Volume 008-5 - November 1954 (2 pages)

EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH _ The first Episcopal service was held in Grass Valley, March 20, 1855, in the Masonic Hall on Main Street by the first rector, Rev. W. H. Hill. When this all was destroyed by the disastrous fire of the following autumn, the congregation moved to Temperance Hall on Church Street. The Gold Hill Quartz Mining company donated the Parish a valuable lot of land bounded by Church, Walsh and Mill Streets, December 11, 1856, on condition that a church edifice be erected within 18 months after the acceptance of the gift. The offer was gratelfully accepted and the present Emmanuel Church was built and opened for worship August 1, 1857, The cost of the building was $6,000. It is the oldest religious building of any denomination in the Sierra country. Others were built a few years earlier but unfortunately were destroyed by fire, used for other purposes or razed for newer buildings. Mary A. Thayer was the first person baptized in the Episcopal Parish. The ceremony was performed April 29, 1855, by the Rev. W. H. Hill. The first wedding of the parish was that of James E. Pringle and Mary L. Herrick on August 5th, 1855, also performed by the first rector. _On November 11, 1856, the first confirmation class knelt at the Bishop's feet to receive the laying on of hands. How the passing of time has changed the community life is illustrated by the fact that the third rector, Rev. H. O. G. Smeatham was massacred by Indians in Surprise Valley, Nevada, while engaged in church business in the district. His last words of encouragement were, “Be as cool as though entering church.” The first rectory was built in 1867, Rev. D. D. Chapin being the rector. It was later moved to the other side of the church and used as a Parish Hall. The present rectory was built in 1901, a Mr. Fox being the architect. It was Ersh Soneupise by Rev. W. H. Fenton mith. The cost, $2355, was enhanced by a legacy of $1,000 from the Polglase estate and the sale of church lots facing Mill Street as well as private subscriptions. After the Rectory was moved from the corner of Walsh and Church Streets to the present location of Parish Hall, Rev. Fenton Smith, on October 12, 1901, opened a library and reading room with donated books, magazines and papers. Checkers, chess and other games were provided for those who did not care to read. This was the first public library of Grass Valley, presided over by volunteer attendants of the church. The first vested choir was instituted by Rev. J. H. Van Deerlin in 1897. In this year the church and rectory were first lighted by electricity. In April, 1898, the choir room and the church porch were built. The present Parish Hall was erected in 1937 under the direction of Rev. Charles W. Washburn and has proved of great service to the congregation. During the past years many valuable ornaments have been presented to the church. Brass candle sticks and gospel desk were donated in 1897. The Rood screen and reredos were placed in the church in 1901. The beautiful lectern was given in 1937 in memory of Miss Jenifer Wedlock by members of her family. In 1944. two brass Communion candlesticks were presented by Miss A. Curtis in memory of her sister, Miss K. Curtis. for many years a most active member of the church. References: Thompson and West, 1880 ; Bean’s Directory, 1867 Church publications. Treasurer, Mrs, Helen Sawyer, 123 Nevada St., Nevada City, California Nevada County Historical Society November, 1954 Vol. 8, No. 5 EARLY CHURCHES OF GRASE VALLEY Compiled by Miss Genevieve Kent In Nevada County, as elsewhere in the mining camps of California during the gold rush days, Sunday was not observed as a holy day; but as a day to either continue the feverish search for gold or to pause for preparation for the week ahead: cleaning up, repairing clothing, laying in provision, and recreation, of which the saloon became the club house for gatherings, gambling and drinking. At first this was the universal trend; but in every community, there were a few who clung tenaciously to the old faith and customs and observed the Sabbath. A few missionary preachers soon followed the tide of emigration, and sought to preach the word of God where so little heed was paid to it. About these gathered the few straggling Christians, representatives of all denominations, and meetings were held in the streets, under wide spreading trees, in crude shake shanties, and in private cabins. Church organizations, were of a temporary character, in which the denominational differences were laid aside in the effort to stem the tide of immorality and indifference. These were soon followed by the separate organizations of the strongest denominations, until denominations resolved themselves into their own peculiar organization and each had its own church and pastor. The experiences of the pioneer preachers were peculiar and interesting. Everywhere they were treated with respect, and sermons in the streets were listened to by idlers drawn together by curiosity, caring little whether the speaker was a minister or an auctioneer. No insult was offered them and no disturbance created, except possibly by an occasional drunken man. Ministers went into saloons and gamas houses, and were well received and ‘listened to with respect and attention. -When a preacher entered a gambling saloon, often the game was suspended, a cloth covered over the tables and attention given to him while he sang a hymn and spoke a few words. Collections were often taken up for his benefit, and to aid him in building a church. As soon as his discourse was at an end, the cloth was removed from the tables and the game resumed. In circulating subscriptions for the erection of houses of worship, the saloons were not overlooked and frequently they donated liberally. On September 23, 1849, Rev. Cunningham arrived in Boston Ravine as the president of the Boston Ravine Company. The gentleman says, “On Saturday, the 28th of September, an emigrant from across the plains was buried on the south side of the Ravine, and he received a Christian burial, as I officiated on the occasion. That was the first death followed by a Christian burial that took place in Grass Valley, if not in the county. On the following Sabbath, our company and two emigrant families assembled beneath a tree, near our large tent, and I had the honor of preaching the first gospe] sermon ever preached in that place or in Nevada County.” Isaac Owen, Pioneer Church Founder On a September day in 1849, Isaac Owen’s ox drawn covered wagon came creaking down the Western Slope of The Sierras and halted where Grass Valley now stands. That Sunday a number of emigrants gathered. Owen stuck his cane in the ground, placed his hat on it for a pulpit and preached.* He became the first Presiding Elder (now District Superintendent) in California Methodism and the only one whose district covered the entire state. Qn his circuit of the Mother Lode and adjacent territory he organized churches, appointed ministers, and collected money or gold dust for the establishment of the churches, as well as the University or College of the Pacific to which he gave $1,000 of his own money. (Isaac Owen was instrumental in establishing a large number of Methodist Churches in the Mother Lode and the Northern Mines area.) **In Search of God’s Gold.”—Leon L. Loefbourow.

EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH _ The first Episcopal service was held in Grass Valley, March 20, 1855, in the Masonic Hall on Main Street by the first rector, Rev. W. H. Hill. When this all was destroyed by the disastrous fire of the following autumn, the congregation moved to Temperance Hall on Church Street. The Gold Hill Quartz Mining company donated the Parish a valuable lot of land bounded by Church, Walsh and Mill Streets, December 11, 1856, on condition that a church edifice be erected within 18 months after the acceptance of the gift. The offer was gratelfully accepted and the present Emmanuel Church was built and opened for worship August 1, 1857, The cost of the building was $6,000. It is the oldest religious building of any denomination in the Sierra country. Others were built a few years earlier but unfortunately were destroyed by fire, used for other purposes or razed for newer buildings. Mary A. Thayer was the first person baptized in the Episcopal Parish. The ceremony was performed April 29, 1855, by the Rev. W. H. Hill. The first wedding of the parish was that of James E. Pringle and Mary L. Herrick on August 5th, 1855, also performed by the first rector. _On November 11, 1856, the first confirmation class knelt at the Bishop's feet to receive the laying on of hands. How the passing of time has changed the community life is illustrated by the fact that the third rector, Rev. H. O. G. Smeatham was massacred by Indians in Surprise Valley, Nevada, while engaged in church business in the district. His last words of encouragement were, “Be as cool as though entering church.” The first rectory was built in 1867, Rev. D. D. Chapin being the rector. It was later moved to the other side of the church and used as a Parish Hall. The present rectory was built in 1901, a Mr. Fox being the architect. It was Ersh Soneupise by Rev. W. H. Fenton mith. The cost, $2355, was enhanced by a legacy of $1,000 from the Polglase estate and the sale of church lots facing Mill Street as well as private subscriptions. After the Rectory was moved from the corner of Walsh and Church Streets to the present location of Parish Hall, Rev. Fenton Smith, on October 12, 1901, opened a library and reading room with donated books, magazines and papers. Checkers, chess and other games were provided for those who did not care to read. This was the first public library of Grass Valley, presided over by volunteer attendants of the church. The first vested choir was instituted by Rev. J. H. Van Deerlin in 1897. In this year the church and rectory were first lighted by electricity. In April, 1898, the choir room and the church porch were built. The present Parish Hall was erected in 1937 under the direction of Rev. Charles W. Washburn and has proved of great service to the congregation. During the past years many valuable ornaments have been presented to the church. Brass candle sticks and gospel desk were donated in 1897. The Rood screen and reredos were placed in the church in 1901. The beautiful lectern was given in 1937 in memory of Miss Jenifer Wedlock by members of her family. In 1944. two brass Communion candlesticks were presented by Miss A. Curtis in memory of her sister, Miss K. Curtis. for many years a most active member of the church. References: Thompson and West, 1880 ; Bean’s Directory, 1867 Church publications. Treasurer, Mrs, Helen Sawyer, 123 Nevada St., Nevada City, California Nevada County Historical Society November, 1954 Vol. 8, No. 5

EARLY CHURCHES OF GRASE VALLEY Compiled by Miss Genevieve Kent In Nevada County, as elsewhere in the mining camps of California during the gold rush days, Sunday was not observed as a holy day; but as a day to either continue the feverish search for gold or to pause for preparation for the week ahead: cleaning up, repairing clothing, laying in provision, and recreation, of which the saloon became the club house for gatherings, gambling and drinking. At first this was the universal trend; but in every community, there were a few who clung tenaciously to the old faith and customs and observed the Sabbath. A few missionary preachers soon followed the tide of emigration, and sought to preach the word of God where so little heed was paid to it. About these gathered the few straggling Christians, representatives of all denominations, and meetings were held in the streets, under wide spreading trees, in crude shake shanties, and in private cabins. Church organizations, were of a temporary character, in which the denominational differences were laid aside in the effort to stem the tide of immorality and indifference. These were soon followed by the separate organizations of the strongest denominations, until denominations resolved themselves into their own peculiar organization and each had its own church and pastor. The experiences of the pioneer preachers were peculiar and interesting. Everywhere they were treated with respect, and sermons in the streets were listened to by idlers drawn together by curiosity, caring little whether the speaker was a minister or an auctioneer. No insult was offered them and no disturbance created, except possibly by an occasional drunken man. Ministers went into saloons and gamas houses, and were well received and ‘listened to with respect and attention. -When a preacher entered a gambling saloon, often the game was suspended, a cloth covered over the tables and attention given to him while he sang a hymn and spoke a few words. Collections were often taken up for his benefit, and to aid him in building a church. As soon as his discourse was at an end, the cloth was removed from the tables and the game resumed. In circulating subscriptions for the erection of houses of worship, the saloons were not overlooked and frequently they donated liberally. On September 23, 1849, Rev. Cunningham arrived in Boston Ravine as the president of the Boston Ravine Company. The gentleman says, “On Saturday, the 28th of September, an emigrant from across the plains was buried on the south side of the Ravine, and he received a Christian burial, as I officiated on the occasion. That was the first death followed by a Christian burial that took place in Grass Valley, if not in the county. On the following Sabbath, our company and two emigrant families assembled beneath a tree, near our large tent, and I had the honor of preaching the first gospe] sermon ever preached in that place or in Nevada County.” Isaac Owen, Pioneer Church Founder On a September day in 1849, Isaac Owen’s ox drawn covered wagon came creaking down the Western Slope of The Sierras and halted where Grass Valley now stands. That Sunday a number of emigrants gathered. Owen stuck his cane in the ground, placed his hat on it for a pulpit and preached.* He became the first Presiding Elder (now District Superintendent) in California Methodism and the only one whose district covered the entire state. Qn his circuit of the Mother Lode and adjacent territory he organized churches, appointed ministers, and collected money or gold dust for the establishment of the churches, as well as the University or College of the Pacific to which he gave $1,000 of his own money. (Isaac Owen was instrumental in establishing a large number of Methodist Churches in the Mother Lode and the Northern Mines area.) **In Search of God’s Gold.”—Leon L. Loefbourow.