| First Congregational Church
The First Congregational Church - In the early spring of 1850, Rev.
Timothy M. Hopkins, then acting Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of
this city, began preaching in the Court House, with a view of organizing
a Congregational Church. This organization took place February, 1850,
consisted of thirty-eight members, most of whom brought letters from the
Presbyterian Church, was named the "First Congregational Church of
Racine," and adopted the articles of faith approved by the Convention of
Wisconsin. The first Pastor was Rev. T. M. Hopkins, and Henry Sheldon
and I. G. Parker were its first Deacons. On the 21st of the following
May, was formed the "First Congregational Society of Racine," electing
as its first Trustees, A. P. Dickey, Philip Bruthwait, T. P. Bruce, Mark
Miller and Floyd P. Barker, and as its Clerk, I. G. Parker. While a
house of worship was being built on the ground now occupied by the
Episcopal Church, they worshiped for a time in the Court House that was
moved by the Public Square, two years ago, and afterward in the Ladies
Seminary Building. After the frame-work of their new sanctuary was
finished and the roof placed, a passing storm leveled the structure to
the earch; yet on February 5, 1851, the house, estimated with its lots
to have cost $5965, 38, was dedicated to the service of God. But a few
months pass before the church is again without a house of worship,
without a Pastor and with but one Deacon. On the 2d day of November,
1851, less than nine months after dedication, the sanctuary was
completely destroyed by fire. Even while sorrowful hearts were looking
at the flames which were hastening the destruction of their spiritual
home, the death of Deacon Henry Sheldon was announced. These words are
found in the record: "This mysterious providence of our Heavenly Father
was truly afflicting to us, and our sadness was greatly deepened by the
death of our beloved brother, Deacon Henry Sheldon, which reached our
ears as the flames were consuming our loved sanctuary." Under these
somewhat discouraging circumstances and calamitous distress in their
loss by fire, the fathers of the church accepted the gift of their
present church site from Sidney A. Sage, and began to build once more
for God. We can but admire their determined purpose and prompt action.
Only eight days passed between the burning of the church over the river
and the meeting, at which it was resolved to build on the new site a
tabernacle, whose dimensions should exceed the old one thirty-seven feet
in width and eighty-four feet in length - more that twice as large as
the old one. Octber 9, 1852, less than one year after the church burned,
the cornerstone of this house was laid with customary ceremonies. The
Congregational and Presbyterian Convention, then assembled at the
Presbyterian Church, adjourned to take part in these exercises. Rev. M.
P. Kinney made the address of the occasion, a single copy of which is
yet preserved. In a really eloquent phrase he sets forth the good that
individuals assembling here from time to time shall receive and declares
that its influence shall be world-wide and eternal. Though begun so
promptly, the new church edifice was not to go on to completion without
further perplexing delay. God had yet other and severe tests with which
to prove the Church's fidelity to Him. Twice had its members contributed
for a house of worship, and as these walls rose nearly to the specified
height, the delightful time when they could praise God beneath their own
roof seemed near at hand, but what was their surprise when a storm
leveled its walls to the ground and fractured every piece of useful
timber in the structure. Verily, their comfort in this continued series
of disasters must have been found only in those passages of Scripture
which teach "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." We do not wonder, now,
that there were some outspoken misgivings about continuing the work of
building, for want of financial ability. Times were hard, and the people
were poor. Should they build again, the new walls would not only have to
be laid from the foundation, but the debris of the fallen walls and
broken timber must be cleared away, and much new material must also be
secured. Some said, "our resources are drained; we cannot rebuild" There
were yet a few undaunted ones, who said "the Church had no right to give
up; that this new disaster was of God to test the strength of their
faith." Around these faithful ones the children rallied, and they said,
as did the children of Israel of their desolated Jerusalem, "The God of
Heaven, He will prosper us, therefore we, His servants, will arise and
build" Rev. M. P. Kinney was sent to solicit money. He hoped by this
means to secure at least $1,000. He returned after an absence of about
four months, and had secured for the church about $600 in cash, and this
by gifts of less than $10 each. Contributions of material labor and
money were received from friends here. The work of building went
forward, and on November 7, 1854, the church was dedicated to God. Since
that day its walls have stood secure. If, in four years' existance, and
church of modern times can show record of having overcome so many and so
serious reverses, let them speak, to show to others what a determined
Christian purpose will accomplish in church building, and for the profit
of this severly-tried congregation. Previous to the coming of the
present Pastor, Rev. William H. Hinckley, there appear as having been
Pastors of this church, in the following order: Rev. T. M. Hopkins, Rev.
M. P. Kinney, Rev. Lewis E. Matson, Rev. Mr. Peel, Rev. T. E. Davis,
Rev. G. W. Sargent, Rev. McLeod and Rev. T. P. Sawin. Of this number,
Revs. Kinney, Matson and Sawin were the only installed Pastors. The
longest pastorate was that of Rev. M. P. Kinney; it was about seven
years, and during this time there were ninety-nine accessions to the
Church membership. This is the largest number joining during any
pastorate. The average length of pastoral service has been about three
years and six months. The following are the names of the Deacons, in
respective order of election: H. Sheldon, I. G. Parker, S. B. Peck,
William Bruce, S. E. Hurlbut, Thomas Driver, J. H. Fancher, William
Silloway, J. K. Sherman, A. J. Van Ornum, S. H. Sheldon, J. R. Brearley
and Charles Peck. Mr. Silloway is the veteran Deacon of all this number.
From an annual sermon of Rev. M. P. Kinney, it appears there were
forty-two charter members of this church. The first Church record was
burned. Of this number, there are now six resident members, viz: A. P.
Dickey, J. E. Lockwood, Mrs. A. S. Lockwood, S. R. Sheldon, N. A. Walker
and Martin Eastman. During these twenty-nine years, there have been 321
members of this Church. There are 128 members, 119 of whom live less
than a Sabbath day's journey from the sanctuary. Oh, let these walls forever stand, Here may Thy worship be sincere, Thy name shall be recorded here, So may this house henceforward prove Connected with the Church is a Sabbath school, with an average attendance of 160, of which J. R. Brearley is Superintendent and R. S. Adams, Assitant Superintendent. Also the Children's Temperance Band, with a membership of sixty, which number is rapidly increasing. The society is chiefly in charge of Mrs. William H. Hinckley, the Pastor's wife. |