Chapter XVII.
Page 100-127
By March 1890, the building was enclosed and preparations were made for holding first services therein some time in April, but on March 27, a terrible storm, since known as the cyclone, passed over this community, and among the losses the young church was at first thought to be a complete loss. Like the Israelites when they came to the banks of the Red Sea and could not turn right or left or backward, they had apparently reached the end, when the good pastor came to the rescue with the advice "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Soon the sister churches of the state rallied grandly to the rescue and the work of taking down and rebuilding the walls was begun June 29th, 1890, the floors being laid, a small space was cleared of lumber and work benches, &c., and the first service was held just one year after its organization. By the kindness of Mr. Ed Brauer services had been held upstairs over his store during April, May and June. The So. Association having been voted to Metropolis for September, 1890, and the church being well-nigh completed, it was thought that Sunday, Sept. 21st, would be an appropriate time to dedicate the church to the cause for which it had been erected. Revs. Dr. Tompkins, R.W. Purdue and F.A. Miller, all of whom had been instrumental in effecting the organization, were present and participated in the dedicatory services. The property thus consecrated, having cost $9,200. Dr. Johnson served the church faithfully and well as pastor until Oct. 28th, 1891, when he resigned the pastorate, being called to another field of labor. On Feb. 28th, 1892, the Rev. Frank B. Hines of Carthage, Mo., accepted a call to become the pastor of this church. He proved to be a most excellent pastor and the church grew and prospered grandly under his pastoral guidance and in the two and one-half years of pastorate, ninety-four persons were added to our membership. One prominent feature of his work was benevolence. He never wearied of giving and stimulating others to give to missions. He severed his relations with this church in June 1894, to accept the Presidency of the Southern Collegiate Institute, located at Albion, Edwards county, Ill., in which capacity he is still serving.
In October 1894, the church extended a call to the Rev. P.M. France of Lyndon, Ill. The call was accepted and Mr. France served the church until June, 1895, when he accepted the pastorate of the church at Seward, Ill. In September 1895, Rev. A.H. Chittenden of Vermillion, S.D., assumed the pastorate of the church who together with his family proved indeed an acquisition not only to the church but to society in general. Owing to a great financial depression which prevailed at that time the church felt unable financially to retain them longer and in October, 1896, they accepted a call to a church at Sac City, Iowa, which church they are still serving. January 1st, 1897, Rev. R.W. Purdue (who had first introduced Congregationalism into Metropolis and this entire section of Southern Illinois, assumed the pastorate), but the wave of financial depression was still on and there was hanging over the church an indebtedness of some seven or eight hundred dollars and this together with the fact that many of our most active members had removed their residences to other places has somewhat discouraged the remaining membership and though Mr. Purdue worked with that same energy which had hitherto characterized his ministry, yet things wer not in that prosperous state which had blessed the early history of the church, and Mr. Purdue, after twelve months' service, resigned the pastorate to enter again the evangelistic field. The first eight months of 1898 was spent without a pastor in an effort to economize, it being agreed among the members to maintain the Sunday school and prayer meeting services, and make our regular weekly contributions, the same to be applied on our indebtedness, and to continue until all indebtedness was cancelled. This plan as may be supposed proved something of a failure, for those who urged this method most strongly, forgot to make their contributions and after the lapse of a few months four of our strongest and most active men resolved themselves into a committee to make a personal canvass of the church membership first, and then the friends of the church for pledges for free will offerings to be used to cancel the church debt. Their efforts were crowned with a brilliant success. At the close of the year the pledges were redeemed and the entire indebtedness was found to be $91.46, which was not bearing interest.
In September of this year, 1898, Rev. C.A. Bruner of Valparaiso, Ind., having previously been tendered and accepted a call, assumed our pastorate. His ministry has been marked with that degree of success that at the conclusion of the first twelve months' service the church unanimously voted to retain him our pastor indefinitely. June 30th being the tenth anniversary of the organization of the church, it was voted by the members to celebrate the occasion in an appropriate manner. There being but $91.46 indebtedness, the pastor resolved that that amount should be cancelled and accordingly took the matter in hand with the satisfactory result that not only this amount was secured, but enough additional was added to reinsure the church building, which policy was just expiring. It was furthermore, decided to invite all former pastors, together with those who were instrumental in bringing about the organization, to be present and participate in the commemorative exercises, but each showed good and sufficient reason for their non attendance and all sent congratulations and a hearty, "God bless you."
Thus the exercises were confined to our own people, the choir, the pastor and the clerk. The choir certainly did their part well and not only satisfied but highly gratified the audience. The pastor talked briefly on the future of the church, which though wholly conjectural, was in perfect keeping with the capabilities of the church only then years old, and owning a property costing more than $9,000 with no incumbrance was, he thought, a record of which the church might feel justly proud, while truly thankful. The clerk gave a statement of the work done by the church as shown by the records in the ten years just ending, in which these facts were developed that the church had been organized with fifty-four charter members, that she had provided a church home for 192 individuals, making a total membership of 246 persons, fifty-six of whom were admitted from the Sunday school. Of this number thirty-eight have been granted letters to unite with other congregations, seventeen have transferred their membership to the congregation in heaven; others have fallen by the wayside, but 120 had withstood the test of adversity and financial depression and that God had heard and answered their prayer, that the tenth anniversary might find the church free from all indebtedness. There has been gathered little by little from the Ladies' Society, the Christian Endeavor Society, personal and parish contributions and from the H.M.S. until we find the total amount paid into our treasury has reached more than $23,600, a sum which places us out of debt. Out of debt so far as financial obligation is concerned, but deeply indebted to heaven. We also find the church to have served by five efficient pastors, all of whom have rendered faithful service, which has been characterized with an earnest endeavor to promote the spiritual, intellectual, moral and social growth, not only of our own household of faith but of creating feelings of Christian fellowship and good will among other denominations and were now being served by a young through consecrated and zealous pastor, who is leading on to victory, and thus Trinity Congregational church is launched on the second decade of its existence delivered of all its hampering limitations, with great possibilities before her and Devine favor upon her. And after recounting the mercies of the Lord toward us and the great things which He hath wrought through His church in the past, we are resolved to press forward in this grand movement, marching ever under the motto which chimed over Bethlehem: "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men."
ST. ROSE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
(Miss Vita Mulkey)
It is universally admitted that the pioneer of civilization in the present State of Illinois was a Catholic missionary. A Catholic priest was the first European who stood on the soil of Illinois. And there is also hardly any doubt that a French Catholic missionary was the first one to offer public service to the God of Christians within the boundaries of the present county of Massac. The sources from which its early history is compiled warrant this assertion. Still many years elapsed before Massac county was to have a Catholic church. This was owing not to any religious indifferentism, but to the small number of Catholics residing therein. For several years the Catholics of Metropolis and vicinity had assembled in a hall for their Divine worship when in the spring of 1896 they resolved, encouraged and urged on by their energetic and zealous pastor, Rev. John Duffy, to build a church, in which the different ceremonies of their religion could be executed with more ease and splendor. Work was begun at once, and in the fall of the same year the edifice, a substantial frame structure, was completed. On the 7th of October it was formally dedicated by the bishop of the diocese, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The church was placed under the patronage of the first American saint, Rose of Lima, hence the name St. Rose's church.
Soon after the dedication of the church, Father Duffy resigned as pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. Francis Pieper, who is still in charge. During his pastorate the church has been practically cleared of debt and much has been done to beautify its interior, several improvements being yet in petto. Considering the small number of Catholics that reside in Metropolis, it must be said that the church they have erected speaks well for their religious zeal, devotion and liberality.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST
For years the good people of what is known as East Metropolis felt the need of a house of worship in their midst, and one in which they could "worship God according to the dictates of their conscience." Accordingly by the pious and zealous assistance of Rev. Mrs. M.W. Lennox, a powerful preacher, a class of 153 was organized Jan. 8th, 1895, and set in order. So earnest were these Christian workers that on Aug. 18th, 1895, the same year, a neat, commodious house of worship was dedicated by Bishop Castle under the most favorable circumstances.
Rev. J.L. Brandenburg, whose likeness appears elsewhere, was the first presiding elder; Messrs. James Tomlinson, deceased, John Kennedy, Hiram Brown, W.H. Hailey, and James A. Annis were the first trustees; James A. Annis was the first class leader; William Travelstead and Robert Shaw, stewarts; James Tomlinson and Frank Ogden, finance committee; George Woodward was the first Sunday school superintendent.
During the succeeding years the presiding elders have been Revs. S. Mills, 1895-96; J.L. Brandenberg, 1896-97; T.D. Spyker, 1897-98; J.L. Brandenberg, 1898-99; J.B. Connett, 1899-1900. The pastors have been Revs. Mrs. Lennox; W.F. Prout; J.C. Fowler, two years; W.L. Duncan, and W.L. Hall, two years.
We notice the names of the parties already mentioned among the officers and also the following known for their good work; George W. Hines, who, by the way, is now a preacher of power; Joe Brown, stewart; John W. Blackburn, who also served as alderman, and W.P. Smith, president of the Endeavor; also Mesdames Travelstead, Blackburn, Woodward, Tomlinson, Fowler and Miss Nellie Bess. The amount of good resulting from this church cannot be reckoned on this earth.
METHODISM
(Rev. W.T. Morris)
The history of Methodism opens in the latter part of the year 1829 at the Oxford University, England, where four young men-John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Robert Kirkham and William Morgan-had banded themselves together for mutual assistance, both in scholarship and piety. There was great need indeed for such help, for at that day scholarship and piety were the two most unusual attainments among University men. For the purpose of improving their minds, these four young University men agreed to spend three or four evenings together each week, in reading the Greek Testament and the Greek and Latin Classics.
On Sunday evening they studied Divinity. To improve their souls they adopted a set of rules for holy living, including an exact observance of all the duties set forth in the prayer book of the English church, and such other rules as they were able to make for themselves, all of which they kept as strictly as if they had found them in Exodus or Deuteronomy. Their diligence in study, and the remarkable sanctity of their manners soon brought upon them a storm of ridicule and abuse, and the name Methodist was applied to them in derision, on account of the regularity of their work and lives. Hence the name Methodist or Methodism.
This was the rise of Methodism, as given by historians, John and Charles Wesley of Oxford University, and Presbyters of the Church of England. Their evangelical labors were accompanied by an extraordinary Divine influence. Other ministers and many lay preachers were raised up to aid them, and throughout England, Scotland and Ireland, arose United Societies of men having the form and seeking the power of Godliness. These subsequently became the Wesleyan churches of Great Britain.
In 1766 Philip Embury, a Wesleyan local preacher from Ireland, began to preach in New York City, and formed a society, now the John street church. Thomas Webb, a captain in the British army, also a local preacher, preached in New York City and vicinity. In 1771 Mr. Wesley sent Francis Asbury and Richard Wright to this country. They came, both Godly men. Francis Asbury became the first American Bishop of the Methodist church.
At the close of the Revolutionary War, there were about eighty traveling preachers and about fifteen thousand members. When the independence of the United States was acknowledged by the treaty of 1783, the American Methodists, most of whom had been members of the Church of England, were now, totally disentangled from both the State and the English hierarchy. And Mr. Wesley said that they are now at full liberty simply to follow the Scriptures and the primitive church, and we judge it best that they should stand fast in that liberty, wherewith God has so strangely made them free." Many of the parish clergy returned to England, leaving the societies without a shepherd, or any one to administer the sacraments to them. As the spiritual children of Mr. Wesley they sent up an appeal to him for advice and help.
Mr. Wesley responded by sending them two Presbyters (or elders) for the American churches, viz: Thomas Vasey and Richard Whatcoat. These Mr. Wesley set apart by prayer and the imposition of hands; also he set apart the Rev. Dr. Thomas Coke to be general superintendent or Bishop. Mr. Wesley instructed Dr. Coke ordain Francis Asbury as joint superintendent also, to assist in the work of these societies in America.
At the "Christmas conference," begun in Baltimore, Maryland, December 24, 1784, sixty preachers met Dr. Coke and his companions. The plan of Mr. Wesley was submitted then, and was unanimously and heartily approved. Thereupon they organized the Methodist Episcopal church, and adopted the articles of religion and the Sunday service prepared by Mr. Wesley. These articles of religion, twenty-five in number, constitute the doctrines of the church. The Methodist Episcopal church does not require of any one, as an article of religion, to be believed and practiced, anything that is not expressly taught an expression of what God's Word teaches upon the several subjects named by them. The sole object of these rules, regulations and usages of the Methodist church is that it may fulfill to the end of time its original Divine vocation, as a leader in evangelization, in all true reforms, and in the promotion of fraternal relations among all branches of the one church of Jesus Christ with whom it is co-worker in the spiritual conquest of the world of Son of God. There are but two orders in the Methodist ministry, namely deacons and elders.
Methodism in Metropolis dates back for more than sixty years. Rev. Samuel Boicourt and Rev. Samuel Peter were among the first to preach in this city. They used a private residence at first, and afterwards a log school house, as a place to hold their religious services. This state of things continued until about 1853 and 1854, when the first church building was erected in the City of Metropolis. The subscription was raised by Col. R. A. Peter. He was class leader and Sunday school superintendent at that time. The church was begun in 1853 and completed in 1854. This church building was subsequently remodeled and enlarged several times. The Methodist people of Metropolis have been served by some of the most eminent pastors of the church. The names and time of service cannot be obtained now, for the reason that all the records of this church, or nearly all, prior to 1870, have been destroyed by fire. Only a very few of the pastors names can be obtained. Rev. M.N. Powers served this charge in 1861. In 1872 Strange P. Brooks, one year; 1873, A.B. Rohrbough, one year; 1874, J. H. Garrett, one year; 1875, C.J. Houts, two years; 1877, G.W. Seawthon, three years; 1880, J.J. Boyer, one year; 1881, C.P. Wilson, three years; 1884 L.W. Thrall, three years; 1887, T.J. Davis, three years; 1890, John F. Harmon, three years; 1893, J.H. Jones, two years; 1895, L.J. Granthan, one year; 1896, J.W. Jackson, three years; 1899, W.T. Morris.
Methodism in Metropolis has been progressive. The present beautiful structure was begun in the labors of Rev. T.J. Davis in 1889, and completed under the ministry of Rev. John F. Harmon. In the issue of the Massac Journal, Jan. 13, 1892, we find the following description of the building.
"The new Methodist church building, which is now nearing completion, is located on the corner of Ferry and Fifth streets, near the court house. It is an ornamental building of Gothic structure. The main building is 57x80 feet. It is sixteen feet posted with gable roof. The tower is situated in the northwest angle and is 12 1/2 feet square, and the spire, when completed, will reach an altitude of 90 feet. The infant class room is an annex to the main building on the south side and is an elegantly arranged room connected to the main room by glass doors suspended on weights, which can be raised at will. The gallery extends all around the west wing of the building. The windows are Gothic in shape and finely selected stained glass is used throughout the building. The building is covered with tin shingles which make a very beautiful and lasting roof. The auditorium will be furnished with ash pews, sufficient to seat, including the gallery, about one thousand persons. The chancel front, in the east, is finished in one circular arch. The choir will be situated on the left of the chancel, and still further on is a door opening into the pastor's study. In the rear of the chancel is a beautiful circular window in the center of which is a life size figure of a dove. The main window of the south wing, was placed there in memory of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Bruner, and Sammy and Niles Daily; on the left is a small window in memory of Shelby and Rhea Norris; on the right is a small window in memory of Mrs. F.A. Trousdale. The main window of the north wing was placed there in memory of Mrs. Abigail Bigelow, James S. Yost and Mrs. A.V. Cleveland. The main window of the west wing was placed there by the Ladies' Sewing Society of 1891; on the left of this is a small window, in memory of Abram Bruner. On the right of the chancel are three small windows, one in memory of Mrs. Margaret and B.O. Thrift; one in memory of Mrs. Mary Howard and one in memory of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Houts. On the left of the chancel is a small window in memory of the choir of 1891. Several other small windows were put in by different parties, containing gem quotations from the Bible. The ceiling is covered with beaded lumber, and sub divided into panels of graceful design by embossed gum of a beautiful figure. Planted to the ceiling are five diamonds. In the center is an octagonal star of elaborate finish, from which will depend at present the main chandelier, afterwards an electric light. From top floor to level of ceiling it is 26 feet. Gallery will contain 150 movable seats.
One vestibule, which is located in the base of the tower, opens into the auditorium by three large doors, the other, which is located on the south side, opens into the auditorium by two doors. All the casings are of embossed lumber finished off with Berry Bros.' Hard Oil Finish. The building is heated by two Peninsular furnaces at a cost of about $350. Good taste and judgment are displayed in every detail. The church is a conspicuous ornament to the city. It will cost when completed about $12,000."-The Metropolis Republican, Jan. 12, 1892.
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL
This congregation was organized in 1869 as an independent protestant church and the brick building erected on the present site.
From 1869 to 1876 the ministers who served the congregation were the Reverends Winneke, Laurence Kruger, Sapper and Schmitz, and the records of their ministry have been lost.
In 1876, the Rev. D. Eschenbremer, of Paducah, reorganized the church, preached every Wednesday night and occasionally on Sunday until August 1877, when the Rev. J.R. Rausch was appointed pastor, serving until July, 1886.
In 1878 the congregation joined the German Evangelical Synod of North America. In 1880 the parsonage was erected and enlarged in 1892. In 1888 the steeple was built, a bell added, and the church remodeled.
The pastors from 1886 are the Reverends G. Thomas Meyer, F. Eggen, F. Hempleman, J. Bungeroth, and F. Seffzig, who occasionally preaches for the church yet. From November 1876, to September 1, 1886, there were 193 baptized, 69 confirmed, 41 couples married, and 119 buried. At present the church has no regular pastor. Many of our best citizens have been enrolled as members of this church.
Return to History of Massac County
by O.J. Page
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Transcribed by Debbie Woolard