USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901 > Part 3
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The organization of this church was formed in February, 1880, with 166 charter members, including the following promi- nent persons : Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Mast, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Deardorf, Mr. and Mrs. John Leuty, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Houck, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Stafford, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parsons, Mrs. E. S. Vale, and Mrs. M. E: Kinney. The church building was commenced in the Spring of 1880, was finished in September, 1881, and dedicated by Bishop J. W. Wiley May 7, 1882 ; Rev. S. A. Brewster and Rev. W. N. Brodbeck, pastor, participated in the exercises. The estimated cost of the building was $45.000. The following is the list of pastors: . Rev. W. N. Brodbeck, from Sep- tember, 1880, to September, 1883 ; J. W. Bushong, 1883-84 ; Henry Tuckley, 1884-87; Thomas E. Collett, 1887-88; J. R. Shannon, 1888-89; G. W. Gullette, 1889-90; G. W. Dubois, 1800-92; Paul C. Curnick, 1892-97 ; J. W. McGruder, 1897-99, and J. W. Peters, present pastor. The present membership of the church is 462, and number of officers, teachers and scholars of the Sunday school is 242.
CLIFTON AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.
The organization of the Cliftoni Avenue M. F. Church fol- lowed the organization of the Sabbath school and prayer meet-
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ing. The idea of the organization originated in the Central M. E. Church of this city. The first session of the Sabbath school was held Sabbath afternoon. March 11. 1894; the first prayer meeting was held March 16, 1894. The first revival services were con- ducted by Rev. C. W. Barnes, the pastor of Central M. E. Church, during the week preceding Easter, in 1894. So encouraging was the great interest taken in the devotional meetings and Sabbath school. that it was determined to enter upon a church organiza- tion. The first step in this direction was a meeting called for con- sultation with the Presiding Elder, J. F. Marlay, D. D., by the pastor, C. W. Barnes, at the parsonage, June 19, 1894. There were present at the parsonage Rev. Dr. J. F. Marlay, Rev. C. W: Barnes, J. Griffith, J. S. Comer, J. B. Perrin, B. F. Kiplinger, and J. N. Wommer.
These five laymen were appointed to secure financial pledges for the coming year, and the pastor was instructed to se- cure a list of persons who would enter the new church. The num- ber secured was about one hundred, and the formal organization of the church was acomplished August 13, 1894. The first Trus- tees were J. N. Wommer. J. Griffith, B. B. Littleton, W. S. Rich- ardson and J. S. Comer. The first official board meeting of the new church was held August 21, 1894. The ladies organized an Aid Society August 26, 1894; the young ladies made a similar or- ganization August 21, 1894.
On September 5-1I. 1804. Bishop Goodsell appointed Rev. A. L. Brokaw, of Troy, as the first pastor of Clifton Avenue M. E. Church, who served one year. On September 3. 1895, Bisnop Cyrus Foss appointed Rev. J. P. Shultz as pastor, who served two years. On September -. 1897, Rev. C. D., Muncey was ap- pointed, and served three years. On September -, '1900, Rev. S. W. Campbell was appointed and is still serving as minister.
In November, 1899, the Springfield Methodist Union ap- pointed Robert Johnson and Jeremiah Griffith a committee to pur- chase the church building from the Free-Will Baptist Society. This the committee did, and a united effort on the part of the church members and friends in the city enabled them to place the property in the church's name, for a home for the future. The property is well cleared of debt ; but owing to this indebtedness, it has never been dedicated.
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They have a membership of over 200 members and proba- tioners, and are being equipped to assume their charge of uphold- ing the Gospel banner.
The present Board of Trustees are: F. R. Henderson, Louis Jauch, W. T. Tullis, Jeremiah Griffith, Adam F. Fuhrman and W. A. Gibbs.
The Sabbath school enrollment is 285. The Superintendent is J. Griffith, and his assistants are Fred R. Henderson and W. A. Gibbs.
GRACE M. E. CHURCH.
The third off-shoot from the Central M. E. Church was the Grace M. E. Church, situated on West Main street, near the Penn- sylvania House. This enterprise also was most liberally patron- ized from first to last by the personal labors and generous pecun- iary aid of Mr. P. P. Mast, who became most thoroughly identified with its religious work. They built a neat, but sufficiently com- modious frame house, in 1872, at a cost of $1,800, which was dedi- cated on Sunday, August 12, 1873, the sermon of the occasion be- ing preached by Rev. Charles Ferguson. Albert Allen, Stanley De Long and seventy-two others were charter members. The pastors were as follows, each term beginning in September : Revs. B. F. Jackson, 1887; G. L. Tuft, 1887-88; W. I. Fee, 1890-91 ; A. C. Turrell, 1892-93; W. G. Warner, 1893-94; David Herr, 1895-96; E. M. Ellsworth, 1897-98-99; J. L. Duckwall, from September, 1900, to the present.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
What is now known as the North Street African Methodist Episcopal Church was, according to the most reliable tradition, or- ganized about the year 1824. Even before that time a few Christ- ian colored people, most of whom had once been slayes, were in the habit of gathering in their humble cabins, or barns, and hold- ing religious services. Their first church building, one at first used as a school house, stood on the site of what was later known as the Bacon property, on East Main street. Then they purchased a little stone church, on Limestone street, near the creek. As the society continued to grow in numbers and means, it bought a small
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brick edifice formerly belonging to the St. John Lutheran folks. located on East North street, where their present church now stands, for the sum of $800. On September 28, 1874, the body was legally incorporated, and preparations were commenced for building their present large brick edifice, which was completed during the year 1876, at a cost of about $12,000. Among the ear- liest preachers were the Revs. Thomas Lawrence, Fayette Davis, and Mr. Kingman. We have secured the following list of pastors, besides the ones already mentioned, so far as possible, from the most accessible records, since 1879, their terms of service com- mencing and ending in October of the respective years: Rev. J. W. Gazaway was pastor from 1880 to 1882; Rev. J. H. Jackson, from 1882 to 1884; O. S. Ross, from 1883 to 1884; W. T. Max- well, from 1887 to 1889; Robert Johnson, from 1889 to 1890; R. C. Ransom, from 1890 to 1893; Rev. from 1893 to 1896; W. H. Coston, from 1896 to 1897 ; William J. John- son, from 1897 to 1899, and from October, 1899, to this time, Rev. J. S. Ferguson. The present membership of this church is 400, and the number of Sunday school pupils is 125; teachers, II, and officers, IO.
CENTER STREET AFRICAN M. E. CHURCHI.
This church was organized May 5. 1867, by nine persons com- ing from the old North Street A. M. E. Church, but under the auspices of the Cincinnati, or White, Conference. They bought a lot on South Center street, between Clark and Fair streets, June 6, 1867, for which they paid $300, and on this was built a comfort- able one-story frame house, which was named Wiley Chapel. The following ministers have been pastors: Revs: Scott Ward, from October 30, 1867, to 1868 ; S. Dodridge, March 20, 1868; H. But- ler, 1870, six months; G. Downer, 1870-72; William Eckels, 1872-73; W. W. Johnson, February to July, 1873; A. H. Price, 1873-74; A. W. Hargrave, 1874; Scott Ward, 1874-78; M. Mc- Coomer, 1878-79; Thomas Tompkins, 1879-So; then A. Jamison for one year ; A. H. Price for one year ; H. W. Tate, three years ; J. H. Morland, one year ; W. S. Langford, one year ; G. W. Zieg- ler, two years ; G. A. Sissel, one year ; W. H. Simmons, one year ; W. A. White, two years ; Joseph Courtney, one year ; W. B. Har-
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ris, two years ; N. H. Tolbert, five years, and this is the first year of the present incumbent ( 1901), W. M. Langford. This makes twenty- four pastors in all. The membership is now 225.
ALLEN CIIAPEL A. M. E. CHURCH.
This church, located on the corner of Boler and Clifton streets, was organized on May, 1881. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. B. F. Lee, then President of Wilberforce Col- lege, now Bishop. There were seven charter members, and the following is a list of pastors since the organization: Revs. C. W. Crosby, Alex. Smith and R. G. Blunt, 1882; O. P. Ross, 1883; Jesse Henderson, 1884-85 ; D. Dorsey, 1886, Rev. Joseph Artope filling out his year ; Rev. W. N. Tate, 1888; Rev. C. Phelps, 1889 ; Rev. M. E. Davis, 1890-91-92-93 ; Rev. G. W. Jackson, 1894 ; Rev. Jesse Smith, 1895 ; George Bundy, 1896; M. Mason, 1897 ; J. Max- well, 1898; D. D. Lewis, 1899. Rev. Dr. A. H. Hill is the present pastor. No other statistics have been furnished the writer.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCII.
The Methodist Protestant Church, located at first on North street, afterward on Washington street, and finally on Pleasant street, was organized in January, 1829, with twenty members, Revs. L. and M. Henkel taking an active part. There were then but three other churches in Springfield, namely, the Methodist Episcopal, the Presbyterian, and the Seceder, now United Presby- terian. The first pastor was Rev. A. McGuire, with Rev. Jonathan Floyd as colleague. In 1837 Rev. A. H. Bassett was pastor and also editor of the Methodist Recorder, the church paper. Rev. A. C. Barnes became pastor in 1838-39: David Croll, in 1840; O. P. Stephens, in 1843; James Pelan, in 1844; Reuben Rose, 1848-49 ; W. G. Fowler, 1849 ; Reuben Dalby, 1850; Charles H. Williams, 1851-52; N. S. Smith, 1853, at which time the membership was about one hundred. The succession was con- tinued in the following order, but the dates of their services have not been accessible to the narrator: T. B. Graham, T. Heard, S .. S. Bartlett. J. E. Snowden, J. B. Walker, J. W. McFarland, J. W. Ellis, J. W. Spring, W. E. Marsh, J. M. Flood, W. R. Parsons and others. This church having become weakened by deaths, re-
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movals and lack of sufficient financial support, and other causes, finally disbanded their organization, sold their property, a good, substantial brick edifice on West Pleasant street, and the surviv- ing membership became merged into the churches of other denom- inations. This organization, largely made up of earnest, indus- trious, godly men and women, existed in our midst for about sixty-five years, faithfully battling for Truth and Righteousness. Their existence had greatly blessed this community and the world.
THE CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION.
In trying to observe as nearly as possible a chronological or- der in regard to the origin of our local denominations, we will now return back as far as the years 1810-11, four years after the original organization of the Methodist Church, but three years before the latter had erected their first house of worship, the Christians, then sometimes called "New Lights," put up the first house of worship ever built in Springfield. This was accom- plished largely under the patronage of Mr. Griffith Foos and a few others, from Kentucky, who seem at one time to have been mem- bers of that denomination, in their former home. This house was 20x30 feet, was built of logs and situated on the west side of Mill Run, a few rods west of where the Zimmerman Fountain now stands, on Center street. The subscriptions for this pioneer church edifice in Springfield consisted of part money, but mostly of dry goods, groceries, live stock, lumber and labor, on the part of those aiding in the work. Although put up under the auspices of these . people belonging to the Christian denomination, as we learn, yet it was the understanding at the time that it was to be free for the use of all denominations. The organization, or whatever there was of it, lasted but fifteen years, and in 1825 the house for wor- shiping purposes was entirely abandoned.
We do not see or hear anything more of this . denomina- tion in Springfield, until in the Spring of 1881, when Elder C. J. Jones, an evangelist from Philadelphia, by way of renewing, or, rather, recommencing their denominational work in Springfield. came here, and, with the assistance of Rev. A. W. Coan, editor of "The Herald of Gospel Liberty," at Dayton, Ohio, began a series of meetings in Black's Opera House, which in a few months
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eventuated in a church organization. As a result. these Christian people, within four months, purchased a valuable lot on West High street, between Mechanic and Plum streets, and built a neat, commodious chapel, capable of seating 600 persons. In this they were assisted by the liberal subscriptions of quite a number of large-hearted manufacturers and other business men. Many persons outside of the organization gave from $50 to $100 each. This new church building was dedicated to the worship of God on the 17th day of December, 1882, with a membership of nearly one hundred persons.
Rev. Mr. Jones remained as pastor of this church for two years, and was followed by Rev. J. M. McWhinney, for four months ; Nicholas Summerbell, for eighteen months; Byron Long, for ten months ; J. F. Strait, for two years ; C. W. Choat, for nine months ; E. D. Hammond, for three years ; W. T. War- binton, for two years ; and Rev. Benjamin Mason, for three years.
The people of this denomination discard all written creeds, except the Holy Scriptures, and place much stress upon the tenet, concerning the direct influence of the Holy Spirit upon the hu- man soul, and His vital importance in the conviction, conversion and sanctification of mankind. About this time the minds of many citizens were somewhat confused in regard to the nature and status of this new Christian movement. A popular misunder- standing concerning it was all the more natural and excusable from the fact that a large religious denomination, churches of which are located principally in Kentucky and other portions of the Southwest, generally calling themselves Disciples' Churches. and of whom the Rev. Alexander Campbell, President of Bethany College, Virginia, was a talented and distinguished leader. have also, in many instances of late, assumed the Catholic name, Christ- ian Church. Frequent explanations about this matter became all the more necessary at the time from the fact that, during nearly the same dates as above mentioned, a church of this last- named branch of the Christian denominations was formed in this city, known as the
DISCIPLES' CHURCH OF CHRIST IN SPRINGFIELD.
It was established under the labors of Rev. A. Campbell, of Cincinnati, September 5, 1886. These good people finally erecte l
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a neat and commodious frame edifice on the northeast corner of Mulberry and Yellow Springs streets, where church services and a Sunday school are regularly maintained. This house of wor- ship, from foundation to finish, owing to delays, required from 1882 to 1893 in building, and was dedicated in 1894, Governor Ira B. Chase, of Indiana, delivering the dedication discourse. There is a present membership of 175, and there are 200 in the Sunday school. A complte list of pastors includes Rev. B. C. Black, who served from 1889 to 1890; E. W. Hammon, 1890-91 ; H. Elliott Ward, 1891-93 ; Horace Sibrell, 1893-94; J. P. Childs, 1895 ; E. T. Hayes, 1895-97 ; J. S. Bonham, 1898-99 ; W. A. Harp, 1899-1901. This church has had nine regular pastors.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Chronological order requires us next to notice the United Presbyterian Denomination.
I am indebted to my aged friend, William A. Barnett, Esq., for the following particulars in regard to the history of the United Presbyterian Church of this city. Mr. Barnett has been an intel- ligent and exemplary member, and firm supporter of this church for more than half a century, and he yet lives to bless our com- munity with his presence. From him we learn that it is difficult to give the exact date of its first organization, which was effected under the name of the Associate Reform Presbyterian Church. This society, for the first nineteen years of its existence, was a branch of what is now the First United Presbyterian Church of Xenia, and the first minister was the Rev. John Steele, who came from Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1817, at a salary of $500 per year for both congregations, preaching here one-fourth of the time, and the balance of the time in Xenia. Serving the double charge for nineteen years, his son. Rev. John Steele. Jr., says his father never missed but twice in filling his appointments here, and that was when he was sick, and during a protracted ill- ness of Mrs. Steele. Mr. Steele left home on horseback early of Sabbath mornings and came to Mr. James Stewart's. six miles south of town. for breakfast, and then came to town and preached two sermons and returned home in the evening, having had a ride of forty miles. He resigned the double charge in 1836, and re- tired from the ministry, after preaching forty years.
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In 1838 Rev. James F. Sawyer became pastor, for all of the time, and about this time the society became an organized con- gregation. On account of ill health, Mr. Sawyer gave up the charge in 1848. The Rev. Robert Henry was the next pastor, from December, 1850, until June, 1853. Rev. Joseph Clokey was pastor from March 1, 1855, to March 1, 1875. Rev. Joseph Kyle became pastor January 1, 1877, and continued until July, 1891. Rev. R. H. Hume, the present incumbent, became pastor June 1, 1892.
This society was incorporated by the Legislature of Ohio December 17, 1830. In May, 1858, the Associate Presbyterian and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches united, and formed the United Presbyterian Church. The persons who were the nucleus of the congregation came from Rev. John Steele's congregation in Bourbon County, Kentucky. They were James Steele, Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Kirkpatric (an elder), a son-in-law of Mr. Steele, and all relatives of Rev. Mr. Steele. At a later date, James Dallas, of near Urbana, and his brother, who resided in Springfield, James Bogle, Richey Wisley, James Stewart, David Cowan, George Mccullough, John Goudy, Robert Goudy and Anthony Byrd were added to the society. Mr. Kirkpatric, James Steele, David Hunter, James Bogle and James Dallas were the first elders. At a later date William Cowan, William Kirkpatric, William Hunter and Mr. Hume were added to the society.
Before erecting a church building, the congregation. for want of a better place. worshiped in the second story of William McIntire's distillery, at the northeast corner of Columbia and Spring streets, the present location of the Blee Brewery. There was no evidence of any harm arising from so near contact with whisky ; the spirits upstairs did not mingle with those below.
The first house of worship was a stone building, erected in North Limestone street. near Buck Creek, in or about 1819. The next building was erected in 1839, on Limestone street, south of High street, where James Carson & Company's store and the Kelly Building now stand. The present building at the corner of Mulberry and Limestone streets, was erected in 1886.
PRESBYTERIAN.
The First Presbyteran Church of Springfield was organized
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July 17, 1819, with a membership of twenty-seven. Four years before its formation, the Rev. Archibald Steele was the regular supply, preaching once per month in such rooms as could be con- veniently secured for that purpose. Mr. Steele was succeeded by Rev. Andrew Poague, who gave his services until 1825, when Rev. Franklin Putnam became the first regular pastor of the church. At this time the village had a population of 510; males, 285, and females, 225. In April, 1828, Rev. Wlliam J. Frazer succeeded as supply, and during his incumbency the first church edifice was built at a cost of $600. The Rev. William Gray acted as regular supply from February 27, 1830, to February 24, 1832. The Rev. John S. Galloway, who had been supply for four months, was finally ordained and installed as pastor October 4, 1832. He continued in this relation with marked success for nearly eighteen years, when he resigned, April 16, 1850, and took an appointment for service, as agent, of The American Bible So- ciety. In 1848, two years before Mr. Galloway left Springfield, the old church building was taken down, and a new one, costing $12,000, was built on the same site, corner of Main and Fisher streets. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Phin- eas Gurley, then of Dayton, but afterward of Washington, D .C.
The Rev. N. C. Burt, a man of eminent ability, was called as pastor, September 2, 1850, and served till June 19, 1855, when he resigned, to take charge of a church in Baltimore. After that the succession of pastors and times of service were as follows : Rev. William T. Findlay, front 1855 to 1858; Sylvester F. Scovel, from 1860 to 1866; T. A. Fullerton, from 1867 to 1871, during which time $3.000 were spent in improvements upon the church building. From 1871 to 1872, the pulpit was filled by Rev. George F. Cain ; from 1872 to 1879, by Rev. J. W. McKnight, immediately after which the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. B. Helwig, President of Wittenberg College, for eight months. Rev. W. C. Falconer, D. D., of St. Louis, was then called. and his installation took place November 9, 1880. His period of service was the longest, except one, in the history of the church. During this pastorate the Oakland Mission, at the East End, was mate- rially developed and put upon a permanent footing ; many special evangelistic meetings were held and important changes made in
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the music in the church, and in other matters. On account of fail- ing health, Dr. Falconer resigned April 13, 1891, and the Rev. A. A. Murphy, having been called, entered upon his pastorate, September 1, 1891, and closed June 18, 1894. During his term he secured the help. for a season, of the celebrated evangelist, Dr. Wilbur Chapman, with remarkably good results.
The Rev. Alexander Proudfit was called, January 9, 1894, and entered upon his Gospel labors February 17th, following. Whilst this servant of God was ardently engaged in the service of his Divine Master, he was suddenly called to lay down his work and receive the reward of his earthly ministry. He died on the last Friday in March, 1897. This is the first death that has ever ocurred to a pastor while in active service among this people. Dr. Proudfit's body was transferred to New Castle, Delaware, for interment. In just three weeks after this event the mortal re- mains of a former pastor, Rev. Dr. Falconer, were conveyed sor- rowfully away from the church building to their final resting place in Ferncliff, our beautiful City of the Dead.
The Rev. John Clark Hill, D. D., of Chicago, the present pastor, was called March 2, 1898, and was installed on Wednes- day, April 27th, of that same year.
During the many intervals occurring between the various pastorates, the church has been indebted to the following minis- ters, who had served faithfully in these contingencies, namely, Rev. Drs. John B. Helwig, Joel Swartz, S. A. Ort and J. W. H. Stuckenberg, all of Wittenberg College; Rev. Alexander Clark, of the Methodist Protestant Church, and others. Of those who were sent into the ministry from this church, may be mentioned Revs. Washington A. Hooper, Edwin B. Raffensperger. William H. McMeen, S. M. Crothers and Gilbert L. Wilson.
During its history of eighty-two years, this church has had seventeen pastors, averaging terms of five and one-half years each, and nearly 1.400 persons have been received into its com- munion, on confession of faith. The Sunday school was organ- ized on the first Sabbath in August, 1829, with eight teachers and sixty scholars, with Mr. Walcot Spencer as Superintendent. This school seems- to have been fully and faithfully officered. and in every way maintained, for the seventy-two years of its existence,
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to the present. The average attendance for many years was about 275. In 1886, it was 297. A late resume of this good work ends in these words : "For 3.500 Sabbaths, true men and women, who would not work for gold or silver, here assembled to teach the youth of Springfield that there is something better than wealth and grander than fame, and that a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches."
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Second Presbyterian Church was a colony from the First, and was formed in 1860, with a membership of 106. In 1862 they purchased a lot on Limestone street for $4.000, and built thereon an edifice costing $18,000. The dedication services were held September 3. 1863. The church is a two-story brick, with the usual convenient arrangement for audience rooms, Sun- day school and prayer meeting rooms, etc. The following is a list of pastors, with the dates of their services: Rev. E. R. Bower, from May, 1861, to July, 1867 ; Rev. P. H. Mowrey, from November, 1868, to September, 1873; Rev. W. H. Webb, from April 20, 1874, to February 21, 1886; Rev. George H. Fullerton, from November 7, 1886, to July 1, 1891, and Rev. E. P. Thom- son, from February 10, 1892, to the present. The church now has a membership of 428, and the Sabbath school, including its Mission school, 457.
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