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Historical PerspectivesEight Pioneers Founded This Church On March 26, 1836.Four couples from New England and New York state organized a church society, gathering on Saturday, March 26, 1836, at the log schoolhouse on the banks of Battle Creek in Milton Township. They followed an agreement of 1801 by the Association of Congregational Churches of Connecticut and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church to spread their beliefs in the Old Northwest. The following day, Sunday, March 27, the eight members of the society held a service in the schoolhouse. The two supply pastors who preached the first year were the Rev. Silas Woodbury of Kalamazoo, and the Rev. William Jones of Allegan. Those who signed the resolution for the society were Moses, Jr. and Mary Hall; Tolman and Lois Hall ; David and Mary Daniels; and John and Betsy VanBrunt. Moses Hall, Jr. was superintendent of the church's Sunday school and remained until his death in 1860. He was active in the community, and served as representative in the state legislature. Tolman Hall was secretary of the church society for over 50 years. The same year the church formed he was elected associate judge; in 1854 was a member of the legislature; from 1861-1866 was Battle Creek's postmaster; and in 1866 was mayor of Battle Creek. David and Mary Daniels became parents of Lucy Jane in 1837, the first child born and baptized into the congregation. In 1835 only 15 families were on record in Milton Township, which included the present townships of Pennfield, Emmett, Bedford, and the city of Battle Creek. By 1837 records show 400 adults living in the township. By the end of 1836 the new church had a congregation of 21. Ten years after, the church had a membership of 236. The schoolhouse was located at what is now the southeast corner of East State and North Monroe Streets. The Plan of Union brought together Congregationalists and Presbyterians, and grew out of a movement for alliance that began on the eastern seaboard around 1708. This relationship continued until 1850 when internal tensions finally divided the denominations. As opposed to strictly orthodox Presbyterians, Congregationalists were more susceptible to liberal influences expressed in voluntary societies which were non-denominational and cooperative. They saw their purpose as reforming society. They found works more important than doctrines. Their goals included temperance, peace and freedom, in particular, the abolition of slavery. Advances in scientific thought were also embraced by more liberal thinkers. These thoughtful, talented and energetic people were called to improve social conditions through reason and good will, without the crutches of dogma and doctrines. These ideas created conflicts between denominations. Congregationalists have vacillated between revivalism and liberalism; a product of their continual discernment. The Battle Creek church is a member of the United Church of Christ formed by a merger in 1957 of four protestant traditions: Congregational, Christian, Evangelical (Lutheran), and Reformed. The UCC is a descendant of the Plan of Union. The Congregationalists still maintain local autonomy and freedom from strong central control at a national level. Members still discern their place along the debate between personal faith and Bible study vs. action to improve society as their best arena for doing the will of God. This freedom results in much diversity in Christian beliefs pulling together in worship and missions. The path of a Christian and a Congregationalist can be difficult given the freedom of belief offered by the church. Carleton Brooks Miller, former pastor from 1919-60, said, "It is harder to be a Congregationalist than to belong to other denominations because a Congregationalist has to arrive at her/his own beliefs and understanding with God through her/his own efforts." Tensions within the church led to a call for a vote in 1874. The question was whether the church should be Congregational or Presbyterian. No decision was reached. Tension continued, and finally on Nov. 20, 1883 sixty-six members of the church withdrew and formed the First Presbyterian Church. In 1884, trustees eliminated pew rentals in favor of voluntary offerings, and on Dec. 14, 1885 the church adopted the name Independent Congregational Church and Society. The new mantra for members became "Not what the candidate might believe, but that the motive was sincere." In the same month, Sojourner Truth, former slave and great Abolitionist, was buried from the "Brick Church," as the Main Street church was popularly known. Although she was not a member, Sojourner had many friends among the congregation. |
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