HISTORY OF THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH #19
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

On November 8, 1944, the Grand Rapids Station or circuit was organized. The following were the official brethren:

STEWARDS TRUSTEES

William C. Davidson Gaius S. Deane

James Ewing Henry Dean

Gaius S. Deane Daniel Van Allyn

Samuel B. Ball Samuel B. Ball

Henry G. Stone Henry G. Stone

Horatio Brooks Charles P. Babcock

Charles P. Babcock

Under the pastoral care of Rev. Andrew Mason Fitch, the local membership was increased to 130. He began his pastoring in 1839. From

1856 to 1861 he was United States Indian agent for Michigan. Later, he

entered pastoral work again and was a trustee at Albion College for fifteen years.

He was followed by Rev. J. E. Parker and then Rev. Myron A.

Camburn. Rev. Camburn was presiding elder from 1860 to 1862. He

labored in the conference for twenty-nine years, being its secretary for

six years.

Under Rev. Reuben Reynolds the church was weakened by a

considerable number of the members, including three former official

members, joining the new Swedenborgian Society early in 1849. Rev.

Reynolds withdrew from the conference at the end of his year here, going

to the Congregationalists, as did a number of our lay members.

Rev. Sommerville, our next pastor was unordained. Frances A.

Blades was the pastor in 1850-51. He built up the membership and

strengthened the society. An addition was made to the meeting house

during his pastorate. He later transferred to the Detroit conference.

He was followed by Rev. A. J. Eldred. A great revival moved Grand

Rapids during his pastorate begun by an eloquent sermon of his in 1853

after being ill. It was estimated that over 300 were converted out of a

city of 3,000. This resulted in 94 probations for our church out of

which 57 became full members after six months. When he came there were

115 full members and 12 probationers and when he left two years later,

there were 196 members and 33 probationers. The membership increased

further under the ministry of Resin Sapp to 242 full and 32 probationary

members. Rev. Sapp preached for 34 years in this conference.

Second Methodist Episcopal was organized during Rev. Sapp'

pastorate.

The Rev. Amos Wokefield was appointed pastor in September, 1855.

The following were elected:

STEWARDS TRUSTEES

Baker Borden William A. Berkey

Henry G. Stone, Rec. Sec'y Baker Borden

William Green William Harrison

Frederick Rice George R. Congdon

Jonathan Blair Hugh Mc Cullouch

Warren C. Congdon George G. Graves

Edward Roberts Philip F. Covell

William Dunnett

Celba Rathbun

Our First church records show 57 members were transferred to Second

church in 1855 (21 per cent or our entire membership). Among them Henry

G. Stone who served our church faithfully for ten years and Baker Borden

who had been a steward for eight years and in later years, returned to

First church and worshiped there regularly until his death in 1907.

Those transferring were as follows:

MEMBERS 1844,1858

Arbor, Emiline Foote, Elijah Rice, Sylvia

Arbor, B. P. Foote, Olivia Ridout, Lucy

Borden, Baker Groves, Lebbeus Roberts, Electa

Borden, Hannah Green, William Roberts, Edward

Bidwell, A. B. Green, Ellen Roberts, Eliza

Bidwell, Laura Hall, Anson M. Rawson, Sarah

Bigelow, Harriett S. Hall, Mary Stone, Henry G.

Bigelow, Commodore D. Hall, Elias Stone, Nancy

Belknap, Joshua Hilton, William A. Sleighter, Mrs.

Belknap, Sally Hilton, Harriet A. Scott, James H.

Belknap, Mary A. Kenyon, Ephriam G. Spees, Mary J.

Congdon, Warren H. Kenyon, Nancy J. Smith, George

Congdon, Amanda Lockwood, Eliza Smith, Susan

Davidson, Wm. C. Morehouse, Zachuis Turner, Eliza

Davidson, Diantha Mayhew, Amanda(Congdon) Turner, Eunice

Davenport, John Potter, Mary Jane Turner, Lydia

Dunning, Eliza Jane Rice, Amanda Winterburn, John D.

De Long, Moses Rice, Sylvia A. Winterburn, Martha

Delong, Sophia Rice, Frederick

Rev. Harrison Morgan became our preacher in 1857 and served for two

years.

The first mention of a ladies' organization was on June 20, 1844

when the Ladies Benevolent Society was praised "for the efficient means

taken in carpeting the House, trimming the Pulpit, and procuring lamps".

The next mention is "the Ladies' Social Society of the Methodist

Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, was organized on October 14, 1857" with

Mrs. Morgan elected president. One month later Mrs. John Ingraham

became president and served for two years. The object of the society

was "to assist the church socially and financially." In 1866 it was

renamed "Ladies' New Church Furnishing Society." Rev. Morgan was

presiding elder on this district during the war, from 1861 to 1865.

Mrs. Morgan was chosen president of the relief society, serving one

year. In later years, Mr. Morgan became a member of our church and

worshiped with us until his death, in 1892.

Our Presiding Elders from 1850 to 1860 were: David Burns, Henry

Penfield, and John K. Gillett. Elder Burns spent 44 years as a

Methodist preacher, retiring to Albion in his closing years.

Rev. Myron A. Dougherty served for two years. He had been a

successful lawyer before his conversion. During a revival held during

this time, a large number were converted and Rev. Dougherty remembers

baptizing thirty persons in the Grand River by immersion at the foot of

Monroe Street. During the Civil War, Grand Rapids was turned into a

camp for soldiers. At this time, there was a two-year limit on staying

in any church so he was transferred to Jackson, Michigan in 1861, later

he became Financial Agent for Albion College. Later, in Texas, his

wife, Sarah Crane Dougherty died and all four of his children died

before him. Our Sunday School increasE from 177 to 282 while he was

pastor.

Up to this time all church members were assigned to classes, and

each assessed by the stewards for the support of the church.

Rev. David R. Latham was our next pastor who first served in the

country lying east of Traverse City. While he was in Grand Rapids,

there was quite a stir as some of the Indians that he had helped came to

visit him, all the way from Pentwater.

Rev. Wm. W. Rork was the pastor appointed on October 1, 1862. He

first served at a sawmill camp on Traverse Bay.

Rev. James Wilkerson Robinson was pastor at Second Methodist before

being transferred to our church September 23, 1863 and served for two

years. He received into the church "on trial", 1,231 persons during his

ministry. He died 13 Jan 1881, at 53 years of age.

Rev. Joseph Jennings succeeded Rev. Robinson. His health was

failing and, while serving out his year, he died.

On October 17, 1864, "On motion Brother J. Berkey was chosen to

seat the folks on the north side of the church, and Brother F. Shriver

on the south side. Also, Brothers L. Shultus and J. A. King assistants.

On motion Brother J. Berkey was requested to deliver two cords of dry

slabs to the church. Brother Tradewell resigned as collector for the

musitian."

In 1864 the church was becoming too small and on April 14, 1864 a

committee was appointed to estimate the amount necessary to build a

church for the future needs. Subscriptions were started in May, 1864

for a new church. Christmas Day, 1865, it was decided to have a

subscription circulated by a committee consisting of Pastor Jennings,

Presiding Elder Cogshall and Brother L. R. Atwater. The matter rested

for a year until Rev. A. J. Eldred became pastor.

A lot was bought with money borrowed from the Ladies Society. The

Ladies also had an iron fence placed about the church in 1866.

Andrew Jackson Eldred served our church twice - 1852-53 and

1866-69. He worked for 46 years with a break. He was an army chaplain

(12th Michigan Infantry), being at the Battle of Shiloh and the siege of

Vicksburg. Late in life he was appointed chaplain to the Ionia State

Prison and held that position for 3 and 1/2 years.

The new church was built in 1867-69. A committee to procure plans

or designs was appointed, being L. R. Atwater, Thomas Tradewell, J. C.

Simonds and J. Berkey; E. U. Knapp was to arrange for stone; Wm. Green

was to arrange for shingles; C. W. Hurt to arrange for brick; L. R.

Atwater to arrange for timber; J. Berkey to arrange for seasoned lumber;

and the committee on subscriptions, payable 10 per cent per month-Pastor

Eldred and Presiding Elder Cogshall. On April 15, 1867 was then

elected, consisting of Julius Berkey, Thomas Tradewell and O. R.

Wilmarth. D. S. Osgood was selected as the architect, then of

Kalamazoo. The foundation was completed before November, 1867.

Mrs. Eldred, then president of the Ladies' Society, secured

exclusive booth and eating privileges at the fair held in the fall of

1867, on the old fair grounds on Hall Street and Jefferson Avenue. They

solicited donations from the country brethren and decided to have roast

ox. There was a large attendance for those days and the society made a

profit of $1,011.87.

The cornerstone was laid on May 16, 1868 with Presiding Elder

Israel Cogshall presiding (1865-1869). The walls were erected, the work

being finished early in September. It was determined to get the church

inclosed before winter and to finish the basement, ready for use. They

were able to take possession of the basement of the new church on

Sunday, January 1, 1869. The last service held in the "Old White

Church" was the last day of the old year.

At the time he came in September, 1866, the church had 125 full and

15 probationary members and by the end of three years there were 343

full and 38 probationary members.

The formal opening of the new church took place June 23, 1869,

Bishop E. R. Ames officiating. The building had cost $33,181.25 up to

this time.

Our next pastor was George B. Jocelyn who served us for two years.

He had been the president of Albion College.

The church was dedicated June 20, 1870 by the Rev. Thomas M. Eddy.

It was completed except for the furnishings.

In September, 1870 the official board was as follows:

STEWARDS TRUSTEES

Deane, Gaius S. Deane, Gaius S.

Atwater, L. R. Atwater, L. R.

Berkey, Julius Berkey, Julius

Greene, William Green, William

Tradewell, Thomas Hurd, Charles W.

Shriver, Fred Knapp, E. U.

Foote, E. H. Wilmarth, O. R.

Beckwith, W. G. Antisdel, A. R.

Capon, William F. Carpenter, C. D.

Rev. Jocelyn was our first minister in the new church building. In

September, 1871, Henry F. Spencer became the pastor, serving for three

years. His wife was elected president of the Woman's Christian

Temperance Union. Owing to his failing health, Rev. Spencer was

released from his duties six months early.

Not only were the pews rented out for many years, but for two or

three years they were "auctioned off." In 1873, the church indebtedness

was wiped out.

Thomas F. Hildreth succeeded Rev. Spencer in September, 1874,

coming from Ionia and stayed for three years, the term limit.

Due to a number of members residing in the eastern part of the

city,on January 19, 1874, East Street M. E. Church was organized by

electing the following trustee:

Paul H. Richens Levi S. Boynton

Charles B. Foster Peter Yokum

Charles Barclay Charles W. Hurd

James B. Gulliford

In all fifty-six members, many of them very active in our church,

were transferred from the Division Street to the East Street church. In

1880 the church was incorporated August 4, 1880, with the following

trustees:

Lewis Benjamin George W. Perry

Henry P. Bement Erasmus Uz Knapp

W. G. Saunders John Trauger

Jesse T. Rice

The members transferred from First church, were:

Beckwith, Peter Jackman, Mrs. Cinderella

Beckwith, Mrs. Sylvonia Knapp, Erastus U.

Beckwith, Miss Cynthia Knapp, Mrs. Mary

Beckwith, Lysander T Lark, Annie

Houghteling, Eliab S. Page, Mrs. Mary E.

Houghteling, William O. Parker, Emma

Green, Caroline Saunders, Mrs. Sarah B.

Jackman, A. C.

The Plainfield Avenue M. E. Church was "set off" in 1880. Among

the members transferring were Erasmus and Mary Knapp. They had come to

First church by letter November 7, 1847. He served many years on the

official board, was a member for 33 years of First and for 25 years of

Plainfield Avenue. Some of their pastors have been Wm. M. Puffer,

1886-88, Wm. A. Frye, 1891-94, G. C. Draper, 1897-99 and Charles Nease,

1904-11.

Rev. Doctor F. Barnes was the presiding elder from September 1873

to 1877 and then became our pastor, 1877-79. Ashmun A. Knappen

succeeded Rev. Barnes.

In 1880 a lot was secured on Tenth Avenue and the "Ames M. E.

Church" was organized. Thirty-two of our members transferred to the new

society. Under the five years pastorate of Rev. J. R. Wooten, closing

September, 1910, the church has prospered. For years known as the

"Tenth Avenue M. E. Church", upon completion of the present church

building, the name was changed to "St. Paul's M. E. Church."

Isaac Crook was transferred from Winona, MN, and became our pastor

in September, 1880.

In 1908 the name was changed to Trinity M. E. Church. Rev. Russell

H. Breadly was the pastor in 1911.

Joy Memorial Church was established in 1889 - named for Rev. H. M.

Joy who served the congregation from 1881-85 and was killed in 1885 when

he was thrown from his carriage.

In the summer of 1887 the church spire was taken down; the church

painted by Brother Burch; and a new iron roof was put on the church.

In 1891, the gallery was regraded and 172 opera seats replaced the

existing seating. Also a hydraulic motor to "pump the organ" was

installed April, 1897. Before this an organ boy was paid $3 a month to

pump for the organ. The last to hold this position was Ralph Apted (now

a doctor). A telephone was installed in the parsonage February, 1893 at

the cost of $45 per year.

The Aldrich Memorial Deaconess Home was dedicated November 16,

1894.

In 1896, Feakin Memorial and Dickinson Avenue Church joined

together. Epworth M. E. Church was dedicated April, 1896 with 18 of our

members transferring.

A weekly bulletin was begun September, 1897. In 1898 the church

was renovated. A request was made to the Ladies Society that they

remove their hats during the preaching service.

George D. Chase was the last Presiding Elder. He was replaced by

Dr. Lathrop who was to be the new District Superintendent.

New property was purchased at Barclay and Fulton on September 1,

1910 at a cost of $29,000. There were a record 722 members.

In September, 1905, Mr. & Mrs. M. J. Clark gave a gift of 20 acres

of land on Sherman Street to be used to build the M. J. Clark Memorial

Home. They also provided a church in August of 1908. The first Board

of Managers were –

M. J. Clark Mrs. Charles Berkey

Rev. James Hamilton J. W. Blodgett

Mrs. M. R. Bissell Rev. N. L. Bray

Rev. A. M. Gould John Widdicomb

Rev. John Graham Rev. D. G. Chase

Rev. G. G. Whitworth

Sunday School Attendance -

1844 - 1 Superintendent, 5 teachers, 30 scholars

1845 - 3 officers, 8 teachers, 40 scholars

1851 - 14 officers and teachers, 80 scholars

1866 - 27 officers and teachers, 90 scholars

1869 - 35 officers and teachers, 210 scholars

1911 - 20 officers, 22 teachers, 345 scholars

In February, 1913, Keeler Brothers bought the church at the corner

of Division and Fountain Street for $50,000. The church was razed to

build a seven-story furniture exhibition building. They wanted to take

possession of the church by April 1, 1913. The St. Cecelia Society

Building was used for services. The decision was made to build the new

church at Barclay and Fulton. There were special programs in the old

church and the cornerstone was opened.

The architectural firm for the new church was Robinson & Campau,

Mr. Wm. Holt was the interior designer, and John McNabb was the

contractor. The costs were to be held to $160,000. Work began on

February 22, 1915. The cornerstone was laid on April 26, 1915. The new

church was a modified 14th Century Gothic. A Felgermaker organ was

purchased. The first service was held in the Sunday School section in

January, 1916.

The dedication of the new church was held on April 9, 1916 and the

final costs were $205,562.49. The indebtedness was paid in full on

November 1, 1919.

The chancel window was given by Edward Lowe in memory of his

parents James and Eliza Ellen Lowe and was dedicated December 24, 1916.

In 1968 the Methodist churches and the United Brethren churches

united to become the United Methodist Church. Our church's official

title being "The First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids,

Michigan" and so we continue to serve the Lord and our fellow man.