USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Jamestown > History of the First Baptist Church of Jamestown, New York : 1827-1915 : organized as a branch church December 25th 1827 : organized as an independent body May 24th, 1832 > Part 6
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
"The material equipment of this church leaves little more to be desired. The wisdom of those who wrought their life and thought into this build- ing grows more apparent with the passing of the years. * * I would not detract by a single word the honor that is their due, but my mind turns to those saints whose names will not appear on any souvenir program, whose deed of consecration will not be recorded in any church history, but whose praise is on the lips of those whom they have helped, and whose names are written in the Lambs Book of
88
Life. These unnamed heroes have kept alive the fires of devotion and constituted the real strength of this church. * * * The work of the future will not be to enlarge or modify or beautify to any con- siderable extent the material equipment, but to use it as those whose care and joy it has been to pro- duce it, intended that it should be used. *
"With an ideal building we have also a location that is in many respects an ideal one. * * * With all the churches that now constitute our sisterhood and with all that are likely to be added, the field of our activities is in no sense circumscribed but fur- nished ample scope for our best efforts.
"A becoming modesty might suggest that the fourth point, the character of the membership be touched very lightly. One of our city papers in re- ferring to this anniversary said editorially, 'But fine buildings do not make churches. Behind the visible sign is the church itself made up of people who should not be consecrated by faith but by good works. In neither particular has the First Baptist Church ever failed in this community. Under the leadership of Godly men whose names made a long list stretching back into the beginnings of our mu- nicipal history, it has not only kept the faith but it has ever exercised a potent influence in behalf of civic righteousness.' What more is needed for a successful church ? * *
"There is one thing for which I think that we ought to earnestly wish and devoutly pray. This church has sent some of its sons into the ministry
89
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is it too much to hope that some son or daughter of this church sprung from one of our homes, nurtured in our fellowship, shall go forth under our support to labor as our representative in foreign lands? Then only can. we feel that we are carrying out the Master's last command and doing our full duty toward those who are nearest and those who are more re- mote. * * * "
The last part of the prophecy began immediately to be fulfilled. Before Miss Harvey left the city af- ter the anniversary meetings, it was definitely ar- ranged that she was to be the church's personal representative on the foreign field.
Another incident of note which occurred during Dr. Ford's pastorate was the National Philathea Convention held in the First Baptist Church in the summer of 1910, in connection with the Baraca Na- tional Convention held at the same time in the M. E. Church. Both conventions were well at- tended and gave an impetus to the organized Sun- day School class movement in the various churches of the city, a movement which the Baptist churches had previously started.
Dr. and Mrs. Ford labored with the church, faithfully and very acceptably for eight years and seven months,-March 1, 1902, to October 1, 1910, -when to the grief of the whole church, they sev- ered the apparently ideal connection and removed to Reading, Pa. His present pastorate is at Albion, N. Y.
90
LEp
WILLIAM J. FORD Eighteenth Pastor "Every inch a man"
HARRIET HARVEY FORD
.
William J. Ford was born May 17, 1864, on a farm in Oneida County, N. Y. His ancestors were Baptists and many of them ministers. He was educated at Cook Academy, and at Colgate Uni- versity, graduating with the class of 1890, and from the Theological Department three years later. Be- fore completing his Theological course he was en- gaged as pastor of the Green Ridge Church at Scranton, Pa.
The church was greatly prospered under his pas- torate of about nine years, a church edifice was erected, the membership was greatly increased, and the church placed on a sure footing. About 1895 he married Miss Harriet Harvey, a member of, and the organist in his church, and before the pastorate terminated, two of the finest girls, Ruth and Helen, were added to his family.
Dr. Ford was a deep student, robust in mind and body, a man of unusually sound judgment, and a profound believer in the inspiration of the Scrip- tures and the Diety of Jesus Christ. Physically an athlete, of stalwart figure and of commanding pres- ence and logical mind, he was especially able to ap- peal to the sound sense of robust manhood. In June, 1912, Colgate University conferred on him the degree of D. D.
Mrs. Ford was an able helper to an able pastor. To her splendid natural talents, brilliant intellect, musical perception, and sparkling wit of which she possessed an unlimited supply, was added the spirit- ual graces, and a marvelous capacity for hard work.
91
She taught a Sunday School class and in addition took upon herself the arduous task of visiting and ministering to all the "shut ins" of the church.
In the early part of Dr. Ford's pastorate, in 1903, the church was saddened by the death of Dr. A. B. Rice, whom the people delighted to call "The good physician." The greater part of his life was passed in Panama where he practiced medicine for many years, and took a leading part in the work of the Panama church, serving as clerk of the church and superintendent of the Sunday School. He was con- sidered the ablest Sunday School superintendent in Chautauqua County. He was also an able advo- cate of temperance, and delivered many lectures on that subject in the county, treating the question from the standpoint of a physician. In Jamestown his time was so largely taken up with the practice of his profession that he necessarily became less active in the church. He will always be remem- bered by those who knew him for his honesty with his patients, and for his genial and kindly manner. Under the wisdom of his treatment and the smile of his benevolent countenance, the sick room was robbed of its pains and terrors.
Rev. A. D. Bush passed the last few years of his life as a member of this church. He was born and raised in Busti, and went out from the Busti church into the ministry. He was the first pastor and practically the founder of the Baptist Church at Union City, Pa. He also served the church at Corry, Pa., and at Panama, and other Baptist
92
churches in Western New York, and also for some years preached in the West. When physically in- capacitated for further service in the ministry, he settled in Jamestown, and though not active in the church, was always keenly interested in the welfare of the denomination. He started the movement for the incorporation of the Chautauqua Baptist As- sociation. Mr. Bush died in 1908.
After it was definitely known that Dr. Ford was to labor in another field, the pulpit committee first turned its attention to Rev. F. O. Belden of Bing- hamton, N. Y., who refused to consider a call to Jamestown under three months at least, by reason of the conditions in his own church. The commit- tee and the church decided to wait, and in the mean- time engaged Rev. Dr. Camden M. Coburn of Al- legheny College as stated supply until a pastor should be engaged. He preached for nearly five months with great ability and satisfaction to the church, although a Methodist in religious faith. Be- ing a specialist in archeology, he was able to make his two series of sermons on the "New Light on New Testament Times," and "New Light on the Old Prophecies," peculiarly interesting and instruc- tive. Rev. Belden finally decided that it would not be wise to leave his church, and the committee next turned to Rev. George Caleb Moor of the First Church at Toledo, Ohio. He was secured for a Sunday in January and made such an impression that a call was extended to him before he left the
93
city, and he entered upon his duties as nineteenth pastor, February 22nd, 191I.
Dr. Moor was a very energetic man, possessed of a large fund of wit, which frequently gave color to his sermons. As a preacher he was fluent, fertile in illustration, and pleasing in subject matter. By hard work and his cordial manner he was able to at- tract large congregations, especially to the Sunday evening services. Though he excelled better as a preacher than as a teacher, yet large numbers of men were attracted to the Baraca class, and it had a steady growth under his instruction.
During the winter of 1913 all the evangelical churches of the city united in a revival campaign, conducted by Dr. William Biederwolf. A taber- nacle was erected on the Warner property, on Mar- ket Street, and a great religious awakening was the result. This church secured about eighty converts, besides many by letter and on experience, a total of one hundred and twenty-seven additions for the year, and a net increase of eighty-seven, which brought the aggregate membership to more than 700. Near the middle of the pastorate Rev. Charles M. Riley, a Methodist, united with the church and was then engaged as acting pastor of the Falconer Baptist Church. While so engaged a council was called on the invitation of this church for the pur- pose of ordaining him to the ministry. The coun- cil met in the First Church on March 19, 1912, and elected Rev. Merritt Winchester president, and George R. Butts secretary, and after thorough ex-
94
GEORGE CALEB MOOR Nineteenth Pastor
MRS. GEORGE CALEB MOOR
amination of the candidate, he was unanimously ac- cepted. The council then adjourned to the Falcon- er church for the evening session, when Dr. Moor preached the ordination sermon.
A great loss came to the church by fire on Satur- day afternoon, February 14, 1914, when a large part of the edifice was destroyed, which the peo- ple had struggled so hard to build and equip. Prompt measures, however, were taken to replace the structure. The next morning a meeting of the Trustees and Advisory Committee convened at the parsonage at the call of the pastor, started the machinery in motion. The First Lutheran people courteously offered the use of their church for the same evening, which was thankfully accepted, and before another Sabbath came around, the Winter Garden Theater had been secured on very favorable terms for Sunday services, during the building op- erations, and the Y. M. C. A. Auditorium had been secured for the mid-week prayer meetings. A com- mittee on plans for the reconstructed church was soon appointed, consisting of the trustees and ten others, who employed Freeburg & Fidler, local architects, to work out the details. The weak fea- ture of the burned structure had been the wooden trussed roof, and about the first matter decided was that the new roof should be of steel and copper.
After plans had been worked out, the old board of trustees resigned and a new board consisting of Frank Bigelow, Charles I. Moore and Otto Bloom- quist, was appointed, and they with S. B. Burchard
95
and Alton E. Page were elected a building commit- tee to have charge of the construction.
Before the work was completed, Dr. Moor re- signed to accept the pastorate of the Temple Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., and he commenced his labors there October 1, 1914, after serving the Jamestown church three years and seven months.
George Caleb Moor was born at Detroit, Mich., about 1872. He was reared, however, in Toronto, and prepared for college at the Woodstock Aca- demy, Canada. His education was completed at Ewing College (University of Illinois), and Di- vinity School University of Chicago. His first regu- lar pastorate was at LaPorte, Indiana, where he labored four years; then at Champaign, Ill., where he served seven years; then with the First Baptist Church of Toledo, Ohio, for two years, when he was called to Jamestown.
Mrs. Moor was Elizabeth Moore before her mar- riage, and was born near Kenilworth Castle, Eng- land. A woman of splendid ability, a fine public speaker, she was an efficient pastor's wife. In Jamestown she was active as president of the Wo- man's Missionary Society, and as teacher in the Sunday School. When her husband was absent, she led the mid-week prayer meetings with marked ability.
A daughter Enid, who entered college just be- fore removing from Jamestown, completed the fam- ily.
In the early part of Dr. Moor's pastorate the
96
church lost one of its most earnest supporters, Mrs. Louise Shaver, widow of Edward Shaver and sister of Deacon VanLuvan VanGaasbeck. She became a disciple of the Master early in life and served him faithfully to a good old age. As wife and mother she had the satisfaction of seeing her children fol- low her in Christian experience, and lastly her hus- band also. She was pre-eminently a spiritual wo- man, and in her quiet, unassuming way did much personal work, and probably many people were in- fluenced by her to make a right decision for life. Her gifts to charitable and benevolent organiza- tions and interests were numerous and extensive, but her church held the first place. When failing health limited her activities, her mind continued to plan and direct the expenditure of her income to accomplish the most good. She passed away in 19II.
Rev. Alfred Dickson also passed away at a ripe old age, near the close of Dr. Moor's pastorate. He was born and raised in the Town of Harmony, Chautauqua County, and at thirteen years of age was converted and joined the North Harmony Baptist Church. He acquired a good education and taught for a few years, then prepared for the legal profession and was admitted to the bar of New York State. But after practicing law for a time he became convinced that his life's work was to preach the gospel. He was accordingly ordained and serv- ed many churches in southern and western New York, covering a period of many years. His last
97
pastorate was at the church of his youth. The last years of his useful life were spent in Jamestown where he served the church to the day of his death as a teacher in Sunday School, and for many years as Sexton. Mr. Dickson possessed a good logical mind, was a deep thinker and always alive to the best interests of the Christian cause and of the Baptist faith.
Newton Crissey was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church when he died in 1914, but had been a member of the First Church from 1895 to 1902. He was raised in Stockton and for many years la- bored with the Stockton Baptist Church. When he came to Jamestown he became interested in the West End Sabbath School, then conducted by mem- bers of the First Church, and was elected its super- intendent. As the years went on his interest deep- ened, and he gave his whole strength to the work there, until, with the aid of his co-workers, he was able to organize the Calvary Church as an indepen- dent body, and to place it on a solid basis. When that church was organized he transferred his mem- bership there as one of its constituent members in order that the new church might receive the bene- fit of his undivided support. The First Church, however, holds him in grateful remembrance for the excellence of his character and for his devotion to the cause.
98
CHAPTER VII.
Rev. A. F. Purkiss' Pastorate .- Reconstructed Church .- Bes- sie Harvey .- Present Officers and Conditions .- Summary of Achievement.
I N September, 1914, Dr. Shailer Mathews, Dean of the Divinity School, University of Chicago, came down from Chautauqua and met the Ad- visory Committee of the church and heartily recom- mended a former pupil for the vacant pulpit. Cor- respondence was accordingly opened as suggested by him, with Rev. Arthur F. Purkiss of Elgin, Ill., which disclosed the fact that Mr. Purkiss was just starting for Los Angeles, Cal., to look over the field in connection with the First Church there. Fortunately he was not impressed with the pros- pects and later consented to preach for a Sunday in Jamestown. The impressions made on preacher and church seemed to be favorable to both and an understanding was reached resulting in Mr. Pur- kiss being installed on November 1, 1914, as the twentieth pastor.
But a year of his pastorate has passed as this his- tory is written, and of course no just or comprehen- sive estimate can now be made of him or of his work. So far, however, he has been a strong, vig- orous preacher, a man of deep spirituality, and won- derfully successful in his personal work, both for men and women. The prayer meetings conducted by him are exceedingly profitable and helpful, and he has proved to be a strong, able teacher of the men's Baraca Class. This first year of his pastor- ate has resulted in more than a hundred additions
99
to the church, and even better results are looked for in the coming year.
Mr. Purkiss was born in 1872 near Port Huron, Mich., where he was raised, and where he was con- verted when he was nineteen years of age. For a time he engaged in Y. M. C. A. work and then en- tered Kalamazoo College. After receiving his B. A. degree he took the Divinity course in the Uni- versity of Chicago. His first pastorate was at Green Bay, Wis., where he labored two years, then at Sharon, Pa., four years and at Elgin, Ill., six years. We hope that the periodical increase in the length of his pastorates will hold good in James- town.
Mrs. Purkiss was formerly Miss Mary Neal of Port Huron, Mich. She was, however, baptized at Bay City by our former pastor, Dr. Waffle, when he was pastor there. She is a graduate of Wellesley College, and her training in that institution is prov- ing of great service to her as pastor's wife, to whom the members are so accustomed to look to fill any position for which they may lack the necessary tal- ent and training. A wee girl, Elizabeth, fills a large place in, and is the hope and comfort of the pastor's family.
On Easter Sunday, April 4, 1915, the new church being practically completed, was to be dedicated with Easter music and general rejoicing. The peo- ple came into the house of the Lord and made a splendid thank offering in subscribing about $32,- 000, the sum needed in addition to the insurance
100
ARTHUR F. PURKISS Twentieth Pastor "Greet the unseen with a cheer"
MARY NEAL PURKISS
money, of $28,500, to meet the entire cost of re- construction. To the great disappointment of the people, Dr. Purkiss was confined to his bed that day, and L. M. Butman presided, assisted by S. B. Burchard and F. W. Bigelow, and the time at both services of the church was devoted to the matter of raising necessary funds. So the formal dedication took place a few Sundays later when Dr. Purkiss was able to be present. In spirit and truth, how- ever, the church was dedicated to the use of the Lord, on that Easter Sunday.
Two memorial windows which give light to the baptistry, were the gift of Mrs. Opdyke, in memory of her husband, George F. Opdyke, and of her daughter, Dorothy. The silver collection plates were the gift of Albert Price, in memory of his grandparents Clark and Polly Kimberly, and Mrs. Helen Rice gave linen for the communion service.
The members of the building committee are en- titled to great credit for their work. They have given unsparingly of their time and so painstaking have they been in the execution of their trust, that universal admiration for it and satisfaction in it, are the only comments made upon the splendid structure.
Miss Harvey, the church's missionary, was pres- ent at the reopening of the new church, and soon after resigned her appointment, having served sev- en years on the foreign field.
Bessie Estelle Harvey was born in the James- town parsonage in 1882, while her father, Dr. Ran-
101
som Harvey, was pastor of the church. She began early in life to say that she was going to be a mis- sionary, but little heed was given to her childish choice of a profession. In due time she was bap- tized and led a blameless Christian life, and when her father was called to a professorship in Shurtliff College, at Upper Alton, Ill., she entered the in- stitution as a student, and on graduation, she clear- ly saw, and was "Not disobedient to the heavenly vision."
A short course in Newton Theological Seminary, followed preparatory to active work on the foreign field, which she completed just in time to meet her father and mother in Jamestown, whither they had come to attend the seventy-fifth anniversary of the church. Miss Harvey had a place on the program at that celebration, and so impressed the church that she was invited to place her membership with it while abroad, which she did, as she had never had a church home at LaGrange, Mo., where her fa- ther then resided. The young people were also enthused and immediately after determined to raise and pay her salary, which they did for some time and which obligation the church subsequently as- sumed. So when she sailed from Boston in Sep- tember, 1907, she went as the personal representa- tive of the First Baptist Church. Her first station was at Madras, India, where she taught in a mis- sion school and learned the native language, and later was stationed at Nellore. In 1909 she spent her vacation on a trip across the Bay of Bengal to
102
BESSIE ESTELLE HARVEY The church's missionary
Burma, the scene of the first American Baptist Foreign Missionary effort.
Miss Harvey developed a distinct and enviable literary reputation while fulfilling her chosen vo- cation. Her productions as might be expected, have been suggested by her own experience or by her surroundings in India. Thoughts of, and a longing for home and kindred probably suggested the sonnet,
"THE UPPER AIR."
"Far down amid the sea-weeds' tangled snare, For goodly pearls the diver makes his quest, Fair treasures of the sea he seeks the best, Nor any effort in his work doth spare.
"The scene may please him not-his work is there; The world that lies above with home is blest, He knows that after toil comes well-earned rest, And all the time he breathes the upper air. E'en so in life's dark sea we find our place, About are baffling currents, weeds of sin, Our work is here, so dwelling in God's love We look for precious jewels, and by His grace Some day to Home and Rest we'll enter in; Yet while we toil our life is from above!"
And again the cold, selfish, unrelenting social conditions about her inspired,
"FRUSTRATED OR MADE PERFECT?
"The distant mountains, cold and blue as steel, Unending sand-hills, dusky, parched and lone, A hot wind stirring, and a beating sun,- Beneath its lash the sad earth seems to moan. Of verdure nothing,-save that, here and there, A lowly shrub doth feebly beg its life,
Stunted and twisted, from a sullen soil,
Nor through the years will e'er give up the strife.
103
"Full fifty summers' burning, blazing suns Have sapped its heart-life, while the scanty rain Of fifty seasons, beating on its head, Has softly whispered, 'Thou must hope again!' But hope frustrated e'er has been its lot, The wandering herds have plundered each year's gain Twisted and stunted, after fifty years, It can but count its whole life spent in vain!
"'Tis but a picture of the multitudes In India's land who struggle 'neath the weight
Of poverty, oppression, and the ban Of half their fellows; as relentless fate They worship-while they curse-and struggle on! On! But to find each year attainment fails, Gaunt Famine follows fast, and Pestilence, Her dread companion, every hope assails.
"The land of hopes frustrated! Need it be? Must joy and victory be e'er denied To many toiling millions, half her sons Down trodden be, no means of growth supplied? One answer only,-when his brother's need Each man as his own need shall come to see, When to earth's Burden-bearer hearts shall turn, A land of 'Hope made Perfect' it shall be."
In June, 1915, Miss Harvey took her A. M. de- gree from the University of Chicago, where she had pursued a post-graduate course while on leave of absence to this country.
Of individual members of the church today we would like to say much, but feel that it would be unjust and improper to do so, as their work in many cases is not completed. We can say, however, in a general way, that there seems to be a unity of purpose, a harmony of feeling, and a spirit of devo- tion on the part of pastor and people that augurs well for the future. The following list of officers constitutes in most part the nucleus of the working force of the church, and are all doing good work
104
along their special lines, besides in a more informal way, endeavoring to fulfill the spirit of the "Great Commission."
Deacons-H. E. Gardner, Milo Harris, George R. Butts, Charles C. Green, Andrew M. Warn, Luther M. Butman, Seneca B. Burchard, Joseph W. Turn- er, Levant R. Drake.
Deaconesses-Mrs. Rhoda Cleveland, Mrs. Helen Rice, Mrs. Cornelia A. Sill, Mrs. Roa Howe, Mrs. Emma Powell, Mrs. Maud R. Page, Mrs. Fannie Palmiter, Mrs. Ida R. Opdyke, Mrs. Katie Rowley absent, (Mrs. Helen Butts acting), Miss Nettie Oli- ver, Miss Anna Crissey, Miss Elsie F. Leet.
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.