USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 28
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
During this time the Spokane Methodist College was started, Professor I. C. Libby coming from the East to take charge of it. He was also appointed pastor of the church Au- gust 15, 1882, and for one year served as president of the college and pastor of the church.
From December, 1883, to July 20, 1885, Rev. R. E. Bisby was pastor. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. S. W. Richards, who gave up the charge in April, 1886. Rev. R. E. Bisby, who was president of Spokane College, was again in charge until September of the same year.
In October, 1886, Rev. W. C. Gray took charge of affairs. Soon after this the prop- erty on Sprague street was disposed of and a new brick building erected on Bernard street. It was now thought the congregation had found a permanent church home. At that time not even the most sanguine boomers of a western town could foresee the future of Spokane. The unusual increase of the popu- lation and business interests of the city soon attracted the attention of capital and home- seekers throughout the entire country. The church building became too small. The center of business and population in the city was rapidly shifting. The trustees and members of the church felt that the permanent interests of Methodism in the city demanded a more central location, and one better adapted to meet the demands already pressing upon them.
Notwithstanding the heavy burden of a recent new building, always heavy on the offi- cers of a church, these heroic brethren deter- mined to lose no opportunity to advance the interests of the kingdom of God in Spokane.
Brother Gray was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Wilson, October 20, 1888. The records show the following action of the board of trustees : "September 4, 1889 .- On motion of Brother Brooks, the trustees were given an order to negotiate the sale of the church prop- erty." At a meeting of the board of trus-
tees the next day, September 5, the record shows : "On motion, J. B. Sargent, S. Shinn and A. E. Ellis were appointed a building committee for the erection of a Methodist tabernacle." No time was lost in securing what was then thought to be the most eligi- ble site in the city for the location of a great central church building. History has demon- strated the wisdom of the choice. The loca- tion of the present church property is by com- mon consent considered the best possible for the accommodation of the church-going popu- lation.
About this time the conservative and thoughtful members of the congregation could see that their pastor, A. G. Wilson, was losing his anchorage from the great truths of evangelical Christianity; that his intellectual trend was downward from the broad platform of biblical orthodoxy toward the narrow and illiberal views of rationalistic Unitarianism. The records show that on Sunday, December 10, 1890, the officers of the church being in council and the bishop in the chair, the question, "whether the board desired to have Brother Wilson remain his full year." was put to a vote, with the following result: Two for and fifteen against his remaining. He was released from further duties as pastor in the Methodist Episcopal church.
The pulpit was supplied from January I, 1891, to the last of February of the same year by Rev. W. H. Selleck, who had been serving as assistant pastor. Rev. W. A. Shanklin was now appointed ; during the twenty months of his stay in Spokane the church enjoyed pros- perity, and his many friends regretted that his health made it necessary for him to give up the work in September, 1892. Rev. Henry Rasmus, now Dr. Rasmus, of Chicago, who had served as presiding elder for two years, was appointed to the church. Dr. Rasmus was succeeded by Rev. D. N. McInturff, who was transferred from Eugene, Oregon. The church had enjoyed several years of prosper-
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
ity, and the new pastor found a strong and united society. The tabernacle, erected in 1889-90, was found to be too small to accom- modate the congregation. About the time the present large building was projected a storm struck the church-not a wind storm, but a moral cyclone. The resolution to build was not supported by the entire quarterly confer- ence. When the test came the vote stood eighteen for and six against building: the minority withdrew, and about ninety mem- bers of the church proceeded to organize what is now known as the Vincent Methodist Epis- copal church. For those who remained to proceed with the building enterprise was a great undertaking, but with a faith in God that knows no defeat, and the spirit of sacri- fice that amounted to real heroism, the church was built, and so far completed as to be ready for use.
About a year afterward the methods of pastor, D. N. McInturff, in his administration of the affairs of the church, were such as to convince the highest authorities of Methodisni that the future peace, harmony and prosperity of the society could only be assured by an immediate change of pastors. The deposed pastor then withdrew, but refused to surren- der his parchments, according to the law of the church. A number of his friends with- drew from the church and united with him in the organization of an independent society.
Rev. H. D. Stauffer, of Lima, Ohio, was the next pastor. He found the church organ- ization demoralized, with unpaid bills amount- ing to several thousand dollars, but he also found a company of Christian men and women true to God and loyal to Methodism. . About this time a small fortune came into the hands of one of the few who remained true to the old church; he went about the city and gathered up about three thousand dollars of bills against the church and paid them off. Other brethren rallied to the rescue and poured into the Lord's treasury every dollar they could devote to His
cause. Thus, by the blessing of God and the sacrifice of his people, the property of the church was saved. Dr. Stauffer did much hard and faithful work; the society was strengthened, over four thousand dollars of debts paid. and the church again started on an era of pros- perity. At the end of ten months he asked to be relieved and transferred to another cli- mate on account of his wife's failing health. He has since united with the Episcopal church.
The present pastorate commenced May I, 1897; during the last two years the church has aroused again to its old-time vigor. A splendid new parsonage. costing three thousand five hundred dollars, has been built and paid for: floating debts aggregating five thousand dol- lars have been paid. A loan has been secured from the Church Extension Board; the inter- est has thus been reduced from ten per cent. and twelve per cent. to six per cent. The membership has more than doubled; the rec- ords show a list of members and probationers of about one thousand. Extensive improve- ments in the church property have been made. The Spokane Drug Company put two coats of paint on the outside of the church building. The parsonage has been repainted. The inter- ior of the church has been dcorated with a rich fresco, and the entire woodwork re-var- nished, under the direction of Messrs. McCul- loch and Tutting, of this city. The Epworth hall has been enlarged, papered and painted. A new reading room and ladies' parlor opens with folding doors into Epworth hall. An in- termediate hall, cadet hall. and banner class- rooms have been completed. The floor space of Epworth and connecting halls is three thou- sand seven hundred and forty square feet; in fact, the basement story of the church has been entirely remodeled ; the front entrance changed and greatly improved. The capacity of the auditorium of this great church may be esti- mated when it is known that the floor space is ten thousand four hundred square feet. The recent improvements cost over two thousand
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
dollars. Great credit is due to Mr. John Sar- genson, chairman of the improvement com- mittee, and Dr. George Libby, president of the board of trustees.
But the history of Methodism in Spokane is not confined to the history of the First church alone.
The Spokane Methodist College .- In 1882- 83 an effort was made to organize a college; thousands of dollars were spent, the school prospered, students attending from all parts of the country; but the financial reverses that carried down so many of Spokane's early en- terprises swept this away also.
Jefferson Street Church .- The Jefferson Street Methodist church was organized in the chapel of the Spokane College October 9, 1887. There were present on the day of organization Rev. N. E. Parsons, presiding elder; Rev. R. E. Bisby, preacher in charge of North Spokane, and sixteen charter members. Previous to this time a Sabbath school had been carried on for about six months in the college chapel by I. S. Kaufman, one of thetrustees of the First church.
Soon after, a church was erected, com- pleted and furnished, dedicated on the 25th of the following December, free from debt, the total cost being three thousand five hundred dollars. The chief promoters of this enterprise were H. N. Muzzy and I. S. Kaufman, acting prior to the conference of 1887, under the ad- vice of Rev. W. C. Gray. A parsonage was soon after erected, some distance from the church. This involved both the church and parsonage property in debt; the parsonage was lost, and the church heavily mortgaged, but during the fall of 1896, under the heroic efforts of the present pastor, Rev. C. E. Todd, the debt of the church was reduced to five hun- dred dollars, and a new parsonage built at a cost of one thousand dollars and paid for. They now have a neat church and parsonage on the same lot, the outlook for the church was never better, and a larger house of worship will soon be necessary.
The list of pastors who have served the Jefferson Street church is as follows: Rev. R. E. Bisby, Rev. S. Driver, Rev. C. E. Evers, Rev. Henry Brown, Rev. F. A. La Violette, Rev. W. T. Euster, and the present pastor, Rev. C. E. Todd.
During the last six months of the pastorate of Dr. Henry Brown he also served as editor of the Columbia Christian Advocate, a paper started in the interests of Spokane Methodism, the chief promoters being Revs. Lee, A. Johnson, G. M. Booth, H. Rasmus and W. W. Van Dusen.
Union Park Church .- The Union Park Methodist Episcopal church was organized in August, 1891, Rev. Perry Chandler, pastor. and Frank Tombs, class leader, with thirteen charter members. The church is well located in the eastern part of the city on Third avenue. This society supported a pastor for two years, but at their own request this church has been placed under the care of the pastor of the Jef- ferson Street Methodist Episcopal church. They have an excellent Sunday school, a good congregation, that meets every Sunday after- noon, and the society is increasing in member- ship and influence.
Vincent Church .- This church was organ- ized in January, 1895, with about ninety mem- bers. The first place of worship was Elks' hall, in Symons block, and Rev. M. H. Marvin was the first pastor. A house of worship was erected on leased land on corner of Mill street and First avenue during the first year of its ex- istence. Mr. Marvin was succeeded as pastor by Rev. J. B. Hollingshead, who served for over one year. The present pastor, Rev. W. K. Bean, D. D., has served the church accept- ably for three years, and the membership has been augmented to two hundred and twenty- five. A lot has been purchased in a central lo- cation, corner of Lincoln and Main ave- nues, on which a church building, to cost about ten thousand dollars, will be erected in the near future.
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
German Church .- Fourteen years ago the first German preachers of the Methodist church were sent to eastern Washington. They were Rev. Adam Buehler, Rev. William Esslinger, and Rev. F. W. Buchholz. Four years later the church at Spokane Falls was organized, and Rev. F. W. Buchholz was appointed pastor. The society secured property at the corner of Fourth avenue and Stevens street, and erected a church on this fortunately selected lot. While the building was in progress the great fire came, and the cost of the edifice was consequently much higher than had been planned for; thus a heavy debt remained on the church property, which at times became very embarrassing, but with true German pluck they held out in hope of better times. A loan of eight thousand dol- lars was secured from the Church Extension Society, through the efforts of Rev. A. L. Keoneke, pastor. On this loan the regular payments are made of fifty dollars per month. Nearly all the floating indebtedness is paid, and the principal of the loan greatly reduced. The society now numbers one hundred and thirty loyal members, ever ready to support the church to their utmost ability. It is worth mentioning that the society paid to the missionary fund an average of one dollar and twenty-five cents per member last year; one thousand dollars on the debt ; and during the entire year the aver- age amount paid per member was twenty-six dollars. Rev. J. W. Beckley is the present pas- tor. The church is greatly prospered, and the outlook encouraging.
Norwegian and Danish Church .- This church was organized in April, 1889, by Rev. C. J. Larsen, with thirteen charter members. They have a good church and parsonage prop- erty at 217 South Stevens street. The great Spokane fire occurred the same year the church was built. Many of the members suffered loss of property, and were unable to pay all their subscriptions. This made it necessary to let a heavy debt remain on the property, but the membership has increased and the work greatly
encouraged. This struggling society is true to the benevolences of the church, and in one year gave one hundred and fifty dollars. The pres- ent pastor, Bro. V. L. Hansen, is meeting with splendid success. It is one of the missions of Methodism.
Swedish Church .- The work among the Swedish people of Spokane was commenced by the Rev. Bernt Howe in July, 1894. Services were held in the German Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. K. O. Berglund was appointed pastor that year, and organized a class of nine members. He was succeeded in December, 1896, by Rev. Joseph Esterborg, who became discouraged and abandoned the work in June, 1898. After this no services were held until the appointment of the present pastor, Rev. Emanuel Johnston. The work has been com- pletely re-organized and started on an era of prosperity. The membership numbers twenty- one including probationers. This also is one of the missions of the church.
The presiding elders who have managed the district are: Rev. S. G. Havermale, Rev. D. G. Strong, Rev. W. S. Turner, Rev. M. S. Anderson, Rev. N. E. Parsons, Rev. Henry Rasmus, D. D., Rev. W. W. Van Dusen, D. D., and the present incumbent, Rev. Henry Brown, D. D.
The Epworth League and Sunday schools of Spokane are in a prosperous condition.
Deaconess Home and Hospital .- The Dea- coness Home and Hospital of Spokane was founded by Bro. and Sister F. P. Oneal, the corporate name being the Maria Beard Deacon- ess Home and Hospital. The name is in the affectionate memory of Sister Oneal's mother. It is a splendid structure, situated on Fourth street between Howard and Mill. The plan provides that one-half the building shall be de- voted to hospital work, the rest for the Home. The various rooms have been furnished by indi- viduals, charitable societies and churches. It is managed by a local board of control, with Miss Clara Brown, deaconess, as superintend-
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
ent, and is affiliated with the deaconess move- ment of Chicago .. Any regular physician is admitted to practice in the hospital, the patients having their own choice. Patients who are able to pay for board and care do so, but charity patients are not denied admission, and many people contribute supplies and money to the sup- port of this important work. (The Old Peo- płe's Home, opened a few months ago, is an im- portant adjunct to the hospital. )
Spokane Methodism, like the church in all cities and towns, has been supplemented and strengthened by the churches in the rural dis- tricts. Parents leave the farm and move to the city to secure better educational advantages for their children ; young men and women from the Christian homes in the country come seek- ing their fortune in change of vocation. There are seven charges and eleven churches with other preaching stations in the county outside of the city of Spokane and six preachers in charge.
M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH, IN SPOKANE.
Rev. J. W. Compton, who was appointed to what is now the Spokane district. first preached in Spokane Falls in June, 1880, in the public school house. Rev. E. P. Warren, a local preacher, also preached a few times in the town of Spokane Falls, but Rev. Reg. B. Swift was the first regular pastor. He was appointed to the charge in 1887, and organized the first society of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in Spokane Falls, February 12, 1888, in Morris hall with twenty-one members and began preaching in the above named hall February 5, 1888. In the fall of 1887 Bishop R. K. Hargrove selected the present site of the church on Sprague avenue, near Adams street. on which the present church, a neat brick edi- fice, was erected in the summer of 1888, and was dedicated by Bishop Hargrove in Sep- tember of that year. Rev. R. B. Swift was continued pastor until 1890, assisted by P. M. Bell during the last year. Being made pre-
siding elder of the district, R. G. Isbell was appointed in charge of the church and contin- ved one year. Rev. W. H. Hodges. of South Carolina, was then transferred to the charge and after one year J. W. Craig was appointed to the church and was pastor two years to September, 1894. Rev. G. H. Gibbs was ap- pointed to the charge by Bishop Fitzgerald and was continued in the pastorate for three years to August, 1897. Rev. J. B. Christian was transferred from Georgia, put in charge of the church until August, 1898, when he was succeeded by Rev. M. V. Howard, the present pastor of the church. During the past year the Forest Park chapel has been built on North Monroe street, which is not yet coni- pleted. The present membership of the church is a little over one hundred. The Sunday school and Epworth League in the church are doing a good work. There is also a flourish- ing Sunday school organized in the Forest Park mission chapel, all under the care of the pastor. The church also owns a six-room parsonage on North Monroe street; all the property is free from debt, except the parson- age property, which owes three hundred dol- lars. This charge is perhaps the extreme northern limit of the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The pastor is partially supported by mission money, but hopes in the near future to become self- supporting. In fellowship with other Evan- gelical Protestant churches, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is endeavoring to give the city of Spokane a pure Gospel, that saves all that accept it. With this mission before her, she expects to bide. and "stand in her lot, to the end of her days, and as a bride adorned for her husband meet her Lord at his coming."-M. V. HOWARD.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian Church of Spokane was organized June 10, 1883, by a committee consisting of Revs. T. M. Boyd and George
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
L. Deffenbaugh from the presbytery of Idaho. Preaching services had been held a month previous to this time by Rev. T. G. Watson and he was present and assisted in the organi- zation of the new church. Five trustees were elected : Messrs. E. H. Jamieson, J. S. Alli- son, James Gibson, A. M. Cannon and R. M. Forrest. The following elders were installed on the Sabbath succeeding the organization : E. H. Jamieson, J. S. Allison, G. W. Burch and F. H. Cook. The first place of worship was in an upper room in Cannon's block, cor- ner Riverside and Mill. In the spring of 1884 the congregation moved into the Van Dom Opera House, Riverside and Post. In the fall of 1884 the church worshipped in Glover's hall, Howard and Frank, and after two or three other moves finally occupied their new church building on the corner where the Review build- ing now stands. This property was sold by the church in February. 1889, and after wor- shipping for a time in Concordia hall on Sec- ond avenue, finally, in 1890, occupied the build- ing now used at the corner of Second and Jef- ferson. This church has had a steady growth and although suffering somewhat from finan- cial depressions and the dismissal of members to form the Centenary and Westminster churches, yet she has always had a strong and loyal membership. This church has had but three pastors. Rev. T. G. Watson served the church from June, 1883, to June, 1891, and was installed as permanent pastor November 3. 1889. Rev. F. J. Mundy began his work Jan- uary 1, 1892, and continued until October 1, 1894 ; was installed pastor June 4, 1892. Rev. G. William Giboney, the present pastor, was installed December 8. 1895, although beginning his work November 8. 1894. The present en- rollment of members is five hundred and seven- ty-five.
Bethel Presbyterian Church, Spokane, was organized November 7, 1897, and has from that time been supplied by Rev. W. Chalmers Gunn.
The Rockford Presbyterian Church, Rock- ford, was organized March 27, 1884, with five members. Messrs. D. F. Eakin and William O. Murphy were elected ruling elders. The present church building, worth one thousand five hundred dollars, was erected in the sum- mer of 1887. The following pastors have served the church: D. D. Allen, 1885-1889; Isaac Wheelis, 1890-1891 ; WV. C. Beebe, 1891- 1892; Isaac Wheelis, 1892-1893; Monroe Drew, 1893-1894; L. E. Jesseph, 1895-1898; J. A. McArthur, 1898-1900.
Fairfield Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, was organized with eight members October 23, 1892, by Rev. T. M. Gunn and Rev. I. Wheelis. The pastors serving have been as follows : Isaac Wheelis, 1892; Monroe Drew, 1893; Charles Godsman, 1894; L. E. Joseph, 1895- 1898; J. A. McArthur, 1898-1900.
Centenary Presbyterian Church was organ- ized February 3, 1888, with twelve members. Rev. T. G. Watson, pastor of the First church, and Rev. H. W. Stratton were actively inter- ested in gathering the new church. The pur- pose and spirit of the organization is well set forth in the words of the committee appointed to look over the field previous to organization, viz : "It was found that nearly thirty persons, either members of Presbyterian churches or connected with Presbyterian families, were liv- ing on the north side of the river and that a goodly number of these desired to unite in or- ganizing a church which should not only be convenient of access, but which should, with the Lord's blessing, enter heartily into mission work upon the field." The work of erecting a building was at once undertaken on lots do- nated for that purpose by Rev. H. W. Strat- ton, who also gave liberally of time and money for the completion of the building and sustaining the work of the church. Sub- stantial aid was at this time given by the First church. The basement of the building was first used October 7, 1888, and the audience room was completed and dedicated in Septem-
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
ber, 1890. After the organization of the church there was a considerable period of uncertainty as to the settlement of a pastor. Record is found of the following ministers who filled the pulpit as stated supply : Rev. H. G. Dennison, 1888-1889; Rev. D. S. Banks, June, 1889, to October, 1889; Rev. P. S. Jamieson, Novem- ber, 1889, to June, 1890; Rev. T. J. Lamont, D. D., June, 1890, to November, 1890; Rev. S. T. Davis, February, 1891, to September, 1891, Rev. A. E. Street, September, 1891, to January, 1892. Rev. T. C. Armstrong, D. D., was installed pastor early in 1892, and remained over four years. Rev. W. L. Van Nuys, was in- stalled in April, 1897, and resigned in April, 1900, to go to La Grande, Oregon.
The church has at present a membership of. over one hundred, and seems to be entering a wider sphere of activity and influence than it has heretofore known.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SPOKANE COUNTY.
The first service of the Episcopal church in Spokane county was held by the Rev. R. D. Nevius, D. D., about 1880, and a little church was built on the corner of Riverside and Lin- coln, and a parish school for boys was held in the same building, which was afterwards moved to the present site of the cathedral and later burned down. The Rev. Dr. Burnett suc- ceeded Dr. Nevius as missionary, and the Rev. Charles B. Crawford succeeded him and was the first rector of All Saints' parish. About 1889 St. Mary's hall was built in Cook's addi- tion, and a girls' school carried on, first under Mrs. Summerville, and then under Mr. James Lyon. It was during Mr. Crawford's rector- ship that the present Church of All Saints was built and was intended to be used ultimately as a parish house when the permanent structure should be erected. While he was rector, St. David's chapel at Lidgerwood also was built. In 1891 Rev. William L. Lane succeeded Mr. 12
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