USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 69
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The German Reformed church was organized as a mission, April, 1880, with about twenty- five members, Rev. W. Friebolin, pastor or mis- sionary. His work, thus far has been entirely missionary work. He received his appointment from the board of missions of the synod of the North-west. This little body of Christians have been prosperous, their membership having in- creased in one year to forty. There is a mission Sabbath school connected with the church, with an average attendance of fifty scholars.
Unity church, of St. Paul, may be said to have
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had three beginnings. The first was on Decem- ber 11, 1858, when a notice appeared in the Daily Minnesotian: "Unitarian preaching. Unitarian services will be held on Sunday next, at 10:30 a. m., at their hall over Pollock and Donaldson's store, Robert street. The public are invited to attend." The public that accepted the invitation the next day consisted of twenty-one men, six ladies and seven children. Rev. F. R. Newell, then a merchant in the city, preached, and the services continued under his charge till the next October. Then the light went out.
It glimmered again for a moment in 1865, when Unitarian services were held in the court house for a few summer Sundays. But that same season the Universalists organized a vigorous young church, under Rev. Herman Bisbee, and their brother liberals left the field to them. The Universalists prospered, built the stone church opposite the capitol, on Wabasha street, and all went well until the people divided over the doc- trines of a proposed new pastor.
The less conservative part withdrew, and in February, 1872, began meetings of their own in Knauft's Hall, with Rev. J. R. Effinger for pas- tor. The first board of trustees was W. L. Ames, Joseph S. Sewall, W. H. Kelley, Daniel McCaine, Edward Sawyer; H. P. Grant, secretary and treasurer. This time the venture thrived, though not without hard struggle and aid from the East. The people soon moved to the tiny church on Temperance street, just vacated by the growing Plymouth church; and very good its hard, brown seats and stained pine pulpit seemed. On March 10th, 1873, they were incorporated as a religious society, under the state laws. By the fall of 1875, they were strong enough to move again, to the then unused Universalist church. But in the following spring, Mr. Effinger's failing health compelled him to resign his good work. Rev. W. J. Parrot preached for a few months. Since March, 1877, W. C. Gannett has been the pastor. The society re-organized its articles of incorporation, February 5th, 1881. And now they are building a church of their own on Wa- basha street, opposite Summit avenue, to be pro- vided with the club-room and parlor additions, which their theory of a church-home demands. Their "Bond of Church Fellowship," a creed of
life, not of doctrines, states the ideals of life which its members accept as more important than any any intellectual belief whatever.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF ST. PAUL.
The original organization of this society was effected May 7th, 1865, in Ingersoll hall, a three- story stone structure at the junction of Third, Wabasha and Bench streets. The preliminary steps to its organization were taken a week pre- viously, April 30th, by the appointment of a committee to draft a constitution. Under the constitution, the society was to be known either asthe "First Universalist Society of St. Paul," or "The Church of the Messiah." The first officers of the society were, R. Blakely, president; W. D. Washburn, Charles Leonard and R. Blakely, trustees; A. A. Clifford, secretary; C. Leonard, treasurer. A Sunday school was organized in connection with the society, May 21st, 1865.
June 4th, 1865, the society changed its place of worship to the "Armory IIall," on north side of Third street, between Cedar and Minnesota streets.
The society became a corporation January 30tl1, 1865. The first officers under the articles of incorporation were, Russell Blakely, president; Charles Leonard, treasurer; W. II. Grant, secre- tary; and these with J. C. Burbank, W. D. Washburn and G. G. Griswold, constituted the corporators. The corporators, with the excep- tion of W. H. Grant, the secretary, constituted its board of trustees for the first year of the incorpo- ration. In June, 1866, the society purchased lots 4, 5 and 6, in block 7, Bazille and Guerin's addition for a church site. Rev. Herman Bisbee was the pastor of the society from its first organization until November 11th, 1867, when his resignation took effect. February 3d, 1867, the society changed its place of worship from Armory hall to Christ church, a frame building erected and formerly used by an Episcopal society of that name, and which stood on Cedar street, between Third and Fourth streets. . September 19th, 1867, the plan of a church edifice was adopted, aud on October 1st, following, ground was broken for tlie erection of the building, on the lots before described. The excavation was completed, and the walls raised to the water-table that season. The following season, 1868, the walls were com.
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pleted, the roof put on and the basement finished for the use of the society, and services held there on and after January 31st, 1869, until September 29th. 1872, when the auditorium being finished, services were held in it. October 1st, 1872, the entire building being completed and furnished, the formal dedication of the edifice took place. The building stands at the south-east corner of Exchange and Wabasha streets. is of Gothic ar- chitecture, wall and tower of blue lime-stone, stained glass windows, and beautifully frescoed walls and ceiling of the auditorium. It was ac- knowledged at the time to be the handsomest church edifice in the city.
The building was, in the spring of 1881, sold to the St. Louis society, (French Catholic) and by them dedicated to their use, April 24th, 1881. The present officers of the society are, R. Blakely, president; Charles Leonard, treasurer; J. B. Chaney, secretary, and R. Blakeley, C. Leonard, A. Worley, E. E. Hughson and Mrs. Ellen Blake- ley, trustees.
The New Jerusalem (or Swedenborgian) church. This body of Christians, popularly known as the Swedenborgians, call themselves "The New Je- rusalem church," believing the promulgation of their doctrines to be represented by the descent of the New Jerusalem treated of in the Revela- tions. The Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, originally of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but then of Minne- apolis, began in October, 1872, to lecture on the doctrines of the new church, in the lecture room of the Young Men's Christian Association, on Third street, St. Paul, on Sunday evenings. On June 1st, 1873, a society, or church, was formed in St. Paul, having eighteen members. Since that time, seven new members have united, two have removed from the city, and three have died, leaving a membership of twenty. The society continued to hold Sunday evening ser- vices in the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion rooms, until the summer vacation of 1876, when they purchased the old red brick Methodist church on Market street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and fitted it up for their use, pub- licly dedicating it on Sunday morning, July 16th, 1876, the Rev. E. C. Mitchell, officiating. Mr. Mitchell continued to serve both churches until May 15th, 1880, when he resigned the pas- torate of the Minneapolis society, and removed
his residence to St. Paul, to give his whole attention to the church in St. Paul. In the church the usual morning and evening services are held, and the Sunday school at noon. Much of the preaching in the New Jerusalem church is devoted to developing the inward and spiritnal meaning of the texts of the Bible, and in apply- ing their higher truths to the government of the daily life.
The present officers are the following : pastor, and superintendent of Sunday school, Rev. E. C. Mitchell; chairman of church committee, Hon. W. R. Marshall; secretary, Hon. John M. Gil- man; treasurer, Edward HI. Cutler, Esq.
Mt. Zion congregation (Hebrew) was organized and received a charter February 26th, 1857. The following officers were elected : President, HI. Cole; vice-president, J. Mendelsen; secretary, L. Philips; trustee, Jacob Neuman. They held reg- lar annual meetings in 1858-'59, and elected officers, but after 1859 and before the annual meeting of 1860, the society discontinued to hold meetings. In October, 1869, they re-organized and elected the following officers: President, Jacob Neuman; vice-president, Joseph Bergfeldt; treasurer, J. Rose; secretary, B. Rose; trus- tees, A. Bloom, S. Lobenstein, A. Sternberg. At a meeting of August 21st, 1870, they resolved to buy a lot which they did on Tenth street, corner of Minnesota street; size, 50x110 and erected a synagogue on the same; size, 28x56; material, wood; cost of lot and build- ing, about $12,000. It has a seating capacity of 150 persons. The synagogue was dedicated to the worship of God in January, 1871, by the Rev. E. Epstein, of Milwaukee, since which time it has been open for worship. They held regular annual meetings, and held elections for officers each year, in April. The present officers are: President, S. Bergman; vice-president, Julius Austin; recording secretary, B. H. Plechner; financial secretary, M. Wittleshofer; treasurer, L. Goodkind; trustees, J. Rose, H. S. Haas, A. Sternberg, S. N. Cardozo; Rev. Judah Wechsler, rabbi. Present membership, 46. It is the inten- tion of the congregation as soon as they can per- fect arrangements, to put up a new synagogue which will outdo anything of the kind west and north of Chicago. The estimated cost will be about $20,000.
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SAINT PAUL-CHURCHES.
Mt. Zion cemetery was organized June 5th, 1856, and the ground, one-half acre, cost $150. In 1872 it was fenced and otherwise improved, and is now a very fine burying ground. There have been forty interments since the grounds have been opened. This cem- etery contains some very fine monuments. It joins the Oakland, which is the finest cemetery in the county.
Hebrew Congregation, Sons of Jacob, (B'nai Jacob.) This orthodox congregation worshiping according to ancient rite, as inherited by and handed down to them from their ancestors, and believing in unity of the Godhead, and no plur- ality, which is foreign to their belief, organized March 20th, 1875, with twelve members, at 252 Robert street, St. Paul, where divine service was held. Rev. J. Goldstein officiating, and the fol- lowing gentlemen being the first officers: Presi- dent, N. Bloomenthal; vice-president, M. Cadon; treasurer, A. Marks; secretary, G. Caplin; trus- tees, A. Kaufman, D. Goodman. April 6th, 1877, the congregation purchased a piece of land for a cemetery. On the 15th of August, 1879, the Jacobs House, corner of Minnesota and Eleventh streets was bought and paid for at once. It has a seating capacity of 140 persons. They received great encouragement from many liberal disposed fellow men of other denominations and will soon be able to erect a house of worship becoming the great city of the North-west, St. Paul. The fol- lowing gentlemen are its officers for the current year: Rabbi, J. D. Friedman; president, N. Bloomenthal; vice-president, R. Ritmaster; sec- retary, A. Kaufman; treasurer, D. Drinblat; trus- tees, N. B. Cohen and C. Polsky. The congre- gation now numbers forty-two members.
The Western Seaman's Friend society. About 40 years ago, a society by the above name, of which this is a branch, was inaugurated in Cleve- land Ohio, for the seamen of the lakes, and was afterwards extended to the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The society at St. Paul was organized in 1873. On the first day of April Mr. Robert Smith, the chaplain, started out in this work, preaching in the streets and all along the rivers from St. Paul to Winona, and between St. Paul and Duluth, during the summer season, and in the winter he was engaged in evangelistic work, preaching mostly in the rural districts. About
two years ago the society secured a chapel at the foot of Jackson street, where they hold services every Sunday afternoon. Owing to the increased work at home, the chaplain was obliged to dis- continue the evangelistic work, and confined him- self exclusively to the Bethel mission work pro- per. The Bethel mission is sustained by volun- tary contributions from the business men of St. Paul, and the church collections throughout the state. The first officers were: R. W. Johnson, president; E. W. Chase, secretary; Parker Paine, treasurer; Robert Smith, chaplain. The general work of this organization is among the sailors on our lakes, river men, lumbermen, and railroad men, in fact all such men as have no special church home. The society has had a steady growth in public favor, and marked success in its general mission work, and has done a vast amount of good, probably as much as any church in the city. The society is fully endorsed by all the evangelical bodies of the state, and its chaplain meets with a hearty welcome to their pulpits. The present officers are as follows: Capt. J. H. Reaney, president; S. F. Bunneman, vice-president; E. W. Chase, secretary; R. W. Johnson, treasurer; Robert Smith, chaplain.
The Young Men's Christian Association of St. Paul, was organized August 11th, 1856. Its history and work may be appropriately divided into tive periods, viz., the "Formative," the "Library," the " Army Work," the " City Mis- sionary," and the " Secretaryship."
The Formative Period-from August 11th, 1856, to 1861. Prior to the first named date, a call drawn up and circulated by D. D. Merrill, Esq., was read in the pulpits of the various churches in the city ; in response to which, a meeting of those interested in the formation of an association was held in the First Presbyterian church, on the evening of July 28th, 1856. The meeting was presided over by Rev, Mr. Riheldaffer, and after an address, explaining the object and aims of the meeting, by Rev. Mr. Torbit, pastor of the First Baptist church, a resolution " That a Young Men's Christian Association be formed in St. Paul," was unanimously adopted, and the asso- ciation formally organized.
" The object of this association," said its origi- nal constitution, shall be the improvement of the spiritual, mental and social condition of young
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men, by such means as shall be hereinafter desig- nated, or shall from time to time be adopted by the association."
Eighteen persons placed their names npon the roll of members on its first call, as follows :
Rev. J. G. Riheldaffer, Rev. A. M. Torbit, L. Marvin, W. R. Brown, G. A. Couplin, A. W. Hall, D. D. Merrill, L. H. Hunt, G. W. Farring- ton, J. D. Pollock, T. G. Merrill, B. K. Field, L. B. Morrow, L. Kreiger, J. R. Madison, E. G. Barrows, G. C. Cochran, and J. W. Taylor.
The following is the roll of the first officers of association : president, Dr. J. II. Stewart ; vice- president, M. T. Kinsie; corresponding secre- tary, John R. Madison ; treasurer, George Coch- ran ; directors, L. B. Morrow, L. Marvin, Wil- liam HI. Wolffe, R. Marvin, William P. Brown, D. D. Merrill, A. Levering, L. Kreiger, A. W. Ilall, E. G. Barrows, S. J. R. McMillan, and HI. Russell.
The churches represented, in the formation of the association, were the First Baptist, the First, the Central, and the House of IIope Presbyterian, the Methodist, the German Methodist and the Episcopal. It may seem inappropriate to speak of five years of the existence of this association as a formative period, but it is true, that partly owing to the influence of the hard times of 1857, upon our young city, and partly to other causes, this work done in these years is seen, in retrospect, to be largely experimental. Much of this time the association was without rooms of its own, and it was not until a five years' lease of a hall in D. W. Ingersoll's block-then newly erected-was obtained on very liberal terms, that the associa- tion really had a home, and entered upon its sec- ond, or library period, extending from early in 1861, to October, 1863. During this time the association, although holding regular Bible class and other religious meetings, and securing the services of many public lecturers, devoted its energies mainly to the increase of its library, and with such success, that in October, 1863, it num- bered some six hundred volumes, for which there had been expended more than eleven hundred dollars.
In the meantime the Mercantile Library Asso- ciation had been formed, having a small library, and many members of each organization began to feel that the real objects of both libraries would
be best accomplished by consolidating them. A plan of union was accordingly formed, each body donating its library to a new organization, com- posed of corporators appointed by themselves; the society thus formed, being called the St. Paul Library association, the books thus contrib- uted forming the nucleus of the fine library now in possession of that organization.
The period of the army work extended from November, 1863 to January, 1866. The war had now been in progress for some time, and the work of the Christian commission was being extended and perfected, and on the 20th of November, 1863, this association received from the commis- sion an appeal for assistance.
At a meeting held the same evening, the asso- ciation constituted itself "The Army Committee for the state of Minnesota of the United States Christian commission, "tlus entering npon a work large enough to engage fully the zeal and energy of the most active, enthusiastic Christian laborers. The sum total of $8,707.33 was expended in this work during this period, which, however does not include the large amount of stores, books, etc .. sent here from the central office of the commis- sion, for distribution on the frontier and other- wise. The devotional meetings, Bible classes, etc., of the association were not neglected.
A city missionary was employed in 1868, which gave rise to the fourth period in the history of the association, because it was under this plan that the great work of "relief," which it carried on had been thoroughly systematized, and all branches of its work received new life and strength. During the years of 1866 and 1867, this work of relief was carried on by ward commit- tees, but its rapidly increasing proportions imper- atively demanded more time and attention than could be given by the business of those who large- ly comprised them. At the request of the associa- tion, Rev. E. S. Chase consented to assume this charge, and performed the duties with fidelity and acceptance until called to another field of labor, in September, 1869.
On the 1st of January, 1870, the services of Mr. E. W. Chase, were secured in this field.
For more than three years a pleasant and well furnished reading room, consisting of a small library and more than forty of the best and most popular periodicals of the day, had been kept
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SAINT PAUL -- CEMETERIES.
open day and evening During the years of 1870 and '71, an average of six Sunday missions at least were in charge of the association. E. W. Chase was continued in the service of the asso- ciation from 1870, to May, '76, as secretary and city missionary, when he resigned to engage in a somewhat similar work under the auspices of another organization. During these six years of labor in the association, he rendered assistance to thousands, both as to their temporal and spiritual necessities. The library contained at this time about three hundred volumes of miscellaneous literature.
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The fifth period, which dates from June 1st, 1876, and still continues, began with a reorgani- zation of this excellent institution and the ap- pointing of a general secretary. A new consti- tution was adopted by the members present, at the general meeting of the association held at the rooms on the evening of June 1st, 1876.
O.C.Houghton succeeded Mr. Chase in the work of the association and labored therein for nearly two years as its general secretary.
In the spring of 1877, new rooms were secured in the Odd Fellows' building, corner Fifth and Wabasha streets, and in April, the association moved into its new quarters which it still occu- pies. Here the reading room is very attractive, being furnished with chairs, pictures, and sup- plied with plenty of good books, papers and maga- zines. The lecture room well furnished and lighted, is used for holding the different meetings of the association.
At the annual election of officers in May, 1877, Mr. Houghton was re-elected general secretary.
Besides maintaining four mission stations, a Bible class was held at the rooms every Sabbath afternoon for the study of the international les- son, having an average attendance of over forty members. Soon after the resignation of Mr. Houghton, a call was extended to Mr. E. A. Hol- dridge, of New York, to serve as the general sec- retary of the association. After duc deliberation he accepted, and entered upon the duties of this office in June, 1878, which position he held very acceptably until February, 1880, when he tend- ered his resignation. The compiler of this sketch not having Mr. Holdridge's reports at hand can give no special account of the work done by him. Suffice it to say, however, that an excellent. work 26
was begun and accomplished during his connec- tion with the association, especially among the boys, and soldiers at Fort Snelling, and the read- ing room and devotional meetings were well at- tended.
On the 2d of November, 1880, J. M. Lichten- berger was engaged by the association to serve as its acting general secretary.
The following meetings are regularly held : The Sunday afternoon, the young men's, the jail, and the Home for the Friendless. A more ex- tended work is being contemplated in the way of branch associations, among the Germans and railroad men, and in other parts of the city. Ed- ucational classes also are being organized, which we trust will prove a great help to all who will avail themselves of the advantages offered in the way of receiving instruction in certain branches.
The association has always been fortunate in having the entire confidence of the pastors and Christian laymen of the city, and, indeed, the hearty good-will and support of all good men and women familiar with its earnest and efficient work.
The following is a list of the presidents of the association from the date of its organization to the present time: For 1856, Dr. J. H. Stewart ; 1857, Rev. John Mattocks; 1858 to 1862, inclus- ive, D. W. Ingersoll; 1863 and 1864, Geo. W. Prescott; 1865 and 1866, HI. K. Taylor; 1867 to 1869, inclusive, J. H. Randall; 1870, Prof. S. S. Taylor; 1871, Horace Thompson; 1872, D. R. Noyes; 1873, to 1875, inclusive, Thos. Cochran, Jr .; 1876, C. B. Newcomb; 1877, T. A. Abbott; 1878, C. W. Hackett; 1879, L. A. Gilbert; 1880, A. E. Clark; 1881, John E. Miller.
Ramsey County Bible Society, auxilary to the American Bible Society. The object of the so- ciety is to promote the circulation of the holy scriptures, without note or comment, and in English, those of the commonly received versions. Was organized January 9th, 1867. Executive committee, D. W. Ingersoll, John Nicols, W. J. Smith, H. M. Knox, J. G. Riheldaffer, D. D. Merrill. D. W. Ingersoll, president. Officers for 1881: E. M. Van Duzen, president; M. L. Corning, vice president; H. K. Taylor, secretary; James Davenport, treasurer. Executive com- mittee, B. F. Wright, George T. Woodward, W.
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HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.
H. Howard, E. C. Warner, Jacob A. Nips, J. D. Simonton.
OAKLAND CEMETERY ASSOCIATION,
was organized at a meeting of the citizens of Ramsey county on the 27th day of June, 1853. The articles of association were recorded on the 29th of the same month, in the office of the regis- ter of deeds of the county, in accordance with the laws of the territory of Minnesota.
A board of trustees, nine in number, three of whom retire from office in each year, constitute the delegated authority of the lot-owners of the association, elected by them to manage its affairs and superintend its general interest in accord with the constitution.
Each lot-owner is entitled to a vote at the annual elections, and though he 'may own more than one lot, is entitled to but one vote, and it is especially understood that no lot shall be held for purposes of speculation, and no transfer shall be valid without the special sanction of the board of trustees.
During the first year of its existence, the association purchased forty acres of land from the late B. F. Hoyt. Ten acres of the forty were then surveyed and laid out in lots for burial purposes. On this ten acres the interments were exclusively made until 1863, when two blocks of larger lots were added. In 1864, five acres were surveyed and laid out into lots, nearly the whole of which have been subsequently sold, and which constitute, at present, the most finished and im- proved portion of the cemetery.
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