USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 82
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the call. Ile entered immediately upon the du- ties of pastor, and is now in charge. Under his careful and prudent ministrations the church has been greatly prospered, receiving large additions to its membership-a net gain of 211 members in the past five years. The ladies' sewing society have bought and paid for a fine organ. besides contributing largely towards the expense of up- holstering the seats, which are of a capacity to accommodate between six and seven hundred. The grand total of contributions for the different benevolent objects in the past five years is $34,- 433.88. Present membership. 440. It also has a flourishing Sunday-school of 235 scholars, whose contributions have supported a foreign mission- ary for the past twelve years. .
Franklin Avenue Mission was organized May 31st, 1874: the chapel is located on a lot belong- ing to the Baptist Mission, corner of Franklin and Bloomington Avenues, and was dedicated the same day. A Sunday-school was organized with J. C. Iloblet superintendent and Frank Ball, sec- retary. It has a steady growth. and now numbers 136. with an average attendance since its organi- zation of 90, and is provided with an organ and other necessary material for a successful proseeu- tion of the work. Mr. Hoblet expecting soon to leave, Mr. Fallis has been recently elected. and takes it in a flourishing and prosperous condition.
Jewett Chapel. The mission spirit stimulated by the success of the Franklin Avenue mission, impelled another attempt, which was seconded by the growing want for more room, and a special meeting was called for that purpose on the 291h day of June. 1874. On the 6th of July following, the ladies sewing society of the First church pledged $333.33 toward the erection of a new chapel. Deacon S. A. Jewett donated the land. which at once insured the success of the enter- prise, and work was immediately commenced im- der the supervision of C. F. Haglin, Esq., archi- tert. who kindly donated the plans. It was pushed to completion, and on the 15th of November was dedicated with appropriate services, under the name of "Jewett Chapel." A Sunday-school was organized on the same day. with W. W. Huntington, superintendent, and Deacon J. (. Weld, assistant, and Charles Ham. secretary. It has a membership of eighty ; average attendance
473
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
The Fifth Avenue Baptist Church was organ- ized December 29th, 1869, in its present house of worship, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Ninth street sonth. At the time of its organization it was called the Marshall street Baptist Church : but with the change of the name of Marshall street to Fifth Avenue. a corresponding change was made in the name of the church. In its formation, members of the First Baptist Church, and a church then known as the Union Baptist Church, but now extinct, with persons not members of either of the above churches, but holding letters from others, united together. Rev. 1. Gale presided at the meeting of the church, and Philip Herzog was chosen clerk. Immediately after the organization had been ef- fected, and the adoption of a church covenant and the election of the proper officers, a council of the churches was called, who formally recognized the church as a regularly constituted Baptist church. Rev. A. S. Cole was the first pastor, succeeded by four others. until the succession came to the pres- ent incumbent. Rev. F. T. Gates, who was called in 1880. The church has enjoyed since its organ- izaton an almost uninterrupted growth. Present membership is about 160. The society possesses a comfortable house of worship. 40x70 feet, seat- ing 250 persons. There is also a commodious parsonage.
The First Swedish Baptist Church was organ- ized in 1872. with a membership of twenty-five, in a hall opposite the present post-office : con- tinued there for two years. The church now lo- cated on the corner of Sixth street and Twelfth Avenue south, was built by offerings from ser- vant girls of from live to fifteen dollars each, aided by a subscription of $225. raised in one night by the First Baptist Church.
First Norwegian Baptist Church, located on Eleventh Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. was organized May 28. 1879, with about fifteen members, and Rev. J. A. H. Johnson, pas- tor. During his administration a new church was begun in September. 1880. From May to Sep- tember the church was without regular preach- ing, when Rev. 1. Larsen was called and accepted the office of pastor, who so far finished the work as to make it convenient for public worship. At the present time it has about thirty-eight mem- bers.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
The First Congregational church was organized November 16, 1851. Rev. Charles Seecombe of St. Anthony, and Rev. Richard Hall of Point Donglass, condneted the services. There were twelve members and Mr. Seccombe, a missionary of the American Home Missionary Society, took charge of this young organization. This was the first Congregational church organized in the ter- ritory ; seven years before the state of Minnesota was added to the Union. In 1852 the church formed a union with the First Presbyterian Church of St. Anthony, but thisarrangement was abandoned July 28, 1853. The church received aid from the American Home Missionary Society during the first fifteen years of its existence, since which time it has been self supporting. Rev. Charles Seceombe was installed as the first pastor July 30. 1851; he was succeeded August, 1866, by Rev. Orlando Clark, who was succeeded Sep- tember 28, 1867, by Rev. Jay Clizbe. In June, 1868, Rev. Gabriel Camphell took charge and served as acting pastor until June, 1869. Then for a few months there was no regular supply. In December, 1869, Rev. Egbert B. Bingham took charge as acting pastor, and remained until August, 1870, when he resigned on account of ill health ; he was succeeded by Rev. James Tomp- kins as supply, who acted in that capacity until May 15, 1872. From this date till February. 1873, the church was without an acting pastor. On February 11, 1873, Rev. George M. Landon was invited to become pastor. He accepted the call and although not installed. served as pastor elvet until May, 1875. On the 6th of July, 1875, Rev. E. M. Williams received a call which he accepted, and is the present incumbent. The services of the church were first held in a school building erected by the town of St. Anthony as a pledge of the U'niversity yet to be. This building stood between University Avenue and what is now known as Macalester College, but it has long since disappeared. The house of worship first built by the society was located near the corner of Central Avenue and Fourth street, where it still stands. The basement was first occupied as a place of worship from January 16, 1853, but the upper part was not completed until the following year, when it was dedicated February 15, 1854.
474
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
The present house of worship on the corner of Fifth street and Third Avenue south-east was dedicated June 2s. 1874.
The Plymouth Congregational Church in Min- neapolis. Minnesota, was organized April 24th. 1×57. with eighteen members: one of these came by profession. two by letter from the First Pres- Interian church of this city, and the others from Congregational and Presbyterian churches in the eastern and middle states. Of this number, eight still remain members of the church. The first pastor was Rev. Norman Me Leod. who continued with the church from its organization until May. 1559. From that time the pulpit was supplied chiefly In Rev. H. C. Atwater, until the settle- ment of Rev. H. M. Nichols, as pastor in Decem- br. 1-59. The sudden and melancholy death of Rev. Mr. Nichols by drowning on July 5th, 1560; shrouded the church with gloom, and again left it without a pastor. Rev. W. B. Dada and Rev. David Eastman, then successively supplied the pulpit mitil October, 1502, when Rev. Charles (. Salter began his ministry here, and was installed pastor in September, 1561. April 5th, 1869. Rev. Mr. Salter resigned his pastorate, and was dis- missed by a mutual conneil convened on the tith of the same month. The next pastor was Rev. Henry A. Stimson, who began his labors Decem- ber Ist. INGS, and was ordained and installed as pastor May. 25th. 1570. He continued his labors until september 1st. 1550, when he asked for a dis- mission which was granted by a council called for that purpose. The first house of worship which stood on the corner of Nicollet Avenue and Fourth street. was dedicated December 220, Isbn, and was destroyed by an incendiary fire on the night of April 30. 1860. in retaliation as is believed. for the faithfulness and activity of the pastor. Res. I. M. Nichols, in the cause of temperance. A new building was created on the site and dedicated September 13th. 1983. In Juan. It was enlarged by increasing its length, and by the addition of galleries, thus providing about two hundred and fifty additional sittings. In 1870. the steady increase of the congregation made it apparent that a still larger building would soon be needed. Accordingly a new site was purchased on the corner of Nicollet Avenue and Eighthstreet,a building committee appointed, and actual preparations commenced for the efec-
tion of a new building. After various delays, the corner stone of the present church edifice was laid. and the completed building was dedicated October 10th. 1875. Its seating capacity is twelve hundred, and it fills an important place in the so- cial and religious life of our city.
Second Congregational Church. In the spring of 1866. Rev. C. C. Salter, with the aid of men- bers of the Plymouth Church, and persons in the lower part of the city, and very generous contri- butions from parties in the East. succeeded in raising funds sufficient to warrant the founding of a mission Sunday-school. A fractional lot on the corner of Fourth and Vine street mnow Fit- teenth Avenue south; was purchased, and a build- ing 26x40 erected. at a cost of $1,795.33. The school was opened May 1tb, 1866. with O. B. King, superintendent. Rev. A. H. Carrier came and labored until May, 1867, when he was sie- ceeded by Rev. William Leavitt. who supplied the pulpit until November 14th, 1869. In the mean- time the Sunday-school had increased to such an extent that it was deemed expedient to organize a church, and a council was called by letters dated September 21th, 1867. The council met October 9th, 1867, Rev. A. K. Packard, moderator; and Rev. E. S. Williams, seribe. After a careful view of the history of the work and the need of it in that part of the city. it was moved by Rev. E. S. Williams that the church be organized in accordance with the petition. The motion was unanimously carried. Rev. Messrs. Hall. Dudley and Brown were appointed a committee to call a meeting for the public recognition of the church. The council met, October Hth. and the church. consisting of twenty members, was duly organ- ized with appropriate exercises. The organiza- tion had thus far been known as " Plymouth Chapel," but at a meeting held October 20th. 1867, it was voted that it be called the "Vine street Congregational Church." During the pas- torate of Mr. Leavitt. the number of members in- creased from twenty to thirty-five. Mr. Leavitt was succeeded by Rev. Prescott Fay, who occu- pied the pulpit for two years, resigning November 16th. 1871. Rev. Horace Burnsted commenced his labors in this church February 1th. 1872. and continued until March Ist, 1875. Previous to this, the increase of the congregation and Sunday- school had made it necessary to provide more
475
UNIVERSALIST CHURCHES.
ample accommodations. Two lots, at the corner of Eighth street and Thirteenth Avenue sonth. were secured. and the work of erecting a new church was begun. The basement. consisting of lecture-room, class-rooms and kitchen, was com- pleted in July, 1874, since which it has been occu- pied by the church. The building is veneered with cream shade brick ; it stands about eighty feet in extreme length by seventy feet in breadth, and will seat 560 persons in the auditorium. The name of the church has also been changed to " The Second Congregational Church of Minne- apolis." At a meeting of the church held May 24th. 1875. it was unanimously voted to extend to Rev. E. S. Williams a call to become its pastor. The call was accepted, and he has continued as pastor until the present time. During this pe- riod of two years, seventy-one have been added to its membership-thirty-nine on profession of faith and thirty-two by letter. The Sunday- school, which at first numbered twenty-six schol- ars, has steadily increased, and in 1877 numbered two hundred.
Pilgrim Church is located at the corner of Washington Avenue and Fourteenth Avene north. On the 29th day of September, 1873. this church was organized, with twenty-two members Rev. C. A. Hampton was the first pastor. who resigned January 14th. 1879, succeeded by Rev. G. A. Hood. in March. 1879. During that time the church steadily increased, so that it has passed from a mission chapel into a neat and commodious church, which is now self-sustaining with a membership of about ninety. The Sun' day-school, which was the nucleus around which the present church was formed, was a mission from Plymouth Church, and now numbers abont one hundred and forty. Mr. Horace Layton su- perintendent. This is but another repetition of past history in the life's work of earnest men.
UNIVERSALIST.
The first Universalist Society of St. Anthony was organized at the school-house in St. Anthony on Sunday, the 28th day of Angust, 1853. G. B. Dutton was called to the chair, and Daniel L. Paine. elected clerk. The object of the meeting was stated by one of the members. Reuben Ball was elected treasurer and collector for the eur- rent year, and the following executive committee
was then elected: Stephen Cobb, M. W. Getchell and I. B. Bassett; Rev. Mr. Barnes, pastor. At a meeting called in Central hall. St. Anthony, February 3d, 1856, the society was re-organized with John L. Lovejoy for president, and J. II. Lennon, secretary. At the annual meeting held February 2d, 1859, Rev. Mr. Barnes tendered his resignation as pastor of the society. May 17th, 1868, Rev. II. Bisbee was elected pastor of the elmurch. February 6th, 1876, the society met with president Lovejoy in the chair, and resolved that the Rev. Mr. Harrington be invited to come and hold meetings in the spring, in order to determine the question whether or not a pastor could be maintained. This was the last meeting the so- ciety held. Circunstances over which the mem- bers of the society had no control, caused them to discontinue their meetings, and in 1877, they sold their church building and grounds to the French Catholics, and it is now known as the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The first meeting for organization of the Church of the Redeemer was held at the Cataract House, October 24th, 1859, W. D. Washburn in the chair; it was organized under the name of First Uni- versalist Society of Minneapolis. Among the first members in 1854-5, were Judge Cornell and wife, I. I. Lewis. George W. Chowen. Isaac Brown and John Jackins. Rev. D. Skinner preached for a few months, when the Rev. J. W. King was called and accepted the pastorate. During his pastorate a church was built on the corner of Fifth street and Fourth Avenue south, and was dedicated in October, 1866, Rev. D. M. Reed of Illinois, preaching the dedication ser- mon. On the first Sunday in July, Rev. J. II. Tuttle of Chicago, preached his first sermon. After eight years of his ministry the increasing growth of the church necessitated a change for larger accommodations. A committee was ar- cordingly appointed and a new site for a church was selected on the corner of Eighth street and Second Avenue south, and work was commeneed on the present new and beautiful edifice in May. 1873. The work was pushed forward as rapidly as so elaborate a work conld well be done, all tak- ing an interest in the new house. Hon. W. D. Washburn presented the society with an elegant organ of the finest finish and tone, costing be- tween three and four thousand dollars. After
476
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
the completion of the church a meeting was called in July. 1x76. and on a motion made. the new church was named the Church of the Re- deemer." and was dedicated July 9th. 1876. Rev. A. A. Minor. D. D., of Boston. Massachu- setts. preaching the dedication sermon. Invoca- tion by the Rev. Robert Collyer of Chicago. It is Imilt of Une lime-stone in the gothic style of ar- chitecture. with elegantly designed and stained windows, and is a marvel of beauty in design and architecture. Rev. l. H. Tuttle is pastor in charge.
EPISCOPAAL.
Church of Gethsemane. Protestant Episcopal. is located on Seventh Avenue south, corner of Fifth street. The first Episcopal service per- formed in what is now Minneapolis, wasa funeral service by the Rev. Dr. Gear, in the old govern- ment mill near the falls. April Ith. 1:56. the church of Gethsemane was organized by Rev. J. s. Chamberlain, missionary at St. Anthony, who. during the spring and summer of that year. held services in a publie hall on Helen street, organ- ized with five communicants: Wardens, II. T. Welles. M. L. Olds: vestrymen. W. A. Parsons. 1. Atwater. A. E. Ames. July. 1856. Rev. D. B. Knickerbocker, present rector, was appointed missionary of the domestic board. and was or- dained priest. in Gethsemane Church July. 1857. lo Bishop Kemper. August 5th. 1556. the corner stone of Gethsemane Church was laid. by the Res. Dr. Gear, then chaplain at Fort Smelling. and the first service was held in the church De- comber 7th of that year. At the time of the con- seeration of the church there were sixteen com- municants, In 155%, the rectory and sexton's house were built. and in 1865. the church was enlarged and the parish school opened. The his- lors of the church is one of steady growth and prosperity There are now Hisse two hundred and fifty communicants. The present officers are: Rector. Rev. D. B. Knickerbacker. D. D .; rector's assistant. Rev. J. A. Bevington. B. D .: senior warden. I. Mtwater: junior warden. O. T. Tuttle: Vestrymen. C. W. Putnam. M. D .: W. B. Jack- son. . Ir: E. H. Holbrook. . Ir: W. H. Chamber- lain, John 1. Black. W. D. Lawrence, M. D .; treasurer. 6. C. Farnham : clerk. S. C. March : parish visitors, sisters Ammette Relf and Mrs. D. E. Spooner. Connected with the church is a
Sunday-school. of which the rector is superin- tendent, having an average attendance of about 225 scholars. The following is a description of the missions in the city under charge of Gethse- mane Church:
St. Andrew's Church, North Minneapolis, is located at the corner of Washington and Eigh- teenth Avenues north. Services were com- menced in 1857 and continued until the present time under the care of the clergy of Gethsemane. Service is held every Sunday morning, and Sun- day-school after morning service. There are titty families and fifty-five communicants. The Sunday-school has seventy-five scholars enrolled.
Grace Chapel Mission is located on Franklin Avenue. corner of Twenty-first Avenue south. It was created in 1877. at a cost of $2,500; owned and under the care of the Brotherhood of Geth- semane Church. Divine service and Sunday- school is held weekly at three o'clock p. M .: one hundred children are enrolled. It is under the care of Rev. D. B. Knickerbacker, D. D., and as- sistants.
County Jail. Mission services are held here every Sunday afternoon by the Brotherhood of Gethsemane Church.
Holy Trinity Church, Fourth Avenue south, corner Sixth street was founded under the auspi- ces of the associated mission which landed at Ft. Snelling in 1850, consisting of the Rev. James Lloyd Breck. John Austin Merrick and Rev. Timothy Wilcoxson. The first service in East Minneapolis, then St. Anthony was held in July. 1850, by Rev. Timothy Wilcoxson. The corner stone of the original church was laid by the Rev. Dr. Breck. October 30th, 1850. Rev. Father Gear, chaplain at Fort Snelling, making the ad- dress. First episcopal visitation was made by Right Rev. Dr. Kemper on Sunday, August 4th. 1850. The parish was formally organized on Easter Monday, 1852, first clergyman in charge, Rev. Timothy Wilcoxson. October ist, 1852. Rev. A. S. Chamberlain was assigned to duty at St. Anthony, and several stations north and south; Rev. D. B. Knickerbacker afterwards pas- tor of Gethsemane parish, and Bishop elect of Arizona, was sent out to aid Rev. Mr. Chamber- lain and remained in charge until 1857. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Woodward as rector from 1857 to 59. The rectorship was vacant
477
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
from '59 to '60. when Rev. II. A. Neely assumed temporary charge until May 5th. 1861. Rev. Mr. Knickerbacker resumed the care of the parish until 1862. In 1863, Rev. A. Spor became rector, remained until 1865; Rev. Dr. Smallwood Sie- ceeded, who died universally regretted. July 20, 1869. The parish again became dependent upon the care of Rev. Mr. Knickerhacker until Octo- ber. 1867; Rev. A. Reves succeeded only to re- main a short time. Rev. John Anketel succeed- 'ed him for a brief period; Rev. G. L. Chase then became rector, remaining until September. 187-1. at which time, after being twice called, he as- sumed the wardenship of the Divinity school at Faribault. Mr.Chase was assisted for several years by the Rev. Charles HI. Plummer, who was succeeded in October, 1874, by Rev. Frank C. Coolbaugh, who remained until October 4th, 1875. On December 4th. 1875, Rev. Theodore M. Riley, of Philadelphia, was elected rector, and entered upon his duties July 15th, 1876. Under the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Chase, a new stone church had been erected, which remained unfurn- ished until 1876; carpets and pews were provided in 1877; windows for the chancel were presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Grow, of New York; furnish- ed and without debt it awaited consecration. which oecured on ascension day, May 30th, 1878, by Right Rev. Bishop Whipple. The sermon was preached by Rev. C. W. Ward. of Winona, son of the late Comodore Ward. The Font now in use in the church, was made from stone that fell from the top of St. Anthony Falls in 1856. The altar somewhat enlarged, is the original one in use in the days of Breck, Mer- rick and Wilcoxson: the bell was purchased in 1854. The rectory just completed was erected during the past year, largely through the kind benevolence of Mrs. Caroline II. Delano, of Nia- gara Falls, who donated one thousand dollars to- ward the eozy strneture: the remaining $500 was contributed by the parish.
St. Mark's Church was organized April 22d, 1868. The first service of the new parish was in St. Mark's Chapel, in July, sermon by Rev. E. S. Thomas, of Faribanit. Rev. Mr. Thomas was unanimously chosen the first rector. August 3d, which he declined. Rev. E. A. Bradley was eleeted, and entered upon the duties of his office in 1869, holding the rectorship for abont eighteen
months. He resigned August 10th, 1870. The new church was completed in December follow- ing, and the first service in the new edifice was held on Christmas day, at which time the total amount of the church debt of seven thousand dollars, was paid by the generous offerings of the people. This new and beautiful structure was consecrated September 21st, 1871. Bishop Whip- ple officiating. Rev. Mr. Thomas resigned Janu- ary Ist, 1875, succeeded by Rev. Mr. Corbett. D. D., who resigned January 2d, 1880. In October, 1880, Rev. T. B. Wells, D. D., the present rector, was eleeted.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located on Henne- pin Avenne, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, was organized in June, 1880. For about seven months meetings were held in Elliott hall on Nicollet Avenue between Washington Avenue and Third street. The congregation purchased its present site on Hennepin Avenne, and erected their edifice which they occupied early in Novem- ber, 1880, In July, the present rector, Rev. F. W. Tomkins was called and took charge Septem- ber Ist, 1880. The communicants number abont seventy-five, and are rapidly increasing.
Christ Church, Reformed Episcopal, is one of the later organizations of the eity. Its edifiee is on Hennepin Avenue above Tenth street, and it possesses one of the best organs in the city. Its membership as yet is small. The officers are: rector, Rev. Edward D. Neill; senior warden. W. C. Baker; junior warden, George Markell; vestry- men, Edwin Phillips, M. D., J. Il. Bissell, M. D., W. W. McNair.
The German Lutheran. St. John's Church, is located on First street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues north-east. The first meeting was heldl in a school-house, in June, 1867. Rev. Mr. Facht- man was the first pastor. The church had six- teen members. From various eanses the men- bership has been reduced, and the church is at present without a pastor.
Trinity Norwegian Danish Evangelical Luth- eran Church is located on the corner of Fourth street and Tenth Avenue south. Was organized in 1868, by Rev. Paulson, who is now a resident of Wilmar. The second pastor was Prof. Wee- naas; the third, Prof. Sven Oftedal; and the fourth, G. Oftedal, the present incumbent. The church was erected in 1871. The first member
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