USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Volume I > Part 39
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"The Hanover Street Congregational church was organized in 1851 under the auspices of the Presbyterian church Society, but the majority of its members were Congregationalists. In 1858 the church formally withdrew from the presbytery and thenceforth existed as a member of the Congregational body. Among the long- est pastorates were those of Rev. Moritz E. Everz and his successor, the Rev. Theodore Clifton. The latter came to the church Jan. 1, 1888, and remained at its head until March 31, 1895. The first thing done during the last pastorate was to bring the church to entire self-support, and this was accomplished within the first year. But the great task undertaken was to procure a new site and erect a new build- ing. Late in 1888 a fine lot on the southwest corner of Hanover and Walker streets was purchased for thirteen thousand five hundred dol-
lars. * * * One of the residences upon the new property was kept as a parsonage and the others were sold or moved away. Ground was broken for the new church building in the spring of 1891 and the cornerstone laid Aug. 9 of that year. The church was dedicated and completed for occupancy April 24, 1892." The present pastor of the Hanover Street church is Rev. Henry Stauffer.
The Pilgrim Congregational church was organized May 26, 1887. and its original members were formerly associated with the old Grand Avenue church. The object of the establishment of this society was to supply the demand for church work in the western limits of the city. Its present pastor is Rev. L. H. Keller. Olivet Congregational church, which for many years was known as the Welch Congregational church, was organized in September, 1857, and until within the past few years worshipped on Broadway, between Michigan and Huron streets.
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The present place of worship is at 465 Superior street. The other Congregational churches in Milwaukee today beside those already mentioned are Bethlehem at Thirteenth and Harmon streets, of which Rev. Joseph Jelinek is pastor ; the North Side church at Wall and Lee streets, Rev. W. A. Gerrie, pastor; and the Swedish church at 543 Scott street, Rev. A. E. Wenstrand, pastor.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The early history of the Baptist society dates back to 1836, when a number of people believing in that faith gathered for public worship in a school house near the present intersection of Washington street and First avenue. The communicants were organized into a society, and Elder Griffin acted as pastor for two years. Upon his leaving he was succeeded by an Englishman, Rev. Mr. Mathews, who remained but a short period. Interest seemed to lag, and for a year or more meetings were held but once a month and finally the organization was abandoned altogether. In 1841 the home missionary society of the Baptist church sent Rev. Peter Conrad to reorganize the church. When this was successfully done the place of worship was changed to a hall on Walker's Point. Regular weekly services were hield during the two years of Mr. Conrad's stay and then the society met fortnightly, the pulpit being supplied by the minister stationed at Oak Creek, the Rev. Mr. Stickney. In 1844 the home missionary society again became in- terested in the organization and in May of that year sent Rev. L. L. Pillsbury to take charge of the same. The place of worship was again changed to a small room on West Water street, and shortly afterward to the corner of West Water and Spring streets. In October, 1844, Rev. Lewis Raymond assumed the pastorate and under his direction a lot was purchased at Milwaukee and Wisconsin streets and a church erected which became the first permanent home of the Baptist society. The organization continued to prosper until 1857, when the west side members withdrew from it and established what was known as the West Baptist church. The latter society, strengthened by First church members who had gradually been drifting away since 1841, purchased a lot on Sycamore street and erected an edifice. In 1863 the First church was dissolved, the remaining members receiving letters to the West church. In January, 1865, what was known as the Union Bap- tist church was formed of the congregations of the West and First churches. A site was chosen on Jefferson street for a new edifice which was thought to be about centrally located for the communicants from each side of the river. The new church was dedicated on Aug. 12,
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1866. Two years later a portion of the former congregation from West church, still feeling the need of a place of worship on the west side, withdrew from the Union church. Rev. J. H. Griffiths, D. D., served the church as pastor from 1873 until May, 1878, and during his pastor- ate the name was changed from the Union Baptist church to the First Baptist church. In 1878 also some of the members of the First church, uniting with some from the West church, left to organize the South church. On Sunday, Oct. 27, 1889, was dedicated the fine new edifice at the corner of Marshall street and Ogden avenue which the first Baptist congregation now occupies. Rev. Robert Gordon is the present pastor of the First church.
As noted above a Baptist society was organized on the west side as early as 1857, but was given up after the union of the West and First churches. Sunday school services were, however, maintained and a growing sentiment in favor of the re-establishment of a church on the west side resulted in a meeting on Sept. 12, 1867, at the residence of D. D. Post to formulate plans for the organization. Twelve members of the Union church residing on the west side withdrew their membership from that organization and on Sept. 23 organized the Sycamore Street Baptist church, adopting the faith and covenant of the New Hampshire confession. The society repurchased the property formerly owned by the old West church and for five years held services in it. In May, 1872, it became necessary to have enlarged quarters and the church rented the edifice of the defunct Universalist society on Spring and Seventh streets. This necessitated the changing of the name of the so- ciety, and it became known as the Second Baptist Church, and three years later, when the property was purchased the name was again changed to the Spring Street Baptist Church. Subsequently, when the law making Spring street Grand avenue was put into effect the church naturally became known as the Grand Avenue Baptist Church. The church had a struggle, and one year did without the services of a pas- tor in order to enable it to free itself of debt. In 1885. to avoid the encroachments of the business district, lots were purchased at the corner of Wells and Seventeenth streets and on June 26, 1887, the stately edifice which is now known as the Tabernacle Baptist church was dedicated. Rev. Gilbert Frederick is the present clergyman.
The South Side Baptist church traces its origin to the efforts of Rev. Edward Ellis, who came to Milwaukee in October, 1874. Meet- ings were held weekly at the homes of the members of the society until Jan. 17, 1875. when the first public meeting was held in the German- English Academy building. On March 28 of the same year a perma- nent organization was effected and in September the property upon
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which the church now stands, at the corner of Washington street and First avenue, was purchased. This is almost the identical spot where the First Baptist society was organized in 1835. The present edifice was dedicated on Dec. 28, 1890. Immanuel Baptist church is a direct outgrowth of the South Side church, and was organized on Jan. 25, 1889. The Bay View Baptist church also can trace its origin to the efforts of members of the South Side society. It was organized on April 2, 1892, and its church, at Russell and Logan avenues, dedicated on Dec. 16, 1894. The present pastor of Bay View is Rev. F. Arthur Hayward.
The first German Baptist church was organized in 1855 as "The German Close Communion Baptist Church." Meetings were first held in a hall on the corner of Third and Chestnut streets, then in a re- modeled house on Galena, between Ninth and Tenth streets, and sub- subsequently in the church erected by the society at the corner of Seventh and Harmon streets. Dissension arose among the members, part of whom withdrew and organized another body, which fourteen years later reunited with the First German church. The present edi- fice was dedicated in 1881 during the pastorate of Rev. H. L. Dietz. Rev. F. W. C. Meyer is now serving the society as pastor. The Sec- ond German Baptist church is the outgrowth of a mission established by the First German church at Center and Seventh streets. The church was organized in August, 1887, and on June 5, 1892, the present build- ing at North avenue and Ninth street was dedicated. Rev. S. A. Kose is pastor.
The Garfield Avenue Baptist church is the result of a mission maintained jointly by the First, Grand Avenue and South Side Bap- tist churches and the Baptist State Convention. The society was organ- ized Feb. 8, 1882, as the Fifth Baptist church of Milwaukee. The house of worship was dedicated on April 23, 1882. The location of the church is at Garfield avenue and Second street and its pastor is the Rev. E. E. Clarke.
There are today two colored Baptists churches in Milwaukee, Calvary at 221 Seventh street, and Zion at 609 State street, their re- spective pastors being Rev. G. J. Fox and Rev. B. P. Robinson.
JUDAISM IN MILWAUKEE.
There is no record to show that the religion of the Jews took root in Milwaukee prior to 1849. The turbulent times in Germany which sent so many Germans to America in 1848 also had their influence in bringing to Milwaukee a great influx of Jews, so that on New Year's
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day of the Jewish year 5610 (1849), the "Minyan" (a quorum re- quiring at least ten adult males for the holding of public worship), was assured and the ceremonies of the day were properly gone through with. About 1850 or 1851 we find the congregation "Ahavath Emu- nah", or "Lovers of the Faith" organized on the west side and the con- gregation "Emanu-El" on the east side, the former strictly orthodox and the latter tending more to the reform ideas of the faith. The mem- bers of the two congregations found that separated they lacked vitality, and so determined to unite. Each surrendered its respective name and became known as the congregation Bne Jesliurun, Nathan Pereles be- ing made president. The first religious meetings were held in rooms 011 Third street and in 1858 a temporary synagogue was erected on Fourth street. After a few years another change was made to Fifth street and there the congregation worshipped until 1886 when its hand- some new temple at Tenth and Cedar streets was ready for occu- pancy. In 1869 the growth of the congregation and the differences of opinion regarding forms of worship made it essential that a separa- tion occur, and consequently thirty-five men seceding from Bne Jeshu- run erected and dedicated at the corner of Broadway and Martin the Temple Emanu-El in 1872. This latter congregation has kept pace with the reform of American Judaism.
The expatriation of the Jews of Russia brought many to Milwau- kee and following their natural bent they organized societies for the pursuit of their religious views. The Bne Israel Ansche Ungran and the Congregation Ansche S'phard, at 541 Tenth and 452 Sixth streets, respectively, are two of the present day organizations of these Russian Jews.
Temple Sinai was the outgrowth of a growing religious feeling in the community, and was organized in 1900. Services were held first in Harmony hall and later the South Side Kindergarten hall was utilized. Sufficient funds had been raised by this time to start the erection of the temple and the corner stone was laid July 24, 1904. The building was appropriately dedicated on Jan. 8, 1905. The location of the temple is at Fourth avenue and Mineral streets on the south side.
The Congregation Agudas Achim Anshi Polen, at 525 Cherry street, is one of the smaller congregations of the city with twenty mem- bers. The Congregation Beth Israel, at 462 Fifth street, was organized May 25, 1901, and in 1907 had 110 members.
THE UNITARIAN CHURCHI.
Prior to the regular organization of the Unitarian society in Mil- waukee in 1841 meetings were held by the members of the faith then
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resident in Milwaukee in the court house. In the year above named the society was organized and held its public meetings in a warehouse leased of Byron Kilbourn at West Water and Chestnut streets. In 1843 a building for public worship was erected at the corner of Grand avenue (then Spring street) and Second street. The cost amounted to $2,500, and was never free from debt from the time it was erected until it was sold to the St. James Episcopal parish in 1849. The first regular Unitarian minister in the city was the Rev. William Cushing, who as- sisted in the organization of the society. He was succeeded by Rev. William H. Lord, and he in turn by Rev. William Huntington. Dur- ing the pastorate of the latter several of the members of the congrega- tion withdrew because the minister used the pulpit of the church to inveigh against slavery. For a time after Mr. Huntington's leaving public worship was abandoned, but was eventually revived, the meet- ings being held in the court house after the church property was sold. By 1856, however, services had been practically discontinued. Many of the members remained loyal and one attending the Western Uni- tarian Conference in Chicago, in 1856 interested Rev. William G. Eliot, of St. Louis, in what remained of the society. Dr. Eliot came to Milwaukee and on a Sunday morning held services in the home of WV. H. Metcalf. At the close of the meeting he started a subscription paper for the building of a church, donating himself $500 to the cattse. The movement thus given an impetus by a stranger became the nucleus of a church, first named the Church of the Redeemer, which on March 17, 1859, was incorporated as the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee. On Aug. 28, 1856, the foundation was begun for the church on the lots previously purchased on Cass street, between Juneau avenue and Martin street. The building was dedicated on March 15, 1857, and within a year it became necessary to build an addition because of the rapid growth of the congregation. Again from January, 1872, to May, 1875, interest in the society lagged and services were abandoned, the building being closed for more than a year and then leased to the Congregational society. On the second Sunday in July, 1875, services were renewed under the pastorate of Rev. G. E. Gordon. During his direction of the work and the work of his im- mediate successors the society prospered. It was then determined to build a new church and on Nov. 22, 1890, the old property was sold to Mr. T. A. Chapman, who agreed to pay the expense of services in the Athenaeum until the new structure should be completed. Work 011 the new edifice, for which lots at the corner of Astor street and Ogden avenue had been purchased, was started in the spring of 1891 and the new church was occupied for the first time on May 15, 1892.
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Dedication ceremonies occurred on the evening of May 19. As a memorial to her husband, Mrs. W. H. Metcalf, on Easter Sunday of the same year agreed to free the church of its indebtedness, which amounted to some twelve thousand dollars. The edifice is to-day recognized as one of the finest architectural productions in the west.
The only other Unitarian organization in Milwaukee is Faith Mis- sion on Twentieth street between Locust and Chambers, over which Rev. O. H. Chapin presides.
THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
The first representative of the Evangelical association to visit Milwaukee was Rev. John Lutz, a missionary of the Ohio conference. He came on horseback to the then village in January, 1840, and held services among the German settlers. At the Ohio conference of May in the same year he reported the need of missionary work among the German settlers and was himself appointed to the charge. He filled the position for a year and was then succeeded by the Revs. Adam Stroh and Christian Lintner, who in turn were succeeded by Revs. Frederick Wahl and G. A. Blank. The general conference of 1843 made a new district of Illinois, which included the territory of Wis- consin, and thus the relations of the church in Wisconsin with the Ohio conference were severed. The Milwaukee charge remained as a mission for many years and it was not until July, 1847, that the society organized as the Zion congregation of the Evangelical asso- ciation. On Nov. 28, 1847, the brick church at the corner of Fourth and Cedar streets, erected on lots purchased from Byron Kilbourn, was dedicated during the pastorate of Rev. J. G. Miller. The church had a hard struggle for many years, but finally managed to free itself from the debt which encumbered it. At the session of the general conference held in October, 1855, a new district known as the Wis- consin conference was organized and in May of the following year the connection with the Illinois conference was severed. Zion congre- gation prospered and it became apparent that new quarters were essen- tial. The movement resulted in the dedication on Oct. 11, 1868, of a new edifice at the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets. The old prop- erty was sold to an African Methodist Episcopal congregation. The new property of Zion congregation was cleared of debt in 1880. Since 1895 Zion has erected another edifice at Eleventh and Harmon streets. The present pastor is Rev. S. J. Erffmeyer.
At the ninth annual Wisconsin conference of the church held in May, 1865, it was voted to establish a mission at Walker's Point. For
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two years the pulpit was supplied by the minister of Zion, and then on Jan. 14, 1867, the congregation of thirty-six members became incorporated as Salem church. The edifice which had been used by the St. Peter's Lutheran congregation was moved to a lot at the corner of Sixth avenue and Scott street. In 1874 the congregation purchased a site at the corner of Sixth avenue and Washington street and a new church edifice was erected thereon. The present pastor of the church is Rev. J. E. Klein.
Freidens congregation is the outgrowth of the North Milwaukee mission. The organization of the congregation was effected on June 20, 1871, and during the course of the following summer a church building was erected on a site at the corner of Green Bay avenue and Ring street, and the dedication ceremonies occurred on Oct. 23. Since that time the congregation has erected a new church at Concordia and Third streets. The present pastor is Rev. Markus Gauerke.
Tabor congregation resulted from the establishment of a mission by Zion church. The building was erected in 1882 and dedicated on April 23 of that year, but the organization of the congregation was not effected until May of the same year. It was not until 1887, however, that the present edifice was erected, the dedication cere- monies occurring under the auspices of Bishop Esher on Nov. 18. The church has always been located at Cherry and Twenty-first streets. Rev. J. C. Brandel is now serving the church as pastor.
The growth of Salem congregation necessitated the establishment of a mission at Bay View, and a lot at Woodward and Conway streets was purchased and the chapel erected thereon was dedicated on May II, 1884. Soon afterward the congregation, known as Bethel, was organized, and has prospered ever since.
Ebenezer congregation is the youngest of the Evangelical As- sociation churches in Milwaukee, and it too owes its origin to a mis- sion. In October, 1889, a lot was purchased at the corner of Twenty- fifth and Center streets and with the aid of the Church Extension Aid Society of the Evangelical Association a church was erected and dedicated in April, 1890. The present pastor of Ebenezer congre- gation is Rev. H. Uphoff.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH.
For the following early history of Christian Science in Milwau- kee we are indebted to the appendix to the report of the proceedings of the fifth annual meeting of the National Christian Scientists' Asso- ciation held at New York in May, 1890, published by the Christian Science Publishing Society of Boston :
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"In the winter of 1883, Christian Science not then being publicly known west of Albany, two students in search of health left Milwau- kee, Wis., for Boston, and took a course of lessons in the Massachu- setts Metaphysical College. Returning, the first work of establishing Christian Science in Milwaukee and the West, was begun. In March, 1884, a class of four was formed, which was taught the rudiments of Christian mind-healing. Copies of Science and Health were also placed in the public libraries of Chicago and Milwaukee; also, on sale with a book firm in Chicago. Nearly five hundred copies of Science and Health were sold in this way.
"A class of twenty-eight students was next formed, and the Teacher herself came to teach it, at Chicago, in the latter part of May, 1884. In October, 1884, the first Christian Scientist Association in the West was organized in Milwaukee. Besides the regularly monthly meetings the association began holding weekly public Christian Sci- ence religious meetings, which have continued with little interruption to date." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized in Milwaukee in January, 1889, and in 1902, built a brick structure on Van Buren street, with a seating capacity of 500.
In the month of December, 1887, Mrs. Jessie G. Clarke (who in the year 1888 completed the normal course at the Massachusetts Meta- physical College under Mary Baker G. Eddy), and Emelyn M. Tobey, who (in the year 1887) had completed the same course under Mrs. Eddy, together with others, formed the "Christian Science Public Service Society," and began holding church services on Thursday eve- nings, changing later to Sunday services and Friday evening meet- ings. In January, 1892, the members of the society organized and incorporated "The Milwaukee Church of Christ, Scientist." The incorporators of this church were Charles H. Clarke, John H. Warner, Fred T. Woodford, Richard Lardner and R. D. Robinson, and in October, 1899, the name of the church was changed to "Second Church of Christ, Scientist."
On April 19, 1904, Second church determined to unite with First church, the combined congregations to be known as the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Milwaukee. This union was effected Jan. 1, 1905, and increased the membership to such a size that it was apparent before the year was out that the church property on Van Buren street was too small for the rapidly increasing number of communicants and recourse was had to the Davidson and Pabst theaters, where regular Sunday services have since been held. The mid-week services have been conducted at Plymouth Congregational church. As soon as the church vacated the Van Buren street property
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a movement was set on foot to erect a new and more spacious edifice. A site, costing $35,000, was secured at the corner of Prospect avenue and Keene street and the new building was about ready for dedica- tion when, on the night of Feb. 5, 1908, it was totally destroyed by fire. Rebuilding was started without delay and it is anticipated that by Jan. I, 1909, the members of First church will be housed in their own edifice. The auditorium of the new building is to seat 1,200 people, and the edifice cost approximately $100,000. The first reader of First church is Mr. Francis G. Underwood. In 1907 was formed the Christian Science society which purchased and holds in trust for the members of the faith the Van Buren street property.
The present Second Church of Christ, Scientist, was organized in 1905 at the time of the union of the other congregations then existing in Milwaukee, the organizers of the church being members of the other three congregations who believed that the union of the three societies was contrary to the spirit of the faith. Second church purchased property at 470 Farwell avenue and have since conducted services there.
Both churches maintain reading rooms, those of First church being located in the Wells building, while those of Second church are conducted at the church.
THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
The state of Wisconsin constitutes one district of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. The first church of this denomi- nation was organized through the efforts of Rev. William Geyer, a German minister who came to the city in 1864 and established a church, later known as Trinity, at the corner of Sixth and Sherman streets. This edifice burned to the ground after several years and the present edifice at Fourth and Lee streets was erected. The church has had but two pastors, Mr. Geyer, the founder, and his successor, Rev. George Hirtz, still the incumbent of the pastorate. In 1869 Rev. Von Rague came from Sheboygan and established Freiden's church, the building which it occupied being removed in 1873 to its present location at the corner of Thirteenth and Chestnut streets. Rev. J. H. Fleer is now serving the church as pastor.
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