The history of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, 1837-1909, Part 9

Author: Reed, Luther Dotterer, 1873-; Gongaware, George Jonas, 1866-; Lane, Thomas Hetich
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed for the congregation, by J.B. Lippincott Company
Number of Pages: 324


USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > The history of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, 1837-1909 > Part 9


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July 2, Mr. Diehl, leader of the choir, was relieved and Mr. McCompsey, the organist, took entire charge of the music.


At the close of this year the congregation received from Mrs. Jane B. Black the sum of one thousand dollars, to be held in trust with the interest that


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Pastorate of the Reb. Samuel Laird


should accrue therefrom, and to be applied to the contemplated new church building.


During this pastorate Albert F. Seibert, Geo. H. Gerberding, and Oscar V. Holmgrain, from among the young men of the congregation, entered the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.


The movement which resulted in the establishment of a Church in the East End was begun by Mr. Laird. He conducted services on Sunday afternoons in the German Lutheran Church in East Liberty, having the occasional assistance of the Rev. G. A. Wenzel. When the Rev. James Q. Waters resigned St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, and came to Pittsburgh, he was placed in charge of this work and supported in part by the First Church. The congregation was organ- ized June 25, 1869, with twenty-three members. A dwelling house on Station Street was purchased from Capt. Duff, for $1800. The partitions of the rooms on the second floor had been removed, making a good- sized hall. Here the congregation held its services. The building was later sold for $2800. Another lot was purchased and a chapel costing $8000 erected on it, during the ministry of the Rev. J. Q. Waters.


During this pastorate the First Church made an earnest effort to provide for the religious care of the Swedes, quite a number of whom were working in the iron mills and other industries of the city. The Rev. John W. Kindborg, a Swedish student in the Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, was called as their pastor. The church building was placed at their disposal, whenever it was not used by the con- gregation for its own purposes. A congregation grew out of this movement. Mr. Kindborg also ministered


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at Brady's Bend and at Titusville, Pa., Mayville, N. Y., and at other places in New York and eastern Ohio. Several congregations of Swedes were or- ganized at these various places. Mr. Kindborg re- turned to Sweden, but he was succeeded by other pastors who continued the work among their country- men which he had inaugurated. The credit of com- mencing this Swedish work is due to the First › Church.


In addition to the above a noble proposal was made by Mr. George Black, in the interest of the Scandi- navians. In a letter to Mr. Laird, his pastor, dated November 8, 1869, he refers to the great want of ministers among the Lutheran Swedes and Nor- wegians who were settling in the West in great numbers. His letter continues :


"Would it not be a good idea and sound policy to send a competent person or persons to Sweden and Norway and get from there several young men who will keep these people together in the ' true faith.' . . . You will be among these people at Chicago [at the meeting of the General Council] ; would it not be well to consult and see if this project is tangible. I will produce the funds for it, say three to five thousand dollars, to pay the expense of the parties to go there and the expense of men back to this country."


To carry out this proposal Mr. Laird consulted the Rev. Dr. T. N. Hasselquist and arranged with him to go to Sweden. His idea was to get students graduat- ing from higher literary institutions there to come here for their theological training in the Seminary of the Augustana Synod. This was done and all ex- penses were paid by Mr. Black. It is thus evident


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that the First Church of Pittsburgh had no small share in promoting the interests of the Swedes in this country.


In June, 1879, Mr. Laird received a call from St. Mark's Church, Philadelphia, and submitted his resignation as pastor of the First Church. The com- munication was received by the Council and referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Lane, Lang, and Armor. The report of this committee was adopted and the Council proceeded in a body to visit the pastor, personally to urge their reasons for his re- maining. In a letter of June 30, however, Mr. Laird conveyed his final decision and asked Council to accept his resignation, to take effect the end of July. The letter concludes as follows :


" I cannot close this communication without bearing tes- timony to the courteous and fraternal spirit which has marked our official intercourse since the day that I came among you, more than twelve years ago. In all my relations with you, in public and private, I have received only kind- ness. I began my work among you almost a stranger. We have lived and labored together as brothers. Your consid- eration for my comfort, your furtherance of my plans, your steady support and assistance rendered in church work, and the gentleness and love you have ever manifested towards me, have indeed made my ministry a happy one. And now that it is about to be brought to a close, I can only render you the return of my sincerest thanks, but shall ever pray that our gracious Lord will bestow upon you all the ' fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ,' and with the fondest memories shall always remain,


Your attached friend,


SAMUEL LAIRD."


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The resignation was accepted with great regret, the Council adopting the following resolutions :


" WHEREAS, the Rev. Samuel Laird has communicated to the Council of this Church the fact that he has accepted a call extended to him by St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Philadelphia to become its pastor, and in conse- quence tenders to us his resignation as pastor of our con- gregation, to take effect at the close of the present month, and requests from us an acceptance of the same :


"Resolved, That we yield a reluctant compliance to his request, deploring the occasion which terminates a connection formed more than twelve years ago, and notwithstanding the many severe and unusual trials that have befallen us during that period, nevertheless it has been characterized by unity, tranquility and prosperity.


"Resolved, That though we cannot arrive at the same con- viction as our pastor, as to his duty in the premises, yet we humbly pray the Great Head of the Church that He will overrule all to His honor and glory and the best interests of His earthly kingdom.


" Resolved, That we hereby tender him our earnest wishes and prayers for his success and happiness in his new field of labor, and hope that the fraternal feelings heretofore existing between us, and that the personal loves and friend- ships formed, may be cemented rather than weakened by separation."


On the last Sunday in July, 1879, Mr. Laird preached his farewell sermon, having served the con- gregation as its pastor twelve years and three months.


The Rev. Dr. Samuel Laird was born in New Castle Co., Delaware, Feb. 7, 1835. In young manhood he became a member of St. John's Church, Philadelphia, and graduated from the Philadelphia High School


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Pastorate of the Reb. Samuel Laird


and the University of Pennsylvania. He abandoned the study of law for theology. Ordained to the Lutheran ministry in 1861, he accepted a call to St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia. In 1864 he became pastor of Holy Trinity, Lancaster, Pa., and in 1867 came to Pittsburgh. He has been pastor of St. Mark's, Philadelphia, for a period of nearly thirty years. He was one of the founders of the General Council, and its secretary for nine years; president of the Pittsburgh Synod; president of the Ministeri- um of Pennsylvania for three years; treasurer of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and for many years has been a director of the Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and its treasurer. He has ever been an active and valuable member of many of the im- portant Boards and Committees of the General Coun- cil and the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, being specially interested in Missions and Church Exten- sion. He is also a director of the German Hospital and the Mary J. Drexel Home, Philadelphia. In 1901 he was a delegate of the General Council to the Gen- eral Lutheran Conference held in Lund, Sweden.


CHAPTER X Pastorate of the Reb. Comund Belfour, D.D.


1880-1892


R. THOMAS H. LANE was elected chairman of the Council to serve during the vacancy. Arrangements were made in the fall with the Rev. Enoch Smith, of Greensburg, Pa., to supply the pulpit on alternate Sundays. The Council, finally, by a unanimous vote, recom- mended the Rev. Edmund Belfour, of Chicago, to the congregation, and at a congregational meeting, November 19, 1879, he was elected pastor, by a vote of ninety-eight to two. The call was made unanimous and the salary fixed at $2800 per annum. The call was accepted and Mr. Belfour entered upon his duties here February 1.


February 7, 1881, upon the death of Mr. P. W. H. Latshaw, one of the deacons of the congregation, appropriate resolutions were adopted by the Council.


Throughout the entire history of the congregation the Indigent Fund was constantly drawn upon for relief of the poor, support of theological students, appropriations to Hospital and Emigrant work, Ministerial Relief, assistance to disabled clergymen and even to cripples and other unfortunates. No one can measure the real extent and value of this blessed ministry of mercy so quietly extended.


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August 1, the death of Col. D. M. Armor, which had occurred July 26, was formally announced by the pastor and suitable resolutions were passed by a standing vote. Col. Armor's death was universally lamented. His fine natural abilities, developed by a collegiate education and private study, made him an exceedingly valuable and faithful member of the con- gregation. Although of a modest and retiring dis- position, his courage and capacity were recognized by the military authorities and won unsolicited and deserved promotions in the service.


September 12, Mrs. Jane B. Black presented to the congregation a lot adjoining St. John's Chapel. The pastor was instructed to convey to her the thanks of the congregation. She also later gave eight thou- sand dollars toward the Building Fund of St. John's Church.


February 6, 1882, the Penn Avenue and Ninth Street property was leased for one year to William F. Lang for $1100, the lessee to pay the taxes.


December 28, an offer of $50,000 was made for this lot by Haworth & Dewhurst. A committee was later appointed to ascertain if a suitable building could be procured for the use of the congregation in the event of the sale of the church.


At the congregational meeting held January 1, 1883, reports showed the following balances: In Church Lot Fund, $9,633.93, in Church Building Fund, $1,341.96, in Indigent Fund, $528.66.


At the suggestion of the pastor a committee was appointed to prepare and forward a letter to the Rev. Dr. Charles P. Krauth, expressing the congre-


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gation's sympathy with him in his continued illness and its earnest solicitude for his welfare. But two days later the Council received the sad intelligence of his death. The pastor and Dr. A. Lange were ap- pointed to represent the congregation at the funeral, Friday, January 5, in Philadelphia. Mr. Thomas H. Lane also attended the funeral. The committee previ- ously appointed was instructed to send a letter of condolence to the family. In recognition of Dr. Krauth's eminence in the Church and the world of learning, the church was draped in mourning.


November 5, 1883, Mr. Thomas H. Lane made a final report upon the perfection of title held by the congre- gation to the property at Penn Avenue and Ninth Street, and handed over the deeds conveying the trust in which the property was placed at the time of its purchase, the deeds being signed by John C. New- meyer, administrator of Jacob S. Newmeyer, de- ceased, Alexander M. Black, administrator of George Black, deceased, and Thomas H. Lane.


The four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther was celebrated by a service in the church, November 11, with appropriate decorations, music, and sermon.


Early in the year 1884, the Council considered the question of engaging a quartette choir, and finally authorized the choir committee to employ a suitable person to give instruction in music to such members of the congregation as might be willing to attend and also to lead the music in the Church services, at a salary not to exceed $400.


More than a year later the committee reported hav- ing engaged Prof. McCollum to give lessons in vocal


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THE REV. EDMUND BELFOUR, D.D.


first Cogley Lutheran Church


my with bir in his confirmed illness licitud for hie welfare. But two (el wundil tuovived the sad intelligence of De poster wod Dr. A. Lange were ap- ivpre -om the congregation at the fonerol. Fray, January D, lo Philedelphia. Mr. Thomas H. Labs alar o tended tho Emeral. The committee previ wat appeinled was instructed to find n letter of oboje lo the family. In recognition of Et. Booth's fromwater in the Church nod the world of lavolta the church was draped in mourning.


Noreonder 3. 1633, Mr. Thomas H. Lane made a final raport ojaja the perfectioc of Utle Held by the congre- gation to the property 44 Proro Avenue and Ninth Street, and budel over the doods conveying the truet in which the property was til at the time of its meyer, admins Trator 10 & Newmeyer, de- conced. Alexander M. UU Finitoy of George Black, dennsert, und The four inaifreshliv Wr at the birth of h & korvite in the


church, Novetabor LI,


pin priate decorations,


(.4 8003 40 JustnuHidered the


Histio choir, and finally Hope to employ a suitable person le vive luxtarme In music to euch member of the con dios es sieht be willing to attend and mais in the Church services, at a


More thou 4 ysir latar the committee reported hav- ing engaged Prof. MeCellion to give lessons in vocal


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Pastorate of the Red. comund Belfour


music to the young people of the Church at $5.00 per lesson. June 7, 1886, a bill of $110 for these services was honored.


November 3, 1884, the Council requested Mr. Lane, in view of the approaching semi-centennial of the con- gregation, to collect all material accessible for a his- tory of the congregation from its organization.


At the annual congregational meeting in January, 1885, Mr. Balken offered the following resolution :


" WHEREAS, the Church lot belonging to this congregation at the corner of Penn Avenue and Ninth Street, by the changes and encroachments of business traffic and also in the changes of the residences of our people, has become unsuit- able as a site for the erection of a church; and


" WHEREAS, parties have made inquiries after the prop- erty for business purposes.


" Resolved, That this congregation does hereby invest the Church Council with authority to sell and convey said prop- erty for a sum not less than $75,000.00, it being left to the discretion of the Church Council whether to sell or not, without further authority from the congregation unless otherwise ordered."


After considerable discussion a motion to adjourn to meet on Monday, January 12, prevailed. The ad- journed meeting passed the resolution by a vote of twenty-nine to five.


Upon motion of Mr. George W. Geissenhainer the congregation decided that


" WHEREAS, There has been an annual deficit of about $600 in the revenues of the congregation and often a lack of the amounts assessed upon it by the Synod; and


" WHEREAS, It is not expedient to have the periods for


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the collection of that which has been laid aside for the Lord's work placed at long intervals, therefore


" Resolved, That we return to the early and churchly custom of weekly collections and that such collections be taken as a part of the regular service, according to Lutheran usage, the first weekly offering to be received on Easter Sunday morning of this year."


This action concerning the offerings is explained by the strong feeling which had existed years before against the so-called "penny collection," and which had led to its discontinuance as undignified, and not a real "offering" or a proper part of worship.


About this time an offering was taken to aid in rebuilding the Lutheran Church in Rochester, Pa., recently destroyed by fire.


June 7, the Rev. J. Q. Waters, serving a mission congregation in Alliance, Ohio, stated that they were menaced with a loss of their property if not aided. The Council agreed to pay the interest on the mort- gage for $1,875 at the rate of seven per cent., provided an extension of two years be obtained from the holder.


While thus actively assisting other congregations, much earnest thought was being given to the ques- tion of securing another location and building a new church.


July 6, a committee consisting of Messrs. William W. Wattles, J. S. Seaman, and Henry Balken was appointed to learn at what price the property at the corner of Grant Street and Strawberry Alley could be obtained and to report as soon as possible.


July 27, a communication was received from M.


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Seibert & Company, the owners of a part of the property on Grant Street, offering their share, con- sisting of 100 x 94 feet, for $45,000, the offer to remain open three weeks from date. Dr. F. Bese, the owner of twenty feet on the corner of Grant Street and Strawberry Alley, offered to sell this portion for $11,500. The committee was requested to prepare a statement descriptive of the property to submit to a congregational meeting. The meeting was held August 12, and organized with the pastor as chair- man and Messrs. Thomas H. Lane, vice-president, and B. F. Weyman, secretary.


The following communication was considered :


" The Council of this Church having received the offer of a plot of ground as a site for the new church which we have so long contemplated building, and being convinced of its advantageous character, have deemed it their duty to call this meeting of the congregation and to submit this proposition for consideration and decision; and in order that the material facts in the case may be brought out and a clear understanding of its merits attained, the following state- ments are submitted :


" FIRST: Geographical Location of the Lot .- It fronts on Grant Street from Strawberry Alley to a line within a few feet of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and extends back to Foster Alley. It is therefore central, easy of access, and very near our present location.


" SECOND: Surroundings of the Lot .- In front is Grant Street. On the right is a church separated by a private passageway; on the left is Strawberry Alley, on which a public schoolhouse fronts at a distance of twenty feet from the building line and a like distance from the Grant Street line, bringing the lot into bold relief. At the rear is Foster


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Alley, which at this point is exceptionally good in the char- acter of its buildings. The lot therefore is open on all four sides, affording ample light, ventilation, and safety against fire. Sewer, water, and gas connections are complete on the premises.


" THIRD: The Size of the Lot .- It has a frontage of 120 feet on Grant Street and a depth of 94 feet to Foster Alley, being nearly twice as wide as the lot we now occupy and only six feet less in depth. Only on such a large lot, afford- ing room for grass and trees, can an edifice appear to advan- tage. The expenditure of $50,000.00 would probably make a more pleasing showing than one of $75,000.00 on a narrow lot, so important is the bearing of the surroundings.


" FOURTH: The Price of the Lot, $56,500.00, which by common consent is very cheap. More than two years ago,the Council appointed a committee to ascertain whether a suit- able church lot could be secured, and although they made diligent inquiry, they found none until the one now under consideration was offered. Owing to the increasing demands of business, good lots are constantly becoming more scarce and more expensive. The present is an exceptional case.


" FIFTH: The Financial Question .- A mortgage of $18,- 000.00 rests on the lot offered us and does not mature for several years. Subtracting this amount from the purchase price, $56,500.00, $38,500.00 remains to be provided for. If we sell the Penn Avenue lot for $75,000.00 and to this add the amount of the Church Lot Fund in hand, namely, $12,- 000.00, we would have $87,000.00 available. Paying $38,- 500.00 on the lot, we would still have $48,500.00 for building. We might with this in hand finish the new church, continu- ing in the meanwhile to occupy the present edifice, and the current interest on the $18,000.00 would be no more than rent which we would have to pay for a temporary place of worship if this building were torn down to make way for another. The cost of building is at present very low, about


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25 per cent. less than a few years back. We have an instance of this in the fact that four years ago the lowest bid for building a public schoolhouse in a certain part of this city was $43,000.00. The erection was delayed until this summer and now the contract has been let for $31,000.00.


" SIXTH: A new church is desired and needed. It is needed to carry out the fundamental purpose of the donors of the Penn Avenue property. It is needed to satisfy the earnest wishes of our people in general according to repeated expressions. It is needed for the comfort of the congregation and especially for the interests of the Sunday School. It is needed to replace the present building, which is falling into decay. It is needed for the honor of the great Lutheran Church which we represent in this city. It is needed above all as a testimonial of our reverence for God and His wor- ship. The serious question which ought to be met and deter- mined is whether the present time and circumstances are not such as should call forth prompt action on the very important matter of deciding on a suitable site for a new church and proceeding to build it without delay. Within two days an answer must be given positively in regard to the offer now before us. Others are awaiting the opportunity to pur- chase the lot."


Upon motion of Mr. William B. Wolfe, it was resolved to purchase the site and to build a new church. Upon motion of Mr. J. B. Duff, it was re- solved to pay the price named for the lot, $56,500, or less. Both resolutions were passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned to meet September 9.


September 9, the Council reported to the adjourned meeting of the congregation that the purchase had been made and that the deeds were held by the con- gregation. A slight reduction in price had been ob-


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tained from M. Seibert & Company and the final cost of the entire property was:


M. Seibert & Co. $44,400 00


Dr. F. Bese. 11,500 00


$55,900 00


Cash paid M. Seibert & Co $5,400 00


Mortgage given them 21,000 00


Mortgage due Mrs. Arthurs 18,000 00


$44,400 00


Cash paid Dr. F. Bese. 3,500 00


Mortgage given Dr. Bese. 8,000 00 $55,900 00


February 1, 1886, a rough estimate of the cost of building a church according to the plans and specifi- cations already in the possession of the Council was first secured, but a committee consisting of the pas- tor, and Messrs. Thomas H. Lane, William F. Lang, Henry Balken, and W. G. Armor was appointed to make inquiries in regard to new plans.


May 10, the architect, Mr. Andrew Peebles, ex- plained to the Council the drawings he had submit- ted. The Council approved the plans for a one- storied church and chapel with certain modifications, but a final vote was postponed until a later meeting. May 15, the modified plans were finally approved, though the interior arrangements were left for future decision. Five hundred lithographic prints of the plans were prepared by Mr. William G. Armor and distributed to the members of the congregation, with special ground plans for each member of the Council.


July 12, five members were granted certificates of dismissal to unite with the Emanuel congregation in Allegheny, the Rev. J. Q. Waters, pastor.


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November 1, a communication was received, signed by a committee of three, representatives of confirmed members of the Church who were engaged in the St. John's mission Sunday School, asking permission to have a congregational service in the chapel. Action was deferred.


November 16, a special meeting of the Council considered the offer of Mr. John Caldwell to pur- chase the property on Penn Avenue and Ninth Street for $75,000, cash payment to be $25,000, and the balance payable in two years and secured by a bond and mortgage bearing five per cent. interest; pos- session to be given December 1. The proposition was unanimously accepted. The lot when bought for the congregation during Mr. Hill's pastorate had cost $20,000.


The money received was given to the treasurer of the Church Lot Fund and Mr. Lane was authorized to pay off the Arthurs mortgage of $18,000 on the Grant Street property, and to pay Mr. David Black his commission of one per cent. for effecting the sale, and the attorney's fees. Mrs. Arthurs declining to receive payment of her mortgage before its maturity, Mr. Lane was authorized to take up the mortgage of $21,000 held by M. Seibert & Co. The Church Lot Fund and the Building Fund were consolidated, to be known thereafter as the Building Fund.




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