The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 74

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 74

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FIRST (DISCIPLES' CHRISTIAN) CHURCH.

The church of this denomination was organized as the "First Bap- is Church. " Its early history is that of the first Regular Baptist Church f Dayton, to which the reader is referred. After rejecting the articles frith on the 21st of March, 1829, it became a Campbellite Church, and as u: continued to worship in the brick church on the west side of Main street. n'he corner of the alley between Water and First streets, until about 1850, vlp its place of worship was transferred to the present site on the northwest ro er of Sixth and Brown streets, where is located a one-story brick building wij a basement. Among the pastors of the congregation, during their worship DIain street, were D. S. Burnett, David Gosney. William Pinkerton, L. H Jemison and J. R. Fraim; and the church was visited by such ministers of th denomination as Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, Aylett Rames, Samuel

672

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Hushom and Joshua Swallow. Its growth and prosperity fluctuated much to about 1850, since which time it has been self-sustaining in its ability make provision for pastors. From about 1849 to 1862, the pulpit was filled Elder J. M. Henry, and succeeding him in regular order were Elders J Errett, J. M. Long, D. K. Van Buskirk, J. H. Mccullough, L. H. Fraz Dennis M. D. Todd and L. R. Gault, the present incumbent, who has ser the congregation three years. The nominal membership is under two hund Number of scholars in the Sabbath school, about one hundred and fifty. sides its domestic work, the church contributes to the District, State, Gene and Foreign Missionary Societies of the people with whom it is affiliated. church officers are: L. R. Gault, A. C. Fenner, C. L. Loos, David McGre and Thomas Meridith, Elders; and H. H. Lauboch, Joel Needles, S. T. { terill. C. W. Crew, Benjamin Mundy and Rolla Cotterill, Deacons; of w] Fenner. Laudoch, S, T. Cotterill, Crew and Mundy, are Trustees.

BROADWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

Sometime during the year 1828, nine persons assembled at the hi of Father Bruen, and organized the church in question. Messrs. 0 lease, Heiser and L. Bruen, were chosen Trustees. Soon thereafter erected on Main, between Fourth and Fifth streets, upon a lot now o pied by the residence of G. W. Rogers, a church building known as Ui Meeting-House. In 1848, the church was re-organized by the advice and of Elders Caleb Worley and Melyn D. Baker, and a new covenant ad ed which was signed by twenty-one members, and soon thereafter seven names were added, making thirty-eight members in all. During the lowing year, Luther Bruen, a prominent member, died, and bequeathed to church the south half of Lot 206, upon which the meeting-house stood. 1852, the church commenced receiving colored persons, and was most li the first church organization to take steps toward negro equality. Three yi later the Bruen heirs purchased the half lot of the church for $1,300, w sum was put out at interest. From 1851 to 1857, the church was withc pastor, and the pulpit was supplied by the conference. The church was a re-organized in the year 1858, the re-organization taking effect in the M City Schoolhouse, on Baxter street, with thirty-nine members. In Jam 1859, a Sunday school was organized with J. Demint, Superintendent. The & year the church purchased two lots on Brown street (now corner of Broadway Home avenue), and appointed a Building Committee to erect a house of wors The present one-story brick with basement was then erected, and in June, ] the basement was dedicated with services by P. Mccullough, the pastor o charge. From 1864. to 1867, the church was without a pastor, the pulpit a being supplied by the conference. In 1868, the auditorium was finished. furnished and dedicated by the Rev. J. Weeks, father of the pastor, thr whose efforts the auditorium was finished. It has a seating capacity of and the property is valued at $4,000. In 1872-73, during the pastora W. A. Gross, the building debt of the church, amounting to several bur dollars, was paid. The name of the church was changed in 1874 to "Broa Christian Church." In 1876 an effort was made to unite with the Chri (Disciples) Church, which failed. The Sabbath school has continued wi intermission since organization, except a short time during the late war. are enrolled at this time sixty scholars; church membership, fifty -seven. following is a list of the ministers since organization: Revs. T. S. Wel. W. Humphreys, J. M. Dawson, J. T. Lynn, P. Mccullough, J. W. Weel Byrkitt, H. Y. Rush, W. A. Gross, J. S. Jones, W. J. Lawrence, J. W. N. C. D. Williamson, George Tenney. Since 1878, the church has been with pastor.

573

CITY OF DAYTON.

EMANUEL CHURCH (GERMAN) EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

in 1840, the Emanuel Church (German) Evangelical Association was - a ished by Rev. A. B. Schafer, of the Ohio Conference, when on Miami Wrcit. The first meeting held in Dayton was in August of that year, at We sidence of Peter Schneiber. In the following year, a class of twelve i bers was formed and attached to Miami Circuit as a mission. For eil years, they held services at private houses; and, as the membership in- wpad, a hall was rented on Fourth near Wilkinson street, where the Sabbath ahd of the congregation was organized. In 1843, a lot on the corner of ' allut and Fifth streets was purchased for $200 and a small, brick church, feet, built for $4,000. The dedication took place the first Sabbath in 'mber, 1843; sermon by Rev. A. B. Schafer. In 1849, on the same lot, end church, 38x50 feet, was erected, just in front of the former building. ws completed in 1841, and dedicated by the same pastor. In 1855, it be- " na station, and two years later was detached from the Ohio and added to diana Conference. In 1870, it again became necessary to find a more vonodious place of worship, and a lot on Commercial street, near Fifth, was orcased for $2,500, and the present church building was erected at a cost of 7,00. It is a two-story brick, 45x80 feet, with a tower. Below is the Sun- v chool and class rooms, and above the auditorium, which has a seating ty of over five hundred, and the gallery. The building was opened for ve the same year, and dedicated by Bishop R. Dubs, D. D. The follow- istors, in the order named, have served the church: Rev. A. B. Schafer, v John Hall, Rev. Fred Meyer, Rev. Jacob Burkert, Rev. Levi Hess, Rev. ESpring, Rev. A. B. Shafer, Rev. John Nicolai, Rev. Koag, Rev. A. Dreis- ch Rev. John Dreisbach, Rev. Darl Strohman, Rev. Leonard Scheurman v M. Stueffe, Rev. Philip Brech, Rev. F. Weithoupt, Rev. John Fuchs, . vJ. M. Gomer, Rev. M. Hoehn, Rev, M. Stueffe, Rev. M. Klaiber, Rev. Kaufman, Rev. J. E. Troger. Rev. J. M. Gomer and J. F. Hansing, the cit incumbent.

{ Sabbath school was organized with the church, and J. H. Guenther be- a the first Superintendent. The present enrollment of church and Sabbath icl is 240 and 225 respectively.

DUNKARD CHURCH.

Ve have been unable, after diligent search, to find a record of this B1, or to obtain from any of the membership anything of its history. "es are no longer held in the little quaint brick church of this de- mation, still standing on the corner of Van Buren and Jackson streets, e erected more than half a century ago. In the general history of the uy will be found a full sketch of the German Baptist, commonly known as unkard Church of the county. This city congregation was a branch of eaver Creek Church.

THE KILO KODISH B'NAI JESHMEN.

This Hebrew congregation was formed in 1850, with about a dozen Ders, among whom were Jacob Schwab, Joseph Lebensburger, Abraham dimon Ach, Adam Lebolt, Morris Wertheimer and Abraham Mack, leirst President of the congregation was Joseph Lebensburger. They orly met in what was once the old Dayton Bank, on Main street, towthe residence of Joseph Bimm, and in the upper story of the house (main street, now occupied by Mr. Ohmer, the furniture dealer. About the rear 1864, they purchased the church on the northeast corner of Fou'h and Jefferson streets, of the Baptists, where their services have since

674

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

been held. To begin with, they had no Rabbi, and a Mr. Wendell serve teacher. There is a membership now of over thirty. The Rev. A. K. Fi was the first Rabbi who presided over the congregation. He came in 1 and was succeeded in 1880 by the Rev. G. Tanbenhouse, now in charge.

The present officers of the society are as follows: President, Solo Rauh; Vice President, Solomon Strauss; Treasurer. Eliah Rauh, Secre Jonas Rosenthal; Trustees, Gabriel Hass, Adolph Newsalt and Moses Gla

UNION CHAPEL METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

Some time during the late war, several families, among whom were Shaefer and wife, and J. S. Binkerd and wife, with the Rev. A. M. venscraft, met and organized the Union Chapel Methodist Protestant Chi They first held service in the United Presbyterian Church, then it nett's Hall, on Wayne street. About the year 1869 or 1870, the b ing styled "Union Chapel," located on the corner of Barr and Com cial streets, was erected by them at a cost of $2,500, It was afterwar larged and a parsonage added to the church property, costing $1,500. Pa of the church up to the fall of 1881, have been as follows: Rev. R. A. II burn, Rev. J W. Spring, Rev. N. G. Oglesby, Rev. W. F. Dickerman, C. S. Evans, Rev. S. K. Spohn, and Rev. Charles Cadwallader. The cl property was turned over to the conference the last-named year, and the gregation disbanded.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF DAYTON.

Catholicity in Dayton is said to have had its inception in the 1831, when removed from Baltimore, Md., to this city, Robert Conway family, consisting of his wife, Sarah, and the following named chil Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, Ellen, Catharine, Michael, Adam, Edward Robert. They came to Dayton in the spring of 1831, and were for a time the only Catholic family in the then town or village of Dayton. Conway being zealous in the cause of Christ, and entertaining great lo his spiritual mother, the church, felt keenly the deprivation of the spi wants of himself and family, and in the following year arranged with the Father E. T. Collins, of Cincinnati, an American priest, to become a resi of Dayton, he (Conway) being responsible for his livelihood. Father C

came, and during his stay in Dayton of about two years, the Conway resi was his home, and for a portion of that time it was the place of worship family constituting the congregation. This same year and the year folle several Catholic German and Irish families settled in Dayton. The city then was in its infancy. There, where we to-day see fine streets and and palatial business houses and residences, was nothing but large ex] of woods which were in some places cleaned by the ax of the indus settler and planted with corn and grain. Here, in the land of their adc they had no place of worship as at home. But God who provides for a got them not. Cincinnati was already then a Bishopric. Although the I had but few priests under his disposal, he always sent out several of the traversed the State, and visited the Catholics who lived scattered abor ministering to them the consolations of their holy religion.

Dayton was also visited by these gentlemen, among whom were Fathers Thienpont, Juncker (the first priest consecrated in the United S Horstman, Henni (late Archbishop of Milwaukee), Tochenhens, Wurz, and Murphy. Some of them became resident priests, and of such more said hereafter. Other priests came at various times, whose names cann be recalled. The Conway residence soon became too small to arcom the increasing members who were gathering from all quarters to listen

675

CITY OF DAYTON.

teacings of the ordained servants of Christ, and worship at the altar of the Mor High, and services were then held in a one-story brick building, a part of whit was occupied as a bakery, located on St. Clair street, opposite the park. After an almost insurmountable amount of trouble, it was at last made sole, by Rev. Father Emanuel Thienpont, to bring together a congregation uduild a church. It was completed in 1837, and dedicated in November of theame year. How it was made possible to build the church appears to be macle, when we consider the small number who constituted the congrega- nor who scarcely had more of this world's goods than were needed to live on. It is a one-story brick building, and stood on the present site of Emanuel's mich parsonage, on Franklin, between Ludlow street and Prairie avenue, andvas taken down after the new church was completed.

Father Thienpont officiated as pastor from 1837 until the middle of 1844. Successor was the Rev. Henry D. Juncker. Under his pastorage the flock a biased considerable, so that the church had to be enlarged. Father Juncker also bought a large organ and three magnificent, pure white marble altars, hn are yet in use in Emanuel's Church, greatly admired for their mag- france.

Rev. Juncker was destined by Providence to serve in a more responsible parof the vineyard, and in the year 1857, he was elected Bishop, and conse- crad in the cathedral in Cincinnati, for the newly erected bishopric of Alton, I.l. He faithfully served his Lord and Master in this capacity until 1868, y at he was called home to receive the reward for his labors.

In May, 1857, Rev. Father John F. Hahne was sent by the reverend Arch- Ip to succeed Rev. Juncker, who served as the pastor of Emanuel's until seath in February, 1882, and always worked for the best interest and wel- # wroof the congregation, for which the great proof of his never wearying care e'resent Emanuel's Church fully vouches. The following reverend gentle- e have been given Father Hahne as assistant pastors: Rev. J. Schiff, Volm, andince May of 1863, his brother, Father Charles Hahne, who is familiarly non by the members of the congregation as " Father Charles." In April, 18. Rev. Father William.Scholl was installed as second assistant pastor of nnuel, Rev. Father Charles Hahne being unable to attend to all the cares of e congregation without assistance, which was kindly given by his Grace, Thereverend Archbishop. of Cincinnati.

About the year 1869, it was noticed that the old church (erected in 1837), abecoming decrepit. This was the cause of many hours of care and sleep- -s nights for Father Hahne, who always had a fatherly care for the welfare of is congregation. His fear of an accident by falling walls, etc., was like- i entertained by the congregation. He was, therefore, anxious to avert hievil, but how could it be done? After considering the matter with prac- cj and experienced men, he at last came to the decision of erecting a new a ch. This decision was greeted with a hearty and enthusiastic approba- ofby the congregation. Of course, there were those very few who thought uld be "propped up" and held together, but they all came to see the fal ag of their ideas, and joined' with the others in freely subscribing for the ue church. After Father Hahne was assured of the amount the congregation wold subscribe, he, with experienced architects, set to work making plans, wish resulted in adopting a plan by which the present church was erected. Lt located on Franklin street, just east of the site of the old church. The ur stone of the foundation was laid September 8, 1871, the anniversary of the bin of our Blessed Lady, according to the Roman Catholic calendar. It. is Ih largest church edifice in the city, and a very imposing structure of the Gic order. It is built of brick, with limestone trimmings; the outside m'surement 166x84 feet. There are two towers in front, each 212 feet high,

676

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and one in the rear of 150 feet. The vestibule is 42x8 feet, the entrauc which is effected through three doors fifteen feet high, and of proportio; width. From the vestibule to the audience room are three large doorw The windows, of beautiful stained glass, are thirty-five feet high and six wide. The audience room is 126x66 feet, and sixty feet from floor to ceil There are two galleries in front, one above the other. Opposite the main trance is the sanctuary, in front of which is a low, elliptical iron railing, 1 handsome gilt ornaments. The central altar is within a semi-circular rer which reaches to the ceiling. the canopy of which represents the blue fir ment studded with stars. In the front is the altar of beautiful white Ita marble, with appropriate inscriptions. On the back wall of the recess, above the altar, is the scene of the crucifixion. The figure of the Sar which is of plaster, appears nailed to a plain, wooden cross, which is se teen feet high. On the right is a marble altar dedicated to the Virgin, on the left another to St. Joseph; in a niche above the appropriate altar app a statue of the Blessed Virgin, with the infant Savior in her arms. On corner of the recess is a piece of statuary representing Santa Rosa, of L Peru, who is the first American saint, and perhaps the only one on the ca dar. On the other corner, a statue of St. Aloysius, and in a a niche above altar dedicated to St. Joseph appears a statue of that saint. The fresc of the walls is chaste and elegant in design and execution. The pews al black walnut and ash, and will seat 1,500 people, and the children's gal 600. The cost of the edifice was in the neighborhood of $100,000. The l work was done by Frederick Hoelzen, the' carpenter work by B. Lampert L. Kingner, and the frescoing by Arnold Hahne. The dedication occu October 6, 1873, and the ceremonies attending it made up the most impo pageant of the kind ever witnessed in Dayton. Archbishop Purcell, Bir Borgess, of Detroit, and other distinguished churchmen were present. It estimated that 7,000 persons from abroad were present and took part in ceremonies. The interior of the church had been profusely decorated, the buildings in the vicinity displayed from their windows and balconies ners and bannerets on which were emblazoned the stars and stripes, show that the Catholics in their devotion to the mother church had not forg the temporal powers under which they live, and which guarantee religious erty to all. Across Main street from the buildings, along Franklin and thoroughfares through which the procession moved, the starry folds of American flag everywhere greeted the gorgeously bedecked banners of the ous societies which were accompanied by the Knights Templar and Sold Home bands. At the church, Archbishop Purcell, with his attendant dea and acolytes chanting the Litany of the Saints, took in the circuit of the chi sprinkling the walls with holy water. Pontifical high mass was then celel ed by Bishop Borgess, of Detroit, and the dedication sermon preached by A bishop Purcell from the Apocalypse, 20th chapter, 2d and 3d verses.

The death of the beloved pastor of this church, Rev. Father John Hahne, the oldest Catholic priest in Dayton, was announced by the tollin, bells on the night of February 21, 1882. He was born in the city of Sc wig, in the State of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, April 19, 1815. His ents were laboring people, his father being a shoemaker, and he the o child. Both his father and mother were strict Catholics. From his mother received his first instructions in religion, and as a boy he announced hi tention of devoting his life to the church. As he advanced in years, this did not leave him. His parents were too poor to admit of his devoting time to study, but he improved every opportunity of obtaining books and formation, laying aside such means as he could, until, having learned his ti he left home to make his own way in life. He passed some time in Mini

677

CITY OF DAYTON.

Tuia, and then having saved some money, he went to Freibourg, and sub- Intly to Switzerland, and pursued his studies among the Jesuits. acting 1 te capacity of private tutor for a time at Hagen, and was finally, after & land hard struggle, ordained as a priest in the city of Osnabruck. Decem- ·r 3, 1848. He spent some time at Alfhausan, Germany, and there he re- o vl the appointment of Chaplain in the army at Schleswig, his native place. In pptember, 1851, he came to America, and went directly to Cincinnati, Le he received the appointment as assistant pastor at the church of St. 1" i mena. After remaining there a short time, he received the appointment a istant pastor in St. Paul's Church, where he continued until May, 1857. ce being a vacancy in the church at Dayton about this time, Father Hahne segarded as the best fitted by the qualities he had shown for the position, .le received the appointment. The choice was justified by the zealous se mer in which he entered on his new duties, soon securing the confidence dove of those with whom his lot was cast. By his efforts, some of the most cnt Catholic organizations in the city were established. In private life t.r Hahne was warm hearted and of attractive disposition. In the church vs recognized as one of the most efficient priests in the Cincinnati Diocese. 'he occasion of the funeral of Father Hahne marked another eventful il in the history of Catholicism in Dayton. Emanuel's Church was appro- aly draped, and people by the thousands came from all quarters to witness rvice of the last sad rites of respect to the dead priest. Rt. Rev. Bishop . Elder, of Cincinnati, and Bishop Tobbe, of Covington, with the priests tl city, and many from abroad, together with the numerous Catholic socie- s ;Dayton, were in the funeral cortege. A more solemn assemblage, or a ruimpressive ceremony, perhaps, was never witnessed in the city. This oc- id was as solemn and sad as that of the consecration of the church was joy- d grand.

ather Charles Hahne succeeded his lamented brother to the pastorate of ingregation, and Rev. Father William Scholl became the first assistant. e ongregation now numbers about four thousand souls.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.

A the year 1846 or 1847, Emanuel's congregation became numerically reat to congregate in one church, which fact, together with a desire e part of the English speaking portion to have a house of wor- nof their own, led to the withdrawal of that class and the formation of · seph's congregation, and the building of the church of that name, located te northeast corner of Madison and Second streets, in the year 1847. evo lots upon which the church and pastor's residence stand were pur- I for the sum of $2,000. The church as erected in 1847, was about one- fs present size, and was built at a cost of something over $6,000. The re was unfinished; hence, it was without the grace since given it by the tall tagon shaped spire. The first pastor of St. Joseph's congregation was Dv. Father Patrick O'Maley, who was succeeded in 1850 by his brother. v. 'ather Joseph O'Maley, who remained in charge until 1853, when he was coded by Rev. Father O'Conner, whose pastorate was of short duration, he if been followed the same year by Father Thomas Bulger. Rev. Father vij J. Kelly became Father Bulger's successor in 1856, and continued in istorate of St. Joseph until his death, September 29, 1867. During his lyministry at this charge, the tower of the church, was completed, and the Lenirgest bell in the city hung therein. It is a very sweet toned bell, and was st in Cincinnati; and there was also placed in the tower a large city clock; A year or two later, the rear portion of the church, as it now stands, was Ided at an expense of $6,000. The building, constructed of brick, is

678

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

plain but substantial, and in keeping with church edifices built in its Saving a small vestibule in the front on entering the building, the space within its walls is one large audience room. There is a gallery in and on either side extending about one-half the length of the audito The gallery is supplied with a large pipe organ. The frescoing of the c and walls, and the symbolic representations in the sanctuary, though wearing the appearance of age, impress one of former elegance and b Its seating capacity is about one thousand.

Father Kelley was a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, and was born Sept 7, 1820. After having pursued a course of study in the College of St. in the town of his nativity, he came to America in 1850, and finishe education at St. Mary's College, Cincinnati, and on the 1st of May, 185: ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Purcell. His first charge Wilkesville, this State. He was transferred to Dayton, and succeede Rev. Father Bulger, as before stated, in the pastorate of this church. F a man of most exemplary character. In his intercourse with his fellow ci he exhibited all those amiable traits of private life which are calculated cure the friendship and esteem of all. He was beloved and honored } people of this charge.

The funeral obsequies of Father Kelley were solemn and imposing. attendance was large, making a similar procession. which is obvious to t. idents of the city or to those acquainted with it, when it is stated that the head of the procession reached the top of Main street hill, the rear b yet crossed the railway at Sixth street. The procession was made up the numerous German and English Catholic Beneficial Societies; twenty priests in their robes, chanting solemnly, who were followed by t ket containing the deceased, borne upon the shoulders of six young mer came the friends and citizens.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 74

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