History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 66

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 66

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1870 it seemed to become expedient for the society to remove into the lower part of the city, and steps were taken with a view thereto. An offer was made and accepted for the church prop- erty, in 1870, and a new location chosen and pur- chased. The present building, corner of Wood- ward and Lafayette streets was erected, and the congregation entered into its occupancy in 1875, though with a loss of a considerable number of its members. The interior of the building, one of the most finished and tasteful in the city, is lined and panelled with butternut wood, and the addi- tion since of a very handsome and sweet toned organ, has become not only an ornament to the church, but under the skillful fingers of Mr. Sig- fried the organist, a great aid in the service of praise.

Rev. Mr. Mattocks, who as a citizen as well as a clergyman, had won his way in the hearts of his fellow citizens, and who was a man of more than ordinary mental powers and attainments, was suddenly removed from his pastorate of nineteen years, by death, on the 13th of November, 1875. Shortly after his death Rev. N. W. Cary became pastor. On December 12th. 1877, he sent in his resignation and was succeeded in January, 1878, by Rev. Samuel Conn, D.D., as stated supply, which position he still occupies. The congrega- tion, which had fallen off on the removal down

town, is now considerably on the increase, and the membership of the church also. The present membership is a little over one hundred. Those who have occupied the office of ruling elders from the inception of the church have been, W. H. Tinker, R. Marvin, Henry Dougan, Professor Wright and Col. McClellan. Clerk of the session, R. Marvin. Deacons: Wm. J. Sheppy, Thomas F. Masterson, Howison Thompson and Jason Cooper. Superintendent of Sunday school, Wm. J. Sheppy.

The pastor, Rev. Dr. Conn, is a man of more than ordinary pulpit power, and this the oldest Presbyterian church in the city, has yet a future before it of great promise and usefulness.

Central Presbyterian Church of St. Paul. It was during the summer of 1851 that the idea was first entertained of forming a society in St. Paul, in connection with what was the Old School branch of the Presbyterian church. To- wards the close of the summer the Rev. J. G. Ri- heldaffer arrived in St. Paul, under the auspices of the Board of Domestic Missions of the Presby- · terian church, O. S., with the view of forming a church and thus making it a centre from which should radiate the operations of the denomina- tion in the then territory, At first it seemed an unpromising field of operation, and the discour- agements and coldness which met Mr. Riheldaf- fer on the threshold of the enterprise would have entirely discouraged a man less grounded in prin- ciple and with a less stern and unyielding sense of duty.

Mr. Riheldaffer preached his first sermon in St. Paul, in the First Presbyterian church, by the courteous invitation of Rev. Mr. Neill, its pastor, a courtesy which was occasionally repeated till other arrangements were made.

On Saturday, February 22d, 1852, a little com- pany, nine in number, met at the dwelling of the minister, in a one story frame house on Sixth street, between Robert and Jackson, In that company, small as it was, two or three separate nationalities, and Scotch, German, English and American blood were represented. They met pursuant to a notice publically given on the previous Sabbath, for the purpose of organizing the church which is now known as the Central Presbyterian church, St. Paul. After a season of religious exercises, and remarks by Rev. J. G.

381

SAINT PAUL-CHURCHES.

Riheldaffer, the following persons, seven in num- ber, on presentation of letters from other churches, were admitted to membership, and con- stituted the church; Mrs. Catharine Rihel- daffer, Mr. and Mrs. R. Marvin, Mr. J. Gise, Mr. and Mrs. Farrington, and Mr. John D. Pollock. Mr. Farrington and Mr. R. Marvin were then elected as ruling elders, R. Marvin being appoint- ed stated clerk of the session.

For a month or two previous, Mr. Riheldaffer had had the use of the pulpit in the new Baptist church building, the regular pastor, Rev. Mr. Parsons, being absent in the East, collecting funds for the church. It was an arrangement with a two-fold aspect of convenience, as it kept up the regular services, and was a rallying point for the little nucleus which should form the new church. Nevertheless it was, and was felt to be, a real manifestation of Christian courtesy; and looking back to it through the vista of years, it still wears the same aspect. The ordination of an elder, and the first communion of the church took place the following day (Sabbath) in the Baptist church.

After a few months, in the winter of 1852-'53, the church commenced its regular separate servi- ces in the court house, and a regularly organized congregation began to assemble. The number was small at first, but steadily, though slowly, in- creased. In this building the Sunday school of the church was organized, R. Marvin being the first superintendent.

During all this time there had been an earnest desire, on the part of both pastor and people, for a house of worship of their own, and here let it be said, if ever there was an earnest worker in that direction, it was the minister himself. He seemed to concentrate in himself, and give direc- tion to the wishes and energies of the church. A subscription paper was started, and the church and congregation subscribed, for those days, very liberally. Persons outside of the organization assisted the work, among whom were Alexander Ramsey, H. M. Rice, Alexander Wilkin and sev- eral others of our prominent citizens. It being thought best to erect a stone or brick edifice, that should be sufficient to meet, for some years, at least, the future needs of the congregation, the larger portion of the funds had to come from the East, where the pastor had many friends, whom he induced to assist in the enterprise.

Lots for the contemplated building were gen- erously donated by Mr. Louis Roberts, and Mr. Randall.

In the meantime, it becoming inexpedient to meet longer in the court house, through the cour- tesy of Governor W. A. Gorman, the use of one of the rooms of the capitol was tendered to the congregation. The meetings were therefore held there for some time, in the vicinity of the build- ing, which was slowly progressing. During this time, and till a portion of the basement could be fitted up, the Sabbath school met in the old log school-house, on Jackson street, which was sub- sequently burned.

The organized board of trustees consisted of the following members, viz: Messrs. G. W. Far- rington, J. D. Pollock, R. Marvin, Wm. P. Mur- ray and R. C. Knox. It was not, however, until February 10th, 1854, that steps were taken, by which the society was fully organized, according to the statutes and the details of that organiza- tion, recorded in the office of register of deeds, of Ramsey county.

The lots on which the church was being erected, were, at the time, beautiful in their surroundings. The stone quarries, which afterward so disfigured the locality, were scarcely commenced, and for the most part, the entire locality, including Capitol square, presented a beautiful level of al- most unbroken verdure. Still, it was very much an oasis, and in bad weather the approaches to it, from almost every direction, were anything but inviting. Streets were then ungraded, marshes were not drained, and sidewalks that deserved the name, were almost unknown. The growthi of the church was thus greatly retarded, and many feared that a fatal mistake had been made in the location. But as the population increased, and streets were graded and other improvements made, the prospects of the church brightened. At present it is easy of access from all parts of the city, and occupies a position second to none, for a far-reaching work.

At the commencement of the enterprise, the Board of Domestic Missions was the source of the pastor's salary; subsequently it was derived in part from that source, and in part from the congregation. Still later the churchi became self-sustaining, thus accomplishing the earnest wish of the pastor. In doing this, however, it

382

HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

was the pastor who made the sacrifice, for the new policy trenched nearly as much on his gene- rosity as it spared the Board of Domestic Missions.

The revulsion of 1857 was seriously felt, and was a serious draw-back to the progress of the Central church. Nevertheless, there was no ces- sation of those activities which are necessary to the well-being of a church. Contributions to the various boards were regularly made, the Sabbath school prospered, the ordinances of religion were regularly maintained, additions were occasionally made to the church, and the congregation in- creased in numbers.

In the summer of 1864, Rev. J. G. Riheldaffer resigned the pastorate of the church, which he had been instrumental in forming, with which he had been so long associated, and for which he had made so many sacrifices. He has since re- mained at St. Paul actively engaged in the work of education and moral reform.

For some time the church was without a pastor, still the ordinances of religion were kept up, and the pulpit generally supplied. Among those who ministered to the church for longer or shorter intervals, but without being regularly settled, were Rev. IIendrick, of Baton Rouge, Louisi- anna; Rev. Robert Sutton, who served the church acceptably for near a year and a half, and Rev. David Hall.

In 1867, Rev. F. J. Brown, D. D., became the pastor and under his ministry the congregation steadily grew until increased accommodations became necessary. The church edifice was enlarged and refitted, adding about one-third to its seating capacity; the enlargement and im- provement being made at an expense considerably greater than the cost of the original building.

In the fall of 1873, Dr. Brown was released from his charge. In the summer of 1874, Rev. William McKibbin was called, and shortly after installed as pastor. He was very successful in his work, and was greatly loved by his congrega- tion. IIis influence was also felt throughout the city as an active and fearless advocate of moral reform. In October, 1879, he resigned his charge, and the church reluctantly consented to his re- lease. Ile soon became pastor of the Second Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania.

Wishing to avoid the evils of a long vacancy,

measures were at once taken to secure a new pastor. The attention of the church was turned to Rev. R. F. Maclaren, pastor of the Presbyte- rian church at Red Wing, Minnesota. A call was extended to him on November 12th, 1879, which he accepted, and. entered upon the work in December.

The church is now enjoying a remarkable de- gree of prosperity, and its growth is more rapid than at any other time in its history.

In addition to those first elected, the following persons have held the office of ruling elder in the church: Richard Chute, Hon. S. J. R. McMillan, Dr. T. D. Simonton, HI. F. McCormick, James W. Hamilton, Edward Webb, J. D. Pollock, J. M. Brack, William Herriott, S. Dickey, William F. Mason.

. Of those who have been trustees, in addition to those whose names occur in the narrative, and who have been among the most active and promi- nent members of the organization, are: W. T. Donaldson, who has been associated with the congregation front its first inception; O. B. Tir- rell, R. P. Lewis, O. Curtiss, J. W. Simonton, Rev. H. Maltby, Dr. Steele, William K. Gaston, William Stees, John Campbell, W. H. Bradner, Webster Smith, W. F. Davidson, B. II. Dorsey, Gen. R. W. Johnson, Gen. J. B. Sanborn, Gates A. Johnson, Judge W. Wilkin, H. S. Ogden.

HOUSE OF HOPE, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This church was founded by Rev. Edward D. Neill, its first pastor, in 1855. Mr. Neill came to St. Paul in April, 1849, under instructions from the Presbytery of Galena, of which he was a member, the territory of Minnesota, then being included in its limits. After preaching for seven months, he organized the First Presbyterian church of St. Paul, and for about five years, re- mained its pastor. In accordance with his origi- nal plan of devoting himself to work of a mis- sionary character, he prepared to relinquish his labors in this congregation, and in December, 1854, he resigned. In November, 1855, he an- nounced, through a circular, that the Presbyte- rian mission, which was commenced in April, 1849, and discontinued upon the organization of the First Presbyterian church, in November of the same year, would be resumed by him, and fur- ther announced that "Services will be held every

383

SAINT PAUL CHURCHES.

Sunday afternoon at fifteen minutes after three o'clock in the lower room of the district school- house on Walnut street near Fort, commencing November 25th, 1855." Service was held accord- ing to announcement, beginning November 25th. The audience, from the first was unexpectedly large, and before one month had passed, it was decided to effect a permanent organization.

December 24th, 1855, the church was organ- ized with J. H. Stewart, M. D., Mrs. William L. Banning, Mrs. Henrietta IIorne, now Mrs. Col- grave, and Mrs. Edward D. Neill. The church thus organized, chose for its name, "The House of Hope," which was that of the old Dutch re- doubt, which in the seventeenth century, stood upon the present site of the city of Hartford, Connecticut.

Co-incident with the organization of the church was the formation of a Sunday school. It was first held in the Walnut street school-house, De- cember 16th, 1855. There were seven scholars in attendance and six teachers. The ladies society was also organized and did good work in promot- ing the interests of the church. The proceeds of entertainments which they gave, provided a com- munion service, and at the time the meetings were transferred to the college building, they had a fund sufficient to furnish the room in which they were held.

The history of the church as a corporate reli- gious society begins with the 26th of January, 1856, when a meeting was called, preliminary to its organization, and a committee appointed to take the necessary legal measurers. Trustees were elected February 26th, and held their first meeting March 4th.

During the summer of this year, Mr. Neill was absent upon a visit to the East, and services were not held, but on his return in September, the con- gregration began to worship in the hall of the pre- paratory department of the College of St. Paul since Macalester College, on Wilkin street, now the Catholic, House of the Good Shepherd.

The first Sabbath of the new year, 1857, the first additions to the church were made, eight communicants being received by letter. The same day, January 3d, Wilford L. Wilson was chosen ruling elder, the first to hold that office. During the winter, the difficulties to be surmount- ed were great, and though mostly physical, were

nevertheless, disheartening. The deep snows filled the ravine which interposed between the majority of the congregation and the college building. Paths were unknown, and it was with great difficulty that any could fight their way through the snow to the church.

In January, 1857, lots were purchased and the people prepared to build. They were at the height of prosperity. Business was brisk, prop- erty in demand and rising-in price if not in value, money was plenty and people were eager to join in new enterprises. The society deter- mined to build a stone church to cost not less than $25,000, and plans were secured, but before the ground had been broken, the terrible financial crisis, which still makes the year '57 memorable, fell upon the young church_with crushing effect, and their hopes and expectations were suddenly dashed. They became more modest in their re- quirements and on the 12th day of July, 1858, a committee was instructed to build a frame chapel at the lowest possible figures. In the meantime the congregation occupied Irvine IIall, on the corner of Third and Eagle streets. This hall was used during the week as a German theatre, and on Sunday the air was anything but pure, notwithstanding the attempts to ventilate the room. The scenery was covered with banners belonging to the Sunday school. "On one occas- ion when the collection baskets could not be found, a gentlemen emerged from the 'green- room' with an empty cigar box and proceeded with all solemnity to receive the offerings." In August, 1858, work was begun on the chapel, and in December of the same year it was ready for occupancy, and was dedicated on the 22d of the same month. At this time the church num- bered thirty-five members. The building con- tained seventy-five pews, and of these, forty were rented the first day, and the remainder were filled with worshippers. The entire cost of the chapel was $2,775; improvements were subse- quently made at additional expense.

After Minnesota was admitted as a state, 1858, the legislature re-organized the old Territorial University, and passed a law creating the office of chancellor of the State University, who ex-officio, was also to be state superintendent of public in- struction. The Rev. E. D. Neill was chosen to fill that position, and June 20th, 1860, sent a let-

384

HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

ter of resignation to the session of the IIouse of Hope church. This resignation was accepted by the congregation with great reluctance. After Mr. Neill's withdrawal, the church was supplied by Rev. IIenry W. Ballantyne, three months; Rev. William J. Erdman, six months; and Rev. Horace Bushnell, D. D., of Hartford, Connecticut, who was temporarily sojourning in the state.

October 20th, 1861, Rev. Frederick A. Noble, D. D., who was visiting Minnesota, accepted the invitation of the church to become its stated sup- ply, and entered upon his duties. In June, 1862, he received a call to become their permanent pas- tor, and on the 16th of July, was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Minnesota. The church increased in membership, and a debt of $3,000, which had accumulated since the building of the chapel, was paid. "The credit for this undertaking, except so far as the mere gifts of money are concerned, belongs exclusively to Mr. Noble."

In 1865, the Ladies' society was re-organized, and a new constitution adopted. The society now numbered thirty-two active members, and to their energetic work much of the financial success of the church is due. The Sabbath School Mis- sionary society was formed January 21st, 1866. The Sabbath School Teacher's Meeting, which had been occasionally held in previous years, was permanently inaugurated February 18th.

During the year the question of increased ac- commodations was discussed, and it was decided to build a new church in a locality more accessi- ble to the general public, as the situation -on Walnut street was out of the way. Steps were taken in furtherance of the object, a subscription started, and site selected. The next year, how- ever, passed, and the building was not begun.

In November, Mr. Noble tendered his resigna- tion, to take effect on the last Sabbath of the year. He had received a call to the Third Pres- byterian church of Pittsburgh, and he immedi- ately moved there.

The services of the Rev. F. W. Flint, as sup- ply, were immediately secured, and the work of the church went on without interruption. At a congregational meeting, held February 10th, 1868, the trustees were instructed to proceed with the building of a church, to cost not less than

$25,000, of which sum, $5,000 had been secured, and a building committee was appointed.

May 13th, 1869, a formal call was extended to Rev. George A. Howard of Catskill, New York, which was declined by him after a visit to St. Paul. January 28th, 1869, the corner stone of the new church building was laid with appropri- ate ceremonies, and in December, the basement was ready for occupancy, the first public service held in it being the Christmas anniversary of the Sunday school. The next day, Sabbath, the first regular church service was held in the basement.

The necessity of choosing a pastor was appar- ent, and a call to the Rev. David R. Breed was ordered. Ile soon after accepted, and in May, 1870, began his duties. In October, 1870, Mr. Breed was formally ordained to the ministry and installed as pastor of the church by the Presby- tery of St. Paul.

On the first Sabbath in 1871, the whole amount of the church debt, $12,098.29, was raised by sub- scription, the greatest enthusiasm prevailing in the congregation. The church continued to prosper in all its branches, and in February, 1873, the new building was completed, and the main room occupied on the 23d of the month. The service was conducted by Rev. R. F. Sample, of Minneapolis, the regular pastor of the church having been prostrated by a fever.

On November 14th, 1873, the House of Hope temperance society was organized and Gen. R. W. Johnson chosen first president. Meetings were held bi-monthly, and arrangements were made for semi-annual public meetings. Members were enrolled upon signing the society's pledge.

In the spring of 1874, special religious meet- ings were held by the church, conducted by Rev. J. Cadwallader, continuing about two weeks. About twenty conversions and additions to the church resulted.

In the fall of this year the religions enterprise at the St. Paul Harvester Works was assumed by the church. A service had been conducted for some time previous, by the Young Men's Christ- ian Association, meetings being held in the office room; but when the company had erected a building for the religious and educational advan- tages of the community, the House of Hope church was invited to undertake the charge. In February, 1875, the Fort street chapel was in-

385

SAINT PAUL-CHURCHES.

augurated by the church, and the opening service held June 27th. On July 4th, the Sabbath school was organized ; fifty-nine scholars and twelve teachers were present the first Sabbath. In three weeks the attendance had increased to one hun- dred and twenty. November 14th, a preaching service was commenced, and has been continued regularly. In July, 1876, the balance of the debt of the church, which amounted at the first of the year to $12,000, was raised.

Although the House of Hope church has twice incurred and twice paid a large debt upon the house, the property has never been mortgaged for the smallest amount. "The trustees were instructed to do so whenever it seemed necessary, but they, with the self-sacrificing generosity which has always characterized them, refused to encumber the sanctuary with any lien, and be- came individually responsible for all amounts borrowed to complete it."

On the 20th of August, 1876, the church was dedicated to the worship of God. The services were very impressive. The sermon was delivered by Rev. E. D. Neill, first minister of the church, at the close of which Charles H. Bigelow, treas- urer of the church, read a financial statement.

The church building is located on the corner of Fifth and Exchange streets, and is one of the prominent buildings of the city. Though the surroundings are not as pleasant as could be de- sired, yet the geographical position is an excel- lent one, being midway and equally accessible to the large resident districts of Irvine Park, Sum- mit avenue and Park place.

The structure is Gothic; of blue limestone, broken range work. It is surmounted with a spire, covered with Vermont slate, which rises to a height of one hundred and sixty-six feet. The basement floor is three feet below grade. It is divided into lecture room, parlors, kitchen and halls. The main approach is from Fifth street, through a spacious vestibule, in which the flights of stairs ascend to the main floor, seven feet above the grade of the street. The auditorium is eighty by fifty-one feet, the ceiling rising to the height of forty-one feet. There are one hundred and forty pews, affording accommodations for 550. The gallery contains seats for 150. The organ is a fine one, built by Steere and Turner, Westfield, Massachusetts, and cost $5,737. . The church is 25

lighted by three five-foot reflectors placed in the ceiling, and side brackets in the gallery. It is heated by steam, pipes being in each pew and registers in the aisles. An enlargement, to cost $16,000 will be commenced immediately.

The total cost of the lots, building, furniture, organ, etc., was $68;660, of which sum $50,912, was actually paid in cash by the people of the church. The House of Hope church has con- tinued to prosper and numbers about five hund- red members. Following is a list of the ministers since the organization and the time of service: Rev. Edward D. Neill, pastor, No- vember 25th, 1855, to June 20th, 1860; Rev. H. W. Ballantyne, stated supply, June 26th, 1860, to September, 1860; Rev. William J. Erdman, stated supply, November 11th, 1860, to May, 1861; Rev. F. A. Noble, D.D., pastor, October 26th, 1861, to December 29th, 1867; Rev. Frederick W. Flint, stated supply, January 5th, 1858, to May 8th, 1870; Rev. David R. Breed, present pastor, De- cember 27th, 1869.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.