History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 63

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716


USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio > Part 63


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249


PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.


In April, 1877, Rev. J. H. Burton resigned, and Rev. Lewis Burton, D. D., by request, resumed the rectorship of All Saints'. On the 12th of August of this year Rev. Lewis William Burton, son of Rev. Dr. Burton, was called to be assistant minister of the church, and began his labors as such September 1st. On the 12th of June, 1878, Rev. Lewis Burton, D. D., resigned, and Rev. Lewis William Burton was called, accepting June 21st.


In his report to the convention of the diocese, May 1, 18;8, the rector reported one hundred and fourteen communicants, and two hundred and four scholars and twenty-four teachers in the Sunday school. In connection with the church, are the Parish Aid So- ciety, the Brooks' Association, the Mutual Improve- ment Club, and the Burton Cadets, the latter named after the founder of the parish, Rev. Dr. Burton. The present officials of the church are Rev. Lewis William Burton, rector; 1. II. Amos, lay reader; John Greening, senior warden and treasurer: James Craig, junior warden; I. HI. Amos, secretary; J. W. Pearce, assistant secretary; T. J. List, Robert Curtis, C. E. Loper, James Boyd, Asa Foote and Ralph James, vestrymen.


ST. MARK'S.


St. Mark's church, a small, neat wooden structure, stands npon the rear end of an eligible lot on Frank- lin street, having a frontage of sixty-six feet, and a depth on Liberty street of one hundred and sixty-six feet. The church was built under the auspices of the Missionary and Church Extension Association of St. John's parish, which, pursuant to the call of the rector, Rev. Lewis Burton, D. D., was organized for this purpose, January 11, 1820. About the first of February, of that year, the lot was purchased, and a contract made for the erection of a chapel thereon, twenty-two by forty fect; with a vestry-room, twelve by fourteen feet.


This building was completed and opened, with ap- propriate services, on Sunday, July 3, 1820. On the morning of the same day, a Sunday school was o. gan- ized, numbering forty-five pupils; Mr. S. L. Shotter, being the superintendent.


Dating from August 1, 1820, for the term of one year, St. Mark's was a mission chapel of St. John's parish. In accordance with the unanimous wish of the members of the church and society, St. Mark's mission was duly incorporated as a parish of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church, and was admitted into union with the convention of the diocese, May 15, 1872. Since Angust 1, 1821, Rev. Lewis Burton, D. D., has been rector of the parish.


On Wednesday, May 21, 1879, the church was con- secrated by the Rt. Rev. G. T. Bedell, D. D., the Bishop of the diocese, assisted by the rector and other clergy of Cleveland and vicinity.


The annual report of 1879, shows one hundred and fifty communicants; also one hundred and eighty-five scholars and twenty-three officers and teachers in the Sabbath school.


The officers of the church are G. T. Smith, sen- ior warden; Wm. T. Timlin, junior warden; R. T. Coleman, treasurer; W. A. Eaton, secretary; O. L. Baker, W. S. Craine, Charles F. Mills, Edward T. Peck, Robert Fletcher, R. M. Thompson, vestrymen.


MEMORIAL CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.


This church was built in 1823, as a memorial of the life and labors of the Rev. Alexander Varian. His widow and children gave the large lot on which the building stands, to be devoted to church purposes for- ever. The church is a beautiful edifice of wood, upon a foundation of ent stone, Gothic in style, and con- taining about three hundred sittings. The seats are free to all. The chancel window contains a well ex- ecuted representation of our Saviour as the Good Shepherd. There is a marble tablet in the chancel, to the memory of the the Rev. Mr. Varian, and other tablets, memorials of departed members of the church, are on the walls of the nave. Several of the windows are memorial, as also are the font and altar.


During the few years of the existence of this parish, sixty-tive have been baptized, forty confirmed, and fifty-eight registered as communicants. There is a Sunday school of about one hundred and thirty chil- dren. The Rev. W. E. Toll had charge of the parish in 18:3-4, the Rev. J. J. A. Morgan in 1875. Since January, 1876, the Rev. Thomas Lyle has been rector. The present wardens are HI. G. Cleveland and J. S. M. JTill; the vestrymen are John R. Sked, G. A. Haver, II. L. Morris, T. Lewis, E. E. Hudson and Josiah Williams.


EMMANUEL CHURCH.


Emmanuel Church, Euclid avenue, was organized as a parish in February, 1876, the wardens being Dr. J. B. MeConnell, senior, and W. C. Miller, junior. The vestry consisted of Thomas C. Early, Enos Foreman, Zenas King, A. C. Armstrong, George Wratten, Wil- liam Snape, B. C. Field.


The Rev. B. T. Noakes was elected rector. At the convention of the diocese in June, 1826, no commu- nicants were reported. At present the number is seventy-four. The congregation is increasing, and the Sunday school, of which E. W. Adams is superin- tendent, is in a flourishing condition. The chapel is owned by two trustees, and was formerly situated on the corner of Case avenue and Prospect street, and then known as Emmanuel Chapel.


ST. LUKE'S.


St. Luke's is practically a " mission " of St. Paul's, having for its rector and a majority of its vestrymen the rector and certain members of St. Paul's Church. The church editiec was built by St. Paul's. The church subsequently changed from a " mission " into a regn- larly organized parish, in union with the convention of the diocese, but is still largely dependent upon the mother church for support. It has a substantial brick edifice on Broadway, near Cross street, and a comfort- able rectory on the same lot.


32


250


THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.


CHAPTER L. THE METHODIST CHURCHES.


South Park-First-East Cleveland-Franklin Street-First German- Christ -Taylor Street-German Methodist (West Side)-Superior Street Tabernacle-Scovill Avenue-Lorain Street-Grace Church-Broad- way-Willow Avenue Missiou -Union Chapel-Woodland Avenue - Sadie Chapel- Wesleyan Methodist-Welsh Calvinistic -- St. John's (A. M. E.)-Free Methodist.


SOUTH PARK CHURCH.


METHODIST preaching was introduced into New- burg as early as 1818, a class being formed, which passed through various vicissitudes, and then became extinct. On the 1st of January, 1832, Mr. Lyman Ferris went to Cleveland, and invited Rev. Mr. God- dard to resume the work. Mr. G. did so, establish- ing preaching, and forming a class, consisting of the following persons: Lyman Ferris and wife, Stephen Ames and wife, Cyrus Chapman and wife, Mrs. Dr. HIenderson and Mrs. Willis.


The first church-building, a neat frame, was erected in 1841; costing about three thousand dollars. From 1832 to 1860 Newburg was part of a circuit, and preaching was kept up regularly by the preachers, who, from year to year, were appointed by the bishop.


In 1860 the society, having attained some influence and means, was detached from the circuit and became a station, with Rev. D. C. Wright as pastor, who was followed successively by Rev. S. Gregg, Rev. D. Prosser, Rev. R. M. Warren, Rev. M. Hill, Rev. G. W. Chesbro, Rev. Thomas Stubbs, Rev. J. R. Lyon and Rev. A. S. Dobbs. Under Mr. Dobbs' energetic labors and wise guidance, the present tasteful and commodious brick structure was begun and carried forward so far as to complete the basement story in 1872. The lecture room is used for church purposes, and will, with the two side-rooms connected with it by large folding doors, seat about six hundred per- sons. The main audience room is still unfinished, but when ready for use, will seat about twelve hund- red persons. Rev. Mr. Dobbs left the charge in his third year, and was followed by Rev. C. Prindle, who filled up the year. Rev. A. D. Morton succeeded, and remained three years. The present incumbent is Rev. Benj. Excell. The church at present numbers about two hundred and twenty-five members; the Sabbath school about one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred. The present board, of trustees are Edmund James, John Henderson, Wm. P. Brannd, Geo. R. IFill, Geo. W. Culett, J. D. Jones, M.D., Robert Woodley, Noah Rothwell, and Wm. Jones. There is now only a small indebtedness, for the payment of which provision has been made, and it is expected that in a year or two the debt will be paid and the building completed.


FIRST CHURCHI.


Methodist preaching commenced in Cleveland as early as the year 1822, although church organization was not accomplished until 1827. The first Method- ist of the city of whom any record can be obtained was Mrs. Grace Jolinson, who became a settler in the


county in 1822. In the same year Rev. Ira Eddy es- tablished a place of preaching in Cleveland as a part of the Hudson Cirenit. In 1823 Rev. William II. Collins and Rev. Orm Gilmore became the preachers on the circuit. In 1824 Rev. Philip Green and Rev. William C. IIenderson were the appointees. Rev. Robert Hopkins was placed in charge in 1825, and continued as such until 1826, when Revs. John Craw- ford and William R. Babeoek were appointed. A class was formed in 1827 under the pastorate of Revs. John Crawford and Cornelius Jones, consisting of Mrs. Grace Johnson, Andrew Tomlinson, Eliza Worley, Elizabeth Southworth, Joel Sizer and wife, Elijah Peet and wife and Lucinda Knowlton. Elijah Peet was chosen leader. This was the first Methodist soci- ety in Cleveland.


At this time the Cleveland circuit, so called, com- prised all of Cuyahoga, Lake, Geanga, Summit and part of Portage and Ashtabula counties.


In 1828 Revs. Ignatius II. Tacket and Cornelius Jones were appointed to the cirenit, and in 1829 were followed by Revs. John Chandler, J. MeLean and T. Vaughn.


During the following year, 1830, under the charge of Rev. Billings O. Plimpton, Cleveland was made a station, or regular charge, but on account of a large secession of members who formed the "Meth- odist Protestant church," the society was seriously af- fected, and Cleveland returned to the circuit.


In 1831 Revs. Alfred Brunson, Dennis Goddard and John J. Steadman; in 1832 Revs. John MeLean and John E. Ebert, and in 1833 Revs. John W. ITill and Milton Colt were respectively appointed to the circuit charge.


In 1834 Cleveland was made a permanent station and Rev. George McCaskey appointed pastor. From this time the society worshipped in balls, school- houses and the court-house, until 1841, when the church on the corner of St. Clair and Wood streets was completed. They continued to worship in this church until the erection and dedication of the new chapel in 1869, on the corner of Euclid avenue and Erie street. In 1874 the present elegant edifice was completed on the same lot. The cost of this building was about one hundred and forty thousand dollars.


This church has contributed largely of its members and means in the formation and building of other Methodist churches in the city, and is the mother church of Cleveland Methodism. Its present member- ship numbers over four hundred. The following are the names of the several pastors of the church from the time it became a station, with the term of service of each respectively: Rev. Francis A. Dighton, 1835-7, (on account of failing health Mr. Dighton was re- leased from his work, and Revs. Hiram Gilmore and J. W. Lowe appointed for the remainder of the term.) Revs. Hiram Kinsley and II. N. Stearns, 1837-8; E. J. Kenney, 1838-9; J. K. IIallock and M. H. Bettis, 1839-40; A. M. Brown, 1840-2; L. D. Mix, 1842-3; Samnel Gregg, 1843-5; B. K. Maltby, 1845-6; B. K.


251


THE METHODIST CHURCHES.


Maltby and Ezra Jones, 1846-7; J. W. Lowe, 1847-9; Thomas Stubbs, 1849-51; John Bain, 1851-2; G. B. Hawkins, 1852-4; George L. Little, 1854-6; Moses IIill, 1856-8; John Peate, 1858-9; W. P. Bignell, 1859-61; W. F. Day, 1861-3; John Whiteley, 1863- 4; E. S. Gillette, 1864-7; C. E. Felton, 1867-20; C. N. Grant, 1870-2; Henry Baker, Jr., 1872-4; C. W. Cushing, 1874-5; J. N. Fradenburg, Ph. D., 1875-6. Rev. B. F. Brooks, D. D., was called to the pastorate in 1876 and continues to hold it at the present time.


EAST CLEVELAND CHURCH.


This church was first organized in 1827, with the following members: Aaron Hubbard (leader) and wife, James Sawtell and wife, Oliver Marshall, Israel Hubbard and wife, Anna Cozad, Eleanor Collier, Philinda Gould, William Mitchell and wife, Timothy Hurlbut and wife, Samuel Bond, Florilla Searls, Samuel Harris and wife, Harriet Slate and Nathan Smith and wife. It was a part of the Newburg cir- cuit until 1858. At that time the circuit was divided, and East Cleveland and Euclid were separated. In 1860, East Cleveland was made a station, since which the pastors have been: Rev. L. Clark, two years; Rev. T. Guy, two years; Rev. S. Gregg, two years; Rev. D. Smith, one year; Rev. A. M. Brown, one year: Rev. W. W. Wythe, two years; Rev. Dr. C. Prindle, three months; Rev. T. Stubbs, nine months; Rev. B. Ex- cell, three years; Rev. D. Latshaw, two years; Rev. G. W. Maltby, seven months; Rev. C. H. Stocking, two years and five months; Rev. A. R. Chapman, present pastor, in his second year. The present membership is about two hundred. Officers of church : Rev. A. R. Chapman, pastor; G. W. Foote, president and secretary, H. T. Hlower, treasurer, T. C. Par- sons, Rev. I. Dallas, L. B. Coe, W. HI. Gates, William Morris, A. E. Bradley, trustees; George Watkins, E. C. Pope, T. C. Parsons, D. B. Beers, W. II. Gates, G. W. Foote, L. B. Coe, R. Quigley, J. W. Excell, stewards; J. W. Excell, recording steward and treas- urer; D. B. Beers, Sunday school superintendent; Miss S. Gardner and Mrs. E. C. Pope, assistant superintendents. The first church building, which is still used as a class and prayer-meeting room, is thirty-two by forty-four feet, and was built about 1836. The present church is of briek, about forty-four feet by seventy, and cost nearly twenty-two thousand dol- lars. It was dedicated in December, 1820.


FRANKLIN STREET CHURCHI.


This society was organized about 1830, and has now a membership of three hundred. The house of worship is at the corner of Franklin avenue and Duane street, west side. The pastor is Rev. J. S. Youmans.


FIRST GERMAN CHURCHI,


This church was organized September 3, 1845, in an old building on South Water street, by Rev. C. II. Buhre. Rev. C. H. Doering administered the first sacrament to thirteen communicants. The first board of trustees was organized on the 19th of October,


1840, under the charge of Rev. C. Helway. The trustees were John Griffin, John Hoffman, Jacob Lowman, John Gill, Peter Marcellus, John Hall and John Onthwaite. In the year 1848 they purchased a lot on Prospect street, between Ontario and Erie streets, and erected a brick church, thirty-five feet in width and fifty feet deep. The whole property, includ- ing the edifice, cost the society about two thousand dollars. In 1860 the society leased a lot on Erie street, number three hundred and three, as a more suitable and convenient location for a church edifice, and with the proceeds of the sale of the property formerly used they built a new church of brick and wood. The new church edifice was dedicated Dec- ember 25, 1860. The lease expired in 1870, when the society purchased the lot. The society continued in this building until 1878 when an exchange was made for the Baptist church-property on the corner of Scovill and Sterling avenues. This was dedicated February 9, 1879. The church has a present mem- bership of sixty-one. The Sabbath school numbers eighty scholars. The pastors who have had charge of the society since its organization, are Revs. C. II. Buhre, C. HIelway, John A. Klein, C. Gahn, P. F. Schneider, J. Rothweiler, N. Nuhfer, Ennis Baur, C. Bozenhart, J. Krehbiel, G. Berg. C. F. Heitmeyer, G. Bertram, J. Gieken, C. Nachtrieb, W. Borcherd- ing, II. Knill, J. Haas and C. Golder, the present incumbent.


CHRIST CHURCH.


The organization of Christ Church was effected in July, 1850, through the labors of Rev. Dillon Prosser. .A small parcel of land was donated by Simon Streator, upon which a chapel, twenty-five by thirty-five feet in size, was built. This house the society occupied until the next year, and then removed to the building subsequently used as the Homeopathie Hospital. The society soon after, and during the year 1851, again moved into the new church edifice on Erie street, re- maining there until 1826, at which time the West- minster Presbyterian Church on the corner of Hunt- ington and Prospect, was purchased. Here the so- ciety meets at the present day. The church has a membership of abont one hundred and sixty, and has had the following pastors: Revs. Dillon Prosser, James II. Whalon, D. D., Nelson Stearns, Thomas Stubbs. J. E. Chapin, W. F. Willson, D. C. Wright, R. H. Hurlburt, A. J. Merchant, - Yingling, J. S. Lytle, Jolin Sullivan, Charles W. Cushing and T. M. House, the present incumbent, who was called to the pastorate in September, 1878.


TAYLOR STREET CHURCH.


This church was organized in 1853, and for some time the society was so small that services were held in the dwellings of members-Mr. Benjamin Parkins, a local preacher, being the minister. Later a church was put up at the corner of Bridge and Taylor streets, and in 1868 the church building now used, was first. occupied. Rev. T. C. Warren is the present pastor-


2.52


THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.


his predecessors in the present church having been Revs. Messrs. Colwell, Mower and McCaskey. The membership is one hundred and sixty, and the trus- tees are J. C. Bartlett, Cornelius Rosecranz, Samuel Fix, James Davey, Richard Conn, William Harrison and William Henderson.


THE GERMAN CHURCH (WEST SIDE).


This church was formed, and a house built for it on the corner of Lorain and McLean streets, under the charge of Rev. C. Gahn, in the year 1851, as a mis- sion of the Methodist Episcopal society then on Pros- peet street. In 1853 the mission became a separate society, and Rev. Jolin Balduff was chosen pastor- continuing two years. Rev. Philip B. Weber and Rev. George Berg were successively ministers until October, 1856. Since that time the several pastors and their terms of service have been as follows: Gott- lieb Nachtrieb, from October, 1856, to October, 1856; George Reiter, from 1857 to 1859; Christian Nach- trieb, from 1859 to 1860; Gottlieb Nachtrieb, from 1860 to 1861; C. Bozenbart, from 1861 to 1863; C. Heitmeier, from 1863 to 1864; N. Nufer, from 1864 to 1866; George Berg, from 1866 to 1867; N. Nufer and C. F. Morf; from 1867 to 1868; John S. Schneider, from 1868 to 1871; II. Buttenbaum, from 1871 to 1872; Albert Nast, from 1842 to 1874; John S. Schneider, from 1874 to 1876; Wm. Borcherding, ealled in 1876 and continues pastor at the present time.


The first official board consisted of Wm. Mack, Jacob Knopf, Jacob Hoffman, V. K. Klup, F. Knopf, A. Frewert, F. Schwarz. The church has at present a membership of one hundred and twenty. Con- nected with the church is a Sabbath school of one hundred and fifty scholars, and twenty-four officers and teachers.


SUPERIOR STREET TABERNACLE.


This church was organized by Rev. Dillon Prosser as a city mission about 1860. The first church build- ing occupied was one previously used by the Erie Street M. E. congregation. It was moved to St. Clair street, and afterwards a building was erected on Waring street, when the church was known as the Waring Street Church. The octagonal edifice on Superior street, now used, was opened for worship in 1877. The membership, which, in 1860, was but seventeen, is upwards of two hundred in 1879. Rev. Harvey T. Webb is the present pastor, the trustees being II. C. Brainard, Henry Cain, Wm. Simmons, J. J. Smith, W. P. Starrett, Thos. Corris and M. B. Johnson.


SCOVILL AVENUE CHURCHI.


At the session of the Erie Annual Conference of the M. E. church in 1866, Rev. Dillon Prosser was appointed city missionary. llis first services were held in the open air, under the trees on Forest street, for the space of three months. A Sunday school was organized, with about twenty scholars; Thomas HI. Oakley, superintendent. During the winter services


were held in an unfinished dwelling-house, and a church was duly organized. Mr. Oakley, his wife and two daughters, were the first members of the young society, bringing certificates from the St. Clair street M. E. church.


In the spring of 1867, the church had about forty members. The sum of one thousand dollars was raised, and the old Lutheran building was purchased and moved to a vacant lot on Scovill avenue, near Perry street, leased for one year. The next year the society purchased a lot on the corner of Scovill and Longwood avenues, for five thousand five hundred dollars, and again removed the old building to that locality, where they held services until the present edifice was erected. In the old church the member- ship was greatly enlarged under the labors of the Rev. C. N. Groot.


The first board of trustees consisted of Thomas II. Oakley, chairman, A. E. Hoon, Boardman Bosworth, Alvin N. Curtis, Wm. S. Wight, John Kelley and John Strong. The new building was commenced in 1871, and the basement occupied in 1872. About twenty-four thousand dollars have been expended, and for want of funds it has remained unfinished until now.


The parsonage is on the rear of the lot, fronting on Longwood avenue. The lot is seventy-five by one hundred and eighty-three feet in size. The church building is of brick, with stone trimmings and stained glass windows. The audience room, when finished, will seat about eight hundred persons. The finished part contains a pastor's study, infant class and busi- ness rooms, lecture room and double parlors, all handsomely frescoed, and well seated and lighted.


The following have been the pastors: Revs. D. Prosser, C. N. Groot, F. H. Beck, George W. Gray, Benjamin Excell, Frank Brown, A. N. Croft and James R. Mills. The present board of trustees are Thomas H. Oakley, Charles W. Munsell, N. A. Gil- bert, Samuel E. Bottsford, Joel Woodword, HI. Wilkins, A. Wilkins, S. H. Barrett. The present membership is one hundred and seventy-five. The Sunday school scholars number two hundred and twenty five. The church was a mission but one year. The Woodland Avenue M. E. Church is composed of former members of Scovill Avenue Church, who mainly paid for the building and lot which were deeded to them.


LORAIN STREET CHURCH.


This church was organized in 1868, in the German M. E. church edifice on Lorain street, being known as the "Clark Mission," by which name it was designated until the year 1874, when a change was made and the present name adopted. The first. members were chiefly from the Franklin avenue church, and were transferred to the mission, under the charge of Rev. II. L. Parish. In 1870 the present church edifice was built, forty by sixty feet in size; being en- larged in 1874 by the addition of a lecture room. In


253


THE METHODIST CHURCHES.


1878 the entire edifice was again reconstrueted, hav- ing at present a comfortable seating capacity of five hundred. Sitnated in a portion of the city where the residents are necessarily transient, the church has not been able to make any large increase in permanent membership, but numbers at present about one hun- dred and seventy-five. The following is the sueees- sion of pastors: Revs. H. L. Parish, O. Carel, J. S. Broadwell, T. K. Dissette, F. S. Wolfe and John Mitehell (appointed in 1828). The following are the present church officials: Rev. John Mitehell, pastor; Rev. O. Card, loeal elder; W. W. Gould, recording steward; Joseph Storer, H. Hale, E. G. Powel, W. W. Richardson. James Davis, C. F. Harris, stewards; Joseph Storer, Samuel Stoney, HI. Hale, leaders; Il. Ilale, James Langhorn, E. G. Powel, W. W. Rich- ardson, - MeDole, James Davis, W. W. Gould, trustees.


GRACE CHURCH.


This society was organized in the year 1820, and worshiped in an old building on Merchants' avenue, between Cliff and Fairfield streets. Rev. Charles Ruddiek, a local preacher, with others, conducted the services. In the year 1871, under the supervision of Rev. Mr. Ruddick, the church edifice on Pelton avenue, near Literary street, was built. The first trustees were Messrs. Barney Swartwood, John Tim- mins, J. R. Timmins, John Corrigan and -- Reed. The building and lot cost about four thousand dollars. Rev. George W. Collier, preached the dedieatory ser- mon and condneted the services.


During the winter of 1828-9 the church building underwent a complete renovation, the old hall or entrance and gallery being taken out and one of the stairways entirely removed. Above the class-rooms and hall a neat chapel, seated with chairs, has been construeted. In the rear of the auditorium, back of the pulpit, an aleove has been built for the organ and choir, which adds much to the appearance and convenience of the church edifice. The auditorium has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty. On the day of re-opening, March 16, 1879, the expense of repairs, eight hundred dollars, was added to the old debt of about three hundred dollars, and the whole nearly paid in eash and subscriptions. Rev I. C. Pershing, D.D., president of Pittsburg Female Col- lege, preached both morning and evening, At this time the name was changed from Pelton Avenue M. E. Church to Grace M. E. Church, and the society was incorporated under the latter appellation. It is now in a very flourishing condition, though its numbers are small; it has a membership of fifty- eight, and abont one hundred and twenty names on its Sunday school roll,




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