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RELIGIOUS The first religious service held in Davenport was in the spring of 1837, at the house of D.D. Eldridge, by Rev. Mr. Gavitt, a Methodist Episcopal minister. Some time during the same year an Episcopalian minister delivered a discourse, and shortly after, religious services began to be held now and then at the house of A. Le Claire, in which a priest from Galena officiated. There are now in the city the following denominations, with the number of organizations as given.
The First Presbyterian Church of Davenport, like many other churches in the West, is without a full record of its early history. Among the immigrants of 1835, '36 and '37, not more that 10 or 12 persons could be found who were of that denomination. These worshiped at first in common with other denominations, until the 20th or 21st of April, 1838, when a little band of 10 was gathered together in a small building that stood above the alley on Ripley street, between Front and Second, belonging to T.S. Hoge, and since destroyed by fire. Here they worshiped a year with such supply of ministerial aid as could be obtained. They were from various parts of the United States. Mrs. Ann Mitchell was from Alabama; Dr. A.C. Donaldson and wife from Pennsylvania;
Robert Cristie and wife from Ohio; Mrs. Jemima Barkley from Pennsylvania, and T.S. Hoge and wife from Ohio and these composed the first congregation.
The following year J.M. Burrows and wife, and one or two others, were added to their number, and with these few a church was organized in a little frame school-house, standing near the corner of Fourth and Harrison streets, on the 5th of May, 1839. The pioneer clergymen who officiated upon this occasion were the Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury, of Macomb, Ill., now deceased; Rev. M. Hummer, of Stephenson, Ill.; Rev. Enoch Mead, of Rockingham, Iowa. Mr. Pillsbury preached the sermon upon the occasion, from Mark xvi:15,16.
Some six years of the records of this church have been lost, so that many of the facts and dates were arrived at by Mr. Mead corresponding with Mr. Pillsbury; who spoke of his journey to Davenport from Andover, where he then resided, in the following way:
Mr. Hummer had requested his services upon the occasion, which were to take place on the following Sunday, and required him to leave home on Saturday. He had loaned his horse to a neighbor, and it had not been returned, and he walked the whole distance, 26 miles, and returned on foot. Mr. Pillsbury says that when he came to Rock River slough it was overflowed, and some 80 rods wide, and too deep to wade, when he applied to Mr. George Moore, who lived on the bluffs, some two miles from the slough, but the nearest resident, who kindly sent his son and team and set him across. This was but incident among the many hardships of pioneer ministers in the West.
The organization of the church took place, and the communion was administered. For four years this church had no stated ministerial supply, during which time a few more were added, the church having preaching only occasionally from the clergymen above mentioned, and a few others who were traveling through the regions of the country beyond the Mississippi River. In 1842 J.M.D. Burrows and T.S. Hoge were chosen and ordained elders of the church.
The first stated supply of preaching was in the spring of 1843, by Rev. Samuel Cleland. He had charge of this and the church at Stephenson, Ill., for about four years. During this period the infant church struggled on amid many discouragements. The emigration to the West during these years was slow. But few were added to its numbers. But as an evidence of their zeal, faith and courage, they erected in these dark days their first house of worship, a small brick building. Even after the conpletion and occupancy of this church, they were at timmes almost ready to sit down in sadness and give up their most cherished object.
Charles C. Williams came to Iowa in August, 1844. He was from Newark, N.J. He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of that city, and afterward in the Central Church for many years
He was a man of most ardent piety, ever ready to lend his aid and influence in promoting the cause of his Redeemer's kingdom. His connection with the church of Davenport when it most needed spiritual aid and encouragement seemed providential. At this time Mr. Hoge, one of the elders, moved to Galena. So Mr. Williams and James M. Dalzell were ordained and set apart as elders in this church. His first work, with the help of others, was to establish a Sunday-school, which continued to date, and of which he was superintendent to the time of his death, which occured in September, 1852.
There were additions to the church as new settlers moved in, and the congregation increased in a measure; yet in 1846, owing to removals and death, there were still but 17 members.
At this time the Rev. George S. Rea became their minister, and occupied the pulpit about two years and a half. In the fall of this year (1846) the Sabbath school of the church was first organized. During the summer of 1849, the church being again without a minister, the Rev. Erastus Ripley, of the Congregational body, and a senior professor in Iowa College, preached for the church with much acceptance.
On the 27th of September, 1849, for the first time, a formal call was made out by the church to the Rev. J.D. Mason to become their pastor. The call was duly presented before the Presbytery of Iowa, and accepted. His service commenced the first Sunday in November. The church at this time consisted of about 30 members. In 1857 the list of membership reached 200, but owing to removals in 1860, only amounted to 150.
In October of 1859 the pastoral relation of Rev. Mason was dissolved, and in the autumn of this year a call was made to the Rev. S. McAnderson, of Pennsylvania, which was accepted, and he was installed in April, 1860. Rev. Clute is the present pastor, and the church is in good condition, spiritually and financially.
College Avenue Presbyterian Church.- In May, 1855, A.C. Fulton donated to the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, a city lot on College and Fulton avenues, in Davenport, for church purposes. The size of the grounds was increased by purchase, and a substantial church edifice erected, and opened for service in January, 1875, and was incorporated March 6, 1876, by the following incorporators:
Rev. J.D. Mason, P.S. Morton, A.M. Miner, Thomas Havens, J.H. Knostman, Jas. H. Weise, G.F. Knostman, J.W. Vooddry, Miss E. Andreas: and the following persons were appointed elders: Thomas Havens, Wm. Walker, P.S. Morton, J.H. Knostman.
Rev. J.D. Mason was the first pastor, and officiated until April, 1876, and was succeeded by Rev. W.S. Messmer, who was pastor until October, 1877, when Rev. J.W. Coleman was called, and was pastor until January, 1880, at which time the present pastor, Rev. Rob't Edger was installed.
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Christian Church, or Disciples.- On the 25th day of July, 1839, 17 persons who had formerly held membership with the Christian Church at other points, mostly at Cincinnati, met at the house of D.C. Eldridge, and under the auspices of Elder James Rumbold organized the Christian or Disciples Church, of Davenport.
As early as April of that year, the few disciples commenced meeting at the houses of the bretheren, under the leadership of Owen Owens, of Cincinnati. Elder Rumbold arrived in Davenport on the 22nd of July, 1839, and on the 25th organized the church.
A few words relative to Elder James Rumbold may not be amiss in this connection, as he stands intimately associated with the church here. Brought up in the Kirk of Scotland and uniting with the Scotch Baptist, at Aberdeen, in 1824, he removed to this country in 1836, and settled in Troy, New York, where, with his wife and two others, he organized a church on the Bible alone and commenced preaching to them. This was the nucleus of what is now a large and flourishing church. In July, 1839, he removed to the city of Davenport. In March, 1841, he assisted in the organization of a church at Long Grove, in Scott County, baptizing seven in one day, three weeks thereafter. In March, 1842, he removed to Galena, where he organized a church and baptized five; preaching awhile for them and then returning to Davenport. During the time Elder Rumbold preached here, he baptized about 40 persons. On the 10th day of July, 1840, he baptized Miss Elizabeth Carroll, who was the first person immersed in Scott County. The fact that a mechanic, a foreigner by birth, without education, further than what he obtained by his own exertions, should have been able to accomplish so much, is evidence of the simplicity of Bible teachings and the facility with which they may be communicated to others.
In this connection we would pause to mention one of the noblest of God's handiwork, a pure, humble-minded Christian, who long since has been gathered to his Fathers. Early in the history of the church in Davenport, we find the name of James Glaspell associated with it as an elder, which capacity he continued to fill with great acceptance up to the year 1847, when he fell asleep in Jesus. As a sincere, pious, believer, you will rarely indeed meet with his equal. As a citizen he stood high in the community, and when he died his church did not alone mingle in their tears with the bereaved family.
After the organization of the church in Davenport the bretheren continued to meet on Lord's days at their residences until Nov. 3, 1839, when they rented Mr. Tapley's carpenter shop, on Second between Main and Brady streets, at four dollars per month. In 1844 a lot was purchased on Brady, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and a brick meeting-house, considered large for the day, erected at an expense of from $700 to $800. In 1855-'56 the present house of worship, the "Christian Chapel," was erected on the
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site of the old one, the church in the mean time meeting at the court house. This chapel was erected at an expense of about $8,500; is 40x75 feet, with basement.
In 1842 the Christian Church was incorporated by act of Legislature under the style of the Church of Christ, meeting in Davenport. John Owens, Richard S. Craig and Charles Lesslie were appointed Trustees under the act.
For five years Elder Rumbold was the only preacher the Davenport church had. In 1844 Dr. II.P. Gatchell, of Cincinnati, was employed by the church as their pastor. He remained in that capacity one year, when he removed to Rock Island, but preached for this church until 1847. In 1848 Elder Charles Levan, of Philadelphia, was employed as pastor, which position he occupied for nearly two years. For two or three years after his removal from the city, although the church was without a pastor, yet the members continued to meet regularly on Lord's day for breaking of bread, exhortation and prayer. Elder James E. Gaston succeeded Mr. Levan, and in turn was followed by Elder Alexander Johnson, neither of which remained long in the position. Nov. 19, 1854, Elder J. Hartzell was employed by the church as a preacher, which capacity he filled until Feb. 7, 1858, when he was succeeded by elder Eli Regal, of Ohio, who on account of ill health resigned his position on the 10th of October of the same year. Until August, 1859, the church was again without a preacher, the brethren in the meantime meeting regularly on Lord's day for attending to the Lord's Supper and on Thursday night for prayer-meeting. In August, 1859, Elder Samuel Lowe was chosen and entered upon his duties as pastor. May 5, 1861, Elder James Challen came and remained as pastor nearly eight years. Succeeding him J. B. Johnson came and remained about three months. In April, 1871, H. H. Black came and remained about three years. J. Carroll Stark came in May, 1874, and remained 11 months. In the latter part of the summer of 1875 John Encell came as pastor and remained two years. After which William M. Row came in May, 1878, and remained two years. D. R. Dungan came in July, 1880, and is the present pastor. Present membership of the church is 180.
First Methodist Episcopal. - As already stated, Rev. Mr. Gavitt, from ohio, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preached the first discourse in Davenprt, but it was not until 1839 that an attempt was here made to organize a class. In that year Rev. B. Mead was the presiding elder for the Iowa District. Believing there were sufficient members living in the vicinity, he authorized William L. Cook to form a class. His search among Protestants resulted in finding five members besides himself and wife, who had been members of churches in other places. A time was appointed for a meeting to be held at the house of Timothy Dillon, situated on Third street, near Washington Square. At this first meeting were present, as members, William L. Cook
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and wife, Timothy Dillon and wife, Israel Hall, W. S. Ruby and Mary Ruby. Here this little band of Christians, longing for a closer union with Him in whom they trusted, in deep devotion poured forth many desires for spiritual food in this strange land, and, in that little cabin, alone with God, they dedicated themselves to him and his service, renewing their covenant vows, and forming the First Methodist Episcopal Church in the then Village of Davenport. From this time meetings were continued every Sabbath, being generally conducted by Mr. Cook. The society increased until private rooms became too small, and in the fall of 1840, the church then numbering about 20 members, it was thought best to erect a building. Though its members were few and poor, they pruchased a lot on Perry street, between Fourth and Fifth, which was then considered out of town, and built the first brick chapel. This church was seated at first with slabs and split saplings, flat side up, and lighted with a "chandelier" composed of a block of wood suspended by a rope from the ceiling, in which were inserted some half-dozen tallow candles, and warmed by a stove which looked as though it might have done good service before the flood.
A petition was sent into conference in 1840 for a preacher, and F. O. Chenowith was sent to the Davenport station. The church gradually increased in numbers until the little church on Perry street became too small, and in 1853 a large and commodious house of worship was erected on the corner of Fifth and Brady streets. This second church was used until 1872, when it was thought best to change the location, and a new and handsome edifice was erected on Brady street, between Ninth and Tenth, at a cost of $20,000. The church has been ministered unto by some able divines, and is now in a flourishing condition, with about 500 members. Other churches have sprung from this, and the denomination is now represented by five churches in the city - , the First, the Fourteenth Street, German, Cook Chapel, and African. Among those who have labored for the congregation at Davenport were Revs. D. Worthington, Joseph T. Lewis, William Simpson, A. Collins, J. B. Taylor, John Kelley, Langdon Taylor, A. J. Kynett, S. Haines, Mr. Linderman, R. W. Keller, Mr. Bowen, R. L. Collier, J. G. Demmitt, P. Brown, H. Baylies, A. B. Kendig, J. R. Fuller Mr. Anderson, E. Miller, Mr. M. McCleary, Mr. Marwell, J. H. Rhea and Mr. Brush.
Fourteenth Street M. E. Church, Davenport, Iowa, was organized in February, 1867. The trustees appointed at the organization were J. G. G. Cavendish, A. Morton, W. Hender, J. T. Martin, S. L. Mitchell, J. M. Frizzell, L. Perkins. The membership numbered about 50. The first pastor was the Rev. A. B. Kendig. Succeeding pastors in the following named order: Reverends Enery Miller, W. Frank Paxton, L. F. Copeland, R. W. Keeler, Wm. Fawcett, E. Skinner, Frank Brush, H. S. Church, and S. W. Heald. The present Board of Trustees is : W. Hender, Wm. Armill, N. K. Fluke, P. Earhart, A. L. Duncan, E. Sherman and I.
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T. Martin; the present membership is about 200. The value of the church property at the organization was our $10,000; the present value about $12,000, which includes a good and commodious parsonage. A Sunday-school was organized in the Tabernacle (a rough board building on a corner of the church lot) in March, 1867, with about 40 scholars and J. G. G. Cavendish as superintendent, and Walter Hender, secretary. The gentlemen continued in their respective offices about seven years, when A. L. Duncan succeeded in the superintendency for one or two years. Walter Hender then held that office for five years, when he resigned and A. L. Duncan was again elected, and held the office until he removed from the city. Prof. J. W. Ruggle was elected and now holds the office. The school now numbers about 230, consisting of primary and normal with all the usual intermediate departments. The library contains about 700 volumes.
Episcopal Churches. - Philo W. Sprague, pastor of the Trinity Episcopal Church, was born in Charleston, S. C., Feb. 26, 1852. He is the son of James W. and Henritta Sprague, nee Woodruff. His parents moved North just before the war and settled in Schenectady, N. Y., where Philo attended school until he was 15 years of age. He then entered Union College and graduated in the full classical course, when but 19 yeas of age, at the expiration of which time he entered the Theological Seminary, of New York, where he remained three years, and graduated in 1874. Upon graduating he took charge of Calvary Church, Byonia, N. J., where he remained four years. In 1878 he received the appointment of Professor of Ancient Languages in Griswold College, and canon in chrage of Trinity Church, corner Seventh and Brady streets, Davenport, and at once assumed the duties of the respective positions. Rev. Philo W. Sprague and Harriet A. Woods were united, in marriage Dec. 11, 1879. Miss Woods was a daughter of Joseph W. Woods, a merchant of Boston. One child has blessed this union - Caroline W., born March 22, 1881.
The First Baptist Church. - The first religious services were held in the house of John M. Eldridge, on Brady street, where the gallery of Hastings, White & Fisher now stands. The first preacher was Rev. Israel Fisher, who went from here to Oregon, where he died about 15 years ago. The first organization, called the First Baptish Church, of Davenport, Iowa, was organized by him and was composed of the following members, nine in number: J. M. Eldridge, Mrs. Mary A. Eldridge, John Swartout, Chas. Swartout, Richard Pierce and wife, David Wilson and wife. Richard Pierce and Daniel Wilson were appointed deacons. The new church fitted up a room on Front street, over a store, as a place of worship, where they continued until they built a brick church at the corner of Fourth and Brady, on alot given by Mr. Antoine Le Claire to the church. Here the church continued until the house became too small for their use when they removed to the corner of Sixth and Main and built the building now occupied as the High School Build-
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ing (old). The present church organization was composed of members who withdrew from the first church and organized the Second Regular Baptist Church of Christ in Davenport, Iowa. The first church continued its organization with Rev. Mr. Folwell now of Connecticut, as pastor, until about 1861, when many of the church uniting with the present organization, the united church took the name of "Calvary Baptist Church," as the church is now known.
The Second Regular Baptist Church of Christ, in Davenport, organized Oct. 7, 1851. Those comprising the constituent members of the church were Dea. C. G. Blood, Dr. J. M. Witherwax, Esther Blood, May J. Solomon, Levi Davis, Rev. B. F. Braybrook, Lucy A. Braybrook, Deacon John Solomon, Johnson Brown, Emeline B. Witherwax, Mary Solomon, Sarah Brown, W. M. Crosson. Of this number Levi Davis is the sole surviving member. The first officers of the church were Dr. J. M. Witherwax, C. G. Blood, W. M. Crosson, Trustee; Levi Davis, Clerk; J. Solomon, Treasurer. The first pastor of the church was Rev. E. M. Miles, who settled with the church June, 13, 1852, and resigned Feb. 26, 1857. Mr. Miles has now almost retired from the ministry and is living on a farm near Camanche, Iowa. After a vacancy of two months Rev. Isaac Butterfield became pastor April 26, 1857, and continued to Oct. 27, 1863, a period of six years and six months. Mr. Butterfield continues still to serve as a pastor at Jackson, Mich. After a vacancy of four and a half months, Rev. D. S. Watson became pastor, settling with the church March 13, 1864, and continuing in this relation to Sept. 22, 1867 - three years and three months. Mr. Watson subsequently removed to California, where he died. After a vacancy of one year Rev. T. W. Powell became pastor Sept. 27, 1868, and resigned on account of failing health Oct. 1, 1870. In December, 1875, Mr. Powell was recalled to the pastorate of the church and continued pastor until Jan. 19, 1879. He is at present settled in Milwaukee, Wis. After Mr. Powell's first pastorate a vacancy of three and a half months followed. Rev. N. S. Burton, D. D., became pastor Jan. 15, 1871, and continued until November, 1875. He is a present pastor of the Baptist church in Akron, O. After the close of Mr. Powell's second pastorate the church was pastorless until October, 1879, when the present pastor, Rev. W. H. Stifler was called from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The present house of worship was erected in 1852 and cost about $25,000. It is situated on the corner of Fourth and Perry streets. The church is in a prosperous and flourishing condition and has 373 members. It sustains two Sabbath schools, the home school and the North Davenport mission chapel. The following named comprise the officers of the church: Pastor, Rev. W. H. Stiffer, D. D; Deacons, Levi Davis, D. T. Young, A. J. Montague, Norman Jordan, William Thompson, A. L. Mossman; Trustees, E.
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S. Ballard, E. S. Crossett, A. F. Williams; Clerk, H. C. Wales; Treasurer, M. D. Snyder; Sabbath-school Superintendent, W. Raraback.