Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-03-01

! fidelity and acce ptance for twenty
seven years and more.
Rev. Mr.. Kitehe1l always had story
for every occasion, and as the ministers
boarded around over the Sabbath,
parents and children were always en-
tertained. He was fond of hunting.
Upon one occasion being asked, 'sIf
he saw deer go by his house on Sun
day, if he would shoot it?' replied, IF
it was wolf, would"
A church building was erected in
1s53-the original of the present edi-
flee on Church street. The spot was
tangled thicket, a delightful place
70 gather black berries and wild flowers
Many here will remember the pulpit
of royal purple velvet on the high
rostrum, the high gallery at the back
of the church.
Ihear my reverend Father say,
Hymn fifty first. long meter. sing."
hear the Psalm books fiuttered play
Like hoeks of sparrowS taking wing"
Armed with fork to pitch the tune,
hear James Stickney call "DundeeH"
And mount as brisk as Bonnie Doom,
His "Fa, sol, la, and scent the key.
The congregation rise and stand.
/ see them turn aud face the choir:
Save the Grandmoth Blodgett and Green,
Who will not leave their foot-stoVe fire.
How swells the hymn of heavenly love:
AS the tides In Fundy's Bay!
Till all air below, above.
Is sweet with song-and ear away"
The Baptist church was organized
in the Gilbert school house, October IL,
1s45. Elder w. Il. Manning was pas
tor of the church until December 6,
1s49, when E. d. Underwood was Or
dained. He served as pastor for thirty
eight years.
The first church building was erected
in 1923. The floor was an inclined
plane, much higher at the back. AS
child when attending services at this
church, for two reasons, l always
wished to be in season. Upon enter
ing, if late, one must face the whole
congregation, the doors being on the
same side as was the pulpit. Reason
No, 2.-To observe the costume of
lady who always appeared in bloomer
attire.
The bells of both the BAPTIST and
Congregational churches were pur-
chased at the same time, and were first
rung on Thanksgiving Day, 1856, and
ever since have they been ringing out
the invitation ito come and hear the
Gospel of Peace"
There was a stronghold of union be-
tween the churches in those early days.
Both pastors and people were extremely
happy in this harmonious union. Rev.
T.. ID. Underwood once remarked THAT
the only difference in the churches was
that Brother Clapp's people we're dry
Baptists,' and his people were net
Congregationalists ;"
The evangel of Methodism was also
preached in the woods and school
houses of Wauwatosa by Presiding
Elders, who with saddle-bag, hymn
book and Bible, visited the pioneers in
their scattered cabins, from 1895 to
ls4s, when Wisconsin became a state.
Wauwatosa belonged to what was
called the "Menomonee Mission" The
first quarterly conference held in Wau-
watosa was in lS4S. 1t was resolved
at that time to purchase IA half-acre
lot, and to build upon it at once a
house for the use of the minister The
lot was purchased and the parsonage
built on the southeast corner of West
Main street and Greenfield avenue.
Miss Wales now owns this Site
Aside from religious gatherings,
there were others of social nature.
Lyceums, debating societies, occasional
lectures, donations, spelling down
matches, singing-schools, eoasting,
skating and dancing parties.
Mr.. Rorick's name will pass into
posterity as the pioneer fiddler of the
town.
MIR. Oliver Damon, though sixty years
OF age, was the first leader of the choir
at Harris Mills. He had very en-
phatic way of telling the choir, in his
Yankee dialect: ITO speak the words
plain, and keep the time good. !"
Mr.. James Stickney, his successor,
served as leader of the Congregational
choir for quarter of century, with
out compensation.
Mr.. Cyrus Damon taught an evening
writing school for several terms.
To b continued,
East Elm Grove.