 ONG before Norwood was dignified with a place on the map the good people of the country roundabout were wont to meet on the Sabbath, at the old school house, and there, regardless of creed, worshiped the Giver of all things. When Henry Ward Beecher was a young student at Lane Seminary, he used to walk out and join in these services of praise. With the building of the public hall that edifice afforded opportunities for the formation of embryotic congregations. To-day, Norwood is aptly called "The Village of Churches." Within its boundaries nine sanctuaries are to be found and the spires of Norwood's spiritual temples rear their tapered heads toward heaven, monuments to a higher civilization and evidences of the abounding faith in the Great Ruler of the Universe.
Harris Avenue M. E. Church.
THERE were just thirteen in the little class organized on the 31st of August, 1884, by the Rev. Dr. D. J. Starr, presiding elder of the East Cincinnati district, Rev. G. L. Tufts, of Pleasant Ridge, took pastoral charge, and the following January the first step toward a church home was taken, when Mrs. E. Woolley, John Woolley and his wife Mary M. Woolley; John Arnold and Mrs. E. V. Arnold deeded the lot upon which the sanctuary now stands. Ground was broken in August, and on May 2, 1886, the church was dedicated. Rev. E. T. Lane was then pastor, and since that time the spiritual welfare of the congregation has been directed by the Rev. George E. Johnson, R. E. Olive, Thomas J. Harris, Wesley H. Benham, J. A. Easton and George V. Morris. The latter is now in charge. There are eight organization within the church: the Sunday School, Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid Society, Taylor Chapter of the Epworth League, Junior League, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, and the Y. M. M. I. From the original number the membership has increased almost tenfold. The present officers are: Trustees—S. B. Markland, W. E. Zoller, A. F. Hollis, A. P. Hagemeyer, W. G. Williams, F. W. Richter, Wm. Borcherding, Jas. Neely and B. Frank Smith. Stewards—S. B. Markland, W. E. Xollar, A. E. Hollis, A. P. Hagemeyer, W. G. Williams, J. E. Hattersley, D. G. Zoller, Henry Borcherding, George Shumard and C. M. Flowers. D. G. Zoller, Recording Steward and Treasurer.
St. Elizabeth Congregation, Catholic.
THIS congregation, one of the youngest in the diocese of Cincinnati, has shown a most remarkable growth. Its beginning may be dated to 1884, when, on the 31st of August, a number of Catholics met at the home of J. S. Bokenkoetter, and there founded St. Joseph's Catholic Men's Society of Norwood. Messrs. Mills and Kline donated some lots on Carter and Mills Avenue to the Society for church purposes. On October 6, 1884, the Society was incorporated. By the collection of dues, subscriptions, raffles, and other means, a sufficient sum was realized for the building of the first church, which contained under the same roof, school-rooms and parsonage. This building was dedicated on October 3, 1886, by the Very Rev. Vicar-General J. C. Albrinck, Ph. D., who, in turn with others thereafter, celebrated mass on Sundays only, the congregation being small in numbers, and therefore unable to support a pastor regularly. The first resident pastor was the Rev. Jos. Stoeppelmann, who took charge on the 23d of October, 1887. School was first opened in December of that year. In January following, father Stoeppelmann became seriously ill, and remaining so for some months. Rev. J. B. Kayser succeeded him as pastor. Under his charge the congregation experienced great growth. In the fall of 1888 a large, roomy parsonage was erected. In 1890 the old church was enlarged, so as to accomodate the increased membership. The new addition was blessed by the Most Rev. Archbishop W. H. Elder, on the 12th of October. In the latter part of 1891, Rev. Kayser, owing to failing health, went to Europe. As his successor the present rector, Rev. Jos. M. Quatmann was appointed.
The congregation numbers now over 225 families. The splendid schools are in charge of eight Sisters of Charity.
Societies attached to the church include St. Joseph Men's, St. Leo Men's, St. Raphael Young Men's, St. Elizabeth Married
Ladies, Young Men and Boys' Sodality, St. Cecilia Young Ladies' Guardian Angel Altar Society, Young Men's Literary Association, and Third Order of St. Francis.
The excellent choir is directed by J. Meyer. The present trustees of the congregation are: Messrs. H. H. Buse, P. J. Schneider, H. Rikhoff, John Rolsen, F. Lamping, Theo. Lohman and Joseph Espel.
The Ivanhoe Methodists.
EARLY in 1885, a little mission Sunday-school was started by Rev. C. W. Rishell at the Ivanhoe depot, and from that organization grew the Ivanhoe M. E. Church. In June of the following year the modest little sanctuary, on Ivanhoe avenue, was dedicated, and since that time Revs. G. W. Hammell and A. B. Austin have been in charge. The Rev. D. C. Washburn is the present pastor. Within the church are the Woman's Home Missionary Society, the Ladies Circle, the Willing Workers and the Epworth League. The Trustees are W. C. Baker, W. H. Buckton, A. J.
Chapple, David Davis, John G. Evans, C. E. Prior and Dr. John Weyer. The Stewards are A. J. Chapple, W. R. Locke, A. C. Roberts, G. W. Hund and Dr. Weyer. The congregation is a growing one and they are pround of a bright interior.
The Presbyterian Congregation.
THE May Queen witnessed the birth of the Presbyterian Church in 1887, but before an organization was effected there were meetings directed by Rev. J. H. Walters, who came down from the Ridge. While pursuing his studies at Lane Seminary, Rev. Jeffrey J. Hopkins was invited to take the infant charge. There were just two dozen members in the beginning, and they worshipped at the Town Hall. One year later (May 10, 1888,) the young pastor, who had been called to the pastorate, was both ordained to the ministry and installed. Rev. Henry Preserved Smith, of Lane, who has since gained national renown, was one of those who officiated. The congregation increased wonderfully, and in February, 1891, they moved from the hall into a new sanctuary, on Floral avenue and Smith road. It represents an outlay of nearly $10,000. From two dozen the membership has increased to almost two hundred. Within the church are the Ladies' Circle, Ladies' Missionary Society, the Young People's Society for Christian Endeavor, and the Boys' Brigade—all doing their share of good work. The elders are V. C. Tidball, Dr. N. I. Scott, Horace M. Richardson, Richard Evans, E. D. Upham, and C. F. Seaman. Mr. Richardson is also chairman of the trustees, while other members of the board are Jas. B. Hervey, secretary; Julius Friedeborn, treasurer; Benj. F. McLennan, W. G. Betty, and Ren Mulford Jr.
The Baptist-Harmon Memorial.
THE work of Baptist Church in Norwood began with evening services in the Town Hall in the autumn of 1887. Rev. T. C. Probert was the first pastor, the late Rev. B. F. Harmon, whose death away from home was a tragic shock to his people and all who knew him, was the second, and Rev. C. C. Cox, called from Cynthiana, Ky., is now in charge. In the great undertaking of providing a home for the congregation, Mr. Harmon was so zealous that the church was called "The Harmon Memorial." It is located on Sherman avenue, and is one of the handsomest edifices in Norwood. There are no less than eleven stained glass memorial windows, and the church represents an outlay of $10,000. The membership has passed the three score mark. Within the church, and identified with its work, are the Ladies Aid Society, the Missionary Society, and Baptist Young People's Union. The official boards include W. A. Stewart, treasurer, and J. M. Thomssen, clerk, who, with Solon Morgan and John Hammell, are the directors. The trustees are John Hammell, J. M. Baker, and W. G. Brown. E. J. Powell is sup't of the Sunday-school.
The Berean Baptists.
THE Berean Baptist Church was organized in Cincinnati, June 15, 1872, with a membership of thirteen, John E. Morris being called to the pastorate. The people met at first in Hopkins Hall, corner Fourth and Elm streets, and subsequently in other places in the city. In October, 1877, Mr. Morris resigned and went to Chicago, but in 1880, he was recalled, and remained with them until the fall of 1893, when he again responded to a Chicago call. Since that time services have been conducted by the members. In autumn of 1890, the church held its meeting in Mission Hall, Norwood, when in May, 1891, Joseph G. Langdon generously donated the lot on Smith avenue on which stands their edifice. The church now, having a pleasant home, is taking on new life; the membership and congregation steadily increasing. They have a flourishing Sunday-school of which Philip Straus is superintendent. The building cost $6,500. The trustees are W. M. Langdon, Philip Straus, Louis Schneider, Alvin Langdon and Francis Wenz, Mr Wenz being also the builder.
Mission of the Good Shepherd.
THE Mission of The Good Shepherd of the Episcopal Church was organized June 23, 1891, at the residence of Geo. H. Bonte, with a membership of fifteen, and an executive committee composed of Geo. H. Bonte, J. S. Tompkins, Geo. Failor, H. L. Harrington and J. R. Lindsay. Very soon thereafter an eligible lot, corner of Ashland and Monroe avenues, was secured for $1,100, and during the following year a church building was erected thereon at a cost of $4,000. The first service was held in the new building early in July, 1892. Services had been held previous to this time at the residence of Mrs. Trivett . A membership of fifteen reached nearly six times that number before the first year ended. Sunday-school was organized upon the opening of the chapel with some twelve or fourteen scholars, and there are now over fifty on the roll. A Woman's Guild was organized, and has done, and is still doing, valuable service. The young ladies of the congregation have organized under the name of the Daughters of the Good Shepherd, and are doing efficient altar service. A striking feature of the service is a vested choir of boys, organized and well trained by T. W. Timberlake. The present members of the executive committee are T. W. Timberlake, president; H. Jacobs, secretary; H. L. Harrington, treasurer; H. P. Hathaway, Geo. H. Singer and Thomas B. Estep. Rev. John Haight is now and has been since its organization the rector of the mission.
Zion's Congregation.
THE Evangelical Reformed Zion Congregation is quite young. Rev. Joseph L. Schatz preached his first sermon at the Town Hall in October, 1891. On January 10th, following, the congregation was organized with thirty-eight members. Ground was broken on the 4th of July for the church, at the corner of Sherman and Walter avenues, and it was dedicated some months later. The building cost about $8,000. The societies are the Ladies' Aid, the Sunday-school, the Choral and the Building Aid. The trustees include Fred Wulf, Henry Burdorf, George A. Degen, H. H. Landwehr and August Strumpler. The congregation contemplates the erection of a parsonage. The building committee, aided by several of the trustees, numbered among its members H. W. Kahle, L. Krayczyczeck, C. Miller, F. Kleine and the pastor. Being a mission the congregation receives from the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed Church $500 annually towards the support of the pastor. Rev. Mr. Schatz says: "The church, standing squarely on the Scriptures as the word of God, is entirely Christian in principal, but for that very reason also purely democratic (in the sense of popular), and liberal in rule and practice. The church practically rules itself, without any foreign interference, abiding within the reasonable limits of the constitution. Its gates are wide open to all, its heart is large and warm enough to receive and welcome all, who, like those of old, have their delight in the house of God, and 'hear Him gladly.'"
St. John's, on the Hill.
MISSION Hall witnessed the birth of the youngest congregation of them all, and on March 27, 1892, St. John's Evangelical German Protestant Church was planned. A week later Rev. H. Haefner delivered a sermon to a handful of the faithful. Henry Feldman presented the lot on which their brick edifice is built, on the Montgomery pike, half-way up the heights, and during the fall of 1893, the church was dedicated. The structure, with its furnishings, cost about $15,000. Antique oak and yellow pine blend nicely in the finishing. The weather-vane on the sextagonal steeple is 173 feet above the floor, and the spire of St. John's is prominent from almost any point in Norwood. Rev. J. Paul Reinhart was the first pastor. Rev. J. B. Erben, the second, was called to the German Protestant Orphan Asylum, in Mt. Auburn and Rev. H. Tessmer is now in charge. The trustees include John Niehaus, Henry Feldman, Philip Voelker, John Hess, Edward Kink, William Schueler, Casper Geischel, William Schmidt and George Hoffman.
——— – ———
 SECTION  |
