Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 53

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 53

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in the Court House. A lot 100 feet front and 100 feet deep was purchased of Peter Murray, on the corner of High and Fac- tory Streets, for $250, and on the 14th day of June, 1845, the corner stone of their new church was laid, and the dis- course of the occasion was delivered by Dr. Keller.

This building was remodeled in 1869 at a cost of $20,000. It is now a large and commodious house, with full equipments, including a fine pipe organ, and bell. It has also a neat little edifice, immediately adjoining the main building, which was recently put up for Sunday school pur- poses. The church property is valued at about $45,000. The auditorium is capable of seating 750 persons.

The following is a list of their pastors, together with the terms of their services: Rev. Dr. Ezra Keller, from 1845 to 1849; Professor Diehl, from January to June, 1849; Rev. Drs. Samuel Sprecher and F. W. Conrad, from June, 1849, to June, 1854; Rev. A. Essick, from 1854 to 1856; A. J. Weddell, from 1856 to 1857; J. H. Heck, 1858 to 1861; M. Officer, 1861 to 1862; M. Titus, from 1863 to 1867; J. B. Helwig, from 1867 to 1868; M. W. Ham- ma, 1869 to 1878; M. J. Firey, from Janu- ary, 1878, to June, 1883; Daniel Smith, from 1883 to 1886; Rev. Dr. Helwig, from 1886 to 1891; E. W. Simon, from 1891 to 1899.

Rev. M. J. Firey, D. D., in his second pastorate, from 1899 to 1906. On Easter, 1906, Rev. Clarence E. Gardner was called to become pastor of this church. The membership of the church is 888. A Lu- ther League was organized in 1907, with a membership of over one hundred, and a

men's league several years prior, which has a membership of over two hundred.

The present membership of the school is over 900 and steadily increasing and now gives evidences of surpassing any former enrollment. A notable feature of this school is the Young Men's Bible Class, taught by Hon. John L. Zimmer- man, which has an enrollment of 175 and an average attendance of more than 125.

The Sabbath school of this church was organized November 12, 1845, with sixty- four persons. In 1866 it contained 300 scholars; the average enrollment in 1880 was 690. Owing to the heavy coloniza- tions going out from this church since the last mentioned date, the average attend- ance at the Sunday school has been re- duced to about 600.

ST. JOHN'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTH- ERAN CHURCH.

The German Lutherans, having previ- ously been holding meetings at the Court House and in different private rooms, finally, in 1845, organized themselves into a church with a membership of seventy- five, and having the Rev. Mr. Schladerm at their head. They assumed the name of St. John's Lutheran Church and re- tained Mr. Schladerm as their pastor un- til the time of his resignation, in 1849, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Shulze. Then came Rev. Charles Stroud, who continued in the pastorate from 1857 to 1870, when he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Betzler. The Rev. T. A. Polster was then called in 1873, after which Rev. C. W. Knuth was selected as pastor, at which time the church had a membership of about 400, and property valued at $20,000.

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

On the 17th of June, 1888, Rev. W. F. Werheim became pastor, and remained until 1905. During his charge the new and beautiful church on the corner of Factory and Columbia Streets was erect- ed. The corner stone of this fine edifice was laid November 3, 1895, and the con- secration took place April 26, 1897. The church property now is worth about $50,000. The membership now includes 450 families, the Sunday school has 575, and the Ladies' Society has increased to 263 members. Mr. Werheim is a scholar, and his large and intelligent congregation has now the benefit of both German and English preaching, well apportioned, ac- cording to their highest needs. In 1905 Rev. Benj. F. Wulfman became the pas- tor.

ZION'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.

Zion's Lutheran Church went out from the St. John's German Lutheran Church, with twenty-three families, under the pas- toral charge of Rev. J. C. Schulze. After worshiping in several small chapels, suc- cessively purchased by them, they finally, in 1867, built their present seemly and commodious brick edifice on the corner of Plum and Columbia Streets, at a cost of $22,000. Revs. Loy and Lehman, of Cap- ital University, Columbus, Ohio, con- ducted the dedicatory services. Rev. Mr. Schulze's successor in the pastorate was Rev. L. H. Lorenz, and he again was suc- ceeded by Rev. H. Hinkle, in 1869. Rev. F. W. Althoff came from the pastorate in 1872, and during his term the church had acquired a membership of 375, and the Sunday school had 150 scholars. Im- mediately after Mr. Althoff, came Rev.

R. C. Lenski, from October, 1892, to Oc- tober, 1899; then came Rev. J. H. Kuhl- man, until 1906. The present number of communicants is 400, and the enrollment of the Sunday school, teachers and all, 214. Since the building above mentioned, a parsonage, costing $3,000, has been added to the church property.

SECOND EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The Second Evangelical Lutheran Church of Springfield was organized Jan- uary 13, 1884, with forty-five charter members, who had previously received regular letters of dismissal from the First Lutheran Church of the city. Among those charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Ross Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Schind- ler, Mr. and Mrs. William Lupfer, Pro- fessor and Mrs. C. L. Ehrenfeld, C. N. Culp, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bost, Mr. and Mrs. Z. F. Bost, and others. The build- ing was begun and finished in the year 1886, and dedicated to God's service De- cember 19, 1886. Rev. Dr. John B. Hel- wig preaching the dedicatory sermon, and other Lutheran ministers participating in the exercises were Revs. C. L. Ehrenfeld, Ph. D., J. W. Richard, D. D., LL. D., G. N. H. Peters and W. H. Singley, D. D. Addresses were also made during the day by Rev. Dr. W. C. Falconer, of the Pres- byterian Church, Dr. R. H. Rust, of the M. E. Church, and Rev. W. H. Warren, D. D., of the Congregational.

The pastors who have served the church thus far were Revs. A. E. Wagner, Ph. D., D. D., from May 1, 1884, to July 26, 1885; L. A. Gotwald, D. D., from December 1, 1885, to December 1, 1888; D. H. Bauslin, D. D., from December 16, 1888, to Novem-

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ber 1, 1893; Rev. E. H. Dornblaser, D. D., from December 15, 1893, to the present. The present membership of the church is about 400, and the enrollment of the Sun- day school is 390.

The stringency of the times following the "Panic of '93," and other matters, hindered the redemption of the pledges made toward the payment of the new church building; so that in 1898 the un- paid part of this expense was over $8,000. The pastor and people rallied to the work of liquidating this debt, and on April 22, 1906, a jubilee service was held celebrat- ing the church's freedom from financial incumbrance. During the summer of 1907 great improvements were made to the church property, including new art glass windows, new paint within and without, new carpet, new fresco, and the installa- tion of a new steam heating system, cost- ing in all about $3,000. A new pipe organ valued at $2,500 was purchased in 1904. The church is an important factor in the southeastern section of the city.

THIRD LUTHERAN CHURCH.

In July, 1887, the Third Lutheran Church was organized by twenty-nine charter members, mostly persons from the First Church, of the same denomination, and among these were Mr. and Mrs. Chris- tian Hanika, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Rebert, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Sise, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Lyday, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Young. The church building was dedi- cated December 11, 1887, the sermon be- ing preached by Rev. J. C. Zimmerman. The pastors have been as follows: Rev. E. L. Fleck, July, 1887, to November 1, 1888; Rev. L. S. Keyser, February 1, 1889.

to February 1, 1895; Rev. John J. Hill, May 15, 1895, to December 11, 1898; Rev. C. E. Derr, March 1, 1899, to July 1, 1903; Rev. C. J. Kiefer, the present pastor, be- gan his work February 1, 1904.

The church now enrolls in its member- ship 295, and the Sunday school 350. June 1st, 1905, the church purchased the lot adjoining its present property on the south, and is now engaged in raising a fund for the erection of a new church as soon as the fund reaches a sufficient size to justify it in proceeding with the work.

FOURTH LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The first meeting in the interest of the Fourth Lutheran Church was held May 10, 1887. At this meeting a committee consisting of Dr. B. F. Prince, Messrs. C. P. Remsberg and G. W. Billow was ap- pointed to secure subscriptions for the purchase of two lots on North Fountain avenue. On June 27th, a constitution was adopted and the first Board of Trustees elected, as follows: B. F. Prince, G. W. Billow, Rev. Dr. J. W. Richard, C. P. and R. C. Remsberg. The lots were pur- chased July 1, 1887, at a cost of $2,352. From that time until the organization of the congregation, in 1897, regular yearly meetings were held by the Board of Trus- tees for the election and the transaction of their business.

The formal organization of the church occurred May 7, 1897, at which time a con- stitution was adopted and twenty-four sig- natures secured. This number was in- creased to eighty-five, who became char- ter members. On July 18, 1897, the con- gregation decided to erect a church build- ing. The corner stone was laid September

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5th. From May 23, 1897, to January 23, in order to take charge of the First Luth- 1897, inclusive, services were held in the eran Church of Frederick, Md. Chapel of Wittenberg College. The first service in the new building was on Janu- ary 30, 1898, the sermon being preached by Dr. B. F. Prince. On February 4, 1898, the regular dedication services were com- menced and continued three days. The first sermon of the occasion was by Rev. S. G. Dornblaser, of Columbus, President of Miami Synod. This was followed dur- ing the three days by various other re- ligious exercises in which Rev. B. F. Prince, Ph. D., D. H. Bauslin, D. D., S. F. Breckenridge, D. D., S. B. Barnitz, D. D., S. A. Ort, D D., LL. D., Professor F. G. Gotwald, Ezra K. Bell, D. D., of Cincin- nati, and others took part. The cost of the building was $6,000, all of which was promptly paid.

From the organization of the congrega- tion, in May, 1897, until May 15, 1898, the Professors of Wittenberg College and Theological Seminary supplied the pulpit, up to the time that Mr. E. G. Howard, a student at the Wittenberg Seminary, was secured as regular supply. He served with great acceptability until the close of the year. On the first of January, 1899, Rev. C. F. Steck, of Louisville, Kentucky, who had some weeks before been called, assumed the duties of the pastoral office. He was formally installed February 5th, following Rev. F. G. Gotwald, Rev. Prof. D. H. Bauslin and others officiating.

During his pastorate an addition was built to the chapel for the use of the grow- ing primary department of the Sunday school, at a cost of $800, while the congre- gation continued to increase in numbers and usefulness. Mr. Steck relinquished the Fourth Church on October 31, 1903,

In November, the Rev. Arthur H. Smith, of Ashland, Ohio, was called to this pastorate, and having accepted the call, entered upon the field on February 1. 1904. He was formally installed on April 24, 1904, by the Revs. J. M. Bramkamp, president of the Miami Synod, and F. G. Gotwald. The congregation has continued to grow and to increase in good works, not ostentatiously but surely and steadily. A church building savings fund has been begun and already has a handsome sum. It is expected to build the church in the near future on the front of the lot where the chapel or Sunday school building al- ready stands. The Fourth Church, for its support, relies upon the freewill offer- ings of its members and has no debts or bills outstanding. At this writing, Au- gust 5, 1907, the confirmed membership is 251 and the communicant membership is 191, while the enrollment of the Sunday school is about 340. There is a very effi- cient Ladies' Aid Society. The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society is very active and doing excellent work.

FIFTH LUTHERAN CHURCH.

In speaking of the tenth anniversary of the Fifth Lutheran Church, which was observed on the 7th of August, 1901, the following statements were made:

On the third day of July, 1891, the Sun- day school and church was organized, and meetings were first held in a private resi- dence on Mound Street. At this time the congregation numbered twenty-five faith- ful workers in the cause of Christianity. Then a store-room at Mound and East

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

499

Streets was rented, and church services were held there.

Several months of worship were en- joyed in the old store room, when the members awoke one morning to find their goods stored in the street and the doors barred against them. The lease held by the gentleman from whom they were rent- ing had expired, and the owner had taken this method to have his property vacated. Not to be prevented from gathering to- gether in the name of the Master, the little band went just across the street and fitted up a chapel. Here peace and tranquility reigned.

In 1893 the lot at High Street and Greenmount Avenue was purchased and the pretty church edifice which now graces it was erected. The house was dedicated in 1894. In the spring of 1898 the audi- torium was dedicated.

Rev. Fred G. Gotwald, later the pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, was the first pastor of the Fifth Lutheran. Rev. Baltz- ly was his able assistant, accepting the pastorate upon Rev. Gotwald's resigna- tion. He continued the work until Decem- ber 1, 1899, when he resigned and took charge of a church at Mansfield, Ohio, where he is now located. Rev. Harvey S. Lawrence, the present pastor, was in- stalled on May 1, 1900. From the meagre beginning of twenty-five members the con- gregation has grown until over 350 souls are now identified with it.

The charter members of this first be- ginning on July 3, 1891, were Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gerhardt, Mr. and Mrs. F. Danforth, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Gerhardt, Mr. and Mrs. S P. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Colt, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Balser Yonker, Mrs. M. L. Sise

and daughter, Addie Tice, Emma Catlin, Henry Yonker, L. E. Miller and F. G. Got- wald. At the end of the first year the membership reached 53, and has now in- creased to almost 250. A fine new pipe organ, costing $3,000, largely the gift of C. E. Patric, was installed last summer (1907).

ST. LUKE'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

St. Luke's Evangelical , Lutheran Church, corner of North and Race Streets, was organized May 20, 1888, by Rev. C. W. Knuth. The church edifice was purchased of a sister denomination, and I do not know when it was erected. It was dedi- cated May 20, 1888, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Dr. J. D. Severinghaus, of Chicago, Ill. This church has had the following pastors: Rev. C. W. Knuth, from 1888 to 1893; Rev. Arthur Gringel, 1893 to 1894; Rev. C. A. Koenig, 1894 to 1900; Rev. J. G. Trefz, from 1900 to Janu- ary, 1907. The membership numbers 140, and the Sunday school 138.

On March 3rd, 1907, Rev. S. B. Stupp was unanimously elected pastor. The new pastor took charge of the work on May 1st, and was duly installed on June 2nd by Rev. W. G. Dressler, of Findlay, Ohio. Rev. Stupp is a General Council Lutheran. He was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, and was educated at Muhlenberg College, Al- lentown, Pennsylvania, and at the Luth- eran Theological Seminary at Philadel- phia, and was ordained by the oldest Lutheran Synod in this country, the Min- isterium of Pennsylvania, organized in 1748. St. Luke's has taken a new lease on life since the arrival of the new pastor.

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

A fine new church, built of cement blocks at a cost of about $12,000, with the fur- nishings, is just being completed and will be ready for dedication by the first of September. The congregation expects to unite with the District Synod of Ohio at its next meeting in June, 1908. The new church was dedicated October 6, 1907.

CALVARY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This congregation was organized April 15, 1900, with twenty-eight charter mem- bers, among whom were William H. Lohnes, Leroy E. Miller, George W. Glad- felter, H. L. Souders and Samuel P. Mil- ler. This action was taken in a small storeroom, No. 409 West Main Street, and was the outgrowth of an afternoon Sun- day school, which some of the Lutherans of the city and college had carried on for a number of years in the West End. After worshiping in this store room until De- cember 9, 1900, they took possession of their new building, on the southeast cor- ner of High and Shaffer Streets, Decem- ber 16, 1900. Services were held in the smaller room until March 24, 1901, when the entire building was completed, and finally dedicated in due form, the sermons for the occasion being delivered by Rev. David H. Bauslin, D. D., of Wittenberg Theological Seminary, and Rev. Charles F. Steck, President of the Miami District Synod. The act of dedication was per- formed by Rev. Prof. S. F. Breckenridge, D. D., then President of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church of the United States.

From the organization of the congrega- tion, April 15, 1900, to July 29th, the same year, Rev. S. M. Lutz, a senior in Witten-

berg Seminary, was acting pastor. July 29, 1900, Rev. Frederick G. Gotwald be- came pastor, serving until June 1st, 1904, when he resigned to become General Sec- retary of the Board of Education of the General Synod. The total accessions dur- ing this pastorate (including the charter list) were 194, with losses of 41, leaving a membership of 153. Rev. Gotwald's pas- torate was a very successful one, and he firmly established the church as a factor in the religious work of the city.

June 1, 1904, Rev. William H. Shrock became pastor. Both he and his wife were students in Wittenberg College, and it be- came apparent that the combined duties were too great and he resigned, to take effect May 1, 1905, after only eleven months' service. Accessions during this pastorate were fifteen.

Mr. H. W. Hanshue, a member of Wit- tenberg Theological Seminary, and a mem- ber of this church, and Superintendent of its Sunday school, acted as supply, until the coming of the third pastor, Rev. E. Luther Spaid, who assumed charge Au- gust 1, 1905. This pastorate continued until September 1, 1907, during which time there were twenty-five additions to the church.

November 1, 1907, Rev. Eli Miller, the fourth pastor, assumed charge. The pres- ent membership is 161. The Sunday school, in officers, teachers and scholars, numbers about 150. The church prop- erty is valued at $6,000, and is free from debt. While modest on the outside, the interior of the church is one of the pretti- est in the city. The church has a distinct and large field in the west end of the city, and the outlook is very promising.

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD

ST. CHARLES' (CATHOLIC) CHURCH, ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD SPRINGFIELD SO. CHARLESTON

FFEI

Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, SPRINGFIELD

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD

M. E. CHURCH, CATAWBA

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

CATHOLICS .*

According to the best authority, there was not a single Catholic family living in Clark County before the year 1830, but we ascertain about the year 1835, and for ten years afterward, quite a number of Cath- olics located in Springfield and immediate vicinity. Among them were Patrick Rock- ett, William Giblenhoff, Francis Creigton and twenty others, most of whom had families. From 1845 to 1850 came the Hennesys, the Lynches, the McBreens and about fifty other families, and in the next five years, the Gallaghers, the Bolans, the Tenans, the Maddens and twenty-seven other families. The first priest was Rev. Henry Juncker, who afterward became the Bishop of Alton, Ill. The Catholics had services at irregular intervals, but only averaging about once or twice per month, generally at private homes; and occasionally in some small public hall, when such could be had. The next priest coming to Springfield was Rev. Joseph O'Marley, who died here, and was suc- ceeded by his brother, Patrick O'Marley. The latter was followed by Rev. Father Cahill, who came here from Piqua, Ohio.

In August, 1840, the Catholics of Springfield had their first resident priest, the Rev. James F. Kearney, who remained about one year, and then resigned, on ac- count of failing health. Some time be- fore Father Kearney's pastorate, the present central and in every way valuable lot was purchased, upon which was built a neat church, largely by the liberal aid of Mr. Michael Cassily, a wealthy Catholic of Cincinnati. Services were for a long time held in the basement of this build-

ing. The first parish register was opened in August, 1849, by Father Kearney. The last-named priest was followed by Rev. Maurice Howard, in May, 1850. He re- mained in charge for thirteen years. The Rev. T. J. Cogan became pastor in 1863, and remaining but a few months, was followed in January, 1864, by Rev. I. N. Thisse, a French priest. On the 10th of May, 1873, Father Thisse was instantly killed by a runaway team of frightened horses. Then the following priests came successively and officiated, each for a short while, to fill up intervals between the regu- lar pastors from 1847 to 1873: Revs. Father Duffy, in 1848; Thomas Blake and Thomas Boulger, in 1850; C. A. Doherty and C. F. Shellhamer, in 1868; N. B. Young and J. H. Dutting, in 1869, and Rev. D. Carle, in 1873.

In the year 1868, and from that on, the priests in charge of the St. Raphael Catho- lic Church have had necessarily a regular assistant, to aid in the work of the parish. Up to 1881, the assistant pastors have been the following, in their chronological order: Revs. J. S. Mahoney, J. A. Burns, C. M. Berding, T. A. Conway, Francis Mallon, J. L. Dickhons, Michael Ahern and W. B. Miggeal.

In June, 1873, Rev. W. H. Sidley, a native of Ohio, became the principal in- cumbent of the priestly office for St. Ra- phael's Church, and is reckoned as the fifth regular pastor. On taking this charge he found a debt of $7,000, a small frame school house and no residence for the priest. He commenced the erection of a priest's house, which was completed June 1, 1874, at a cost of about $7,000. In 1876 he began to build the present fine school house, which is 45x82 feet and three

*Corrected by Thos. E. McCormick, Esq.

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

stories high, containing eight school rooms, besides a large hall in the third story, the full length and breadth of the entire building, for lectures and other pur- poses, to suit the wants of the congrega- tion. This school house was finished in September, 1877, and together with the lot upon which it was built, cost $19,000.

In the spring of 1892, the work of taking down the old brick edifice was commenced, in order to erect their present splendid stone church building, which was finished and the joyous event signalized by a gol- den jubilee on the 17th day of July, 1898, in which Archbishop Elder, of Cincinnati, and numerous other clergy of various ranks from different cities took part. The principal tower is 184 feet in height, en- tirely of stone, the top being reached by 156 steps. The tower containing the bell is 135 feet high. From either of these towers can be seen the whole city of Springfield and the entire surrounding country for many miles in every direc- tion. This building, costing $75,000, is quite impressive on account of size and architectural beauty, and is a fine orna- ment to the city.

During the last few years of Father Sidley's life, his friends, who included all classes, noticed with growing appre- hension that the arduous work to which he had so generously consecrated his life was telling on him, and, although he persisted in remaining at his post, they finally suc- ceeded in persuading him to take a much needed rest, which he spent with friends in some of the western states. When he returned to his charge, however, he took up his work with renewed vigor and gradually declined until on the night of October 30th, 1903, the community was

shocked and grieved to learn that he had passed to the Great Beyond. His funeral, which occurred several days later, was the largest Springfield ever witnessed. It was not only attended by citizens gen- erally, but by several hundred dignitaries and priests of the church from all parts of the country. Most Rev. Henry Moel- ler, now archbishop of the archdiocese of Cincinnati, was the celebrant of the funeral mass, and the funeral oration was preached by the eloquent Father Leo, C. P.

Father John F. Cogan assisted Father Sidley the last three years of his life ; and, aided by various other priests, from time to time, acted as temporary pastor of St. Raphael's until January 21st, 1904, when Rev. Daniel A. Buckley, the present pas- tor of St. Raphael's, who was formerly pastor of Holy Trinity Church, in Middle- town, Ohio, succeeded to this charge, and Rev. James E. Quinn and Rev. Joseph Michaelowski were appointed his assist- ants. On January 8th, 1908, Father Michaelowski succeeded to the pastorate of St. Benigus Church, in Greenfield, Ohio, and Father Edward Cleary, for- merly of Dayton, succeeded him.

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 53

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 1086

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086