History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 118

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304

USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Wisconsin > Part 118

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Rev. A. McWright, appointed October, 1859, and re-appointed in 1860, but did not return. Rev. Elmore Yocum was employed for eleven months. September, 1861, Rev. I. A. Swetland appointed, and was re-appointed, but retired after a short service, owing to ill health, and W. H. Wilde appointed, and preached the balance of the year, and was re-appointed and labored until January, 1864, when his health failed. Rev. J. M. Springer, Chaplain of Third Wisconsin Regiment, supplied the pulpit until May 1, when H. H. Parker was engaged to fill the balance of the yesr. He remained until September 1. Rev. George Fellows supplied the pulpit in the

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month of September. He was re-appointed August, 1865, and served until August, 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph E. Irish, Rev. H. K. Cobb, Rev. P. S. Mather and Rev. H. Stone Richardson to 1874.

Rev. E. D. Huntley succeeded Mr. Richardson in September, 1875. Mr. Huntley remained three years, when the Rev. M. Benson was appointed by the Church Conference in the fall of 1878. He continued in charge until September, 1880, when Rev. E. L. Eaton became Pastor.

The old church, " on the corner " of Lot 1, Block 101, was begun in 1850. " Father Will- iam Fox." of Oregon (then a part of the circuit) was the principal agent in its erection. But, the society being small, and having but little of this world's goods, the building went on slowly.

The old church was quite respectable, being nearly the first house of worship in the city, and quite as good as others of its time. But the growth of the city, and the erection of larger and more splendid buildings and churches, the old home of Methodism in Madison fell into the shade, and wealthy members and friends, both residents and visitors, became ashamed of it. The house also became too small for the congregation. Under these circumstances, the society, for years, devised ways and means for building a house of worship that would be more acceptable to the eyes of the public and accommodate the attendants. But, not being able of themselves, nothing was done in this direction until the conference of 1871, when it was resolved to make it a "State affair," and, the other conferences agreeing to it, the Rev. D. W. Couch was appointed an agent to solicit aid from the members and friends of the church, and put up a building that would be an ornament to the capital of the State.

It was during the Rev. H. Stone Richardson's pastorate that the foundation for a new church was laid on the corner of Wisconsin avenue and Dayton street. The corner-stone was laid on the 30th of September, 1872, with appropriate ceremonies. An address was delivered by Rev. J. H. Twombly, President of the University of Wisconsin. The new edifice is a fine and most substantial structure, and an ornament to the city. It is of stone throughout, 115x60 feet, and will cost when completed not less than $50,000. One of the features of the report adopted by the West Wisconsin Conference, in relation to this building, was, that the whole sum should be divided in three equal parts ; one-third to be raised by the church at Madison ($16,666.66}) ; one-third by the West Wisconsin Conference, and the other third by the Wisconsin Conference. The basement of the building is finished, and services are held there.

The year 1851 was a year of peculiar affliction to the Methodists of Madison, by what has since been called " the Snow Storm." The Pastor, Rev. J. Snow, so administered discipline as to exclude, or cause to withdraw, about half the members of the church, for which he was deposed by the conference from his ministerial functions, and those who had been expelled, or had with- drawn to avoid expulsion, were restored to their original membership.

Madison was not separated from its county connections and made a separate charge until 1852, since which time it has remained such.

In 1856, the West Wisconsin Conference was set off from the other part of the State, and the first session of it was held in Madison in that year, in the old church. In 1861, soon after the rebellion broke out, was held another session in the city. The old church being too small, the conference was honored with the use of the capitol, and, while the Stars and Stripes were waving over the heads of the members, a set of resolutions were adopted, the first from any ecclesiastical body, proffering aid and comfort to President Lincoln in that mighty struggle for life and liberty, to which the President made a respectful and thankful reply, which was entered upon the journals of the conference.

Congregational Church .- On the 4th day of October, 1840, nine persons united them- selves in an organization as a Christian Church in Madison. It was almost the planting of a church in the wilderness. At that time, there was no other, except the Episcopal, within fifty miles in any direction. The church was organized in what was the library and court-room of the old capitol, under the direction of Rev. Elbert Slingerland, a missionary of the Reformed Dutch Church. Twelve communicants partook of the sacrament. In spirit, it was a Congre-

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gational Church from the first, but, in compliance with the wishes of the first Pastor, it took the name of the " Dutch Reformed Church," adopting it with the provision that the form and con- nection might be changed when a majority of the members desired it. Besides the minister, there was but one officer in church, a ruling elder, and that office was conferred on David Brig- ham. Mr. Slingerland preached from June, 1840, to June, 1841.

" During this quarter" [commencing August 1, 1840], he wrote: "I have preached at Madison every alternate Sabbath, and the rest of the time in the vicinity. On the morning of the 4th ult. [October], we consummated the organization of a church [Reformed Dutch], at this place [Madison], with two male and seven female members, which number we hope to enlarge at our next communion. I dispensed, upon this occasion, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and feel assured that all the services were duly appreciated by this infant church. Some professors from abroad, members of the Presbyterian Church, being present, commemorated with us the death of our common Lord. In the evening, the ordinance of baptism was administered to an infant of one of our members.

"I am happy to state that we have a good attendance upon the Sabbath, and also upon all the appointments made in my former report. In the month of August, during an extra session of the Legislature of this Territory, I called a meeting, the object of which was to obtain a his- tory of the rise and progress of churches in different parts of the Territory. The meeting was well attended and of great interest. It appeared that many churches, which were formed of the fewest possible materials, have grown into considerable influence, and are now exerting them- selves, in the most laudable manner, in promoting the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. It appeared, also, that revivals of religion had been enjoyed during the past year in several places, particularly at Prairie Village, near Milwaukee, at Racine, and at Platteville, in Grant County.

" I have twice visited Prairie du Sac, a settlement beautifully located on the borders of the Wisconsin River, some thirty miles northwest of Madison. Besides preaching here, I, by a special request, delivered a temperance address to a very attentive audience. I am, however, uncertain whether we will be able to succeed at this place in effecting the organization of a church, as several of the inhabitants, being Presbyterians, are strongly prejudiced in favor of this sister denomination.

"I have hitherto continued, and design to continue, my services at Sun Prairie, a settle- ment twelve miles northeast from this place. This part of the country is admirably adapted for a dense population, and is now growing rapidly. The people here are very anxious to enjoy the preached Gospel, and, so far as I have been able to ascertain, they constitute a moral population. Several heads of families are members of different churches ; and how far time may accomplish unity of feeling in regard to their views of religion, remains to be developed.

" It is expected that, in my first reports, I should give a detailed account of men and things as I find them, for the information of our friends at the East. It is due to this community to state that intemperance does not prevail here to the same extent that it does in New York, while pro- fanity and Sabbath-breaking are prevailing vices-at least in many places.

" I have already received several communications from my friends at the East. I expect many of them will emigrate in the spring. Thus, materials for new organizations will be fur- nished, and, as time rolls on, treasures of moral worth and true piety will enrich and gladden our land. I hope we may have your constant prayers that the Great Head of the Church would make us doubly useful, not only in promoting the external order of the Church, but especially in the conversion of souls."

On the 13th of June, 1841, by a unanimous vote of all the members then resident here, the church adopted the name of the Congregational Church in Madison, and resolved thence- forth " to be governed and regulated by the established rules of such churches as were then known in the Territory." It also voted to connect itself with " the Presbyterian and Congrega- tional Convention of Wisconsin." David Brigham was chosen Deacon and Clerk of the church under the new arrangement. The following persons were members at that time : David Brig- ham, Mrs. E. F. Brigham, W. N. Seymour, Mrs. A. M. Seymour, Mrs. M. A. Morrison, Mrs. E. Wyman, Mrs. C. R. Pierce, Mrs. A. Catlin, Mrs. Slingerland.

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Rev. J. M. Clark, of Kentucky, then took charge of the church and preached here till July, 1843, and was succeeded by Rev. S. E. Miner, of New York, who began preaching under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society. At this time the church had no settled place of worship, and some efforts were made to erect a church building. For a time, they worshiped in the old capitol, occupying it alternately with two or three other denominations. Then they obtained the use of a log house, the old building erected by Eben Peck, and known as the " first house built in Madison," and met there for some time. The erection of a new barn, some time after, seemed to offer such superior and attractive accommodations, that the little church made this its temple, and " Christianity went back to the stable in which it had its origin." After great effort and self-sacrifice, sufficient subscriptions were received to encourage them to build a house of worship. The building was erected on Lot 10, Block 108, on Webster street, and was dedicated in 1846. P. H. Van Bergen was builder. It was built of wood, with seats for 250 persons, and cost about $1,800. In October, 1846, Mr. Miner resigned his pastorate. He was succeeded, October 20, 1846, by Rev. Charles Lord, of Independence, Mo., who was formally installed October 20, 1852, by advice of an Ecclesiastical Council, and the church became self- supporting. Mr. Lord was Pastor of the church until the spring of 1854, when, owing to infirmity of the eyes, he was obliged to resign. He was succeeded, in 1855, by Rev. N. H. Egleston, of Plymouth Church, Chicago. The spiritual and material prosperity of the church rapidly increased, and, within a year, nearly fifty were added to its membership. The church room becoming too narrow for the needs of the congregation, in 1856, they moved first into the large hall of Bacon's Commercial College, which was then ready for occupancy, and then built a brick chapel, which they occupied until 1874. This chapel is situated on the east side of Wash- ington avenue, on Lots 5 and 6, Block 66, with accommodations for about five hundred persons. It was built at an expense of $4,400, with the hope of soon adding to it a church building. In May, 1858, Mr. Egleston retired from the pastorate.

In November, 1858, Rev. James Caldwell was invited to supply the pulpit; but, after re- maining here nearly a year, he returned to Illinois. For a year and a half after his departure, the pulpit was supplied by Prof. J. D. Butler, of the State University.

In February, 1861, the church invited the Rev. Lathrop Taylor, of Bloomington, Ill., to become its Pastor. After a faithful and laborious pastorate of three years, he resigned in Jan- uary, 1864.

The Rev. Lewis E. Matson, of Racine, was called to the pastorate of the church in April, 1864. A strong congregation rallied about him, and deep regret was felt when, in the summer of 1866, after a season of special religious interest, he resigned his work here to go to Plymouth Church, Chicago. After a brief but arduous and successful work there, he was smitten by dis- ease, and died in Lyons, France, June 21, 1868.

In February, 1867, Rev. C. H. Richards, of Meriden, N. H., was called from Kokomo, Ind., where he had been preaching a year, to become Pastor here. On the 10th of March, he entered upon the work, in which he still continues.

On the 13th of June, 1872, the corner-stone of the new Congregational Church building, on the corner of Washington avenue and Fairchild street, was laid, with appropriate exercises, with addresses by Rev. Samuel Fallows, Rev. C. H. Richards and David Atwood. For a number of years, the building occupied by the society had been inadequate to supply the grow- ing wants of the congregation, and the erection of a new building was called for as a matter of imperative necessity.

The building, the construction of which had been watched with interest, not only by the members of the society for which it had been erected, but by the community generally, was dedi- cated on the 3d of May, 1874. It is of gray cut stone, in the shape of a Greek cross, with the arms of equal length. It was designed by G. P. Randall, of Chicago, and is similar to the beautiful structure built by the same architect for the Union Park Church in that city. Its con- struction was under the superintendence of D. R. Jones, architect, of Madison. The corner- stone was laid June 13, 1872, and the walls were nearly finished at the end of that year. In

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1873, the exterior of the building was completed, and most of the work in the interior of the main audience-room. The length of each axis of the church is about 75 feet, and it is adorned with a steeple 176 feet high.

In the audience-room-to which are two entrances-the seats are arranged in semi-circles about the pulpit, with five aisles. A gallery encircles the entire room, that portion of it in the rear of the pulpit being occupied by the organ and choir. There are 152 pews in the auditorium, with sittings for 650 on the floor, and 350 in the gallery, leaving ample space for the accommo- dation of two or three hundred more with extra seats. Arrangements are made for the ventila- tion of the audience-room, both in summer and winter, "a consummation devoutly to be wished" by all church-goers.

The organ was built by Marshall Brothers' Organ Manufacturing Company, of Milwaukee, and has three manuals of keys, two octaves of pedals, and thirty-six stops. The cost of the church building, with its furnishings, was $48,666.47.

The church has grown from its original membership of 9 in 1840, to 414 in 1880. Dur- ing its history, 819 persons have been connected with it, of whom 76 have been removed by death, and over 400 have been' dismissed to churches elsewhere. It has raised, during forty years, over $10,000 for benevolent purposes, and about $125,000 for its own expenses, includ- ing its buildings. It has a Sunday school of over 300 members, and administers a considerable benevolent work among the poor.

St. Raphael's Church .- In 1842, the Rev. Father Kundig, late Vicar General, held the first Catholic services in Madison, in the old capitol building, with a congregation of not more than ten families. At the same time, he made arrangements for the purchase of church grounds and the erection of a church building. Very soon after this, a small frame structure was com- pleted, and, a few years later, a brick building, 30x50 feet, and a parsonage were built, on the site of the present parsonage. In 1854, the foundation for the present church was laid, and the structure dedicated by Archbishop Henni, of Milwaukee, the Rev. Father Riordan preaching the sermon. The church building progressed so slowly that it was not finished fit for occupancy until 1862. Its total cost was $28,000, and, when the steeple is completed, according to the plans of its architect, there will be an additional expense of $4,000. The old church was removed in 1863, and, in 1868, the present parsonage was begun. There are now about 250 families that worship at this church. The society has a cemetery of eleven acres, located two miles west of Madison, which is inclosed and handsomely laid out. The priests who have officiated as resi- dent Pastors are as follows : Rev. Francis Echmund, from October, 1850, to September 1857; then Rev. George Riordan until October, 1858. The next priest was Rev. John Norris, who served from January, 1859, to November, 1862, when the Rev. Francis Eichman returned, remaining until June, 1865. After him Rev. Joseph Smith officiated until June, 1870. From this time until October following, the pulpit was supplied by Revs. E. McGuire, J. O'Keefe and J. Smith ; then Father Vahey came, and remained until August, 1875. Since that time Father Pettet has been Priest in charge of the parish. In connection with this church is a parochial school. The first schoolhouse, a small frame structure, was built at the time the second church was erected, about 1850. The attendance, at first, was small, but kept constantly increasing, until, in 1868, it was necessary to erect a two-story brick building. The attendance here now is seldom less than 400. The instructors are the Sisters of St. Dominick. The church property includes Lots 1, 7 and 8 of Block 67.

German Methodist .- The first Pastors of this church were the Rev. Mr. Young and Rev. Louis Nippert, who held services alternate Sundays, at the houses of different members of the society from 1850 to 1852, when Conrad Bernreuter undertook the missions of Madison, Bara- boo and Fond du Lac, but continued his labors not more than a year. In the interim, the Rev. George L. Mulfinger, the Presiding Elder, occasionally preached to the flock that came to meet him at, sometimes a schoolhouse, and, many times, private houses. During the summer of 1863, F. W. Conrad came, every two weeks, from Columbus, Wis., to hold services ; but the church re- mained without a settled pastor until the fall of 1863, when Jacob Bletsch was appointed. The

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present church edifice was built during Mr. Bletsch's pastorate, and is a neat building of red brick that is capable of seating 150 persons.

Friedrich Rinder had charge from 1865 to 1867. The church was connected, from 1867 to 1868, with the Columbus mission, and Friedrich Gottschalk and Sebastian Brandau were the ministers. After this, the succeeding ministers were, from 1868 to 1870, Heinrich Schuetz, Charles Schuler from 1870 to 1872. Friedrich Gottschalk, one of the former Pastors, was re- called and remained from 1872 to 1874 ; then the Rev. Philip Walker preached from 1874 to 1877, when Ernest Fitzner came, and remained one year. Charles Hedler. the present Pastor, came in 1878. The society is without debt, and has a membership of about fifty persons.

Church of the Holy Redeemer .- The beginning and progress of the Holy Redeemer's con- gregation up to the present day is recorded as follows : Up to the year 1855, there was but one St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church in Madison. At that time the membership had outgrown the church accommodations, and the German portion, numbering about twenty-five families, withdrew to form a new congregation, and in 1855, erected a brick structure of 80x40 feet, which was subsequently, in 1860, increased by some additions. In 1865, the congregation num- bered about fifty families, and the church had become too small; in this year, the brick church was removed, a temporary structure erected for divine services, between the present structure and the pastor's residence, and the new church (the present one) commenced. The building was inclosed during the year 1866. The first church was built under Rev. Michael Haider, and the second under Rev. J. M. Obermuller, now deceased. At the date of construction, economy was the word, as the expense was paid by the contributions of the congregation, which, although thrifty, had no great wealth at command. In consequence, a saving was effected whenever it was thought possible ; the walls were not built to the height desirable, and the timber work was unreasonably light, so that, although the work of combination was excellent, the structure soon gave evidence of weakness, until finally an examination was ordered by a committee in the spring of 1880. It was found that the resistance of the walls was the only remaining safety, and a meeting of the congregation determined upon the reconstruction of roof and spire. John Nader was directed to draw up plans and specifications, and, while these were in course of preparation, Father Alois Zitterl undertook the laborious task of soliciting subscriptions; the response exceeded his anticipations, so that the labor became an agreeable though tiresome occupation. In the early part of April, 1880, the work was commenced, and is now successfully completed ; the Roman style was carried out as far as possible. The work is all first class, and is a credit to the congregation. The untiring efforts of the Pastor, Father Alois Zitterl, are particularly laud- able, and he has sufficient reason to delight in his reward in the successful completion of a monument to his zeal, and the abundant assistance of his faithful flock.

To John Nader, architect, is due much praise for the architectural beauty of the edifice, both inside and outside. The church is 115x52 feet ; spire, 140 feet. The auditorium is pro- vided with 450 sittings; the gallery contains 150 sittings; the cost of the entire church as it stands now is $28,000.

The names and times of service of each of the pastors are as follows : First Pastor, Rev. Michael Haider, five years ; second Pastor, Rev. Hackhofer, one year; third Pastor, Rev. J. M. Obermuller, twelve years; fourth Pastor, Rev. Henry Reinhart, two and one-half years ; fifth Pastor, Rev. Alois Zitterl, since March. 1877. The cemetery is "Forest Hill " and con- tains six acres.

A parochial school has been connected with the church for the last twenty years. The number of pupils in daily attendance is 230. It is conducted by four school sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee.

Evangelical Association of Madison .- The first German preaching in the village of Madi- son, while Wisconsin was a Territory, was in the year 1844, by the Rev. J. G. Miller, from Ohio, who was appointed by their annual conference as a missionary of that State to Galena, Ill., a distance of 400 miles, which field of labor then included a part of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

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His journey commenced from Galena, west of the Mississippi, in Iowa, Dubuque and Charles Mount, and from there east, crossing the Mississippi again, to Potosi, Beetown, Platteville, Mineral Point, and, in company with Rev. John Seibert, Bishop of the Evangelical Association, to Prairie du Sac. They were supposed to have been the first German ministers who crossed the Wisconsin River. The Bishop leaving him at this point, he continued not long after to Portage City, Fond du Lac, Calumet, being a distance of 100 miles from Prairie du Sac. After several months he continued his travels north, through the Indian reservations, to Green Bay, and from there, through a heavy forest, to Two Rivers, having had to stay all night with the Indians. Spending a few days at Two Rivers, he then journeyed southward to Sheboygan, Menominee Falls, Milwaukee, Prairieville (now Waukesha), Park River, Jefferson, and then to the village of Madison, where he found a few German families from Pennsylvania, by the names of Mallo and Stoner, also a few other Europeans, to whom he preached from time to time in private houses. In 1845, the Illinois Conference assigned him the entire Territory of Wisconsin, named the Winnebago Mission. His field of labor extended over 400 or 500 miles, in which circle of travel he found scattered a good number of Germans through the new Territory, and who had not heard the Gospel preached for a number of years. He traveled from 4,000 to 5,000 miles annually, on horseback, receiving a salary the first year amounting to $40.98, and the second year to $47.52.

In 1846, the Illinois Conference saw fit to change the name of Winnebago Mission to Madi- son Mission. They appointed the Rev. Benjamin Eply, from Illinois, as missionary, who, on account of sickness and other reasons, could not serve.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 118

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1304

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304