USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its Cities, Towns, Resources, People > Part 53
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Nothing of consequence seems to have occurred until Satur- day, February 24, 1850. when at what was known as the prepara- tory lecture a lecture given in preparation of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, fifteen new members were admitted, as fol- lows: Creighton Luce, Mary E. Luce, David Webster, Robert Webster and wife, Sarah Ford, John Cavert, Elizabeth Ternouth, William McNice and wife, James Dickenson, Mary M. Dickenson, John Whitney, Harriet Whitney and Catherine Fort.
During this period it appears that the meetings were held in the court house, which during the early part of the fifties be- came inadequate to accommodate the people, and it was deemed advisable to erect a place of worship. A subscription paper was circulated, but the amount subscribed was so small that the en-
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terprise was delayed. However, efforts were resumed later on, and in the summer of 1850 Joseph Jackson donated a lot to the church and the erection of a building 25x50 feet was commenced. The building was not completed until about one year later, in June, 1851. The total cost was about $500, exclusive of lot and furniture. The building would accommodate about 200 persons, and in the first week of July the pews were all rented and it was found that the church was not sufficiently large to supply the de- mand for seats.
On June 20, 1852, the church was received into the Winnebago district convention at Stockbridge with a membership of fifty- three persons. In 1853 the church building was enlarged by the addition of two wings 15x27 feet each, giving the whole build- ing the form of a cross and doubling its capacity at a cost of $400, $100 of which was contributed by what was known as the $50,- 000 fund for the aid of Congregational churches in the West.
The administration of Rev. Mr. Freeman lasted from the or- ganization of the church on June 10, 1849, to January 15, 1856. a period of six and one-half years.
On April 6, 1856, Rev. W. H. Marble, of Columbia, Ohio, was engaged as pastor.
In January, 1857, the Winnebago district convention met in Oshkosh and continued for three days from that time up to April 3.
In the summer of 1857 the church property was sold. The old church, however, was occupied up to November 5, 1858.
On November 7, 1858, we find the following entry in the church records :
"Additional interest attaches to the commission today from the fact that today we hold the first services in the basement of our new church. One year ago last spring the society purchased a lot 70x120 feet on the corner of Main and Bond streets for the purpose of erecting a house of worship thereon. Work was com- menced on the foundations in May, 1857, and progressed as far as the basement walls by the fall of that year. The society turned out and banked up the basement walls so as to preserve them from frost during the coming winter. Owing to hard times this present year it was found that we should not be able to advance our church building, but in the latter part of July a subscription was started to raise a fund and materials sufficient to enclose the building and finish off the basement."
Rev. Mr. Marble was succeeded by Walter Thorps, who acted
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as pastor about four months, from April, 1862, to July of same year.
Rev. Henry McArthur was pastor from December 25, 1862, to April 5, 1865.
Rev. J. P. Poe, from September, 1865, to July, 1868.
Rev. F. B. Norton, from May, 1869, to May, 1870.
Rev. W. A. Chamberlin, from 1870 to 1874.
During his administration the church building was burned, July 10, 1872, and from that time until the present edifice was completed, December 24, 1873, services were held in the Harding Opera house, McCourt's hall and the old hook and ladder house.
Rev. Thomas Grassie, from May, 1875, to July, 1876.
Rev. K. C. Anderson, from December, 1876, to January, 1884.
Rev. F. M. Abbott, from 1884 to December, 1885, and on May 2, 1886, Rev. E. H. Smith preached his first sermon as pastor of the First Congregational church of Oshkosh.
First Methodist Episcopal Church. Oshkosh Methodism is a product of that genius of early Methodism, the pioneer circuit rider and his saddle-bags. In the fall of 1840 Rev. Jesse Hal- stead, a traveling Methodist preacher from Brothertown, formed what was called a Methodist class, one member of which was Mrs. George Wright, mother of the late W. W. Wright. Meetings were held from house to house, and Mrs. Wright's home was often open for preaching and prayer services.
The first regularly appointed pastor was Rev. J. P. Gallup, who was appointed to this circuit by the Rock River Annual Con- ference, which at that time included Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Rev. Mr. Gallup preached his first sermon April 11, 1841, and made regular visitations to Oshkosh every four weeks. His widow, familiarly known as Mother Gallup, has been for many years and is still (1908) a resident of Oshkosh and member of the church.
Rev. Henry Bronson succeeded Mr. Gallup, and was pastor dur- ing the years 1842-3. In 1850, during the pastorate of Cornelius Smith, Mr. Wright presented to the society the lot on the corner of Church and Division streets, where the Presbyterian church now stands, and thereon was crected, in 1851, the first Methodist church building, its dimensions being 30x42 feet. In a few years it became too small for the congregation; and twenty feet was added to the length, and a few years later it was raised and a stone foundation, basement and class rooms added and otherwise improved.
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Rev. M. Himebaugh became the pastor of the little church in 1852, it being one of several preaching charges which Mr. Hime- baugh visited, walking about fifteen miles and preaching three times each Sabbath. After fifty-one years of active service since then, Mr. Himebaugh is now a resident of the city, in fair health, and often honors us with his presence.
In the year 1875 the old church and grounds were sold to the Presbyterian society, and the present site, corner of Main and Merritt streets, was purchased, including the building then known as the Wagner Opera house. This building was only par- tially completed when purchased. The Rev. J. W. Carhart was pastor at this time. The building was remodeled, thoroughly fur- nished, a new pipe organ, the best in its day, installed, and the present church edifice completed, practically as it stands today, at a total cost of $32,375.
Our church records indicate that this charge was served from 1862 until 1878 by the following pastors in the order named: D. II. Muller, Geo. C. Haddock, J. M .. Walker, Wm. P. Stowe, O. J. Cowles, J. W. Carhart, and G. A. Smith. Those of our mem- bers who were connected with the church during that period of its history speak of these brethren as able and faithful ministers of the Word.
The pastors from 1878 until the present time will be familiar to many : D. J. Holmes, Geo. W. Wells, H. Stone Richardson, C. B. Wilcox, J. S. Lean, G. H. Trever, Wm. Clark, B. F. Sanford. S. H. Anderson, J. Edwin Farmer, L. L. Hammitt, and Francis Asbury Pease.
Trinity Episcopal. Early in the year 1850 the Rev. F. R. Haff received from Bishop Kemper an appointment as missionary to Oshkosh and Neenah. Under that appointment on March 12, 1850, he held the first services of the Protestant Episcopal church in this city. The first services was held in the old court house, a wooden structure that escaped destruction, and for many years was used as a store house on the estate of John F. Morse. For the evening services the people brought tallow candles, holding them in their hands until the responses were finished, when they placed them on the judge's desk and the minister proceeded with his sermon in a blaze of glory.
The Rev. Mr. Sweet, of Fond du Lac, was next appointed as his successor and officiated for a year or two. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Callahan as missionary. During Mr. Callahan's time a parish was organized under the name of St. Peter. In 1854 the
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Rev. Mr. Talford came, the organization of St. Peter was for some reason abandoned, and a new one effected-Trinity church.
During Mr. Talford's administration the property on which are the present church and rectory was purchased. The house which stood where the church now is was moved to the High street lot, and was used as a rectory. The church was built and consecrated in 1857. Mr. Talford resigned January 1, 1859.
The Rev. S. C. Millett supplied the services to April 1, when the Rev. Mr. Haff became the rector, and continued in charge till December 1, 1870. The rectory was burned July 3, 1859. The present building was erected in 1864. During the ministry of Mr. Haff at this time the debt on the parish was paid, and the church extensively repaired. The number of communicants, not- withstanding constant removals, increased from thirty to 175, and the salary of the rector raised from $750 to $2,000.
In 1868 Grace church was built, and in June, 1870, the Rev. John Blyman took charge of the same as assistant minister.
February 1, 1871, the Rev. R. N. Parke, D. D., entered upon the rectorship of Trinity, and remained until April 11, 1875, During his administration the church was very prosperous. St. Paul and Kempster chapels were built, and a small addition was made to the church for accommodation of the organ and choir.
July 1, 1875, the Rev. F. R. IIaff became rector the second time. For two years the parish suffered greatly by removals. Grace and St. Paul's having organizations of their own, one as a parish and the other as a mission, the list of communicants was greatly reduced.
In 1876 the church building began to show rheumatic signs and a tendency to weakness in the upper portions was very observ- able. It was doctored up, however, and given a new lease of life at a cost of $3,000.
The asthmatic old organ that had ground out its discordant notes of lamentation to a suffering people for so many years was displaced by a new one at a cost of $2,000.
In 1882 the silver wedding anniversary of the consecration of the church was marked by procuring for the use of the parish a silver communion service.
In 1884 Grace and St. Paul's chapels having had several min- isters during the past three or four years, were placed under the charge of the rector of Trinity, and the Rev. John W. Greenwood was chosen as assistant minister to take spiritual charge of them.
On account of failing health Mr. Haff resigned April 1, 1885,
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
and Rev. John W. Greenwood was chosen as his successor. and is still (1908) rector.
The construction of the present church was started in 1887 and was completed two years later. It is built of native limestone and cost $40,000.
Plymouth Congregational Church was originally a Welsh church, doing its work among the pioneers of that nationality who took up their residence in this city, and was continued in that language for almost forty years, but has been conducted as an English church since 1888.
Plymouth Congregational church (or Zion Welsh church, as it was then called) was organized December 19, 1849, at the home of Richard R. Jones, residing on what is now South Main street. It was organized by Rev. David Lewis, a graduate from Oberlin college, who came to Wisconsin, preaching at both Neenah and Oshkosh. Of the nine original members only one is still con- nected with the church, Deacon Richard Jones, of the town of Algoma, who has continued with the church from its founding.
The following is a complete list of the pastors who have pre- sided over the church: Rev. David Lewis, 1849-1856; Rev. Grif- fith Griffiths, 1857-1859; Rev. Humphrey Parry, 1861-1865; Rev. John T. Lewis, 1868-1871; Rev. Owen M. Jenkins, 1872-1873; Rev. B. Isaac Evans, 1873-1880; Rev. Robert T. Evans, 1881-1888; Rev. Allison D. Adams, 1889-1893; Rev. William L. Demorest, 1893- 1898; Rev. Henry F. Tyler, 1898-1899; Rev. George E. Farnum, 1899 -.
Meetings were at first held in a school house, the first one erected on the south side and situated somewhere near the cor- ner of Oregon and Thirteenth streets.
Shortly before the retirement of Rev. David Lewis, the con- gregation purchased a lot on the corner of Church and Franklin streets and erected upon it a brick church 40x28 feet at a cost of $2.000.
In 1876, during the pastorate of Rev. B. Isaac Evans, a more commodious building was erected. This was a frame structure, seating 225, and served to house the congregation until 1894, when it was torn down to be replaced by the present edifice.
The present building was erected in 1894 and cost $17,000.
After reaching a period of prosperity from 1873 to 1880, the membership began to decrease, and owing to the difficulty of holding the interest of the younger members in the language of
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their fathers, it was decided in 1888 to conduct the services in English thereafter.
In October, 1889, Rev. A. D. Adams became the first English pastor. Upon him devolved the task of reorganizing the different departments of the church on an English basis, and the work was done with great thoroughness.
Rev. W. L. Demorest was called to the pastorate in June, 1893, remaining for five years, during which time the present handsome church building was erected, and the name of the church changed to the Plymouth Congregational. Mr. Demorest resigned Janu- ary 15, 1898.
Rev. H. F. Tyler came in February, 1898.
Rev. George E. Farnam, called to the pastorate in 1899, is still in charge of the church. During the last six years about $4,500 of the building debt has been paid, leaving a small incumbrance at present. A $2,000 pipe organ has also been installed free of debt.
First Church of Christ Scientist. Christian Science in Osh- kosh has had a history parallel to that in most other places. First a few met in private homes and held services, reading from the Bible and "Science and Health," by Mary Baker G. Eddy, the text book of Christian Science. Then, as the numbers grew, a studio for public services was rented; then a larger hall, and again the largest hall in the city, the Century Club house. The organization of the church was completed March 24, 1900. with a membership of thirty. The present membership is seventy-five. The Sunday services at Christian Science churches consists of similar services to that of other church denominations aside from the sermon, which in the Christian Science churches consists in readings from the Bible and the Christian Science text book, and the lesson sermon is uniform throughout the world. The Bible and the Christian Science text book is their only preacher. A reading room is maintained, where the public is welcome to read or inquire of Christian Science teaching. A lot has been pur- chased for the erection of a Christian Science church in the city, and it is expected to start building operations soon.
The Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Congregation, of Osh- kosh, commonly spoken of as the New York Avenue Lutheran church, was organized on the 10th of February, 1901, with a membership of thirteen. Services were first held at the home of Frank Ville, 336 New York avenue. On December 15, of the same year, the present church building, situated on the corner of
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
New York and Oakland avenues, was dedicated. In the fall of 1902 a parochial school was founded. In 1904 the congregation built a modern parsonage at 22 Oakland avenue. Since the time of organization eight years ago the congregation has increased from thirteen male, or voting members, to sixty, or 250 souls. The present pastor and founder of the congregation is Rev. Ernest Schlerf.
Algoma Street Methodist Episcopal Church is the outgrowth of a small Sunday school that began in the Punhoqua street school house on the west side of the river on Sabbath afternoons.
Afterward, in the year 1870, at the request of E. L. Paine, Rev. J. M. Cowham and other local preachers of the First Methodist Episcopal church held alternate preaching services there imme- diately following the Sunday school sessions.
Such was the manifest interest in the services that we find on the records of the First Methodist Episcopal church a copy of a special report made to the church September 25, 1871, by its pastor, Rev. W. P. Stowe, eulogizing the action and generosity of E. L. Paine, advising support of the project. and predicting a self-sustaining church in this section in the near future.
Early in the summer of 1872 these services were transferred to the east side of the river and found convenient quarters in an "upper room" fitted up by E. L. Paine over the wagon shop of C. N. Paine & Co., where they were continued till October of that year under the care of Rev. O. J. Cowles, then pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church. This building was destroyed by fire, together with the books, etc., belonging to the Sunday school. about the last of October. 1872, and was a severe blow to their future prospects, but temporary accommodations were found be- fore the next Sabbath in the old Elm street school house, then on the grounds now occupied by E. C. Owens' residence.
E. L. Paine and other members of the First Methodist Epis- copal church had often commented on the absence of any house of worship in this part of the city, and felt a strong desire to more thoroughly cultivate this promising field, and as a begin- ning a large tent was secured and located in a grove where now stands the home of B. II. Soper, on Algoma street. Here in the summer of 1872 daily meetings were held for some weeks under the guidance of Mrs. Maggie Newton Van Cott, seconded by the pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, Rev. O. J. Cowles. From these meetings came such additional impetus that very soon afterward a fine lot on the corner of Algoma street and James
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street (now New York avenue) was purchased, over $2,000 in subscriptions for a church was pledged and a building committee appointed consisting of E. L. Paine, R. McMillen and B. H. Soper, with J. M. Cowham as their agent to give the work daily super- vision. This building was speedily erected and was known as the Methodist Episcopal Chapel of the Fifth Ward. This chapel was appropriately dedicated by Rev. O. J. Cowles, assisted by Rev. Joseph Anderson, then pastor of the Second Methodist Epis- copal church, the services occurring on the first Sunday in De- cember. 1872. The chapel continued under the supervision of the First Methodist Episcopal church until September 28, 1874, when at the annual Wisconsin conference, which convened soon afterward, it was set apart from the "Mother Church" as a sep- arate charge under the name of the Algoma Street Methodist Episcopal church. and Rev. W. F. Randolph was appointed as its first pastor in the fall of 1874.
The trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal church on De- cember 26 deeded and transferred the Algoma Street Methodist Episcopal church property to the following trustees, who had been duly elected by ballot, as the law directs: Presiding elder, Rev. T. C. Wilson ; pastor, Rev. W. F. Randolph ; secretary of of- ficial board, J. W. Himebaugh; treasurer of official board, D. Dickinson; recording steward, L. G. Crawford.
Whatever work seemed necessary or wise has been accom- plished with ease, and in 1880 Rev. J. R. ('reighton was instru- mental in the erection of a fine parsonage, located on the church grounds. In 1890-1, under the leadership of Rev. I. S. Leavitt, D. D., steps were taken toward the erection of a new church, sub- scription lists were circulated, and a building committee consist- ing of E. L. Paine, R. McMillen. J. F. W. Decker. James Doughty, G. M. Paine, E. P. Sawyer and E. R. Hicks was appointed, and the work started. The building was completed at a cost of $35 .- 000, and the organ. a gift of R. McMillen, cost $2,600.
This church was dedicated June 5, 1892. Bishop W. X. Ninde officiating, assisted by Rev. W. P. Stowe, D. D.
The following is a list of the pastors who have served this con- gregation : W. F. Randolph. 1874-75; A. A. Reed, 1875-76; H. P. Haylett, 1876-77; George C. Haddock, 1877-78; A. J. Mead, 1878- 80; J. R. Creighton, 1880-81; C. M. Heard, 1881-83; Henry Fa- ville, 1883-86; H. P. Haylett. 1886-87; W. W. Stevens, 1887-89; I. S. Leavitt, 1889-92; A. J. Benjamin. 1892-96; E. W. Requa,
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1896-1900; William Rollins, 1900-05; M. J. Trenery, 1905-07; Peter F. Stair, 1907 -.
Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church. On the evening of December 1, 1895, the first services of the German Lutheran Synod were held on the north side of the city, Rev. Paul Sperka officiating. On March 29, 1896, on invitation of Rev. Sperka, twenty-five citizens of Oshkosh held a meeting in the Good Templars' hall for the purpose of organizing a German Evan- gelical Lutheran church on the north side. After a short discus- sion an organization was effected, and on April 26, 1896, it was decided to purchase ground on North Park avenue, upon which the church building was erected, and on October 18 was dedi- cated.
On February 4, 1900, Rev. Sperka resigned, and on March 11, 1900, Rev. Gottleib Otto was ordained. One year later, on April 28, 1901, he died, and on June 16 of this year Rev. Theodore Irion was ordained and is still the pastor.
Salem Church of the Evangelical Association. The first mis- sionary of this church came to Oshkosh in the early sixties, but a permanent organization was not effected till December 10, 1871. The first trustees were G. Koch, J. Enler, J. Schneider and C. Thon.
The present church building, a modern edifice, was erected in 1905 and dedicated by Rev. G. Haimniller, of Cleveland, Ohio, December 25, 1905.
The first church, situated on Bay street, was sold to build a larger one on Bowen street, dedicated by Bishop J. J. Esher, of Chicago. In the great conflagration this church was destroyed, and then the society bought the present location on Bay and Washington streets, which proved to be a wise selection for a church site. On this was built the third church, in 1875, which was used by the society till 1905, when the present church was erected. The present trustees are C. Thon, Walter and W. Klein- schmidt.
The following ministers have served the society in the order named : J. Koch, W. Zickerick, T. Nickel, A. Huelster, A. Tarnut- zer, M. Hammetter, F. Dite, J. L. Stroebel, F. Huelster, S. Korte- meyer, R. Eilert, C. F. Reichert, C. W. Welso, and the present pastor, .J. L. Runkel.
German Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Oshkosh, was estab- lished in 1861 by the Rev. Waldt, a missionary sent out by the Wisconsin Synod. He became their regular pastor, and remained
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for more than five years; during his pastorate the membership increased greatly, and in 1862 a frame church was built and dedi- cated, and in 1865 a parsonage was built at a cost of $994. Rev. Waldt was called to a new field and was succeeded by Rev. A. Stark. At this time the congregation had increased to one hun- dred, and an addition to the church building was made necessary. On May 8, 1870, Rev. Stark resigned and was followed by Rev. Philip Brenner, who remained until 1881, when he resigned on account of ill health. During his eleven years' service the mem- bership was greatly increased. The small school building bought under the reign of Rev. Waldt was replaced by a new one at a cost of nearly $1,500. In 1874 a new church was built and dedi- cated in the fall of that year. The tower was found to be faulty and was torn down, but in 1883 it was rebuilt, and a 2,000-pound bell. a donation from the young ladies of the church, was placed therein.
Rev. Brenner was succeeded by the Rev. Dowidot. At about this time, owing to some interpretation placed on the doctrine of predestination by Rev. Dr. Walther, a leading spirit of the Mis- souri Synod, a dissension occurred, and a part of the congrega- tion withdrew and established a new church. On July 24, 1882, the old church still had two hundred members, and the Rev. W. E. Lembke was called as pastor. Rev. F. M. Koepplin was the pastor from .1890 to 1903, at which time Rev. W. D. Ahl was called and is still (1908) the pastor.
In 1902 a new school house was built at a cost of $18,000. The membership of the church at this time is twelve hundred.
German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church was founded by John F. Greenhagen in 1856. A meeting had been held in the court house for consultation in 1854, and in 1855 the Rev. Stephan was called as pastor and held services for a while in private houses. During his pastorate a frame church was built on the present site; part of the building was fitted up for school purposes and the upper part was used as a parsonage. Rev. Stephan resigned in 1859, and was succeeded by Rev. Ruhland. The following pastors have served the congregation since: In 1862. Rev. Edward Multanowoky; in 1865, Rev. Himmlar; in 1866, Rev. Rohrlack was called and was followed by Rev. Poff in 1872. Rev. Daib came in the same year and was succeeded by Rev. Nuetzel. who came in August, 1882. He remained till 1889, when he resigned and his place was filled by Rev. H. Erck, who has remained with the congregation up to the present time.
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