HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 249 (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) CHAPTER XIX ERIE COUNTY CHURCHES In addition to the history of individual churches and denominations found in this chapter, the index should also be consulted for church activities in the various townships of the county. Each township chapter contains reference to early religious influences and organizations. Sandusky first began to be a place of occasional preaching about the year 1818, but no house of worship was erected and no regular preacher secured till several years later. The first organization was that of the Congregational Church, in the spring of 1819 ; during the next ten years there was little done by this organization. The first house exclusively designed for public worship was erected in 1828, and occupied by the Methodist brethren. It stood facing Jackson Street, about west from the courthouse. EARLY METHODISTS From the memoirs of W. M. Gurley, who was converted under Wesley, 1787 (written by his son, L. B. Gurley), we learn that in the year 1811 he emigrated from Norwich, Connecticut, to Ohio and settled at Bloomingville. The journey was tedious and difficult, over eight weeks having been spent on the way. He arrived at Bloomingville in October, 1811. Great was the joy of the settlers when they heard that a preacher had arrived, as there had been no minister within a radius of forty miles. On the first Sabbath after Mr. Gurley arrived the log schoolhouse was filled at the hour of worship, the men were dressed in tow and linsey hunting shirts, buckskin pantaloons and moccasins, and raccoon or muskrat caps. The women had dresses of home manufacture. A few Indians sat near the door dressed in hunting costume with rifle, tomahawk and knife. Mr. Gurley felt an unusual inspiration as he broke the bread of life to the scattered sheep in the wilderness. At the close of the sermon he referred with a deep feeling to his experience, relating the scenes through which divine goodness had brought him in safety. The assembly was deeply affected, and emotion was visible all through the house. Having dismissed the congregation he requested those who wished to unite in a class to remain. Some fifteen or twenty united at that time, or shortly afterward. This was the first religious association of any kind organized in the county, or indeed on the Western Reserve west of Cleveland. Mount Vernon and Wooster were the nearest points where circuits were formed or itinerant preachers labored, and it was about 250 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY seven years before the new society was visited by an itinerant preacher connected with a circuit. In 1812 the cloud of war spread over the land and the settlers fled to the southern part of the state for safety. From the autobiography of Rev. J. B. Finley we find that after peace had been restored and most of the settlers had returned to their homes and many more had moved to Northern Ohio that at the fifth session of the Ohio Conference at Louisville, Kentucky, September 3, 1816, Bishop McKendree presiding, J. B. Finley was appointed presiding elder of Ohio District, which embraced eight circuits, ten traveling preachers and 4,000 members. This district extended from the mouth of the Captina in Belmont County on the Ohio River to the Huron River on Lake Erie, including the northeast part of Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, south to the Ohio River, and east to the Alleghenies, and Western New York as far as Silver Creek. The first quarterly meeting for Grandview and Mahoning Circuit (which was the nearest to the firelands) was held at Hartford, Trumbull County, Ohio, November 2-3, 1816. On the 3d of September, 1817, the Ohio Conference held its sixth session at Zanesville. Rev. J. B. Finley was reappointed presiding elder, with the following brethren as circuit preachers : Beaver Church, Jacob Hooper and Samuel Baker. ; Erie, Ira Eddy ; Grandview and Mahoning, D. D. Davidson and Ezra Booth ; Chautauqua, Curtis Goddard; Steubenville, S. Hamilton, William Knox and Calvin Reuter; Tuscarawas, James McMamm ; Huron, John C. Brooke. Mr. Finley says in a true spirit gospel ministers these brethren went to their respective fields of labor. Great were the toils and hardships they were called to endure. The winter was extremely cold, being almost beyond endurance, yet the Lord crowned the labors and sufferings of his ministers with success. The country was but sparsely settled; the rides were long and roads rough; but in the midst of all God was with them. The Huron Circuit was the newest and consequently the most difficult field. When Mr. Brooke went onto the circuit there were twenty- five preaching places, but he was enabled to increase the number so that it was necessary to divide the circuit, and Rev. Alfred Brunson, then a local preacher, was sent to the firelands or Huron part for the purpose of establishing a new circuit. The labors of a circuit preacher were arduous then as compared with the present, usually preaching almost every day and leading class after having traveled from ten to thirty miles over the often almost impassable road, and preaching and leading class two or three times on the Sabbath. It was the first week in January, 1818, that Mr. Brunson started for this new circuit. In the Western Pioneer, page 179, he says : "I was clad in homespun, the product of my wife's industry. She had spun the wool, woven the cloth and after the cloth came from the fuller's, made my garments. My horse and equipage was of the humblest kind, though the best I had means to procure. The journey was mostly through a country of which I had no knowledge, mostly a dense forest. I reached what is now Medina County by the southern tier of townships on the Reserve, but finding no road further west, turned north through Pitts, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 251 held and traveled some thirty miles before I could find a road leading from Cleveland westward along the lake shore. Where Elyria now stands, there being no bridge, I crossed the river on the ice of one or two nights freezing, and found it six inches thick. After crossing Black River on the Ridge road I found a Methodist family named Smith, whose house was one of my teaching places. My circuit extended from Black River along the Ridge road by where Norwalk now stands, which was laid out in the spring of 1818, to the little town of New Haven, and thence by a zig-zag course to Sandusky Bay, Venice and Portland, now Sandusky City, thence through Perkins east along the lake shore to the place of beginning. I soon found a four weeks circuit of twenty-four appointments with two hundred miles of travel to accomplish it. I preached the first sermon ever preached in many places, and especially Sandusky City, then containing half a dozen houses. "At Perkins was the largest and best society on the circuit, composed mostly of old Methodists who emigrated from Connecticut. John Beatty, a local elder, and William Gurley, a local deacon, resided there. In coming into the settlement on one round I undertook to obey the rules to the letter by visiting from house to house, taking everyone in course, talking with the people on the subject of religion, and praying with them. The result was a crowded house and a gracious revival of religion. Some twenty or thirty were converted, among the number, James Gurley, who afterward became a distinguished itinerant in Ohio, and afterward lived in Minnesota. I traveled the Huron circuit six months, and from five appointments that were furnished me to begin with I enlarged it to twenty-four appointments and returned 145 members, being an increase of 75 over what I had found. I held a quarterly meeting in January, 1818, at Perkins soon after I reached the circuit, but as Bro. Finley could not reach the place I held it without the presiding elder, the Lord's Supper being administered by Bros. Beatty and Gurley, I not being ordained at the time. In March Bro. Finley held one for us in New Haven in the height of our revival there, and in July Rev. D. D. Davidson came as a substitute for the presiding elder and held the third in a barn near the center of the county. Sept. 18, seventh session of Ohio conference held at Steubenville, Bishop McKendree presiding. William Westlake was appointed circuit preacher of Huron County. Sept. 4, 1823, the 12th session of the Ohio conference was held at Urbana, Bishop Roberts presiding. William Swayze was appointed presiding elder of the Sandusky City district, and True Pattee and James McIntyre were appointed circuit preachers of the Huron circuit. This year the first Sunday School was organized at Reed's school-house south of Norwalk, the first Methodist preaching held in Norwalk." In the year 1819 Rev. William Swayze was appointed presiding elder for the reserve east of Cleveland, and his biographer says of him : " That more souls along the southern shore of Lake Erie have gone up to shine like stars in the heavenly sky through the instrumentality of William Swayze than by that of any other man, living or dead." Rev. Charles 252 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Waddel at the same time was appointed presiding 'elder, both succeeding Finley. The society worshiped in this way up to the year 1824, when Rev, True Pattee was sent here and preached a large portion of the time in the frame schoolhouse, then standing on or near the north front of the Sloane Block on Columbus Avenue. He was a man of easy manner, very graceful and of natural eloquence. Services were conducted quite regularly in this schoolhouse. Both Pattee and James McIntyre, as missionaries, had been in the woods of Northern Ohio since 1814. And in the year 1826 the town was put upon the circuit and was supplied with the Rev. James McIntyre and Rev. Adam Poe. It was said of McIntyre, who used to wear a blue hunting shirt and tow pants and shirt, that with the first glance of his piercing eye he would penetrate every intellect and every heart. Of the Reverend Mr. Poe, who a few years later became an elder, and whose name was a household word in almost every Methodist family living in old Huron County, I will say he was a man of herculean frame and a very able, earnest and effective speaker, and attained great influence in the Methodist denomination. In 1828 a town meeting was called to take into consideration the religious needs of the town. A committee of three, consisting of C. F. Drake, Samuel Pennewell and Durin H. Tuttle, was appointed to ascertain what amount of support could be pledged toward the maintenance of a preacher, and to ascertain the wishes of the people as to the denomination perferred. Sufficient pledges were secured and a Methodist preacher was preferred. The petition signed by these three committeemen was dated August 28, 1828. The petition was granted and the Rev. John Janes was appointed to this charge in 1828-29. He was the first station minister ever sent to Sandusky. He was an able and earnest man, and admirably adapted to his work, and his wife was equally qualified as a helpmate. The Rev. John Janes agitated the matter of church building and prepared the way. The Rev. William Runnells, his successor, began the building, which was dedicated in 1830. The Methodist Episcopal Church building therefore antedated any other church building by five years. The Western Christian Advocate of November 4, 1868, contained the following extract from a letter written by Rev. W. Runnells, who was stationed at Sandusky in 1829 and 1830: "In 1829 I was appointed to Portland Station, an insignificant town on Sandusky Bay, a magnificent sheet of water connected with Lake Erie. Here we found a class of enrolled members numbering in all, big and little, 18, more than half of whom resided on the other side of the Bay. No church edifices-no public buildings open for religious services, but one small school house out on the commons in the goose pasture, built by a stock company and claimed by the Presbyterians who had just received a missionary sent out by the Eastern Board of Home Missions, "We tried to preach in ware houses—on the dock—in cooper shops, private dwellings and barns, and wherever we could find an open door. A glorious revival began at one of our quarterly meetings in the old HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 253 cooper shop under the efficient labor of our presiding elder, Rev. Russell Bigelow, who now lives and shines on the hills of light. Afterward, by invitation, we alternated with the Rev. Mr. Rusk until they had no place for us. What then ? He sold his horse and traveling equipage, adding a few dimes, collected some from friends at home and abroad, and took his first sail on the bosom of Lake Erie to Detroit ; purchased lumber and came down super-cargo on the schooner Governor Cass, through the liberality of her owner, Col. Wilcoxon, passage and freight free up and down. We came through a terrific gale running under naked poles safely into the harbor. We stacked our lumber on the public square, the outsiders helped, and we soon had the best church in the city because the only one." While here Mr. Janes was very earnest in the work of securing a church, and so successful were his efforts that his successor, Rev. L. B. Gurley, had the great satisfaction of having a house opened for public worship in 1829. It was a small frame church building 42 feet in length and 36 feet wide, one story high, with 14-foot posts, and with one-quarter pitch to the roof. Much of the timber was sawed in Huron County, south of Norwalk. The building was constructed plain and strong. It was located near the southwest corner of the public square, a few rods southwest of our present courthouse. At that time all around the "little brown church," as it was called because it was never painted, were trees and hazel nut bushes ; no roads were then opened in Jackson or Adams Street. The nearest path was one leading from where the Sloane Block now stands to a little stone lock-up which then stood near the southwest corner of the stone church was was standing west of our courthouse ; it was called Fort Mockabee, although erected as the village jail. Y ou will hardly realize that at this time Sandusky had scarcely a population of 300 people, the larger portion of whom resided north of Market Street, and not more than, twenty families residing south. Great satisfaction was shown by all the people upon the completion of this, the first church erected in Sandusky, and when dedicated it was impossible for the building to hold those clamorous for admission, and many turned away disappointed. Only congregational singing was heard within those walls, no instrumental music was allowed. The men and women were always seated separately, the men on one side and the women on the other. The little village was not then a place of resort ; it was before the days of literary or social clubs, whist parties were even unknown, and this absence of something else to do, coupled with the eloquence and fervor of Gurley, Runnells, Thompson, Bigelow and those early ministers Was such that the seats were always filled, and often it was that only standing room could be had, even before the time for the opening of service. For quite a number of years Brother Van Fleet would blow a tin horn at the hour of service, twice for prayer meeting and three times when they had preaching. Later a small bell was provided for this purpose. William Runnells, who always rode the best looking horse on the 254 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY circuit, and of which animal there was no better judge, was a most interesting and pleasing speaker. Elder Russell Bigelow 's oratory was of divine inspiration, and under his unequalled and soul-stirring appeals people would leave their seats and get as near the pulpit as possible, apparently unaware of changing their places. "Such, vast impressions did his sermons make, he always kept his flock awake." Rev. Edward Thomson, who had been converted under the preaching of Elder Bigelow, was licensed to preach in 1832, and was at once sent to Sandusky. When asked why he joined the Methodists he replied, "They make a business of religion." So useful and eloquent was he that his fame went abroad, and the next year he was sent to Cincinnati, two years later made an elder, and in 1864 was elected bishop. Rev. John Quigley, afterwards an elder, was a man of learning and practical oratory, and always produced a great effect for good. Rev. L. B. Gurley was eloquent and his sermons full of pathos, most convincing and often moving to tears. In the Register of August 3, 1896, appears a sermon preached by Rev. L. B. Gurley on the fiftieth anniversary of his ministry at Wauseon, September 20, 1878, wherein he says : "My next appointment was Sandusky City. The charge had 59 members. My salary was the usual one hundred dollars and I boarded round a month or two at a place with members and others. I was the only pastor in the place. I raised money to finish our church begun by William Runnels. Moreover I made with my own hands the first pulpit in the city. I can vouch for its artistic excellence. According to the strict letter of the decalogue it would scarcely have been idolatry to worship it for it was the likeness of nothing in heaven above nor the earth beneath but it served its purpose for eighteen years, when it was honorably granted a supernumerary relation. While I was there in 1832 the first cholera reached Ohio. I saw the first death. It was a fearful scourge and panic stricken many left the city. I could not find it in my heart to forsake the sick and dying of my flock and remained." Rev. William Disbrow, a profound orator and thinker, scholarly and polished, warm of heart and in every way attractive, was also an elder. Being the only denomination in Sandusky with stated. preaching, this church rapidly increased in members and in influence ; as we have seen, the station was supplied with men of great zeal, learning and eloquence, and it was this, no doubt, that so long delayed the organization of other denominations in Sandusky. The year 1835 opened most auspiciously for the "little brown church ;" the seats were filled on every occasion of public worship; revivals of exciting interest had brought so many members that the full membership could not be cared for at one love feast or class. The necessity existed, the emergency, demanded a new and much larger church building for their accommodation. This was the situation when an agent of the Boston Liberator came to Sandusky. He desired to hold meetings to present the (at that time) peculiar views of HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 255 William Lloyd Garrison, the editor, in other Words, to agitate the wickedness of southern slavery. Some favored the use of the church for that purpose, notably John Beatty and R. J. Jennings. The majority of the trustees refused the use of the church ; it seemed at that time as if the North was all excited upon the subject ; there were riots in Boston, in Philadelphia and Alton. The feeling became intense in Sandusky, and as a result a large majority of the members of "the little church" seceded and organized a new Methodist society, and during, the next two years completed the erection of a very fine stone church, building just west of the courthouse. It was for many years known and called the Beatty Church for the reason that he was more prominent than the other seceders and also advanced a large portion of money that was expended upon it. The building was later owned by the German Lutheran society. At about the same time Grace Episcopal Church, in the East Square, and still standing, and the Congregational Church in the West Square, afterward taken down, were erected in the years 1836 and 1837 and occupied, in the basement. The result of all these influences most seriously affected the First Methodist Church society, so that it ceased to be self-supporting. It remained in this condition for several years and made but little gain in membership ; from 1836 to 1840 the circuit was included in the Michigan Conference, and since the latter year it was joined to and included in the Northern Ohio Conference, which in 1845 again became self-sustaining and a larger church was soon required for their accommodation. In 1846 one was commenced in the East Square, facing north on Columbus Avenue, just west of where the high school building now stands ; but just as it was completed it was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1848. After the decease of Mr. Beatty, who had intended to give his interest in the, stone church to the Methodist society, but failed to make the requisite provision, and after considerable litigation the church was sold to Mr. Hector Jennings, for the benefit of the society, but it was too poor to raise the money to secure it, but continued to occupy the basement until in the cholera season of 1849, the building was seized by the city and used as the cholera hospital during that eventful period. With an earnestness of purpose and zeal worthy of their work, and with that energy and indomitable spirit peculiar to Methodists, not dismayed by internal dissensions or the ravages of fire the First Methodist Church organization again went to work to build another church edifice, and it was a eery beautiful stone building 75 feet in length and 55 feet in width. It was erected just west and partly in front of the courthouse, • facing north. It was commenced in 1849 and was completed and dedicated late in 1853. The beautiful new church which had just been dedicated was hardly occupied before another quite serious secession took place, caused by a disagreement on the question of choral singing. The society had by a decisive vote expressed the preference for choir singing; a few of the members, however, were strongly against it and insisted upon the old way of congregational singing and were not willing to yield to the 256 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY larger majority against them. Mr. M. C. Clarkson, who considered himself as gifted in this line in which the great majority of the society did not agree, and Mr. P. Gregg, who felt. that his/ voice and position should control, with a goodly 'number of others withdrew from the society, and on September 11, 1853, organized the Second Methodist Church of Sandusky. Rev. S. M. Beatty was the first pastor; in 1854 it had eighty members. The trustees were P. Gregg, E. Warren, I. Ward, M. C. Clarkson, T. H. Norman, D. C. Morehouse and I. Weston. Rev. Samuel A. Lee and Rev. J. T. Caples were also pastors of this church from 1855 to 1857 inclusive. They built a new frame church on the west side of Decatur Street, between Washington an dams streets, but after a few years this organization disbanded and We members mostly returned to Trinity Methodist Church and the building was sold to and is now occupied by the (colored) Zion Baptist Church. The Methodist society was reorganized July 23, 1853, into the Wesleyan Methodist Church and occupied the Bethel. Church on Water Street until 1856, when it moved into a small stone chapel, which the society erected just south of the so-called Beatty Church, and which they had erected with the share of its members from the sale of the Beatty Church. The society only maintained its organization a few years when its members mostly returned to their first love ; others united with the Congregational Church society. From 1854 the First Methodist Episcopal Church society was not in a prosperous condition, portentous clouds covered its spiritual and financial horizon, but after the disruption of the Wesleyan society and the Second Methodist Church together with the faithful labors of the Revs. Dr. T. F. Hildreth, W. D. Godman, A. J. Lyon, L. B. Gurley and George Collier, better known as " Chaplain Collier," and others, the clouds lifted and the society was about to complete the upper story of the church in the West Square. when negotiations were opened and arrangements made by which fin church building in the West Square was to be taken down, as the space it occupied was demanded for our new courthouse. Then was commenced the present structure and so well known as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, a beautiful edifice built of brick, on the south side of Washington Street, and was dedicated in 1882, the fourth church erected by this society in Sandusky. The society and church is now in a more prosperous condition than it has been since the Beatty secessions in .1835. As part of the story of Methodism in Sandusky reference must be made to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was organ izen in 1879. A frame church building was erected on the south side of Neil Street. The society has had to struggle for its existence, and up to 1889 whenever the society was without a- pastor, Brother Thomas Boston would officiate. He was, although somewhat illiterate, a most godly man and zealous in good works. Brother Boston, as he was called, came to Sandusky in 1841, and supported himself by whitewashing, He died in 1890. The Bethel Church at one time was a prominent church of the city. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 257 It was built of limestone and stood about where the east end of the factory of The Hinde & Dauch Company, on Water Street, now stands. It was built under the chaplaincy of Rev. E. R. Jewett and lost its hold when the growth of the city carried the drift of the population away from the bay. In 1843 there was a Wesleyan Methodist Church which stood south of the northwest corner of the Public Square facing on Jackson Street on the site of the original little "brown church," which was the original Methodist Church. The Wesleyan society was originally formed out of the secession from the Methodist Church in 1836. Reverends Jones, McEldowny, Humiston, Smith, and Royce were its pastors, but it ceased to hold services about 1858. THE GERMAN METHODISTS The Sandusky City Mission was authorized by Ohio Conference, held at Chillicothe, Ohio, on September 25, 1850. The first missionary was Rev. E. Riemenschneider, who was sent out in 1841 to North Ohio Mission, which covered the ground from Marietta to Lake Erie. The first church was built in 1852; services were held previous to that in the "German Settlement" in the house of J. Fisher. The mission extended from Thomson, Seneca County, to Amherst, Lorain County, and Lacarne, Ottawa County. The first minister stationed in Sandusky was Rev. G. A. Reuter, 1850-51. When the mission was organized there were twenty-one families. In 1852 they bought "the little brown church" on the West Public Square. This was occupied by their society until in 1880 the old "little brown church" was removed to the south side of Jefferson Street, nearly opposite the new Congregational Church. Some years since 1896 the society sold their church lot and building to the Zion German Lutheran Church and built a new church building and later a parsonage on the corner of Shelby and Tyler streets. In the year 1913 the church and parsonage were sold and the congregation disbanded, most of them joining Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The following is taken from the church manual in 1871 in regard to the early period : "In 1828 several members of the church having returned to the place and there being others, not members, who favored the Congregational order, the Rev. Wm. M. Adams was employed to preach for several months. During his labors, Mrs. Lovina Maria Jennings, then the wife of R. J. Jennings, was received into the church by letter. During the next year (1829) the Rev. John H. Ruse ministered in the church, and in August there were added to the church by letter, Mrs. Catherine Darling, wife of the late Joseph Darling, Isaac Booram and Vol. I.- 17 258 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Mrs. Nancy Carther, and by profession Moors Farwell and Mrs. Eliza beth Bristol. "From this date the ministration of the Word was enjoyed mostly from Sabbath to Sabbath, and weekly meetings for prayer and conference were generally sustained. During a part of the time for the next three years there was preaching for only part of the time. From 1830 to 1835 the following ministers officiated, viz.: Rev. Henry Cowles, S. J. Bradstreet, Lorin Robbins and Bennet Roberts. " The first settled pastor of the church was Rev. Alvin Nash, who commenced his labors in 1835 and was installed in 1836. He was dismissed at his own instance in 1838. Other ministers who have officiated are as follows: Rev. I. A. Hart, from 1838 to 1845. He was dismissed at his own request. Rev. Leverett Hull, from 1845 to 1847; Rev. N. W. Fisher, from 1847 to 1849, when he died of cholera ; Rev. R. B. Bement, from 1849 to 1850; Rev. C. J. Pit, from 1850 to 1852; Rev. S. J. Edwards, from 1853 to 1854; Rev. Alexander Duncanson, from 1854 to February, 1857; Rev. J. B. Walker, from 1857 to 1863; Rev. E. P. Ingersoll, from 1863 to 1868; Rev. H. N. Burton, from 1868 to 1876; Rev. Josiah Strong, from 1876 to 1881; Rev. E. O. Bernard, from 1881 to 1883; Rev. Geo. H. Peeke, from 1883 to August 1, 1890; Rev. R. R. Davies, from January 15, 1891, to July 1, 1893 ; Rev. C. A. Vincent, from December 24, 1893. E. A. Sleiner, E. A. King and Ron W. Sanderson." For about sixteen years the church had no regular place of worship, Meetings were held in the schoolhouse, in private, residences, and even in a workshop, till 1835, when the east end of the old courthouse was fitted up for its use and for a young ladies' academy. The same year steps were taken to build a church. In this matter the whole town took an interest, its population then being probably not over 700. In a list of the subscribers are the names of Episcopalians and Methodists. The building was 40 by 60, fronting north. It cost about $6,000 and the whole town was proud of it. There was a basement under the entire building and it must have been a credit to the people. The tower stood in the center of the north end, and entrance was gained to the main floor by double outside stone steps. An old settler thus describes its interior : "The large double doors at the landing are swung open as are also the, two doors leading from the hall into the auditorium, there stands the high pulpit with a large Bible on it : the gallery supported by two large posts running from floor to ceiling, the faded little green curtains for screening the choir are still there, there too are the hard high pews with their little paneled doors and the little brass buttons for fasteners, the large high old fashioned window casings, all the wood work painted white and gold, relieved only by the plain black walnut rail around the tops and sitting in these pews are the old Congregationalists and Presbyterians, a united body, Among them are Deacon James Davidson, Samuel Walker, Isaac Darling, Moors Farwell and Samuel E. Hitchcock." This was the only place for public gatherings in Sandusky for many HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 259 years and here missionary meetings, temperance meetings and antislavery meetings were held without let or hindrance, when too many of the church doors in older portions of the country were tightly closed to such unpopular gatherings. There was one man by the mine of Clark who always remembered the slaves in his public prayers and it is said that one good brother got so tired of it that he said he ,wished there was a church where he would not have to hear the slave prayed for. One of our citizens has told me (this is a man not at all connected with us) that this "church has always, right along through thick and thin, been the radical, earnest defender of free speech. It has been for all classes." In 1843 there was a great revival in the community under the preaching of a Reverend Mr. Avery, an evangelist. He was one of the old hard hitters some of us have seen, and all have heard about. He did not believe in being, tender with a sinner ; he thought there was great virtue in hard words, and perhaps they were then necessary. For instance, he told one unrepentant sinner that he was "Eating from the hand of God, and then biting the hand." Says he, "You board at the table of God, and then serve the devil." He said he wanted to get converted under Brother Avery's thunderings, but he couldn't feel the way the others said they did, and so he gave it up. Well, there were about 300 converted and Sandusky had a terrible shaking up. The revivalist started in by preaching to the church members, saying that he feared many of them had not been living as they should. The audience was very much wrought up, and one man who had been an officer in a certain church for years was especially excited. The next morning there was a meeting in the basement for prayer and confession, and this man, no doubt with entire sincerity was impelled to confess his sins. He said he had been a great sinner for many years, although a member of the church ; that he had been worse than any one of the recent converts and said: "Yes, Brother X., I have even stolen salt off from your salt pile !" "Oh, yes," says Brother X., "we knew it, brother, we knew you took it and we took an equal number of bushels from your pile." So honors seemed to be even between them. A young man came here from the East to teach music, and he wished to introduce the present system of do, re, mi, etc. A meeting was held in the basement to organize a class, and the minister, Mr. Hart, gave him a very kindly introduction. The young man was bashful, and totally unaccustomed to speaking in public. Accordingly when he got up to expiain his system, he could not for a time utter a word that anyone could understand. He would start in, but before he could finish a sentence or convey an intelligent idea he would choke up. Then he would start in again with a like result. Meantime he was backing away from his audience, probably in the hope that it would not seem so formidable at a greater distance. At last he reached the limits of his retreat, the wall of the room, and here he felt he must say something, if he died for it, and this is what he produced, with much perspiration : "When you come into the church the minister gives out the hymn, then 260 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY you pick up a hymn book and find the hymn; then find the tune, then the pitch is given, and you sound the do full and long, and I will risk it anyhow." Afterward another musical genius came here to teach music, whose name was Hazelton. There was then considerable strife over the respective merits of the music of Thomas Hastings, of New York, and Lowell Mason, of Boston. This man claimed to be a pupil of Mason and condemned the music of Hastings. Over that matter he and W. T. locked horns, and the upshot was that Mr. West resigned his position as leader of the choir, leaving Hazelton in possession of the' field. Hazelton had a peculiar scheme of pronunciation. One of the anthems they were accustomed to sing included these words: "He likes the tents of Jacob well, but still in Zion loves to dwell." After Mr. Hazelton had applied his science to them they came out as follows: "He likes the tents of Jacob weel, but steel in Zion loves to dweel." Mr. Hart asked him why he pronounced the words in that fashion and Hazelton retorted: "Mr Hart, I am from Boston, where music is made, and I won't give up my opinion for anyone." March 6, 1845, a meeting was held at the courthouse, the object of which was "To correct an erroneous impression that the citizens of Sandusky are so generally abolitionists that they offered every facility to the fugitive to make good his escape." This meeting was held by men then and since honored in this community. The fact is, that the sentiment on the Firelands was at that late day generally unfavorable to the slaves. At the October election in 1844 there were only sixty-eight abolitionist votes cast in the whole County of Erie. Yet this church was sound on the question of slavery, for on the 16th day of August, 1847, at a called meeting of the church resolutions denouncing slavery were introduced by Moors Farwell and passed unanimously. Following are one or two of the resolutions. "Resolved, That we view the system of slavery as it exists in the United States as at war with every principle of right, especially that plain fundamental law of love, 'As ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so unto them, and that we utterly disapprove of and abhor it. "Nor can we countenance the doctrine recently put forth from high places, that its being an organic sin tends to lessen its enormity or take from individual responsibility, but in our view this fact only shows that the evil is widespread and therefore of fearful import. "Against it, therefore, as a mass of complicated and flagrant wrong, we record and proclaim our solemn protest especially against those perversions of the sacred oracles by which it is attempted to make their Divine Author the patron and protector of a system so entirely repugnant to their principles and spirit." The following resolution received only two votes at the same meeting: "Entertaining these views of slavery, and believing that any violation of right is a sin against God, we as a church of Christ cannot invite to our pulpit or communion those who participate in this iniquitous sys- HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 261 tem." It would seem that this was not satisfactory to the ultra abolitionists, for just one month and one day later nineteen members of the church asked for letters to "Any evangelical church with which they might choose to unite themselves." Judging from the names of those present and voting for the resolutions, and the names of those who asked for letters, it seems that the resolutions were passed to content, if possible, those who felt most deeply on the subject. If that was the ,purpose, it failed; for something over twenty withdrew and finally organized what they called the Free Congregational Church. They erected the frame building later occupied by the Baptists. This church seems to have prospered in spite of the defection. It called Rev. N. W. Fisher, October 25, 1847, to be its pastor, and during the year ending September 1, 1848, there were received by letter fifty-five members and seven on profession. The salary then paid by the church was $800 and its membership 191, benevolences, $707. September 1, 1849, the membership of the church was 208. This was the great year of the cholera. The pastor of the church, Rev. N. W. Fisher, "was so faithful to his duty," to use the language of another, "that when death stalked abroad in the city, and fifty uncovered coffins lay in the streets, he staid right at his post and died." It seems almost pathetic that the only notice of his death to be found in our church records is contained in an almost illegible line, written in pencil, near the bottom of the page, in such small characters as to almost escape attention, in the following words: "Rev. N. W. Fisher died July 31." The next page contains a notice to the effect that the church from July to September lost eleven members by cholera, giving their names. The church has had a number of able men as pastors, men of even national reputation, but it never had a better or more able man than Rev. J. B. Walker. The minister of the church had resigned at the prayer meeting, and everybody was broken up. The next morning Deacons Parish and Hitchcock, who lived side by side, were out at their back doors talking to each other over the back fence, and they did not know what to do. Parish said he had a mind to go down to Mansfield and see Brother Walker. Finally he said to Hitchcock, "Bring your wife over to tea this evening and we will talk it over." Some time during the day Mr. Walker presented himself at Deacon Parish's door. "Surely," says Deacon Parish, "the Lord has sent you. Our minister has resigned and we were talking about going down to Mansfield to consult with you. Can't you recommend some one to us?" "Well," answered the minister, "I guess I have done all the good at Mansfield that I can; I will come myself." He did come. The church had just enlarged its house of worship ; the hard times had come on, and they were $10,000 in debt. Mr. Walker was just the man to unite a distracted church, and he was an excellent financier. He demanded no guaranty for his salary, but said he wanted only enough to live on without trouble. Under his pastorate the society mostly paid off its indebtedness, and the church greatly increased in numbers. He was the author of a number of works, chief among them the "Philosophy of the Plan 262 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY of Salvation," which was adopted as a text, book in many seminaries, and was translated into a number of foreign languages. You will find his name in the encyclopedias. To go back a little : March 1, 1851, Samuel Moss was "appointed a committee to co-operate with a committee from the Bethel and Methodist churches in an attempt to raise funds to-pay for moving the bodies of the late ministers of said churches, Thomas Cooper, H. P. Ward and N. W. Fisher, who died in the year 1849 of cholera, from the old to the new cemetery, and for erecting a monum for the same." This was accomplished, and the monument may be seen in Oakland Cemetery, in the eastern part. November 18, 1852, letters of dismissal were granted to twenty-six persons, at their request, who wished to form a Presbyterian Church in Sandusky. Twenty-five persons, mostly from the Second Congregational Church, were received and soon they were all in one fold. The Wesleyan Methodist also came into the church. In 1856 a building was erected at a cost of about $20,000 on the site of the former building facing towards Columbus Avenue and utilizing the material of the former building. This building was 90 by 64 feet and was considered a fine building at that period. At this time the church numbered 152 members and had an organ and bell. In 1895 the city bought the property of the church and the present building was erected on the site now occupied at the northwest corner of Jefferson Street and Columbus Avenue. EVANGELICAL IMMANUELS CHURCH The first German church in Sandusky, the old Emanuel Church. was founded in 1844 and had their first meeting house where the high school now stands. Nearly every German family in Sandusky contributed either money or labor to help build it. The total amount at the disposal of the building committee was $342.28. The largest contributor was Jacob Schuck, who gave $50. On the 7th of July, 1844, Jacob Hertel, the founder of the Sandusky Demokrat, dolled a meeting at the old courthouse to organize a German church, which twenty-two attended. At a second meeting, on July 14, Peter Gilcher, Johanna Hornung, Fred Reinheimer, Jacob Knerr and Johan Clausius were appointed a committee of five which reported on July 21 that it was unwise to build at that time, but they passed a resolution to pay a traveling preacher $4 for a Sunday sermon, with his board and lodging, and perhaps his breakfast on Monday morning was included. The constitution of the church was adopted at a meeting held at the old courthouse February 14, 1846. On January 18, 1857, the first permanent preacher, John Mosebach, was elected by a vote of thirteen members in his favor and seventeen members against him, notwithstanding which he was declared elected. He was succeeded by Dr. T. A. Fischer, who was pastor up to 1870, receiving a salary of $300 a year. Reverend Mr. Seipel succeeded Doctor Fischer and HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 263 was in turn succeeded by Dr. E. Schulenberg, and the present church, at the corner of Adams Street and Columbus Avenue, was erected. If the plans mentioned in the minutes of the meeting of January 23, 1845, were carried out, then a stone building was erected on the site . of the present high school building, 40 feet long, 36 feet wide and 15 feet high. It is certain that the building was erected in 1845 and finished so far that services could be conducted therein. Just where the Evangelical Protestant congregation received the name "Immanuels" cannot be ascertained from the minutes of the church record. Fora long time it was called the Gilcher Church. From 1854 on, and in a new constitution that was adopted, it bears the name "Immanuels" Church. Yet it is pretty definitely stated that the church received this name on the day of dedication. Up to the time when the church was completed so services could be conducted therein, and again in 1850 and 1852, the Evangelical people united with the Lutherans in their religious worship. In 1852 the Lutherans withdrew from the Evangelical congregation and continued their services in the old courthouse, until they purchased the small Baptist Church on Wayne Street, back of Grace Church. In 1872 the congregation united with the Evangelical Synod of the West. For over thirty years Rev. J. G. Ensslin was pastor of Immanuels congregation, having entered upon his pastorate May 1, 1876. Much has been accomplished that was deemed impossible at the beginning, and the church is in a flourishing condition. Rev. Theodore Eisen is the present pastor. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH The actual beginning of the Lutheran Church dates back to 1847, at which time a Reverend Mr. Richter gathered a small band of Lutherans together and encouraged building a church, which was built by a Mr. Knoepfle at his own expense in the hope that the Lutherans would take it off his hands. It was used for church purposes a short time and sold to the city for a school building. It stood on the Courthouse Square facing Jackson Street. Prior to this time the Lutherans worshipped in a dwelling house in the west end of the city, and after the sale of the church building they worshipped in the courthouse until they purchased the little frame church built by the Free Congregationalists and later known as the Baptist Church which stood at the rear of Grace Episcopal Church. The church was first organized June 14, 1852. In 1862 it exchanged the little frame church for the old Beatty Methodist Church, then standing on the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square. They occupied this building until the completion of their new church at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Jefferson Street. Its pastors have been Reverend Schladermundt, Rev. B. Klein, Reverend Seidel, Rev. G. Lehrer, Rev. J. Dornbier, Rev. A. II. Dornbier and Rev. Theodore Stellhorn, the present pastor. The church has more than 1,000 members, with a Sunday school for more than 500 scholars, and while its expenses are several thousand dollars a year it is out of debt. 264 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY On Sunday, August 21, 1898, the cornerstone of the present Lutheran Church was laid. Inside the cornerstone was placed a Bible, catechism and hymn book, copies of the constitution of the church and aid society, list of the voting members of the church, the present vestry pastors and teachers, church papers and local papers, business card of George Feick, the builder, city report and list of county officials, book entitled "Sandusky, Now and Then," and gold, silver and copper coins. On November 19, 1899, the New Zion Lutheran Church was dedicated. The German Reform Church was organized August 12, 1853, and Rev. Peter Brucker was their first pastor. Its house of worship and parsonage still stands at the corner of Hancock and Jefferson streets. Its present pastor is Rev. Walter Rickard. The German Evangelical Kirchen Gemeinschaft, known as the Albrecht or Zollinger Church, stood for many years east of the Immanuel Church on Adams Street, where it was erected in 1854. The rights of the church were bought by the city in 191—, and the congregation erected a modern church at the corner of Wayne and Division streets, its present pastor being Rev. Samuel Goetz. ST. STEPHEN'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT CHURCH This church is located at the corner of Jefferson and Lawrence streets. In the year 1881 Doctor Von Schulenberg organized this church, and with a few families from the Emanuel Church, and, several others, took steps toward a permanent organization. The necessity for a building forced them at once to make arrangements for its beginning, and Doctor Von Schulenberg succeeded in seeing one erected at a cost of $3,500, which was dedicated in May, 1882. In addition to the work of the parish, and the service of the church, Doctor Von Schulenberg accomplished a large amount of literary work. The present pastor is Rev. John H. Holdgraf. The Salem Church Evangelical Association stood for many years on the north side of Adams Street, east of the Blue Grammar School, and had for its first pastor Rev. Conrad Tramer. The society was organized in 1840 by John Hull and Stroh. The church was often called the Zollinger Church and its house of worship was Built in 1854 and stood until 1914, when the society erected a new modern building on South Wayne Street, its present location. The German Reformed Church was formed by seceders from the German Evangelical Protestant Emanuel Church and was organized August 12, 1852, by Rev. Peter Bricker. Its building is situated at the corner of Hancock and Jefferson streets. THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, SANDUSKY There was a called meeting of all the members of the Christian Church residing in the city and vicinity at the home of C. G. Cayhoe in April, 1910. The following were present at that meeting : Joseph Cordner, HISTORY OF ERIE .COUNTY - 265 John Ellis, Lewis Foster, Fanny Foster, C. G. Cayhoe, Eliza Cayhoe, Lewis Hall, Eliza Hall, George Horner and Susie Horner. After a season of devotional services an organization was effected known as the Brotherhood League. The object of the organization was to plant the church in Sandusky. The following were elected officers : Joseph Cordner, president ; Susie Homer, secretary and treasurer ; and the following resolutions were passed : "Resolved, that we meet every Lord's Day' for the breaking of bread and prayer, and that we hold a mid-week ' prayer meeting." The above resolutions were adhered to, meeting from house to house, until March 26, 1911, when the building at 905 Columbus Avenue was rented, and a Bible school with twenty-six charter members was organized. The following officers and teachers were chosen : Lewis EPISCOPAL CHURCH (STORM SCENE) Cole, superintendent ; Lewis Hall, assistant superintendent ; Belle Cayhoe, organist ; Fanny Foster, secretary and treasurer ; Eliza Cayhoe, C. G. Cayhoe and E. L. Wicker, teachers. The school moved from Columbus Avenue to the East Adams Street Chapel, August 1, 1912. The Bible school continued to grow slowly, and we had occasional preaching by T. J. White, North Baltimore, Ohio. Traverce Harrison, Bellefontaine, Ohio, held a two weeks' meeting in March, 1914, and the church was organized with a membership of forty-three. C. G. Cayhoe and Rudolph Ross were chosen elders, and Henry J. Hall, C. W. Sanders, Wesley Ellis and Glen Rowe, deacons. R. C. Lemon, Lexington, Kentucky, was called to the ministry of the church August 1, 1914, and during his ministry, including the revival meeting that was held in April, 1915, by C. A. MacDonald, state evan- 266 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY gelist, Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Clifford P. Wilson, Akron, Ohio, there have been forty-eight accessions to the church. GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH On the fiftieth anniversary of Grace Church, May 30, 1885, the Register contained a very full historical article by William P. Chapman and Rice Harper, from which the following art is taken: "The first move to organize Grace Church was in the winter of 1834-35 at the residence of Josiah W. Hollister when the subject of building a church was introduced by Mrs. John G. Camp and a proposition to circulate subscription papers for a building was made. In March, 1835, a parish was organized at the residence of Oran Follett. Shortly after this a contract was made by the vestry with Ogden Mallory to build a church of the size of 45 ft. by 90 ft. on the ground which is still a part of the present building, for the contract price of $6,758.11, and a contract was also made with Bedortha & Mary to do a certain amount of carpenter work and furnish materials for the sum of $2,100.00, all of which became a debt against the Parish, which together with the debt owing to the Bank of Sandusky made a large indebtedness, which remained for some years and until the charter was amended, giving power to mortgage the church property so that the building could be finished and the pews sold. The cornerstone was laid July 28, 1835. In December, 1843, the pews were sold at auction, from which sale a sufficient sum was realized to reimburse Messrs. Hubbard, Hollister and Durbin for finishing the church, $1,745.72, and to pay the Bank of Sandusky $400,00 and John G. Camp $207.50 and other claims to the amount of $287.00, so that the church was free from debt except a small balance on the bell and organ, which was soon cancelled. "From the time that Rev. Launsbury came, in December, 1843, the Parish has always had a rector. The first vestry was composed of Abner Rott, Senior Warden ; Zenas M. Barker, Junior Warden ; John G. Camp, John M. Sloane, Ogden Mallory, Eleuthros Cooke, T. Neill, John Kinney, James Hollister and W. M. Chapman." The building was enlarged in 1852 by the addition of a transept at a cost equal to the original expenditure, $8,000. In 1857 two towers were added and the front otherwise improved at an additional expense of $8,000. Under the pastorate of Dr. S. A. Bronson and Rev. W. Farr the church enjoyed great prosperity for a quarter of a century. During this time St. Mary's Chapel in the Western Liberties, and St. Ann's in Camp Town, and later St. John's in the Liberties and Calvary Church in Camp Town, which took the place of St Ann's, were erected, and in 1875 the Good Samaritan Hospital was begun. During the pastorate of the Rev, L. S. Osborne the present chapel of St. Lukes was built in 1878. The present rector of Grace Church is Edmund G. Mapes. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 267 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The First Presbyterian Church was organized in 1852. During the first year services were held in Campbell's Hall, on Water Street, about where the Western Union telegraph office now stands. Its first- minister was W. S. Kennedy. The present church building was begun in 1853 and the lecture room finished and occupied in 1854, and the whole building finished and dedicated in 1855 at a cost of $33,000, including the organ and bell. In 1858 the church had about 100 members. Its present pastor is Rev. C. Argyle Kellar. BAPTIST CHURCH The First Baptist Church of Sandusky was organized September 22, 1854, in Campbell's Hall (now the Register Building), where services - were held for one year. The church began with nineteen members. Converts were then immersed in Sandusky Bay at the foot of Perry or Hancock Street or at the old shipyard. On at least one occasion the ice was cut through for this purpose. After one year in Campbell's Hall they bought the old stone church erected by the Wesleyan Methodists and called the Beatty Church on the northwest corner of the Courthouse Square. The upper story was not then finished. There were steps on the outside leading up to the second story. The building was used as a hospital in the cholera years of 1849 and 1852. They paid $2,500 for the property. The completion of the second story during the pastorate of Rev. Justin D. Fulton placed the church in debt and compelled an exchange with Lutheran Church by which the Baptist body received the frame building on the East Square erected by the Free Congregationalists about 1839 and occupied by the Baptist Church until the sale of the building to the city. The Free Congregationalists sold to the Lutherans August 10, 1858, and they sold to the Baptists in 1862. The church declined until there was little or nothing done from 1868 to 1872. The Unitarians rented the building for a while about this time. In 1879 the battle with the city over the right to build began which ultimately settled the rights of all churches on the squares and was won by the Baptists. After the sale of their building the Baptist Church held services in Temple Hall in the Mahala Block (since destroyed) until the completion, of their present building at the corner of Wayne and Monroe streets. From its organization this church had taken a very positive position on the question of slavery and intemperance, and this at a time when it meant more than it now does. In its church covenant is included a total abstinence pledge, and it holds its position firmly on this basis today. The church is now healthy and vigorous and hopeful of a successful and bright future. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED) The Zion Baptist. Church is located on the west side of Decatur Street between Washington and Adams streets. In the year 1856 Elder Norman Campbell organized this church with only seven members. 268 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY Elder Campbell took charge of the church and remained its pastor for three years. In the spring of 1857 a building. was purchased and partially paid for through the agency of Elder Campbell, who was appointed to collect funds for that purpose. In the fall of 1859 he left and was succeeded by Elder H. H. Hamilton, who became pastor and labored here during 1859. In that year the society was incorporated, and the following persons chosen trustees : Nathaniel Jones, Laurence Johnson and E. P. Reynolds. During the year 1860 the members made a great effort to pay off the debt still remaining on the lot, but notwithstanding all their exertions they did not succeed, and Nathaniel Jones met the difficulty by mortgaging his own house and lot for means to pay the debt. About this time William Hamilton, one of the principal deacons, died, praying that the debt might be removed. There was no regular pastor at that time, but in the autumn of 1861 Elder Dardes took charge of the church as pastor but failed to add to the church financial or spiritual power. The church has not always had a regular pastor but has been supplied at different times with ministers and missionaries. THE SALVATION ARMY The Salvation Army first struck Sandusky in the spring of 1886. The Register states that at its first meeting in Center's Hall, at the northwest corner of Madison Street and Columbus Avenue, it had about 200 present, and in its second Sunday meeting it had at least 1,000 in its audience. Since that time the army has had its ups and downs and has several times abandoned the city to its fate. But it spite of several unfaithful officers and its injurious system of short itinerant residence for its officers it has commanded the respect of a large portion of our community. There are three Spiritualist organizations in the city : The First Spiritual Reform Church meets at Fuchs Hall. Its pastor is E. W. Hook, who is also president of its official board. The First Spiritual Science Church meets at G. A. R. Hall at 7 o'clock Sunday evenings. Its president is Irving Jackson. The Progressive Church of Spiritualism meets Thursday afternoon and evening and Sunday evening at Maccabee Hall. Its president is Mrs. A. C. Schieber. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE The first known of Christian Science in Sandusky was in 1885 or 1886, when Miss Rose Gifford came from Ashtabula and lectured in private homes on the subject, two of the first to become interested being Mrs. John M. Boalt and niece, Miss Clara Boalt, then living on Wayne Street where Dr. Charles Graefe now lives. The only one interested at that time still living being Miss Clara Boalt, now of California. On November 3, 1900, a charter was granted and the meetings were held at the Odd Fellows Temple. The only charter members still in HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 269 Sandusky being Miss Hannah Matthias and Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Walker. Other members having left the city being Mr. and Mrs. Howard C. Frederick, Mrs. Henry S. Moore and Mrs. Oliver W. Marble. Miss Lottie Loomis, Mrs., Kate Inman and Oliver W. Marble have since passed over. On November 28, 1902, they moved to the Masonic Temple, and in December, 1908, moved to the Carnegie Library Building, where services are held twice each week. They have a membership of eighty-five, \yip an average attendance of 125. A free reading room is kept up in connection with the church in the Stone Block. The society is the owner of a lot at the northwest corner of Monroe, Lawrence and Central Avenue, where, in due time, a suitable edifice will be erected. THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF ERIE COUNTY About 1830 the first Catholic immigrants arrived at Sandusky. These Catholic pioneers were first visited in 1834 by Rev. F. X. Tschenhens, C. S. R., who came from Peru, Huron County. Redemptorist Fathers, who established themselves at Peru from 1829 to 1839, came at irregular intervals to Sandusky, attended to the spiritual needs of the few Catholics and said Mass in private houses. From 1839 Sandusky was attended by priests coming from Tiffin riding on horseback, a distance of thirty miles. Among these was Rev. P. J. Machebeuf (the late bishop of Denver), who became resident pastor in December, 1840. A room in the old Customs House, rented for the purpose, was the place where religious services were held. HOLY ANGELS' CHURCH The cornerstone of Holy Angels' Church was laid October 13, 1841. The building of this church is thus described by Father Machebeuf, who afterwards became bishop of Denver, Colorado. In a letter to his father dated February 28, 1842, he says : "You will remember when I told you of my appointment as pastor of Sandusky City and Lower Sandusky, I-said that I had no church in either of these places. The first step, then, in organizing my congregations was to get subscriptions for Sandusky City, where I fixed my residence. For that it was necessary to scour the forests and cross the Lake to the Peninsula and little islands near by to find the Catholics. Then I had to look out for a location for the church. Two rich property owners of Sandusky City, neither of whom is Catholic, were anxious to donate ground for that purpose. Mr. *Follette offered us a magnificent lot in the eastern part of the town, and Mr. Mills would give us three lots in the western part of the town and $100 in cash. I waited for Bishop Purcell to come before deciding the question, and Mr. Mills grew so apprehensive that we would accept the proposition of Mr. Follette, that he offered the Bishop five lots, with $530 and all the stone and timber necessary for the building. You may imagine that Bishop Purcell did not hesitate long in his choice. "Immediately after the Bishop's departure our people began to work. Some of them set to hauling stone, others to cutting and preparing the 270 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY timber, and during that time I went siaway for the retreat. I was absent five or six weeks, and upon my return I invited an Irish priest, who is my neighbor and lives also on the shore of the Lake, to come and preach for the laying of the corner-stone. A few days later about fifteen or twenty Catholics, the pastor among the number, set to the real work, and from the 13th of October until the winter came on every minute that was not consecrated to the ministry was given to the workmen. I have been at times architect, superintendent, mason, and even less than that, as the need may have been. "The day of the blessing of the corner-stone I made use of a very efficacious means to make my people work. The teamsters had unloaded an enormous pile of stone inside the plan of the foundations. It was right in our way. So without saying a word, I took off my coat and hat and began carrying the stone outside of the foundations. The spectators all took the hint immediately and it was not long before all the stone was removed. In doing this I was only imitating our Bishop, who at the head of his seminarians, used the shovel for half a day digging for the foundations of his cathedral, while Fathers Gacon, Cheymol and others filled the wheelbarrows. You see that we are obliged to turn ourselves to everything." The church was built entirely of stone, with windows, front and corners trimmed with cut stone and dedicated in 1845. It is 40 by 70, of the pure Gothic style. The first story of the belfry is 40 feet high, and the steeple rises 30 feet higher with a gilded cross. In June, 1846, Bishop Purcell visited Sandusky and blessed Father Machebeuf 's churches, of which there were now 'three, and gave confirmation to 137 persons in the mission. The bishop was pleased with what he saw, and admired particularly the fine stone church at Sandusky, 40 by 70 in dimensions, in Gothic style, with its spire 117 feet high, surmounted by a cross, as Father Machebeuf says, "made by an English Anabaptist, gilded by an American infidel and placed upon a Catholic Church to be seen shining by mariners far out upon the lake." This church had also the luxury of a bell, and in connection with this Father Machebeuf used to relate the following incident : "When I was telling them a few weeks before Christmas that I expected to find a man of good will who would volunteer to go to Toledo for the bell before Christmas, 1845, one of them in an excess of good will, forgot that he was in church and cried out immediately, ' Say priest, I'll go tomorrow,' and he kept his word." John McGoldrick was the man who "kept his word." The Catholic Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is a monument to the Rev. R. A. Sidley. Reverend Father Sidley came here April 28, 1863. He was then rather in the prime of life, and naturally a priest desired to carry on the work so nobly begun at Holy Angels. In taking charge of the Holy Angels he found matters in a very good condition, considering the difficulties the. congregation had to pass through. Father Sidley, following in the footsteps of his old professor, HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 271 Reverend Father Caron, saw, too, the great mistake made at the beginning in the way the church property was obtained, and felt the burden. It was clear that the growing wants of the congregation needed something. Holy Angels' Church was too small to accommodate all the people ; it was too far removed from the greatest majority of those that had to attend there. In the spring of 1865, a meeting was held to consider what was to be done, whether it would be better to enlarge Holy Angels' Church or build a new church on the grounds already purchased, that is, on the corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets. The meeting resolved there wait no use of going to the expense of adding to Holy Angels' Church and even if it could be done decently the people would be too far distant from the church—it not being centrally located. It was therefore unanimously agreed to build a church at the place first appointed, corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets. On looking over the grounds it was found a church of the size required could not be built there. Then a lot was purchased on the opposite side of the street. This also proved to be a little too confined ; finally, with a great deal of difficulty the two lots on which SS. Peter and Paul's Church now stands were purchased at a cost of $2,400. This also was done with the advice and consent of the Ordinary. In the spring of 1866 the foundation of the new church was begun, and on the 22d day of July of the same year the corner stone was laid by Right Reverend Bishop Rosecrans. The building was very rapidly pushed to completion, and the congregation was able to take possession of it on Easter Sunday the 9th day of April, 1871. It is a very handsome and substantial edifice, 145 feet in length and 71 feet in width ; the height of the tower is 135 feet. The church cost $75,000 and has a seating capacity of 1,200. The elegant pastoral residence, built of the same material as the church, at a cost of $5,000 was erected in 1871. For about five years the whole congregation remained at SS. Peter and Paul's till a division of the parish was made. Hence in consequence of the kind of title to the grounds on which Holy Angels' Church stands the pastor and people, not willing to lose the property, determined to care for it and keep it in a fair way for future use as a church. It was. then thought that in the near future a new congregation could be there formed which would be productive of good and which practically happened in the latter part of 1875, when a new congregation of Holy Angels' Church was formed. This noble structure of SS. Peter and Paul's, which has been raised to the glory of God, though not so costly as a few others in the diocese, ranks with the best of them in taste, finish, convenience, and general appearance, and will be for future ages a monument to the memory of Rev. Father R. A. Sidley. The German Catholics realized the need of having a separate church and accordingly, in January, 1853, a petition was sent to Bishop Rappe for permission to organize a separate congregation and to have separate 272 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY services in Holy. Angels' Church, until able to build for themselves. The permission was granted and Rev. J. N. Conlan said Mass for them. The, Rev. F. M. Boff, then a deacon, and who had been stationed at Sandusky since September, 1852, as quasi assistant to Father Conlan, preached the German sermons for five months. Meanwhile the preparatory work of organizing the new parish, procuring suitable lots and building the new church was vigorously continued. 4. The first pastor appointed for the Germans was Rev. J. T. Dolweck. He arrived December, 1853, and remained in 'charge till April, 1855. During this time special services were held at Holy Angels' Church for the Germans. In June he was succeeded by Rev. J. Hammene, who secured three lots on the corner of Jefferson and Decatur streets, at a cost of $1,900. As the parish was poor and without credit the deed for the lots was not given until paid for, about 1864. The work of building the much desired church was commenced at once; a stone structure of moderate size was erected in 1855 and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows. In 1856 Father Hamene built a pastoral residence of stone and in the following year a frame school. Rev. J. Hackspiel was the next pastor in charge of St. Mary's, from July, 1861, to. September, 1862. Parochial schools were wanted where the children might be educated not only in secular, but also in religious knowledge. To satisfy these growing needs Father Hackspiel directed his attention to the building of a new school. A two-story stone building was commenced, but it was left to his successor, Rev. N. Moes, who was pastor of St. Mary's from September, 1862, until November, 1863, to finish this work at a cost of $5,000. The Rev. A. Herbstritt, formerly a Sanguinist, was appointed pastor to St. Mary's, September, 1865, and remained in charge till July, 1868. In February, 1866, he bought the present St. Mary's Cemetery on Mills Street, which covered an area of nearly five acres. Recognizing the fact that St. Mary 's was bound to grow in the course of time and that the property on Jefferson and Decatur streets would become too small, Father Herbstritt purchased the present splendid church property (six lots) between Central Avenue, Jefferson and Fulton streets. These lots cost $6,665. The object he had in view when buying them was to procure an eligible site for a larger and better church, in keeping with the size and needs of the rapidly increasing parish. This important and responsible task fell to the lot of Rev. N. Moes, who for the second time was appointed pastor of St. Mary's, January, 1873. The foundation was finished in the early fall of 1873, and Bishop Gilmour laid the cornerstone in October of that year. But the hopes and expectations of pastor and people for an early completion of the church were dispelled by the financial panic of the "Black Friday" of 1873. But with the first signs of better times Father Moes, assisted by his generous people, resumed the work in full earnest. Gradually, and from 1879 rapidly, the massive and stately pile took shape. Finally on Sunday, November 28, 1880, the splendid stone structure was dedicated to HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 273 the service of God and the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, as Our Lady of Sorrows. Bishop Gilmour, assisted by many priests, performed the dedicatory ceremonies. This was a day of .supreme joy for the zealous pastor and his generous parishioners. St. Mary's Church takes undisputed rank among the stately churches in the diocese. Its dimensions are, length, 184 feet ; width, 75 feet; height of spire, 200 feet. The architecture is pure Gothic, the material of the foundation is Marblehead limestone, the superstructure Sandusky blue limestone, with Berea sandstone trimmings, and the groined ceiling is supported by ten solid stone columns, ornamented with beautifully carved capitals. The church has a chime of three fine bells, two of which were donated-the largest by Mr. C. Zipfel, the next in size by Mr. J. Obbergefel ; the third is the same that was used in the old church. The interior of the church is fully in keeping with the imposing exterior. The stucco work and stained glass windows show excellent taste. The handsome pulpit was put in place shortly before the church was dedicated. The first altars were for temporary use; they were replaced by the present artistic ones in 1887. The confessionals and the stations of the cross (all oil paintings) which grace the church were bought in 1890, and cost $1,500. The best evidence of the generosity of St. Mary's parish, and of the prudent management of Father Moes and his building committee, is the fact that, although the church cost almost $80,000, at the time of its dedication the debt was less than $10,000. After completing the church, Father Moes directed his attention to the betterment of the school, which had become inadequate to the needs of the large enrollment of children. Therefore, in 1887, at a cost of about $5,000, he erected another building of stone, fronting on Decatur Street, in the rear of the old church, and had it fitted up with the latest school appliances. The old church was put in good repair and used for weekly services until 1893. Failing health forced Father Moes to resign in October, 1888. His grand work was done, and he felt in need of rest. He returned to his native Luxemburg, in November, 1888, where he died full of years and merit November 26, 1900. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. Heidegger, who made a number of improvements, including a boiler house of stone, for the heating plant of the church. It cost $4,000. The present pastoral residence, a beautiful stone structure, fronting on Central Avenue, commenced in 1891, was almost completed at the time he left St. Mary's in March, 1893. The Rev. S. Rebholz was appointed his successor in the following month. He finished the interior of the residence at once. Exclusive of its furnishings, it cost about $12,000 and is one of the best appointed parish houses in the diocese; it is the fitting annex of the adjacent church. During the same year two additional altars were placed in the sanctuary, making a total of five, all of which were united by ornamental fretwork, leading to a Gothic superstructure on the main altar. This was surmounted by an artistic crucifixion group, all combined giving the sanctuary a harmonious effect. It is due to Father Widmann, who became pastor in April, 1901, to Vol.     I - 18 274 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY say that his energetic efforts have completed the last great undertaking of the parish in the erection of the large school building of which the cornerstone was laid April 25, 1909, and the building dedicated in 1910 at a cost of $120,000. It is a handsome stone structure 92 feet wide by 132 feet long with three stories and a basement. It has fifteen class rooms, an auditorium seating nearly a thousand, and a basement meeting room for social purposes. It will remain for generations as a monument to the pastorate of Father Widmann. ST. MARY'S CHURCH OF VERMILLION Vermillion is a pretty village, with a fairly good harbor, on Lake Erie, about twenty-five miles from Sandusky. Catholics began to settle there about 1856. They were visited by the pastors of Elyria, from 1857 to 1871, the Rev. M. Healy being the first' priest to minister to their spiritual wants. Mass was said on week days, in private houses, until the erection of the present frame church (28 by 50 feet), in 1862 by the Rev. R. A. Sidley, who had bought two lots on Exchange Street, for a church site, in 1861. Enclosed, the church cost about $600, but for lack of means its interior could not then be finished, and it was used in that condition—with a dry goods box for an altar, and rough benches for pews. In 1865, the Rev. L. Molon raised a subscription and with the proceeds paid for the plastering and furnishing of the church. He also bought and paid for a lot next to the church property, to serve as a site for the future parish house. In March, 1871, the Rev. J. Rouehy was appointed the first resident priest, and shortly after built the present pastoral residence, also a frame structure. In August, 1875, Vermillion was made a mission of North Amherst, and thence attended monthly until May, 1878, when the Rev. F. X. Nunan was appointed resident pastor. His stay ended in March, 1879. Since then the following priests succeeded him : The Revs. J. Cullen, from April, 1879, to July, 1882 ; M. S. Smith to October, 1889 ; J. C. Kennedy to December, 1889; I. J. Wonderly to January, 1893; J. J. Powers to November, 1893, then came the Rev. N. W. Horst. During the pastorate of Father Wonderly. the church was entirely renovated, and supplied with some beautiful statuary—all donated. Father Horst had the church re-roofed and painted, the pastoral residence repaired, and the church lots enclosed with an iron fence. Capt. C. Young deserves recognition as a special benefactor of the church, having at all times contributed most generously towards its support. ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH OF MILAN The Catholics at Milan were identified with St. Peter's parish, Norwalk, five miles distant, until 1862. The Rev. F. X. Obermuller, pastor of that parish, then visited them at regular intervals, until October, 1865, and for a short time said mass in houses.: He bought a lot on which HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY - 275 stood an old frame house ; this he changed into a temporary place of worship. The present church, a frame structure, 40 by 70 feet, was built in 1866. Bishop Rappe dedicated it to St. Anthony of Padua, on November 16, 1866. The church fronts on Main Street and cost about $6,000. In the same year another lot, with a frame house on it, which fronted on Center Street, Was bought for $800. This served as the pastoral resenddence until the erection of the present handsome frame building, in 1875, by the Rev. J. P. Putz ; it cost nearly $2,200. The present school, also a frame structure, was built in 1872, at a cost of $1,200. It has always been in charge of lay teachers. On New Year 's Day, 1891, shortly after high mass, fire broke out in the church, and destroyed its interior ; the damage, amounting to about $1,500, was nearly all covered by the insurance. The fire was caused by a defective ,flue. While the church was being repaired services were held in the schoolhouse. A pipe organ, costing $735, was placed in the church in 1891; a beautiful set of stations and a complete set of vestments were bought at that time. Since then many additional improvements and repairs have been made in the church, school, pastoral residence and cemetery. The parish is without debt and spiritually as well as financially, is in excellent condition. ST. PETER'S MISSION CHURCH OF HURON About 1836 Catholics began to settle at Huron, which was then, as it is now, a port on Lake Erie. The Rev. P. J. Machebeuf, pastor of Holy Angels Church, Sandusky, was the first priest to look after their spiritual wants. Huron was attended from Sandusky as a station until 1875, when it was attached to and attended from Milan for three years, with the Rev. J. P. Putz in charge ; he did much to revive the faith in that place. In May, 1878, it was assigned to Vermillion, whence it has been attended ever since. During all this long period mass was said in private houses, and for many years in the house of Daniel Duffy. It was not until the year 1889, during the time the Rev. M. S. Smith had charge, that the long cherished hope of the Catholics of Huron, to erect a church of their own, was about to be realized. It was then that Father Smith began to collect funds for that purpose. All the Catholics of the town and the non-Catholics, too, with few exceptions, contributed very generously. Thus encouraged, Father Smith had plans drawn for - a neat frame church, 40 by 70 feet, to be built on a lot fronting on Rensselaer Street, purchased in December, 1887, for $300. The building was commenced early in October, 1889, but shortly after Father Smith was transferred from Vermillion and Huron. From October to the following January both places were without a priest. In January, 1890, the Rev. Ignatius J. Wonderly was appointed pastor of Vermillion, with charge of Huron also. He pushed the church to rapid completion, so that the holy sacrifice was offered in it for the first time on Pentecost Sunday, May 25, 1890. Its dedication took place a few weeks later—on Sunday, 276 - HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY June 15, Bishop Gilmour performing the ceremony. The church cost about $3,000, exclusive of altars, pews, etc., and was fully paid for within one year after its dedication. The two bells now in use were bought in 1892 and blessed by Monsignor Bold V. G., on August 8 of the same year.