Lorain City (part 53 of 77)

nni\ii'^'/\ug interest in the linked affairs of tlie hoard and of tlio eity iias l)een reeof^ni/.ed l)y his re-election to tiie executive chair Tor every term since he look office in 1908, exeei)t for the period from July, l'.)ll, to January, lf>12. As a candidate for the nuiyoralty nomination. Ml'. Little resigned the presitlency and was succeeded l)y II. D. Laker, wiio resij>ned on Octol)er IS, 1911, and in turn was succeeded by C. R. Horn.

The Citizens (las and Electric Liglit Company, with a large plant oil East Twenty-first Street, is an outgrowtii of the Lorain Gas Company, wliicli was organized in October, 1899, with a capitalization of .+300, 000, and which purchased, at the time, the rival plants of the Wright Gas Company and the Lake Ei*ie Electric Light Company. It is the source of light and power for Lorain, Elyria and considerable adjacent territory. The Lake P^rie Electric Light Company was organizeil in 1891, especially to operate the national incandescent system and the Edison arc lamp.

The complete and efficient telephone .service of Lorain was inaugurated in the .spring of 1894 by the organization of the Black River Telephone Company, with the following officers: J. B. Coffuiberry, president; Harry C. Burrell, vice president; James B. Iloge, secretary and treasurer; George L. l^uell, manager, and C. G. Washburn, attorney. Aljout 1902 the new building of the exchange was occupied. It was largely tiirough the technical skill and long practical experience of Arthur W. Iloge, consulting engineer and contractor, that the local system was brought into such smooth working order. Mv. Iloge was associated witli the engineering department of the Lorain steel plant during its consti'uctive period, and previous to tiiat period had lieen division engineer during the Imibliiig of the ( 'li'vcland, Lorain & Whei'lirig K'ailroad. 10. M. Tierce, for a numl>er of years president of the IJJaek Iv'iver Telepiioiie Company, was also a strong force; in its founding and development.

Half a dozun 1)aiiks, with avoraf^e deposits of lictwecii $4,000,000 and $5,000,000, co-operate with the couiiiieree, business and industries of Lorain, and thus uphold tlie substantial character of the place as one of the growing lake ports of the country.

The oldest of the Lorain banks now in operation is conducted by the City Bank Company. In 1899 it was established as the City Bank, at Pearl Avenue and East Twenty-eighth Street, South Lorain - its present location.

Although the National Bank of Commerce dates its separate organization from January 10, 1900, it was, in a certain sense, the predecessor of the old Citizens Savings Bank, which connnenced business under the name of the Bank of Lorain in October, 1880. The original mover in that enterprise was T. F. Daniels, cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Oberlin, who came to Lorain in 1879 to investigale the prospects of the awakened village at the mouth of Black Hiver. lie was so impressed tliat he returned to the college town, resigned his position as cashier, returned to Lorain, bought a tire-proof and burglar-proof safe, moved it into the front ])arlor of ^Irs. Mnvy Keid's residence on P>road\vay and anno\inced that the town's lirst bank was ready for business.

The Baidc of Lorain was a success from the beginning, and in January, 1882, through the initiative and continuous exertions of 'Slv. Daniels, it was reorganized as the First National Bank, with a capital of $50,000 and authority to increase that sum to $300,000. W. A. Braman was elected president and T. F. Daniels cashier. The First National Bank of Lorain also 'threw IMrs. Reid's front parlor doors open to the public, allliough it broke ground for a building of its own at tlie corner of Broadway and J?ank Sti'eet-. In DeciMubei', 1882, the new building was ready for occupancy, liusine.ss increa.sed. There also was a growing demand in tlie couununity for loans on mortgages, which the hunk could not meet under its National charter. In .March,

In 1900, Charles Ilahn, who had been vice president of the Citizens Savings Bank, E. A. Braun, who had served as its assistant cashier untler T. F. Daniels, and others, organized the National Bank of Coiiuuerce. jMr. Ilahu became president of the new institution; George L. Glitsch, vice president; Mr. Braun, cashier, and A. R. Rladdock, a.ssistant cashier. The present otticers are: Charles Ilahn, president; (icorge L. (ilitsch, vice i)resident; E. A. Braun, vice president; A. R. .Aladdock, cashier. The capital stock of the National ]3ank of Commerce is ,$100,000, surplus and undivided profits over $24,000, and average deposits, about $1,300,000.

Jn ^lay, 1905, the Cleveland Trust Company took over the old Lorain Savings & Banking Company, and reorganized its business as a branch of that corpoi'ation. The local manager is A. E. Cameron. Ilis jircdcccssors were A. V. Ilageman ami J. A. Purccll. The first location was in a small two-story building on the east side of Broadway north of Fourth Street. It afterward occupied the ]\Iajcstic Building and .still hiter its own financial home on Broadway and Fourth.

Tile Lorain Savings & Banking Company, which was thus absorbed by tin- Cleveland Trust Company, was organized in January, 1891, creeled a Imilding in the spring of that year, and commenced business in .July. E. ]\I. Pierce, president, Thomas Gawn, vice president, and -lames H. Ilogc, cashier, were the mainstays of the institution which for fourteen years was so stanch a factor in the financial .stability of Lorain. .Messrs. Pierce ami Iloge were also identified with the earlier aelivities of the Cleveland, Loi'ain & Wheeling Railway Company.

known as tlie Central liank. II. J. Barrows served as president for live years, when he was snceeeded by the present ineunibent, W. B. Thompson. Charles ]\I. J^rainan, the first eashier, is now viee president, and B. A. Foskett has l)een ])roinoted from assistant eashier to easliier. The first viee president is D. II. Aiken, who, with the others mentioned, assumed olfice in January, 1914. The capital stock of the Central Bank Company is $50,000; surplus and undivided profits, $37,500, and average deposits, $750,000.

The Lorain Banking Company is one of the solid institutions of the city, and is officered as follows: R. Thew, president; Orville Root, first viee president; B. G. Nichols, second vice president; C. ]\I. Irish, secretary and treasurer. The capital stock is $125,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $15,500; deposits, about $550,000.

Churches Of Lokain

Oi.nKST Existing Ciuihcii - The ^Methodists and Lot No. 205 - "Father" ]5etts and the Presbyterians - The liAPrisTS Hold EAiiLY Services - The J*resi}\'terianh "at Home" - I\Ietiiodists Organize First Church - First Congregational Church - First ^1. E. Church - Church op Christ - St. jMary's Roman Catholic Church - Twentieth Street Methodist Church - St. John'^ Evangelical, First Baptist, United ]Jretiiren and Second Congregational Churches - Episcopal Churches - Delaware Avenue and Grace M. E. Churches - St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church - Church of the Nativity - Hungarian Catholic Churches - Other South Lorain Churches - Churches Formed BY Colored I^eople - The First Presbyterian Church - The First Church op Christ, Scientist - Jewish Synagogue - First English Lutheran - Hungarian Reformed Church - Trinity Baptist Church.

Although the Baptists, Presbyterians and Jletliodists are known to ]iave held scrviees as early as when Lorain was the little fishing settleiiieiit of Hlaek Jiiver, or the infantile Village of Charleston, and the Ceriaan-speaking settlers also organized in the struggling pioneer days of the plaee, it was not until the early '70s, when Lorain was generally acknowledged to he fii-mly rooted, that religionists of all denominations also eomiiiciieed to organize with fonfideiiee in the future of their ehurelu'S. A (piarter of a century afterward, with the birth of modern industrialism at Lorain and the consequent expansion of its activities in every direction, including a large influx of workmen from abroad, lh(! nuiid)er of churches increased correspondingly. During that ])eriod fully a dozen substantial organizations were established, including tlire(; large Catholic churches.

.streets, and its pastor, Rev. C. J. IloUinger. Tlie society befjan its missionary labors in Lorain during 1848, its first meeting being in a small chapel on the farm of Caspar Dute. The church was organized in 1851, with seven charter members, at which time services were being held in a log house on Oberlin Avenue. In 1855 a frame church was Iniilt on the corner of what is now Fourth Street and Hamilton Avenue, which was used as a place of worship until 1889, when the property now occupied was purchased and tlie brick edifice erected. The mendjer- .ship is about 175.

The ^Methodists appear to have held services at an early day and organized a class in 1856, but to have experienced quite a long period of inactivity prior to the early '7Us, when the3^ were revived as a mission and in 1875 organized as a cliurch. In 1870 the Methodists had decided to build a new edifice and moved their old wooden meeting house from their property on Washington Avenue just north of Erie, to Lot 205, and gave it to Charleston as a town hall. That lot had been public property since 1837. In the original plat of Charleston of that year, Lot No. 205 was mai'ked iMeeting House, and was to be donated to that body of Christians who should first erect thereon a house of worship of certain dimensions. Evidently none of tlie religious bodies of Charleston had been able to build a church of sufficient dimensions to claim the site.

The First Congregational Church of Lorain antedates the ^Methodist as an independent local organization by about three j'ears. Among its founders and its faithful workers for many years were tlie okl banker, T. F. Daniels, and his good wife, both of whom moved to Florida in 1906 in a search for restored health. At the silver anniversary of the church, held July 25, 1897, ]\Ir. Daniels read an interesting history of its progress to that time. He thus speaks of the early religious movements at Lorain: "It is difficult to ascertain just wlien an organized effort was made to establish a church here, although a Presltyterian church was organized at Elyria in a log schoolhouse, Xovciiiber 25, 1824, fhrougli Ihe elVoils of 'Fatiicr' Alfred 11. Betts, who began i)rca<'hiiig at {{rowidielm in 1820 and was ordained in 1821. Ijclonging to Huron l*r('sl)ytery. 'Fallier' Hctts laljored all through tills region, being iiersonally known by a number here who are still living.

"TIk'Iv is Jill iiiipri'ssioii that the Itaptists lield services, and perliaps had an oi'yanization liuru, prior to tlie Presl)yterians, l)ut I can get no jxjsitive data thereon. Tliey certaiidy had sei'vices, whicli were held foi- a time in the schoolhouse which stood on that part of the Lake Road a few rods west of Washington street, wliieh is now all washed away; for you will bear in mind that the business and residence thoroughfarus not only through Black River, but between New York and Chicago, crossed the river by ferry near its mouth and on westward, where tlie waters of Lake Erie now roll. The Baptists also held services in the frame building - one of the fir.st to be erected in Black River - which was afterward used as a church by the Presbyterians and JMethodists, as a si-lioolhouse and a towji hall, still later by this church, and now as a residence belonging to Mv. Moyses on AVashington street near First avenue.

"In 1841 01- 1S42 the Presbyterians secured themselves a home Ihroiigh tile generosity of their members; notably, T. Baldwin and his wife, Sojihia, sister of Conrad Reid, who owned the above mentioned frame building, then located on Lake street between Washington and the lOlyria Road, and at one time occupied hy Jacob Vetter as a residence and shoe shop. This they donated, in whole or in part, and it was moved on the property later known as the IMethodist Church lot on Washington near Erie (or .Main street, as it was then called). Tiie lot was furnisiied by Mi: Baldwin, the Days, and Captain J. W. Randall, others out of town assisting in moving and remodeling the church. The bell came from the Wilcox boarding house, located south and west of Mi\h\ street and the Elyria Road (corner of Broadway and Erie avenue).

"Where the Presbyterians worshiped before, and how long they were (ii'ganized, it is difficult to ascertain. They held services in Lorain for years, but finally, through the cessation of 'Father' Betts' labors, the ehurih became feeble. The building was used as a schoolhouse until Uie spring of LSaG, when the present Alelhodist church was organized by K'evs. Hard and (Iriffin, as the result of a reimirkable series of revival meetings conducted by them the preceding winter. There were nineiy-nine jiersons who united at the lime of organization.

"The present German Evangelical Church of Rcid and Bank streets, formerly located on Doane street, and even earlier worshiping in the log house of 'Grandma Brown,' corner of Doanc; and Wasliington streets, antedates the Methodist organization by several years."

- As already noted, in 1870 the ]\Iethodist people decided to build a new edifice and moved the wooden meeting house onto Lot 205, now occupied by the Congregational Church. It was formally turned over to the authorities as a town hall, the present building being then used as a schoolhouse. In the booni of 1872, incident to the building of the C]eV(!land, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railroad, there seemed to be rootri for another organization. "Father" A. i). Barber, then laboring at North Amherst, was solicited by A. R. Fitzgei'ald to visit this place and hold services; which he did, and the present Congregational Church grew out of the effort and canu' into being in this same litth; meeting house, by council convened July 2:i, 1872.

The council which thus established the First Congregational Church was composed of Rev. A. D. Barber, J. W. Humphrey and II. S. Davis, of Amherst; Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D. D., of Cleveland, moderator; Rev. F. D. Kel.sey, scribe, and L. Rice, of Columl)Us, and Rev. S. Bryant, of Vermillion. Nine members were then received into tlie new church - Roland Osgood, Laura O.sgood, Cas.sie Osgood, Ruby Prince, Elizabeth Peachy, Ann Gilmore, Elizabeth Brown and IMargaret Cunningham. As the ]\Iethodists had released all claim to the building and the town authorities could not hold the lot for other than religious purposes, the indirect owners of the land eleared the title on Lot 205. Tlie quit-claim deed was dated August 2, 1872, and signed by the Fitzgeralds and Gilmores, and in ]\Iay, 1881, nearly tliree years after the completion of the present building, the city officials, through the mayor and clerk, gave their consent to the use of the site, as reciuired by the original owners. Thus the title was completed.

Not long after its organization in 1872, through the efforts of Rev. A. D. Barber, the church secured tlie services of Arthur T. Reed, then a student at Oberlin College.

The second pastor was B. N. Chamberlain, ordained and installed by council. The third was Rev. J. B. Stocking. On ]\Iarch 13, 1876, action was taken to adojit i)liins drawn l)y E. C. Kinney for a new church, and to rent a lot in the rear of tlie church for five years onto which to move the old biiilding.

Tlie seventh pastor, Rev. F. P. Sanders, served Trom ISHO to 1892. During his pastorate the pipe organ was i)ureliased. The eluireli iiiembershij) at that time was 241.

The eightli j)astor was Rev. C. J. Dole, 1892 to 1895, and the ninth Rev. T. I). I'hilips, 189G to 1899. During liis pa.storate tiic parsonage was built.

The tenth pastor was Rev. A. E. Thompson, 1899 to 1903. While '^h-. Tliomp.son .served, the eliureh was remodeled, a mortgage of :f8,000 being placed on the church jiroperty, and the building was rededicated February 23, 1902. The eleventli pa.stor was Rev. 11. 1). Sheldon, VMi to 1910. Tlie longest pa.storate in the history of the church. The twelfth pastor was Rev. A. R. Hrown, 1910 lo 1914. Rev. P. X. Pciiiiett, who now occui)ies the pulpit, began work in I\Iai-ch, 1!)14. The First (Jongregalional Olmrch has a present iiieiiibei-sliii) of 400.

Tn 1875 the First :\rethodist l']pi.scopal Church was n.ade a ".station" under the Mi'llioilist i>laii, having a membership of eighty-six. Prior to that time, for a number of year.s, it had been part of a circuit, having the services of a pastor only i)ai-t of the time. Rev. A. P. Jone.s v.as appointed pastor at that time. The first church building stood on the corner of Washington Avenue and West Ki'ie Street.

In 1890 Rev. J. Frank Smith was appointed pa.stor and under his leadership a new site was purchased at the corner of Sixth Street and Reid Avenue, for +1,274, and the pi'csent building was erected at a total co.st, including lots, of !};2(),481. A pipe organ was afterwards installed and other additions and imi3ro\'emeiits were made from time to time, greatly increa.sing the value and utility of the struclure. The I)roperty is now valued at $30,000. The church also has a line parsonage valued at $5,000, located at the coi-ner of Reid Aveiuu- and Seventh Street. Succeeding Mr. Smith as i)astor were Rev. N. E. Davis and Rev. Jo.sephiis R. Jacob, the latter having lu-en in charge since Sei)tenibcf, 1!)13.

In 1874 W. S. Streator, president of thu Cleveland, Tusearawas Valley & AYheeling Railroad, sent W. A. Wire to Lorain to take charge of the yai'ds of the company. It was through ]Mr. Wire's efforts that the Church of Christ was established on December 17, 1876. Among its charter menibei's were jMrs. AYire, Mrs. S. D. Porter and V. II. Osgood. The first meetings were held in Edison's Ilall on the corner aftcward occupied by the Lorain Hardware Company. The first pa.stor of the church was Rev. Robert Moffctt, and his successors have been Revs. C. (.J. Aldrich, J. E. Rhodes, L. A. Chapman, A. K. Adrock, Glen Warnock, V. G. IIo.stetter, W. E. Adams, T. D. Garver, F. M. Gibbs, J. J. Karris, j\I. J. .Maxwell, William Downing, W. A. Wire, U. A. White, L. J. ^McDonald, Garry L. Cook, A. C. Gray, AV. S. Ilayden, A. II. Jordan and N. Zuleh. In the year 1878 the congregation purchased a site on Fifth Street and built a one-room chapel. That building was the home of the congregation for twenty-four years. In 1902 the little chapel was replaced by the substantial structure now in use, wliich was erected at a cost of $10,000. The church has a membership of over 400.

The oldest and the largest Roman Catholic Church in Lorain is St. Mary's. In 1873 Rev. L. ]\Iolon, of Elyria, first ministered to the few Catholics then residing at the mouth of the Black River. Until January, 1878, he visited Lorain monthly, saying mass in private families. The conununity's first resident priest was Rev. Joseph Romer, who came to the village in February, 1878, and for a time held .services at the residence of Peter ]Miller. In March, 1879, a chapel on Reid Avenue near wluit is now Seventh Street, acquired through the efforts of Father Romer, was opened. The congregation at this time enrolled about thirty families.

In 1883 a larger church replaced the first little chapel. A year later the church was made self-supporting, and Rev. Joseph Eyler becanu' the resident pastor.

The Sisters of St. Francis took charge of the church school in 1888, and late in the same year the i)resent two-story brick school building was ci'ecfed at a cost of $10,000. On June f), 189.'), the frame church was destroyed by lire and a year later the handsome edifice at present occupied by the church was completed, tlu- building representing an oullay of $35,000. Tlie ciuirch was dedicated on Sunday, May 23, 1897, by the Ut. Rev. Uishop llorstiiuni.

The second organization of the Lorain Alethodists, the Twentieth Street M. E. Church, was founded by IJev. Jolm WiLson in 1879. It is an oftshoot of the First M. E. Church, of whicli ]Mr. Wilson was at the time pastor. Meetings were at first held in a little chapel at Reid Avenue and Seventeenth Street. There were forty-nine members. Rev. F. E. Baker was the first pastor and was succeeded by Rev. ]\Iilo Kelser.

The present cluirch edifice at Reid Avenue and Twentieth Street was erected in 18!)9. Until the street names were changed several years ago the church was known as the Kent Street ]M. E. Church.

TIk; successors of J\Ir. Kelser were Revs. John M. Baxter and -Joseph Kinniiy, the latter, now in service, assuming the pastoi'ate in October, I!)!-!. The church has a membersliip of about 325 ami the Sunday school a somewliat larger enrollment.

St. Jolm's Evangelical Cluirch, now more than a quarter of a century old, was organized i\Iay i), 1880, with sixteen ciiarter mend)ers. These were Conrad AViegand, Conrad Ilagdman, John Ruger, Jolm Aschenbach, August Nahorn, Adam Braun, Carl Roeder, Carl Ileinrieh, Ernst Becker, Henry Steinhauer, Henry Nobele, Catharine Reid, Catherine Pratsch, ^lathilda Reichard and Gust Zellmer.

The first hou.se of worship (the little frame church still used as a liouse of worslii]) by the Second IM. E. Church) was erected at Reid Aveinu^ and Seventh Street. .Mr. Vontobel was .succeeded by Rev. W. A. Walter, who came fi'om Andierst every other Sunday and held l)r('aciiing services.

Rev. -lolm liisclioff was llie first resident minislei-. Tie came here in IMS,") ami remained for ten years. During his ])astorate the first parsonage was erected on Iveid Avenue. l\Ir. HiscliolV was succeeded l)v

Rev. C. W. Loher, now of Baltimore, Maryland, in ]895. Inuring his pastorate; tlie present hrick cliurch at Reid Avenue and tSeveiith Street was creeled. Mr. Jjolier resit^ned in 1898 and was sueeeeded on Septeniher lltli of tlie same year by Rev. \V. L. Bretz, wlio continued as pastor for some seventeen years. During his pastorate the church developed into an organization of some 600 coniinunicants, with a flourishing Sunday school and other large auxiliaries. Services are conducted in both German and English.

The First Baptist Church was organized i\Iay 14, 1882, with seven members. JMiss Laura Young is tlie only charter member residing in Lorain. On July 9, 1882, the congregation moved from the north end of tile city to a building at the south end. The Buck Building was sold and meetings were then held at the home of Mrs. E. J. Nichols on Livingston Avenue. On September 27, 1882, 'William A. Brainan & Company donated two lots and a church building was erected on the corner of Woodland Avenue and Forest Street, now Reid Avenue and Eighteenth Street. Services were lield for llie first time in the new church l)y Rev. P. S. Aioxom on July 10, 188:5.

Rev. C. C. Green, tiie lirst resident pastor, came to Lorain May 2i, 1883. He remained until September, 1884, and was succeeded by Rev. F. Ilodder. Other ministers who iilled the pulpit were Revs. S. Early, F. II. Young, A. W. Stone, A. Cooper, C. S. Collins, J. L. Cook, II. William Pilot, E. C. Siuimaker and W. Waldemar W. Argow. The last named has occupied the pulpit since Jlay, 1914. The present membership of the church is over 200. A new building is being planned for the near future.

The United Brethren Church is also one of the old religious organizations of Lorain, as age goes in that comparatively young town. On January 6, 1895, it was organized hy twelve charter members. Services were first conducted in a rented chapel on West Twenty-first Street until June 7, 1908, when the edifice now in use was completed at Twenty-first Street and Reid Avenue. Among its pastors have been Revs. I). J. Good, Frank Tyler and T. J. Robey. Its memliership is aliout 200.

Under tile frees of a grove in the Stei'l Plant District location, and through tlie elVorls of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Day with other co-workers, there was organized on Sunday, June 2, 1892, a Congregational Sunday seliool which was soon to enroll 300 pupils. By August a chapel had been crceted. The chapel now forms the soutli wing of' the Second (Congregational Churcii on Kast Thirty-first Street, formerly Thirteenth Avenue.

On September 8, 1895, Rev. J. A. Seibert began work as tiie pastor of the church. A temporary organization was effected in February, 189G, and tile regular church officers were elected. There were fourteen charter ineml)ers. Soon after the above date the little band was reduced to six and discouragement settled over the congregation.

January 8, 1899, the first conununion .service was held in the little chapel. On January 2, 1899, the church was reorganized with thirtyone members. The next pastor was Rev. E. E. Scoville, who, in turn, was succeeded by Rev. Wni. A. Dietrich. lie was followed by Revs. G. S. Brett, W. A. Elliott, Walter Spooner, Harry Janes and 11 V. Tippett, the last named being the present pastor.

The first little chapel stood on borrowed land. The present church is on a site owned by the congregation. The building is the largest English Protestant Cliurch in the Steel Plant District, which is largely monopolized by Catiiolic bodies. The present ciiurch membership is 125.

St. David's was the first Episcopal Church in Lorain, its organization dating from 1895. An edifice was erected on Pearl Avenue. Some four years afterward the Latlies' Guild of the Redeemer Mission was formed in the northern portion of the city, services being lii-st held in the German Church. Archdeacon Brown presided. After a time services were discontinued for a number of years, but in 1901 a reorganization was effected under the name of St. George's ]\Ii.ssion, and Rev. T. E. Swan was appointed rector. In less than a year Mr. Swan died and was succeeded on ftlarch 9, 1902, by Rev. W. S. Llewellyn Romily. At the annual meeting, in May, 1904, it was resolved to call the church by its original name, "The Church of the Redeemer."

Earnest effort on the part of the members of the church materialized in an individual place of worship, tin- present hand.some stone edifice at Reid Avenue and Seventh Street, the cornei'sfone for which was laid Oelober 2, 1901.

On vXiif^iist (J, 18!)!), (iavvii Avciiik; Mission Suiidiiy s(;li()()l was orj^iiiiizcd l)y till! hoard of Hk; h'irst .M. JO. (Jliui'i-li. TIk; j)astoi' ol" the l''irst Cliurch was Jlov. Albert VaiiCaiiii) at that time, and hu and Samuel Butler took charge of the school. The Sunday school sessions were held in tlie school building on old Fifth Street. During the year IDOl the late Thomas Gawn built a chapel on Delaware Avenue and presented it to the Gawn Avenue congregation.

In 1904 the cliurch was organized with nineteen charter members. Rev. F. D. Stevic was the pastor. In 1906 the first chapel was sold and a larger church huilt at East Erie and Delaware avenues.

The last two pastors of Delaware Avenue M. E. Church have been Rev. G. AY. Ilouk and Rev. J. II. Le Croix, the latter having served since September, 1913. The mendjership is nearly IGU, and the Sunday school enrollment over 200.

The Grace ^Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, formerly known as the South Lorain M. E. Churcli, was organized at a called meeting of the Methodists of the south part of the city, on July 13, 1900. The congregation held its first meetings in the K. 0. T. IM. hall on East Twentyninth Street with Rev. ]\Iilo Kelser, assistetl liy Rev. E. R. Romig, as pastors. The congregation grew so rapidly that it was soon alile to build a church edifice and on PVbruary 23, 1902, it moved info the present building on East Thirty-first Street. Unencumbered by delit, the institution plans to erect a parsonage within the near future. The present enrollment is 140, with a Sunday school of 175.

Pastors who have filled the puli)its since the first organization include Revs. E. S. Collier, II. D. Fleming, S. E. Sears, R. Halmer, W. B. Maughiman, J. F. Stewart and E. AI. Iloagland. The last named is the present pastor, having a.ssumed the pastorate in September, 1915.

St. Joseph's parish was organized by Rev. Charles Reichlin, the present pastor, on January 5, 1S!)G. The first .service was held in the chapel of St. Joseph's Ilo.spifal. h'our lots at the intersection of Reid Avenue and Eighteenth Street were purchased, and a church was creeled. 'IMie present edifice was dedicated i)y IJisiiop Ilorstman, Sunday, .May 9, 1S97. Tlie structure is a massive brick building with stone IrimmiuL's

A parish school was organized sinuiUaiiooiisly with tlie parisli. In January, ]Si)G, two rooms wen- n-nti'd for tin; purposn and two Sisters of St. Franeis were instalh'd as t<'achers. Forty diihlren wvn- in atlendaiiec when tlie sehool was oj)ene(l and l)eror(; the end of .June TOO pupils Were enrolled. The parish now lias ahout 125 families, a large Sunday school, and a beautiful new parish iiouse, recently built. Rev. Charles 1^'iehlin, who was sent here by liishop lIoi'stm;in when tlu' church was oi-gani/ed, is still in eliarge.

Jn 1895 Catholic Polish people began to settle in Lorain, where the docks and rolling mills gave the men employment. For nearly three years they attended nuiss at St. .Mary's R. C. Church on Fighth Street. Rev. Adolph Swierezynski was sent to Lorain in January, 18!J8, to conduct services for the Polish speaking resiilents. He secured a room in St. .Mary's School and had it fitted up as a i)]aee of worshii).

Services were held every other Sunday. Rev. Chas. II. Ruskow.ski succeeded Father Swierezynski in June, 1898. The room at St. ^Mary's School was abandoned in October and the church was moved into the ba.sement of St. Jo.seph's Church. In September, 1898, five lots were purchased at the corner of Jje.xington Avenue and Fifteenth Street to serve as a site for church, school and pastoral residence.

Another lot was bought in November, 18i)9. A two-story frame, combined church and school building, was finished in April, l!)(l(), and was dedicated on Septendjcr 9th of tiie same year. The edilice cost $10,000. In Septendjer, 1900, a parisli scliool was opened with an attendance of sixty-five pupils, in charge of a lay teacher.

'J'he church at the ])resent time is in charge of Rev. A. A. Radecki. It has a memljershij) of 460 families and a school enroll nu'iit of 285 pupils. The in'ojx'i'ty is owiu-d by the church and valued at +;U),(!()0.

The origin of St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Magyar Church, which is one of file largest of the organizations sujtitorted l)y the foreign clement in South Lorain, was St. Stephen's Sick Penevolent Society, founded by the Hungarians of tliat locality in 1898. A parish was founded l»y IJcv. Charles Zochm, ])a.stor of St. Flizabelh (Muirch, Cleveland, and his assistant, Rev. Jose|)h Szabo. Fatiier Szabo became the first resident priest of the i)ari.sli in 1904, and during bis i)astorate of seven yeai's the church and i)arish house were erected at Wood Avenue

In 190G tlie Hungarians of .South Lorain also organized a Greek Catholic Church (St. Michael) which, for several years, has been in charge of Rev. Basil Berecz.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish was organized in 1905. The first pastor -was Rev. Amlrew Smerkar, who, in 1907, was transferred to a charge in Cleveland. In the fall of 1907 the church and rectory at present occupied were purchased from St. John's Parish, which afterward built new parochial buildings on a site more suited to its purpose. The parochial property consists of six lots on East Thirty-first Street adjacent to the corner of Globe Avenue- - a combination church and parochial school building and a rectory.

The Slavisli settlers of Lorain in 1903 purchased 3^/; acres of land located at Twenty-fifth Street and Elyria Avenue. On this was erected the Holy Trinity Ciuirch, parochial school and pastor's rectory. The site, together with the buildings represented a total outlay of about $40,000. Tile first pastor was Rev. Joseph Avomek and Rev. Francis Zozelek assumed charge in February, 1908. The chui-ch has a membership of about 150 families. Its parochial school is under the supervision of the Franciscan Sisters.

In Septembex', 1900, the cornerstone of St. John's Roman Catholic Church was laid on East Thirty-first Street, mass being celebrated for the first time in the following December.

The Second Baptist and the Second ^I. E. churches (botli formed by colored people) were organized in 1894. The African ^Methodist Episcopal Church (St. Mathews) was formed in 1905.

were lield iii the pai'lors of llie Y. iM. C. A. until September 20, 1903, wlieii the present eluireli buildiiijj wus dedieated. \V. A. Donaldson was the lirst elder. The ehureh is the only one of its denomination in Lorain County. Tlie meiidjersliip roll lists 188 active and forty reserved or inactive. The present pastor, Rev. A. C. Thomson, bef,'an his ministry March 1, 1911.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Vas organized in 1900. The membership lias steadily increased. The church occupies rented quarters at Reid Avenue and Nintli Street.

In 1900 the Jewish people in Lorain organized the Agudheh Acliiu congregation and erected a synagogue on Twelftli Street between Broadway and Reid Avenue. The congregation has a meml)ersliip of about 125.

Tlie First Englisli Evangelical LuHieran Cliurch was organized Septendjcr 20, 1903, witli twenty-three charter memljers. The tir.st church services and Sunday school sessions were held in the Pierce Block, Royal Arcanum rooms. A call was extended by the young congregation to Rev. N. J. Iladley to become its pa.stor, and he assumed charge October 1, 1903. He continued with the congregation from that date until December 31, 1912, when he resigned and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. E. Shewell.

In tlie latter part of 190G the congregation Itought tlie present site of its cliurch at the corner of Washington Avenue and Sixth Street. The society worships in a chapel at that location.

Uplifting Forces

The Press - The Black River Commercial - The Lorain jMonitor - The Lorain Times-IIerald - The Lorain Daily News - The Post - Upliftjno Societies - Lor.un's Young Wen's Christian Association - Woman's Christian Temperance Union - The Sisterhood oE Lorain - Social Settlement Association - Literary Clubs - The .Making op American Citizens - Musical Organizations - Federation oe Women's Societies - The Associated Charities - St. Josei'h's Hospital - Lodges and Fraternities.

The piTss of Lorain, despite the fact that since its birth about thirtyseven years ago it has experieiieed numerous changes and the usual run of retarding experiences, has been a strong force in the progress and uplift of the village and city. Undoubtedly, one reason why the newspajjer field there has not been as encouraging to enterprising news-^ paper men and women as some otiier localities in Northern Ohio is because of tlie large foreign element in the local population. That, coupled with llie fact that much of tlic wealth upon which the newspaix'i-s depend for their advertising patronage, is concentrated in a few large industries, tend rather to contract the field of operations. Under the circumstances, the pul)lications which have been issued from the Lorain oftices have been most creditable and helpful to the reading and the progressive elements of the community, which are already strong and constantly expanding.

Tile initial number of the above-named newspaper, the father of the local ])rcss, was issued ]\Tay 8, 187;^, by II. A. I'^isher, at Black River; wliicli was llic year bel'oic the incorporation of the settlement by that name as the Village of (Miarleslon. The Commercial was a five-column quarto - Imns, $1.50 a year. On the following '.id of July its form was changed to an eight-colnmu folio, and on the ISlli of Seplember it was

I'f'cliiccd to six columns. On tlic 8tli oi" Jjuiiiiiry, lS74,.it. was restored to an eifi'lit-coliiiiiii folio, wilii j)ateiil, outside |)af,'es, and on liie ninth oi' tile foliowinf^ May, about a nionlli al'liT tin; first villa{.,'e election, its size was increased to nine coluniiis. 'I'iu; editor and proprietor was evidently "feeling out" tlio coniinunity to see how much of a Coniinercial it would sustain, but discontinued its venture at Charleston on the 12th of September, 1874, "for want of adequate support." ]\Ir. Fisher then moved liis plant to Elyria and commenced the publication of the Elyria Republican.

No other venture in the local tick! was made until 1879, when the Lorain Monitor was issued by Lawlcr & JJrady. It was a small fivecolumn folio, witli ])atent "outsides. " From its modest start was evolved the Times-IIerald of today.

The Lorain Times-IIerald, which represents the second local newspaper venture, has been tireless in pushing along the business, industrial and higher interests of the diverse communities which make the place .so noteworthy ; and right liere the editor of this work wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to that publication for many of the facts which are woven into the chapters devoted to the history of Lorain. Its various anniversary editions have been found of great help - in fact, almost invaluable.

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Lorain Times-IIerald by the establishment of the Lorain Daily Times in November, 1879, Frederick A. Rowley, then its editor and proprietor, issued a special "silver edition," packed with interesting matter, both current and historical.

These are the graphic paragraphs which relate to the founding of tile Times: "Looking back now to that day, November 6, 1879, when two boys left their studies at Oberlin and, coming down to Lorain, found Irving Lawler and his brother, Eddie, at work in the jMonitor office, it seems almost impossible that so much could have happened in twentyfive years. The office of the Monitor was in a wooden l)uilding at the corner of Erie avenue; and Broadway. Upstairs in the Vernam Hlock it was, and Irving was bustling about getting the i)aper ready lo ])rint. lie and lOddie were both setting tyjx' out of the same case, or, at least, fliey often did tluit. 'i'iie Oberlin Itoys sei'utini/.ed the .Monitor ollice very critically, and were not long in making it known that they wei'c li'ving to break into liie ii('\vsi)aper hnwiness. Irving sent lOddie ont ior I'ii Lavvier, and in an lionr or so a deal was closed for the purchase of the Monitor at the price of three hundred dollars for the whole outfit.

"Tile Oberlin 'boys went home, gave up their books and transplanted themselves from the classic influences of Oberlin to the more sturdy and strenuous life in Lorain. The office was soon moved to two rooms over A. n. liabcock's grocery store, two doors north on Broadway. There, in a poorl^'-lighted upstairs room, with an Army pres.s, a small lot of much-worn type and a little 5x7 Golding jol) press, the business of the Times was" conducted during the winter of 1879-80. The Oberlin boys slept in the office, occupying a room barely large enough for the bed and so cold they had to lay up very close together at night to keep from freezing. ISo the winter' i)assed. Hardly enougli iiioney was taken in to pay Aunt Eunice, at Uncle AVilliam Jones', the board for two hungry young editors. It was a severe lesson in the practical responsibilities of life, but it was worth all it cost. The many difficulties overcome at that time siiowed that obstacles can be surmounted. That has been the history of tlie paper. It has had the spirit of a winner from the start and sonieliow it has coiKjuered, often when it seemed that there was nothing but defeat to be expected."

In li)01 a con.solidation was effected under the iiresent title of the Lorain Times-Herald. The present editor and manager is C. A. Rowley, son of Frederick A. Rowley, and the paper is published by the F. A. Rowley Estate. '

The Lorain Daily News was founded in 1888, and has always been a democratic paper. In September, 1900, the Daily Democrat was issued under the ownership of the Democrat Publishing Company. F. II. King and Jacob IMeyer were prominently interested in the enterprise. There were a number of changes in the proprietor.ship and editorship of both publications, the business becomiiig much involved. The News-Democrat, as the consolidation was called, has been for some time the Lorain Daily News. It is published by the Lorain Democrat Company and J. W. Spaiilding is etlitor.

A review of the cliaritahle, l)eri(;voleii1,, social and literary (ields in Lorain is a hazardous and complex task, as, with the best of intentions, the writer cannot do full justice to the subject. Neither time, strength or space at command can be applied to bring out all the details fully illustrative of the broad work being accomplished by strong and highminded men and women in a rapidly growing community composed of so many distinctive elements. Connected with the numerous churches are hundreds of societies, working as their auxiliaries, and ceaselessly active in labors of charity, benevolence and general uplift.

In addition, there are such undenominational forces in action as the Young Men's Christian Association, the Associated Charities, the Sisterhood and the Lorain Federation of Women's Societies and scores of secret and lienevolent organizations. The Fedei-ation itself covers the activities of nearly tifty societies, each standing for some special form of charitable, reformatory or intellectual work.

One of the oldest of these general forces operating for good is the Young ^Men's Christian Association, organized in the fall of 1897, soon after the starting of the steel plant at South Lorain. Although it is conducted under the world-familiar plan of tliat body it was primarly founded for the benefit of the steel workers.

Soon after the estalilishment of the steel plant at South Lorain by the Johnson Company, the question of a elul) house for its men was agitated. After careful consideration, IM. M. Suppes, the general manager, bf'came convinced that the Young ]Men's Christian As.sociation ' was the most desirable form of organization for the purpose. The matter was laid before the state association, but the officers hesitated to organize sucli a work in an entirely untried field. So persistent was Mr. Suppes, however, that the task of securing subscriptions was finally undertaken. This was in the fall of 1897, and notwithstanding the fact that it Avas a time of great financial depression, there was a liberal response from the business corporations and citizens of Lorain and Elyria. The sum of $15,000 was secured. The largest individual contributors were A. J. IMoxbam and lion. Tom L. Johnson, wlio each gave !|>1,000. Two lots on 'i\iilii Avcnu(>, near the general office, were given l)y the Sheffield Land (!ompany.

The initial movement which resulted in llie founding of the Y. M. C. A. originated in llie desire of llie National Tube ol'licinls to establish in the spring of 1898 the present structure was erected at an approximate cost of .$30,000. The membersliip that time was 434. Immediately tile membership grew, and the scope of the association widened. New features were introduced and an etfort made to make the local institution the equal of any of its size. That has been accomplished.

The member.ship enrollment in li)15 was about 750, with prospects of steady increase.. The debt on the building has been decreased rapidly. Tile National Tube Company contributes a substantial amount each monlh toward running expenses.

One of the most interesting features of the association's work is the educational classes. The enrollment in the night school averages over 2t)() men, a majority of whom are in the English classes. These men are jirincipally employes of the National Tube Company, American .Shipl)uil<ling Company and the Thew Automatic Shovel Company. The subjects taught aside from English are: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometiy, mechanical drawing, electricity, steam engineering, and sheet metal drawing.

In the physical department there was a total attendance on class nights during the year of nearly 6,000. The work of this department sliows up si)lendidly. I\luch interest is manifested in tennis, Sunday school, l)aseball leagues, and the National Tube Industrial Baseball League.

Tlie social side of the work is not at all neglected. Receptions, entertainments, dinners, lectures, concerts are all in the yearly curriculum. The Woman's Auxiliary plans and successfully executes many social affairs. Plea.sant reading rooms add to this feature.

Tile religious phase of the association is naturally developed extensively. Esi)ecially fruitful is the work done among the boys. Home l{il)le classes have been organized and every effort made to emphasize the importance of ciiaracter-building. The M. and M. Club, or Mush and Milk Club, is an effective organization, formed of men banded together for the purpose of helping to develop and promote religious woi'k. There are twenty mendjcrs.

Since the oix-ning of the industrial Depai'tment numerous foreign speaking men liav(( been aided in seiniring naturalization papers. During the year the South Lorain branch of the Public Library circulated neariv i:i,000 books.

The association building is located on Kast Twenty-eighth Street near Pearl Avenue. The slnicture eonlaiiis tw(!iity-two rooms, including ofliccs, reading rooins, asscinhly rooms, class rooms, billiard and pool rooms, gymnasium, swimming pool, bath, lockor rooiris, social rooms, dark rooms and kitchen.

The building is built of mottled pressed brick and is of colonial architecture. On ent<iring one finds himsell' in a reception hall, which is the key to the entire building. This contains the office and liln-ary. At one end is a large fireplace, where a cheerful wood fire is kept burning whenever the weather demands it. Off the reception hall opens the public reading room for men, the games, music and boys' room. The reading room is large, well lighted, and supplied with about sixty of the best publications. The gymnasium occupies an annex in the rear. It is 38 by 58 feet, and 20 feet high. It is well lighted and ventilated. It contains a gallery and ruiming track, and is well equipped. The basement contains the bath and locker rooms. The former i.s. supplied with hot and cold shower, needle and sponge baths. The swimming pool is one of the finest in the state. It is 40 by 16 feet, and is graduated from four to six feet in depth. It is lined witli white tile, and is filled with filtered lake water, which is tempered throughout the year. The locker room contains 200 lockers for the use of the members. The second floor, which is reached from the reception room, contains the assembly hall, seating 200 persons, a committee room, kitchen and pantry. By sliding curtains it is possible to divide the as.sembly hall into three class rooms for the use of the educational department. The board of trustees in control of the local body is composed of the following members: D. W. Lawrence, president; Isaac Ilonecker, vice president; James A. Long, recording secretary; W. A. Davies, treasurer; Dr. W. S. Baldwin, D. A. Cook, Dr. D. B. Donaldson, E. II. Eddy, A. C. Eldredge, J. II. Evans, W. C. Fisher, H. li. Henes, E. M. Pierce, II. D. Townsend and W. J. Wright. The local executive force comprises the following: W. H. Coleman, general secretary; II. Darnell Brittin, physical director; Henry V. Laseh, assistant secretary.

The Women's Auxiliary of the Y'oung ]\Ien's Christian Association was organized in February, 1911, since which it has been of material assistance in not only conducting social activities but in raising funds for the current expenses of the main body.

It was twenty years after the founding of the W. C. T. U. at Lorain, in l^'ebruary, 189G, that the local Sisterhood was formed. From the outset of its work, the Sisterhood has faithfully followed its prescribed course, although the scope of its activities has broadened and its labors intensitied, with the growth of the communities in which its members have become so beloved. The aiding of widows is the prinuiry ol)ject of the Sisterliood, although entire families are often assisted when the heads of the households are ill or otherwise helpless. Scores of children are also kept in the public schools by being clothed and properly nourished. The first officers of the organization were: ]\Irs. E. 'M. Pierce, l)resident; ^Irs. Samuel Klein, vice president; Mrs. John Root, treasurer; Mrs. IL J. Barrows, secretary. The membei-ship of the Sisterhood is over 100.

Tile Lorain Social Settlement Association is an organization more restricted in its work than the Sisterhood. The movement started as a day nursery in the Steel Plant District and several girls' clubs were connected with it. In May, 1910, a visiting nurse was called from Cleveland, and the Social Settlement Association was organized with these officers: ^Irs. E. M. Pierce, president; ]\Irs. 11. C. Burrell, first vice president ; ]\Irs. N. E. Davis, second vice president ; Mrs. John Colib, secretary ; :\Irs. E. M. Ransom, treasurer. The association has had as many as 150 families on its list at one time, to which it was extending aid in various forms.

In the charitable work carried on by these two leading organizations, ]\Irs. E. ]\1. Pierce and Mrs. II. C. Burrell have been especially prominent.

l^orain has a number of flourishing literary organizations, devoted to the presentation and discussion of intellectual and social topics. The first of these clubs, which ha.s a successor, was with the Clnysantiiomum, fonned in IHflf), and reorganized in 1f)02 as Sorosis. Mrs. l'\ H. Vernam was long its president. Tlie Wiinodaughsis Club was organized in 1896, and united with the Lakeside Foderation in 1901 and with tlie State Federation in 1905. The Round Table cairie into existence in 1898, the East Side Literary Club in 1902, and the University Club in 1909 ; and there are doubtless others, as well as fifty or sixty social organizations, such as sewing societies, bridge clubs, girls' clubs, mothers' clubs and afternoou clubs.

In South Lorain, it is said that there are fully fifty societies, organized entirelj^ by foreigners. xMniost every nationality in the city is represented by a soeiety. After being in America a long enough time to become acquainted to some degree with American customs and language, the foreigner, American-like, frequently joins an organization of his own nationality. These societies or clubs, hold regular meetings ami entertainments, to which are often invited as guests and speakers many of the English speaking citizens of the cit}'. Many excellent entertainments and musicals have been given in this city through the medium of these societies. Almost every society has its own Jmnd.

It can be said witli truth tiuit the majority of nou-AmerieaixS desire to become American citizens, iietween them and tlieir dc^sire stands the process of naturalization, which, however easy of attainment it may seem to the casual observer, is nevertheless a barrier requiring much honest effort to surmount. INfany are surmounting it each year, and many are trying to surmount it year after year. The recpiirement is an examination, to pass which means months of patient study. Twice each year examinations for prospective citizens are held at the courthouse in Elyria. The exaiuiiiatiou consists of a list of questions covering the family history of the applicant and the physical history of the United States. Before he can apply for citizenship, a foreigner nuist have made the United States his home for three years.

Classes for instruction in work necessary to pass the tests are eonducted throughout the city. The Y. ]\I. C. A. gives instructions and private classes are organized. After obtaining his papers a foreigner is no longer a foreigner, but is authorized to take part in municipal and govenniiental affairs to as full an extent as a native l)orn American. In coming yeai's, the number of those taking advantage of the [)rivilegfs will prdliably increase I'cgularly.

In 1914 two organizations were formed at Lorain for the purpose of consolidating the charitahle, social and literary activities of the city. In January of that year representatives from thirty-six of the women's societies met at the Hoard of Commerce rooms and organized the Lorain Federation of Women's Societies; about a score have since 1)een added to the membership. Its aims, as announced through olficial literature, are stated thus: "As members of the Lorain Federation we aim to use our united strength to obtain better homes, better schools, better surroundings, better citizenship and better laws. To work together for civic health and civic righteousness, and to preserve our heritage, the forests and natural beauties of the land, to procure for our children an education which fits them for life - the training of hand and heart, as well as the head ; to prevent the children of our own being deprived of their birthriglit of natural childhood ; to obtain conditions and proper safeguards lor women who toil."

The Federation ofificers in 1915 were: President, ]\Irs. Regina Llewellyn; first vice president, ^Irs. K. J. Veamans; acting vice president, .Mrs. Theodore Oehlke ; second vice president, .Mrs. Robert Friedman; recording secretary, ]\Irs. A. Z. Prescott; corresponding secretary, Mrs. W. C. Hayes; auditor, "Mm. Joseph Gould.

In ]\Iarch, 1914, the Associated Cliarities of Lorain was incorporated as an outgrowth of a small day nursery begun in 1910. The organization is governed by a board of fifteen directors elected annually on the third Monday in January. The officers for 1915 were as follows: President, L. A. Fauver; secretary, R. li. Patin ; treasurer, F. ]M. Pierce. The other members of the board of directors were: Mrs. II. C. liurrell, Mrs. N. M. Fldred, Mrs. Elizabeth Wickens, Mrs. Sam Klein, Mrs. 'IMioiinis .McGeachie, Mr's. .loseph (Joidd, Miss Harriet U'oot, Mrs. -loliu ('oi)l), (Jeorgc! (ilitsch, J. II. (Jcrliart, (hisler Snydei- and Frank Ay res.

timifd, as tliat fi-alun; liad boon assuiiicil l)y Uio city. Tlu; Settlfiiioiit House ami ri'liel" work was placed iu charge of IMiss Ileli-n M. Wright and lilt! social work intrusted to Miss Winifred Sta'rbird. In the work of investigation, as a i)recedent to relief; in the care of girl and juvenile transients, thrown out of work or their lionies; iu the pensiouing of deserving mothers that they may care for their children at home, and in the aetual labors incident to material relief, the Associated Charities has been a local blessing, especially in times of industrial depression. It is a well-organized central body, with which the various organizations of the city, whether church or non-sectarian, heartily and generally co-ojierate.

Although founded ami controlled by the Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Hospital, located on Penfield Avenue on a four-acre site between the steel plant and the shipyard, is so generally patronized and its work of relief is so broad, that its eharacter ims come to be recognized as semi-public. The hospital was established in 1892 by Rev. J. N. Bihn, now deceased, who also fouiuled the immense St. Francis Orphan A.sylum and Home for Ageil at Tiffin, Ohio. Facilities were at first necessarily limited, but new ecpiipment and a more extensive service were gradually added.

The grounds now occupy an entire city block bounded by Broadway, Twentieth and Twenty-first streets and Reid Avenue. Flanked by the city's principal street car lines, the locality has the advantage of easy accessibility.

The hospital buildings consist of main structure of frame constructions, three stories in height, and connected with this, a three story, prcssed-brick faced annex. The annex is of comparatively recent erection, the nuiin building liaving been built at the time the hospital was founded in 1892.

In 1903 the St. Joseph's Training School for Nurses was established in connection with the hospital. The course requires three years and includes general, medical and .surgical nursing, also ophthalmic and gynecological nursing. The class of graduates from the school has never been less tluin two, and last year reached seven.

The Ladies' Auxiliary of the hospital has been a great instrument of heli)fulness. The ladies, who number at present about 100, have regular meetings at which hospital sewing is attended to and a.ssistanco rendered in any possible way.

The present superioress is Sister JNIary Pius, her predeeessor, for many years, having been Mother Superior Seraphine. About seventy patients are now (1916) in care of the Sisters.

Lorain is well represented by various lodges and fraternities, outside of tlie foreign section in South Lorain. A local statistician places the eonibiued uieinbership at fully 10,000. The same authority gives the JMasons priority as an order, the combined membership of their sewn bodies estal)lished at Lorain being over 1,300. The Knights of Pythias, with the Pythian Sisters, come next, nearly 1,000 strong; then the Knights and Ladies of the Maccabees, over 760, and the Odd Fellows (including the Rebekahs), more than 600. The largest individual organizations are Lorain Aerie of Eagles, with a membership of over 700; the Lorain Lodge of IMasons (No. 552), about 425; the IMoose Lodge, 400, and Lorain Tent No. 1, Knights of the ^Maccabees, 370 or more. There are about 500 members connected with the railroad unions and brotherhoods, Knights of Columl)us, Royal Neighbors, and the Elks, Woodmen, Red J\len, Tribe of Ben Hur, Protected Home Circle, and Royal Arcanum have also growing organizations.

Public Affairs Of Elyria

The Village in 1833 - The Elywa High School - First District Schools - Board of Education Formed - Jason Canfield, First Superintendent - Public High School. Building Erected - Complete Curriculum Adopted - First High School Guaduates - Other School Events of the 'GOs - Board of Education Speaks Its ]\1ind - Construction of School Buildings - ]\Ianial Training and Technical High School - The Social Settlement SchooIj - - Enrollment of Pupils and Teachers - The Public Library - Protection Against FiRJi - Increase in Elyria's Population - Public Improvements - The Elyria Chamber op Commerce - Civic Improvement - Legislation - ]\Iunicipal Sanitation and Public Health.

When Elyria was incorporated as a village on the 23d of February, 1833, it had been the county seat of Lorain County since the independent civil organization of the latter in 1824. It had been a postoftiee for fifteen years.

The first little court house and jail graced the public square donated by Heman Ely. He and Artemas Beebe (with his hotel, stage line and general store) were the leading citizens of the place. Quite a number of small business houses were around the square, including the store of Thompson Miles and the harness and saddlery shop of Ezra S. Adams, who was also in partnership with I\lr. Beebe in the operation of the line of stage coaches> between Cleveland and Sandusky. Tliere were thirty or forty houses scattered over the village site lying l)et\veen the branches of Black River, and three churches had been organized by the four or five hundred people witliin the village limits and in the immediate neighborhood.

The Presbyterians had been organized for nearly ten years, while the ]\Ietliodists and Disciples of Christ were in their infancy, but filled with zeal and ambition. Altliough the Masons, had formed a lodge as early as 1819, the result of the Morgan agitation was to make it a{lvisal)le to sns])en(l its operations from ]H2H to 1848, so that in tlie year of the vilhige incorjjoration (183.'5) it was in a state of sus|)endetl animation.

Among the most flourishing institutions of that day was the P^lyria High School. It was under private control and instruction, it is true, but for about twenty years answered some of the best purposes of a public school. From 1827 to 1850 a number of private schools were conducted at Elyria, but the high school was tlie most notal)le and drew to itself not a few instructors who afterward became well known in a broader province of education.

The Elyria High School Avas under the management of a board of trustees. In 1831 Ilcman Ely had erected a building at tlie rear of the Methodist Churcli, between Hroad and Second .streets, and leased the l)uilding and the land to the trustees of tlie Elyria High School for a term of years.

Rev. John Monteith was called to take charge of the first class as organized, being assisted by bis wife iind Miss Mary lOells. Tbe common branches were taugiit, as well as advanced studies. J. II. I^'airchild and his brother, E. H. Faircbild, long afterward presidents, respect-

Mr. and Mrs. Jiranch, Dr. A. Ji. Jirown and wife, Kev. John I'. Cowles (afterward professor in Oberlin College), and Luther M. Oviatt, successively had the management of the high school.

.After retiring from the Elyria High School i\Ir. IMonteith, assisted by his wife, opened a school at his own house, and Rev. David A. Grosvenor, of the Presbyterian Church, established a girls' school in a building on East Third Street formerly occupied by that denomination.

But the tax-payers demanded something more democratic than such private institutions, creditable though they were, and almost a jjublic necessity until the community had reached such a condition of material stability that public schools could be supported on a scale demanded by the intelligence of the place.

In the spring of 184G a meeting of the voters of School District No. 1 was called to vote a tax of itil,O()0, to be used in the building of a public school for that section of the county. The vote was against the proposition, but as many were dissatisfied with the outcome a bill was passed through tiie Legislature dividing the school district into Nos. 1 and 9.

In the winter of 1846-47 meetings were held in the district named, and each voted a tax of $1,000 for the erection of a public schoolhouse within its own territory. During the following season the stone schoolhouse on the corner of East Avenue and Third Street was erected for No. 1 and a brick building in the west part of the village for No. 9.

The Akron school law of 1847, and the general state law passed February 21, 1849, wluch incorporated its main provisions and specially provided "for the better regulation of public schools in cities and towns," had a stiinulating eiVect upon the citizens of Elyria. In May, 1850, they were largely represented in the meeting at the courthouse at which they voted to reorganize the local s(!liools under the general law. Under its provisions, an election was held on the 8lh of June, ]Hr)0, at which the following were (thosen the; first board of education of Elyria: E. DeWitt and 0. Cowles, three years; M. W. I'ond and Tabor Wood, two years, and C. S. Coodwiii and 1'. ('. Dolley, one year.

III Oetolicr, IHoO, .Jusoii (laiiMcId was calli'd to tako cliarj^i; of llie Elyria union seliools, vvhicli then consisted of tlic stone; and hfick liouses erected in 1847, in the east and west parts of the village; an intermediate, or secondary school, and a high school, both of the latter being taught in the old Elyria High School Building erected by Mr. Ely nearly twenty years previously. Thus was the local system fairly established.

In 1853 another department was organized, making three below the high school, which was taught in the old "session room," previously used for religious, judicial and educational purposes.

The first high school building erected by the village was completed in 1857 and stood between IMiddle and West avenues. It was first occupied by the high, grammar and secondary grades in the winter of 1858, and tlie old Ely High Seliool and the "session room" were abandoned.

below the liigU school provision was made for instruction in reading, si)elling, writing, drawing, vocal music, iiritlimetic, geography, grammar, comj)osition, diM-lamation, pliysioiogy. United States history and morals. A regular tliree years' course of study was arranged for tlie high sciiool, with an optional fourtii year. Upon completing the full course of four years, the pupil was entitled to a diploma, signed by the president and members of the board, the superintendent and examining conunittee - a document, certainly, which should have been fully binding and weighty.

The first regular class which graduated from the high school consisted of Lydia A. Ball, Beza N. Boynton and Henrietta ('. Scliail)ly, and they went forth in 18G:5. The four graduates of 18()1. wlio had completed but a partial course, were Cyrus Y. Durand, Thankful D. Boynton, Frances AV. Sanford and Louise Terrell.

AVhat were long known as the East and West Side primary schools of the Elyria union scliools, were formerly Sul)-distriets Nos. 2 and 6 of the township system. These were assumed l)y the Elyria School Board in April, 1864.

At a meeting of that body held in September, 1867, the local cor.rses of study were again revised. A set of rules was also adopted regulating the meetings of the board and specifying the duties of its memliers, as well as those of superintendent, teachers and pupils.

The following suggestive message went forth, at the same time, from the board of education as a body: "Public schools are expensive. They cost the young people a great deal of valuable time. They co.st teachers and other friends of education a great deal of labor and care. They cost tax-payers a good deal of money. But schools are worth all they cost. No community can aflt'ord to do without them. It is cheaper to support schools and churches than penitentiaries and infirmaries. Free public schools are the palladium of liberty. Universal education is the surety for the perinanency of free institutions. Every good citizen feels a direct interest, in the prosperity and efficiency of scliools, and should also feel a jx-rsonal responsibility Ihci-efor. Good schools arc not only worth what they cost; they are worth uiulei'standing and caring for. The best way to know them is to go and see them. Anyone may h-ai'n more about sdiools by visiting tlicm a U'W iioiu's, than liy much ianlt-liiiding with the Icaifhers and the Hoard of Kdncation."

In 1868 the board added a two-story wing to tlie higii school l)uilding, to provicK' for tlie increasing nmnber of pupils, and in ]87() made anotiier revision of the curriculum. Tliere has never been a time since that tlie boards and the superintendents, principals and teachers, havo not striven to the limit of their strength and ability for 'the improvement of the public system of education, with the result that Elyria's standing as an educator is remarkably high. The development of its high school has been especiallj' notewoi'thy.

In 1875 the board commenced the erection of a school building west of that occupied by the high school, fronting on Sixth Street, it being occupied in the fall of 1877. This made the fourteenth school in what was then known as the Union School District.

With the exception of the Ritlge Street School, which is the oldest building now in us(!, the structures in Klyria devoted to public education are comjtai-atively new; that is, so Muiny additions have been made; to

The old Elyria Iligli Sehool, on Sixth Street and ^Middle Avenue (the Franklin Building), was burned about twenty years ago, and finally rebuilt as a thirteen-room structure. At first it contained all the public school grades, but the growing attendance at length overfiowed into the Lincoln School Building which had been erected on adjacent grounds.

In i^lay, 11)15, was completed the magnificent three-story building connected by corridors with tlie earliei' striictui-c, known as the ^laniuil Training and Technical High School. It contains thirty rooms, iiiuluding a fine auditorium and the moilern facilitii'S to completi- a four years' practical course in wood, i)attern and cabinet work; molding, casting and printing; dressmaking and millinery, and the arts and crafts generally. Academie courses are i)Ursued«in the older portion of the institution, eollectively known as the high school, wliieh also contains lunch rooms, physical and chemical lalioratorics, and anotiier auditorium.

The other scliools included in the present system are as follows: The Hamilton School, on ]\liddle Avenue and Thirteenth Street, built fifteen years ago as a four-room house; four rooms were adiled in li)()7, and another four in l!)l;}.

On East River Street is the ^McKinley School of twelve rooms completed a decade ago. In 11)14 the Garforil Building, still farther east, provided four rooms for the overflow from the .MeKinley.

In 1914 the Gates Sclioolhouse was ei-ecfed on Lake Avenue, being a handsome three-story building taking the place of an old structure. Its auditorium is large and modern.

The Jefferson School, on Jelfcrson and Foster avenue, fartliei' north, is about a dozen years old, although a large addition was made to it five years ago. It is a ten-room liouse.

The veteran of them all, the Ridge Street Sclioolhouse, was originally a little two-room affair, and two years ago four rooms were added, nuiking it (juite respectable in size and adequate for the re(|uired accommodations.

One of tlie new schools is that erected on the Western Heights of Mlyria for the foreign children who are llicre (|uilc largely ri'|)rcscntc(l ; it is gonenilly known as the Social Settlement Scliool. The two-story building rei)resenting its many interesting features was ereuted by the county, but tlie kindergartcji and night classes Tor the instruction of tljose too young or too old to ])ursue the reguhir day courses provided, are supported by the city board of education.

Altogether, tlie enrollment of pupils in the public school system of Elyria numbered about 3,000 late in li)15. Of that number some 600 were high school scholars, wlio were instructed by a corps of twenty-tive teachers, and scattered among the other schools of the city were more tlian 100 instructors.

Elyria is indebted for its public library to Charles A. Ely, a son of the judge, who was born May 2, 1829, and died September 30, 18C4. Ilis early life was spent in iiis native village, and he became a well known business man, meclianic and manufacturer. lie was also a man of unusual mental gifts and high ideals. In 1850 ]\lr. Ely married Louisa C. Foot, of Cleveland, who was deeply interested in the library project and materially assisted her husl)and in its furtherance.

A codicil to Mr. Ely's will, added in 1857, contained a bequest which conveyed the site of the present library or Ely Block, with the building then standing upon it, to five trustees named in the instrinnent. The e.xecutor was also directed to pay $5,000 to them as a book fund for immeiliate vise and t|ilO,000 as a permanent fund, the income only of which was to lie applied to li1)rary purjioses. These provisions were carried into efl'ect soon after "Sir. Ely's death in 1864.

The trustees named in the will were : Dr. Norton S. Townshend, Ileinan Ely, Ilarwood ]M. Redington, George Olmstead and Prof. James ]\Ionroe, the last named on the faculty of Oberlin College. As I\lr. Monroe could not act, Hon. John C. Ilale was appointed to fill the vacancy. The trustees immediately entered upon their work, the building was fitted for library purposes, 2,000 volumes were purchased and on June 10, 1870, the public was admitted to its privileges. The event was celeliratcd at the courthouse, tlie e.\ercises including addresses by Doctor Townshend and other trustees and leading citizens.

A disastrous fire oceurrinl on Maix-h 15, 1873, by which the building and library were virtually consumed. Only 375 of tlie, 4,000 volumes then in tlie lilirary were saved. There was a small insurance on the building, which, with an additional sum, provided a rebuilding fund. Portions of tlio block were occupied in May, 1874, but the library was not I'copencd until .July 2^)\\\ following. It .si ill occupies the second floor of the building and is well patronized.

Elyria enjoys ade(|uate protection against fire both through its local department and its large nuiincii)al pumping station on Lake Erie, a few miles to the north, where its domestic supply of water is filtered and softened. Several of the large manufactories have also their special systems of protection again.st fire. Electric light and power are supplied by a private corporation, which, as will be seen by an article elsewhere published, has given Elyria considerable prominence in that tichl.

Although the lire department of Elyria is eomparatively small, it has a long history; for in 18:];) the villagers purchased a little hand engine and organized a volunteer company of thirty men under the luime of the Aetna Fire Company No. 1. S. W. Baldwin was foreman. The foregoing was the entire department until 1850, when another hand engine was purchased and Phoenix Fire Company No. 2, also thirty men strong, was formed. Then a hook and ladder eompany was added, and soon after the tire of .March, IHT.i, a steam fire engine was purchased from the famous factory at Seneca Falls, New York. Sufficient hose and two hose carts, with other auxiliaries of what was then eonsidered modern, were also bought, under the .stress of the tire panie, until the village authorities had expended .$6,750. The first officers of the first tire engine were as follows: John T. Houghton, ehief engineer; John Ilufner, assistant engineer; Charles S. Bird, engineer; John ;\I. Tite, fireman. The foregoing are the main facts eonnccted with the founding of the Elyria Fire Department. It now comprises three efficient companies with apparatus to meet all requirements.

Prom 1830 toi about 1870 Elyria was chiefly known as the .seat of justice of Ivorain County and a town who.se general trade with the surrounding country was large. It grew slowly, but substantially. Until lS(i() no census of its poi)idation was taken apart fi'oni that of the township, but in that year the natioiud enumerators gave it as 1,()13.

In 1850, the construction of the Lake Shore & ^lichigan Southern (as the Junction Railroad) was commenced and, as completed, furnished Elvria with an east and west outlet, thus greatly expanding the field of

Especially within the past twenty years has Eiyria made great progress in everything which stands for the life of a typical American city. Its streets have been widened and paved ; a complete system of sanitary sewerage established, comprising thirty-five miles of sewers; municipal waterworks founded ; modern business blocks and handsome residences built ; a massive and elegant city hall erected, and a score of large industrial plants established. J\lany of the city churches have been erected during that period and others improved; and it is doubtful whether there is any city of its .size in the United States which has a more compete Yonng .Men's Christian Association Uuilding than the massive structure completed in Eiyria in 1914.

The beautiful memorial monument in the public park, erected to the soldiers and sailors of Eiyria Township, was completed in the spring of 1888 at a cost of about .+8,000. The contractors were Carabelli & Broggini, of Cleveland, and the township trustees, under whose supervision the work was completed, Edwin C. Griswold, Levi ]\lorse and Lewis D. Boynton.

Eiyria has the all-pervading atmosphere of home life and stability. In fact, there are few cities of its size in the middle ^Vest which have so small a proportion of that undesirable element known as "the floating population."

One of the most influential of those in.stitutions which has greatly contributed to the general advancement of the city is its Chamber of Commerce, Us membership of over tiOO representing practically every profession, trade, business and industry within the limits of the cor- ]ioration.

body of men were infused witli tlie idea that Elyria needled some organization whieli might serve as a eiearing house for ideas and as a meeting ground for the business men of the eity, wliere petty diftVn-nees might bo forgotten in zeal for the eommon interests and the eity's welfare. The first reeord of its mcndx;rsliip diseloses 187 meml)ers. "

Under the plan of organization, the last five ex-presidents constitute an advisory board or committee, which meets with the directors, Init has no voting power. The Board of Directors composed of fifteen membera elected annually, is charged with the real administration of tiie Cliamber. And acting under and in connection with the directors there are nine standing committees, composed of from five to nine members, through

The best idea of the general work of these committees can be gained from a brief reference to the work being done by a few of them. The Good Roads Committee has been ever alive to the need and demand for improved highways; has been in constant touch with the state and national organizations working toward tliat end ; and has, for the past few years, exerted an almost daily and ever effective influence upon Ihe county and township olliciids williin wliose j)Owci' it was to do anything for the improvement of tlic roads. It may be said fairly that the major share of the road improvements in Lorain County are due directly or indirectly to the interest and activity of tlie Good Roads Commitlee of \hi'. Chamlx'r of (,'oimiUM-ee.

The Iiuhi.strial Committi'e of the Cliainber of CoinmercL' iuvesligatos the jnerits of industries seeking to loeate in Elyria and also seeks to induce desirable plants to establisli tliemselves. Then there are the ediucational, tlio transportation and the eivie improvement committees. Tlie last named has been especially active in examining and exploiting the relative merits of the various municipal mctliods of sewage and garbage disposal.

Any one who has in any way gained the idea that the Chamber stood primarily for money making need only consider the various organizations or instit\itions to which it lias given and is now giving active support, to learn tliat such is not the fact. Tlie Cliamber was largely instrumental in the organization, and is still active in tlie support of the Elyria ^lemorial Hospital ; it was the real starting point of the campaign for the Yo\nig ]\len's Ciiristian Association; it was responsible for the organization of the Social Settlement Association; it proposed and effected the organization of the Associated Cliarities; while the Chamber in it.self and througli its members is giving principal support to every civic organization and charitable institution in the city.

From one of the reports issued by the Chamber the following paragraphs are taken as fairly illustrative of the nature of the woi'k accomplished by this progressive body of citizens: "The beauty of Elyria appeals to the aesthetic eye of the stranger who nuiy come here to visit or with the idea of seeking a location for an industry. As soon as a favorable impression is made, the industrial value of Elyria is enhanced.

"Influence brought to bear on the telephone and lighting companies to remove all dead or unused poles and to u.se back lot lines of property owners, instead of the streets for the erection of poles, has l)rought a fair return, as manifested by the improved conditions.

"An ordinance was drafted and sulimitted to the Council, making it a misdemeanor, subject to fine, to in any way danuige, treat or remove any shade trees in the piiblic parks or highways of Klyria. The ordinance as framed by the Chamber was pa.ssed by tlie Council and is now in full force and effect.

"Co-operation witii tlie Home Garden Association iu having lectures delivered has increased the planting of trees, shrul)s and flowers. The floral display in the public park and tlie distribution of over !),00() packets of seeds to .scliool children has instilled a greater desire in the community to beautify Elyria.

"To determine tlie actual ))enefits derived from the cffort.s towards proper and effective legislation is not possible. Appeals have ))een made to our state and national senators and representatives to have them take, what the Chamber deemed proper action towards the enaction or defeat of pending legislation.

" Conipulsoi-y education; the employment of minors; the liability of employers; the proper dispo.sition of the proceeils. of tlie Dow liipior tax; the prohibition of deception, misrepresentation and the nse of false advertising and false pretenses in the procuring of employees to work in any department of labor are a few of the many subjects of legislation which have had the attention of the Chamber.

"Various cities throughout tlie United States have been aroused by stati.sties which have revealed an alarming numl)er of defects in the faculties of school children. Tlie Elyria Board of Education, through the efforts of the Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, had the school children physically examined by a competent physician and plans are being formulated whereby visiting nurses from the Elyria IMcmorial Hospital may be secured to visit the schools and keep in touch with the children and thus prevent the disastrous results of contagious diseases and to find out where impoverished conditions exist among the school children.

"How important this care and attention is, appeals to everyone who has any interest in the present and future welfare of our children and city.

"Through tlie Education Committee a campaign of education along the lines of Municipal Sanitation and Public Health was inaugurated and this committee was successful in securing the services of ]\lr. Starr Cadwallader, superintendent of the Health Department of Cleveland, to deliver an address before our members upon the above subject.

Mr. Ciulwallader treatotl the questiuu of the proper disposal of waste, the treatment of sewerage, the iiMi)ortaiiee of i)nl)lii; coUeetion of iinvhufic. ; also the (|ue.stioii of the child and its can; in tlie scliools, (;xplainiijf^ liow the eliild learns by activity and not hy absorption; reeoniniended organized group games and play for children under a competent play director. His treatment of the question of the care of milk and meat, together with the other subjects mentioned aroused an interest wliich has made the efforts of the Education Committee effective.

"The problem of public playgrounds and the securing of suital)le rooms for the young men of Elyria are engrossing the attention of the Education Committee. The character of plays and the question of tires in tile electric theaters was investigated which resulted in the sending liere of the .State Inspector, whose visit contributed to improved conditions.

"An appeal was made to the local Board of Health to investigate the condition in public laundries, with the view of preventing the transmission of disease through the contact of clothes."

The present officers of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce are : Charles II. Savage, president ; E. J. Crisp, first vice president ; James A. Hewitt, second vice president; C. W. Phillips, treasurer; Robert H. Rice, secretary.

Churches, Charities And Fraternities

Pioneer Religious Bodies - ]\Ietiiodism in P^lyria - Tue Head op the Circuit - Becomes a Station - Permanent Chijrch Building - New Parsonage - Pastors Who Have Served - Building of the Present House op AVorsiiip - Present Status op the Church - The Presbyterian Church - First Congregational Church - The First Baptist Church - St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - St. Mary's Church and Parish - First Resident Catholic Pastor - Death op Rev. F. A. Sullivan - Long Pastorate op Rev. Louis jMolox - Lesson Given to a Future Pastor - Death op Father ScHAPPiELD - St. Agnes Parish Formed - St. John's German Lutheran Church - Other Churches - Elyria Memorial Hospital - Grounds and Buildings - The W. N. Gates Hospital - Past, Present and Future op the Hospital - Its Founding Dkscriued BY the Chamber op Comjierce - The Young jMen's Christian Association - The Young AVomen's (,'iiristian Association - The Masons and Their Temple - The ]\Lvsonic Temi-le Company - Other Fraternities.

Tlu- spirit of ivligioji, cliurit}' aiul Ijciicvolciici' lias Ik-l-ii active and contimioiLS in Elyria ever since it liad a history. Like all counuunities founded essentially by New England men and women, its churches and schools were twin-births. Remeudjering that dominant note whicli ran through all of the pioneer settlements of the Western Reserve, and of most of the territory northwest of the Ohio River, it is one of the remarkable traits of American e-xpansion that tlie dividing line between the administration of the s(;hools and the churches should have been distinctly maintained by the west,ern pioneei's in obedience to the provisions of the National Constit\diop.

order named. The Methodist organization has waxed particularly strong with tlie passage of tlie years since it was formed and, witli nearly a century Inliind it, tlie local cliurch is .still as zealous as it was in the days of its youth. The interesting paper which follows is by its pastor, Dr. .Samuel L. Stewart.

j\Iethodism began in these parts before there was any settlement of Elyria. In 1S12 at the first meeting of the Ohio Conference a preacher, James .Me.Malion by luime, was appointed to this territory. In all Northeast Oiiio there was no ^Methodist organization. Here and there were JNlethotlists who had moved in from older settlements. But this preacher with his horse and saddlebags roamed over the territory, seeking out houses where he could preach and finding those whom he could organize into future churches. When the first preaching by Methodists was done in Elyria after its settlement in 1817 is impossible to determine. But in 18l'3 a class of ^Methodists was organized in a little brown schoolhouse that once stood on what is now Cleveland Street by the pastor of the Black River Circuit, Rev. Zarah Co.ston. It consisted of eight persons of which Hiram Emmons was the first class leader. In 1S2G with Henry O. Sheldon as pastor meetings were held in the old frame courthouse, and here he organized a class with Lewis Ely as leader. These two classes were combined and in 1827 he organized the Methodist Episcopal Church of Elyria. In 1827 Shadrach Ruark was appointed to the Black River Circuit and the place of meeting was changed to the "yellow schoolhouse" that had just been built where now stands the city hall and interurl)an station. Tliis continued to be the preaching place for several years. Then a Presbyterian Church bought the old courthouse and fitted it up for a "session liou.se" and permitted the ^Methodists to occupy it for their preaching service on the Sabbath. In 1828, Ru.ssell Bigi'low, ])erhaps the most wonderful orator of Western Methodist, became the lU'csiding elder of the Portland (now Sandusky) District of which Elyria was a part. i

III 182!), Cyrus S. Carpenter and II. Colclazer were the preachers on Hbiek Kivcr Circuit. At the first (piart(;rly conference of this year a restihilion was adoi)te(l declaring that "Seeing that the married preachers who are sent to this circuit siilVer many inconveniences and find it very iiicoiiveiiieiit to ])rocurL' suitable houses for their fauiilies, tlierefore, a coitunittee sliali he ai)])oiutecl whidi sluill seloet u suitahh' site and adopt Hueli iiieasuniH as sliall \h: neci'ssary 1o scuMin; the ])hici'." 'I'his coiiunittee liavirig seieeted Klyi'ia, a suhseriplion was started aud ou August 20, 1831, tlie deed was acknowledged to tlie plot of ground where now stands the present parsonage. This was the iirst parsonage property of the ^Methodist Church on the Western Reserve and is now the oldest parsonage property of any Protestant church in Northern Ohio. The house was soon built and so from that time there has been a .Methodist preacher living almost continuously on that spot.

In 1831, Elyria was recognized as the head of the circuit and the name of lilack River disappears from the minutes. On Decendjer 8, 1832, the first Sunday School was organized in connection witli the church. In 1837, Elyria Avas made a station with one hundred members. The "Yellow School house" proving too small, steps were now taken to secure a church building. It was thought wi.se to erect only a temporary structure and defray the erection of a larger and more permanent edifice until later. Accordingly in ]\Iareh of 1838 a lease was drawn up for town lot 159 on East Second Street signed by the trustees and .Mr. llcman Ely. The house built here was of boards, 38x40 feet in size. Jt was covered with clapboards, three windows on a side, two doors in front and pulpit at the opposite end. Its entire cost was about i|;700.

"When the North Ohio Conference was organized at Norwalk in 1840, Elyria Station was again merged into the circuit and two preachers were appointed. But in 1843 Elyria again became a station in which manner it continued until this day. It reported to the conference of 1844, 110 members.

The' lease on the lot expiring in 1848 a meeting of the membership was called to decide on building a substantial ehureli. A motion was adopted to proceed at once to build a eliureh, under the direction of an architect. The lot wa.s purchased and the building, a brick s1r\ieture, 40x70 was erected. It is now used ]»y the Disciple Church. Tiie estimated cost was $4,000 and the total expense was not much over that sum.

Fj-om this time tlie cliurcii made more rapid growtii. Jn 1852, there were reported 143 full members, 25 probationers, 130 Sunday school scholars and 11 teachers. In 185!) tlie membership reached 175 full members, 30 probationers, 178 Sunday school scholars and 28 teachers. In 1861 there were reported 19fj full members, 216 Sunday school scholars, 27 otificers and teacher.s. In 1867 there were 225 full members, 18 probationers, 265 in Sunday .school with 30 ofticers and teacher.s with 550 books in library.

June, 186i), at a meeting of the board it was decided tluit the old parsonage should be sold and a new one built. It was decided to dispose of the old house and the south part of the lot and to buikl a new hou.se on the remaining portion of tlie lot. A committee consisting of AVilliain Bennington, Levi ]\Iorse and J. W. Adams was appointed to complete tlie sale. Then S. W. Baldwin, Wm. Snearer and J. W. Adams were made a building committee anil instructed to build such a house as in their judgment was needed. At a meeting in .March tin; committee reported to the board that they had contracted with Josei)h jMcI\Ialion to build the house comiilete for $2,500. About the first week in October the enterprise was completed, and at a meeting of the board dated October 12, 1870, a vote of thanks was tendei'ed the building committee for their efficient services.

The pastors of this charge from its beginning to 1870 are as follows: 1812, Trumbull Circuit, James IMcMahon ; 1813, New Connecticut, John Colomon and Oliver Carver; 1814, New Connecticut, James ^Mc^fahon and Lemuel Lane; 1815, Grand River, Samuel Brown;. 1816, Grand River, Ileni-y Baker; 1817, Huron Circuit, John Brooke; 1818, Huron Circuit, Wiliiam Westlake; 1810 and 1820, Huron (Circuit, Dennis Coddard; 1H21, Huron (Circuit, I'hilip (ireeii; 1822, Nathan Walker and John AValker; 1823, iilack River (Circuit, Zarah (Boston (organization of class at Klyria) ; 1824, Black River Circuit, James Tayloi- - James IMc- Mahon, presiding elder; 1825, Black River Circuit, Elijah II. Field; 182(;. Mlack ITivei- Circuit, Harry O. Sheldon (oi'gani/ation Elyria

Churcli) ; 1827-1828, Black Rivor Circuit, Shadrach Ruark; 1829, Cyrus S. Carpenter, II. Colcliester (parsonage project started); 1830, Cyrus Carpenter and E. C. Cavitt (parsonage completed) ; 1831, Elyria Cir- - cuit, AVni. Runnells, (Jeorge Elliott; 1832, Win. Runneils and J. Kiunear (Sunday school organized) ; 1833, A. Billings, J. Brewster; 1834, A. Billings, J. Wilkinson; 1835, J. Wheeler, Thomas BarkduU; 1836, Elyria Circuit, in Norvvalk District, became part of the iNlichigan Conference, with Samuel M. Allen and Jonothan Hudson, preachers; 1837, Elyria Station, J. E. Chapin as preacher in charge ; 1838, John M. Goshorn (first temporary church built) ; 1839, James Brewster; 1840, Elyria merged in circuit at tirst session of Nortli Ohio (Jonferenee, Jo.seph Jones, John Brooktield; 1841, Cyrus Sawyer, Samuel Guyberson; 1842, E. C. Gavitt, Peter Sharp; 1843, Elyria Station, Wni. Runnells, reappointed in 1844; 1845-184G, Lorenzo Warner; 1847-1848, William Disbro; 1841), William C. Pierce (building Second Street Church) ; 1850, M. Rowley (dedication of church building) ; 1851, S. L. Yourtee ; 1852, W. D. Godman; 1853, James I\l. Morrow; 1854, Uri Richards; 1855-1856, ]\1. D. Hard (Elyria in Cleveland Distriet, 1855); 1857, Thomas BarkduU; 1858, James A. Kellam; 1859-1860, C. II. Owens; 1861, W. B. Disl)ro; 1862-1863, E. II. Bush; 1864-1865-1866, G. II. Ilartupee; 1867, J. S. Broadwell; and 1868-1869-1870, Jaim-s A. Mudge (par.sonagc built).

Rev. A. J. Lyon came in 1873 and remained for three years. At the close of his pastorate there were 223 full members, 4 probationers, and 220 Sunday school scholars. His daugliter then a young girl is now the wife of Bishop IMcDowell.

In 1876, Isaiah II. ]\IcCoiniell was appointed pastor and in his oldest son Prank, then a boy of six, tlie Elyria parsonage again held the future inhabitant of an episcopal residence. Doctor McConnell remained for three years which was then tlie limit of pastoral service. During this time the movement for the present church was inaugurated, most of Ihe money subscribed and the contracts let. In the sununer of 1878 al)out $12,000 having been subscribed mainly through the pastor's efforts, E. E. Myers of Detroit, wlio drew the plans for tlie courtiiouse then lieing built in Elyria, was emi)loyed to furnisli plans for a church building the cost of which was not to exceed i|(l 5,000. But when the plans were completed and the work done it was found that the entiro cost of the building and furniture was $20,074. From tlio first subscription was collected $11,000. Tiie sale of tlie obi jjroperly on Second Street realized $;j,;JOO, wliile $5,774 was subscribed on tbc day of dedication. JJoctor .MeConnell's leriu expired in September of 1871). On tlie last week of his pastorate the contract for the new building was signed. At tins time there were 250 mendjers of the church.

W. G. Ward then became pa.stor and remained until after tlio dedication of the church which was on the 31st of Jaiuiary, 1881, Henry B. Ridgway, D. D., of Cincinnati having charge of the dedicatory services. There were then 288 full members, 18 probationers, 230 Sunday school scholars. T. C. Warner, known affectionately as "Tommy Warner," was pastor from 1881 to 1884. In 1884 tlie Kev. Francis S. Iloyt, 1). 1)., became the i)residing elder of the Cleveland District and C. II. Stocking was pastor at Elyria. lie remained foi- two years and a half and was then transferred to another conference and J. S. Youmans filled the pulpit from ]\lay until Conference of 1887. E. O. Buxton became pastor in 1887 and remained for two years when be was transferred to Franklin Avenue, Cleveland. In the fall of 188!) Fred A. Gould became pastoi' and remained for four years. This was the longest pastorate up lo this time, the time liuiit only having been clmnged to five years in 18S8. During Doctor Gould's pastorate the parsonage was painted iiisiile and out- and tlie church was re-frescoed and recarpeted. Ill the fall of 18!)2 the North Ohio Conference met in this church with Bishop John P. Newman presiding. The conference had ])reviously been held liere in 1857 and in 1865. At the close of his pastorate Doctor Gould reported 408 members. lie was followed in 1893 by G. A. Keeder wlio is the first pastor to have stayed five years. During his pastorate gracious revivals were hehl each year, one lasting for ten weeks and having \nnny over 100 profess conversion. In 1898 he was removed by the time limit. lie left behind him 475 full members and 17 probationers, a Sunday school with 400 members and an average attendance of 240.

In 1898 W. C. Endly came from ]\It. Vernon where he had spent his full five years. lie also remained in Elyria for five years. During his jiastorate the parsonage jioreh was built and many minor repairs made on lioth church and par.sonage. The membership grew until at the close of his i)astorate in 1903, 610 members were reported. The Sunday school now had an enrolment of 375 and an average attendance of 245.