PDF (20 MB) - Virtual Library of the Public Library of Cincinnati

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 255
William Lloyd Garrison, the editor, in other words, to agitate the
Aviekedness of southern slavery. Some favored the use of the church
for that purpose, notably John Beatty and R. J. Jennings. The majority
of the trustees refused the use of the church; it seemed at that time
as if the North AVIIS all excited upon the subject; there Ave re riots in Boston,
in Philadelphia and Alton. The feeling became, intense in Sandusky,
and as a result a large majority of the members of "the little
church" seceded and organized a IICAV Methodist society, and during
the next tAvo years completed the erection of a very fine stone church
building just west of the courthouse. It AVIIS for many years knoAvn
and called the Beatty Church for the reason that he Avas more prominent
than th(! other seceders and also aih'auced a large portion of money
that, AVIIS expended upon it. The building Avas later OAvned by the German
Lutheran society. At about the same time Grace Episcopal Church,
in the East Square, and still standing, and the Congregational Church in
the West Square, aftenvard taken (IOAVII, Avere erected in the years
1836 and 1837 and occupied, in the basement. The result of all these
influences most seriously affected the First Methodist Church society, so
(hat it ceased to be self-supporting, ft remained in this condition for
several years and made but little gain in membership; from 1836 to
1840 the circuit Avas included in the Michigan Conference, and since
.the latter year it Avas joined to and included in the Northern Ohio
Conference, Avhich in 1845 again became self-sustaining and a larger
church was soon required for„their accommodation. In 1846 one Avas
commenced in the East Square, facing north on Columbus Avenue, just
Avest of Avhere the high school building noAV stands; but just as it was
completed it was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1848. After the
decease of Mr. Beatty, Avho had intended to give his interest in the
stone, church to the Methodist society, but failed to nmke the requisite
provision, and after considerable litigation the church AVIIS sold to
Mr. Hector Jennings, for the benefit of the society, but it was too poor
to raise the money to secure it, lint continued to occupy the basement
until in the cholera season of 1849, the buufthig AA'as seized by the city
and Used as the cholera hospital during that eventful period. With an
earnestness of purpose and zeal Avorthy of their vvork, and with that
energy and indomitable spirit peculiar to Methodists^ not dismayed by
internal dissensions or the ravages of fire the First Methodist Church
organization again Avent to Avork to build another church edifice, and it
Avas a very beautiful stone building 75 feet in lenglb and 55 feet in
width: , It AVIIS erected just- Avest aud partly in front of the courthouse,
facing north. It was commenced in 1S49 and. Avas completed and dedicated
late in 1853. ,
The beautiful new church which had just been dedicated AVIIS hardly
occupied before another quite serious secession took place, caused by a
disagreement on tile question of-choral singing. The society had by
a decisive vote expressed the preference for choir singing: a few of
the members, hoAvever, Ave re strongly against it aiuvl insisted upon the
old AAiiy of congregational singing and Avere not willing to yield to the