burton Heights; Oliver Putt lived about six or seven miles southwest near Fisher Station. Mrs. Ernest Kayser, whose maiden name was Anna Marshall, also lived near Fisher Station. At varying intervals ministers from the near-by churches-Thornapple, Elmdale, Woodland, and others-preached for these scat- tered members in the neighborhood schoolhouse.
Later some of these members moved into the city, locat- ing in Burton Heights. Their desire for worship conducted
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
by the Church of the Brethren caused the district mission board to send Miss Sarah Long to the city in January 1910 to open a mission Sunday school. This she did in a small store building on Burton Street near Buchanan. This building was removed many years ago. A little later, on account of growth and success, the school was moved to larger quarters on Burton Street near Division.
During Miss Sarah Long's period of service of one year, members of the mission board preached at intervals of two weeks. At the district meeting of 1910, held at Crystal, the urge for a resident minister was so great that Brother George Culler and wife, both of whom have since been called home, rented their farm and came to Grand Rapids to do what they could until another pastor could be secured. Several were baptized during this year and the Sunday- school attendance was greatly increased.
In September 1911 Brother John Mishler of Middlebury, Indiana, came to the city at the call of the district mission board and remained for one year as pastor. Sister Mishler was successful in building a class of boys and girls from four or five to about twenty-three. During the year they were compelled to move to a larger building because of the increased attendance. The same year the lot upon which the church now stands was purchased.
Brother C. Walter Warstler came as pastor in September 1912, remaining two years. The white house on the south- east corner of Quigley Boulevard and Buchanan was oc- cupied by the Warstler family. During this time many were received into the church. Several moved in from near-by towns and churches. The church building was completed in 1913 and dedicated on July 6 of that year.
Much might be written about the building of the church, but one detail particularly interesting must suffice. Brother
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History of Congregations
J. C. Overholt learned of this location being for sale and was so impressed with the possibilities of the church in this part of the city that he went to Elmdale to see S. S. Weaver, father of Stephen, and they purchased for $1,000 the three lots upon which the church and the parsonage now stand. Later the mission board, composed of Elders C. L. Wilkins, S. M. Smith, J. E. Ulery, Peter B. Messner, and Charles Deardorff, went about the state district and raised the money necessary to let the contract for the build- ing of the church at a cost of four thousand dollars. The
GRAND RAPIDS CHURCH AND PARSONAGE
parsonage was built in 1926. The ceiling and the platform of the church building were remodeled in 1927.
There were others who labored in the pastorate. From 1914 to 1931 the following brethren served as pastors: E. F. Caslow, four years; Roy Miller, six months; C. L. Wilkins, two and one-half years; Albert Smith, two years; H. D. Michael, one and one-half year; S. B. Wenger, two and
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
one-half years; W. C. Sell, two years; F. D. Anthony, two years.
Brother and Sister Van B. Wright had a very successful pastorate for five years, 1931 to 1936. He resigned to ac- cept the call of the Twin Falls church, Idaho.
One of their own leaders, Brother Harold S. Chambers, was induced to serve on a part-time basis. He began in 1936 and resigned in 1939. In 1939 the church called Brother Kenneth Long, a graduate of Bethany Biblical Seminary, to become their pastor. He conducted a full-time pastoral program for two years. Again the church voted for Broth- er Harold Chambers to assume the pastoral duties. Until the close of his pastorate in 1945 he and his wife helped the congregation to achieve some outstanding goals. In Sep- tember 1945 Brother C. H. Cameron became the pastor of this church.
The church burned its mortgage on September 20, 1942. On that day all indebtedness on the property was erased. The members and friends rejoiced together because now they would be free to make further advancements. There was much joy because of the attainment.
In the year 1942-43 the church engaged itself in raising money for a complete improvement project. This included redecorating the interior, waterproofing the exterior, and painting both the parsonage and the church. In connection with the interior redecoration some remodeling was done. The pulpit platform was paneled and designed as a chancel. Changes were made in the basement which provided more space for Sunday-school classes and social functions. One very sensible improvement made very recently was the addition of a soundproof mothers' room and nursery just off the entrance of the church auditorium. Many other churches of our district could learn a lesson from this and
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History of Congregations
provide a comfortable room where mothers may take their little children during public services.
There were times when discouragement appeared to be prevalent because the efforts put forth seemed not to be rewarded. However, we remember that it is only through earnest labor that things worth while are accomplished, and this little band has pressed forward with courage to help in building the kingdom.
HARLAN*
Between 1902 and 1904 several Brethren families, some of whom had first come to the Lake View church at Brethren, moved on farms near the village of Harlan. Among the first were Emory Morphew, a minister, A. W. Miller and Chester Gates, deacons, Ellis Studebaker, par- ents of Dr. Lloyd Studebaker of the Africa mission, Enoch Studebaker and Warren Beckner, with their families.
In 1904 these folks felt the need of a place of worship and with the help of the Lake View church began holding services in a schoolhouse two and one-fourth miles south of the village of Harlan. Here for nearly four years they met each Sunday for their worship and Sunday school. During this time there were, of course, some discourage- ments, and a couple of the above-mentioned families moved to distant homes, but other families moved into this com- munity, who, too, were to play an important part in this growing church. Among these were Baker Hale, George Gance, Charles Deardorff, a minister, H. A. Weller and A. W. Taylor, deacon, with their families.
Feeling the need of a more adequate place of worship, they selected a location one-fourth mile south and one-
* NOTE: Harlan was the home church of Arthur E. Taylor of Flint, Michigan. He is now serving the district as fieldworker. The history of the congre- gation is recorded as written by him .- The Author.
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
fourth mile west of Harlan. Mr. Gideon Bowman and wife donated two acres from their farm for the church lot and the adjoining cemetery. In 1907 the members and other interested folks in the community found themselves busy with the building of the new church, a modest but well-built house of the Lord, which would seat about one hundred fifty folks. It was dedicated June 27, 1908, with
HARLAN
Elder George Deardorff giving the dedicatory address. The floor was put in the full basement later.
On April 30, 1908, the members assembled, with Elder S. M. Smith as their moderator, to petition the Lake View church to allow them to organize into a separate organiza- tion. This was granted by the Lake View church on May 2, and two days later the members met and organized them- selves into the Harlan congregation. They were assigned the territory which included the present Marilla and Home- stead churches, and included in the thirty-eight charter members were members in all three places. Services were
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History of Congregations
carried on both at Marilla and at Homestead. The names of the pioneer members as well as the activities of these two groups have been omitted because the history of their be- ginnings will be found under their respective headings in this book.
The Harlan church continued to grow and fill its place in the community for a number of years. Over one hundred were taken into the church by baptism, most of whom have remained faithful, and many of whom are carrying active parts in churches throughout the brotherhood. The church was host to the district meeting in 1911 and again in 1918. H. A. Weller and wife were elected to the deacon's office and later to the ministry. Their son, Russell Weller, and his wife were also placed in the ministry here. William Patz- well, Emory and Arthur Taylor were elected to the deacon's office, and many folks have received spiritual food from the hand of the Lord through the Harlan church.
The first ministers serving the church were Brethren Emory Morphew, Charles Deardorff, Isaac Deardorff, David Neher, H. A. Weller, L. I. Moss, and J. L. Thomas. At one time there were five ministers living in the local congre- gation, but one by one they moved away until they were all gone in 1919, at which time arrangements were made with Brother Roy Miller to move to Harlan. After two years he moved on and Brother Oscar Stern and family came into the community and served the church for a number of years. Since that time they have had no resident minister. A circuit was worked out with Marilla and Lake View, with Brother Charles Forror giving some ministerial aid, but the distance was too great and the snow too deep. A com- munity project was then set up with a Nazarene minister co-operating, but this too did not seem to work out well, and the same thing was true of a circuit set up with the Marilla church with Brother Galen Barkdoll assisting.
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History of the Brethren in Michigan
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