A History Of The M. E. Church

At the M.E. church supper Thursday evening, Dr.W.F. Breakey read a short history of the church which shows in a brief way something of the work done by former residents, many now dead. It is as follows: 

According to Pilcher's History of Protestantism in Michigan, the first public religious service held in Ann Arbor was in November, 1825, when Rev. John Baughman of Detroit circuit preached every evening for several days in the house of Coy. Allen, father of one of the founders of the village. 

In the spring of 1826 Rev. Wm. Simmons, stationed in Detroit, visited Ann Arbor and preached. 

"On July 27, 1827, Reb. Baughman, then in charge of Monroe circuit, organied a society consisting of Eber White (father of Mrs. Daniel Hiscock, and the Misses White of West Liberty street), Harvey Kennedy, Hannah B. Brown, Rebecca C. Brown and Calvin Smith."

Ann Arbor was then an appointment on Monroe circuit, but in the latter part of the year was included in Detroit circuit; the circuit being so arranged as to supply preaching here once in two weeks on the Sabbath, and continued so until 1833.

"n 1830 Ann Arbor appears on the list of appointments for the first time; Henry Colchoer and Elijah H. Pilcher, the former only 21 years, and the latter much younger, were appointed to it."

In 1835 the Ann Arbor district was formed, including all territory west of Ypsilanti.

The Michigan conference was created in May, 1836, embracing, util 1840, the northern part of Ohio. Its first session was held in Mansfield, O., and its fourth in 1839 in Ann Arbor. Detroit conference was created from eastern part of Michigan in 1856.

In 1835 Ann Arbor was made a station and Rev. Wiley appointed to it. Rev. Wiley died in 1838, and Rev. Goodwin Stoddard filled remainder or year. The number of church members for the village then was 136.

Rev. Peter Sharp succeeded him; Rev. Elijah H. Pilcher was again appointed in 1837. He was again occupying the pulpit in 1857, when I first came to the University. He was a man of great energy and industry and Methodism in Michigan owes much to his pioneer work, for its development, as well as for his records of its history. 

While here as pastor, he entered the department of medicine and surgery in the University in 1857 and graduated with the class of 1859. 

Turning now to the record of the board of trustees, the first entry is dated April 1st, 1834, as follows: "At a meeting for that purpose the following persons were duly appointed by me according to the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal church, as trustees for said church in the village of Ann Arbor," viz., David Page, Wm. R. Thompson, Orin White, James Davidson, Samuel McDowell, James t. Allen and Lewis Barr.

(Signed) H. COLCLOZER, Preacher in charge Ann Arbor Station."

"At a meeting Aug. 2, 1836, it was resolved to build a church 44 by 60 ft., agreeable to subscriptions," etc. The building was erected on the southwest corner of Ann and Fifth streets. It was enlarged in 1859 by an extension on south end; sold to the Unitarians in 1866, for $6,000, and is now known as the Unitey Block.

That this board struggled with debt is shown by extract from record of its meeting held May 7, 1839, when the pastor, "Rev. E. Crane, was appointed agent for the trustees to secure a loan of six or eight hundred dollars, with the privilege (?) or paying 12 percent interest."

After much preliminary discussion, in 1864, the matter of building a new church was farmally undertaken in January, 1865. And at a meeting February 10th it was "resolved, that when the subscriptions had reached $20,000 they would begin the actual work of building." Before proceeding farther, however, it was resolved at a meeting February 21st that "it was deemed expedient in order to correct some information and prevent any question as to the legal organization of the society, to formally organize a society and board of trustees in connection with this agreeable to the laws of the State, and thereupon the following articles of association for that purpose were made, adopted and signed."

"The organization of this society is also intended to be and operate as a reorganization and continuance as far as possible, of the society heretofore connected with said church," etc. The society was reorganized in February, 1835, to conform to State laws.

After various sites for the new church were considered, the Dodge lot, northwest corner of Division and Huron streets, opposite the Presbyterian church, was bought. Some work for foundation had been done on the lot, but the location was no thought desirable by many members of the congregation, and the present site was secured and the Dodge lot sold. Contracts were let, and work underway in fall of the year, and the cornerstone laid in the spring of 1866. The basement was occupied in the following winter and until June 13, 1867, when the church was dedicated.

The first religious services were held in the audience room in June 13, 1867. 

Bishop Simpson had been expected to dedicate the church, but being unable to come at the time fixed, the services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. H.S. White; Rev. Dr. Cocker, former pastor, then of Adrian, who preached the dedicatory sermon; Rev. Dr. E.D. Haven, president of the University, and visiting pastors from various parts of the State. The late Bishop E.O. Haven was a great help to the church while president of the University.

Quite full mention is made in the record of the board of trustees of the occasion, giving the text of the sermon, names of all the choir, and the parts they sany, and the hymns, etc., followed next evening by sale of pews. 

Some instructive information is found in the first full financial statement on record after the building of the church, at annual meeting, January, 1869 (for close of 1868.) The total expenditures for all purposes connected with building new church, $76,670. The repot is too lengthy to quote in detail, though furnishing interesting items. The one which impressed me forcibly was that the society was paying interest, most of it at 10 per cent, on $41,880 borrowed money, and had already pain in interest $8,101, practically in two years. This enormous interest account led me to go through the record, at cost of considerable time, and though being unable to find report for one year, the aggregate amount paid for interest down to 1880 was in round numbers $23,000, sometimes borrowing money to pay interest.

The funded debt of the principal then being $9,000, and it remained practically at that amount until a few years later, it was raised by additional subscriptions secured through the heroic efforts of three noble women" Mrs. Royer, Mrs. Phoebe Beal and Mrs. Mary Day, the latter of whom we have with us yet; may she long stay with us.

The church was fortunate in its organization and in its reorganization in having for members of its official boards earnest, faithful, self-sacrificing men who gave much of their time and means to build churches and carry on its business affairs. they were sagacious and farseeing and it might be truly said of them, "they builded better than they knew." 

They were not wealthy, and nothing could better show the load they carried than the financial report read.

They worked for the good of the church, and not to use it for selfish ends. Their services deserve the grateful rememberance of this church and this community.

Of all the members who comprised the board of trustees during the period of the building, all are gone on, but Brother Whedon, and of the board up to 1881, only Dr. Rose, Brother Ferdon and Brother Chas. Worden, are still with us. May they all abide with us for many years to come.

Of the long line of illustrious pastors who have served this church with such devotion and fidelity, from the pioneers Baughman in 1825, Colclazer in 1834, and Pilcher in 1836 and 1857, to the eminent men who have distinguished this pulpit, there is not time to even name them all, much less to speak at length of distinguishing characteristics. 

Of the older members of the congregation all will remember the brilliant and eloquent Dr. Cocker, under whose pastorate the preparatory work for building this church was done; the patriotic White, under whom it was built; the gentle, amible Fiske; the earnest Shier; the faithful Elwood; the genial, energetic, versatile Pope; the literary Shakespearian Alabaster; the dignified, musical and astronomical Ramsay; the scholarly, poetic and lovable Studley, whom with Cocker, Alabaster and Fiske have been called higher. The scientist and Egyptologist Cobern; the learned and companionable McElroy, and last, but not least, the embryo Bishop, the all round, useful pastor, with qualities too good and too numerous to mention- in deference to his modesty- the accomplished- but still unmarried- Ninde!

The church has been happy in its relations with all the other churches in the city. Its shapely spire is a visible landmark for miles in the country (even in its need or paint.)

The opportunities for this church to do good in this community are constant and its influence incalculable. The voice of its pulpit is farreaching. Its success has largely been due to the ability and fidelity of its pastors.

Besides being the church of its resident congregation, it is the religious home for hundreds of non-resident young men and women in the University and various schools in the city.

Of this latter class, but few can be counted on to contribute much to its material support, therefore it is the more important that the contributions fo its resident supporters go chiefly to maintain a strong, vigorous and united church; to keep up the record as now, of able, devoted pastors, and that all its auxiliary organizations contribute in accessions to its membership, and in means to its healthy growth.

Its organizations, more largely missionary in their wark, offer wide opportunity, and grand agencies for those blessed with abundant means to do great good, by assisting in their support. They may help in planting good thoughts and principles that shall be cultivated and beat fruit in minds and hearts in far off regions and future years.

Too much credit cannot be given to the Ladies' Aid society. The record of the board of trustees makes frequent mention of its substantial "aid," but the society is to speak for itself, as it always has done.