The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-12-12
THREE CHURCHES
FIFTY YEARS OLD
METHODIST, CONGREGATIONAL
AND CATHOLIC PARISHES
NEARING HALF CENTURY
MARK.

Three religious organizations of
Hancock are looking forward TO OBJ
serving during the coming year. the
nftieth anniversaries of their first
church ediflccs, and to fitting celebra
tions their golden jubilees with APP
propriate exercises.
The Methodist Episcopal church of
Hancock was first built in 1861. st.
AIMS Catholic church. the predeces-
sor of st. Patrick's, was erected the
same year, and in December of that
same eventful year. the first steps
were taken towards the erection of the
Congregational church.
NJ. &. Church.
The first Methodist Episcopal church
of Hancock was first located ut the
corner of Ravine and Hancock streets,
in the wooden building which has been
transformed into the present furniture
store of A. A Tillman. Previous TO
that time the Hancock Methodists
formed a part of the congregation of
the Houghton NJ. Il. church. The first
steps towards it's erection were taken
in the winter of 1860, under the direc-
tion of Rev. Robert Bird, presiding ell
der of the district the congregation at
that time consisting of twelve mem
bers. The lots on which the church
was built were donated by the Quincy
Mining company and at that time were
valued at 5000 The corner stone was
laid July z, 1861, Rev. Francis Asbury
Blades, of Ann Arbor delivering the
address. In June 1881, under the pas
toratc of Rev. John Nj. Van Every, the
church ediflce was moved further west
to make room for the erection of a
parsonage, and at the same time a
large basement was added. The par
soE1ge is still standing and is one OF
the oldest structures in the city, al
though considerably altered and re-
modelled since it was first built.
The pastors who have served during
the fifty years of the church's history
We're: Robert Bird, p. e., 1S61-72; John
A. Bougham, 1863 oliver j. Perrin
1864; John NJ. Gordon. 1S65-66; S. w
Ladue, who died last October in lower
Michigan, 1S67-6S; Joseph Fraser,
1869; c. w. Austin, 1870; c. l.. Church
1871; Thomas Wilkinson. 1879; Edward
Barry. 1879 Joseph Ashford 1874; II
G.. Omans. 1875; ID. r. Miller, 1S76-7-S;
j. M. Van Every. 1S79-S1 a. r. Bart
lette, 1929; George W. Hudson, 1886
Rev. Halliday. 1875; Rev. Isaac vii.
cox, 1SS9-93; Rev. George A. Walker
1897; Rev. Samuel Gilchriese. 1897
1901; Rev. A. r. Johns, now of Wyan'
dotte, 1901 1904; Rev, w. j. Balmer
now general superintendent of thu
Port Huron district, 19O4-7 Rev. w
u. Marvin, 1907-1910.
During the pastorate Of Mr.. johns
the new church was built on Hancock
street at a total cost of about $4,000
the old property being disposed of FOL
$1,000 The dedication took place No
vember /, 1903, Rev. Robert Forbes. ID
ID. Philadelphia preaching the dedica
tory sermon. The Indebtedness on tn
property has almost been wiped on
under the able ministration of Rev. w
T.. Marvin, and it is hoped in anothe
year to have the entire debt paid.
ST. AIMS and ST. Patrick's.
The old ST. AIMS Catholic church
occupying the site of St Patrick
church. was built in 1861 by Rev. Ed
ward Jacker. who organized the paris
in that year and remained until 1S6t
From this time until 1880, the paris
was i'm charge of Rev. Edward Walsl