History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 109

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 109

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The church is also represented in the foreign missionary work in the person of Mrs. Ament, at Pekin, China. Mary Alice Penfield was born in Oberlin, Ohio, July 4, 1756, and graduated from Oberlin College in 1875. Tanght two years in

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the Ohio Institution for the Feeble Minded. Married Rev. William S. Ament, August 23, 1877, and sailed soon after for their missionary home in North China.

One other member of the church deserves mention here, from the special rela- tion which he sustained to the Congregational churches of Ohio. Lysander Kelsey was born in Vermont. October 30, 1817. Graduated at Middlebury College in 1840, and at Lane Theological Seminary in 1845. Ordained 1846. Preached for several years in Ohio and Indiana, his longest settlement, eight years, being in Wheelers- burg, Ohio. In 1856, he became agent of the American Home Missionary Society for Southern and Western Ohio, and later for the whole State and part of Indi- ana, serving in this capacity nearly eighteen years. Was Register of the General Association of Ohio 1866-71. Served the churches of Ransom and Prattville, Michigan, 1879 and 1880; Maybee and Raisinville 1881-3; Augusta 1884; and Plain, Ohio, 1885. In 1886 he removed to Oregon, where he preached to the church at Beaverton one year, and later to Mount Zion Church in Portland. His . devoted and useful life came to its elose in Portland, May 17, 1889. His burial took place a few days later in Columbus, Ohio.

Plymouth Church .- On January 18, 1872, eleven persons, mostly members of the First Congregational Church, met at the salesroom of Charles II. Walker, 144 South High Street, and took the first steps toward forming another church in the northern part of the city. At a second meeting a month later, a committee of ways and means was appointed, and also one on the location and erection of a church building. On the last day of February at the residence of Mr. David Price, 791 North High Street, fifteen persons signed a paper agreeing to withdraw immediately from the First Church. They received letters for that purpose, with others, on the sixth of March. The new organization was effected March 9, 1872, at the house of Mr. Price, where, on the proposition of Rev. Lysander Kelsey, thirtysix persons (all but eight from the First Church) covenanted together to form a church under the name of the High Street Congregational Church, adopt- ing a constitution and appointing a committee to prepare articles of faith and a church manual. Edwin C. Beach was elected clerk and David Price, S. E. Samuel and W. A. Hershiser were chosen trustees. One week later the organization was perfected by the adoption of the creed and manual, and the election of W. A. Hershiser, treasurer, and Warren Jenkins, Charles H. Walker and Samuel M. Hotchkiss, deacons. An additional deacon was soon afterwards chosen, viz., Luman P. Rose. The first prayer and conference meeting was held at Mr. Price's, March 27, at which time it was voted to employ Rev. S. M. Merrill as pastor for one year. The new church worshiped temporarily in the Baptist chapel on Russell Street, but proceeded with marvelous energy to ereet a temporary chapel of its own on High Street, near the lot purchased for the church. This chapel was completed in time for the first communion services on the first Sabbath in May.

Early in May the enterprising little church adopted plans for its house of worship on a liberal scale and went forward with enthusiasm and energy to secure its erection. The cornerstone was laid September 9, 1872, and the building so far advance that the first service was held in the basement December 25. This build- ing enterprise taxed the financial strength of the little band very heavily and

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probably retarded its growth. The additions under the first pastor were very few and he resigned on the ninth of October. The church then made a bold effort to secure a minister equal to the demands of their work and of the possibilities of their situation. They reasoned that the growing population in that section of the city needed a vigorous church and an able minister, and so they were ready to devise liberal things, even beyond their means. Rev. A. Hastings Ross was unan- imously called to the pastorate and commenced his labors January 26, 1873, hav- ing preached the first sermon in the new church the previous month. Mr. Ross was installed June 19, 1873. But the growth of the church was still small, the financial burden was exceedingly heavy, and after two years service the pastor resigned, being dismissed Jannary 25, 1875.

[A. Hastings Ross was born in Winchendon, Massachusetts, April 18. 1831. Graduated from Oberlin College in 1857, and from Andover Seminary in 1860. Was ordained in 1861, and settled first at Boylston, Massachusetts, 1861-6; second at Springfield, Ohio, 1866-73 ; third Columbus, Ohio, 1873-5; fourth at Port Huron, Michigan, 1876 to the present time. Has been lecturer on Church Polity in Oberlin Seminary since 1872. He has published : 1, The Church of God ; A Catechism ; 2, A Pocket Manual of Congregationalism ; 3. Sermons for Children ; 4, The Church Kingdom ; 5, Lectures on Congregationalism ; and some twenty articles in different Congregational reviews.]

Quite discouraged, and feeling hardly equal to the burden they were bearing, the church, after Mr. Ross's resignation, discussed with much seriousness a plan for uniting with the Hoge Presbyterian Church occupying the same part of the eity, but as neither organization was willing to be absorbed by the other, the pro- jeet soon fell through. On April 7, 1875, it was voted to engage Rev. H. C. HIas- kell for one year, and the engagement was renewed at the annual meeting a year later. During the month of March, 1876, a series of meetings was held in connec- tion with the Third Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and Neil Chapel, con- ducted by Mr. and Mrs. Frame, two Quaker or Friends evangelists. These meetings brought over forty into the church by profession, this being the first considerable addition in its history and making the whole number of its members 102.

[Rev. Henry C. Haskell was born in Anson, Massachusetts, December 28, 1838, Gradu- ated from Williams College and Andover Seminary. Received ordination in 1862, and was a missionary in Turkey 1862-72. Preached in Huntington, Ohio, 1873; Columbus, Ohio, 1875-7 ; North Amherst, Ohio, 1877-80; Harmar, Ohio, 1881-6; and returned to missionary work in 1887. He is now living at Samokov, Bulgaria.]

In 1877 the church was still wrestling with the financial problem. A few of the ladies took up the needed work and their energy and perseverance were crowned with success. In January, 1878, it was reported that the heavy debt of over $11,000 was provided for. Meanwhile Rev. E. K. Squier had been called to the pastorate in August, 1877, and served the church until the end of July, 1879. No material advancement was made during this period. During the following November a call was voted to Rev. Sanford Martyn, who commenced his labors December 3, but resigned the following summer, after serving seven months.

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[Sanford Smith Martyn was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, July 23, 1839. Graduated at Yale College in 1865 and at Yale Seminary in 1868. Ordained in 1868 at Newington, Con- nectient, where he preached two years. Later settlements: New Hartford, Connecticut, 1870-2; Nashua, New Hampshire, 1874-5; Terre Haute, Indiana, 1876; Peacham, Vermont, 1882-6; Windsor, Vermont, 1887 to the present time.]

The next pastor was Rev. F. W. Gunsaulus, called away from a new enter- prise in another part of the city. He began his work with this church August 1, 1880, and was installed September 15. Under his vigorous and attractive preach- ing the church was greatly encouraged and was infused with new activity. With the opening of 1881 the trustees were empowered to finish and furnish the church building. The work was pushed with energy; a loan of seven thousand dol- lars was authorized ; and in October the completed church was dedicated. Large congregations attended the services of the talented preacher during this and the following year; considerable accessions were gained to the membership and every- thing promised a successful and fruitful pastorate, when, in the fall of 1882, the pastor's health gave way entirely and he was compelled to ask a release from his charge. His request was presented January 10, 1883, asking for a council for his dismission. A week later it was reported to the church that Mr. Gunsaulus was too sick even to attend a council, and his resignation was unanimously accepted with the most tender expressions of sympathy for his shattered condition and the deepest regret at the termination of their union. The pastor's communica- tion, on the other hand, expressed the warmest affection for his people and com- mended in the highest terms the heroism and devotion of the men and the unexampled effort and conspicuous self-sacrifice of the women.

[Frank W. Gunsaulus was born at Chesterville, Morrow County, Ohio, January 1, 1856. Received his collegiate education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware. His theologi- cal education was private. Preached for Methodist churches in Grove City, Worthington and Chillicothe, Ohio. Came to Columbus in 1879 and was ordained in 1880. His later settlements have been in Newtonville, Massachusetts, 1883 4, and Baltimore, Maryland, 1885-6. Was installed pastor of Plymouth Church, Chicago, June 27, 1887. llas sent to the press : Metamorphoses of a Creed, November at Eastwood, The Transfiguration of Christ, Monk and Knight, and Phidias and other Poems.]

Rev. Edward Anderson, then ministering to a Presbyterian church in Toledo, next received a call, in May, 1883, and assumed his duties September 1. Ile resigned November 1, 1884. During his short stay the membership was consider- ably increased, mostly, however, by letter.

[Edward Anderson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, November 19, 1833. His academie and theological instruction was received privately at home. Ordained in 1858. During the war was chaplain of the Thirtyseventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; in command of the Northern Military District of Indiana ; Colonel of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, and in command of a cavalry brigade. Since the war he has preached to Congregational Churches in East Cleveland, Ohio, 1866-7; Ashtabula, Ohio, 1868-9; Jamestown, New York. 1870-2; Olney, Illinois, 1873; Quincy, Illinois, 1874-80; Norwalk, Connectient, 1884-8. He is now (April, 1890) settled at Danielsonville, Connecticut.]

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In April, 1885, a call was voted unanimously to Caspar W. Hiatt, then a student in Oberlin Seminary, a native of Westfield, Indiana, and a graduate of Wheaton College, Illinois. He began his labors July 1, and was ordained pastor September 10. He was eminently successful in building up the church. At the annual meeting in April, 1886, a net increase of fortysix in the membership was reported ; and each succeeding year witnessed numerous additions. Not far from 180 were added to the church by profession during the four years of this pastor- ate, nearly or quite trebling the active membership. Mr. Hiatt resigned in April, 1889, to become District Secretary of the American Missionary Association. The council which approved his dismission testified to his zeal and efficiency in his work and the abundant fruitfulness of his labors. Mr. Hiatt has been pastor of the Congregational Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, since April 3, 1892.

The vacancy in the pastorate was soon filled by the choice of Mr. Alexander Milne, a native of Scotland, and a graduate of Yale Divinity School, who was ordained and installed June 19, 1889.

The present number of members is 398. Ten of the original members are still living in Columbus and connected with this church, which now sustains a large and flourishing Sundayschool in the home church and mans another in the chapel on Goodale Street. Two ministers have gone out from the church, viz., Revs. Luman P. Rose and William R. M. Denny. Mr. Rose was ordained in August, 1874, and was pastor in Orland, Indiana, for four years. He was Superintendent of Home Missions for ten years, beginning in 1878, having his headquarters in Indianapolis. He now resides in Hastings, Nebraska. Mr. Denny was ordained July 15, 1887. Ile has been engaged in missionary work as an agent of the American Bible Society. Another member of this church, Miss Anna B. Mulligan, was married July 1, 1890, to Rev. William H. Hannum, a Presbyterian minister, who is a graduate of the Ohio State University. They have gone to Kolapur, India, as foreign missionaries.

Twentythree gentlemen have held the office of trustce, and eighteen have served as deacons. The present officers are, Rev. A. Milne, pastor ; W. A. Hers- hiser, E. C. Beach, J. W. Bradley and L. N. Conard, deacons; T. Jeffreys, W. A ITershiser, J. Q. Judkins, E. J. Converse, J. N. McDowell and Henry Dierdorff, trustees; David Singleton, clerk, and J. R. Shrum, treasurer. Mr. F. W. Wallis is superintendent of the Sundayschool. In the spring of 1891 the church voted to change its name and its location. Henceforth it will be known as Plymouth Church. The property on High Street was sold and a lot purchased on the south side of West Fourth Avenue. A brick chapel was commenced during the sum- mer, to be completed before the end of the year. This will grow into a large, commodious church, as the needs of the congregation may require. The last ser- vice in the old church was held October 11, and the first in the new chapel, November 22. The formal dedication took place January 24, 1892.

Third Church. - This church was organized in the summer of 1872, with Joseph J. Davis as deacon, William Davis as clerk, and J. J. Davis, F. C. Ses- sions and J. Bardmore as trustees. It grew out of a union Sundayschool which began June 3, 1866, in the shops of the Piqua railway. In the spring

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of 1867, a frame chapel was put up on the back part of a lot on West Goodale Street, which was given by Robert Neil. The building was ready for use in July and was dedicated in September, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. E. P. Goodwin. Preaching services were held in it whenever a minister could be secured. At first the undertaking was actually a union effort, but in a few years it came to be recognized as a Congregational enterprise. As the population in that quarter of the city increased, there seemed to be a call for reg- ular preaching and the establishment of another church, which was offeeted in the summer of 1872, largely through the efforts of Rev. Lysander Kelsey and his son, Frank D. Kelsey, then preparing for the ministry.

The enterprise proved to be premature, and the church was at no time very large ; the only published report of its membership in the denominational statis- ties showing only nine, January 1, 1873. Its chance for growth and strength depended on large manufacturing establishments in the neighborhood, and when these were suspended most of the members moved away. The church was not, however, formally disbanded until the summer of 1887, when Deacon Davis voted himself a letter of dismission to the High Street Congregational Church, of which he had previously been a member. The Sundayschool has been kept up, year in and year out, to the present time and is in a flourishing condition, with a regular attendance reaching nearly one hundred. Mr. Davis has been its super. intendent for over twentyone years. Most of the teachers come from the High Street Church. The property has recently been put into the hands of the First Congregational Church in trust.

North Columbus Church .- The Congregational Church of North Columbus bad its beginning in 1870 or 1871, in a little Sundayschool organized and led by Rev. Joseph Harris, a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. This Sunday- school was held first in a public school building. After a time the school author- ities declined to allow the further use of the schoolhouse and steps were immediately taken to erect a church. As first projected the church would have been Methodist, but the presiding elder refused his consent to the location of a new church so near the one at Clintonville. Desirous of church accommodations nearer to their homes, the supporters of the school sought other help, which was promised them by friends in the First Congregational Church. Thus encouraged, they met on the tenth of December, 1874, at the house of Mr. John Sherman ; made Rev. Mr. Harris chairman, and J. J. Fogle secretary ; adopted the name of the Congregational Church of North Columbus ; and appointed seven trustees, viz., Joseph Harris, John J. Fogle, John Sherman, Joseph Guitner, James McClintock, H. Milton Grimm and Richard Brown, Senior.

A building committee of five gentlemen was also appointed. A lot was pur- chased on High Street for the church building and the cornerstone was laid December 13, 1874. The exercises were. a prayer by Professor John M. Ellis, of Oberlin; a historical sketch by S. H. Vanderhof, and addresses by Revs. R. G. Hutchins, A. H. Ross and D. Horlocker. The singing was by the Sundayschool, which then had an enrollment of 165. The church was dedicated June 13, 1875, with a sermon by Rev. R. G. Hutchins and a prayer by Rev. C. N. Ransom.

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About a month later a church of twentyfour members was formally recognized by a council of Congregational churches, with Rev. Joseph Harris as acting pastor. The sermon was preached by Rev. Samnel Wolcott, D. D., of Cleveland, and the prayer of recognition and consecration was offered by Rev. R. G. Hutchins of the First Congregational Church. On the fifteenth of September the organization was perfected by the election of Watson C. Tripp and Tilman Grimm as deacous, and Mrs. M. E. Harris, Mrs. W. C. Tripp and Mrs. J. Emmel as deaconesses.

Some thirty members were added by profession in January and February, 1877, and the prospects seemed good for a flourishing and useful church. In. August, 1878, the pastor tendered his resignation, which was unanimously declined. Mr. Harris, however, did not deem it wise to continue his services, and preached his farewell sermon the first Sabbath in October. Rev. John Jones, was next invited to act as pastor and labored for about a year and a half, beginning December 1, 1878. After him a Rev. Mr. Sands preached for a while, beginning September 1, 1880; and in the latter part of April, 1881, the church placed itself under the pastoral care of Rev. F. W. Gunsanlus, the nearest congregational minister. In September of the same year, Rev. I. W. Meteall' accepted the charge of the church, preaching there Sunday evenings for several months.

In the fall of 1881 a new Methodist society was organized on the same limited field, still further weakening the little church, which had been for some time in a languishing condition. But a few faithful ones persevered, in spite of all dis- couragements, and called Rev. George S. J. Browne, of Westerville, who began his ministrations December 1, 1882. Mr. Browne was followed by Rev. Erastus HI. Scott, who served as pastor and superintendent of the Sundayschool from May, 1883, to March, 1887, when he removed to Chicago. Encouraged by the promise of liberal aid from the First Congregational Church the little band next called Rev. Homer Thrall, who came to the church in November, 1887, returning to Ohio, from Garden City, Kansas. During his brief pastorate of fifteen months fifteen were added to the church by profession. and its strength was decidedly increased.

On accepting his resignation the church, with unanimous consent, called Mr. James Porter Milligan, a graduate of the Ohio State University and a student in the Oberlin Theological Seminary. Rev. HI. L. Whitehead, a resident Methodist preacher, officiated as minister until the pastorelect completed his studies. Mr. Milligan was well and favorably known to the people, having preached to them frequently during his summer vacations. He began his labors June 1, 1889, under most favorable auspices and was ordained on the twentythird of July. With the new pastor the church took on fresh growth. The attendance at the Sundayschool and the preaching services increased greatly, and evident signs of coming prosperity became apparent. The officers chosen at the last annual meeting Were Richard T. Brown, Senior, and J. W. Brewer, deacons ; Miss May Grimm, clerk ; J. H. Davis, treasurer, and L. H. Bulkeley, R. T. Brown, Senior, J. H. Davis, Peter Ramlow and Milton W. Strait, trustees. Mr. J. HI. Davis is superintendent of the Sundayschool.

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

The resident membership of this church at the close of 1891 was ninetyeight. Though comparatively few in number they are active and zealous, courageous and hopeful, and are laying wise and liberal plans for future work. They have lately purchased the premises just north of the church, and propose to use them as a parish house. Two rooms in the house have been furnished free of rent to the Norwood Club, lately organized in North Columbus for literary and social pir- poses. Some twentyfive young men have become active members of the club.

Eastwood Church .- Eastwood Chapel, a small brick structure on Twentyfirst Street, was commenced in the summer of 1876, on land given by Mr. P. V. N. Myers, a large holder of real estate in that neighborhood, and a liberal giver to the cost of the building. There were but few honses in the immediate vicinity,, some persons say only five; but the builders had sufficient faith and foresight to assure them that the city would soon grow rapidly in that direction ; moreover, they knew that a church would add to the value of the homes around it.

The completed chapel was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, October 15, 1876, Rev. R. G. Hutchins preaching an appropriate sermon and Rev. David C. Perry offering the dedicatory prayer. The next Sabbath, October 22, a Sundayschool was organized with Mr. J. M. Tibbetts as superintendent, Mr. J. S. Batterson as leader of the singing and Miss Mary K. Foos as organist. This was a union school, hav- among its teachers Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists, working harmoniously together. It was also independent and selfsupporting, always paying its own expenses, without being in any sense a mission school. So well was it sustained and so fully was it attended, that an addition was built in 1877 for the infantelass room, the expense of which was paid mostly by mem- bers of the school. Mr. Tibbetts was followed in the superintendency by Messrs. G. H. Twiss, A. N. Ozias and J. H. Brenneman, successively. A single incident during the administration of the lastnamed gentleman will show the persistency of the school. As many of the teachers were persons employed in the public schools, there was frequently a lack of teachers during the summer vacation. On one occasion there was not a single teacher present and the only officers present were the superintendent and the organist. They agreed that as long as scholars came they would hold the school, and so they did. The school has never missed a single session.

Preaching services, maintained pretty regularly in the chapel, were con- ducted by different pastors and laymen from the other churches in the city. The first regular stated preacher was Rev. F. W. Gunsaulus, a young Methodist minister from Chillicothe, who was invited to take charge of the congregation in June, 1879, and held regular services, both on Sundays and in a midweek prayer-meet- ing, for about a year. In the fall of 1879 the worshipers enlarged the capacity of the chapel by building a large addition on the north side, fronting on Long Street. The business affairs of the congregation were managed by four trustees, viz., Messrs. D. D. Bolenbaugh, J. H. Brenneman, P. J. Lofland and G. H. Twiss ; but the property was held in trust by the trustees of the First Congregational Church.

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For more than a year after the withdrawal of Mr. Gunsaulus, no regular preaching services were held, although ministers residing in the city occasionally preached in the chapel and the Sundayschool was kept up, summer and winter, with no thought or desire of vacation. In June, 1881, Mr. Irving W. Metcalf, a senior in the Oberlin Theological Seminary, visited Eastwood and preached two Sundays. An agreement was then made that on the completion of his studies he should preach and perform pastoral work among the people with a view to forming a church. His labors, which began the first Sunday in September, soon developed a readiness for a church organization. About sixty persons attended a prelimin- ary meeting, December 22, 1881, at which several committees were appointed to report a constitution, confession of faith and covenant, all of which were adopted January 12, 1882.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 109

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