The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
MICHIGAN.
Last Service Held i'm the Lansing
Church.

The UNIvERsALIsT has already record
ed the farewell social in the Lansing
parish preparatory to vacating the old
church edifce. The farewell services in
the ancient church we're held on Sunday,
February 8. A large congregation was
present both morning and evening, and
the services we're very impressive and
interesting. The words of farewell were
listened to with mingled feeling of Joy
and regret. There was applause when
expressions Of hope and gladness we're
uttered, and faces wore sad. regretful
expressions when tender memories were
recalled.
The pioneer members of the society
conducted the morning services. Mrs.
r. J. Shank. Profs. HI. j. Walker and
Dean Bliss, violinists, assisted by the
organist. Miss Emily P. Barnard, rem
dered in an artistic manner, Largo
from Handel as voluntary, after which
the pastor, Rev. Charles Legal. in few
Introductory words, called upon II. d.
Bartholomew to address the congrega-
ton.
Mr.. Bartholomew came to Lansing for
the first time in November. 1858, and
has always been an active worker for
the up building of the church. He told
of the interior appearance of the church
when he first saw it and gave several
anecdotes of the early history of the
society.
M. B. Carpenter was the next speaker
and his address was of an historical ma
ture. When Mr.. Carpenter came to
Lansing in 1858 he found that the Uni
versalist society had just completed or
ganization but were travelling very
rough road. Organization had been
effected in October, 1852, and the first
pastor was Rev. Mr.. Knickerbocker. He
was paid $500 year to preach every
other Sunday. services being held in the
senate chamber of the old wooden CAPT.
tol building. Mr.. Carpenter reviewed
the trying times through which the
society passed from it's organization un-
til its present structure was completed
and dedicated in 1865. The year after its
dedication the doors were closed and for
nearly a year no services were held.
April /. 1866, Mr.. Carpenter became
pastor of the church and officiated one
year, during which time a reorganiza-
ton was effected and the society was
once more put on it's feet by the addi-
ton of 40 new members. Mr.. Carpenter
related how 81 900 mortgage was rails
ed and spoke of the different pastors
who had occupied the Universalist
pulpit.
Mrs. H. B. Shank read a short paper
mainly devoted to interesting reminis-
cence. This lady was followed by Mrs.
G. L. Westcott who read history of the
church. From this paper it appears that
the first steps were taken toward organ
ization in 1849 by Rev. j. H. Sanford.
still living, at an advanced age, at Der.
lin, Michigan. He was followed by Rev.
Mr.. Knickerbocker, who completed the
organization in 1852. Services were for
short time conducted in the building
which now occupies the northwest cor
ner of Kalamazoo street and Capitol
avenue. The construction of the brick
church was commenced October IA,
1868, and the structure cost $1,000. AT
ter Mr.. Carpenter had retired from the
pulpit Rev. Jacob Straub ofticiated as
pastor for eight years. The other pas,
tors who have had charge of the Lansing