The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county, Part 79

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1068

USA > Missouri > Jackson County > The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county > Part 79

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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.

increasing needs of the congregation, and the erection of a larger house of worship is under contemplation. The church was organized with fifteen charter members, and this number has been increased to three hundred and fifty. The Sunday-school is large and well attended, and the exercises conducted in an interesting manner. About three years ago the services of Rev. S. B. Bell were secured, as pastor, and under his ministrations the church has rapidly extended its influence, and the present outlook is very encouraging.

SAINT MARY'S CHURCH.

This parish was among the early organizations of Kansas City, and the earliest of the Episcopal denomination. In the year 1857 Rev. J. I. Corbyn first began his labors here, and in December of this year organized the society long known as St. Luke's. Parish. The communicants were few in number, but soon commenced operations for building a house of worship. A lot was donated and the foundations of a building were laid, but eventually the work was abandoned, and Mr. Corbyn resigned his pastorate. In 1860 Rev. C. M. Calloway was called to take charge of the work already begun, and from this time services were held regularly in a hall on Market street, until the beginning of the war, when the members became scattered and regular services were suspended for a period of nearly four years. In the spring of 1865 efforts were made to gather the scattered members together and in the fall of that year Rev. Joseph Wood, of Coldwater, Michigan, commenced services, and received a unanimous call to the rectorship of the church. He commenced his regular labors in January, 1866. The services were at this time conducted in the M. E. Church every Sabbath after- noon.

On Easter Day, April Ist, 1866, for the first time in five years, the full service of the church was rendered. On this occasion an organ was used by the choir, being the first instrument of the kind ever used in Kansas City. In 1867 arrangements were completed for the erection of a neat frame building at the corner of Walnut and Eighth streets, which was finished and ready for occupancy in August of the same year. A Sabbath school was organized and the regular services of the church were conducted in the new house of worship. The conse- cration ceremonies occurred April 29th, 1869, Right Rev. C. F. Robertson, Bishop of the Diocese, officiating. The church was enlarged to its present dimensions in 1871, and now has a seating capacity of five hundred. Rev. Van Antwerp succeeded Mr. Wood as rector, and he was followed by Rev. Geo. C. Betts. At the expiration of his pastorate Rev. M. E. Buck was called and re- mained with the church but a short time, when death brought his labors to an end. Rev. H. D. Jardine then took charge of the work and still presides over the church. There is now a membership of three hundred and twenty, and the society is in a prosperous condition. The Sabbath-school is well attended and gradually gaining in numbers. In 1879 the name of the church was changed from St. Luke's to St. Mary's and is now known by that name.

SAINT MARY'S CHAPEL-

This church was organized as a mission church within the last two years, and is under the charge of St. Mary's Church. A frame building has been erected on East Fourth street, wherein services are regularly conducted by Rev. H. D. Jardine assisted by Mr. Allen. The services are usually well attended and a growing interest manifested in the enterprise.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The organization and building of this church occurred at an early date in the history of Kansas City, the society being organized in 1858, and the church erect- ed the following year. From a small beginning the church has increased its mem-

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bership to four hundred and twenty. The original building, situated at the cor- ner of Twelfth and Main streets, and which was used by the congregation for upward of twenty years. has recently been removed, and the society have secur- ed a desirable lot on the northwest corner of Eleventh and Oak streets, where a new house of worship will be erected during the present year, at a cost of $27,- 000. It is to be built of brick, with stone trimmings, and will have a seating ca- pacity of eight hundred. Rev. J. Z. Taylor is the present pastor of the church. His pastorate has been long and successful, and through his earnest and untiring efforts, both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church have been steadily advanced. Revs. H. H. Haly, G. W. Longan, J. W. Mountjoy and Alexander Proctor have presided over the church as pastors since its organization.

CHARLOTTE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED).

Is situated on Charlotte street, near Tenth. The church was organized in 1864, Rev. Clark Moore, Michael Jones, J. Wiggins, Thomas Stewart, James Allen, Mrs. Prude Anderson and Mrs. Grace Bell as charter members. The church building was erected in 1872, costing about five thousand dollars, and was dedi- cated in September of the same year, by Rev. S. J. Anderson, of St. Louis. The church has rapidly increased its membership, and now numbers over five hundred, one hundred having been added since January 1, 1881.

Rev. Henry Roberson took charge of the church in 1872. At this time the spiritual and financial condition of the church was not very prosperous, the mem- bership was not large, and the house of worship consisted of a board shanty. Through the labors of Mr. Roberson, the church has greatly advanced in all its relations, and his ability for carrying forward the work has bean fully demonstra- ted by the success which has crowned his labors here and elsewhere.

Mr. Roberson was born a slave in 1839, near Charlottsville, Virginia, and was brought to Saline county, Missouri, by his master when about two years of age, where he lived until 1863. During his servitude he received some private instructions, and had succeeded in acquiring a fair education previous to becom- ing a free man by the Emancipation Proclamation. After obtaining his freedom, he went to Springfield, Illinois, and was engaged in business and farming for two years, when he began a course of study, which he supplemented by a full theolog- ical course. He was ordained to the ministry in 1869, and soon took charge of the Second Baptist. Church at Sedalia, Missouri. He was subsequently called to the church at Lexington, Missouri, where he remained until called to his present charge.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

This organization belong to the German Evangelical Synod of North Ameri- ca. The society was organized in the year 1865, with a small membership, con- sisting of about twelve heads of families. The church building is situated on the east side of Walnut street, between Ninth and Tenth streets. It was erected in 1866, costing between three and four thousand dollars, is built of brick, and ar- ranged for the accommodation of the pastor's family. The church was dedicated in 1867, by the present pastor, John C. Feil, who also organized the society and was the first pastor of the church. He was succeeded by Henry Kirchhoff, who filled the pastorate until Mr. Feil was again called to take charge of the work. The Sabbath-school is well attended, and also the day school, in which the chil- dren receive religious instruction. The average attendance at both is about eighty. The services of the church are conducted in the German language.

GRAND AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.

The present society was organized by Rev. Mr. Nesley, in 1865, and wor- shiped for about a year in an old frame building on Walnut street between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets. Pevious to this, however, in 1863, under Rev. A. H.

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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.

Powell, a society of as many as forty members had been gathered in Kansas City and vicinity. The corner of Sixth and Walnut had been secured for a church site, but during the war this society was broken up and the lot sold.

The society was re-organized in 1865, and was composed of about thirty members.

Rev. S. G. Griffis took charge in 1866, and the meetings were held in an upper room of a frame building on Main street, west side, between Eighth and Ninth. During this year a lot on Walnut street was secured for a church, which was afterward disposed of and the present site, corner of Ninth and Grand ave- nue, was purchased. The foundation of the church building was commenced but the work was suspended for lack of funds.

In the spring of 1867 Rev. J. N. Pierce came to Kansas City and took charge of the society. A wooden tabernacle was built on Delaware street (now Baltimore avenue), near the English Lutheran Church, in which the society wor- shiped until the basement of the church on Grand avenue was so far completed as to admit of occupancy, in which the meetings were held during two years. In the spring of 1869 Rev. Mr. Pierce was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Bushong, who continued as pastor until 1872. During his pastorate the building was completed and dedicated by Doctor, now Bishop, Thomas Bowman in 1870. The cost of the lot and building was about $30,000. A debt of some $7,000 remained on the building.

The church edifice is built of brick with basement, and audience room above. The dimensions are sixty by ninety feet.

The following persons have served the society as pastors, since 1872 : Rev. Gilbert De Lamatyr, D. D., Rev. H. R. Miller, Rev. P. P. Ingalls, D. D., Rev. A. C. Williams and Rev. H. G. Jackson, D. D.

There are now 450 members and probationers. The Sunday-school, of which W. H. Reed is Superintendent, has an average attendance of about 1, 100.

During the past year the entire debt has been paid. . The contributions to the Missionary Society and other benevolences amounted to $1, 155.90, which, with current expenses and indebtedness paid, make the total amount paid by the church last year, $11,247.90.

The regular yearly expenses-not counting benevolences-is about $3,200.

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The Second Presbyterian Church was among the early religious organizations of the city, and encountered many of the vicissitudes incident to the pioneer settlement of the country. The work of establishing a church of this denomina - tion was begun by the New School Presbytery, who sent Rev. Timothy Hill to this field, as the first pastor of the church, after its organization in r865, by Rev. A. T. Norton, D. D. The first house of worship was erected in the spring of 1866 and the money needed for this purpose, amounting to nearly four thousand dollars was mostly secured through the efforts of the pastor, Rev. T. Hill, D. D.

The organization of the church was completed with ten original members, consisting of T. W. Letton, C. F. Smith, Mrs. Seth Coleman, Mrs. Dr. Arnol- dia, Mrs. Sarah A. Waterman, Mrs. J. K. Cravens, Mrs. Q. N. Smith, Mrs. C. N. Boutill, Miss Mary E. Smith and H. R. Crowell., Four of these members are still connected with the church. In 1869 Dr. Hill relinquished the pastorate to undertake what has since developed into a most successful work in behalf of Home Missions in Kansas and New Mexico. He was followed by Rev. C. D. Nott, D. D., and he in turn by Rev. W. M. Cheever, whose pastorate was ter- minated by his death in 1878. Rev. C. C. Kimball, D. D., was then called to the pulpit and for the past three years has discharged the duties of this responsi- ble position in a very acceptable manner, meeting the full requirements of this large and influential congregation. Soon after the commencement of his pas-

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torate steps were taken to secure a location on which to erect a more commodious house of worship which should meet the demands of the rapidly increasing con- gregation. As a result of these efforts a beautiful site on Central street, valued at $5000, was donated by Mr. S. B. Armour, and generous contributions toward building soon followed, and the work was immediately begun. The foundations are already laid and it is expected the building will be completed during the summer and autumn of 1881, as the money needed for the purpose has already been subscribed. It will be in Gothic style, brick, trimmed with stone, fifty- seven feet wide and one hundred and thirty feet long. The main audience room will have a seating capacity of about one thousand. The seats are to be arranged in semi-circles facing the pulpit platform, and the floor will descend in every direction toward the pulpit The interior of the church is to be hand- somely finished and conveniently arranged for Sabbath-school rooms, parlor, kitchen, etc. The cost of the building is estimated at forty thousand dollars, and when completed it will be the largest and most elegant church edifice in Kansas City.

The prospects of the church are more than usually encouraging, and every- thing gives promise of future success. There is now an actual membership of three hundred and forty, and the congregations are large. The Sunday-school is in a fine condition under the management of Dr. E. W. Schauffler, the efficient superintendent, and has an enrolled membership of two hundred and forty. Within the year a mission has been established on Madison avenue which has developed into a work of considerable importance, and services are held regularly every Sabbath, besides the usual Sunday-school exercises.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Rev. John R. Leving organized this society in the month of October, 1866, with nine original members. Two years from this time the first church building was erected on the southeast corner of Tenth and Charlotte streets, and dedicated in : 1871 by Rev. J. C. Embry, assisted by Moses Dixon. This building, which cost over $1,500, was destroyed by fire in 1876, and replaced the same year by a substantial brick edifice at a cost of about $8,000. The church now has a membership of 230, and is gradually paying off an indebtedness of $3,000 in- curred in putting up the present house of worship. Rev. John Turner is now pastor of the church, having labored in this capacity for one year. Under his ministrations the affairs of the society are in a prosperous condition.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

In 1866 Rev. Randall Ross, the well-known western war correspondent, visited Kansas City, and, being a member of the United Presbyterian Church, called upon several families of this denomination. The interest awakened by his visit resulted in a report to the Presbytery which secured the first preaching by this denomination in Kansas City. In 1867 the West Missouri Presbytery ap- pointed Rev. Matthew Bigger, of Warrensburg, Mo., to canvass the city in the interests of the church, and his report was so favorable that the Presbytery es- tablished a mission station here in April, 1868, which was supplied for a time by the Presbytery, but was turned over to the executive committee of the Board of Home Missions in June of the same year, W. C. Williams being the stated supply. The mission grew rapidly, and on March 12th, 1869, the United Pres- byterian congregation was organized with twenty members. Up to this time the services had been held in a school-house, but during this year, at the request of the session, an appropriation of $5,000 had been granted by the General Assembly, a lot was purchased on Walnut street, between Ninth and Tenth, and a church building erected. It was completed and dedicated the third Sabbath in February, 1870, by Rev. Robert Irwin, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Kansas City.

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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.

The church now has a membership of seventy-six, and the usual church services are well attended. Rev. D. M. McClellan has been the regularly in- stalled pastor of the church for the past seven years, being called to the charge in 1874. Under his ministry the society has been prosperous, and there has been a manifest increase of spiritual power.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

In the early history of Kansas City the conditions of society were unfavorable to the principles held by the Puritans. Still during the border strife and our civil war, Rev. R. D. Parker, then pastor of the Congregational church of Wyandotte, did much missionary work in Kansas City, fostering the elements that subse- quently received an organization. In 1866, Rev. Leavitt Bartlett came to Kan- sas City under the auspices of the American Home Missionary Society for the purposes of carrying forward the work already initiated, and of establishing a Congregational church. Congregationalism was very little understood in Missouri at that time, and the field was, in many respects a difficult one. But Mr. Bart- lett undertook his work with a hopeful and earnest spirit, and soon succeeded in effecting an organization. The church was organized January 3d, 1866, the fol- lowing named persons being original members : Rev. Leavitt Bartlett, Mrs. Emily Bartlett, Mrs. Caroline C. Scales, Edward Vaughn, Mrs. Mary C. Vaughn, W. P. Winner, Mrs. Mary Winner, Mrs. D. A. Williams, M. B. Wright and Jonathan Copeland. Five of this number are still connected with the church. The church structure, a frame building, was erected in 1866 at a total expense for building and lot of about $4, 500, and the building was enlarged and improved in 1879, at an expense of about $2,000. The original church was dedicated June, 24th, 1866, Rev. E. B. Turner, of Hannibal, then Home Missionary agent of Mis- souri, preacliing the sermon. The following named persons have, in the order given, been pastors of the church : Rev. Leavitt Bartlett, Rev. E. N. Andrews, Rev. James G. Roberts, and Rev. Henry Hopkins. The Church has purchased an eligible site on the corner of McGee and 11th streets, and will soon erect a church building to correspond with the demands of the growing city.

In the spring of 1880, a committee was appointed with reference to the ad- visability of establishing a mission enterprise in Kansas City, Kansas. As a result of this movement, the Kawsmouth Chapel was built and opened for worship in December, 1880. This chapel has been open for gospel meetings, a sabbath school, a free dispensary, and a reading room.

Under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Hopkins, the Congregational church has received a steady and vigorous growth, and seems destined to push out other mission enterprises and occupy this important field which is already "white for the harvest."

ST. PETER'S AND ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

This is a German Roman Catholic church, situated at the corner of Ninth and McGee streets. The church was built on the petition of the German Catho- lics who desired a church in which their language would be spoken. Rev. Father N. Gross was sent out from St. Louis to establish the new parish. He began his labors in the year 1867, and succeded in erecting the present church building. Father Gross remained in charge three years, when he was succeeded by Father Andre who remained nearly two years, when Father E. Zechenter took the charge and is still presiding over the church. Attached to this church is a well attended and prosperous school, called St. Joseph School Society. It was established in 1872.

FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERN CHURCH.

The First English Luthern church is situated on Baltimore avenue, near Eleventh street. It is a neat brick edifice, erected in 1867, costing about eight thousand dollars. It is built in Gothic style, the interior being very tastefully

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and handsomely finished, and capable of seating two hundred persons, comfort- ably. Recently the society has expended something over twelve hundred dollars in improvements and furniture, which adds much to the comfort and attractions of the church. The church was organized April 4, 1867, with Edward Stine and wife, J. S. Schrell and wife, J. W. Keefer and wife, S. Tholander and wife, Edward Diveley and wife, A. Raub, Daniel Schroll, Melinda Hendricks and Mary Miley, as charter members.

In 1868 Rev. Dr. Conrad, of Philadelphia, conducted the dedication services ; Rev. A. W. Wagenshals then being pastor. Since that time Rev. W. H. Steck, Rev. T. F. Dornblaser and Rev. S. S. Waltz have been pastors of the church, the latter having been called in April, 1879, and is still in charge of this congrega- tion. The church is in a very prosperous condition; has a membership of sixty- five; an interesting Sunday-school of over two hundred pupils, and a rapidly increasing congregation. The pastor, Rev. S. S. Waltz, is greatly beloved by his people, and during his two years' pastorate has been instrumental in greatly ex- tending the influence of the church.

FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCII.

In the summer of 1868, Henry N. Smith, Agnes Smith, E. D. Parsons, Amos Towle, G. S. Morrison, Alfred Pirtle, Ross Guffin and Henry A. White, met and organized the First Unitarian society of Kansas City. Soon after the organization the society made arrangements for the erection of a building, which was completed in 1871, at an expenditure of about four thousand dollars. It is situated on Baltimore avenue, near Eleventh street.

W. E. Copeland was the first pastor who had charge of the organization. After his labors ceased, the pulpit was filled, first by C. E. Webster, then by Enoch Powell and W. S. King. For some time after this there was an interruption in the regular service, during which, the members became somewhat scattered. In the month of May, 1881, Rev. D. N. Utter was called to take charge of the work, and since that time the society has been rapidly increasing in numbers, and its financial condition greatly improved. At present the congregation is large and attentive, the Sunday-school interesting, and the general affairs of the society in a prosperous condition. The annual contribution of the society is something over fifteen hundred dollars.

THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

During the latter part of the year 1869 it was decided by some friends of the Presbyterian Church to establish a church in the western part of the city, and measures were immediately taken for this purpose. Rev. T. Hill, T. S. Reeve, G. W. Goodale and Dr. O. S. Chapman were among the number who were actively engaged in this enterprise, and in securing funds for the erection of a house of worship. Through their efforts lots were donated at the corner of Fourteenth and Hickory streets, and by March first of the same year, a neat frame edifice had been erected and was ready for occupancy. The original cost of the building was two thousand dollars, eight hundred of which was furnished by the Board of Church Erection, the greater part being raised in the western part of the city. After the completion of the building the church was organized and given the name of the Third Presbyterian Church, and the organization placed under the charge of the Lexington Presbytery, then known as New School. Among the original members were Dr. O. S. Chapman, J. E. Reeve, Mrs. Alice Reeve, Mrs. Jane E. Reeye Mrs. Mary Goodale, Mrs. Mary Mann, Mrs. Anna Stevenson and Miss Mary B. Reeve. Rev. J. H. Byers was the first pastor called to preside over the church. He was ordained and installed January Ist, 1871, and remained in charge until 1872, when Rev. D. C. Milner became pastor of the church. In 1875 Rev. L. Railsback received and accepted a call to the

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church and has labored successfully in this field up to the present time. The church has been largely prosperous, growing in strength and increasing in num- bers, and gives every evidence of having been founded in wisdom. The present membership exceeds one hundred, while the Sabbath-school, organized in 1870, has increased its numbers to one hundred and fifty. The annual contributions for church expenses exceed one thousand dollars.

LIBERTY STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In the spring of 1869 R. G. Siess, A. G. Allen, W. H. Barnes, Chas. Vogt, Joseph Sweeney, Catherine Siess, Mrs. Vogt and Miss Mollie Cozad met for the purpose of organizing the Liberty Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Matthew Sorson was at this time the presiding elder of the district. The organ- ization was completed with Rev. Thomas Walcutt as missionary preacher, and the first meeting and the first quarterly conference were held in a building used for a day school on the corner of St. Louis avenue and Mulberry street, more commonly known as Siess' corner. The church building was commenced in the autumn of 1869, and in the spring of 1870, Rev. A. Waitman was sent by con- ference to take charge of the work. He was the first regular pastor connected with the church. During his pastorate the church was completed, Rev. Dr. George, of St. Louis, presiding at the dedieation services in 1871. At this time the membership had increased to fifty and the church was in a prosperous condition. The first Sabbath-school organized in West Kansas was perfected by the members of this church, and known as the West Kansas Union Mission Sabbath-school. In the summer of 1867, the Sunday-school services were held under the shade trees where the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad freight depot now stands, and the first sermon was preached at this place by Rev. J. N. Pierce. Since its organization, there have been eight pastors connected with the church, Rev. Wesley Johnson being the last. There are now one hundred members and the congregations are usually large. The Sunday-school is increasing in numbers, and has at the present time an average attendance of one hundred and thirty. R. G. Siess is the present superintendent of the school.

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The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county, Part 79

Author: Union Historical Company Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Union historical company Number of Pages: 1068

Author: Union Historical Company
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Union historical company
Number of Pages: 1068