USA > Ohio > History of the Central Ohio conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, 1856-1913 > Part 21
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
COLLINGWOOD CHURCH, WEST TOLEDO.
The first preaching services in the immediate vicinity of Toledo was at a settlement then known as Ten Mile Creek, later Tre- mainsville, now West Toledo. This was before Toledo was platted. Billings O. Plympton and Elias Pattee were the preachers in 1823.
The records in 1825 show that William Simmons was presiding elder of the Detroit District, Michigan Conference; Detroit Cir-
293
Toledo Methodism.
cuit, John A. Baughman, preacher in charge. with Solomon Manier. associate.
Rev. John A. Baughman preached in Tremainsville in 1825- 1826 and formed two classes. The first class formed was in 1826 in the house of Eli Hubbard. near the Tremainsville bridge. The names of the members were: John, Samuel, and Sophronia Horton ; William Wilkinson and wife: Mrs. Frances Maria Whit- ney, and Miss Mary Keeler. William Wilkinson was ap- pointed leader. Preaching places were established at Eli Hubbard's and Noah A. Whitney's.
Soon after this another class was formed at the Whitney residence, of which Mrs. Frances Maria Whit- ney was the leader. Among the earliest members of the class were: Catherine Mar- tin, Lydia Martin, Elizabeth Holmes, Mary Mills, Mar- garet Miller, Hannah Hor- ton, Elenor Wallworth, and Sarah Wallworth. This class developed into the Monroe Street Church.
REV. WILLIAM HOOK, PASTOR.
The class at the Hubbard house developed into the Tremains- ville (now Collingwood) Church.
Mrs. Frances Maria Whitney continued in the capacity of class leader for some time, exerting an excellent moral influence over the members of her class and throughout the entire community. Her name will be handed down to posterity as one of the most refined and intelligent ladies in the Methodist Episcopal Church at that day in the Maumee Valley.
Of her husband, Noah A. Whitney. Gavitt says. "No man has been more loyal to the Methodist Church according to his means." He died in 1873. A son, Noah A. Whitney. lives in Toledo.
1
294
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
-
4
OLD COLLINGWOOD CHURCH, WEST TOLEDO. (Dismantled in 1914 for the erection of the new church.)
1
COLLINGWOOD CHURCH.
295
Toledo Methodism.
The first house of public worship, according to Rev. Elnathan C. Gavitt, by any denomination in Northwestern Ohio was built at Tremainsville, commenced in 1834 and finished in 1835. Ac- cording to Mr. Samuel Blanchard. of Toledo (whose father joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1837), who attended its Sunday school, it was built of logs and located on the east side of Detroit Avenue, overlooking Ten Mile Creek, on what is now the Lenk Wine Company's property. The oak frame of the old church is still standing as a part of one of the company's buildings.
This church, now located on Phillips Avenue, for almost a century has had a steady growth and has been served by many of the leading ministers of the Central Ohio Conference. The con- gregation is now engaged in building a commodious modern struc- ture at a cost of about $30,000, which was made necessary by the growth of the city extending beyond the church and the rapid growth of the Sunday school and Church in the last few years.
The Rev. William Hook is the present pastor, and through his untiring labors and wide influence the new church has been made possible.
The corner-stone of the new church was laid by the district superintendent, Dr. E. O. Crist, June 28, 1914. The new church is being erected on the site of the old church.
The Building Committee of the new church consists of the following: Charles E. Selleck, Ira Bolton, Frank M. Rogers, H. A. Stafford, and C. G. Vermas.
The new church is of the most approved modern plan, with ample facilities for the Sunday school and with a fine gymnasium, shower bath, reading room, and dining room.
A roomy, comfortable parsonage stands on the spacious lot be- side the new church.
EPWORTH CHURCH, TOLEDO.
Epworth Church traces its beginnings to an informal meeting held January 24, 1894, with Rev. A. C. Barnes, presiding elder of Toledo District, at his residence in Toledo. There were present Dr. J. L. Tracy, Dr. C. W. Munson, L. E. Clark, and Rev. T. W. Brake. The needs of the many Methodists in the western portion of the city and the possibility of a Sunday school and Church were fully discussed.
-
296
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
Three days later. at the home of Dr. Tracy, there was held another gathering of men interested in the new project. There were present. in addition to the above, T. L. Tracy, John Farley, T. H. Biddle, J. A. Huston, Henry Bobst, and S. G. Harvey. A lengthy session ensued, full of interest and good-will, but ending in no definite program.
On the 30th of the same month Mesdames J. L. Tracy, I. N. Huntsberger, F. W. Brake, I. N. Applegate, S. G. Harvey, M. R. Fuller, and L. E. Clark met with Mrs. C. W. Munson. These women decided to canvass the territory in the interests of the proposed Church. They did so and reported that they had called upon one hundred and nineteen Methodist families living in the neighborhood which the new Church should serve.
The Toledo Methodist Union, at a meeting held in St. Paul's Church, Feb- ruary 2, 1894, expressed concerning the new enterprise, "encouragement, sym- pathy, and Godspeed."
After other meetings of similar char- REV. JOHN B. ASCHAM, PH. D., PASTOR. acter "The Epworth Society of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church" was organized at a meeting held in the First Unitarian Church, Sunday, February 11, 1894. This society, auxiliary to the Toledo Methodist Union, at the same time organized a Sunday school, whose superintendent was I .. E. Clark, and arranged for weekly prayer-meetings. Ninety- three persons were present at this first session of the new society and school.
On May 25, 1894, was constituted the Quarterly Conference of Epworth Church, and the new society received its first minister in the appointment of Rev. A. E. Smith, September, 1894. A church building was begun at once near the corner of Scottwood and Bancroft. This structure on its completion was the church home until December, 1907.
In the belief that the rapidly growing western section of the city required a larger building and a more advantageous site, and upon the offer of Mrs. L. V. Mckesson to give a suitable plot of
297
Toledo Methodism.
ground wherever the Church might wish it, the present building was erected in 1907, during the pastorate of Rev. W. B. Armington, at the corner of Parkwood and Delaware Avenues.
The history of the Church is a record of continuous growth in membership and usefulness and so justifies the judgment and an- swers the prayers of its discerning founders.
EPWORTH CHURCH, TOLEDO.
The membership now exceeds six hundred, and the entire in- debtedness was covered by good subscriptions on the twentieth anni- versary of the Church in May, 1914.
The following ministers have served Epworth Church: A. E. Smith, Fletcher L. Wharton. Eliner E. McCammon, Merrick E. Ketcham, William B. Armington, John H. Bickford, and the present pastor, John B. Aseham.
298
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
EUCLID AVENUE CHURCH, TOLEDO.
The Methodist Church in East Toledo known as Third Street Church, was organized in 1866 by the Rev. John Farley in Brown's Hall, on the corner of Front and Oak Streets, East Toledo, which at that time was included in Findlay District. The society, composed of but twenty members, received helpful counsel and efficient aid from the Rev. Horatio S. Bradley, who was the presiding elder of the district. The first church building of the society, a frame struc- ture, was erected on Third Street in 1869.
The church was dedicated in January, 1870, by the Rev. E. C. Gavitt, who at that time was presiding elder of the East Toledo District, the charge of the "East Side" hav- ing been transferred from the Findlay to the East Toledo District.
The Board of Trustees was composed of A. P. Saxton, N. R. Winslow, J. J. Mattocks, S. Atkinson, and A. Saxhom.
REV. J. A. HOLMES, PASTOR.
At the time of the dedication of the church the Sunday school had an enrollment of sixty, and the building and grounds a valuation of about $4,000.
The ministers who have served the Third Street Church are: John Farley, Joshua Smith, Joseph H. Bethards, William Fitz- gerald, J. W. Miller, Caleb Hill, Ambrose Hollington, Benj. L. Rowand, T. N. Barkdull, Andrew J. Fish, M. M. Figley, Samuel L. Roberts, John W. Donnan, Morris D. Baumgardner, M. E. Ketcham, C. W. Sutton, and J. A. Holmes.
The presiding elders have been: Horatio S. Bradley, E. C. Gavitt, Wm. W. Winter, Alexander Harmount, L. A. Belt, W. G. Waters, E. D. Whitlock, P. P. Pope, Adam C. Barnes, J. L. Albritton, J. M. Avann, A. C. Barnes, W. G. Waters, and E. O. Crist.
At an adjourned meeting of the Quarterly Conference of the Third Street Methodist Episcopal Church held April 16, 1897, dur- ing the pastorate of the Rev. John W. Donnan, it was agreed to purchase the property on the southeast corner of Euclid and Starr Avenues, then owned by E. J. Woodruff ; the plan was unanimously
-
299
Toledo Methodism.
approved by the congregation on the Sabbath following. A. par- sonage was soon afterward built on the rear end of the newly acquired lot. Owing to the change in its location the name of the Church was changed from Third Street to Euclid Avenue.
During the pastorate of the Rev. Morris D. Baumgardner, which began in 1899, plans were adopted for the erection of the present building. and the work continued until its completion and dedication.
EUCLID AVENUE CHURCH, TOLEDO.
Much credit should be given to the pastor and the Building Com- mittee, consisting of James Jeffrey, W. H. Tucker, M. M. Park, H. E. Noble, R. H. Finch, and A. F. Henry, for their untiring efforts in bringing this undertaking to a splendid consummation, and to Mr. L. W. Buzzard, the contractor, who was also a member of the Church.
After the foundation of the new church was completed the Third Street property was sold and the congregation worshiped in the basement of the new building. The cdifice was finally completed during the fall of 1904 and dedicated on November 20th of that year. The cost of the church was approximately $37,000, and with the parsonage the value of the entire property is estimated at about
300
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
$40,000. Built of stone in the most approved manner, and with a seating capacity of a thousand people, it is one of the best planned and most commodious churches in the city.
The membership, while at Third Street numbering about one hundred and eighty-three, has increased to six hundred.
The Rev. J. A. Holmes, the present pastor, is having a very successful pastorate. A plan has been adopted whereby the debt is being regularly reduced, and the Church is in a very prosperous and flourishing condition.
HAMILTON MEMORIAL CHURCH, TOLEDO.
The Hamilton Memorial Church grew out of a mission work which was begun about 1904. The Church gets its name through a donation to the Church Extension Society by George J. Hamilton of a considerable sum of money; $1,000 from this fund was given by that society to aid in the erection of the church. The church was completed at a cost of about $5,000 and dedicated February 9, 1908, during the pastorate of Dr. E. T. Wells. The dedication services were in charge of Dr. W. G. Waters, district superintendent of the Toledo District.
The Church has continued with varying degrees of success until the present time, in which it is in a very good condition under the pastorate of Rev. R. W. Wallace. There are about sixty members, and one hundred and ten in the Sunday school, and the Church is taking on new life.
IRONVILLE CHURCH, TOLEDO.
The Rev. B. L. Rowand held a revival in 1876 in a small Union Chapel, at the corner of Lee and Front Streets. Many conversions occurred and a class of Methodists was organized.
Subsequently various ministers for many years preached and held services in this part of East Toledo, among whom were Charles Hoag, N. B. C. Love, C. W. Collinge, C. E. Rowley, J. W. Donnan, R. E. Carter, and J. R. Colgan.
In 1906 J. W. Smith, the present pastor, was appointed to the work.
An agreement among the several denominations that had been holding services in the place was that the Methodist Church should
301
Toledo Methodism.
be given the field and the chapel on condition that her people would cultivate the territory and establish permanent services.
There was at first slight encourage- ment given to Brother Smith by the people of the community in the under- taking he had assumed, but soon a Sun- day school of seventeen persons was organized, and a revival was held which resulted in some forty conversions. In December, 1907, the present Methodist society was formed with fifty-six mem- bers.
The society in 1909, with the coun- sel and assistance of Dr. E. O. Crist, the district superintendent, purchased the site at the corner of Millard and Case Streets for $1,200. One denom- REV. JOHN W. SMITH, PASTOR. ination refused to waive its claim on the chapel, therefore the Meth- odists went ahead and in ninety days erected a neat brick church building on the site, which was dedicated in September, 1910, by Dr. E. O. Crist, assisted by the pastor.
The society has recently built on its spacious lot beside the church building a modern dwelling-house for a parsonage. This makes the plant complete and well worth $15,000 or more.
The phenomenal development and prosperity of the Ironville Church is due in a large measure to the untiring labors and zeal of the pastor, Rev. J. W. Smith, who was the first one to catch the vision of the possibilities of this enterprise. With true heroism and self-sacrifice he undertook the task with but slight encourage- ment to begin with, but his enthusiasm and faith proved to be con- tagious for he inspired the people to follow his leadership and emulate his spirit, and they, too, by working with him with their own hands and giving most generously of their earnings, have helped him to succeed so splendidly in this most worthy and im- portant work. They deserve great credit for their splendid loyalty and devotion to the Lord and the Church.
The church is located in a community of laboring people, to whom its establishment and services have been and will continue to be an incalculable blessing.
302
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
During Rev. Smith's pastorate there have been some five hun- dred conversions, very many of whom have removed to other parts of the city and some from the city. The Church has an active
IRONVILLE CHURCH, TOLEDO.
membership of one hundred and fifty, with a growing Sunday school and Epworth League.
Prior to his coming to Ironville Rev. J. W. Smith served as pastor of Damascus and Providence Chapel, Dowling, Washington Chapel, and Hamilton Memorial.
Rev. Smith has been a very efficient local preacher ; ordained as local elder, he has served each charge assigned to him with large and permanent success, and has been very successful in assisting other ministers in evangelistic work.
MONROE STREET CHURCH, TOLEDO.
The Monroe Street society was formally organized in 1842, having until that year been a part of the class formed by Rev. John A. Baughman in 1826, known as the Ten Mile Creek Class, later Tremainsville, now Collingwood, West Toledo.
The first Methodist Episcopal Church within what is now the present city limits of Toledo was the Monroe Street Church, or- ganized largely through the efforts of Mrs. Frances Maria Whitney,
L
-
303
Toledo Methodism.
REV. C. W. COLLINGE, PASTOR.
MONROE STREET CHURCH, TOLEDO.
304
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
wife of Noah A. Whitney, whose house was the first preaching place; but the affairs of this society are so intermingled with the Tremainsville society that their separate histories are somewhat indistinct and difficult to trace.
The first brick church was built in 1859, and was dedicated by Rev. Granville Moody, of the Cincinnati Conference.
Monroe Street Church was made a station in 1868.
This first brick church was destroyed by fire in 1891, and the present edifice was erected the same year under the pastorate of John W. Miller.
The present church building, on the corner of Monroe Street and Auburn Avenue, is a plain brick with a total length of eighty feet, built in the shape of the letter "L." The property when pur- chased comprised an acre of ground and is beautified by a number of fine forest trees with evergreens and willows in neighborly relation. The parsonage is located beside the church on the same lot.
The church is in a growing section of the city, surrounded by comfortable homes and a population chiefly of industrial classes, and has a membership of over four hundred.
The pastors who have served Monroe Street Church since 1868 are as follows: John Farley, E. H. Cammon, Jeremiah Mckean, Edward A. Berry, Samuel S. Barter, T. N. Barkdull, N. B. C. Love, E. S. Dunham, Joseph Ayers, M. Gascoigne, J. W. Miller, G. H. Priddy, Stewart C. Wright, W. H. Leatherman, Daniel Carter, G. B. Wiltsie, M. C. Howey, C. J. Yeisley, and C. W. Collinge, the present pastor.
ST. JAMES CHURCH, TOLEDO.
St. James Church had its beginning in a Sunday school organ- ized in a room over a store building on Albany Street in the early part of the seventies by a few members of St. John's Church. Among the number were Mr. William Beatty and Mrs. S. E. S. Keith. Mrs. Keith later joined the society and at the present time she is the oldest active member.
A class was also organized with the Rev. Charles Hoag leader. Revival services were held some few months after the Sunday school and class were organized.
- -
1
305
Toledo Methodism.
As the Sunday school and society grew the need of a perma- nent house of worship became apparent. This enterprise was begun under the leadership of Rev. Hoag, who gave a lot on the corner of Albany and Erie Streets for a building site, and $200 besides, un- dertaking the task of seeing the work carried to completion. The society was known as the Albany Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
In a few years the society out- grew its old quarters and, as a larger building was contemplated. a loca- tion nearer the center of the field was sought after. During the pas- torate of Rev. John I. Wean this desire began to take shape in con- crete form when two lots on the corner of Erie and Sandusky Streets were secured for the new building site.
REV. ERNEST H. HAMMOND, PASTOR.
In 1898, during the pastorate of the Rev. M. A. Casey, the new church project was launched, and completed later to the auditorium during the pastorate of Rev. M. D. Baumgardner. The cost was about $15,000. The name of the society was changed from Albany Street to St. James. The old church on Albany Street was sold and the proceeds applied on the indebtedness of the new church. The indebtedness of the new church was fully met while Rev. E. A. Strother was pastor.
During the pastorate of Rev. C. W. Collinge a basement was put under the church and a lot secured adjoining the church lot on Erie Street and the building of a parsonage was begun. The work was completed during the pastorate of Rev. R. W. Wallace. These improvements cost $3,000. The society now has a modern up-to- date church and parsonage.
Stirring revivals occurred during the pastorates of Revs. M. D. Baumgardner, E. A. Strother, and F. L. Hook. During the present pastorate, that of Rev. E. H. Hammond, the Church membership has been doubled. The membership is now nearly three hundred, and the average attendance in the Sunday school is over two hun- dred. The old indebtedness incurred by the improvements on the
20
306
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
church and the building of the parsonage has been greatly reduced, and the church has been frescoed.
The society was at first a part of a circuit, but became a station in 1894. After being served by supplies a number of years. among
ST. JAMES CHURCH, TOLEDO.
whom was Rev. Charles Hoag, the following have served as pastors: John Poucher, Abraham Hopkins, John C. Shaw, C. M. Sardiner, James C. Sinclair, John I. Wean, M. A. Casey, M. D. Baum- gardner, J. C. Crider, E. A. Strother, F. L. Hook, C. W. Collinge, R. W. Wallace, and E. H. Hammond.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, TOLEDO.
St. John's society was first known as the Toledo City Mission, later as Ames's Chapel, then Lagrange Street, and finally as St. John's in 1872.
In the Minutes of the North Ohio Conference of 1851 the Rev. C. H. Owens is mentioned as pastor at a salary of three hundred dollars. As near as can be learned, this was the beginning of the society as a separate organization from First Church. now St. Paul's, which in 1850 sold its building on Huron Street and bought the lot on the corner of Superior and Madison Avenues. Some
- -
307
Toledo Methodism.
members living in the vicinity of the former First Church started this organization about 1850.
The Rev. J. A. Shannon was the pastor in 1855, and the Rev. George W. Collier in 1856-57.
In 1856 a church building is reported which was known as Ames's Chapel, but no valuation is given. No mention after this date was ever made of Ames's Chapel, the society being served in all proba- bility in connection with Tremains- ville, now West Toledo.
Revs. Isaac Newton, Oliver Ken- nedy, and L. M. Albright were at one time and another pastors of the Church during the early and initial years of its existence.
In 1869, at the close of the Rev. Samuel Baxter's pastorate, it was deemed wise by the congregation to secure another location and to effect a change in the lay administration REV. MAURICE D. BAUMGARD- of the society. This was accordingly NER, PASTOR. done and a lot on Magnolia Street, not far from Summit, was pur- chased and the present brick building, two stories high, was erected in 1873.
The Rev. Leroy A. Belt was at that time presiding elder of the Toledo District and was very influential in the change of location and in the building of a beautiful church. The organization was considerably strengthened at this time by the transfer from St. Paul's Church to St. John's of a large number of members who were living in the vicinity of St. John's.
The Rev. John H. Wilson was the first pastor of the new church which now took the name of St. John's, the first Quarterly Con- ference of the station being held in October, 1872.
The trustees of the Church were Wm. St. Johns, Charles Doug- las, Dwight Buck, D. W. Gibbs, P. Poag, M. W. Bellman, A. W. Plain, and A. H. McVey.
The ministers who have served the Church since 1860 are: William S. Paul, Ambrose Hollington, James W. Alderman, Geo. W. Collier, T. N. Barkdull, Samuel S. Barter, D. R. Cooke, John
308
History of the Central Ohio Conference.
H. Wilson, I. R. Henderson, William Jones, E. A. Berry, Wilbur J. Hodges, J. L. Albritton, J. H. Bethards, Andrew J. Fish, E. B. Lounsberry, David Bowers, John M. Mills, Charles Bennett, W. J. Hagerman, and at present Maurice D. Baumgardner is the minister.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, TOLEDO.
The membership of the Church now numbers over six hundred, and the Church pays a salary of $1,500 and parsonage.
A splendid residence near the church was purchased in 1913 for a parsonage.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, TOLEDO.
In 1830 Toledo had a population of only thirty.
Port Lawrence, at the mouth of Swan Creek, and Vistula, at the foot of Lagrange Street, were both aspiring to be the "Future Great," but huckleberry bushes, swamps and swales, reeds and rushes were in possession.
In 1832 a plat of Port Lawrence was made and recorded in Monroe County, Michigan, as Michigan then claimed that the Maumee River was the State boundary line.
:
309
Toledo Methodism.
In a letter written at that time by Benjamin Rathbun he says: "I was once where Toledo now stands. In 1818 a man by the name of Henderson built a log and stone house on the bank and partly over the water. just below what was then known as Swan Creek, and there was a French cabin in the flats near Swan Creek for the Indians to get rum in."
Horatio Conant. in a letter dated Fort Meigs, February 9, 1822, says, "Respecting Port Lawrence (settlement at the mouth of Swan Creek), there is not nor has there been for years, nor is there likely to be, more than three English families, including all within three miles of the place."
In this year the first sermon was preached within the territory then included in the limits of Toledo. In Rev. Elnathan C. Gavitt's interesting book, "Crumbs from My Saddlebags," he says: "During my early ministry upon the Monroe Circuit in 1832 I preached the first sermon preached in what is now the city of Toledo proper. Spending a few days with Major C. I. Keeler and his excellent family, whose house and home was always hospitably open to the early itinerant ministers, I requested the major to accompany me, and if a place could be obtained in Vistula, I would be pleased to preach to the people of the place on .the Sabbath. Through the kindness of my host a room was obtained for one service in a ware- house owned or occupied by Mr. Goddard, standing on the bank of the river. (The warehouse faced Water Street, between Adams and Madison.) Here the last week of October I preached from Gen. 19: 17 to twelve persons, most of whom were women."
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.