USA > Ohio > History of Ohio Methodism : a study in social science > Part 20
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John Crawford organized another class in 1827, enrolling fourteen persons at "Hubbard's," on Kins- man Street, that being a central point for members residing at either extreme of the settlement. Those at Doan's Corners traveled thither up the present East Madison Avenue, over an Indian footpath. "Hub- bard's" is the initiative of our Kinsman Street Church of to-day. A class was permanently formed at Doan's Corners in 1831 by the Rev. Milton Colt, who organ- ized also the first Methodist Sunday-school in the vil- lage of Cleveland, in a building known as the Infant school-room on the west side of Academy Lane, half- way from St. Clair to Lake Street. In January, 1832,
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through the agency of Lyman Ferris, removed here from Vermont, a class of seven persons was formed by the Rev. Dennis Goddard, circuit preacher at New- burg. This "little one" became the present Miles Park Church.
As this chronicle mentions Churches in the order of their founding, we glance now west of the Cuya- hoga River. "Old Hanover Street" first saw the light in 1833, at a private house-Mother Burton's, on Pearl Street. Two families and Miss Bessie Sessions voluntarily formed a nucleus, the first sermon being preached by the Rev. Daniel M. Conant in Mr. Warm- ington's house on Detroit Street. For the three suc- ceeding years, 1834-37, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ohio City was a part of Brunswick Circuit. Until 1837 services were held, alternating with the Universalists, in a small brick schoolhouse on Ver- mont Street, used for a long time as the Eighth Ward voting-place, and still standing.
Let us for a moment trace the fortunes of the ear- liest class of 1827. The Western Reserve, pioneered by New Englanders, seemed unadapted to the rapid spread of the doctrines of our Church. Puritanical by inheritance, the early settlers held rigidly to Cal- vinism, or its reacting effect-infidelity; hence the struggle for the entrance of free grace and free salva- tion on the part of our courageous local preachers, presiding elders, and circuit riders. Our little band worshiped from 1827 in cabins, lofts, in Masonic Hall, the attic floor of a large building on Bank Street, and in the "Academy," St. Clair Street. Under the leader- ship of the Rev. Francis A. Dighton, in 1836, the trus-
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tees secured a lot on the corner of St. Clair and Wood Streets, quite in the suburbs of the city, in the midst of oak and hazel bushes, flanked by a vast quagmire on the east. Very slow progress was made in church building. At the close of 1836 the enterprise was begun, and basement walls carried to the surface. The society was incorporated in 1839, under title of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Meantime a dis- sension and anti-slavery secession depleted the mem- bership. Real estate collapsed in the crash of 1837. Spirits less brave than inspired this noble remnant might have been disheartened. In 1840, under the Rev. Arthur M. Brown, the trustees reorganized. These Spartans resolved to complete the audience- room of the building. In this connection they pro- jected a small frame dwelling on Wood Street as a parsonage. This forward step brought a debt of six thousand dollars. Not until April, 1841, was the upper part finished and dedicated. An early service in it was a memorial for President William Henry Harrison.
August 3, 1842, the first Methodist Conference ever held in this part of the State convened in the new St. Clair Street Church. Bishop Morris presided, and ninety members responded to roll-call.
Never struggled a denomination more fiercely with adversity. During this year a supreme moment was reached in our history. The Rev. L. D. Mix, newly- appointed pastor, went throughout the Western Re- serve and to New York, raising funds to help pay the debt. In 1857 another crisis came; but the Rev. Moses Hill, D. D., in a most successful pastorate, renovated the building (corner St. Clair and Wood Streets), and
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after the great revival canceled the seven-thousand- dollar mortgage. The foundation of the main build- ing, corner Euclid Avenue and Erie Street, was laid October 14, 1871. The chapel, on Erie Street, was completed in 1868. The people occupied the chapel as a house of worship until the dedication of the beau- tiful temple, with its spacious auditorium, perfect gal- leries, and choir-loft, great organ, superb fresco, ca- thedral memorial windows, and comfortable seating. Bishop Randolph S. Foster officiated on December 13, 1874. The mistake has not been made of retiring the mother of us all. In this centennial year of Ohio Methodism she is alert and vigorous; a successful down-town Church, with grown children, infant mis- sions, deaconess work, and a controlling interest in the Detroit Street Industrial Home for Children evolved from the famous First Church Ragged School.
The earliest pastor at Doan's Corners was the Rev. Milton Colt. The primitive class formed there in 1831, numbering nineteen members, met in the old stone schoolhouse on Doan Street. Its first church-building was in 1837, located on the same street. In 1866, the brick church was begun; completed in 1870; torn down in 1885. The mustard-seed of beginning at these "Corners" has developed into the blossom and fruitage of the present Euclid Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, located in the heart of the East End; an ele- gant stone edifice, in every way modern; dedicated in 1887 by Chancellor Sims, of Syracuse University. A. commodious Sabbath-school annex was consecrated February 20, 1898. Let us look after the affectionate planting on Pearl Street of the West Side, or Ohio
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City society. December 15, 1834, a lot was purchased, corner of Hanover and Church Streets; June 30, 1836, a brick edifice was begun. In November, the walls were reared for the roof. A terrible storm blew them down. Despair seized upon the little band, including Ambrose Anthony and Diodate Clark. The City Council offered them a room in Columbus Block, which was accepted. The Columbus Block burned. The struggling Church was sent back to the school- house. In November, 1838, it occupied the basement on Hanover Street.
We have now progressed sufficiently in this history to state distinctly which are the original or mother Churches of Methodism in Cleveland. They are six, and were named in the order of their founding. Brooklyn Memorial, Kinsman Street, Euclid Avenue, Miles Park, and Hanover Street. In 1840, by a re- vision of boundaries, the North Ohio Conference was formed, and that portion lying west of the river boun- dary was included in it. A moment, now, in that North Ohio Conference section of the city. In 1848, the Hanover Street society moved into its audience- room, remaining there until in December, 1869, when it was merged into the Franklin Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, dedicated by Bishop Matthew Simpson, January 30, 1870. This is a strong center, taking high rank among city Churches of all denomi- nations. Her children are Garden Avenue, built as Bridge Street in 1855, as Taylor Street in 1869; in her present form, 1898. The youngest child of Franklin Avenue is Trinity, dedicated in December, 1894.
Another powerful agency under the Rev. A. E.
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Winter for the evangelization of an extended and pop- ulous network of highways and byways is Lorain Street, formerly Clark Mission. This was formed under the direction of the City Methodist Missionary Society of 1867. Through the liberality of Mrs. Dio- date Clark, the ability of John Parkins, and the labors of the Rev. Hugh L. Parrish, the effort matured in 1868.
Mention is here made of two important West Side Missions: "Simpson," meeting now in a hall on Min- ton Street, just off Lorain, and the West End Mission, now negotiating for a lot, which will at once build a chapel on Detroit Street, corner of Winchester Ave- nue. On the South Side, North Ohio Conference, is Jennings Avenue, formerly Pelton Avenue, estab- lished in 1871.
German Methodism is highly valued. The earliest missionary appointed here was the Rev. H. Buhre, in 1845. Progress was slow. The Rev. C. Helwig formed a class in 1847. After years of struggle, we have the First German Church, corner Scovill and Sterling Avenues, rebuilt and dedicated in 1893. Faithful labor on the West Side organized and built in 1852. This property was sold, and an eligible site procured corner of Bridge and Harbor Streets, and St. Paul's Church erected. The Central German Con- ference convened here in 1894. Immanuel on the East Side, and Bethany on the West, are full of promise.
By a revision of boundaries in 1876, the East Ohio Conference was formed, with jurisdiction over the East Side Churches, so that we now cross the viaduct
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from the West Side to resume. Willson Avenue, corner of Luther Street, was begun as a mission in 1857, on St. Clair Street, near Perry, presumably by the Rev. Dillon Prosser, who originated several societies. In the early sixties, by removal, this became Waring Street; by another transition, the Superior Street Tab- ernacle. Since 1893 it has been located in a delightful residence portion of the city, in a substantial gray stone structure with modern facilities.
Scovill Avenue Church, built and furnished largely through the liberality of Messrs. Horace Wilkins and John N. Glidden, was founded in 1866.
Woodland Avenue, a mission of Scovill Avenue, comfortably housed in 1870, is now in a fine new building, dedicated December 8, 1895.
Erie Street Church was colonized from old St. Clair in 1850. By removal to Corner of Prospect and Huntington Streets, it became Christ Church in 1875. In 1883, combined with Cottage Mission, corner of Willson Avenue and Prospect Street, it was known as Central Church. Out of this has come Epworth Memorial Church, so named because it commemorates the unification of our five young peoples' associations throughout the world into the Epworth League. This consolidation was effected in the old building situated on the site of the present new one, at the Convention of delegates from the various societies for the young on May 14, 1889. The architectural symmetry and exquisite arrangement make this sanctuary celebrated. It is of marble, a gem of art; Norman, bordering on modernized Romanesque, lofty gable with combina- tion interior, groined arches converging in a magnifi-
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cent dome. In the auditorium is placed a fine large memorial window in shape of the "Epworth Wheel," with divisions for departments of work, symbolized by appropriate Scripture texts and illustrations. The Rev. B. F. Dimmick, D. D., led the building enter- prise; S. R. Badgley, architect. The "Feast of Dedi- cation" in 1893 was unique, lasting eight days; from May 13th to 2Ist inclusive. Its program was en- riched by the utterances of Bishops Fowler, Warren, Ninde, and of Dr. Potts, of Toronto, Ontario. Sacred concerts enlivened the exercises. This Zion has a con- stantly growing membership, is a source of usefulness and power, finely equipped and adapted to a residence section.
In 1886 the Methodist Episcopal Church and Sun- day-school Alliance was organized. To the presidency of this Alliance, Mr. Wilson M. Day was elected ten years in succession. This combination of forces did a great work in saving Broadway and Asbury to the common cause. In 1890, largely through the efforts of the Alliance, all the debts of the Methodist Churches in Cleveland were pooled and paid.
Cleveland Methodism has thirty-three Churches and Missions, and eight thousand and fifty-two com- municants. The total value of Church and parsonage property, including the Deaconess Home, is $822,- 880. Each outlying hamlet has its own commodious house of worship. These are Fairmount, Glenville, Lakewood, Rocky River, and South Brooklyn.
MARY BIGELOW INGHAM.
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METHODISM IN COLUMBUS.
Columbus was laid out in 1812, and became the seat of the State Government in 1816. Between these two dates Methodism began its existence in the Cap- ital City.
A zealous layman, by name of George McCormick, had the honor to secure the first Methodist preach- ing in Columbus. He was a carpenter, and a co- builder of the first State-house. He induced the Rev. Samuel West to come and preach in the people's homes, and on December 20, 1813, Mr. West organ- ized the first society, consisting of four members, who were soon joined by a fifth, a colored man by the name of Moses Freeman, who afterward became a mission- ary to Liberia.
This society was first known as "Zion Methodist Episcopal Church." It was on Town Street, where the Public School Library now stands. It was a log structure, costing $157.5312. For some years it was also used as a schoolhouse.
This building was followed by a brick structure on the same spot in 1826, and that one by a third church in 1853. The name was then changed to "Town Street," which title is perpetuated in its suc- cessor of the present time. The third building was sold to the city in 1890, and the society emigrated eastward, to the corner of Town and Eighteenth Streets, where they have a beautiful chapel in a fine residence section.
Wesley Chapel was the first offshoot from Town Street, and was organized under the pastorate of Gran-
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ville Moody in the latter Church, in 1846. It began with about two hundred members, and grew to be stronger than its mother in the following years. The building burned in May, 1883. The lot was then sold for the sum of $62,500, and the society rebuilt on the corner of Broad and Fourth Streets a church which cost $60,000.
Third Street Church was the second offspring of Town Street, and was dedicated as "Bigelow Chapel," by Bishop Morris, July 15, 1854. It stood on Main Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. This prop- erty was traded in 1859 to the Presbyterians for their church on Third Street, near the corner of Main, our people paying them $5,000 in addition. Here the so- ciety had a pleasant home, and built an excellent par- sonage adjoining. They had just completed the pay- ment for all when the church burned, on November 15, 1869. They rallied, however, heroically, and re- built on the same site, where they remain in a pros- perous condition. The name of the Church was changed from "Bigelow Chapel" to "Third Street," in 1875.
Gift Street Church is the outgrowth of Franklinton Mission, which was part of a circuit as far back as 1840. The first preaching was in a private house, and then for years in the old court-house, after it was con- verted into a schoolhouse. In 1856, "Heath Chapel" was built, and named after Uriah Heath, the presiding elder. It stood near the southeast corner of Broad and Mill Streets, and served a good purpose till fol- lowed by its successor, "Gift Street Church," in 1890, on the corner of Gift and Shepherd Streets. The old
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society was always few in numbers, and weak finan- cially; the new Church is vigorous and growing.
The first Third Avenue Church was dedicated in January, 1869. Its organization had been preceded by a mission Sunday-school some two years. The first structure was a small frame building, which was twice enlarged as the society grew. The present edi- fice was built in 1884, at a cost of $35,000. This Church has been prosperous from the first, and has given off two colonies, besides numbering yet nine hundred members.
Neil Avenue is the successor to Neil Chapel. The latter was built in 1872, on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Columbus Street. The society began with much promise; but the location in the end proved un- fortunate, and in 1891 the church was rebuilt on the corner of Neil Avenue and Goodale Street, and was given its present name. The chapel is a pretty struc- ture, and the organization is growing stronger every year.
Broad Street Church was organized as a society at the dedication of its first building, July 18, 1875. Ninety persons, mainly from Wesley Chapel, that day became its members. After ten years of unprece- dented prosperity, the society dedicated their second church, a stately green-stone building, July 5, 1885. It cost $70,000. This is the strongest Methodist Church in Columbus, and one of the strongest in the State. It has a membership of about one thousand, and gives princely sums to benevolences.
North Columbus Church was dedicated in Janu- ary, 1881. The society was organized largely out of
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the membership of Clintonville Church, which it super- seded. It remained a part of a circuit till 1889, when it was set off as a station. Its autonomy gave it new life, and since then it has grown rapidly. The present new church was dedicated March 8, 1896, at a cost of $13,000. It is a beautiful building, and a marvel of capacity, convenience, and durability for that cost. It is a credit to Methodism, and will serve that part of the city for a generation to come.
Mt. Vernon Avenue Church was organized in 1883, and the first building was dedicated in September, 1884. That was a notable year for church-building in Columbus. Wesley Chapel, Broad Street, Third Avenue, and Mt. Vernon Avenue were all begun that year. The last-named continued to worship on in their frame structure till 1894, when they erected their present fine and commodious brick building. The society here is strong numerically and spiritually.
Miller Avenue Church is the outgrowth of a union Sunday-school, which was organized there in 1880. In 1887, the property was deeded to the Methodists, and that fall a pastor was appointed by the Conference, who, with the presiding elder's help, soon gathered a membership of seventy-five. Its little frame building has since been enlarged, and the society has had a reasonable growth, but it needs both a new location and a new church.
Cleveland Avenue Church is the new name borne for several years by the former Shoemaker Chapel. It is a brick structure in the northeast part of the city, and was built by the local Church Extension Society in 1889. The valuable lot was donated by Mrs. Sarah
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Shoemaker. The society remained under the direction of Third Avenue Church till 1892.
King Avenue Church began as a mission Sunday- school, held in a hall above a bakery, in 1888. In the summer of 1889 it was organized into a Church, with seventeen members. A pastor was appointed at the Conference following, and their new church was dedi- cated December 22, 1889. The society now numbers three hundred and fifty, and it will, in a few years, be the second strongest of our Methodist Churches of Columbus.
South High Street Church began as a Sunday- school in about the year 1885, and was organized into a Church in 1892. It has since that time sustained a pastor, gained gradually in strength, and has a fine prospect for the future.
Glenwood Heights Church began as a mission in a schoolhouse in 1892, and was organized into a Church in 1893. They built a frame chapel, which ' was dedicated in November, 1895. This Church is near West Broad Street, and south of the State Hos- pital for Insane.
Oakwood Chapel is in the southeast part of the city, and was dedicated in December, 1895. It has good prospects.
A society, known as West Broad Street Church, was organized in September, 1895, and a pastor was appointed at the Conference following. Their mem- bership is near one hundred, worshiping at present in a hall.
Fifth Avenue Church is a little chapel, a mile west of the city, but is numbered with Columbus appoint-
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ments. It was organized in 1894, and has about sev- enty-five members.
Besides the above-named Churches, there are two prosperous German Methodist Churches, and one col- ored Methodist Church, and a strong African Meth- odist Church.
In 1860, Methodism had 555 Sunday-school schol- ars in the city; the number was 1,259 in 1870; 2,197 in 1880, and 4,585 in 1890. The population of the city is now 130,000, and our Methodist membership is about 7,500. JOHN COLLINS JACKSON.
METHODISM IN DAYTON.
In 1798 the Rev. John Kobler, who was the pio- neer preacher of the great Territory of the Northwest, and who had kneeled in the bushes and wrestled with God for this vast stretch of country to be given to Methodism, came to Dayton, a village of six or eight cabins, and perhaps eight or ten families, at the mouth of Mad River, and preached the first Methodist ser- mon. In 1808, Rev. John Collins was appointed to Deer Creek Circuit, in traversing which he passed through the village and preached twice at the court-house, where a preacher of another denomination assumed proprietorship, and tried to crowd him out. But a brother in the congregation offered an unfinished house, which was seated at small cost, and the third sermon had the charm of none to dispute the right of way. The room was at once thronged with a band of eager worshipers, and the interest was so great as to warrant immediate steps for building a place of worship.
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Mr. Cooper, the principal proprietor of the town, donated a lot on Third Street for the site of the church, and made a liberal subscription in money, and also donated another lot to the enterprise. Other sub- scriptions were promptly secured, and that same year the "Little Red Frame," which was succeeded by a commodious brick-Wesley Chapel-built on the site of its predecessor in 1828. This is familiarly referred to as the "Mother Church." In 1870 the congregation had so grown as to make another and still more com- modious building necessary. This necessity was met by the erection of the present handsome stone build- ing on Fourth and Ludlow, Grace Church.
In 1843 the first colony went out from the mother Church, and built Finley Chapel, named in honor of Rev. J. B. Finley, who was at the time presiding elder. It was a frame which would seat two or three hun- dred, and was located on the corner of Fifth and Jack- son. It was greatly blessed of God, and multiplied so rapidly that in a few years the old frame was sold to the German Lutherans, and a commodious brick was built in its stead. Owing to the fact that Mr. Finley favored the independent and somewhat erratic move- ment of Union Chapel, Cincinnati, a majority were opposed to the new Church inheriting the old name, so the new Church was named "Raper," after the pre- siding elder who was then serving the district. This has been one of the most prosperous Churches of the Conference.
In 1856, Davisson Chapel was built on Fourth and Broadway, by the energy of Rev. Daniel D. Davisson, who gave the lots for the church and par-
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sonage, and also made a liberal donation in cash. Others responded nobly, and the Church was planted. It had varying success until, in the providence of God, that aggressive evangelist, Rev. S. D. Clayton, became the pastor. A great revival, which swept all that por- tion of the city, ensued, and the outcome was the present beautiful Broadway Church, which was begun in February, 1885, and dedicated in May, 1886. It cost $10,600, with a parsonage adjoining, which cost $1,500. It has a membership of 825, and a Sunday- school of 500, and has also a mission Sunday-school of eighty not far from the National Military Home, which promises to develop into a Church.
In 1883 the St. Paul Church went out as a colony from Raper, two smaller charges were dissolved, and the proceeds of the sale of their properties went into the new church, with the majority of the members. St. Paul is one of the most beautiful brick churches of the city, with great congregations and a member- ship of 650, and 500 in the Sunday-school.
Trinity Church was organized in 1882. The con- gregation at first occupied a small frame building, but in 1888 they laid the corner-stone of a new brick church, which was completed the same year. The building is a beautiful one, and the location in the midst of a class of artisans, to whom it furnishes facili- ties for a desirable Church home. There is a member- ship of 256, and a Sunday-school of 250.
Homestead and Riverdale is the name of the latest charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There are two societies. One in the southwestern, and the other in the northwestern part of the city. The society
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on Homestead Avenue is worshiping in a small frame. Riverdale is worshiping in a hall, but owns two lots in a desirable locality, and has also a considerable fund towards building. They expect to build a tasteful brick church within the next year or two.
The German Methodist Church was organized in 1840, by the Rev. E. Riemenschneider, of what was then the Ohio Conference. It was first located on Sixth and Jackson, but now has a substantial brick church on Clay and Van Buren Streets, which was built when Dr. Rothweiler was the presiding elder. The property is worth $20,000, with a parsonage adjoining valued at $3,200. It has a membership of 170, and a Sunday- school of 125.
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