Buchanan County, Missouri - Chapter 7: Churches of St. Joseph, 1881

Chapter 7: Churches of St. Joseph

In 1838, a wandering Jesuit priest visited the obscure and lonely trading post at Blacksnake Hills. Here, in the rude log house of Joseph Robidoux, a primitive altar was extemporized from a common table, and, in the presence of the wondering red man and the scarcely less uncultivated pioneer, was celebrated the sacrifice o-f the mass. This was the small beginning of the march of Christianity in our midst.

In 1840, another transient priest made his appearance at the settlement, who elicited no small degree of comment, from the singular mark of a cross on the back of his coat. This was the Rev. Father VogeL On the 17th of June, 1847, the foundation of the brick church on the corner of Felix and Fifth Streets was laid. Services were held in this building before its completion, and in the same year, in September, the house was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Kendrick, of St. Louis. In 1848, the two-story vestry was erected (brick) and in 1853 an addition of twenty-two and a half feet was made to the church. The lot was donated by Joseph Robidoux.

At the organization of the church there were about twenty families, two of which were Irish and the balance Canadian French. In 1847, there were about three hundred members. The first permanent pastor in the church was Rev. Thomas Scanlan, who began his labors in 1847. His first service was in a frame building, belonging to Mr. Robidoux, on Jule Street, beyond the Blacksnake. He was succeeded by the Rev. D. F. Healy. Rev. Francis Russie succeeded Father Healy, and he, in turn, was succeeded by the Rev. S. A. Grugan.

In 1859, the Rev. James Power assumed the duties of assistant minister, which position he filled until the removal of Father Scanlan, in i860. In i860. Rev. John Hennessey took charge of the pulpit, and continued the charge of the same till 1866, when he was promoted to the See of Dubuque. His successor in St. Joseph was the Rev. James Power. The house of worship was abandoned in 1871, and used for a while thereafter as a court house. In 1868, St. Joseph was erected into a diocese, -and the Rt. Rev, John Hogan was constituted Bishop of St Joseph.

The cathedral building on Tenth Street, near Robidoux, is 88x166 feet. The principal material used in its construction is brick. It is of plainest Corinthian style, but substantial and chaste in appearance, costing about $70,000.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, on the corner of Tenth and Angelique Streets, was completed in 1868, costing $10,000. It is a gothic brick building and has a fine appearance.

On Twelfth Street, near Monterey, in South St. Joseph, is the elegant ecclesiastical structure of St. Patrick's Church. This is a handsome brick building of the Romanesque order, faced with cut stone. It was finished at a cost of $20,000. In 1873, the Rev. Eugene Kenny had charge of the church as pastor.

Of the German Church of the Immaculate Conception, Very Rev. Charles Linenkamp was pastor in charge during the above mentioned period, and Rev. Eugene Kenny filled the pastorate of St. Patrick's Church.

The report of January 1877, shows that Rt. Rev. John J. Hogan, Bishop, was assisted during the previous year at the Cathedral, by Rev. C. Kearful, Rev. M. Milay and Rev. James Herbert. No change reported in the ministry of the other Roman Catholic Churches during that period.

January i, 1878. No change in the ministry of the Roman Catholic churches for this year. A bell and a belfry was added to the Cathedral at a cost of $2,500. There was also reported St. Roch's Church,, a wooden building, in the north part of the city, valued at $750, and used by the French Catholics. Rev. John Galvin, priest in charge.

Since the death of Rev. Eugene Kenny, which occurred about the close of 1879, Rev. Thos. Walsh has had charge of St. Patrick's Church. The succeeding year shows no change.

Church Of St. John, The Baptist

Erected by Mrs. Corby to the memory of her late husband, John Corby, of St. Joseph. This church is situated about two miles north of the city limits, near the road leading to Amazonia. This is, perhaps, the most elegant and complete structure of the kind in Missouri, while in point of beauty of design, solidity of construction, and tasteful affd artistic elegance of finish, it will compare favorably with any similar edifice on thecontinent. The principal material of which this rare specimen of architectural beauty is constructed is our native limestone. The facings and interior stone-work are of a superior sandstone, brought from Carroll County, Missouri.

The church is a gothic structure, built in the shape of a Latin cross, measuring in the clear eighty-four feet nine inches in length, and fortyeight feet nine inches across the transepts, and is capable of seating an audience of three hundred and fifty persons. The aisles are separated from the nave of the church, or rather, the limit of aisles is marked by rows of massive cast iron columns, painted in representation of stone, the only feature of the entire building that is not really what it appears to be. These pillars support the elaborately decorated. arches of the groined roof, which reflect with wonderfully beautiful effect the mellow light streaming through the variegated panes of the tall lancet windows by which the church is lighted. The pulpit, altar, font, etc., are all of massive sandstone. Even the mullions of the windows are of that solid material, while the window sashes are of iron. The aisles and chancel are paved with a beautiful variety of tesselated tiling of different colors, imported from the manufactory at Stoke-upon-Trent, in England. The doors, seats and light stairway leading to the organ loft, are the only features of the entire structure that are made of wood.

The building is absolutely incombustible. The sixteen windows by which the church is lighted are glazed with stained glass of very superior quality and beauty of design. The frescoing of tl^e groined arches is chaste and elaborate in design and reflects, in the execution, great credit on the artist. The walls of the aisles are decorated with full length paintings of the twelve apostles - six on each side. These are admirably executed, and all have the appearance of sculptures in alto relievo.

In the sacristy or vestry, north of the altar, are depicted on the walls, in the same style of art, two scenes from the life of Christ, viz.: the Women at the Sepulchre and the Ascension.

The external appearance of the bulling is solid and massive, and suggestive of the character of the ecclesiastical architecture of the old world. The roof is of slate. There is no steeple. Nor does this appear in the least a defect. On the summit of the east gable, at which is the front entrance, rises a small, but massive belfry, plain and in perfect keeping with the solid character of the edifice. On the northwest corner of the building, below a niche in the outer wall, on a plain tablet of sandstone, flanked by two columns in bas relief, appears the inscription, ''Erected to the Memory of John Corby, iSji" The cost of this structure, sometimes styled the Corby Memorial Church, was nearly fifty thousand dol-

New School Presbyterian Church

The churches of a city, reflect in some measure, the social and religious life of its inhabitants. St. Joseph is a church-going city, and all the prominent religious sects, find here their representatives and exponents.

In the year 1843, the first church was established in St. Joseph by the New School Presbyterians. In September of that year, the first sale of town lots was had. The Rev. T. S. Reeve, a minister attached to this church, was present at the sale, and about the same time preached the first Protestant sermon within the limits of the newly organized town, in a log house kept as a tavern by one Mr. Beattie on the corner of Main and Jule Streets, the site of the present Occidental Hotel. Once or twice during the winter of the same year, he preached at a grocery on Main Street, and other times in private houses.

During the spring of 1844, the building of the first church was commenced by the Rev. T. S. Reeve. It was a log building, twenty by thirty feet, near the corner of Third and Francis streets, on a lot owned by George Brubaker, and was finished during the winter 1844-45. The timber for- the church building, was donated by William Langston, who owned a tract of woodland near the town. Parson Reeve, attended by a number of assistants, shouldered his axe, led the way into the country, and with his own hands, assisted in cutting down the first tree.

for the building of the church. His wife did the cooking for the workmen during the progress of the building, the parson taking their dinners at the hour of noon.

On the iSth day of September, 1844, the following persons, at their own request, were, by the Rev. T. S. Reeve, the pioneer minister, organized into a Presbyterian Church, viz.:

Abraham Brubaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Brubaker, Mrs. Nancy McMunn, Mrs. Luna Postal, George A. Smith, George Brubaker, Miss Julia A. Brubaker, Mrs. Jane McMunn, Mrs. Jane E. Reeve, and Mrs. Harriet Castle.

On motion, it was resolved that the name of this church be styled the Presbyterian Church of St. Joseph. As to ecclesiastical connection, it was resolved that this church be under the care of the Lexington Presbyterian Church of the United States of America. The congregation then elected George Brubaker a ruling elder in the church, which office, Mr. Brubaker having been previously ordained, consented to assume.

The log church was first permanently occupied in the winter of 1844- 45. In the fall of the year 1844, the first Union Sabbath School was organized, and a committee of ladies sent out for the purpose of making collections for the school. Joseph Robidoux, the founder of the city, made the first donation of ten dollars in money for the school. This was the first time a subscription paper had ever been carried around, and it elicited some practical jokes from its novelty among those who subscribed, and who are now among the oldest citizens.

The log church was also occupied once a month by the Methodist denomination for some time, and twice a month, until their own church built in 1846. In August of that year, trustees were appointed, by the First Presbyterian Church, under the care of the Lexington Presbytery, in connection with the "Constitutional General Assembly of. the Presbyterian Church." During the same year, a building committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the erection of a new house of worship. Money was raised by subscription, and, in 1847, was the brick building on the northeast corner of Fourth and Francis streets, in dimensions fifty feet front by sixty feet. The first services were held in the church in the winter of 1849-50.

This building was used without interruption till the closing of the cTiurch and dispersion of the congregation in 1861, at the breaking dut of the civil waf-. It then passed through various hands, till it finally became, by purchase, the property of the German congregation, now occupying it.

As soon as the brick building was ready for occupancy, in the winter of 1848-49, the old log church, the first evecbuilt in St. Joseph, was sold to the First Missionary Baptist Society. When the New School Church was organized in 1843, it consisted of but the ten members whose names we mentioned in the beginning of this article. In 185 1, the congregation numbered one hundred and five members, and from the date of its organization to July, 1858, the number of names had increased to one hundred and seventy-two. During the existence of this church, from its organization in 1843 to its dissolution in 1861, there were entered on its books the names of one hundred and ninety-five communicants.

The Rev. T. S. Reeve, the first pastor of the church, continued his labors till the spring of 1855. From that time to the spring of 1857, the church was supplied by ministers from the Presbytery and traveling preachers in search of new locations. In 1857, the Rev. Frederick R. Gallager accepted a call from the church in St. Joseph, and began his labors in the summer of the same year, at a salary of one thousand dollars a year.

At the end of his pastoral year, he resigned, and the church was without a minister until the spring of i860, when the Rev. P. E. Sheldon Was to the charge of the church. He discharged the duties of pastor one year, at a salary of one thousand dollars. At the close of his annual term, the action of the Synod of Missouri, together with the difficulties occasioned by the war, resulted in the closing of the church and disbanding of the congregation, many of whom then united with various churches in St. Joseph, several forming in part the present Westminster Church, some uniting with the Old School and others joining the Baptist, Congregational, etc.

The Sabbath School of this church, was in its day, one of the best attended and most successfully conducted in the city. It numbered at one time from one hundred and fifty to two hundred scholars. The existing church book shows the following record : One suspended and afterwards reinstated ; eighteen died ; seventeen marriages took place ; fifty infants were baptized ; sixty-four adult baptisms took place in the church, snd seventy-six were dismissed by letter.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

The Westminster Presbyterian Church was organized in St. Joseph on the 9th of May, 1863. The church, at that time, numbered but twenty members, and was, for several months, without a regular pastor, different ministers preaching as occasion demanded and opportunity offered.

On' the 31st of January, 1864, the Rev. B. B. Parsons, D.D., of Illinois, preached his first sermon to this congregation, and in May following was duly installed pastor, in charge of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The original elders of this church were : Joseph Lambright and Elbridge Gurney; the deacons were Captain George Lyon, Robert F. Maxwell and Guy C. Barton, Esq.

The church at this time occupied as a place of worship McLaughlin's Hall, on the corner of Second and Francis Streets. In January, 1864, John DeClue and Willis M. Sherwood were elected elders, which position they have held with credit to themselves and honor to the church.

In October, 1866, the stone chapel on Felix, between Seventh and Eighth Streets, was completed and dedicated. This was designed to serve the purpose of a wing to the main body of a building which it was the intention of the congregation to erect at some future period, as necessity demanded and ability warranted. The lot on which the building stands was donated to the church by Mr. E. Gardney. This, with the building, was valued at $21,500; indeed, such was the actual cost.

The chapel is a small but massive stone structure of the Gothic order, and was, we believe, the first building roofed with slate in the city. Had the edifice been completed on the plan of its original design it would have presented one of the most attractive architectural features of the town.

On the loth of January, Dr. Parsons having resigned his pastoral charge, was dismissed by the Presbytery. The Rev. Henry Bullard, the present (1881) minister in charge, began his pastoral labors in St. Joseph in May, 1868. In October, 1872, the church, having abandoned the idea of completing their new building on Felix Street, purchased, the property known as the Sixth Street Presbyterian Church, located on Sixth, just below Faroan Street. The consideration of this purchase was the conveyance of the Felix Street property, each being valued at about $20,000.

At the time of this tranfer, the Old School Presbyterian Church, on Sixth Street, generally known as the Sixth Street Presbyterian Church, was Completed. For several years it had remained in an unfinished state - nothing but a spacious and massive basement, with a temporary roofing of black composition, rising but a few feet above the neighboring sidewalks, and presenting a singularly gloomy and unattractive appearance. The superstructure that was raised on the basement compares favorably with any similar edifice in the city. It is a solid brick, 6oxioo feet, chaste in design, and comfortably fitted up for an audience of four hundred. This church, in 1873, numbered two hundred and fifty members. In the spacious and commodious basement story, used so many years as a place of worship by the Old School Presbyterian Church, the Westminster Sunday School meets every Sunday, and is in a flourishing condition, having a large membership. The building was occupied in 1867, by the Presbyterians, who remained true to the General Assembly. Among their ministers, was the Rev. Mr. Gill, who remained two or three years, as did, also. Rev. Mr. Newell, who preceded himi

The North Presbyterian Church

In September, 1869, a chapel was erected and dedicated on the corner of Third and Isabelle streets. This was accomplished mostly by funds furnished by Westminster Church, under whose care a Sunday School was immediately started in the new building, with S, M. Markle as Superintendent.

In October, 1873, this resulted in the organization of a church of eleven members, now located on the corner of Third and Isabelle streets and known by the name and style of the North Presbyterian Church, of which John F. Riggs and B. D. Elliott were elected Elders. On the 14th of October, 1873, the Rev. W. H. Isley was installed as pastor of this church. The building is a small frame 20x45 feet, and cost, with the lot, $1,600.

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church

were at first, from time to time, held by young ministers. The first regular pastor was Rev. T. D. Roberts. At present (1881) services are held there every Sunday afternoon by the Rev. Henry Bullard, pastor of the" Westminster Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph.

Methodist Episcopal Church South

In the year 1843, the Rev. Edward Robinson, preacher in charge of the St. Joseph Circuit, organized the first class in St. Joseph. The leader of this class was John F. Carter, and the other members of the same were Rufus Patchen, Clara Patchen, Mrs. Jane Kemper and Mrs. Sarah Jeffries.

At the time of the organization of this class, the Rev. William W. Redman was the presiding elder of the district which included St. Joseph. The first permanent organization of the church in the town occurred in the early pSrt of the year 1844, and the first preacher in charge was the Rev. E. Robinsc^, who effected the organization. The building occupied by the congregation at the time was a small frame on Main Street, once occupied by David J. Heaton as a furniture store and shop, and during the space of nearly two years the congregation met and worshipped in this humble and primitive structure. The number of the membership at that time we have been unable definitely to ascertain, but it was doubtless small, though from the beginning the blessing of God seems to have rested on the infant organization, which to-day has increased to comparatively giant proportions, and constitutes one of the leading Protestant churches of St. Joseph.

In the fall of 1844, the Rev. Reuben Aldridge was preacher in charge of the St. Joseph Circuit, and the Rev. Benjamin R. Baxter, was assistant preacher. The presiding elder during that period was the Rev. Thomas Chandler. Mr. Aldridge served until the year 1845, when he was succeeded as preacher in charge by the Rev. George W. Love, who served the church in that capacity for one year.

During that period, the Rev. William Keton was presiding elder. His term of office continued till the year 1847 From 1846 to 1847, the Rev. John A. Tutt had charge of the church. During that period the congregation having largely increased in numbers, began to feel the necessity of a more commodious and suitable house of worship. Accordingly on a lot on the corner of Felix and .Third Streets, donated for that purpose by Joseph Robidoux, when he located the town, was erected a brick church, forty by sixty feet in extent. This was the first church building owned in St. Joseph by the Methodist Episcopal Church South. It was used as their only place of public worship for eleven years, and was vacated in the year 1857, when the building was sold for $5,700, and the proceeds applied to the erection of a new church, which the

From 1847 to 1848, the Rev. Eldwin Robinson was preacher in charge, and the Rev. William Patton presiding elder. In the fall of 1848, the church in St. Joseph was made a station, with the Rev. Wm. M. Rush, as pastor, and the Rev. Wm. Patton, as presiding elder. At this time the Sabbath School was established, which is to-day one of the model institutions of our city. The following named persons appear on the records at that time as members of the official board : J. B. Smith,

B. Sherwood, D. J. Morrow and Simeon Kemper, stewards ; D. K. Harding, class leader. This arrangement continued from 1848 to 1849. From the latter period to the following year, 1850, the Rev. William M. Rush was pastor, and the Rev. William Patton presiding elder. '

During that year, the same official list existed with the addition of D. J. Heaton and L. Stigers to the Board of Stewards. From 1850 to 1852. the- Rev. Wm. Holmes was pastor and the Rev. Wm. Patton was presiding elder during the first year, succeede~d by the Rev. Wm. G. Caples, during the second year of that term. During the year 185 1, the following additions appear in connection with the official board : A. B. Lyon, class leader ; John Armour and S. K. Miller, stewards ; James Kay, leader and steward. During the year 1852, George T. Hoagland's name appears as leader and steward. He was, at that time, with Dr. Silas McDonald, also added to the board of trustees. At the quarterly conference for the year 1852, George T. Hoagland was licensed to preach the Gospel. From 1852 to 1854, the Rev. C. I. Vandeventer was pastor, and the Rev. Wm. G. Caples wss presiding elder. During the year 1854, Wm.

C. Toole was chosen local deacon, and Allen H. Vories, Esq., Superintendent of the Sabbath School. During the summer of 1854, the first parsonage owned by the church in this city, was purchased for the sum of nine hundred dollars. It was a small, but new and neat building, located on the east side of Sixth Street, between Francis and Felix Streets and was first occupied as a parsonage by the Rev. C. I. Vendeventer. The building is still standing. In the same year, the two lots on the northwest corner of Francis and Seventh Streets, occupied as the site of the church building, now owned and used by the church, were purchased by the Rev. George T. Hoagland for the sum of $500, and sold to the trustees of the church for the same price. From 1854 to 1855, the Rev. B. JSl. Spencer was pastor, and the Rev. W. G. Caples was presiding^ elder. During this year, the name of B. S. Cox appears as licensed exporter. Frorfi 1855 to 1856, the Rev. Samuel W. Cape was pastor, and the Rev. Wm. Perkins presiding elder. During this year the name of Henry Dunster appears on record as local preacher. From 1856 to 1858, the Rev. E. R. Miller was pastor, and the Rev. Wm. Perkins presiding elder.

During the administration of Mr. Miller, in the year 1858, on the "lots on the corner of Francis and Seventh streets, before referred to, and deeded to the church by the Rev. George T. Hoagland, the present spacious and elegant edifice, known as the Francis Street Methodist Church, South, was erected, with the adjoining parsonage, at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars ; the proceeds of the sale of the old parsonage and church amounting to $7,375, having been applied to aid in the erection of the new building.

The new building is eighty feet long by fifty feet wide, and the basement forty-seven by fifty-seven feet in the clear. The audience room is sixty-seven by forty-seven feet in the clear, altogether, one of the most substantial and attractive ecclesiastical edifices in the city. The site of the old church is now occupied by the present (1881) Bank of St. Joseph, formerly the German Savings Bank.

About the year 1858, the name of Robert Kay, a colored man, is mentioned as an exhorter, although he had officiated in this "-capacity among his people for several years previous to that period. From 1858 to 1859, the Rev. W. G. Berryman was pastor, and the Rev. Wm. Perkins presiding elder. The church at this time numbered 230 communicants. At the conference of 1859, the station was left to be supplied. Two or three months afterwards, the presiding elder, the Rev. W. G. Berryman, secured the services of the Rev. E. G. Nicholson, who served as pastor from that time till the close of the year.

During the early part of the conference year, the pulpit was chiefly supplied by the Rev. George T. Hoagland, local preacher, who at this time, and previously, also, had frequent appointments in the country, and who, especially during the sessions of the annual conferences, in the absence of the regular pastors, as well as in connection with them, rendered much valuable service to the church, not only in preaching, but also in visiting the sick and in burying the dead.

From i860 to 1861, the Rev. W. M. Rush was pastor, and the Rev. Horace Brown was presiding elder, while the Rev. John R. Taylor was in charge of the St. Joseph Mission. During the year, the name of Richard Fisher appears as Superintendent of the North St. Joseph Sabbath School, and the names of Samuel Lockwood and Robert A. Britton as stewards.

From 1861 to 1862, the Rev. W. M. Rush was pastor, and the Rev. Jesse Bird presiding elder. During this year, the Rev. Wm. M. Rush was prohibited from preaching to his congregation by the military authorities, and soon after the church building was placed in the hands of a committee of its own members. The church was occasionally occupied by ministers invited by them, but was without any regular pastor until the services of the Rev. Henry H. Hedgpeth were obtained. The Rev. Middleton R. Jones was at this time presiding elder. The records, fail to show what changes, if any, occurred in the official board about this time. From 1864 to 1865, the Rev. Wm. M. Leftwich was pastor, and the Rev. H. H. Hedgpeth presiding elder. In 1867, the names of W. R. Johnson, Samuel S. McGibbons, and Thomas Ashton were added to the official board as stewards, and, in 1868, the names of James L. Hanna, Wm. J. Bigerstaff, Wm. H. Woodring and Isaac Owens. From 1868 to 1872, the Rev. C. I. Vandeventer was pastor, and the Rev. Wm. M. Rush, the Rev. Willis E. Dockery, and the Rev. W. A. Mahew, were presiding elders. Mr. Vandeventer served as pastor in charge until September, 1872, when he was succeeded by the Rev. E. R. Hendrix.

On the night of the 13th of July, 1871, a terrific storm did great damage to the church building, blowing down one gable end, and badly injuring the east wall. The cost of the repairs amounted to $6,000. During the repairing of the edifice, the congregation worshiped in the Sixth Street Presbyterian Church.

From 1 87 1 to 1874, the names of John C. Evans, W. H. Woodring, John B. Hundley, Samuel Campbell and Hiram Patterson were added to the official board. The Francis Street Methodist Episcopal Church South established a Mission Sunday School, in the southern part of the city, about the year 1867, during the pastorate of the Rev. Wm. M. Leftwich, which was conducted by Allen H. Vories and Wm. J. Bigerstaff This mission school met in Huxley Hall, and was the nucleus of the

Tenth Street Methodist Episcopal Church South

I ' During the summer of 1869, the Rev. C. I. Vandeventer solicited and obtained subscriptions to purchase a lot on the southeast corner of Tenth and Patee Streets, at a cost of $1,000, which was aiterwards sold, and a lot and a half on the northwest corner of the same streets purchased for $1,300, for the purpose of erecting a church building in that part of the city. During the next year, 1870, subscriptions were obtained to build a house of worship, which was put up and enclosed and the basement room completed about the first of January, 1871. This house is a two-story brick building 36x5 S feet. The prospective organization was left to be supplied by Bishop H. N. McTyiere, who, in December, 1870, transferred the Rev. M. M. Hawkins from the North Alabama Conference to the North Missouri Conference, and appointed him in charge of the work. Mr. Hawkins served one year, and in the fall of 1 87 1, the Rev. S. W. Atterberry was appointed to the charge. He served two years, to the fall of 1873, when he was succeeded by the Rev.

A. V. Bailey. The audience room of this church was completed during^ the summer: of 1873, and dedicated by Bishop Marvin. The cost of the church, with the lots, was $6,500. The membership, in 1873, was 75, with a congregation of '220 in regular attendance. The Sunday school, at that date, numbered 190 scholars and 17 teachers. Rev. J. F. Linn was pastor in 1876-77. Rev. W. E. Dockery to 1881.

Avenue Chapel

In connection with the Francis Street Church, a mission was established in 1872, on Frederick Avenue, known as Avenue Chapel. Preaching was held here once a week, the organization being at the time properly under the Rev. Mr. Hendrix. This building cost $1,200. The Sunday school was conducted under the supervision of J. L. Hanna, and numbered 120 scholars, with 12 officers and teachers.

The ministers of the Francis Street M. E. Church South, who succeeded. Rev. Dr. E. R. Hendrix were, in turn, Rev. Thomas J. Gooche and Rev. E. K. Miller.

We have given a history of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in St. Joseph, and in that sketch we necessarily included a portion of the history of the mother church, for the reason that the two wings of the church here were one until 1849. At that time Rufus Patchen, Clara Patchen, John Brady, N. B. McCart and the Rev. A. J. Armstrong, local preacher, reorganized the old church under its proper title, the "Methodist Episcopal Church," without any geographical distinction.

The preacher in charge of this church was the Rev. C. H. Kelley, a transfer from the Indiana Conference, and the presiding elder, the Rev. A. Still. They held their meetings sometimes at the house of Mr. McCart, and sometimes in the old log church, built and owned by the Presbyterians.

A lot was soon purchased on Fifth Street, below Slyvanie, and in 1850, under the direction of the Rev. J. W. Taylor, the ways and means for building a church were canvassed. With the Rev. G. W. Robinson, presiding elder from 1850 to 1854, and J. M. Chivington and Walter Perry, joint pastors in 1851 and 1852, a brick church, 35x45 feet, w'as. erected and remained in their possession till 1863, when it was sold under a deed of trust, to satisfy a debt of $1,600.

In 1853, the Rev. M. T. Kleffer became pastor. During 1854 and 1855, the church was under the care of J. H. Hopkins, as presiding elder^ the Rev. D. H. May, being presiding pastor. In 1856, the Rev. A. C. Clemens became pastor, and and J. M. Chivington presiding elder. In, 1857, the Rev. James Witten was placed over the district and served but seven months, the time of holding, the Missouri Conference being; changed from fall to spring. During this year, St. Joseph was included in a circuit and the Rev. J. H. Hopkins and the Rev. J. W. Caughlan had charge. At this period, the church must have been very weak, for a newspaper dated July 3d, 1858, says of it: "For some considerable time this church has been without any distinct organization. The Rev. Wm. Hanley has now been appointed to the charge and his first services will be held to-morrow."

The Rev. T. H. Bratton, in 1858, succeeded Mr. Hanley, and remained in charge two years, the Rev. J. H. Hopkins being presiding elder from 1858 to 1862. During 1861, the church was left to be suppliecj' ' and the Rev. Richard Haney, a veteran Methodist preacher, famous in the annals of Illinois Methodism and Chaplain of the Sixteenth Illinois Regiment, which built the fortifications on Prospect Hill, occupied the pulpit most of the time till March, 1862, when the Rev. Alpha Wright appointed by Bishop Simpson, and took charge of the church till September, 1863. About this time, the church below Sylvanie Street having been sold for debt, new officers were chosen and a new board of trustees were elected. These at first rented the Cumberland Presbylerian Church, then situated on tlte corner of Sixth and Edmond Streets.

They afterwards fitted up and furnished in an attractive style, a large room in the Odd Fellows' Hall, where they remained till the 9th >of May, 1866, when they dedicated and moved into the church on Fifth, between Francis and Jule Streets. In September, 1863, W. S. Wentz being presiding elder, the Rev. T. H. Hagerty, of the Rock River, Illinois, Conference, became pastor, and remained until May, 1865, when the Rev. J. T. Boyle, of Erie Conference, assumed charge, the Rev. Samuel Huffman being presiding elder, and holding that office from 1864 -to 1868.

Under the united labors of the Rev. Mr. Hagerty and the Rev. Mr. Boyle, funds had been raised for the purchase and improvement of the present church property, and, soon after the Rev. W. G. Mattison became pastor, the church was solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty -God. The Rev. J. W. Flowers had charge of the church for two years, when the Rev. J. S. Barwick succeeded him in March, 1869, and remained for one year, exchanging places with the Rev. C. H. Stocking in March, 1870. In the meanwhile, the Rev. J. T. Boyle had been placed -over the district as presiding elder, which office he filled until March, when the Rev. Z. S. Weller was invited into the cabinet of the bishop, and assigned to the St. Joseph District. The. Rev. C. H. Stocking remained in charge three years - until March, 1873, when the Rev. W. H. Turner was appointed, but declined serving, whereupon Bishop Bowman invited to the position the Rev. D. J. Holmes.' Under the pastorate of the Rev. C. Ji. Stocking, the Stocking Mission Sabbath ..School was organized.

Rev. D. J. Holmes was succeeded in the pastorate in 1875 by Rev. S. W. Thornton. In 1877, he was succeeded by John Wayman, who became pastor. He was succeeded in 1880 by Rev. J. M. Greene,

German Methodist Episcopal Church

The congregation of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, of St. Joseph, was organized in March, 1849. The first pastor was the Rev. "William Eliers, the communicants numbering ten. The ministers who "followed in charge of the congregation, were in succession as follows : The Rev. C. F. Waltheir, Rev. David Huene, Rev. A. Holzbeierlin, Rev- Peter Hellweg, who assumed charge in 1852, the Rev. Wm. Schreck^ Rev. R. Haveghorst, the Rev. C. Dreyer, the Rev. C. Bonn, who suciceeded to the pastoral charge of the church in 1858.

The church building on Edmond Street, between Fifth and Sixth, was erected in 1852. A short time previous to the erection of the present brick church, on Third Street, this house, while undergoing repairs, was destroyed in a storm of wind. The lot on which it stood was then sold, and the site of the present church purchased. In 1858, the building of the present church was commenced. This was during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Bonn. It was completed when the Rev. Charles Heidel took charge of the congregation, in October, 1859. Mr. Heiael served the church until 1861, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Philip Hener, who served one year. In 1862, the Rev. Gotleib Widman was appointed pastor. He died on the 23d April, 1863, before the term of his service expired. The remainder of his clerical year was filled by Rev. Frederick Rinder. He was succeeded by the Rev. Jacob Feisel, who served until 1865, and was succeeded by the Rev. Philip Merkel, who continued in charge till 1867. The Rev. John G. Kost was minister in charge from 1867 to 1870, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Shiveind, who retired in 1871, when the Rev. Louis Harmel assumed the duties of pastor of the church. In 1873, the Rev. Jacob Tanner was the presiding elder. The German Methodist Episcopal Church prospered from its first establishment in St. Joseph, and its course has been one of encouraging harmony. Its membership, in 1873, was about 150. The church .building is a plain, but substantial and neat, brick structure, on the southeast corner of Third and Robidoux Streets. It is provided with an airy and commodious basement, which is used for Sabbath School and othfer church purposes. The parsonage is a neat brick building in the rear of the church. These buildings were completed at a cost of $10,000, including the ground they occupy. Rev. E. H. Kriege, in 1876, had partial charge of this church. In 1879, he was succeeded by the Rev. Jacob Tanner. In 1881, Rev. Henry Reamer became pastor of this church.

was organized in 1875, before they erected a building for a place of worship. The present neat gothic brick structure was erected on the corner of Twelfth aad Renick Streets in the following year. Its value, with the lot on which it stands, is about $2,500. Rev.. J. W. Newcomb was its first pastor. He was succeeded, in 1878, by Rev. L.. A. Shumate. In- 1879, Rev. Samuel Huffman succeeded to the pastorate of this church. In the following year, Rev. Mr. Hall became pastor. The report of January, 1 88 1, shows the Rev. J. P. Boyle pastor.

is a neat and commodious gothic brick structure, on the corner of Third and Antoine Streets. The seating capacity of the audience room is 650. A large Sunday School is connected with the church. The building was erected in 1868. Among the later pastors of this church were Rev. Moses Dixon, a distinguished minister of the same, Rev. Anthony Morton,, and Rev. Mr. Harrod.

First Baptist Church

The names of the members who constituted this, the original church in St. Joseph, were, Elijah Bush, Mrs. Jane Bush, afterwards Mrs. .Pendleton, Mary J. Riney, Agnes Hall, John C. Hall, Emarine Hall, Rachael A. Eliot, Lucy Hall, Henderson Smallwood, Thomas Newman,. Maria I. Newman, Lydia Adams, Thomas Price, Lucy Price, James J. Keaton, and Catherine Keaton. Henderson Smallwood was clerk at this meeting.

At a subsequent meeting, held Saturday, April 26, 1845, the clerk not being present, the convention adjourned to the next evening, Sunday, when it was agreed, first, that the church be styled " The St. Joseph Church." At this meeting. Elder Wm. Worely was received by letter. Thomas Price was chosen standing clerk for the St. Joseph Church, and H. Smallwood, treasurer.

The first minister to hold divine service for this church, was Elder William Worely. This was on March 22d, 1845, the day of its organization. He was succeeded as minister by Elder Jas. I. Robinson, in July^

At a meeting held on the fourth Saturday in October of the same year, it was agreed that the church pay their pastor. Rev. Jas.. R. Robinson,.one hundred dollars for his labors for one year, instead of the fifty

During all this period, the Church was without a permanent place of of its own. Meetings were held in private houses and in rented Tooms in different localities. At a meeting held on the fourth Saturday in February, 1848, a committee appointed to purchase the "old log church," originally built and owned by the Presbyterians, as referred to in our sketch of that church, reported that the sum of forty-four dollars and forty cents had been paid on the same, and that there remained due and unpaid fifty-five dollars and sixty cents. At this meeting, Joel J. Penick was added to the committee intrusted with the purchase of the church, in place of Robinson, whose resignation was accepted.

Among the earlier ministers who preached about this period, was Elder Neville Haycraft, being an active member of the church. At a meeting of the church, held July 22d, 1848, Rev. Isaiah T. Williams was chosen pastor for the ensuing year.

At a regular meeting, held in October, 1849, Jonas D. Wilson accepted the position of agent to go abroad into Kentucky and solicit contributions for the purpose of building a suitable church in St. Joseph. The compensation agreed on was forty dollars per month and his- necessary traveling expenses.

Saturday, September ?8, 1850, the church directed the trustees to purchase and receive the title bond for a lot of ground on the corner of Francis and Sixth Streets, for the use of the church for a building,

December 28, 1850, at the regular meeting held on this day, the trustees were directed to apply to the Legislature of the State for an act of incorporation authorizing the church to hold property. On motion of J. M. Hawley, the name of the church was changed to its present (1881) style, the " First Baptist Church of St. Joseph, Missouri."

May, 185 1, Rev. Squire L. Helm, of Kentucky, was called to the of the church. He accepted on condition of his not being required to enter upon his duties till the following fall, which was agreed to. This arrangement, however, it appears, was not accomplished.

In October of the same year, the church agreed to move its place of meeting from the old log church to Mrs. Burr's schoolroom, which was accordingly done. The compensation which she received was four dollars per month for the use of the room and fuel till May 1st, following.

At a special meeting, called December 3d, 1851, Rev. J. Hickman, of Kentucky, was invited to the pastoral charge of the church. On the 27th of the same month, the church agreed to pay. him $150 for his services as pastor until the April meeting, and if he remained longer he should be paid at the rate of $400 a year.

At a regular meeting, held Saturday, January 24, i8'52,. the trustees, reported that they had sold the old log meeting-house at auction for $ 16.25, on sixty days' credit. Of this building they had held possession nearly four years. The ground on which it stood was never the property of the Baptist Church.

At a special meeting, held February 8, 1852, Robert W. Donnell, applied for membership upon relation of his christian experience, and was thereupon received into membership of the church, and entitled to its privileges so soon as baptized, which ordinance was administered by Elder Cline on the same day.

March 26, 1853, he accepted the call and immediately assumed the duties of pastor. At a regular meeting, held May 15, 1853, Rev. W. F. Boyakin was appointed to represent the First Baptist Church of St. Joseph, in the coming General Association of United Baptists, of the State of Missouri.

At special meeting, held. September 15, 1853, Rev. W. F. Boyakin, R. W. Donnell, J. J. Penick, Boon, Keeson and Dutzschky were chosen a building committee, and appointed to procure funds for the erection of a building for the purposes of a church.

From 1854 to 1857 there seems to be a gap in the records of this church, and minute particulars of the occurrences in the history of the same, during that period, are not attainable.

In 1856, during the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Price, a minister originally from Kentucky, the present (1881) brick structure of the First Baptist Church, which stands on the southeast corner of Sixth and Francis Streets, was built.

June 9, i860, a unanimous call to the charge of the church was extended to Rev. E. S. Dulin, D. D., L.L. D., and was by him accepted in the following month. In December, 1862, Dr. Dulin tendered his resignation of the pastor9.te ; but, at the unanimous desire of the congregation, was induced to withdraw his resignation. . In March, 1864, he positively declined re-election, and was succeeded by the Rev. T. W. Barrett, of Leavenworth City, Kansas. On the 30th April, 1864, he entered upon his pastoral duties, which he continued to discharge till April, 5, 1865, when his resignation was accepted by the church.

On the 6th July, of the same year, Rev. Jos. R. Manton, of Providence, Rhode Island, accepted a call to the pulpit of this church, which, in view of ill-health, he resigned in April, 1868.

He was succeeded, in July, 1868, by Rev. Dr. jas. Dixon, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who continued in the pastorate till February, 1870, when he resigned.

In November, 1870, Rev. J. M. C. Breaker, a man of distinguished ability, accepted a call to the charge of the church, the duties of which he discharged till October, 1876, when his resignation was reluctantly accepted.

This, the First Baptist Church of St. Joseph, is a large and well appearing brick building on the corner of Sixth and Francis Streets, fronting on the former, from which it is approached by a flight of steps. In a lofty basement, extending beneath the entire building, is taught one of the largest Sunday Schools in the city. This has been (1881) for the past eighteen years, superintended by W. W. Bernard. Adjoining the church, in the rear, and fronting on Francis Street, is the parsonage, a neat and commodious two story brick residence, built in 1868, at a cost of $4,CKX). The estimated value of the whole of this church property is $18,000.

The Second Baptist Church

a neat frame structure on the corner of Twelfth and Penn Streets, was erected in 187 1. It is generally well attended, and has always maintained a prosperous Sunday School.

The Free Will Baptist Church

is reported in the New Year's papers of 1875 as having an organization, in charge of the Rev. James Hummer, at the Sixth Street Market House, in North St. Joseph. In the following year, they are reported as Free Communion Baptists, with the same place of worship, a membership of eighty-four and a Sunday School of 1 10 pupils, superintended by Dr. Blackburn.

The minister in charge of the church, at this time, was Rev. O. S. Harding. In January, 1877, Rev. Claib Williams is mentioned as pastor of the church, with a membership of eighty in his charge.

The report of 1879, speaks of "The Mission Sunday School," an organization under control of the First Baptist Church, and located on North Sixth Street, Dr. J. T. Westover, Superintendent.

The place of worship of this organization is a handsome brick structure, on Francis Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Streets. The lot on which it stands cost $900. The building measures 72x38 feet. It was commenced in 1874, and afterwards completed at a cost of about $10,000. Rev. W. W. Stewart, the present (188 1) minister, has been for many years pastor in charge of this congregation, which is said to be the largest in the city. A numerously attended Sunday School is also a feature of this church. The colored Baptists of St. Joseph had a large organization in the city long prior to the building of this church.

The Christian Church

This great and rapidly increasing religious organization was initiated in 1809, by Thomas Campbell, a preacher of piety and distinction among the Seceders, aided by his son Alexander, to whose ability and energy its successful progress is mainly attributed, and by whom it has been chiefly directed.

In the year 1844, Elder Duke Young, of the Christian Church, preached the iirst discourse in the then village of St. Joseph, at the private residence of Mrs. Northcutt, on Second Street, near the Market Square. In 1845, Mr. Shackleford, a private member of the church, made an effort to gather the few members for social worship in what was known as the Kemper school house. At the first meeting there were only three persons present, to wit : Mr. Shackleford, Mrs. Boyd and Mrs. Preston Moss. These meetings were continued through the summer and fall of 1845. In 1847, Elder Duke Young held a protracted meeting in the court house. The congregation continued to hold its meetings from house to house till 1850, when the church was organized.

Dr. S. D. Overstreet, and Allen G. Mansfield, were the elders. The meetings, after the organization, were held in the court house, until 1858, when the church edifice on the corner of Third and Robidoux Streets, was erected. During these years, the conversion of Elder J. J. Wyatt occurred, and from the time of his conversion until 1858, he supplied the pulpit, with occasional assistance. On the death of Dr. Overstreet, Mr. Wyatt was elected to the eldership, and filled the pulpit until 1859, when Mr. M. E. Lard became the pastor of the church. Mr. Lard resigned after the breaking out of the civil war, when Elder J. J. Wyatt again served the church until 1866, when Elder W. C. Rogers was called. Upon the resignation of Elder Rogers, Elder Wyatt again supplied the pulpit until 1869, when Elder John Lindsay succeeded him. Elder Lindsay resigned in 1870, and Elder Wyatt again supplied the pulpit until 1872, when he voluntarily resigned. October ist, 1872, Elder Thomas

Christian Church And St. Joseph High School

P. Haley took charge of the church. He was succeeded by Elder John H. Duncan, in December, 1876, who in turn was followed by Elder John B. Corwin. Elder M. M. Good is now (1881) pastor.

The new Christian Church, on the corner of Tenth and Edmond Streets, was built in 1874-75. The lot on which it stands was purchased from Isaac Curd, for the sum of $2,200.

The building is a handsome brick edifice, with a seating capacity in the main audience room of 700. Its cost was about $15,000. John DeClue, the contractor, took in part payment, the old church building on Third Street, at a valuation of $3,500. The membership of this church is large, and a correspondingly large Sunday School is attached-

Protestant Episcopal Church

On the 14th day of September, 1851, the first missionary service of the Episcopal Church was held in St. Joseph, in a small room on Jule Street, afterwards occupied as the residence of Wm. A. Davis, the postmaster. There were but five members in the place at that time. These included Mrs. Nancy Taylor, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Jas. Owen, Mr. and Mrs. Cargel. On the 14th of April, 1852, a parish was organized, and a small frame building on the northwest corner of Jule and Third Streets, was purchased and fitted up at a cost of about $1,000.

The Rev. M. McNamara remained in charge of this church about fourteen months. In March, 1854, the Rev. W. N. Irish, on the resignation of Mr. McNamara, took charge of the parish. He administered his first communion to four persons, the membership numbering only seven. In 1856, a lot on the northeast corner of Francis and Seventh Streets, was purchased for a church building. In August, 1857, the corner-stone of the new building was laid- The foundation was subsequently abandoned.

In November, 1858, the Rev. W. R. Pickman took charge of the church. In February, i860, a neat frame building was erected for a parsonage on the corner of Francis and Seventh Streets, at a cost of $1,700. Mr. Pickman remained in charge of the church till October, i860, when he resigned, leaving a congregation of fifty-^three communicants.

In October, i860, the Rev. R. H. Weller, became rector of the church. On the 20th of December, 1862, the parsonage was accidently destroyed by fire. A lot north of the church, 60x120, was purchased \^ith a frame building for a parsonage. In June, 1864, the church building was extended twenty-five feet in the rear, forming an addition of chancel, choir, vestry room and twenty-two pews, which cost $2,000.

On the 15th of October, 1866, the Rev. R. H. Weller resigned his charge of the parish and removed from St. Joseph. On the i8th of October the Rev. W. C. Hopkins commenced services as rector of Christ Church. About this time an aid society was organized from among the members of the church. Between January and May, 1867, more than $2,000 of the parish debt was paid. In March of the same year, a parish school was commenced in the parsonage, with the Rev. C. F. D. Lyne, who had just been elected assistant minister of the parish, as principal.

In 1867, a library association, of young people of the parish, was organized in the parsonage, for mutual, literary, social and spiritual improvement, and for the accumulation of a good library for adults. On the 30th of August, 1867, the Rev. W. C. Hopkins tendered his resignation, to take effect November 15, 1867, which was accepted. On the 2d of September, the parish school commenced Michaelmas term, in a room over Sandusky'^s grocery store, on the corner of Edmond and Sixth Streets, with the Rev. Lyne, principal, assisted by Mrs. G. M. Teale.

In January, 1867, the Mission Sunday School was revived with about eighty pupils, and afternoon services were commenced in the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad station house. On the 8th of July, 1867, the Rev. Lyne began his missionary work at that point. On the i8th of October of the same year, was organized Christ Church Branch Co-operative Missionary Society. Between the 12th and iSth of November, following, the convocation of North Missouri met in Christ Church. Nine clergymen were present, including the Right Reverend T. H. Vail, Bishop of Kansas, who confirmed thirteen persons. On the 15th of November the first service of the St. Joseph Mission was held in P. A. Huxley's new hall. Rev. W. C. Hopkins preached here his last sermon. During the period of his ministry, fifty-seven were added to the church, and fortytwo were baptized. The Rev. Lyne resigned as assistant minister.

In November, 1867, Rev. W. R. Pickman was recalled, and served as rector until April, 1869, when he resigned. Rev. Wm." Phillips succeeded Mr. Pickman, and served until January, 1871. From January 1st, 1871, to June 1st of same year, the parish was vacant. On the ist of June, 1 87 1, Rev. Dr. Runcie took the pulpit of the parish, and has remained in charge to the present time (1881). He also superintends the large Sunday school of this church.

December 24, 1876, the old, patched-up frame building of Christ Church was destroyed by fire. The only article of value saved from the flames was the organ, and this was recovered in a damaged condition- The present edifice was speedily erected on the site of the burnt building, the new church fronting on Seventh, instead of on Francis, as di'd the original building.

The new edifice of Christ Church, which was completed about a year after the fire, is, with the exception of the Cathedral, the most spacious, and, in point of design and finish, the most elegant ecclesiastical structure in the city. It is of brick, trimmed with free stone, and its graceful and towering spire renders it a conspicuous object of the town.

The seating capacity of this church, exclusive of the organ loft, is seven hundred and twenty-five. The cost of this building was about twenty thousand dollars.

The corner-stone was laid in July, 1877, and the first services were held in November of the same year. The building was completed February I, 1878. This church has a large membership.

Holy Trinity Mission Of Christ Church

For several years a prosperous Sunday School organization, holding services in the German Evangelical Church, in South St. Joseph, completed in the spring of 1881, a neat fraine church structure, on the northeast corner of Thirteenth and Monterey Streets. Services are held hfere by Rev. Dr. Runcie, rector of Christ Church.

First Presbyterian Church

The church of which the present congregation is a development, was organized on the 12th of January, 1854, by a committee of the Presbytery of " Upper Missouri." The organization was effected in the parlor of Mrs. Susan N. Combs. The following are the names of the original members of this organization : Dr. O. Brown, C. C. Carson, James Dysart, Mrs. Susan N. Combs, Mrs. E. Carson, Mrs.. L. Dysart, Mrs. L. Fore, Mrs. L. Fulkerson, Dr. James E. Hewlett, Francis Irwine, James M. Irwine, Mrs. Louisa C. Irwine, Mrs. N. D. Langford, Mrs. Hettie Monroe, John Montgomery, Mrs. E. Montgomery, Mrs. Wm. Sublette, Mrs. S. S. Sublette, Wm. Varnarsdale and George C. Venable.

The first elders of the Church were : Dr. O. Brown, C. C. Carson and James Dysart, and others were chosen as the church grew, the. names of whom, as far as can be ascertained, are as follows : John Colhoun, 1854; James E. Hewlett, 1855 ; James McConnell and Alexander Smiley, 1856; Joseph Venable and J. B. Howard, 1857 ; J. F. Bruner, John Williams, Charles W. Campbell and E. E. Bacon, 1864; Thomas R. Smith and J. B. Lorance, 1868.

This church had no regular pastor till the fall of 1855, when the Rev. A. V. C. Schenck took charge of it, occupying as a place of worship a hall over the Market House. The Rev. Mr. Schenck was installed in February, 1856, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, then located on the corner of Third and Felix streets. During the winter of 1856, Mr. Schenck resigned his pastorate, and in April, 1857, his pastoral relation was. finally dissolved by the Presbytery. In the spring of 1858, the

Rev. John G. Fackler became the pastor. At that time a small room was used by the congregation over the drug store of Mr. Stuppy on Fifth Street. Number of communicants at the time, was fifty-four. The congregation soon secured a larger room, in the second story of a building on Felix Street, which was occupied by the church in July, 1858. The services were held here until i860, when the congregation moved into the basement of the church on Sixth Street.

Previous to this time, the church had been known and designated simply as "The Presbyterian Church, (O. S.) St. Joseph, Missouri," but thereafter the organization was known and called " Sixth Street Church." The civil war coming up, the building was not completed. In the winter of 1863, fourteen members withdrew for the purpose of forming the "Westminster Presbyterian Church." After a seryice of six years, in March, 1864, the Rev. John G. Fackler, in view of his declining health, resigned his pastoral charge. The Rev. A. P. Forman succeeded him in July, 1864, and remained in charge until 1870.

In 1867, occurred the painful division of the congregation, with which many are familiar. This separation took place on the basis of a friendly and equitable division of the property belonging to the congregation ; that portion of the church adhering to the General Assembly receiving the unfinished building on Sixth Street, while those adhering to the old Synod of Missouri came in possession of the parsonage. There exists between the two churches no unfriendliness or unkindness. At the time of the division, the church had 180 members, 54 of these, remaining under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly, and those adhering to the Synod of Missouri adopted the name of the "First - Presbyterian Church of St. Joseph, Missouri." The congregation being without a house in which to meet, secured the Academy of Music, and continued their services here until their new church was ready^for occupancy. In September, 1870, the Rev. John G. Fackler resumed his pastorate labors.

The new church was dedicated on the 21st of January, 1872, with solemn and impressive ceremonies. The building, a brick structure, is one of the largest, most substantial, and tastefully finished churches in the West. It was completed in 1868, at a cost of near fifty thousand dollars. The main altar is wrought of pure white marble, and is an offering from the children of the church, bearing the inscription : " First Presbyterian Church - The Children's Offering, 1871." The bell of this church, which was cast in Baltimore, weighs over two tons, and cost, with fixtures, $1,500. The organ cost $4,500.

In 1876, the Rev. R. S. Campbell, D. D., a distinguished graduate of the University of Dublin, assumed pastorate charge of this church, which he still (1881) retains.

The Second Presbyterian Church

was completed in 1881. It is a neat brick structure, on tKe northwest corner of Twelfth and Penn Streets. A very large and prosperous Sunday school is connected with this church.

Congregational Church

The place of worship owned and occupied by this organization is a new gothic frame building, 40x60 feet, located on Edmond, between Ninth and Tenth Streets, and is provided with ante-rooms, choir loft, etc., and has seating capacity for three hundred persons. The building was erected in 1869, at a cost of about $6,000. The church was organized on the 1 2th of May, 1867. The incorporators were L. L. Richmond and wife, Isaac Weightman and wife, E. Foote, Jr., and wife, Mrs. M. E. Montague, Mrs. M. W. Bliss, Mrs. E. M. and H. K. White, Esq. The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Wm. L. Bray. He served from November, 1867, to July, 1868, when, on account of ill health, he resigned. In July, 1868, he was succeeded by Rev. J. Crane, who remained till 1870, and then Rev. F. L,. Kenyon took charge of the church, continuing till August, 1878, when he resigned.

In 1873, the trustees were E. G. Sheldon, W. H. Campbell, Esq., and Joseph Durfee. The deacons were Wm. H. Campbell, Esq., and Mr, Joseph S. Ford, and the clerk was H. K. White, Esq. The church, beginning with eleven members, had, during 1873, upwards of sixty. A large Sunday school has always been connected with this church. This, for some time past, has been ably superintended by H. K. White, Esq., a prominent attorney of St. Joseph.

Hebrew Congregation Of Adath Joseph

The oldest religious denomination in the world is the Jewish Church. A striking peculiarity of this venerable body is the fact that it has maintained its existence intact through the space of more than eighteen hundred years, ensuing the capture of the Holy City by Titus, and that without a recognized leader, or any system of union which approximates a general organization.

Previous to 1859, the Israelitish congregation of St. Joseph occupied as a place of worship, a temporary hall on Felix Street. They then purchased and fitted up a small church building formerly owned by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Sixth and Edmond Streets. This, shortly after its completion, was destroyed by fire. In 1859, the present synagogue was commenced and completed the follow- ing spring. In occupies a site on the corner of Sixth and Jule Streets. Though the exterior appearance of the building is Gothic, of the plainest style, the interior is strikingly chaste, elegant and attractive.

Among the founders of the St. Joseph Synagogue, were Joseph Leopold, David Westheimer, Joseph Oppenheimer, Charles Eppstein, Schwabucher, and perhaps some others of whose names we are not at present informed. The Jews have numerous benevolent institutions throughout the United States. Prominent among these, is the widely extended charitable association known as the Sons of the Covenant. It consists of a grand lodge, which rneets annually to direct the general interests of the order. The subordinate elements of the organization consist of the seven or eight districts into which the United States is divided. St.Joseph is in District No. 2, commonly known as the Cincinnati District.

Rev. S. Kaufmann was rabbi of the synagogue till 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. S. Gerstmann, who served till 1879, when he was succeeded by the present (1881) rabbi, Rev. Doctor Isaac Schwab.

The German Evangelical Zion'S Church

was organized in St. Joseph in 1865, with Rev. A. H. Kirchoff as pastor. The building occupied by them stands on the corner of Fourth and Francis. It was sold under a deed of trust and became the property of this church in 1865. The first pastor of the congregation was Rev. A. H. Kirchoff. He remained in charge till 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. Nestel, the present (1881) minister. The congregation includes forty families. A prosperous Sunday School is attached to the church.

This was the "old brick church," built by the new school Presbyterians in 1847, and the second ecclesiastical structure of any kind erected in the city, the first having been the -' old log church," mentioned in the history of the Presbyterian Church, and referred to in other sketches in this history.

In April, 1881, the German Evangelical Zion's Church sold this ancient landmark of St. Joseph, with the elevated lot 80x240 feet, on which it stands, to A. M. Saxton, for $11,000. The work of grading down the lot forty feet to the level of Francis Street, for the purpose of a bank structure, was immediately inaugurated, Mr. Saxton permitting that portion on which the buildings of the church and parsonage stand to remain till October, 1881, when the congregation will move to their new church on the corner of Ninth and Jule Streets. The lot on which this is being erected cost $4,000, and the church and parsonage will cost between $9,000 and $10,000. - organized in 1874, owns and occupies a neat brick building of recent construction. It stands on the corner of Thirteenth and Monterey Streets, and was completed at a cost of $5,000. Rev. Julius Kramer was:^ pastor of the church till the close of the year 1876, when he was succeeded by Rev. F. Grabeau. January, 1878, Rev. F. Grabeau was stilt reported pastor with a membership of forty families, and eighty-five ii» the Sunday school. January, 1881, Rev. F. Weltge is reported as the successor of Rev. F. Grabeau, and the church as having a membership, of twenty-five families.

German Lutheran Church

In 1875, this church occupied the building on the corner of Third' and Robidoux Streets, formerly owned by the " Christians," and now (1881) used to accommodate a medical college. The report of January, 1876, gives a membership of twenty-five, under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. Heineger, and a Sunday School of seventy-five scholars. Na change is reported till January, 1879, when Rev. C. F. Kaessman appears, as minister. The same report appears in January, 1880.

The Church Of The Evangelical Association

occupies a frame building on the corner of Eleventh and Lafayette Streets, valued at $1,200. Rev. H. Walte is reported as minister in 1880 and 1 88 1. In the report of the latter year, is a Sunday school of fiftypupils attached to the church, and superintended by A. Fick.

This church has an organization in the city with a considerable membership. They are at present unprovided with a building of their own, but worship in a hall in Tootle's Opera building. This is the reorganized, or as it is contended, the veritable church, ignoring the doctrine of polygamy, which they claim to be an innovation and corruption of the true and ancient faith. The organization in St. Joseph, has been in existence since 1870. Joseph Smith, the son of the original; Mormon prophet, visited this congregation and preached seveiraJl times during his visit to St. Joseph, in November, 1873.

The Evangelical Lutheran Denomination

Organized themselves into a church in St. Joseph on the 21st of August 1881. The name given the church was that of Zion. The pastor called by them, Rev. M. Grosse, was ordained and inducted into the pastoral charge of this new church. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. ^Zschochr, of Atchison, Kansas. The following Trustees were elected;

F. W. Schmidt, E. H. W. Baden and John Schmidt. Services will be held regularly every Sabbath, for the present in Temperance Hall, corner of Sixth and Edmond Streets. A church edifice of their own will be erected soon, active steps looking to this end having already been taken. Now that every church in the city has its own Sunday School, it will be a matter of interest to know that one of the earliest enterprises of general benevolence in St. Joseph, was the establishment of a

Sunday School

Pursuant to a notice given by Rev. T. S. Reeve, the citizens of St.. Joseph and vicinity met at the Presbyterian Church on Sabbath, the 22d: of December, 1844, at two o'clock, P. M., to take into consideration the organization of a Sunday School in the town of St. Joseph. At thismeeting, Rev. T. S. Reeve presided. Remarks illustrating the utility of such school being made by the person presiding, and others, it was resolved that such a school was necessary and practicable, and that sucli school be organized.

The society then choose Rev. T. S. Reeve, Dr. Harding and George Brubaker a committee to draft a constitution and by-liaws for the regulation of the school.

This meeting was opened by an appropriate prayer, and closed by benediction by Rev. T. S. Reeve. The society then; adjourned to Sabbath, 29th, inst., two o'clock p. m.

December 29, the St. Joseph Sunday School Society met and heard the report of the committee on the constitution and by-laws, which, being read, were regularly adopted.

Rev. T. S. Reeve presented to the Surbday School, 106 volumes of A. S. U., which were deposited in the Sunday School Library. It was.. resolved by the Sunday School Society, that the thanks of the society/ be tendered the donor of the above mentioned books.

The business of the so(;iety being finished, and prayer being offered . for the blessing of God on its efforts by Rev. N. Willis, it adjourned. sine die.

Geo. Brubaker

Secretary- Pursuant to notice, the Sunday School met at the house of Mr.. Landis. The Sunday School being opened with singing and prayer by Rev. T. S. Reeve, it was

Resolved, That the scholars in the Sunday School be numbered, the girls having the first and odd numbers, thus alternating with the boys,, commencing with the highest classes and continuing to the infant class.

Resolved, That this society request Rev. T. S. Reeve to preach a on the subject of Sunday Schools to the inhabitants of St. Joseph and vicinity, on Sabbath day - - of 1845.

February 2d, Mrs. Jeffries and Mrs. Landis, a committee appointed to raise fifteen dollars for the Sunday school, report that they have collected thirty-iive dollars, which was deposited in the hands of G. Smith to convey to Dr. Bullard, of St. Louis, for books.

January 9, 1847, T. S. Reeve offered his resignation, or rather declined acting as secretary and librarian, and the former required to act till another be elected.

George Brubaker

The Presbyterian Church, above referred to, in which the first meetings were held for Sunday School purposes, was the old log church, the first erected within the limits of the city.

Mrs. Landis, in referring to her success on the committee appointed to raise the fifteen dollars, mentioned in one of the foregoing resolutions, and which resulted so unexpectedly, spoke of calling on Joseph Robidoux, the founder of the city, at his store, the original trading post of Robidoux Landing. The room, at the time, was thronged with Indians .assembled there for the purpose of trade.

Robidoux, though a Roman Catholic, subscribed liberally towards this, a Protestant Sunday school, heading the list with a contribution of tten dollars.

We was ever, though an unlettered man, a person of liberal and enlarged views, recognizing the fact that to properly build up his city it would be necessary to encourage every scheme of benevolence and of mental advancement, whether coinciding with his own peculiar views ,or not. '

There is still (1881) extant, in a state of good preservation, an ^elegant banner, of white silk, about thirty by thirty-six inches in size. This banner was made by Mrs. Landis and fa'nily in 1844. On one side.

painted in gilt letters, by George Knapp, appears the legend : " St. Joseph Sunday School, organized December, 1844." On the other side, in the center of which appears a star, is the inscription : " Our Country's *#* Hope."

Among the other prominent citizens of St. Joseph who shortly after its organization became teachers in the Sunday School, were Benjamin Loan and wife, William Ridenbaugh, founder of the Gazette, and Miss Hannah Creal, whom he afterwards married, George Brubaker, and Dr. Harding. Mrs. Lou. Livermore, afterwards Mrs. Martin, was also one of the earliest and most active teachers in the school.