Yuba County CA Archives History - Books .....Chapter 15 Churches Of Marysville 1924
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Book Title: History Of Yuba And Sutter Counties

CHAPTER XV 
CHURCHES OF MARYSVILLE 

    The excitement in the East, on the receipt of the mining news from
California, affected the clergy as well as other people. Many resigned their
pastorates, joined in the throng, and were as eager as the others to gather a
goodly amount of the golden sands. There were those in the ministry, however,
whose aim in seeking the Western land was to lend their talents to the service
of their Master. These threw aside all opportunities for speedily gathering a
rich competence, to labor in the best missionary field in the world. The stories
of their trials and tribulations are exceedingly interesting, giving an idea of
the condition of affairs during that pioneer period, and also showing the
lasting effect of early Christian culture. 

    The first religious exercises in Marysville, with the exception of those
conducted by the Padres, were held in the spring of 1850 by Rev. Washburne, in a
flatboat moored opposite the Plaza. He w r as followed by Rev. Joshua Wilson, a
Methodist clergyman, who succeeded in building a Methodist Episcopal church. In
the month of May, 1851, Rev. Wilson died, and was succeeded by Rev. M. Burrell. 

    The bell in the Presbyterian church was rung- for the first time on Sunday,
February 8, 1852. Its tones brought back memories of homes and families in the
distant Eastern land, and caused many a tear to fall. 

    One of the pioneer ministers of Yuba County was Rev. S. V. Blakeslee,
mention of whom has already been made in an account of the early schools of
Marysville. He was ordained a minister of the Congregational denomination in
Iowa, and left immediately for California on his own responsibility and expense.
He arrived at Marysville on April 13, 1850, and the following Sabbath commenced
regular services in the unfinished upper part of a two-story frame building
owned by George Beach. The attendance on the first morning was about
thirty-five; some were professors of religion, while the rest were drawn there
by mere curiosity. In the afternoon he held services on the Plaza, where a large
crowd assembled. All were exceedingly attentive and respectful. During the
second week, arrangements were made to preach weekly in Marysville at eleven
o'clock a. m.; in the anticipative town of Eliza, at two p. m.; and in Yuba City
at seven p. m. Services in accordance with this program were continued until the
failure of the Eliza project, in the month of May, after which services were
held by Rev. Blakeslee at the Plaza regularly every Sunday afternoon until the
middle of June, when a local Methodist minister took his place. 

    Several trips were made into the mountains and mining districts in the
summer of 1850; and a number of services were held by invitation in saloons and
gambling rooms. When the preacher was ready to commence, the money and stakes
lying on the tables were covered with the cloths, and all listened attentively
and with great respect. The Christian hymns familiar to most in their Eastern
homes were sung. Many times a generous contribution was presented to the worthy
preacher. After the benediction the tables were uncovered and the play was
resumed as lively as ever. 

    Another minister visited the field during the early part of Rev. Blakeslee's
stay — Rev. F. Hunt, of San Francisco, who preached one Sabbath. 

    In September, 1850, Rev. W. W. Brier arrived, and subsequently organized a
Presbyterian church. He was favorably received and efforts were put forth to
erect a building; but these proved unsuccessful for some time, owing to the
great expense and difficulty met in obtaining the lumber and material necessary
for its construction. 

    The attendance at the services increased with the growth of the population.
The Sabbath school organized in connection with Rev. Blakeslee's labors was
small, the attendance being perhaps eight or ten. There were but few children,
and elderly persons were too busy to attend. The minister was the only teacher.
Later, Rev. Blakeslee became editor-at-large of the Pacific, a weekly religious
paper published in San Francisco under the auspices of the Congregational Church. 

First Presbyterian Church 

    The following items in the early history of this church are taken from the
journal of Rev. W. W. Brier, who was the first Presbyterian minister of the
place, and who resided here with his young wife from September, 1850, to March,
1851. 

    "September 7, 1850. — Traveled on the steamer Governor Dana from Sacramento
to Vernon, thirty-five miles, and twenty-eight miles in the stage to Marysville.
Stayed with Mr. Tay in a wholesale store, a tent on the lower side of the Plaza.
Tay is a partner of Deacon Leonard, of San Francisco; had a letter to him, and
he received me kindly; is a pleasant young fellow. He put up notices of
preaching with all the zeal of an old elder. 

    "Sunday, September 8. — Preached under the shade of a large white oak tree
in the morning. All stores open, all the gambling houses in full blast, teams of
oxen and a train of mules loading goods. Went to the place advertised, and found
about twenty men sitting on old wagons, ox-yokes and logs. One said, as I looked
about, 'Sit down; here's the place to hear preaching.' I stood on a little
eminence and commenced to sing a hymn. From every direction men gathered with
sad and worn faces, which told of thoughts of loved ones far away, and
remembrances of Sabbaths of rest. All listened respectfully. At night I preached
in the courthouse. This courthouse was away out of town on the plains, at the
corner of E and Third Streets. [Now the very center of Marysville. — Editor.]
The only house near it was a square, blue tent, six by ten feet, the
headquarters of Rev. S. V. Blakeslee, who traveled through the mines and
preached. It had a bunk in one end and some blue blankets. With great dignity
and geniality, he offered the use of his house free of charge until I could
build. I declined, as there was no shade." 

    The courthouse was a room, 20 by 30 feet, with the Masonic Hall above. It
had a good frame covered with rough boards a foot wide, no lining, rough floor,
and a full supply of backless benches. This was the place for all public
meetings and courts. Here, on November 24, 1850, was organized the Presbyterian
Church, consisting of nine members. Adam Farish and C. W. McClanahan were chosen
elders. Dr. A. H. Wilder was the most active man in the church work. George C.
Gorham, of political notoriety, took an interest in the outside matters of the
congregation. He was a young man of steady habits. Judge Stephen J. Field, first
alcalde of the city, was also a frequent attendant. Judge E. D. Wheeler, a young
lawyer, and his partner, Jesse O. Goodwin, later author of the Goodwin Act
prescribing prison merits for felons, took an active part in the business
matters of the church. John Parks, the proprietor of the United States Hotel and
a chief owner of the town, also aided materially in getting up the church
building, which was erected on the corner of D and Third Streets in the spring
of 1851. The subscription was started on February 12. J. M. Ramirez, who lived
in the original adobe ranch house on the banks of the Yuba, made the first
donation. He was looked upon as a capitalist, and headed the list with $100. Dr.
Rice and Dr. Winters rendered good service in getting up the subscription. Louis
Cunningham, who later became a capitalist in San Francisco, had a bank in a
little zinc house on B Street; he was a quiet but true friend of the church and
of the young minister. E. E. Hamilton, who was engaged in the undertaking
business later, rendered good service in singing. The citizens, with few
exceptions, donated to the building. 

    This house of worship was finished and dedicated on August 3, 1851, Rev. T.
Dwight Hunt of San Francisco preaching the sermon. It was a wooden building,
lined with cotton cloth and seated with pews, and would accommodate 300 people.
The cost was nearly $5000, with a debt of $700, secured by subscriptions. These
subscriptions were mostly lost as a result of the first church fire, which
occurred a month after the church was dedicated. The fine bell now on the
church, costing $650, was soon secured by a special subscription. It was the
first church bell ever heard in the upper Sacramento Valley, and no event in the
early history of that region occasioned more good feeling than was evidenced on
its arrival. This bell was placed in a frame outside the church, and was thus
saved when the building was destroyed by fire. 

    The Sabbath school was organized on the 6th of April, 1851, with
twenty-seven children. The church attendance and membership increased constantly
by the influx of new families from the East. On February 1, 1851, Dr. Wilder and
Thomas Ireland were ordained elders. In April, by the advice of his physicians,
the pastor, Rev. W. W. Brier, removed to the coast near Centerville, Alameda
County. Rev. I. H. Brayton succeeded him. His health broke down in nine months,
and he retired from the field. On April 1, 1853, Rev. E. B. Walsworth took
charge of the church. 

    On May 25, 1854, the church was burned. The trustees then sold the lot at
the corner of D and Third Streets, it having become valuable for business
purposes, purchased a lot on the corner of D and Fifth Streets, and built a
chapel thereon, at a cost of $6500. 

    In 1859 the size of the congregation demanded a more commodious auditorium,
and the present imposing edifice was erected on the corner of D and Fifth
Streets. This structure cost $33,000. It was dedicated on October 14, 1860, the
sermon being preached by Rev. E. S. Lacey. 

    The first trustees, appointed by Rev. W. W. Brier, were Dr. A. H. Wilder,
Dr. D. W. C. Rice, A. T. Farish, Thomas Ireland, and E. Hamilton. The trustees
under whose management the recent church edifice was erected were: John A.
Paxton, president; S. W. Selby, vice-president; H. S. Hoblitzell,
secretary-treasurer; and Tohn H. Jewett, F. F. Lowe, Peter Decker, W. K. Hudson,
A. W. Cutts, and Dr. D. W. C. Rice. 

    The pastors who have successively presided over this charge are: Revs. W. W.
Brier, I. H. Brayton, E. B. Walsworth, J. H. Brodt, W. W. MacComber, W. McKaig,
James Matthews, P. Lynett Carden, Lamont, Anderson, Lundy, Garver, Wilson, R. C.
McAdie, and B. F. Butts. 

    The congregation of the church, at the last annual session, elected heads as
follows: Elders, three-year term, James Morrison and F. L. DeArmond; trustees,
H. M. Smythe, Willard Roberts, George Graves, L. L. Freeman, W. Morrison, James
Thomson, H. Harter, H. Humphreys, and D. Mahan. 

Methodist Episcopal Church 

    The first Methodist quarterly conference in this section of the State was
held in Yuba City, June 15, 1850, by Rev. Isaac Owen, presiding elder of the
Feather River district. He was superintendent of missions, this district being
then under the jurisdiction of the Oregon mission conference. In the summer of
1850, the people of this denomination then living in Marysville united and built
a small church on the west side of D Street, between Third and Fourth Streets.
In this meeting house was held the first quarterly conference in Marysville, the
third Saturday in September, 1850, at which time the Rev. Joshua Wilson was
assigned to the pastorate. 

    Rev. Wilson died in the spring of 1851, and was succeeded by Rev. M.
Burrell. The successive pastors from that date are: Revs. J. W. Brier, M. C.
Briggs, H. C. Benson, D. A. Dryden, M. C. Briggs, J. A. Bruner, J. D. Blaine,
William J. McClay, David Deal, William Grove Deal, J. B. Hill, C. V. Anthony, J.
N. Martin, E. Bannister, J. L. Burchard, C. E. Rich, William McPhetters, J. L.
Treffern, Martin Miller, S. H. Todd, J. A. Vananda, W. M. Woodward, E. R.
Willis, J. P. Macauley, C. H. Beechgood, Thomas Filben, C. J. Chase, W. M.
Woodward, Fred Sheldon, W. C. Robbins, Thomas H. Nichols, Sylvester J. Buck, R.
L. Rowe, and E. H. Mackay. The last-named, at the time this volume was being
compiled, was in the third year of his pastorate. 

    The first officers of the church were George M. Hanson, Joel Burlingame, and
Benjamin Landis. The trustees were Hiram Palmer and George M. Hanson; stewards,
Arthur C. Barber, Hiram Palmer, Joel Burlingame, and Benjamin Landis. In the
late seventies the following were trustees and stewards: Justus Greely, William
Gummow, J. F. Eastman, George Crowell, E. E. Meek, Newton Seawell, and S. L. Frost.


    The present church edifice, at the corner of E and Fourth Streets, which was
badly wrecked in a fire during the summer of 1922, was, when first built, a
commodious frame structure, with a basement for use by the Sunday school. It was
erected in 1852-1853, at a cost of about $26,000, the amount having been raised
by subscriptions among the citizens. The basement of this church was one of
Marysville's first schoolrooms. Here was held the first public school in the
city; and here also the Marysville Eclectic Institute was conducted by Rev.
James H. Bristow and lady, as principals. At the present time the trustees are
planning to sell the property, which is in the line of business progression, the
proceeds, and more, to be used in the construction of a modern building on a lot
which has been procured at the southwest corner, of D and Eighth Streets. Work
is expected to commence in the spring of 1924. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church 

    The first missionaries of the Roman Catholic denomination in Marysville were
Fathers Acker, Anderson, and Ingraham, who labored here in 1851 and 1852. In
September, 1852, Father Peter Magganotta, a member of the religious, order of
Passionists, commenced his labor in the formation of a church. Chiefly from his
own purse, he erected a frame church, 32 by 43 feet in size, and of one story.
It stood on the north side of Seventh Street, between C and D Streets, near the
present parochial residence. For his piety and genuine goodness, "Father Peter,"
as he was always called, was endeared not only to his own flock, but to all who
knew him. 

    The church was dedicated on March 20, 1853, and served as a place of worship
two years, during which time Father Peter was busy in the erection of the
beautiful cathedral which now stands as a monument to his energy and zeal. The
corner-stone of the cathedral was laid September 16, 1855, by Archbishop J. S.
Alemany, assisted by Fathers Magganotta, Dominica Blava, and Blasius Raho.
Toward the construction of the church many young men, recent arrivals from the
old countries, such as Ireland and Germany, contributed free labor, where they
had not the funds to give. 

    In 1861, the diocese of Grass Valley was formed, with the cathedral at
Marysville, and Rt. Rev. Eugene O'Connell became bishop. 

    In 1865, an addition of forty feet was made to the west end of the
cathedral, and the tower and interior were finished. The structure covers an
area nearly a half block in depth, and has a frontage of sixty feet. The tower
is 100 feet in height. 

    Among the pastors who have since served are Revs. Father Thomas Grace, who
later became bishop of the Sacramento Diocese; Rev. J. J. Callan, who died in
December, 1887; the late Rev. Matthew Coleman; and Rev. Patrick Guerin, who is
the present head. Rev. Matthew Coleman, who was pastor for about thirty years,
is deserving of special mention for the zeal with which he worked, and the
popularity which he gained. He took special delight in the upkeep of the
property, and had always uppermost in his mind the welfare of the College of
Notre Dame, at which institution of learning many who now are grandfathers and
grandmothers were pupils when Father Coleman took charge of the parish. 

    One of the first moves by Rev. Father Guerin, on taking up the Marysville
mission in 1917, was to raze the parochial residence that had served from
pioneer days and erect in its stead a modern home for the priests, at a cost of
$30,000. This property is a credit to the Catholics of the community and a
monument to its promoter. The new home was completed in 1921. 

    In the center plot of the Marysville Catholic Cemetery consecrated as the
burying ground of the priests who served this mission in their lifetime, either
as pastor or as assistant pastor, now rest the remains of the following
"soggarth aroons": Rev. J. J. Callan, pastor, who died December 5, 1887; Rev.
Matthew Coleman, pastor, who died April 11, 1917; and the following assistants:
Rev. Hugh E. McCabe, Rev. F. Florian, Rev. J. O'Sullivan, Rev. T. Crinion, Rev.
P. Farrelly, Rev. T. Petit, and Rev. F. Schweninger. 

    The basement of the Catholic Church was in early days, before the erection
of the Boys' School at Seventh and C Streets, used as classrooms for the boy
students of the parish. A number of the present-day prominent citizens of
Marysville and Sutter County received the first rudiments of their education in
the church basement. 

The Baptist Church 

    In 1854 the Baptists organized a church in Marysville. Rev. O. B. Stone
preached in the City Hall in January of that year, thus sowing the first seed
for the later work of the denomination. An edifice was built in 1864 on a lot
located at the corner of High and Eighth Streets. This church is no longer in
existence. 

    Rev. Charles Satchell took up the work of this denomination in Marysville in
1856, and the society of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church was formed the same year
with Rev. Satchell as pastor. William Bland, Cupid Blue, and Samuel T. Brewster
were the trustees and deacons. In 1857 a substantial brick church was erected on
the corner of Sixth and High Streets, which still stands. It cost about $5000.
Previous to the occupancy of the church, services were held at a house in Maiden
Lane, now Oak Street. 

African M. E. Church 

    This society was organized in 1854 on California Alley, now Chestnut Street,
at Fifth. The first pastor was Rev. D. P. Stokes. G. A. Cantine, D. W. Sands,
and Samuel Ringol were the first trustees. 

    The church was built in 1864, and was destroyed by fire on July 2, 1921. It
is now being rebuilt. 

St. John's Episcopal Church 

    Religious services were held in Marysville in November, 1854, by Rt. Rev. W.
I. Kip, bishop of the diocese of California. Steps were soon taken to form a
society, which was accomplished on April 30, 1855. The following were the first
wardens and vestrymen: Stephen J. Field and William P. Thompson, wardens;
William Hawley, John T. Reins, Charles S. Fairfax, Ira A. Eaton, S. W. Van Wyck,
W. W. Smith, J. A. Monsell, and Charles H. Hedges, vestrymen. The first rector
was Rev. E. W. Hager. Services were held in the City Hall until the church was
ready for occupation. 

    The church edifice, built at the corner of Fifth and E Streets, is a brick
building. It was completed in December, 1855, costing about $7000. The
successive rectors of the parish were Rev. E. W. Hager, until 1856: Rev. F. W.
Hatch, to 1857; Rev. E. D. Cooper, to 1858; Rev. George B. Taylor, to 1860; Rev.
Henry O. G. Smeathman, to 1861; Rev. Hannibal Goodwin, to 1863; Rev. William H.
Stoy, to 1865; and Rev. A. A. McAllister, to 1872. Then for a year the parish
was without a rector, the pulpit being supplied by Bishops Scott and Kip, and
Revs. Dr. Hatch and Dr. Hill. In 1873, Rev. E. H. Ward was in charge. Rev. Stoy
returned in 1877. Succeeding him, have been Rev. Mark Rifenbark and Rev. A. E.
Butcher. Since the succession of Rev. Butcher to the pastorate, a movement has
been started to erect a new church edifice at the corner of Eighth and D
Streets, the residence property of the late W. T. Ellis having been secured as a
site. The church already has secured the building known as Guild Hall, at the
rear of this property. 

German Methodist Church 

    For a time there was a German Methodist Church on the lot at the corner of E
and Seventh Streets, in the building later occupied as Maryville's first high
school. The congregation was founded in 1864, and the church was built at a cost
of $2000. The first pastor of the church was Rev. G. H. Bolinger, who was
succeeded by Rev. Martin Guhl. Upon his departure, in 1870, the church was left
without a regular pastor until 1874, when the conference sent Rev. H. Brueck to
the charge. This church has since disbanded. 

Church of the Immaculate Conception 

    The Catholics of Marysville of German origin maintained a church edifice of
their own building, for a period of about twenty years, at the northwest corner
of F and Eighth Streets. They organized in 1871, and dedicated the building, a
frame structure, in May, 1874. Its cost was $4000. 

    The first priest in charge was Rev. Father Herde. The next was Rev. Father
John Meilor, whose residence was situated near the church. Father Bucholzer
served as the last pastor of the church, the Germans deciding to change their
place of worship to St. Joseph's Church, where they still attend devotions and
take an active part in church affairs. 

First Christian Church 

    The First Christian Church of Marysville was organized in 1879. The first
meetings were held in the courthouse. The late W. G. Murphy was a prime mover in
the establishment of this congregation, having been a member in Columbia, Mo.,
before his trip across the plains to California. 

    The congregation has now so far gained in numbers as to tax the capacity of
the church edifice, which is located at the corner of Fifth and Orange Streets. 

First Church of Christ, Scientist 

    In recent years, Marysville has seen the organization of the First Church of
Christ, Scientist. Meetings at present are held in the Odd Fellows Hall each
Wednesday evening and Sunday forenoon. 

    A lot has been purchased by the congregation at the southwest corner of F
and Seventh Streets, with the intention of building a meeting place there when
sufficient funds are secured. 


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF YUBA and SUTTER COUNTIES 
CALIFORNIA 
WITH 
Biographical Sketches OF 
The Leading Men and Women of the Counties Who Have Been Identified with Their
Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present 

HISTORY BY 
PETER J. DELAY 

ILLUSTRATED 
COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME 

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1924



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