Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 54

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 54

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Under the able guidance of Father Buckley, the church has experienced a wonderful era of prosperity. When he was appointed to the position of pastor of St. Raphael's, he found a debt on the church of thirty thousand dollars ($30,- 000.00,) which he paid in thirty months, besides making numerous other improve- ments. The number of school children having increased to such an extent that the school was insufficient to accommo- date them all, and the property on Spring Street formerly occupied by the sisters as

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a Convent and School of Music, having been found insufficient, Father Buckley purchased the property on High Street known as the Foos property for $11,- 000.00, which sum was paid by him within the next seven months. The Spring Street property having been acquired by the C., C., C. & St. L. Railway Company as a portion of its site for a freight sta- tion, Father Buckley purchased the Bliss property adjoining the Foos property for $12,000.00. During his pastorate, which has now continued for several years, and under his able guidance, St. Raphael's congregation has made wonderful strides in every direction until it has come to be recognized as one of the largest, if not the largest, and most influential congregation in the archdiocese of Cincinnati, in which diocese Father Buckley is not only rec- ognized as one of the most devout and solicitous pastors, but as one of the ablest financiers as well.

Each of the Roman Catholic congrega- tions of this city has its own parochial school, and these schools, which are in charge of the Sisters of Charity, and are supported entirely by the voluntary con- tributions of the members, are not ex- celled either in their grammar grades or high school departments, by any public or parochial schools in the country. The number of pupils now attending these schools is 1,290.

ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

In September, 1861, the Germans of Springfield organized a congregation at 166 and 168 East Main Street, and were ministered to for a few months by Rev. Messrs. Volmer and Manclerke, but the

first regular pastor was Rev. William Deiters, who remained till 1866, and in February of that year was succeeded by Rev. P. J. Weissenberger. In 1868 Rev. J. H. Juetting became pastor, and was succeeded in 1869 by Rev. John M. Schuchardt, who immediately commenced building the present large and commo- dious edifice, which was finished in 1870, and was dedicated on July 4th, of that year, by the Right Rev. Sylvester Rosen- cranz, of Columbus, Ohio. This church is 60x130 feet, located on the corner of Columbia Street and Lagonda Avenue, seats about 900 persons and cost $24,000.

In 1874 Father Schuchardt built a schoolhouse and pastor's residence, at a cost of $3,000. In 1880 this congregation numbered about 800 members. After Rev. Mr. Schuchardt, who served from December, 1869, to January, 1882, then came Rev. John D. Kress, from January, 1882, to September, 1887; A. J. Fischer, from September, 1887, to the present time, August, 1907. The church has now a membership of 250 families, with an average attendance of about 800 persons. The Sunday-school was organized in 1863, wardens, teachers and scholars numbering in all 280.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (CATHOLIC).

To accommodate the Catholic residents of southeast Springfield and to furnish greater facilities for the practice of their religion, it was evident that a new church and school were necessary. In 1881 three lots were purchased on the corner of Kenton Street and Central Avenue. In 1882 was begun the erection of a large three-story school-house, the first story of

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which provided a commodious room, suit- atory of music and a perfectly equipped able for church service.

In October, 1883, the school was opened and services held regularly in the church. St. Joseph's, as the new church was called, became independent in 1884, by which time the congregation had a perfect or- ganization, both in church and school, and were in all things able to work for them- selves.

Rev. C. M. Berding was appointed first pastor January 1, 1884. During his pas- torate the erection of the present mag- nificent temple of St. Joseph's was begun in 1892.

Father Berding was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Conway, who remained in charge from February 1, 1895, till June, 1901. During Father Conway's incumbency the sum of $45,000 had been taken in and ex- pended on the expenses and debt. Fur- nishings and improvements were $13,000, and interest on borrowed money $8,000. Father Conway raised sufficient money to complete the new church and left only a moderate indebtedness. Father Conway was succeeded by Rev. M. J. Loney, who took charge of the church June 14, 1901. Father Loney in his pastorate has brought the parish up to a very high standard. The sum of $76,000 has been taken in and expended on the debt and ex- penses, while the church debt itself has been reduced to a minimum. Many im- provements have been made tending to the interior perfection of the church, notable among which was the installing of beautiful stained glass windows, which, for artistic merit, are unsurpassed in the state. A perfectly graded school also has been brought to a very high standard. It has connected with it a high-class conserv-

commercial college and school of teleg- raphy, graduates from which are holding many responsible positions in the city. St. Joseph's parish comprises 400 fam- ilies with about 450 pupils enrolled in the school.

UNITED BRETHREN.

The first and only United Brethren Church of Springfield, now situated in the Lagonda addition to the city, was or- ganized in March, 1843, by Rev. Benjamin B. Wheat, with a membership of seventy persons. This organization was effected at Newcomer Chapel, a little north of the present city limits. The first building erected in Lagonda was in 1870, Rev. Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner preaching the dedication sermon. It cost $3,500, but was remodeled and enlarged in 1883 at a further cost of $5,000. In regard to the list of pastors we find that the records be- fore 1861 are not available, but Rev. Jacob M. Marshall was pastor from 1861- 1864; Peter H. Davis, from 1864 to 1866; E. A. Hubbard, 1866-67; R. West, from 1864-68; defect in the record of 1868-70; Rev. William K. Albright, 1870-73; Ches- ter Briggs, 1873-74; Thomas J. Bushong, 1874-77; William McKee, 1877-80; R. F. Powell, 1880-81; D. W. McCorkle, 1881- 85; C. J. Burkett, 1885-89; E. W. Bowers, 1889-91; Thomas J. Bushong, 1891-94; George W. Arnold, 1894-97; W. J. Pruner, 1897-1902; E. W. Bowers, 1902 to 1903-4; J. M. Replogle, 1903-4-1906-7; W. H. Klinefelter, present pastor.

The present membership is 321. The Sunday-school was organized in 1845, and now has an enrollment of 275 scholars, with an average attendance of about 200,

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including fifteen officers and twenty-four teachers. From this efficient church have been sent forth thirteen ministers of the gospel, of whom Rev. Dr. W. Shuey, now of Dayton, and several other distin- guished embassadors of the cross might be noted.

LAGONDA AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

A Mission Sunday-school from the First Congregational Church was organized on Lagonda Avenue during the year 1883, and faithfully kept up by the labors of Edgar, Joanna and Lucy Fay, C. E. Fol- ger, the Danforths, A. D. Vischer, J. L. Nelson, E. J. Vose, Jessie Rowe, Emma Catlin and others. Preaching was en- joyed by the little colony from time to time by Rev. W. H. Warren, of the First Congregational Church, and Rev. William E. Fay, of the West African Mission, who was temporarily home in this city. The work of this Sunday-school culminated July 19, 1887, in the establishment of a regularly constituted Congregational Church. Soon after this W. W. Pierce was chosen pastor by a unanimous vote, with a salary of $800. Mr. Pierce served until March, 1890, nearly three years.

The pulpit was then supplied for sev- eral months by Revs. W. B. Marsh and Talmadge and Mr. Quaife, of Toledo. The next pastor was Rev. Ralph Albert- son, who served from November, 1891, to November, 1895. Rev. A. E. Woodruff next served as pastor from April 1, 1896, to April 1, 1899. Rev. W. H. Baker be- gan his work in April, 1899. Their new and enlarged building on a new lot was erected in 1893, and dedicated in June of that year.

About the beginning of Rev. W. H. . Baker's pastorate the Sunday-school had grown to an average attendance of 130. This was maintained throughout the seven years of Mr. Baker's pastorate, which closed in February, 1905. During the following year the pulpit was supplied by Prof. E. S. Todd, of the City High School. Considerable progress was made during this time. Rev. Charles J. Dole was called to the pastorate and began his labors in February, 1906. In June of that year the largest attendance in the history of the Sunday-school at any one session, 200, was recorded. In July the average attendance had reached 167. On the 9th of June, 1907, there were present 226, the average for the half of 1907 being about 185. The church at this date, July 1, 1907, has a membership of one hundred and sixty-five, twenty-six having been re- ceived since January 1, 1907.

The church has paid off all of its old in- debtedness of $5,000, except $800, due the Congregational Church Building Society.

CONGREGATIONALISTS.

The next denomination to be noted in our general order is that of the Congrega- tionalists. In 1849 a few persons, mostly from the First Presbyterian Church, after many previous consultations, met at the home of Mr. Henry E. Smith on Wednes- day evening, February 28, 1850, and re- solved that it was expedient to organize a new church, to be called the First Orthodox Congregational Church of Springfield, Ohio. Within a few weeks they secured the services of Rev. J. C. White, a man of fine talents and deep piety, who was their first pastor. He re- mained with them till October, 1854. On

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the 27th of April following, an ecclesi- astical council was called, and the church was formally organized on the next day.

Early in 1851 a good, eligible lot had been dedicated to the church by W. M. Spencer, the same as now occupied by it, and upon this was erected a building at a cost of $3,700. The basement of this new edifice was first occupied October 31, 1851, the congregation having for a while held their meetings in the City Hall. The church was dedicated April 28, 1853, by Rev. Mr. Boynton, of Cincinnati.

The entire debt of $3,500 was canceled in July, 1856. This was done during the pastorate of Rev. Hugh McLead, who served as pastor from May, 1855, to De- cember, 1857. His successor, Rev. Ed- ward Roote, served from October, 1859, to 1865. Rev. A. Hastings Ross then served from February, 1866, to January, 1873. During this time the building was remod- eled and in various ways improved, at an expense of $3,000.

The subsequent pastors, with their terms of services, were as follows: Rev. Joseph L. Bennett, from April, 1873, to December, 1874; Rev. William H. War- ren, from September, 1875, to February 22, 1887, at which time the church, which began with thirty-nine persons, had ac- quired a membership of 350. On March 25, 1887, Rev. S. P. Dunlap, of Hannibal Mo., was called to the pastorate, and was installed on April 21st, following. Mr. Dunlap served until August, 1895, a period of eight years and five months. During this pastorate, besides the addi- tion of many good, strong and earnest persons to their membership, was the building and equipment of their present fine edifice, one of the most tasteful and

convenient, in all its appointments, of any in Springfield.

Rev. E. A. Steiner, Ph. D., a scholarly gentleman, a native of Austria, but more recently from St. Paul, Minn., was called as pastor in April, 1896, and served until December, 1898. Rev. C. H. Small be- came pastor in April, 1899, and served until May, 1904. Upon his resignation he became state superintendent of the Ohio Home Missionary Society. Rev. Henry A. Atkinson, the present pastor, was called to the pastorate in June and began his ministry here in September, 1904. In the latter part of December, 1902, the church was burned. At once a movement was started looking to the re- building. The next summer the new building was dedicated, Dr. Washington Gladden preaching the dedicatory ser- mon. The church is steadily growing in influence and numbers. The membership has reached the four hundred mark. An increased activity is manifest in the Sun- day-school, Christian Endeavor, Men's Club and women's organizations. The small debt still remaining on the church building has been practically all provided for by the able efforts of the trustees.

During the fifty-seven and a half years of the church's history there have been ten pastors, the average length of each pastorate being ten years and nine months.

JEWISH CONGREGATIONS.

The Jewish Congregation, or Ohev Zedukah, was organized November 25, 1865, with about twelve male members, and worshiped in the Follrath Building, on West Main Street, and after two or

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three removals, finally occupied their janitor and incidentals. There are now present position in the Johnson Building, about forty male members. on West Main Street. The growth of the congregation has been quite slow. Quite SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS. a number of Russian Jews arrived here in the early seventies, but finding this con- gregation "too advanced" they organized themselves into what is called the Old Orthodox Congregation, and they now worship in King's Building, on Limestone Street.

The old Ohev Zedukah Congregation now have a male membership of about thirty-two, and an organized Sunday- school with about twenty attendants. They employ no regular minister, but have divine services every Friday even- ing and Saturday morning, and also on holidays, led by L. Weixelbaum. They also have semi-monthly preaching by a rabbi from Dayton, Ohio. The Sabbath school is conducted by Misses Birdie Schoental and Dora Levy. The present officers of the congregation are. M. M. Kauffman, president; A. Aron, vice presi- dent, and M. D. Levy, secretary. Among the prominent leaders of this congrega- tion in the past have been Rabbis Myers, Strouse, Freedman, Greenbaum and oth- ers.

During the last five years the members have worshiped in the Union Hall, on Fountain Avenue. The want of a syna- gogue is greatly felt by this struggling congregation, but means are lacking for the accomplishment of that purpose, al- though the Ladies' Auxiliary Society of the congregation is working very hard to raise the money by fairs and sociables ; but this will take years. The member- ship is not wealthy and the income and ex- penditures are each about $700 for rent,

In August, 1878, a series of tent meet- ings was held by the Seventh-Day Ad- ventist people, under the charge of Elders Wagner and Stone, at the close of which fifteen or sixteen persons formed a so- ciety for the purpose of keeping up reg- ular worship, and they generally met in private houses. On the 11th of December, 1878. was effected an organization of the Seventh-Day Adventists of Springfield, with a membership of sixteen persons. They held their meetings for a while at Allen's Hall, on Miami Street, then at No. 251% East Main Street.

The above organization has continued until the present time. They now occupy a church of their own near the corner of Clay and Catherine Streets, in the south- east part of the city. From October 2nd, 1881, to June 23d, 1888, they met for worship in the Roth Building, 271/2 West Main Street. June 23d, 1888, they re- moved to a hall in George Krapp's Build- ing, corner of Plum and Main. March 1, 1894, they rented and occupied the Trinity Baptist Church at a rental of ten dollars per month, located near the corner of Mul- berry and South Limestone Streets, until its sale to Mr. Rogers, the present oc- cupant, in October, 1903, which was done November 9th, 1903, on the time specified.

At this juncture, with cold weather staring them in the face, and every hall in the city occupied to its fullest capacity, the Salvation Army granted them the temporary use, at a normal rent, of their hall, on the corner of Columbia and Fish-

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er Streets, until other arrangements could be made.

"Few in number as we were (about thirty or forty), with more women than men, all dependent on their daily labor for support, what could we do? As noth- ing suitable could be found for rent, we were forced to the one conclusion-that was, arise and build. In our extremity all sought the Lord most earnestly for His guidance. Money was soon collected to purchase the lot. Work was com- menced and money brought in sufficient to meet each and every bill when presented. Although somewhat delayed by the cold, vigorous winter, yet with the blessing of God a modest little church 28x46 was completed and dedicated to God's service free of debt June 26th, 1904." Elder J. G. Wood is now pastor.

CHRISTADELPHIANS.

The Christadelphian Society was formed in 1868, with a membership of about thirty persons. They met in vari- ous places, mostly in private houses, until they finally selected Central Hall, on the corner of Main and Center Streets. They have no regular pastors, but all are free to preach, pray, exhort or sing as they feel inclined, on occasions of public wor- ship. The principal leader of this little congregation for many years was Dr. William H. Reeves, then an active practi- tioner of medicine in this city. These people laid great stress upon the literal second coming of Christ to this earth in order to establish a physical, as well as moral and religious government, and that not many, if any, outside of their order of faith, will ever be raised in the resurrec-

tion of the dead. Owing to divisions among them, the number of persons be- longing to this society is less now than formerly. They have never had a church building of their own, but their meetings have been kept up at irregular intervals to the present time.

GRACE REFORMED CHURCH.

Among our most lately developed re- ligious organizations must be reckoned the Grace Reformed Church, which was formed in Temperance Hall, on West High Street, November 19, 1895, with forty-six charter members, including, among oth- ers, Alexander Baker, Mrs. Susan Printz, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Smith, Sarah Dar- ner, David Garlinger, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Smith, Louisa Hardcastle, Harry Hard- castle, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Pemberton. They worshiped in Temperance Hall until November, 1896, when the old Trinity Baptist Building on the corner of Lime- stone and Mulberry Streets, was rented and used until December, 1898, when the present building on Plum Street was ready for use. This structure cost about $5,000, and was dedicated October 1, 1899, with all the money to pay for it amply provided for. The sermon for the occa- sion was preached by the general mission- ary superintendent, Rev. D. S. Fouse, of Lisbon, Iowa. Others who took part in the week's special services were Rev. J. W. Burghalter, of Dayton, Ohio; Rev. J. W. Bechtel, of Northampton, Ohio; Rev. H. S. Goekler, of Xenia, and Rev. C. E. Miller, of Dayton, Ohio.

Rev. J. C. Horning, then Sunday-school missionary, started the work at first, and remained with it until the final organiza-

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tion in November, 1895. Rev. S. B. Yock- ey, D. D., served as supply from the last- named date until May, 1896; then Rev. Mr. Horning again supplied from the last date until September 1, 1896, when Rev. R. F. Shultz was commissioned by the General Board of Home Missions, to take charge of the church, and served until 1906. F. W. Hoffman is the present pas- tor. The church has now a membership of over one hundred persons. There are enrolled in the Sunday-school, including officers, teachers and scholars, 147. This is the third effort to establish a Reformed Church in this city, and seems to have been successful from the start. The organiza- tion is now thoroughly established, with a property worth at least $8,000, and all paid for.

CHURCH OF LIVING GOD.

Impressive services were held for the first time in the Church of the Living God, a new church edifice almost completed in Maiden Lane by the congregation known as the Saints, on October 27, 1907.

Rev. George Lorton is pastor of the new church. He was assisted in the serv- ices on Sunday morning by Andrew J. Byers, a prominent member of the con- gregation. The Saints do not hold regu- lar dedicatory exercises as is the custom with most churches when completing a new church edifice. When the work of building commences the Saints dedicate their structure to the living God, and this serves as the dedication. The congre- gation is composed of about ninety mem- bers, having been started in this city about five years ago.

The new church was erected at a cost of $3,000, and is very plain yet substantial.

It is constructed of cement blocks and contains a large auditorium, handsome vestibule, and when completed will have a large and commodious basement. The structure will be heated with a furnace.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Besides the religious work accomplished by the various churches mentioned in the foregoing pages, much good has also been done in a similar line, especially of late years, by Christian Associations, Epworth Leagues, Christian Endeavor Societies, most of which have been intimately, if- not organically, connected with those churches.

In August, 1854, but little more than ten years after George Williams led in form- ing the London (Eng.) Association, and less than three years after Montreal or- ganized one, Springfield, Ohio, joined this lay movement. Colonel E. M. Doty was the first President. Our Civil War was the occasion of merging many of these associations into the Christian Commis- sion Work of the army, and thus was ter- minated their careers as separate bodies.

The reorganization was effected at the High Street Methodist Church in the year 1868, when Dr. Isaac Kay was elected President, and in a year or two was suc- ceeded by Mr. E. W. Mullikin, and who in turn was succeeded by Prof. B. F. Prince.

During this period the special outside work of the Association was to hold serv- ices at the jail and station house at stated times, and to secure public meetings in the summer months on Sunday afternoons in some one of the groves which at that day were found in the city. For three successive winters fine lecture courses

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were offered. Among those who appeared as speakers were John B. Gough, Wen- dell Phillips, Frederick Douglass, Rev. Stephen Tyng, Jr., George Kennan, Charles F. Hall, the Arctic explorer, and others of much reputation. There being no general Public Library in the city then, the Association made a collection of books, containing more than eighteen hundred volumes.

In 1872, the Association being pressed for funds, decided to relinquish its work. Its indebtedness, $300, was assumed by the Board of the new Public Library, or- ganized that year, and to which Board the cases and books of the Association were assigned, the collection becoming the basis of our present magnificent Library.

In 1879 another organization for young men was formed. From this time until 1886 some important work was done by the Association, but owing to the differ- ence of opinion as to what the real work of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion ought to be, and also to the compara- tively limited amount of financial support received, but little advance was made toward the last in furtherance of its high purpose. Messrs. Rev. Hastings, J. S. Crowell, E. M. Doty and Dr. Thomas King were among the prominent leaders for some years.

On December 22, 1887, under advice of S. D. Gordon, Secretary of the State Com- mittee, enlarged plans were adopted for a four-fold work, $6,500 were raised, and thus a new period began in the history of the Association. Messrs. George H. Frey, H. S. Bradley, D. Q. Fox, T. J. Kirkpat- rick, Dr. J. H. Rodgers and Border Bow- man, successively have been President. and for most of this time, W. J. Fraser

was the industrious and efficient General Secretary. In 1892 the number of mem- bers reached 1,001. In 1895 the young men, themselves, gave $5,000 toward the purchase of a lot. In 1897 citizens com- pleted the purchase of the lot, raising $12,000. In 1899 another fund, $55,000, was pledged for the building, Ross Mitch- ell giving $5,000; Governor A. S. Bushnell $10,000, and E. S. Kelly $10,000. Over 600 persons contributed the balance.

Dr. J. H. Rodgers, Robert Johnson, John Foos, Charles H. Pierce, R. Q. King, F. E. Snypp and W. S. Frazer constituted the Building Committee.

The Board of Directors at this time are J. H. Rodgers, J. S. Crowell, T. J. Kirkpatrick, O. F. Hypes, H. S. Bradley, Jas. A. Myers, Geo. K. Sharpe, D. Q. Fox, James Carson and Wm. M. Rockel.

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 54

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