Churches

The first preacher in this county was Timothy Brigham, of Claybanks, a shoemaker, and at the sdame time an elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which seems to have been the pioneer church. Joseph Elliott, the Indian preacher, who preached the first sermon at Pentwater, was a Methodist, although he was educated by a Baptist gentleman, in Boston. He came, in 1856, with other leaders of the Indians, to select lands. He formed the first class at Pentwater; James Brooker and wife, and C. A. Rosevelt were among the first members. Elliott became blind and died in Elbridge, nearly seventy years old. He established classes among the Indians, in Elbridge and Crystal. the next Methodist minister was an Englishman, named Naylor, in 1858; next at Pentwater was Rev. Edgar Beard, in 1859. He preached overall of Mason and Oceana, and is now dead. Rev. H. M. Joy, now presiding elder of Grand Rapids district, came in the Fall of 1860, and organized classes at Whisky Creek, Benona and Ferry. Rev. Ahaz A. Darling, ex-supervisor of Hart, and ex-county superintendent of schools, came in 1862, and was in the county two years, organizing classes in Hart and Weare, the latter the first in the town, and among the Danes. The next man sent by conference would not go, as he was frightened out by the stories of his predecessors. He was afraid he would have to live on roots, and might be devoured by wolves. Rev. W. M. Johnson was presiding elder in 1858, and Elder Steele in 1860; then came Rev. J. Boylington, who lived four years at Pentwater, and si still one of the leading preachers of the state. Rev. G. D. Lee was preacher at Pentwater while Boyington was presiding elder. There is an official record kept by the county clerk, in which church organizations are supposed to be kept. They are imperfect, but we give them as correct as far as they go. The first official county record of church trustees is by the Methodist Episcopal Quarterly Conference, which was held at Pentwater, August 25, 1866, and which is filed with Nathan Crosby, county clerk. It states that Peleg A. Hubbard, William H. Leach, S. G. Rollins, A. W. Peck and Mahar Wigton were elected trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Hart. It is signed by Jeremy Boynton and witnessed by R. A. Wightman, and A. J. Underhill. THE BAPTIST SOCIETY OF HART. record on 20th November, 1868, their articles of association, which are signed by Amos and William Crosby, Moses Townsend, Ira Jenks, D. W. Crosby, George Reading, James Williams, Ira Harmon, I. J. Fay and William H. Walker. Elder Fay was the preacher. THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF HART. record that on 31st December, 1868, at Pentwater, D. J. Fletcher and George H. Young were elected trustees for three years. UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF PENTWATER. was formed at Good Templars' Hall, Rev. Robert Queal first pastor, Edgar D. Richmond, John Reed, E. S. Faxon, H. C. Flagg, E. Rice, A. Bryant, trustees; E. L. Williams, clerk. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GREENWOOD. was organized April 17, 1869, Oliver Swaim, W. A. Hoskin and Nelson Wright, trustees. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CLAYBANKS AND BENONA. record that Henry Hendrickson, John MOnson, Christian Anderson were elected trustees on October 31, 1862, and that Andrew Brady and H. Hendrickson were elected inspectors. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF FERRY. was formed on 14th February, 1871, at Shelby, at a quarterly conference of Otto Circuit. L. Briggs Mitchell, Gould E. Matthews, Paul Dodge, Orrin Benton and Benjamin F. Reed were elected trustees. Rev. B. F. Doughty was at this time presiding elder of the Pentwater district. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WEARE. record that on June 17, 1871, at the residence of J. Brooker, there was a quarterly conference of Hart Circuit, and Rev. B. F. Doughty was presiding elder. Orlo H. Derby, Samuel R. Wilson, Arnold Goodno, Martin Gloyd, Thomas C. Taylor. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SHELBY. met at Churchill's Hall, and the articles of association are signed by A. St. Clair, Alex. Pittenger, M. A. Gilbert, E. B. Gaylord, George M. Piper, Orrin Demming, E. J. Shirts, Jarvis Flemming, Levi S. Gaylord, E. M. Morris, Beer Pittenger, P. R. Cady, Charles H. Hewins, W. M. Branch. THE GOLDEN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. erected their church edifice at Mears in 1873, Rev. E. L. Kellogg preacher in charge. The first trustees were: S. B. Pringle, E. R. Woodward, J. K. Howe, E. Tiffany, H. Waidley, C. Davis, A. M. Pringle, A. G. Avery and William Hiles. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SHELBY. was organized October 26, 1872, Rev. R. N. Kratz, preacher in charge. James S. Rummer, H. H. Pratt, William Rolph, L. B. Parsons, William Clinger, Charles Rolph and W. H. Churchill, trustees. Rev. George Lee was presiding elder at this time. FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BENONA. was organized January 18, 1873, Rev. L. C. Austin, preacher in charge. R. Sabin, A. Huston, C. A. Sessions, James Gibbs, D. Gifford, trustees. The meeting was held at Benona Center. FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CRYSTAL VALLEY. was organized November 7, 1874, Rev. D. W. Parsons, preacher in charge. J. S. Loveridge, W. H. Summers, G. C. Crouch, J. H. Gay and C. W. Prouty, trustees. THE FIRST FREE WILL BAPTIST CHUCH OF SHELBY. organized January 22, 1876, at W. H. Churchill's office. Those present were: Rufus Hall, M. C. Wade, W. Colburn, G. Wolcott, J. Usborne, P. Colburn, Jr., E. Hulbert. Messrs. Usborne, Churchill and Hall were elected trustees. THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. appointed as trustees H. Coolidge, J. E. Cutler and V. Sullerton, on December 14, 1878. THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST OF SHELBY. filed their articles of association April 17, 1882, F. Carr, A. E. Hendrick and L. J. Loop, trustees.