History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 65

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

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Rev. D. W. Sharts, after four months interim, suc- ceeded, beginning his labors September 6, 1868. and continuing as supply until August 28, 1820. During the last months of his ministry an important enlargement was made at the rear of the church, as well as the erection of a gallery at the front of the audience room.

Messrs. Peck, Johnson and Sharts were missiona- ries employed by the mother church to do the work of evangelists in that part of the city. In 1820, Sep- tember 19th, the separate ecclesiastical life of the North Presbyterian Church began, while it was still financially dependent upon the Presbyterian Church Union of Cleveland.

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THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

At its organization there were fifty-one members. James Gukie and George Lewellyn were elected elders, and W. W. Worswick, deacon. The articles of faith of the First Presbyterian Church were adopted as those of this one.

Rev. Anson Smyth, D. D., immediately undertook the supply of this young church, and January 5. 1871, he received a call to be its pastor. Ile held the call, and continued his charge as pastor elect for one year, when he refused the call and preached his last discourse as supply December 31, 1871. A few months of candidates followed. In May, 1872, Rev. II. R. Hoisington began his labors in the church as pastor elect, and was installed June 2d of the same year; he is yet its pastor.

Its Sabbath school has been the great work of this Christian enterprise. During the superintendency of Mr. T. D. Crocker the school reached an enrollment of one thousand. Its present enrollment is five hun- dred. The present superintendent is Mr. L. J. Tal- bot. The Young Ladies' Society of the First Preshy- terian Church defray the expenses of the Sabbath school.

The officers of the church at present are Rev. II. R. Hoisington, pastor; W. W. Worswick, G. S. Egts, J. L. Young, George Lewellyn, elders; J. P. Dutton and J. B. Egts, deacons; J. P. Dutton, J. B. Egts, J. N. Goulding, W. C. B. Richardson, trustees.

MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The project of a new Presbyterian church in the city of Cleveland, to be located in the vicinity of Case avenue, had its origin among the members of the En- elid street Presbyterian church, under the pastorate of the late Dr. O. A. Lyman. Early in 1868 a sub- scription was opened among members of that church, payable to Truman Hastings, R. R. Hatch and George L. Ingersoll, in trust for the purchase or lease of a suitable lot and the erection of a chapel. With the fund raised, nearly two thousand dollars, a lot was bought on the corner of Sibley street and Case avenue, and a wood chapel erected thereon, and occupied as a Sunday school late in that year. Services were held there until a permanent organization was effeeted, conducted by Rev. James A. Skinner.

On the first Sabbath of September, 1870, a meet- ing of the congregation was called at the close of the morning service, when a committee was ap- pointed and authorized to request the presbytery of Cleveland to appoint a commission to make the ne- cessary investigations, and if practicable to organize a Presbyterian church in this place, on the first Sab- bath of October following. Upon the application of that committee, the presbytery appointed the Rev. O. A. Lyman, Rev. James Eells, Rev. E. B. Raffensper- ger and Elder George Mygatt a commission for that purpose.

On the second day of October, 1870, the commis- sion met in the Case avenue chapel, and in the pres- ence of a large congregation proceeded to organize,

in dne form, the Memorial Presbyterian church of Cleveland, Ohio.

Rev. Mr. Skinner continued to labor in connection with this church until December, 1873. On the 23d of December, 1873, the church issued its first pastoral call, sending the same to the Rev. Francis A. Horton, then pastor of the first Reformed ( Dutch) church, of Catskill, New York. He began his labors in this church on the second Sabbath of February, 1874, and was installed March 22d following.

The church has a membership of two hundred and thirty-nine, with the following officers: Rev. Francis A. Ilorton, pastor; W. Il. Van Tine, John C. Grant, John C. Preston, Donly Hobart, Alfred Adams, Tru- man Hastings, elders; Henry T. Collins, deacon; Mrs. Julia L. Ozanne, Mrs. Mary W. Hastings, Mrs. Emily A. Horton, deaconesses; Walter R. Austin, auditor; Truman Hastings, clerk.

THE WOODLAND AVENUE CHURCH.

This society was organized in its chapel parlor, on the 18th of April, 1873, nearly one-half of the origi- nal members coming from the Second Presbyterian church. Its first officers were as follows: Elders, Solon L. Severance, Ira Lewis, Marcus W. Montgom- ery and Henry M. James; deacons, John J. Davis and William W. Robinson. Its first pastor was Rev. Edward P. Gardner, who was with the church from the time of its organization till April, 1876. After an interval of a year and a half he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. S. L. Blake. The church was organized with fifty-four members. At the close of the first year there were 175; second, 220; third, 251; fourth, 260; fifth, 266; sixth, 310. The pres- ent membership is about 325.

The Sunday school, under the superintendence of E. P. IFant, has been one of the most prominent fea- tures of the church work and is the largest in the city. In April 1873 its membership was 398; in 1874, 484; in 1875, 558; in 1876, 884; in 1877, 955, and in April last 1058.

The chapel was built before the church was formed, and was dedicated in May, 1872. It is of brick, two stories in hight, having parlors below and an audi- ence room above with a capacity for seating about four hundred. During the last year the society erected the new church edifice, a substantial brick struc- ture, with a seating capacity for about one thousand two hundred persons, and containing one of the best audience-rooms in the State. The present property of the church is free from encumbrance and is worth about fifty thousand dollars.

The church is admirably located, on the corner of Woodland avenue and Kennard street. The present officers are as follows: Pastor, Rev. S. L. Blake, in- stalled December 12, 1877; elders, Solon L. Severance, William Taylor, John A. Seaton, Henry M. James, Albert H. Massey and John Bnchan; deacons, J. Cole- man Gates, Albert P. Massey, Darwin E. Wright, George W. Crossett, Charles II. Strong and Abraham H. Shunk.

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THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.

CHAPTER LII. THE BAPTIST AND DISCIPLE CHURCHES.

First Baptist-Second Baptist-Third Baptist Superior Street Baptist- Tabernacle Baptist-Shiloh Baptist - First German Baptist-Welsh Baptist Scranton Avenue Free Baptist -Trinity Baptist - Garden Street Baptist Mission-Eighteenth Ward Disciple-Franklin Street Disciple-Euclid Avenue Disciple-Disciple Mission.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

THE First Baptist Church of Cleveland was organ- ized February 16, 1833, under the pastoral care of Rev. Richmond Taggart. The sermon on the occa- sion was delivered by Rev. Moses Wares, of Colum- bia. The pastor extended the right hand of fellow- ship, and Rev. T. B. Stephenson, of Enclid, delivered the charge to the church. The society came into the fellowship of the Rocky River Baptist Association September 28, 1833. Church meetings were con- vened in the old academy on St. Clair street and the old red court-house, until the removal to their own new house of worship on the corner of Seneca and Champlain streets. The foundation of this edifice, a brick structure, was laid in 1834, being dedicated on the 25th of February, 1836. The building cost thir- teen thousand dollars, and was considered at its completion decidedly in advance of most houses of worship in the West.

In June, 1836, Rev. Levi Tucker succeeded Rev. Mr. Taggart, and, during his pastorate, which ended November 18, 1842, there was added to the church by baptism two hundred and twenty nine, and by letter two hundred and four, members. Thencefor- ward the church continued to grow strong and useful, and from its fold have gone forth colonies which are now influential and self-sustaining churches.

In 1855 the society purchased of the Plymouth Congregational Church their new brick building, corner of Euclid and Erie streets, where services were first held April 8, 1855. Rev. S. W. Adams, having been pastor of the church since 1846, con- tinued in the pastorate until removed by death, Sep- tember 27, 1864.

Subsequently, and during the pastorate of Rev. A. II. Strong, extensive improvements were made on the building and a fine steeple erected on the old tower. The basement is well adapted and arranged for Sunday school and meeting purposes. The Sunday school, begun February 16, 1833, with forty scholars, now numbers three hundred and sixty. There is also connected with the church a flourishing mission and Sunday school, of one hundred and forty schol- ars, held at Idaka Chapel, corner of Prospect and Ken- nard streets. The present membership of the church is five hundred and fourteen.

The following have been the pastors, with their years of service: Rev. Richmond Taggart, 1833; Rev. Judah L. Richmond, 1834; Rev. E. F. Willey and Rev. Mr. Crane, 1835, as supplies; Rev. Levi Tucker, April, 1836, to November, 1842; Rev. J. Il. Walden, April, 1843, to June, 1846; Rev. S. W. Adams, D. D., October, 1846, to September, 1864; Rev. Augustus

H. Strong, D.D., September, 1865, to May, 1872; Rev. A. J. F. Behrends, D. D., July, 1873, to Febru- ary, 1876; Rev. Geo. W. Gardner, D. D., October. 1876, to July, 1828; and the present incumbent, Rev. Philip S. Moxom, December 9, 1878.

The following are the present officials: Rev. Philip S. Moxom, pastor; Moses White, William T. Smith, Charles G. King, Benj. F. Rouse, R. P. Myers, J. Wm. Taylor and James Rabon, deacons; C. A. Crumb, C. II. Seymour, J. P. Stanard, A. N. Mead and W. H. Harris, trustees; G. A. Hyde, treasurer; Geo. B. Christian, church clerk.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.

In the year 1851, at meetings held August 14th and 18th, a formal request was made to the First Baptist Church by several of its members, asking that they be dismissed from that body for the purpose of organ- izing a new society, to be known as the " Erie Street Baptist Church." The request was granted, and on the 2d day of September of the same year the new society was organized as a corporate body; electing as its first board of trustees, Ransom Green, president, V. A. Payne, II. Ranney, A. J. Farrer,' Peter Abbey and Daniel Himebaugh, trustees; B. F. Rouse, clerk; Ezra Thomas, treasurer. The number of constituent members was forty-three. J. Hyatt Smith accepted a call as first pastor October 5, 1851.

In 1860, as for several years before, the church was burdened with an indebtedness that it could not pay, and it was decided to sell the edifice and lot. They were accordingly sold to Deacon A. A. Stoddard, for his elaim of two thousand, one hundred and sixty dol- lars; he agreeing to assume all other liabilities. Ile then leased the property to the society for a term of three years, with the privilege of redeeming the same on paying the prior encumbrances. In due time the church debt was paid, and the society again became the owner of the property.

On April 30, 1867, the building and land were sold to the society of the German Evangelical Protestant Church, and land was purchased on Euclid avenue, corner of Huntington street, for the erection of a new church edifice. The new place of worship was com- pleted and dedicated March 5, 18:1. under the name of the "Second Baptist Church of Cleveland."

The following is the succession of pastors: Rev. J. Hyatt Smith, from October 5. 1851, to March 28, 1855; Rev. Alfred Pinney, October 21, 1855, to July 31, 1856; Rev. D. S. Watson, April 1, 1852, to June 3, 1860: Rev. S. B. Page, January 3, 1861, to May 2, 1866; Rev. Samuel W. Duncan, called as supply for six months, April 18, 1862, ordained as pastor, and continued until his resignation March 10, 1875. He was succeeded in the May following by Rev. G. O. King. In 1877 Rev. Mr. King was followed by Rev. Geo. Thos. Dowling, the present pastor. The present church membership is about three hundred and forty.

The following are the organizations within the church: The Ladies' Social Society, organized March

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THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

20, 1860; Women's Missionary Circle, organized in 1873; the Sabbath School, with about three hundred and fifty members; Judson Missionary Society, organ- ized in May, 1871.

THIRD BAPTIST CHURCHI.

On the 14th of December, 1852, the Third Baptist Church was organized under the name of the First Bap- tist Church of Ohio City-as the West Side was then called. The name of the church was changed on the union of the two cities in 1854. The organization meeting was held in the Disciples' Church, Frank- lin street, being presided over by Loren Prentiss. C. A. Crumb was chosen clerk. Eight men and twelve women covenanted together to form this church. The society became legally meorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, September 30, 1853, when the following officers were elected: Rev. N. S. Burton, D. D., chairman; William Tompkins, treasurer; C. A. Crumb, clerk; John McClelland, Wil- liam Tompkins, John Honeywell, Richard Phillips, C. A. Crumb, trustees.

On August 18, 1853, the church having adopted the New Hampshire confession of faith, was recog- nized as a regularly constituted Baptist church by a council called for that purpose. For a few weeks after its organization the members met for worship in the Disciples' church, and also a few times in the building owned by the United Brethren Society. Whitman Hall was used for Sunday services from Jan- nary 23, 1853, until June, 1856.

Ground was broken for the present commodious house of worship August 28, 1855. The corner stone of the new building was laid September 24, 1855. In June, 1856, the church occupied the basement of the new structure, and continued there until 1866, when the auditorium was completed.

The building stands on the northeast corner of Clinton and State streets, and is two stories high. The lower story, which is entirely above ground, is divided into Sabbath school, bible and infant-class rooms. The auditorium and choir gallery are located in the upper story. The former will seat about five hundred persons. The seats, wainscoting and plat- form are made of butternut, trimmed with black walnut. The room is frescoed and lighted by stained glass windows. A tall and shapely spire surmounts the front entrance.

The church now numbers two hundred and forty members, and supports two Sabbath schools. One of them, numbering one hundred and fifty, is in the church building (John E. Spencer, superintendent); the other ealled the Dare Street Mission, numbers two hundred (J. H. Lapham, superintendent). The Dare street mission, at the corner of Bridge and Dare streets, was opened January 1, 1871, and has since been main- tained as a mission by the church. The school meets in a chapel which was erected by the church and ded- ieated January 1, 1871.

The present officers of the society are the following :

Rev. J. H. Scott, pastor; John E. Spencer, clerk; F. B. Drake, treasurer; George Norris, S. B. Wiggins, Mark Harrison, John E. Spencer, J. HI. Lapham, trustees.

The names and terms of service of the pastors of this church are as follows: Rev. N. S. Burton, D. D., April 25, 1853, to April 23, 1854; Rev. S. B. Page, D.D., May 1, 1854, to May 18, 1859; Rev. George W. Gates, May, 1859, to December 31, 1859; Rev. Wil- liam Cormac, October 7, 1860, to October 4, 1863; Rev. A. Darrow, January 13, 1864, to January 8, 1868; Rev. M. E. Hayne, June 28, 1868, to April 1, 1870; Rev. W. F. Barten, June 5, 1870, to March 25, 1874; Rev. J. II. Scott, September 2, 1874; present pastor.

SUPERIOR STREET BAPTIST CHURCHI.

This society grew out of what was known as the "Cottage Baptist Mission " Sunday School. The school was organized by the Cleveland Baptist Union May 30, 1852, with Benjamin Rouse, superintendent, and twenty-three teachers and thirty-four scholars. The school building was a cottage, arranged for the purpose, and located on St. Clair street, near Dodge. The school increased until January 30, 1859, when a new chapel was erected and dedicated. From this time services were held there until September, 1869, when the chapel building was removed to the corner of Superior and Minnesota streets, and Rev. E. A. Taft employed as minister by the Baptist Union. During this year a baptistry was put into the chapel, and sixty-three persons united with the First Baptist church. A church was organized September 15, 1870, called the " Cottage Baptist Church," with one hun- dred and six members; Rev. Edwin A. Taft being the pastor. Mr. Taft continued with the church after its organization about three years, to August 22, 1873. During these years there were one hundred and six additions. On October 1, 1873, the present pas- tor, Rev. Gilbert II. Frederick, began his ministry, with the church. During the six years since, there have been about one hundred and eighty additions. The present number of members is near two hundred and forty.

The name of the society was changed from "Cot- tage Baptist " to Superior Street Baptist church in May, 1878. The societies organized for church work are the " Ladies' Benevolent Society," the " Young Peoples' Society " and the " Band of Little Workers." There is a home Sabbath school of two hundred and fifty members, and a mission school known as Payne Avenue Mission.

The officers are as follows: Rev. Gilbert II. Fred- erick, pastor; II. S. Julier, John Coulton and John Stephens, deacons; II. S. Julier, treasurer; John Coulton, clerk.

TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The organization and establishment of this church resulted from the work known as the Scovill Avenue Baptist Mission, which was established in the year

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THIE BAPTIST CHURCHIES.

1858, under the joint efforts of the pastors and men- bers of the First and Second Baptist churches, and so continued until about 1865. After that year it was conducted as a mission of the Second Baptist church alone until December, 1862, when the prelim- inary steps were taken for the organization of the Tabernacle Baptist church. Rev. T. L. Rogers was invited to assist in this organization, and became the first pastor. The first officers were John Alexander, Oscar Townsend, Wm. T. Seller, Isaac Beare and Richard Chandler, trustees; Jolm Abbott, clerk; Os- car Townsend, treasurer; Isaac Beare, William Merur, John Bennitt and A. II. Pratt, deacons. The church at its organization had seventy members, of whom thirty-four remain. The property on the corner of Seovill and Sterling avenues, which had been previ- ously occupied as a mission, was purchased at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, and occupied until February, 1879.

The church has now a membership of over two hundred, and a Sabbath school with an average at- tendance of about three hundred and fifty. It has had as pastors Rev. T. L. Rogers, serving from the organization to September, IST0; Rev. A. Il. State, from January, 1871, to October, 1872: Rev. Frank Remington, from December, 1872, to February, 1874; Rev. B. F. Ashley, from September, 1874, to May, 1828. In June, 1878, the church extended a call to Rev. G. O. King to become its pastor, which was accepted July 19, 1828. Through the efforts of Mr. King, the Garden street Baptist Mission was united with this church. Soon after a lot was pur- chased on the corner of Willson avenue and Quincy street, at a cost of seven thousand two hundred dol- lars, upon which a church was erected at an additional cost of twelve thousand dollars. The building is con- veniently arranged, seated with chairs, and will com- fortably accommodate seven hundred and fifty persons. The present church officials are Rev. G. O. King, pastor; Thomas Emery, clerk; George D. Brainard, treasurer; John Bennitt, J. W. Thompson, William Barker and William Merur, deacons; Richard Chand- ler, John Philpott, John Bennitt, William Akers and William Thompson, trustees.

SHILOH (COLORED) BAPTIST CHURCH,

on Sterling avenue, was organized about 1865, and for a time the members of the congregation worshipped in halls and the open air. They now own a frame edifice on Sterling avenue, but are few in number, and have at present no preacher.

FIRST GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCHI.

In the fall of 1862 Rev. Gerhard Koopman, of Rochester, New York, was employed by the Eric Street Baptist Church, (now the Second Baptist,) to labor among the Germans, of whom there were many in the congregation. Ile preached to them afternoons in the Seovill Avenue Mission Chapel, and conducted weekly devotional meetings. As the

result of his labors many Germans, through Rev. Mr. Koopman as interpreter, were added to the Eric Street Church. On October 4, 1866, letters were granted to twenty-six persons to form the First German Baptist Church, and two thousand dollars was contributed toward the erection of their church edifice on the corner of Seovill avenue and Forest street. Rev. Edward Greutzner is the resident pastor of this church. The number of members is one hundred and seven.

WELSH BAPTIST CHURCH.

On the 19th day of April, 1868, the Welsh Baptist Church was organized at Newburg with thirty-six members. The first services were conducted in a school house, by Rev. William Owen, of Pittsburg, and Rev. Richard Edwards, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Soon after, a building committee was appointed, a lot selected on Wire street near Broadway, and on Sep- tember 16, 1868, the corner-stone of a new church edifice was laid by Rev. Mr. Duncan, of Cleveland. The building was completed in the latter part of the same year, and dedicated under the name of the First Welsh Baptist Church of Newburg. In October, 1868, Rev. S. Thomas was called to the pastorate, re- maining until March, 1869. J. T. Gritliths was called and ordained in July following. In March, 1821, Rev. D. C. Thomas became the successor of Rev. Mr. Griffiths, and co .tinned nine months, Rev. Moses Wright became pastor of the church in May, 1823, staying only four months. In October, 1843, Rev. Mr. Probert was called to supply the pulpit, con- tinuing until December, 1825, when he resigned. The pulpit, after that and until October, 1877, was supplied by S. Job, of the Bethel Home and W. Brees respectively, each serving without cor pensation. Rev. W. J. Williams, the present pastor, was called in September, 1877. He commenced his duties Octo- ber 21, 1877, and was ordained November 25, 1872. The society is entirely free from debt, and the build- ings and property are in good condition. The church membership numbers over forty. The officers are Rey. W. J. Williams, pastor; Edward Jones, Edward Rod- way and John Stephens, deacons; John E. Jones, choir leader.

SCRANTON AVENUE FREE BAPTIST CHURCH. *

At a meeting held at the residence of Mr. John Robertson in the city of Cleveland, April 23, 1868, of which Rev. A. G. Wilder was chairman and Rev. S. M. Prentiss elerk, a church was organized called the First Free Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio.

A lot for a house of worship was purchased and a chapel was erected on the corner of Scovill avenue and Putnam street, which was dedicated August 23, 1868.

This young church, assisted by the Freewill Baptist Home Mission Society, secured for its first pastor the

* This society is not in connection with the Baptist denomination, but is classified with it on account of there being no other of the kind in the city.

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THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

Rev. A. H. Chase, who commenced his labors July 17, 1869, but resigned before the end of the year. The Rev. A. K. Moulton then accepted the pastorate of the church, commencing his labors February 3, 1870, and continuing in that relation until October 21, 1822. The church was still under the fostering care of the Home Mission Society, in response to the solicitations of which, the Rev. A. D. Patch accepted a call to the pastorate of the church, entering upon its duties March 1, 1874. In the autumn of the same year, the society, having for a long time been embar- rassed by serious hindrances, decided to seek a more eligible location. After mature deliberation the pres- ent site on the corner of Scranton and Clark avenues was selected, and the name of the church changed to that which it bears at the present time. A new brick house of worship was immediately commenced, and carried rapidly forward to completion, being formally dedicated to the worship of God on the 21st of November, 1875, the Rev. Ransom Dunn, D. D., of ITillsdale College, Michigan, officiating.

The three years of religious work in the new church home have been eminently successful. During this time the church has been wholly self-supporting, the entire indebtedness against the church property has been cancelled, a membership of nearly one hundred communicants has been gathered, and a growing Sab- bath school of ever three hundred members is sup- ported. The house of worship has recently been newly carpeted and frescoed, and otherwise improved, adding to its attractiveness and the comfort of the worshipers.

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History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 65

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

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