EARLY HISTORY OF FOUNTAIN ST.
BAPTIST CHURCH #127
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(Includes the Early History of the
Second Baptist,
Wealthy
Avenue Baptist, Recollections in 1894 by Deacon J. C. Buchanan (a member for 50 years) of the history of the church prior to 1869. The first missionary work done on the Grand River seems to have been in 1826-27 when Rev. L. Slater was sent by the Missionary Union to labor among the Ottawas. As early as 1830 a church was formed, numbering at the time of its removal to Gull Prairie, 1836, about 25 members. After the mission was abandoned, he engaged in business, and in 1863 went to the front with the Christian Commission and contracted the disease which terminated his life in 1866. In the following year a church was organized through the efforts of Rev. S. D. Wooster, consisting of six or seven members, which became extinct. Mr. Wooster spent the later years of his life on a farm near Lowell where he passed away, full of years. In 1842 Rev. T. Z. R. Jones was sent to Western Michigan by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. He was actively engaged in preaching both in the city and out stations, when I became acquainted with him in the winter of 1842-43. In the spring of 1843, I think, he organized the Baptist church consisting of seven or more members: Thomas Davis, Ezekiel W. Davis, Abram Randall and wife, Zelotes Bemis, Henry Stone and Miss Mariah Winslow (who later became Mrs. Heman Leonard). During his pastorate, he preached at various station during the week. His wife and one daughter died during this time, leaving him with one daughter. He resigned in 1844-45. Our place of meeting during 1843 and 1844 was the historic old school house on Prospect Hill, on the site of the south half of the Ledyard Block, on Ottawa St. Mr. Buchanan was one of the first baptized by Rev. Jones. In 1845 Rev. Amos Chase became our pastor, coming from Ada every Sabbath. At this time we met in the one story court house, erected on Fulton St. Park. Objection was made of the use of the court house for church services and they moved from place to place. For sometime they occupied an old log house on the west side below Bridge St. bridge which had been a residence of Mr. Slater. Captain Davis had a library of Presbyterian sermons which were sometimes read by one of the members. October, 1848 they purchased a house of worship at Bronson (now Crescent) and Division St. from St. Mark's Episcopal. The money was borrowed to pay for it. A society was then organized- numbers increased and some were hardy enough to be baptized in the Grand River. Rev. C. a. Jennison, of Oberlin College, was called, he stayed one year. He was not well but a great sermonizer. In the fall of 1849, Rev. A. J. Bingham, of Madison University, came. He was a good preacher with a gift of song. His second year, he had an unusually large salary- $350. Female suffrage was a question at the time and the church gave to women the right to vote in church matters. Rev. F. L. Bachelder was a supply pastor in 1851 and he helped organize the church at Alpine and Walker and spent some years preaching at Lowell, Alpine and Grand Rapids. In 1852, Rev. and Sister Jewett were married here by Rev. Bachelder and started for India from here. Our next pastor was Rev. Francis Prescot who added many members during his pastorate. He resigned in 1855 and was replaced by Rev. L. M. Woodruff. He suggested the church disband and forma different organization. As a result the Tabernacle church was organized. They met and organized in the New Jerusalem house of worship. Thirty members withdrew and returned to the old house of worship due to differences. Rev. Abel Bingham was a supply. He had labored 33 years among the Indians and was 70 years old. He organized branches of this church in outlying districts until his health failed. Rev. I. S. Fay became pastor in 1861 for one year and Mr. Woodruff followed for one and one-half years. In 1858, Rev. S. F. Holt was called. During his pastorate the two churches united under the name of the First Baptist Church and Society . He resigned in 1860. A short time later twenty members withdrew by letter and organized the Second Baptist Church. They occupied Clancy's hall on Canal St as a place of worship and the pulpit was supplied by Rev. A. Stanwood, of Kalamazoo, and C. C. Miller. In 1862, first church had Rev. Peter VanWinkle as pastor. The same year the present site of the church was purchased and in 1863 a brick house of worship was completed and dedicated, free of debt. A parsonage was also erected. He resigned after five years. In 1863, second church had Rev. C. B. Smith as pastor. They built a house of worship on Division St. He was a preacher of much power. He resigned in 1867 and Rev. N. A. Reed succeeded him. Rev. I. Butterfield accepted the call to the first church. Revs. Reed and Butterfield commenced and terminated their pastorates about the same time. Both churches were weak and on the 11th of January, 1869, a meeting was held to consolidate with twelve members- six from First Church, John Whitmore, J. C. Buchanan, Abram Randall, Orris bonney, C. A. Wall, and Deacon Gouldsbury and six from Second Church, James S. Crosby, Deacon R. B. Loomis, George W. Hewes, John Calkins, Deacon D. McWhorter and J. Frederick Baars. The two former churches (250 members) were dismissed to the new organization in April, The Baptist Church of the City of Grand Rapids. There was no pastor from April, 1869 to January, 1870 and such a lack of harmony that the union seemed in peril. Rev. S. Graves, D.D. of Norwich, CT became pastor January 1, 1870. For a short period, they worshiped in the old First church while an addition was being made to the Second Church on Division. A new building was to be erected on the site of the old First church at a cost of $60,000. In the fall of 1871, the old church was torn down and in May, 1872, the corner stone was laid with appropriate services and in December, 1873, the church was able to occupy the lecture room for worship. The entire house was open for public use in April, 1877. The contractor failed to complete his contract and in the end, the cost of the building was $90,000 which remained an incumbrance for years despite efforts to pay it off. In 1883, the Second church on the West Side was organized and we dismissed 55 of our number to the new organization. Dr. Graves closed his work here in May, 1885, having served 15 years and 4 months as our pastor. Rev. K. B. Tupper became pastor in June, 1885. In January, 1886, the Wealthy Avenue church was organized as an independent church, and in June, 1889, the Calvary church was organized. The Berean Mission as re-organized at this time and the Chapel on North Coit Avenue was begun. A lot was secured and a chapel built for the Immanuel Mission through the liberality of Deacon J. K. Johnston. The second Sunday in December, 1888 was a notable day. The final debt was paid on the church and the auditorium was dedicated to Almighty God with Rev. I. Butterfield leading the service. Dr. Tupper resigned in March, 1890 and a call was extended to J. L. Jackson, D.D. of Bloomington, IL and he began his work the following June. The following ministers are members of this church: Revs. D. Osborn, I. F. Fay, I. Butterfield, D. Mulhern (1894). In 1869 the total Sunday School attendance in the whole city was250 and in 1894, the total is 1,814. Superintendents have been R. B. Loomis, 1869-71, R. W. Butterfield, one year; Melvin H. Walker, one year; Dea. J. C. Buchanan, four years; Hon. M. S. Crosby, for 17 years until his death and Dea. A. A. Stearns is the present Superintendent. Those who have acted as superintendents at various Mission Schools are: A. A. Stearns, John Rookus, W. N. Rowe, W. C. Sheppard, H. H. Holton, H. W. Miller, R. W. Merrill, C. R. Barnes and R. B. Loomis. Mrs. E. Leonard, President, Woman's Working Society Mrs. J. L. Jackson, President, Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Society E. S. Loomis, President, Y.P.S.C.Endeavor Florence Ross, President, Midway Ten Mr. Holt, President, Auxiliary #1 Mr. Schelhous, President, Auxiliary #2 J. L. Jackson, President, Social Science Club C. S. Osborn, President, New Era Club The present officers of the church are: Deacons: R. Davidson, O. W. Horton, J. C. Buchanan, W. W. Gould, C. A. Wall (Clerk), A. A. Stearns, J. K. Johnston and R. B. Loomis. Trustee: J. F. Baars, Enos Putnam, W. D. Tolford, J. K. Johnston, O. A. Ball, W. T. Lamoreaux, O. W. Horton, P. V. Fox, R. W. Butterfield. Deaconesses: Mrs. E. Potter, Mrs. A. J. Daniels, Mrs. G. G. Steketee, Mrs. G. C. Davidson, Ella Smith and Mrs. A. A. Stearns. Brethren who have died while in office- Deacons B. F. Gouldsbury, Henry Escott, D. McWhorter and N. W. Smith, and Trustees- Wm. Hovey and M. S. Crosby. Deaths in 1893-94 - Mrs. W. D. Tolford, Mrs. Charles Stone and Mrs. O. W. Horton. Prominent men who have spoken from this pulpit are Dr. Northrop, Dr. Hurlburt, Dr. Lorimer, Dr. J. D. Fulton, Dr. W. W. Evarts, Dr. Theodore Nelson, Dr. Haskell. Among reformers and lecturers- Joseph Cook, J. B. Gough, Gen. C. B. Fisk, Wendell Phillips, Mrs. Livermore, E. B. Washburne, Frances Willard and Senator Colquitt. In 1875, a series of meetings were held led by Rev. A. B. Earle, D.D. and in 1893, Rev. B. Fay Mills led in some meetings. Other evangelistic work was conducted by Rev. R. A. Patterson, in 1874; Rev. H. W. Brown, in 1882; Rev. Needham, in 1886; and Revs. Pratt and Jacobs, in 1892. Rev. J. L. Jackson, D.D., resigned effective the 2nd Sunday in November, 1896. He had served over six years as an able preacher, a faithful friend and a good citizen. BRIEF SKETCH OF SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH The Second Baptist Church as organized in 1883, with some 65 members, 55 of
whom came from the Fountain Street Church. The first pastor, Rev. E. H. Brooks,
labored efficiently from 1883 to 1889. He was followed by Rev. R. W. VanKirk,
from 1889 until 1894 when he resigned to accept a call from the church in
Ypsilanti. Shortly after this, the church dismissed 29 members to form the
Scribner Street Church. The Rev. C. E. Lee from Alpena is the present pastor and
the membership is about 235. The church property consists of an edifice and two
lots, the gifts of Deacon J. W. Converse of Boston; value $9,000. Increased
attendance requires a new building. A building committee has been appointed and
includes the following: Trustees- Geo. W. Gay, Frank E. Brown, Wm. C. Hopson,
Geo. W. Tabor, Wm. Haynes, S. F. Andrews. Deacons- Geo. W. Gay, J. E. Bodwell,
John Rookus(also a licentiate). This church was organized June 5th, 1886. Charter members-27. Their first pastor, Rev. E. R. Bennett, labored with them about two and a half years, the church being supplied during the pastor's six months leave of absence by Rev. P. G. Robertson. Rev. J. Donnelly, D.D., labored from March, 1889 to '90 until his sudden death. The present pastor, Rev. J. Heritage, entered on his pastorate June 1, 1890. The present membership is 276. Deacons- S. E. Curdy, A. W. Fisher, John Atkins, Dr. E. G. Edwards, W. E. Calkins. Trustees- O. H. Robinson, John Atkins, Herman Whitney, A. B. Thompson, C. S. Weatherly, W. E. Calkins, E. S. Curtis. Church Clerk-Harrie N. Cole. S S Supt.- S. E. Curdy. Value of the church property is $12,000. S S enrollment is 300. It was ortganized November 8, 1889, with a membership of 34. Rev. E. H. Brooks labored among them as supply for some months. In July, 1890, Rev. J. Snashall, their first and present pastor entered his labors. The outlook now of this field is very encouraging. Present membership is 170; Sunday School, 300, with an average attendance of 240. The Deacons- Chas. Balcom, G. W. Osborn, J. E. Poland, Ira L. Waite. Trustees- W. W. Smith, J. E. Cheney, John Henson, J. E. Poland, G. W. Osborn, I. B. Galbreath. S S Supt.-J. E. Cheney. Church Clerk- E. W. Tower. Church property worth $16,000; edifice $12,500, parsonage,$3,500. It was organized June 5, 1892, with 50 members, and called Rev. D. M. Canwright to be their pastor, who, after one year of successful labor, resigned to enter upon another field of labor. A call was then extended to their present pastor, Rev. B. P. Hewitt, who entered on his pastorate June 11, 1893. The church is in good condition, socially and spiritually. The present membership is 121. Deacons- E. A. Dixon, Frank Mills, J. B. Whitney. Trustees- W. H. Andrews, T. Donaldson. Church Clerk- Mrs. E. A. Dixon. S S Supt.- B. M. Corwin. Worth of church property is $2,000. S S membership is 220. This, the smallest and weakest of all the Baptist churches, was organized in 1889. It met with serious discouragement at the start, but they have continued faithful. They express great appreciation for the work of John Rookus, who has preached for them gratuitously for over two years and, as financial agent, has aided them in the raising of funds. But the pressure of business now necessitates his resigning this work. As the colored people generally incline to Baptist views, if this organization could have a church building and a pastor of its own race, it would become the strongest colored church in this city. Present membership is 30. They are paying for a lot in the central portion of the city, which is to cost $2,000. They have paid on this about $1,00 in principal, interest, taxes (!) and improvements, but the property has been of no service to them during these years as they are still paying rent elsewhere. Next to securing a pastor, they can never prosper without a church home. "Bring wood and build the house and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord."-Hag. 1:8. Value of property, $2,100. Deacons- Wm. H. Brown, N. Carter, George Smith. Trustees- Daniel Davis, Wm. Beem, Geo. Davis. Clerk- Mrs. A. B. Cole. Organized June, 1890, with eight charter members. Former pastor, Rev. Henry Nelson, who served the church for nearly one year, and Rev. C. E. Erikson, who served for eight months. Their present pastor, is Rev. Emiliy Sibiakoffsky, who was educated partly in Sweden and partly in Russia. Converted at the age of 20 and came to America in 1891. He is the editor of the Swedish Baptist young people's papter and is also regular correspondent of several newspapers in Sweden. He has been in newspaper work since he was 14 years old. The church at present worship at 55 W. Bridge St., in a hall on the third floor. They have lately bought a lot on the corner of Gold and Sibley Sts. for $1,600, and intend to have a church on this lot during the year. They have a flourishing young people's society and the pastor says the prospects for the church are bright. Present membership is 71. Deacons-Andrew Esselstrom, A. A. Stromback, C. E. Erikson. Secretary-Mrs. Emma Billburgh. Sunday School membership is 33. SCRIBNER STREET BAPTIST CHURCH This is the youngest, but not the least, of our churches, in the city. It was organized January 19, 1894, with thirty-two members, who have since increased to forty. Thye called Rev. C. W. Barber to be their pastor. Their beautiful edifice, free of debt, is of modern style and advantageously located. S S membership is about 175 with an average attendance of 137. Deacons- Alexander Dodds, William N. Rowe and Allen D. Lynn. Trustees- Wm. N. Rose, Albert G. Steketee, John B. La Pres, Allen D. Lynn and Alexander Dodds. Clerk-Clement Snell. S S Supt.- Wm. N. Rowe. Value of church property, $10,000. Our Holland friends still meet and hold services every Sunday afternoon in the west parlor of the Fountain St. Church, and are growing spiritually and numerically. They expect in two weeks' time to organize into a church with about forty members (1894). A Mr. D. Laansma, has read sermons for them at their services and has lately been preaching to Holland congregations in the Berean and other churches with great acceptance. IMMANUEL MISSION, 286 College Avenue. 150 enrolled. Value of property, $2,000. R. B. Loomis, Supt. BURTON AVENUE MISSION, S. Division St. Total enrollment, 125. L. A. Franklin, Supt. BAPTIST CITY MISSION SOCIETY Organized in the beginning of the present year, 1894. Composed of members from all the churches. The object and purpose of the society to be the extension of the Kingdom of God by rendering assistance to the weaker churches and by establishing and maintaining Mission Sunday Schools in this city and vicinity. Officers: President- R. B. Loomis. Vice-President-Rev. J. Heritage. Treasurer-Wm. N. Rowe. Recording Secretary-J. E. Cheney. Corresponding Secretary-John Rookus. Trustees-J. K. Johnston, L. A. Franklin, J. E. Bodwell, John A. Atkins,J. E. Howard. (The information was obtained from "The Twenty Fifth Anniversary Book of the Fountain St. Baptist Church, April 1st, 1894". An account of the Origin, Growth and Present State of each Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. - compiled by Hattie Mulhern) |