History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II, Part 36

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 680

USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 36

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A Sabbath-school has been maintained from the beginning, and has ever been regarded as the nursery of the church, from whose classes its choicest accessions have been received. The management of this institution has always been in the hands of the session, and under the care of the pastor, through the more immediate con- trol of its interests has been exercised by a suc- cession of superintendents. In addition to the school held every Sabbath in the year in the church, mission schools have attracted the con- tinual attention of the congregation, and several have been established at different times. A mission school, which had for some years been sustained as a union school by the various churches in the city, was, by unanimous consent

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

of its officers, placed under the especial care of the Second church in 186r. This was probably their first effort in this direction. A great many children were thus reached who might otherwise have been neglected.

A mission Sabbath-school for the benefit of the colored children was formed by authority of the session in 1867, which did much good work among those for whose benefit it was organized. In 1872 a third mission was started, which, un- der its present management, is known as

STATE STREET CHAPEL.

It is located at the corner of State and Clay streets. A zealous Presbyterian, Joseph W. Gale, now of Boston, Massachusetts, has the honor of originating this mission school. He was an agent for the establishment of Sunday-schools in the New Albany presbytery (then the Salem pres- bytery), and believing the neighborhood of the present school a good one for Sunday-school work, he secured an empty house in which the school was first opened. The building was a small one, and at the end of six months Mr. Gale found his efforts so successful that a larger house was necessary to accommodate his scholars. He went to some of his brethren of the Presby- terian church, among whom were John Lough- miller and William E. Allison, and together they leased of W. C. DuPauw a vacant lot for ten years, upon which the present building was erected. It is a frame building, about thirty-five by fifty feet in size, and cost $2,400, the money being mostly contributed by the Presbyterians. William E. Allison became superintendent, and has continued in that position ever since. Satis- factory progress has been made, and the mem- bership of the school is at present about one hundred. It is thought that a fourth Presbyte- rian church will soon be established at this place.

The regular Sabbath-school of the Second church now numbers about two hundred mem- bers.

Following is a list of officers of the Second Presbyterian church from the first to the present : Pastors-Samuel K. Snead, from November, 1837, to May, 1843; E. R. Beadle, D. D., from August, 1843, to July, 1845; John Black, D. D., from August, 1845, to August, 1846; John M. Bishop, from November, 1846, to October, 1850; John G. Atterbury, D. D., from August, 1851, to

July 1866; Horace C. Hovey, Dr. Daniel Stew- art, Dr. Dickson, Charles Little, and Rev. Good- low, the present incumbent. Elders-Jacob Simmers, from 1837 to 1848; John Loughmiller, 1837; James Brooks, from 1837 to 1866; Wil- liam C. Conner, from 1837 to 1860; Ralph H. Hurlbut, from 1844 to 1857; James M. Haines, from 1852 to 1853; J. N. Graham, from 1852 to 1857; Charles N. Hine, from 1857 to 1860; Walter Mann, 1860; Edward H. Mann, 1860; Charles A. Reineking, 1866; William H. Lewis, W. M. Lewis, A. S. McClung, W. E. Allison. Deacons-James M. Hains, 1848 to 1852; Jesse J. Brown, 1848; Walter Mann, 1848 to 1860; Charles A. Reineking, 1852 to 1866; John M. Renshaw, 1852; John T. Creed, 1859; John Mann, 1859; W. Henry Lewis, 1867; S. Addison McClung, 1867; C. H. Conner, G. C. Graves, John Hutton, W. J. Hisey.

THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This church originated in the Second church, and was organized in November, 1853. Rev. John G. Atterbury was then pastor of the Second church, and on the evening of the 6th of Novem- ber, just prior to the separation, he preached a sermon which was subsequently published in pamphlet form, and from which a few extracts are taken. In a prefatory note the reasons of the separation are fully set forth. In the summer of 1853 it seems to have become the general con- viction of the officers and members of the Second church that it was their duty to make a contribu- tion to the evangelical instrumentalities of the city. The church had greatly prospered, there having been continual and steady accessions to their numbers and increase of their means. The population of the city had increased until it was largely beyond the measure of church accommo- dation. An entirely new suburb in the north- eastern part of the city was rapidly filling up, in which there was no house of worship. An eligi- ble lot in that quarter had recently been do- nated to the church by the heirs of the late Judge Conner in fulfillment of the intention of their venerable father. The money was prompt- ly subscribed to build a house upon this lot, and its erection at once begun. As the completion of this building drew near, the pastor and session made application to the presbytery for the ap- pointment of a committee to constitute a new

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

church of such of their numbers as might volun- teer for that purpose. Up to this time it was not known who would offer themselves for this enterprise, with the exception of one or two per- sons who had early agreed to lead in it. A nat- ural reluctance was felt by the members to leave the fellowship with which they were so pleasantly connected, and the pastor under whose ministra- tions they were sitting. The obligation of the church to colonize was obvious enough, but not so the obligation of any particular persons to go off in the execution of the enterprise. Necessa- rily it was left to the individual sense of duty. On Monday evening, October 31st, a meeting was called in the lecture room of the church, at which time twenty-four persons, members of the Second church (ten males and fourteen females), offered themselves in the formation of the new church; and having received the proper certifi- cates of dismission, were thereupon formerly constituted a separate church, under the name of the Third Presbyterian church of New Albany.

It appearing in the course of the week that these members would not be able to occupy the new house, as had been expected, on the follow- ing Sabbath, Mr. Atterbury took occasion to preach the printed discourse before referred to before the whole congregation as they worshiped together for the last time before separation. The following extracts are from this sermon :

Two churches that have hitherto been one are worshiping together this day (November 6, 1853) for the first and last time ere they separate to their respective fields. Since last Sabbath a portion of your number have solemnly covenanted to walk together and labor together as a separate church of Jesus Christ, and henceforth will not form a constituent part of this congregation.

Sixteen years since this church began its distinctive history with little that was promising in human judgment. The feeble band came out from the parent church under the in- fluence of domestic alienation, bringing with them little else but faith in God and devotion to principle. They were most- ly poor in this world's goods, but some of them, we believe, were rich in faith and heirs of the promises. They brought with them little social influence. They had none of that prestige whose power is felt in churches as in all other so- cieties. All this they left behind. They were viewed as an insignificant band, not so much for number as position, and little was anticipated for them but a struggling existence.

To-day the church is "two hands," not divided by strife or alienation, but separated in love. Every step and turn in its history has been attended with tokens of Divine favor. It has waxed strong unexpectedly each year. Crises that threatened it with disaster have been overruled for its pros-

perity. The spirit of the Lord has been poured out upon il repeatedly, and multitudes have been added by conversion from the world; multitudes of others from churches abroad and at home have united themselves with its interests. At this time, after all the removals and deaths and diminutions that spring from various causes of change incident to human society, it numbers over three hundred members. .

It is asked why this division? Why not remain together in one body? I answer, because God has so greatly prospered and enlarged us that it has become expedient for the spiritual interests of the whole and all its parts to divide the body. I answer again, because by. a division we can hope to accom- plish more in behalf of the great object for which God has established a church in the world and has so greatly pros- pered this particular congregation.

Let me add a few words in reference to our separation. We are now become "two bands," each henceforth having its distinct and separate field. Let there be no strife between us, for we are brethren. Let us not forget that though two bands we are of one family. Our strength will be found in our affectionate oneness. Though our specific fields are separate, the interests we prosecute are identical. We regard you who go out, not as expatriating yourselves, not as be- coming aliens, not as occupying a position of rivalry, but as

going forth in the name of the whole church to do a work which the Lord has called upon his church to do. It is men- tioned in the history of the church at Antioch that "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have sent them." And the church promptly gave up these brethren and sent them away on their missionary field. So do we, the pastor, officers, and members of this church feel, that in obedience to the voice of God, speaking to us in his provi- dence, we have separated you, dear brethren, and now send you away to the work whereunto you are called. It will ever appear upon the records of our presbytery, that, at the instance of the pastor and session of this church, their com- mittee was appointed to organize this band.

The present pastor of this church is Rev. C. Hutchinson. The church is in a flourishing condition and maintains a large, healthy Sabbath- school, with a library of over five hundred vol- umes connected with it. The church edifice is of stone, very substantial, and cost something more than twenty-thousand dollars.

THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.

After the Methodists and Presbyterians the Baptists were probably next to cultivate the field of religion in New Albany. Preachers of this denomination were among the first religious teachers in the county, but were not sufficiently numerous in New Albany to form a church until some years after the Methodists and Presby- terians. The pioneer Baptists came to be known in later times as "Hard-shell" from the peculiarly stern and unyielding quality of their religion. The Baptists in New Albany were largely from Kentucky and other Southern States, though not

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

a few were from the East. Among the latter was Seth Woodruff, a leader in this denomination in New Albany, and he might also be called a repre- sentative man among the Hard-shell Baptists, as well as a representative pioneer. He was from New Jersey, and was a man of considerable natural ability and force of character, but en- tirely uncultivated. He was comparatively with- out education, but made his way in the world through the superabundance of his physical and mental energy and great will-power. He became a Baptist preacher and held the Baptist church here in his iron grasp for many years, running it pretty much to suit himself. He was also promi- nent in county affairs and his name became the most familiar one on the early county records. It was Woodruff who organized the

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

of New Albany, about the year 1825, and it was mainly through his efforts that a large and active church was built up here, and which continued fairly united and prosperous until 1835, when trouble came which divided the congregation. Soon after the organization the society erected a frame "meeting-house" on one of the public squares of the town. This building was in use until 1853, when it was destroyed by fire, and was never rebuilt by the old church society, which was at that time weak, having been torn to pieces by the dissensions of a few years be- fore.

As Mr. Woodruff had been instrumental in building up the church, so he was probably the cause of its division and downfall . in 1835. He had been a trusted and honored leader, his will had generally been recognized as law in the church, and he was able with his native elo- quence and strength of mind, for many years, to hold his followers together; but there came a time, after the church had grown strong in num- bers and intelligence, when men grew tired of listening to the sermons of Mr. Woodruff, or at least desired a change. They wished the Gospel presented in a new and perhaps more attractive way, and therefore voted for a new pastor. This was borne for some time with ill concealed im- patience by Mr. Woodruff and some of his de- voted followers, but after a time produced a division in the church. Mr. Woodruff declined to abdicate the position he had filled so many years, or the power he had struggled so hard to

possess. It is said that he often insisted on occupying the pulpit to the exclusion of the regular pastor. This state of affairs could not be long endured and a large portion of the mem- bers withdrew and formed what has since been known as Park Christian church. Forty-three members were engaged in this enterprise, as appears by the records of the latter church. The church building was sold at auction, and purchased by the Baptists for $r,o10. After the secession of these members the First Baptist church struggled along for ten years more, when trouble came again, and in 1844 the

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

was organized. But few, if any, facts can be gleaned from the records of the Baptist church, and properly so, perhaps, regarding the troubles of the church or the history of the causes that not only led to divisions, but nearly swept the old church out of existence; but the above lets simply a glimmer of light upon these causes. The following regarding the formation of the second church is taken from the records :

The members of the regular Baptist church of New Al- bany, whose names are hereunto annexed, after mature de- liberation, came to the conclusion that a second Baptist church of the same order and faith, situated in the upper part of the city, would be a most efficient means of promot- ing the dissemination of the Gospel and religion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was, therefore, resolved that we present our considera- tions to the church for a hearing. It was accordingly done at one of the regular meetings of said church, and after dis- cussing the subject at several church meetings it was finally resolved, on the third Saturday in October, 1844, by said church, that the following members have the privilege of forming themselves into a new church to be styled the Second Baptist church of New Albany, Indiana.

Following is the list of names of the members at the or- ganization of this church: Oliver Cassell, John Knepfly, Charles Barth, Charles Roose, Alfred Scott, Caroline Cas- sell, Mary Montgomery, Martha J. Johnson, Magdaline Knepfly, Nancy Barth, Hannah Hutching, Mary Tubbs, Elizabeth Murphy.

The record further says:

On Saturday afternoon, November 23, 1844, the following brethren assembled as a council with reference to the forma- tion of a Second Baptist church in New Albany:

.Rev. G. G. Gates, from the First Baptist church of New Albany; C. Van Buskirk and Absalom Cochell, from the First Baptist church of Louisville, Kentucky; Rev. T. S. Mal- com, C. Forbes, A. S. Woodruff, and C. C. P. Crosby, from the Second Baptist church of Louisville, Kentucky; Rev. William C. Buck, from the East Baptist church of Louis- ville, Kentucky; John McCoy, and Thomas E. Veatch, from the Baptist church of Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Rev. William C. Buck was appointed moderator, and Rev. T. S. Malcom clerk. Prayer was offered by Rev. T. S. Mal-

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

com. A letter of dismission was read dismissing thirteen members of the Baptist church in New Albany for the pur- pose of constituting a new church of the same faith and order, of whom the following ten were present: Oliver Cas- sell, John Knepfly, Charles Barth, Caroline Cassell, Mary Montgomery, Martha Johnson, Magdaline Knepfly, Nancy Barth, Mary Tubbs, and Elizabeth Murphy.

The articles of faith, church covenant, and rules of de- corum were read, to which the members of the proposed church gave their assent; thereupon it was moved and sec- onded that we proceed as a council to re-organize this as a separate and distinct church of Jesus Christ. The right hand of fellowship was given by the members to each other and to the council.

Prayer was offered by Rev. G. G. Gates for the blessing of God upon the new church.

This closed the proceedings, and the Second Baptist church entered upon its career. Soon after the organization the following members were received by letter: Susan Knight, Aman- da Tubbs, William Pusey, Rev. Sidney Dyer, Abigail T. Dyer, and Ann Wilson.

The first preaching was November 26, 1844, by Rev. T. S. Malcom, of Louisville.

A second meeting was held December 1, 1844, at which Elder Smith Thomas preached.

The first deacons were John Knepfly and Oliver Cassell; the latter was also the first clerk, and the former the first treasurer, and is yet liv- ing in New Albany.

The first permanent pastor was Rev. Sidney Dyer, chosen at a meeting held January 31, 1845, the compensation being $300 per annum. He was from the South Baptist church, New York.

The society secured a room on Main street, where its meetings were held. The separation of the churches did not seem to end their troubles; both congregations were rendered too weak to sustain two regular pastors, and both so- cieties felt that something was wrong, and that the cause of Christianity was not being advanced as it should be by a Christian church, so in November, 1845, propositions were made look- ing to a reconciliation and to the reuniting of the two churches.

Nothing came of this effort, however, and again, as appears by the record July 12, 1846, a committee from the First church made a proposi- tion to the Second church to again unite with them; the proposition was considered, but the matter was again postponed. These frequent failures created ill feeling, and the churches be- came more widely separated than ever. Many

of the members of both churches desired to re- unite, but others were stubborn, and this feeling produced the present or

BANK STREET BAPTIST CHURCH,

now the only white church of this denomination in the city. May 11, 1848, as appears by the re- cords, several members belonging to both churches, presented the following memorial :

Several members of the regular Baptist church in New Al- bany, being for a long time under a painful conviction that the cause was not advantageously, nor the denomination fairly represented before the community by that body; believing also that the recent exclusion of their minister and one of their deacons was not only hasty but without sufficient cause, being effected by the zeal of a few prejudiced persons; and having frequently seen points of discipline and other business transactions decided in the same manner by that body to the grief of many, believed themselves, in humble reliance upon God, called upon by his providence to constitute a new Baptist church in this city.

As several of these members, at one of the meetings of the church, did ask for letters of dismissal, but were refused such letters, though acknowledged to be in full fellowship and regular standing, they thereupon agreed to organize them- selves into a regular Baptist church to be called the Bank Street Baptist church.

The organization of this church was effected by choosing for pastor Rev. George Webster; for deacons, Oliver Cassell and John Knepfly; clerk, John Woodward; treasurer, Benjamin Williams; trustees, Samuel Montgomery, John Knepfly, and John Woodward.

This organization seems in a short time to have absorbed the best elements of the other two, and resulted in their dissolution.

The old First church, however, continued to hold its organization for a number of years, and had occasional but no regular preaching. In 1878, under the preaching of Rev. William Hildreth, of the Bank Street church, the two churches were united, the old church turning over its property to the Bank Street church. This church seems to have been united and harmonious since its organization.

As soon as organized, the society purchased a lot, 48x60 feet in size, on the corner of Bank and Spring streets, and during the sum- mer of 1848 erected thereon a brick church, which served the purposes of the congregation until 1878, when the present beautiful brick structure was erected. The old church was sold, and is now in use as a warehouse. The new church was dedicated January 4, 1880, the de- dicatory sermon being preached by Rev. John A.

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Broadus, of Louisville. The church is said to possess the finest auditorium in the city, and cost about ten thousand dollars. The church membership is at present about two hundred and sixty.

The Sabbath-school was established many years ago, and now has an active membership of about one hundred and forty.

THE SECOND BAPTIST (COLORED) CHURCH.

This is located on Upper Fourth street, be- tween Main and Market, and was organized March 28, 1867, by Rev. C. Edwards, a colored minister of considerable ability, who continued its pastor nine years. Some of the original mem- bers of this church were George Cole, David Cole, Isabella Williams, Unitary Murphy, E. Howard, A. McCrutcher, G. D. Williams, M. Sales, and Simon Hall. The organization took place in Woodward hall, on Main street, where meetings were held until a lot was purchased on Second street, where the society erected a frame church about 1868, which cost about $1,800. This church building was occupied until 1871, when they purchased of the Lutherans the old brick church on Fourth street, erected about 1840 by the Presbyterians, which they have since oc- cupied, and which cost them about $2,500. The society still owns both church buildings, renting the first one for a private residence. The society has been a prosperous one, and now numbers about three hundred members. Rev. Richard Bassett is the present pastor, succeeding Rev. C. Edwards.

The Sabbath school was organized in the fall of 1867, and now numbers about one hundred members.

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This was the next religious society to organize after the First Baptist church. The following extract is taken from the first records of this church:

At a meeting of the citizens of New Albany, held at the house of Lathrop Elderkin in said town, on the nineteenth day of July, 1834, agreeably to a notice given and in con- formity to an act of the Legislature of the State of Indiana friendly to the Protestant Episcopal church-was formed the Parish of St. Paul's church, of New Albany, county of Floyd, and State of Indiana; subject to the powers and authority of the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States of America, and subject to the laws of the same. Rev. Dexter Potter was called to the chair, and L. Elderkin appointed clerk.

At this meeting the following officers were also elected: Lathrop Elderkin, warden; Joseph Franklin and A. S. Barnett, vestrymen; and Joseph Franklin, Alexander S. Barnett, and La- throp Elderkin, trustees. This ended the pro- ceedings of the first meeting for the organization of St. Paul's church.

Prior to this meeting occasional services had been held at the houses of the members, and fre- quent meetings for prayer and conference.

Two days after this first meeting (July 21, 1834,) the following appears on the record:

We, whose names are hereunto affixed, deeply impressed with the importance of the Christian religion, and earnestly wishing to promote its holy influences in the bearts and lives of ourselves, families, and neighbors, do hereby associate ourselves together under the name, style, and title of the Parish of St. Paul's church, in the town of New Albany, county of Floyd, and State of Indiana, and by so doing bind ourselves to be entirely subject to the power and authority of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America, and subject to the laws and canons of the same.

At New Albany this, the 21st day of July, 1834.

L. ELDERKIN, A. S. BURNETT, JOSEPH FRANKLIN, C. H. BESSONETT, WILLIAM WHITE.

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History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II, Part 36

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co. Number of Pages: 680

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 680