Chicago City (part 30 of 57)

If tradition is to be credited, the most striking feature of the church was its pulpit, which would seem to have been as unique in design as it was mammoth in proportions. Its dimensions were said to have been eighteen by six feet, and its height fifteen feet above the floor. It was built of mahogany, and was understood to have been a perennial source of pride and joy to the worshipers. Below the pulpit stood the reading desk, and beneath that was the communion table, which was a rather plain affair in comparison to the ponderous structure which towered far above it. On the wall of the church, in the rear of the pulpit, were the letters I. H. S., which were sometimes mistaken for the initials of Mr. Kinzie's name - J. H. K. - and occasionally provoked some irreverent comment on the part of strangers.

This was the old church of St. James. A more detailed history of its growth is given below. To it belongs the distinction of having been the first Episcopal church organized in Chicago, and the fidelity, liberality and earnestness of its members have brought it to the front rank among churches of this denomination in the West.

The laity of St. James' parish were represented in the first diocesan convention, held at Eushville, Illinois, by J. W. C. Coffin, and at the fifth, which was convened in the parish church, Chicago, by Silas W. Sherman, John H. Kinzie and S. J. Sherwood.

In 1855 the parish purchased a site for a new church at the southeast corner of Huron and Cass streets, and a new stone edifice (costing $60,000) was dedicated. Eev. Mr. Hallam was succeeded in 1843 by Eev. W. F. Walker, whose unfortunate fondness for shooting game from his buggy while returning from pastoral inspection , of missions Bishop Chase regarded as a desecration of the Sabbath. An ecclesiastical trial, in which Mr. Walker was defended by Justin Butterfield, ensued, the result being disad- vantageous to the defendant, whose last service at St. James was conducted on Easter Sunday, 1844. Kev. Ezra B. Kellogg was the next rector, and he was followed, in 1849, by Rev. Robert Harper Clarkson (later Bishop of Nebraska) in 1849. During the sixteen years of Mr. Clarkson's incumbency of the pastoral office, the development of St. James was such as to place the parish in the forefront of Episcopal churches in the Northwest. A tower was built, a recessed chancel and twenty-six pews added, and the edifice beautified by the insertion of stained glass windows. Galleries were built in 1853, by which date the church building - as it stood then - had cost $23,000, and was conceded to be the most handsome house of worship in the city.

The numerical growth of the parish, however, was so rapid that in 1856 it was determined to erect a new building. A site was purchased at the southeast corner of Cass and Huron streets. Ground was broken on March 25th of that year, and the corner stoiie laid on June 21st following. The new church was of stone, 72x148 feet, and the first service was held within its walls on December 27, 1857. At that time the congregation was burdened with a mortgage debt of $30,000, drawing interest at 12 percent., and also with a floating debt of $15,000. After a few years the latter was paid off, through economy and good management, by the sale of a number of pews, and donations. But there still remained the bonded debt of §30,000, with some accumulated interest. The finances of the church seemed in a desperate condition, with a possibility of its building being sold to satisfy the claim. Hence speedy and vigorours action became necessary, and resort was had to the unusual proceeding of assessing the amount to be raised on the pewholders, pro rata, ranging from $200 to $25 per person. On Easter Sunday the whole amount needed was contributed, every one assessed coming up nobly to his duty, to the great joy of both pastor and people.

On May 19, 1864, the church was consecrated by Bishop Whitehouse, assisted by the bishops of Michigan and Wisconsin, some thirty clergyman being in attendance. Rev. Dr. Littlejohn, afterward Bishop of Long Island, preached the sermon.

During the rectorship of Dr. Clarkson (in 1854), a rectory was built on Cass street, afterwards moved to Huron street, in the rear of the church, at a cost of over $4,500, and a hospital was established in a house formerly the residence of Judge Skinner, at the southwest corner of State and Illinois streets, which was supported entirely by the contributions of the members of this single parish. During the first year of its maintenance it admitted sixty-nine patients, at a cost of $1,498.48. The number of beds was something less than twenty, and they were kept occupied by incurable cases, the hospital being mainly designed for such patients. In 1855 it was removed to 111 Ohio street, where it was maintained till the establishment of St. Luke's Hospital, in 1858.

Dr. Clarkson was consecrated Missionary Bishop of Nebraska and Dakota on November 15, 1865. After his departure to his new see the parish was temporarily in charge of Rev. Edward C. Porter, his successor in the rectorship being Rev. Dr. Rylance, who entered upon his pastoral duties on Easter Sunday, 1867.

The various improvements upon the sacred edifice made during Dr. Rylance's administration were a great draft upon the liberality of the parishioners, amounting to the large sum of over $100,000, which added to the original value of the church and lot, swelled its cost to nearly $200,000.

With a noble edifice so well fitted for worship and for the various agencies of parochial work, and with a congregation so ready to sacrifice and labor for the welfare of the church, there seemed an encouraging prospect of peaceful prosperity and greater vitality than ever before; but to the great disappointment of the congregation, Dr. Rylance severed his connection with the

The flames which reduced to cinders the residences of the parishioners also destroyed the church of St. James, which was one of the city's monuments. The Sunday morning following the conflagration services were held in the shadow of the ruins of the old dismantled edifice. The parishioners were houseless and homeless, but their devotion was unfailing. Dr. Thompson's appeal to Eastern parishes secured contributions of $17,000, and the parishioners signalized their benevolence as in years before.

Dr. Thompson resigned the pastorate in the winter of 1871, Dr. Arthur Brooks becoming pastor on April 28, 1872. Services in the interim were conducted by lay leaders and by various clergymen, as they could be secured. Meanwhile, the old vestibule had been temporarily repaired and used as a house of worship, and by November 2, 1873, the basement of a new edifice was ready for occupancy, the seats being rented after the services on Christmas day following. About this time Dr. Brooks reported the number of families in the parish as forty-five, embracing about 250 souls and 100 communicants. When his rectorate closed, on Easter Sunday, 1875, the number of actual communicants was 325, nearly as large as it had ever been in the history of the parish, while the attendance upon the Sunday school was 300.

The work of completing the new church had been pressed forward as rapidly as adverse circumstances would permit. The parish was burdened with a bonded debt of $40,000, inherited from the period before the fire, which was about equal to the subscriptions from the East and the amount realized from insurance. The members of the congregation, moreover, were striving to re-build their own homes and retrieve their shattered fortunes, when the country was overtaken by the financial panic of 1873. In consequence, the first services in the new church were not held until October 9, 1875, when the parishioners held a thanksgiving service in a larger, handsomer building, completely decorated and furnished, and provided with a magnificent organ. Its cost was estimated at $100,- 000. On Christmas day. 1876, a chime of bells was placed in the tower, a memorial gift from the children of Mr. James Carter.

Dr. Brooks resigned the rectorate on February 10, 1875, to the deep regret of his congregation, to whom he had endeared himself by his zealous labors, his eminent ability, his self-sacrificing fidelity and his Christian character. Dr. Samuel S. Harris succeeded him on October 1, 1875. He resigned the rectorship on August 11, 1879, having been elevated to the bishopric of Detroit, and was succeeded on April 4, 1880, by Rev. Dr. Frederick Courtney, under whose administration new vigor was infused into the parish work. A flourishing mission school was revived in St. Ansgarius' church, the number of Sunday school scholars was increased to nine hundred, and the list of communicants swelled to 560.

Dr. Courtney was followed by Rev. Wm. H. Vibbert, S. T. D., in 1882. During his pastorate the bonded debt, $35,000, was extinguished, largely through the personal efforts of Mrs. John DeKove7i and Mrs. George L. Dunlap, and on May 31, 1883, the new building was consecrated by Right Reverend William E. McLaren, bishop of the diocese, about sixty clergymen being present, among them the venerable Dr. Isaac W. Hallam, the first rector of the parish, and Dr. Arthur Brooks, who preached the consecration sermon. Dr. Vibbert surrendered his charge in 1890, and in 1891 Rev. Floyd Tompkins, Jr., became rector, and has so continued until the present time - 1894. The parish embraces about 2,600 souls, and the average attendance upon church services is from 600 to 800. Five hundred and fifty are enrolled in the Sunday school, the attendance approximating 375.

mission. The latter was opened many years since, as St. James' Mission, and about two years ago was rechristened as St. John's chapel. It is located at 28 Clybourn avenue and has a congregation of about eight hundred, besides a Sunday school where five hundred and fifty children receive religious instruction.

There has always existed in this parish a keen, generous sympathy between the clergy and the laity. The outcome has been seen in the formation of numerous parochial organizations, whose object is to advance the spiritual interests of the people and the temporal benefit of the parish as well as to stimulate, foster and guide the general charitable work of the church. Among the chief of these may be enumerated the Parish Aid Society, "Mothers Meetings," the Woman's Auxiliary, the St. Margaret's, St. Catharine's and the Evening Guilds, the Sewing School, the Church Provident Society, the Girls' Friendly Society and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.

" We, whose names are hereunto affixed, deeply impressed with the truth of the Christian religion, and sincerely desirous to promote its holy influences in the hearts and lives of ourselves and families, neighbors and friends, do hereby associate and wish to be organized together under the name, style, and title of the Parish of Trinity Church, in the City of Chicago, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal church, in the diocese of Illinois and of the United States, whose mode of worship, constitution and canons we hereby adopt and promise to obey."

At a later meeting the organization was perfected by suitable resolutions, the election of vestry and wardens, who were also made trustees, and the adoption of the following:

Jacob Brinkerhoff was elected senior warden; Smith J. Sherwood, junior warden; Cyrenius Beers, Caleb Morgan, Charles Sauter, Thomas Whitlock, and William W. Brackett, vestrymen; Ezra L. Sherman was chosen clerk and treasurer.

From this time until August, 1843, Rev. Isaac Hallam seems to have officiated as minister, when Rev. W. F. Walker accepted the rectorship of Trinity church in conjunction with that of St. James, and March 7, 1844, he became exclusively the rector of Trinity church.

On June 5, 1844, the corner stone of the first church edifice was laid by the Right Rev. Philander Chase, D.D., bishop of the diocese, the location being on the north side of Madison street, about eighty feet west of Clark street. The building was a neat frame and was first occupied on the twelfth Sunday after Trinity, August 25, 1844. The earlier rectors of the parish were as follows:

Rev. William Barlow, from September 20, 1847, until his death, July 25, 1850; Rev. Cornelius E. Swope, of Maryland, from July 1, 1850, until May 15, 1851: Rev. Dr. Henry J. Whitehouse, of New York, from October 7, 1851, until his election as bishop of Illinois, in November, 1851; Rev. William A. Smallwood, from August 24, 1853, until May 7, 1857; Rev. Noah H. Scheuck,of Gambier, Ohio, from August 1, 1857, until December 31, 1859; Rev. James Pratt, of Philadelphia, from March 10, 1860, until June 1, 1863.

A new site was obtained in June, 1860, on the south side of Jackson street, between Wabash and Michigan avenues, and a stone edifice, with two towers, erected there. It was first occupied for the annual parish meeting, on Easter Monday, April 1, 1861.

Rev. George D. Cummins, of Baltimore, was rector from October, 1863, until elected assistant bishop of Kentucky, in the summer of 1866; Eev. E. J. Keeling, of Washington, from April, 1867, until the fall of the same year; Rev. Edward Sullivan, of Montreal, from Easter, 1868, until April 14, 1879.

The parish soon rallied from this blow. The old site was sold, a new one purchased, and on July 16, 1873, its corner stone was laid by the Right Rev. Henry John Whitehouse, D. D., bishop of Illinois, at the southeast corner of Michigan avenue and Twentysixth street. A new and handsome stone church was erected, and occupied for the first service on Sunday, November 22, 1874.

In 1879, the Rev. Edward Sullivan, S. T. D., resigned the rectorship, and the Rev. R. A. Holland, S. T. D., of St. Louis, Mo., was elected in October of the same year.

On Easter Day, 1882, the church debt of about $50,000 was paid off in full. Next year the rectorship was again vacant, and the Rev. L. S. Osborne, of Sandusky, 0., was appointed rector. He remained in charge until the spring of 1889. The parish remained without a pastor until January, 1891, when the Rev. John Rouse, M. A. (Oxon), who at the time was laboring in St. Johns, Newfoundland, was asked to assume charge. The call was accepted, and Mr. Rouse entered upon his duties in May, 1891. During the following summer both church and chapel were beautifully re-decorated at a cost of about $3,500.

The average congregation of Trinity church is about 1,000, representing 190 famlies and 95 individuals, while the number of communicants is about 550. The average attendance at the Sunday school is 260, although a larger number is enrolled, there beiug 56 officers and teachers; there are also three Bible classes.

of the societies connected with Trinity. The Ladies' Aid Society, of which Mrs. George W. Matthews is president, meets weekly, giving out work to the Woman's Auxiliary. Of the latter body Mrs. C. L. Raymond is president. It renders valuable aid to home and foreign missionary enterprise. The Church Periodical Club has also a "Trinity Branch." Its aims embody a particularly practical form of benevolence, and one which may be accomplished with little or no personal sacrifice - the distribution of books and periodicals which the readers have discarded. The secretary of the branch in this parish is Mrs. 0. W. Barrett, of 2233 Calumet avenue. St. Agatha's Guild numbers twenty-one members. The rector, Rev. John Rouse, is warden, and Mrs. Rouse subwarden. The membership is largely made up of young unmarried ladies of the parish. Its practical work is under the supervision of six committees - sanctuary, flowers, work, foreign missions, purchasing and soliciting. Besides caring for the furnishings and decorations of the altar and sanctuary, the guild makes various plain garments for feminine wear and distributes them among sundry charitable institutions. Trinity Chapter (No. 24) of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew embraces some fifteen active members, William L. Calkins being director and William S. Waples secretary and treasurer. This organization has rendered tireless service in inducing and increasing the attendance upon divine service. A well organized branch of the Girls' Friendly Society also exists in the parish. Parochial work among the children (outside of the Sunday school) has been by no means neglected. On February 27, 1892, was formed the Ministering Children's League. The membership has steadily grown under pastoral influence judiciously exerted. This is another illustration of practical Christianity, and forms by no means an unimportant department of church work. The hospitals are its first care, Indian missions occupying the second place. The little ones are encouraged to make aprons

In 1892 (the semi-centennial year of the parish) there was organized the Trinity Jubilee Club. Its active membership is largely composed of boys, although the Brotherhood of St. Andrew has interested itself in its success. It enjoys the advantages of a reading room and a gymnasium in the " Parish House."

Apropos of this latter " house" the erection of a new building is contemplated, but not until the necessary funds have been either paid or pledged. The present Trinity house is a frame. The wish of the pastor, Dr. Eouse, is to utilize a lot - 40 by 90 feet - upon which this frame edifice stands, for the location of the new structure. Plans have been suggested, and while the project is temporarily in abeyance, the liberality of Trinity parishioners affords a practical guarantee that nothing necessary for the development of practical Christian work will be left undone.

Grace church is one of the most prominent and most fashionable Episcopal churches Grace Eois- in Chicago. It can also boast copal church. of an early origin. The parish had its inception on May 20, 1851; when Eev. Cornelius E. Swope became rector and a full vestry was chosen.

The latter consisted of Henry Ritchie, Jeremiah W. Duncan, Talman Wheeler, David S. Lee, J. W. Checkering, Caleb Morgan, H. W. Zimmerman, T. B. Penton and L. H. Osborne. Warner's Hall - on Randolph street - was utilized as the first house of worship. Revs. Lewis L. Noble and John N. Clark succeeded Mr. Swope, the former assuming the rectorate in 1854 and the latter in 1856. A new site was purchased in 1857, at the corner of Wabash avenue and Peck court, at which date the membership was one hundred and forty. It was at first intended to build a new church at this location, but this idea was abandoned and the old building moved and anchored. In June, 1859, Mr. Clark resigned his position as rector and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Clinton Locke, of Joliet, who preached his first sermon on August 7th of that year. For thirty-five years Dr. Locke has continued in the pastorate, each succeeding year riveting new links in the chain of affection which bind together pastor and parish. In 1867, a lot was purchased on Wabash avenue, a little south of Fourteenth street, and a new structure erected. The old site (and building) passed into the hands of a Jewish congregation - Kehilath Anshe Maarab. The congregation paid $25,000 for the site, and expended $100,000 in the erection of the edifice, besides $25,000 in decorating and furnishing the same. It was dedicated on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1869. The style of architecture is that favored in the thirteenth century - French Gothic. The walls are of yellow Athens stone, and the portal - in the main facade - of sandstone. Iowa marble was utilized for exterior decoration. The interior is impressive and ornate, the stained glass windows and frescoes being particularly rich. Subsequent to the fire the church did noble work in caring for the suffering. The chapel was made an asylum for the homeless, the vestibule of the church proper was transformed into a storehouse for provisions, and a clothing bureau was established at the rectory. The rector and officers of the church contributed $6,000 in cash toward the relief of the destitute, Dr. Locke insisting upon a reduction of his salary from $6,000 to $2,5000. At the same time pew rents were abolished, although the system of renting seats was restored at Easter, 1873. Ten years later the whole debt having been canceled, the church was dedicated by Bishop McLaren, and the subsequent history of the parish has been one of uninterrupted prosperity.

The parish of the Ascension was organized in 1857, the first rector being Rev. J. W. Cracraf t. For a short time services were con- Church of the ducted in Westminster Chapel, Ascension. at tne corner of Dearborn avenue and Ontario street. Rev. Mr. Cracraft was succeeded on March 21, 1858, by Rev. Henry

H. Morrell, whose rectorship terminated ou June 26, 1859. During his pastorate a frame church was built on Oak street, between Wells street and La Salle avenue. It was a modest structure, seating some three hundred persons and costing about $2,400, and was dedicated April 22d of that year. Key. William Fulton followed Mr. Morrell, but was transferred to the diocese of Iowa soon after his assumption of the duties of rector. After a short interregnum Rev. William H. Cooper became pastor, being instituted in March, 1861, and resigning in July, 1863. The following September the rectorate devolved upon Rev. S. Russell Jones. His successors were Revs. H. W. Beers (1865) and Thomas G. Carver, D. D. (1868). By 1864, the income from pew rents had appreciated to $1,300, a bell and organ had been purchased, and arrangements made for the removal of the building to the corner of La Salle avenue and Maple street, whence it was subsequently moved to the southeast corner of Elm street and La Salle avenue. Rev. Dr. Carver was followed, in 1869, by Rev. C. P. Dorset, during whose incumbency the seats (1870) were made free. In 1873 a new building of stone was erected, but with no idea that it would prove adequate to the later needs of the parish; and when, in 1886, the present beautiful temple was built, the old church was transformed into a chapel. Rev. Arthur Ritchie followed Mr. Dorset in 1875, and after his acceptance of a call to the rectorate of St. Ignatius' parish, New York, Rev. Edward A. Larrabee became pastor.

The Church of the Ascension occupies a somewhat peculiar position among the Episcopal parishes of Chicago. While it forms a part of the Anglican fold, its ritual closely approaches that of the Latin church. Its members practice auricular confession, and are avowed believers in the doctrines of apostolic succession, baptismal regeneration and transubstantiation. Mass is celebrated daily, and at high celebrations - on Sundays and great festivals - the service partakes of all the solemnity and gorgeous splendor of the Catholic church. The blameless life, the devoted Zealand the unadorned eloquence of Father Larrabee have won for him at once the respect and love of his parishioners. The congregation averages 800, and there are about 600 communicants. Some two hundred children receive instruction in the Sunday school, the services being followed by a children's Mass. Among the various societies connected with the parish - benevolent and devotional - may be enumerated the following: The Girls' Friendly Society, the Ministering Children's League, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, the Guild of All Souls, and a Guild for Men. The church also supports a trained nurse, who visits the sick and poor, as her services may be needed, and is aided by a charity committee.

1874 by Rev. Luther Pardee. From May of that year (when Mr. Pardee became priestin-charge of the cathedral SS. Peter and Paul, to May, ] 892, the rectorate was filled by Rev.W. H. Moore, and after an interregnum of eight months, ending on January 15, 1893, the present rector - Rev. William B. Hamilton - became pastor. In 1886 the present church edifice was erected, at the corner of Western avenue\and Monroe street, and solemnly dedicated. It was designed for temporary rather than permanent use, the intention of the parish being to put up a larger and handsomer building on the unoccupied portion of the site, when circumstances should justify such action. There are about two hundred communicants in the parish, and the average attendance is from two hundred to two hundred and fifty. The Sunday school numbers one hundred. A feature of the services is the excellent music, which is rendered by a thoroughly trained, surpliced choir of men and boys. The societies connected with the church are the St. Agnes' Guild, the Girls' Friendly Society, and the Ministering Children's League. The Church of St. Philip the Evangelist, organized in 1887. The first rector was Rev. E. W. Springer, who continued in the pastorate for only a year, being followed by Revs. W. Elmer and H. G. Moore, the latter of whom is in charge of the parish at the present time. The church membership embraces some one hundred and thirty, and the average attendance upon the Sunday school is some two hundred. St. Andrew's Brotherhood and the Girls' Friendly Society both have branches in the parish and accomplish much in the way of devoted, Christian work, as does also the Woman's Auxiliary to the Church Missionary Society.

St. Alban's parish was formed September 29, 1890, and steps were at once taken lookst Aiban's 'n£ *° ^e erection of a church church. edifice on Prairie avenue, between Forty-third and Fourth-fourth streets, the first service in which was held on the sixteenth of the following August. Rev. George W. Knapp has been rector from the beginning. The congregation numbers some two hundred and there are about one hundred and thirty communicants. One hundred and twenty-five children receive instruction in the Sunday school. St. Agatha's and St. Margaret's Guild's aid in the benevolent and other parish work, while the altar committees charge themselves with attention to the details of the church services.

Other Episcopal churches in Chicago in 1893 were as follows: All Saints' church (757 North Clark street), Rev. Montgomery other Episcopal H" Throop, pastor; All Saints' Parishes. church (Ravenswood), Rev.

C. R. D. Crittenton, pastor; Christ church, Rev. J. W. Elliott, rector; church of the Atonement (Edgewater), Rev. F. W. Keater, pastor; church of Our Savior, Rev. William J. Petrie, rector; church of the Epiphany, Rev. T. N. Morrison, rector; church of the Good Shepherd, Rev. J. W. Jones, pastor; church of the Redeemer, Rev. F. B. Dunham, rector; St. Andrew's, Rev.

In addition to the foregoing parishes, regularly constituted, there were, in 1893, six Episcopal missions in Chicago, as follows: The Advent, Rev. J. H. Parsons, deacon; chapel of St. Luke's Hospital, Rev. Percival Maclntyre, chaplain; Holy Trinity, Rev. C. H. Kinney, pastor; Home for Incurables, Henry C. Chacelay, reader; M ission of the Nativity, George S. Whitney, superintendent; and the chapel of the Sisters of St. Mary.

Evangelical Lutherans

The first Lutheran church established in Chicago was known as the St. Paul's German St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church and church. wag organized in 1846, by the Rev. Augustus Selle, with about forty families as members of the congregation. For three years previous to that date members of the denomination had held occasional religious services, the pulpit being filled by temporary supplies. The desire to own a church building, however, took deep root among the congregation and a small edifice was erected at the corner of Ohio and La Salle streets. A call was thereupon extended to Mr. Selle, of Columbana county, Ohio, who, as has been said, formally organized the society.

In 1848, a division occurred on matters of faith, a majority of the members desiring to Division and cnange tne confession from the Kemovai. Evangelical Lutheran to the United Evangelical. This was strongly opposed by Mr. Selle and a respectable minority, who, in consequence, seceded and formed a new congregation professing the original creed. The title to the church property remained in those who had transferred their religious allegiance, and Mr. Selle's flock procured the use of the court house, where services were held until June, 1849, when a new building was ready for occupancy. It was located on Indiana, between Wells and Franklin streets. It was a frame structure, 25 by 55 feet in dimensions, and boasted of a steeple fifty feet high.

Mr. Selle remained pastor until August, 1851, and on the 21st of the following month Dr Henry -^ev' Henry Wunder was installed wunder. as hjg successor. In 1854, the new church building proving inadequate to the wants of the congregation, galleries were added, increasing the number of sittings to 400. At the same time an organ was built in the church, at a cost of $400. Ten years later it was decided to erect a new edifice, and four lots were procured by the society at the corner of Superior and Franklin streets, at a cost of $5,400. The new structure was fifty-two by one hundred and one feet in size, was furnished with galleries and had a steeple 161 feet high. The parochial school occupied the basement. The total cost was 130,000. In this commodious and costly building the congregation continued to worship until October 9, 1871, when it was destroyed by the great fire, which also swept away the property of nearly all the members of the church. This disaster, however, did not weaken the zeal of the people. On the first Sunday following a meeting was conducted in a German church on the west side, and resolutions were adopted that the organization should be maintained and a new church and school buildings be erected as soon as possible. Accordingly, a two-story building was put up at 333 Larrabee street. Mr. Wunder and his family occupied the upper story as a residence, while the lower floor was used for holding school during the week and for religious services on Sunday. The congregation took possession of the new structure in December, 1871. Early in the following spring, work was begun on a new brick church building upon the site of the one which had been destroyed by fire, and on October 9, 1872, the first anniversary of the fire, this new edifice was dedicated. It was a reproduction of the one destroyed as far as related to cost, size and appearance, and contained a $12,000 organ. On the next anniversary (October 9, 1873) a chime of three bells was hung in the steeple, representing an outlay of $3,800.

From this congregation three other church societies have sprung: The Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran, in 1854, originally located on Twelfth street, where now stands the Church of the Holy Family ; St. John's Evangelical Lutheran, in 1867, situated on West Superior street, and St. James' Evangelical Lutheran, 1870, which occupied premises at the corner of Freemont and Sophia streets. From the Immanuel society above mentioned have emanated, first and last, four separate churches, and from St. John's two, making nine church societies which can trace their parentage back to St. Paul's.

when a building was erected at the corner of Chicago avenue and Franklin street. By 1888 the wants of the growing congregation necessitated a new church edifice, which was built upon a site already secured at the intersection of Belden avenue and Larrabee street. Rev. Lee M. Hellman has been the faithful pastor of the church since its organization. There are some 220 members and the average congregation is from 250 to 300. Two hundred children receive instruction in the Sunday school. The following societies are in active operation as auxiliaries to the practical work of the church: Ladies' Sewing Society, the Woman's Missionary and Aid Society, the Young People's Luther Alliance and the Deaconess Committee, who furnish to the indigent free medical and legal advice.

holocaust of 1871, and another, and more commodious, edifice built upon the same site shortly afterwards. The congregation has profited by the ministrations of many devoted pastors, among them having been Revs. H. Hentze, G. Eseher, H. Alberting, M. Heil, W. Goerssele, F. C. Kiest and M. Hoehn. Rev. Mr. Hoehn is the present pastor. The approximate attendance on Divine services is about 200, which is also about the enrollment in the Sunday school. Connected with the church are the following organizations for practical work. The Ladies', the Young People's and the Missionary Societies. The Wicker Park Evangelical Lutheran church has a membership of 150, with an wicker Park average attendance of some

August, 1879. A building was bought from the Congregationalists, situate at the northwest corner of North Hoyne avenue and Le Moyne street, and the congregation still occupies the same edifice. The clergymen who have officiated as pastors (with the dates of their respective pastorates, are mentioned below:

A flourishing Sunday school of over 500 members is ore of the interesting features of the church. The pastor has not encouraged the formation of auxiliary societies, believing that the church should act. as a unit in the prosecution of charitable, mission and general benevolent work.

The influx of Scandinavian immigrants to the Northwest - not a few of whom settled in Chicago - had attained such proportions Scandinavian before the close of 1847 that those Lutherans* of the new comers who cherished faith in the Lutheran creed felt a necessity for erecting a church in which services might be conducted in their own tongue. The Norwegians of the city, to the number of thirty communicants, accordingly formed the congregation known as the First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which body the Rev. Paul Anderson became pastor on February 14, 1848.

and Franklin streets. In August of the same year the society purchased a dismantled building on Superior street, between Wells street and La Salle avenue, the erection of which had been undertaken by another congregation, but whose completion had been interrupted by wind. The building, as a whole, had been practically demolished, yet the material was purchased by the Norwegian congregation for $800, and the rebuilding was accomplished at an additional cost of $1,800. The site was forty feet in width and embraced two lots, one of which was bought of Walter L. Newberry and the other of William B. Ogden. The building was of wood, thirty feet in width and sixty in depth.

The Swedish Lutherans being in the market for the purchase of a site and building in 1856, this property was sold to them in March of that year for $12,000. A site was obtained at the corner of Franklin and Erie streets, and a new brick building erected thereon. The total cost of the same was $18,000. Here the congregation remained until the fire of 1871, when the edifice was in great part destroyed. The foundations, however, and some portions of the walls had sufficiently resisted the fiery element to justify their utilization, and as soon as practicable, the church was rebuilt at a cost of $15,000. No special change was made in the style of construction from that adopted in the building which had been destroyed. The early pastors of this church were as follows: Rev. Paul Andersen, commencing in 1848 and continuing until 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. Abraham Jacobson, who remained pastor until the fall of 1861, when he was succeeded by Rev. 0. I. P. Peterson. Mr. Peterson remained until July, 1873, when he was followed by Rev. A. Mohn, who in turn gave way, in 1874, to Rev. A. Mikkleson.

Rev. Mr. Peterson had recently come from Norway, and disapproved of some features of the church service which had been adopted in conformity with the customs obtaining in the American churches. The attitude of the pastor was opposed by a number of the flock, and the result was a division of the congregation. Mr. Peterson's views found sympathizers to such an extent that a majority of the congregation rallied to his support, and a minority seceded in 1866. Five years' litigation as to the ownership of the church property ensued, at the end of which Judge McAllister decided the issue in favor of the majority. The decision was not rendered until a month before the great conflagration of 1871, which swept the church out of existence.

The minority had lost whatever claim it had originally set up to the ownership of the site, and, being intensely dissatisfied with the decision rendered against them, the greater portion of them united with the church of the Holy Trinity, situated on La Salle avenue, while the remainder preferred not to connect themselves with any church organization.

large number of Swedes - afterwards known as among the first and most patriotic naturalized citizens of the Republic - arrived here in 1852. Their spiritual wants were ministered to by Rev. Paul Andersen and his colleague, Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, of Galesburg, 111., who extended their clerical services without reward. A portion of the membership of the First Norwegian church consisted of Swedes, the number of members of this nationality amounting to about eighty. They were, not unnaturally, anxious to found a church in which their own tongue, rather than the Norwegian, should be employed in the conduct of services. This sentiment soon assumed tangible form, a call was extended to a pastor, and a formal organization was effected. On August 22, 1853, Rev. Erland Carleson, of Weis Parish, Sweden, arrived in the city, having accepted a call to the pastorate of the first church of his own nationality ever organized here. One week later he delivered his first sermon to a congregation consisting of thirty-eight auditors, the remainder of the eighty Swedish Lutherans having left Chicago for locations which they regarded as more promising. Mr. Carleson, however, was not in the least discouraged by the diminution of his prospective flock. On the first page of the church register he wrote the following paragraph, indicative of the intensity of his devotion to the work to which he had consecrated his life: -'' Relying upon Divine assistance, I am determined to declare the truth openly and faithfully, whatever difficulties may be thrown in my way."

On January 27, 1854, he summoned a congregational meeting, which adopted a concise constitution and form of government, prepared by himself. At this meeting, also, church officers were elected, of which the following is a roster : Deacons - C. J. Anderson, John Nilson and Isaac Peterson ; trustees - John Bjookholon, G. Svenson and Gisel Toutsson. A legal incorporation followed, the names of the deacons being filed in the office of the Secretary of State, in compliance with the law.

Mr. Carleson was by no means disposed to abrogate the rite of confirmation, and shortly after the organization of the society the Lutheran ceremony was administered to a class of two boys and five girls.

After the organization of the church had been effected, a place of worship was the next objective point. Services were at first held in the edifice of the English-speaking Lutherans, on Superior street. In 1856 the congregation had so far increased in numbers and wealth, that it found itself in a position to buy the First Norwegian church, which was then upon the market for sale. In 1865 this structure proved to be inadequate to the requirements of the parish. A temporary enlargement of the seating capacity was made, but within twelve months the building was once more insufficient to the call upon it. A larger and far handsomer church was erected in 1869, at the corner of Sedgwick and Hobbie streets, the cost of the same being over $34,000. The height of the edifice was two stories, and the exterior dimensions were 55 by 117 feet. It perished in the conflagration of 1871, and the congregation found itself houseless and homeless. As soon as the debris could be cleared away, excavations were made for the foundation of a new structure upon the site of the old one, and by December, 1872, the building had so far approached completion that it was ready for temporary occupancy. It was of brick, and cost $31,850. The dedication took place on April 4, L875. This year also witnessed the withdrawal from the clerical charge of the congregation of the Eev. Erland Carleson, who had continued in the same office since the organization of the church in 1853. His successor, Rev. Carl A. Evald, was installed as pastor on the occasion of the dedication of the new building. He still remains pastor, and to the consistency of his Christian character, as well as to his devoted zeal, may be attributed in no small degree, the remarkable growth and prosperity of the church. Eev. J. Mellander is assistant pastor.

Evangelical United Church

First German years ha8 a""^ COUSldst. Paul's Church, erable strength in Chicago, particularly among the Scandinavian and German elements of the population, had its beginning here in 1848. In the sketch of the Evangelical Lutheran sect reference has been made to the organization of St. Paul's German Church, which was connected with the denomination named. It has also been explained that in 1848 this organization was rent in twain on the question of church creed, a majority of the members preferring the adoption of the confession of faith of the Evangelical United Church. The history of the separatists, who seceded with the pastor, Rev. Augustus Selle, has already been told. Those who constituted the majority, and wished to ally themselves with the Evangelical United denomination, remained in possession of the church property at the corner of La Salle and Ohio streets.

In this connection, it will, however, be interesting to go back and give, somewhat more fully, the details of the first steps taken for the formation of this society. The first meeting looking to this result was held in the summer of 1843, there being present G. Schairer, K. Teschner, John Ffund, Charles Stein, B. A. Beyer, H. H. Rantze, Arnold Kroeger, William Frank and Jacob Letz. At this meeting a council, or board of trustees, was elected, and the five gentlemen last named were appointed a committee to obtain a site. Later in the year the erection of the church building, 30 by 48 feet, was commenced. In 1844, the membership had considerably increased, and a council was chosen consisting of G. Schairer, Charles Stein, John Reder, John Gross, Jacob Letz and Frederick Letz.

Many of those who were members of this congregation at the time when Mr. Selle assumed the pastorate, on April 11, 1846, are now living and known as prominent citizens of Chicago. Among those are Louis Hass, Frederick Letz, George Atzel, Henry Weber, Philip Gross and Michael Gross.

ilton, Ohio. For three years he continued in the position of pastor, but owing to the fact that he was in constant conflict with the principles of the constitution his services gave rise to some dissatisfaction. Finally he consented to submit the questions in dispute to the Synod, the decision of which body was adverse to him, and in August, 1851, he was dismissed. He was followed by Rev. Joseph Hartmann, a graduate of one of the German universities, who had formerly labored in the State of New York. Mr. Hartmann was a young man, having barely reached the age of 27, but his services proved eminently satisfactory to the society, which increased during his pastorate so rapidly that it soon become necessary to enlarge the church building. The pastor was anxious to erect a brick structure, and the congregation heartily seconded his efforts. Funds were raised without difficulty, and building was commenced in 1854, the architect being August Baver, and the builder August Wallbann. On the 4th of February, 1855, the church was dedicated, at which time the society consisted of 140 families. Within two weeks the pews were all rented. The fire of 1871 destroyed the building but left the foundation in good condition. The work of reconstruction was soon commenced, and a building almost identical in form and size with the one destroyed was erected and dedicated on February 16, 1873. The parochial school was opened in the basement and is still in operation.

One of the liberal members of the congregation, Mr. Uhlick, donated to the society a lot at the intersection of LaSalle avenue and Arnold street, the frontage on the former being thirty-two and on the latter sixteen feet. The object of the donation was to enable the congregation to erect a German Orphan Asylum. The sum of $20,000 was donated to the society from the Relief Fund for this purpose, the contribution being obtained largely through the instrumentality of Henry Miehlke, who had been a legatee under Mr. Uhlick's will to the amount of $100,000.

who was succeeded, the same year, by Rev. G. H. Stanger. The first house of worship was dedicated in the spring of 1885. It was erected upon the rear of four lots purchased by the congregation at the southwest corner of Robey and Ambrose streets, facing Robey street, it being the intention to put up a larger building on the corner as soon as practicable. The upper portion of the present structure (which is a two story brick) is used for parochial school purposes. A parsonage was built in 1890. Rev. Julius Kircher followed Mr. Stanger in 1889. The congregation at present numbers about 150 families, and there are 350 com municants. The Sunday school enrollment is 250. The Ladies' Society and the Young Peoples' Society aid in charitable and other church work.

Other Evangelical churches in Chicago (1893), with their various denominational affinities and their pastors are enumerated in the following list: ^

Swedish. - Evangelical Mission, Rev.Chas. A. Bjork; Gethsemane, Rev. Matthew CRanseen; Immanuel, Rev. C. A. Evald; Salem, Rev. L. G. Abrahamson; Tabernacle Mission.

Independent Organizations

ThePtopie's Tnomas> D- D-» who sympathized Church. with him in his dissension from the creed of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the communion of which body he had been for many years an eminent preacher and a beloved pastor.

The trial of Dr. Thomas for heresy began on Sept. 21, 1881, in the lecture-room of the First Methodist Episcopal church, at the corner of Washington and Clark streets. The judge of the ecclesiastical court was Rev. Dr. C. Willing; Drs. Jewett and Hatfield acted as prosecutors ; and Dr. Thomas was represented by Revs. Emory Miller, H. W. Bennett and Robert Sheppard, and Hons. L. L. Bond, Farlin Q. Ball and Professor Austin Bierbower. The jury was composed of Revs. J. W. Agard, T. H. Hazeltine, Joseph W. Phelps, Joseph F David, William M. Craven, John Ellis, Robert Procter, G. R. Van Horn and Joseph Ailing.

Dr. Thomas demurred to the charges and specifications filed, partly on technical grounds, but largely because, as he claimed, the Methodist Episcopal church recognized no articles of religion or theological standards. The result of this demurrer was the amendment of the charges and specifications filed. After they had been elaborated and defined, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Seven witnesses were examined, viz.: Aaron Gurey, D. D. ; George B. Armstrong, city editor of the Inter Ocean; Rev. J. M. Caldwell and Rev. Dr.N. N. Parkhurst.Sophia A. Phelps, Francis W. Benjamin and Mrs. Manila E. Garedd. Some extracts from the sermons of Dr. Thomas were read to the jury. Arguments were made on both sides, Dr

Axtell and Eev. Mr. Parkhurst speaking on behalf of the prosecution, and Kev. Dr. Miller, of Iowa, in defense of the accused. The jury sustained all the charges and specifications, by a varying vote upon each. The sentence pronounced upon the defendant by the presiding elder was that Dr. Thomas be "suspended from the ministry and church privileges of the Methodist Episcopal church until the ensuing annual conference." The case was considered by the last mentioned body, which met at Sycamore on Oct. 5, 1882, and Dr. Thomas was expelled, not only from the ministry of the church, but also from membership therein. The verdict and sentence were chiefly based upon the fact that, in the judgment of the conference, the defendant had denied the inspiration of the scriptures.

The trial, with its result, attracted much attention from both the secular and religious press all through the West, the former treating the matter as an item of sensational news.

In this connection, the following editorial which appeared in the Northwestern Christian Advocate, the organ of the Methodist church in the Northwest, in the issue of December 7, 1881, is worthy of being quoted. The concluding paragraphs of the article in question were as follows:

Now that the struggle is past, we say, cordially, that Dr. Thomas is in a position (we wish it had been voluntary on his part) where a Methodist can, without embarassment, give him all kindness and brotherly love. He can think, say, write and urge all that is nearest his heart, without a word of Methodist criticism as to himself personally. He is now in the ranks of, or near to, those from whom Methodists can receive criticism and antagonism without flinching. We congratulate the non-Methodist public in having a preacher who is far more evangelical than the average of independent teachers. He has brains and reading and attractiveness. We sincerely hope and pray he may have thousands of disciples and converts, and that he may live many years and do a hundred times more good than he ever hoped to do. The world needs earnest teaching, and we shall be glad to know that the People's church is gathering heavy sheaves.

was encouraged to continue ministerial labor in an independent field. A new society was formed, over which no ecclesiastical body had jurisdiction, and the distinguished pulpit orator was placed at its head as pastor. Following the lines upon which the movement had been conceived, the congregation deemed it expedient to erect no church edifice, but to hold services in some central locality, and in a building to which men of all shades of thought as well as those of no religious convictions whatever were accustomed to resort. Hooley's theatre was the first house selected, but for various reasons it was deemed wise to remove to McVicker's. Here Dr. Thomas holds an audience of some 1,800 Sunday after Sunday. Dogmatic theology is never preached, but the doctrine of the brotherhood of man is always brought into prominence, and the " enthusiasm of humanity" has supplanted an implicit belief in Divine inspiration.

The Ladies' Social Circle does a large amount of work in the cause of practical charity, their labors being no less effective because unostentatious, while the social side of religious life - the universal brotherhood which leads up to the integrity of the whole - is developed by such organizations as the Young People's Social Club and a literary and social club.

Other independent churches in Chicago (1893) were: The Chicago Avenue Church, other indepen- Rev. T. B. Hyde, pastor; dent churches. Centra]) Rev. David Swing;

Jewish Congregations

The first considerable number of Israelites came to Cook county in 1843. This im- Jewish migration was under the aussettiera. pices of the Jewish Colonization young, enthusiastic gentlemen of the Hebrew faith. The society sent a Mr. Meyer west to select a location where the colony might settle. After examining different parts of the western country, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in what was then known as Shaumbury, Cook county. Mr. Meyer reported to the society, and on the receipt of his report a majority of its members came to Chicago, meeting Mr. Meyer here and learning from him more fully the nature of his plans. After numerous consultations, is was discovered that many of the Jews were averse to the plans Mr. Meyer had pre-arranged and consequently the colonists did not settle in a body, but scattered in various directions. In one respect, however, the original plan was carried out, namely, in reference to agriculture. Some purchased farms partly improved, others settled upon Government lands, and still others in villages, and connected agriculture with commercial pursuits. Few Jews came to Chicago previous to the completion of the Illinois and Michigan canal and of the Galena and Chicago railroad to Elgin in 1849, at which time Chicago, becoming a centre of trade, attracted Jewish families in large numbers. Previous to this influx of Hebrews there had been very few Israelites residing in Chicago, among them being Benedict Schubert.

Among the earliest of those who now began to flock into Chicago were L. Eosenfield, Jacob Eosenberg, the Kohn Brothers, Samuel Cole, Mayer Klein, M. M. Gertsley, the Rubel brothers, the Greenebaum brothers, and Messrs. Brunnerman,Clayburgh, Weineman, Weigselbaum,.Zeigler and others. The Jews even at this time, although few in number, had already taken steps to organize a religious society. The first important action taken by them in this direction was the purchase from the city, in 1843, of cemetery grounds. This old Jewish graveyard was within the present limits of Lincoln Park. In 1856, the city limits having been extended so as to include it, it was abandoned as a place of burial.

Soon after acquiring this property the association was organized into a regular congregation, and in 1848 it was chartered under the name " Kehilath Anshe Maarev," Congregation of the Men of the West. The congregation at first held religious services in the upper story of a frame building on the southwest corner of Lake and Wells streets. In 1849 they erected a synagogue on Clark street, between Quincy and Adams streets, on a leased lot. At the expiration of the lease they bought a site on the northeast corner of Adams and Wells streets, upon which they erected a second synagogue. This was in 1848. Here they remained until 1863, when, the house becoming too small, they sold the property and bought a church on the corner of Wabash avenue and Peck court. In this church they worshiped until it was destroyed by the great fire of 1871.

The first rabbi of this congregation was Rev. Ignatz Kunreuter, who entered upon his duties in 1849. He was followed in turn by Revs. Godfrey Snydacker, G. M. Cohen, L. Lobrecht, L. Levi, M. Mauser, M. Moses, Liebman Adler and I. S. Moses, the latter being the present rabbi.

In 1890, it was determined to locate the temple at a point more centrally located as regarded the homes of the congregation, and an imposing edifice was erected at the southeast corner of Indiana avenue and Twentythird street. The building is the largest Jewish place of worship in the city, and is one of the handsomest structures for religious purposes in Chicago. The basement, which is of the Romanesque style of architecture, contains the various auxiliary rooms of the congregation. The auditorium proper is situated above, and is of the same dimensions as the entire building. All the woodwork of the temple is of antique oak, and the prevailing motive of the decoration is Moorish. The ceiling of the audience room is semicylindrical in form and rises to a lofty height. Around three sides runs a spacious gallery, with seats rising as in an amphitheatre.

up the congregation, the average attendance upon service being some five hundred souls- The attendance upon the Sunday school (which is held every Sabbath) is about three hundred. Connected with the temple is the South Side Ladies' Sewing Society, which does much effective work among the poor.

In July, 18(54, a number of leading Jewish residents on the west side, realizing the necessity for better facilities for Judaic worship in that section of the city, organized the Zion congregation. The same year public services were held in a building on Desplaines street, between Madison and Washington. From there a removal was made to the corner of Jackson and Sangamon streets, and later to Washington boulevard and Ogden avenue, where the present structure stands. During its twenty-eight years of existence, three rabbis have acted as pastors, as follows: From 1864 to 1884, Rev. B. Felsenthal was in sole charge; with him was associated - from 1884 to 1886 - Rev. Max Heller. In 1887 Rabbi Felsenthal was pensioned, being succeeded by Rabbi JosepluStolz, who has acted as pastor down to the present time, 1893. The congregation embraces two hundred families, and is in a flourishing condition. About two hundred and fifty children receive instruction in the Sabbath schools. In the practical benevolent work of the congregation three well-organized societies assist, as follows: the West Side Ladies' Sewing Society, the Zion Personal Service Society, and the Young Girls' Sewing Society. There is also a Young People's Society for the study of the Bible, the character of which is more distinctively religious. The main entrance and vestibule of the temple are on the western side. The building is of brick and terra cotta, simple, yet massive, and the interior impressively beautiful

Methodism

The history of Methodism in Chicago dates from 1826. In the spring of that year Rev. Eany Methodist Jesse . Walker, who was then Missions. superintendent of the Fox River Methodist mission, came to Chicago from Peoria by water, for the purpose of conducting religious services. It appears that he remained in the settlement for some time, but no record of the character of the meetings which he conducted has come down to the present time. His friend and colleague, Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, in describing the trip from Peoria, says, "he had all hands on board cease work until^they could attend prayers, and all joined in singing, and then a fervent prayer was offered up in their behalf, asking the protection of the Divine providence throughout the day."

Rev. Isaac Scarritt succeeded Rev. Mr. Walker in the superintendency of the mission in 1828. The description of his first visit to Chicago, in midsummer of that year,- is of interest. The following is an extract from a letter written by him to Mr. Beggs: "Planned a trip to Chicago, distant some seventy or eighty miles. The next evening we entered Chicago, which, in addition to the buildings constituting Fort Dearborn, contained the old Kinzie house, a new house of Colonel Hamilton's, with perhaps one or two others in that quarter, and those of J. Kinzie and

J. Miller up at the Point. The latter two gentlemen seemed to be on a strife with each other which should excel in honor of popularity, whereby to promote their individual interests. I took up my residence at Miller's, who, with laudable generosity, undertook to administer to my comfort and further my views. The next day was the Sabbath, and I sent word to the lieutenant that if it were his wish the superintendent of the Indian mission would preach to the soldiers and others, at such place and hour as he might appoint. Answer was returned that he should not forbid the preaching, but that he should neither authorize nor make any arrangement for it. Not to be outdone by the honorable lieutenant on the point of independence, I declined going to the garrison under such circumstances, and made an appoinment for preaching at Miller's at night. Most of the citizens and some of the soldiers were present, and gave respectful attention; but in the matter of congregation we received rather more than we bargained for. During religious service a gang of boatmen, with their vociferous 'yo-hes' commenced landing and rolling up barrels, etc., near the door. TJjis was a trick of Kinzie's, so Miller said, out of spite to him for having the honor of entertaining the missionary, and for the agency he took in promoting the religion of the place."

At the time, the whole territory of Illinois was comprised in one conference, which was divided into districts, the number of which was increased in 1830 by the creation of the "Chicago Mission District." Rev. Mr. Walker was appointed its superintendent in the autumn of the same year, but does not appear to have re-visited Chicago until the following June. In that month, accompanied by Eev. Mr. Beggs, he started on horse-back from his home at Plainfield for the young settlement, distant about 40 miles. Of the success which attended this visit, Mr. Beggs thus writes: garrison, in old Dr. Harmon's room. After the sermon was over, he gave it out that I was to preach again next morning at nine o'clock, and, this was the beginning of a happy time here. I opened the door for the reception, and I think ten joined the church."

The two sermons referred to in the foregoing extract were the first ever preached by regularly ordained Methodist clergymen in Chicago, of which any record has come down to modern times, with the exception of that delivered by Rev. Mr. Scarritt, already mentioned. The first was delivered on the evening of the 15th and the other on the morning of the 16th of June, 1831. Among the ten members who composed the first Methodist society organized here were Rev. William See and wife, Elijah Wentworth, Jr., his mother and two sisters, and Mrs. Dr. Elijah D. Harmon. Mr. See, although a regularly ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, was by trade a blacksmith and one of the pioneers in the iron industry of Chicago, as is mentioned elsewhere. He officiated from time to time, as occasion required, although he cannot be said to have been, in any sense, the pastor of the infant society. In the fall of 1831, however, the mission was formally placed in charge of Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, by the bishop, R. R. Roberts, at the request of the Rev. Mr. Walker,who found it impossible to visit the village more frequently than a few times a year, owing to the length of his circuit, which extended from Chicago toPeoria.

Mr. Beggs came to his field of labor in the autumn of 1831, and held regular services at the fort, there being no house of worship erected. The following January (1832), the first quarterly meeting was held. To meet the temporal necessities of those attending, supplies were brought forty miles (from Plaiufield) in an ox cart driven by T. B. Clark. The meeting was pronounced a successful one by Mr. Beggs, who was much encouraged by its results.

lage. The society grew as rapidly as was to be expected in a settlement made up chiefly of soldiers, traders and half-breeds; a rather fallow ground on which to sow the seed of piety.

Mr. Beggs did not remain here more than a year, being succeeded as superintendent of the Chicago mission by Rev. Jesse Walker in 1832. Owing to his venerable age, as well as the esteem in which he was held by the settlers, Mr. Walker was known by the sobriquet of "Father." On arriving at Chicago, he established himself in a log building, which soon came to be known as " Father Walker's log cabin." It was located at the junction of the north and south branches of the river, near what is now the corner of Kinzie and Canal streets. Mr. Walker used the building not only as a church, but also as a residence.

Another quarterly meeting was held in the fall of 1832. Among those then present, besides Mr. Walker, were Rev. John Sinclair, presiding elder, Rev. William See, local elder, Henry Whitehead, Charles Wisencraf t, Mrs. R. J. Hamilton and Mrs. Harmon. Mr. Whitehead was licensed to preach at this meeting, thus receiving the distinction of being the first Methodist preacher ever licensed in Chicago.

In 1834 advance in age had so far told upon Father Walker that he was unable longer to discharge the ordinary duties of his position and he died in 1835.

In addition to the regular church services held at this time, there was also conducted a series of prayer meetings at the house of Mark Noble, Sr., which were conducted by those who had no taste for the weekly dances given at the fort. Mr. Noble was the principal speaker at these meetings, and was assisted in conducting them by his wife and two daughters, as well as Mrs. R. J. Hamilton. The lady last , mentioned was a woman of great intelligence and devoted piety, and proved a most valuable auxiliary in making these assemblages a success.

organized on August 19, 1832, by Luther Childs, assisted by Mrs. Seth Johnson, Mrs. Charles Taylor, the Misses Noble and Philo Carpenter. The first sessions of this school were held in a small frame building, erected by Mark Beaubien, near Mr. Noble's house. When the school was first opened the house in which it was held had neither doors nor windows, and was very imperfectly roofed. Later it assembled at the house of Rufus Brown, within the stockade of the fort, and was afterwards held at Father Walker's cabin, and subsequently in a room over the store of P. F. W. Peck. The library consisted of about twenty volumes, of a size so small that it was said that the librarian, John S. Wright, was accustomed to carry them from his house to the place of meeting in his pocket handkerchief. Two visitors to the settlement from New York - Charles Butler and Arthur Bronson - were so moved with commiseration at the sight of this apology for a library, that on their return home they sent on a donation of two hundred volumes.

Methodism found a congenial soil in the earnest character of the hardy settlers around Fort Dearborn, and the original mission church found its membership rapidly growing within the first twelve months after its establishment. Services were held at more or less irregular times and at various places, the favorite localities being Billy Caldwell's log council-house, Chester Ingersoll's tavern and Walker's school-house.

It must have been a cause for genuine gratification to Father Walker to see a movemeat inaugurated for the erection of a permanent place of worship. The first church building of this denomination in Chicago was put up in 1834. It was of modest proportions - forty-six by thirty-eight feet - and was located at the corner of North Water and Kinzie streets. Mr. Walker had the satisfaction of preaching in this edifice until toward the beginning of 1835, when he became superannuated having been previously compelled to abandon the pastorate of the

He was succeeded by Eev. J. T. Mitchell, under whose guidance the church made satisfactory progress in the matter of accessions to its membership. Mr. Mitchell attained a deserved reputation for executive ability, which was especially manifested in his skill as an organizer. To his devoted and untiring efforts may be traced, in no small degree, the success of the Methodist denomination in early Chicago. The congregation to which he ministered had so far grown in numbers and in financial independence by 1836, that in that year it was struck off the list of Methodist mission stations and became an independent and self-sustaining body.

The financial stringency of the money market, resulting from the panic of 1837, exerted a somewhat disastrous influence upon the recently formed church organization. Some of the wealthy members suffered a severe loss of worldly goods, while others found it difficult to reconcile their faith in God with the pecuniary misfortune which had overtaken them. In consequence, the number of those who took an active interest in the welfare of the body materially fell off; and not until the arrival of the Eev. Peter E. Borein, who became pastor in 1837, at the command of the conference, did there occur a practical revival of religious interest on the part of Chicago Methodists. The awakening, however, was deep and widespread, until three hundred were received into the church upon their profession of faith. Eevival services were held during the winter of 1838-39, and at their conclusion the number of those brought within the Methodist fold equaled ten per cent, of the entire population of the infant city. Shortly after the conclusion of the revival, Mr. Borein was summoned to his reward. His successor was Eev. S. H. Stocking, who became pastor in 1839.

In 1853 the society moved to Jefferson street, and there did effective work under the cognomen of the "Jefferson street church" until 1866, when a more eligible situation on Monroe street, near Morgan, was secured, and steps taken to secure the erection of the present commodious edifice. As it was the centennial year of American Methodism, the society took the name of the Centenary Church. The lecture room of the new building was opened on February 17, 1867, and the whole structure was dedicated to the service of Almighty God on March 15, 1868.

The church building has a front of rough, yellow stone, into which open three portals. Two large buttresses, terminating in cones, border the front. There are two stories, the lower being devoted to Sunday school and auxiliary rooms and the upper to the auditorium. The architecture of the interior, while presenting salient features of various schools, is pleasing. Light is admitted through fourteen stained glass windows, and the organ (placed behind a Tuder arch) is directly in the rear of the choir loft.

thirteen hundred and the ordinary congregation is about one thousand. Dr. Bolton recognizes the value of the Sabbath school as a powerful agency in church work, and under his careful supervision and active efforts the attendance averages seven hundred and fifty.

Numerous organizations for benevolent and spiritual work hold up the hands of the pastor, among them being the following: The Woman's Foreign Missionary society, the Sunday School Missionary society, the Ladies' Aid society, the Ep worth League, the King's Sons and King's Daughters, the Calvary Cadets and the Junior Cadets.

The influence of Grace Methodist church is far-reaching, not only in Chicago but also all Grace Methodist the Northwest and, Episcopal Church, indeed, throughout the country at large. Its pulpit has been filled by some of the most learned divines and some of the most eloquent pulpit orators which American Methodism has produced. It can boast of being one of the earliest of this denomination founded in the city, having been organized in 1S47. A frame church building 36x45 feet was erected the same year on the south side of Indiana street, between Clark and Dearborn, at a cost of about $1,200. In 1863 a new house of worship was built at the corner of Chicago and La Salle avenues (where Moody's church now stands), and in 1871-2 the congregation had so grown that a new building had become an imperative necessity. Accordingly, a new site was purchased, at the intersection of La Salle avenue and Locust street, and the present magnificent temple erected thereon. The walls are of Illinois limestone, rough-hewn. The style of architecture is Gothic. The main entrance is on LaSalle avenue, and is surmounted by a pointed arch, supported by columus of sandstone. Toward the apex of the arch is a Gothic window, below which is a rich rosette. Two other rosettes and two lancet windows admit light to the vestibule and gallery. The windows of the audience room are of stained glass, with simple designs. The ceiling is painted in light blue and supported by rafters. The choir loft (back of which is the organ) is at the rear of the pulpit, and its decorations harmonize well with those of the general interior. A gallery runs around three sides of the auditorium. The Sunday school room is in the basement.

The congregation approximates twelve hundred, and the church membership is about half that number. The Sunday school enrollment exceeds eight hundred.

The extraordinary growth and remarkable existing prosperity of the church may be attributed, largely, to the faithful work of the pastors, the foregoing list of which embraces many eminent names. The present (1893) pastor, Dr. Richard S. Martin, has attained distinction not only as a clergyman, but also as an author. Some of Dr. Martin's works are as follows: "Thoughts from a Golden Pen," "Martin's Memorial Record," " Crumbs of Comfort for Suffering Souls," "Sunshine on Shadowed Lives," and "Children of the Clergy."

The official board of the church is composed of men prominently identified with the social and business life of the city, among them being James B. Hobbs, William H. Bush, John Worthy, W. F. Cochrau, Alex. H. Revell and Dr. N. S. Davis.

many missions, several of which have developed into independent congregations, notably Wesley, Elsmere, and Christ churches. The benevolence of the members has always assumed a practical, tangible form, some five thousand dollars having been contributed to charitable purposes during 1893. Identified with church work are various organizations, some of which are local in character while others are branches of societies and institutions of a more general description. Among them may be mentioned the Deaconesses' Home, the Young Ladies' Missionary society, the Ladies' Aid society, the Wesley Hospital, and the Epworth League.

was pastor for one year. Eev. J. S. Bayliss succeeded him, first as supply and afterward (from 1865 to 1870) as pastor. Subsequent pastors, with the dates of their appointments, have been: Revs. H. W. Thomas, 1870; W. H. Daniels, 1873; S. McChesney, 1875; T. R. Stobridge, 1878; S. M: Davis, 1881; William Fawcett, 1885, and W. W. Painter, 1890. Two houses of worship have been erected by the congregation, both upon the same site, at the corner of Park avenue and Robey street. The present handsome edifice succeeded the original building in 1889-90. Its walls are of rough, reddish-gray stone, and those of the transept are flanked by tall buttresses. The front is adorned by two steeples. The two main entrances, one in each tower, are surmounted by arches supported by massive columns. The interior decoration is quiet, but in warm colors. The ceiling is of light wood, supported by rafters, and the seats are arranged in a semi-circle. The light and ventilation are both admirable. The present church membership is four hundred and the average congregation three hundred and fifty, while the Sunday school enrollment is about two hundred and twenty-five. The following societies for benevolent and church work are connected with the Park Avenue church: the Ladies' Aid society, the Woman's Foreign Missionary society, the King's Daughters, and the Epworth League (both senior and junior.) This society was formed in 1869, and its first house of worship erected on Indiana

Methodist Church. growth of the church have arisen increasing needs for larger facilities. The year 1870 witnessed the completion of a new edifice on Michigan avenue, and six years later (1876) the present structure - at the corner of South Park avenue and Thirtythird street - was built. Its architecture presents a blending of the Norman and Romanesque schools. The main facade, of square stone, is on South Park avenue, and at the corner of the building rises a graceful steeple. The sides are pierced by ten semicircular windows of stained glass, separated by buttresses rising to the roof. A square pyramidal pinnacle surmounts the tower. The seating capacity of the edifice is fifteen hundred, exclusive of the gallery. The woodwork of the audience chamber is of oak and California cedar, and the walls of a light terra-cotta shade, simply decorated.

The church membership (1893) is five hundred and fifty-six, and the average congregation is five hundred, while the numerical attendance upon the Sabbath school exceeds three hundred. The congregation supports several flourishing societies, among them the Ladies' Aid society and branches of the King's Daughters, the Epwortli League, the Junior League and the Epworth Guards.

Church. Lathrop. The first building for Divine worship erected by the congregation was dedicated on August 6, 1871, and located at the corner of Langley avenue and Thirty-ninth street. The first regular pastor was Rev. Dr. C. E. Mandeville, who assumed the duties of that sacred office on May 1, 1869, and faithfully discharged them until October, 1871. During the twentyfour years following similar duties have been rendered with like fidelity by the clergymen named below: Rev. C. G. Truesdell, D. D., from October 18, 1871 (almost within the shadow of Chicago'sgreatcalamity),to October 1,1872, when his identification with the Chicago Relief and Aid Society necessitated his withdrawal from active pastoral work; Rev. J. P. Yates, October, 1872, to October 1, 1873; Rev. Lewis Meredith, from October 1, 1873, to October 1, 1875; Rev. W. C. Willing, D. D., 1875-77; Rev. T. C. Clendenning, 1877-80; Rev. R. M. Hatfield, D. D., 1880- 82; Rev. J. W. Richards, 188i-8b, Rev. A. 0. George, D. D., 1883-85; Rev. H. W. Bennett, D. D., from April 1, 1885, to December 1, 1885; Rev. J. M. Caldwell, D. D., from December 1, 1885, to October ], 1890; Rev. P. H. Swift, Ph. D., since the last mentioned date. It was during the pastorate of Dr. Caldwell, on November 80, 1887, that the present commodious and handsome house of worship was dedicated. It is built of rough, grey sandstone in the Romanesque style. In the center of the facade rises the steeple, in the form of a campanile, projecting a little from the front, and having a semicircular frontal as far as the second story. Above this are long, narrow windows, and at the top is an open belfry, with semicircular louvre windows and a stone balustrade, terminating in a quadrangular pyraiitl; the ground plan is in the form of a cross. On each side of the nave is a large, rched window of richly stained glass. The interior of the auditorium is simply decorated. It is quadrangular in form, and the pews, wainscoting, etc., are of light wood.

The church membership (1893) is 964, and the congregation is very large. The Sunday school enrollment is 700. The church is among the foremost in charitable and all other good works. The Ladies' Aid Society supports a bed in Wesley Hospital, the Ep worth League, through its "mercy and help department," does much for practical charity; the Woman's Home Missionary Society works nobly toward supporting a Bohemian mission in the west division, and the Deaconess' Aid secures some five hundred dollars annually for the support of that order.

Oakland church at present conducts no mission, but it has founded and fostered not less than three, which have developed into independent, self-sustaining congregations, known as the Hyde Park, the Kenwood and the Washington Park Methodist Episcopal churches.

avenue. Its present membership is two hundred and the average congregation about two hundred and fifty. Some two hundred children and young people receive instruction in the Sunday school. The congregation still worships in its original house, around which cluster many sacred memories. The following is a list of pastors, with the dates on which their respective pastorates began: Rev. Peter Hinners, 1868; Rev. George L. Mienfinger, 1872; Rev. Friederich Rinder, 1874; Rev. Henry Wegner, 1877; Rev. Jacob Bletsch, 1879; Rev. John J. Keller, 1880; Rev. John Schnell, 1882; Rev. Richard Fickinscher, 1883; Rev. Charles Weinreich, 1884; Rev. Jacob Berger, 1887; Rev. Ernst Fritzner, 1890; Rev. Bernhard Becker, 1892.

The Simpson Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1887, and erected its first Simpson Methodist b"iW>ng - at the corner of Episcopal Church. La Salle and Fifty-ninth streets - in 1888. The house failed to meet the needs of the congregation, and in 1891 the church purchased, from the Reformed Episcopalian?, a structure at No. 333 Englewood avenue. The first pastor was Eev. A. E. Craig; he was followed by Revs. F. A. Hardin, in 1888, J. N. Hall, 1889, Thomas Wisterdale, 1890 aud W. R. Goodwin, D.D., in 1891. Dr. Goodwin still remains pastor in 1893. The church, while not one of the largest, is one of the most zealous in the Methodist communion. The congregation approximates two hundred and fifty, and the active membership is nearly as large, while the number of Sunday school pupils exceeds one hundred and sixty. The Ladies' Aid Society and the Woman's Missionary Society are among the efficient organizations formed to aid church work, and flourishing branches of the Ep worth League and the King's Daughters stimulate spiritual and benevolent work among the young people of the parish.

The Bethany (or First Welsh) Methodist Episcopal church is young in years, is earn- First Welsh est and growing. It was Methodist church, organized November 7,1887, and the first pastor was Rev. Lewis Meredith, who entered upon his duties on the twentieth of the same month. He was succeeded in October, 1890, by Rev. Ellis Roberts. The church edifice is located at the northeast corner of Jackson boulevard and Francisco street. The average congregation is about one hundred and thirty and the church membership seventy. In common with the other Welsh churches of the city, the congregation of Bethany works in unison with the St. David's Benevolent Society. The church work proper is aided by a Ladies' Aid Society and a Temperance Society.

Norwegian and Danish - First, Rev. Fred Wing, pastor; Immanuel, Rev. A. 0. Wiersen pastor; Moreland, Rev. H. P. Nelson, pastor; Park Side, Rev. A. Anderson, pastor; Trinity, Rev. 0. L. Hansen, pastor.

The first regular clergyman of this denomination came to Fort Dearborn in 1833. Rev. Jeremiah Porter had been appointed chaplain of the garrison at Fort Brady in the autumn of 1831. His ministration among the troops had resulted in the development of a strong religious feeling in the garrison, and when, in the spring of 1833, the troops were transferred to Fort Dearborn, a number of the soldiers requested Mr. Porter to accompany them as chaplain. At that time there was a Baptist mission at the Sault Ste. Marie, and the departure of Mr. Porter would not have left the settlers without some one to attend to their spiritual necessities. He had been requested by the Home Mission Society, of Boston, to explore the shores of Lake Michigan, with a view to the selection of localities in which missions might be founded with a reasonable hope of success. With a view to the fulfillment of this commission, Mr. Porter concluded to accede to the expressed wish of the soldiers, and to accompany them to Fort Dearborn. The force was commanded by Major Fowle, and the vessel carrying the men arrived at the post on Sunday, May 12, 1833. The roughness of the weather rendered disembarkation perilous, if not impossible.

The commandant at Fort Dearborn, prior to the arrival of Major Fowle, was Captain Seth Johnson, who had been prominently identified with the religious work at the post since he had assumed control. The religious element of the community greatly deplored his removal, fearing that his successor might be a man destitute of all religious convictions. Subsequent events proved their fears to have been groundless.

On the day following the anchorage of the vessel off the fort - Monday, the 13th - the lake was sufficiently smooth to permit the landing of the troops. The surprise of the religious portion of the community was exceeded only by the gratification of finding that Major Fowle was not only a professed Christian, but also an active church worker. One of the citizens who was recognized as a leader in all enterprises was John Wright. He was one of the first who welcomed Rev. Mr. Porter, to whom he extended the most cordial of greetings. Mr. Porter, speaking of his reception in his diary, rays that Mr. Wright spoke as follows: darkest day I ever saw. Captain Johnson, who aided in our meetings, was to leave us, and I was almost alone. I have been- talking about and writing for a minister for months in vain, mid yesterday as we prayed with the Christians about to leave us, I was almost ready to despair, as I feared the troops coming in would all be utterly careless about religion. The fact that yon and a little church were, at the hour of our meeting, riding at anchor within gunshot of the fort, is like the bursting out of the sun from behind the darkest clouds."

Through the sympathetic support of Major Fowle, the carpenter shop within the stockade was set apart for the holding of religious services, and on the following Sunday morning, May 19, 1833, the first sermon ever delivered in Chicago by a Presbyterian clergyman was preached by Rev. Jeremiah Porter, who chose for his text the passage from the gospel according to St. John, fifteenth chapter and third verse: ''Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be called my disciples."

In referring to his first Sunday at Fort Dearborn, Mr. Porter wrote in his diary, expressing much pain at witnessing a desecration of the Sabbath, which was of a sort that might probably be seen in Chicago on almost any Sunday in those days. He says:

"The first dreadful spectacle that met my eyes on going to church was a group of Indians, sitting on the ground before a miserable French dram-house, playing cards, and as many trifling white men standing around to witness the game."

On the afternoon of that same Sunday, "Father Walker", the presiding clergyman of the Chicago mission district of the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, invited Mr. Porter to preach at the log school-house at Wolf's Point, one-half mile from Fort Dearborn. In reference to this meeting, the following extract is taken from Mr. Porter's diary: room to stand within the doors. I think I have not preached to such an audience before, only ac Mackinac, since I left Detroit. There seemed profound attention. Mr. Wright said his eyes filled with tears several times to see the happy influence of the Major and his fellow-officers on this community."

The day did not close, however, without the holding of a third service by Mr. Porter, which was also conducted at Father Walker's log cabin, of which Mr. Porter writes:

"At six o'clock I had a prayer meeting in the fort. After candle lighting I went to Father Walker's where he had given notice that a Methodist minister from New York would preach. Though it was late when I went in, I found no one but Mr. Walker, and he was grieving that he was disappointed in regard to his preacher, who, having an opportunity to go on to New York that afternoon, had embraced it, and left Mr. Walker to fill the appointment. If he had so little regard for the Sabbath, I think it is well he did not stay and preach. At length fifteen persons came in and Mr. Walker addressed them."

Meanwhile, Presbyterianism had taken a tolerably firm root in Galena, and on the following Sunday, May 2G, 1833, Rev. Mr. Kent, who had been called to Chicago on other than ecclesiastical business, occupied the pulpit of the inchoate Presbyterian church. Tradition has it that he selected for his text the passage of Scripture found in the eleventh chapter in the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews, verses 24-26.

Some of the citizens having expressed their objection to attending services inside the stockade, arrangements were consummated for holding meetings outside the fort. The first of these was held June 2d. Mr. Porter, however, was not willing to leave the religious element among the troops and families within the stockade without religious ministrations. " Father Walker ''displayed u truly Christian spirit in connection with this enterprise, as he had in reference to evenother matter pertaining to the spiritual wel.

fare of the settlement. He offered the use of his cabin at Wolf's Point for afternoon service to be conducted by Mr. Porter, at a nominal rent. The result was that services, with preaching, were conducted inside the enclosure of the fort at 10 a.m., while Presbyterian preaching to the citizens was fixed for the hour of 2 p.m., at "Father Walker's" log cabin. At 6 p. m., a prayer-meeting was held at the fort, and the Presbyterians and Methodists held services at "FatherWalker's" on alternate Sunday evenings at 7.30 p. m. At this period Mr. Porter conclusively showed that he was animated by the true spirit of his Master. That sectarianism was rife in the frontier settlement in those days is doubtful, yet the status in quo between the Presbyterians and Methodists was not satisfactory to the former. Accordingly, Mr. Porter, knowing the meagre resources of his congregation, voluntarily offered to surrender the small sum which had been promised him for his support, with a view to the appropriation of the same to the erection of a permanent Presbyterian place of worship, he being willing to depend for sustenance upon the scanty allowance granted him by the Home Mission society. His example was contagious, and the few members of the flock vied with each other in seconding his efforts. A meeting was held on the evening of June llth, at which the generous offer of Mr. Porter was accepted in the spirit in which it was made. This early pioneer of Presbyterianism in the West not only cherished an implicit faith in Calvinistic doctrine, but was also willing to "prove his faith by his works."

The first regular Presbyterian society was organized on June 26, 1833, with a membership of twenty-six. It does not appear that any new members were received upon profession of faith at that time. Of the twentysix, seventeen had been members of the church at Fort Brady and nine were already professed Presbyterians in the infant village. The Chicagoans who thus took the stand in behalf of the creed to which they subscribed were John Wright, Philo Carpenter, Rufus Brown, John S. Wright, J. H. Poor, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Mary Taylor, E. Clark and Mrs. Cynthia Brown. The chosen elders were Philo Carpenter, John Wright and Major Wilcox. Owing to the fact that the Protestant settlers had come chiefly from New England, the membership of this first Presbyterian organization was made up for the greater part of Congrecationalists. In fact, Philo Carpenter is said to have been the only one among the entire number who had been always a Presbyterian.

The first administration of the Lord's supper ever held in Chicago in a place of Presbyterian worship occurred on Sunday, June 7, 1833, at Father Walker's log cabin. Major Wilcox supplemented the lack of a communion service by furnishing a decanter and cups from his own silver service. The number of communicants was equal to the membership of the newly organized society. In this connection it is of interest to quote the following extract from the journal of the devoted pastor of the new church: ''Many witnessed the solemn scene, but a majority were females, as two vessels were unloading in the harbor, causing a wanton abuse of the holy day by many who sin against clear light and abuse Divine compassion and love."

The work of erecting a prominent place of worship was at last undertaken. The congregation purchased lot No. 1, Block 34, of the original town, at the corner of Lake and Clark streets. An attempt was made by some squatters to put up a store on the Lake street front of the property, but members of the church adopted the simple, yet effective, plan of hauling the structure off their premises by night with ox teams. The church building is believed to have been about thirty by forty feet, and its cost was $600. The builder was Joseph Meeker, but nearly all the male members of the congregation took part in its erection, each one doing what he could. The people were not rich in this world's goods, but they worked with willing hands, being actuated by a desire, not only to have a permanent church building, but also that it should be free from debt when it was completed. Some put the timbers in position, others worked with saws and hammers, and one turned the lathe to prepare the columns that adorned the pulpit. It was completed during the late fall or early winter months of 1833, and dedicated January 4, 1834. Notwithstanding the extreme severity of the weather, the mercury being twenty-four degrees below zero, a respectable audience assembled to participate in or witness the dedicatory services. The prayer of consecration was offered by Rev.. A. B. Freeman, of the Baptist church, then recently organized, and the sermon was delivered by the pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Porter, from the text (Psalm Ixxxiv, 3): "Yea the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, 0 Lord of hosts, my King and my God ."

The growth of Presbyterianism was slow, but - like that of the mustard seed - ultimately developed an expansion well calculated to gladden the hearts of its followers. Following the First came the Second Presbyterian church, which was organized in 1842. Another congregation was formed, known as the Third Presbyterian church, in 1847; the Westminister Church, which was confederated with the new school branch of the Presbyterian church, came into existence in 1855. The subsequent growth of the denomination is best illustrated by the history of the individual congregations, which is recited at as great length as the limits of the chapter will permit.

By 1842, the First Presbyterian church found its edifice over-crowded, notwithstand- Second Presbyterian ing the fact that many members of the congregation had moved toward the southern part of the city. A new field for work was being rapidly developed, and accordingly, on June 1, 1842, twenty-six members of the First church met in the old First Baptist meeting house, on the corner now occupied by the Chamber of Commerce building. An organization was effected, and five days later, in the third story of the " Saloon Building," which stood at the southeast corner of Clark and Lake streets, the Rev. Robert W. Paterson, a young minister from Cincinnati, who had been connected with the First church, preached the opening sermon.

The "Saloon Building," however, did not serve the purpose that its name would seem to imply. It was a public hall for the purpose of town meetings and debates, and, although it was only a wooden structure, was considered the finest town hall west of Buffalo. J. B. F. Russell built it in 1836, and Stephen A. Douglass made it the scene of his first debate with John T. Stuart, during the congressional campaign of 1838.

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Carter, Capt. and Mrs. Seth Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. John High, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hooker, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Starkweather, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Williams, Mrs. A. N. Fullerton, Mrs. Sarah Gage, Mrs. Ann E. Webster, Mrs. John Wright, Miss Frances S. Wright, George W. Dole, George W. Merrill, Flavel Moseley, Sylvester Willard, M. D.;John S.Wright, and the Rev. Robert W. Patterson.

On Sunday, June 19, 1892, the Second church celebrated its semi-centennial, on The church's wnicn occasion few of the orig- Eariy History. jnai members were present. Among them was Mr. Thomas B. Carter, who with Mrs. Anna E. Webster held the distinction of becoming the oldest living charter members. Recalling his connections with the church, which began fifty years ago, Mr. Carter said: