USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 24
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One of the workers of twenty-five years ago in the Presby- terian church was Julius King. His mother, lovingly known as "Auntie King," was a devoted church woman. She was a daughter of Jesse Halliday, the pioneer. Mr. King was not only active in the church but in the Sunday school. He and his wife were important factors in the church work. During his time the different churches in Warren took turns holding serv- ices in the district sehoolhonses nearby the city. On one occa- sion Mr. King was conducting a service in the Howland school- house, near the Reeves and Ewalt farms. He had chosen for the lesson the chapter containing the statement about the rich man and the Kingdom of Heaven. He had read this verse, and was explaining that it did not mean exactly what it said, namely that no rich man could enter into the Kingdom of Heaven since no camel could go through the eye of a needle, but that there was in the wall of Jerusalem a passage-way, or gate, known as the Needle's Eye, and that a loaded camel could get through that opening by having ifs burdens removed, by kneeling down, and by having someone pull and someone push. This seemed to be satisfactory to most of the persons present, but a gentleman named French, clearing his throat, spake as follows: " Well, Brother King, it seems to me even with your explanation, that it takes a deal of pushin' and a deal of pullin' to get a rich man into the Kingdom of Heaven " The author, who had been inter- ested in these rural meetings, having assisted in some of the services of her own church, and having come to this meeting to see how other denominations conducted theirs, laughed out loud and slid ont the door near which she happened to be sitting. What the rest of the discussion was is not known, but sure it is that Mr. King, from good business management and honest
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effort, has since accumulated enough of the worldly goods to make him nervous about this verse, if he still believes as he did then, and sure it is, no matter how he believes, his life has been such as to make him stand a better chance for entering than many of his fellow men.
Some of the earlier records of the church were destroyed in the fire of 1860 which swept the lower section of our city. The partial records show that 1,365 persons have joined the church on confession and 1,175 by letter; 378 adults have been baptized and 542 infants. The present membership of the church is 673 together with 72 additional persons whose names are on the re- served roll, making a total of 745. The oldest living member of the church today is Mr. Whittlesey Adams. He joined on Sunday, November 13, 1841, in connection with 76 other persons during the pastorate of the Rev. Nathan B. Purin- ton. Since 1853 the church has raised for benevolent purposes $89,764; since 1865 it has raised $170,453 for congregational expenses. The earliest record of the Warren church which ap pears in the minutes of the general assembly is one made in 1823, a contribution of two dollars toward the commissioners' fund. At that time the church was a member of the Grand River Presbytery, which was a part of the Synod of Pittsburg.
The fifth anniversary of the pastorate of Mr. Reinhold oc- enrred Jnne 1, 1909. During his ministry the organiza- tion has had a steady growth in its membership, over three hundred persons having been received into the church by him. The church is now the second largest in Ma- honing Presbytery and its Bible school with a mem- bership of 620 also occupies the second place among the Bible schools of the Mahoning Presbytery. Its Westminster Men's Club, organized September 22, 1905, was the first church men's club in Warren, and its contributions to the enlarging life of the church and the city easily constitute it one of the strong- est church organizations in this part of Ohio. Another of the unique features of this church's life is the sewing school for girls which has just completed its fifth year of work. A well defined course of study is followed, covering a period of three years and modeled after the course in the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn. The school is under the direction of Mrs. Reinhold as superintendent and a corps of eight teachers, and thus far fifteen girls have completed the work of the school and have been graduated. The other departments of the church having to do
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with organizations for women and organizations for young peo- ple are thoroughly equipped and in excellent condition.
The present officers of the church are:
THE SESSION.
James E. Beebe.
George W. Kneeland.
Franklyn H. Cannon. Willis J. Munson,
James A. Estabrook.
George MI. Smith.
John C. Gorton. Homer E. Stewart.
Fred C. Mareh, Clerk. Charles F. Walker.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
H. Samuel Pew.
Edward S. Kueeland.
William Wallace.
THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE.
Charles F. Walker.
Frank A. Millikan.
John B. Estabrook.
Christ Church ( Episcopal)
The first service held by the Episeopalians in Warren was in 1813. The Rev. Mr. Serle conducted it and preached the ser- mon in the court house. Bishop Chase also held service in the court house at a little later date. At that time there were two communicants in Warren, Mrs. Lavinia Rowe, and her daughter Mrs. Charlotte Smith. Mr. Justus Smith came to Warren in 1812 with his family, and Mrs. Rowe accompanied them. She lived in a small house back of the present residence of Dr. Sher- wood. Her father was an Episcopal minister and was lost at sea when going to England to be ordained. At that time the Anglican church had no bishop in America. Mrs. Rowe, in pleasant weather, often rode her horse to Canfield, fifteen miles distance, to attend services. The early bishops and clergymen who visited Warren were entertained in the homes of Mrs. Rowe and Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Rowe was the grandmother of Henry W. and Charles Smith. Her grandchildren were brought up in the faith and were affiliated with her church, assisting in its support both in Youngstown, where her granddaughter, Maria Tod, lived, and in Warren. Charles Smith was a vestryman of Christ church for many years. Her great-grandchildren, with one or two exceptions, were communicants, and part of them very active as workers today, while one great-great-granddaughter, Sally Tod Smith, has been the organist and soloist at Christ church for several years.
Mr. Edward A. Smith, writing in the Union Church News, . in 1891. says:
(Loaned by the Tribune. )
( Loaned by the Tribune. )
OLD EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
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The parish was organized by the Rev. Mr. Harrison, in 1836. under its present name, (Christ elmreh,) and was in- corporated by an act of the legislature in 1842, by petition presented by the Hon. John Crowell. An original paper still in existence, drawn up for the purpose of effecting an organization of the parish, undated, supposedly 1836, reads as follows :
We, whose names are hereunto affixed, deeply impressed with the impor- tance of the Christian religion, and earnestly wishing to promote its holy influence in the hearts and lives of ourselves, our families and our neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves together under the name, style and title of the parish of Christ church, in the township of Warren, County of Trumbull, and state of Ohio, and hy so doing do adopt the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Ohio, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America, Warren.
Signed :- John Crowell, Jacob H. Baldwin, wardens; Edward E. Hoyt. Wm. S. Knight, John Supple, Lyman Potter, Henry Curtiss, vestry; Charles Wolcot, Hiram Baldwin, John Veon, M. B. Tayler, Oliver H. Patch, James Hoyt, John B. Canfield, Thos. Il. Best, John L. Frazier, Henry W. Smith, Addison Weatherbee, Wmn. Johnson, Samuel Chesney, Edwin Leffingwell, R. P. Ranney.
Mr. Harrison was rector of the parishes in Canfield and in Boardman, then in Trumbull County, and gave to the (Imreh here some oversight and an occasional service. A subscription of a small sum of money was obtained for him in acknowledgment of his efforts, in April, 1837. It was signed by the following persons :- Jacob H. Baldwin, John Crowell. J. D. Taylor, Lyman Potter, Wm. S. Knight, Thos. HI. Best. James M. Scott, John Veon, Chas. Smith, Jonathan Ingersoll, Henry W. Smith, Wm. Pew. John Supple. Addi- son Weatherbee and M. B. Tayler.
After this time there seems to have been no activity in the parish until the summer of 1841, when it was reorgan- ized under the Rev. C. C. Townsend, who remained in charge for two years, in connection with that of St. Mark's church. Newton Falls. The names of the vestry at about this time so far as can be learned were, S. D. Harris and C. J. Van Gorder. wardens: John Crowell, Geo. Parsons, Jr., U. B. White and Herman Canfield, vestrymen. Services were held in the old court house, and on one Christmas its gloomy interior was adorned with evergreens.
In the Whig & Transcript for April 5, 1842, we read, "The wardens and vestry of Christ church will hold their first meeting under their charter of incorporation at the court house on Sat-
Vol. I-17
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urday, April 16, 1842, at 2:00 P. M. By the Order of the Vestry. Cyrus J. VanGorder, secretary."
Between the administration of Rev. C. C. Townsend and Rev. DuBois, lay services were held in Colonel Harris' paint shop, which stood across the river near the end of the old bridge, and later in Mr. Darley's school room, the King Block. The first record we have of an Easter Monday election is that of 1846, when the parish register tells us that S. D. Harris, U. B. White were elected wardens, Wm. H. Weeks, C. J. VanGorder, George Parsons, Jr., John Crowell and William G. Darley, ves- trymen. From that time there has been no year when such elec- tions were not held.
In 1846 a lot at the corner of Liberty street and Franklin alley was purchased of Dr. Blatchley. In September the corner- stone of the church was laid without any formal ceremonies. This is to be regretted because within the last few years this building was razed and if the usual papers had been put in the cornerstone we might have had some valnable data preserved for us. In the summer of 1848 the first services were held in this church, and in the fall of 1849 it was consecrated by Bishop Mc- Ilvaine. At the top of the steeple was a gilt cross, and of this the bishop did not approve. It is said, as he was reviewing the church, he remarked, "Gentlemen, you better remove that," but his advice was not taken and this emblem remained in its place as long as the steeple stood.
Shortly after the consecration the Rev. Mr. DuBois entered upon his duties as pastor. His wife was the daughter of Bishop MeIlvaine and both he and she were cultured, refined people. Possibly he was the most popular pastor the church has ever had. Ile lived on the west side where his neighbors greatly re- speeted him. He had a boat in which he used to cross the river to attend to his church duties and other business. His home was the center of society as far as church people were concerned. Older members of the parish have related to younger members the delightful times the early Episcopalians had at the DuBois home. He organized the Sunday school, a ladies' aid society and called together people of the parish to discuss matters per- taining to the parish. Through the generosity of his friends in the east he obtained a library for the Sunday school.
The service of the Episcopal church is usually attractive to. folks outside and the first Christmas eve service (it is doubtful if the other Protestant churches at this time considered it reli-
:
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gious to celebrate Christmas) during Mr. DuBois' administra- tion the church was beantifully trimmed with evergreens and the music was remarkable. Judge Hoffman and George Seeley played the violins, Milton Palm the bass viol, Zeb. Wentworth the trombone, Dr. James VanGorder the French horn, and Ed. Reeves the flute. Of these musicians, two are now living, Judge lloffman of California, aged 97, and Ed. Reeves, who resides at Mount Clemens, Michigan. In 1853 Mr. DuBois resigned, mov- ing to Zanesville, Ohio.
As a rule the Episcopal church does not exist in rural dis- triets in Ohio. Towns, especially county seats, are largely re- eruited from the country. Consequently the Episcopal church does not gain members as do other churches from rural districts. In the case of Christ church parish a large percent of its mem- bership has drifted into the cities, and although large classes are confirmed each year they make up little more than the number lost by removals and deaths. In character this parish is one of the strongest in the state, but its parishioners are not regular attendants at its services and its congregations are small.
Bishop Mellvaine was one of the strongest characters the church has had in its history. He was tall, straight, magnificent in appearance. possessed of great intellect, and oratorical powers. He could not do aught but impress people with his per- sonality. In addition he had great exeentive ability, loved jus- tice and was fearless when it came to his duty.
Bishop Bedell was greatly beloved by Ohio Episcopalians, was an exceedingly spiritual man, his presence being almost like a benediction. He was scholarly, interesting, and devoted. He performed his duties well as a bishop, unless he erred a little in discipline. When there were faetional quarrels in local churches, as there used to be in most local churches of most denomina- tions, particularly when they were small and struggling. he re- fused to take a hand or to issue any order in regard to it. Shak- ing his head he would say, "You must settle your difficulties yomself."
After the Rev. Mr. DuBois' departure, in 1853, Christ church had no reetor for two years. Rev. Joseph E. Ryan then took charge and served three years.
Rev. Cornelius S. Abbott was very popular and successful. In 1860 the congregation had so inereased under his management that measures were taken to enlarge the building. However. the great fire changed the plans and when the matter of enlarge-
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ment was again taken np, in the summer of 1862, it was decided to build a new church instead of remodeling, so a lot on Ifigh street was purchased from Mr. JJ. F. Asper. Mr. J. II. Black- burn of Cleveland was the architect, and on Ascension day, 1863, the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Bedell, assistant bishop of the diocese, aiding the rector. Bishop Bedell also consecrated the building in April, 1865. When the building committee made its report of monies collected and bills paid, they found they had $82.09 left, which was turned over to the church treasury. This is such an unusual condition that it is worthy of record. One Indred and twenty-two persons contributed to the building of the church, and of the amounts pledged, less than fifty dollars was found not to be collected. This too was a remarkable fact. Rev. Cornelius Abbott was rector of the church from 1858 to 1867. In 1864 the church on Park avenue was soll to the Ro- manists. On Easter Sunday, 1864, the last Sunday services were held in the old church, and Tuesday evening, of that same week, was the last mid-week service. For a few months before the new church was entirely finished, services were held in the room over Andrews & Weeks' store.
The Rev. Charles T. Steck succeeded Mr. Abbott, serving eleven months. For a little time thereafter the parish was with- ont a rector, and in March, 1869, Rev. Ilenry L. Badger took charge. He was a man of scholarly attainments and gentle man- ners, and the people of the parish were very much disappointed when the bishop of Nevada urged him to take up the missionary work in that territory. He stayed west several years, but the climate was not at all agreeable to him or his family, and later he had a parish in Portsmonth, Ohio.
Rev. Thomas J. Taylor was the rector from October, 1871. to April, 1873. During his time the church did not grow or even hold its own.
Rev. A. R. Kieffer was the next minister and he served the longest of any one connected with the parish. He was energetic, able and practical. Under his administration the church grew greatly. Partly because of ill health he resigned to take a parish at Colorado Springs, Colorado. During his charge a rectory was purchased, which now stands on the corner of Franklin and Vine streets, and the parish rooms were built. Ile was rector at Bradford, Pa., for many years and furnished the anthor some facts for this chapter. He died before the book was issned.
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HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY
Rev. James A. Mathews, of Arkansas, took up the work in 1883 and continued it a year and a half. From Warren he went to Illinois, and later to Missouri, where he died. He was sue- ceeded by the Rev. H. L. Gamble, who served about a year. Mr. Gamble was probably the least popular of any minis- ter Christ church has had. lle went to Europe for a vacation, and while he was gone members of the church made some needed repairs. The walls were decorated, new carpets put down, the tablets at the back of the church upon which the commandments and the Lord's Prayer were inscribed. were removed, and a beautiful stained-glass window, presented by the children of Hon. Frederick Kinsman, was put in. Ap- parently Mr. Gamble believed the minister to be the head of the «burch and felt affronted that repairs were made in his absence, for we find in the parish books a record of this work done. end- ing with " The undersigned is in no way responsible for those changes which were effected during his absence. 1. Lansdowne Gamble."
About 1892 a new rectory was built on High street. Gen- erons donations were made by the aunts of the Misses Hall, Mrs. Boardman and Mrs. Wade, of New Haven, Connectient, who have done much for the church.
Some years since a chapel which was not consecrated and which is used for Sunday school and all sorts of meetings, social as well as religions, was added to the church building on the west side. Very recently the ladies of the church built a substantial brick house for the janitor in the rear of the church, which adds considerably to the church property.
In the church proper are three memorial windows, one to Mr. and Mrs. Orlando Morgan, the former having been vestry- man of the church for many years and the latter a devoted church woman during all the years of her married life. One to Lizzie B. Hunt, a successful teacher in the primary department of the Sunday school, and long connected with the church, having come over from the Lutheran. Probably more young children were brought into the Sunday school and later became church members, through Mrs. Hunt's influence and teaching, than through any other one member of the church. The sons of Fred- eriek Kinsman, as above stated, placed in the chancel a large beautiful window, in memory of the mother and father who were among the most faithful supports of and workers in the church for years. Mr. Kinsman was vestryman and officer in the
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church, gave a great deal of time and thought and much money to the parish, while Mrs. Kinsman was one of the best church workers that any parish ever had. Both of these people were not only beloved in the church but in the community. At the time of the presentation of this window, Rev. Frederick Kins- man, their grandson, preached the sermon. Lately he has been made bishop of Delaware.
Too much credit cannot be given the early vestrymen for the condition of the parish of Christ church. They were men of good education, possessed of business ability, conscientious church men, and exceedingly generous financially. At the end of each fiscal year always they made up a goodly amount from their own pockets. Among these were John L. Weeks, who was lay-reader, superintendent of the Sunday school and always present at all services; Mr. John 11. MeCombs, one of the war- dens, who was always at his place on Sunday and who assumed mich responsibility; Judge George F. Brown, who at the close of the war moved to Mississippi; Mr. Charles Smith, who from the very beginning was connected with the church, as his mother and grandmother had been before him; Dr. John R. Woods, who acted as lay-reader; Mr. Orlando Morgan, who, although not a communicant, was always present at vestry meetings and at church ; Lewis J. Iddings, whose daughter Miss Mary has been a communicant and consistent member since early womanhood, and whose son, Sanmel, is now junior warden.
Thomas J. MeLain, who for many years was lay reader and superintendent of the Sunday school as well, and also one of the wardens. was a practical Christian, devoid of any small o) narrow traits of character, of sunny temperament, and full of kindness. When he left the city to enter the consular service of the United States, the parishioners greatly missed hin ..
None of these men are now living.
Edward A. Smith is the oldest communicant connected with the Episcopal church. He came to Warren in 1846, attended the early services which were conducted by Mr. Harris, and has been identified with the church ever since. He is now senior warden, having been elected in the place of John L. Weeks, in 1875; he has therefore been serving in that capacity for thirty-four years. Mr. Smith's oldest son, named for his relative, Frederick Kins- man. is one of the vestrymen, and Mrs. Smith, all through her early womanhood, worked in the several societies, while the
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daughters have been connected with both church and Sunday school work for years.
Among the names on the parish register which are familiar to Trumbull County people were the names of Smith, MeCombs, Kinsman, Freeman, Hunt, Baldwin, Morgan, Porter, MeNutt, Taylor, Hucke, Ratliff, Packard, Fitch, Bierce, Woods, Heaton, Vautrot, Iddings, Wise, MeConnell.
The following is a list of the rectors since Christ church was organized : Rev. J. L. Harrison, Rev. C. C. Towne, Rev. Geo. W. Dubois, Rev. Joseph E. Ryan, Rev. C. S. Abbott, Rev. Chas. T. Speck, Rev. Henry L. Badger, Rev. Thos. J. Taylor, Rev. A. R. Keifer, Rev. J. A. Mathews, Rev. C. W. Hollister, Rev. Herbert D. Cone, Rev. A. A. Abbott, at present arch-deacon of the dio- cese, and Rev. Henry E. Cooke, who has recently resigned his position to devote his time to the raising of the William A. Leonard Bishop's fund. Rev. James S. Sherin has at this writ- ing just begun his work as pastor.
The present bishop of this diocese is William A. Leonard, who was so long rector of St. John's church in Washington, at which more presidents of the United States have worshiped than in any other church in Washington. Under the supervision of Bishop Leonard, the diocese has grown greatly.
The present officers of the church are as follows:
Senior warden. Edward A. Smith; junior warden, S. C. Iddings: members of the vestry. Thomas Kinsman, Fred- erick K. Smith, E. R. Wise, C. W. Tyler, George D. Kirk- ham, W. George Lane, S. R. Russell. II. A. Sherwood.
Central Christian Church.
Thomas Campbell was born in Ireland in 1763. His father was a strict member of the Church of England and Thomas early showed interest in religions things. The formalities of the Eng- lish church did not satisfy him and he soon began to associate with a branch of the Presbyterian church which had seceded from the "Kirk of Scotland." In 1787 he married Jane Cor- neigle, a French Huguenot, whose ancestors had been driven from France by Louis XIV. She was gifted with a strong men- tal and moral character, and was of great value to her husband, Thomas. in his life work. They had eight children. He not only preached, but taught school, and the extra labor impaired his
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health so a sea voyage was prescribed for him. He landed at Philadelphia, but, like other people with reform natures, he could not keep quiet and began preaching in Pennsylvania. Through his efforts there came into being at Washington, Penn- sylvania, the "Christian Association." He had left his school in the hands of his only son Alexander, but in the fall his family joined him. In later years he visited the Western Reserve many times, especially when discord or misunderstanding arose among the early churches. He has been in Warren, as this church was one of the very early ones, strong from the beginning. His son Alexander was born in Ireland in 1788. He, however, had a mixture of Irish-Scotch and French blood. He completed his conrse at the University of Glasgow. Having been reared in the strictest schools of the Presbyterians, he had a profound rever- ence for the word of God. Ile fitted into the life in western Pennsylvania where his father settled as though he had been born in this country. It is a beautiful thing to see how the minds of Alexander and his father, Thomas Campbell, ran together; how they eschewed creeds and taught what to them seemed the simple teaching of Jesus. For forty years he published a paper which at first was known as "The Christian Baptist" and later "The Millenial Ilarbinger." These contained editorial essays. The debates between his father and John Walker, in 1820, and between his father and W. L. MeCalla in 1823, were published in this magazine and did a great deal in converting people to what was known then as "the simpler faith." Unlike most students, reformers, and preachers, he was a good business man. Al- though he traveled and preached at his own expense, entertained in his own home hundreds and hundreds of people who came to see him in different capacities, yet he acemulated a great deal of wealth. He established the college at Bethany which seeured for itself a national reputation, and he became identified with the people of West Virginia, where his home was. He was a member of the state legislature in 1829, acting on the judiciary committee, and was on intimate terms with Chief Justice Mar- shall, ex-President Madison, and had many contentions with John Randolph. He had a most wonderful personal influence over people who came under him, but he never seemed to care for title or position. The doctrine which he and his father taught was easily esponsed by the liberally inclined settlers. By ontsiders they were known as "Campbellites." The belief of the Christian church began and spread from the Ohio valley into
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