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Cleveland Presbyterianism
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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EN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02481 1181
Rev. E. ®. Baker, With compliments of Archiv @Ludlow.
Nov. 20 1898.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofclevela00ludl 1
-
THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS.
The Original " Old Stone Church," The " Mother of Us All."
HISTORY
OF
Cleveland Presbyterianism
WITH
DIRECTORY
OF
ALL THE CHURCHES
1
BY
REV. AND MRS. ARTHUR CLYDE LUDLOW.
1896.
CLEVELAND, O .: W. M. BAYNE PRINTING CO.
Rev. Arthur Clyde Ludlow.
Mrs. Arthur Clyde Ludlow.
PREFACE.
I N the year 1892, the Miles Park Presbyterian Church, feeling the urgent need of enlarged facilities for Sunday-school work, undertook to erect a new building costing about $8,500. With no prospect of large subscriptions, and fully sensible of the heavy responsibility of the undertaking, but with faith in its ultimate accomplishment, the work was commenced, and the building dedicated January 15, 1893. About $5,000 has been raised in small amounts for the payment of this building, no appeal having been made to the sister churches of the city for aid, although several voluntary subscriptions from the brethren of those churches were gratefully received.
In view of assisting to clear the building of the remaining debt of $3,500, this book was conceived and issued. That finan- cial help will result from the project is anticipated, but at the same time the authors have harbored the secret wish, that even a larger benefit might result to the Presbyterian churches of Cleve- land, through the issue of this history.
We hope that it will present to all members of our churches, a clear understanding of the growth and strength of Cleveland Presbyterianism as a whole, as well as the responsibility for the use of the talents, intrusted to us as a denomination.
While aiming, then, to help the Miles Park Presbyterian Church, financially, our prayer is that this hand-book of informa- tion, imperfect as it may be, will be the means of binding together the churches connected with the Cleveland Presbytery in a more intelligent and consecrated union, for larger service to Him who has, heretofore, blessed our work with a large measure of success.
REV. AND MRS. ARTHUR C. LUDLOW.
Cleveland, July, 1896.
"Still may the call to praise and prayer Be heard each Sunday morn, And bind in growing faith the past With ages yet unborn!"
CONTENTS.
PAGE
History of the Cleveland Presbytery - -
9
Character of Cleveland Presbyterianism 14
The Presbyterian Union 19
The Presbyterian Club 26
Woman's Presbyterial Foreign Missionary Society 3I Woman's Presbyterial Home Missionary Society 38
The Country Churches - 42
East Cleveland Presbyterian Church 58
First Presbyterian Church 67
Miles Park Presbyterian Church 87
Second Presbyterian Church 100
Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church 12I
Westminster Presbyterian Church I34
North Presbyterian Church 137
Case Avenue Presbyterian Church I51
Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church I61
Willson Avenue Presbyterian Church - 180
Beckwith Memorial Presbyterian Church 189
Bethany Presbyterian Church 198
South Presbyterian Church -
205
Calvary Presbyterian Church 213 Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church 225 Glenville Presbyterian Church - 233 Windermere Presbyterian Church - 239
Bolton Avenue Presbyterian Church 244
Directory of Country Churches
250
Some Presbyterian Facts - 276 Finis - - -
279
history of the Cleveland Presbytery.
T HE first effectual efforts to establish and sustain institutions of religion upon the Western Reserve were made by Pres- byterians and Congregationalists, the former emigrating from Pennsylvania, and commencing settlements in the southeastern part, the latter emigrating from New England, and forming settlements in the northeastern part of the Reserve. These two religious bodies were in advance of all others.
The first two missionaries, sent into these, then western wilds, were the Rev. William Wick, a Presbyterian from Penn- sylvania, and the Rev. Joseph Badger, a Congregationalist from New England. The Rev. William Wick came in 1799, three years after the first settlements were made at Youngstown by emigrants from Pennsylvania, and at Conneaut by New Eng- landers. He was a young minister, and preached his first sermon at Youngstown.
The Rev. Joseph Badger came in 1800 from Massachusetts, with a commission from the Connecticut Missionary Society, as a missionary to the Western Reserve.
These two men became intimate friends, and together planned the advancement of Christ's cause. Mr. Wick, together with other Presbyterian ministers, received commissions from the Congregational Misssionary Societies, but at the same time as the pioneer churches increased in number, they assumed the form of a Presbytery.
The "Plan of Union" was devised, which brought the ministers and churches of both denominations together in Chris- tian effort, allowing each to retain denominational affiliations.
October 15, 1814, the Synod of Pittsburgh erected out of the Presbytery of Hartford, the Presbytery of Grand River, which was to occupy the whole of the Western Reserve, with the exception of ten towns in the southeastern part. At the Euclid Church (now East Cleveland) this new Presbytery met November 8, 1814. Three ministers, Revs. Joseph Badger, Giles H. Cowles and Thomas Barr were present, also two lay delegates, Elder J. Ruple
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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND PRESBYTERIANISM.
of the Presbyterian Church in Euclid, and Deacon M. Cook, of the Burton Congregational Church. The Rev. Simeon Wood- ruff was examined and admitted to membership in this new Presbytery.
At Burton, February 14, 1815, a Confession of Faith was adopted for the churches, under the care of this Presbytery. That year seven ministers and eight churches were reported to the General Assembly. The ministers were Revs. Badger, Barr, Cowles, Seward, Coe, Woodruff, and Hanford ; the churches, those at Austinburgh, Euclid, Aurora, Hudson, Mantua, Nelson, Burton and Rootstown, with a membership of two hundred and thirty-nine. The next two years the ministers who were admitted to the Presbytery were Revs. J. Leslie, L. Hum- phrey, C. Pitkin, J. Treat and A. Coe. The increase of churches was larger, those at Harpersfield, Tallmadge, Vernon, Sharon, Painesville, Hambden, Greene, Johnston, Williamsfield, Dover, Madison, Kingsville, Ashtabula, Brecksville, Branfield, Bloom- field, Streetsboro, Stowe, and Harrisville, being added.
In October of 1818, the Synod of Pittsburgh made the Presbytery of Portage a part of the Grand River Presbytery. This new body held its first meeting at Hudson, December 8, 1818. Five years later, in 1823, the Presbytery of Huron was formed to occupy all the territory west of Cuyahoga and Portage counties, to the west line of the state.
At Hudson, September 27, 1825, according to an act of the General Assembly, the Synod of the Western Reserve was organ- ized, embracing the Presbyteries of Grand River, Portage and Huron. The Rev. Joseph Badger preached the opening sermon from the text : "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord." Thirty-three ministers constituted this Synod. During the month of May, 1827, the General Assembly created a new Presbytery, that of Detroit, to occupy the whole territory of Michigan. This new Presbytery was attached to the Synod of the Western Reserve.
In the following September, at its meeting in Nelson, the Synod created the Presbytery of Trumbull, out of the Presbytery of Grand River. Thus the Synod of Western Reserve, at this time, embraced the five Presbyteries of Grand River, Portage, Huron, Detroit, and Trumbull. At its meeting, held in Euclid,
II
HISTORY OF THE CLEVELAND PRESBYTERY.
October 6, 1830, this Synod organized the Presbytery of Cleve- land, out of the counties of Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Medina, with their ministers and churches. The ministers, who were charter members of this new Cleveland Presbytery, were Joseph Edwards, Simeon Woodruff, Israel Shailer, Stephen V. Barnes, Alfred H. Betts, Daniel W. Lathrop, John McCrea, Stephen Peet, Harvey . Lyon, and Joel Talcott.
The Cleveland Presbytery held its first meeting at Dover, October 26, 1830. The Rev. Joseph Edwards, who was ap- pointed to preside at the organization, was absent, and his place was taken by Rev. Simeon Woodruff, senior minister present. The twenty-four congregations, which composed the Cleveland Presbytery at its organization, were those of Dover, Avon, Strongsville, Sheffield, Medina, Brunswick, Brownhelm, Brecks- ville, Brooklyn, Granger, Bath, Westfield, Euclid, Elyria, Ridge- ville, Wellington, Wadsworth, Richfield, Cleveland, Penfield, Harrisville, Hinckley, Columbia, and Guilford.
At a meeting of the Western Reserve Synod, held in Cleve- land in 1836, two new Presbyteries were created out of the Presbytery of Cleveland, namely: those of Lorain and Medina, in- cluding all the ministers and churches in those counties. Thus in the growth of Christian work, the Presbytery of Cleveland was reduced to the geographical limits of Cuyahoga County, and remained within these bounds twenty-seven years.
In 1863, the Synod annexed the Presbytery of Portage to that of Cleveland, thus adding fourteen ministers and six churches. In 1866, the Presbytery of Elyria was dissolved, and part of its ministers and churches added to the Presbytery of Cleveland and Portage, and in about this form the Presbytery of Cleveland and Portage remained, until the Reconstruction, or Reunion of the Old and New School branches of the church in 1870. At that time, most of the territory of old Portage was dropped, and there was added the Old School Presbytery of Western Reserve, which had occupied the same territory, and the Presbytery of Grand River, thus adding eight ministers, and the following churches to the Cleveland Presbytery, namely : Nottingham, Rome, Orwell, Northfield, Bedford, Ashtabula, Kingsville, Guilford, Lafayette, and Springfield.
Many of the churches, mentioned in the development of
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I2
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND PRESBYTERIANISM.
religious work in the vicinity of Cleveland, were organized as Congregational churches, but united with the Presbytery and Synod under the " Plan of Union," which was approved by the Congregational churches of New England, and by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, but this "Plan of Union," under which the churches seemed to enjoy great prosperity, was dissolved. The first step which caused this dissolution, was the attitude taken by the Presbyterian Church, in general, toward the Congregationalists. The Presbyterians of the Western Reserve continued to labor in loving union with their brethren, the Congregationalists, and in other parts of the Pres- byterian Church there was little sympathy with the crusade, which arose against Congregationalism. In a portion of the Presbyterian Church, however, there arose a war upon doctrinal errors, which were said to exist exclusively in regions, where the Congregational element abounded. This war upon New England Congregationalism was well adapted to weaken the fraternal feeling, which had prevailed upon the Western Reserve. The final action of the Presbyterian General Assembly, in ex- scinding, in 1833, four Presbyterian Synods, which were sus- pected of New England heresy, thus forming the Old and New School Presbyterian Churches, was well calculated to lead Con- gregationalists to think that it was time to look out for them- selves. Strong denominational spirit arose on both sides.
Then there were some Congregational churches that had not connected themselves with the Presbytery. They were wholly independent of any association. It was thought desirable to look after such churches, and to form some bond of union among them. Thus Congregational Conferences and Associations were formed, and the churches, that had enjoyed a most fraternal union in Christian work, began to assume strictly denominational life. All efforts, made to heal, seemed only to widen the breach, and many other things arose to cause great disturbance in the church life of that period, immediately following the abrogation of the "Plan of Union." This state of things was aggravated by the slavery discussion. In all ecclesiastical gatherings, time formally given to councils and measures for the advancement of practical church work, was now occupied by the most heated debate.
HISTORY OF THE CLEVELAND PRESBYTERY. 13
In connection with the slavery discussion, there arose bitter infidel attacks, and discussions on temperance. Pe- culiar "Oberlin Views," or the doctrine of Christian Perfec- tion next arose, and this discussion was pressed with a spirit that evidently proved the imperfection of the advocates. Last of all " Millerism " stirred up the churches. Many professing Chris- - tians were so carried away with the excitement, that they pledged themselves to give up the Bible and all faith, if their calculations regarding the Second Coming of Christ proved erroneous.
The churches, which had walked together in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and which had been greatly multiplied, were thus brought into a period of strife and contention ; but finally all seems to have been overruled for good. The churches, once under a "Plan of Union," now form the basis of two strong denominations, and peace and good works characterize the Presby- terian and Congregational Churches of Northern Ohio. In the smaller places where one exists, the other does not seek to go, while in the city the field is large enough for the utmost en- deavors of both denominations, the only provocation being that unto love and good works.
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Character of Cleveland Presbyterianism .*
O F Cleveland Presbyterianism it may be said that it was from the beginning New Englandized, and then recruited from New York rather than from Pennsylvania. In type of theo- logical belief, then, it has always been liberal, but at the same time evangelical and fairly aggressive, as seen in its missionary spirit. The network of churches now numbers seventeen, count- ing the East Cleveland, Windermere, and Glenville Churches, which are out of the city only by a narrow bound. The aggre- gate membership of these churches is about 6,500. All the congregations are housed in admirable buildings, and the value of the property is fully $1,000,000. These churches furnish sit- tings for about 10,000 worshipers, while in the Sunday-schools there are 6,500 scholars.
The reported charities of the churches for the year 1895 amounted to $342,754 ; their congregational expenses, in part for new buildings, amounted to $120,218-a total of $462,972. Is it a wonder that in the church at large there is the title given us, "Mission Loving Cleveland?" From 1876 to 1896 the Presby- terian Church of Cleveland trebled in numbers, while the popu- lation of the city doubled. In all the undenominational works of charity Cleveland Presbyterians take a conspicuous part. To the various Christian Associations, Friendly Inns, Kindergartens, Nurseries and Hospitals, Presbyterians give hearty support. The Home for Aged Women, the Children's Aid Society Farm, Home, and Chapel, the Infants' Rest, the Lend-a-Hand Mission build- ing, and two Day Nurseries, are exclusively the gifts of Presby- terians and their affiliations.
In educational matters the record of Cleveland Presbyterians is admirable. Western Reserve College, now Adelbert College of Western Reserve University, although not a denominational institution, has received, from the beginning of its existence at Hudson, the support of Cleveland Presbyterians. The Old College Church was a Plan of Union Church under the care of
*See "Annals of Old Stone Church."
15
CHARACTER OF CLEVELAND PRESBYTERIANISM.
the Cleveland Presbytery until it was disbanded in 1882, when the college was removed to Cleveland. Four of the six Presi- dents of the institution were Presbyterians : Presidents Pierce, Hitchcock, Cutler, and Haydn.
Rev. George E. Pierce, D.D.
Rev. Henry L. Hitchcock, D.D.
Rev. Carroll Cutler, D.D.
Rev. Hiram C. Haydn, D.D., L.L.D.
Presbyterian money has gone in large sums to this institution, and Mr. Amasa Stone, whose munificent gifts brought the college to Cleveland, where it now thrives, was a trustee of the First Church. It is not claimed that Leonard Case, the founder of Case School of Applied Science, was a Presbyterian, but he was the personal friend of Dr. Goodrich, and a pew-holder to the day
Western Reserve College, Hudson, O.
Adelbert College.
Woman's College.
Western Reserve Medical College.
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18
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND PRESBYTERIANISM.
of his death in the First Church. Mr. J. L. Woods, who did so much for the Western Reserve Medical School, was a Trustee of the First Church. Mr. James F. Clark, Mr. George Mygatt, Mrs. Mather, Mrs. John Hay, Mrs. James Clark, Mrs. F. T. Backus, Col. John Hay and W. S. Tyler, Esq., are names of those affiliated in one way or another with the Old Stone or First Church, and from these persons have come the gifts which are making Cleveland such a leading educational center to-day. In the past seventeen years these persons have given over $3,000,000 to educational purposes.
Besides these are Mr. H. B. Hurlbut, munificent patron of art, hospitals and education ; Mr. E. I. Baldwin, Mr. T. P. Handy, Mr. Dan P. Eells, Mr. T. D. Crocker of the Second Church ; and Mr. Joseph Perkins, Mr. H. R. Hatch and Miss Anne Walworth of the Euclid Avenue Church, recognized among the large donors and life-long friends of education. A host of others are worthy of honorable mention. Oberlin College must have received from Cleveland Presbyterians about $150,000. Lane Seminary, Berea, Hampton and other Southern institutions have had generous remembrance. Great as the past may seem in this direction of educational and charitable work, the promise of the future is that of greater things.
The work of Cleveland Presbyterians cannot be judged simply by its denominational statistics, but in addition to these, there is the broader work which tends toward the establishment of the kingdom of God in the City of Cleveland.
Mr. Truman P. Handy.
Mr. Lewis H. Severance.
Che Presbyterian Union.
N the evening of November 13, 1869, a meeting was held in the chapel of the Westminster Church to consider the ex- tension of Presbyterianism in the City of Cleveland. The Pastors and Elders of the First, Second, Euclid Street and Westminster Churches were present. After discussing the field, a committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. R. F. Smith, J. B. Meriam, S. L. Severance and C. S. Bragg, to look over the city and to report at a future meeting. At the next meeting held December 10, 1869, this committee reported three fields as inviting, namely: Case Avenue, Woodland Avenue and the West Side. A com- mittee consisting of Dr. Lyman, and Messrs. Bragg and Smith was appointed to draft a constitution, and Mr. J. B. Meriam was appointed Treasurer. The meeting adjourned to convene the second Monday in January, 1870. At that meeting, held in the Westminster Church, January 10, 1870, sixteen members were
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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND PRESBYTERIANISM.
present. Rev. James Eells, D.D., was called to the chair, and R. F. Smith, Esq., was appointed Secretary pro tem.
The committee, appointed to draw up a constitution, brought in Articles of Association of the Cleveland Presbyterian Union. These were seven in number, binding the churches to united effort in the work of church extension. The first officers were : President, Rev. W. H. Goodrich, D.D .; Vice-President, Rev. James Eells, D.D ; Secretary, Mr. C. S. Bragg ; Treasurer, Mr. Joseph Perkins.
The first Executive Committee was composed of Mr. R. F. Smith of the First Church ; Mr. S. L. Severance of the Second Church ; Rev. O. A. Lyman, D.D., of the Euclid Avenue Church, and Mr. Geo. H. Wyman of the Westminster Church. The second year Dr. Eells became President, and Rev. E. B. Raffensperger was elected Vice-President. The third year Mr. Raffensperger became President of the Union, and in 1873 Mr. T. P. Handy was elected to that office. Dr. Haydn then served as President for two years, and in 1875 Mr. Handy again became President, which office he held to the delight of the whole church until 1893, when, feeling compelled to relinquish the duties of that office, he was made President Emeritus, and Mr. L. H. Sever- ance was elected President.
Among those who have served the Union, we find as Vice- Presidents : Mr. T. P. Handy, Hon. G. H. Ely, Mr. Dan P. Eells, Rev. F. A. Horton, D.D., Dr. Haydn, Dr. Mitchell, Dr. W. V. W. Davis, Dr. Spining, Dr. Bushnell, Mr. R. F. Smith and Mr. S. P. Fenn. The Secretaries have been : Mr. Dan P. Eells, Mr. O. J. Benham, Mr. J. B. Meriam, Mr. H. S. Whittle- sey, Rev. J. A. Skinner, Rev. J. A. Seymour, Mr. C. H. Beards- lee and Mr. William A. Galpin. The Treasurers have been : Mr. George Mygatt, Mr. S. L. Severance, Mr. O. J. Benham, Mr. S. P. Fenn, Mr. H. S. Whittlesey, Mr. Chas. W. Chase and Mr. C. J. Dockstader.
The first public meeting of the Union was held in the First Church, Sunday evening, April 21, 1872. There have been from time to time Annual Banquets. A resolution was passed May 8, 1871, to hold regular quarterly meetings, and these have been the principal meetings of the Union, attended for the most part by the pastors and elders of the churches.
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THE PRESBYTERIAN UNION.
About five years ago there was manifested a desire to have the Union incorported that it might hold property, and that it might be in a condition to be the recipient of any bequests that might be made for the extension of Christ's kingdom in the city. To this end Articles of Incorporation of the Presbyterian Union of Cleveland were filed at Columbus, April 24, 1891; the in- corporators in behalf of the old Union being Messrs. S. H. Mather, F. C. Keith, C. H. Beardslee, J. A. Robinson and J. E. Ingersoll. The constitution adopted is as follows :
ARTICLE I.
OBJECTS OF THE UNION.
I. The objects for which The Presbyterian Union of Cleveland is organized and incorporated, are to promote the extension of the Kingdom of Christ as connected with the Presbyterian Church, generally, and to further, particularly, the interests of the Churches of that denomination now existing, or hereafter to exist, in the city of Cleveland and its vicinity.
2. In order to the harmonious and effective accomplishment of these objects, the Churches whose officers and members compose the Union, shall exercise a watchful oversight of the field, both in their own imme- diate vicinity, and at large, with a view to providential opportunities for the establishment of new enterprises, whether the same be Sunday Schools, Missions or Churches, and report any and all such promptly to the Presi- dent for consultation and early action by the Union.
3. Any such enterprise entered upon and carried forward without the advice and approval of the Union, or contrary thereto, shall be entitled to no pecuniary aid therefrom.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP.
I. The Pastors, Elders, and Deacons of all the Presbyterian Churches now, or at any time hereafter, existing in the city of Cleveland, which, by action of their sessions, duly certified to this Union, shall signify their approval and acceptance of the Charter and Organization of the Union, and any Presbyterian Minister who is a member of the Presbytery of Cleveland and resident in Cleveland or vicinity, shall be entitled to meni- bership therein upon the payment of an annual fee of not less than one dollar, and subscribing to the Articles of Incorporation.
2. The Pastors, Elders and Deacons of any Presbyterian Church outside, and in the vicinity of the said city, may, upon the same condi- tions, become entitled to membership in the Union, to be admitted by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Union, present at any regular meeting, or at any special meeting called for the purpose.
3. Any member in good standing in any Church whose officers are entitled to membership in the Union, may become a member of the Union on the terms and conditions of membership hereinbefore prescribed.
22
HISTORY OF CLEVELAND PRESBYTERIANISM.
ARTICLE III.
STATED AND SPECIAL MEETINGS.
I. The Annual Meeting of the Union shall be held on the third Tuesday in January, at which the Trustees and officers for the ensuing year shall be chosen, and any other appropriate business may be transacted. A plurality vote of the Members in attendance upon such a meeting shall elect.
2. Regular Meetings of the Union shall be held, also, on the third Monday of April and of October, respectively, at which any appropriate business may be transacted, including the filling of any vacancies in the Official Boards.
3. Special Meetings of the Union may be called at any time by the President or the Board of Trustees, and the President shall call such meetings upon the written request of not less than six members. No business other than that named in the call shall be transacted at such meetings.
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