The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-04-09
STARTED BY THE "KlrrY."
The beginning OF One of Chicago's Best
Known Chupahca.


The Beginning OF One of Chicneos Bes,
Known Churches.
There probably have been many
churches in the world founded by
odd and peculiar methods, such az
by bullhght in Mexico, but Chica.
go can probably Boast the only case
in which a church was founded
from the kitty" of poker game.
A little over half o century ago O
church was thus founded near the
heart of the city, and the descendant
congregation today occupies one Of
the most magnificent stone churches
on the South Side. There are still
living in Chicago several old set
tiers who were living at the time
this remarkable project had itsin-
ception, but there are not many of
them bold enough to tell the story.
In the latter part of the thirties
and early forties there were no citi-
zens of Chicago noted for their
riches. At this time there were few
churches in Chicago. Indeed there
were scarcely over half a dozen in
the whole town, which did not num-
ber over 5000 inhabitants. For q
number of broad and liberal gentle
men from the east there was no
church of the denomination with
which they had affiliated at their
old homes. The pioneers often re-
GREETED the fact that there was no
church of their favorite creed, but
they were all comparatively poor
men and didn't feel able to build a
church Immediately. Each one felt
that he would be glad to contribute
a small amount for the erection of
building, but thought he could
offer only so small a sum that 1t
would seem almost ridiculous.
One night, during the progress of
a little poker game in the rear Of
one of the stores, a bright thought
entered the mind of one of the play
ers.
"Tll tell you what we'll do. )" said
one of the players. Lets start
building fund by having a rake Off
from the table every night we play,
and when we accumulate enough
we'll start building our church. ("
THAT'S just the thing" agreed
every other player at the table.
I'VE will have kitty for the
church"
So it was straightway agreed that
Is per cent of all the winnings
should be put down the hole in the
middle of the table and left to accu-
mulate in the box during each even
ing for a church building fund. The
scheme was great success. When
the gamo was over the first even
ing, there was little over $5 in the
kitty" F." This was distracted after
the play was over and given into
the keeping Of one of the old pio.
neers, who was appointed treasurer
for the building fund.
The scheme worked so we'll that |
1t was continued night after night |
at these social poker games In the
back end of the store until after the |
expiration of number of months |
several hundred dollars had been
raised by the Industrious kitty"
With this as nucleus tho enthusi- |
lstio churchmen began raising the |
entire amount which it would re-
luire to build such u church as they |
desired. In little over a year the
sum was raised and the church In
lue course of time erected. 1t was
a frame structure and was built on
/ spot which is in the heart of the
city today, not much over a stones
throw from the city hall. AS years
the founders of this
church became richer and richer,
and other rich people were added to
he congregation until in short
.ime the original little church was
1ot nearly large enough or fine
enough. Then, too, ground in the
,enter of tho town became almost
90 valuable to retain such a large
plat for a church site. Then the
church was sold, and ultimately a i
,ew edifice was built, which Is one
If the handsomest now ornamenting
Michigan ue.-New York Jour
lal