USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > History of the city of Lincoln, Nebraska : with brief historical sketches of the state and of Lancaster County > Part 24
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In October, 1888, a number of persons interested in the work of the Presbyterian Church, met in a vacant store building near the cor- ner of O and Twenty-seventh streets and organized a Sabbath School. At this meeting there were sixty-four persons enrolled as members of the school, and Mr. Thomas Marsland was chosen Superintendent, Mr. George G. Waite Secretary, and Mr. Almon Tower Treasurer, and a full corps of teachers selected, and classes organized. Preaching services were held in this store-room every Sabbath by different min- isters until February 14, 1889, when the school moved into the base- ment of a church being erected on the corner of Twenty-sixth and P streets, on lots donated in part by William M. Clark. On the evening of March 13, 1889, those interested in the work convened and formally organized a church, to be known as the Second Presby-
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terian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska. This organization was entered intoby forty six charter members. The officers elected were as follows :
Elders-Myron Tower, Thomas Marsland, W. C. Cunningham, and William M. Clark.
Trustees-Walter Hoge, J. H. Mockett |jr., George A. Seybolt, and 11. C. Tullis.
On AApril 1, 1889, Rev. Charles E. Bradt, by invitation of the church, took charge of the work. The society has gone steadily on, until at pres- ent the church has an enrolled membership of eighty-seven, a Sabbath School numbering above 200, and a strong, growing, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. The Church is still worshiping in the basement of what is to be the lecture-room of the church building. This basement has been put in at a cost of about $1,200, with the hope that the superstructure may soon be erected to meet the growing demands of the church and congregation.
Prominent among the prosperous and influential religious societies of the city is the Congregational Church. The First Congregational Church, whose elegant building stands at the northwest corner of L and Thirteenth streets, is one of the pioneer religious organizations of the city. The Official Manual of the church for 1889 contains the following historical sketch :
"This church was organized August 19, 1866, with six members. At that time, according to the records of the Council assisting the or- ganization, there were in the town seven buildings, viz., one seminary, four dwellings, one store, and one blacksmith shop.
" Rev. E. C. Taylor was pastor of the church from its organization until October, 1867. The members of the church at its organization were F. A. Bidwell, John S. Gregory, Mrs. Welthy P. Gregory, Mary E. Gregory, Philester Jessup, Mrs. Ann M. Langdon.
" Rev. Charles Little accepted a call to become pastor of the church on November 8, 1867, and continued until April, 1870. During his ministry the first meeting-house was erected. It was built in 1868 and furnished in 1869. An Ecclesiastical Society, to have charge of financial affairs, was organized April 11, 1868, which surrendered its authority to the church and disbanded January 16, 1873. The church was incorporated January 23, 1873. Rev. Lebbeus B. Fifield was called to the pastorate September 12, 1870, and resigned June 4, 1872.
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THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
August 1, 1872, Rev. Samnel R. Dimock was asked to preach. He was installed by Council January 2, 1873, and dismissed on advice of Council January 15, 1875. During his pastorate (1873) the meeting- house was considerably enlarged. A call was extended to Rev. Lewis Gregory September 16, 1875. He was installed by Council Novem- ber 23, 1876. The church building was repaired and refurnished in 1878. April 29, 1883, the church voted to build a new meeting-house. The plan for the present building was adopted September 20, 1883. Work began November 6, 1883. The basement and chapel were oc- cupied for Sunday services January 17, 1886, and the auditorium on February 7, 1886. The building was formally dedicated January 9, 1887.
"Since its organization different officers have served the church in order of time as follows :
" Clerks .- J. S. Gregory, J. P. Hebard.
" Duricons-F. A. Bidwell, E. J. Cartlidge, L. H. Fuller, G. S. Harris, J. S. Gregory, Geo. MeLean, J. C. Leonard, W. C. Hawley, Geo. McMillan, Elisha Doolittle, M. B. Cheney, W. Q. Bell, S. H. Burnham.
" Trustees .- F. A. Bidwell, W. R. Field, A. L. Palmer, Lindus Cody, S. M. Walker, O. W. Merrill, J. P. Hebard, S. B. Galey, R. P. Beecher, Geo. S. Harris, S. L. Coffin, J. C. Leonard, H. C. Babcock, T. H. Leavitt, Geo. McMillan, L. E. Brown, W. W. Peet, Charles West, T. F. Hardenburg, A. S. Raymond, M. B. Cheney, A. E. Har- greaves, B. F. Bailey.
" Treasurers .- Albert Biles, J. R. Webster, L. A. Groff, Aldus Cody, R. P. Beccher, E. JJ. Cartlidge, Geo. MeLean, T. F. Harden- burg, Elisha Doolittle, Charles West, J. C. Leonard, T. H. Leavitt, J. W. Bell, W. Q. Bell."
The First Congregational church now has between 300 and 400 members, maintains a large and prosperous Sunday School, and suc- cessful missionary societies and Society of Christian Endeavor.
During the first week in August, 1887, a low, rough board house was erected, at the instance of Rev. Lewis Gregory and under his di- rection, near the northwest corner of Seventeenth and A streets. The work of construction required but two days, and with the chairs to seat it, cost only about $200. On the following Sunday, services were held there, under the direction of Rev. E. S. Ralston, and religious
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exercises continued to be held there regularly until the first Sunday in November, 1887, when the society was organized as the Second Con- gregational Church of Lincoln, and it was so incorporated. But at the first business meeting in 1888, the name was changed to that of "Plymouth Congregational Church."
This primitive tabernacle first built was used as a meeting house until December, 1888, when the new church building, on the same corner, was so far completed that it could be used in part. On Eas- ter Sunday, 1889, the main auditorium was first used. When fully completed this building will be a commodious, complete, and hand- some structure, worth $10,000. The lots are valued at $5,000 more.
Rev. E. S. Ralston has had charge of this congregation from its organization, and was regularly installed as its pastor on May 8, 1888.
Plymouth Church now has a membership of over 100, and a Sun- day School of about 200. The membership of both church and Sun- day School is constantly growing. It has an active Society of Christian Endeavor, the second organized in Lincoln, the first having been founded in the First Congregational Church. Its Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society and Young Ladies' Missionary Society are doing good work.
The present officers of the church are: Rev. E. S. Ralston, Pastor ; J. A. Wallingford, Clerk ; W. A. Hackney, Treasurer. Trustees -. J. A. Lippincott, W. A. Selleck, J. A. Wallingford, J. P. Walton, and W. A. Hackney. Deacons-J. A. Lippincott and Newton King.
A Congregational church mission is now doing active work on the north side of N street, between Twenty-first and Twenty-second. A. Sunday-school is held there, of which Miss Jennie A. Cole is Super- intendent. A small building was opened there for the mission on the last Sunday in July, its dimensions being about twenty-five by fifty feet. This mission promises to soon grow into the third organized Congregational society in Lincoln. It has been named the "Pilgrim Congregational Church."
The German Congregational Church was organized in the spring of 1889, by Rev. Adam Frandt, and services have been held at the cor- ner of Eighth and J streets. Though one of the latest societies formed in the city, it appears to be prosperous and growing in membership.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
The first service of the Episcopal church was held in Lincoln in May, 1868, by the Rev. R. W. Oliver, D. D. On the 17th day of November in the same year, the Rev. Geo. C. Betts, of Omaha, held the second service, and of those who were present only one was a mem- ber of the church. Subsequently the Rt. Rev. R. H. Clarkson, D. D., Bishop of the diocese, visited the city, holding services and preaching. About this time the Rey. William C. Bolmar was appointed mission- ary in charge. In JJanuary, 1869, steps were taken toward the or- ganization of a parish. A meeting was held, at which were present : Michael Rudolph, A. F. Harvey, JJohn Morris, J. J. Jones, H. S. Jen- nings, E. Godsall, A. C. Rudolph, John G. Morris, R. P. Cady, J. C. Hire, Wm. C. Heddleson, S. L. Culver, and J. S. Moots, who signed a petition which was sent to the Bishop, praying for permission to organize a parish, under the title of "The Church of the Holy Trin- ity." The Bishop's consent having been granted, on the 10th of May the same year another meeting was held, at which a parish organiza- tion was effected, by the election of a vestry consisting of Michael Ru- dolf and A. F. Harvey, warders; and J. J. Jones, A. C. Rudolf, H. J. Walsh, Dr. L. H. Robbins, and J. M. Bradford.
The parish was admitted into union with the council of the diocese in September of the same year. The congregation worshiped at vari- ous places in the city until 1870. The Rev. Mr. Bolmar left the parish in February, 1870, and in May of that year the Rev. Samuel Goodale took charge. Measures were at once adopted for the erection of a suitable place of worship, and a sufficient sum was subscribed to proceed immediately with the work.
A church edifice costing $4,000 was erected at the corner of J and Twelfth streets, on lots belonging to the parish. It was consecrated March 5, 1871. At the end of a year the Rev. R. C. Talbott, now at Brownville, succeeded the Rev. S. Goodale, and continued in the rectorship until October, 1875. In April, 1876, the Rev. C. C. Har- ris became the fourth rector, and served the parish for seven years. During that time many improvements were made. A rectory was built, trees were planted, the church was repainted, a pipe organ was purchased, the church edifice enlarged, and the number of communi- cants rose to one hundred and four.
The Rev. J. T. Wright came in November, 1883, and after one year gave way to the Rev. Alex. Allen. During the rectorship of
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Mr. Allen steps were taken for the erection of a new and larger church. With this in view, Mr. Guy A. Brown, a most zealous and generous churchman, issued a small parish paper, the purpose of which was to awaken interest in the enterprise. On June 14, 1888, the corner- stone of the new church was laid by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Nebraska, Bishop Worthington also taking a prominent part in the ceremonies. The building is just about completed at this writ- ing. It is built of Colorado red sandstone, Gothic, crueiform; will cost about $35,000, and will accommodate about 500 people. Holy Trinity Church is the mother of two other organizations in the city. In the spring of 1888 the old church was removed to a lot on Twelfth street, between U and V, and a congregation was organized under the ministry of the Rev. R. L. Stevens, and took the name of " The Church of the Holy Comforter. In 1889 the Holy Trinity Chapter of St. Andrew's Brotherhood came into possession of the house of worship which had been used by the Baptists, and moved it to a lot on the cor- ner of Washington and Eighth streets. Regular services are held here by the rector of Holy Trinity and a lay reader.
The working agencies of the church of the Holy Trinity at this time are: 1. The Holy Trinity Chapter of St. Andrew's Brotherhood, thirty- six members. 2. The Woman's Aid Society, forty members. 3. The Woman's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions, 110 contributors. 4. The Altar Guild, twenty-eight members.
There are about 120 children in the Sunday School, of which Mr. W. L. Murphy is Superintendent ; about 150 communicants, and about 600 individuals connected with the parish.
At this time, July, 1889, the vestry consists of the following named gentlemen :
H. J. Walsh, Sen. Warden ; J. C. Kier, Jun. Warden ; D. R. Lilli- bridge, Secretary; W. L. Murphy, Treasurer; R. H. Oakley, J. F. Barnard, E. P. Holmes, James Hearn, and C. H. Rudge. The Rev. John Hewith became rector March 1, 1889, before the completion of the new church.
Prominent among the religious denominations of the eity is the First Baptist Church. The Baptist Society is one of the most prosper- ous and progressive in the city, and its new edifice at the northwest corner of K and Fourteenth streets is a beautiful structure costing about
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THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
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$40,000. The new and handsome parsonage is situated on a lot im- mediately west of the church. A brief historical sketch of this society in Lincoln is here given.
The First Baptist Church of Lincoln, Neb., was organized August 22, 1869, with fourteen members. The first pastor was Rev. O. T. Conger, who began his labors here in June, 1870, and remained four and one-half years, until January, 1875. During his pastorate the church edifice on the corner of Eleventh and L streets was erected, and 169 persons were received as members of the church.
In October, 1875, Rev. S. M. Cramblet became the pastor, and re- mained two years, during which time fifty-six members were received.
In May, 1875, Rev. W. Sanford Gee began a pastorate of three and one-third years,during which the parsonage on L street was built, and 110 members were received.
In January, 1882, Rev. Dr. Chaffee began his pastorate, which continued one and three-fourths years, during which 115 members were received.
May 4, 1884, Rev. C. C. Pierce began his labors with this church. During the latter part of his pastorate, a large subscription for the pur- pose of erecting a new church edifice was secured, and three lots at the corner of K and 14th streets were purchased. Rev. Mr. Pierce resigned September 5, 1886, having received 120 members into the church during his pastorate.
The church immediately extended a call to Rev. O. A. Williams, who accepted it, and began his labors in November, 1886. Under his ministry the church has been very prosperous. About 200 members have been added since he commenced his pastorate here; the large church building has been erected, and branches of the denomination have been organized in other parts of the city, of which he has gen- eral charge. A prosperous Sunday School is maintained, besides the usual subordinate organizations that are associated with all leading church societies. The membership is large and numbers many of our best and most influential people.
The officers of the First church are as follows:
Rev. O. A. Williams, Pastor; S. P. Bingham, Treasurer; P. S. Chapman, Clerk; L. C. Humphrey, Treasurer of Building Fund. Board of Trustees: C. W. Sholes, chairman; Geo. H. Clarke, L. G. M. Baldwin, L. C. Humphrey, E. E. Bennett.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
Three Baptist Missions have been organized in the city, where Sun- day Schools are maintained, and of which Rev. O. A. Williams is the mission pastor. One of these missions is at the corner of J and Twen- tieth streets, Mr. L. G. M. Baldwin being Superintendent of its Sunday School. The North Lincoln Mission is quite prosperous, and will soon build a church to cost $3,000. Mr. H. J. Humphrey is Super- intendent of its Sunday School, which is held at the corner of Twelfth and Butler avenue.
The East Lincoln Mission is located at the corner of Twenty-sev- enth and W streets, and Mr. S. S. Mckinney is Superintendent of its Sunday School.
The Central Church of Christ in the City of Lincoln was organ- ized with twenty-eight charter members, on January 24th, 1869. Their first place of meeting was in the house of J. M. Yearnshaw, who was also their first regular minister. Miss JJulia McCoy, now Mrs. Marshall, and still a member of this congregation, was the first person immersed by them in Lincoln. The private house becoming too small, their place of meeting was changed to the old capitol building, and here they spent the fall and winter of '69. Joseph Robinson was the first elder of the church, and Bros. Hawk and Akin its first deacons. On July 3d, 1869, out at Crabb's mill, on Salt creek, the initial steps were taken toward the erection of a house of worship. G. W. French, J. M. Yearnshaw, and J. H. Hawk, were appointed a building committee. Slowly, and yet with patient per- sistence, the work went on, until on July 3d, 1870, the church house now standing on the northwest corner of K and Tenth streets was dedicated. Here, with varying success and failure, with mingling lights and shadows, the church has worshiped until this writing.
On April 23, 1871, the first Sunday School of any moment was organized, with J. Z. Briscoe as Superintendent and C. C. Munson as assistant.
Since the time of J. M. Yearnshaw the church has enjoyed the pastoral labors of D. R. Dungan, J. Z. Briscoe, J. B. Johnson, J. Mad. Williams, J. M. Streator, B. F. Bush, Chas. Crowther, R. E. Swartz, R. H. Ingram, and Chas. B. Newman, the last named occu- pying its pulpit now.
The history of the Church of Christ in Lincoln would be sadly in-
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN.
complete without special mention of Bro. Barrow's counsel and patient, helpful care ever since its organization.
The history of the years from '71 until '87 is about such as comes to the average church. The church now numbers some 460. It has a house and lot in West Lincoln, and also a good lot in East Lincoln. Regular preaching and Sunday school services are held at all of these places, and are well attended.
The church has an "Auxiliary to the Christian Woman's Board of Missions," and an efficient "Aid Society." It has a large "Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor," and a "Young Ladies' Mis- sion Band." Its present official board comprises the following :
Elders .- J. Z. Briscoe, Geo. Leavitt, G. E. Barbar, E. D. Harris.
Deacons,-Porter Hedge, J. M. Webber, J. A. Reynolds, C. R. Van Duyn, W. S. Mills, S. S. Young, S. M. Dotson, L. G. Leavitt. Deaconesses .- Mrs. Martha Hallett, Mrs. Martha Hedge.
Evangelists .- Chas. B. Newman, R. W. Abberly.
Of its Sunday School Chas. C. Munson is the efficient Superin- tendent.
In the fall of 1886, realizing that it would soon be necessary to provide larger and more commodious quarters, the church pur- chased two lots on the northeast corner of K and Fourteenth streets, and early in 1887 steps were taken looking toward the erection of a new house of worship. Finally, after, much consultation and delay, on October 25, 1887, plans were chosen and a building committee, consisting of J. Z. Briscoe, G. E. Barber, O. C. Bell, Porter Hedge, and C. C. Munson, was chosen. The corner-stone was laid July 3, 1888, President 1. R. Benton, of Indianapolis, making the address. The church was dedicated on Sunday, August 25, 1889, with impressive services. It is a most beautiful structure, one of which the church may well be proud.
The First Free Baptist Church of Lincoln was organized May 2, 1886, with eighteen members, electing Rev. A. F. Bryant pastor, A. D. Baker deacon, and G. W. Sisson secretary.
Land was purchased on the corner of F and Fourteenth streets, and a church house erected in the same year of the organization, and was occupied, though not wholly completed. Meanwhile Rev. Bry- ant removed, and Rev. B. F. McKenney succeeded to the pastorate,
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remaining one year. Rev. O. E. Baker, of Providence, R. I., was elected, and commenced his labors with the church April 1st, 1888.
By the liberality of friends, and the aid of the Home Mission Board, the church house was completed and dedicated in JJune, 1888, the pastor preaching the sermon, and Rev. E. H. Curtis, D. D., of the First Presbyterian Church, and Rev. O. W. Williams, D. D., of the First Baptist Church, assisting.
The First Universalist Society of Lincoln was organized at the resi- dence of J. D. Monell, September 1, 1870, with W. W. Holmes, S. J. Tuttle, J. N. Parker, Mrs. Sarah Parker, Mrs. Julia Brown, Mrs. Laura B. Pound, and Mrs. Mary Monell, as charter members. About this time the property now in the possession of the society, on the corner of Twelfth and H streets, was secured by grant from the Leg- islature of the State. A subscription was also begun, looking toward the erection of a chapel. In the meantime the society held occasional services for worship in the Senate Chamber, in the old Capitol build- ing. During the month of December of this same year Rev. Asa Saxe, D. D., General Secretary of the Universalist denomination, vis- ited Lincoln for the purpose of ascertaining whether it would be ad- visable to make this a missionary point. His decision was favorable to such a movement. Consequently, with the financial aid of the denomination, the society was able to call Rev. James Gerton, then of Illinois, to be its first pastor. He accepted the invitation, and began work in September, 1871. The following October the corner-stone of the chapel was laid, and on Sunday, June 23, 1872, it was dedicated.
All this was brought about largely through the efforts of one de- voted woman, Mrs. Mary Monell. It was she who first gathered the few scattered Universalists in the place together. Unaided she raised the subscription to build the chapel ; she collected the funds, saw that the work was done, and paid the bills. The early records of the so- ciety reveal the zeal and fidelity with which she did her work, the many difficulties with which she had to contend, and her final tri- umph. Mrs. Monell must always be looked upon as the patron saint of the First Universalist Society of Lincoln.
In 1873 the denomination was so badly crippled by the panic of the year before that it was unable to continue its financial aid to the society ; and as the society was not strong enough to support a pastor
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of its own accord, Rev. Mr. Gerton, after remaining two years, was forced to resign his charge. For nearly ten years after this the society had no settled pastor. Preaching services were held only occasionally and as Universalist clergyman were passing through the city, or stop- ping in it for a short time. During a portion of this time the chapel was rented to other religious organizations. The society continued in existence, however, and in the spring of 1883 the trustees of the Uni- ver-alist General Convention made arrangements with Rev. E. H. Chapin, the present pastor, to come to Lincoln and take charge of the work. Rev. Mr. Chapin has now been with the society something over six years, and during that time has quite thoroughly identified himself with the intellectual, moral, and benevolent, interests of the city. Year by year the society has continued to gather to itself num- bers and strength. The parsonage, now standing on one of the church lots, was completed in 1886. Connected with the church as auxiliary . organizations are the Unity Club, the Ladies' Aid Society, and the Young People's Missionary Association.
Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized No- vember 24, 1881, with five members, Rev. F. Koenig, now of Seward, Neb., presiding. The present pastor, H. Frincke, took charge of the congregation in April, 1882. During the first year services were held in a small church building corner N and Thirteenth, the present site of the new Y. M. C. A. rooms. The following three years the con- gregation assembled in the Universalist church, on Twelfth, between H and J streets. In the spring of 1886 the new church was oceu- pied, located on H, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. In the rear of this church building a school-room accommodating ninety pupils was built. This department of the church work is under the direction of teacher F. Hellmann, whose school now numbers seventy pupils, who attend the school daily, except Saturday and Sunday. This gentleman, together with the pastor, is sustained solely by the congregation.
The unaltered Augsburg Confession, and its Apology, the Formula of Concord, the two catechisms of Luther, the Apostolic, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, form the confessions of this church. It belongs to that great Lutheran organization, the Missouri Synod. The pres- ent officers are: Messrs. H. Herpolsheimer, H. Witte, Peter Grafel-
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mann, trustees and elders. The status of the congregation is as follows: Souls, 400; voting members-i.e., male members of and above the age of twenty-one years-60 ; communicants-i. e., all such as are allowed to partake of the Lord's Supper-285. The current expenses amount to about $1,500 annually. The valuable property is free from all incumbrances. Services every Sunday at 10 A. M. and 3 p. M. Evening services every other Sunday at 8 P. M.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1872, by Rev. G. W. Gaines, Presiding Elder of the Nebraska district. The pioneer organization was composed of but eleven members. Its place of worship was located upon the north side of E street, between Tenth and Eleventh, in 1873, on lots donated by the State, where the home of the society still remains, including the parsonage. A large and handsome building is now being erected there, which will cost, when completed, $6,000.
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