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491 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY CHAPTER XXII CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES THE UNITED BRETHREN—EARLY METHODIST ACTIVITIES—METHODISTS AND MASONS UNITE-PRESBYTERIANS ORGANIZE 1N 1830—SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-ST. JOHN 'S EVANGELICAL CHURCH-ST. MARY 'S CATHOLIC CHURCH-ENGLISH-SPEAKING CATHOLICS ORGANIZE ST. JOSEPH 'S-CHURCH BUILDINGS ERECTED-ST. JOSEPH 'S CHURCH HISTORY-ST. TIMOTHY'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES-HART POST No. 134 (No. 2), G. A. R. It appears that the first religious organization which was accessible to the people of Kendal or Massillon was the United Brethren church, Bishop Newcomer, of that denomination, holding services in what is now Brookfield, just west of the present limits of the city. They were held at the tavern of Philip Slusser. THE UNITED BRETHREN From the Bishop's journal it appears that on the 24th of May he lodged with Jacob Rowland, near Canton, and on the 25th reached Philip Slusser's. "To-day and Sunday," says the Bishop, "we held a sacramental meeting here," which is the first account that can be had of any religious services by the United Brethren in the township. Later in the year, Rev. Messrs. David Wimar, Christian Kanaga, John Wimar and Peter Wimar held meetings in the township of Sugar Creek and at Pigeon Run, in Tuscarawas Township, and at some period between 1816 and 1820 a society was formed. Among its members were Adam Shilling, George Krider, Christian Mazhimer and many others. Preaching was had at private houses. The Pigeon Run Chapel was built at some time during the four years from 1816 to 1820 and regular preaching has been had in the township ever since. In 1829 or 1830, there was an accession of new members from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, such as Abraham Bowman and his family, and Samuel Zent and his family. The circuit was extended, and Brookfield was taken into that 492 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY circuit, and, in 1849, a church building was erected and the different congregations were merged in the Brookfield congregation, except at Pigeon Run, those within the bounds of the charge remaining there. In 1873, the congregation was transferred to Massillon, the church building there was erected, and since which Massillon has been a station. The first preacher at the station was Rev. Elias Lower. The first trustees were Abram Bowman, John Silk, John Reeves and B. F. Booth. The United Brethren in Christ still have a substantial organization, of which Rev. D. C. DeFoe is in charge. EARLY METHODIST ACTIVITIES The Methodists commenced to be active about the time Massillon was platted by Captain Duncan in the winter of 1825-26, although there is a tradition that a few Methodists formed a class about the time the United Brethren missionaries commenced to preach in the region. It is known at least that there was no class at Kendal in 1814. From 1810 to 1831 what is now Massillon was in the Tuscarawas circuit ; in the latter year it was included in the Canton circuit and the society became a separate organization in 1841, when its first house of worship was erected. The first preachers held forth in the old schoolhouse, at private residences, or on the threshing floors of barns, according to circumstances and the seasons of the year. In 1832 Messrs. Hogan and Harris, commission merchants, erected a three-story brick building, and the hall on the upper floor was used by the Methodists and any other organization, religious, political and otherwise, considered financially responsible. METHODISTS AND MASONS UNITE In 1840 Rev. D. R. Hawkins, an energetic young man who was then on the Canton circuit, started the movement which made the Massillon society an independent body. He opened a correspondence with the Free Masons, who held their meetings in Hogan & Harris' block, occupying the room on the west side, the public hall being on the east side. The result of the correspondence was the Methodists and Free Masons determined to erect a two-story building, the lower story to be fitted up for a room for the church, and the second story for a lodge and chapter for the Masons. The building was erected in 1840. On the 24th of June the corner-stone of Clinton Lodge, No. 47, and Hiram Chapter, No. 18, and of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Massillon was HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 493 laid, "with pomp and circumstance." For seventeen years there had not been a public Masonic exhibition in the county, the last one having been in Canton in 1823. Clinton Lodge was organized by charter from the Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1836, and was almost the only working lodge north of the National Road in the state. The building was erected and the two institutions occupied it harmoniously until 1860, when the Masons bought out the Methodists, and the Methodists had bought the old church edifice of the Baptists in 1858, which had been abandoned by the Baptists many years before. In 1845 the annual conference made Massillon a station, the first in the county. The church building which was purchased from the Baptists was thoroughly remodeled and served its purposes for a quarter of a century. A large structure was completed in 1884, and the one now occupied was erected in 1895. The pastors of the church, from first to last, have been as follows : Revs. A. A. Jameson, James A. Kellam, C. H. Owens, Samuel Mower, Wm. H. Nickerson, Alexander Harmount, Robert Cunningham, H. M. McAbee, James Beacom, John Grant, A. G. Williams, William Pittinger, S. M. Hickman, Wm. Lynch, Ezra Hingeley, Joseph M. Carr, J. D. Vale, Charles H. Stocking, David C. Osborne, Hiram Miller, Welty J. Wilson, James R. Mills, John Wilson, A. R. Chapman, George B. Smith, J. I. Wilson, Harvey Stewart, J. R. Robins, II. W. Dewey, J. R. Jacob, Arthur D. Mink. In addition to the First M. E. Church, there are the Wesley M. E. Church, Rev. J. C. Winters, pastor, and Wesleyan Mission and Zion's A. M. E. Church. PRESBYTERIANS ORGANIZE IN 1830 From the most reliable information it seems that the Presbyterians first listened to preaching by a minister of their faith in Daniel Myer's carpenter shop on State Street, Kendal, about 1830. Rev. T. M. Hopkns held the services in a small building erected on a hill between Kendal and Massillon by the combined effort of the First Presbyterian Church, which then consisted of Messrs. Cruson brothers (John and Garrett), Austin Allen, Joseph Heckman and their families, with a few others. Rev. Elijah Buck, Rev. G. W. Warner and others preached, the regular church organization dating from June 1, 1834, when Joseph Heckman was installed as elder. The first settled pastor was Mr. Warner, who came from Wooster. During the earlier portion of his pastorate, in 1836, the first little church was erected on the corner of Hill and Plum streets. His ministry lasted until 1840, during which he was especially prominent in temperance work. The large edifice now occu- 494 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY pied stands upon the site of the modest structure which was in use until 1852. SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Second Presbyterian Church, an offshoot of the old First, is in charge of Rev. Fenwick W. Fraser. The building now in use was completed in 1905. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH The founding of the First Baptist Church is due to Rev. 0. N. Sage, a young man from Erie, Pennsylvania, who arrived in Massillon when the place was a leading wheat center of the state, generally prosperous and altogether ambitious. There were but a few Baptists in town, but the villagers irrespective of religious affiliations seemed to he attracted to the young minister, and he was induced to remain and attempt the upbuilding of a new church. Which he did. He bought a lot on the northwest corner of North and Mill streets, completed a church building in 1837, and then, for five years, fought the hard times as they affected his darling enterprise. The contest was too wearing and he was compelled to leave Massillon, to the general regret, in ill health and discouraged. His successor, Rev. S. B. Page, D. D., also struggled along for about two years, when the property was brought under the sheriff's hammer. The society was afterward revived under more auspicious circumstances and is now represented by the First Baptist Church, corner of Mill and South streets, Rev. G. E. Enterline, pastor. ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL CHURCH The German Protestant element has always been strong at Massillon, being represented chiefly by the Evangelical and the Lutheran churches. The oldest existing body of these denominations is St. John's Evangelical Church, which was founded as early as 1837. Its first house of worship was erected in 1839 ; its second, in 1866, and its third and last, in 1912. The two buildings last named were erected at the corner of Tremont and Hill streets. The first meeting house was a stone building on East Street, south of St. Timothy's Protestant Episcopal Church. In 1860 it was sold to the Union School District, and was used as a school for many years. In 1863 and 1864 there was a secession from the church of about fifteen families on account of a HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 495 disagreement on the subject of parochial schools, those who withdrew being in favor of establishing them. Thus was formed the Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church, under Rev. P. J. Buehl, in January, 1864. The present minister in charge is Rev. W. W. Kennerly. St. John's Evangelical Church of Massillon has been served by the following pastors: Reverend Cordetz, Dr. J. G. Buettner, Rev. P. Herbruck, Rev. J. Kaemmerer, Rev. A. Biedermann, Rev. J. M. Steiner, Rev. G. Abele, Rev. Weissgerber, Doctor Kortheuer, Rev. O. W. Schettler, Rev. C. Christiansen, Rev. J. E. Digel. At present the congregation has a membership of about 1,000 and a Sunday School enrolment of about 850. The present pastor has served the congregation since 1895. The Faith English Lutheran Church is in charge of Rev. J. F. Lautenschlager. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH By the year 1839 there were a number of Catholics within what might be called the Massillon Mission, including Frederick Ertle, Nicholas Smith, Andrew Paul, Christian Witt, Nicholas Heiser, John Frease, Anton Vogt, John Boerner, John Yungbluth, John Yungling, Francis Miller, John Kutcher, George Seifert, George Ross, Thomas Kegler, George Hoke, Adam Hammersmith, Martin Bauman, Peter Runser, Magdalena Bamberger and Margaret Frease. In the year named they bought a small lot on Cherry Street, for which they paid $400 ; that was the first purchase of Massillon Catholics. In the summer of 1840 Father Peter McLaughlin was at Massillon, making his home with Timothy Finnegan. Later in the year Father Matthias Wurz, of Canton, preached at the Massillon station, and remained in charge until January, 1844. The property mentioned as having been purchased by the Catholics was at the time far north of the city limits, but a stone church building was commenced not long after Father Wurz took charge. Its cornerstone was laid in July, 1842, and the structure was dedicated five years afterward, although used, of course, in the meantime for religious purposes. The stone church thus consecrated as the first home of St. Mary's Parish was 40 by 70 feet in dimensions. From 1844 to 1846 Rev. John J. Doherty, of St. John's Church, Canton, attended the English worshipers at St. Mary's and during that period, as well as for five years afterward, Rev. John Kuhr, also of Canton, attended to the wants of the German Catholics. The resident priest, until 1848, was Rev. Philip Foley, and when he left in 496 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY the year named Rev. Fathers Luhr and J. B. Jacomet were placed in charge of St. Mary 's Mission. ENGLISH-SPEAKING CATHOLICS ORGANIZE ST. JOSEPH'S Rev. Julian Von Braun, the next resident pastor, assumed charge in 1851, and was followed by Rev. Louis Molon in the following year. In December, 1852, the church was burned and in the spring of 1853 the English-speaking Catholics of the mission, under Rev. Father Molon, separated from the mother church and organized St. Joseph 's. A parish school had been organized in 1849 and in 1855 a brick building was erected for its accommodation. Revs. Joseph Lais, George Stein, Stephen Falk, Nicholas Roupp and Jacob Hamene were the priests in charge of St. Mary 's during the succeeding dozen years, when Father Lais was recalled ; his second pastorate was from 1867 until his death February 5, 1875. Rev. John Koehn succeeded him, and Rev. Jacob Kuhn, who followed him, occupied the charge for twenty years, from 1879 until his death November 30, 1899. Since that year Revs. Henry Kaempker and the present incumbent, Father Michael Vollmayer, have been the resident pastors. CHURCH BUILDINGS ERECTED The cornerstone of the large church now occupied by the congregation of St. Mary 's was dedicated in September, 1876 ; the edifice blessed in August, 1880, and dedicated, as a whole, in August, 1892. It is an imposing stone edifice which stands on the site of the first modest house of worship, on East Cherry near Mill, being pure Gothic in design, 185 feet by 85, with two stately towers. The large parochial school was erected in 1870 and until 1878 was in charge of lay teachers. At different periods the Sisters of Notre Dame and of St. Francis and the Benedictine Sisters have conducted it. The pastoral residence was completed in 1901. St. Mary's Parish has a membership of about 400 families. ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH HISTORY When St. Mary's Church was burned in 1852 Rev. Louis Molon, who was placed in charge of the English-speaking Catholics of the mother organization, bought land on South Street. There a small building was erected for worship and in 1860, during Father Uhlmann's pastorate, the first parish school was opened. It was first taught by A. Lang HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 497 and Sister Rose ; they were later assisted by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart of Mary and since September, 1883, the school has been in charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame. The large brick building now used for educational purposes was dedicated in November, 1890. Father Molon was called to St. Joseph 's again in 1864 and served for about a year ; then followed the pastorate of Father George A. Verlet, from 1865 to 1888, while within the succeeding decade Revs. William A. Harks, John T. Cahill (died August 11, 1890), Denis J. Stafford and Thomas F. Mahon were the priests in charge. Since June, 1898, Fathers Jacob F. Kuebler and F. B. Doherty have been the pastors. The present property, corner of Lincoln Avenue and South Street, was bought by Father Stafford, and Father Mahon commenced the large Gothic church in which the parishioners worship. It was completed in December, 1892, and dedicated in April, 1894. The pastoral residence of St. Joseph's was completed in 1892, and in the following year the old church was remodeled to accommodate the expansion of the parish school, while the old school building itself was improved as a residence for the Sisters. The parish has now within its jurisdiction about 275 families. ST. TIMOTHY'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH The Protestant Episcopal Church of Massillon is represented by St. Timothy's Church, which was chartered June 7, 1836. Rev. John Swan was elected its first rector in October of that year, the cornerstone of the first church having been laid by Rev. Charles P. McIlvaine, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. The first vestry was composed of James Duncan, Herman B. Harris, James S. Reynolds, Hunking Wheeler, Charles K. Skinner, Dwight Jarvis, Matthew Johnson and George Paine. The site on Lincoln Avenue was obtained through the liberality of Captain Duncan, who, with General Jarvis, was deeply interested in the welfare of St. Timothy 's. Although the parish does not rank in numbers among the largest in the city, its membership has always been considered select, and the church property on Lincoln Avenue, between Tremont. and Oak streets, is on an elevated site and very attractive. Rev. Samuel Ward is the present pastor. SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. The societies of Massillon are numerous and strong, ranging from the old-style Masons of eighty years ago to the nature-study clubs and literary organizations of a comparatively late period. The earliest to 498 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY organize was Clinton Lodge No. 47, Free and Accepted Masons, the date of its charter being June 12, 1837. Its first worthy master was George D. Hine; Joseph G. Hogan, senior warden ; S. Buckius, junior warden ; Asa Rice, treasurer; George W. Swarengen, secretary. The lodge has a present membership of about 350, with the following officers: Henry W. Elsass, worthy master ; William I. Tompkins, senior warden ; Ralph C. Vickery, junior warden ; Richard B. Crawford, secretary. Hiram Chapter No. 18, R. A. M., was chartered October 18, 1839. Its first officers were : George D. Hine, high priest ; e. k. ; Jesse Rhodes, e. s. Officers for 1915: William I. Tompkins, In. e. h. p. ; Henry W. Elsass, e. k.; Charles W. Gloverm, e. s. ; Richard B. Crawford, see. Massillon Commandery No. 4, K. T., was chartered July 5, 1845. It was originally chartered by the Grand Encampment of the United States, and was one of the five commanderies which organized the Grand Commandery of Ohio. George D. Hine was its first commander. Following are the officers for 1915-16 : George Collins, e. c. ; Thomas Wood, gen. ; Frank E. Peck, c. g. ; James Peacock, prelate ; Richard B. Crawford, recorder. The Order of the Eastern Star, Hadassah Chapter No. 108, was chartered October 18, 1899, with the following officers : Mrs. Mabelle K. Reed, w. m.; J. James Peacock, w. p.; Mrs. Harriet H. Doddridge, secretary. Officers for 1915: Miss Clara A. Stover, w. in. ; Chalmer R. Heggem, w. p. ; Mrs. Charlotte S. Peek, a. in. ; Miss Margaret S. Kline, secretary. All of the foregoing bodies meet in the Masonic Temple on South Erie Street. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows first established itself at Massillon when Sippo Lodge No. 48 was instituted, August 30, 1845. Following were its original officers : James S. Kelley, n. g. ; George Miller, v. g. ; John Wisner, sec. ; Joseph Culbertson, treas. The present elective officers are : Elmer Lehman, n. g. ; Albert Geis, v. g. ; E. R. Thomas, rec. sec. ; C. M. Smith, fin. sec., and 0. P. Kline, treas. Since its organization, 817 members have joined Sippo Lodge, of whom 252 are still connected with it. Massillon Lodge No. 484 was organized as a German body in July, 1871, but was consolidated with its parent lodge (Sippo No. 48) in June, 1914. Eureka Encampment No. 24, I. 0. F., was instituted August 13, 1847. Its first officers were as follows : William C. Earl, chief patriarch ; George Miller, high priest ; J. J. Hoffman, senior warden ; Isaac H. Brown, scribe ; Samuel Oberlin, treasurer. Present officers : C. W. Angerman, HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 499 c. p. ; O. P. Kline, h. p. ; H. Berger, s. w.; H. C. Brown, scribe; C. Schott, treas. Abbie Rebekah Lodge No. 10, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 26, 1869, with twenty charter members. In June, 1913, Acorn Lodge No. 446, of North Lawrence, was consolidated with Abbie Rebekah Lodge No. 10, which has a total membership of about 160. The colored people of Massillon have organized Doric Lodge No. 69, Social Friend Chapter No. 29 (O. E. S.), and St. Luke's Chapter No. 33, R. A. M. The Knights of Pythias have two lodges, Perry No. 87 and Stark No. 733, as well as Enterprise Company No. 73 (U. R. K. T.) and Pythian Sisters No. 617. Perry Lodge is the oldest, its institution dating from June 30, 1875. Among the leading secret and benevolent organizations in active work at Massillon are also the Elks, Knights and Ladies of the Maccabees, the Moose, Improved Order of Red Men, Tribe of Ben Hur and the Knights of Columbus. The last named was organized in 1901, as Massillon Council No. 554, and has now a membership of 180. Andrew Ertle is the present grand knight of the council. The ladies of Massillon have a number of organizations for social, literary and musical purposes, among the most prominent being the Current Event, the Study and the Isabella clubs. HART POST No. 134 (2), G. A. R. Although the membership of Hart Post No. 134, G. A. R., has dwindled to about half a hundred, the memories clustering around it are golden. It was organized in 1868, and only one of its charter members, T. H. Seaman, is still alive. He sends the following : "The Post was organized late in 1868. The following list includes the names of charter members, well within my memory, although there were others whose names, or personalities, I cannot recall to memory. The list : R. A. Pinn, T. J. Reed, R. B. Crawford, S. M. Knapp, A. E. Duly, S. Speller, G. W. Earl, J. Glessner and myself. The Post was originally No. 45, 'District of Stark.' Later, at a convention of the Department Encampment, held in Akron, the district form of department organization was abolished, and the present form of statewide organization was adopted. Coincidentally all numbers designating Post were dropped, and new numbers assigned in consecutive order, as applied for, and names prefixing numbers were officially provided for. Hence the name 'Hart Post,' No. 2, under the new numbering. "The activities of Post No. 2 deserve mention, as under the auspices 500 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY of the Post numerous military dramas and other forms of entertainment were staged and presented to large audiences, from the proceeds of which, and also from the sale of four brass cannon (condemned), donated by Congress, the Soldiers' Burial Lot in the Massillon Cemetery was purchased and improved, and the handsome monument now standing on the lot was erected, at a net cost of $2,286, including lot purchase, improvements and monument. The Post was also active in extending relief to widows, orphans, and worthy needy comrades." |