Methodist Church History, Eaton County, Eaton County, Michigan Copyright © 2000 by Sherri VanWyke. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ This file is located at http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/eaton/eatonrapids/history/m33202.txt _______________________________________________________ METHODIST CHURCH, EATON RAPIDS WRITTEN BY W. D. BRAINERD, GROCER 45 MAIN ST., EATON RAPIDS, MI 1884 Transcribed by Mrs. Wallace Swank - date unknown Transcribed by Sherri VanWyke April 17, 2000 It has been with considerable difficulty that I have been enabled to obtain any information in regard to the early history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Eaton Rapids for the reason that no record was kept here until the year 1845 when Eaton Rapids was placed in the Tompkins Circuit. The first we learned was through the Rev. Isaac Bennett, who was then a Missionary in the Ingham Missions, which consisted of the West half of Ingham County and all of Eaton County, except Bellevue. He cam to Eaton Rapids in March 1840 (44 years ago) and formed the first Methodist Episcopal Class, which consisted of the following persons: Salmon Butler -- Chairman Osman Childs and wife, Lucy Chauncey Butler and wife, Emily Luther Noyes and wife Susan L. G. W. Ashley and wife, Charlotte All of which, I believe, are dead except Mrs. Noyes, now Mrs. Slayton. In the fall of 1840 the Annual Conference placed Eaton Rapids in a new circuit called Eaton Mission. Rev. Isaac Bennett was the first preacher and was succeeded by Levi Warriner, S. C. Stringham, David Knox, and Henry Chapman. From a Deed recorded December 26, 1845 in the Registers Office at Charlotte (Book 8, pg 305), the knowledge is gleaned that on May 26, 1845 Amos Spicer, Samuel Hamlin, Christopher C. Darling and Pierpont E. Spicer transferred by warranty deed, Lots 2 and 4, Block No. 18, Village: Eaton Rapids to the board of Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Eaton Rapids to wit: Tyler Blodgett, Luther Blodgett, John Montgomery, Andrew DeWitt, Luther S. Noyes, Ira Turney, Pierpont E. Spicer, Benjamin Knight and Chauncey Butler on which was to be erected a house in which to preach the Word of God, “all in accordance with the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States of America, all vacancies to be filled by a majority vote of the board of Trustees provided no one under 21 years of age shall be elected a Trustee.” The particulars in regard to the building of the old Church are difficult to learn as Mr. Alanson Harwood the builder, who still resides among us, has lost the contract and other papers pertaining to the transaction. The contract price was $1000.00 which, undoubtedly, looked larger and required more work, time, and anxiety in collecting than has the $12,000.00 expended in the handsome edifice that takes its place. In the fall of 1845, Eaton Rapids was placed on the Tompkins Circuit of which Rev. W. E. Bigelow was preacher in charge. From the records of which we learn that the first Quarterly Meeting was held at Smithfield October 11, 1845. The names of Brothers Luther Blodgett, Ira Turney and Orrin Rogers appear as Class Leaders. At the same meeting the following resolution was adopted; “Resolved that the members of the conference will do all in their power and use their influence, to sustain the Circuit preachers in procuring funds to assist the brethren at Eaton Rapids to finish their meeting house so as to make it comfortable to hold meetings in.” The ensuing winter it was also resolved to hold the next quarterly meeting at the Meeting House in Eaton Rapids and a public collection was taken up amounting to $2.80 and divided equally between the two preachers. Whether they received anything more until the next quarter rolled around the records do no show but $1.40 in cash went a good ways with the Methodist Episcopal minister in those days. In 1846-7 Rev. Hiram Law and J. C. Collins were Circuit preachers followed by N. Abbott and J. S. Sutton. In 1847-8, at the 4th Quarterly Conference, held June 9, 1849, the Trustees reported the house at Eaton Rapids partly finished and free from debt. The Eaton Rapids Class paid $45.65 for the expenses of the Circuit. In 1849-50 Samuel Bessy was pastor. The Estimation Committee reported as follows: Quarterage $256.00 House Rent $ 30.00 Table Expenses $ 75.00 Horse Feed $ 15.00 Wood $ 6.00 Moving Expenses $ 9.00 Traveling Expenses $ 3.50 TOTAL $393.50 The Eaton Rapids Class was assessed $59.00 of that amount. Brother David Stirling and B. F. Mills were Class Leaders. The Eaton Rapids Circuit was organized in 1850-1, Samuel Bessy and James Summerville Preachers. They were succeeded by Rev. O. D. White, Isaac Bennett, N. Fassett, B. P. Chase and J. Tallman. At the fourth Quarterly Conference of the year 1855-6 it was resolved to make Eaton Rapids a Station. The Society at this time had become well established and of considerable dimensions and began to make use of all the various departments and paraphernalia indulged in by the modern Church. We find Rev H. Law PE, R. Pengally as pastor. A. C. Dodge Exhorter, D. Stirling and J. Latson Class Leaders. Luther Blodgett, D. B. Hale, Orrin Rogers, John Montgomery, N. J. Seelye and Oliver Kinney as Stewards. The Estimation Committee reported for pastor’s support as follows: Quarterage $224.00 House Rent $ 65.00 Table Expenses $136.00 Traveling Expenses $ 25.00 TOTAL $450.00 At the end of the year a deficit was reported of $227.64, which was reduced as follows: Subscription Sabbath Morning $ 80.00 Money Collection $ 12.38 Subscription at Spicerville $ 15.00 Sewing Society $ 10.00 Donation $ 66.64 TOTAL $184.02 Leaving a final deficit of $43.62. The Superintendents of the three Sabbath Schools were A. H. Brainerd, D. B. Hale and J. G. Allen; number of officers and teachers = 21, Scholars = 117, total expense of School $25.00. In reading the records left by the pioneers of Methodism, we see that their zeal for and attachments to the Methodist Episcopal Church is unsurpassed by the most zealous of the Modern Church and as to their interest in the great moral question of the day. We are not left in doubt at a meeting of the Quarterly Conference June 15, 1844. The following preamble and resolution was adopted: ‘Whereas the cause of temperance is the cause of God, Therefore Resolved: That as Methodist and official members of the Tompkins circuit, we will show by precept and example that we heartily concur in the principle of total abstinence from everything that will intoxicate, except for medicinal purposes and that we will use our influence on the Circuit to sustain the cause of temperance.’ And thus year by year we see how this church continued to grow surmounting the many difficulties and discouragement’s of early pioneer life until now it has passed the age of experiment and became a larger and firmly established organization with grand capabilities and resource. The following pastors have been stationed here since 1858: A. L. Crittenden, V. G. Boynton, D. Thomas, I. N. Tomes, W.M. Coplin, E. Wilkinson, Francis Glass, H. H. Parker, A. A. Rolfe, W. Doust, S. P. Warner, James Hamilton, H. R. Briggs, and W. I. Cogshall. In reviewing the past history of the Church it is well to consider its past as well as its present need. We find that one of the principle hindrances to the more successful growth of the Church in an early period was their inability to meet their wants financially. Owing in part to their small membership and the sparse population. Today we find the only distracting question is the matter of finance. How to meet the claim of the pastor and the ordinary expanses of the Church, taxes, the time and ability of the Stewards and Class Leaders which might otherwise be spent in looking after spiritual wants of the membership. It would seem that if each member had the proper regard for the obligation they assumed when admitted to membership there would be no difficulty in providing for the temporal wants of the Church, and all Benevolent enterprises. If the lack of funds to meet the temporal wants of the Church is an obstacle to its growth, then the member who neglects to contribute his or her share (if able) to meet that want, is a dead weight to the Church and taking a business view of the matter should be removed. To speak in plain terms the Church has to many who shirk all responsibility or pay just as little as they can and not outrage a dead conscience forgetting that he who would wear the Crown must bear the Cross. Benevolent and charitable Societies of this age hold their membership strictly to their obligation. “For the Children of the World are in their generation wiser then the Children of Light”. If all would contribute of their earthly substance according to their ability to the support of Gospel, burdens would be lifted and hearts made light. Before leaving the history of the old Church for that of the new, I feel it a duty to pay a tribute to the memory of those old soldiers of the Cross who have labored before us and have gone to enjoy “Those Mansions prepared for those who love the Lord”: The Orrin Rogers, one of the pioneers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this section was a class leader in its early history and in whose interest in the cause was so great that he never permitted distance or weather to keep him from his class, often going 6 or 8 miles to meet the few who gathered “and spake one to another, that their names might be written in the book of remembrance”. He was one of the many, who endured the privations of pioneer life and died in the hope of a blessed immortality. Tyler and Luther Blodgett, Ira Turney, B. F. Mills and Joel Latson were also identified with the Church in an early day and the records show that by discharging the duties of Trustees or Leaders and who fought a good fight, finished their charge, kept the faith, and have gone to wear that “Crown of Righteousness which is promised by the Lord, the Righteous Judge to all those who love his appearing.” Brother David Stirling was converted very young and by an experience so bright that he never for an instant entertained a doubt of his conversion. He at once or soon after, assumed the duties of Class Leader – his name appears on the record of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Eaton Rapids as Class Leader in the Conference year 1849-50 and from that time until his death, he was a faithful Christian leader. Brother Stirling’s house was the stopping place for all Methodist preachers where they always found a hearty welcome, he was generous giver to the necessities of the Church and one of the foremost workers in seasons of revivals, his voice was often heard as he, in eloquent language (for which he had an unusual gift) and loving anxiety, invite sinners to that “fountain for Sin and Uncleanness” His business principles were so strict that at times he seemed to some to be over zealous for the financial interest of the Church as he often reminded them of the wants of the Church and their duty as members. He made a liberal subscription for the new Church but like David of old, he was permitted to contribute to but not permitted to live to behold the completion of the Hew House of the Lord. Brothers Ira Dusette, N. J. Seelye, Oliver Kinney, D. M. Huckins and Andrew Stirling were also official members of the church who having discharged their duties here have gone to receive their rewards on the other shore. Thus today we are enjoying the fruits of the labors through the blessings of God of those, who by their Godly life and attachment to the Church need leave no other evidence of their happy exit from the scenes of time, to the glories of the upper sanctuary. At the Quarterly Conference held April 29, 1880, it was resolved that in view of the Crowded condition of our present house of worship we at one take steps to build a church more suited to our needs. The Pastor, Brother Hamilton and W. D. Brainerd were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions. Brothers D. B. Hale, W. D. Brainerd, J. C. Shaw, J. Carr and J. M. Corbin were appointed a building committee. The Excavation for the foundation was commenced July 24, 1860. The Corner Stone was laid by the Rev. Dr. Bayless, H. M. Joy, T. H. Jacokes and Rev. Isaac Bennett June 15, 1881, and was dedicated November 23, 1882. The Rev. B. Pope preaching the dedicatory sermon. The number of persons subscribing: 362 The number of persons belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Congregation: 294 The number of persons belonging to the Cong. S: 11 Amount $172.00 The number of persons belonging to the Baptist Congregation: 12 $181.00 The number of persons belonging to the Catholic Congregation: 1 $ 5.00 The number of persons belonging to the Jewish Congregation: 2 $ 13.75 Largest Subscription $525.00 Smallest Subscription $ .50 Total Amount Subscribed $11885.15 Total Amount Collected $11014.22 Number of defaulters on whole subscription: 23 $424.00 Number of defaulters on whole of Methodist Episcopal Church: 13 Number of defaulters on part of subscription: 31 $361.95 Total cost of Church including Lot and Moving old Church $11871.13 With 3 years of Insurance Transcribed from a typed report found in the historical files kept by Mrs. Effie Fuller. Typed report transcribed from notepaper of W. D. Brainerd. Original document is in good condition and written in ink but not dated. C:\windows\TEMP\1884.rtf