Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 36: To.mall Churches and Societies, 1912

Chapter 36: To.mall Churches and Societies

The First Baptist Church. AVas organized August 6, 1859, a meeting I'or the purpose being called at Staysa's liall, at which the Rev. L. C. Herrick was chosen moderator, and A. Kendall clerk proteur; eleven brethren and sisters of the Baptist Church enrolled themselves as members.

The constituent mendjers were Brethren Simeon AVood, Jesse Boorman, Peter Cramer, Alden Cramer, H. J. Sherman, and sisters Mary Jane Wood, Lucinda C. Boorman, Lucinda Powers, Elizabeth Cramer, Polly G. Sinery and Atlante Cramer.

The NcAv Hampshire Article of Faith and Church Convenant, as given in the "Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge" by J. Newton Brown, was endorsed and adopted by the church. Simeon Wood was elected deacon and Alden Cramer church clerk. A ministerial committee was appointed and also a committee to purchase lots for a meeting house. By invitation of the church soon after, members of neighboring Baptist churches, on October 26th, 1859, met and an ecclesiastical council convened for public recognition services. Soon afterwards the Rev. L. C. Herrick Avas called to the pastorate of the church, measures were taken to build a church and about two years thereafter a meeting house was dedicated. This building was remodeled in 1874 and again in 1897.

Tlie church property is now valued at about $4,000 and is free from debt. Since its organization in 1859 there have been received into membership 404 persons. At present there are ninety-seven resident members and forty-four non-resident. The following is a list of the ministers, Avhich we believe is complete, in the order of their pastorate: Rev. L. C. Herrick, Rev. E. D. Barbour, Rev. W. H. Card, Rev. I. II. Cameron, Rev. T. D. Growe, Rev. I. C. Weeden, Rev. B. II. Barber. Rev. Phillips. Rev. J. H. Bowker, Rev. R. S. Parshall, Rev. AV. H. Barner, Rev. AV. M. Robinson, Rev. Roberts, Rev. J. J. Gorham, Rev. B. P. Russell. Rev. Arthur AVinte, Rev. Hayden. Rev. Agar, Rev. G. Cressy. Rev. C. H. Smith, Rev. AA^ D. Bancroft, Rev. C. E. Henry, Rev. C. C. Colby and the present minister. Rev. H. AI. Spickler.

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St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Began with a Sunday school gathered and conducted by Mrs. C. K. Erwin and Mrs. John Little in McCaul's hall, in 1874. A congregation was formed and after several meetings was regularly organized in March, 1874, with the Rev. E. DeAVolfe, of St. John's church, Sparta, as priest in charge, and the following officers were appointed: John Bostwisk, w^arden ; L. Martin, clerk, and John Little, treasurer, the Rt. Rev. Edward R. Wells being then the bishop of the diocese of AVisconsin, the entire state being in one jurisdiction at that time ; the following clergy succeeded as priest in charge on the respective dates : Rev. J. B. Gedelupe, 1878 ; Rev. W. H. H. Ross, December, 1883; Rev. L. H. Shubert, October, 1884; Rev. F. K. Allen. 1886 ; Rev. C. P. Dorset, January, 1890 ; Rev. S. W. Moran in 1892; Rev. C. E. Roberts, 1894; Rev. B. T. Bensted, September, 1898; Rev. R. Rowley, October, 1899; Rev. A. F. Schepp, July, 1902; Rev. A. F. Ruge, April, 1904, and the Rev. James AV. Smith, February 1, 1907, w^ho is still in charge. The present officers are L. B. Squier, warden, AVilliam B. Naylor, treasurer, and Dr. C. L. Anderson, clerk, under Rt. Rev. William Walter AVebb, bishop of the diocese.

The church was built and opened September 23, 1879, being then situated on Kilbourn avenue, in the north end of town ; it was consecrated in October. 1881, and in July, 1892, it was moved to the corner of Kilbourn avenue and Monowau street, its present location ; it was rebuilt and enlarged with a chancel. The church also owns a rectory situated just north and across the street from the church.

Methodist Episcopal Church. This organization was undoubtedly the pioneer church in Tomah, and it is to be regretted that a complete record does not seem to be available. In 1857 Rev. C. W. Kellogg preached the first sermon ever delivered in Tomah. This was on the tirst Sunday in July of that year, the meeting being held in a new barn erected by Robert E. Gillett. This gave an impetus to the movement to organize a church, which was accomplished this same year, and during the next year a neat church building was erected, meetings prior to this being held wherever most convenient. The congregation now owns a fine church building situated on the site of the old one, being a commanding position on a slight ridge. The building is well equipped and the congregation large. The church is in a prosperous condition. Among its ministers have been many men of prominence in the Methodist Church, among them Rev. Chas. E. Butters, who left his church and went into the Spanish-American war from Tomah, enlisting as a private. The Rev. Haskell, the

The Congregational Church. Tlie history of tliis organization connucnced with the coming of the Rev. ]\Ir. AVells in 1858. At first, as is the case with ;ill pioneer movements, meetings were held at private houses unlil the little organization grew strong enough to erect a church building. This was accomplished in 1859, when a frame church was built, the congregation regularly organized as the "First Congregational Church of Tomah." The meeting for the church organization was held in Staysa's hall pursuant to notice which had been regularly given by Rev. \V. F. Avery, the pastor of the Congregational cliurch at Sparta, and Rev. F. M. Gams. At that meeting the following trustees were elected: AVilliam F. ShaAV. Daniel Braman. Robert E. Gillett, Jolui Dodge, Henry AV. Cressy, John Howard and S. D. Powers.

In 1861 the Rev, AY ells, on account of ill health, was compelled to resign the pastorate of the church at Tomah, as he was also in charge of the church at New Lisbon, at which latter place he made his home. From that time on the pulpit has been occupied by many ministers, a list of whom it is impossible to give at present. As ministers are called to the service in the Congregational church by the congregation, the ministers served various periods.

The church building has of late years been remodeled and considerably enlarged and is well equipped for church purposes. The congregation also owns a parsonage situated next to the church, w^hich is modern and a fine home for the resident pastor. At present the Rev. J, AY. Smith is the pastor, having occupied the pulpit for a number of years; a strong man in the church and one who has made his good influence felt in the community.

The Catholic Church. The first organization of the Catholic Church of Tomah Avas in the year 1867, the first priest being the Rev. AI. AI. Alarks. Avho attended from LaCrosse. During the year a church building was erected at a cost of $2,500, being superintended by the Rev. John Casey, Avho attended from Alauston. The first resident priest was Father J. T. Durward, who took charge in 1870 and remained many long years the priest at Tomah. A man of broad education and liberal views he endeared himself to people generally and Avas highly esteemed by the citizens of Tomah.

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for many years. His great executive ability has shown itself in the management of its financial affairs, for under his charge has been erected a fine brick church, equipped with a town clock, a fine residence for the priest and St. Mary's school "has been greatly enlarged and improved. The new Catholic church, erected on a commanding knoll, Avas formally dedicated on December 29. 1899. The remodeled St. Mary's school was dedicated by Bishop Schwebach, of LaCrosse, on September 17, 1910. The congregation is prosperous and the church property is now one of the finest in buildings and equipment to be found in any city of the size of Tomah.

The German Methodist Church was organized in 1866 and a church building erected in 1870. A parsonage was subsequently added to the church property, the church itself remodeled. The congregation, though small, is earnest and prosperous and much good is accomplished by its members.

Tomah Lodge, No. 132, F. & A. M., w^as organized and dispensation granted April 19, 1861. The charter members were C. W. Kellogg, Noah Maltbie, A. B. Smith, J. P. Thompson, John Dodge, Enoch Baker and S. D. Powers.

The first officers installed were C. W. Kellogg, AV. M. ; Noah Maltbie, S. AV. ; A. B. Smith, J. AV. ; J. P. Thompson, secretary ; John Dodge, treasurer, and Enoch Baker, tyler. The first meetings were held in the upper story of an old blacksmith shop situated on the back end of the lot now^ occupied by AA'arren's bank. Afterwards it held its meetings in different halls until 1884 when, by an agreement with. H. S. Beardsley the lodge became the owner of the upper floor of the brick building so long used as the postoffice and now owned by Harvey M. Sowle. This was the home of the lodge for many years until an opportunity came to get more commodious quarters. The lodge purchased the upper floor of the building situated in the block just north of the old Sherman House, being erected by M. H. Moore, and now^ has flne lodge and reception rooms, a commodious dining room and kitchen well equipped. The Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Alasons and Order of the Eastern Star occupy the rooms.

Tomah Chapter, No. 63, R. A. M. Dispensation was granted for the organization of this chapter of Royal Arch Alasons on January 27, 1887, and the charter was issued February 22, 1888. The chapter has a fine set of robes for the work and is steadily

The first olKicers elected under the dispensation were Thomas McCaul, noble grand; IT. A. Sowle, vice grand; 0. T. Sowle, recording secretary ; G. B. Rolunsoii. permanent secretary ; J. P. Tracy, treasurer. The lodge held its meeting at first in the ^Masonic Hall until ]881, when their OAvn comniodious lodge rooms were built. The lodge home is situated right in the heart of the business district on Superior avenue, has a large lodge hall with ample ante-rooms, a large dining room and finely equipped kitchen, all well furnished and modern in every way. The present officers are C. F. Fick, noble grand; J. N. King, vice grand; H. C. Bongers, secretary. There is also a lodge of Rebeccas, which occupy the same lodge rooms.

Tomah Camp, No. 554, M. W. A., was organized ]\Iarch 21, 1888, with forty charter monibers, among whom were many of the prominent business lucii of Tomah ; F. S. Barrows, Ernest Bartels, J. J. King, R. P. Hitchcock, H. H. Sherwood, C. K. Erwin, 0. J. Eaton, C. E. Quigg, G. R. Vincent, J. H. Mosely, George B. Anderson, L. AV. Earle, Peter Johnson, Thomas McCaul, Robert Schroeder, W. C. Hommermiller, AY. H. Schultz, Fred Meinecke and others. I. N. Palmer was its first and only clerk, making an enviable record of twenty-four years' faithful service since the first organization of the camp, truly a testimonial of the strongest character of the confidence and esteem with Avhich he is held by his brother AYoodmen. The camp now has its quarters in the Odd Fellows Hall, where it meets tAvice a month; there are now about ISO members, the camp is in good condition financially and in every other way.