Chapter 5

In Septenber, 1896, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the
Fixst Presbyterian Church passed without celebration or even the slightest
recognition of the event. Perhaps the menbers of the congregation were so
shaken by the untimely death of Maxy Doughty and so concerned with their =
vacant pulpit that their thoughts lay not with the past of the church but
with its future. At this juncture they tumed for help to Charles McKenny.

Earlier in the summer the State Board of Biucation had named McKenny,
a graduate of Michigan Agricultural College and at the time an English
professor at Olivet College, to succeed Charles Bellows as principal of the
Central Michigan Normal School. Although he apparently had no formal
theological training, McKenny was a devout Christian, an inspirational
speaker, and evidently an ordained Congregational minister. On many occasions
during his career as an educator he had been called upon to supply a pulpit.
When he first visited Mt. Pleasant shortly after his appointment, he wor-
shiped at First Presbyterian. Late in August he moved his family to town,
but he had yet to settle them in their hane when he leamed of the crisis
confronting the local church. At the "invitation" of the Session, Professor
McKenny agreed to fill the Presbyterian pulpit "temporarily."

McKenny evidently had no thought of serving the Presbyterians for more
than a week or two. On the first two Sundays in Septenber he preached to
large congregations at both morning and evening services, but on the next
Sabbath he was in the Methodist pulpit and two weeks later assisted the
minister in the Baptist Church. Without any immediate prospect of engaging
a pastor and reluctant to have their pulpit vacant during the holiday season
fast approaching, the Presbyterians, early in Novenber, invited the pro-
fessor "to officiate as their pastor.” McKenny consented and thereafter
served the church as a "temporary pastor" until the following spring on a
purely voluntary basis and apparently without compensation. ‘This interlude
permitted the church to add to its slim resources. For example, the Ladies"
Aid Society at its "Mothers Home Market" in December took in $90 in sorely
needed funds.

‘The Session records reveal that the “Reverend McKenny" met with that
body as the "chosen" pastor of the church, and presided over the quarterly
commnion service in January. He continued to preach at both Sabbath
services as the search for a new pastor went on. In March the congregation
voted to offer the pulpit to the Reverend H. Van Qneren, a Congregational
minister at Grass Lake, Michigan. ‘The offer was accepted and on the 21st
of the month McKenny preached his "farewell" sermon and, as events were to
prove, "temporarily" retired from the Presbyterian pulpit to became once
again an educator exclusively.

Van Qmeren began his duties in Mt. Pleasant early in April. He had
agreed to a $600 contract for a year of service with four Sabbaths "for >
himself." On the Sunday before his first appearance in the pulpit, the
church held a reception for the young minister and his wife in the church
parlor. Invitations to the affair had been read from the pulpits of the
‘local churches on the previous Sabbath. Full notices of Sunday church
services appeared in the local newspapers soon after Van Oumeren occupied
‘the pulpit. ‘The program for May 2, 1898 read:

Rev, H. Van Ommeren, pastor

 

 

“The Three Dimensions of Life"
- Sunday School and Bible Classes

 

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6:30 pam. - Christian Endeavor
7;30 pam. ~ "The Spirit and Purpose of Reform"

‘that total funds on hand amounted to only $9.36. At the time, the trustees
owed the pastor $70.70 in back salary. ‘To resolve the matter the trustees
‘voted to pay Van Omeren the $9.36 and to ask the Ladies’ Aid Society to
tum over to him "what money they now [had] on hand." When it complied with
the request of the Board of Trustees, the Ladies’ Aid Society was again
To replenish its treasury, the menbers decided that instead
holding a bazaar, they would take orders for "various fancy and useful
articles" which they could make in their homes.

Evidently, Van Oimeren had made good use of the "free Sabbaths" allowed
him in his contract and had looked about for a church with better prospects
than First Presbyterian. Although he had agreed to serve a second year, he
submitted his resignation as pastor after the moming service on October 30,
1898. A delegation of elders and trustees met wit
persuade him to reconsider, but to no avail. ‘The pastor had received a call.

Meanwhile, Professor and Mrs. McKenny had become menbers of the First
Presbyterian Church and had at once become much involved in its affairs.
In addition to his work with the Christian Endeavor group and as Superintend-
ent of the Sunday School, McKenny also served as a ruling elder and clerk
the Session. Thus, with the pulpit once more vacant, he could again take
over as temporary pastor. For the ensuing six months he shared the i
with visiting ministers and with "Major" Charles W. Campbell, founder of the
Christian Crusaders, an interdenominational evangelistic movement.

‘The search for a new pastor continued throughout the winter. In
January the congregation offered the pulpit to Reverend J. A. MoGreaham of
St. Louis, Michigan. Although on this occasion McGreaham refused the offer,
some years later he would accept a call to First Presbyterian and play a
most significant part in its develomment. The congregation was more fortu-

a

Society in their home or made it available for money-raising "socials." In

October a delegation of ministers and laymen from other cities in the

Presbytery arrived in Mt. Pleasant to assist in the formal installation of

the new pastor. At the invitation of his fellow clergymen, Simmons preached

"a very able and interesting sermon" to a larye audience gathered in the local

Church of Christ for a union Thanksgiving Day service. On a Sunday late in
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March the congregation bade farewell to Professor McKenny who was about to
leave Mt. Pleasant for a new post in Wisconsin, After baptizing the two

young sons of the educator, Simmons relinguished his pulpit in order that
‘the congregation might one more tine find inspiration in McKenny's words.

Although the departure of McKenny was a serious loss for First Presby-
terian, the congregation could find gratification in reports that the church
had made substantial progress during Simons' first year as pastor. In
addition to "sustaining its regular work and making an offering to all
benevolent boards," the church building had been painted throughout and new
hymals purchased. Perhaps in celebration of this welcome but unusual news,
the ladies of the church treated all who attended the annual meeting to
light refrestments.

‘The Ladies' Aid Society had also prospered during the past year. Its
menbership of more than fifty women now consisted of a North Division (north
of Maple Street) and a South Division. In Decenber, 1900, the Ladies’ Guild
of the local Episcopal Church utilized a fund-raising device previously
untried on the local scene—a rummage sale. The $90 realized from this sale
was sufficient reason for the Presbyterian women to attempt a similar venture
only a week later. “At the store on South Main Street where the former
rumage sale was held," read the notice issued by the North Division,
“articles of almost every description will be sold. Open mornings, after-
noons, and evenings." Evidently Presbyterian castoffs were as much in
denend as Episcopal, for the sale was highly successful. Not long thereafter
the South Division conducted another sale. ‘Thus was established in Mt.
Pleasant a tradition that in the century about to dawn would involve Presby-
terian women ad infinitum.

‘The First Presbyterian Church marked the passing of the century with
appropriate observance. On the last Sunday in Decenber, the Reverend
Simons' remarks at the morning service were "retrospective of the nineteenth
century." In the evening his theme was "prospective of the twentieth century."
Somewhat in the same vein, at the comamion service celebrated on the first
‘Sunday in the new century he entitled his sermon, "Looking Forward and
Backward." For several weeks thereafter menbers of the church gathered

 

 

newal of faith in Christ and His teaching.
‘The first years of the new century were satisfying indeed to the First

but to their relief he decided to remain. At the annual meeting in 1902,

at which Professor Charles T. Grawn, the new principal of the Normal,
presided, all divisions of the church reported exceptional progress. Instead
of the "Light refreshments" of a previous year, the "happy gathering"
celebrated the "excellent condition" of the church with a banquet—"a good
feast enjoyed by all.”

But the year was to end on an unhappy note. At a meeting of the Session
on Sunday morning, Novenber 30, 1902, Simons tendered his resignation as

pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Later in the day the congregation
reluctantly agreed that the Session should “unite with the pastor in asking
Presbytery for the dissolution of the pastoral relationship." The decision
by the “esteened pastor and citizen" caused "universal regret." He had

received a call to the Presbyterian Church in Mason, Michigan, at a larger
Salary, the local elitar reported, "for vhich he ig fully justified in “
making the move." On the day following the pastor's surprise amouncement,
the Ladies" Aid Society countered by surprising Simons and his fanily with

3

a going-away party in their honor. With $31 contributed oyernight by

‘the women of the Society, they purchased and presented to the pastor "a
beautiful library table" that he was know to haye admired, and presented
the remaining $11 to his equally beloved wife. The evening was one "which
made eyery one happy—save for the regret that it marked the departure of
@ good man from the comity."

Simons gave up his pulpit early in Decenber at a time when church and
commmity were formilating plans for holiday celebrations. Although there
is no evidence for the assumption, one can well believe that the departing
pastor may have encouraged "the novel and very appropriate change" which
took place in the Presbyterian Sunday School's observance of Christmas.
Instead of "the customary tree" and the "giving of presents to the school,"
stated a church official, "each class was made responsible for the Christmas
cheer of a family who would otherwise not have had any. Baskets of good
things and delicacies with toys for the little ones were left at a number
of poor homes, and in’ this way the pupils learned the lesson that it is more
blessed to give than to receive."

On several Sabbaths following the departure of the Reverend Simons,
the Presbyterian pulpit was silent. Late in January, however, the congre-
gation issued a call to the Reverend Maurice Grigsby of Ellwood, Illinois.
‘The minister accepted and arrived in Mt. Pleasant in February, 1903, to
begin his duties. With a full program of religious observance now in
Brospect, a pleased observer could note, "The Presbyterian Church is again

‘The women of the congregation never lessened their efforts in support
of the church and its ministry. Their reception for the new pastor and his
wife late in February was a "very pleasant affair," featured by “msic,
light refreshment, and social visiting." At this time "influenced by a
deficit" and with their treasury empty, the women determined to raise funds
by a new and rather unusual means—an "experience social." Each of the more
than fifty menbers of the Ladies' Aid Society set about to earn one dollar
in a month's time, strictly by her "own personal efforts." At the end of
‘the month, twenty-seven of the women assenbled at the hore of one of the
menbers. “Then, as needles darted over "fancy work," the hostess collected
‘the money and each contributor in turn "told of her experiences in earning
her dollar." Some had made and sold such items as bread, "sweet-meats," or
Kitchen aprons. Others had earned their dollars by doing their own washing
ox ironing. One woman gave lessons in "Navaho Indian work." All thoroughly
enjoyed the affair and recommended it to other groups as a painless method
of raising funds. With money thus obtained the wonen promptly purchased
"two handsome offering plates," which, their spokesman remarked pointedly,
all menbers, friends, and visitors, were "invited to use . . . when attending
‘the church."

Within a short tine the new offering plates were indeed put to good use.
During April and May, the First Presbyterian Church joined with the Methodists,
the Baptists, and the Disciples of Christ in sponsoring an “old time revival."
‘The evangelists were Charles Cullen Snith and C. S. Colburn. For two and
city," said the local editor, "is now feeling the refreshing and reviving
religious movement." Tt was not one, he added, which influ-
ences people "to leap over chairs and fall under the 'power'," but one

of

 

 

:

becomes hateful to them and they catch a gli
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better things in store for then. . . ; men whose
‘thought seldom rises above the cash counter and the
cattle-car are reflecting upon their personal relation
to the providence about then... .

To concluie the first week of the event, 500 men packed every available
space in the local Opera House to hear the Reverend Snith discuss the
question, "Will Living a Moral Life Save Me?" Earlier in the evening at a
mass meeting of women in the Presbyterian Church, Snith's topic was "the
Awful Price." Massed choirs, soloists, and "soul-stirring music" featured
every session. Truly, "the spirit [was] abroad." People came from a wide
area to attend the meetings. Indeed, the Presbyterian Church, the head-
quarters for all of the women's activities, remained open for some time
each night that the wives of regional farmers might await their husbands
there.

 

On a Tuesday evening shortly after the revival ended, Presbyterians
gathered in their church to witness the installation of their new pastor.
Officiating at the ceremony were four ministers appointed by the Presbytery,
with the pastors of local churches assisting in the opening services. The
Reverend A. D. Grigsby of Cheboygan, father of the new pastor, delivered "a
very strong semmon. . . on the subject of 'Faith.'" ‘The Reverend Clixbe,
a former professor of the younger Grigsby, gave the charge to the pastor.
‘Thereafter, the Reverend William H. Simons, the former pastor of First
Presbyterian, delivered the charge to the people. A "fine ladies quartet”
furnished the music for the evening. "The whole service," reported the
local newspaper, “was very impressive and will be long remembered."

In the Presbyterian Church twenty-four hours later, however, the
solemity of the previous day gave way to hilarity. As the congregation
was to learn, all menbers of the Grigsby clan were talented singers,
musicians, and entertainers. Since he would be in tom for his son's
installation, the elder Grigsby had consented to deliver a "popular lecture"
to help the Sunday School raise funds for new song books. “Laugh and grow
fat. Laughter hurts no one," read the announcement of the lecture. "Mr.
Grigsby is a full-blooded Englishman, but has adopted America, or rather
America has adopted him." That evening the crowded church auditorium did
indeed resound with laughter as Grigsby, "a natural humorist and a fi
story-teller," related "An Englisiman's First Impression of Michigan.

‘The local Presbyterians developed a high regard for the "full-blooded
Englishnan” who frequently thereafter came to Mt. Pleasant to supply his
son's pulpit, On one of these occasions his notice of the next Sabbath's
program stated: "Rev. A. D. Grigsby . . . will be pleased to see the
Presbyterians of the city in their places. We are all of us miserable
sinners but worship may do a little to make us less miserable. Come and
try it at 10:30 and 7:00 o'clock standard time.”

From the moment the Reverend Grigsby occupied the Presbyterian pulpit,
the church placed greater enphasis upon its ministry of music. Popular
evening “praise” services or hymn-sings frequently replaced a second Sabbath
sermon. Grigsby and his wife were mich involved in most of the musical
presentations. Indeed, in July when Reverend L, B. Bissell, Superintendent
‘Of the Anti-Saloon League and father of a former First Presbyterian pastor,
reached at both services, "the Grigsby quartet" rendered sacred selections
Which were "well received" by the large audiences in attendance. The
quartet consisted of the pastor's sister-in-law, soprano; his wife, alto;
his brother, tenor; and himself, bass. Influenced, perhaps, by the
reception given these singers, the trustees in October engaged a quartet of
local voices to sing at all regular services under the direction of

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, Mes. Harper Maybee. One of the first services to feature the new singers
was announced as “an evening with fanous hyms and their writers." The
quartet on this occasion sang many of the audience's favorite hyms. After
each number the pastor comented on the author of the hym and the circum
stances relating to its composition.

‘The inspiration provided by the expanded misical program gave new life
and meaning to holiday observances at First Presbyterian Church. In
addition to the Sabbath Thanksgiving service, the church also provided for
worship on Thanksgiving Day. "No long sermon," read the announcement, "no
Jong prayers, no long misic, but a bright, interesting, and helpful service
of thanksgiving, All will teke part. Cone, and tell us why you are
thankful |... A Thanksgiving offering will be taken for the needy ones.
Game and bring the family. Cook your turkey afterwards." As the Christmas
season drew near, Mrs. Maybee and irs. Grigsby prepared "sacred concerts" for
presentation on Sabbath evenings. ‘The program for Decenber 7 offered a
variety of musical selections:

Part I
Cantata -- The Holy City

 

A New Heaven and a New Earth — Baritone solo
Choral Sanctus

Part IT

Individual selections
Saviour When Night Involves the Skies -- Bass and Quartet

Great God to Thee Our Evening Song —- Mrs. Maybee, Miss Russell and Quartet
=~ Shelley

But the Lord is Mindful of His own Kellog
= St. Paul
I'm a Pilgrim — Quartet
— "Pease

 

At the close of this "sacred concert" and of others which followed, all
present were invited to contribute "a silver offering" for the church
building fund. At a special meeting only a few weeks earlier, the congrega-
tion had voted to establish such a fund to move the church building to a new
site and to enlarge and remodel it completely. Early in the next year a
congregational committee began the search for a new site.

‘he annual report of the church treasurer in April, 1904, disclosed
that the church alone had receipts of more than $1300 during the year and
was in good financial condition. Despite this good report and the apparent
good relations between pastor and congregation, the Session on June 30,
1904 voted to invite a minister from sane nearby town or city to come to
Mt. Pleasant "to preside at a meeting of the congregation in regard to the
dissolution of the pastoral relationship of Rev. M. Grigsby with [the First
Presbyterian Church] and call a church meeting accordingly." Although
Gxigsby did not again occupy the Presbyterian pulpit, the congregation

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failed to accept his resignation until the following Septenber. Before the
year ended, the late pastor had accepted a call to the Central Presbyterian
Gmurch of Roseland, Illinois. But in Mt. Pleasant, unfortunately, the

Presbyterian pulpit remained yacant for many months,

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