The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 73

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 73

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665

CITY OF DAYTON.

y as 700, while its Sabbath school is the largest in the city, as well as the r'st in the Lutheran General Synod. The church building is a very large wotory brick, with a tall and massive square tower, which contains a chime In bells. The church since its organization has been served by nine pastors: Lylev. D. P. Rosenmiller, from 1840 to 1849; by Rev. P. Rizer. from 1849 to 187; by Rev. F. W. Conrad, D. D., from 1856 to 1862; by Rev. D. Steck, 1. . , from 1862 to 1864; by Rev. L. A. Gottwald. D. D., from 1865 to 1868: 1 ev. Irving Magee, D. D., from 1868 to 1872; by Rev. J. B. Helwig, D. Lo. rom 1872 to 1874: by Rev. T. T. Everett, from 1874 to 1876. The pres- t'astor, 1880, Rev. G. F. Stelling, D. D., was called in August, 1877. These r's are all living, with the exception of Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller, who died. eptember, 1880. This church has sometimes been called the "Gebhart uch," for the reason that the Gebhart name has been connected with it )} the beginning, and during the history of the congregation formed so large tion of the membership. No less than forty Gebharts have stood on the ch record at one time. and it must be said that much of its prosperity has e due to the strength, activity and the liberality of this distinguished Day- namily. The present church building cost in construction over $75,000. 1 is a seating capacity of about 900.

ST. JOHN'S ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This congregation took its rise in the troublous times of the Presidential dedon in 1864. At that time Rev. D. Steck, D. D., was pastor of the Main erit Lutheran Church. 'His political views not being in accord with those of "e hurch Council, the pulpit to which he had been called was taken away Wor him without aught of previous notice. Naturally this act was resented e friends of Dr. Steck, and in the daily papers of December 9, 1864, e appeared a card requesting them to assemble at Huston Hall to form a congregation, of which he should be pastor, and signed by a number of o.inent members of the Main Street Church. In response to this call, a " congregation assembled in the hall on Sunday, December 18, to hear the Lo Ided pastor. Out of those present, a congregation was formed under the lof St. John's English Lutheran Church, and Rev. D. Steck was elected its Huston Hall continued to be the regular place of holding service until T 24, 1865. On the morning .of that day, however, it was discovered to be . fmes, and in a few hours nothing was left standing but the bare walls. te ongregation lost a valuable organ and Sunday School Library, and their lj furniture. Steps were immediately taken to procure another place for Ing services, and erelong the congregation was comfortably established in ey's Hall, which continued to be the place of worship of the congregation In December, 1868. Rev. Steck resigned the pastorate.

veral years.

Up to this time the Congregation had been in no synodical connection Hver, nor had it been incorporated. Just prior to Rev. Steck's departure, ies of incorporation were taken out, and application made shortly after to l'eived into the District Synod of Ohio. The congregation also about this u began negotiations for the purchase of their present church edifice, lo- con St. Clair street, between Second and Third streets. This property was tt time in possession of the First Congregational society, and in March, 3" its purchase was consummated. The congregation now in possession of iown church property, extended a call to Rev. M. C. Horine, which was ceted, and he became the pastor.

During his pastorate the congregation was placed upon a thoroughly Lut ran basis, and was received into membership in the District Synod of Ohilin connection with the General Council of the Lutheran Church of North Amica.

666

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Rev. Horine's pastorate only continued for one year, many circumstan arising tending to discourage him in his labor. Soon after his departure a was extended to Rev. Prof. S. L. Harkey, and by him accepted. He labor faithfully amid many discouragements until in October, 1872. he very un pectedly handed in his resignation, and again left the congregation withou pastor. Now began a severe struggle for continued existence. There still mained a mortgage on the church property of $2,000, on which the interest } slowly accumulated for a couple of years. No pastor could be obtained, a irregulars supplies could not collect the funds so much needed to discha these pressing obligations. For nine months, the congregation continued wi out a pastor, and the inevitable results followed. In March, 1873, the Int gage was foreclosed, and the property advertised for sale. At this junct application for aid was made to the Home Mission Committee of the Gene Council. The Chairman, Dr. W. A. Passavant, of Pittsburgh, Penn., came Dayton in person, gathered together the scattered remnants of the once fc ishing congregation, collected from them the back interest on the mortga and paid off the old mortgage by obtaining the required amount on a ] mortgage from parties in the East. But a church without a pastor can hai hope to succeed, and therefore in May, 1873, a call was extended to the p. ent pastor, Rev. A. F. Siebert. This was accepted, and in July of that year came and took charge. During his pastorate there has been a slow but ste growth; the mortgage on the church property has been canceled mainly thro a bequest from the late H. H. Hartman, for some years an officer in the chut who died in 1875. The congregation, now thoroughly Lutheran, with poli entirely eliminated. seems to be entering upon an era of renewed prosper Having passed through its darkest days, it looks forward to the future with hope of permanent success.

LUTHERAN MISSION CHAPEL (ENGLISH).

In 1872, a mission school was established in East Dayton, by the I English Lutheran Church of the city, with a view of forming another Lu ran congregation. The large brick building on the corner of May and Di streets was erected and Sabbath school carried on therein for years, bu congregation organized.

HOPE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION (ENGLISH).

In November, 1880, the Rev. O. S. Oglesby, who was serving as missio of the English district of the Evangelical Lutheran, Joint Synod of Chic tablished a mission in Dayton, which developed in August, 1881, into above named congregation. The church organization began with sever vo members, and has now thirty-five communion members, who are under the ch of the pastor named. A Sabbath school averaging eighty scholars is in prog. They worship in "Union Chapel " on the corner of Barr and Commercial str

ST. JOHN'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The church bearing this name was organized in the old court house i year 1838 or 1839, with a membership of some twenty-five families. W only approximate at the date, owing to the absence of the church records, v have either been mislaid or are lost, as diligent search on our part fail find any traces of them, which fact will prevent any detailed account o church being given. On the 18th day of July, 1840, the congregation 1 the pastorate of Rev. Federick Reiss made a constitution, and in 1842 or this church was incorporated as the German Evangelical Lutheran Ch The Rev. Grosskardt was most likely the first pastor of the church, as th

667

CITY OF DAYTON.

v ence of his having served the charge prior to the minister above named. A was purchased on Wilkinson street, about the year 1840, upon which the ch'ch intended building a house of worship, but the lot was sold and the one vlre the old church now stands on Sears street purchased. A one-story brick dice was begun in 1841, which was soon completed. In 1849, an addition w made to the building, leaving it about as you see it to-day. Their meet- n were here held until the completion of the new church edifice, which was euun in 1869, the lower story being ready . for occupancy and was dedicated in fre, 1870. Two lots were bought for between $4,000 and $5,000, located on ch, north side of Third between Madison and Sears streets, upon which this ·tcture stands. The name of the church was changed about 1852, to St. (n's German Evangelical Church, which name it has since borne. The city vy visited July 9, 1871, by a furious storm, accompanied by terrific winds,

ch did great damage to property throughout Dayton. This church was lost totally demolished, the walls all falling, except the one in front, the i'm striking the building when the teachers and Sabbath school scholars were s mbled. Between 300 and 400 children and teachers had gathered when h storm burst in all its fury. The Superintendent, Christian Thomas, Mrs. T. resa Randall, a teacher, and Leonhardt Weyrangh, a child. were killed and a mber injured. This occurred under the ministry of Rev. C. A. Fritze, who se'ed the church sixteen years. The edifice was at once rebuilt and cost about >,000. It was again dedicated, the basement in 1872 or 1873, and the audi- cum in 1874. The latter has a seating capacity of nearly 1,000 persons. It .s.eatly frescoed and furnished, and is supplied with a fine organ, which cost 38,000. The following named have been pastors of the church : Rev. Mr. Gsskardt, Rev. Frederick Reiss, Rev. Randolph Barthels, Rev. Andrew Hor- If, Rev. T. E. Hertzsch, Rev. Mr. Borehard, Rev. C. A: Fritze and Rev. Per Born, the present minister in charge. In connection with the church there sarried on a flourishing Sabbath school, of about 500 scholars.

ST PAUL'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

On the 18th of January, 1852, during the pastorate of the Rev. Andrew Erdorf, of St. John's German Evangelical Church of the city, a split oc- cred in that church on questions of church government, which resulted in the whdrawal from the church of the pastor and about twenty-five families, who, on il 25th of January of that year, organized themselves into the religious body kown as St. Paul's German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dayton. They fr a time held services in the old Christian Church on Main street, heretofore rverred to in connection with the history of other churches. They soon pur- c sed of Raper Methodist Episcopal Church a one-story frame building pre- vrisly occupied by that congregation as a house of worship (now owned and uid by this congregation as a school house), for $1,350. This they used for earch purposes until the erection of their present structure, a one-story build- i .: located on the southwest corner of Wayne and Short streets. The ground uon which it stands was purchased in the fall of 1865, of John Butt, for $5, - 20. In the fall of 1867, the foundation of the church was laid ; and in July the following year, the corner stone was laid and the building completed ad dedicated to the service of God, August 15, 1869.

Mr. Hordorf resigned the pastorate in June, 1859. and was succeeded by Iv. Frederick Zur Meuhlen, whose ministry continued until November 1, 1861. Je third pastor of the church was Rev. Frederick Groth, who was succeeded i 1876 by the present pastor, Rev. Godfrey Loewenstein. The membership is Iw between 200 and 300 heads of families. A Sabbath school with an enroll- ilnt of about 230 scholars is carried on.

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668

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THE FIRST UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

About the year 1849 or 1850, a colony from Miami Chapel, the pare church of this denomination in the vicinity of Dayton, organized themselves ir a religious body, known as the First United Brethren Church of Dayton. T colony numbered fifteen persons, who worshiped in what was then styled t Oregon Engine House, situated on the corner of Sixth and Tecumseh stree The pastor was Rev. Robert Norris, who was assisted by Rev. W. J. Shu In 1852, the congregation built a brick church on Sixth street, just e: of the canal, now occupied by the police court of the city. This edu was consecrated to the service of God by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner. a served them as a temple of worship until 1873. The first pastors of t charge on the erection of the Sixth Street Church were Rev. Willi R. Rhinehart and D. K. Flickinger, who served jointly in the new hou Prominent among the laymen of that time were John Dodds, E. W. McGow and D. L. Rike. The pastors, during the twenty years that the congregati occupied that house, were Rev. John W. Price, Rev. L. S. Crittenden, R Henry Kumler, Rev. Alexander Owen, Rev. John Walter, Rev. Willi J. Shuey, Rev. S. M. Hippard, Rev. Jacob M. Marshel, Rev. D. Berger. R W. H. Lanthum and Rev. C. Briggs. In 1872, the church and parsonage w sold to the city, and on the Ist of January, 1873, the congregation vacated ' house, and removed temporarily to the Universalist Church, on South M; street. At this time the membership numbered less than 200. In 1872, 1 site upon which the present church edifice stands (on Fifth, between Main a Jefferson streets) was purchased, and the following year the new house v erected, the basement, including the lecture room, infant room and two el rooms, being completed and opened November 29, 1873, and dedicated to vine worship by Bishop Weaver. The auditorium was completed and dedica Sabbath morning, December 17, 1876; sermon by Bishop Weaver, text 9th ve 21st chapter of Revelations. The church edifice, though not gorgeous magnificent, is convenient, chaste and attractive. Altogether it is a monum to the liberality and taste of the congregation that has erected it, and an ori ment to the city. The Rev. Chester Briggs was appointed to the pastorate 1870, and served until 1874. His successor was Rev. W. J. Pruner. N came Rev. E. S. Chapman, who remained seven and a half years, until Ma 1, 1882. The present pastor is Rev. S. A. Mowers. Since the change of lc tion, this church has enjoyed a great prosperity. Its membership bas increa to 555 (1881). Its Sabbath school is large and flourishing, numbering scholars. The church has also sustained a mission on High street for m than twelve years.

THE SECOND UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH (GERMAN).

This church organization was effected in 1853. Services were at first, for a time, held in the lecture room of the First United Brethren Church Sixth street, the Rev. H. Staub then proclaiming to them the Gospel. was succeeded by the Rev. J. A. Sand. The one-story brick church located! the East side of Wayne street, near Jones, was built by the congregation 1855, and has since been used by them as a place of worship. The Rev. W. Cranmer was the next pastor in order. The pulpit has since been filled the following ministers as pastors of the congregation: Rev. E. Licht, Rev Fritz, Rev. G. Schmith, Rev. A. Krause, Rev. M. Bussdieker, Rev. C. Stre Rev. E. Lorenz and Rev. Charles Schneider. The present pastor, Soloi Vanmeda, at one time agent and editor of the Telescope, and Rev. W. Mitt dorf. now editor of the " Joyful Messenger" and " Youths' Pilger," in com tion with their offices, served the church several times as its pastor. There now enrolled about 100 members.

669

CITY OF DAYTON.

THE THIRD UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH (COLORED).

This religious society is the outgrowth of a Sunday school, established by c) King, and was organized in the spring of 1858, with a membership of be- ven fifteen and twenty. For a few months, meetings were held in the Te- neh Street Engine House, and next for a time, in Buckeye Chapel. In the wirer of 1868-69, ground on Ludlow, between Fifth and Sixth streets, was mu lased of Mrs. Eaker, and a small one-story brick church erected thereon, cost of $1,000. Here the congregation have since held their meetings. " 1 the exception of a few regular pastors, the church has been supplied with iisters from the other United Brethren Churches of the city, and from the i acIty of the Seminary of that church. The present pastor is Rev. George Brt; membership, sixty.

THE SUMMIT STREET UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

The Summit Street United Brethren Church was formed in 1871 from r ns belonging to Miami Chapel, a United Brethren Church in the vicini- Dayton. The erection of a house of worship was commenced, and one o] of the house was completed and dedicated May 21, 1871, by Bishop . Glossbrenner. The grounds and buildings, so far as then completed, ( about $10,000. To this sum Rev. John Kemp very largely contributed, wileserves to be remembered tenderly and in honor for this as well as other

b) deeds. For several years the seminary occupied this church before the verion of the seminary building. The congregation has steadily grown un- 11 now numbers about two hundred members. About one year ago, under i pastoral labors of Rev. William M. Beardshear, now President of Western Llge, it was resolved to undertake the completion of the church. This the negation seemed to be unable to do, it having just finished paying a debt 2.000 on the former building. The undertaking of the work was encour- and induced by a munificent proffer of assistance from Bro. John Dodds, is city, a member of another congregation. Having for years been much tested in the work of the church in this part of the city, he chose it as a a upon which to bestow liberally. He agreed, upon the payment of $3,- Ky the congregation, to furnish the remainder of the funds needed to com- e' the entire church, with the exception of the furnishings, light, furnaces, ns and pavements. The congregation thankfully took hold of so liberal a cosal, and the work has been completed. One of the neatest and most com- ous churches in the denomination is the result. The building was re- 1(1 to a one-story, ground-plan structure, and erected upon plans and speci- ons of Mr. Peters, an expert architect of this city. It is covered entirely it slate, and is every way tasty and beautiful in symmetry and arrangement. "h main audience room is 70x54 feet in length and width, and the lecture, or . al'ath school room, 54x40, and a primary room 30x16. It also has a neat aor's study adjoining the lobby, which is nicely furnished. Folding and ing partitions between the audience room and the Sunday school room open uewo, and the three rooms, if desired, into one great room 110 feet long. h pulpit is placed upon rollers, and is easily removed from one room to an- h: to suit the audience. The audience room is neatly furnished with rled seats, and is nicely carpeted, while an elegant reflector furnishes ujrb lighting to the church. The Sabbath school rooms are seated with Mais. The capacity of the church is about one thousand sittings. The com- ulcon of the house was at a cost of $8,098.90, of this, Bro. Dodds kindly ga $3,116.29, and the congregation in the entire furnishing, as well as the completion of the building, gave $4,468.90, besides the contribution of the Laes' Aid Society of $513 for the cupola. The church was dedicated Sab-

670

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

bath, April 30, 1882, by Bishop Glossbrenner. The following persons h been pastors of the church since its organization: Rev. J. P. Landis, Rev. Briggs, Rev. William Dillon, Rev. William Beardshear and Rev. M. H. A brose, now in charge. The church was served two years by the faculty of U. B. Seminary, and one year by the editor of the Telescope and agent of Seminary.

HIGH STREET UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

Some twelve years ago, a mission school was established, and has si been sustained by the First United Brethren Church. This grew, and September a mission church was organized. The pastor is Rev. George Mathews; membership now thirty, and in the Sabbath school an enrolln of 250 scholars.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH.

Among the early settlers of Montgomery County were a number of formed families from Pennsylvania and Maryland, from which the first formed congregations in the Upper Miami Valley were gathered by l Thomas Winters, and by his son, Rev. David Winters. When pass through Dayton, the junior Winters stopped and preached several ti at the instance of his friends. Regular service was for a time held in court house, but soon the Christian Church, on Main street, was secured, wł in the spring or early summer of 1833, this church of Dayton was organ with seven members. Two years later, they worshiped in the court ho which was in that day a kind of religious center for struggling religione cieties. About this time a number of German families were taken into congregation, and services were held alternately in the English and Ger languages. Each part of the church, as divided in language, elected a ful of officers, viz. : Elders and Deacons. A charter for the congregation was tained from the Legislature January 13, 1836. On the 18th day of A 1837, the Trustees of the church purchased the ground now owned and o pied by the church (on Ludlow, between First and Second streets), of Ge W. Simonds, for $700, and a fine brick edifice was erected thereon the year (1837). The church was dedicated during the session of the Sy which convened here June 7, 1840. The dedicatory sermons were preache Rev. George Weisz, in German, and Rev. Henry Willard, in English. An teresting agitation of the rented pew system began in 1843, the better wa raising the salary of the pastor underlying the plan, which finally resulte a decision to sell the pews. From the beginning of the enterprise a Ger interest was fostered in connection with the English. So encouraging the growth in this direction that a German organization of ninety five mon was effected in 1849, as an integral part of the congregation. In 1850. vision of the charge agitated the congregation. The charge consiste three congregations besides Dayton, which gave the town congregation pre ing but once in two weeks. For this interest, the whole of the pastor's was claimed by some of its members. In the course of the agitation, per! matters were brought in. Alienations arose, and there were dissensions ar the brethren, and by these the career of prosperity enjoyed by the church the dedication was seriously checked. The pastor resigned, and a divisi the charge was effected. The Dayton congregation tendered Rev. David ters a call, but he preferred to take charge of the other three congregat A call was then made for Rev. A. P. Freeze, who entered upon the pastora 1851. Dr. Winters, the founder of the church, served seventeen years. Freeze retired in 1852 and was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Phillips, remained but six months, retiring April 17, 1853. In September, 1853

671

CITY OF DAYTON.

Lar lies withdrew to organize the Mt. Carmel congregation three miles west of jte city. The church was then without a pastor for several years, when, on ILE st day of January, 1856. the Rev. George W Willard, D. D., assumed the aprate, and remained until December, 1860. During his ministry the con- ration was revived, and the church building put in repair. Large additions e made to the membership. In 1859, the German organization resolved to In l a house of worship of their own, and the church on the corner of Cass n Clay streets is the monument of their enterprise. January 1, 1861, Rev. Leis H. Kefouver succeeded Dr. Willard, and remained until July 1, 1863, Le ping the first pastor who served the charge disconnected from any other outy supporting congregation. He remained until July 1, 1863. Rev. T. ucher became the pastor October 18, 1863. Under his pastorate the church a remodeled, the front and rear walls were removed in 1866, and the corner os for the improved structure laid September 3, 1866. Rev. Moses Keiffer J'ered the address. The estimated cost of the improvements were from $15,- to $20, 000. Rev. Mr. Bucher retired January 1, 1867, and was succeeded Dr. Van Horne September 1, 1868, who served until 1875. He was suc- red by the present pastor, Rev. W. A. Hale, during whose ministry there a' been 225 accessions to the church, making the membership now 405, and cht of $7,500 canceled. Miss Katie Weikel, who died June 13, 1881, left e Trustees a two-story brick house, to be used and owned by the church as pisonage.

SECOND REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN).

The origin and early history of this church in the city is fully t'orth in the sketch of the above Reformed Church; hence we will not j'at it in this connection. In the absence of the records of this branch i he church we are unable to give the names of all of the ministers fue German congregation prior to the building of their edifice on the corner f lass and Clay streets, in 1859. However, we mention the following as mg them: Rev. A. Toenssneirer, Rev. C. Baecker and Rev. A. P. Freeze. Afr the church had resolved to build themselves a house of worship, they held -ar ces in Clegg's Hall, on Fifth street, where they continued worshiping nl their church was ready for occupancy. Their pastor at this time was the He' Mr. Lueders. The church was dedicated in the fall of 1859, by Rev. Dr. I. . Rutenek, of Cleveland. Mr. Lueders served the congregation five years, hi he was succeeded by the Rev. W. Wittenwieler. Rev. George Rettig ol wed Mr. Wittenwieler, and in May, 1867, Rev. O. J. Accola. the present aor, took charge. Mr. Accola was absent from the pastorate from August. 8%, until July, 1878, during this interval the pulpit was filled by the Rev. choepfle. The membership is about two hundred.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 73

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214