USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 33
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I * had a good bed on the floor under a window and surrounded with a net, and slept pretty well.
"The church, a log building, is near the parsonage. It has a recess, a chancel, etc., with a vestry room behind, an unfinished gallery in front : we walked there in the evening, and heard several of the congregation practicing music for the next day, with a good and well played bass viol.
"We assembled in church at ten o'clock, the people pressed to it until all seats were occupied, the men on one side and the women on the other. I said a few words from Cobus Hill's reading desk on Lord's supper. What we said
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was interpreted sentence by sentence by John Smith. John interpreted boldly but we fear not correctly."
Nothing was done toward building the church in Menomineeville and dur- ing the years 1830-35 there was a great exodus of the American residents to Daniel Whitney's newly platted town, Navarino. Services were held in the "Yellow Schoolhouse" on Cherry street, but there was a great desire for a church building, the ever generous Daniel Whitney offered a building site which was accepted and funds solicited for the erection of a church.
In 1838 the corner stone of the new building was laid by Bishop Kemper who had been consecrated in 1835. Bishop Kemper at this time confirmed a class of six persons and also visited Oneida where he laid the corner stone of Hobert church. The late Charles L. Wheelock who came here as a boy in 1832, was present at the ceremony at Green Bay and recalled the boggy con- dition of the ground about the church foundation. The ground was low and wet, so much so that many stood on planks. Cedar trees and alders grew up to Adams street. Despite these conditions building went on and in 1840 the church was finished and consecrated by Bishop Kemper. It was a small neat structure painted white with green blinds and surrounded by a white picket fence. The pews were square, with a door that closed with a tidy button. accommodating eight persons at one sitting and often more as the children were allowed in case the pew was overcrowded to sit on kneeling benches and has- socks. There was a high pulpit from which the rector in charge delivered his sermon, the small gothic windows were filled with plain window glass, and candles were the only light used for the evening service. One of the younger girls who worshipped in Christ church during the early '4os related not many years ago how the soldiers marched regularly to the morning service under command of the officer of the day, and would take their places in the extreme rear portion of the church. The young lieutenant in command, however, kept up constant communication with the more favored portion of the congregation by means of notes passed to and fro between him and the frivolous girls who sat directly under the preacher's eye. Many love affairs were carried to a happy conclusion through this churchly postal service, and the excitement of writing, reading and safely dispatching these epistles without detection by par- ents or officiating clergyman, was a joy to last through a lifetime. This historic building burned to the ground on the night of July 3. 1898. The corner stone of the present structure was laid by Bishop Grafton during the pastorate of the Rev. Chas. L. Pullen, who resigned from the parish before the church was completed. In Igoo, Rev. Henry S. Foster, rector, it was ready for occupancy ; in 1910 mainly through the untiring effort of the Rev. James F. Kieb who succeeded Father Foster, the church debt was liquidated and consecration serv- ices held by Rt. Rev. Reginald P. Weller, bishop coadjutor of the diocese. The congregation at the same time celebrated the eightieth anniversary of the inau- guration of the parish.
A Presbyterian mission under the direction of Rev. Cutting Marsh was organ- ized in 1832. This mission standing as it did half way on a day's journey up the river was invariably visited by the casual traveller and its hospitality claimed. Marsh was a stern rather uncompromising Calvinist, with small patience in his intercourse with the ungodly, yet made welcome any chance visitor. Denomi-
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national lines were more closely adhered to in the '30s than at a later day, and Cutting Marsh held aloof alike from Protestant clergymen of alien faith and Roman Catholic priests. The First Presbyterian church at Green Bay was organ- ized with twelve members in January, 1836. Rev. Cutting Marsh gave assist- ance in the organization which was effected on a Saturday evening in a small frame house on Adams street near Doty. The public recognition took place in the military hospital at Fort Howard on the afternoon of the following day. Mr. Marsh preached occasionally during the summer ; from the first of Novem- ber Rev. Moses Ordway acted as pastor for six months, and a building on Walnut street near Washington was fitted up for service. Of this building. C. L. Wheelock says that, those first Presbyterian services were held in a car- penter's shop owned by W. W. Matthews on the north side of Walnut street between Washington and Adams.
Rev. Stephen Peet became pastor in October, 1837, and remained for two years. In 1838, the First Presbyterian church was dedicated, the second Prot- estant church edifice completed in the territory. The Rev. Jeremiah Porter followed Mr. Peet and for eighteen years he and his lovely wife led the people in the way of righteousness.
Green Bay during the '50s was on the line of the "underground railroad" which ran as directly as might be from the southern states to Canada and free- dom. The negroes who escaped northward were easily carried by schooner to the English refuge, and the story of a somewhat mysterious and romantic affair which occurred about the year 1855. we are happily able to give in Mrs. Porter's words. She writes: "I am not surprised that you could not learn much in regard to the concealment of the fugitives. for it was secret service before the Lord, which, had we taken counsel of wise men in church and state, could not have been performed. The facts were on this wise: A letter came from Mr. L. Goodell of Stockbridge, that a father and his children had for some time enjoyed refuge in that Indian nation ; but pursuers had discovered their resting place, and would find means to reenslave them. Friends had planned to send them by night to Green Bay. Would we receive them, and help them to the steamboat due on the coming Tuesday? Surely we could do that small service without disturbing any conscience, however weak, especially as the captain of the boat was said to be an abolitionist. They would arrive by night, and could be put on board without observation.
"They did arrive at the hour appointed ; but at midnight we were awakened by a knock at the window and there stood the poor, trembling father, and three cold, hungry children. Our house was already full, and the boat was not in sight, and they feared that the pursuers were on their track. In a few hours many inquisitive eyes and ears would be open. Mr. Porter said, 'Where can we hide them? In the icehouse? In the side closets of the parsonage?' I asked the God of all wisdom and love and truth to direct, and during the act of prayer a text of the scripture came to mind which suggested the church. 'Yes, that is the place.' Mr. Porter replied, 'The belfry.' They were warmed and fed, and comforted with the assurance that they were among friends, and then Mr. Porter took them to the sanctuary-to the highest place in it. The boat we looked for at early dawn did not come; four long days and anxious nights passed, and the dear man fed and cheered them, and did not faint nor Vol. I-17
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grow weary. On Saturday the question came up, what effect the Sabbath serv- ices might have upon their retirement ; indeed, many questions were arising, which were solved by the delightful announcement that the boat was in sight, and already in the harbor. Mr. Porter, Mr. Kimball and others, made arrange- ment for their departure ; and when I opened the church door, the glad father and happy children rushed out, and took their places in a little sailboat which was waiting for them at the shore, and were carried to the steamer Michigan, where Captain Stewart took them into his care, and conveyed them to her Majesty's land of freedom. On landing, the first act of the grateful father was to prostrate himself, kissing the free soil, and giving thanks to the Lord who had brought them out of the house of bondage."
Mrs. Porter says in parenthesis: "There were so many ludicrous incidents connected with the whole affair, that, as I write, I must needs pause and laugh alone.
"A few other items may be of interest. The food was furnished from the families of Mr. Porter, Mr. Roswell Morris, and Mr. Alonzo Kimball. The passage was engaged by Mr. Kimball, and several persons furnished the money. The sailboat was brought by Mr. F. A. Lathrop at about five o'clock on a bright afternoon. Many people were on the dock when the family reached the steamer. Those who saw the man's back at the church, remember distinctly that it was ridged with scars. Two young ladies who chanced to go in at this time, took a notion to climb into the belfry, but were frightened at the sounds, and ran to Mrs. Pelton near by and were told that the fugitives were there, but it must be kept secret. We may smile at these matters now, but when the barbarous fugitive slave law was in force, and the more cruel law of political opinion, it required no little courage to harbor a slave. Possibly some of us would not have dared to do it; but we are all proud today, that our belfry once proved a true sanctuary to the oppressed."
Mrs. Porter adds that one other fugitive was brought to their house on a cold winter's night, but as they could not conceal her, she was committed to Mr. Tank's care.
The foregoing paragraph in which items of interest in regard to the fugitives are given is from a pamphlet written by the Rev. William Crawford ("God's providence for forty years") who was pastor of the church from 1870 to 1880. He was a broadminded man and an influence for culture and right living in the community. When in 1876, the church celebrated its fortieth anniversary Mr. Crawford preached three sermons reviewing the forty years' work which were of great value. In the epoch-making fire of 1881 in Green Bay the old Presby- terian church went up in flame; the bell presented by John Jacob Astor to the congregation fell from the belfry and melted in the ruins. The church was modelled on the lines of a plain New England meeting house with a high gal- lery opposite the pulpit where the choir sat.
In 1882 the church which stands today on the site of the old parsonage was built. It continued to be called the Presbyterian church until later when during the incumbency of the Rev. J. M. A. Spence the name was changed to the Union Congregational church.
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TANK COTTAGE
JEFFERSON STREET, GREEN BAY
OCTAGON HOUSE, PREBLE
OLD LAWTON PLACE Now Residence of James W. Lyons, De Pere
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTEM, LEMAX AND TILDEA FOGADATONE
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HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
NOTICE
The slips of the Presbyterian church will be rented to the highest bidder for each slip for one year on Wednesday, May 7, 1856.
Sale to commence at three o'clock P. M.
F. A. LATHROP, Clerk Board Trustees.
The Presbyterian church in Brown county is represented by seven congrega- tions: First Presbyterian church and Grace Presbyterian church, Green Bay, the First Presbyterian church of De Pere and church organizations at Preble, Humboldt, Wequiock, and Robinsonville. The total membership is about 800. Grace church, Green Bay, and the Robinsonville church are both French Belgian congregations. Rev. H. W. Kunz, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Green Bay, had done much to advance the general welfare of the community as well as the work of his own denomination.
The Presbyterian church in De Pere was organized in 1849 by Rev. John Stewart, of Warrentown county, New Jersey. A church was erected in 1854, and was esteemed a most godly congregation by the less peaceful members of that faith in Green Bay. A Congregational church was organized on April 18, 1866. Previously its congregation had worshipped in the Presbyterian edifice. A chapel was built in 1868, and rebuilt in 1875. They now have a comfortable church in West De Pere.
The first Methodist service was conducted at the garrison by Colonel Samuel Ryan. In 1832 the New York conference sent as missionary to the district about Green Bay the Rev. J. C. Clark, who on his arrival preached at the fort to both soldiers and citizens and also formed the first class consisting of Samuel Ryan, class leader, and three other members, one of whom was Mrs. George MI. Brooke, wife of the commandant. In 1834, Rev. George White was appointed to the mission and the following description is given of the church during his pastorate : "In 1836 the writer passed through Green Bay enroute for St. Louis, and remained two weeks in the small hamlet. Sunday services were no longer held in the Fort Howard block house as in former years but were continued in a little yellow wooden schoolhouse just in rear of what is now the Citizen Bank building, where a fraternal arrangement existed between two rival sects.
"The Protestant Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal ministers took turn about in the services, the one officiating in morning, the other in evening, and vice versa ; the two clergymen, Rev. Richard Cadle, a close student, very shy in general society and a thorough churchman, and Rev. George White, the Methodist, also retiring and reserved in manner, yet both so permeated with a love for humanity and a single eye to their high calling in Christ that no antagonisni seemed to mar the sacred services. The coalition was temporary only waiting the completion of their denominational churches.
"The stronghold of Methodism still lay on the Fort Howard side of the river, the garrison held a number of faithful communicants while outside its pickets the delegation was solid for Wesley and his adherents. A few rods from the river shore on a slightly rising plateau were the government quarters of families outside the fort, who yet were attached to the United States army. First in order came the two fine buildings of hospital and surgeon's quarters,
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from thence ran along the river shore in straight line a row of modest picturesque cottages, vine covered and flower enameled, wherein resided Col. Samuel Ryan and his excellent wife, both of them head, front, and very foundation of Metho- disin, the Stoddards, the Hubbards and Col. David Jones, all members save the last named. And thus when the little company of worshippers were transplanted in 1835 to the small wooden schoolhouse on east side of river, it took in quite a notable set in military rank and social prestige.
"The new church was completed in 1836, and when the writer returned from a two weeks' sojourn in St. Louis, in 1837, it had been for some months in use and fully equipped. It was fifty by thirty-five feet in dimensions with no gallery for singers, only raised seats at entrance opposite the pulpit. There were fine voices in the choir here and from Sunday to Sunday for several years, a more than average of intelligent and appreciative audience gathered.
"Of the fault in executive management and church affairs that resulted in bankruptcy of finance and final sale to the Roman Catholic congregation of the beloved church building on the square I have slight knowledge. It proved a most unfortunate episode and brought much depression and discouragement fot several years."
The first church built on the property facing Jackson square was completed in 1858. This became unsafe and was torn down when the present modern and convenient edifice was erected.
In 1867 the First Methodist church was divided and residents of Fort How- ard formed a separate congregation taking the name of St. Paul's Methodist church. A new church has been built within recent years, a neat, comfortable and suitable structure. The congregation is in a flourishing condition.
In addition to those already named, Green Bay has the German Methodist Episcopal church of which Rev. A. H. Copplin is pastor, and a south side Metho- dist church, Rev. Eugene Nelson in charge.
The first Methodist organization in De Pere was begun in 1850, and a church built six years thereafter.
Wrightstown also has a Methodist church organized a number of years ago.
During the '50s a number of church organizations were effected. The Moravian church on Jackson square between Madison street and Monroe avenue, was organized in 1851, with a full membership of 200, and was dedicated in 1852. Rev. J. F. Fett was the first pastor and remained with the congregation twelve years. This clergyman taught a parochial school to which a number of the English-speaking residents sent their children in order that they might have the advantage of imbibing the German language in the classes of this excellent instructor. The pretty quaint building has been enlarged but the good propor- tions are retained.
The West Side Moravian church, Rev. Albert Haupert in charge, is a pro- gressive congregation, yet thoroughly orthodox. It was organized in 1875.
"June 12, 1851.
"NOTICE :- The Baptists of this place and vicinity will (by permission ) hold their meetings in the schoolroom in Mr. Goodell's building opposite the town hall. The Rev. Thomas M. Symonds, Baptist clergyman, recently of Massa- chusetts, will preach regularly every Sabbath. Services commencing in the
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morning at 10:30 o'clock, and in the afternoon at 2 o'clock. Prayer-meeting at 7 in the evening. Sabbath school for the present will meet immediately after morning service."
This was the beginning of the First Baptist church which was removed to Fort Howard in 1854. The first church building was of wood, twenty by forty- four feet, fronting Chestnut street, between Main and Hubbard, and was built in 1873. In 1874 it was moved to form part of a new edifice of veneered brick of which the cost was $8,000. In recent times it has been much enlarged and a fine assembly room and gymnasium added. The present pastor is Rev. S. G. Phelps.
Wrightstown has a Baptist congregation as well as Methodist, German Lutheran and two Roman Catholic churches.
For several years there was a small congregation of Baptists on the east side but the church has within the past year been sold to the Grace Lutheran con- gregation.
The following excellent article on the Lutheran churches in Brown county has been written for this work by W. A. Speerschneider :
LUTHERANISM IN BROWN COUNTY
The history of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Brown county, Wisconsin, is quite extensive, since there are nineteen churches of the Lutheran faith and five parochial schools in Brown county. This does not include the Lutheran church organizations that have no church, of which there are three. The churches are not very pretentious, with the exception of the Lutheran church at Wrights- town, which was just completed last year at a cost of $20,000,
The language used for the most part in the services is the German language, there being only two Norwegian Lutheran churches, and one Danish Lutheran church. The use of the English language in the services and instructions instead of the language of the fathers, has shown itself to be of great value to the younger generation where used, they being instructed in the doctrine of the church in the language they understand, and consequently remain within the church. Although only some of the churches have begun to use the English language, it has brought about wonderful results where used.
The Lutheran church had its beginning in Brown county in Green Bay, when fifty years ago Rev. Reim came directly to Green Bay from Germany ; because a Milwaukee Lutheran minister heard of the need of a Lutheran min- ister at Green Bay. The first organization was effected shortly after Rev. Reim's arrival, at the old courthouse; services were held there for a time, but later they rented a Methodist church in the near neighborhood and shortly after- wards built the First German Lutheran church, which is standing today. It barely escaped being burned in the great fire in 1881.
Rev. Goldamer followed Rev. Reim, and Rev. Upham succeeded Rev. Goldamer. During Rev. Upham's pastorate a Lutheran orphans' home was established at Green Bay, which was moved to a different city later. These first ministers at Green Bay, Rev. L. R. P. Pieper, who started a church at De Pere in 1869, Rev. Burman, Rev. II. Rieke, Rev. P. H. Hollerman, and Rev. F. Proehl, who were at Pittsfield and neighboring places, did a great deal
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of missionary work in the early years, out in the surrounding country of Green Bay, Depere, and Pittsfield, holding services at the homes of the farmers, or in the district schoolhouse-usually a little log cabin-where there was one. Where a minister's whole time was badly needed a minister would be called and in that way the many different Lutheran churches were established. The above- named ministers of Green Bay made regular trips every Sunday afternoon to Bay Settlement, where services were held at the Speerschneider home. No matter what kind of weather and with nothing of a road, the minister would go. I know the above-mentioned Rev. F. Proehl to have had seven preaching places at one time. This will give an idea of the extent of the work of some of the missionaries. I will mention some of the fruits of their labors. There are churches at the following places : West De Pere, Wrightstown, Greenleaf, Mor- ristown, Wayside, Denmark, Eaton, Ashwaubenon, Luxemburg, Pine Grove, Shirley, Pittsfield, two at Kaukauna; three congregations hold services at one church at Fontenoy, a German, a Danish and a German and English congrega- tion. There are four Lutheran churches at Green Bay, two German congregations, the First German Lutheran church, Rev. J. Siegrist ; St. Paul's Lutheran church, Rev. Zich; a Norwegian Lutheran church, Rev. Bongsto, and a German and English Lutheran congregation or Grace Lutheran church. Grace Lutheran church is the youngest congregation in Green Bay, but in spite of its youth it has already attained the strength of a man. Organized on the 18th day of December, 1908, with eighteen communicant members, it has grown so that it numbers about three hundred today. For years a number of Lutherans in Green Bay felt the need of English services and when upon the request of a local Lutheran pastor the Mission Board of the Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio sent an English-speaking minister to Green Bay they were ready to encourage and support him in his work. Rev. Kuhlman, of Oshkosh, was the man who ministered to the spiritual needs of these people both in public services and in private pastoral work. When the work in Green Bay, which he carried on in conjunc- tion with his work in Oshkosh, had advanced far enough to require one man's entire time and attention, Rev. C. Birkhold was called to the field. After Jaboring for several months he was succeeded by Rev. Pagels. During the latter's pastorate the organization of the mission into a congregation was effected. Rev. Paul Hein, the executive officer of the Home Mission Board was present at the meeting and drew up the articles of organization and helped the congrega- tion to lease the old Central Baptist church for its services for a year. After several months of faithful work Rev. Pagels left for Columbus, Ohio, to con- tinue his theological studies. Rev. Pagels is carrying on similar work at De Pere and Fontenoy at the present time. Rev. O. Gerbich succeeded Rev. Pagels at Green Bay for a number of months. On May 2, 1909, the present pastor, Rev. L. Gast was installed in his office as the first regular pastor of the congrega- tion. On March 21, 1910, the congregation bought the Central Baptist church property located at the corner of Madison and Moravian streets. The Grace Lutheran church lays claim to being the first Lutheran church in Brown county to introduce regular English services. It also claims to have the only Sunday school in Brown county where the English language is used exclusively. The object of the church is to preach and teach the faith of the fathers in the lan- guage of the children, and it is mainly to this that it attributes its rapid growth.
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The church is in a flourishing condition financially and bids fair to become one of the largest Protestant congregations in Green Bay, and one of the largest Lutheran churches of Brown county. All societies, of which there are a Ladies' Aid Society, the Luther League and the church choir, are active and prosperous. The congregation has just completed a fine, new and modern parsonage and hope soon to follow this up with a new church, for "God's word and Luther's ‹loctrine pure ever shall endure."
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