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Baptist, Christian,
Church of Christ, Federation of Baptist and Congregational Church,
Christian Church, Federated
Church, Hartford Federated Church |
|
Historic Date(s) |
Church Affiliation |
Historic Notes |
| 1858 |
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Horace Dowd and
family and others were dismissed from the church of Lawrence for the purpose
of organizing a church in Hartford. |
| 1859 |
Baptist |
Organized in 1859. Deacons were Horace Dowd
and Sylvanus Reynolds, Clerk was Jefferson Dowd and services were held in
the old school house at the corner of Main and Edwin Streets. At this
time, all denominations worshiped together at this place. (This was
known as the Catholic Church in later years) |
| 1865 |
Baptist |
Circuit rider Pastor, William Simons.
Services held at Hartford, Keeler, Lawrence, and Hyde schools. |
| 1872 |
Baptist |
Bought property at
Universalist Church at corner of Maple Street and Michigan Avenue.
This picture was from a postcard dated Nov. 2, 1910 sent by Bessie Clayhood .
 |
| 1883 |
Congregational |
A meeting
was held in the Reynolds Opera House July 8, 1883, to discuss the
advisability of organizing a Congregational Church in Hartford. The Rev.
Park A. Bradford, pastor of the Lawrence church was present and conducted
the service. At the close of the service a vote was taken to ascertain the
opinions of those present as to such an organization which resulted in a
unanimous vote, and a finance committee was appointed consisting of A.J.
Dyer, C.H. Sherburne, G. Van Vranken and Mrs. J.J. Hubbard to canvas among
friends to ascertain if funds could be secured for the erection of a new
church. July 15th services were held at the same place conducted
by Rev. P.A. Bradford and at the close the finance committee reported
$800.00 pledged for the new church. The committee was instructed to
continue the canvass. It was decided by vote to organize the church society
and the following names were chosen to prepare letters missive to
neighboring churches to meet in council at Hartford on the 24th. On July
22nd at the close of divine services the following were nominated as
officers of the church: Deacons, J.E. Sweet, Garret Van Vranken, Trustees,
A.N. Spaulding, C.H. Sherburne, A.J. Dyer; Treasurer, Ann Spaulding; Clerk,
William Watts. July 24, 1883, agreeable to
invitations by letters missive from a number of professing Christians at
Hartford an Ecclesiastic Council was organized, convening in the Baptist
Church to take action in the matter of organizing a Congregational Church by
the election of Rev. LeRoy Warren moderator and Rev. George S. Seavor
scribe. The following named churches responded by pastor and delegate; First
church, Kalamazoo, Rev. C.O. Brown, pastor, P. Hobbs, delegate; Covert, Rev.
S.P. Spellman, pastor, A.S. Packard, delegate; Lawrence, Rev. P.A. Bradford,
pastor Eaton Branch, delegate; Benton Harbor, Rev. W.H. Brewster, pastor;
South Haven Rev. George Seavor, pastor, C.
Hastings, delegate; Lincoln Park, Chicago, A.J. Dyer, delegate; Bangor,
A.B. Cochrane, pastor, C.C. Phillips, delegate; Cooper E. Andrews. The
chairman of the local committee made a statement as to what had been done at
former meetings showing that there was an earnest desire to organize
a Congregational Church in Hartford and that steps had been taken towards
raising money to build a new church building.
The Rev. Park A. Bradford of
Lawrence, who was acting in connection with the Congregational element here,
stated that the pastor and members of the Baptist Church had shown the
kindest feeling toward the new movement and had offered the use of their
house of worship for this occasion and had otherwise treated them with
Christian courtesy. After listening to a discussion of the subject from
most of the active parties to the movement the Rev. E. Andrews moved,
seconded by Rev. W.H. Brewster, “That for the honor of God this Council deem
it advisable to proceed to the organization of a Congregational Church.”
That evening services were as follows: singing by the choir, reading of the
scripture by Rev. A.B. Cochrane, sermon by Rev. C.O. Brown, propounding the
confession of faith and covenant, Rev. Leroy Warren, prayer of recognition
and consecration, Rev. E. Andrews, right hand of fellowship, Rev. W.H.
Brewster, address to the church, Rev. LeRoy Warren. The charter members of
this organization were Mr. And Mrs. J. Elliot Sweet, Mr. And Mrs. A. J.
Dyer, Mr. And Mrs. Garret Van Vranken, Mr. And Mrs. Geo. Fellows, Mr. And
Mrs. William Watts, Mr. And Mrs. Charles Sherburne, Mr. And Mrs. John W. Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. M.M. Seymour, Mr. and Mrs. A.N.
Spaulding, Mrs. Charles Nicolson, Mrs. Stocum, Mrs. Mary E. Smith, Mrs.
Hannah Utley, Mrs. Harriet E. Van de Vort, and Miss May Dyer. The first
deacons were J. Elliott Sweet and Garret Van Vranken. Trustee for three
years A.N. Spaulding, Trustee for two years. Charles N. Sherburne. Trustee
for one year, Charles Nicolson.
In 1919 the church
federated with the Baptist Church and the Rev. J.S. Hamilton, a former
pastor of the Congregational Church was their pastor until 1921. At this
time the Disciple Church came into the organization and the three churches
were federated with the Rev. L.G. Kent as their pastor until 1923. |
| 1885 |
Baptist |
Rev. Welker, 1st full-time pastor. During 1885 a new church was built on
South Maple Street and dedicated Wednesday, September 2, 1885 with sermon
delivered by Rev. Leroy Warren. Since the organization of the church July
24, 1883, the following pastors have served the church; Revs, William Woodmansie, Samuel Taylor, E.M. Counseller, A.T. Waterman, William Miller,
F.H. Bassett, F.B. Stearns, L.G. Herbert, Ruel E.
Roberts, E.F. Lilly, J.S. Hamilton and A.B. Imrie.
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| 1886 |
Christian |
Levi Dewey (of
Dowagiac) was first pastor and served 4 years. Also known as the
"Disciple Church" congregation was organized in the Reynolds Hall (building
later became the Town Hall) on November 8, 1886. As noted on the
cornerstone below, it was also
called the Church of Christ. A house of worship was
erected in 1887 on Shepard Street. The first trustees were Thomas
Bailey, Henry O. Hatch, Cadmus C. Huntley, Nathan Strong, and Levi Dewey.
The pastors who served since organizing in 1886 were Revs. Levi Dewey, J.H.
Hammond, J.H. Reese, Nathan Fellows, Garry L. Cook, Willard McCarthy, F.F.
Schultz, Frank A. Taylor, James A. Brown, and J.C. Mathews. In 1921,
the (Congregational) church withdrew and the two remaining churches
(Christian and Baptist) engaged the Rev. John Balfour, who ministered to
them until 1928 when Rev. M.H. Terry was engaged. |
| 1892 |
Baptist |
Rev. E. E. Branch |
| 1898 |
Christian
Baptist |
Rev. Garry Cook. |
| Rev. Charles Salyer with services held at
Lawrence and Hartford. |
| 1903 |
Baptist
Christian |
Rev. Francis Carlisle. First to live in
parsonage at North Maple St. |
| Rev. Frank L. Taylor |
| 1905 |
Baptist |
Rev. J. B. Reynolds |
| 1906-1914 |
Christian (became known as the the Federated
Church in 1946) |
Rev. James Brown, followed by Rev. James
Bennett.
Circa 1910
Photo contributed by George Swift in 2002.
Church of Christ 1887
cornerstone
located just below the top window |
| 1908-1911 |
Baptist |
Rev. John Walker, followed by Rev. William
Preston. |
| 1911 |
Baptist |
Rev. Delno Henshaw. Served 5 years. |
| 1916 |
Baptist |
Rev. W. Chas Edwards. Went into the
Navy. |
| 1918 or
1919 |
Christian
[First] Church of Christ
Federation
Baptist &
Congregational |
Rev. J. C. Mathews. |
| In 1919 the Congregational
Church
federated with the Baptist Church and the Rev. J.S. Hamilton, a former
pastor of the Congregational Church was their pastor until 1921. Each Church kept its’ own officers and shared
expenses. Six months in each church. Rev. J. S. Hamilton,
Congregationalist pastor. |
|
1917-1918 |
[First] Church of Christ |
1917
Greetings of the Season 1918
This is the front cover to the tri-fold Christmas card below. |
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Left:
The days are hastening on
By profit bards foretold,
When with the ever encircling years
Comes ’round the Age of Gold:
When Peace shall reign o’er all the earth,
In Ancient splendors fling,
And the whole earth gave back the song
Which now the Angels sing:"
"Glory to God in the Highest,
Peace on Earth,
Good will to men."
Center:
J. C. Mathews, Minister – First Church of Christ, Hartford Michigan
A cordial invitation is extended to you and your friends to attend the
services of this Church
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| 1920 |
Christian |
Came into
Federation. At this time the Disciple Church
(also known as the Christian Church) came into the organization and the
three churches were federated with the Rev. L.G. Kent as their pastor until
1923. Rev. L. H. Kent. Each church
paid 1/3. |
| 1923 |
Congregational |
At this time the Congregational
Church withdrew from the federation and engaged the Rev. A.L. Fisher who was their pastor until 1928. Since that time the pulpit
was occupied by the Rev. Paul Hinkamp of Holland. |
| 1923-1929 |
Federated |
Rev. John Balfour. |
| 1930 |
Federated |
Rev. Maurice Terry. |
| 1931-1939 |
Federated |
Rev. A. E. Murphy. Federation of of the
Baptist and Christian churches continued until 1931 when the Federated
Church organized with single set of officers. |
| 1939-1941 |
Federated |
Rev. Ned R. Athey |
| 1942-1954 |
Federated |
Rev. Norman W. Clapp |
| 1943 circa |
Federated-Methodist |
Special Group photo
of 10-day Vacation Bible School sponsored by the Hartford Methodist and
Federated churches. (click
here to view large photo with approximated 75 students – photo may load
slowly.) |
| 1946 |
Federated |
Rev. John Cureton. Church officially became
incorporated and was named the Hartford Federated Church. |
| 1947-1956 |
Hartford
Federated |
Rev. Alvin P. Jingst |
| 1953 circa |
Hartford Federated |
Church Choir
Women in Front L-R
Lois Rittase – Director and Organist, Harriet Lightner, Dorothy Smithley, Ruth
Dowd, Ruth Knapp, Jeri Varnau, Dorla Shafer, Nancy Dyer, Sue Patterson, Donna Knapp
Men in Back L-R
Stan Dowd, Robert Lightner, Ivan White, Mr. McCubbin, Cliff
Brown, Malcom Broadhurst. |
| 1956-1963 |
Hartford Federated |
Rev. Robert S. Gorbold.
Started building program with new church
completed in 1961 on E. Red Arrow Highway.
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| 1961 |
Hartford Federated |
Monday, May 22, 1961
– News-Palladium
Launch New Federated Church at Hartford: Ground was broken Sunday for
the new $170,000 two-story Federated Church located just west of Hartford on
the Red Arrow highway. Participating in the ceremony were (from left
to in front) Harry L. Thompson – plumbing and heating contractor of
Watervliet; Mrs. Leo Yirchott – publicity; Mrs. Paul Day – chairman of
design committee; the Rev. Robert Gorbold; Mrs. Dean Richmond – design; S.A.
MacGowan – chairman of publicity, and Don Drake – chairman of finance.
In back (from left) are LaVern Rice – excavating contractor of Hartford, and
A.H. Mollberg and Dewey Mollberg – general contractors of Galien. |
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Church completed in 1961, dedicated January, 1962.
Original building contained 18 classrooms in the educational section and
accommodated up to 30 classes and a total of 500 pupils. The sanctuary
had a seating capacity of 280 persons with a 25-person choir loft.
The original building exterior dimensions were 114 feet by 44 feet and 75
feet wide at the north south projection. The church was designed by
the Rev. Joseph Kimbel and Robert Foltz, of Evangelical Associates, South
Bend IN. |
| 1963 |
Hartford Federated |
Rev. R. Shepley, Interim Pastor |
| 1963-1971 |
Hartford Federated |
Rev. Lyell Smith, Pastor |
| 1971 |
Hartford Federated |
Rev. R. Shepley, Interim Pastor |
| 1973 |
Hartford Federated |
March 3, 1973 – News
Palladium
Aerial photo by Adolph Hann
Federated Church Expanding – Addition takes shape: An 80 by 80
foot addition tot he Federated church in Hartford takes shape on the north
side of the present structure. The $220,000 addition will house a utility
hall, gym and fellowship hall, educational facilities for 300 students, new
kitchen and offices. Ground was broke in October of 1972 and
construction is expected to be completed by May 15, according on to the Rev.
Milton Krugman, pastor. Grading for a new parking lot will be done
around the new addition. Mollberg Construction company of Galien is
the general contractor. |
| 1971-1974 |
Hartford Federated |
December 6,
1973 – Watervliet Record
(George Swift Photo)
Formal Dedication Services for the new addition to the Hartford
Federated Church were held Sunday afternoon in the new building.
Present for the ceremony were, from left: Don Drake – Hartford
township supervisor; Larry Larsen – representing the Hartford city council;
Gene Avery – chairman of the church’s board of deacons; Russell Richmond (on
podium) – chairman of the building committee; Rev. Lyell Smith – former
Federated pastor who preached the morning sermon; Lene Mollbert of Mollberg
Construction – contractors for the building; and pastor of the church – Rev.
Milton Krugman.
Cost of the building addition was estimated at $220,000.
Rev. Milton Krugman, Senior
Pastor; Mark Tromp
– Youth Pastor 1973 |
| 1975-1984 |
Hartford Federated |
Rev. George Badger,
Senior Pastor; Tim Nyhuis – Youth Pastor |
| 1984-1986 |
Hartford Federated |
Rev. George (Alex) DeGolyer,
Senior Pastor; Tim Nyhuis –
Youth Pastor |
| 1986-pres |
Hartford Federated |
Rev. David Gilbert,
Senior Pastor 2011-present; Rev Tim Nyhuis, Senior Pastor
1986-2010;
Dave Schoop – Youth Pastor July 1986-Aug 1987; Peter Dubinin
– Youth Pastor 1987-1992; Scott Moeckel – Youth Pastor 1992-1998; Daniel Jepsen – Youth Pastor 1998 – 2002; Greg Papenfus – Youth Pastor
2002 to 2009; Tyler Collins – Youth Pastor 2010 to 2012; Elvin Nyhuis, Senior Citizens Visitation Pastor 2003 to
2007. |
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2006 – Special thanks to Russell & Esther Richmond for saving and
sharing the newspaper photos and articles.
Church history is from the Hartford Federated
Church Directories, personal histories, and news paper articles.
Note:
There are minor date differences in Spaulding’s book,
A History of Hartford – the first 100 years.
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