Segment VIII of Centennial History Manual
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CHURCH
(From the 75th Anniversary Volume)
C. D. WAUGH*
* Charles D. Waugh was a member of the church from May 6, 1905 to the date of his death on May 12, 1940. He had served the church as deacon and Sunday School Superin tendent and as chairman of the building committee of the new church. He also served the community as worker in the Council of Churches, the Congregational Club, the Gideons and the Y.M.C.A.
The programs which we have in our hands today, containing as they do a picture of the first church building, and also of Father Clapp, as well as a list of all the pastors who have served this church, with the dates on which they came to us and on which they left us, make up quite a historical sketch in themselves, and anything that I may be able to give you will be simply an elaboration of what you now have before you.
But I do wish that each of us could glance over the church record books that we have here today. I confess to a feeling almost of awe as I have gone over them, getting the material for this sketch. It has almost seemed like looking at the original Declaration of Independence!
The first item in the first church record book is well worth reproducing at this time. It follows:
"Wauwatosa, March 1st, 1842.
At a meeting of several persons formerly connected with other churches, held at the house of Richard Gilbert, in the town of Wauwatosa, for the purpose of organizing a church. Rev. John J. Miter was chosen moderator, and constituted the meeting with prayer. Rev. Hiram Marsh was appointed clerk. The following persons presented evidence of their good standing in and regular dismission from other churches, viz: Richard Gilbert, Nancy Gilbert, Sylvia Gilbert, Fanny E. Morgan, Emmerson G. Maynard, Marcia M. Maynard, Hezekiah Gilbert, Jonathan M. Warren and Lavinia D. Warren. It was then voted to organize themselves into a church to be called the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa. The following confession of faith was then adopted: The printed confession and covenant of the Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, III., with the following addition to the covenant: 'You further covenant with each other not to use intoxicating liquors as a beverage, nor encourage the manufacture or sale of them in the community. Also that you will withhold fellowship from those who hold slaves and those who advocate the right of slave-holding.' After the completion of the organization of the churchy it proceeded to the examination of David Morgan and Ephraim Gilbert with reference to their union with the church; their examination was sustained.
Signed: HIRAM MARSH."
Of the first two pastors of the church, Hiram Marsh and L. Bridgman, the record says but little. But we learn quite a bit about our third pastor, J. Kitchel, who served from 1843 to 1845. He was a noted huntsman, and his stories of life in the woods seem to have been appreciated almost as much as his sermons. On one occasion he was asked what he would do if he saw a deer go by his door on Sunday. His reply was that he didn't know, but that if it was a wolf he'd shoot him even though it was Sunday. It is not recorded whether there was a Sunday School during his term, but if there was he certainly must have been popular with the boys, and if there was not, he missed a great opportunity in not organizing one. Mr. Kitchel lived in Milwaukee while pastor here, and walked out through the woods, frequently carrying his gun while on his way to his pastoral duties.
Of Father Clapp's pastorate of 28 years but little need be said here, for others who knew him and worked with him will have much to say about him on this occasion. But it is certain in looking back over the years, that to no other one person does this church owe as much as to Father Clapp. Not only was he endeared to us, but to the whole immediate community, as well as to all Wisconsin Congregationalism. It is worthy of note that the every member canvass, which we perhaps supposed was something new under the sun, was first inaugurated in this church early in Father Clapp's pastorate, for on Sunday, February 5, 1848, six teams of two men each performed this pleasant and profitable duty.
Up to 1875 Wauwatosa was largely a farming community, but about that time new families began moving in, and the suburban city which we have today was gradually developed. With this change in the community, came a change also in the church, many new families joining.
Mr. Case, who followed Father Clapp, stayed with us but two years but he was followed by George W. Nelson, who remained for nearly nine years. He was one of the youngest pastors the church ever had and he was a hard worker. He was probably the first pastor to use a bicycle in making his pastoral calls. During his pastorate he began agitating for the building of a parsonage, and when he left us the parsonage was just completed, his successor, James W. White, being the first pastor to occupy it. Mr. White was with us five years, during which time more were added to the church than in any other period of equal length, 103 persons. A. Y. P. S. C. E. was organized while he was here with 75 active and 35 associate members.
Mr. White was succeeded by W. C. Stinson. After a two-year pastorate, he resigned to go to Providence, R. I. After he left, the pulpit was supplied a number of times by Father Clapp, who was then engaged in work for the Wisconsin Congregational Association. On January 4, 1891, Lord's Supper was celebrated, Pres. Merrill of Ripon presiding. In February, 1893, we united with the other Protestant churches of the county in supporting the B. Fay Mills meetings in Milwaukee. On May 14, 1893, Luther Clapp presided at the communion service for the last time. On May 22 a call was extended to Rev. L. S. Fulmer, but it was declined. On July 2, 1893, Henry Holmes preached his first sermon, and on July 24 he was engaged as pastor for one year. At the end of that time he was called to the permanent pastorate, and remained until August, 1898.
On June 10, 1894, the first Children's Day service was held in the church. Individual communion cups were first used on Sunday, May 5, 1895. During the year 1895 it was voted to re-incorporate the church and society as The First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa, and the new constitution was adopted at the first New Year's Day Annual Meeting in 1896. Two provisions are embodied in this constitution which are very rare, and one of them practically unknown in other church constitutions: The office of financial secretary and of treasurer must not be held by the same person, and all officers except the pastor, but including the Sunday School superintendent, may not be re-elected after they have served three years, until they have been out, of office for at least one year.
Father Clapp died on June 24, 1894. Mother Clapp died on November 17, 1895.
Mr. Holmes left us in August, 1898. The church membership increased 75 during his pastorate. Dr. J. W. Sutherland succeeded him and was with us over two years. Dr. Thain, who succeeded Dr. Sutherland first preached for us in June, 1901, and continued with us until April, 1908. Dr. Thain was not installed as pastor, however, until September, 1901. It was during Dr. Thain's pastorate that the membership of the church passed the 300 mark. Dr. Thain was greatly loved by the young people. During 1904, 51 persons joined the church, mostly young people, joining on confession of faith. His work with the K.O.K.A. will long be remembered. We are more than pleased to see him settled now as Chaplain of the National Home, and to have him with us on this anniversary celebration.
On September 4, 1907, Alderman (afterward Mayor) Seidel of Milwaukee led the prayer meeting. The new organ was installed on February 1st, 1908. A strenuous no-license campaign was waged in Wauwatosa in the spring of 1908, this church having an active part in it, a number of meetings being held in the church.
Rev. A. C. Kelley began his work with us in July, 1908, and was with us four years. In September, 1908, the interior of the church auditorium was entirely redecorated. On January 1st, 1909, the annual meeting was held in the afternoon only, after dinner was served at noon, but the following year the annual meeting became once more an all day affair. Another strenuous no-license campaign took place in the spring of 1909, this church again having an active part. On January 1, 1911, a sinking fund was established for the purpose of providing funds for a new church building.
In view of the exceedingly severe winter through which we have just passed, it is interesting to note that on January 7, 1912, the morning service was held in the Sunday School room, and the communion service was postponed, because of the extremely cold weather.
Mr. Davies preached for us first on September 22, 1912, and began his regular work as pastor on November 16, 1912. On January 1st, 1913, our weekly calendar was first printed and distributed. On September 17, 1913, a special meeting was called to consider the physical needs of the Sunday School. From this beginning has grown the present new church building prospect. The first Go-To-Church Sunday was held on February 1, 1914. About 400 were in attendance. On April 1st, 1914, it being prayer meeting night, Deacon J. O. Myers was surprised at a service held in his honor, at which he was presented with a bouquet of 75 roses, it being his seventy-fifth birthday. On June 7, 191:4, our new creed was adopted. On August 2, 1914, Dr. John Van de Erve preached a notable sermon on "War." On October 3, 1914, the pulpit was occupied by Dr. H. S. Hollenbeck, just prior to his return to Angola, West Africa.
It is interesting to note the salaries paid to the pastors of this church. The first record of any regular salary paid is that paid to Father Clapp in 1856, $600. In 1858 however, the church could only agree to pay "What they can." In 1862 they were able to pay but $500, but this was increased $100 a year until in 1866 Father Clapp received $1000. This had to be reduced to $900 in 1868 and again to $800 in 1869. Before Mr. Case was called in 1874, the vote was that he be called provided money enough to support him could be raised. He received $800 in 1875. Mr. Nelson's salary was $900 when he came and $1000 when he left. Mr. White was paid $1200 when he came and $1400 when he left. Mr. Stinson was paid $1600 in 1891 and $1800 in 1892, but Mr. Holmes served his whole term for $1500 a year, which remained the regular salary until Mr. Davies' salary was made $1650 in 1916. Mr. Davies now receives $1800.