History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 108

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1202

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I > Part 108

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).

The first Congregational organization in Columbus was the Welsh Church mentioned above, which began in 1837. In 1839, a colony left the First Presby- terian Church with the purpose of forming a Congregational organization, but, in

832

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

deference to counsel from abroad, notably from Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, then at the head of the Lane Seminary, in Cincinnati, they became the Second Presbyte- rian Church. A colony from this Second Church, organized in 1852 as the Third Presbyterian Church, took the name in 1856 of the First Congregational Church. They built a new house of worship on Broad Street in 1857.

In 1872, the High Street Congregational Church was formed and erected its first meetinghouse just north of West Russell Street. In the same year a few members from the First and the High Street churches projected the formation of the Third Congregational Church, worshiping in a frame chapel on Goodale Street, but the enterprise proved to be premature and soon fell through.

The Congregational Church of North Columbus was formed in July, 1875, having completed a modest building the previous month. This church consisted largely of persons who had been Methodists.

Eastwood Chapel was erected in 1876, and enlarged in 1879. The church organization was effected in 1882. The year 1881 witnessed the completion and dedication of the High Street Congregational Church. The reconstruction of the First Congregational Church building occupied the larger part of the year 1887, and the next year Mayflower Chapel was built. It was first occupied in February, 1889. The organization of Mayflower Church followed in June.

In December, 1889, the Congregational Club of Central Ohio was formed to promote the fellowship of the Congregational churches in this part of the state. It meets at intervals of about two months, during the colder part of the year, for social purposes and the discussion of topics pertaining to the welfare of the churches and of society at large. The members are mostly residents of Colum- bus ; though all gentlemen of Congregational affiliations living within convenient distance are welcome to membership. Mr. F. C. Sessions was its president the first year, and has been succeeded by Mr. E. O. Randall, of the Mayflower Church, and Mr. George H. Twiss, of Eastwood. During the year 1890, one new church, the South Congregational, was formed, and three new houses of worship were erected. The Welsh Congregational Church completed and occupied its new house at the corner of Washington Avenue and Gay Street, and two frame chapels were built, one on St. Clair Avenue and another at the corner of High Street and Stewart Avenue, for the South Church. The Eastwood people laid the foundation for their new meetinghouse, and the First Church spent some $8,000 in remodel- ing its chapel so as to accommodate a larger number in its Sundayschools, at the same time refitting and beautifying the whole structure.

The entire resident membership of the seven Congregational churches of Columbus is now (January, 1892,) about 1,750. They are well officered, having faithful, energetic, wideawake pastors, fully abreast of the times and equal to the needs of the community; and as the people also have a mind to work, these churches will, with God's help, prove more and more a power for good.

To increase their efficiency, and secure a wiser expenditure of their united strength, the Congregational Union of Columbus was formed March 30, 1891; composed of the pastors and one laydelegate for every hundred members in the several churches, to be chosen annually. This union will hold in watchful survey

XXXXXX

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BAKER.

Residence of the late Francis C. Sessions, 478 East Broad Street, built in 1840, rebuilt in 1862.

833

CONGREGATIONAL.

the whole field, and advise and assist in whatever new enterprise may be projected for church work by the Congregational churches of the city. It was incorporated in June, 1891, with Mr. F. C. Sessions as president. Its officers for 1892 are W. A. Mahony, president ; James T. Jones, vice president ; E. J. Converse, secretary ; and W. D. Park, treasurer. These gentlemen with L. H. Bulkeley, E. O. Randall and W. B. Davis constitute the executive committee of the Union.

First Congregational Church .- Just after the middle of the decade preceding the Civil War, the First Congregational Church of Columbus took on its present form. It originated in an offshoot from the Second Presbyterian Church, then worshiping on Third Street, south of Rich, and was designed to occupy the field lying north of Broad Street. At two preliminary meetings held on the third and the tenth of March, 1852, it was decided to purchase a lot on the north- east corner of Third Street and Lynn Alley, and to erect a frame chapel to cost about 81,000 for a new congregation under the pastoral care of Rev. William H. Marble, who had been employed since the first of January in the interest of the new enteprise. The chapel was dedicated July 11, and on the twentyninth of September a meeting was held to organize the church, with Mr. L. L. Rice presid- ing, and Mr. Warren Jenkins, secretary. The original number was fortytwo, bearing letters of dismission from the Second Presbyterian Church. Five of the fortytwo are still living in connection with the church. They elected as trustees Thomas S. Baldwin, Lewis L. Rice and Francis C. Sessions. The first elders were M. B. Bateham, Doctor J. W. Hlamilton and Warren Jenkins. Charles II. Goss was chosen clerk. At a subsequent meeting S. B. Stanton was elected treasurer, but seems never to have filled the office. A formal call was given to Rev. Mr. Marble to become the settled pastor.

[William Horace Marble was born in Winchester, New Hampshire, February 13, 1822 ; educated at Union Theological Seminary in New York City ; ordained September 3, 1850; and preached for two years in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. From Columbus he went to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he preached six years, and became chaplain for six months in a regiment of Wisconsin volunteer infantry. Since leaving the army his ministerial service has been two years at Waupun, Wisconsin, three at Waterloo, Iowa, fifteen in evangelistic ser- vice, one at Boulder, Colorado, two at Newfane, Vermont, and one at Enfield, New Hamp- shire. His present settlement is at Wallace, Kansas.]

The church, though Presbyterian in name and in its form of government, and under the pastoral care of a Presbyterian minister, was never connected with a presbytery, following in this respect the example of the mother church, and showing at the start a leaning towards the Congregational order. Many of its members, indeed, would have preferred a Congregational organization, but this did not seem expedient at the time.

The new church prospered, both financially and spiritually, under Mr. Marble. There were large accessions of new converts during 1853, sixtytwo being admitted by profession in March as the result of evangelistic work the preceding winter. The minister's salary was materially increased, and, early in 1854, the vigorous young church began to take steps for building a new meetinghouse. On March

834

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

29, 1854, a plan was adopted, involving the expenditure of some $12,000. The trustees and three other energetic workers were made a building committee, and active measures were taken to forward the enterprise. The raising of the neces- sary funds proved a heavy task, and at times it seemed as if the work must fall through. Meanwhile, in Jannary, 1856, the pastor resigned. One hundred and fifty had been added to the chrch under his ministry, fittyeight by letter and ninetytwo by profession.

Disappointment in the effort to secure another minister, the need of repairs on the chapel and the burden of securing means for the new building were great drawbacks, threatening serious weakness and even an entire abandonment of the enterprise. With these obstacles the little church wrestled heroically during the spring and summer of 1856. Its resident membership was then 105. Faith and prayer nerved them with courage to persevere in their good work, and it was unani- mously resolved, August 6, 1856, to continue the organization. Rev. Anson Smyth, the State Commissioner of Public Schools, preached with great acceptance for seven or eight months, during the interval in the pastorate. In the month of September, Rev. J. M. Steele, of Stratham, New Hampshire, spent two or three weeks with the church, and received a unanimous call to become their pastor. On the third of November, after careful deliberation and a full interchange of opinion, the church decided unanimously to assume the name and form of a Con- gregational church. The first officers of the reconstructed church were: M. B. Bateham, J. W. Hamilton, L. L. Rice and S. B. Stanton, deacons; L. L. Rice clerk ; and T. S. Baldwin, treasurer. The first board of trustees consisted of Doctor R. J. Patterson, T. S. Baldwin and F. C. Sessions.

[John McClary Steele was born at Epson, New Hampshire, in 1822; graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1844, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1847 ; was first settled at South Woburn, Massachusetts, where he was ordained August 10, 1848; was dismissed Feb- ruary 11, 1852, and settled as pastor at Stratham, New Hampshire, November 30, 1853, where he remained until called to Columbus.]

The pastorelect, Mr. Steel, arrived in Columbus November 6, and was installed the next day by a council of churches, the services being held in the First Presby- terian Church, and the sermon being preached by the Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Steele labored happily and acceptably during the winter, gaining the effection and esteem of the people, and giving hopeful promise of a useful and successful pastorate. An important business meeting was held February 25, 1857, when it was decided to proceed at once with the erection of the new church on Broad Street, facing the Capitol Square, at an estimated cost of $7,000. To secure material aid the pastor shortly after went east, where he unfortunately contracted the smallpox, and died in New York City, within five months of his installation, April 5, 1857. Though grievously distressed by this great loss, the church went bravely forward with its building enterprise. The money that had been contributed by members of the Second Presbyterian Church towards the erection of the chapel was repaid, and the work on the new church was pushed with such energy that it was finished before the end of the year, and

835

CONGREGATIONAL.

was dedicated December 23, 1857. It stood on the site still oeeupied, measuring externally 120 x 63 feet, the audienceroom of 73 feet by 59 being on the rear of the lot, and the front affording two goodsized social rooms with a spacious hall between them and a Sundayschool room above. The entrance was through a tower projecting from the middle of the front, with a pastor's study in the second story. The new lot cost $6,500 and the cost of the edifice was a little over $10,000.

While the building was in progress, the church was looking for a pastor, Rev. Mr. Smyth again supplying the pulpit meanwhile and rendering such further ser- vice as he could without neglecting the duties of his publie office. The Rev. Nathaniel A. Hyde began to supply the pulpit December 6, 1857. He remained six months, during which time the church received thirtyfour members. In June, 1858, just before Mr. Hyde left, the Ohio State Conference of Congregational churches and ministers was entertained by the church, which had joined the Con- ference the year before.

[Nathaniel Alden Hyde was born in Stafford, Connecticut, May 10, 1827. He graduated from Yale College in 1847, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1851; preached a few months in Central Village, Connecticut, in 1851-2, and in the Second Church of Rockville, Connecticut, in 1852-3; and served as assistant secretary of the Children's Aid Society in New York, 1854-6. He was ordained in Columbus, December 23, 1857. On leaving Columbus he preached for a few months in the Seventh Street Church in Cincinnati, during their pas- tor's absence, and in the fall of 1858 became pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Indianapolis. At the end of ten years he was appointed Superintendent of Home Missions for Indiana, and five years later accepted the pastorate of Mayflower Church in Indianapolis. In May, 1888, he resigned his active duties, and was made pastor emeritus. He has pub- lished sundry sermons, memorials and papers on special topics.]

The next settled minister was Rev. H. B. Elliott, from Stamford, Connecticut, who was installed November 7, 1858, and was dismissed in August, 1860. The church grew but slowly under his ministrations, the additions in the two years numbering only thirtyseven. Financial disasters and the removal of some lead- ing members, coupled with a general business depression, seem to have led to Mr. Elliott's resignation, which was tendered in May, 1860.

A call was extended in June to a talented young minister, Rev. Edward P. Goodwin, who was laboring as a home missionary in Burke, Vermont; com- menced his ministrations here in October, and was installed in February, 1861. His pastorate lasted over seven years, until his dismission by council, December 24, 1867. The church grew steadily under his leadership, notwithstanding the obloquy it encountered as an antislavery church and other adverse circumstances. Two hundred and twentyfour joined it during the seven years, 125 of them on profession. The largest additions were made in 1866, during which year seventyone new converts were received into the church. The benevolent con- tributions of the church rose handsomely, having nearly doubled in 1863, and more than doubled in 1864. Doctor Goodwin's pastorate is still remembered as a very successful one. The church reluctantly consented to his departure to a larger field of usefulness in Chicago.

836

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

[Mr. Goodwin was borne in Rome, New York ; graduated in Amherst College in 1856 and at Union Theological Seminary in 1859, and preached as a home missionary in Burke, Vermont, for about a year and a half. He was ordained in 1859. His only pastorates have been in Columbus and in the First Congregational Church in Chicago. Several of his ser- mons have been printed, and two valuable pamplets - on Supernatural Healing, and a Reply to Mr. Ingersoll on Thomas Paine.]

The Rev. George W. Phillips, of Haydenville, Massachusetts, succeeded Doctor Goodwin. He was installed May 12, 1868, and resigned September 24, 1871. He was dismissed by vote of the church without the action of a council. In his three years of service the church received 137 additions, with a net increase of about seventy.

[George W. Phillips was born at Hubbardston, Massachusetts, and received his college education at Amherst, and his theological training at Andover, Massachusetts. He was ordained in 1864, and settled as a minister at Haydenville, Massachusetts. From Columbus he went to Plymouth Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, and from there to the church in Rutland, Vermont, in 1886.]

Before Mr. Phillips left a growing demand for more room, both for the preaching services and for the Sundayschool, led to an effort at enlargement of the church. This was projected in the summer of 1870, but was not fully carried out until 1872. An additional strip of ground west of the church was purchased, and a large commodious building put up on the rear of the new lot, cornering on the main audienceroom. The lower story was devoted to the Sundayschool and to conference meetings, and the upper part was used for social rooms and the pastor's study. By the transfer of the Sundayschool rooms the auditorium was enlarged to occupy the whole of the original structure. The change involved extensive and costly improvements, the entire expense of which was reported by the committee in charge as amounting to 822,000.

After Mr. Phillips's departure the pulpit was supplied for a few months, beginning in December, 1871, by Rev. S. M. Merrill, who afterwards became the first minister of the High Street Congregational Church, formed largely by mem- bers of the First Church.

In the summer of 1872 the hearts of the people were turned towards the Rev. R. G. Hutchins, of Brooklyn, New York, who received a unanimous call to the pastorate, on the twentyeighth of August. Accepting September 19, he imme- diately commenced his labors, which continued for nearly ten years. Doctor Hutchins was an eloquent and effective preacher, and a most energetic worker. The church made a large and healthy growth under his ministrations, both in numbers and efficiency. He was privileged to receive 384 members, 172 of whom entered on profession. The largest increase was during his first year of service, being fortyeight, though the additions by profession were most numerous in 1876, when forty new couverts were admitted.

In January, 1882, twentyfour members were dismissed to assist in forming the Eastwood Church, an enterprise which had grown up under the fostering care and generous help of the First Church and its pastor.

837

CONGREGATIONAL.

May 21, 1882, to the great surprise and deep regret of his people, Doctor Hutchins offered his resignation, that he might accept a call to Plymouth Church, Minneapolis. The call seemed so plainly providential that the church could offer no valid objection to the dissolution of the pastorate, which was consummated by advice of council, and took effect on the first of June.

[Robert G. Hutchins was born at West Killingly, Connecticut, April 25, 1838; graduated at Williams College in 1861, and Andover Theological Seminary in 1864. He was ordained June 13, 1866, over the Bedford Congregational Church, Brooklyn, New York, which he served until his removal to Columbus. His subsequent settlements have been at Minneapo- lis, Minnesota, Oberlin, Ohio, and Los Angeles, California.]

The pulpit was supplied during the summer and fall of 1882 by & Rev. Dr. Walter Q. Seott, President of the Ohio State University, while the church War making careful search for a successor to Doctor Hutchins. At last Rev. Washing- ton Gladden, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was invited to fill the vacancy. Ile accepted the call November 15, and began his work here December 24, 1882. His installation took place March 22, 1883.

[Washington Gladden was born of New England stock, at Pott's Grove, Northumberland County. Pennsylvania. His youth was spent in Owego, New York. He graduated from Wil- liams College in 1859, and after teaching one year was ordained November 15, 1860, as pastor of the State Street Congregational Church in Brooklyn, New York. He spent one year with this church, five years with the church in Morrisania, New York ; five years with that in North Adams, Massachusetts ; four years on the staff of The Independent, and about eight years as pastor of the North Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. Doctor Gladden is a vigorous and independent thinker, and is always busy with his pen. Besides many con- tributions to our current periodical literature he has published the following volumes: Plain Thoughts on the Art of Living; From the Hub to the IIudson ; Workingmen and Their Employers ; Being a Christian - translated into the Japanese ; The Christian Way ; The Lord's Prayer; Things Old and New ; Young Men and the Churches ; Applied Christianity ; Parish Problems; Burning Questions ; and Who Wrote the Bible ?]

Under the guidance of this new leader the church has gone forward with fresh zeal, growing stronger numerically, financially and spiritually. To its roll 546 new names have been added during the past nine years, 310 of them representing per- sons joining on confession. The number on the rolls Jannary 1, 1892, is 814, of whom about 700 are resident members. Only two or three Congregational churches in the State have a larger membership. The financial strength of the society is shown in its liberal support of the public services of the sanctuary, and in the recent improvement in the church building. In June, 1886, it was voted to improve and refurnish the church. This movement led to a thorough remodeling of the audienceroom. A recess for the pulpit and choir was built in the space west of the church ; an entire new stone front was constructed, the gift of a single member; the roof was opened and the ceiling lighted from above; large windows of cathedral glass were set in the north and south ends; a rising floor was laid, and the whole interior was reseated amphitheatrically and decorated anew. The entire cost of this improvement, including organ, carpets and furniture, with pav-

the

838

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

ing, was about 834,000. The old auditorium was vacated in September, 1886, and the Sabbath services were held during the fall and winter in the Grand Opera House until its destruction by fire, when the church accepted the generous invita- tion of the Second Presbyterian Church to unite with them in joint services in their house of worship. The new audienceroom was first occupied on Easter Sun- day, 1887, and the completed church was rededicated December 17, 1887, five years after the commencement of Doctor Gladden's labors in Columbus.

The development of the Christian activities of the church is no less gratifying than its material prosperity and its numerical strength. The midweek service and the Sundayschool are well sustained and the church has reached out vig- orously to help those destitute of spiritual privileges. In February, 1889, the pas- tor called upon the members to organize a new Sundayschool for persons not con- nected with any other school. The people responded nobly. The district contig- uous to the church was thoroughly canvassed by forty volunteers who went forth, two by two, into all the alleys and tenements between Fourth Street and the river, and between Broad Street and the Union Station. The work of canvassing was completed in one week and on Sunday afternoon, March 17, the school was opened with an attendance of 199 and a full corps of officers and teachers, none of whom were engaged in the morning school. So crowded did this Bethel school soon become that more room was imperatively demanded. This want was sup- plied the following year by the construction of a gallery with classrooms on the north and east sides of the chapel.

In November, 1888, the church and society voted to employ an assistant pas- tor so soon as a suitable person could be found. Rev. Henry Stauffer came at the . completion of his studies in Yale Divinity School, and took up the work in May, 1889. The next month twentyone members were dismissed to form the Mayflower Church. Mr. Stauffer continued to act as assistant pastor until the fall of 1890. The assistant in 1891 was Rev. William B. Marsh.

The officers of the church for 1892 are Rev. Washington Gladden, D. D., pastor; F. C. Eaton, B. D. Hills, O. A. B. Senter, P. V. Burington, John W. Estill and Richard A. Hayes, deacons ; and R. H. Bratton, clerk and treasurer. The officers of the society are J. S. Morton, W. A. Mahony, E. A. Cole, E. B. Robbins and G. W. Bright, trustees; B. D. Hills, clerk, and W. H. Martin, treasurer. Abram Brown is superintendent of the regular Sundayschool and Walter A. Mahony of the Bethel school. Twentysix different persons have acted as trustees and forty have held the office of deacon.

The following persons have entered the ministry from the membership of this church : 1. Warren Jenkins, born in Lee, Massachusetts, April 12, 1804. Licensed to preach, 1855. Ordained by Presbytery September 5, 1855. Preached at Hang- ing Roek and Genoa, Ohio. Was chaplain in the Ohio Penitentiary. Died May 11, 1866. 2. James Lawrence Patton, born in Warren County, Ohio, October 14, 1827. Graduated from Oberlin College 1859, Oberlin Seminary 1862. Ordained at Clarksfield, Ohio, October, 1862. Preached at Clarksfield and Bronson, 1862-4. In the United States Army, 1864-5. Chaplain Fifth United States Colored Troops. Pastor at Greenville, Michigan, from 1866 until his death, April 19, 1890.

839

CONGREGATIONAL.

3. Josiah H. Jenkins, born in Buffalo, New York, February 23, 1836. Graduated at Marietta College, 1862, Lane Seminary, 1865. Ordained at Lebanon, Ohio, 1865. Preached at Lebanon, Coolville, Harmar and Toledo, Ohio, Leavenworth, Kansas, Mount Dora and Tangerine, Florida, Greenwich, Ohio, and San Bernardino, Cali- fornia, where he is now settled. 4. William Holden Rice, born in Painesville, Ohio, January 4, 1841. Graduated, Oberlin College 1862, Oberlin Seminary 1865. Ordained at Geneseo, Illinois, November, 1869. Preached at Brooklyn, Ohio, Mount Carroll, Illinois, Washington, D. C., Vernon and Addison, New York. Late in 1890 he was called to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he is now preaching. 5. Frank D. Kelsey, born in New Washington, Clark County, Indiana, February 15, 1849. Graduated at Marietta College 1870, Andover Seminary 1874. Ordained at Marblehead, Massachusetts, July 7, 1874. Preached at Marblehead and Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts, New Gloucester, Maine, and Helena, Montana, his present settlement. 6. D. F. Harris, born at Medina, New York, October 18, 1851. Studied theology in Chicago Seminary and at Oberlin, graduating in 1876. Ordained pas- tor of the Columbia Church, in Cincinnati, December 13, 1876. Pastor of the Dan- forth Church in Syracuse, New York, 1884-7. Has been settled since October, 1887, in Ilarmar, Ohio. Has published a book entitled " Calvinism Contrary to God's Word and Man's Moral Nature." 7. Reuben A. Beard, born in Marysville, Ohio, August 30, 1851. Graduated at Oberlin Seminary in 1879. Ordained Septem- ber 10, 1879, at Brainerd, Minnesota. Preached there until Junnary 1, 1883, then at Fargo, North Dakota, until August 1, 1888. Superintendent of Home Missions in Washington for three years. Became pastor of the First Church in Spokane Falls, Washington, in August, 1891, but resigned about six months later on account of ill health. 8. Henry Fay Tyler, born in Columbus, Ohio, November 26, 1848. Graduated at Oberlin Seminary 1880. Ordained at Millville, New York, October 12, 1880. Also pastor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Allegan, Michigan. His present settlement is at St. Joseph, Michigan. 9. Edward Duncan Kelsey, born at Wheelersburg, Ohio, January 16, 1853. Graduated at Marietta College 1874, and Yale Seminary 1881. Ordained in New Haven, Connecticut, April 21, 1881. Preached in Almont, Michigan ; was assistant pastor of Seventh Presbyterian Church, New York City, and was pastor at Cutchogue, New York. Returned to Ohio in 1889, and is now preaching at Prospect. 10. William I. Chamberlain, born in Sharon, Connecticut. Graduated at Western Reserve College, 1859. Was engaged in teaching and farming until 1880. Secretary of the State Board of Agri- culture, at Columbus, Ohio, until 1886. Elected President of Iowa State Agricul- tural College in May, 1886, and held that position until November, 1890. Ordained at Columbus, November 30, 1886. Present residence, Iludson, Ohio. 11. Jesse Levi Bright, born in Westerville, Ohio, May 28, 1859. Academical education at Oberlin, and theological at Yale Divinity School, where he graduated in 1890. Ordained November 24, 1890, as pastor of the South Congregational Church of Columbus.

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.

History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 108

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1202

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1202