USA > Ohio > History of the Central Ohio conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, 1856-1913 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
From the commencement of the society until 1822 the residence of Moses Byxbe and the county courthouse were the Methodist headquarters. At this time, under a second pastorate of Jacob Hooper, the society decided to build a house of worship and ap- pointed Stephen Goram, William Patton, Moses Byxbe, Thomas Gallihen, Moses Byxbe, Jr., Elijah Adams, Robert Perry, William Sweetser, and Henry Perry trustees.
An eligible lot on the northwest corner of William and Franklin Streets was given to the society by Moses Byxbe, one of the pro- prietors of the town of Delaware, and on this lot a church was erected.
The edifice was a plain, square structure provided with galleries on the east, south, and west sides, and two rows of windows, one above and the other below, which gave it the appearance of a two- story building. The auditorium was entered from the south. At the north end was an elevated, box-like pulpit, which was reached from either side by eight steps, and when ascended, gave the preacher full view of his entire congregation, above and below.
The actual cost of this first Methodist "meeting house" in Dela- ware is not known, as very many of the subscriptions were made
278
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
in materials and labor, but from the oldest records accessible the approximate money cost was little more than $870.
Although begun in 1822, the building was not completed until sometime in the year 1824, when, with Thomas McCleary as preacher, it was dedicated under the name of the "William Street Church" by Jacob Young, presiding elder of the Scioto District, Ohio Conference. This building was the place of worship for the Methodists of Delaware until the year 1845, when, by reason of a rapidly increasing membership and the establishment of the Ohio Wesleyan University, the demands were such as to necessitate a larger and more becoming church edifice; and accordingly, under the active and successful leadership of the pastor, Henry E. Pilcher, measures were adopted to erect early in the Conference year of 1845-46 a "new house of worship."
Relating to this project, the following records are at hand:
"The Board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church met at the parsonage in Delaware, Ohio, October 10, 1845, Henry E. Pilcher in the chair. Members present: Benj. F. Allen, Augustus A. Welch, Abraham Williams, and Franklin Spaulding.
"The following resolutions were passed:
"First, That it is the sense of the trustees of the Methodist Epis- copal Church in Delaware, Ohio, that it is expedient to erect a new house of worship.
"Second, That a subscription be opened, and that we use our best efforts to raise the necessary amount to build the church.
"Third, That Henry E. Pilcher, Benj. F. Allen, and John H. Power be a committee to circulate said subscription .- Henry E. Pilcher, Chairman."
Within a month or two subscriptions to the amount of about $3,000 were secured and made payable to Abraham Williams, Wilder Joy, John Ross, Franklin Spaulding, Mathias Kinsee, Au- gustus A. Welch, and Benj. F. Allen, trustees of the Church.
On December 13, 1845, at a meeting of the Board of Trustees, a committee, consisting of Augustus A. Welch, John Walfley, and Henry E. Pilcher, was appointed, with authority to dispose of the old church property, which was still occupied by the congregation ; , and at a meeting of the Board on December 29, 1845, when Frank- lin Spaulding, Wilder Joy, John Ross, Nathan Chester, John Wolfley, and Augustus Welch were present, the report from the
279
History of Churches-Alphabetically Arranged.
committee was that they had sold the church building for a school- house for the sum of $1,100, possession to be given July, 1846.
The building, after being used for ten years as a schoolhouse, was sold to the City Council for corporation purposes. It is now displaced with beautiful residences.
WILLIAM STREET CHURCH. DELAWARE, O.
The trustees secured the lot where the church and parsonage now stand, on the northeast corner of William and Franklin Streets, paying Mrs. Rutherford Hayes $1,900 for it.
On May 6, 1846, a sufficient subscription having been secured, the Building Committee let the contract for the erection of a church to Wm. Owston. The building was to be a plain church. 50 x 80
280
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
feet and two stories high, with a vestibule at the front above and below; the audience room was to have a gallery to cross the front end, and the building to furnish sittings for about six hundred per- sons, and the seats and other woodwork were to be of black walnut. The church was not finished until the summer of 1847; two addi- tional subscriptions had to be taken within the year to carry on and complete the work.
This edifice for the times in which it was built was large and beautiful, the cost of it being $5,600.
The church was dedicated August 3, 1847, by Bishop Edmund S. Janes, assisted by the Rev. Thomas E. Bond, editor of the Christian Advocate, New York.
The lot purchased was sufficiently large for both the church and parsonage.
An old residence, said to have been the oldest brick building in the town, stood at the corner of the streets. This house was con- verted into a parsonage, and was occupied by the pastors until 1861, when the Rev. Thomas Parker toward the close of his pas- torate had it replaced by the present convenient and comfortable building. The cost of this house, about $3,500, was all secured in good notes in advance. And such is the history of William Street in church building until 1885.
The two churches described have been the scene of great and memorable gatherings and events. The revivals in this Church were Pentecostal in power and far-reaching in effect. Of the Churches it may be said, as it was said of Zion by the psalmist, "The Lord shall count when He cometh to write up the people that this man was born there," and this man in the case of William Street is to be found in almost every quarter of the globe, for all through our land, filling posts of honor and positions of great usefulness, are men and women who began the Christian life members of William Street.
In the year 1885, during the pastorate of Dr. W. G. Waters, steps were taken to build a new church edifice; and in the fol- lowing year the old stone church was taken down, the parsonage moved back, and a fine modern building was erected at a cost of some $60,000.
The church was dedicated by Dr. C. C. McCabe and President Chas. H. Payne, D. D., some $17,000 being raised at the time.
-
281
History of Churches-Alphabetically Arranged.
William Street has been the center and mother of Methodism in Delaware.
In the year 1852 she gave South Delaware the St. Paul's Church. In 1860, Grace Church, on the East Side, and in 1886 there went out one hundred of her children to establish Asbury.
William Street has a varied history in her Conference relations. From the date of the Church's organization to 1840 in the Ohio Conference, then in the North Ohio until 1856, and since that year in the Central Ohio Conference, where the Church remained until the Cincinnati and the Central Ohio Conferences became the West Ohio.
From the establishment of the Church, when the membership was about a score of persons, until 1821-22 it was a preaching place on the Hocking Circuit; from that time until the year 1840- 41 it was the head of Delaware Circuit. It had by that time reached a membership of 296.
At the Conference of 1841 it was made a station, with Adamn Poe as pastor. The appointments to William Street, allowing that name to embrace its entire history, have been:
1818, Jacob Hooper ; 1819, Andrew Kinnear; 1820, James Mur- ray ; 1821, Jacob Hooper; 1822, Thomas McCleary ; 1823, Thomas McCleary and James Roe; 1824, Jacob Dixon; 1825, James Gil- ruth ; 1826, Abner Goff; 1827, James Gilruth and Cyrus Carpenter ; 1828, James Gilruth and William Runnells; 1829, David Lewis and Samuel P. Shaw; 1830, Samuel P. Shaw and Alfred M. Lorain; 1831, Lorain and David Cadwallader; 1832, Charles Goddard and J. M. McDowell; 1833, Leonard B. Gurley and John C. Havens; 1834, Havens and Robert Doughty; 1835, Joseph B. Austin and Wm. Morrow; 1836, Austin and Nathan Emery; 1837, John Alex- ander and Ebenezer L. Webster ; 1838, Wm. S. Morrow and Jos. W. White; 1839, Morrow and John Blanpied; 1840-41, Adam Poe; 1842-46, Henry E. Pilcher; 1847, Cyrus Sawyer; 1848, E. Yocum; 1849. Horatio S. Bradley ; 1850-51, Lorenzo Warner ; 1852, Joseph Ayres : 1853, Chas. Hartley ; 1354-55, Leonard B. Gurley ; 1856-57, Alexander Nelson; 1858-59, James M. Morrow; 1860-61, Thomas Parker; 1862, Loring C. Webster; 1863-65, Alexander Nelson; 1866-69, Wesley G. Waters; 1869, to fill out the year, Park S. Donelson ; 1869-70, D. D. Walker; 1871-72, Franklin Marriott; 1873-75, Russel B. Pope; 1876-77, Isaac Newton; 1878-81, E. D.
282
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
Whitlock ; 1881-82, Jos. H. Bethards; 1883-86, Wesley G. Waters ; 1886-87, W. J. Hodges; 1887-90, Duston Kemble; 1890-95. F. I .. Wharton; 1895-97, C. R. Havighurst; 1897-1903, H. C. Jameson; 1903-04, W. W. Lance; 1904-10, C. W. Barnes; 1910-11, E. E. McCammon; 1911-13, T. H. Housel.
The foregoing facts and statements are a part of the interesting history of William Street Church. Truly this Church has per- formed a wide mission.
Not only has it exerted a gracious and salutary influence towards the moral elevation and improvement of the community, but it has aided in a remarkable degree the Church to spread Christianity throughout the country and in many parts of the Old World, its membership having always fostered and maintained a great interest in the cause of missions ; especially has the Church called into this work the women, old and young, who have been abundant in labors to send the Word of Life to heathen peoples.
And to-day, with a history spanning several generations, dur- ing which period the menibership has been subject to constant change, it has a membership of about 750.
This society is one of five Methodist Churches in Delaware- St. Paul's and Faith Chapel, in the Ohio; Asbury and Grace, in the North-East Ohio, and William Street, in the Central Ohio Con- ference.
XIX. Toledo Methodism.
ASBURY CHURCH, TOLEDO.
ASBURY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Toledo, Ohio, situated in the western part of the city and in the midst of at least twenty- five thousand people, was organized in the year 1872 under the name of Detroit Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Lots at the corner of De- troit Avenue and Forrar Street were donated by Theopholis P. Brown and wife, Francis A. Brown, but the deed was not secured until April 17, 1874.
The church occupied this site until 1892, when, under the pastorate of the Rev. Thos. N. Barkdull, it was re- moved to its present location at the corner of Detroit and Fernwood Aves.
REV. CHARLES FULKERSON, PASTOR. During the pastorate of the Rev. C. C. Kennedy, who was appointed to the charge in the fall of 1896, the old frame structure was sold and moved from the ground, and a new building was erected and dedicated June 25, 1899. On the evening of December 14, 1900, the building was burned. This accident was a heavy blow to the struggling congregation, as the insurance was barely sufficient to pay off the mortgage and the outstanding obligations. But under the leadership of the Rev. Sidney S. Clay the work of rebuilding was begun and rapidly pushed to completion, the present structure being dedicated May 3, 1903.
From that time the growth of the society has been steady, its membership at the present numbering about 450, with a Sunday
283
284 History of the Central Ohio Conference.
school of over five hundred and an active Epworth League of one hundred members. This growth having rendered the present struc- ture inadequate, led the trustees in October, 1913, to acquire addi- tional ground on Detroit Avenue, just south of the present site, at a cost of $2,700, and in the near future a large and more modern
ASBURY CHURCH, TOLEDO, O.
church building is to be erected. The house on this additional lot purchased was moved to a lot nearby and remodeled, making a good modern parsonage worth $3,500.
The following ministers have served as pastors of Detroit Ave- nue and Asbury: Arkinson Berry, Charles Hoag, Mark Richardson, Charles Hoag, Rev. Moore, P. Stevens, Benjamin L. Rowand, Jesse Carr, George B. Wiltsie, Jefferson Williams, Abraham Hopkins, Thomas N. Barkdull, N. B. C. Love, J. C. Shaw. C. C. Kennedy, Daniel G. Strong. J. Smith Kirk, Sidney S. Clay, Nathan S. Brack- ney, Wm. Boyer, Wm. Hook, and Chas. Fulkerson.
BETHANY CHURCH, TOLEDO.
The first class was organized here in 1844 with ten or twelve members. For about eight years the class met in a schoolhouse. In 1852 the present church was erected.
-
285
Toledo Methodism.
The names of the pastors who have served here are the follow- ing: J. Welch, J. Kellam, T. J. Pope, Stillman George, W. S. Warren, W. B. Scannell, W. B. Shannon, F. Plum, Wm. Nickerson, W. Gra- ham, J. R. Colgan, Jason Wilcox, B. F. Crozier, J. Adams, John Farley, Chas. Hoag, Henry Chapman, B. L. Rowand, E. S. Dun- ham, A. Hollington, Thos. Barkdull, A. J. Fish, Fitz- gerald, M. M. Figley, J. C. Shaw, C. B. Holding, B. F. Gordon, S. S. Clay, L. H. Gressley, S. P. Douglas, S. Baumgardner, N. B. C. Love, George Matthews, E. D. Cooke, and W. H. Bade.
Of these ministers Rev. REV WILLIAM H. BADE, PASTOR. B. L. Rowand twice served the charge. Rev. J. R. Colgan was sent to the charge when he - joined the Conference in 1857, and God blessed his work with a gracious revival in 1858. In 1894 he was returned to the charge for his last appointment. He served us faithfully for five years, closing his ministry. He and his faithful companion and one be- loved daughter sleep in Willow Cemetery, near the church, where he commenced and closed an active ministry of forty-two years.
The following served as presiding elders and district superin- tendents: Thos. H. Wilson, E. C. Gavitt, L. A. Belt, E. D. Whit- lock, S. S. Barter, Adam C. Barnes, J. M. Avann, J. L. Albritton, P. P. Pope, Wesley G. Waters, and E. O. Crist.
During these years we have been in three different districts- Findlay, East Toledo, and Toledo.
The Rev. W. H. Bade, the present pastor, is having a very pros- perous year. A committee has been raised by the Quarterly Con- ference and given authority to select a new site for the church and raise funds for the erection of a new building, which is much needed
-
286
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
now as the Church is growing and must have a new building to meet the needs of the rapidly developing suburban community.
BROADWAY CHURCH, TOLEDO.
Broadway Church is situated in the fifth ward, on Broadway, one of the thoroughfares of the city, which after it leaves the city is skirted by the Maumee River, along which as it extends south a great many fine houses and beautiful homes have been built. Its location is between Western and Crittenden Ave- nues, and is in a thrifty and growing section of Toledo, with a large population to draw upon of middle class and pros- perous citizens.
The history of the Church commences with its organiza- tion as a Sunday school in 1859. This was perhaps the first mission Sunday school in the city, organized by St. Paul's Church.
It began in a little brick chapel belonging to the Ger- REV. DAVID F. HELMS, PASTOR. man Methodists, located on Harrison Street, between St. Clair and Erie Streets. This school was organized at the sugges- tion and with the aid of Mr. Robert Hunter, a loyal Methodist and an exemplary Christian.
At the first meeting of the school Mr. Hunter and wife and Mr. John Allen were present, and some young women or girls who are still living in the city. Three of the girls were Lucy, Ella, and Emma, the daughters of Mrs. Elizabeth Wright, and three others, Anna Keelock, Cassie Wetmore, and Sarah Collins-in all, nine scholars the first Sunday, and on the second sixteen with no adults excepting Mr. and Mrs. Hunter.
Mr. Hunter for a number of years acted as janitor, superin-
-
287
Toledo Methodism.
tendent, and chorister. While attending a Methodist Sunday school in England he was converted and received into the Church by the Rev. Thomas Kent in 1844. In 1854 he came to Toledo and at once, with his wife, united with St. Paul's Church, the Rev. J. T. Caples being pastor.
After the period just mentioned the school was identified with St. Paul's Church, but depended largely upon outsiders for support.
BROADWAY CHURCH, TOLEDO, O.
Among its friends and supporters were Mr. Khrieble, D. H. Miner, N. W. Howard, and D. N. Trowbridge and wife.
In 1864 Mr. Hunter enlisted in the army, and the Rev. Lewis Tiedeman, a German minister and for many years a citizen of Defiance after leaving Toledo, took charge of the school, Mrs. Hunter acting as assistant superintendent. Mr. Hunter returned from the army, and Mr. Tiedeman resigned, and he was again elected superintendent. He was superintendent until the number of scholars had reached two hundred. The superintendents in the early history of the school were Robert Hunter, Lewis Tiedeman, John Bairds, John Boyers, B. J. Stark, G. W. Humphrey, Frank E. Gregory, C. C. Stoddard, and Charles Potts.
288
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
In 1865 the Church was organized with twenty members, the Rev. Rolla Chubb being its pastor. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. Barr, James Balfe and wife, and Sanford Prouty were among the members of this first class.
The first church, which was a frame building, was built in 1868, during the pastorate of the Rev. Arkinson Berry. The par- sonage, which was then adjoining the church, was built during the pastorate of the Rev. Abel M. Corey. The church cost about $10,000 and stood where the present building is located.
In 1889 the frame building was supplanted by the present build- ing, a large and modern structure built of brick with stone trim- mings at a cost of $25,000.
The parsonage was disposed of and a larger and better one secured, located on Crittenden Avenue.
The Church now has a membership of nearly seven hundred, a Sunday school with an enrollment of over seven hundred, pays a salary of $2,000, and is striving nobly to fulfill its mission in a populous section of the city. To do this adequately a new church building is needed, for the present structure is overcrowded. The Sunday school could be greatly increased if room could be furnished to care for the classes. A fund has been started for the purchase of a new building site, and a new church must be erected in the near future.
The following list of faithful ministers have served as pastors: Rolla H. Chubb, Chas. H. Zimmerman, Arkinson Berry, W. W. Winter, Franklin Marriott, Abel M. Corey, Thomas Deal, T. N. Barkdull, T. L. Wiltsie, P. P. Pope, L. C. Webster, J. H. Bethards, L. M. Albright, Stewart Baumgardner, J. W. Holland, D. H. Bailey, B. F. Reading, and D. F. Helms, the present pastor.
CENTRAL CHURCH, TOLEDO.
On the 23d of February, 1896, Rev. S. C. Wright, then pastor of Monroe Street Church, preached a sermon in two unfinished rooms on Albion Street, near Central Avenue, over a grocery store. Here a Sunday school was organized with an enrollment of fifty- nine. The work of the school was carried on under the supervision and efforts of the Monroe Street Church, and in May, 1897, a meeting was called by the Rev. W. H. Leatherman, who had been
289
Toledo Methodism.
appointed pastor of the Monroe Street Church the preceding fall, to organize the new society, and members were enrolled, officials were chosen, and the organization perfected, but it remained a branch of the Monroe Street Church.
In the spring of 1897 a new church enterprise was begun and lots at the south corner of Central and Detroit Avenues were pur- chased. The plans for the building were drawn and the contract let to Mr. George Lightheiser, who pushed the work forward, and the church was dedicated September 6, 1897, by Prof. R. T. Stevenson, of the Ohio Wesleyan University. In October of 1898 the charge was divided and Central Church was put together with Spring Street Church, and the Rev. L. H. Gressley was appointed as pastor. This connection with Spring Street continued until about 1902. Under the pastorates of Rev. REV. WILLOUHBY N. SHANK, PASTOR. L. H. Gressley, Rev. J. W. Gibson, Rev. D. G. Strong, and Rev. Jesse Carr the Church and Sabbath school grew so that Central Church was made a station.
The Rev. Daniel Stecker was appointed as pastor of the Central Church. During his pastorate the Church doubled its membership and grew so rapidly that in the fall of 1906, when Rev. C. W. Collinge became pastor, the church building was too small to accom- modate the people. Not being able at this time to erect a new building for Church purposes only, a business block was built joining the old church consisting of three storerooms and four living apartments, a part of which were to be used for Sunday school purposes. This arrangement satisfied the needs for a few years and materially aided-the Church in a financial way.
The pastorate of Rev. N. S. Brackney, who came to the work in the fall of 1908, was a time of great seed-sowing and cultivating which, while it did not come to fruitage during his ministry, brought forth an abundant harvest the year following. Rev. C. J. Yeisley was appointed pastor of the Church in the fall of 1910. After the revival services during the winter of 1910-11, through which about
19
290
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
sixty members were brought into the Church, and added to these were ninety-one as the result of the great union revival services under the leadership of the Rev. William A. Sunday the following spring, the church became entirely inadequate to meet the require- ments. Steps were taken immediately looking toward the erection of a new building.
-
1
CENTRAL CHURCH, TOLEDO, O.
In order to meet the immediate needs of the congregation a temporary tabernacle was constructed on Central Avenue, at the head of Glenwood Avenue. Here for over two years in this crude wooden structure without floor or comfortable pews the congrega- tion met Sunday after Sunday for divine worship. In the meantime a lot was purchased on the southwest corner of Central and Scott- wood Avenues for the future location of the new church building. The Official Board at once began to plan for the new edifice, and the plans submitted by Architect M. M. Stophlet were approved and accepted and Mr. B. F. Laird was employed to superintend the construction. Ground was broken on Easter Sunday of 1912. The building, now completed at a total cost of $28,000, was dedi- cated by Bishop W. F. Anderson. assisted by Dr. E. O. Crist, district superintendent, and Rev. C. J. Yeisley, pastor, Sunday evening, July 27, 1913.
29I
Toledo Methodism.
The present building is of brick and stone and has a seating capacity of six hundred. It has Sunday school rooms, furnace rooms, dining room, kitchen, and library in the basement. The membership of the Church at present numbers 356, with a Sunday school enrollment of 741. Located as it is in the most rapidly growing section of the city of Toledo, and possessing a corps of willing, praying, consecrated workers, the prospects of Central Church are exceedingly bright.
Rev. W. N. Shank is the present popular and successful pastor.
CLARK STREET CHURCH, TOLEDO.
During the pastorate of the Rev. M. M. Figley at Third Street, now Euclid Avenue, a Sunday school was organized and conducted in a hall on Miami Street, and later in the Maccabee Hall, Oak Street.
In 1890 the first church building was erected at 1133-1135 Clark Street. . The Sunday school having outgrown the building, a new church was erected in 1902. This building, valued at $25,000, has all modern conveniences. A modern parsonage is located on the lot beside the church.
The pastors in order have been follows: Carlisle B. Holding, as Frank W. Stanton, Jacob Baumgard- REV. FRANK E. HIGBIE, PASTOR. ner, Mortimer Gascoigne (now de- ceased), Daniel Carter, Hibbard J. Jewett, and Frank E. Higbie, the present pastor.
The Sunday school has an enrollment of six hundred and an average attendance of four hundred. It is thoroughly organized, each department having its own superintendent. The Woman's Home Missionary Society and the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society each have a strong organization, their receipts each year totaling a handsome sum.
The Ladies' Aid Society has a membership of over one hundred
-
1
292
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
and from the beginning of the Church has done much both in a financial and social way.
The Epworth League has a membership of eighty, and in every department much strong, aggressive work is done. The present Church membership (1914) is 659.
CLARK STREET CHURCH, TOLEDO, O.
Clark Street is noted for its strong grip upon the men of its section of the city through its Personal Workers' League, organized three years ago at the time of the "Billy" Sunday tabernacle meet- ings. Its meetings are evangelistic, and scores of men have been led to Christ and into the Church through the efforts of these men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.