USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 30
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In 1867, steps were taken toward the erection of the present commodious and stately church edifice, which was in part ready for use in 1869, but not com- pleted till in 1874, the cost being about $100,000. A legacy of $7,000 and $24,000 from the sale of the Fifth street graveyard, greatly assisted the congregation in meeting the cost of the building.
August 15, 1876, the church was greatly damaged by fire. The fire com- menced in the organ and consumed it. A part of the roof was destroyed and the furniture of the church was much damaged. The first Baptist church, the Ger- man Reformed church and the Third Street Presbyterian church generously opened the doors of their church buildings for the accommodation of the con- gregation until necessary restorations were made. In the original construc- tion of the church building, there was a serious defect in the acoustic properties
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of the auditorium. In repairing the building after the fire, the ceiling was lowered about twenty feet, the defect named being thereby largely corrected.
The First Presbyterian church has sent out members to assist in forming almost every other Presbyterian church in the city. It lost seventy-two members in 1838, when in connection with the new school movement, the Third street church was formed. It now numbers six hundred members and is a strong moral force in the city. Dr. Maurice E. Wilson, who is in the nineteenth year of his pastorate is greatly esteemed.
The Sabbath school, as indicated in another chapter began in 1818 as a union school, in which character it continued for about eleven years. For this time, it was under the control of ladies with Mrs. Sarah Bomberger as superintendent. In 1829, David Osborn was chosen superintendent.
THE THIRD STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organized as the result of an unfortunate theological division in the Presbyterian church of the United States, which occurred in 1837. This division resulted in the partition of the church into two bodies, which were scarcely distinguishable from each other, except that one was styled O. S., meaning Old School, and the other was styled N. S. mean- ing New School.
This division appeared in many communities and resulted in the disruption of many local churches throughout the country. The stricter party insisted upon interpretations which certain others were not willing to adopt. There was little real difference of opinion as subsequent events proved ; but the two parties drifted apart in sympathy. The leaders of the old school were such men as Drs. Breck- enridge, Wilson and Alexander ; whilst the leaders of the New School were such men as Lyman Beecher and Albert Barnes. After over thirty years of separation, these two branches were reunited at the Reunion Assembly in 1870. An elder of the Third street church, Mr. Robert Steele, was a member of the reunion com- mittee representing the two bodies which brought about the final reunion of the two bodies of Presbyterians.
The general division in the Presbyterian church of the United States appeared promptly in Dayton; and it was thus in 1838 that the First Presbyterian church of Dayton furnished a colony for the formation of a Second Presbyterian church. Two elders of the First Church, Peter Odlin, and Dr. John Steele, headed the movement ; and they were followed by about seventy others. The seceding mem- bers, after their withdrawal claimed an interest in the property of the parent church, which gave rise to serious disagreement. In many communities such claims had to be adjudicated by the courts. In this case however, an amicable adjustment was reached. The First Church agreeing to pay $1500 to the claim- ants. This compromise, it is said, was brought about chiefly through the wis- dom and moderation of Drs. Job Haines and John Steele. Thus the Second Presbyterian church, later the Third Street Presbyterian church, was started on its way, with an enthusiastic membership of seventy persons under the lead of the two eminent citizens already named, and a bank account of $1500.
There was to be rough sailing, however ecclesiastically, for a short time. It is to be understood that there were by this time two General Assemblies. One had met in the Seventh church of Philadelphia, and the other, composed of the seceding party, in the First church of that city. When in the fall of 1838 certain
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Presbyterians of Dayton petitioned Miami Presbytery, in session at Lebanon for the formation of a Second church in Dayton, they were met with a party test. They would be permitted to organize a new congregation on condition that the new congregation should recognize the General Assembly meeting in the Seventh church of Philadelphia, that is, the Old School Assembly.
The exact date when the church came under the care of the New School Presbytery is not known. It must have been late in 1838 or early in 1839. The date of the first Session meeting, as constituted under the Presbytery of Dayton was March II, 1839. The congregation, however, had been informally or- ganized for a year. The real date for the formation of the congregation was in the early spring of 1838.
The first page of the Congregational Record shows a copy of the original subscription paper. It begins-"We the subscribers agree to pay the several sums annexed to our names in quarterly yearly payments for the purpose of building a second Presbyterian church in the town of Dayton." This bears the date of February 24th, 1838.
On the next page of the record is a brief minute of the first meeting of the congregation, March, 1838.
"A meeting was held of the subscribers at the Fireman's Insurance Office in Dayton pursuant to public notice."
A week later, still in March, 1838, a building committee was appointed con- sisting of John Steele, Peter Odlin and Nathaniel Wilson. This committee pur- chased lot Number 160 at the corner of Third and Ludlow streets for the sum of $2700.00, in April 1838, and in the same month, the work of building was begun.
By January 23, 1840, the church building was finished, and on March 25, 1840, the building was dedicated. It was natural that a New School church, that had felt something of the stringency of the controversy should invite the New School leader, Dr. Lyman Beecher, to preach at the dedication. Dr. Beecher had been called from Boston in 1832 to be professor of Theology and President of the Lane Theological Seminary.
He was one of the strongest preachers in the American church, and was recognized both in this country and abroad as a profound and able scholar and theologian. Dr. Beecher preached at the dedication March 25, 1840, on a text from Isaiah 55: 6. "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." From the same text Dr. Montgomery preached years after- wards at the last service held in the old building before it was removed for the erection of the present building.
There remained at the time of completing the building a debt of nearly $8,000, which caused considerable annoyance for a number of years. In 1848 a large part of the indebtedness was cancelled; but it was not until 1855, fifteen years after the building was completed, that the debt was finally discharged.
An examination of the records of the congregation however shows, that, while in common with other churches, the financial managers had to concert measures more than once to bring up the income, and, while it is true that the records show at many points the need of more money than the income provided, yet
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the history of the church on the whole has been that of a church free from the incumbrance of debt. On page forty-three of the Congregational Record occurs this characteristic entry in the report of the Treasurer, Mr. W. S. Phelps .- "Feeling confident that the church after holding the high position of a church free from debt for years, will not now consent to lose that position, it is recommended that a collection be taken up at end of the next quarter in case we find ourselves unable to meet our bills at that time."
The history of the church buildings can be stated in a few sentences. The old building was occupied about forty years. As early as 1858 an addition of twenty feet was necessary. In 1870 the building was repaired.
An effort had been made about this time to build a new church, but it had proved unsuccessful, and the repairs were undertaken instead.
It was not long however until the necessity became urgent. April 26, 1874, at a meeting of the congregation, Mr. S. W. Davies, member of the Session and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school, called attention to the disagreeable con- dition of the basement, and proposed that the congregation build a chapel on Ludlow street. The plan met with favor and a building committee was ap- pointed consisting of the following: S. W. Davies, R. W. Steele, D. Kiefer, Walter W. Smith and W. S. Phelps. The chapel was begun in 1875 and was dedicated in February, 1876.
The movement to build a new church was begun in the following year. July 6, 1877, the Board of Trustees, through their Chairman, Mr. A. C. Marshall, urged the consideration of the subject. The congregation meeting July 11, 1877, approved of the plan and appointed the following Building Committee: V. Winters, D. Kiefer, Dr. John Davis, A. C. Marshall, W. W. Smith, R. A. Rogers and C. N. Mitchell. Business being at that time much depressed it was not until early in 1880 that it was thought wise to begin the building.
The dedication of the new church, the present building, occurred in Septem- ber, 1882.
In the seventy years' life of this church there have been but ten pastors. the longest pastorate being eighteen years, and the shortest a year and a half.
Until May 30, 1839, the congregation was preached to by visiting ministers. On May 30, 1839, the Rev. Randolph Stone, of Cleveland Presbytery, preached to the congregation and remained until October, 1840. He was never installed as pastor.
The next pastor was the Rev. J. W. Hall, of Tennessee, who remained twelve years, unti! 1852.
After an interval of nine months the Rev. G. P. Tindall came in 1853, re- maining until 1857.
Following Mr. Tindall came an interval without a pastor covering two and one-half years, during which time the church was supplied by Professors Allen, Day and Smith of Lane Seminary, and other ministers.
The next pastor was Rev. S. G. Spies, whose pastorate covered the period of the Civil War-1859-1865.
After another interval of seven months Rev. Rollin A. Sawyer came in 1865, remaining until 1870.
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There was another interval of ten months and in 1871 Rev. J. H. Montgomery was chosen pastor, remaining until 1889. After another interval of five months, Rev. A. A. Willets came in 1890 remaining until 1894.
After another interval of eight months Rev. Edgar W. Work became pastor in March, 1895. He resigned in 1902 and in September, 1903 Rev. Merle H. An- derson became pastor. In 1909 he was succeeded by Rev. Charles A. Campbell, the present pastor.
The present membership of the church is six hundred and eighty. In the seventy years of its history, the Sunday-school has had more than a score of faithful superintendents, beginning with Dr. John Steele in 1839. Members of the Third Street church have not only been liberal supporters of their own church, but they have given generously in money and effort in building up the Christian and benevolent institutions of the city.
THE PARK CHURCH was organized in September, 1851, as The Third Pres- byterian church by a band of twenty-three persons who had come from the mem- bership of the First Presbyterian church. It continued as The Third Presbyterian Church until about 1855, when the name was changed to The Park Presbyterian Church. Within a year after the organization was effected the building now stand- ing on St. Clair street was completed and it has since been the house of worship in which the congregation assembles. The following ministers have served as pastor of the church : P. D. Gurley, James S. Kemper, J. L. Russell, J. W. Wai- den, A. N. Carson, W. F. McCauley, J. Shane Nichols, F. L. Bullard, W. P. Miller and George Walton King.
The present active membership of the church is four hundred and twenty. These are people living in the city and who are regular attendants upon its serv- ices. Then there is a list of one hundred and eighty members whose names have been placed upon what is called a reserved roll. The greater number of these are people who have moved out of the city and therefore are not counted as active members.
The Park church has long filled an important place in down-town circles in the city. It is a church that has always welcomed all classes to its services. Many of both the rich and the poor have often sat at worship here and have praised God together. There is a warmth in the church for everyone who enters it. Many times between the years 1905 and 1909 has it been crowded to the doors by people who have declared that its cordiality was genuine and its worship excellent. Not only does the spirit of truest praise characterize its services, but there is a warmth of fellowship for all who come to it.
During the four years from 1905 to the fall of 1909 an indebtedness, the total of which had amounted to almost twelve thousand dollars, has been lifted, and nearly the same amount has been raised and spent in repairs and improvements. Within three months during the recent panic the church did near one thousand, one hundred dollars in relief work among the poor and suffering of the city.
From June to September of 1909 it engaged in a series of out-of-door Gospel services in which the life of Christ was given in fourteen illustrated addresses. These services were conducted with a view to the education of the outside world on the life of Christ and the salvation of souls. During the time that they were held one hundred and five men declared their intention to live a better life and
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many expressed their desire to be Christians, and sixteen men enslaved to liquor were lifted up and started toward a sober and right life. These services were attended by many people.
THE FOURTH CHURCH was organized as a result of a petition presented at a meeting of Miami presbytery held in Urbana, Ohio, October 3, 1856. This peti- tion, which was signed by a number of individuals from the First and Third Street churches of Dayton, asked for a new church organization, for the convenience of residents living on the west side of the Miami river, and that it be known as the "First Presbyterian church of Miami city."
The Rev. A. C. Junkin, a former pastor of this church, says in a historical discourse, written some thirty-three years ago: "The organization of a church in Miami city was talked of several years before it was resolved upon."
It was finally brought about through the influence of the Rev. J. H. Brooks, pastor, and Mr. David Osborn, elder, of the First Presbyterian church, from which the Fourth church sprung, and B. F. Ells of the Third Street church, and others.
Presbytery granted the petition and appointed Revs. James S. Kemper and J. H. Brooks and Elders Job Haines and Joseph Barnett, a committee to bring into effect such an organization, which was accomplished at a meeting of said committee, held in the Methodist church of Miami city on November 20, 1856.
The names of thirty-six members of the First, and eleven of the Third Street churches, were enrolled as charter members, only five of whom are living at this date. They are : Mr. William B. King, Mrs. Louisa P. King, Mrs. Mary J. Mathi- son, Mrs. Edward Breneman, and Mrs. Mary E. Byers.
The first officers elected were: Elders, David Osborn, Harbert Williams, Moses Marquis and Isaac Brower ; Deacons : William B. King, Hiram Lewis and Robert Stevenson.
During the pastorate of Rev. J. S. Grimes a large lot on the corner of Sum- mit and Fifth streets was donated by David Osborn, and a church building erected thereon. Worship was conducted in the basement until May I, 1864, when the auditorium was completed and dedicated, after which services were held there. A comfortable parsonage was donated as a memorial to Samuel D. King. It was some time afterward that the organization became known as the Fourth Presbyterian church.
In the spring of the year 1900, at a called meeting of the congregation, it was decided to arrange for the building of a new church, and the Nehemiah associa- tion was organized for the collection of a building fund, for that purpose. Mr. H. H. Griffith was chosen president.
In July, 1904, less than a year after the installation of Rev. D. L. Meyers as pastor, contingent with the sale of the old church property and the money col- lected through the Nehemiah association and otherwise, it was thought advis- able to purchase the lots on Fourth avenue and Summit street, and to build a con- venient and beautiful church edifice and manse, the latter located just east of the church; both buildings being of pressed brick material.
The following named ministers of the gospel have had regular charges in the Fourth church, since its organization fifty-three years ago: Revs. Joseph H. Gill, J. S. Grimes, G. M. Hair, A. C. Kemper, J. C. McKeehan, John Hancock,
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C. B. Martin, Samuel Findlay, Robert Drake, A. C. Junkin, J. H. Graybill, C. L. Work, D. D., R. C. Dodds, D. D., J. Rosser Jones, D. D., and D. L. Myers, the present pastor. The officers of the church consist of the following named persons : Elders: William B. King, Francis Mulford, James W. McNary, Hor- ace E. Morrell, Orsin S. Blair, Charles A. Allen. Deacons : Charles S. King, John K. Chapman. Trustees : W. S. Hawthorn, C. S. King, W. O. Horrell, T. M. Pexton, William Miller. Treasurer, R. B. Osborn; president of the church organization, W. O. Horrell; secretary of the church organization, Perlee Os- born. About eleven hundred names have been added to the church roll since its organization. At present, there are three hundred and fifty communicants.
The Sabbath-school with Mr. J. G. Quinius, superintendent, the Westminster Bible class taught by Mr. J. W. McNary, the mid-week prayer meeting, the Woman's Missionary and the Ladies' Aid societies, the Westminster Brother- hood, the Earnest Workers Club, the Lida Scott Mission Band, the Senior and Junior Christian Endeavor societies, and the boys and girls clubs, each depart- ment aided by the careful oversight of the pastor, go far toward constituting the whole life and working power of the church.
THE MEMORIAL CHURCH was founded in 1867, as a result of the earnest efforts of a band of young men in the Third Street Presbyterian church. This church has had but three pastors. The work was begun in what was known as "the Eastern Engine house" near Third and Terry on the site now occupied by the manse. The present church building was erected in 1870. The two lots lying north of the church have been purchased by the congregation mak- ing the property now owned by the church a very valuable one.
The Rev. Henry Little was in charge of the work from 1867 to 1869 and did an excellent work. In 1869, the Rev. James R. Hughes came from Blairsville presbytery and was installed as pastor of the church. For twenty-eight years, he lived a godly life and performed a faithful pastoral service in the eastern section of the city. One of his daughters, Miss Elizabeth Hughes, was for a number of years secretary of the Woman's Christian Association of Dayton and is now en- gaged in the same work as traveling secretary. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Morehouse gave the pipe organ and the manse to the congregation.
The Sabbath-school out of which the church grew has for nearly half a cen- tury been in this church a power for righteousness and religion. The moral life of the community has been leavened and transformed by its influence. In 1898, the present pastor Frederick N. McMillin took charge of the work. During the twelve years of his pastorate, more than seven hundred persons have been re- ceived into membership, over five hundred of these on confession of faith. This pastorate has been marked by the work with men. Two hundred men of adult age have been received on confession of faith. This church is noted for its effi- cient work in the cause of civic righteousness. It strives to reach the masses of the people. Its organization of young people is a notable feature. No meet- ing or service of any kind is suspended the year round. A new pipe organ of beautiful tone and adequate volume, has just been installed.
The eldership is composed of the following men: Winslow Phelps, John Mc- Gregor, J. C. Tyson, Nelson Emmons, Dr. E. E. Bohlender, W. D. Sullivan, Dr. J. M. Chase, G. C. Edmund, George E. Weber.
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THE FOREST AVENUE CHURCH, as the Riverdale Mission Sunday-school, had its first session November 16, 1884, in a small three room cottage on North Main street opposite Herman avenue. The school was the result of a very care- ful canvass of Riverdale by the young ladies of D. A. Sinclair's Bible class from the Third Street Presbyterian church. The school was held in this cottage until the spring of 1886, when it was removed to the new building on Herman avenue.
After some three years under the direction and leadership of Mr. Thomas Elder, the Mission was organized as the Riverdale Presbyterian church, and the Rev. R. W. Edwards called as pastor. After a pastorate of three years he re- signed and was succeeded by the Rev. G. O. Nichols, who officiated for four years. In October 1898 the Rev. G. E. Jackson was called, and in July 1901 the ground was broken for the present building, corner of Forest avenue and Grand avenue.
In the afternoon of September 26, 1901, the corner stone was laid with appro- priate ceremonies, by the Rev. E. W. Work, D. D., assisted by Rev. G. E. Jack- son. The first service was held in the new building Sunday, August, 31, 1902, by Rev. G. E. Jackson, the finished building dedicated October 12, 1902. In Feb- ruary, 1903, Rev. Howard Billman was called to the church and remained until Oc- tober, 1904. January, 1905, Rev. F. S. Kreager was called to the pastorate and since that time the work of the Forest Avenue church has been progressing very rapidly. The church is built of Mansfield variegated sandstone and is one of the most attractive in the city of Dayton. The location, corner Forest and Grand avenues in Dayton View, is also very desirable, connecting as it does the parish with Riverdale.
The present pastor, Rev. F. S. Kreager, came to Dayton at a critical time in the history of the Forest Avenue church, the church having a debt of ten thousand dollars. But despite this heavy debt, the work has steadily gone forward. The membership of the church has increased more than one hundred per cent and the debt has been more than one-half paid in the past two and one-half years. The debt was taken up in January, 1907, in the form of what has been known as, "The Forward Movement." The success of this "movement" has been largely due to the cooperation of the various Presbyterian congregations of the city. The rally extended over a period of five weeks and the pledges were taken March 24, 1907. More than three hundred pledges have already been secured for "The Forward Movement Fund" and more than two thousand payments made to this fund on these pledges. Every man, woman and child in the congregation has been giving to the debt. Every one has laid aside for this fund on the first day of the week as God has prospered him. There are three reasons why this church has made such a great record. First, it is because the people of the Forest Avenue church had a mind to work. They have worked and they have prayed. They have also given. Each year a period of self-denial has been observed at Thanks- giving time. They have cultivated the spirit of self-denial in their giving. They have brought the tithe into the storehouse.
The second reason why this church has made such a record in the work of the Forward Movement is because of the cooperation of the Presbyterian pas- tors and people of the city. More than one hundred Presbyterians have con- tributed to this fund. It was at the suggestion of Rev. F. N. McMillin, of
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Memorial Presbyterian church, that the church secured the services of Mr. Powell of Buffalo, New York.
And this leads to the third reason for the record made by this church, that is, the plan provided by Mr. Joseph W. Powell, who conducted the Forward Move- ment Rally. In this plan every man was provided with a work and every one did his work.
THE PATTERSON MEMORIAL CHURCH, formerly the Rubicon Presbyterian Mission Sunday-school was organized April 10, 1904, by Rev. E. F. Knicker- bocker, a synodical missionary in the employ of the Presbyterian Board of Pub- lication and Sunday-School Work, assisted by Rev. F. N. McMillin, pastor of the Memorial Presbyterian church, under whose care the new organization was placed.
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