1852 Rev S.W.Phelps
Rev Phelps was a graduate of Columbia College, a fine classical scholar graduating with honors. He had prepared for the foreign Missionary Service. However, on account of frail health,he was persuaded by friends to enter the Home Missionary Service. He married Caroline Thompson June 10th, 1851, in New York city. She was originally from Galena and her uncle Artemus Hunt was Western Agent of the Home Missionary Society. Mrs Phelps had been a teacher for 4 years in New York prior to their marriage. She was a woman of refinement and culture, reading the Greek language fluently. She was a popular teacher and woman of literary ability. Learning that Lee Center church had applied for a pastor, he visited and accepted the offer. Mr Phelps preached his first sermon in the south room of the academy. with a congregation of about 60-70. The furnishing were narrow seatings for two, and an improvised table for Bible and Hymn books. The parsonage was the front room of the house across the way from the academy: the front chamber with one window being the ministers study and store room. The living room had a plain rag carpet, a few chairs that Mrs Davis had given them, a table, washstand pastor had made, and the curtains were of mosquito netting looped with bright ribbons.
The was a spirit of quiet happiness that rose above the surroundings. . Prayer meetings were held Wednesday evenings, usually at the pastor's home. Deacon and Mrs Barnes, Mr Lyman Wheat and daughter Josephine, Mr and Mrs Martin Wright, and Helen, Mr and Mrs Ira Brewer, and Uncle Elisha Pratt, Mr and Mrs James Brewer, and Deacon and Mrs Crombie , who lived in the rear of the house, are those who usually attended. After the meeting there was often time to talk over the interests of the church and devise ways and means to purchase a parsonage.
The house being sold,in the Spring there was to be a general moving; as a result of the house was brought that was known many years as the stone parsonage. ( also the home of Mrs Carmeleta Christie who was serving as a missionary in in Turkey)
During the winter the people gave the pastor a donation which was very successful. Dr and Mrs Adams, Dr and Mrs Ingals, Mr and Mrs Haskell were especially interested and helpful. The Palestine people came west and the pastor's heart was gladdened and encouraged receiving more than a hundred dollars plus a large pile of wood.
Sabbath School that first winter was attended by three and the following year by six. In 1854 the stone part of the academy was built into which the church service was transferred. The academy was under the supervision of Simon Wright and had quite a reputation abroad. they had a fine staff of teachers. Foreign students came which gave impetus to Sabbath School, and from the beginning, it sustained a Bible class.
In 1854 More families had come to the church services Mr and Mrs Cochkran, Mr and Mrs Clapp, Mrs George King and family,Mr and Mrs Bartlett, and others, which added to the church congregation. The time had arrived when they had begun to talk about building . Church land was purchased, plans drawn, and building began. a lot would happen in the following month , before the church dedication would be held..... More to come
Rev Phelps was a graduate of Columbia College, a fine classical scholar graduating with honors. He had prepared for the foreign Missionary Service. However, on account of frail health,he was persuaded by friends to enter the Home Missionary Service. He married Caroline Thompson June 10th, 1851, in New York city. She was originally from Galena and her uncle Artemus Hunt was Western Agent of the Home Missionary Society. Mrs Phelps had been a teacher for 4 years in New York prior to their marriage. She was a woman of refinement and culture, reading the Greek language fluently. She was a popular teacher and woman of literary ability. Learning that Lee Center church had applied for a pastor, he visited and accepted the offer. Mr Phelps preached his first sermon in the south room of the academy. with a congregation of about 60-70. The furnishing were narrow seatings for two, and an improvised table for Bible and Hymn books. The parsonage was the front room of the house across the way from the academy: the front chamber with one window being the ministers study and store room. The living room had a plain rag carpet, a few chairs that Mrs Davis had given them, a table, washstand pastor had made, and the curtains were of mosquito netting looped with bright ribbons.
The was a spirit of quiet happiness that rose above the surroundings. . Prayer meetings were held Wednesday evenings, usually at the pastor's home. Deacon and Mrs Barnes, Mr Lyman Wheat and daughter Josephine, Mr and Mrs Martin Wright, and Helen, Mr and Mrs Ira Brewer, and Uncle Elisha Pratt, Mr and Mrs James Brewer, and Deacon and Mrs Crombie , who lived in the rear of the house, are those who usually attended. After the meeting there was often time to talk over the interests of the church and devise ways and means to purchase a parsonage.
The house being sold,in the Spring there was to be a general moving; as a result of the house was brought that was known many years as the stone parsonage. ( also the home of Mrs Carmeleta Christie who was serving as a missionary in in Turkey)
During the winter the people gave the pastor a donation which was very successful. Dr and Mrs Adams, Dr and Mrs Ingals, Mr and Mrs Haskell were especially interested and helpful. The Palestine people came west and the pastor's heart was gladdened and encouraged receiving more than a hundred dollars plus a large pile of wood.
Sabbath School that first winter was attended by three and the following year by six. In 1854 the stone part of the academy was built into which the church service was transferred. The academy was under the supervision of Simon Wright and had quite a reputation abroad. they had a fine staff of teachers. Foreign students came which gave impetus to Sabbath School, and from the beginning, it sustained a Bible class.
In 1854 More families had come to the church services Mr and Mrs Cochkran, Mr and Mrs Clapp, Mrs George King and family,Mr and Mrs Bartlett, and others, which added to the church congregation. The time had arrived when they had begun to talk about building . Church land was purchased, plans drawn, and building began. a lot would happen in the following month , before the church dedication would be held..... More to come
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